Is Your Toilet Leaking?
March 1, 2012
Did you know 25 percent of all toilets leak? You could be wasting about 200 gallons of water a day – that’s 73,000 gallons a year per takecareoftexas.org.
Check Your Water Bill!
September 6, 2011
Just because you don’t see or hear water running does not mean there is not a leak. Often the first sign of a leak is the increase in water usage on your water bill. When you suspect a leak Gary’s Quality Plumbing is prepared to locate the source and repair it promptly, saving you time, property damage and money..
Evidence of a Plumbing Leak in Your Yard
August 26, 2011
Most people don’t think about having a plumbing leak in their yard until it is happening to them. Typically a homeowner will see evidence that soil is being eroded in a puddle, developing somewhere between their main water supply and the main valve assembly for their sprinkler system. Read moreDo You Have Low Water Pressure?
August 22, 2011
Many things can cause low water pressure:- A hole or crack in your water piping
- Debris in the pipe or aerator
- A new fixture with a low-flow restrictor
- Inadequate or damaged service piping between the street and the home
Detecting a Gas Leak
June 22, 2011
So, you think might have a gas leak? Locating and repairing a gas leak can be a time consuming and complicated process. Gas companies will tell you to hire a licensed plumber to detect, repair, and permit the finished gas line work.
Gas pipes can be made out of a variety of materials. The gas pipe from the meter to the yard is made out of a specially coated iron riser. This is an L-shaped ridged piece of pipe that the meter hooks on to. Sitting between that riser and another riser at the house is a poly plastic pipe.
Inside of the home the pipe will generally be iron or some type of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST). Iron pipe is usually piped up and over the home in the attic with one large main trunk that runs the length of the house. Tees come off of the main line to feed different appliances in the home. If you are dealing with CSST, it will go up from the main line to one central manifold where it feeds an individual line to each appliance in a radial type formation (picture bicycle spokes).
Any of the sections mentioned above are places where a leak could occur. At the meter there are several fittings, including the meter and valve, as well as the top six inches of the riser. Many times subterranean pipes aren’t protected. They should be double wrapped where the riser comes through the ground. A gas leak typically occurs where the connection isn’t wrapped with the special black tape six inches in both directions.
Many types of gas leaks occur outside of the home:
- At the riser on the house end of the pipe
- Connections at the manifold and shut-off valves that have not been properly installed
- Improper installation of flex lines, and gas lines in older homes, that have had pipes run with copper tubing
- Natural gas eats right through copper, especially at connections where the copper has been flared
Homeowners beware when having your roof repaired! A gas line can leak when it has been improperly installed right next to the roof decking. Most of the time roofers don’t look to see what’s under the roof before nailing new roofing down. It’s common for gas pipes, especially CSST, to be punctured by roofing nails.
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Plumbing Repair For Slab Leaks
June 15, 2011
Summer is here and with that our water bills begin to increase. As we begin watering our lawns again or filling our swimming pools we begin our new water patterns. If you have a water bill that increases from month to month and it doesn’t match your personal water cycle you probably have some type of leak. If there is no sign of an above-ground leak it is most likely slab leak.
Slab leaks can happen anywhere underneath your home where there is a water pipe. There are two types of slab leaks - water and sewer. Hot water slab leaks are more common because slabs react to extreme temperatures by expanding and contracting as the ground heats up and cools down. Turbulence can happen anywhere where the pipe is not round and smooth on the inside causing the water to swirl or eddy. The swirling action of the water can cut right through the pipe.
The most common cause of a slab leak is an unprotected pipe. If the pipe is not protected from the concrete when it is poured it will rub up against the rough concrete as it heats up and cools down or as the foundation shifts. But, many times you will find the pipe itself was damaged during construction of the home. Sometimes pieces of debris get into the trenches, on top of the unprotected pipe, before it is back-filled.
If you think you have a slab leak or any type of leak call a qualified plumber. Your plumber will come out and do a pressure test in your yard and home. If the yard is isolated and the house won’t hold pressure then there is a problem in the house or something leaking above ground that is not evident. In any case, it is always a good idea to have a licensed plumber take a look. You will be on your way to enjoying your summer with peace of mind!
Not-So-Obvious Plumbing Leaks
May 23, 2011
How can you tell if you have a plumbing leak if the floor isn’t soaked and water isn’t pooling? Most of the time you’ll probably be aware that you have a plumbing leak. You might hear a commode noisily filling on its own or see a faucet dripping. Perhaps, you’ve experienced a flood. But, many times more serious problems can go unnoticed. This article will address a couple of different not-so-obvious plumbing leaks – water leaks underground and drainage and sewer leaks.
Water leaks underground can be illusive even if you know that you have one. Unless you know what to look for you might not be aware of an underground water leak until it has caused a serious problem. (ie. foundation problems).
Squishy spots in your yard that don’t dry out are an indicator that you have a yard leak or leak between the meter and shutoff valve in the front of your house. If your water bill is consistently higher from month to month you should call a plumber. A hydrostatic pressure test will be performed and within minutes it will be evident if you are dealing with a water leak.
Shower pans and commodes in pier and beam foundation homes can leak for quite some time and cause substantial damage, invisibly at first. This type of leak can rot the wood beneath homes and create unsanitary moist conditions that attract rodents, termites, and other pests. If you live in a pier and beam home have a plumber come out and visually inspect the underside of your home, at least once a year.
Leaks on the main sewer line can also be difficult to find as the bottom half of the pipe is often underground even in pier and beam homes. Drainage and sewer leaks are so difficult for a homeowner to diagnose is because it’s not under any pressure. The only time it has a chance to leak is if you’ve used water in the home. A qualified plumber can test the system by either capping the system off at all of the fixtures and filling it with smoke or water. Smoke will escape through openings in the pipe pinpointing the leak. Or, the water level will drop over time if it is full of water.
In conclusion, water and sewer leaks when left undetected can cause substantial damage to the structure of your home. Not to mention, the expense of running water into the ground. Whether or not water is going to your sewer, you’re still charged a sewer bill based on your water consumption.
Once leaks are repaired it’s possible to recover some of the sewage bill if you can demonstrate that you had a water leak. In most cases refunds will not be issued on your water bill. It’s a good idea to have your plumbing systems periodically tested by a licensed plumber. Knowing that you don’t have a water leak can really bring you peace of mind.
Spring is Time for Shower Repair Projects
May 18, 2011
Spring is here and its time to take care of those projects around your home. While you may be able to easily deal with some issues, some projects are better left to a professional. Shower repair is one of those projects that is best when left to a licensed and reliable plumber.
How can you tell what aspect of the shower needs repair? Read more
Plumbing Leaks Contribute to Pest Control Issues
May 9, 2011
Bugs and rodents go wherever there is water. If you have a leak under your house it will attract pests. If the wood stays wet from a leak it will entice wood lice and termites. Leaking tubs and shower drains, especially shower pans, seem to invite the highest concentration of ants and termites. Likewise, if the wax ring around the bottom of a commode isn’t sealing you are creating a watering hole for a herd of critters every time you flush.
Not only do pests capitalize on water and drainage leaks they actually cause them in some cases. Mice and rats like to chew on the lead bends under commodes in crawl spaces. This is a common cause of plumbing leaks under houses. Rats climbing out of the city sewer into house drains is a common cause of whole house back-ups!
It is a good idea to call a plumber at least once a year to come out and make sure nothing is leaking and inviting new infestations. Likewise, It is a good idea to call a pest control specialist to make sure you don’t have any pests in your crawl space that could be attributed to water.
Photo Credit: Moon Stars and Paper made available through a Creative Commons License
A Plumber is Your Advocate
January 24, 2011
Family-owned operations like ours have your best interest at heart. We’re not just out to fill quotas or pocketbooks with quick-fixes to see how many appointments we can manage in a day. Our strongest desire is to help you with your plumbing issues and add you to the list of clients that call us over and over because they know they’ll get personable and reliable service.
Besides water leak detection, what can you expect from us?
- All types of sink, toilet, or shower repair and replacement
- Gas line repair
- Repair or replace fittings or fixtures due to water leak
- Detection of sewer leaks
- Water heater installation, repair, or replacement
- Fixture installation
- Plumbing consultation for remodeling bathrooms, kitchens, spas, and outdoor kitchens
- Sewer clean outs
- Water lines, dishwasher, and washer hose connections
If you wonder whether or not we can help, call us and see! 972-424-6479
Photo Credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapitol.com on Flickr made available through a Creative Commons License.
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