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Never ignore any suspicions of leaks in your plumbing to avoid a more costly repair or a catastrophic plumbing emergency. We suggest you get professional plumbing service immediately so that a plumber can thoroughly inspect your system, diagnose the problem and recommend the best solution. In this article, we’ll talk about the causes of leaks, why you have higher bills, why you need to contact a licensed plumber only and helpful plumbing tips to prevent repairs. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

Why Is My Water Bill High

Has your bill suddenly skyrocketed this month? There could be a number of reasons why your water bill is higher this month. This could be due to inefficient appliances such as old water heaters or garbage disposals. If you’ve been using them for several years, we suggest you consider replacing them with energy-efficient appliances to conserve energy and save money.

Leaks are another reason why your water bill has suddenly skyrocketed. Check your water heater and plumbing fixtures for any signs of leaks or damage. Check the ceiling and the walls for any water spots. If you suspect a leak, we suggest you get a plumbing service, so that a plumber can do a proper inspection of your plumbing and recommend solutions if there are issues.

You can also do a water meter test to test for leaks in your plumbing. When doing a water meter test, make sure no one is using your water heater, shower or faucet. Do two separate readings and compare the results. The second reading must be done at least 15 minutes after getting the first reading. If the figures are different, that indicates a leak in your plumbing. Get professional plumbing service so that a licensed plumber can properly check for any signs of leaks in your plumbing.

To determine a toilet leak, just pour food coloring into the toilet tank and wait for about 15 minutes. Check the toilet bowl after; there’s a leak when the water changes colors.

Having low water pressure can also indicate a leak in your plumbing especially when there’s low water pressure in all fixtures. It’s best to get professional plumbing service so that a plumber can check for any problems and recommend the best solutions.

If you want to conserve water, you can consider switching to low-flow faucets or dual-flush toilets. Talk to one of our plumbers so we can recommend which fixtures to invest in your home. For installation, make sure you get professional plumbing service.

Causes of Leaks in Your Plumbing

Below are just some of the reasons for leaks in your plumbing. If you suspect a leak, get professional plumbing service. Leak detection can locate the leak and our plumbers can help you fix it.

High Water Pressure

Do you have a water pressure gauge at home? Use it to check your home’s water pressure or get professional plumbing service so that a plumber can check your home’s water pressure levels.

The normal water pressure is between 40-60 PSI. You have low water pressure if it falls below 40 and high water pressure when it’s above 60 PSI. Low water pressure indicates a leak in your plumbing and high water pressure isn’t good either because it can break the pipes and cause major damage. Get a plumbing service immediately when your water pressure is too high so that a plumber can do something about it. Don’t ignore this because older pipes can break and you might wake up to a flooded home.

Frozen Pipes

If you live in an area that gets freezing temperatures in the winter, make sure you insulate the plumbing pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting. You can also get professional plumbing service if you need further assistance from a plumber. Don’t forget to also include your outdoor plumbing, especially outdoor faucets. For homeowners with a standard water heater tank, you may want to also get an insulating blanket to conserve energy.

Another way to prevent frozen pipes is to slightly open your faucet so that water can flow through the pipes and prevent the water from freezing. Don’t forget to also open your cabinet doors from the sink so that heated air can warm the pipes. Need more help? Get professional plumbing service today. Our plumbers are more than happy to help.

Tree Roots

Be careful with trees because their roots can do a lot of damage to your plumbing. A tiny leak is enough for these trees to infiltrate the pipes and cause catastrophic damage. If there are trees near your plumbing systems, it’s really best for you to call professionals so they can tell you what to do about the trees.

When tree roots have already infiltrated the pipes, make sure you get plumbing service so that a licensed plumber can check for the damage and recommend the most cost-effective solutions. Please never ignore the problem or postpone repairs as it might even cost you more money down the road. For other issues with your plumbing, please don’t hesitate to get professional plumbing service today. Our plumbers are more than happy to assist anytime; call us at your earliest convenience and a plumber will be with you shortly.

Frequent Clogs

Frequent clogs can also do damage to your pipes. Get a professional drain cleaning service to avoid clogs and ensure your drains are healthy. Also, never use chemical-based drain cleaners as they can do a lot of damage to your pipes as well. Don’t forget to install strainers to catch food debris or hair that causes a clog. Better yet, consider installing a garbage disposal to better manage food waste at home.

Shifts in Your Home’s Foundation

You don’t have control over this but you can avoid leaks by getting regular inspections. Hire a licensed plumber only to check if all components of your plumbing are working and everything is in top shape. This is where we come in. We have a team of experienced and professional plumbers who can perform regular plumbing inspections and ensure your plumbing is in top shape. If you have other questions about your plumbing system, please don’t hesitate to get a professional plumbing service today.

What Are the Signs of Leaks in My Plumbing

We’ve already discussed this earlier in the article, and as mentioned, you need to watch out for your home’s water pressure, water bills and any hidden signs of leaks in your plumbing.

Water pressure that’s below 40 PSI can indicate a leak in your plumbing. We suggest calling a plumber immediately so they can check your plumbing for any leaks that can cause major damage.

Water stains or spots around your home can also indicate a leak in your plumbing. If you suspect a leak, don’t hesitate to get professional leak detection so that a plumber can do a thorough inspection of your plumbing.

Hearing loud or strange noises in the pipes can also indicate a leak in your plumbing. When you detect leaks, it’s best to get professional plumbing service immediately so they can properly check your home. If you have older pipes, consider replacing them with PVC or copper pipes. Both are more susceptible to damage or rust. They also last longer. For installation though, make sure you only hire a licensed plumber for it.

You can also consider installing leak detection devices so that you’re alerted when there are possible leaks in your plumbing. Just make sure you do connect your leak detection device to get alerts and notifications of any leaks in your plumbing. You might want to also get devices that can automatically shut off your water to prevent further damage to your plumbing. For installation, contact a licensed plumber only.

Preventing Leaks in Your Plumbing

You can protect your home from water damage and save money by following the tips below. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a licensed plumber in the area.

1. Consider repiping your home. As mentioned, you need to get a replacement especially when you still have galvanized pipes in your home. This type of pipe can easily get damaged and is also susceptible to rust. Don’t worry, you can talk to our plumbers so that we can educate you on the best piping material to use for your home. Our plumbing experts can also help you correctly install these pipes.
2. Take care of your plumbing. First, when installing new appliances, ensure you only get professional plumbing service for it. Incorrect installations will only lead to more problems with your plumbing. So when you decide to get a new water heater, get a plumbing service so that a licensed plumber can correctly install the unit. Do the same with your plumbing fixtures. Before using a plumbing appliance for the first time, make sure you’ve also read the manual and you know how to properly use the device. If you have questions, feel free to get in touch with a plumber in the area.
3. Drain the water heater. As a homeowner, part of your responsibility is to ensure your water heater is taken care of. To do this, you need to flush the water heater at least once a year. It’s also recommended to get a professional plumbing service so that a plumber can check the heating elements of your water heater and ensure your water is safe to drink. If your water heater is old or is more than 7 years old, consider ditching that and switching to a tankless water heater. The latter is more energy-efficient and you don’t really need to worry about water heater leaks because there’s no tank. You can easily install the water heater into the bathroom wall. For installation though, make sure you get professional plumbing service for it.
4. Install a sump pump. If you have a basement in your home, it’s necessary to install a sump pump to prevent flooding in the basement and protect your home from water damage. Talk to one of our plumbers so we can help you decide which type of pump to install for your basement. Our team can also help you install the sump pump and even help you test the device. It’s easy to test the pump as you only need to pour about a bucket of water into the sump pit and wait and wait for the float switch to turn on the pump and remove the water. Don’t forget to also regularly maintain the sump pump to extend its life and prevent a costly repair.

Why Contact a Licensed Plumber Only

When it comes to repairs, installations and maintenance, the first thing you need to do is make sure the plumber you hire has the right license and is fully insured. Licensed plumbers are fully insured and adhere to codes. Most importantly, they know how to permanently resolve the problem. A licensed plumber is also fully equipped and prioritizes your safety most of all.

Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

If you’re looking for a plumbing service, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime. We serve both homeowners and businesses in the area. Our plumbing experts are also insured and fully licensed. We can help with any plumbing installations, repairs, inspections and maintenance. Additionally, we also offer leak detection services and professional drain cleaning service. You can trust us for our plumbers are hardworking and go the extra mile to resolve the concern on the same day.

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth for an appointment.

See our previous blog on this topic here.

Photo By Andrey_Popov at Shutterstock