Tag: homeowners

How Can Homeowners Find Underground Leaks?

How To Locate an Invisible Leak

While underground leaks cannot be seen inside the home, homeowners can still find signs of destruction. Puddles of water, a high water bill, and the sound of running water can all indicate an issue with the plumbing system. Leaks need to be repaired as soon as possible to avoid mold and costly home damage.

Which Signs Are Important?

Puddles of water on green grass indicating potential underground plumbing leaks and water damage in a residential yard.Underground leaks can cause physical differences in the outdoors. Small cracks can appear in the foundation if the leak is below a black top or sidewalk. The softer ground may shift. Bulges in the grass or even sinkholes can develop if the problem is neglected. 

A decrease in water pressure is one sign that can be spotted from indoors. If a leak is caused by excessive clogging or erosion, this creates a lighter spray in both the bathroom and sink faucets. Low water pressure may require longer showers to feel truly clean. This problem cannot be fixed by purchasing a new showerhead. 

Underground water leaks are sometimes heard from inside the home. Unusual hissing noises and the sound of running water are not normal when the plumbing system is working properly. This may indicate damage to the sewer system. Splashing and gurgling noises represent water flow and help plumbers locate the general vicinity of a leak in the walls or floor.  

When a home becomes unusually damp, this can give off a foul odor throughout the building. This is usually due to mold or mildew building up under the floorboards. Mold is considered toxic if it is not removed from the premises and can cause several health issues, such as respiratory problems, headaches, and nausea. 

If there are puddles of water on the lawn despite sunny weather, a mainline leak may be to blame. Above the leak is usually a patch of grass that is much brighter and overgrown than the rest of the lawn. This is due to the extra nutrients leaking from inside the sewer pipes. A trained technician can locate the exact spot where the line is cracked. 

How To Check the Water Meter

A water meter is usually located outside the home near a curb or sidewalk. To check for hidden leaks underground, homeowners can examine the water flow in their plumbing system. If water continues to flow even when the main water valve is turned off, this is a clear sign of leakage. 

The asterisk on the meter is supposed to turn when water appliances are in use. This includes washing machines, faucets, and toilets. If the asterisk stops moving when water is no longer in use, this is a sign that the integrity of the pipes has not been jeopardized. 

Fixing an underground leak does not necessarily mean plumbers must dig up the yard to replace piping. It means they must use specialized tools to pinpoint the size of the crack and why it occurred.

Leak Detection Services

Plumber using acoustic leak detection equipment to identify water leaks indoors, emphasizing professional leak detection services.Water leak detection services find both big and small breaks in the piping. This can be done through acoustic detection, noise correlators, and installation software. A leak detection system is one of the fastest ways to detect leaks. 

A leak detection system measures water flow based on a specific household’s water usage. It is designed to understand the busy times and weekly patterns to alert homeowners when there is an irregular flow. This can be used over wifi or an app, depending on the software. 

Acoustic leak detection uses microphones to detect moving water. Since copper and steel pipes carry sound long distances, plumbers can diagnose the issue while wearing headphones. Noise correlators are similar in that they use sensory input to detect movement. This automated process responds to the main control unit so leaks can be measured accurately. 

Who is About Plumbing Inc.?

About Plumbing Inc. was founded by Greg Glore, a licensed plumber with over 20 years of experience. To learn more about their plumbing service and straightforward pricing for Jefferson County, MO, call About Plumbing Inc. today. 

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Do Homeowners Really Need a Water Softener?

Learning About Hard Water

It's hard to believe, but a shocking 85% of Americans have hard water in their homes. But what is hard water, exactly? Essentially, it is water that has high levels of calcium and magnesium dissolved into it. There are particular signs that homeowners can look for to see if they have hard water, but there's a good chance that they do. The signs are discussed below so homeowners know what to look for, but it's also fair to say that every homeowner should invest in a whole-home water softener. 

It is time to remove hard water from the home and start reaping the health benefits of soft water. Below is all of the information that homeowners need to make an educated decision on whether or not a water softener is the right answer for their homes. 

The Inner Workings of a Water Softener Water softener system with ion exchange unit, featuring a tall stainless steel tank and a black brine tank, illustrating solutions for hard water issues in homes.

Essentially, a water softener is an ion exchange. It takes the calcium and magnesium ions, filters them, and replaces them with sodium ions. It's better to have soft water because calcium and magnesium are the reason for the spotty and film look on the glassware. It does the same thing to hair, but the sodium ions do not affect the home's dishes, hair, or anything else. 

This is why another name for water softeners is ions exchange units because that's exactly what they do. Here is a closer look at the functionality of an ion exchange unit: 

  • The softener is full of resin beads that absorb the calcium and magnesium in the water
  • The beads become full and are hit with a sodium and potassium solution 
  • The calcium and magnesium is removed from the beads
  • The beads fill with sodium for potassium 
  • The resulting chloride solution goes down the drain 

The Top Signs of Hard WaterDry, cracked skin on a hand illustrating the effects of hard water on personal care and hygiene.

Some signs of hard water are pretty obvious, but others aren't so obvious. And sometimes, the obvious signs don't even seem that obvious. So, homeowners should pay attention to all of them. 

Here's a list of signs to look for: 

  • Dry, dull, and damaged hair
  • Dry, dull skin
  • Dry, faded clothes
  • Spotted and film-layered dishes 
  • Stained bathroom fixtures 
  • Scale build-up on fixtures
  • Damaged water heaters
  • Scale build-up within the pipes
  • Gradual increase in the water bill

Here Are the Benefits of Whole Home Water Softeners

The great thing about water softeners is that all of the signs of hard water have the potential to completely disappear after the installation of a water softener. 

Some of the many benefits include: 

  • Vibrate, hydrated skin and hair
  • Vibrant, longer-lasting clothes
  • Shinier dishes
  • No more time spent cleaning scale build-up off of the fixtures
  • Reduced wear and tear on the pipes and water heater
  • Reduced water bill 
  • The plumbing appliances and fixtures would last longer

With an article full of positives, it's hard to find the negative aspects of investing in a water softener. It's probably the most financially efficient decision a homeowner can make this year. 

Receive Quality Care From About Plumbing Inc. 

About Plumbing Inc. has experienced technicians and reliable solutions that the Jefferson County homeowners want and need. These professionals know all about plumbing and can answer the tough questions that homeowners encounter. Now is the time to call to get on the books for phenomenal plumbing services in Jefferson County. 

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