Do You Know Where to Find Your Water Shut-Off Valves?

May 14th, 2018 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you have a plumbing leak or emergency, one of the first things you will need to do is turn off the water. This is not the time to learn about where your water shut-off valves – you should know where to locate them quickly to stop water flowing into your home. Here are some tips to help you locate the different shut-off valves so you know where to go when you have a plumbing leak.

Sinks

Most sinks have their own shut-off valves. Look under the sink or behind the plumbing stand for a small shut-off valve. This is useful if the problem is with a sink fixture or is you are replacing components on the sink.

Toilets

Toilets also have their own shut-off valve. Look for a valve attached to the water line coming to the toilet tank. This can be used to stop water if the toilet will not stop running or if you need to replace the toilet, components or wax ring.

Appliances

Hot water heaters, dishwashers and washers may each have their own valves to turn off the water to the appliance. If there is not a separate valve, the main water valve will need to shut-off the water supply if there is a leak or for repair work.

Main Water Valve

For major plumbing leaks, the main water shut-off valve should be used. This is usually located where the main water line coming from the city water supply or well comes into the house. It can be outside, in a crawl space or in the basement.

It is important to know where all your water shut-off valves are in case of a plumbing emergency. This can stop the water flow until a plumber can come to your home to fix your problem.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Do You Have A Hidden Water Leak?

October 28th, 2014 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Most plumbing leaks are out in the open and quite easy to detect. A dripping faucet or pipe quickly becomes apparent, making it easy to diagnose and get repaired. However, there are water leaks which can occur in places that are not so easy to notice, causing significant damage over time. A water line leak or a small pipe leak in the basement wall or under your home can go undetected for months. The danger is that a small leak never stays small. Eventually, it will grow and cause bigger problems. Finding these hidden leaks quickly can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Here are a few hints you may have a hidden water leak.

  • Water bill increase. Has your water bill gone up for no apparent reason? Check the water usage and compare it to previous bills. Even a small leak or drip can increase your water usage by a 100 gallons or more. If there have been no other changes in your water usage, a higher water bill could indicate a leak in your plumbing.
  • Water spots, mold or moisture. Keep an eye out for any signs of excess moisture around walls, floors and ceilings. The leak may not be saturating through drywall or other building materials, yet still be causing signs of moisture.
  • Wet areas around the yard. Random wet spots in your yard, especially close to the house, can be signs of an underground water leak. This could be from your main water line or a sewer pipe. Call in a plumber right away to investigate the problem.

A water leak can be very expensive if not repaired quickly. Your home and property can be damaged from water and mold, which can possibly be harmful to your family’s health. At the first sign you may have a hidden leak, call in a plumbing professional to ensure the leak is quickly repaired.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

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Homeowners Are Responsible For Water Service Line Repairs

July 26th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Many homeowners don’t realize that they are responsible for maintaining and repairing the water service line that runs from the water meter at the street to their home.  Your local water authority maintains the water main at the street and the line that runs from the water main to the meter, but the water line on your side of the meter is your responsibility.

Some utilities offer service contracts for the water supply line, but these are not available in all areas. The water service line is usually buried a foot or two underground and most homeowners don’t give it much thought because it rarely needs any maintenance.

Unfortunately, if it bad news is that when a water service line breaks or starts leaking, water line repairs can be expensive depending on whether or not the water line can be repaired or needs to be replaced.  Most water lines installed in the past 15 years are either copper or PVC pipe. These lines have very long service lives and rarely leak or break.  Most problems are caused by the line freezing, the ground shifting, or a heavy vehicle being driven over the line.  Your plumber can usually repair a broken or leaking copper or PVC water service line by digging up the line at the leak and repairing it.

Older homes may have galvanized or polybutylene pipe installed.  These materials have a limited life span and eventually corrode, usually from the inside out.  Repairing a leaky or broken galvanized or polybutylene water service line rarely makes sense because a new leak will soon form in  another location.  These lines should be replaced if they break or start to leak.

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High Water Bills May Indicate Water Leaks

May 16th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Many times, the first indication that you may have a water leak is a high water bill, especially if your water bill seems to be getting higher every month for no apparent reason.  If this sounds familiar, you may have a water leak that should be checked out by a reputable plumber.  Water leaks not only waste water, but depending on where the leak is located, it can cause serious damage.

Normal fluctuations in a home’s water usage can come from many different sources.  For example, if you have a sprinkle irrigation system it would be expected that the water bill increases when the sprinkler system is in use.  Similarly, if you have a swimming pool or spa you would expect that your water bill will go up during the summer months as water lost due to evaporation is replaced.

However, if your water bills keep climbing without a good explanation, it may be an indication of a water leak in your water lines, sprinkler irrigation system, or inside your home.  It is important to find and repair and water leaks as soon as possible.  Water leaks inside the home can damage floors, walls, and ceilings.  Water leaks in the water supply line or irrigation system can cause erosion, damage foundations, driveways, and sidewalks, and attract termites and other insects.

A good plumber will be able to quickly locate and repair any water leaks at your home.  They understand the common sources of water leaks and have the experience needed to track down any leak.  They can also use sophisticated leak detection equipment to pinpoint leaks without damaging your property.  Identifying the exact location of the leak will also minimize the amount of digging or opening holes in walls, floors or ceilings to access the leaky pipes.

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