- By OC Blogger
- In Emergency Services, Flood, Mold, Plumbing, Prevention, Sewage, Tips, Water
Your home plumbing checkup
Try these DIY prevention tips to stop plumbing problems before they can develop.
Plumbing issues can lead to sky-high water bills — not to mention major structural damage to your home. A small leak could waste tens of thousands of gallons of water each year and result in much larger headaches. Use these tips to help make regular DIY plumbing inspections all around your house.
- Inspect your pipes. Look for signs of dripping and corrosion in exposed pipes, such as supply lines for toilets and sinks, as well as lines leading to appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerator ice makers, and washing machines. Leaking fixtures may need replacement parts, such as a new O-ring or cartridge for a dripping faucet or a flapper for a leaky toilet.
- Sneak up on leaks. Even if you don’t see dripping, you may still have a problem. Wall or cabinet stains, rusty water, cracked or warped flooring, and a musty smell are all indicators of plumbing issues.
- Focus on faulty plumbing. Shutoff valves and copper and brass fittings are the first places corrosion occurs. The likelihood of corrosion is greater if the metals are mismatched, as when galvanized pipes connect directly to copper lines. This should be repaired immediately. But if the pipes are corroded or rusted, have them replaced.
- Try the water meter trick. Water meters are great leakage detectors. Note the current level of water usage on your meter, and then suspend all water usage for 30 minutes, making sure all water-using appliances are turned off. Recheck the meter. If the triangular leak indicator is spinning or the dial hand has moved or the number has increased, you probably have a leak.
- Remedy the problems. If you have water-damaged flooring and walls, call our team of experts to receive a free inspection and quote. 949-877-9697
Our services include Mold Testing & Remediation, Water & Flood Restoration, Fire & Smoke Restoration, Contents Cleaning, Odor and Sewage Removal, Roof Tarping, Rebuild and more!
