Every household will experience a water leak of some kind, especially if you live in an older home. You may have something as small as a faucet or toilet leak, but others may be as substantial as a slab leak. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 10% of homes in the US have water leaks that squander at least 90 gallons of water each day. A dripping faucet, outdoor spigot, or runny toilet seems so minor. We end up procrastinating to get it fixed, but the fact is, one drop of water per second is five gallons of wasted water per day and just over 2000 gallons per year. The EPA also stated that fixing leaks could save homeowners as much as 10% on their water bill. The average do-it-yourselfer (DIYer) could repair most water leaks, but some require the expertise and equipment of a professional.
Consider Purchasing A New Faucet And Consider Installing It Yourself
There are four basic types of faucets: ceramic disk, compression, cartridge, and ball type. Most homeowners can repair a faucet leak if they want to put in the time and effort. Before diving into a faucet repair, there are two questions you’ll need to ask yourself: “How old is the faucet?,” and “What will it cost to repair versus replacing it?” Typically an old faucet in California may be full of corrosion and mineral deposits from our hard water. Fortunately, bathroom faucets are one of those affordable fixtures ranging from $30 to $150 at your local home center. Kitchen faucets range from $50 to $400 at your home center. A homeowner with slightly better than average DIYer skills could install a kitchen or bathroom faucet. They are equally as capable of purchasing a repair kit to repair their leaky faucet.
We Can All Fix Toilet Leaks
Everyone wants to save a buck when it comes to our plumbing, but every homeowner must know their limitations. Every plumbing contractor will have their DIYer horror stories. The good news is, we’re all capable of fixing most toilet leaks. Nine times out of ten, you could contribute a toilet leak to an old worn-out flapper. Replacing it is a snap, and it costs between $5 to $15. Better yet, if you’re feeling really good about your DIYer skills, buy a complete toilet kit for less than twenty bucks, and your toilet will be as good as new.
Leak That Occurs Under Your Sinks
A water leak under your sink can go unnoticed. It’s always best to make a habit of inspecting under your sinks at least once a month. Look for signs of mold or calcium stains on your p-trap. The worst scenario is that the wood or particle board on the bottom of your sink will feel soggy and start to bulge. Old shut-off valves can also leak. Some shut-off valves stay in the open position for ten to fifteen years, when you try to close them, they have the potential to leak. The consensus among most plumbing experts is they need changing every 8-10 years as part of their plumbing maintenance. Some people are hard-wired as DIYers and are capable of making the repairs; but for others, it would be best to have your plumbing technician complete the task. If you need help, your Big B’s Plumbing professional is standing by :-).
Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?
Water heaters will leak for various reasons, but the most common reasons are your pressure regulator has failed, or it has a broken water pressure release valve. If the water heater is leaking at the bottom of the tank and has never been maintained, you’ll probably need to replace your water heater, especially if it is more than ten years old. Additionally, if your heater is leaking and shows signs of rust, it’s time to get a new one. While some home improvement websites and blogs may encourage homeowners to repair their heater, we advise them not to. Water heater leak repairs should only be completed by a plumbing professional. Most water heaters last 8 to 12 years; some may last longer if they’ve had regular maintenance. If your water heater is less than six years old and it breaks, check your warranty. At Big B’s Plumbing, replacing your water heater is our last resort. We do everything we can to preserve what you have as long as it makes sense.
A Slab Leak In The Foundation
Did you walk across your carpet only to find a wet area? Did you notice your laminate floors buckling? Maybe you noticed a dark area on your garage floor. These are all signs of a slab leak. A slab leak is a leak that occurs in or under the foundation of the home. The usual causes of a slab leak are shifting soil, weakened aged water lines, faulty installation, and in some instances, a pebble in the foundation will put extreme pressure on a pipe, causing a pinhole leak. A homeowner should watch for a higher than normal water bill. This could be a telltale sign of a slab leak. A slab leak is a leak that a homeowner cannot repair because it will require sophisticated ultrasound technology to detect the leak, and it will also require the expertise of a plumbing expert.
Copper Pipe Leak in a Wall
Copper pipes can last for 40-50 years or longer if correctly installed. A whole house water filtration system will also extend the life of your copper pipes. There are several reasons a copper pipe will start to leak, but the two most common are pinhole leaks caused by the acidic nature of the water and poorly installed pipes. In either case, the pipes will not start to leak for several years. A homeowner may see bulging drywall or a stain on the ceiling. In this instance, your plumbing technician will cut the drywall in the compromised area. They’ll cut out the damaged section of the pipe and add a sweat coupling, then solder the pipe back in place. If you have a water leak of any kind, Big B’s Plumbing has you covered. License #986152
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