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Leaks in your plumbing can be stressful and costly. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent them and avoid repairs or restorations that may cost you a fortune. In this article, we’ll talk about helpful tips to help you prevent plumbing leaks, how to know there is a leak in your plumbing and why you need to call professionals.

Tips:

Familiarize Yourself with Plumbing

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to familiarize your plumbing system. There’s no need to know everything — the basics would do such as what to do when there is a plumbing emergency or basic tools that you need for unclogging minor clogs. It would also help to have the contact numbers of licensed plumbers in Arlington, TX to ensure that a professional can help you with either repairs and installations. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing as all of our professionals are highly skilled and experienced. No job is too small or too large for us — we can handle anything no matter how complicated the task is. We are also familiar with all makes and models, which means that we can take care to install any plumbing appliance.

Insulate the Pipes During Winter

Do you know how to freeze-proof your plumbing pipes during the colder months? Get some insulating blankets for your pipes at a local hardware store. They don’t cost a lot and they are also fairly easy to install. If you need help though, you can always call a plumber for assistance.

Also, make sure that you open all cabinet doors, especially those underneath the sinks. Check the insulation in your basement and in the attic, and insulate the outdoor faucet too. Most importantly, it’s better to slightly open the faucet so warm water can freely flow through the pipes.

Do the tips above especially when the temperatures start dropping. When it drops to below zero degrees and your pipes are not properly insulated, the water inside them can freeze and they can burst. To avoid water damage, ensure that they are properly protected. If you need additional help, don’t hesitate to contact a plumbing company.

Know How Each Appliance and Plumbing Fixture Works

As much as possible, know how your plumbing appliances work. Read the manual and know how to properly use each of the appliances. For installation, make sure that you only work with a licensed plumber. Never hire an unqualified person to do major installations as that would only lead to even bigger problems. We also recommend that you don’t install them yourselves. Some manufacturers require professional installation for the warranties to still be valid. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing if you need help to install any plumbing appliance or fixture.

If you want to conserve water and save money every month, then consider installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures such as low-flow toilets and showers. These devices are designed to only use less water compared to their counterparts. For installation, contact a licensed plumbing company in Arlington, TX.

Educate Family Members

It’s absolutely crucial to also inform family members especially when there are children in the household. For example, inform them that they can’t just throw anything down the drain or the sink, as that may lead to a clog. Let them know where the shut-off valves are in case there are emergencies. If there are leaks in the plumbing, the first thing you need to do is turn off the main water supply to avoid further damage. The next step is to call a licensed plumber in the area. It can also help if all your family members also know how to take care of your plumbing and know how the plumbing system works.

Plumbing Maintenance

Like all the appliances in your home, your plumbing also needs regular maintenance. Apart from periodically checking your plumbing for any wear and tear, or for leaks, it’s also best for you to schedule regular plumbing maintenance with a licensed plumbing company. During the service call, a plumber would thoroughly inspect the entire system such as the water heaters, washing machine, dishwasher, and plumbing fixtures. You’d be lucky if there are no issues with the plumbing, but you will also be grateful when there are as the plumbing professional can help you fix it promptly. Regular plumbing inspection doesn’t just maintain your plumbing but it also prevents major plumbing emergencies.

Install Several Shut Off Valves

The shut-off valves can help you prevent further water damage in your home. If possible, contact a plumber in Arlington, TX so they can help you install several shut-off valves, not just one. Also, make sure that all of them are easily accessible. Place them near the water heater or your washing machine. Make sure that everyone in your household knows where these are located.

Install Leak Detection Devices

When it comes to preventing major leaks in your plumbing, leak detection devices are an incredible help. Contact a plumber so they can help you with installation. These devices can alert you when there is a leak in your plumbing and would also automatically shut off the main water supply. The advanced leak detectors can also detect fluctuation temperatures and some of them may be able to tell you where the leaks are located. Of course, you still need to contact a professional for help.

Flush the Water Heater Tank

One of the most effective things you can do to maintain your water heater is to flush out the sediment build-up at least once a year. However, you may need to do it a couple of times especially when there is a high concentration of hard water in your plumbing.

Flushing out the sediments can help you conserve more energy and would also extend the lifespan of your water heater. Most importantly, it can prevent major water damage.

If you’re worried about water leaks in your tank, then call a plumber to help you install a tankless water heater. With the tankless version, there is no need to worry about water leaks and you also won’t need a bigger space for it. You can simply mount it to your bathroom wall. So no need to think about flooding in the basement if you decide to install the tankless water heater.

Install a Sump Pump

If you have a basement or if you live in an area that gets a lot of storms, then we suggest that you install a sump pump. This device can help prevent flooding in the basement. You need to install this if you want to avoid costly repairs and basement restorations. However, before using the sump pump, do make sure that it works efficiently. Test it first by pouring a bucket of water in the sump pit, it should be high enough to activate the float switch. When the float switch activates, that should turn on the sump pump.

Just in case there is a power outage, then make sure that you have backup batteries for your sump pump. Periodically clean and check your sump pump to extend its lifespan.

Replace Washing Machine Hose

If you have a laundry room, then call a plumber in Arlington, TX to help you inspect it. Make sure that the appliances are properly installed and there are strainers in the sink to catch debris. If you still have rubber hoses, consider replacing them with stainless steel braided hoses. The latter is susceptible to wear and tear, is more durable than rubber hoses and also last longer than the rubber ones. For installation, make sure that you only work with a licensed plumbing company to avoid other issues down the road.

How to Know There Are Leaks In Your Plumbing

Prevention is the key to extending the lifespan of your plumbing. If you suspect that there might be something wrong with it, then check below for tips on how to know there are leaks in your plumbing.

Toilet Test

To test if there is a leak in the toilet, then pour a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank, then wait for about 30 minutes. When you do this test, make sure that no one else is using the water in your plumbing. Check the toilet after and see if the water changes color. When it does, then there is a leak in your plumbing. The toilet can wastes hundreds of gallons of water every day, ensure that you contact a plumber immediately so they can help you fix your toilet.

Water Meter Test

To do this, check the water meter and take note of the numbers. Wait for about an hour and check the water meter again. If the numbers changed, then there is a leak in your plumbing. Call a licensed plumber right away so they can do professional leak detection.

High Water Bills

Another way to know if there is a leak in your plumbing is to check the water bills. If they suddenly skyrocket, it’s likely that there is a leak in your plumbing. You need to get professional leak detection from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing so a licensed plumbing company can check the exact location of your leak.

Mold and Puddles of Water

Some plumbing leaks are pretty obvious; you only need to check for signs of mold or when there are puddles of water in the yard or near the plumbing appliance. Call a plumber in Arlington, TX the soonest possible time so they can check your plumbing for leaks and resolve the problem.

Why You Need Professional Leak Detection

Calling a licensed plumbing company is essential because a professional knows what he’s doing. Below are the reasons why you need to call for professional leak detection.

Skills

Professional plumbers in Arlington, TX are highly skilled with leak detection as they have been doing this for several years. They are also properly trained to do leak detection properly. Some plumbing leaks can’t easily be detected but a professional plumber can help you detect this. They also know how to address this problem and permanently fix it.

Tools and Equipment

Apart from the plumbers’ skills and experience, professionals also have the right tools and equipment to help them find the exact location of the leak. Some homeowners may plan to buy their own plumbing equipment thinking they can save money. Please don’t do this as it’s more cost-effective to hire professional plumbers instead. Also, you’re not trained to use these tools, and plumbers are trained for it. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today to help you with professional leak detection.

Only Work with Licensed Plumbers

When it comes to plumbing repairs or professional leak detection, never hire unqualified people for this. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today as we are extremely experienced and we can handle any plumbing job. We are also fully equipped, which means there’s no need to schedule another appointment for it. We can permanently resolve the problem on the same day. We can also guarantee 100 percent complete satisfaction.

Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

Do you need a plumbing service in Arlington, TX today? Please don’t hesitate to contact us today. All of our plumbers are certified and licensed. Call us and we will quickly dispatch a technician to your home or business. We are also always on time – and if we are ever late, you won’t have to pay for anything. It will be on us. Don’t worry though, our team of professionals is never late. We always show up on time.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth can help with any plumbing issue. We can do any plumbing repairs, installations, or maintenance. Let us know if you need help with your water heaters, dishwasher, sump pump, washing machines, or plumbing pipes. We’ll be there right away to assist you with any concerns.