Category: Plumbing

A common misconception is that the only serious water leaks are the ones on your roof, and that really only happens when there are heavy rains and damage to the roof tiles.

The fact is, an unattended household leak can cost you about 10,000 gallons of wasted water a year. That’s approximately 588 showers!

Think of it like this… a leak is a warning that there is something worse coming on the horizon. Catch it and patch it before it’s too late! But if you’re not sure what to look for or how to address it, we’re here to help.

From Little Leak to Burst Pipe

A tiny little crack never hurt anyone, right? Wrong! If you have a cracked or leaking pipe, consider it a time bomb. As hot water of different pressures goes through your home’s plumbing system, it chips away slowly at the integrity of the structure.

Over time, the inner walls of the pipe will give in and rupture, leaving you with dangerous flooding and a heavy repairment bill. The most common household leaks come from:

• Water Heaters - occurs when the tank is old and corroding. This can lead to a huge burst so keep an eye out!
• Toilets - the water supply, or flange and wax ring. This can be damaging to walls so tend to it as soon as you see water puddling around the floor.
• Washing Machines - a broken cold or hot water supply hose.
• Fridges/Dishwashers - Usually, this happens behind the machine and can go unnoticed for a long time. Inspect regularly if you think something’s wrong.
• Sinks/Showers - Occurs behind wall tiles usually and can be hard to detect.
• HVAC Systems - An A.C. can leak when it runs, but long-term dripping can cause water damage.

Save Money Now, Fix That Leak

Don’t wait for your little leak to turn into a giant problem. A single leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.

Leaks can occur for a variety of reasons, from misaligned washers and gaskets to loosened traps, to straight-up cracks in the piping.

Once you determine what is the cause of your leak, take action. Most of these issues can be solved with a simple wrench for tightening or using pipe tape to seal a stubborn hole. Don’t allow these things to worsen, because it is much more cost-effective to repair than replace an entire broken pipe.

Don’t forget to inspect the outside of your home for leaks as well. Most irrigation systems that are exposed, or even underground, are affected by extreme hot or cold temperatures, causing them to rupture. Underground or out-of-sight irrigation systems are more difficult to inspect for leaks and will require a professional.

Better Safe Plumbing Than Sorry Plumbing

A good way to weed out any undetected leaks is by monitoring your water meters and examining your winter water usage bill. Inspect your water meter in a two-hour period where no water has been running.

If your meter changes, it’s time to go in deeper. The only way to be 100% certain that your house is leak-free is by calling in the pros. Our team of experts is equipped with the tools and know-how to comb your house and detect any soon-to-be plumbing issues.

If there’s mysterious water puddling in your home, don’t wait, get to it! Fast action can save you up to 10% of your water bill every month. Who doesn’t want that? Give us a call today at (718) 720-4980 or book an appointment with one of our certified techs on our website - let us help you catch it before it’s too late!

Summertime is a unique mix of relaxation and back-breaking work for most homeowners. We’re entirely laid-back with our feet dangling from the boat dock, not a care in the world, or we’re redoing the landscaping in our front yards. There isn’t much in between for homeowners during the summer.

Even though your calendar is already pretty full, don’t forget to perform some routine maintenance on your outdoor plumbing and water fixtures. It’s easy to forget about these unassuming but essential outdoor plumbing staples until you’re caught in the midst of an emergency situation.

Outdoor Fixture Maintenance Is Key

Outdoor fixtures are exposed to harsh weather every single day, so it should come as no surprise that they need a little bit of regular maintenance.

Sometimes the solution is as simple as cleaning off rust or building an enclosure to keep rain and wind off them. In other cases, you might need a protective waterproof coating to keep those spots off your outdoor kitchen.

Generally speaking, you should at least be inspecting these elements as often as possible. Open your faucet or run water through your hose weekly. By keeping your fixtures working frequently, you won’t allow deterioration to take its toll on them.

Check That Outdoor Plumbing Too

If you have outdoor fixtures for water, they need yearly maintenance. Just like leaks under your kitchen sink, leaks in your outdoor spigots demand attention.

If you have an outdoor shower and it’s sprung a leak, the water could seep into your house if it shares a wall with the shower. Before turning your outdoor shower on for the first time, make sure that there are no obvious blockages to the pipe or the water runoff system.

We often ignore our sprinkler systems and just assume that if we blew them out in the fall, that they’ll be ready to fire up in the spring. When you turn your sprinklers on for the first time each season, watch to make sure that the water pressure is consistent. Inconsistent pressure could be a sign of a leak or a collapsed pipe.

Outdoor Fixture Replacement

Sometimes, an outdoor fixture is beyond repair. Look for the following signs to determine whether it’s time to replace them:

Excessive rust buildup prevents you from getting access to water

• They’re outdated or an eyesore in your yard
• You can’t connect your hoses easily
• They’re constantly leaking water
• You get little to no water pressure

Any of those conditions are the eventual kiss of death to your outdoor fixtures, so it’s best to replace them when you discover the problem. The last thing you want is to come home at night and have no access to water or worse, a water leak.

If you have questions about whether your system needs to be repaired or replaced, or you’re wondering if your pipe has a crack, give us a call. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment to answer your questions and assist you with your outdoor fixture repairs.