Most homeowners see a small leak in their home as a minor inconvenience and, possibly, a problem that can be put off until a more convenient time. The truth is small leaks are very serious problems that will not take care of themselves but only get worse over time. While you have no choice but immediately getting a broken faucet fixed, you may not be so quick to call a Corona plumber when you notice a small drip from your ceiling after the rain or a drip under your sink. This can come back to bite you!
1. Slow, Serious Damage to Your Home
The first way a small leak will end up costing you big is through the damage it does to your floors, walls and everything else it touches over the course of months. This damage can easily cost thousands by the time you notice and fix the problem!
2. Mold Issues
Small leaks in your home also lead to mold, a serious health hazard that can put someone you love in the hospital. If you allow the problem to go on, it may cost you thousands to have the mold professionally and safely removed once the leak is fixed and it will make your home impossible to sell until it's taken care of.
3. Poor Plumbing Performance
Finally, you may notice poor performance with your plumbing system if you have a leak. While this is the least of your problems, reduced water pressure can be a pain when you need to wash dishes or take a shower.
If you have a small leak in your home, realize that it will only get worse and bigger the longer it's ignored. As soon as possible, make that call to the professional plumbers at Inland Empire Plumbing to have the problem identified and fixed right away. You'll end up saving money in the long run and enjoying the peace of mind that comes with taking care of a small issue before it gets serious.
Image: Rockinfree/Flickr
Regular maintenance is most important thing you can do to keep your septic tank working well for as long as possible. Unfortunately, many homeowners with septic tanks believe they don't need to pump out the tank or do anything, really, as long as the system seems to be working well. The truth is this can be a very costly mistake.
Over time, solid material will settle to the bottom, creating a layer of sludge, while lightweight material floats to the top as scum. A well-designed septic tank can store up to five years of sludge. If it's allowed to accumulate past this point, sewage doesn't have any room to settle before it leaves the tank and more solid waste will escape into your soil absorption system (SAS). When this becomes severely clogged, it can't absorb liquid as it enters your septic tank and your plumbing will back up and wastewater will start to come to the surface.
Reasons to Maintain Your Septic System
Maintaining your septic system is one of the biggest ways to save money as a homeowner as a failing septic system becomes very expensive to repair or replace and this is usually due to poor maintenance. Septic systems that become unusable or improperly maintained can even be a liability or lower your home's value. Maintenance also protects your health and the environment.
It's important to hire a professional Fontana plumber to regularly pump the septic tank. Ideally, this should be done every 3 years if you don't have a garbage disposal and every year if you do. Once you've hired a plumber, they'll need to send a copy of their report to your local Board of Health in most cases.
Other Tips:
- Avoid adding products to your septic tank that claim to reduce the bacteria as septic tanks naturally breed bacteria. The best thing to do is have the tank professionally cleaned by a plumber as these products simply aren't effective in the long-run.
- The worst thing to put into your septic tank is grease, which can cause clogs in your sewer pipes.
- Have your septic system evaluated every year to avoid problems down the line.
- Don't divert a basement sump pump or roof drain into your septic system as you want to put as little water into it as possible.
- The more often you use your garbage disposal, the more often your tank needs to be pumped. Limit the use of your garbage disposal if possible.
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Sustainable Sanitation/Flickr
Most people deal with a garbage disposal problem at some point and this is just one of those downsides of home ownership. Common issues include clogs or dull blades and leaks and proper maintenance is the best way the keep many of these problems from ever occurring. If you have a simple problem, you may be able to fix it yourself or contact a professional plumber to take care of it for you. With serious issues, it's usually best to replace the whole unit.
My Garbage Disposal Won't Turn On
If your disposal isn't working at all, start by making sure it's receiving power. Check your circuit breakers or fuse box and then hit the reset button on the bottom of the unit. If the button is popped out, the motor may have overloaded, which is often caused by a jam or it was left on too long. Start by clearing the jam then press the button until you hear it click. If there's no jam and you're not hearing any noise when you turn it on, you probably need to contact a professional plumber to replace the garbage disposal motor.
My Garbage Disposal is Jammed
Disposals can become clogged from high-fiber foods, glass, utensils, bone or any number of things. You'll probably find a socket hole in the bottom of the unit beneath the motor so you can insert an Allen wrench and turn the masher plate to free the jam. Always avoid putting your hands into the disposal itself. If your disposal doesn't have a socket for an Allen wrench, turn the power off at the fuse box or circuit breaker and then use a mop or plunger handle inserted at the top opening to move the masher plate around and clear the jam.
My Garbage Disposal is Leaking
It's common to find a leak somewhere in your disposal system so start by checking your drain connections. If you notice the leak coming from the drain pipe, you can usually fix the problem by replacing the gasket. Next, make sure the ring around the sink flange is tight. If the leak is coming from the body of the disposal itself, you'll probably need to contact a plumber in Norco to replace the unit.
My Garbage Disposal Isn't Working Well
If the unit just doesn't seem to be chopping up food as well as it used to, the blades probably need to be sharpened. If they're just starting to dull, sharpen them by putting ice cubes down your sink drain. Very dull blades often need to be replaced or sharpened professionally.
PEX piping has been used for years in radiant heating systems but this flexible tubing is now becoming a very popular choice for residential water supply lines because it's easy to work with, it's made from a superior material and there are fewer joints, which leads to a reduced risk of problems down the road. So, what is PEX piping really and is it truly a better option than copper? This is a question you'll want to ask yourself if you're considering repiping service from a professional plumber in Fontana or anywhere else.
What is PEX Piping?
PEX piping is cross-linked polyethylene pipe. It's able to withstand extreme tempetures without cracking as well as creep deformation from long-term stress. It also holds up very well to chemicals that may be in your water supply. PEX is a great choice for both hot and cold water lines, especially because it's so flexible and easy to install.
PEX has become one of the most popular plumbing materials among professionals because it's easy to install, flexible, has fewer joints to leak and it won't crack in the cold weather. Rather than using solder or glue, it's asembled with a barbed fitting and crimping ring which offers a watertight seal
PEX Piping vs Copper Piping
Copper piping has been used for decades and it was originally thought that it would last as long as the structure did, although we now know this isn't true. Copper is fairly flexible and durable and it's much easier to install than the old iron pipes. It also resists bacterial growth, corrosion and damage from UV rays so it can be used outside. PEX piping, on the other hand, is sensitive to UV rays.
While it's resistant to corrosion, copper pipes will eventually corrode from water with a pH that's too basic or too acidic. Copper has also become very expensive and copper pipes will freeze and break during the winter if you live in an area with extreme colds. Along with the high price of copper comes a more expensive repiping job as each joint of the copper pipes must be soldered.
While copper and PEX both have their advantages, many homeowners appreciate the benefits that a new PEX system can offer, especially those living in cold environments who are tired of dealing with leaking pipes every spring. To learn more about repiping and the advantages of PEX piping, contact the professionals at Inland Empire Plumbing.
In an earlier post we discussed the common causes of low water pressure. Now let's go into more detail to explain how you can pinpoint and possibly fix the problem. If you want to test your water pressure, you can also read this post to learn how to do that: How to Check Household Water Pressure.
Are the valves partially closed?
This is the easiest possible solution for low water pressure. Start my making sure the shut-off valve on your main water supply is completely open. These valves are often found right where plumbing enters the house. You may also find valves at the cold water inlet for your water heater. You may find one of two common types: the gate valve or the ball valve.
A ball valve has a long handle that indicates the position of a small ball diverter inside the pipe. If the handle is lined up with the pipe, water is flowing freely. If it's turned 90 degrees, water is completely shut off. Any position of the handle between this will restrict the flow of water.
Gate valves have a rotary handle that determines the position of a small gate inside the pipe. Turning the valve clockwise will close this gate and stop the flow of water. The valve needs to be turned all the way to the left to pen the gate fully.
Is it the PRV?
Many homes have a pressure reducing valve (PRV) or a backflow preventer installed. A PRV has a number of small parts that regulate water pressure going into your home and these parts can fail over time, causing the flow of water in your home to become restricted. Before disassembling the valve, make sure you water is completely turned off. If your PRV is installed before the main shut off, you'll need to have the water turned off at the meter first. Many times these parts become corroded and require complete replacement. While you can do this job yourself, you may want to hire a qualified plumber.
Are the pipes corroded?
Steel and galvanized pipes often start to clog with mineral build-ups or become corroded after about 20 years. There is no way to fix this problem without replacing the piping. Unfortunately, this is an expensive and very time-intensive job that requires a professional. Most of the time, houses with internally corroded pipes have full flow fixtures in the home so flow restrictors and aerators installed on shower heads and facuets may appear to help the problem while you're showering or using the sink.
If you suspect corroded pipes or a failed PRV, contact the professionals at Inland Empire Plumbing right away to get the problem taken care of before it gets worse.
Dishwashers are low-maintenance appliances, although that doesn't mean they aren't without problems. Your dishwasher requires regular maintenance like anything else, including checking for clogs, cleaning the screen or filter, checking the gaskets for signs of deterioration and more. Here are some general maintenance guidelines for your dishwasher -- as well as some advice when it's time to call a professional plumber about a malfunctioning or leaking dishwasher.
General Dishwasher Maintenance
Before you perform any maintenance on your dishwasher, start by turning off the power to the appliance at your circuit breaker box. Remember that dishwashers also pose a shock hazard as they have a built-in motor and water heater. It's a good idea to check that your dishwasher is installed level to prevent leaks. You can do this easily by opening the door and placing a small level on the edge just inside. If it isn't level, you can adjust the feet at the bottom or add a wedge.
Checking the gaskets: The gaskets are the small seals along the door of your dishwasher that make sure you have a water-tight seal. If you've noticed water pooling around the dishwasher, it could be caused by faulty gaskets, which develop cracks and deteriorate over time. If the gasket has damage, you can remove it with a screwdriver and order a replacement.
Checking the sprayer arm: Next, check the sprayer arm for clogs, which may be mineral deposits, food or any other debris. These tiny holes need to stay clear for the dishwasher to work. You can remove the arm from time to time and soak it in warm water mixed with vinegar to loosen any clogs, then clean it with a pipe cleaner.
Checking the screen: At the bottom of your dishwasher you'll find a screen, which sits above the drain to catch food. Try to clean this screen every two or three weeks to keep your dishwasher functioning properly.
Common Dishwasher Problems
- Dishwasher won't drain. Try to clean the filter and then run your dishwasher again. If this doesn't fix the problem, call a professional plumber.
- Dishwasher won't fill. Make sure the water is on, the door is latched and then check your circuit breaker. There may be problems with the inlet hose as well. If this didn't fix the problem, you may need to make a service call.
- Dishwasher is making unusual noises. If the noise sounds loud enough that it could be damaging dishes or it's a sound you haven't heard before, you may need a plumber to run diagnostic tests.
- Dishwasher leaks water. Check that the appliance is level then make sure there aren't too many suds causing the problem. Check the seals along the door and contact a professional plumber if the water is more than a few drops or this doesn't solve the problem.
Image: Joanna Bourne at Flickr
