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Tips for Water Line Leak Detection

Hidden Pipe Leaks Can Cause Extensive Damage

The home’s plumbing system connects underground pipes to the main city sewer and water lines. There could be various reasons why an underground pipe springs a leak, including tree roots growing into the pipes. Whatever the reason, homeowners need to fix underground plumbing leaks as soon as possible.

When an underground plumbing leak is left in a state of disrepair, the soil around the home’s foundation can become so damp and soft from the water that it causes the foundation to shift. Water damage to the house can be extremely costly to repair. Homeowners should be aware of underground water leak signs to prevent worsening damage.

Signs of an Underground Water Leak

Puddles of water in the yard
Patches of tall grass
Increased water bills
Sound of running water
Low water pressure

One visual indicator of a hidden water leak is puddles of water springing up in the yard. There could be patches of grass that grow higher than the other grass because that area is getting more moisture from the underground leak. The homeowner may notice an increase in utility bills as the leaking pipe wastes water.

The plumbing fixtures may also show signs of an issue inside the house. The plumbing system is all connected, which means that a leak in one area of the plumbing will affect other parts of the system. An underground pipe leak could cause poor water pressure from showerheads or sink faucets.

Check the Water Meter

It can be challenging to determine an underground pipe leak because the pipes are hidden away from sight. Checking the home’s water meter could reveal whether or not there is a hidden leak somewhere in the plumbing system. Homeowners should start by shutting off the main water supply.

Once the valve to the water line is shut off, the homeowner should watch to see what the water meter does. If the water meter shows that water is still running even with the water line shut off, this indicates a leak in the waterline.

Schedule Water Line Leak Detection Service

The best way to figure out what is wrong with the plumbing system and quickly get it fixed is to call a trusted local plumber. Homeowners should always have a dependable plumber a phone call away in plumbing emergencies. Professional plumbers can quickly use a leak detector to find the underground leak source.

One of the hardest parts of underground water leak repair is finding where the leak is located without disrupting the home’s yard or foundation. Plumbing companies armed with the latest technology can find leaks in underground water pipes fast and get them fixed more efficiently.

About Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer

Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer provides the residents of West Covina, CA, and the surrounding areas with solutions to their plumbing problems that are fixed right the first time. They offer upfront pricing, emergency service, and on-time arrival. Call them today for water leak detection services in El Monte, CA.

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Look Out for Outdoor Plumbing Blockages This Spring!

What Every Homeowner Needs To Know About Outdoor Plumbing Clogs

Most everyone has experienced a clogged toilet or a backed-up sink drain. After all, clogged pipes are among the most common plumbing problems. On the other hand, outdoor drain clogs are a little less common – but no less frustrating. In some cases, a blocked outdoor pipe can result in sickly vegetation, ruined landscapes, flooding, and even foundation problems.

That’s why homeowners should be aware of the signs of an outdoor pipe clog, common causes, and how to fix (or better yet, prevent) it. Homeowners should keep reading to learn all they need to know about outdoor plumbing clogs!

Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures – An Overview

Before diving into the signs and causes of clogs, it’s best to have a basic understanding of the various outdoor plumbing systems. Hose bibs and outdoor faucets are typically connected to the home via underground copper pipes. Sprinkler/irrigation systems usually consist of a network of small plastic pipes or flexible tubing buried several inches underground, fed by the home’s main water supply. This is generally the case for fountains, ponds, and other water features.

Pool plumbing involves larger underground PVC pipes that carry water in a circuit between the pool and its pump. Pool plumbing is usually connected to the home’s water main to auto-fill the pool. Landscape drains are usually wide PVC or plastic drain pipes that carry excess water from a driveway or low point in the yard down to the street gutter.

How Outdoor Pipes Get Clogged

Hose bib clogs are fairly rare and are usually the result of mineral deposits inside the water lines. Weak water flows from an outdoor faucet may also be caused by a leak rather than a clog. Similarly, little or no water coming from irrigation drip lines or sprinkler heads may result from an underground leak, but they could also be a clog. Dirt or other debris may have gotten into the water lines through a small puncture hole or damaged component. Alternatively, the water lines may have been infiltrated or collapsed by roots or compacted soil.

The same factors can also cause clogs in the fountain, pond, or pool pipes, but a more likely scenario is that debris has been sucked into one of the suction lines leading to the pump. These systems have grates or pre-filters to prevent this, but some things can slip through or the grates themselves can become clogged if not cleaned often enough. This is also a common cause of clogs in landscape drains.

How To Clear a Pipe Clog

It’s always best to prevent clogs by keeping drains clean and taking care not to damage sprinkler heads or exposed irrigation system components – but when clogs do occur, it’s good to know what to do. In the case of a hose bib clogged with mineral deposits, the only solution may be to replace the pipes altogether. If the issue is a buildup of debris on a drain grate, whether in a pool, artificial pond, or landscape drain, the fix may be as simple as clearing the obstruction by hand.

However, with an underground pipe clog, things can get a little more complicated. Locating the source of the clog isn’t always easy, and fixing it may involve excavating whole sections of pipe to repair or replace them. Even once the problem has been identified, the pipe will need to be flushed of any debris, which can require more pressure than the average garden hose can provide.

This is why it’s probably a good idea to consider hiring a pro to handle most underground pipe clogs. Professional plumbers have specialized tools to clear pipe clogs quickly and safely. They can use special rooter machines to cut invading roots out of pipes or hydro-jetting machines to blast through obstructions and flush out pipes with a high-powered water nozzle. So unless the problem is obvious (such as a drain grate covered in soggy leaves), outdoor pipe clogs are typically a problem best left to the pros!

About Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer

Since its founding in 1986, Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer has earned countless 5-star reviews and an A+ BBB rating with its exceptional customer service and unbeatable workmanship. Their licensed, insured, and bonded technicians always arrive on time in fully-stocked trucks and get the job done right the first time. They guarantee 100% satisfaction on every job and are available 24/7 for emergency service – so don’t wait to call them for drain cleaning and clogged pipe repair in West Covina, CA!

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Women Pioneers in the Plumbing Industry

Facts About Women in Plumbing to Celebrate Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, take a moment and learn some facts about the contribution of women plumbers. Here are some facts shared by local plumbers to celebrate women’s accomplishments.

Women in the Modern Plumbing Business

It’s no secret that most trade work is a male-dominated industry, and plumbing is no exception. Since modern plumbing became ubiquitous in structures over a century ago, men have mostly run the industry. The glass ceiling in plumbing was broken back in the 1950s when the first woman in the country became a licensed master plumber. Back then, the work was harder than it is today because one did most plumbing with metal pipes and hot lead solder.

Despite this early success for women, estimates say that only about 5% of the total plumbing workforce is female. This statistic is misleading because it likely includes females in leadership or office support roles and licensed female plumbers. In the modern plumbing environment, conditions can be tough, but they aren’t as intimidating as they once were. Jobsite conditions have improved massively since the 1950s, and most plumbing materials are modern plastics and are joined with easy-to-use couplings. For women that are interested in a career with paid training and massive advancement opportunities, they shouldn’t overlook the opportunities in the plumbing field.

Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Plumber’s Union

When the National Association of Plumbers first began to hold nationwide conferences, they had one problem: how to keep the plumber’s wives entertained? Thus the Ladies Auxiliary Committee was formed. At first, it was run by men who selected activities for the union member’s wives, like taking a ride in an automobile and shopping in 1910. Soon, the leadership was turned over to the women whom the committee served, and they quickly got to work revolutionizing plumbing in the US.

Their most notable accomplishment was using their lobbying power and influence to require sanitation facilities at gas stations and restaurants. In 1938, the group partnered with Texaco to have public bathrooms installed in fill-up stations. Texaco used the idea in their advertising, and it caught on in gas stations and restaurants. It’s hard to imagine a world without public sanitation facilities, but bathrooms are the norm worldwide due to the committee’s hard work.

The Pretty Plumber

The pioneer for women in the plumbing field was Lillian Baumbach, a young girl. At age 21, she sat for her master plumber’s test and passed on the first attempt, a feat that not every plumber can claim. She apprenticed through her father’s plumbing and was a regular on his job sites from a young age. Not wanting to be treated any differently, she usually would tuck her long hair into her cap and wear heavy coveralls to obscure her identity. When other men on the job site found out she was a woman, they were always surprised.

The passing of her test gave her nationwide notoriety. Her feat earned her an interview with Walter Cronkite, and it garnered the attention of eligible bachelors. She maintained correspondence with 250 soldiers on the front line in Korea and was selected as the pin-up girl for an infantry company.

About Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer

Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer has a “fix it right the first time guarantee.” Their technicians make plumbing repairs and installations easy with responsive emergency service and upfront pricing. Call today for fast plumbing service in Covina, CA.

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How to Keep a Leaky Faucet From Ruining the Mood

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Leaky Faucet

A dripping faucet can lead to many issues. Some of the problems are just a nuisance, but others may cause significant damage to the home and even pose health safety risks. In this article, plumbing experts share some of the dangers homeowners should be on the lookout for, along with simple repair tips to protect the home.

The Impact of a Dripping Faucet

The biggest issue with continuous leakage is damage. Water can cause the surfaces around the faucet to suffer – countertops, shelving, and floors will be the first to take the hit. The foundation will be next in line if the leak is large enough. Similarly, these damp conditions can lead to mold growth, the biggest danger to homeowner health.

Leaky faucets can waste up to 3,000 gallons a year! To put it into layman’s terms, that would be 180 hot showers wasted. Not to mention this would cause an astronomical water bill. Dripping faucets can increase the water bill up to 10% a month.

Why Is It leaking?

Many problems arise from a leaky faucet, but there may be a few things causing it to leak—corrosion, defective gaskets or o-rings, even down to simple mineral deposits. Corrosion is mainly the deposits in the water that eats away at the metal over time.

Defective o-rings will cause the water to spurt since the rubber keeping the faucet sealed is now loose. Another issue could be mineral deposits in the faucet. This buildup consists of calcium salts that move through the pipes and back up in the faucet.

Fixing the Leak

A quick tip to fix a corroded faucet is to let it sit in vinegar for a few minutes to loosen up the corroded pieces. Once loose enough, scrub with a sponge, repeat if corrosion is still there.

There are a few more steps involved when replacing the sink cartridge. The first thing is to turn off the water beneath the sink. Ensure that the valve is completely closed before proceeding. Turn the hot and cold valves on full force until water no longer drips into the sink. This allows the water in the pipes to empty completely. Remove the handle covers; this will expose the screws beneath. Unscrew them. Pull straight up to remove them once the screws are removed.

The cartridge should be visible; it is a plastic cylinder with notches on the side. Pull the cartridge out. Once it is out, look inside the faucet for the o-ring. If it doesn’t slip off, it can be cut. Clean any debris from the faucet, and be sure to clean up any excess water.

Now it’s time to add the new cartridge and reassemble the sink. Check with the manufacturer when completing this process, as it differs based on the sink type.

About Daniel Cordova Plumbing

Since 2011, Daniel Cordova has been an expert plumber with 30 years of experience. He currently services a long list of counties throughout West Covina and Glendora. Their expert plumbers can handle any leaky faucet repair and protect the home in the process.