Triangle Homeowners: Some Fall Plumbing Leak Prevention
Lately put off a musty smell in the vicinity of your water heater? Or perhaps you are not looking forward to the first cold spell with the knowledge that your pipes are not what they used to be. Then again, how long has it been since you have had a good look under the kitchen sink?
Those are questions we hear a lot and if they ring true for you, then this is where you want to be. At United Water Restoration Group of Raleigh we put homeowners in the Triangle in a position to deal with a plumbing leak before it does any real water damage. You can reach us at (984) 367-6988, day or night.
The kind of temperature changes you get in North Carolina in the fall will test your home’s plumbing. Pipes put in by expansion and contraction, seals give way, and what was an inconsequential drip over the summer can make itself known when the weather cools. But with some forethought there is no reason most of these leaks have to happen.
The Risk of Leaks in the Fall
We may not have the hard freezes of the north but our temperatures in the Triangle are unpredictable. A near-freezing night after a warm afternoon is enough to put stress on a pipe joint, and the weak spots will show.
You won’t be made aware of a leak right away. There is a slow drip behind a wall that can go on for weeks until you see a stain or your water bill is higher than expected. By that point the drywall, subfloor or flooring could already be affected. We are often called in by the time a homeowner has noticed something on the ceiling, but there is no need to let it come to that.
A Few Things to Check This Season
It doesn’t take a plumber to spot the early signs. Make an hour of it this weekend and do a walk around:
- Any moisture, water rings or odors under the sinks?
- Is there pooling or corrosion at the base of the water heater?
- Give the exposed pipes in the basement, crawl space and garage a once over.
- Put the garden hoses away and check outdoor spigots ahead of a freeze.
- See if the water bill has crept up from one month to the next without cause.
- With the faucets off, listen to make sure there is no running water.
Should you come across any of these, don’t put it off. Moisture is an open invitation to mold and even a minor leak has a way of getting out of hand.
Preemptive Measures for Your Pipes
There are easy ways to be proactive. An inexpensive set of pipe sleeves will insulate those in unheated rooms in a matter of minutes. As for outdoor faucets, cover them up or close the interior valve.
Water pressure is another consideration; too much of it puts undue strain on your appliances and joints which eventually leads to leaks. If the fixtures are working harder than they should or you hear banging from the faucets, have the pressure looked at.
Appliances are no different. The water line to your fridge, the dishwasher and washing machine hoses will wear out. It is a small price to replace a rubber hose now versus the cost of a burst line on your floor.
Making a Call to a Pro
There is a time to do it yourself and a time to call in help. When you have an active leak or water damage on the move, we are the ones to call.
In that respect the United Water Restoration Group of Raleigh is not like other restoration firms. We do not send you off to a contractor for plumbing repair and leak detection; it is a service we provide in house. From the initial discovery of the leak to the final repair, and any painting or flooring work that entails, we are your single point of contact.
Our IICRC-certified staff can put their hands on a leak that isn’t readily apparent. And since water damage is not bound by business hours we are here 24/7, 365 days a year. Usually we will be at your door in 45 minutes or less.
We start every job with an inspection, free of charge and far more complete than an estimate put together in a hurry. We want to get to the root of the issue, not just what you have seen. Our own documentation is what we use to build your claim as we work directly with your insurance company. Acorn financing is also an option.
Before a fall leak turns into a winter problem, give us a ring at (984) 367-6988. We are at your service in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill and all points in between for both residential and commercial clients.