Plumbing Tips | Plumbers Arlington, Texas

While the new appliances you purchase may feature state-of-the-art technology, Benjamin Franklin plumbers in Arlington, Texas see numerous water leaks and damage caused by low cost water supply lines. Here are some plumbing tips to deal with those issues, as well as a few other tips for keeping your appliances leak free for years to come:

• Upgrade your hoses. Purchase braided stainless steel water supply hoses available in home improvement stores for the washing machine, the dishwasher and the refrigerator’s water supply line. The cost is higher than the standard hoses, but the reliability they provide is well worth it, since steel hoses are less likely to develop a leak and damage your home with flooding. Periodically inspect appliance hoses and check to ensure the connection is tight. When hoses begin to show signs of wear, or if tightening the connections doesn’t stop moisture, replace the hose. Turn off the water supply to the washer when you will be gone for more than a day. Numerous homeowners turn hot and cold valves off when laundry is complete.
• Purchase a drain pan for your water heater and washing machine. If an overflow occurs water will collect into the drain pan. Two types of drain pans are available, those that provide a catch pan for leaks and hold a limited amount of water, and those that are attached to a drain pipe that will drain the water away preventing overflowing water from reaching the floor.
• Keep a check on the water pressure. High water pressure is detrimental to appliances. When the water pressure in your home rises above 80 PSI, it can be harmful to your entire plumbing system, appliance components and can burst pipes. Your local water authority should be able to tell you the water pressure on your street. If it exceeds 80 pounds, consider having a pressure reducing valve (PRV) installed by licensed plumbers in Arlington, Texas to limit the amount of water pressure entering your home.

  Alternately, you can test the pressure yourself with a water pressure test gauge available at home improvement stores for $5 to $15. Simple to use, they are screwed into an outdoor water outlet, and when the water is turned on the pressure is revealed. If water pressure is high causing damage to appliances and the plumbing in your home our plumbers in Arlington, Texas can install the pressure relief valve you need to reduce incoming water pressure.

  In addition, operation of both plumbing products and appliances at a PSI over 80 can result in the voiding of manufacturers warranties. Benjamin Franklin’s plumbers in Arlington, Texas can take care of your high water pressure, and put an end to the damage it can cause.

• Know the location of your homes main shut off valve before you need it in an emergency. Turning the valve off prevents any water from entering the entire home. It is typically located in a basement, on an outside wall, or you can use the shut off valve located in the water meter. The shut-off valve on the water meter is typically a lever. If you are unsure of the location of your home’s main shut off valve, ask the plumbers in Arlington, Texas.

An appliance flood due to a burst hose can quickly lead to severe damage to your home and its foundation. The replacement of appliance hoses with quality grade steel braided hoses is a low cost solution to prevent this type of water damage and is an easy DIY project for homeowners.

The installation of a pressure relief valve on the other hand, should only be provided by licensed plumbers in Arlington, Texas. Installation will require cutting into the water main and is a job for a qualified plumber.

We hope you found these plumbing tips useful. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers licensed plumbers in Arlington, Texas with expertise and a commitment to your satisfaction. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on our plumbing repairs, or we redo it for free. Our reliable plumbers serve Arlington, Fort Worth and the surrounding areas. We are a member of the BBB with a consistent A+ rating.