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

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

Drips Under Your Sink? Don’t Wait Too Long to Get It Fixed

Most people have dealt with a drip or slow leak from the pipes under the sink. Whether it is in the kitchen or bathroom, there are often several connections where a small leak can occur in the plumbing. It may seem inconsequential, since the leak only causes an occasion drip. Before you just wrap some plumber’s tape around the joint or stick a bucket under the sink to catch the drips, here are some reasons to get that leak fixed sooner than later.

Small Drips Add Up Fast

A drip from a faucet or leaking pipe can lead to a big amount of water waste. Even if there are only a few drips a minute, that can end up being a gallon or more water wasted every day. While a gallon may not seem like much, that is 365 gallons wasted over a year, water that could be used elsewhere.

Small Leaks Can Become Big at Anytime

If there is a small leak, it will only get worse. It may take weeks or even months, but when it grows, it may become a large leak all at once. You may or may not be home at the time, which could lead to serious damage in your home. A flowing leak from a pipe under a sink can ruin flooring and anything under the room. It is much less costly to have it repaired than to replace floors, ceilings and other items in your home.

Don’t ignore plumbing leaks. Whether it is a faucet, pipe or running toilet, call your local plumber to get it fixed. It will stop water waste and protect you from serious, expensive damage to your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

5 Common Bathroom Leaks

If there is a pool of water on your bathroom floor, yet no one has taken a bath or shower, you know there is a problem. A leak has sprung, but now you need to determine the source. Since almost every fixture in your bathroom is connected to plumbing, it could be from many places. Here are five of the most common bathroom leaks to help you find your source.

  1. Toilet seal. If the pool of water is near the base of your toilet, the wax ring around the base may have become unsealed. This requires an immediate fix – if left unsealed, the subfloor can quickly become warped and rotted, costing much more than a quick plumbing repair.
  2. Sink plumbing. Check under your bathroom sink and look for drips. Turn on the faucet and wait. It is common for a joint in the pipes to become unsealed and cause a leak.
  3. Bathtub. Bathtubs can get leaks in many places, from the faucet and grout to the tub itself. These can be more difficult to remedy and most likely will need the help of a plumber to fix.
  4. Shower. Just like the bathtub, your shower can also have leaks stemming from the showerhead fixture and grout leaks.
  5. Pipes. While these are all types of plumbing leaks, you can also have a leak in one of your main plumbing pipes behind the walls. This can seep through the drywall or flooring and can cause serious damage to your home.

Any leak, big or small, needs immediate attention. Call your local plumber to get the issue resolved quickly before your home sustains water or mold damage.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Do You Have A Hidden Water Leak?

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

Major Problems Start With Minor Leaks

When it comes to plumbing leaks, a minor leak is a ticking time bomb. What may be only a small drip today could become a gushing pipe in a matter of weeks, days or even hours. Even a drip can cause major damage, especially when located in walls, above floors or any other part of a building’s structure. There are several good reasons to get a leaky water line  repaired immediately, including:

  • Water damage. A small amount of water can cause expensive damage to drywall, floor coverings and other materials. Even putting a bucket under a drip does not stop the damage, since the excess moisture can lead to harmful mold growth.
  • Leaks only grow. A leak is not going to go away on its own; in fact, it is most likely going to get bigger, sometimes very fast. Don’t procrastinate too long, or your minor leak will become a big headache.
  • Repair cost. Calling in a plumber to fix a minor leak may seem expensive. Still, it’s much less expensive than waiting until you have a major leak or worse, water damage.
  • Water waste. On top of impending damage that a leak can cause, a minor leak can lead to hefty utility bills and wastes one of our most important natural resources. Even a dripping faucet can waste several gallons or more of water each week.

The best solution at the first sign of a plumbing leak or dripping faucet is to call in your local plumber to have the problem fixed. Waiting can lead to costly water damage and a higher plumber’s repair bill when the minor leak becomes a major problem.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

Get Your Plumbing Ready For Summer

You may be ready for summer, but is your plumbing? With the warmer weather comes more outdoor activities, landscape maintenance and other activities which can cause added stress to your plumbing. Before summer gets here, plan ahead to make sure your plumbing can handle everything you will need from it over the next few months.

Outdoor Water Fixtures

Now is a good time to check all your outdoor water fixtures for leaks, drips and functionality. This includes outdoor water spigots, hoses, sprinkler systems, pool/spa plumbing and water features. A small leak could cost big money if it’s allowed to waste water all summer long, so make sure all your outdoor water fixtures are in good condition.

Indoor Water Fixtures

Even though you will be spending more time outdoors, some of your indoor fixtures will be getting more use, too. With kids out of school and more active, there’s bound to be more laundry, at least. Prevent washer breakdowns in the height of summer by checking hoses and plumbing for leaks, bulges and cracks. Call your local plumber to have any plumbing repairs completed before the summer fun begins.

Another indoor fixture that gets a workout during the summer is your garbage disposal. With so many tasty fresh vegetables available, it’s easy to forget and put some of those peelings down the drain. Remind everyone in the family that fibrous vegetables like artichokes and celery should not go into the disposal, nor peelings from almost any vegetables or fruit.

No one wants to spend the summer dealing with plumbing problems. Have any issues you notice now fixed by your local plumber so that you can spend the beautiful summer months enjoying time with your family.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer