Home Water Leaks: 5 Ways To Find Them Before It’s Too Late

/in /by

Wet cabinets, mold, or a smelly home are clear-as-day signs of a water leak in your home, but are you familiar with signs in your home that aren’t as obvious? For homes older than 25 years, indicators of a leak are much more present and should have more attention paid to; this includes checking all of your connections for oxidation, including valves, pumps, and any hoses to washing machines you may have installed. Aside from checking these common fixtures, it’s time to do a more detailed inspection. Water leaks can lead to higher expenses and long-term damage to your home, so it is important to know how to quickly spot the signs of a leak. 

Keep an eye on your water bill

If you’re noticing that your water bill is higher than usual with no changes to your daily consumption, this may be the first sign of a water leak. Leaks in your pipes lead to higher water usage, which results in a spike in your bill. Be mindful of leaks that aren’t always readily seen, such as leaks in pipes underneath your home. An experienced full-service plumber will always check your underground pipes to make sure that your repair stays fixed and avoid any unnecessary repiping.

Check your water usage

Looking at the statistics on your water bill can be intimidating if you don’t know what to reference. You end up asking yourself, “how much is too much?”, so it’s important to know where your water usage stands in comparison to the average amount of water used by homes that are similar to yours. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a family of four uses a maximum of 12,000 gallons of water per month. 

Make use of your water meter

Your water meter can be an effective tool when checking for leaks in your home. Follow these three simple steps on your meter to see if you have an unseen water leak:

  1. Turn off your home’s water, including ensuring that your dishwasher and washing machine is not being used.
  2. Once your water has been turned off, time to check your meter for any changes. If the meter has not changed, that is an indicator of a fast-moving leak and your meter is recording it as regular usage.
  3. Wait two more hours and check your meter again. Changes in your meter with the water turned off can be an indication that your leak is slower.

Test your toilet for leaks

Toilets account on average for up to 30% of total water usage in your home; during a large leak, toilets can leave their mark on your daily water consumption. If you have a leak, water will trickle from your toilet’s tank to your bowl when it isn’t in use. If you suspect a leak, drop some food coloring or a dye tablet from your hardware store into your tank and wait 10 minutes. If the water in your toilet bowl is colored, that is a surefire indicator of a water leak.

Check your outdoor faucets

Sometimes, a leak can be as small as one found in an outdoor faucet. Water leaks in outdoor faucets can be checked by connecting a rubber hose to your faucet; if water is leaking through your connection, it is time to replace your rubber hose gasket. This is especially important for homes with irrigation systems.

Once the leak has been identified, your next step is to find a reliable plumbing company that can provide round-the-clock repairs as quickly and efficiently as possible. RP Services, Inc. has specialized in emergency plumbing services in the West Los Angeles area for more than 30 years, and our reputation for white-glove service speaks for itself. Our certified full-service plumbers will address all your leak issues with the utmost professionalism and care, leaving you satisfied with our service every time you need us. Contact us online or call us at (310) 734-9852 and allow us to put your mind at ease with a quick and convenient consultation.

3 Things To Look For When Contracting Your Next Plumbing Service

/in /by

Having issues with your plumbing is an inconvenience, at best. At worst, these issues could jeopardize your daily routine and create further problems for your home. Plumbing repairs could be very costly in the long run, and even more so if the plumbing company doing the repairs doesn’t do the job right the first time. However, by doing the correct research and asking the right questions, you can save yourself time and money by choosing a full-service plumber that will provide quality service you can rely on time after time.

Superior plumbing service every time

When you are looking for places to eat, it’s more than likely that you will check the restaurant’s reputation. If you would do that for lunch or dinner, it makes perfect sense that you would do the same for a necessity such as your plumbing service. When researching local plumbers, check popular review websites such as Yelp or Google. When checking reviews, don’t limit yourself to just seeing the number of stars the business has; check the number and quality of reviews as well. Constant reviews that speak negatively about the quality of the company’s services and staff are an immediate red flag and should encourage you to look elsewhere. Keep a lookout for detailed reviews that speak on what previous customers liked from their plumbing company and pay special attention to which of their values align with your own.

Pricing that’s clear and within your budget

Once you’ve found a quality plumbing service, it‘s equally important to make sure that you are not compromising quality for affordability. Once you’ve identified a plumbing company that you’re interested in working with, be sure to ask for an estimate on your service request. Any reputable company should provide an estimate that is fair and accurate with your needs. At RP Services, we always assure transparent pricing that is always reasonably priced to ensure that you won’t break the bank. It is equally important to choose a plumbing company that can meet you wherever you are in your financial journey. RP Services offers a variety of affordable financing options so you can responsibly finance your services while knowing that your project is in the best professional hands.

Licensed, professional staff

Regardless of who you choose to hire for your plumbing needs, they should be qualified to handle whatever job you throw at them. Any reputable plumbing company should have experienced, licensed, and insured contractors to do the job; this is even more important when considering a company for any last-minute emergency plumbing services! Any respectable plumbing company will have their license number posted on their website, and RP Services is no exception.

When searching for the right plumbing company to meet your needs, look no further than RP Services, Inc. For the past 30 years, our family-owned business has provided top-quality plumbing services to the greater West Los Angeles area. Whether you need a minor repair for your home or need something more heavy-duty done including repiping, new plumbing construction, or commercial plumbing repair, our certified technicians will make sure to provide quality service that will stand the test of time. Contact us online or call us at (310) 734-9852 and allow us to put your mind at ease with a quick and convenient consultation.