Ways Homeowners Can Identify Water Leaks

How Homeowners Can Detect Leaks to Avoid More Water Damage and Expensive Bills

When a burst pipe or water leak occurs in a house, it can quickly cause major water damage and high water costs. To avoid these problems from getting worse and limit the damage, it’s essential for property owners to promptly identify leaks and have them repaired. This article will offer tips to help people identify leaks, including signs of a leak, high water bills, and a running water meter. 

What Symptoms Signal a Leak?

Many signs of leaks can alert homeowners to a leak in their houses. While it can be obvious that there’s a leak or burst pipe in a house when homeowners are standing in water, there are also other signs property owners should watch for. Wet spots or water stains on the walls, floors, or ceilings and evidence of mold or mildew are signs of a leak. 

Homeowners should also pay attention to reduced water pressure from fixtures, the sound of running water when water is not in use, and other signs of water damage that can signal a leak. Homeowners should schedule leak detection and repair with a plumber at the first signs of a problem to avoid further water damage.

Costly Water Bills 

bills Homeowners should also pay attention to their water bills to determine if they have a leak. When water costs rise, but the household hasn’t used more water than usual, it can indicate there is a leak in the system, wasting water and causing costs to increase. 

To prevent water damage and more costly water bills, homeowners should call a plumber as soon as they suspect a leak in their plumbing system. The quicker a plumber can assess and repair the problem, the less water will be wasted, and more money can be saved. 

Water Meter Runs When Water Isn’t Being Used 

water meter A tactic many homeowners might overlook when determining if they have a leak is to examine the water meter. When households suspect they have a leak, they should find their water meter and run a test. If the meter continues to run when water is not being used, it can indicate a leak in the plumbing system. 

Before checking the water meter, homeowners should first ensure all plumbing fixtures, appliances that use water, and sprinkler systems are turned off. Don’t overlook sprinklers that are set on timers or forget that the dishwasher is on. Some meters have a leak indicator that makes it obvious there’s a leak, but even water meters without them can be used to identify leaks. 

Once no water is used, homeowners should record the reading on the water meter, wait an hour after not using any water, and then recheck the water meter’s reading. If the reading has changed without using any water, it can indicate a leak that is wasting water. Homeowners should call a plumber to perform water leak detection services if they suspect a leak.

About Performance Plumbing

Performance Plumbing has been serving Ball Ground, GA, and the surrounding areas since 2016. They provide straightforward pricing, financing, and free in-person estimates. Call them today for water leak detection and water leak repair in Ball Ground, GA

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Improve a Home’s Water Quality in 2024 With a Water Filtration System

All About Whole House Water Filters

Households need to know that when they shower, bathe, do laundry, or even drink tap water, their water is safe and healthy. Unfortunately, bacteria, chlorine, and other contaminants can get into a home’s water supply, putting a household’s health at risk.

To eliminate these substances from the water, households can install a whole home water filter. This post will explain how water filtration systems work and some different types, the benefits they provide, and the signs they should be installed in a home. 

How Water Filtration Systems Work

reverse osmosisWater filtration systems work to remove harmful bacteria and contaminants from a home’s water supply. Numerous systems can do this in different ways, and some are better at targeting specific pollutants than others. Homeowners can consult a plumber to figure out which unit is best for their house.

Some of the most popular types of whole-house water filtration systems are:

  • Carbon Water Filters: These popular filters absorb contaminants to purify the home’s water supply. Activated carbon is highly effective at capturing water-borne pollutants.
  • Reverse Osmosis Systems: These filters are also popular as they prevent contaminants and other substances from flowing through the reverse osmosis membrane, only letting water through.
  • UV Water Purifiers: These units use ultraviolet light to neutralize bacteria and viruses to clean and sanitize the water.
  • Distillation Systems: These units filter water by turning water into steam that evaporates and leaves behind the contaminants, then condenses the steam back to pure water. 

Advantages of Water Filtration Systems

clear water When homeowners get a water filter installation, they can experience many benefits, including:

  • Better tasting and smelling water.
  • Elimination of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants in the water.
  • Safer and healthier water. 
  • Money savings by not needing to buy bottled water.

When to Install a Water Filtration System

To keep their family safe and healthy, homeowners need to install a whole-house water filtration system if they notice signs of contaminants or water supply problems. Some symptoms that can indicate property owners should get a water filtration system are if the water has an odd taste or smell and if it has a brownish tint or looks cloudy.

Property owners can also have their water quality tested to accurately determine which contaminants are in their water supply, helping them choose the best water filtration system for their household. Even if homeowners don’t notice signs of a polluted water supply, a water filter will make their water cleaner and safer, so it’s never bad. 

About Performance Plumbing

Performance Plumbing has served Ball Ground, GA, and the surrounding areas since 2016. They offer free in-person estimates, flat-rate pricing, and on-time service. Call them today for water filtration system installation and services in Ball Ground, GA.  

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Why Your Shower Has Poor Water Pressure

Possible Reasons for Low Water Pressure in Your Shower

A shower should provide a relaxing experience for homeowners. If a person gets in and is instead greeted with low water pressure, it can take the comfort out of bathing and indicate a problem with the showerhead, water heater, or plumbing system. Many issues can cause low water pressure in showers, and this post will explain some possible causes. 

Water Heater Issues

water heater A malfunctioning water heater is one possible cause of low water pressure in the shower. To narrow down the possibility, it is more likely the case if the home only experiences low water pressure with hot water.

Some water heater issues that can lead to water pressure troubles include:

  • If there is a sediment buildup in the hot water tank and hot water lines
  • If there is corrosion inside the tank or in the pipes
  • If there is a faulty pressure regulator that can no longer control the water pressure
  • If the valves are closed or partially closed
  • If the water heater is undersized for the household
  • If there is a clog or a leak in the water heating system
  • If the water heater is aging and can no longer maintain the right water pressure 

If homeowners suspect their water heater is causing poor water pressure, they should hire a plumber to inspect and repair the system.

Leaks or Clogs in the Pipes

When determining what causes low water pressure in the shower, plumbers can also look for leaks or clogs in the pipes, which can cause poor water pressure in multiple fixtures and with both hot and cold water depending on where in the plumbing system they are located. 

A leak can cause poor water pressure because some of the water leaks out of the pipes before it reaches the desired plumbing fixture. Clogs can also cause low water pressure by blocking the entire volume of water from properly flowing through the pipes. Plumbers can use special equipment to check the piping for leaks and clogs and then fix them to restore water pressure. 

Blocked Showerhead 

showerhead service Another possible cause of poor water pressure in the shower, which is more likely if the water pressure problems occur with hot and cold water from only one showerhead, is that the showerhead is clogged. Scale or mineral buildup can block the showerhead nozzle’s holes, reducing the water pressure. 

If this is the case, the showerhead can be replaced or removed, soaked, and cleaned to unclog them. However, if the showerhead is older, it’s better to replace it with a new, more efficient one. Homeowners experiencing low water pressure in their homes can rely on plumbers to find and fix the underlying cause. 

About Performance Plumbing

Performance Plumbing has been serving Ball Ground and the surrounding areas since 2016. They offer flat rate pricing, on-time service, and free in-person estimates. Call them today for plumbing services in Ball Ground, GA

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