Your Plumbing Service’s Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Plumbing Leaks | San Antonio, TX
If you suspect a leak in your plumbing, read this FAQ to keep yourself informed. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact a plumber in San Antonio, TX. For repairs, get a plumbing service in your area.
Common Questions About Leaks:
Why Do I Have Higher Water Bills?
No homeowner wants to pay high water bills especially when they are trying to conserve water and energy. A leaky toilet is one of the culprits — you can waste up to 200 gallons of water with a leaky toilet. If you don’t get a plumbing service to fix the issue, you will likely end up with a higher bill.
To check a toilet leak, pour a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank and wait for about 15 minutes. Check the toilet bowl for any signs of a leak; you’ll know it when the water’s color suddenly changes. We suggest calling a plumber immediately so they can inspect the toilet. Depending on the damage, you might need to get it repaired or replaced.
Leaky appliances and fixtures can also lead to skyrocketing utility bills. Periodically check your water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and other fixtures for any signs of leaks. You may want to also replace them when they are no longer that efficient. Inefficient appliances usually work harder and this can lead to higher bills. For installation, make sure to get plumbing service in San Antonio, TX.
What Are the Causes of Plumbing Leaks?
Below are some of the most common culprits:
Tree roots – Are there trees near your property? Moisture can attract tree roots and a tiny leak is enough to severely damage your pipes. The tree roots can deeply penetrate your plumbing pipes and this can lead to a costly repair or replacement.
Get a plumbing service if there are leaks in your property. Our team can help you provide the best solution to avoid catastrophic leaks.
High water pressure – You are not just wasting water with high water pressure, but it can severely strain your pipes. If you don’t address the problem, this can lead to a costly plumbing leak. Get a water pressure regulator to help you regulate your water pressure.
Be careful with low water pressure as this can indicate a leak in your plumbing. When you get higher bills plus low water pressure, there is likely a leak. If you can’t find obvious leaks, look for hidden leaks such as water spots in the walls or the ceilings. Get a plumbing service immediately for professional leak detection.
Our team of licensed plumbers is fully equipped; we have everything we need to find the exact location of the leak. We will investigate further and help you permanently resolve the problem.
Corroding pipes – If you live in an old home with galvanized or iron pipes installed, consider getting a plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, for a new pipe installation. Older pipes are more susceptible to damage or corrosion. Eventually, corroded pipes can leak. You can avoid flooding by getting new pipes. Go for PVC or copper pipes as they are less susceptible to damage and corrosion. If you need more information about this, please don’t hesitate to get a plumbing service. We are more than happy to answer any questions about plumbing pipes and installation.
Frozen pipes – Exposed pipes should be protected especially during freezing temperatures. You can get insulating material at our local hardware shop for this. Opening the faucet slightly so that warm water can circulate in the pipes also helps. Don’t forget to also open the cabinet doors underneath the sink so that warm air can circulate in that area as well. When the pipes are not protected, the water inside them can freeze, expand and then burst. This can lead to flooding in your basement — remember, water damage can cost you a fortune in restorations and repairs. But you can avoid it by taking good care of your plumbing.
Clogs – When there’s too much food waste and sediment in your pipes, they can eventually leak. Clogs are also associated with other issues such as pest infestation, unpleasant smells and water damage. To remedy the problem, make sure to install strainers in your kitchen and bathroom drain. If possible, install a garbage disposal to help you properly dispose of food waste. Get professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, for installation.
Underground movements – This can also lead to plumbing leaks but you can resolve this problem with routine plumbing inspections. During the appointment, our plumbers will thoroughly inspect your entire plumbing system and identify issues that may lead to a costly repair. We will let you know if there are problems and will do our best to permanently resolve them.
Incorrect installation – If you’re installing new pipes or appliances, please get professional assistance. Licensed plumbers are properly trained to install new pipes, sump pumps or garbage disposals. While a manufacturer can provide instructions, it’s recommended to get a professional plumbing service to ensure correct installation. Avoid hiring unlicensed plumbers as well, even if they are offering their services at a much lower price. They are not able to give you a guarantee; so if they make a mistake, you will have to look for another plumber. This can cost you more money. To avoid other problems, get a professional plumbing service instead.
What Are the Signs of Leaks in my Plumbing?
There are two types of leaks to watch out for: the obvious leaks and hidden leaks. When you suspect a leak, get a plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, for professional leak detection.
Below are the signs there might be leaks in your plumbing:
Low water pressure – There is likely a leak in your plumbing especially when you also get higher bills. Call a plumber immediately so they can investigate further.
Another way to check if there are leaks in your plumbing is by doing a water meter test. Simply check the reading in the water meter and compare the current reading with the previous. However, make sure no one else uses the bathroom or kitchen plumbing if you want to do this.
Water stains – This is a sign of a hidden leak in your plumbing. Other signs to look out for include bulging wallpaper or damaged ceilings. Get professional plumbing service immediately. Don’t worry; our plumbers can help with professional leak detection.
Noisy pipes – Do your pipes make noises? That’s an indication of a leak in your plumbing. If that’s the only sign you noticed, get a professional plumbing service. Our plumbers can inspect your plumbing and help you determine if there are possible leaks.
Puddles of water – A clear sign of a leak especially when they are in the yard and it didn’t rain. Watch out for pooling water near your water heater or toilet too, as that can indicate a leak. Get professional plumbing service immediately for assistance.
Why Do I Need to Maintain My Water Heater?
Proper water heater maintenance can improve the efficiency of your water heater, help you save energy and money, and increase its lifespan. To maintain the water heater, simply flush out the sediment buildup, as that can affect the efficiency of your unit. If you don’t know how to do this, get a plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, today.
It’s also best to insulate the pipes and the storage tank so you don’t waste energy. The pipes can still freeze when unprotected during winter. For other issues with your water heater, please don’t hesitate to get a plumbing service in your area.
You can avoid flooding in the basement by properly maintaining your water heater. Also, if your unit is more than seven years old, consider ditching that and replacing it with an energy-efficient water heater for more savings.
Do you want to save money? Consider switching to tankless water heaters. Because there’s no standby heat loss with these types of units, you get to conserve energy and save money. You also save space as you can mount the tankless water heater on your bathroom wall. They last longer than tank-type water heaters — up to 20 years with proper maintenance. Most importantly, you don’t have to worry about flooding in the basement with the tankless water heater.
What Happens When My Plumbing Leaks?
How much it would cost you in repairs depends on the damage. When your water heater leaks in the basement, this can cost you a lot of money as you will need to purchase a new water heater. Also, you will have to make sure the basement is completely dried. Otherwise, you will have issues with mold and mildew. If there are other appliances stored in the basement, you will have to get them repaired or replaced. Also, water can damage the foundation of your home. You need to avoid it as much as possible.
What Do I Do When the Pipes Leak?
It’s important that you don’t panic. Before requesting a plumbing service, turn off the shut-off valves to stop the water from flowing. Drain your water heater, if needed. If you have homeowners insurance, make sure to provide the proper documentation such as pictures or videos. Take before and after photos to help with your insurance claim.
Also, make sure to hire a licensed plumber to help you resolve the leak. Our plumbers are highly trained and experienced — we will make sure to permanently resolve the problem.
Should I Install Leak Detection Systems?
We highly recommend that you do. Leak detection devices can alert you of a possible leak in your plumbing and can automatically turn off your water to prevent further damage to your plumbing. Some devices can also detect fluctuations in the temperature. For installation, get professional plumbing service in your area.
How Do I Fix Leaks?
We highly suggest you hire a licensed plumber for this. Do not attempt to repair the leaks on your own as you might end up damaging your appliance or fixture. A professional plumber is equipped with the right skill and training to properly carry out the repair job.
What Are the Dangers of Hidden Leaks?
When undetected, these types of leaks can lead to an even bigger problem that can potentially do a lot of damage to your home and pocket. And remember, your homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover water damage claims especially when it is caused by a failure to maintain your plumbing.
Schedule routine plumbing maintenance to ensure problems are detected and resolved promptly. Regular maintenance ensures your plumbing is in excellent shape — this will give you peace of mind.
How Do I Prevent Plumbing Leaks?
Most plumbing emergencies don’t occur overnight. They usually happen when the homeowner fails to take care of their plumbing. Follow these tips to prevent leaks:
- Protect your plumbing pipes in the colder months so they don’t expand and burst.
- Switch your rubber washing machine hoses with stainless steel hoses. The latter is less susceptible to damage and can last longer.
- Check your water pressure and make sure they are at normal levels. Otherwise, get a water pressure regulator.
- Periodically check your appliances and fixtures for any damage. If you suspect a problem, contact a licensed plumber immediately.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio
Do you need plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, today? Our team can help! We can help identify leaks in your plumbing and provide you with cost-effective solutions. We can tackle any problem, big or small.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio also offers plumbing installation and maintenance. Just call us at your earliest convenience and we will schedule you for an appointment at the soonest possible time. Call us today!
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