One of the most common plumbing problems we find during our Home Inspections in Phoenix is leaking water faucets and fixtures. These water leaks may seem like minor problems but over time, they can add up to cost you allot of money not to mention the wasted water. Water leaks at plumbing fixtures are the easiest leaks to find by they may not be the worst leaks that are happening. The purpose of this article is to discuss water loss and not the damage caused by hidden water leaks, I will discuss that in another post.
To many people a leaking faucet means either replacement of the faucet or expensive repairs by a plumber, while this is sometimes the case it is not always true. If you don’t feel comfortable working on the plumbing system in your home, you should definitely have a plumber perform these repairs for you.
- Kitchen and Bathroom faucet leaks: Kitchen and bathroom faucets have internal seals that wear out over time, replacement of these seals will usually stop a faucet from leaking. If the faucets internal cartridge valve has been damaged it may need to be replaced to stop the leaking.
- Toilets: If the toilet is constantly running you should first replace the flapper valve in the tank. If this doesn’t fix the problem you should adjust the float so that the tank stops filling before the water level overflows into the standpipe. If you have external leaks from the toilet you should repair these immediately to prevent damage to the surrounding areas, leaks from the base can usually be removing the toilet and replacing the wax ring. Leaks from between the tank and bowl can be repaired by replacing the rubber seal, you can find these parts at a home improvement store.
- Exterior water faucets (hose-bibs): Besides the normal water leaks, exterior faucets often leak from around the handle when they are turned on. Depending on the condition of the faucet and the way it is installed it may be easier to replace the entire faucet instead of repairing it. These faucets are relatively cheap and easy to replace.
- Sprinkler system leaks: Sprinkler systems are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to water leaks, they are difficult to find and often go unnoticed. One way to find out if you have a leak in your sprinkler system is to check your water meter. Make sure all water using appliances are turned off in the home and that the sprinkler system is turned off. Go to your water meter and find the small tenths indicator (usually a rotating indicator). If this indicator is moving with all water shut off it indicates that there is a leak somewhere. Now go shut off the sprinkler system water supply shutoff valve. If the indicator stops moving, you have a leak in your sprinkler system. If the indicator continues to move, you have a leak somewhere else in the plumbing supply system.
I have just covered a few of the most common types of water leaks that we typically find during our home inspections in Phoenix. To save money, water and your home from damage you should be proactive in making sure you don’t have any water leaks in your home.
This information was provided by Southwest Premier Home Inspection, the Phoenix Arizona Home Inspection Leader. Visit our website at www.swpHomeInspect.com or call us at 623-203-0106 to schedule your Home Inspection in Phoenix.
