If you’re having problems with a leak in your plumbing, check these 4 places first!
It ruins your plans on a nice day, ruins your carpeting if you aren’t paying attention, and can definitely wipe the smile off of your face. What are we talking about today? Leaks! If your home has sprung a leak, here are four of the main places that you should inspect to find the culprit.
Toilets
Over time, the working parts within your toilet tank that actually make it flush can become worn out and break completely. If a single piece from your toilet tank becomes broken, water can leak and keep the toilet running. Some of the most common parts that are damaged are the flapper, fill valve, flush valve, float, or chain. Typically, you can hear if the water in your toilet won’t stop running, but if you can’t tell, place a couple drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. Wait 10-15 minutes and then see if any water in the bowl is colored. If it is, it’s a sign that you need to repair your toilet.
Faucets
Ready to be surprised? A single faucet that drips once per second will waste a whopping 3,000 gallons of water every year. Go into every bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room in your home to check the faucets, handles, and plumbing. Faucets can leak regardless of their age, and the leak in your home might be caused by a single drippy faucet. The repair might be as simple as replacing a worn-out washer or gasket, so don’t worry about a leak meaning a replacement.
Shower Heads
Just like faucets, water might be slowly dripping from your shower head and adding up to a nasty leak. If your shower head continues to drip long after you have stepped out of the shower, it’s time to do some detective work. Look for a tight connection between your shower head and the pipe by turning it around to see if it is secure. If there is some space that needs to be sealed, use pipe tape to make a seamless transition from pipe to shower head. If that doesn’t do the trick, check the washer within the shower head itself to make sure that it isn’t due for a replacement.
Outdoor Spigots
Many people think that indoor leaks are always a result of something going on indoors, but that isn’t always the case. Outdoor spigots are a hidden culprit of indoor leaks. All of your outdoor spigots should be checked as the seasons change to make sure that no leaks have popped up. Put your hand over the spigot and slowly turn on the water. If you can use your hand to stop water from coming out of the office, it’s a sign that there is a leak somewhere within.
All of Your Plumbing Needs from Alpha Plumbing
Alpha Plumbing is a full-service plumbing and contracting company serving the Baltimore and Annapolis metro area with expertise in all aspects of plumbing. We’re family-owned and operated since 1991 from our office in Pasadena. We offer quality plumbing services at reasonable rates in a timely fashion. Our trucks are equipped with GPS systems to ensure we’re prompt and on time. No job is too large or too small! We maintain a fleet of well-stocked trucks and also own and operate our own backhoes for jobs requiring excavation.
For more information and to get a free no-obligation estimate, you can contact us on our website, send us an e-mail, or give us a call at (410) 255-5998.