Summer time is here and most of us have begun watering our lawns, washing our vehicles, and catching up on landscaping projects. Some of us are finding out quickly that this winter’s hard freeze is still reeking havoc on our home’s plumbing systems.
Some of the most common instances of pipes bursting due to a hard freeze are ironically the most preventable. A burst pipe in a wall can cause a lot of damage along with a huge mess in a hurry. Outside faucets (hose bibs) are the most vulnerable fixture in a home due to freezing. They invariably protrude from outside walls and most people will not discover that they froze up until the following spring.
Outside faucets must be frost-proof in order to be up to code. The washer that closes the valve seats up against an opening must be placed far enough back so that the water doesn’t get near the outside where it can freeze, bursting the pipe due to expansion. [Read more…] about Hosed: Outside Faucet Crisis
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.
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.
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.