Plumbing Leaks and Detection
You’ve seen it in movies and on TV shows- a hapless, haggard homeowner gets drenched when their plumbing pipes burst and their home gets flooded. This usually gets roaring laughter from the studio audience, but it’s not funny in real life. If you’ve never had a plumbing leak, congratulations. If you have, well then you know the pain and expense that it causes. Early leak detection important in deciding if you should contact a plumber in Puyallup. Let us show you some ways to catch a small problem before it escalates.
The causes of leaks
Your home or business plumbing is a diverse and sophisticated system. There are many different causes of leaks, including:
- Improper Seals: If a pipe isn’t connected properly, a loose-fitting seal can allow water through.
- Corrosion: Exposure to the wrong chemicals can wear away at the metal in a pipe, leading to holes.
- Stress: Damage caused by impacts, including earthquakes, can knock pipes loose or cause them to break.
- Cold Weather: Freezing temperatures can cause the metal to become brittle. Water expands when it freezes, and if you don’t keep the water moving through the lines it could cause a pipe to burst.
Finding Leaks on your own
Generally it’s best to have a professional come and find the leaks in your home. More on that below. How do you know when it’s time to call in a plumber in the first place? There are a few signs that can tip you off as whether there’s a leak in the pipes. If you turn off your main water supply, as well as any faucetsin your house, check the water meter.Ifit continues to run, it’s likely that the leak comes from a supply pipe outside your home.
Water bills
Is your water bill higher than usual? If you notice that your latest bill is heftier than last month’s, that might be a sign that there’s a leak. Before calling in a plumber, go to your utility company’s website and compare your water use for the same period in the previous year. If it’s significantly higher, that’s an indicator of a possible leak.
Signs of mold
Mold thrives in moist environments. You can often find it in your shower or bathtub area, on the ceiling or the walls. Mold usually comes off with some bleach and a scrub brush. If you notice mold patches growing anywhere out of the ordinary, that could indicate a leak. Try cleaning the growth off. If it turns out that the mold is coming from behind the drywall and growing into the room, that’s a cause for concern.
Sagging, dripping and pooling
A sagging ceiling could indicate that there’s a water buildup in the pipes above. This is especially true if you see water dripping down through the drywall. Another sign includes visible pools of water at the base of sinks, toilets and other fixtures.
Fast fixes for minor leaks
There are a few very minor types of leaks that a DIY homeowner without extensive training might be able to fix on their own. We’re listing a few of them below. Keep in mind that nothgin replaces the expertise of a master plumber.
Leaks under sinks
Not uncommon, a leak under the sink can be simple to find and repair. You can often hear them if a supply line bursts. The first thing to do is to turn off the water coming into the pipes. This doesn’t mean turning off the faucet, but closing the valves that run hot and cold water to the sink. You can usually find them underneat the sink. They tend to be red and black. Once the water is off you can then remove and replace faulty pipes.
Running toilets
Sometimes a leak comes from inside a toilet. When certain components wear out they cause the toilet tank to keep from filling up, and water just runs through continuously. Usually you hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom, which alerts you to the problem. Not all toilets run loudly, so it’s till best to check occasionally, even if you don’t hear anything.
A toilet might run because of a cracked, seal, a worn flapper or a stuck chain. In the case of a stuck chain, you can usually just jiggle the lever to fix it. Other problems require a new part, which is easy to obtain at your local hardware or supply store.
Calling in a professsional
We can’t stress this enough. You need a professional plumber to come in if you suspect that your problem is any more serious than a quick fix. Technicians are trained in a variety of methods for finding and fixing leaks. In the hand of a layperson the damage might get much worse over time. Pros can use special dyes, cameras and many other tricks of the trade to determine where a leak is located. The best part about having a plumber come in is that they bring their tools with them. Once they’re onsite they can fix a variety of different leaks quickly and efficiently.
A plumber you can trust
When you need professional help, trust John’s Plumbing and Pumps as your plumber in Puyallup. We’ve got years of experience and are trusted throughout Pierce and Thurston Counties. Our hundreds of satisfied customers serve as witnesses of our dedication to ensure complete satisfaction with every job. If you suspect that you have a leak or another problem, don’t hesitate to give us a phone call or use the contact form on this page. We get back to you promptly, either for a free estimate or to send a tech out to your location. Emergency on-call plumbers ensure that your emergency gets resolved in a timely and satisfactory manner. With over two generations spent serving you, we have deep connections to the community, and always treat you how we’d treat our own family. There’s no need to put up with a broken system and high repair bill anymore; call in John’s Plumbing and Pumps today.