Tips for Tracing & Fixing Water Leaks in Your Broken Arrow Home

Fixing water leaks means finding them first. Both tasks tend to be a job for a professional plumber with the experience to know where to look and the expertise to repair the leak. However, the average homeowner can expedite the process of fixing water leaks by noting patterns of leakage that may help narrow down the cause.  Here are some common signs of leakage to look for.

Tub and Shower LeakageSigns of water escaping the tub/shower enclosure include:

• Floor material or tiles loosening

• Peeling paint and/or spots of mold or mildew

• Water stains on ceilings below

Deteriorated caulking around the enclosure frame and degraded rubber door seals and gaskets are items that may be replaced by a plumber.

Under-Sink Leaks

Evidence of water damage under sinks may originate from one of three locations:

• Rim leaks: If the rim surrounding the sink is caulked, caulking must be renewed. The plumber can also tighten sink mounting clips to pull the sink against the countertop for a better seal.

• Supply line leaks: The water line connection at the shut-off valve or the faucet may leak under pressure. A plumber will tighten the compression nut. If leakage persists, he’ll shut off the water, disassemble and coat the connection with Teflon joint sealant, then reassemble.

• Drain pipe leaks: Connections between the drain pipe and u-shaped sink trap are often seepage sites. Where tightening the slip joint connection isn’t effective, the plumber may install a new drain pipe and/or trap and seal threads with Teflon tape.

Leaky Toilet Flange

Leakage can occur at the joint between the toilet and the drain pipe installed in the floor. While minimal seepage may enter the bathroom, leakage at this joint in an upper level will stain the ceiling below. Otherwise, the first evidence may be deterioration of the wooden floor structure beneath the toilet.Removal of the toilet by a professional plumber, replacement of damaged structural components and renewal of the wax seal ring are required to resolve leakage.

Leave finding and fixing water leaks to the professionals. In greater Tulsa, contact the experts at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Steve-Cukrov/Shutterstock”

Top 4 Plumbing Emergencies and How to Prevent, Fix Them

Some of the most common plumbing problems can be prevented or fixed by the average homeowner. Here are the top four plumbing emergencies that you can handle on your own.

Clogs

A simple plunger can be used to force most clogs down a toilet, sink or tub. The key is suction. For a toilet you simply have to place a plunger over the drain and pump until the clog is clear. For sinks and tubs, you need to block the air escapes with a wet towel to ensure a vacuum is created. If the clog can't be dislodged with a plunger, you can use a hand cranked snake to cut through the clog material. If it is a sink, you can remove the drain trap beneath the sink and clear it manually.

Leaky Faucet

Faucets generally leak from the handle. This is a sign that the o-ring is broken. Turn off the water to the faucet and remove the cover from the faucet. Pull out the faucet stem assembly to reveal the o-ring. Remove the o-ring and replace it with a new one. Replace the stem assembly and faucet cover.

Leaky Toilet

Toilets can leak from the base or from the reservoir tank. A leak at the base indicates a broken wax seal. To replace it, turn off the water to the toilet, take out the two screws that hold the base down and lift away the toilet. Scrape away the remaining wax and place a new wax ring. Then replace the toilet and re-tighten the screws.

A leaking reservoir is usually due to a bad flapper seal. This is the seal that is attached to the flush mechanism. Clean the area around the flapper. If the flapper is damaged, you'll have to install a new one. Most just snap in place.

Broken Pipes

Broken pipes will need to be professionally replaced but you can stop the leak until the repair is done. Wrap the leak in duct tape or a pipe patch kit.

If you have larger plumbing emergencies, or just want a professional to take care of these for you, contact Air Assurance, satisfying our Broken Arrow customers since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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