Many homeowners believe that plumbing problems appear to arise out of nowhere. This can lead to a rush for immediate attention and enormous stress. For example, if you’ve been away for a couple of weeks on vacation, it can be a massive surprise to discover three inches of water covering the floor in your kitchen and family room. How could you know that while you were away, the foundation would shift and split a water pipe to cause a slab leak? Fortunately, not all plumbing problems are this drastic and there are some preventable plumbing problems that proactive property owners can save themselves some money, stress, and trouble.
A Faulty Washing Machine Hose
When was the last time you gave your washing machine hookup hose any thought? If you only thought about it when you bought your new washing machine or the last time a hose burst and caused a massive mess, you’re not alone. While many of us don’t give it much thought, a faulty or burst washing machine hose is one of the most common causes of home water damage. Old rubber hoses often lose pliability as they age, which can be problematic as they are subject to stress when the water is repeatedly turned on and off. This means that hoses can fail without any warning signs to cause expensive water damage. Fortunately, it is very straightforward to have a washing machine hose and if needed, replaced with a stainless steel braided hose.
The Endlessly Filling Toilet Tank
If you’ve ever been sitting in your home and noticed a high pitched noise coming from your toilet, you need to take some proactive action. This type of sound often occurs after the toilet has been used and it is caused by the overflow tube not properly shutting off. While it may be possible to jiggle the handle to stop the water flow, if you’re not at home, you could be wasting gallons and gallons of water. Fortunately, it is simple to get this checked and if needed adjust the toilet tank float, so the water will shut off after a few minutes to avoid wasting water.
That Little Drip
While they may seem like nothing, the slow leak in a faucet can add up to some serious water waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ten percent of U.S homes have leaks that are wasting up to 90 gallons of water each day. Even a little leak that loses one drop of water each second will add up to 3,000 gallons of wasted water each year. Minor leaks can add up to trillions of gallons of water wasted every year in the United States, so be proactive and prevent the waste of this precious resource.
Plumbing problems are not likely to correct themselves, so if you want to take proactive action, call in the professionals. An
experienced plumber can perform an inspection and repair any issues efficiently and quickly so you can protect your home.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
