Reliable Water Leak Detection Advice
You have a lot of responsibilities around the house and plenty of things to worry about. That’s why it’s important for you to have access to reliable information and dependable help when you need it.
One household chore that shouldn’t go ignored is leak prevention and detection.
Today we’ll give you some reliable advice you can use to avoid, find, and fix leaks, and tell you where to turn for plumbing help you can trust.
Preventing Leaks
Inspect your faucets, fixtures, and shower heads regularly to make sure they’re not leaking or functioning improperly.
You should also keep the water pressure in your house below 80 psi because anything higher can damage the plumbing.
And speaking of damaged plumbing, don’t use harsh drain cleaners that could corrode the pipes.
Keep pipes unclogged and running freely, and watch out for tree roots that might break pipes.
Finding Leaks
1: Determine if you have a leak. A suspected leak can be confirmed with a quick water meter test.
Make sure the water in the house doesn’t get used for two hours, and check the meter before and after the two hours. A change in the meter means there’s a leak.
2: Start with the toilets. To find a leak in a toilet, drop some food coloring into the tank. Wait half an hour, and then check the bowl.
If the color bled down into the bowl, it means there’s a leak.
3: Check exposed plumbing. Go around to all the visible pipes (including in the basement and under sinks), faucets, and showerheads to look for leaks, moisture, and drips.
4: Follow up with a whole-home inspection. Pipes run all throughout your house even if you can’t see them, so you’ll see the evidence of a leak on the walls, ceilings, and floors.
Look for things like mold, mildew, wetness, damp spots, discoloration, rot, warping and peeling, bubbling, and blistering.
5: Finish with an examination of the yard. The water inside your house comes and goes from pipes that are connected to the exterior plumbing system, and these can spring leaks as well.
To find these, walk around your property and look for wet spots, soggy areas, and dark patches on concrete.
Fixing Leaks
Two of the most common causes of leaks around the house include worn flapper valves in the toilet and worn washers in the faucets.
Fixing these leaks is easy, and all you have to do is replace the offending flapper or washer.
Not only could this save you thousands of gallons of wasted water per year, but it could also save you up to 10 percent on your water bill.
Moreover, fixing leaks like this will also prevent larger problems and major water damage, including:
- Rotting wood and drywall
- Mold and mildew
- Damaged furniture and carpeting
- Rusting pipes that become a risk for bursting and flooding your house
- Warping and heaving
Top 4 Ways to Beat the Heat This Summer
The heat of the summer is upon us once again. Summer should be a time of fun and relaxation, but sometimes the heat is just too much. Read on for 4 great ways to avoid sweaty days when the next heat wave comes!
1. Plan meals accordingly
Plan meals that do not require you to use the oven, and try to think of foods that will keep you cool while you eat them. Cold and fresh pasta salads, cold sandwiches and wraps, and cold soups, like gazpacho, are all great meal ideas for when the summer heat sets in. And on the topic of food, it also never hurts to have a few popsicles and ice cream sandwiches handy in the freezer and a fridge stocked full of cold beverages.
2. Use your freezer wisely
Having some frozen water bottles available can be great for keeping cool. You can apply the bottle (or any other frozen item) to your neck or wrists to instantly cool your whole body down. Plus, as the ice begins to melt you will have an icy cold beverage ready for you to drink. Staying well hydrated should be a top priority during the hot summer months.
You can also use your freezer to help you have a more comfortable night’s sleep. Before you head off to bed, stick your bed sheets and pillow cases in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer for a short amount of time. Laying down on a cool set of sheets is a great way to help you get to sleep after a long, hot day.
3. Think about fabrics
Cotton, chambray, and linen are your best friends during the summer. Wear lightweight clothing made from one of these fabric types to avoid being sweaty all day. If you have any formal events to attend this summer, like a wedding, then it may be worth it to pick up a suit or dress made out of linen or chambray.
Opting for cotton bed sheets is another great way to keep cool at night.
4. Take advantage of the early morning and late evening air
Save any outdoor activities for later in the evening once the sun has gone down or for early in the morning before it starts to heat up. And if you have any errands to run, avoid the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest.
You can also take advantage of the cooler night or morning air by opening up a window and setting up a fan to pull the cooler outside air into your home.
We hope that you are able to keep cool and fully enjoy this summer. If you are in need of any air conditioning services we would be happy to provide you with honest, reliable service. Please give us a call at (502) 456-5982 if you have any questions!
