WATER LEAK REPAIR
Churchwell Plumbing
Leaks from pipes, plumbing fixtures, and fittings are a significant source of water waste for many households. Churchwell Plumbing is here to help you acknowledge, detect, and repair plumbing leaks in Lubbock. Research has shown that the typical home can lose 2,000 to 20,000 gallons of water per year due to leaks. Some leaks are obvious, such as dripping faucets and leaking water heaters. Unfortunately, many leaks go undetected for years because the source of the leak is not visible. Are you worried about your water bill is higher than most? Use the below helpful information to check for common leaks.
1. Locate & watch the low flow indicator on the meter.
First make sure no water is being used in the house (washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker, toilet flushing, etc.) Go out to your meter to watch the low flow indicator. The low flow indicator is a small diamond or triangle located on the meter face. If this indicator is turning, even slightly, then there is water moving through the meter. This is a good indication of a leak.
2. Try to determine the location of the leak by isolating your home.
Locate the main water shut-off valve in your home. This valve may be located in your mechanical room, water heater closet, or possibly in the crawlspace or basement. By turning this valve off, you are shutting off all water in the house.
3. Recheck the low-flow indicator
If the indicator is still turning, then the leak is between the meter and the house, most likely on the underground piping. If it has stopped turning, then the leak is most likely inside your home and you can begin to look for possible leaks inside your house.
MOST COMMON WATER LEAKS IN LUBBOCK
Water Heater Leaks are one of the most common reasons that houses flood. As you use your water heater over and over again, there will come a time when you’ll notice a pool of water underneath your heater’s tank. This means that your water heater is leaking and it should be fixed immediately to avoid problems. The most common water heater leaks are:
Water Heater Age – This factor goes with how long you have been using it. Some parts could have been faulty and rusty causing the leaks.
Tank or Pipe holes – Well, there could be some tank or pipe holes that cause the leaks. It won’t hurt to have everything checked before and after installation, right?
Not properly maintained – Water heaters should be maintained and checked once in a while. It will ensure its efficacy, save money and prevent accidents, too.
Condensation Drains – If you see a tiny puddle of water near the condensate drain pipe, or around an outside unit, this is probably just evidence of an air conditioner working on a particularly hot or humid day. If you see this amount of water growing, keep an eye on it, as that may mean a leak. An A/C Condensation line drains water from the overflow pan to the outside of the unit. If this line is clogged, water backs up into the pan, causing it to spill out. Call Churchwell Plumbing if you suspect your condensation drain clogged and we will be glad to come and unstop it.
Washing Machine Lines – Check behind the washer for any moisture. The connections and the supply lines from the wall to the machine should be dry to the touch. These are often overlooked and can leak over time, causing high water bills and water damage. Also, check that these supply lines are not expanding or pinched in any way, if they are call Churchwell Plumbing immediately to have them come out and inspect them.
Water Softeners – Most water softeners have a “backwash” mode to clean the system periodically. When a softener system malfunctions, it can continually run water through the machine and into the drain system. If you feel this may be the case, please call Churchwell Plumbing to have the system checked professionally.
Wall Leaks – The most common signs of a wall leak is: mildew or mold forming, damaged paint or wallpaper, the sound of water running, and smell. (Old, accumulated water from a leaky pipe tends to smell.) For obvious reasons, leaks behind walls are never fun to deal with, but you can trust the expertise and professionalism of Churchwell Plumbing to locate these leaks with the least damage to your home.
Outside Hose Bib Faucets – Check to see that your outside faucets are shutting off completely. If they drip, they may need new seals or need to be replaced. When your outside faucets are dripping during the cold weather, it will lead to frozen pipes and possible busted pipes. Always, make sure to check these hose bib faucets before any cold weather is expected. Other symptoms of a leak on your outside faucets are low water pressure or a strange hissing noise when you turn it on.
Toilet Flapper – One of the most common leaks inside the home is the flapper in a toilet that is not sealing properly. You may hear the toilet refill itself even though it has not been used, or sometimes you can actually see water trickling inside the bowl when the toilet is not in use. A good way to check for this is the Dye Test. Lift the lid off the tank of your toilet and put a few drops of food coloring into the water. After 15-30 minutes, if the water in the bowl turns the same color as the dye, then you have a leaking flapper. Give Churchwell Plumbing a call to repair this for you and help you save some money on your water bill!
Slab Leak – A slab leak is a leak that occurs beneath the concrete slab below your floors. Because of the location, slab leaks are notoriously difficult to detect, but with Churchwell Plumbing’s leak detection equipment we are able to locate your slab leak and repair with minimum damage to your property. Click here to learn more about what Churchwell Plumbing can do for your Slab Leak.