Boston Plumbing and Heating Blog

Leaking plumbing can wreak havoc on your wallet. Next time you get your water bill, take a look at your usage. If it’s more than 12,000 gallons a month for a family of four, you’ve got some leaks. That means you’re paying for water that’s going right down the drain. The EPA recommends checking your home for the most common causes of leaks. Here are some tips.

Before checking for individual leaks, check your overall water usage by monitoring your water meter over a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter keeps inching up, you probably have a leak. The good news is that many common leaks are easy and inexpensive to fix.

Toilets. Typically, toilets begin leaking when the toilet flapper or valve seal becomes old or worn out. A good way to check is to put some food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes to see if it color shows up in the toilet bowl. If it does, you’ll need to fix the leaky toilet.

Faucets. Old and worn washers and gaskets are frequently the cause of faucet leaks. If you attempt to fix this leak yourself, remember to turn the water off under the sink before you start. You should also close the drain and cover the bottom of the sink or bathtub with a cloth so you don’t lose any of the small parts. If you have no plumbing experience, you may be better off calling a licensed plumber.

Showerheads. Some leaky showerheads are easy to fix while others may need professional attention. Make sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and pipe stem. The washer may also need to be replaced.  If you suspect a valve leak, that’s the time to call the plumber.

Outdoor faucets. Check your garden hose for leaks at the connection to the spigot. If it leaks, try replacing the washer to ensure a tight connection to the spigot. You can also use pipe tape and a wrench. If you have in-ground irrigation, you should to check to make sure it wasn’t damaged by frost or freezing during winter. If it leaks, you most likely need help from a professional plumber.

Top-rated replacement fixtures

If these simple fixes don’t work, it may be time to replace your toilet, faucet, or showerhead. Replacing your old fixtures with WaterSense models not only saves water but money too. WaterSense models, including toilets from American Standard, AquaSource, Toto, and Kohler. Check these out and get a toilet that will save you water for years to come.

Recommend models for low-flow showerheads from Moen, American Standard, and Waterpik  have very good or better shower feel and hot water delivery.

For more information on fixing leaky plumbing, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Consumer Reports

Most of us consider plumbing a luxury, it is. When things stop running correctly we are all reminded of how inconvenient life could be without it. When plumbing problems do arise, it is important to contact a plumber that you can count on, with a good reputation and who you can feel comfortable with.

Here are a few of the most common household plumbing problems.

Clogged drain – This is one of the most common plumbing issues. Clogged drains usually can be avoided if you are careful about what you let go down the drain. Be particulary careful in the kitchen, this is the most common drain to get clogged and the most inconvenient when it does.

Dripping faucet – this is very common and starts as the washers in faucets wear out. Use less force when turning the faucet off and on to extend the life of the washer.  

Leaking pipes - This can cause quite a bit of damage to you belongings as well as you floors and walls. Check pipes fairly regularly for rust or lime deposits, this could be the start of a leak.

Leaking water heaters – most often these need to be replaced.

No heat – if you have a broken furnaces or boilers the heat won’t turn on. Check your heating system before you need to use it.

Running toilet –Running toilets usually suggest that some part of the toilet is out of order. It is important to get this fixed immediately because this can use a lot of water.

Leaking toilet – this is a very expensive plumbing repair problem. This can add a lot of money to your water bill. For this it may be necessary to call a professional plumber.

Installing a new faucet – mainly faucets are replaced for decorative reasons. Plumbers guarantee their workmanship.

Many homeowners attempt to fix plumbing problems, but if you are not sure what to do, a DIY fix that isn’t done right can result in an more expensive problem down the line. For help with your household plumbing problems, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Water conservation has become essential as we see watering bans pop up each year. Even in areas where there seem to be no water issues, we see water bills rise higher and higher. But saving water not only saves money on your utility bill, it also helps prevent water pollution in area beaches, lakes and rivers.

Many homes in towns around Boston and Worcester have private septic. Conserving water can help your septic system last longer by reducing soil saturation. For homes on city sewer, overloading city sewer systems allows untreated sewage to flow into lakes and rivers. How many times around Boston have you looked for the blue or red beach flag in the summer? The less water flowing through these city systems, the lower the likelihood of water pollution.

Homeowners can conserve water and lower their water bills merely by calling the plumber.

Fixing a leaking faucet or drain can lower your water bill. A small drip from a leaking faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day and larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons. Hiring a plumber for a typical repair can cost more than four times what it would cost to do it on your own. Even if you are handy around the house, consider hiring a professional plumber if you’re unsure because damaging your pipes can do even more damage to your finances than a leaking faucet. Homeowners should call a plumber if there are leaky faucets or drains in their home.

Leaking toilets can cost you even more money, in fact, a leaky toilet can waste up to 52,800 gallons a year. But, you can check your toilet for leaks too.  Put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, without flushing, within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately.

Another way to check for water leaks in your home is to read your water meter. Read the meter, wait a couple hours without using any water. If the meter isn’t exactly the same, there is a water leak, call the plumber.

If you want your leaking faucets and toilets fixed, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.