Tag: cause

Common Problems That Cause Leaky Faucets

common problems that cause leaky faucets

Pay Attention to Leaky Faucets 

A leaky faucet may not seem like a huge problem compared to everything that could go wrong with the plumbing. However, the EPA estimates that over a trillion gallons of water are wasted annually in the US from leaks alone. This means that, on average, every household in the US has at least one plumbing leak that wastes many gallons of water a day. Many of these leaks are dripping faucets. 

With all of that wasted water, leaky faucets are a big liability. Instead of paying for wastewater, homeowners should take the initiative to repair leaks when they become apparent. Compared to the severity of the problem, leaky faucet repairs are cheap and easy. Here are some tips to help homeowners repair their faucets or, at the very least, understand how a plumber will perform repairs. 

Symptoms of a Damaged O-Ring 

O-ring and faucet components, including a chrome faucet body, rubber seal, and retaining ring, illustrating parts essential for repairing leaky faucets.The inside of a faucet is a mystery to most people and an overwhelmingly complex device to others. But the principles of what makes a water faucet work are fairly simple. Since each valve is the same, one only has to understand one valve to properly troubleshoot faucet leaks. 

One of the most perplexing faucet leaks is when water leaks around the handles of the faucet. This problem is solved by replacing the o-ring in the faucet. The O-ring is a small rubber seal around the faucet's stem. Its purpose is to keep water from flowing up the valve stem when the sink handle turns and water flows from the spigot. When friction causes it to wear out, water will dribble out around the valve handle. 

To diagnose this problem, turn off the water at the shut-off valves and remove the valve cartridge. The O-ring will be around the cartridge above the washers and the handle seat. 

What Causes Worn-Out Washers?

Washers are half of the mechanism that cuts off flow from a faucet. These rubber or neoprene washers press down into the valve seat to stop the water flow or pull away from the valve seat as the handle is turned for water. With every turn of the faucet handle, these devices wear down. After a few years of constant use, washers will wear out and allow water to seep past them and leak from the faucet. 

In most sinks, the washer is located at the lowest part of the valve cartridge. To replace them, remove the cartridge and the screw holding the washer. Replace with a washer of identical dimensions and reinstall.

Damaged Valve Seats 

Corroded valve seat showing signs of wear and pitting, relevant to faucet leak repairs and maintenance.Valve seats are the other half of the equation for fixing faucet leaks. After years of rubber and neoprene washers pressing into valve seats, these structures can build up corrosion or suffer from pitting. When the valve seat is compromised, the symptoms will be identical to a bad washer. Replacing the o-rings and washers in a faucet helps to replace the valve seats as well. By replacing all three simultaneously, the faucet will be as good as new. 

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

B&L Plumbing and Heating is a veteran-owned business offering tailored plumbing solutions. They serve residential and commercial customers and never charge after-hours fees. Call today for superior plumbing service in Colorado Springs, CO. 

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Plumbing Issues That Cause Home Flooding: Here's What to Know

plumbing issues that cause home flooding: here's what to know

Facts About Home Flooding That Homeowners Should Know

Finally, after what feels like forever, spring is here with the upcoming flowers from all the April showers! Temperatures are rising once again and the sun seems to be shining just a little bit brighter. It’s a beautiful time of year because spring symbolizes a time of renewal when everything comes back to life. But there is one harsh reality that often comes as a package deal with spring: heavy rains.

These heavy rains can spoil that delicious backyard BBQ and cause some serious damage to the overall plumbing system. If the plumbing system is not properly maintained prior to the heavy rains of spring, the home can easily flood. Homeowners should take this knowledge as a warning, so they can be prepared for the damage that may be right around the corner.

Crippling Pressure of Heavy Rains

Heavy rain pouring down on a roof with greenery, illustrating potential plumbing issues and home flooding risks.Spring can be such an exciting time! People come out of their winter hibernation stage, the flowers start to bloom, and the parks and beaches start to fill with people. But as mentioned, the springtime can bring some heavy rains, which impacts the plumbing system.

All of that extra rainwater creates a crippling amount of pressure on plumbing pipes due to the extra weight and the extra work that the pipes have to perform. This pressure can cause the pipes to burst or crack, and most homeowners recognize that the “story of a burst pipe” ends in a nightmare!

Burst pipes can result in flooding, which damages the floors, cabinets, furniture, walls, and more. On top of all that, it can also lead to mold growth if the water isn’t cleaned up quickly. Homeowners should always check two things after heavy rainfall to minimize potential damage.

  1. First, walk around the house (yes, every room) to make sure the floors and carpets are still dry. This is the easiest way to spot a flooding problem.
  2. Second, run water down the drains to see if they are draining at a normal pace. If a pipe broke, dirt, rocks, leaves, and other debris could enter into the pipe, cause a clog, and slow the drains.

Watch for Underground Pipe Damage

Underground plumbing pipes in a muddy trench with standing water, highlighting potential plumbing issues that could lead to home flooding.

Heavy rains don’t just put water pressure on pipes that are in the house. They also put pressure on pipes that are under the house and can cause damage to these pipes as well. Just like people try to get outside and soak up as much sun as they can during the spring and summer months, the ground will try to soak up as much rainwater as it possibly can.

When it starts to absorb all of this water, the dirt becomes soft, muddy, and heavy. The slipperiness of the ground can cause the pipes to shift, and if they shift too much, they can crack. If the dirt around the pipes becomes too heavy, the pipes can also crack under the weight. Both of these situations lead to flooding and plumbing damage.

Dangerous Foundation Shifts

Cracked concrete wall revealing underlying brick, highlighting potential plumbing issues that could lead to home flooding.Adding to the damage that underground pipes can see from heavy rains, saturated soil can also lead to dangerous home foundation shifts. This level of excess moisture increases the hydrostatic pressure of the ground under the foundation, which can then push against the foundation and cause it to shift. To avoid foundation shifts, here are a few things homeowners can try:

  1. Clean out gutters and spouts: Water pours right over the edge of the gutter when it's clogged, causing the ground near the house’s foundation to become saturated.
  2. Add mulch around the house: Mulch can help soak up excess water and prevent it from reaching the soil closest to the foundation.
  3. Gently sloped landscaping only: Any landscaping that homeowners add to their home should be sloped in a way that allows water to run away from the house, not towards it.

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

B&L Plumbing and Heating is a local Colorado Springs plumbing company dedicated to providing top-quality services for their customers including leak detections, and even slab leak repairs. They believe that being a great plumber means more than just having a license and the right tools – it’s also about providing exceptional customer service.

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