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What are slab leak repairs? 

Most homes are built on a cement slab and the plumbing often runs under or through that slab. When the ground shifts during an earthquake, it can cause a pipe to bust, damaging the slab. This is when slab leak repairs are needed. 

Slab leak repair is the process cutting the water lines that go into the slab and cap the lines off.  Then the plumber will install new water line, bypassing the slab so that water is being delivered throughout the house. 

What are the signs of a slab leak? 

There are five indications that you may need slab leak repair or more: 

• The Water Bill

If you notice that your water has suddenly increased for no apparent reason, this could indicate any type of plumbing matter, include a slab leak. Repairing the problem sooner than later is a must to minimize any further structural damage. 

• Hotspots in the Floor

If you notice hot spots in the floor could be an indication you need slap leak repair, especially if the hot spot in certain spot of the floor and that room is humid or warm. Another concern, if the spot is warm, that means it is a hot water slab leak, repairs will include the cold and hot water lines as well as the slab. 

• Excess Exterior Moisture

When you have a slab leak, it can only spread so far within the slab and under your home. This means it will eventually start leaking around your home. The telltale sign of this is puddles of water around the foundation of your home, standing water when there hasn’t been any rain or lawn watering, etc. 

• Running Water

If you’re hearing running water constantly but there isn’t any faucet or spigot turned on, you definitely haves a plumbing issue, and most likely will need slab leak repair. 

• Ceiling & Walls

If you’re noticing cracks in the ceiling and along the walls, it could be your house is settling. It can also be indication you need slab leak repair. If you notice any of the other indications listed here along with these cracks, good chance it the slab. 

What causes slab leaks?

A slab leak repair could be needed because of various factors that cause the slab leak. This can include improper pipe installation and poor construction, weak water lines, soil shifting, or chemical reactions between the pipe metal and the metals in the ground. 

How do plumber detect a slab leak location? 

The days of plumbers randomly digging up your yard are gone. Today, there is a range of equipment they use for leak detection. The most common is the acoustic disc and ground microphone. This equipment can hear water running through concrete, enabling them to narrow down where the leak is located. Other methods they use include: 

• Pressure sensors that can detect changes in the foundation’s temperature and pressure by scanning. 
• Video pipe cameras are the most popular and powerful tool because it gives the plumber a view of the problem from inside the pipes. 

How is a slab leak repaired? 

Plumbers have two methods of slab leak repairs: 

• Run new water line next to the existing one, bypassing the leaking pipe. 
• Insert pipe lining in the existing that seals any cracks and restrengthens the existing pipe. 

How long does it take to repair a slab leak? 

Most slab leak repairs can be within 3 to 4 hours, but when the leak is further under the house, it could take up to 2 days. They will need to locate the leak, determine the severity of the damage, and then make the repairs to the pipe. In earlier days, they would have to jack hammer the slab up inside your home, and this process could take a couple of weeks to complete the entire process.

An Ounce of Prevention? 

As a homeowner, you want to do what you can to prevent having these expensive repairs again. Like keeping trees trimmed back from the roof, the gutters cleaned, and the chimney swept, is there anything you can to prevent needing slab leak repairs? Yes, there are some preventive measures you can take that will minimize the chances of needing slap leak repair. Those measures include: 

• Keep the water pressure consistent.
• Keep the water pressure appropriate to the plumbing system.
• Avoid using chemical drain cleaners.

JIG PLUMBING provides professional slab leak repair in Chino, CA. Call 844-899-9054 to learn more.

Problem One: The Running Toilet

A continuously running toilet is probably the top common problem for homeowners. There is nothing more annoying than the toilet running during the night, even if it hasn’t been used. Not just the sound, but what that wasted water is doing to your water bill!

So, what causes toilets to run and how can you fix it? Usually, it is the flapper inside the tank that is the culprit. When the toilet is flushed, the flapper raises up and allows water to fill the toilet bowl. The flapper seals the water tank so that water is filling the toilet bowl when the toilet isn’t being used. 

There are kits available at hardware stores and home improvement stores that include a flapper. Simply replace the flapper and make sure the chain that holds it is the right length will stop the toilet from constantly running.

Problem Two: Water Running Too Long

Sometimes, after a flush, water keeps filling the tank, but there isn’t water overflowing, so where is that water going? Remove the lid and you’ll see that the water is flowing into the overflow tube, and yes, it is wasting the natural resource of water and increasing your water bill.

Check the fill valve first, you may be able to lower the water level for an easy toilet repair. The fill valve is inside the tank and turns the water off and on with each flush. This part deteriorates over time and needs to be replaced.  If this doesn’t stop the water from flowing into the overflow tube, you may need to replace the internal rubber gaskets.

What happens if you don’t fix a running toilet? In addition to causing your water bill to increase more and more, it can start causing water damage to your home. Again, there are toilet repair kits that have gaskets and seals to fit most toilets and can be an easy toilet repair for a homeowner.

Problem Three: Toilet Leaking

If the toilet has water leaking, not only is that going to cause your water bill to increase, but there is also the possibility of water damage happening. However, detecting toilet water leaks can be hard to detect the exact issue before you can attempt any toilet repair steps. Possible problems can include the following:

• Pipes Corroded
• Bolts loosened or missing
• Cracked porcelain
• Water supply line
• Damaged or worn gaskets
• Connectors
• Broken or worn seals

Problem Four: The Toilet Handle

A loose-feeling toilet handle can often indicate a problem. When you flush the toilet, the handle should have some resistance as it pulls the chain connected to the flapper inside the tank.

Remove the tank lid and make sure the handle is firmly attached. Make sure the chain isn’t too long between the handle and the flapper. Sometimes, a toilet repair is nothing more than replacing the chain. If you have a newer toilet, there may not be a chain inside the tank. In this case, you’ll need to call a plumber to perform a toilet repair.

Problem Five: Toilet Doesn’t Flush

When the toilet doesn’t flush, it can be an uncomfortable situation. But because there aren’t that many parts to a toilet, finding the culprit can be pretty easy.  

Start by checking the chain and flapper, making sure they are properly connected to each other and the handle. Next, check there is water supplied to the toilet and there is water in the tank.

What would keep a toilet from flushing properly?

When a toilet isn’t flushing correctly, or at all, there are 5 possibilities that could be causing this:

• There is a clog in the trap
• The flapper is worn out
• The chain and flapper need adjusting or replacing
• The rim jets are blocked rim jets

What causes toilets to stop working?

The most common reason a toilet quits working is that something was flushed down it that shouldn’t have been and created a clog, or sometimes it could be caused by tree roots in the sewer line. If there isn’t a clog, you’ll need to call a plumber to inspect the sewer line for damage. So, what can you flush down a toilet? The three P’s of human waste includes pee, poo and paper (toilet paper only).

Is fixing a toilet expensive?

If you can do your own toilet repair, the cost of your patience, time, and any parts needed, do not cost near the amount of a plumber. Yes, if you have to call a plumber, their rates can vary from hourly to a flat rate per job. Calling a plumber after hours or on holidays will typically cost 3 times more than standard rates.

What is the most important part of a toilet?

Hands down, (or bottom down), the toilet bowl is considered the most important part of a toilet. This has a simple design that is genius, allowing us to get rid of our human waste with ease.

Does Your Toilet Ever Expire?

In other words, when do you need to replace a toilet? There are 6 things that are telling you it is time to forgo another toilet repair and replace the unit:

1. Constantly clogs
2. Cracks in the porcelain.
3. Multiple repairs.
4. The toilet is over 10 years old.
5. Damage to the surface.
6. Mineral deposits build up.

If you believe that you might be in need of toilet repair or replacement, give our team a call today!

Does tap water need to be filtered?

In most of this country and Canada, drinking tap water from a municipal water source is safe. There are required measures and steps that public water sources must follow with drinking water treatment that makes it just as safe as bottled water and provides the essential minerals that are recommended.

Municipal water is typically treated with chlorine or chloramine. This is to prevent contamination from dangerous bacteria and viruses. But many of us wonder if is it safe to consume that much chlorine. Here are some things you know if chlorine could affect your water and your health:

• The chlorine level in your drinking water is non-toxic.
• Trihalomethanes form when water and some natural compounds come in contact with each other.
• Studies have found there is a possible connection between trihalomethanes, birth defects, and some cancers.
• Sometimes, chlorine can be noticed by smell and/or taste, making it unpleasant to consume.
• Purchasing bottled water adds to the pollution and can be expensive.
• Chlorine can dry out your hair and skin.

Does filtering tap water do anything?

Our bodies are approximately 70% water, making it more important that we consume water versus food. If water isn’t filtered, purified, or treated, it can be a health hazard. Fortunately, the government has requirements in place for the water coming into our homes to be treated. And, we also have access to advanced drinking water treatment in the way of water filtration systems and water filters.

Like anything though, before you purchase a drinking water treatment system for your home, you want to know what benefits are to be expected. The following are just a few of the benefits you can expect by upgrading your home with a drinking water treatment system:

• Cost Effective

By having a drinking water treatment system installed to filter the tap water is an upfront investment, but in the long run, it is less expensive than purchasing bottled water. What many of us don’t realize, bottled water is tap water that was filtered as it filled the bottles.  

• Environmental Benefits

Bottled water pollutes the environment. It takes three hundred years for plastic bottles to degrade. It takes three times the water to produce the bottle than to fill the bottle. Drinking water treatment will minimize this addition to the pollution problem we have today.

• Removes Impurities

Water impurities and dangerous contaminants are removed with a drinking water treatment system like chlorine, disinfection byproducts, arsenic, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals can cause health issues. A drinking water treatment will ensure that things that are healthy and safe for you like calcium, fluoride, magnesium, and zinc remain in the water while removing toxins and preventing limescale build-up.

• Water Smells and Tastes Better

A drinking water treatment system will make tap water smell and taste better after the impurities are removed. This makes the water refreshing and desirable to consume.

• Health Booster

Because you’ll drink more water that smells and taste good, your health will improve. Your hair and skin are hydrated, and your body gets nutrition and is detoxed, which can lead to better digestion and weight loss. A drinking water treatment system will purify your water which will improve your immune system and your mental health function.

What is the healthiest way to drink tap water?

Even with plumbing that is lead-free, there is an average of 8% lead in the water that comes into your home. You can minimize your risk of this lead poisoning with your tap water by using only cold water for consuming and cooking and letting it run for a minute before filling your pots or pans.

What are the dangers of not purifying tap water?

These types of contaminants in tap water can cause the following health risks:

Lead

Commonly found in American drinking water, especially in older structures that may have lead-base plumbing. Long-term health risks possibilities include contracting:

• Liver & Kidney Damage
• Behavioral Issues
• Slow Mental & Physical Development
• Mental Retardation
• Blindness
• Death

Radium

This silvery-white radioactive metal is a natural material and when we burn coal and mine uranium, it releases radium into the environment and our water supply. Some long-term consequences of radium in our water include:

• Anemia
• Cancer
• Cataracts
• Fractured Teeth
• Death

Mercury

Mercury is released from coal-fired power plants, making the water in certain areas unsafe for consumption. The long-term risks of consuming mercury include:

• Peripheral Vision Loss
• Hands, Feet and Mouth have a “Pins and Needles” feeling.
• Coordination Problems
• Speech, Hearing and Walking Impaired
• Weak Muscles

Chromium-6

The consequences of consuming this contaminant can include:

• Damaging the Reproductive System
• Liver & Kidney Damage
• Anemia
• Cancer
• Ulcers

What happens if you don’t purify water?

Over 3 million people die annually from unpurified water. Water that isn’t purified through the municipality or with a drinking water treatment system risk suffering from any of the following diseases:

• Cholera
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Polio

Getting It All Watered Down: How is water purified?

There are four ways to purify water:

• Boiling
• Filtration
• Distillation
• Chlorination

If you’d like to learn more about how you can have your water filtered at home, give our team a call at 844-899-9054. We can help make sure you have clean tap water that is safe for your whole family.

This problem can be one of the following five reasons:

• Multiple water-use appliances are being used simultaneously. The dishwasher is running, a load of laundry is going on, and you’re trying to take a shower.
• Sediment build-up inside the water heater tank from the loose minerals that come from water, like rust and sand. These settle in the tank bottom and eventually, take up the space where water is stored and heated.
• Dip tube isn’t working. The dip tube sends the cold water to the tank bottom so that it can be heated. If the dip tube isn’t working, the water isn’t heating. This can be replaced by a professional water heater repair service technician.
• The water is old! If your water heater is 10 to 12 years old and isn’t heating water, it is time to replace the unit.
• The thermostat quits working.  If you’re running out of hot water, reset the thermostat by raising it one or two degrees. If that doesn’t give you hot water, call a professional water heater repair service.

Can I use the water if my water heater is leaking?

If the leak is from the top or at the water connections, yes, you should still have enough hot water if the leak is small. If the leak is coming from the bottom or side of the tank, it is best not to use it. Instead, call a professional water heater repair technician. After inspecting the unit, they may advise you to replace the unit.

What to do when a hot water heater is leaking? Check the water connection and make sure they are firm. Then check the water connections on top of the unit and tighten them with a wrench. If the tank is leaking itself from the bottom or side, call a professional water heater repair service after turning the water off at the connections.

Can a water heater leak carbon monoxide?

It is well-known fact that any gas-powered appliance is at risk of leaking carbon monoxide. The same goes for water heaters. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home that can warn you if there is any carbon monoxide to be concerned about, then call a professional to inspect your home’s appliances for the source.

How do you diagnose a water heater problem?

Here are four things you can do to diagnose problems with your water heater before you call a professional water heater repair service:

• For a gas water heater, check the pilot light. If the light is out, try relighting the unit. If it won’t stay lit, call a professional.
• For an electric water heater, check the breaker. If it is off, flip it back on. If it goes back off, call a professional.
• If you’re hearing strange noises from the water heater, try flushing the unit. The instructions for this can be found in the manual or online.
• If there is water on the floor around and under the water heater, this can be coming from the tank. But you should check the water connections at the wall and on the water heater. Try tightening these connections and if that doesn’t stop it, you’ll need professional water heater repair.

Is it better to fix or replace a water heater?

This can depend on the cost of the water heater repair and the age of the water heater. If the cost of the repair is 25% or more than a new unit, replace the unit instead of getting it repaired. The common recommendation of when to replace a water heater is when it has reached 10 years or older, it should be replaced regardless of the repair costs.

What are the types of water heaters?

The four most common water heaters today are:

• Storage tank water heaters, electric or gas powered.
• Tankless Water Heaters, which are not ideal for every home.
• Heat Pump Water Heaters.
• Solar Water Heaters.