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Archive for the ‘Leak Detection’ Category

Pipe Break Repair from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Charlotte, NC

January 18th, 2012

Of all the problems that can occur within your plumbing system, pipe breaks are some of the most severe. Pipe breaks can grow from small drips to larger leaks rapidly, which is why it is essential they be handled in a timely and efficient manner. They can often come without warning and at the most inopportune times. This is where the Charlotte NC plumbers with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing come in to provide your home with the best quality plumbing services today.

During the winter months here in North Carolina, your pipes can freeze very easily. As any homeowner that has gone through this can attest, frozen pipes are something many of us never want to have to deal with. Frozen pipes can break extremely easily, which can pose you with a very large problem in your plumbing system. Pipe breaks can cause toxic mildew in your home, rust your cabinets or wood flooring, and destroy your prized possessions through excessive water damage. Our prompt plumbing professionals can make sure this common problem does not occur to you. And with a free evaluation on all your plumbing issues, you have nothing to lose.

For all your plumbing issues in Charlotte and the surrounding area, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is here to help. For additional information regarding pipe breaks, give us a call at 704-461-1700 or contact us online today.

Leak Detection Services from Your Charlotte NC Plumber

September 19th, 2011

Leaks around sinks and faucets are common problems encountered both at home and in the workplace. It is often tough to handle complex plumbing leak issues caused by faulty water supply systems or gas pipelines. However, professional leak detection services from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, your Charlotte NC plumber, specialize in identifying and repairing such problems. Leak detection service providers often use advanced technologies to detect the location and the cause of pipeline leaks with precision.

A home is probably your largest investment and a mysterious leak can create unnecessary stress and expense. Water leak damage can destroy ceilings, walls, floor coverings and furnishings. Microbial growth and building material deterioration is devastating. Finding the source of the leak and finding it quickly is of utmost importance.

Leak detection from your Charlotte NC leak detection professionals will find the source of the problem leak and provide a complete leak detection report. Having to repair damaged walls, ceilings, carpets, or other flooring due to leaks are never ideal and the leak report will give you a place to start. It is highly recommended that you consult the professional leak detection service from your local Charlotte plumber.

Leaks can occur at any time. To accommodate the immediate needs of their residential and commercial customers, expert leak detection service providers offer round-the-clock services. Emergency leak detection and same-day repair services are available on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers not only emergency plumbing but also a punctual plumber guarantee. Licensed plumbers are on call to deliver superior plumbing services to Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Your leak detection service professionals inspect the entire plumbing system to better inform customers about the state of their foundation and pipe system. Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, your local Charlotte NC plumber at 704-461-1700 to schedule leak detection services and to find out how we can help with all your plumbing repair needs.

Protect Your Plumbing with Preventative Maintenance

August 10th, 2011

Charlotte NC plumberAs one of the most important components in your home, an efficient plumbing system is essential. In order to ensure this efficiency, proper maintenance for your plumbing is an absolute must. After all, nothing is worse than a sudden breakdown or malfunction, leaving you with water damage to your home or without water entirely. For peace of mind, rely on our trained Charlotte NC plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to provide your home with vital plumbing maintenance.

As any homeowner can attest, it is best to catch small problems before they become large ones. It is far easier to put a stop to something when it has just started, rather than when it has gone too far. With an inspection of your home and plumbing system, you can rest assured that a small leak will not grow larger, resulting in extensive and costly damage to your home.

For all your plumbing needs, it is important to count on a professional plumber to take care of them. Our professional plumbers can utilize their years of experience and knowledge of the intricacies of your system to effectively locate, diagnose, and alleviate your plumbing issue. With a professional inspection and plumbing maintenance program, however, we can catch problems before they persist, saving you the worry of a complete plumbing breakdown or having to replace your system entirely.

With any questions, comments, or to schedule an essential plumbing maintenance service today, give us a call at 704-461-1700 or visit us online today.

Charlotte Home Buyer’s Value Guide to Plumbing

June 1st, 2011

It’s summer, and this is the most common time for home buyers to search the Charlotte real estate market. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of problems that may exist in a home that are not found by inspectors, especially plumbing leaks and poor plumbing systems. Before buying a home filled with plumbing repair needs, be sure to check out the various plumbing fixtures so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

In the bathroom, be sure to inspect the floor; look around the base of the toilet for water damage, and test to make sure there are no soft spots in the floor. These are signs of water leaks, typically existing. If you find black and white stains or rolled vinyl flooring, these are also clues that water leaks may have previously plagued the area or are currently a problem. Also be sure to press tiles on the wall to check for leaks and loose tiling. Before you move on, flush the toilet and make sure it works properly, not draining too slowly or causing water to leak.

To check for adequate piping and water pressure, turn on a bathtub faucet and the kitchen sink faucet. If the pressure is significantly reduced with both running, the piping may have a large amount of calcium and mineral deposits and need to be replaced. While you are in the kitchen, make sure the connections to the dishwasher and garbage disposal are tight and show no signs of leaks. Also, check within the cabinetry to assure there is no water damage, including stains, rotted corkboard, or sagging bottoms. Be sure to check the washing machine hose as well, since these can rupture and lead to extensive water damage.

The first four digits of the serial number on a water heater are the month and year of manufacture. If the water heater in the home is more than 15 years old, you’ll want to contact your local Charlotte plumbing company to replace it. You may also want to check for rust on the tank, as this is a sign of impending issues with the hot water heater. If you are unsure of problems you may find, you can get assistance with inspections from our Charlotte water heater technicians, available to help you assess the value of the plumbing system in your prospective home purchase.

 

Leak Detection and Plumbing Maintenance

May 6th, 2011

Many times, water leaks aren’t noticed at first. Maybe your water bill is slowly on the rise so the difference isn’t as noticeable as a sharp change in cost, and you don’t stop to think there may be a bigger underlying issue. But a water leak left unchecked can lead to extensive structural damage to your property and expensive repairs. Slab leaks are especially problematic, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to the home.

Leak detection services are an important part of general inspection and maintenance on sewer and water lines and can help diagnose the issue early, saving time and cost of repairs, avoiding cleanliness issues, and conserving natural resources. With leak detection procedures, a small leak can be pinpointed before it becomes a major emergency and requires extensive repairs.

If you see a consistent change in your water bills, notice a lack of water pressure, or hear running water when none of your faucets or toilets are running, you may want to consider a water line inspection for leak location. Even if you don’t see the symptoms of a water leak, a regular inspection can help spot weak points in your water lines so that repairs can be made before you begin draining money from your wallet.

Our Charlotte plumbing technicians can assist in leak detection with high end technology that pinpoints the location of the problem quickly and without destructive procedures. Once a problem is identified, we can help repair and restore your plumbing, saving you money and preserving water, a natural resource that should be protected. Your home is one of your most important investments, and leak detection helps protect that investment from losing value. Call your Charlotte area plumbers today for fast, reliable service on your schedule, and save money while also being environmentally conscious.

 

Getting Rid of “Muddy Water”

January 27th, 2011

Water DiscolorationMuddy water” coming from your faucet is probably the last thing you want to see when you’re thirsty. It probably isn’t something you want to see when you’re ready to take a shower, as well.

The colored water – whether it is brown, red or a combination of both – is rust, and the color actually stems from tap water mixing with various chemical oxidations of rust. Water discoloration can be a common issue in the average home, but it is not harmful to the body.

If discoloration is caused by rusty pipes, a pipe replacement may be in order. This, however, may be a last resort, as the problem may be resolved with some basic do-it-yourself tips. First, turn off the faucet distributing the muddy water. Then, go to your main faucet, and run water in a clear container to where you can examine the water.

If your water in the container is clear, you may be looking at an issue with your pipes. If your water in the container is muddy, this could be a problem for your local water department. This may be an inconvenience while they shut off the water valves in the neighborhood, but it also may be good for your finances, as you won’t have to pay for an outrageous plumbing bill.

Before jumping to conclusions about water discoloration, check with your neighbors first. If they’re having similar issues, this may be an assignment for the water department. If the problem is isolated, our Charlotte NC plumbers are available to help you with all of your plumbing needs. Call our Charlotte plumbing company today, or call us online for details.

Slab Leak Tips for New Homeowners

January 13th, 2011

Slab Leak DetectionNew homeowners should know and understand that leaks of any kind can be a hassle. Slab leaks, if left untreated, can make a new homeowner want to consider returning to living in rental properties. They’re that much of a headache.

A slab leak, by definition, is a leak that occurs beneath a water line. A slab leak can cause issues where a home can lose gallons of water, and a homeowner can spend thousands of dollars if left untreated. Slab leaks can sneak up on new homeowners, as many don’t know how to detect them.

Fortunately, there are symptoms for budding slab leak problems. Our expert plumbers in Charlotte NC want you to be prepared and, most importantly, want you to be leak-free. Check out the following indications to look for with a possible slab leak.

  • Wetness and warmness: If you’re noticing damp spots on your floor, this may be an early detection of a slab leak. These damp spots also may be accompanied with warm spots.
  • Keep an eye on the bill: You know how much you normally pay for the water bill. That number rarely escalates significantly. If you start to notice a higher bill, you may have a slab leak.
  • Running water (or so it seems): When you think you left water running somewhere, but all of your faucets are off, chances are, you may have a slab leak issue. The sounds of constantly running faucets or toilets can be a sure-fire symptoms of a slab leak.

Let our Charlotte plumbing company serve you, as our technicians are experts in slab leak detection and repair, in addition to other plumbing services. Call us today for more information, or contact us online.

Diagnosing a Hidden Leak

November 9th, 2010

water leakIf you’ve noticed a sudden spike in your Charlotte home water bill, you may have a hidden water leak. Water leaks are not always apparent, a pipe burst can occur under your foundation or in the walls. Some of these leaks are notoriously difficult to pinpoint. Your Charlotte plumbing company has made a quick checklist, so you can diagnose a hidden water leak.

The Toilet

A toilet leak can run through a considerable amount of water in a short time. The quickest way to determine a leak in your toilet tank is to apply a little food coloring to the tank. While it may not be an easy fix, your Charlotte plumber is there for you.

Here are the steps:

1. Remove the lid from the tank

2. Apply four to five drops of food coloring

3. Wait 10 to 20 minutes

4. Observe the water color in the bowl

If you see the water in the bowl has changed color; you have a leak. Call our expert plumbers, and we will provide plumbing service that is punctual and affordable.

The Meter

While this method may be a little more challenging for a beginner; it should be no issue at all for a seasoned do-it-yourself person. Just follow a few simple steps, and you are well on your way to pinpointing the source of your leak.

1. Find and close your water shut-off valve

2. Locate the water meter

3. Determine if the meter is running

If you have closed the water shut-off valve and the meter is running, you have an underground water leak. If the meter does not move, the water lines in your home are leaking. Call our Charlotte plumbing company, and we will employ the latest in leak detection equipment. (704) 461-1700

How to Handle Leaky Toilets

October 14th, 2010

Toilet Tank DiagramHave you ever noticed a constant hissing noise coming from your toilet? If so, you may have a leaky toilet and higher water utility bills on your hands. You may use the following steps – courtesy of the Alliance for Water Efficiency – to troubleshoot the problem:

  • Remove the tank lid to inspect the flushing system. Is the water level higher than 1 inch below the overflow tube? It shouldn’t be. Most likely, water is leaking through the overflow tube into the drain. Depending on the cause of the problem, it may be corrected by adjusting the water level, replacing the float or replacing the refill valve assembly.
  • The leak may be caused by a worn or non-functioning flapper. This can be diagnosed using a test where a dye tablet is placed into the toilet’s water tank. If the color of the dye begins to appear in the toilet bowl, the source of the leak is the flapper. Toilet flapper replacement is a simple and easy process.

If you are experiencing difficulty in troubleshooting or fixing your toilet leak problem, contact a qualified Charlotte NC plumbing company. If your toilet is leaking at the base or through a crack in the bowl, you may have an advanced problem on your hands; a toilet reset or toilet replacement may be required.

Categories: Leak Detection, Plumbing, Toilets Tags:

Video Pipe Inspection

August 31st, 2010

Our Charlotte NC Plumbing Company has the capability of snaking a video camera into the depths of plumbing system to find unwanted blockages or leaks. Here are some of the benefits of taking advantage of our camera inspection:

Preventative Measures

When our Fort Worth Plumbers use video line inspection, they can take note of growing flaws in your piping system. We can then present you with the option of repair, costing you far less than a potential full-out pipe break that could occur as a result of unmaintained piping lines. Slab leaks are a major problem that can be prevented with proper video line inspection.

Locating Damage

No longer do plumbers have to dig up piping to locate damage – they have cameras that do the digging for them. Digging up the lines to find damage wasn’t only a gigantic mess, but it was expensive as well. A video inspection now allows the plumber to locate any broken areas within the piping – and locate their exact position. Translation: lower repair bills and less time spent in your home.

Locating Blockages

Although hair is a common form of drain blockage, other debris and tree roots can dangerously come into play as well. Depending on what is causing the blockage in your sewer lines, you could discover that a video pipe inspection is just what you need. Often times, knowing the root (no pun intended) of the problem is enough to have it remedied without any required digging.

To take advantage of our state-of-the-art video line inspection technology for broken or clogged piping lines, call our Charlotte Plumbers at 704-461-1700.