Why Do I Have a Water Stain on My Ceiling?

Have you noticed a water stain on your ceiling? Are you wondering if it's a plumbing problem, a roofing issue or something else? Most large problems start out very small, but the sooner you catch them, the more likely you are to avoid very serious damage and expensive repairs. Whenever there's water involved, it's important to act very fast to make sure the problem is addressed before it gets worse.

There are a few reasons water is coming through your ceiling, and not all of them are related to your home's plumbing system.

Is the spot growing due to heavy rain? If so, you probably have an issue with your roof. You may have lost tiles due to high winds, or a vent has lots insulation that's intended to keep the weather out of your house.

Has there been heavy weather? Snow or ice build up will freeze and expand. When it warms up, the ice will melt and leak into the cracks. Blizzards combined with high winds can also cause snow to blow through the ridge vent, which will result in leaks or water spots when the snow melts. While this certainly isn't a common issue in the Inland Empire, it's one cause for water leaks in a ceiling.

If this doesn't sound like what you're dealing with, then it's time to consider plumbing-related problems.

Does the stain seem to grow larger at a specific time of the day? Maybe it grows larger when you go downstairs after your morning shower, or when the entire family gets ready in the morning. If so, the leak may be around your upstairs shower.

Try following the trail through your home to zero in on the root of the problem if you notice the water stain growing in size at a specific time.

Of course, it's always best to call in a professional plumber in Ontario to diagnosis the problem as soon as you notice a water stain. You never know where that trail will lead, or how serious the problem really is, but it's vital that you have it fixed ASAP to avoid problems later. Contact the professionals at Inland Empire Plumbing if you notice water leaks in your home and we'll show up fast and get to the bottom of it!

August in National Water Quality Month

Without water, life would not be possible, and entire ecosystems depend on this precious resource to survive. While the United Nations has declared 2005 through 2015 an International Decade for Action "Water for Life," the United States has declared August as National Water Quality Month.

This month is a time to remember that water quality is necessary for the survival of our entire race and without it, none of us could survive. This life-sustaining resource must be protected to ensure cleanliness, so it's a good time to learn more about how you can do your part to protect your city's water supply.

Installing Backflow Preventers

When you turn on your faucet, you expect your water to be safe for consumption, not dirty or contaminated. Unfortunately, backflow can happen if there is a sudden drop in your home's water pressure. Backflow is when used water is pulld back into your water main, which contaminates your clean water. A backflow preventer can ensure your home's water is always safe and clean by sealing shut when the pressure drops to prevent contamination.

UV Water Purifiers

Ultraviolet germicidal water purifiers are definitely one of the most important innovations in water quality control. Water supplies are at a serious risk of bacterial infection, and even major metropolitan areas have experienced outbreaks. A professional Corona plumber can install a UV water purifier to give you peace of mind and ensure your water supply stays fresh.

Testing Your Home's Water

If you want to test your home's water quality, you can buy a test kit from a home center or online that contains strips that react to the presence of many contaminants, including lead, bacteria, pesticides, nitrites or nitrates, chlorine, and pH. While these at-home kits aren't very accurate and don't test for everything, they can help you flag a problem.

Recommendations from Clean Water Action

• Avoid antibacterial soaps or cleaning products
• Do not flush unwanted medication down your drain
• Do not put anything except water down storm drains
• Fix leaks from cars and put a liner on your driveway to collect oil
• Avoid pesticides and chemical fertilizers
• Use nontoxic household products
• Pick up after your pets

If you're concerned about your own water quality, contact a professional plumber at Inland Empire Plumbing today. We can help you install water softeners, water conditioners to remove physical contaminants and offer germicidal protection, backflow preventers, UV water purifiers to reduce the risk of bacterial infection and much more.

Do You Understand How Leak Detection Works?

It's true that there are some rare

leaks that are so slow they aren't detected, although many homeowners ignore known leaks, not realizing that even the smallest of leaks can waste thousands of gallons in a single year, and lead to serious and expensive damage. If water is finding a way out, experienced plumbers can use state-of-the-art equipment to find even the most concealed leaks, whether they're behind walls, in an irrigation system, under a concrete slab or asphalt or in the basement, saving you untold thousands in damage and water costs.

Detecting Leaks on Your Own

Many people have leaks without even realizing it. This problem is often revealed through increasing monthly water bills. Sometimes the problem develops over time when a pinhole leak develops into something larger, or it may come on suddenly with a burst pipe.

You may even hear the leak, rather than noticing your bill climbing. If you have copper tubing, you'll probably notice a distinct noise as copper conducts sound very well, while your faucet amplifies the noise.

If you hear a leak or find your water bill is higher than it should be, check all the valves in your home, including the hose faucets and toilets. If it's a toilet running, try turning off the supply stop to see if the sound goes away. Check your home for signs of water damage or moisture, including under the sinks and your water heater.

Isolate the Leak

If you determine on your own that you do have a leak, you can take the extra step of isolating it while you're waiting for a Corona plumber to arrive. Start by turning off your main water cut-off valve, then test it by opening a faucet to reduce pressure and drain the system.

If you hear silence at the faucet, the leak is under your home's floor. You can now control the damage by turning on water only when necessary until the problem is fixed. If the water to your home is shut off but you still hear water running, you probably have a leak in your outside water main.

How a Professional Helps

An expert technician will use a non-invasive leak detection system to locate leaks to save you money and avoid unnecessary damage to your home. Using electronic equipment, even the smallest leak can be accurately pinpointed, versus the old-fashioned trial-and-error method of digging holes in your floor and basement to locate the problem.

Electronic leak detection from the experts at Inland Empire Plumbing will save your home from unnecessary damage that's associated with hunting a leak down with jack hammers and pinpoint the exact location to complete the repairs.
Image: David Dames/Flickr

Emergency Plumbing Advice

Plumbing emergencies can strike at any time and, if you aren't prepared, they can cause extensive damage and a huge mess to clean up. While you'll definitely want to get in touch with the expert plumbers at Inland Empire Plumbing available 24/7, you'll want to do what you can to stop or reduce the damage before they show up. Here's some advice if you find yourself in trouble.
Turning off a Hot Water Heater

Is your water heater leaking? Start by turning off the gas supply or electricity to the appliance. If you have an electric model, look at the panel on your circuit breaker and find the breaker for your water heater and shut it off. For gas water heaters, find the thermostat knob and turn it to the "off" position.

Next, turn off the water by finding the handle at the top on one of the water lines. Shut it off by twisting clockwise. You'll also want to drain the water from the device to avoid damage. To do this, get a water hose and connect it to the drain faucet at the bottom of the water heater. Point the other end away from you and allow the water to drain somewhere safe.

How to Turn Off Your Main Water Main Supply

If you need to turn off water to your entire house, you have a few options. The first method is finding your main water supply valve and twisting it cockwise to shut it off completely. Then, open an external faucet to relieve pressure and remove the water still retained in the system, allowing it to drain outside the home.

You can also try shutting off the main terminal of your water supply. This water meter box provided by your water district is outside your home, usually near the street, but you may need a street key to access it.

If these options don't work or you can't do it on your own, contact the professional Norco plumbers at Inland Empire Plumbing to take care of the problem.

The Worst Things You Can Put Down Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are great at eliminating waste and scraps that can cause unpleasant odors, although they are prone to damage if you put the wrong food down your drain. Here are 10 of the most common problematic items that end up in garbage disposals, which often requires a call to an experienced Colton plumber.

1. Stringy vegetables

Stringy vegetables like celery act like potato or apple skin. With a rubbery texture, spinach and celery will end up clogging your kitchen drain.

2. Bones and shellfish shells

Shells and bones will dull and eventually break your garbage disposal's blades. They can also jam your disposal, preventing the blades from working properly. This will eventually burn out your motor.

3. Pasta or rice

Both pasta and rice stick to your pipes and the blades of your garbage disposal, eventually causing a clog. They will also bloat with water in your pipes, causing even worse backups.

4. Vegetable and fruit skins

Peels or skins from fruits ad veggies like apples, onions and potatoes will easily get stuck around the blades of your garbage disposal, preventing it from working. If you feel you need to put these items down the disposal, make sure you do it in small amounts and run cold water while you run the disposal.

5. Seeds and pits

Seeds and pits from fruits will dull the blades of your garbage disposal.

6. Coffee grounds

Never dispose coffee grounds down your garbage disposal because it will clog your pipes.

7. Greasy or fatty food

Foods that are greasy or fatty will leave a film on your garbage disposal blades, which reduces their effectiveness. Over time, this grease will also decompose and cause awful aromas. Never pour grease down a garbage dispoal as it will only harden and clog your pipes.

8. Egg shells

A lot of people think that egg shells sharpen the blades of garbage disposals, but this is simply not true. Egg shells should never be put down a garbage disposal as the stringy membrane on the shells will wrap around the shredder ring, while the ground shells will have a sand-like consistency that clogs pipes.

9. Tea leaves

Tea leaves do the same thing as coffee grounds and pasta, clogging your pipes and sticking to the blades of the disposal.

10. Non-food items

Never put non-food items into a garbage disposal, such as cigarette butts or plant clippings. These items will not be broken down well and they will get stuck in your drain.

Better Ways to Dispose of Food

While garbage disposals are effective and practical, they also introduce more algae-producing elements into treatment plants, which requires more cleaning and energy to treat waste water. The best way to eliminate food and scraps is making a compost heap to turn scraps into a nutrient-rich compost for your garden. It's also a good idea to add a strainer or colander to your sink to keep waste from going down the drain.

If you run into any problems with your garbage disposal, contact the experienced plumbers at Inland Empire Plumbing for assistance.

Image: Sean Benham/Flickr

Common DIY Plumbing Projects You Shouldn't Try On Your Own

It can definitely be tempting to try and fix a plumbing problem on your own. If you're a licensed plumber, that's a great idea, but if you don't completely understand your home's plumbing system, you may just be in over your head. Here's a look at a few common DIY plumbing jobs that you should avoid.

Plugged Drain

Drains clogged with hair or something else that's pretty easy to fix are good projects to do on your own. Sometimes, though, the problem is serious enough that it's backing up drains throughout your home, and this is when it's time to contact a professional plumber in Upland. In this case, the issue is not just hair stuck in the drain and it will require professional equipment, experience and possibly even pipe replacement.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers may seem like an easy job, although there's more work involved than most homeowners think. Not only must the dishwasher be installed under a cabinet near your sink, you also have to ensure all water and drainage lines are installed properly and work well. A simple mistake here will lead to a leaking mess that will cost you a bundle to have repaired by a professional.

Pipes

If you need to replace pipes in your home, leave it to a professional Upland plumber. It might seem simple enough to replace a length of pipe, but you might not notice leaks until it's too late. This is especially true of pipe replacements behind walls in your home.


Water Heaters and Water Treatment Systems
Both water treatment systems and water heaters are always best left to professionals. With a water heater, you may have gas lines to connect in addition to water lines, while water treatment systems require altering water lines as they enter your home. A simple mistake here and you'll end up with no water coming into your house.

While DIY plumbing projects can be a great way to save money and pick up some new skills, they can also quickly lead to disaster. Plumbing work is often messy and complicated, and may involve cutting into your home's drywall, cutting pipes and soldering new connections. You'll need the right tools and skills or even a simple project will become more time-consuming and expensive than just hiring an Upland plumber to begin with.

6 Signs You Have a Water Leak Hiding in Your Bathroom

For many homeowners, a leak is a serious nightmare, capable of causing untold thousands in damage to floors, walls, paint and worse. While the signs of plumbing issues in your bathroom may be obvious, they aren't always. Keep an eye out for these signs that you may need to contact the professionals at Inland Empire Plumbing to fix a problem before it gets worse!

1. Damaged Wallpaper or Paint

If you notice your wallpaper or paint is blistering, you may have a water leak. Most of the time, steam from a hot shower shouldn't cause paint or wallpaper to loosen. Water or moisture getting behind the paint and the wall, however, will eliminate the bond and cause paint to rise off the wall and fall away, just like wallpaper. That adhesive that normally holds wallpaper to the wall will loose its stickiness when it comes in contact with water.

2. Damage to Your Wall

Warped or stained walls that are damaged for no apparent reason are a very clear sign you have a water leak. Drywall that gets exposed to water or moisture will get soft and bubble, and then warp and break. If the leak gets into the ceiling, it will cause sagging and some of the accumulated water may drip down.

3. Damage to Your Floor

Unless you allow water to pool on your floor, the floor in your bathroom shouldn't get water damage without a leak. If you notice buckling, cracks or stains with no cause, there may be a hidden water leak. This may be from a pipe under the floor, or water that has traveled from somewhere else. You may also notice a spongy or soft feeling to your flooring, or tiles that are easy to remove with noticeable water underneath. If you pull back the flooring, you will usually see your subfloor is damp.

4. Presence of Mold or Mildew

Regardless of how well yo keep your bathroom clean, mold and mildew can start to grow if there's a hidden water leak somewhere in your bathroom. Mold loves dark, moist areas and a leaking pipe offers the perfect environment.

A small amount of mildew is perfectly normal in the corners of your shower or other damp areas, but it should not be present on other walls or in the corners of your bathroom unless you have a leak. Remember: the longer you take to contact an Ontario plumber to fix the issue, the easier and faster mold will grow in your bathroom.

5. Ceiling Stains

For bathrooms on the second floor of your home, you may notice stains on the ceiling directly below the bathroom. Still, water does have a way of traveling very long distances so you may notice stains even farther away. Look for copper or brown stains on your ceilings, or sagging ceilings which shows that water is reaching this area.

6. Tell-Tale Smell

Finally, you may even notice that tell-tale smell of a leaky pipe. If you notice an earthy, musty smell after cleaning your bathroom, you might have a hidden leak that can never dry.

If you notice any of these signs of a hidden leak in your bathroom, contact a professional plumber in Ontario as soon as possible to keep the problem from getting worse.

Image: ClutterBusters/Flickr