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”

How to Prevent Slow Water Leaks From Your Toilet Tank

When you prevent slow water leaks from your toilet, you can potentially save hundreds of gallons of water a day. A leak between the tank and bowl that keeps a toilet running continuously wastes about two gallons of water a minute. However, even silent toilet leaks are big wasters. While a leak may be caused by a hairline crack in your tank—generally, this means a new toilet is in your immediate future—in the overwhelming majority of cases, the problem is a defective fill valve or a worn tank flapper.  Contact a professional plumber and let him know what kind of problems you're experiencing. After ruling out a cracked tank, here’s how he’ll replace tank valves to prevent slow water leaks from your toilet:

• After the water supply is shut off, your plumber will flush the toilet to empty your tank. He’ll then use a sponge to soak up residual water from the tank.

• Underneath the tank, your plumber will disconnect the water supply line from the fill valve, and then remove the jamb nut securing the valve. Pulling the water supply line downward out of the fill valve, he can then remove the valve from the tank.

• With the replacement fill valve correctly positioned inside the tank, your plumber will install a new gasket at the bottom of the valve before hand-tightening the jamb nut to secure it in place. Your plumber will then reconnect your water supply line.

• The rubber flapper valve inside the tank is operated by a chain extending from the flush lever. Your plumber will remove the valve from its mounting tab on the overflow tube, and then unhook the chain from the flush lever. Afterwards, he'll install the new flapper valve on the mounting tabs before attaching the chain to the flush lever.

• After water is restored at the shut-off valve, your plumber will observe the tank refilling and check for leaks. He’ll then test the flushing action and adjust the new fill valve, if necessary, to ensure that your tank fills to the proper level.

You can schedule professional service to prevent slow water leaks from your toilet by contacting Air Assurance in the Tulsa metropolitan area today.

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: “Africa-Studio/Shutterstock”

Sewer Problems? Check Out the Top 3 Reasons

Sewer Problems? Check Out the Top 3 Reasons

Water leaks and backed up water are among the most common sewer problems in Oklahoma homes. If you try to use your tub, toilet or sink and find that water isn’t draining the way you expect it to, one of these top three reasons could be the cause.

Drain blockage

This is the most common cause for all sewer problems. A blocked drain is most likely the reason behind backed up water if the issue affects an individual drain. Your options include clearing the blockage yourself or seeking the help of a professional plumber.

Help prevent drain blockage in the future by doing the following:

• Only flush human waste and toilet paper (even tissues and paper towels can clog the toilet)

• Never pour grease down the drain

• Place strainers in tub drains and sinks without garbage disposals

Cracked or collapsed lines

Old pipes have a tendency to crack or even completely collapse. Sewer problems generating from this cause require professional help. While images of digging equipment in your yard may come to mind, look into no-dig technology to fix the problem.

Tree roots

Finicky toilets that clog for no reason or sinks that always drain slowly could be caused by tree roots. Over time, roots can wreak havoc on a sewer system by growing around pipes and crushing them. They can even grow through pipes and cause clogging and backed up water.

Only trust a professional plumber to take care of tree root problems. Ask for a thorough investigation of the sewer problems, which may include video inspection, so you can make an informed decision regarding what types of repairs are necessary.

Be sure the professionals you hire understand that it’s only appropriate to remove roots in late winter/early spring before the trees bud. After all, haphazard cuts could damage or kill the trees on your property.

To learn more about identifying and solving sewer problems, please contact Air Assurance in Broken Arrow today. We opened our doors in 1985, and today we’re proud to serve the Tulsa metropolitan area with our team of more than 60 qualified members.

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).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Avert Disaster And Detect Damaging Leaks With A Water Alarm

Household water leaks happen. When they do, they often happen in locations where residents aren’t aware of it until major damage is done. A one-eighth-inch hole in a corroded water supply line of the type commonly routed through a basement can leak 2,500 gallons of water in just 24 hours. Damage to possessions, electrical systems and even the home’s structure and foundation may occur without warning to occupants. Other areas of your home vulnerable to damaging water leaks include utility rooms with washing machines, hot water heater closets and high-energy heat pumps. Water alarms are self-contained electronic detectors that may be installed in any accessible area of your home. The devices are available in both passive and active models. Passive detectors function on a 9-volt battery and offer the flexibility to be located in areas without convenient AC power. The unit is placed at floor level in proximity to any potential leak source and activates a very high-decibel audio alarm when moisture is present. Since the majority of catastrophic indoor water leaks begin with simple dripping, a passive water alarm alerts residents to take action before a minor situation becomes a disaster.But what if you’re not home when it happens? Active water alarms take the necessary action for you. In addition to audible alarms, active units go the extra step of automatically turning off the water supply to the house in the event of a leak. These alarms may be stand-alone systems or integrated into a whole-house alarm circuit including fire and burglar alarms. Features of active water alarms include multiple water sensors to detect leakage in several locations and digital control panels offering different modes such as “At-Home” and “Away” to vary the alarm and response.You wouldn’t live without a smoke detector to guard your life. Don’t live without the protection of a water alarm to preserve your home and possessions. For residents of the Tulsa/Broken Arrow area, the professionals at Air Assurance Heating & Air Conditioning are available for advice on alarm systems to detect water leaks before damage occurs. Contact us today!Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!     Preventative Maintenance image via Shutterstock

Protect Your Home From Water Leaks By Setting The Water Alarm

Nobody questions the practicality of having a smoke alarm, nor would they question a burglar alarm, but how many people have a water alarm? The fact is that water can cause a lot of damage, just like fire or burglaries. In fact, there is a far greater likelihood of your home suffering damage from water than from fire. These alarms detect flooding, and alert the homeowner to leaks and to the presence of water in much the same way that a good smoke alarm does: with an extremely loud alarm.These devices can be placed in kitchen cabinets, in attics and in basements to alert homeowners of flooding and water seepage. The leaks that cause the most damage are the ones that are not caught in time. With a water leak alarm, you get a chance to rescue belongings and repair the leak before any really serious damage occurs. If you have ever dealt with flooding before, you know how crucial it is to have warning early on.Note that flood damage does not occur only when there is heavy rain. A water alarm can be placed around appliances like washers and water heaters to warn you if any one of these devices springs a leak. Broken pipes are not an uncommon occurrence either. Imagine your basement flooded from a broken pipe while you are away at work, or worse, while you're on vacation for a week.After investing in a home, it makes good sense to protect it by getting an affordable water leak detection device that can preserve the value of your property and belongings. If you are in the Broken Arrow/Tulsa area of Oklahoma, feel free to contact Air Assurance for advice on getting a water alarm system. Our job for the last 30 years has been to ensure that you get maximum enjoyment of your home and we have many satisfied customerswho can testify to that.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!      Photo courtesy ofShutterstock.