about Archives - Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Things Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Hidden Water Leaks

3 Common Signs of Hidden Broken Water Lines

Water leaks are certainly the most wasteful of all plumbing problems. Even compared to other plumbing problems like overflowing toilets, water leaks can be expensive due to water waste and damage from the excess, uncontrolled moisture. In many cases, water leaks are visible. They manifest in leaky faucets and running toilets. However, most of the plumbing in a home is hidden behind walls and underneath slabs. It’s not uncommon for hidden plumbing to spring leaks.

Hidden leaks can cause a lot of damage, including wood rot and mold infestation. Knowing what to look for can save homeowners lots of money, aside from the savings of not wasting the water from a leak. Here is a quick guide from local plumbers to help homeowners spot hidden water leaks.

Listen for the Sound of Running Water

All pipes make noise when water flows through them. Even if it is faint, the sound of running water is a common sound around the house. Hidden leaks are often first found by the sound that they make. As water pours out of a leak, it allows water to flow into the pipes upstream of the leak. The water flowing through the pipe can be audible once the leak is bad enough.

In addition to the sound of flowing water, the steady drip of water can be a dead giveaway with a hidden leak present. Most leaks start as dripping, so often, the first sound a leak will make is a steady drip. Using the sound of the drips, homeowners can trace the source back to the leak and give the plumbers an exact location for them to make repairs on the broken water line.

Look for Wet Spots Outside

One can easily find water line breaks in the home because of their damage and the sloppy mess they can make. However, hidden leaks are common in outdoor plumbing. The environment that outdoor piping is in can be harsh. With temperature changes and shifting soils, leaks are common.

Swampy spots in the lawn most often find outdoor leaks. If they persist long enough, dense vegetation in the area or dead spots are giveaways that a leak is present. Doing a sweep around the yard for leaks is a great opportunity to get outside and mosey.

Low Water Pressure

Whether the leaks are inside or outdoors, they will have one feature in common: low water pressure. Water leaks allow pressure to escape from the home’s plumbing system, and the loss of pressure will be apparent at sinks and in the shower. The loss of pressure will be similar to the experience one has when two plumbing fixtures are being used simultaneously.

Along with the loss of water pressure, an accompanying spike in water bills will be the final piece of the puzzle. Even small leaks can drip out hundreds of gallons of water per month. This will be obvious on monthly bills. Getting leaks fixed quickly can stem the flow of wasted water and prevent small hidden leaks from doing any more damage.

About Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Apple Valley Plumbing Company is a local plumbing contractor specializing in water line leak repair. They offer same-day service that is guaranteed and highly reviewed. Call today for personalized plumbing solutions in Apple Valley, MN.

Distribution Links +

Urgent Information About Water Leaks

Save Yourself From Water Leaks!

The whole principle behind good plumbing is that water stays inside your plumbing system until it is ready for use. Any deviation from that principle is a leak and any leak is too big of a leak. Leaks are expensive. While you may think that leaks are expensive to repair, they are much more expensive if they are allowed to continue. Leaking water isn’t free. Utility bills will continue to accrue until the leak is repaired. Additionally, depending on the location of the leak, it could cause damage to your cabinets, walls, and floors by promoting mold growth and rotting wooden members.

In this article, you will learn where to look for common leaks and what causes them. Prevention of leaks will also be covered so that you know how to protect yourself and your property from complications caused by leaks.

Where Are Common Water Leaks?

A leak occurs any time water is allowed outside of your plumbing system unintentionally. Leaks can happen in freshwater lines, drains, appliances, fixtures, and sewers. Some common examples of leaks are:

A dripping faucet.
Water coming from hose connections under a sink.
Bathtub drains leaking water onto floors under the tub.
Seeping flapper valve in a toilet.
Water seeping up through a concrete slab from a broken pipe.
Leaking hot water tank.

Depending on the leak, there are many ways that plumbers go about fixing the problem. Leaks that occur in sinks or fixtures may require repair in the form of new washers or valve stems or maybe even total replacement. Toilet tank kits may need to be installed to make sure it isn’t constantly running. Leaky sections of pipe may need to be replaced or updated to newer systems.

Causes Of Water Leaks

Water leaks can happen for many reasons and it’s up to your plumber to try and figure out the root cause. Fixtures and toilets begin to leak over time because parts wear out and need to be replaced. Heavy spring rains can cause strain on pipes that may cause them to burst. Corrosion may degrade metal pipes and tanks and require replacement with modern plastic-based alternatives. Warm summer air may cause condensation to form on pipes and commode tanks making them appear to leak.

Preventing Leakage

Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect your plumbing and home. The first step is vigilance. Paying attention to areas under cabinets and around water heaters can keep you alert about slow leaks happening.

Secondly, have your home’s pressure regulator tested by a plumber. Home’s are equipped with pressure regulating devices that prevent spikes in water pressure. Occasionally, they go bad and allow a surge of pressure to damage your plumbing. A plumber can verify yours is working and replace it if need be.

Third, updating old fixtures, piping, and water tanks can help prevent problems before they occur. If you are planning a remodel, this is a great time to consider new fixtures and replacing sections of outdated piping.

Finally, look into whole-home leak detectors. Leak detectors can tell when leaks are occurring and shut off water accordingly.

About Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Apple Valley Plumbing Company was established in 2013 to provide excellent plumbing services to the people of Apple Valley, MN. When you call Apple Valley Plumbing Company, one of their award-winning plumbers will greet you and in many cases can meet you same-day for service. Whether you need a new hot water tank or are dealing with clogged toilets, they are ready to help.

Distribution Links +

Everything You Need to Know About Water Softeners

The Importance of Soft Water

Hard water typically tastes unpleasant, leaves skin red and itchy after showers, can stain porcelain, and even affect your bathroom plumbing. If you find yourself experiencing some of these hard water symptoms, consider the advantages of installing a water softener in your home.

Hard water contains Calcium and Magnesium, and trace amounts of other minerals. While hard water is technically safe to drink, as mentioned above, many undesirable results come from drinking and bathing in hard water. Hard water can be present in well water and even city water, so the only way to guarantee soft water is to install a water softener in your home.

This article will review the differences between hard and soft water and go over how water softeners work. Read on to learn from the experts why your home would benefit from installing a water softener.

How to Detect Hard Water

There are several signs to look out for to help determine if your home has hard water or not. If you notice any of these occurrences in your home, you most likely have hard water:

White, Chalky Residue on Your Dishes
Rough Clothes and Linens After Washing
Stains on White Porcelain
Dry and Irritated Skin After Showering
Low Water Pressure (Due to Clogged Pipes)

85% of Americans have hard water, particularly in the Northern part of the country. This is why water softener services are so important.

The Importance of Water Softener Salt

Water softeners work by passing hard water through sodium resin beads that work to soften the water through a process known as “ion exchange.” During this process, positively charged ions like Calcium and Magnesium stick to the beads, while negatively charged sodium ions take their place. While this process does increase the sodium levels in your water supply, the levels have been tested and are known to be safe for human consumption.

Water softener salt is necessary to periodically “recharge” the beads. If you choose to install a water softener in your home, you will need to be aware of water softener salt so you can keep your system working efficiently. Water softener salt is available at any home improvement store such as Home Depot or Lowes.

The Hidden Cost of Hard Water

While you may not mind the taste of hard water, you should consider the added cost of hard water damaging your plumbing system. The minerals present in hard water tend to clog pipes.

These clogged pipes can then cause significant issues in your plumbing system, leading to low water pressure and the failure of certain appliances such as your dishwasher.

Your water heater also has to work harder to heat hard water as “scale buildup” from Calcium and Magnesium impairs efficiency and leads to increased energy bills.

The cost of a water softener installation in your home is low compared to the energy savings you will experience down the road. If you and your family are experiencing the adverse effects of hard water, call a plumber today to learn about installing a water softener in your home.

Call the Experts

Apple Valley Plumbing Company prides itself on the personalized attention paid to every job and every client. They are committed to honesty, transparency, and serving the community with quality workmanship and a wide range of services. Call them today to learn more about your water quality solutions.