The Water Leakage Problem

Water leaks are not only a nuisance, they can be quite costly – not to mention environmentally harmful for areas with low rainfall like Phoenix, Arizona. The biggest problem with leaks is that they can go undetected for such a long time that what seems like a small increase in your water bill can add up exponentially. And, sometimes, cause health problems and expensive damage to your home.

A few facts about leaks from the United States Environmental Protection Agency:

• The average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry.
• Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons annually nationwide. That’s equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes.
• Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.

That is whole lot of water being wasted and a lot of money going down the drain – no pun intended – through higher water bills.

Determining if You Have a Water Leak

The first step to take in preventing leaks in your home is to first determine if you have a leak. You can check for leaks on a regular basis to ensure no new leaks occur throughout the year. Checking for a leak is as simple as checking your water meter:

• First, make sure that water is not being used inside or outside of your house.
• Next, locate your water meter and check the leak indicator for any movement. Depending on the brand of your meter, the leak indicator could be a small triangular-shaped dial or a small silver wheel that rotates when water is flowing through the meter. If the dial is moving, chances are, you have a leak.
• Alternatively, you could take a meter reading, wait 1 to 2 hours, and then take another reading (making sure not to use water during this time). If the reading has changed, you have a leak.

You should check for leaks a few times a year to make sure that any new leaks don’t go unnoticed for an extended period of time. If you’ve found that you have a leak, the next step will be to narrow down the location of the lead to either inside your home or outside your home (such as from pipes running into your home.)

Finding the Water Leak

To narrow down whether the leak is coming from inside or outside your home, follow these steps:

• First, locate the main shut off valve for your home and shut off the water at the valve. Typically, you will find the shut off valve in the basement or garage directly behind an outdoor faucet, or outside below an outdoor faucet.
• Next, you’ll once again check the leak indicator for movement or use the meter reading method, making sure not to use any water during this period. If the leak indicator stops moving or there is no change in the meter readings, then you have a leak inside of the house. If the leak indicator continues to move or there is a change in the meter readings, then the leak is outside between the meter and the house.

Once you’ve narrowed down where the leak may be, you can then start looking for signs of a leak such as:

• Damp, moist or wet spots
• Mold or mildew buildup
• Cracks in your foundation
• Discoloration in your walls or ceilings
• Warm spots on the floors – particularly concrete floors
• Smells and odors
• The sound of trickling water when no water is being used.

If you’re unable to locate the leak, you may need to contact a plumber for assistance.

In the next article we’ll discuss some more in-depth methods of locating a water leak in common areas of your home.

Locating a Water Leak in your Home

Probably the most noticeable sign of a leak that homeowners mention is a significant increase in their water bill which typically indicates that they have a water leak. If you’re not sure whether you have a leak to begin with, follow the steps in our previous article to determine if you have a leak.

If you’ve found that you have a leak and determined that the leak is coming from inside your home, you’ll then want to find out where that leak is coming from, in order to stop the leak. First, check for any of the following signs of a leak:

• Damp, moist or wet spots
• Mold or mildew buildup
• Cracks in your foundation
• Discoloration in your walls or ceilings
• Warm spots on the floors – particularly concrete floors
• Smells and odors
• The sound of trickling water when no water is being used.

This can help you identify the general area that the leak is originating from. If you have a leak detection device, you can narrow it down even further. A leak detection device typically costs between $150 to over $300 so if you don’t already have one, it would more cost-effective to either manually locate the leak or have a plumber help you.

Once you’ve identified the general area that the leak is located in, you’ll need to discover what is causing the leak and what needs to be repaired. To help you do that, we’ve outlined the most common areas where leaks occur in a home and how to determine what is causing the leak in each of the areas.

Leaking Faucets

Faucets are probably the most common type of leak reported. Mostly because it is probably the most noticeable type of leak but also because of how often it’s used. If your faucet is leaking, there’s a good chance it is due to a worn rubber washer.

The rubber washer on a sink is typically located just under the handle.  Replacing the washer can usually stop the leak and is relatively easy to replace. First, you’ll want to shut of the water via the shutoff valve under sink or the main water shutoff but remember: the faucet handle is not a shutoff valve. Next, you’ll want to remove the faucet handle – this can be done by loosening the bolt under the sink for the handle – and replacing the rubber washer.

Leaking Toilets

A water leak coming from a toilet is often considered the worst kind of leak due to the amount of water that can be lost due to a leak. They are commonly overlooked and can cost you hundreds of gallons of water due to a leak. Thankfully, though, they’re also fairly inexpensive to repair or replace and can usually be easily fixed.

First, find out if your toilet is leaking by simply removing the tank lid and placing a few drops of food coloring in back of the toilet tank. (If you don’t have food coloring, you can purchase dye tabs from any hardware or home center). Wait about 30 minutes, without flushing, and then look in the toilet bowl to see of any color has come through. If the water is clear, the toilet is not leaking. If you see coloring in the bowl you have a leak.

In most cases, you will simply just need to replace the toilet flapper and/or filling mechanism. These are available at your local hardware or home center stores for about $8.00 each.

Flush Handle Problems

If the handle needs to be jiggled to keep the toilet from running, the flush level bar and chain (or the handle itself) may be sticking. Adjust the nut that secures it in the toilet tank. If that doesn’t work, the handle may need to be replaced.

Overflow Tube Leaks

The overflow tube in the toilet tank ensures that if the filling mechanism isn’t shutting off properly, the tank won’t overflow into your bathroom. You’ll want to make sure the water level is set to be about even with the fill line on the back of the toilet tank. This is about a half inch below the overflow tube.

If the tank is filling past the water level mark and spilling into the overflow tube, you can adjust the water level by turning the adjustment screw or by very gently bending the float arm down so that the water shuts off at a slightly lower level that is below the overflow tube. If this doesn’t resolve the problem, you may need to contact a plumber to assist in repairs.

Other Leak Areas

While the most common water leaks originate from the toilet or faucet, the leak could also be coming from any of the following areas as well:

• Water heater problems
• Underground pipe leaks
• Bath and shower leaks
• Water softener issues
• And more…

If you need assistance with a water leak repair in Phoenix, contact us today!

How A Water Softener System Works

If you live in Phoenix, Arizona, you’ve likely been told that you should have a water softener system in your home. In fact, about 1 out of 4 homes have water softener systems in the Phoenix area. So what do water softeners do? A water softener does just what it sounds like, it softens water. To understand what that means, first you’ll need to understand what hard water is and why so many people want to soften it.

Hard water is water that has a high concentration of minerals. While water is in the ground it picks up soluble bits of whatever it passes through. This could also include contaminates but is usually just minerals from the earth.  Of the minerals that water picks up, the ones to be concerned about are calcium and magnesium as they affect the ability of water to function in our homes and are what cause water to be “hard”.

When Should You Replace A Water Softener System

One of the more annoying effects of hard water is that it causes soaps and detergents to lose some effectiveness. Normally soap would dissolve completely but with hard water it combines with the minerals and forms a coagulated soap curd. This results in needing to use more soap while the sticky insoluble curd hangs around, clinging to skin, shower walls, hair, etc.

Hard water can also have a negative effect on your laundry. While washing your laundry with hard water, the aforementioned soap curds can work their way into your clothing, causing dirt to be trapped in the fibers. This can roughen the fabric and cause it to feel stiff.

Not only does hard water affect the washing process but the insoluble soap deposits leave spots on everything you wash while also leaving a soap film that builds up on your bath and shower.

Lastly, one of the more costly effects of hard water is what it can do to your plumbing system. As calcium and magnesium deposits build up in pipes, it reduces the flow of water to taps and appliances. This build up in the pipes can also cause serious problems with water heaters, causing them to lose efficiency and reduce the life of the heater.

How a Water Softener Works

The basic answer behind what a water softener does and how it works is that it removes the calcium, magnesium and other contaminates out of your water.

Most water softeners are simply a mechanical appliance in your home that is connected to your water supply system. They work by replacing the unwanted minerals in your water with something else, usually sodium. This process is called ion exchange. The result: softer water.

So why do so many homes in Phoenix use water softeners? Well, that’s because hard water is much more common in desert areas. Phoenix is actually one of the top 5 metropolises in the U.S. with the hardest water. That’s why water softeners are so common in the Phoenix area and why you’ve likely been told you should use one.

The next question you may be asking is, do I really need a water softener? Many people argue that the benefits of softer water don’t outweigh the high costs of a water softener while others argue the opposite. To help you make an educated decision and better understand the pros and cons of installing a water softener, we will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of a water softener in our next article.

Why Should You Use A Water Softener In Your Home?

As explained in more detail in our previous article, a water softener works by removing contaminates and minerals from your water. As water passes through the ground it picks up different minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium which cause your water to be “hard”. Hard water can cause problems with your plumbing, reduce the lifetime of your appliances, cause skin irritations and make it harder to clean.

In dry areas, such as Phoenix, Arizona, the tap water is usually much harder than in other areas. This is why water softeners are so common in the Phoenix area. The question, though, is whether they’re really worth it and what are the disadvantages to installing one. First, we will review the benefits of water softeners and then discuss the disadvantages.

Pros of Water Softeners

• Improves effectiveness of soaps, shampoo and detergents, reducing the amount needed for washing and cleaning.
• Soft water results in cleaner and shinier glassware, silverware, mirrors, plumbing fixtures, counters and floors, etc.
• The water leaves skin feeling softer and hair feeling smoother.
• Reduces the amount of soap curd build up.
• Results in softer clothing.
• Extends the life of appliances that use water and reduces the number of repairs needed.

Reasons Not To Use A Water Softener In Your Home

• The main disadvantage is the cost – units can cost from several hundred to several thousand while there are also additional costs with maintenance and the purchase of the salt used in the unit.
• Soft water, when used for watering plants, can cause your plants to die. This is due to the high concentration of salt in the water which causes the plant to die of thirst.
• Soft water will also harm soil and the environment as it passes through the soil leaving salt behind. The water used in your home can also make its way back to the city’s water source and cause harm to local farms and landscape.
• The high salt content also makes the water undrinkable without a reverse osmosis unit. Unfortunately the reverse osmosis unit adds additional costs and wastes a significant amount of water – at least a gallon of water is wasted to every gallon it produces.

While most of the disadvantages involve salt-based water softeners, they are the most commonly used. There are, however, some that are not salt-based and would eliminate many of the disadvantages, other than cost.

In fact, Arizona State University completed a study in 2011 and discovered the most promising technology for softening water without salt is the template assisted crystallization process. It tested four types of water softener not using salt: capacitive deionization, electrically induced precipitation, template assisted crystallization, and electromagnetic water treatment.

Another route you can take to reduce the harm caused by a water softener, should you choose to install one, would be to only attach the unit to your hot water line. This would allow you to take advantage of the benefits of softer water when cleaning, while reducing the negative impact it has.

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For plumbing services in Anthem or Phoenix, contact us for assistance.

Most conventional water heaters are fairly simple. They work by allowing cold water into the tank that is then heated using an electric element or gas burner. To regulate the temperature, a thermostat is used to keep the water between 120 to 140 degrees. As the water heats, pressure builds inside the tank. The pressure then sends hot water out of the faucet when you turn the tap on.

Since water heaters contain very few parts, only a few things can go wrong:

• Pilot light on gas water heater flickers out.
• Circuit breaker for an electric heater trips.
• Burner or heating element fails.
• Thermostat breaks.
• Valve sticks.

Repairing or replacing any of those parts is relatively inexpensive. Usually a plumber can do the job for $150 to $300. But if the tank is more than 10 years old, or if it’s leaking, a new water tank is likely in your future. If you have any of these issues or need a new water heater, we can help.

Water Heater Services in Anthem

Peace of Mind Plumbing provides professional water heater repair service in Anthem, Arizona and can quickly resolve the problem at an affordable price. We provide all of the following services for water heaters:

• Water Heater Repair
• Water Heater Replacement
• Water Heater Installations
• Instant Hot Water Systems
• Regular Water Heater Maintenance

About Peace of Mind Plumbing

We are a local, family owned and operated company that provides certified and licensed plumbing services in the Anthem area. With over 18 years of experience and a stellar reputation, we can get the job done right the first time.

Give us a call now for emergency service (480-304-2074) or schedule an in-home evaluation.

Don’t Let a Leaky Faucet Dampen Your Day

Have you ever attempted to fix a plumbing leak with duct tape? Most people have and learned the hard way that it never works. A proper leak repair can save you thousands of dollars in avoided water damage. So, if you know that you have a water leak, the smartest thing you can do is contact a certified plumber to professionally repair the damage and prevent water damage to your home.

Peace of Mind Plumbing in Glendale, Arizona, can quickly locate your water leak and fix the problem quickly and correctly to avoid further costs from damage. Because a water leak can quickly cause significant damage to your home – in addition to being a major inconvenience – it is imperative that you contact a plumber immediately.

Why Choose Peace of Mind Plumbing

• Family Owned & Operated
• Local Small Business
• Honest, Transparent Pricing
• Over 18 Years of Experience

We have been providing plumbing services to the residents and businesses of Glendale for over 18 years and have earned the trust of our local community. We’ve been helping resolve plumbing problems in Glendale even before University of Phoenix Stadium was built in the area. We are a local business that is dedicated to providing honest, quality work at affordable prices.

If you have a water leak and need emergency plumbing repairs, we can help. Not only do we provide 24/7 emergency repair service, but as certified plumbers we can get the job done right the first time. Experience always trumps price when dealing with a plumbing disaster but that doesn’t mean you have to pay an arm and leg with us. We keep all of our pricing competitive and at affordable rates.

Give us a call now to schedule plumbing service: (480-304-2074)

Have you been thinking about adding a reverse osmosis system in your home? A reverse osmosis system is a water filtration technology that purifies your water by removing contaminates such as bacteria, ions, molecules, and large particles from the water using a semi-permeable membrane. The system works by applying a pressure that essentially pushes the water through a filter, or membrane, with tiny pores. The membrane captures all of the large particles and contaminates, only allowing the pure water to pass through.

There are many different reasons to install a reverse osmosis system in your home. For some, their doctors may have recommended it and for others they may have just recently read about it or had a friend recommend it. For most, it is simply a simple solution to converting their tap water into safe, drinkable water. If you haven’t yet decided whether it is right for you, here are four benefits of using a reverse osmosis system in your home.

Health Benefits

Usually the health benefits of drinking reverse osmosis water are more pronounced with cancer patients and those with weaker immune systems. Since the reverse osmosis system removes harmful micro-organisms and germs, it can be much safer to drink for patients receiving chemotherapy which drastically lowers their immune system. With a weak immune system it is much more difficult to fight off infection caused by impure water.

Reverse osmosis also removes lead and sodium which is beneficial for those suffering from high blood pressure. Both lead and sodium can result in increased blood pressure and other health problems. This can be an even bigger issue for households using a salt-based water softening system which causes increased levels of sodium in the water. Many people who use water softeners often use the reverse osmosis system to make their water potable.

Environmental Benefits

As Americans have become more health-conscious many have been switching from sugary drinks to bottled water. In fact, a new report from Beverage Marketing found that bottled water consumption grew 120% between 2000 and 2015. Increasing your water intake and avoiding high calorie, sugary drinks has numerous health benefits but the large of amounts of plastic used to bottle the water can be hazardous to the environment.

While you should certainly continue to choose water over sugary drinks, you may want to consider drinking filtered water or using a reverse osmosis system rather than contributing to the plastic epidemic that is damaging the environment. And, for those who are more concerned with the health benefits, bottled water tends to be much more acidic which can cause a whole slew of other health problems.

Reverse Osmosis Water Tastes Better

One of the biggest reasons that many state as to why they prefer other drinks to water is because of the taste. Many people say that the reason they don’t drink more water is because they simply do not enjoy the taste and therefore resort to other drinks – many of which contain high amounts of sugar or artificial flavors.

Usually, the reason for poor taste in water is due to the particles and contaminates in the water. This is usually why bottled water tastes better than tap water. Pure water, without contaminates and particles, tastes much better. With a reverse osmosis system the water is free of these contaminates, which lower the quality of taste, resulting in a much crisper and refreshing tasting water.

Better for Cooking

If you are an avid chef or cook your own meals on a regular basis, you may have already noticed the difference between cooking with tap water versus filtered water. There is distinct difference in taste and quality. With reverse osmosis water, this improvement is amplified and even more noticeable – which is why more high-end restaurants only use reverse osmosis water for their cooking.

Not only does it make your food taste a lot better but it makes cleaning up much easier as well. Because tap and unpurified water contains more heavy metals and contaminates, it often leaves more residue on pots and pans. This makes it more difficult to clean after cooking.

Note: There are certainly many benefits of using reverse osmosis to purify your water but it is important to know that this purification method does remove minerals that can be considered beneficial. For those suffering from magnesium deficiency, you may want to avoid using reverse osmosis as it could cause further harm by removing that mineral from your water.

For assistance with reverse osmosis installation or repairs in the Phoenix metro area, please contact Joe at Peace of Mind Plumbing.

Is Your Faucet Dripping or Leaking?

Did you know a dripping faucet can cost you hundreds of gallons of water? Just a few drips per minute on one or more faucets can waste over 100 gallons of water in a year. You may not notice it on your water bill but over time, especially if there are 2 or more leaking or dripping faucets, it can really add up. It isn’t just a waste of money either, it also adds to water shortage problems.

If your faucet is dripping or leaking, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible and not just refer to it as the nuisance you don’t feel like dealing with.

Quick, Professional Faucet Repair in Peoria

If you’re having problems with your faucet, Peace of Mind Plumbing can quickly repair or replace your faucet at an affordable price. Our certified and licensed plumber will arrive on time and can get the job done quickly to minimize disturbance so you can get on with your day.

Why Choose Us

• Available 24/7
• Affordable Rates
• Certified & Licensed
• Satisfaction Guaranteed

With Peace of Mind Plumber you will get the best plumbing service available in Peoria, Arizona at a lower cost.

We care about each and every customer and take pride in building long lasting relationships with our customers. Our plumbers are friendly, experienced and will never attempt to sell you on unnecessary repairs or service.

For faucet repairs, installation or replacement in Peoria, call Peace of Mind Plumbing.

Scottsdale Water Heater Repairs

Having hot water in your home has become an essential part of our everyday lives. Even with our 115 degree summers in Scottsdale, no one wants to go without hot water. Old or under-maintained water heaters can abruptly stop working or, even worse, start to leak. If you’re having problems with your water heater or just need to replace an old model, Peace of Mind Plumbing can help.

We offer affordable water heater repair, replacement and installation service in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our licensed and certified plumber can quickly assess the problem and get you back up and running in no time.

Our emergency repair service also means you won’t have to go without hot water for an extended period of time.

We can service any of the following:

• Standard Water Heater with Tank
• Tankless Water Heaters
• Instant Hot Water Systems

We service all major brands and manufacturers and can ensure you get the best price possible.

Scottsdale Water Heater Replacement

If your water heater is more than 10 years old and has not been maintained on a regular basis, you may be risking a leak. Old heaters are often prone to leaking which can cause widespread damage to your home and costly repairs. For those living in multistory buildings or condos, if you have a water heater upstairs a leak can flood the floor below and cause further damage.

We offer regular maintenance service and can ensure your water heater continues to work well and for an extended period of time. Don’t risk flooding your home, give us a call for water heater inspection and maintenance instead.

For the best plumbing service in Scottsdale, give us a call today for a free estimate!

How To Measure Water Pressure

Do you know how high the water pressure in your home is? Do you know what the recommended amount is? 9 out of 10 homeowners do not know that their water pressure is higher than the recommended amount. What’s worse, most homeowners don’t even know that having high water pressure is a bad thing for their home.

If your water pressure is too high, you could be causing serious damage to your plumbing and costing yourself thousands. High water pressure can:

• Burst water lines or cause leaks.
• Weaken water heaters and cause them to leak or fail completely (if leaking, replace immediately).
• Overwhelm expansion tanks and cause water hammers (the thud you hear when you turn your hot water on).
• Overwhelm and/or break valves in dishwashers and refrigerators.
• Overwhelm and/or breakwater filters/softeners.

To ensure that you avoid these potential problems, you have to regulate the water pressure in your home. That’s where a water pressure regulator comes in to play. The water pressure regulator, though, needs to be set correctly and needs to be repaired or replaced when broke – many people will go years with a faulty regulator, causing damage and wasting water.

Professional Water Pressure Services

A pressure regulator in your home can ensure that the pressure coming from the municipal supply is reduced to a safe pressure that won’t damage your plumbing. To protect the supply line to your home and any irrigation system you may have, the regulator should be placed at the meter instead of just at the entrance of the building. If you do have an irrigation system, this would also help prevent misting which increases the efficiency of the irrigation system and save you water and money.

Unfortunately, water pressure regulators – like any mechanical device – don’t last forever. If you have noticed any of the issues listed above and you already have a pressure regulator, you will want to test the water pressure to see if the regulator is operating properly. In many cases, if you haven’t replaced or tested the pressure regulator in several years, it may need to be repaired or replaced.

Testing the Water Pressure in Your Home

You should test your water pressure on a regular basis to avoid any problems with your plumbing which could result in costly repairs – test monthly or when you notice changes in the pressure. In some cases, the water pressure may fluctuate simply because of higher demand for water in your home or neighborhood during busier times of the day.

Testing your water pressure is as simple as checking the water pressure gauge. Your water pressure should read between 45PSI and 65PSI but can go as low as 40PSI and as high as 70PSI without you having to panic.

If you do not have a pressure gauge you can simply purchase one from a home improvement or hardware store for about $20 or less. Then, attach the gauge to an outdoor or indoor faucet and turn on the water. The gauge will then read the pressure of the water. It is advised to test the pressure on several different faucets to ensure you’re getting the same reading across all areas of your home and to get an accurate reading.

If your water pressure is too high or too low, you may need to repair your water pressure regulator. For assistance with repairs or replacement in the Phoenix metro area, contact Peace of Mind Plumbing.