High Water Bills Can Be A Sign Of A Leak

If your water bill has increased over recent months, it may be a sign of a water leak in your home. Not all leaks are immediately apparent; they may be inside your toilet, under your home or even in your walls. A slow leak can cause your water bill to rise, and it is only a matter of time before that slow leak becomes a major one. If your water bill is higher than normal, it is time to investigate the reasons why before major water damage occurs.

Sneaky Leaks

There are several places where plumbing can leak water without you necessarily noticing. Even a small drip or leak can add up to gallons of water lost every day. Some common leaks that go undetected include:

  • Toilets. Although a running toilet is usually noticeable, there are minor leaks that can be almost silent. Two of the most common toilet leaks are due to either a leaking stopper valve or a fault ball cock valve.
  • Interior pipes. Most of your plumbing runs in between walls and under floors, making it hard to detect leaks. These can be the most damaging, as they may be causing water damage to your home without you knowing it is happening.
  • Exterior water supply lines. It is possible that water is leaking out into the ground before it ever even gets into your home. A small leak in your water line will eventually result in a burst pipe if not found and repaired.

Of course, there are many reasons your water bill may have increased which may not involve a leak, such as higher usage and rate hikes. However, if nothing else has changed, you may want to call your local plumber to schedule a professional leak inspection on your plumbing before the problem gets worse.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic & Sewer 

Causes of Low Water Pressure

Weak water pressure is a common occurrence in many households, albeit an irritating one. You don’t have to resign yourself to a lifetime of dribbling showers and sluggish faucets, though. The inconvenience of low water pressure can be caused by a variety of factors, most of which are easily corrected by an experienced plumber. These are only a few of the most common causes of low water pressure, and practical solutions that may correct the problem.

If your low water pressure seems to be occurring primarily when you’re showering, you may only need to concentrate on the shower head itself. Over time, shower heads can become caked with mineral deposit buildup that affects the flow of water. A thorough soaking in white vinegar can remove those deposits in many cases. Replacing an aging shower head in favor of a newer one may also be a simple fix for low water pressure in your shower.

Weak water pressure that is pervasive throughout your home can be indicative of other problems, though. First, ensure that the main water valve to your home is in a fully opened position. Often, valves are not opened all the way after being turned off and water pressure throughout the home is less powerful. If the valve is open completely, however, you’ll need to look to professional solutions.

Water pressure boosters and installation of larger main supply pipes can correct your problem with relative ease. You may also have a broken or damaged water supply line.  You will need to contact an experienced and licensed professional plumber in your area to diagnose the problem and perform any necessary water line repairs. A professional plumber will be able to diagnose the cause of low water pressure and to correct it, resolving the problem once and for all.

Posted on behalf of Chuck Seagraves, Seagraves Plumbing

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Is Your Water Line Leaking?

A broken or leaking water supply line can waste thousands of gallons of water in just a few days.  If you don’t notice that your water line is leaking, you could be socked with unnecessarily high water bills month after month. In addition, water line leaks can cause underground erosion and damage your driveway, foundation, or landscaping features. By being alert to the warning signs of a water line leak, you’ll know when to investigate further to find out if your water line is leaking and arrange for water line repairs if needed.

Those high water bills are the first sign of a water leak for many homeowners.  If you water bill has gone up significantly from last month, you may have a broken water line.  If you have a swimming pool or if you water your lawn, it is normal for your water usage to climb in the summer.  Check your water usage against the same month last year to see if the recent increase is out of line.

The other clear indication of a water line leak is a soft or wet spot in the yard.  If there is an area of your yard that never seems to dry out, it is a pretty good sign of a water leak in your water supply line unless the area has a foul odor in which case it is more likely to be a problem with your sewer line or septic system.

To confirm a leaking water line, shut off the water supply inside your home and take a look at the water meter at the curb.  Take a reading of the meter and compare it to the meter reading an hour later.  If the number has changed, you water service line is probably leaking.  Have it checked out and repaired by your local plumber.

Do You Need Insurance For Your Water Supply Line?

A water supply line is the pipe that runs between the water meter, usually located near the road or street in front of your home, and your house.  This line supplies all of the potable water to your home from your municipal water source.  Your municipal water authority is responsible for repairing and maintaining the water main and the pipes that run from the water main to your water meter, but many homeowners are unaware that the homeowner is responsible for maintenance and repairs to the water line between the meter and the home.

If the water line breaks or begins leaking, the homeowner could be facing a water line repair bill that could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.  Some warranty companies offer insurance that covers water line repairs.  This is separate from your homeowners insurance which does not cover routine maintenance such as water line repairs.  These companies offer coverage for a few dollars a month to cover repair or replacement of a water line.

The insurance sounds like a great deal, but before you sign up, be sure you understand what you are getting into.  Most water supply lines work for decades without any leaks or breaks.  The exceptions are galvanized steel or polybutylene pipe.  These types of water lines are prone to leaking after 10 to 20 years.  If you have one of these types of water lines, insurance might not be a bad idea but be sure to examine the policy carefully to see if these types of water lines are excluded from coverage.

Also, in the unlikely event that a copper, PVC, or polyethelyne water line fails, it can usually be repaired for a few hundred dollars.  A total water line replacement can cost thousands of dollars, but these types of water lines don’t usually require replacement.

Finally, check on the insurance company to see if there have been any complaints against it and to make sure it is sound.  Your insurance will not be a bargain at any price if the company is out of business when you need them or has a history of denying claims.

Best Pipe For Water Supply Line

If you are installing a water supply line at a newly built home or replacing a broken or leaking water line at your existing home, you have several types of materials to choose from.  Years ago, water supply lines were usually galvanized steel or polybutylene.  Neither of these types of materials are used today for water supply lines because they had a very high failure rate.

Instead, plumbers today usually use copper, PVC, or polyethylene pipe for water supply lines.  Copper is generally considered the best material for water supply lines.  It is easy to work with, durable, and strong.  Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive option.  Also, copper pipe is available as either rigid pipe sold in ten or twenty foot sections or a softer version that comes in coils.  Rigid copper pipe is put together will connectors and each connection is an opportunity for a leak to develop.  Flexible copper pipe is sold in coils and has far fewer connections where leaks can develop.

PVC pipe is less expensive than copper and also very easy to work with, but it is not quite as durable as copper.  In addition, like rigid copper, PVC is sold in sections and leaks can develop at the connections.

Polyethylene pipe is inexpensive like PVC, but has the advantage of being a flexible type of pipe that is sold in rolls.  Polyethylene pipe can be installed more quickly because it does not need to be joined every ten to twenty feet. Fewer joints means fewer spots where leaks can develop.  In addition,it’s flexibility also means that it can be routed around corners and obstacles easily.

Your plumbing professional can help you choose the right type of pipe to fit your needs and budget.

Water Service Line Replacement

The water service line is the pipe that runs between the meter at the street and your home.  Many homeowners are unaware that they are responsible for any water line repairs or replacement of a leaky or broken water service line.  Your water company will take care of leaks in the water main or the line running from the water main to the meter, but everything on your side of the meter is your responsibility.

The water service line is buried underground and is usually very reliable.  Sometimes a water line will crack or break if a heavy vehicle is driven over it or if it is not buried deep enough and it freezes.  Also, old galvanized water lines and polybutylene water lines will eventually start leaking.

There are several different types of pipe that are commonly used for water lines.  Copper, polyethylene (PE), and PVC water lines have proven to be very durable and can usually be repaired when a problem arises.  If you have a leaky or broken galvanized steel or polybutylene water line, repairing it is a waste of money because it will soon start leaking somewhere else.  The upfront cost is higher, but in the long run, you will be far better off replacing the line with copper, PE, or PVC pipe.

Typically the process of replacing a leaking or broken water line involves digging a trench from the meter to the connection at the house and burying the new water line.  To avoid digging up your yard, many plumbers offer trenchless water line replacement.  They dig a hole at each end of the existing pipe and use a special machine to drag a new pipe through the old water line, breaking the old up as it goes.

Trenchless Water Line Replacement

If you need to have your water service line replaced, be sure to consider your options before your plumber starts digging.  The traditional method is to dig a trench from the meter to your home, lay the new waterline in the trench, and then bury it.  This method leaves an ugly scar across your yard.  It can also be very trick if the water line runs under a driveway, sidewalk, or landscaping feature.

An alternative is using a trenchless excavation water line replacement technique.  Instead of digging an entire trench, your plumber digs a hole at the meter and another hole where the line enters your home.  Then a flexible water service line is pulled through the old line, breaking up the old as it goes.

Once the new line is in place, your plumber hooks up each end of the line and fills the holes. Trenchless pipe replacement is a little more expensive than trenching, but the big advantage to trenchless water line replacement is that there is limited digging and damage to your yard.

Trenchless pipe replacement only works in a relatively straight line.  If there is a sharp bend in the old water service line, a hole will need to be dug at that point and a fitting will be installed to make the sharp bend.  Also, only flexible pipe such as polyethylene or soft copper pipe can be used for the replacement water line.  If you want to use hard copper line or PVC, your only alternative is trenching.