Feb 8, 2023 | kingston plumbing, Leaking Pipe, Plumbing services
It is important to know the difference between a leak caused by a broken or damaged pipe and one caused by a fixture like a faucet or a toilet. You may be able to fix the problem yourself, but if the problem is too serious, hiring a professional plumber can save you money on repairs and prevent further damage to your home.
When water leaks into your home unexpectedly, it’s easy to panic. But if you take a few minutes to think about how best to respond before calling someone for help (or rushing out for supplies), you will be much more prepared for what comes next. In this article, we’ll discuss common causes of leaks in homes and how you can identify them correctly so that you can get started on finding solutions right away:
When you see water coming into your home, take a minute to ensure you have responded correctly to the leak.
If there is a leak in the ceiling, turn off the water supply to that area immediately and call a plumber. If you are not sure how to turn off the water supply, contact a plumber or follow these instructions:
- Turn off all of your home’s faucets (including showers and toilets) at their base valves-these are usually located beneath sinks or near tubs.
- Shut off any main shutoff valves outside your house if there are visible leaks on exterior pipes (for example, lawn sprinkler system). Turning off power sources like electrical, or sump pumps may also be necessary.
Find the Source of the Leak
First, you’ll want to find the cause of the leak, which is likely a water pipe or fixture. A homeowner can fix leaks in pipes, but leaks in fixtures (such as faucets) mean it’s time to call a professional plumber. Additionally, if your sewage line or plumbing system is damaged structurally, a professional plumber near you in Kingston will help rectify the issue and ensure your water is operating properly.
Plumber in Kingston & the Surrounding Area
If you’re in the unfortunate position of having a leaky pipe or fixture, it’s important to know that there are some long-term issues that can arise if you look to quickly fix this problem yourself. You can trust the 25+ years of experience with a trusted Plumber in Kingston at Tap Tech.
Call today at 343-305-1172 for your drain cleaning, leaking pipes and fixtures, and plumbing concerns.
Aug 10, 2022 | Plumbing services
Is it true that a dripping faucet could help prevent frozen pipes? Many of us have heard that having one dripping faucet in your home will prevent the rest of them from freezing over. Is this just an old wives’ tale—or is there some truth to it? It turns out that this is one of those cases where a little science can help you figure out whether your faucets might freeze over and cause some damage to your pipes.
Why do pipes freeze?
When water freezes, it expands. This is why a bottle of water will shatter or misshapen if you leave it in the freezer too long. Water expands, even more, when it’s cold outside, and frozen pipes are no exception.
When the air temperature is below 40°F (4°C), which can happen even in Florida winters, you can get frost inside your pipes—which means ice. The colder the temperature gets, the faster this happens: as temperatures drop below 32°F (0°C), for example, frost will form within about 8 hours; at 12°F (-11°C), frost forms in about 3 hours; at 25 °F (-4 °C) frost forms after 1 hour; and at 20 °F (-6 °C) ice starts to form within 15 minutes!
What to do if your pipes freeze?
In the event that your pipes freeze and you need to thaw them, here are a couple of options.
- Use a hair dryer or heat lamp. This is what we recommend for small areas—if you have an ice-dammed pipe and need to thaw it, you can use either method depending on whether the area is plastic or metal.
- For plastic pipes, particularly those in an unfinished basement or garage, try using a hair dryer to heat the area where water has frozen in your line. If there’s no outlet nearby (or if it’s getting too hot), consider using a portable heater—a heat lamp works well here! Make sure not to put any flame near flammable materials like carpeting; instead, place some foil underneath whatever object is closest so that no flames will come into contact with anything else inside your home.
A dripping faucet can prevent frozen pipes in certain situations.
While a dripping faucet can prevent frozen pipes in certain situations, it’s not the best solution for avoiding frozen pipes overall.
First, a dripping faucet isn’t a permanent solution—it’s only temporary. The moment you stop the drip, your water lines will freeze again. This can be dangerous if you’re relying on this method to keep your pipes from freezing during an extended power outage or in another situation where no one will be able to monitor the water levels in your home.
Second, a dripping faucet is not a substitute for insulation. While it may help protect against some types of damage caused by extreme cold (like burst pipes), it won’t prevent all issues related to freezing temperatures. This tactic may not even slow down their effects enough to give you time to act before things get too far gone! Additionally, insulation isn’t enough on its own: You also need heating inside your home to prevent pipes from bursting and ensure that all rooms are warm enough during those long winter nights ahead!
If you have any questions about frozen pipes or how to prevent them, we’d love to help! Our experts are here 24/7 to assist you with any concerns. Call us today at 343-305-1172.
May 25, 2022 | kingston plumbing, Leaking Pipe, Plumbing services
A leaking pipe is a serious problem because it will cause damage to your home, and you will also waste a lot of money. To prevent this from happening, you need to know the warning signs, and the following guide will help you detect a leaky pipe in your home:
1. Unusually high water bills
If your water bills start skyrocketing unexpectedly, it may be a sign of a leaking pipe so keep an eye on this aspect because it can start small, and your bill may increase a little bit each month. Or, you may receive a larger than expected bill one month, and regardless of the situation, you need to get your pipe fixed; otherwise, you will end up draining your bank account, and your home will become damaged.
2. Musty smells
In some cases, you will be able to smell the problem before you see it and mould and mildew can be inside your walls, vents or even under your floor. Musty-smelling rooms are a sign of a problem, and the cause is likely a leaky pipe because when water sits in one place, it will stagnate and produce a terrible odour.
3. Mould and mildew
If you start to see mould and mildew outside your tub area, you may have a leaky pipe, so you need to look into this problem. Moulding walls and baseboards are not normal, nor are moulding ceilings or floors in your bathroom or kitchen, which is a sure sign of a leaking pipe.
4. Stained walls, ceilings and floors
Stains on these surfaces will indicate that something is going on behind the surface, and this is true even if the stains are small or barely noticeable. Any spots or the outline of a watermark must be addressed, regardless of how subtle they may be, because if your leaking pipe is not fixed, you can suffer significant damage. A sagging ceiling, bendable walls and sinking floorboards are just a few examples of problems you may experience, all of which you need to avoid.
5. Wet spots
This can result from a leaking pipe in your home or outside, so you need to investigate the problem. If you notice puddles around the outer walls when there has been no rain or see wet spots inside your house, you have a problem, and your leaking pipe will have to be fixed. Where there is water, mildew and mould will follow, and structural damage can also occur, so you need to address this problem right away.
Contacting a reputable plumber is a must when dealing with a leaking pipe, and the experts at TAP Tech can help! Whether you need an emergency plumber, drain, or sewer cleaning, we do it all, and you can place your trust in our team. Our plumbing techs are knowledgeable, experienced and reliable so if you are in Kingston, Ontario, contact us today!
May 25, 2022 | kingston plumbing, Leaking Pipe, Plumbing services
Spring cleaning must be done every year, and one area of your home that needs attention is plumbing. This is especially important after a long winter season, and preparing your home’s plumbing will ensure you do not experience any unpleasant surprises, so make sure you do the following:
Inspect faucets and connections for leaks or water pressure issues
Take a look at the faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms to ensure they are not leaking. This will also allow you to check the water pressure because it should not be low. Pipes can freeze if temperatures drop too low during the winter, so contact a plumber right away if you see any problems.
Check your toilets for leaks
Give your bathrooms a once-over to make sure they are operating correctly. The tanks should hold water, and your toilet must be able to flush right away, and there should also be enough water flow when you are flushing. If there is a problem with these areas, you have to call a plumber for help.
Look at your water heater
This appliance is essential, so you have to inspect it for any signs of leaks. If you notice a problem, you may need repairs or a replacement, and a professional plumber will provide you with their recommendation. They will be able to check on how your water heater is performing, but they can also flush your unit, which should be done annually as it will work out all the dirt and grime that can gather at the base. If this step is ignored, you may experience grime buildup, leading to corrosion and harm to your unit’s overall performance.
Inspect the sump pump
Grab a few buckets of water and pour them into the pit where your sump pump is. If your sump pump is working correctly, it will turn on quickly, clear out the water and then turn off right away, but if the sump pump does not turn on, you will have to get it looked at by a professional so that your basement does not flood in the spring. This is also true if your sump pump cannot discharge the water efficiently or won’t turn off correctly.
Look at outdoor hose faucets
It’s important to disconnect any garden hoses outside before winter arrives, and skipping this step can lead to frozen or damaged pipes, which may lead to a watery mess inside your house. Even if you remember this step, you should still check the faucets to ensure they are not leaking, and the water should flow through them without any trouble.
If you are looking for a professional plumber in Kingston, Ontario, TAP Tech can help! Whether you need an emergency plumber, drain cleaning or sewer cleaning, we can help because we are experts in this field and have years of experience. Our reputation sets us apart, and you will not have to deal with leaking pipes when you hire our services, so if you are looking for a plumbing tech you can trust, contact us today!
