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Posts Tagged ‘leak detection’

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.

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.

 

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.