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Plumbing Leaks & How To Spot Them

Water leaks are a common issue that homeowners may encounter, often originating from toilets. However, various factors can cause water leaks, such as frozen pipes, deteriorating toilet seals, and degraded caulk. Unnoticed water leaks can lead to significant damage. If you suspect a hidden leak but are uncertain, watch out for these signs:/p>

 

5 Signs of a Water Leak 

  1. Unusually high water bills.

  2. Mold or mildew formation on the walls/ceiling.

  3. Soft spots and paint bubbling.

  4. Stained or damaged walls or ceilings

  5. Hearing the sound of running water but cannot locate it.

 

Different Types of Plumbing Leaks Water leaks that result in flooding can cause substantial damage and frustration. Although repairing these leaks is often straightforward, if left unaddressed, they can lead to catastrophic consequences. While the possibilities of leaks are endless, let's explore the most common and devastating leaks:

 

Frozen Pipes Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst, resulting in water leaks within walls, basements, or ceilings. The recent Texas winter storm of 2021 exposed the severity of frozen pipe bursts, leading to ceiling collapses and floods. Prompt action is necessary to prevent catastrophic losses.

 

Toilet Supply Lines: Over time, toilet supply lines can become brittle and corroded, leading to leaks. When a leak occurs, particularly on upper floors, water accumulates and seeps down through the home, causing damage to multiple floors. Fixing the leak is simple and cost-effective, but the potential damage can be significant.;

 

Hot Water Heaters: Water heater tanks can corrode and rust over time, eventually failing and releasing water. While pans and floor drains near the heater can contain the water temporarily, a complete failure could result in gallons of water flooding your floor. Timely maintenance is crucial to prevent such incidents.

 

Appliances: Dishwashers and certain refrigerators have water supply lines that are susceptible to bursting or corrosion. Regular inspection and maintenance can help identify potential issues and prevent leaks.

 

Silcocks: The Silcock, an outdoor spigot for garden hose hookup, can freeze if not drained before winter. Leaks may occur when the spigot is turned on for the first time in spring, leading to water damage inside the house. Prompt detection and repair are essential to avoid further damage.

 

Plumbing Leaks | Chicago | Northwest Suburbs 

Trustworthy Plumbing Services in Des Plaines | Northwest Suburbs Green Tech Plumbing Co offers comprehensive plumbing services throughout Des Plaines and the Northwest Suburbs. Our licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers are available 24/7 to handle plumbing repairs and emergencies. We prioritize punctuality, cleanliness, and exceptional service throughout the repair process. Benefit from our upfront pricing, reliability, and professionalism. Contact us at 847-518-5338 or email us online to get started on your plumbing project, no matter the size or urgency.

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Working With Floor Drains

If you are a homeowner, chances are you will have to deal with a floor drain problem at some point. Floor drains are like the drains in your tub or a shower, they sit flush with the floor. They’re designed to catch excess water and to direct it into your sewer or municipal storm drain. We usually find floor drains in basements, patios, garages, next to water heaters, or anywhere water needs to be removed quickly. They’re installed to prevent flooding and to whisk water away quickly and efficiently.

Floor drains often go ignored. Most people don’t think about them until there is a problem. You can avoid a serious flood by performing some basic maintenance on the drains. Here a few things to watch out for.

Backed up floor drains - If a floor drain in your home is draining slowly or clogged, don’t ignore it. A clogged floor drain can rapidly turn into a flood.

Floor drain backs up when doing laundry - Even if it eventually goes down afterward, someone should snake it. That plumbing line may serve more than just the laundry. If the conditions are right, it could flood.

Smelly floor drains - Are you noticing a sewer gas smell coming out of your drain? It could be the trap. The trap holds water to prevent sewer gases from escaping. If the drain isn’t used often, the water can evaporate and it will release the gasses into the home. Just pour a gallon of water down the drain to fill the trap. If it’s a dingy water logged smell, you could always try a little vinegar in the drain to clear it up.

Problem floor drains - If you have consistent problems with a floor drain it’s a good idea to get it rodded out annually. It may also be worth sending a camera into the pipe to check that the line is clear.

Construction debris - If you’re having construction work done near a floor drain, cover it. Screws, sawdust and other debris can cause a clog in the drain.

We get a lot of calls concerning floor drains. Most of them just need to be rodded out and that takes an hour or less. Don’t let your floor drain become a problem. If you’re having a problem with your drain, give us a call. Our licensed plumbers are on call 24/7 to serve you. Call us anytime at 847-518-5338

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(847) 518-5338

 

Des Plaines Location
1017 Graceland Ave
Des Plaines IL, 60016

License Number
LIC #055-043496

Green Tech Plumbing Co.

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