The plumbing landscape comes with hundreds of complex details necessary for installations, repairs, or replacements anytime of the day. To help you navigate the plumbing landscape, here is a list of best plumbing practices to keep in mind.
WHY DO HOMES HAVE LOW WATER PRESSURE?
Your day can’t get any worse after a hot and filthy day at work only to come home and discover low water pressure when all you need is a warm shower to scrub off all the dirt. It is so frustrating to stay right under your shower head when you can barely get yourself wet. Having low water pressure at home is not only frustrating, but it is also a critical sign that you have plumbing problems right under your nose. Sometimes, it is fairly simple to remedy a low water pressure issue by twisting your shut off valve completely all the way. At times, they accidentally close it, or it slips one’s mind to turn it back on after conducting a repair. Mineral buildup is also a possible cause of obstruction of these valves that result in a restriction in air flow. Also, boilers have control on the water pressure. You might need to increase its level if the water pressure is low. Either way, it is always advised to call a professional plumbing company to get an accurate diagnosis of the real cause of your low water pressure problem.
WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE OF A LEAKING WATER HEATER?
In most homes in the country, basements or utility rooms are usually dark and damp rooms of houses that have a concrete and cemented floors and walls. Once you notice that water starts to collect in this part of the house, you can easily delay fixing it or even totally neglect it. This nonchalant behavior spells disaster and here’s why: First, your electric consumption will drastically increase when you have a leaking water heater. You end up paying for water distribution that was not used just because there’s a leak in your system. Second, you can count on it that mold will grow and spread around. You must not be comfortable with the fact that mold is infesting your basement because it will eventually reach your duct system and spread all over your home. If your basement or utility room is finished, you can plainly see the evidence of mold growth from your leaky water heater. It is very unfortunate once this mold infestation reaches your drywall because you have no other recourse but to remove it and then replace it. It is also applicable when it comes to wood trim, tiling, and so on. You will not have any choice left but to call a mold mitigation company to take care of it once it has spread all over the place. Paying for a mold mitigation company puts a great strain to your wallet, and you will also most likely have to replace certain items of clothing and furniture.
HOW TO SOLVE A LEAKY WATER DILEMMA?
To address this mold issue, you must first look for the source of the leak. In most cases, it is the water heater. If the issue is related to the condensation of the hot water in a cold room, you can easily solve this problem through the installation of a dehumidifier that will suck the excess moisture out. If you have more complicated water heater leaks, it requires more effort from you. There are usually four reasons that will explain why you have a leaking water heater that drips on your floor. If you are not confident enough to fix it yourself, it is highly suggested to seek for the help of an expert plumber. The combination of water and electricity is a deadly one, and only a highly trained service repairman is knowledgeable and experienced in handling such cases. If you have no choice but to do it yourself (this is not advised), ensure that the power is disconnected. The four major issues any expert plumber will most likely encounter are:
- Obstructed Temperature and Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve – this valve is the most significant part of the water heater since it prevents it from becoming a pressurized time bomb. However, gunks and debris easily collect in this spot and has a negative effect on the performance of your home water heater.
- The TPR Valve Overheats – the TPR Valve remains open to disperse excess force whenever the pressure becomes too high in a water heater. As a result, water constantly drips out. This increase in pressure is from the excess work needed to satisfy the enormous demands for temperature. An easy solution to this issue is to turn down the unit’s thermostat to lessen the demand on the TPR Valve.
- Leaky Connections – plumbing connections can be found on the sides or at the top of your water heater. These connections deliver the water and then return it to the tank. Over time, these connections might corrode because that is what usually happens when you put water and metal together. Leaks can happen on the side of the tank as a result. Thankfully, they are pretty obvious and can easily be fixed just by tightening or cleaning it. If there is a need to replace it, it is easy to pull off as well.
- Defects in the Heating Elements – a telltale sign that the heating element of your water heater needs replacement is when you become aware that the water is not that warm anymore.
Just remember that there might be other causes that can result in a leak, like having a corroded tank, but you can only consider that if your unit is around 10 to 12 years old. Just like with molds, leaks in your hot water heater signals you that something is wrong with your plumbing system. If you are not sure you can fix it on your own, do not hesitate to call for a certified plumber to do the job in no time.