Ignoring a Water Leak – What’s the Worst That Could Happen?
Do you think that you have a water leak somewhere in your home? Maybe you think that it will stop if you ignore it. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? The answer is a lot more than you think. In fact, a simple water leak that you don’t fix could cost you your home and your health.
Causes Water Damage Inside the Walls or Ceiling
First, many plumbing leaks occur in hidden parts of your home. Therefore, your home could incur damage before you know that you have a leak. Damage to the walls, floors, ceiling, and other structural components can worsen as the leak continues. While wood components can handle a small amount of water damage, they can weaken and grow mold with regular exposure to water, as from a leak. Weakened wood will eventually fail from rot, causing structural damage to your home that can cost you a lot more to repair than the initial leak would have cost.
Increases Your Utility Bills
You may not even be aware of hidden leaks in your home unless you regularly inspect your utility bills. A sudden increase in water use without major changes in how much time your family spends at home or the amount of water they use indicates a leak. For instance, if you have a family of four, and your home water use exceeds 12,000 gallons a month, you likely have several major leaks in your plumbing system that may require repiping to fix.
Sickens Those in the Home
Water leaking into the wood or other porous structures of your home can breed mold and mildew growth. Unfortunately, some types of mold can cause severe illness, especially in people with respiratory issues or mold allergies. If you or your family members have more allergy problems or trouble breathing, you might want to have your home’s plumbing inspected for leaks, especially if your doctor attributes the cause to mold.
Creates a Potential Fire Risk
Water and electricity don’t mix. In fact, when a water leak happens, it can drip onto electrical wiring that also runs through the walls or ceilings. Therefore, the water could cause electrical shorts that might lead to a fire in your home. Fixing a water leak is vital for the integrity and safety of your home.
Contact Best Service Plumber in Southern California to Find and Repair a Water Leak in Your Home
Don’t let a water leak get worse. Phone 951-338-8624 to reach us at Best Service Plumber. By fixing a leak as soon as possible, you avoid the most serious consequences of this problem. You can also connect with us online if you have questions about our leak repairs or other plumbing services. Let us find and fix any leaks in your home’s plumbing to keep your home healthy and intact.
Schedule a Plumbing Inspection for Your Home to Find and Fix Problems Before the Holidays
Just like the other components of your home, your plumbing system will need occasional checkups. Before your plumbing gets heavy use during the holidays, schedule a plumbing inspection. During this time, you can have a plumber find and repair minor issues before they cause you major headaches.
Why the Holidays Are Tough on Plumbing Systems
The holiday season brings many challenges for your plumbing system. In fact, your plumbing will have to deal with extra water run for cooking holiday meals and the cleanup after. Additionally, at the end of December, most people take time off school and work and stay at home. During this time, they will use the toilets, tubs, showers, sinks more often, putting more stress on the plumbing.
Rich holiday meals also mean needing to dispose of grease. Too many people erroneously pour liquid cooking grease down the drain. While it may be liquid when hot, as flows down the waste pipes, it will cool and solidify. Once solid, the grease creates a plug that will stop your drains from flowing.
How a Plumbing Inspection Can Help
When you have a plumber check out your system, they will look for minor leaks or clogs and fix them before they worsen. In fact, many minor leaks that happen in the walls may not cause visible problems until they get so bad that they saturate the wall material with water, causing extensive damage from moisture and mold.
Plumbing Maintenance
A plumbing inspection can also include maintenance of some of your components. For example, if you have a tank water heater that is a year old and has not had a flushing, you could request a plumber to help with that service. If you start a regular annual schedule of flushing your tank water heater, you can extend its life by reducing the amount of mineral build up in it.
However, if your water heater is more than a year old, flushing may not be worth it. Ask the expert when you have a plumbing inspection about if you should have your water heater tank flushed. Other maintenance chores for water heaters include checking the valves and temperature to ensure that it works effectively and efficiently.
Schedule Plumbing Inspection Today to Have Peace of Mind Over the Holidays
While a plumbing inspection won’t guarantee that you won’t have problems with your plumbing, it can reduce the chances that you have an existing problem that gets worse and causes more damage. For questions or to set up a visit from one of our plumbers, call us at Best Service Plumber at 951-356-9631. Let us help you to have a happier holiday season with less worry about your plumbing.
Signs That You May Need Water Heater Repair
Your water heater sends subtle signals that something is not right with its operation. You could easily miss these signs that you need water heater repair if you don’t know what to look for. Pay attention the next time you take a shower or bath. Watch out for these signs that you might need a plumber’s help.
Heater Requires Regular Raising
You may have a problem with the water heater’s capability to warm water if you have to raise the temperature. Ideally, you should set the thermostat to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. And leave it at that level for the life of the water heater. However, if you don’t feel that the water ever reaches that temperature, you compensate by increasing the thermostat. If you do this regularly, you likely have an issue that requires water heater repair.
Low Hot Water Pressure
Problems with the hot water lines or even the valve leaving the water heater could reduce the pressure of the hot water throughout your home. Mineral deposits from hard water can also lower the pressure. In some cases, you may have a poorly designed hot water delivery system in your home that requires a high degree of plumbing knowledge to repair. Because so many issues could cause low pressure from your hot water taps, call a plumber for the most complete assessment and repairs.
Hot Water Takes Longer to “Recharge”
For tank water heaters, if you use all the hot water, you must wait for the tank to refill and heat the new water before you can get hot water again. If this process takes longer than it did in the past, you may have a faulty heating element or scale deposits in the tank.
Sediment in the Hot Water
Minerals in the water heater indicate hard water that causes sediment inside the tank. This problem happens when these deposits break up and flow out of the tank through the hot water system. This sediment testifies to a lowered efficiency in your water heater from hard water. Discuss your options for water heater repair or replacement to fix the problem.
Phone Best Service Plumber for Water Heater Repair
Water heater problems rarely correct themselves. In fact, if you neglect the need to make minor repairs, you may need to replace the entire water heater for a greater cost. Unless you want to invest in a new water heater now, you will save money by calling us at Best Service Plumber. Our phone number is 951-338-8759 to schedule a visit for repairs of your existing water heater. Additionally, we now offer the convenience of online booking if you prefer.
What Type of Water Heater Maintenance Do You Need?
In an ideal world, a standard tank-style water heater should last for ten years without any attention. However, no one lives in such a world. Hard water is one of the biggest threats to your water heater. And without proper water heater maintenance, your unit could burn out long before its lifespan ends.
Annual Water Heater Maintenance
Generally, your water heater needs an evaluation each year. However, it’s best to hire a plumber to conduct the maintenance. If anything has a problem, the plumber can replace the worn part or make a repair immediately. Plus, doing maintenance on a water heater without knowing what to do could cause injury to you or damage to your water heater.
During an annual assessment, the plumber will look at the integrity of the valves, especially the temperature-pressure relief valve. Also, depending on prior maintenance and the age of your water heater, the plumber may drain it to remove sediments. Ideally, this should happen every year after the first year of ownership. Without removing sediment, minerals can build on the heating elements. This buildup reduces the ability of the elements to heat the water. You may notice that your water doesn’t feel as hot as it once was, though you haven’t adjusted the temperature.
A plumber can replace worn heating elements, however, if you have severe mineral buildup in the tank, it could indicate that you need to replace the water heater or invest in a water treatment system that softens your home’s water.
You can do two chores for your tank-style water heater. First, check the temperature of the unit does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is warm enough for comfortable baths without putting your family at risk of scalding. Also, wrap an insulating water heater blanket around the unit to prevent heat loss. Doing so can cut your heating costs for the unit by up to 9% and reduce heat loss by 45%.
Tankless Water Heaters
You may have noticed that maintenance is a requirement for owning a tank-style water heater. Because these units hold and heat water repeatedly, they have a greater chance of having damage from hard water. However, tankless water heaters don’t have the same issues, which is why they last twice as long as tank-style alternatives.
If you don’t want to keep up with annual water heater maintenance, consider replacing your aging tank heater with a tankless model. We can help you with either maintenance or repair of your existing water heater. Or, our plumbers can install a new water heater to restore heating capabilities and efficiency.
Water Heater Maintenance and More from Best Service Plumber
Every service you may need for your water heater, you can find here at Best Service Plumber. We install new tankless and tank-style water heaters, make repairs on units that have problems, or maintain your water heater to extend its life. Call us at 951-520-8557 for an appointment or more information about our plumbing services.
Is Hiring a Plumber Safe During COVID-19?
With social distancing, mask requirements, and stay-at-home orders, it’s easy to feel uncertain about hiring someone to come into your home. However, plumbing repairs and services have always been essential. If you need a plumber for any reason, rest assured that we at Best Service Plumber will do everything possible to keep you and your family safe.
How We Prevent Disease Transmission
All members of the Plumbing Concepts family take a series of precautions to protect your family and our service technicians from COVID-19. In our workplace, we train employees on the latest health guidelines. Plus, we request workers stay more than six feet from each other, reduce their traveling around the office, choose alternative greetings to handshakes, and wear masks and eyewear when possible. Any workers who can work from home, we request that they do so.
When it comes to our customers, if we have an in-person conference, we reschedule those to virtual meetings. Before service techs arrive at your home, we clean and disinfect our vehicles throughout the day. Before and during the visit, the plumber will wash their hands and use hand sanitizer. Every plumber will also have on a mask while in your home.
By using every precaution possible, we strive to make plumbing repairs and service safe for you during this COVID-19 crisis.
When You Should Wait to Call a Plumber
Even with all the precautions that we take, we make a single request from our customers. If you or anyone in your home has a diagnosis of COVID-19 or shows symptoms for the last 14 days, we request that you put off making optional calls. For instance, if you want to replace your bathroom fixtures or install a new water filtration system, please wait until you and your family are healthy. However, if you have a plumbing emergency, please call us at once.
Best Service Plumber Will Continue to Serve You Through COVID-19 and Beyond
During these uncertain and trying times, we at Best Service Plumber will do everything that we can to keep you and your family safe. The situation with COVID-19 requires us to take certain precautions to ensure cleanliness and safety, but we will continue to offer you superb plumbing services and repairs. Call us if you have questions or need to schedule a visit at 951-520-8557.
Plumbing Specials to Save You Money
Plumbing problems can create headaches. Even if you have a minor leak, the constant dripping and higher water bills will contribute to your stress levels. Rather than hoping the problem will get better over time or trying to ignore it, have a professional repair it. Don’t let the cost of repairs put you off. In fact, with plumbing specials and coupons, you could spend less than you expect.
How Repairs Covered by Plumbing Specials Can Save You Money
When you have a plumbing problem, the last thing on your mind might be the cost, especially if you have a plumbing emergency. However, a quick check of any available plumbing specials could save you hundreds of dollars.
Another major problem with plumbing issues is the amount of water they waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 10% of homes have a leak somewhere in their plumbing system that wastes 90 gallons or more of water daily. Simply having leaks repaired could cut your water bill costs by 10% or more, depending on the number and severity of the leaks.
The longer you wait to have plumbing repairs done, the more water you will waste. This wasted water will cost you on your water bills. Get your repairs done now and check for plumbing specials to save money on the job and to cut your bills over time.
Why Plumbing Specials Change Regularly
Many plumbing companies run regular deals to attract new customers. However, these deals can change regularly. Changing deals ensures that even existing customers can take advantage of different discounts as needed. For example, if you have your toilet repaired, you may not need the repair again for many years. If you go to the site an only find the same deal that you used for saving on your toilet repair, you won’t benefit. However, new deals on the site let you possible take advantage of additional savings on new services.
How to Find Our Plumbing Specials
Plumbers don’t hide their specials in a secret location. In fact, you can find Best Service Plumber’s specials in several locations.
First, check out our website for the currently available coupons. You will find a variety of discounts on services and fixtures there.
For the latest deals, follow us on Facebook to find out about updated deals we add to the website.
Please note that you cannot combine plumbing specials. Plus, you must show the deal to the plumber at the time of service.
Don’t Skip Repairs Due to Cost
Plumbing problems will cost you more money by not fixing them. In fact, leaks can cause structural damage that will require even more expensive repairs to replace the water-soaked walls or ceiling. As soon as you notice a problem, call us at Best Service Plumber at 951-520-8557 and schedule a visit. Don’t forget to ask us about our available plumbing specials. We want you to get the best repairs possible for your home, and our specials will help you to save money, too.
Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Your Southern California Home
Spring is the perfect time to think about maintaining the plumbing system in your Southern California home. A regular schedule of maintenance to your system can help avoid serious issues and prevent costly damage in the future. Here are some things to put on your spring plumbing maintenance “to do” list, as recommended by the professionals at Best Service Plumber:
- Check for Leaks in Pipes – Check for obvious leaks around faucets, under sinks, and any other places where pipes are visible in your home. Look for water spots that may have dried to spot some leaks.
- Check for Leaks Around Toilets – When checking for leaks around toilets, always look in the bowl as well as in the tank to ensure your toilet and the plumbing is working properly.
- Maintain Hot Water Heater – If the hot water heater in your California home is around 12 to 15 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it with a new, energy efficient tankless hot water heater.
- Check Appliances – Check all appliances in your home that utilize water like dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators to ensure water supply hoses are in good shape and free of leaks.
- Outdoor Drains and Pipes – Be sure to check the different drains and pipes you have outside of your home. Drains, gutters, faucets, and pipes should be inspected for wear due to inclement weather during the winter season.
Best Service Plumber in Southern California can help ensure your plumbing system is up and properly running as it should be, so it is ready for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Contact us today to take care of any issue you may be having with your plumbing system, and Best Service Plumber will be there with a quick solution to your problem.