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3 Signs of a Water Leak Every Homeowner Should Know

Tips for Detecting Water Leaks at Home

Water leaks are one of the most common and insidious plumbing issues homeowners can face. The EPA estimates that an average household can lose as much as 10,000 gallons of water to leaks every year - that’s not just a lot of wasted water, it’s also a lot of wasted money. But leaks can also damage the home or its foundation, degrade indoor air quality by facilitating mold growth, and attract pests, so it behooves every homeowner to find and fix any leaks as quickly as possible.

The trouble is that leaks aren’t always easy to spot. Some reveal themselves through obvious signs like mold and mildew growth, evidence of water damage (discoloration, warped wood or drywall, bubbling or peeling wallpaper/paint, etc.), or even a puddle of water under a pipe. But other leaks, hidden behind walls or underground, only leave subtler hints of their existence. This article will outline three common signs of a hidden water leak that often gets overlooked.

Running Water Sounds

The first clue that the home may have a hidden water leak is the sound of running water when no plumbing fixtures are in use. This is typically described as a muffled hissing or rushing sound coming from somewhere in the house. If the home’s faucets are off and appliances like dishwashers are not running, no water should be actively flowing through the home’s supply lines. If there’s a leak, water will continue to flow through the pipes, sometimes quite noisily.

Running water sounds can not only alert homeowners to the presence of a leak but may also indicate the general vicinity of the leak itself. Unfortunately, very slow leaks aren’t likely to make much noise when running water, so this clue won’t help homeowners detect every kind of leak.

Weak Water Pressure

The next potential sign of a leak is low water pressure. The water in a home’s supply lines is kept under constant pressure so it can be instantly available whenever a faucet or fixture is opened. If there’s a leak, some of that pressure will escape through the opening along with the water, resulting in weak water pressure. There will also be less water reaching the fixture, which will decrease the flow rate - while technically different from water pressure, both amount to the same thing in a practical sense: a weak flow of water.

Low water pressure can also be caused by other issues, such as a partially closed valve, faulty pressure regulator, or mineral deposits inside the pipes. It’s best to have a professional plumber diagnose water pressure issues.

Unusually High Water Bills

Finally, higher water bills can also point to a hidden water leak in the home. Unfortunately, the water meter doesn’t distinguish between water used and water lost to leaks - and neither does the utility company. As water leaks out of the pipes, the meter will keep on ticking.

However, homeowners can use that fact to their advantage by running a simple test. First, they can ensure that no faucets or fixtures are used anywhere in the home. Then they can go to their water meter and write down the number displayed on its face, which signifies the amount of water used in a given period. Then they can wait for about an hour (without water) and check the meter again. If the number has gone up, there’s almost certainly a leak.

Even a relatively minor water leak can dramatically increase utility costs and cause significant water damage, so if homeowners determine that they have a leak using any of the above clues, the next step is to call a professional plumber or leak detection service soon as possible. Professionals can pinpoint the exact location of the leak, determine the root cause, and repair it quickly - as well as offer advice for preventing future leaks.

About A&A Plumbing

The experts at A&A Plumbing have been proud to serve San Antonio and the surrounding areas since 2007. As a BBB-accredited company, their personalized approach, cost-effective solutions, and industry-leading expertise have earned them a 5-star HomeAdvisor rating and ServiceTitan’s prestigious Titan of the Year Finalist Award. Their financing options and membership plans make it easy for homeowners to get the plumbing services they need without breaking the bank - so call A&A for leak detection in San Antonio, TX, today!

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Water Leak Facts Every Homeowner Should Know

Struggling With Water Leaks? Here’s What to Do!

The dreaded water leak. It’s something no homeowner wants to hear because it can lead to all sorts of other struggles and challenges with the plumbing system (including an increase in the water bill that’s due for the month). However, water leaks are quite common in homes, and therefore can easily be solved when they are caught early on. In this article, homeowners can learn more about what causes a water leak and how it can cause damage. They’ll also learn various methods for taking care of the plumbing system to prevent leaks from happening again.

What Is a Water Leak and How Can It Be Fixed?

When people think of water leaks, they typically think of a leaky faucet first. And while faucets and other fixtures are a common location for water leaks, they can also occur in water heaters and where homeowners can’t see them: in the pipes behind the walls and under the ground. This, unfortunately, is why water leaks can go undetected for months or even years.

Once a water leak is found, professional plumbers will step in to determine the best way to fix it. Depending on the size, location, and severity of the leak, a plumber may do simple patchwork, they may need to replace a specific joint of the pipes or a specific part of the faucet, or they may suggest replacing the entire pipe. In severe cases, if multiple pipes are leaking throughout the house, it may be best to repipe the house. No matter what the case may be, professional plumbers will always have the right tools and knowledge to fix the problem at hand.

What Causes Leaking?

What causes water leaks in the first place? Answering this question is like answering the question “what causes a dog to bark?”. It could be a squirrel, it could be a car driving down the street, it could be someone coming through the door, or any number of things. The same is true for water leaks. There are many causes, often seasonal, for leaks. Within the spring and summer months, one of the biggest causes of leaks is rapid temperature changes. When a heatwave hits suddenly, it can expand the pipes too quickly, leading to leaks.

Root intrusion is also more common during the summer. Roots are attracted to moisture, so they grow towards the pipes underground and can wiggle their way in forming clogs and other damage. Additionally, normal wear and tear, as well as corrosion, can also lead to leaking pipes.

How Can Homeowners Prevent Leakage?

Now comes the biggest question: how can water leaks be prevented? First and foremost, homeowners should learn the common signs of leaking pipes so that they can be resolved quickly before resulting in more damage. Some of those signs can include:

High water bills
Musty smells
Mold spots on pipes

Spotting leaks shortly after they happen can prevent a lot of damage. Also, engaging in routine maintenance services helps homeowners see the “behind the scenes” of their plumbing system. This allows them to monitor any wear and tear and replace pipes, joints, or other plumbing fixtures before a leak occurs.

About A&A Plumbing

A&A Plumbing has been serving San Antonio and surrounding areas since 2007. All of their services are carried out with a personalized approach and top-notch service from start to finish. They do not perform rush jobs, shoddy work, or a one-size-fits-all solution, but instead find the source of the problem and present homeowners with the most cost-effective solution.

Top Water Softener Facts You Should Know

What Homeowners Need to Know About Their Water Softener

There’s nothing worse than cleaning your entire bathroom, expecting a shiny, spotless room, only to find that every faucet and handle is covered by a filmy residue that will not come off. What is it? Hard water.

Hard water is the cause of many issues like soap residue stains, soap scum, and even dry skin! If you want to do away with common problems such as these, there’s only one way to do it. Water softener services are an important part of homeownership and knowing when to take advantage of these services is crucial.

In this article, you’ll learn why water softeners are so important and how to know when you need their services. You’ll also learn about how to create soft water and how much a water softener can save you.

Common Water Softener Services

There are numerous signs that indicate when you need water softener services. These are easily recognizable and you might have already experienced more than one. They are:

Cloudy Dishes: If your dishes appear cloudy even after you wash them, but they’re not bright or sparkly like you’re used to, you could be impacted by hard water. Softener services will prevent this.
Soap Not Lathering: Hard water prevents soap from lathering so if your soap isn’t lathering up when you wash the dishes, hard water could be at fault.
Buildup Around Faucets: Hard water causes residue and mineral buildup around faucets and pipes. If you’re seeing this, hard water is likely to blame.

How Does the Salt Work in Water Softeners?

Water softeners work through something called ion exchange. Calcium and magnesium are the minerals in your water that make it “hard.” When hard water enters into a tank with water softener salt, the magnesium and calcium stay in the tank, and salt is released instead. In this way, all the “hard” water minerals are removed from the water coming into your home and you’ll be left with soft water, instead.

Occasionally the water softener salt will need to be exchanged and replaced. In order to do this, you’ll need to go to a local hardware store such as HomeDepot or Lowes. You’ll be able to purchase large 40-pound bags of salt so you’ll have plenty of salt for your system.

The Cost of Hard Water

Sometimes homeowners simply decide to put up with hard water, assuming it is merely an annoyance and not really a problem. This, however, couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Hard water causes a multitude of problems for homeowners and each one adds up. Pipes become clogged faster thanks to the mineral buildup due to hard water.

Skin can feel dry and itchy since soap isn’t able to fully dissolve. Clothes come out of the washer more stiff and scratchy. Pipes start to show signs of buildup around faucets and pipe outlets.

Your water might taste odd to you. You could even start to have significant plumbing problems due to pipes that have too much mineral buildup. As you can see, hard water is more than an annoyance or nuisance.

Hard water, can be a costly problem that affects nearly every part of your home. However, after the installation of a water softener, every single one of these problems goes away. With soft water, you’ll never have to worry about mineral buildup or stiff, scratchy fresh-washed clothes again.

Trusted, Reliable Plumbing Professionals

A & A Plumbing is proud to serve San Antonio, TX, residents for all their plumbing needs. Having started in 2007, A & A Plumbing already has a wealth of experience to offer their customers. If you want personalized attention, comprehensive service, and a top-rate service provider, call A & A Plumbing today!