Company: B&L Plumbing and Heating

Frequently Asked Questions About Slab Leaks

frequently asked questions about slab leaks

What Exactly Is a Slab Leak? 

Picture a single-story house. Red door, four-paned windows––nothing special. The house itself rests on a slab, a piece of concrete that usually serves as the ground floor. Many homeowners can live in a house for decades and never give the foundation a second thought. Yet, if they experience high water bills, low water pressure, and other plumbing issues, there could be a slab leak. 

Some reasons for slab leaks include root intrusion, shifting soil from rainstorms, and other things completely out of homeowners' control. Yet, while this situation may seem overwhelming, one has options if they suspect a slab leak. For instance, they could consult a plumber in their area. They can identify the source of the problem and get to work repairing it. 

What Are Some Slab Leak Signs? 

Money being poured into a toilet, symbolizing wasted resources and high water bills due to potential slab leaks.A slab leak can fester for months before it shows apparent signs. That's why knowing the symptoms of such a leak is so important. The sooner a homeowner gets a professional's help, the more damage they can mitigate. Some signs of a slab leak include: 

  • Warm spots on the floor. A homeowner's bare feet may sense warmer tiles, planks, and flooring than usual. That could mean a hot water leak, and the homeowner feels the water's warmth pooling beneath the floorboards. 
  • High water bills, no visible leak. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that most homeowners spend about $100 a month on their water bill. Yet, with an undetected leak, one could pay even more. 
  • Cracks in the floors or walls. The home's foundation may shift as a slab leak worsens, causing walls and floors to splinter. 

Are Slab Leaks Dangerous? 

A slab leak is no laughing matter. Some dangers of unaddressed slab leaks include: 

  • Mold and mildew growth. Where there's a leak, mold growth isn't far behind. Healthline notes that this substance can cause respiratory problems, such as coughing, sneezing, and wheezing. It also can eat away at a home's drywall and structure. 
  • A weakened foundation. If a home doesn't have a solid foundation, the county may deem it unsafe to inhabit. A weak foundation can lead to structural collapse, electrical fires, and other dangers. 
  • Slips and falls. A slab leak can cause water to seep through the home's floorboards. These puddles can put homeowners (especially seniors) at risk of serious fall accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that slips can cause spinal cord trauma and traumatic brain injuries. 

How Can a Professional Fix a Slab Leak? 

Hand holding a thermal imaging camera displaying heat signatures, used by professionals to detect slab leaks and assess water damage beneath flooring.Some things in life have a way of fixing themselves. Unfortunately, slab leaks are not one of them. They need immediate attention, or else the issue risks worsening. A professional may fix a slab leak by: 

  • Locating the leak's location
  • Isolating the area
  • Removing a section of flooring
  • Replacing or repairing the leaking pipe
  • Repaving over the area

A plumber can also offer special insight into how to prevent future slab leaks. 

About B&L Plumbing and Heating 

A slab leak can quickly lead to water damage, property destruction, and other headaches. That's why B&L Plumbing and Heating offers prompt, same-day service to its friends and neighbors in Colorado Springs, CO. Relying on their specialized training and unique skill set, these professionals know how to get jobs done quickly. Call now for slab leak services! 

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Identifying Problems With The Hot Water Heater

identifying problems with the hot water heater

3 Ways to Identify a Malfunctioning Water Heater

If a home plumbing system has a heart, it is not the toilet or kitchen sink but the water heater. It helps with the everyday chores of keeping the home clean and comfortable and assisting with cooking. Problems with the hot water can upend a whole routine and easily cause disgruntled feelings among the household members. Like most appliances, a water heater shows signs that it needs maintenance and repair before it stops working. These indicators for water heater repair or replacement are discussed below.

Banging and Popping Sounds

Woman covering her ears in distress, illustrating the alarming sounds from a malfunctioning water heater.If a homeowner has neglected their water heater maintenance or the home has hard water, then sediment can build up in the tank. This can result in poor recovery, that is, how quickly the tank of water comes back up to the optimal temperature after being depleted, and unpleasant sounds can result. Since the water heater is normally quiet, a loud noise from it can certainly be alarming, but it can also indicate a couple of different issues described in the following list.

  • Anode Rod Replacement: One of the reasons for sediment buildup is the need to replace the anode rod. This is a special piece of equipment that attracts positive ions in the water to prevent corrosion. This leads to a breaking down of the anode rod instead of inside the water heater tank. Because it breaks down, it needs to be replaced occasionally to have a fully functioning water heater.
  • Hard Water: Around 90% of the homes in the United States have hard water. It is not harmful for human consumption, but its high mineral content can leave calcium and magnesium deposits in pipes and hot water tanks. Flushing the hot water tank can solve this problem.

Professional maintenance is needed to lengthen any appliance's life, including water heaters. Even tankless water heater maintenance is necessary.

Water is Discolored or Smells Bad

Discolored water flowing from faucet into sink, indicating potential corrosion in water heater, relevant to plumbing maintenance issues.If water comes out of the tap discolored or metallic smelling, this can point to a corroded water heater. This can be due to a lack of maintenance or just age. If the interior lining of the water heater gets damaged, it can expose the tank's metal to corrosive elements. This can cause a host of issues throughout the house.

  • Laundry that doesn't come clean
  • Foul tasting water
  • Spotty dishes
  • Stinky laundry
  • Tank Leaks

If the tank is corroded, repair is not an option. Water heater replacement is needed.

The Hot Water Tank is Leaking

A leaking water heater can sometimes be repaired by simply tightening the plumbing connections or replacing the pressure release valve. These repairs should be assessed and performed by a plumbing professional. As previously stated, certain problems, such as corrosion, cannot be repaired; only an entire replacement will work. 

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

When homeowners need a plumber with no after-hours fees, they should call B & L Plumbing. They serve Colorado Springs, CO, and the surrounding areas with 24-hour emergency water heater service.

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Use Less Water, Spend Less Money, Save On Summer

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Save Water and Save Money This Summer

In this area of the US, people are in great debates about the future of the Colorado River and all the people, animals, and farmland it supplies. While everyone may not be able to join in drafting laws on how to conserve water, every homeowner and household can do their part to lower their water bill. Summer is a particularly hard time for water conservation, and this article will share a few ideas on how to make saving water more feasible with new technology and a few tried and true conservation methods.

Replace Old Fixtures With Water Saving Devices

While this tip takes spending money to save money and water, the items listed here will eventually pay for themselves. Installing new fixtures that help the household use less water is a no-brainer. Once the item is installed, the homeowner can forget it and watch their water bill decrease. The following list contains some of the most common water conservation devices.

  • Low Flow Showerhead: These devices look like the average showerhead, but they reduce the amount of water coming out of the pipe when turned on. This is engineered to reduce the water flow without sacrificing much water pressure, so it is a win-win situation.
  • Water Saving Toilet: Regulations on how much water a toilet can use have grown stricter over the last 20 or 30 years. Whereas toilets used to use up to 5 gallons of water, they now tend to use less than 2 gallons. Dual flush toilets can use as little as .6 gallons for a flush.
  • Touchless Faucet: This can be installed in the kitchen and the bathroom. The touchless faucet conserves water, prevents germ spread, and keeps surfaces cleaner because dirty hands don’t have to touch it to turn it on. 

Schedule Watering the Lawn in A Precise Way

Everybody likes green, healthy grass in their yard. Watering the lawn is often a point of contention for those who want to conserve water, but a happy medium can be found. If a homeowner waters their lawn early in the morning, that will give the plants the best chance at absorption and keep them healthy. Allowing rainwater to be a source of watering is also recommended. There is no need to water from the hose if there has been rain.

Basic Practices for Minimal Water Usage

The oldest tricks for water conservation still work. A bit of mindfulness can go a long way. Listed below are a few tried and true methods of saving water.

  • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving
  • Turn off the tap while washing and rinsing dishes by hand
  • Limit the use of the hose
  • Consider a soaker hose installation in a garden

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

Veteran-owned B&L Plumbing and Heating offers 24/7 emergency plumbing service to Colorado Springs, CO, and the surrounding communities with no after-hours fees. Call today for peace of mind and competitive pricing.

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Reasons to Install a Water Softener This Spring

reasons to install a water softener this spring

How Do Water Softeners Work? 

A water softener is a device that is engineered specifically to treat hard water. How can water be hard? Water becomes hard when it dissolves certain minerals in its journey through the water cycle. These minerals become part of the water and are hard to remove on a municipal scale. They can, however, be removed on a smaller scale, like in a home, for a low cost. This is good news for the 85% of Americans with hard water in their homes.  

Why is having soft water a good thing? Water is the basis for so much of modern society. While hard water is fine to drink, with the possible exception of having a bad taste, it can interfere with every other use for water. Water carrying a high mineral load can interfere with cleaning, ruin plumbing, and cause negative health effects. Here are three ways that installing a water softener can help every home. 

Makes Cleaning Practices More Effective 

Hand holding a clean wine glass from a dishwasher, highlighting effective cleaning practices and the impact of hard water on dishware.Remember the adage, “Oil and water don’t mix.” This is a true statement that is easily illustrated in a grade-school classroom. The secret to getting oil and water to mix is chemicals known as soaps and detergents. These chemicals are special because they can interact with water, oils, and even dirt. 

When minerals are present in water in the form of hardness, the ions interfere with water’s ability to interact with soaps and detergents. This leads to several problems: 

  • Faded clothing
  • Deposited stains and soil on clothing
  • Spotted dishes with no luster 
  • The dull sheen on cleaned surfaces
  • Soap scum buildup on bathtubs and sinks 

Using soft water in the home can be more effective in sweeping away dirt. Consider installing a water softener for brighter clothing, cleaner dishes, and a cleaner home in general. 

Keeps the Plumbing Safe 

A second problem associated with hard water is higher plumbing bills. When water carries extra minerals around, the minerals tend to deposit themselves into piping and plumbing fixtures. This leads to unsightly scale as well as problems with water pressure. This scale can be particularly harmful in water heaters, lowering efficacy and volume. Installing a water heater can protect plumbing and restore the water heater to proper operation. 

Improves the Health of Hair and Skin 

Smiling woman with curly hair touching her face, illustrating improved skin health from using soft water.One of the more annoying consequences of hard water’s diminished capacity to remove soils is its effect on health. When water can’t effectively wash away soaps and soil, the grime stays on the hair and skin, leaving a dull film that adversely affects its health and appearance. This is most evident in dry hair and skin. 

Instead of letting hard water take a toll on the health and appearance of the family, why not look into water softener installation? Installing a water softener can allow the water in the home to completely wash away soap residues and grime, leaving the home healthier and cleaner. 

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

B&L Plumbing and Heating has the plumbing solutions every home needs. With residential and commercial water softener services, they can help every home or business get the most from their water. Call today for a plumbing service in Colorado Springs, CO. 

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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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