Plumbing Tips - Part 2

3 Most Common Causes of Household Leaks

Having a leak in your home can be a major source of stress and a headache for any homeowner. If you see absolutely no reason for a leak and you did not damage the pipes, the problem has not been addressed properly. By pretending a leak is simply not there will lead to costly repairs and possibly more damage in the future.

plumbing leak

As a homeowner, it is absolutely essential that you understand some of the possible reasons you may have a leak in your home, you must call an emergency plumber to help rectify the situation as soon as possible.

Causes of Most Plumbing Leaks

Some very typical reasons you may have a plumbing leak in your home can include corrosion, broken seals, clogs, and broken appliances.

When there is a clog in the drain, the water will begin to backup which creates pressure in the pipes and ultimately leads to a busted pipe.

Older homes typically deal with corrosion and rust issues in the pipes, this corrosion will develop pressure in the pipes which eventually lead to leakage.

Leak Prevention

One of the easiest ways to ensure there are no leaks in your home is to follow through with routine inspections and proper maintenance. It is best to have a professional plumber inspect and maintain your pipes.

Likewise, if you do have any clogs it is best to steer clear of using chemicals and train cleaners as they tend to eat away the interior of the pipes if they are used on a frequent basis. Over time this form of corrosion will lead to leaks.

Proper Use of Drains

Finally, it is important to be very careful what you put down the drains. By simply flushing the wrong items can lead to loose fittings, leaks and other forms of plumbing damage. If you have a clogged drain, it is important to understand that you need professional cleaning. When you have consistent clogs in the home, you’re more than likely to suffer from leaks.

If you believe there is a leak in the home, call a licensed plumber today. The longer you wait, the more likely the situation will grow and become more expensive and disruptive.

Tips On How To Stop A Faucet From Dripping

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leaking faucet

A leaking faucet is one of those plumbing concerns that are common in modern properties. As the faucet begins to show signs of aging this is the first problem property owners encounter.

If this is a situation you are dealing with, it’s time to figure out what to do as soon as possible. Letting things continue in their current state will lead to further plumbing concerns that come with a hefty repair bill.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you should do to stop a faucet from dripping…

Check the Seal

Certain faucets are going to have a neoprene seal. These seals tend to break down after a while and are going to start leaking water as soon as their base weakens. To make sure this is the case, look for the seal near the cylinder.

This is a common issue with ceramic disk faucets.

Look for the seal and replace it with a new one. It is going to be a simple change and will make sure the dripping stops before it worsens.

Tighten the O-Ring

In some faucets, there is going to be what’s called an “O-Ring” near the bottom. Once you remove the spout, it’s time to work away at the old O-Ring.

This ring isn’t going to age well and it is the first component that breaks down with a modern faucet. If that is the case, you are going to notice water leaking from there. If that is the case, you are going to have to invest in a similar-sized O-Ring and replace it.

Make sure to use plumber’s grease when you are setting up the new O-Ring.

Check the Assembly

Each faucet is going to have an internal assembly that holds everything together. You have to make sure it is tightened as it can loosen after a few years of regular use. Just tightening all of the bolts/caps will go a long way in stopping the dripping.

This is a good thing to check on before, during, and after the DIY repair work is done.

Implement these tips as soon as possible and make sure to keep an eye on the faucet. The goal is to make sure you go through each step in detail and remain vigilant when it comes to the pipes near the faucet. This will ensure the results are effective and the faucet doesn’t start dripping a few minutes later. Contact with us if you need any kind of plumbing help.

How To Turn Off Your Main Water Line – Plumbing Tips

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Instructions On Turning Off Your Main Water Line

As a homeowner, it is crucial that you know how to turn off the water to your fixtures as well as to the whole house. When there is leak or breakage in the water line, everyone in your household should know how to do this easy task so expensive water damage can be avoided.

plumber turning off water line

Turning Off The Water Supply to the Entire House

Leaks can happen suddenly due to a breakage in the pipes, the water heater, or for other reasons. When you know where to turn off the water supply to your house, you can prevent extensive water damage that can result in very costly repairs. You can turn off the water to your whole house by finding the main water line and turning the shut-off valves.

Typically, you can find the first shut-off valve at the main water line to the house on an outside wall located in the crawl space beneath the front of the house or in the basement. If your house was constructed on a slab, you might find the water line in the garage or near the water heater. When you find the shut-off valve, use your hand and turn the handle of the valve clockwise. This will shut off the entire water supply to your house.

There is a secondary shut-off valve located at the water meter. To shut off this valve, you will need to use a specialized key or a set of channel lock pliers.

Sometimes there is a third valve buried underground at the perimeter of your house near the street, in front of the water meter. If the source of the leak is at a part of the water line that is outside of your house, you will have to turn off the water at this valve. You might be able to turn this valve by hand. If not, you’ll need to use the special key or some channel lock pliers to get the job done.

If you can’t shut off the valve because you don’t have the appropriate tool or you don’t know the location of the valve, contact a nearby plumber or your water department for assistance in turning off the water.

Turning Off the Water To A Fixture Inside the House

Each fixture in your house has its own shut-off valve for the hot and cold water supply. If the fixture has a leak, you can shut off the water just to this fixture at this valve.

The water line that supplies water to the fixture is a branch of the bigger main water line that feeds water to your house. The line at the fixture level has a shut-off valve called a stop.

You should learn where the water shut-off valve is for each fixture in your house. If there is leak at one of these fixtures, you can quickly shut off the water supply to the fixture by turning this valve, thus minimizing potential water damage.

How To Maintain The Shut-Off Valve

At least two times a year, you should check the water lines and the respective stops for each of your fixtures. Make sure the valve can be opened and closed smoothly. Doing this a couple of times a year will prevent the valve from sticking when you have to turn off the water due to a leak. If you see a leak due to damage on one of your valves, contact us immediately for a replacement.