Thursday, June 15, 2017

With just a little investigating inside and outside your home, you can stave off some serious plumbing problems, and save yourself unnecessary stress and expense. New York City-based Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc., recommends taking the following steps:

Look for bathroom leaks. Check the toilet for leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If the water in the toilet bowl changes color after 30 minutes, it usually means there’s an issue with the components in the reservoir. Call a licensed plumber to diagnose the problem and repair it correctly.

Make sure tree roots haven’t infiltrated your lines. Rain can cause tree roots to block underground sewer lines. When the weather starts to warm up, tree roots begin to reach out in search of water. Have the sewer lines serviced and inspected before roots grow into the pipes.

Inspect all the faucets. Leaky faucets lead to higher utility bills, so check for moisture around the outside of the faucet. Since faucet leaks may also be hidden from view, be sure to also check under and around the sink for wet spots or warped cabinetry.

Test the sump pump. A simple way to check your sump pump is to pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. The pump should turn on, begin removing the water and turn off automatically when complete. If this process doesn’t happen smoothly, call a licensed plumber to repair or replace it.

Check your hoses. The outdoor hose faucet is susceptible to many problems during the winter, such as freezing and cracking. Look at the outside of the faucet and down the wall of the home to see if there is evidence of a leak. This can not only cause damage to the outside of the home, but also to the foundation if the link is bad enough.

Source: Petri Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

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