What to Do If You Have a Leaking Pipe Under the Bathroom Sink

When you see a pool of water on the bathroom floor by the cabinet or inside the bathroom cabinet, it means you have that dreaded circumstance you may have Googled before: "leaking pipe under bathroom sink." The first thing to do is turn off the hot and cold water valves under the sink. Next, you may be thinking you're going to have to call a plumber. Well, if you're handy with simple tools, this guide to troubleshooting bathroom-pipe leaks may save you a plumbing service call.

Diagnose the Source

The first step in repairing that "leaking pipe under bathroom sink" is locating the leak. There are six possible sources: the hot- and cold-water shut-off valves, the hot- and cold-water hose connections, the drain assembly, and the P-trap.

Shut-Off Valves Leak

Leaky hot- and cold-water shut-off valves must be replaced. You'll need to turn off the water main. Shut-off valves are either soldered on, which requires a plumber to fix, or screwed on with a compression fitting. If it's screwed on, simply purchase a new valve and replace it.

Water-Hose Leak

If the dreaded "leaking pipe under bathroom sink" is one of the hot- and cold-water hoses, it may be possible to troubleshoot the leak yourself. Use a pair of pliers to tighten the connection. If that doesn't work, unscrew the hose and see if the gasket is worn and needs to be replaced.

Drain Leak

Drain-assembly leaks are the most difficult to repair and will likely require you to call your plumber. To fix this type of "leaking pipe under bathroom sink," the P-trap is removed first and then the drain is removed. Wrap the drain threads with plumber's tape and reinstall the drain and P-trap.

P-trap Leak

The P-trap is the curved-shaped pipe beneath the drain. Two compression nuts hold the P-trap together. If the leak is coming from one of the nuts, tighten it by hand, and if that doesn't work, use pliers to tighten the nut.

If you need a professional plumber for that "leaking pipe under bathroom sink," contact Air Assurance!

What Is the Connection Between Plumbing and HVAC?

The connection between plumbing and your HVAC system may not seem obvious at first. Though your household pipes don’t generate heating or cooling, your HVAC components do produce water — sometimes a lot of it — that requires plumbing to drain it all away properly. 

Two parts of the cooling and/or heating system need plumbing connections to convey water out of the house:

• Central AC. Humidity reduction is an essential part of the cooling process in a central air conditioner. The indoor evaporator coil in the AC can condense many gallons of condensate water every day during operation in hot, humid summer conditions. This condensate drips down into a collection pan beneath the indoor air handler, then flows through a pipe connected to the household drain system.

• High-efficiency furnace. Unlike standard-efficiency furnaces, high-efficiency models incorporate a secondary heat exchanger that extracts extra heat by condensing water vapor that's present in the furnace exhaust airflow. This water collects in a plastic reservoir, then is taken by gravity through a sloped drain tube and is discharged outside the house.

What Can Go Wrong?

A clogged central AC drain pipe, often a result of algae or mold growth inside the condensate collection pan, will rapidly overflow every time the air conditioner cycles on. Because the location of the pan is beneath the air handler, occupants of the house may not notice the ongoing overflow before substantial water damage to the floor and adjoining area has occurred.

A high-efficiency furnace has a safety sensor that detects clogs in the water drain tube. If drainage stops, the sensor will automatically shut down the unit. Heating function cannot be restarted until the clog issue is resolved by an HVAC service technician. 

Prevention Is Preferable

Annual preventative maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor includes addressing plumbing issues that may affect heating and cooling systems. The service includes an inspection and cleaning to support proper function of both the AC condensate pan and drain pipe, as well as the high-efficiency furnace drain system.

For professional service to prevent or repair plumbing issues associated with your HVAC system, contact Air Assurance.

What Brands of Pipes Are Best for Your Home?

The plumbing pipes in your home supply water to different areas and rooms. Since these pipes serve an important purpose, you should make sure you have the right type and the best brand of pipes. Otherwise, you might end up with plumbing problems that can cause serious damage to your home, such as major leaks. Keep the following information about pipes in mind, including pipe brands.

Types of Plumbing Pipes

Plumbing pipes come in different kinds of materials. Certain materials work better for pipes in specific areas, such as PVC pipes for cold- or warm-water applications. Different kinds of pipes include PVC, chlorinated PVC, copper, PEX, galvanized, and brass.

• PVC pipes are among the most common and can be used for several applications, such as sink drains, toilet drains, bathtub drains, and vent stacks. However, they cannot be used for hot-water applications.

• Chlorinated PVC pipes can be used for hot-water applications and drinking water.

• Copper pipes can be used for cold and hot drinking water and HVAC refrigerant lines.

• PEX pipes can be used for remodeling purposes in older homes.

• Galvanized pipes can be used for water supplies.

• Brass pipes can be used for water supplies, water-removal drains, and other applications, such as gas lines in some locations.

Plumbing Pipe Brands

You’ll find several pipe brands available to choose from. Some of the top brands include American Standard, Elkay, Kohler, Newport Brass, Pfister, and Symmons. Keep in mind that different brands offer different kinds of pipes and pipe materials, and costs can vary widely from brand to brand. The plumbing brand you should get for your home depends on the specific applications you need piping for and other factors, such as the age of your home. Professional plumbers can help you weigh the pros and cons of different brands in order to choose the one that fits your needs best.

If you need more information on choosing the best pipe brands for your Broken Arrow home, please contact Air Assurance.

What Winter Plumbing Issues Are Most Common?

Broken Arrow's cold winter weather tends to amplify certain plumbing issues. Knowing more about these winter plumbing issues, including how to prevent them, helps you save time and money on repairs. Here's a closer look at the common winter plumbing problems you may encounter.

Frozen Pipes

It's not unusual for outdoor and indoor pipes to freeze during the winter months. You can have a buildup of water around your outdoor spigots. Frigid temperatures can make the water freeze, which leads to excess pressure, which can cause your pipes to break or leak.

To prevent your pipes from freezing, disconnect all your garden hoses from exterior taps. Use insulated faucet jackets to cover the taps. If some of your water pipes run along exterior walls behind cabinets, open the cabinets at night to allow warm air to reach them.

Clogged Drains

Increased kitchen use in the winter can cause significant chaos in your plumbing system. Food accumulates more easily in your pipes during the winter.

If your home lacks a garbage disposal, you should throw as many food particles as possible into the trash. Even if you have a garbage disposal, you should throw any questionable food scraps in your trash bin, because your winter comfort foods could solidify in your pipes. Also, grease can significantly damage your pipes. Avoid pouring it down the disposal or drain.

Failing Water Heater

The temperature drop can overtax your water heater. You may suddenly have no hot water due to several reasons. The pilot light on your gas water heater may have gone out. The temperature gauge may not be at the right temperature. Excess residue may also be seeping into your water tank and overstraining your system. You can avoid significant problems by having your heater looked at by a professional early in the season.

Even if you don't have a winter plumbing issue now, it's always a good idea to schedule preventive maintenance to make sure your plumbing system is ready for the winter. For more information on winter plumbing concerns, contact the experienced plumbers at Air Assurance. We offer a range of plumbing services, including repairs, remodels, and a Plumbing Service Plan to ensure your Broken Arrow-area home's plumbing system works correctly.

Learn How to Combat Sudden Water Leaks

There’s nothing like a sudden water leak in your home to cause an anxiety attack. Ruptured pipes, overflows, and other causes can cause substantial losses: Insurance companies pay out an average of $1.2 billion in claims every year due to water damage from indoor sources. Fortunately, like many household hazards, being prepared for a sudden water leak helps reduce panic — as well as potential losses.

Stay Ready

Be prepared to shut off all water to the house quickly in case of a sudden water leak. Know the location of the home’s main water-shut-off valve. Since these valves may become stuck or at least very hard to turn, test the valve twice a year. If it’s difficult to operate, contact a plumber to resolve the problem.

Contain the Damage

Even after the water is shut off, damage continues as water spreads inside the house. Act fast to mop up pooling water before the damage expands to other rooms. Use a mop or even towels to remove water and stop the spread. If an exterior door is nearby, open the door and push pooling water outside with a floor squeegee or a broom.

Prevent Mold

Dormant microscopic spores need only one element to convert into toxic mold growth: water. After a sudden water leak, the clock is ticking. Active mold growth begins contaminating a house within 48 hours. Take prompt steps to remove all water and dry out the home as soon as possible. If the amount of water released is more than a pool limited to the floor of a single room, contact a professional water-damage recovery service.

Stay Safe

Not every sudden water leak originates from a safe source like a broken water supply line or a washing machine. Raw sewage may be involved in plumbing backups that affect a house. Sewage is highly toxic and presents serious health threats. Clean-up is not a job for amateurs. Avoid all contact with sewage and call a professional water-damage service immediately. 

For more advice about dealing with a sudden water leak in your home, contact Air Assurance.

How Can Cold Weather Make Plumbing Issues Worse?

Cold weather plumbing issues can occur anytime temperatures plunge well below freezing for several hours. Here in northeastern Oklahoma, average nightly temperatures drop below freezing about three months each year. In extreme cases, temperatures as low as 15 degrees below zero have been recorded here. In cold weather, plumbing can be exposed to stresses that damage pipes and connected components. Here are tips to ensure that cold weather plumbing issues are not on the calendar this winter. 

Broken Pipes

Frozen pipes may occur when temperatures drop below 25 degrees for several hours. Ice formation inside pipes expands, exerting pressure that may rupture the pipe. A broken water-supply line can flood a house with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, causing expensive damage. In cold weather, plumbing can be protected from freezing by taking a few preventative measures:

• Insulate exposed pipes. Install slip-on, foam-insulation sleeves on pipes that may be exposed to extreme cold, including in the crawl space under the house and in the attic. 

• Look for gaps, cracks, or other penetrations that allow frigid air to infiltrate exterior walls where water pipes are routed. Seal small openings with expanding insulated foam and cover larger openings with wood or other material. 

• If extremely low temperatures are forecast, open kitchen and bathroom faucets slightly to allow a continuing trickle of water. This releases pressure that damages pipes if ice forms inside plumbing.

• A sudden loss of water pressure at one or more faucets during subfreezing temperatures may indicate damage caused by cold weather plumbing issues. Don’t wait for temperatures to rise; contact a qualified professional plumber immediately.

Water-Heater Issues

A water heater installed in an unheated garage or outdoors is vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Protect against cold weather plumbing damage by installing a water-heater-insulating blanket that wraps around the tank. Also, insulate exposed water inlet and outlet pipes connected to the water heater.

For more information about preventing cold weather plumbing damage this winter, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

What Impact Does the Fall Have on Your Home Plumbing?

The fall can give your plumbing system a cold welcome. As temperatures become cooler, there are certain plumbing complications that homeowners tend to encounter. Failure to address the issues could lead to costly repairs during the holidays. Let's go through these fall plumbing problems.

Drain Blockage

If your sink is throwing tantrums in the fall, the leaves in your yard may be to blame. Fallen leaves can enter your drainage system and clog it easily. Traffic, winds, and rains are some of the factors that can play a significant role in piling up those leaves and pushing them into your drainage system. A professional plumber can easily solve this problem by changing your drain cover so that the problem doesn't recur.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes commonly occur in the winter. However, this problem can also occur in the fall as temperatures begin to drop. Water expands when it freezes, which can make your pipes burst.

You can prevent frozen pipes by having a plumber insulate your pipes, for example, with a pipe sleeve. Installing a heat cable or heat tape on exposed pipes will also help.

Water Heater Malfunction

In the fall, the incoming water is colder. When cold water enters your heater, the result could be a temperature drop of around 25 degrees. As you use hot water, cold water gets into the tank. This creates the need for the heater to heat the water constantly.

With the water heater now operating beyond its normal capacity, the chances of it malfunctioning increase. You can save yourself from this issue by having a plumber inspect and insulate all your water heater's pipes.

Fall means the holiday season is approaching. Be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent a plumbing disaster down the line. For more information on avoiding fall plumbing issues, contact Air Assurance. We offer plumbing services such as inspections and emergency repairs to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area.

The Top Three Links between Plumbing and HVAC

Certain HVAC and plumbing links are built into most homes. While we tend to think of these as distinct, separate systems, cooling and heating may interact with plumbing at several points inside your house. Defects can cause problems in either system, including indoor water damage and potential damage to connected HVAC units. Here are some points where HVAC and plumbing links converge inside your home — and what could go wrong. 

AC Overflow

Humidity reduction is a vital part of air conditioning. As the indoor evaporator coil condenses water vapor, it is collected in a condensate drip pan beneath the indoor air handler. This liquid flows through a line that's connected to the household drain system. Problems that occur with HVAC and plumbing links include algae growth in the condensate drip pan clogging the drain line. If this happens, the drip pan will overflow every time the AC cycles on.

Annual preventive maintenance of HVAC and plumbing links by a qualified professional contractor includes an inspection and cleaning of the drip pan and drain line. Biocide tablets may be added to the drip pan to inhibit algae growth and prevent future clogs.

A High-Efficiency Furnace

Furnaces with high AFUE efficiency ratings condense water vapor present in exhaust gases. This condensate flows through typical HVAC and plumbing links, including a drain line that extends to the outdoors or into the home's drain system. A clog anywhere can cause condensate to back up into the furnace, triggering an automatic safety switch that shuts down the furnace. Professional HVAC service is required to clear the clog and then restart the furnace. 

Home Dehumidifiers

A whole-home dehumidifier that's installed inside home ductwork may produce more than 10 gallons of condensate daily. A blockage anywhere in the common HVAC and plumbing links may cause leakage or overflow and resulting water damage where the dehumidifier is located — usually in the attic. Most manufacturers recommend annual dehumidifier preventative maintenance by a qualified professional to avoid clogs and overflow.

For more about potential problems with HVAC and plumbing links — as well as effective solutions — talk to the professionals at Air Assurance.

What to Know About Replacing Your Home's Pipes

Your pipes are essentially your home's circulatory system. They circulate water to and from many essential areas, including the toilet, laundry, showers and bathtubs, bathroom faucets, and the kitchen sink, to name just a few. But if your home was built more than 20 years ago, there's a good chance your plumbing system is nearing the end of its useful life, making it necessary to start thinking about replacing pipes.

Besides age, other factors like lack of maintenance, faulty components, and significant temperature fluctuations can cause your pipes to fail. A plumbing disaster can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Therefore, it's best to identify potential problems that may require you to replace sections of your piping or the entire system before they develop into major issues. The signs below can help you determine if it's time to replace your home's plumbing.

Leakage

Leaks — even small ones — can be a sign of deteriorating pipes. This is particularly true for older homes with plumbing systems that have undergone wear and tear without ever being repaired. And considering the fact that your pipes consist of the same material and have faced the same usage patterns, it's probably a matter of time before the leaks show up in other parts of the system. Indications of leaking pipes include:

• Growth of mold and mildew on walls, floors, or ceilings.

• Musty odors.

• Bubbling or blistering paint on ceilings or walls.

• Discoloration of exposed pipes.

Water Discoloration

If the water from your faucets is brown or yellow, that's a sign of decay inside your pipes. The pipes leave rust as water flows through them. You'll need to have your plumbing inspected soon, as extensively corroded pipes can start leaking quickly.

Low Water Pressure

Is water flow weak in several parts of your home? There may be corrosion or blockages inside your pipes that are interfering with water pressure.

Green or Sunken Patches in Your Yard

Leaking sewer drains can cause sunken areas in your yard or one section to be greener than its surroundings. Invasive tree roots or degrading piping materials may be responsible for the leak.

If you spot any of these irregularities, call a plumber to do a thorough inspection of your system. For more information on replacing pipes, contact Air Assurance. We offer a wide variety of plumbing services to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area.