Limescale

Have you ever wondered where it comes from and how you can tackle it?

Limescale is that chalky white film from hard water which can show up on your kitchen faucets, household equipment and appliances, and bathroom fixtures. It is one of the biggest cleaning challenges and actually comes from the minerals in hard water. Removing and preventing limescale requires just a little knowledge about hard water and how to deal with it effectively. Here we have gathered for you some basic information that will surely help you:

Limescale Effects on Plumbing

Buildup of limescale within washing machines and dishwashers can make your machines run less efficiently. In a kettle, limescale stops the heating process from working as it should and can even damage it over time. On faucets and around drains,  buildup of limescale is certainly unappealing, but did you know that your mineral-laden hard water is also creating hazardous sedimentary formations around the joints in your pipes? Over time, this can lead to some nasty, tough to get rid of clogs.

Most importantly, research has shown that just 6mm of limescale can reduce energy efficiency by a staggering 40% and, in a moderately hard water area, 6mm of limescale can form in pipework or on heat exchangers in just two years! The consequence is that appliances affected by limescale must make an extra effort to work properly, using more water and consuming more energy.

Eliminating Existing Limescale

A mild acidic solution is the best way to rid your fixtures of limescale.  However, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this for pipework, in which case you should contact a professional for assistance, who  can evaluate the problem and provide you with the best solution.

The good news is that you can buy brand-name limescale removers, but it’s also good to know there are many common household substances that will also do the trick. Two of the most effective substances are lemon juice and ordinary vinegar. Vinegar will weaken and soften most limescale very efficiently and effectively.

The best method of cleaning off limescale with your at-home products is to remove your shower head, faucets, etc., if possible, and place them in a bucket with vinegar for approximately an hour. You should start to  see the limescale cracking and coming right off and then you can clean the element with a brush. The problem with removing limescale is not in finding an appropriate, safe acid around the home, but making sure the acid stays in contact with the surface long enough. Our advice, just be patient.  Of course, removing fixtures isn't always an option, so the next best thing is to fasten a bag filled with vinegar around your faucet or shower head, and secure it to your fixtures or pipe joints to let it work. Nowadays, you can even find special “baggies” for that purpose, as can be seen in the image below. Just be creative and careful, and use what you have close at hand.

If so much limescale has built up that vinegar isn't able to fully remove it, you can prepare and apply a solution with a cleaner made to tackle calcium, lime, and rust. Just be sure to wear rubber gloves since you will be using a stronger solution that could burn your skin. Keep in mind that a tougher solution could also have a contrary effect on more delicate surfaces, so read the instructions carefully before using it, and while waiting for the solution to work, keep checking on the surface to prevent damage. When talking about tiles and other surfaces, limescale deposits are much easier to get rid of. In most cases, scrubbing gently with lemon juice will make them shiny again!

Dish washing machines are not the exception; they also can be cleaned with vinegar. To remove hard water deposits, simply add a solution of 1 cup 80% vinegar with 20% water to the bottom of the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on a Low or Energy-Saving cycle. Stop the dishwasher halfway through the cycle, and let the solution stand at the bottom of the machine for about 30 minutes. This process should  get your machine back into great condition again.

References

Cleanipedia. (2017). How to remove limescale and hard water deposits. Obtenido de Cleanipedia: https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/in-the-home/how-to-remove-limescale-and-hard-water-deposits

Wear, B. (05 de July de 2017). How to Remove and Prevent Lime Scale. Obtenido de Brian Wear Plumbing: https://www.brianwearplumbing.com/plumbing-tips/how-to-remove-and-prevent-lime-scale

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Here are 3 Tub and Shower Leak Detection Tips:

You stepped out of the shower and noticed an unusual amount of water on the floor? You might have a leak! Water leaks can cause dangerous mold and bacteria proliferation, and in a worst case scenario, structural damage.

Let’s look closer at the three most common tub and shower leaks, and how to easily detect them.

1. Splash leaks

Splash leaks are simply water escaping a shower curtain or a shower door. Shower curtains don’t always keep the water inside the shower preventing it from reaching your bathroom floor. This problem may sound minor, but depending on the type of flooring in your bathroom, this leak might cause major damage when water trickles into the sub-floor where the floor meets the tub or shower. 

Signs of trouble:

• Damp, discolored, and smelly carpet.

• Curling vinyl floor or loose tiles next to the tub.

• Peeling, or bubbling peeling paint on the walls.

• Water marks on the ceiling or joists underneath.

• Mold spots on the wall or floor near the shower.

• If you use a curtain, look for standing water on the floor after you shower.

How to find the source:

• If there is a shower door, splash water all around the door and frame.

• If the door has rubber seals or a rubber door sweep, check them for cracks and flaws.

• Also check for any breaks in the caulk where the shower or tub meets the floor covers.

2. Drain leaks

Water that leaks around the seals of the drain can deteriorate the pipe and damage drywall, floors and furniture. This is especially common with plastic or fiberglass tubs and shower pans, since these materials can slightly curve when you stand on them, often breaking the seal around the drain.

In the case of a tub set on a concrete piece, the leak can damage the floor in the bathroom or contiguous rooms. Fortunately, most bathtub drains can be removed using a few tools. Once the drain is removed, reapplying a layer of plumber's putty usually seals the connection and stops the leak. 

Signs of trouble:

• Water marks on the ceiling or joists below.

• Loose floor covering near the tub or humid floors in contiguous rooms (if the tub is on a concrete piece).

How to find the source:

• If you can see underneath the drain through an access panel or open ceiling, partially fill the tub and then release the water. In a shower, plug the drain with a torn piece of old cloth and then release the water. Check the drains and traps for leaks from below.

• If you don't have access to the underside of the drain, plug the drain and add enough water to form a small pool around. Mark the edge of the pool. Then wait an hour. If the pool shrinks, the drain is leaking. Remove the stopper and insert a test plug (find them at home centers). Don't count on the tub stopper for this test; it may leak.

3. Tile leaks

This problem happens when water leaks through deteriorating cement or caulk and gets into the wall behind the tile. Subject to the materials used to fix the tile, this can lead to tile falling off the wall, severe rotting of the wall, and damage to the subfloor, joists or ceiling underneath.

Signs of trouble:

• Loose tiles.

• Mold growing.

• If the shower is along an exterior wall, you may find an area of peeling paint outside.

• Water marks on the ceiling under the shower.

How to find the source:

• Inspect the cement and caulk joints for openings. You almost always find mold here.

• If you have loose tile behind the tub spout or valve, open the access panel behind the valve and look for humidity or water marks.

Always keep in mind that as soon as the water reaches the structure, you will have to consult a professional for help because the water will quickly find its way behind the construction tiles and around the windows, which can deteriorate the entire property. Furthermore, if your bathroom is located on the second floor, the ceiling underneath could also need replacement because of the damage.

Showers and bathtubs are a specialty of ours at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach areas, and we provide installation and repairs on all makes and models. We also have the expertise and necessary equipment to detect a leak and fix your shower with minimal structural damage to your system and bathroom. 

References

Bill The Plumber, Inc . (10 de May de 2017). How to detect a shower leak behind the wall . Obtenido de Bill The Plumber, Inc : http://www.billtheplumber.com/blog/2017/may/how-to-detect-a-shower-leak-behind-the-wall/

Roberts, H. (s.f.). How to Fix a Leaking Bathtub Drain. Obtenido de SF Gate: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/fix-leaking-bathtub-drain-41806.html

the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. (s.f.). FInd and Repair Hidden Plumbing Leaks . Obtenido de The Family Handyman : https://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/plumbing-repair/find-and-repair-hidden-plumbing-leaks/view-all/

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A Dream Bathroom…Where To Start?

Bathrooms are made to have basic functionality, but if not designed properly, you may not enjoy maximum usage of the bathroom space. In addition, if your bathroom facilities are out-of-date, it’s likely your plumbing is not performing as efficiently as it could be. The goal should be to enjoy maximum usage of the bathroom space and square footage, with up-to-date and efficiently performing plumbing, while being surrounded by an aesthetically pleasing environment. 

Let’s be honest, you are about to pursue a serious mission!

Whether refreshing the style or changing the plumbing system, bathroom renovations along with kitchen renovations are the type of projects homeowners fear and enjoy the most. Homeowners know that it is crucial to pay special attention to the plumbing and electrical systems, and for that reason, even homeowners with some previous experience, prefer to rely on the experts for some of these important details.

Let’s Talk About Contractors.

To start your project, you need to seek quality advice and work with experts who you can discuss your plans with and who will help you realize your dreams.  A true expert will be able to simplify listen to your renovation needs and wants and express them on “paper.”  Undesirable contractors merely take down your raw ideas, make a price list, and ask for your money. What you need is a contractor in the industry who does a detailed assessment, who demonstrates understanding of what is desired by the client, and provides options for achieving the desired outcome.

What About Costs?

There are many variables you should consider, some related to budget, and others related to how long you’ve been in the house and how long you plan to stay there. There are also different quality levels of remodeling: good, better, and best. The most straightforward approach you should take is to know what you can afford and how that equates to your bathroom project needs. Take the time to find qualified specialists to discuss ideas and alternatives. A true professional will always provide you with as much information as is available in the industry.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Not considering the need of enough natural light and ventilation in the design: Most bathroom activities require a great amount of illumination, and windows are the most common option. They can be used for fresh air, natural light and ventilation. Nevertheless, when it is not possible to have a window, a skylight can be a good option. Remember that good ventilation allows all steam to escape, keeping the bathroom dry. This is essential to prevent the unhealthy growth of mold.

• Unrealistically desiring to fit too many elements in small spaces: While it can be tempting to include every modern feature the market offers, this is simply not going to be possible if the place is too small. Working with an experienced design build contractor can help shape your new bathroom into an aesthetically pleasing space, while taking into account the best space vs. utility options. A design build contractor has the knowledge to create the most functional design for the space available.

• Inappropriate Materials: Porous and permeable materials such as soft wood, carpet, and fabric should be avoided in the bathroom. Be sure to make smart choices in relation to the material needs of the project and the budget allowed for the project.

• Useless Drainage: a basin that refuses to drain properly will leave pools of water on the floor of the bathroom. This can increase the risk of growing mold. Be sure you have adequate and properly designed bathroom drains to allow for drying of all bathroom surfaces.

What to focus on?

• Start with your own planning and research. 

• Search for high quality advice from expert sources.

• Make sure everything is appropriately documented and written down.

• Get ready to be your own quality control authority. By doing this, you guarantee your bathroom renovation will go as smoothly as possible.

• Don’t forget about seeking expert advice and assistance to help avoid some of the most common bathroom remodeling mistakes and difficulties. 

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we believe in providing complete satisfaction to our customers when it comes to our plumbing services. We are proud to say our plumbers are some of the best in the business at what they do.

With Every Service, You Can Count On:

• Highly Skilled Plumbers – Out of every 33 individuals who apply to work for us, only one qualifies to be a Benjamin Franklin plumber. We have the highest of standards and employ some of the best-trained staff in the business.

• Straightforward Pricing – No hidden fees. You get the prices up front so you can approve them before we start the work.

• On-Time Service – If There’s Any Delay, It’s You We Pay.  It’s not just a motto—it’s our promise.

• Guaranteed Repairs – If a plumbing repair fails in the first two years, we will fix the problem again at no cost to you.

• We’ll Clean Up – We will clean up any messes we make.

References

Admin. (2010, September 29). BATHROOM REMODELING: Dream or Nightmare? Retrieved from Lars Building A Tradition Of Trust : http://www.larsremodel.com/remodeling-tips/bathroom-remodeling-dream-or-nightmare

Gordon Reese Construction inc. (2017, January 25). 5 OF THE TOP MISTAKES TO AVOID IN YOUR BATHROOM REMODEL. Retrieved from Gordon Reese Construction inc: http://gordonreese.com/5-top-mistakes-avoid-bathroom-remodel/

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Home Makeover Season: Making Worth Renovations

The time to renovate your home has come! This is the season when most people start filling their minds with the latest and trendy renovation ideas, considering the steps towards the next renovation project that will keep them busy for the coming months. Yet remodeling is now just a way to make the homes more attractive, current, and comfortable, but also a way of adding some extra value to the properties.

You might be tempted to use the DIY approach to trim costs and have some fun, but when it comes to projects that require special tools and expertise such as plumbing, you may want to think twice. During a home renovation, there are rooms that more often than not, need extra care and attention as the kitchen and bathrooms. Therefore, it is highly recommended to leave no stone upturned and seek skilled professional help.

Remember that the added value from renovations differs widely based on a number of factors. The Appraisal Foundation has collected some important tips to achieve maximum effectiveness, and quality as economically as possible in your remodeling projects, at the same time you maximize your appraisal.

Cost does not always equal value

First, remember that appraisers do not simply add the cost of renovations to the value of a home. Instead, appraisers determine how much buyers are willing to pay for specific renovations in the marketplace, which often varies greatly depending on location. If you are considering renovations, you could research “cost vs. value” data by checking sources such as Remodeling Magazine. According to the magazine, some of the most common renovations that return the most on the investment are: new front entry doors, midrange kitchen remodels, and bathroom remodels.

The principle of substitution

When evaluating renovations, appraisers rely on the “Principle of Substitution,” which essentially says that buyers would pay no more for a special feature in a home than the cost of renovating a similar property. Imagine that “Home A” and “Home B” are identical, except that “Home A” has had its kitchen remodeled at a cost of $50,000. Let’s assume that a similar kitchen remodel in a similar home can be performed for only $25,000. The Principle of Substitution says that the owner of “Home A” would not be able to recoup the full $50,000 paid for the kitchen remodel. Typical buyers desirous of a home with a remodeled kitchen would simply purchase “Home B” and renovate the kitchen themselves, saving $25,000 in the process. Of course, appraisers also consider the value buyers might find in not having to go through the hassle of doing the renovation themselves.

Energy conservation features can increase the value of a home

Appraisers take into account energy-efficient features (high-efficiency windows, solar water heaters, photovoltaic solar systems, etc). However, the value of these improvements is based on what the market is willing to pay — which differs depending on the community. Homeowners can hire an appraiser beforehand to get a better sense of how much value an energy-saving renovation will add to their home. 

Location is crucial

The value added due to renovations depends on geographic region. For instance, a new in-ground pool will most likely add more value to a home in a warm-weather climate, where residents can take advantage of it year-round, rather than a cold-weather climate.

Maintenance can be as important as renovations

An appraiser often takes into account the maintenance of a home including recent heating or air conditioning inspections, septic system servicing, roof inspections, and other types of inspections.

Keep your house organized

While a home’s tidiness/neatness isn’t officially evaluated in an appraisal, clean houses generally leave people — including appraisers — with a more positive impression. In addition, neat homes make it easier for appraisers to perform a proper inspection, and may suggest that the homeowner performs regular maintenance on the home.

Preserve your records

It is important that you keep records of all inspections, additions, conversions, or other structural or significant work performed on your home, so that an appraiser can easily review it.

Don’t be afraid to communicate with your appraiser

While homeowners are not permitted to unduly influence an appraiser, sharing relevant information about renovations to your home is appropriate. In fact, a competent and ethical appraiser will welcome information that makes his or her job easier, and leads to a more credible opinion of value.

Before committing to any project keep in mind, the value added to your home is based primarily on what the market is willing to pay. And Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can assist you carrying plumbing renovations all year-round, providing great advice and professional support on these upgrades you may be considering.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has a team of professionally trained plumbers, whom together with the appropriate tools and extensive experience, can help you carrying out:

• Kitchen remodels
• Outdoor kitchens
• Bathroom remodels
• A second sink
• Upgrading old showerheads, toilets, and faucets
• Installation of pipes, repair any leaks
• Install other appliances

Contact them today!  Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach.

They are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to solve all your plumbing issues for your home or business.

www.benfranklinplumber.com  

References

Bunton, D. (2014, July 01). Home Renovations and Your Appraisal: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from Huffingtonpost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-s-bunton/home-renovations-and-your_b_5135469.html

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How to know if you really need to replace your plumbing

Time goes by and you normally tend to make changes to your home, but most people usually don’t consider replacing plumbing and deteriorating pipes.  Have you consider it? well you should do it before any future remodeling or home renovation. Replacing old pipes in a 1,500 square foot, two-bathroom home may cost between $4,000 to $10,000, and it requires cutting open walls and floors, so you certainly don’t want to do the job before it’s necessary but you should definitely consider before spending money on a big renovation. 

When you own an older house sometimes you may ask yourself… is a plumbing disaster about to happen or it is just a concern for the distant future?

Over the years the tubing gradually corrodes, rusts, and decays. Unless you replace your home’s plumbing, you’re eventually going to get leaks—and possibly a flood of water or raw sewage into your home that will cause thousands of dollars in damage to your building and belongings.

Here’s how to calculate the grade of your plumbing system and know when it’s time for replacement.

Recognizing your Pipes

• Review the home inspection report you got when you bought your home to see what kind of pipes you have.

• Bring in a trusted plumber to do an inspection of your plumbing system.

• Identify the type of plumbing in your house, to know for how long you can expect it to last.

• Check your pipes regularly. 

Removing lead and polybutylene

• Lead pipes, used in the early 1900s, have a life expectancy of 100 years, but they can leach lead into your drinking water, a serious health hazard.

• Polybutylene pipes, used from the 1970s through the 1990s, are extremely prone to breakage.

• There are two other types of water supply pipe that should be removed immediately no matter how old they are.

Look for signs of trouble

• Make it an annual ritual to look for any exposed pipe, in basements, crawlspaces, and utility rooms—for significant signs of trouble.

• Check the tubing for discoloration, stains, dimpling, pimples, or flaking, which are all indications of corrosion.

• Keep a watch for leaks too, of course. Even small ones that are easily repaired may be indicators that the time for whole-house replacement is approaching.

• If you’ve got sporadic leaks in some places, they’ll start showing up throughout your system soon, if this is the case It’s time to change your water.

• When you fill your bathtub, look at the color of your water—especially after a vacation when it has been sitting in the pipes for a while. If the water looks brown or yellow, what you’re seeing is rust, a sign of decay inside the pipes. consider replacement soon.

Do you know when is the best time to replace PIPES? 
Our best advice is to rely on a trusted plumber, whether it’s time for a pipe replacement or evaluation. There are also few ways you can mitigate the cost and hassle of the job, by following: 

• Replace what’s exposed, for a home with plaster walls, wood paneling, or other features that make it difficult to gain access to in-wall pipes, consider at least replacing pipes that aren’t buried in the walls.

• The plumber may be able to access the clear majority of your system this way. For a 1,500 square-foot, two-bathroom home, you may pay between $2,000 and $6,000 or more to replace just the exposed plumbing.

• Replace when you renovate. Whenever you remodel a portion of your house, take the opportunity to inspect—and if necessary, replace—any plumbing lines that you expose when you open up the walls and floors.

• Include not only the plumbing in the kitchen or bathroom that you’re remaking, but also any pipes passing through the walls to feed upstairs bathrooms.

PEX Limits Demolition

• If you have inside-the-wall supply pipes that require replacement, your plumber may be able to limit the wall demolition he needs to do by using an alternative piping product: Cross-linked polyethylene tubing, also known as PEX, is a flexible plastic hose.

• It can often be snaked into walls in much the way electricians feed their wires behind the wallboard or plaster with relatively minimal surgery, not an option with rigid copper pipe.

•  PEX meets building code nearly everywhere, comes with a 25-year warranty, and puts a smaller hit on your budget than copper. Replacing all the plumbing in a 1,500-square foot, two-bathroom home with copper piping may cost between $8,000 and $10,000.

• Using PEX would cost around $4,000 to $6,000, according to Gove. That’s because of lower material and labor costs. “If it takes you two days to re-plumb a house with copper, you can do that same house in a day with PEX.” 

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has a team  of highly skilled plumbers who are professionally trained and have the skills, tools and experience to do the work needed and exceed your expectations. For your Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach emergency plumbing needs contact our emergency plumbers, at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to solve all your plumbing issues at your convenience. you can also visit us online at: www.benfranklinplumber.com for all your plumbing needs.

References
Bousquin, J. (2017, March 18). Do You Need to Replace Your Plumbing? Retrieved from House Logic: https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/do-you-need-replace-your-plumbing/

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Important Facts to Consider during Fix a Leak Week!

Did you know that if you use less water for cleaning you’ll save energy and protect the environment?

Drops need Energy! Be aware!

To understand how water and energy work together, it’s important to ask this question: Have you ever picked up a gallon of water or milk from the fridge? It’s a bit heavy, right? The same happens when a lot of energy is used to carry every gallon of water you use from a drinking water source to a treatment plant that makes it safe to drink.

After water leaves the treatment plant, more energy is needed to carry it through water pipes to your house. Imagine the journey it has taken—and just how tired you would be after carrying that much water all day! Exhausting, right?

When you open the faucet to get “hot water”, it takes energy to warm it up before it comes out of your faucet. The energy it takes to treat and deliver the water that just 10 houses use in a year could power your home’s refrigerator for more than two years! 

Showering Tips, do’s & don’ts!

The shower is a place where we can clean up, cool off, wake up, or relax after a long day. But it’s also a place where we waste a lot of water and energy! Please consider these  facts to save water and energy:

• The average shower lasts eight minutes. Since a standard showerhead has a water flow of 2.2 gallons per minute, each shower uses 18 gallons of water!

• If water drips from the faucet after you turn it off, it could be a leak. Call an  Expert Plumbing company such as Benjaming Franklin Pulmbing! 

• One of the best places to save both water and energy at home is in your shower.

• Make sure to turn off the faucet all the way after you  take a shower.

• WaterSense has a special label for showerheads that use less water but still provide a great spray of water when you shower. Try it WaterSense labeled showerhead.

• Every shower, you’ll save enough electricity to power a 60-watt light bulb for eight hours.

• Every year, you’ll save the amount of water it takes to wash more than 70 loads of laundry.

• Ever y Drop Counts! Don’t leave the water on when you brush your teeth.

• Follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program with some tips for how you and your family can “shower better.”

Important Facts you might not know!

·     Water is also used to cool the power plants that generate the electricity we use every day. So, every time your television, computer, or lights use energy, water is being used up too. In fact, it takes 3,000 to 6,000 gallons of water to power one light bulb left on 12 hours a day for a year. Turn out the lights and save both water and energy!

• WaterSense labeled showerheads use less water but still have power. Estimate how much water they save by recalculating numbers 6 through 9 above using a shower flow of 2.0 gallons per minute. Check out how much water you can save by looking for WaterSense when shopping for a showerhead.

• There are more than 300 million people in the United States. If each person reduced his or her shower time by one minute, we could save a combined 165 billion gallons each year!

• Energy we use at home is measured in something called kilowatt hours, or kWh. On average, your home’s television uses 26 kWh of electricity per month. If your family uses WaterSense labeled showerheads, you save more than 370 kWh of electricity per year. With the energy, you’re saving, you could watch 14 months of television!

• Across the United States, we use more than one trillion gallons of water each year just for showering. Never fear! You and your family can still save water and energy. 

    Leaks account for approximately 1 trillion gallons of water wasted in the United States each year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense, program promotes its annual Fix a Leak Week as part of its efforts to encourage Americans to use water efficiently. The average home can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water per year-more than enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. By finding and fixing running toilets, leaky faucets, and dripping showerheads, a family can save as much as 10 percent on its utility bills and save water for future generations.

     If you've already determined, you have leaks and you have found that DIY is not enough for water and energy savings solutions it might be time to replace your leaking fixtures as well as having a plumbing fixture evaluation. If you consult with a plumbing professional, and look for the WaterSense label when considering a new toilet, faucet, or showerhead, you could increase your home's water efficiency.

Remember, Leaks Can Run, but They Can't Hide

Save The Date!!! Fix a Leak Week Event - March 20 through 26, 2017

    

    Our professionals team and our highly skilled plumbers are professionally trained and have the skills, tools, and experience to exceed your expectations. For your Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach emergency plumbing need contact our emergency plumbers, at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

     We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to solve all your plumbing issues at your convenience. you can also visit us online at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/wp/maintenance-service-plans/ for all your plumbing needs.

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080

MARTIN (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH(561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370 References WaterSense: Meets EPA Critera WaterSense An EPA Partnership Program. (2008, Mayo 08). WaterSense: Meets EPA Critera WaterSense An EPA Partnership Program. Retrieved from https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/learn_more.html#tabs-6

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The Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Team from Florida’s Treasure Coast is Ready for the “Fix a Leak” Week Event!

Do you know what the "Fix a Leak Week project" is? 

It’s an annual event hosted by the EPA to chase down household leaks. This project will take place March 20 through 26, 2017, and it’s the ideal opportunity to hunt down the drips inside and outside your home. Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, so be prepare to chase those leaks at home and save valuable water and money all year long.

The main purpose of this event is to teach you and your family how to find and fix household leaks. What you can expect from this event? From WaterSense demonstrations, family fun runs to leak detection contests and insights about how to be handy around the house when addressing these issues.

There are common types of leaks found in the home, such as worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easily correctable, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings.

First, you need to determine whether you're wasting water, the next step will be identifying the source of the leak. Here are some recommendations to follow carefully to identify if your home is addressing any leaks.

• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.

• Look at your water usage periodically, such as January or February months. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks.

• Add some drops of food coloring in the toilet tank, if any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak.

• Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.

• The Regional Water Providers Consortium has a video on detecting household leaks that you may find helpful.

Toilets 

Flappers are inexpensive rubber parts that can build up minerals or decay over time, and that is one of the most common reason toilets will leak. Replacing them can be a quick and easy fix for your water woes. To fix this leak, consult your local hardware store, or licensed plumber.

Bring the old flapper to the hardware store for comparison to make sure you buy a new flapper that fits your toilet model. You can also check the owner's manual, if you have it, or the manufacturer's website for the appropriate replacement part number for the flapper.

Faucet

Old and worn faucet washers and gaskets frequently cause leaks in faucets. Many tutorials are available online for how to fix a wide variety of faucets. Here are a couple of examples:

• The Do-It-Yourself Network has a handy reference on faucet repairs

•  YouTube has numerous video tutorials on how to fix a dripping faucet 

Showerheads

Some leaky showerheads can be fixed by making sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem and by using pipe tape to secure it. Pipe tape, also called Teflon tape, is available at most hardware stores, is easy to apply, and can help tame unruly leaks. For more complicated valve leaks in showers that drip when not in use, contact an experienced handyperson or licensed plumber.

     Outdoors

     If you have an in–ground irrigation system, check it each spring before use to make sure it wasn’t damaged. Or hire an irrigation professional certified to inspect it for you. They will not only help you detect and correct leaks in the system, but also maximize its efficiency.

     Finally, check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer, and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.

     Have you done all that you can to try to eliminate leaks from your home but still can't nip that drip in the bud?

     If you've already determined you have leaks and you find these step-by-step solutions aren't enough to stop them, it might be time to replace your leaking fixtures. If you consult with a plumbing professional, and look for the WaterSense label when considering a new toilet, faucet, or showerhead, you could increase your home's water efficiency.

     Our professional team and our highly skilled plumbers are expertly trained and experienced to exceed your expectations. For your Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach emergency plumbing needs contact our emergency plumbers, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. 

   We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to solve all your plumbing issues at your convenience. you can also visit us online at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/wp/leakdetections   for all your plumbing needs.

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080

MARTIN (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH(561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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