Diagnosing a Leaking Toilet

Do you regularly hear your toilet refilling even when you’re not using it? While some homeowners may think these are normal plumbing sounds, it’s never a good thing for your toilet to be running when not in use.

While it could be a minor issue in most cases, sometimes it could also be an indication of a water leak. Whether it’s inside the bowl or around the floor of your bathroom plumbing, leaking toilets can increase your water consumption, lead to water damage, and be an overall nuisance to your home.

While the DIY savvy homeowner may be able to fix the common causes of a leak, like a toilet flapper, when the issue is more complex, it’s always a good idea to know more about your toilet plumbing. Read on to learn the ins and outs of toilet plumbing, and how to solve your issues so you never have to worry about a leaky toilet again!

How to Tell if Your Toilet Flapper is Damaged?

The toilet flapper is critical to the operation of your toilet. It seals the water inside of the tank and also allows water to flow into your bowl when you’re flushing.

For most toilets, these flappers are either made from rubber or plastic and are susceptible to wear and tear. Some of the more common indicators that your flapper is damage include:

• Low water pressure.
• Toilet won’t flush.
• The tank won’t refill.
• Water is constantly running.
• Higher than usual water bills.
• Nagging sound of running water.

While you may not be able to fix your leaky toilet, you should at least be able to notice when something is amiss. Early detection is the best way to avoid emergency repairs, and because toilet flappers are commonly the cause for leaky toilets, the components can easily be found at your local hardware store.

Common Causes of Leaking Toilets

If the flapper isn’t to blame, what else could be causing your leaking toilet? For most homeowners, the valve behind your toilet will be the culprit.

Because they’re often made from thin metals, these valves are susceptible to deterioration.

An easy tip is to check behind your toilet. If the area is damp or there’s condensation on the valve, you’ll know there’s a need for replacement. There are also various seals that keep water inside your toilet.

From the base of the toilet to the seals in the tank, over time they can spring leaks. If the issue is small enough, it can easily be caulked closed. If the problem is beyond repair, a complete toilet replacement may be needed.

Should You Opt For Regular Maintenance?

The easiest way to avoid dealing with a leaking toilet is to prevent it altogether. Toilet maintenance is simple to do and requires regular inspections and upkeep.

Not only can you easily replace any damaged or faulty components, but also many stores sell tablets that dissolve inside your tank and keep things clean.

If you want more of a professional approach to your maintenance needs, be sure to call Reeves Family Plumbing. We are your expert Dallas plumbers dedicated to your home and comfort. Whether you need help with a leaky toilet or are looking for a full replacement, you can count on our staff to get you back up and running in no time!

Insurance, Water Damage, & Your Responsibility

You know what is a real pain in the neck? Homeowner’s insurance agents after you’ve dealt with major water damage. They want to know the answers to stupid questions like, ‘how long did you know about the problem’ and if anything was done to fix it.

We knew something was wrong but weren’t sure what, so we left the problem alone–and the next thing we knew, we had a HUGE mess on our hands.

The whole point of paying for insurance is so they cover the expense for ANY type of water damage, right? We found the answer out the hard way–that is NOT how homeowner’s insurance works!

Knowing When to Call a Professional For a Water Leak

Water leaks can be sneaky and their signs can be easy to miss. There are a few less obvious indications that will allow you to call a professional before the leak worsens and more damage occurs:

• Increasingly high water bills.
• Sounds of rushing water when all faucets are off.
• Musty smells throughout the home (not just in the basement).
• Visible mold (outside of the bathroom, where conditions are often damp).
• Sagging ceilings or drooping walls.

Of course, the most obvious signs of water leaks are unexplainable water stains on the ceilings or walls as well as puddles of water on the floor. If you are experiencing any of these issues, call Reeves Family Plumbing for electronic leak detection. We can quickly locate the leak and repair it before the problem worsens.

Broken Pipes: Not Just a Wintertime Problem

Most people think of broken and burst pipes in the winter when temperatures drop below freezing. While cold weather might be responsible for a number of burst pipes, it isn’t the only reason.

A broken pipe can occur when there is a major blockage somewhere in the line. As more water and waste is added, the pressure increases, eventually becoming too much for the pipe to handle.

This problem is scary because of the amount of water that gushes into your home. The first thing that needs to happen when a broken pipe occurs is for someone to turn the home’s water main off. Once the water is off, a plumber needs to be called to begin repairs and then your homeowner’s insurance agent needs to be informed.

Your insurance agent will be able to tell you the next steps they prefer you to take, whether it is calling for a water restoration company or attempting to salvage any items possible.

What Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover?

Homeowner’s insurance varies from policy to policy. However, it is just about guaranteed that the company will not pay for willful ignorance.

Basically, if you KNEW there was a problem with a pipe and did nothing to fix it, you can expect to pay for all damage restoration.

If every measure was taken to prevent plumbing problems and water damage, you will likely have no problem with the insurance company coughing up the funds to pay for repairs and restoration.

Homeowner’s Insurance: More Than a Necessary Evil

The worst part about homeowner’s insurance is that if you maintain your home and a policy with your homeowner’s insurance, there is a large chance you’ll seldom use it.

These policies are designed to help a homeowner with unforeseen expenses that occur with a house that has otherwise been maintained. Although it seems like one extra bill a month, it can save you a ton of money should you need to use it. If you are in need of leak detection or broken pipe repair, don’t wait any longer:

Call Reeves Family Plumbing! We can ensure your home sustains as little damage as possible and help teach you about prevention methods. Do you have a story about water damage and your homeowner’s insurance policy? Share it in the comments!

 

Out of all the mishaps that can happen to a home and its plumbing, the leak is the one that is most likely to occur in everyone, at some point. That’s because in many ways, a leak is a bit like a fever; it may be a symptom of many different possible problems.

That’s why water leak detection can be an important preventive measure for homeowners. While a leak when it first occurs isn’t necessarily a serious emergency, it’s your “early warning system” that a potentially larger, more expensive problem is developing.

If you don’t address it, your small leak can turn into a big crisis. We’ve got some factors you should look into that can put you in more danger of getting leaks somewhere along your plumbing network.

Old Pipes

If you have an old home, you cannot discount this risk. There are some homes in Texas that are well over 50 years old, and there are even a few that are over 100 years in age!

If the plumbing in such a home is still original, then the sheer age of the pipes themselves may pose a risk of leaks. But why?

The simple answer is that age leads to a weakening of materials. An older home from the early 20th century, for example, likely used cast iron as part of its sewage drainage pipe system.

Even iron, after being subjected to 50, 70 or even 100 years of constant exposure to used, sewer water, may suffer from metal fatigue, which can cause a break or a leak.

Rust &/Or Corrosion

It’s actually often tied in with the age of pipes, since time plays a role, but rust can weaken pipes enough that they can spring leaks.

This happens as a result of years of constant exposure to certain elements in the water. The other issue, corrosion, is when chemicals in the water actually cause some of the pipe to dissolve.

Overuse of drain pipe cleaner, for example, can cause this, as highly corrosive chemicals are often included in these formulations, and even plastic PVC pipes are vulnerable after repeated exposure.

High Water Pressure

You might not realize it, but high water pressure is a physical force. If you exert this force on your pipes, every day, year in, year out, this can eventually cause pipes to weaken and start leaking.

You can still get high water pressure for your shower without turning the pressure on at the pipes.

Just get a high-pressure shower head instead, and revert the pressure in your home to the actual tolerance levels the pipes are designed for.

Water Chemistry

This is one factor you have very little control over. The chemistry of the actual water coming into your home may cause issues with that will result in water leak detection. Chemicals in the water, or simply its natural acidity due to the pH level can act as a corrosive agent given enough time.

Leaks can happen in any home in Dallas, TX, but by exercising some occasional water leak detection, you can get the jump on these problems. Having some water leak repair done now, with a small problem, prevents a bigger, more expensive issue in the future.

Want to save money and extend the lifespan of your plumbing system? The key is to take good care of it consistently over time because you can prevent a lot of the problems that will cause water leaks.

You don’t have to be a plumbing expert to tackle these tasks because our expert plumbers have put together an easy-to-follow list that will guide you through the process.

Here are our best tips:

Reduce Your Pipe Corrosion

Not only does hard water wreak havoc on your dishes, skin, and hair, but it also turns out that it can make for major problems for your pipes.

That’s because minerals in water cause pipes to corrode and leak. Do you see any mineral residue on the outside of your pipes?

That probably means that there is corrosion going on inside. To slow the cycle, install a water softener.

Be Familiar With Finding Leaks

One of the most reliable ways to find leaks is with your eyes, simply by doing a visual inspection of pipes, as well as the floors, walls, and ceilings of your home.

Watch for evidence of water and water damage, like mold, damp spots, and discoloration. One common source of household leaks is toilets, and they can be tricky because the leaks are usually silent and hard to detect.

Here is a low-tech test that will help to determine if you have a toilet leak. Drop bright food coloring in your toilet tank. Wait a few minutes and see if the color seeps into your toilet bowl. If it does, you’ve got a leak. There are a number of things in your toilet that could be causing a leak, so best to consult with your Dallas, TX plumber for advice on this one.

Don’t Use Clog Removers From the Bottle

When you’ve got a clogged drain, it may seem perfectly reasonable to head to the store to buy a bottle of clog remover.

It’s inexpensive and effective right? Wrong. Not only do commercial drain cleaners not always work, the damage that they do to your pipes when you use them is going to cost you more in the long run.

You’ll have leaks and water damage to contend with. If you’ve got a stubborn clog you can’t get rid of with a plumbing snake, call your plumber for help.

Bring Down the Pressure

Sure, it is great to have strong water pressure when you are taking a shower, but it’s not so good for your plumbing system.

The force of the water batters the pipes, which will eventually cause leaks. Check it with a gauge at regular intervals and keep it below 60 psi.

Follow these tips and you’ll take good care of your plumbing for years to come.