Water leaks are catastrophic and costly. From toilet leaks to pipeline bursts, you can incur thousands of dollars of damage. Moreover, a water leak that occurs while you're away may easily flood your house, causing you to vacate your home. Hence, identifying a leak and hiring a plumber immediately can be life-saving.
How to detect a water leak?
Monitor your monthly water bills. Even a small leak will drive up your water bill.
Check the water meter. Test for any leaks inside your home using the water meter dial. Turn off your faucets and appliances and note the position of the dial. If this position changes after an hour then you have a leak.
Stay Alert! Monitor your walls and ceilings for bubbling paint, bulging wallpaper and water stains. Periodically check below sinks and around toilets, showers and the tub for puddles.
A water leak in Mira Mesa can be reported to the public utilities of San Diego or can be fixed by plumbers or yourself if not severe.
How to fix leaks by yourself?
Leaky faucets
Leaky faucets can be easily fixed by replacing the silicone or rubber washers that stop the slow of water in pipes. Some faucets do not have a washer. These are more complicated to repair and may require a call to the plumber. A more advanced DIY-er may be able to replace completely damaged faucets, however, this may require special tools.
Running toilets
Ill-fitting flappers, snapped chains or imbalanced floaters are common malfunctions and can be easily fixed using widely available repair kits. If this still does not treat your leaky toilet, then you may have a silent leak which is more complicated and requires a plumber.
Clogged drains
Drain clogs could seriously damage your home. These can be removed easily without the assistance of a professional plumber. You can use a drain snake to remove all clogged debris in the pipes. Chemical drain cleaning fluids can also be used, but these are not long term as they may damage the pipe if used too often. They are also bad for the environment.
Sump pumps
Sump pumps are essential basement flood stoppers, especially in Mira Mesa where homes are damaged due to floods. However, they are usually neglected. A sump pump leak can be prevented if they are tested every 2-3 months to ensure it doesn't fail. This is something that can be easily accomplished by homeowners.
Even though several leaks can be fixed without expert assistance, it is always good to bring in the big guns for a more complicated water leak in Mira Mesa.
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