Plumbing leaks can unfortunately happen at any time. Even though a small leak can be a nuisance, a majority of the time, it is not a hard problem to repair, if you have the correct understanding of how to repair plumbing leaks. Our Long Beach Plumbers have compiled a list of helpful tips below from the industry experts, so you can be properly prepared in the event of a plumbing leak in your home.
Here are some things you should know about how to repair plumbing leaks in your home:
CLEARLY UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH WATER YOU USE
It is generally always a great idea to have an understanding of how much water you and your family use on a monthly basis. Having a general knowledge of your water usage, by periodically checking your water meter can easily assist you to see if you have a leak somewhere in the house.
The Environmental Protection Agency noted that if a household of 4 finds that it’s using more than 12,000 gallons per month during cooler seasons, this is a sure-fire sign of possible leaks.
It can be noted that even a small leak can rack up giant water bills if not repaired quickly. The EPA discovered that leaks in homes across the country waste as much as 1 trillion gallons every year! This is equal to the regular water usage in more than 11 million homes. Address leaks promptly and don’t let that water drip onto the ground or run down the drain – repairing plumbing leaks right away will aid in conserving this essential resource.
LOCATE THE MAIN SHUT-OFF VALVE IN YOUR HOME
It’s crucial to know where the main water shut-off valve is located in your home. HouseLogic pointed out that if there’s ever a leak anywhere in the house, you can use the main shut-off valve to cut off the water supply to the entire home- immediately.
THINK ABOUT USING ADDITIONAL SHUT-OFF VALVES
In addition, It can also be helpful to have shut-off valves installed around your house. Additional shut-off valves are inexpensive items, with most selling for under $10. Installing additional valves can give you an opportunity to shut off the water in specific areas of your home for repairs, while keeping it running in other rooms. With additional valves, someone can still shower while you’re fixing the kitchen sink.
IDENTIFY TOILET LEAKS
Leaks near the toilet can be a bit harder to identify, especially if they are inside the toilet’s flushing system. The EPA offers the following tip: A few drops of food coloring in the tank of the toilet can help you to identify a leak. If any coloring begins to appear in the water in the bowl after about 10 minutes, you have a plumbing leak.
Often, a toilet’s flapper or valve seal can be the culprit for a toilet leak. This small rubber part can decay if it hasn’t been replaced in a while, or might not fit exactly right if minerals have built up. Flappers and valve seals are relatively simple and inexpensive to replace – with the water turned off, of course.
CONTACT A LOCAL LONG BEACH PLUMBING PROFESSIONAL
A few leaks are easier to repair than others. For tougher jobs, it’s important to consult a plumbing professional Long Beach Plumber to help ensure that things are fixed correctly, the first time.