Preventing Water Damage And How A Plumber Can Help | Universal City, TX
The last thing a homeowner wants in their home is to deal with water damage. This is because it can cost them thousands of dollars in repairs, replacements and restorations. In some cases, it can even cost them their homes. If you suspect a leak in your plumbing, we suggest calling a plumber in Universal City, TX immediately for a thorough inspection. Don’t wait for the issue to become a major plumbing emergency that will be even more difficult to handle. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. You can trust that bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio is always available to provide you with essential plumbing services including emergency plumbing to resolve any plumbing issue that comes up.
Also, you need to contact a plumber to determine if the issue is inside or could be the main water main. Don’t worry, our plumbing experts can properly diagnose the problem, and discuss with you what’s wrong including the solutions available to ensure the problem doesn’t come back.
Types of Plumbing Leaks
As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to be mindful of your plumbing, especially signs of leaks. And there are two types of leaks that you need to watch out for. Both of these will require immediate assistance from a plumber. But don’t worry, we’re always here to help.
Catastrophic Leaks
This type of plumbing leak usually doesn’t get unnoticed until maybe too late. This is why it’s important for homeowners to periodically check their plumbing so that they are aware of any leaks that can progress into a major plumbing emergency that can cost them an arm and a leg. If you suspect a leak in your plumbing, we suggest you contact a plumber in Universal City, TX for professional leak detection. Do this right away to avoid further damage to your home.
A catastrophic leak can also lead to a mold problem. Remember, mold can also cause health issues, not ideal especially when you have children at home.
Some examples of catastrophic plumbing leaks include burst pipes or water line breakage from your washing machine. An overflowing toilet is also another example of a catastrophic and extremely unsanitary problem. You need to get in touch with a plumber immediately to help you resolve these issues promptly.
It’s also easy to avoid burst pipes. When the temperature reaches freezing or below zero, we urge homeowners to protect all exposed pipes and outdoor plumbing with an insulating material so that the water inside pipes doesn’t freeze. Otherwise, you will have no water in your home and the pipes can also expand and then break. So always take proper care of your plumbing. If you’re not sure about something, don’t be afraid to contact a plumber in Universal City, TX, who can assist.
Hidden Leaks
This is the type of leak that you won’t notice right away. You might need to hire a plumber for professional leak detection to locate these leaks. But thankfully, there are signs to watch out for. Below are the signs of hidden leaks in your plumbing. Call a plumber right away when you notice any of the signs below:
Low water pressure – Call a plumber when there’s low water pressure in all of your plumbing fixtures as this usually indicates a leak in your plumbing. We advise you to take action immediately especially when you have a water heater tank. The sediment can build up faster and you will likely have problems with your water heater when there’s low water pressure. Call a plumber for professional leak detection to help you locate the leak. And that’s what we’re here for. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio is fully equipped to help us properly locate the leak or diagnose the problem. We also have everything we need to permanently resolve the issue.
Water spots – Although subtle, these are usually signs of leaks in your plumbing. This is also the type of leak that can likely progress into a major plumbing emergency. We suggest you contact a plumber in Universal City, TX immediately for professional leak detection.
Higher water bills – When your bills are suddenly higher this month, this can indicate a leak in your plumbing. We suggest you contact a plumber immediately for professional leak detection. You can also do a water meter test to test for a leak. If both readings are different, we suggest you call a professional immediately to help you locate the leak.
Where Do You Look for Leaks
Do you suspect a leak in your plumbing? You might want to check these areas first and then call a plumber to further investigate.
Water heater – Pooling water near the water heater could mean the pipes are broken or the water heater tank is damaged. When it’s the latter, you will have no choice but to completely get a new unit. Consider switching to tankless water heaters to reduce the chances of getting water leaks. When the pipes are broken, get in touch with a licensed plumber in Universal City, TX immediately to fix the problem.
Under sinks – Check the sink in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. If there are signs of water leaks, don’t hesitate to call a plumber right away.
Sump pump – The sump pump should be able to remove the water from the sump pit. When it can’t, you might want to check in with your plumber as there’s likely a problem with it. It’s always better to regularly maintain the sump pump to ensure it works efficiently. Don’t worry, our plumbing experts can help.
Walls or ceilings – When you see water spots in the ceilings or walls, these usually indicate a leak in your plumbing. We suggest you contact a plumber in Universal City, TX right away to thoroughly inspect your plumbing system.
Causes of Plumbing Leaks
Do you know what causes plumbing leaks? These are the most common causes of plumbing leaks.
Tree Roots – Plumbing systems mustn’t be near trees or the roots can penetrate the pipes even with just a tiny leak and this can lead to a catastrophic plumbing problem that can cost you thousands in repairs and replacements.
High water pressure – The water pressure in your home must be within normal levels. High water pressure lets you waste hundreds of gallons of water. They can also severely damage the pipes. Get a water pressure regulator or contact a plumber right away if your water pressure is high.
Frozen pipes – This is highly avoidable. You can prevent frozen pipes by insulating them when the temperature starts dropping. You can get affordable insulation at your local hardware store. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a professional.
How Do You Prevent Water Damage?
Below are some helpful tips to prevent water damage to your home.
- Always protect the pipes. As mentioned, you must protect exposed pipes, especially in the winter. In addition to insulating them, you might want to also slightly open the faucet so that water can flow through the pipes. Or if you have the heating on, ensure that you open the cabinet doors so that warm air can also circulate in that area.
- Get a new sump pump. If you have a basement and your area is prone to flooding, we highly recommend you install a new sump pump. However, make sure to test the pump first before using it. You can test it by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. Make sure the water is just enough so that it turns on the float switch. Observe — if the pump doesn’t get rid of the water, contact a plumbing company near you so that a professional can thoroughly inspect your unit. The problem could be how it was installed or you probably have a defective unit. A sump pump can help prevent flooding in the basement and help you save a lot of money. Remember, you might have clothes or other appliances stored in the basement. When they get wet, you will have no choice but to completely replace them. And this can cost you a lot of money.
- Get leak detection devices. Do you have a leak detection device at home? If not, we highly encourage you to install a few leak-detection devices near your water heater, washing machine, dishwasher and garbage disposal. These leak detection devices might cost you more but you actually get to save more money in the long run because they can prevent plumbing disasters at home. When you connect these devices to your mobile phones or tablet, they can alert you when it detects a possible leak or fluctuations in the temperature. They can also turn off the main water supply to prevent further damage to your plumbing. If you need more information about leak detection devices, we’re more than happy to assist. We also have a team of plumbing experts who can help install these devices into your home.
- Install several shut-off valves. Some homeowners only have one shut-off valve that’s usually installed in the basement. Please make sure you have these devices near your plumbing appliances so that you quickly turn off the water. Because when there’s a leak in your plumbing, the first thing you need to do is turn off the main water to prevent further damage, and not call a professional immediately. When you’re in the second-floor bathroom and there’s a leak, it takes time for you to get to the basement. Install them near your water heater, garbage disposal, washing machine and other plumbing appliances or fixtures.
- Get regular plumbing maintenance. One of the best ways to ensure your plumbing stays in excellent shape is to get routine inspections. During the appointment, the professional can check all components of your plumbing system and ensure they’re in excellent shape. They will also let you know of any issues and provide you with cost-effective solutions.
- If you still have old washing machine hoses, we suggest you get the stainless steel ones as they are less susceptible to damage and they also last longer than plastic washing machine hoses. So if you have older hoses, we suggest you get new ones to prevent flooding in the laundry room. For installation, please make sure to only hire a licensed professional to prevent more problems down the road. And this is where we come in. We have experts who properly install new washing machine hoses or new units if you’re planning to get new ones.
- Flush the sediment build-up in the water heater tank to prevent flooding in the basement. This is easy as you only have to drain your water heater tank of the mineral buildup. You may have to also do this more than once a year especially when there’s a high level of hard water in your plumbing.
- Try not to plant more trees near your plumbing to avoid tree roots penetrating through the plumbing pipes. If there are more trees on your property, we suggest you contact a professional immediately so they can do something about it.
- If you’re going out for a long weekend, the best way to prevent flooding is to turn off the water main. You might want to also ask a friend or a family member to check on your property from time to time. Don’t forget to give our number to them in case there are problems that need to be attended to right away.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio Today
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio is a dependable plumbing company in Universal City, TX, and in surrounding areas. We have been helping out homeowners and businesses for several years. Our team always strives to ensure all clients are completely satisfied with our services. If you need a plumber, you can always rely on us to permanently resolve the issue. Call us today for an appointment.
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