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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Understanding The Drain - Waste - Vent System at Home (DWV)

The Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) pipes carry waste and water out of the house without gasses or tinkles.

The main piece of a DWV system is the stack, normally a pipe 3 or 4 inches in diameter that runs straight up through the roof. Water travels sliding through the stacks to the main drain line, which leads to the municipal sewage system or to a septic system. 

In older homes the main drain may be made of clay pipe or other porous material. Tree roots sometimes work their way into the main line, causing wastewater to back up into the house. If that is the case the solution is to call a company that specializes in auguring main lines. Drain stacks in older homes are often made of cast iron, which rusts through after 80 years actually the new homes instead use plastic pipe for stacks and branch drains.

Drainpipes must be leaned generally about 1/4 inch per foot, so water can run freely through them. Codes require special fittings that make sweeping, rather than abrupt, turns so waste does not get stocked in the pipes. Drainpipes often have cleanouts these are some places where a plug can be temporarily removed so the pipes can be equipped to clear a clog.ssage. Vent pipes also carry odors out of the house.

There are some other drainpipes:

• Secondary stack: A 2 or 3 inches in diameter pipe that serves a branch of the system.
• Branch Drainpipes: Smaller diameter pipes, normally 1-1/2 or 2 inches that carry water from specific fixture to a stack.

Another aspect to consider from the DWV system is the vent pipes those allow water to flow smoothly without gurgling. Normally Vent pipes extend from the drainpipes up through the roof to provide that passage. Vent pipes also carry odors out of the house.

The drainpipe for each plumbing fixture must be connected to a vent that supplies the pipe with air from the outside however in some cases the drainpipe is connected directly to a main or secondary stack pipe, which travels straight up through the roof.

Plumbing codes strictly recommend where vent pipes can connect to the stack and how far they should travel. In most cases a damp section of a pipe frequently the part that carries wastewater cannot be used as a vent, even if it is usually dry.

If your drainpipes gurgle when you run water in a sink or flush a toilet, call a professional plumber for an inspection. A vent may be stopped up and need clearing. Or the plumbing may be incorrect, and you may need a new vent line.

Never install or replace a DWV pipe without consulting a building inspector. These pipes must be installed according to precise specifications.

For more information about your DWV contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. The specialist’s plumber in the Treasure Coasts and Palm City Area 772-236-6080

Visit us also at http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/ to learn more about us and our services.

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Basic Plumbing Tools

Occasionally challenges such as clogs or leaks arise which a do-it-yourselfer would like to remedy quickly. Specific tools are necessary for these types of repairs. While you don't need to know everything about plumbing, it's important to understand the basics, especially when it comes to leaks.

Plumbing Tools

A few tools that are crucial to any home plumbing tool box include: 

1. Closet Auger

Unclogs toilets when a plunger will not work. The auger feeds into the toilet opening and releases the clog when pulled out.

2. Pipe Wrench

Heavy-duty wrench available in several sizes. Great for gripping and turning pipes. Adjustable jaws are made to grip one way and slide the other way.

3. Slip-joint Pliers

Great for various plumbing jobs. Easily removes large nuts such as those found on the p-traps under your sink.

4. Basin Wrench

Long handle wrench with jaws at the end. Designed for reaching nuts in hard to reach areas.

Tips to Remember:

• When dealing with toilet clogs, be sure to wear heavy-duty rubber gloves.

• Pipe wrenches and slip-joint pliers are great tools to have around for retrieving items that have fallen into a drain.

• A basin wrench fits where most other wrenches can't.

• Probably one of the most important tips to remember is where the main water valve is for easy shut off access. (Just in case)

• The average household plumbing system represents an investment of about fifteen percent of the value of the house.

If you are not equipped with these tools, and are in dire need of help, contact the experts.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast.

benfranklin@benfranklinplumber.com

772-236-6080

Mon-Sun: 24/7

www.benfranklinplumber.com

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Signs that your Sewer Lines need a Repair

South Florida homes have been experiencing a large wave of sewer pipe problems due to the 25-35-year life span of cast iron pipes. Even when most homeowners’ insurance policies pay for some costs associated with faulty interior plumbing and electrical wiring, depending upon the policy, problems with exterior plumbing may or may not be covered.

A damaged sewer line can make you spend thousands of dollars, and not just on changing the tubes; there may be damages to floors, walls, furniture, carpeting, and electrical systems. More importantly, damaged sewer lines can also pose a major health hazard.

As a homeowner, you should be aware of the signs that may be telling you about the condition of your drains.  You should also know a good plumber who can respond to emergency situations, and arrive quickly to address the issue.

In this article, we want to highlight the main eight tell-tale signs that your sewer line is deteriorating and possibly damaged or broken.

1) Sewage Backups and Blockages: If every time you flush or run water down your sink or bathtub drain, you experience a backup, you most likely have a blockage as the air is having trouble escaping from your sewer system. 

2) Sewer Gas Odor: A sanitary sewer system should be air tight everywhere, with the exception of the vent stack. If you can smell a foul odor coming from your basement or around your home or building, this is definitely a tell-tale sign that there is a crack somewhere in your sewer system.

3) Mold Problem: Mold is the result of humidity levels rising to a point suitable to encourage the growth and presence of mold. This is another tell-tale sign that you may have a cracked sewer pipe behind a wall. Another sign that may point to a break in your sewage drain pipes is the detection of If you noticed mold accompanied by sewer odor.

4) Varying Water Levels in Your Toilet Bowl:  Fluctuating water levels in your toilet are usually a sign of a severe plumbing problem.  If water levels begin to fluctuate too much, your toilet bowl could be at risk of malfunctioning and/or overflowing.

5) Damp Areas in Your Yard:  Excessive wetness in your yard or waste water pooling often times proves there is a problem with the sewer drains located directly under the pool of sewer water. 

6)  Lush Patches in Grass: Spotting an extra green and lush patch of grass in your yard may also be evidence of sewage leakage underground.

7) Cracks on the Wall and Sinkholes: More extreme symptoms of sewer problems include foundation issues with your home or building, such as cracks, or your property may even experience sinkholes. 

8) Rodent or Insects Problem: Rats, cockroaches, palmetto bugs, and sewer flies can unfortunately make their way to the pipes running behind your walls.  To eliminate any infestation and to prevent others, you will need to address the entry point, which may indeed be a crack in your sewer lines.

How You Can Prevent Sewer Line Backups

• Do not pour Grease and/or Food through the drains: Avoid pouring grease, fats, gravies, sauces, and cooking oils down your kitchen drain, because these substances will cool off and solidify, and eventually build up to a massive clog. 

• Do not Flush improper items Down the toilet: Diapers, paper towels, facial tissue, feminine products, and food products should never be flushed down the toilet as they do not deteriorate over time and, can cause clogs.

• Periodically perform Maintenance to your Pipes: Every year or so, contact a professional plumber and ask them to perform a checkup and cleaning of your sewage and drainage pipes.

• Install a Backwater Prevention Valve: These fixtures are installed into a sewer line in the basement of your home to prevent sewer backups. They allow sewage to go out, but not come back in.

Facts to consider when fixing a broken or cracked sewer line

Now that you know what the warning signs are for a malfunctioning sewer line, it is also helpful to be aware of certain facts  before calling out a professional plumber.

1) Replacing a sewer line can vary in price, especially if you replace only part of the drainage pipes at different points in time.  In fact, the price can be three times as expensive than if you were to replace the entire line from the house to the street at one time.

2) If there is a broken pipe near the foundation wall or the city connection in the roadway, the price to repair the pipe may depend on the age and material of the existing pipe.

3) There could be tree roots causing your sewer problems… please remember that once roots invade your sewer line, there is no turning back. It is extremely risky to repair a section of pipe that has been invaded by tree roots, as the roots have already entered your pipe, and will continue to grow even after they have been cleared out.

What to Do If You Experience a Sewer Backup

As you can see, sewer backups can produce the most horrible of nightmares, without mentioning diseases, mold formations, destruction of valuables, and electrical malfunctions.  A prompt cleanup is necessary to restore sanitary conditions, and prevent further damage.

If you experience a sewer backup situation, at a minimum, you should have a sewer inspection done. Call Benjamin Franklin of the Treasure Coast as soon as possible; plumbing systems can fail unexpectedly and cause substantial damage to your home. Benjamin Franklin technicians and plumbers are fully trained using state-of-the-art equipment and technologies to solve all of your plumbing and drain problems, including sewer repair and sewer line replacement.

Still have questions about your sewer line? Make sure to call Benjamin Franklin of the Treasure Coast:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080

MARTIN (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

Learn more about Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Services, by clicking on this link:  http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/

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Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

The garbage disposal in your home is a great appliance making household duties less demanding, but just like any other appliance in your home this can also breakdown, block and clog up your drains causing a long list of expensive plumbing drain problems.

Clogged drains are a huge inconvenience and garbage disposal repair can be costly. Fortunately, most garbage disposal troubles are not terrible, and the proper care and maintenance is very easy. Treat your garbage disposal well and it will treat you well in return.Below we'll describe some mistakes you should avoid and the actions you should take in order to keep your garbage disposal working smoothly for many years.

1. Keep anything too hard out of the disposal. Otherwise, the shredder will dull and become less efficient. Small hard objects can also get stuck and jam the rotating parts. Each garbage disposal has its own capacity for hard objects. The more expensive models of the same brand tend to have higher hardness capacities and may be able to handle some of the following:

• Hard shells from shrimp, crabs and other shellfish

• Un-popped popcorn kernels

• Hard bones

2. Do not put fibrous or starchy items in the disposal. They can cause particularly stubborn drain blockages (fibers get tangled, and starches get thick). The following items shouldn’t be put in the disposal and if you do, please add them in minimal increments, preferably cut into small pieces, or avoid them all:

• Banana Peels,

• Celery,

• Potato peelings,

• Corn husk or corn cobs,

• Artichokes,

• Coffee grounds (in quantity) or coffee filters,

• Fruit pits and hard seeds, like avocados or peaches.

• Onion skins (unless you're especially careful to completely remove the thin membranes of each, which can wrap around the shredder ring)

• Egg shells should not be put in the disposal they turn into a substance that clogs piping.

3. Avoid putting trash or hard items down the disposal. Common sense will go a long way, but here are some examples of items to avoid:

• Twist ties, pull tabs, rubber bands

• Glass, screws, nails,

• Utensils

• Cigarette butts or bottle caps, paper, plastic, or other trash

• Fabric, string, rags, or sponges

• Plant or flower clippings

• Children's toys

• Hair

• Grease

4. Run cold water while the disposal is on. Keep disposer and water running for 30 to 60 seconds AFTER the waste matter has cleared your drain. The waste still has a long way to go. Cold water keeps the motor, bearings and shredder assembly from overheating. It also lets the waste go down better because the water is pushing it down. Don't use hot water, because it can melt fat and allow it to become solid as a blockage further down in the drain.

5.Clean it regularly. With the disposal off, clean the inner side of the rubber in the center of the sink leading to the disposal. It gets very dirty, and gives off an odor when not cleaned. Just wipe it with a paper towel.

Throw some ice down once in a while. While ice will not sharpen the shredders (as is commonly believed) it does knock off any debris buildup on the sharp edges that keeps them from grinding food properly. For better results, make special ice cubes from pure lemon juice or vinegar, or alternate with biodegradable cleanser (label them in your freezer!) Cover and seal ice trays used in your freezer for cleanser, and do not reuse trays for food or drink after having been used for cleanser. While using the disposal, be sure to run cold water at the same time.

Dispose orange peels, or any citrus rinds, to freshen the disposal and keep it smelling clean, but cut them into slices first as large pieces of citrus peel, e.g. half a lime, can jam a disposal. You can also use pieces of citrus fruit that may be too old to consume, as long as they're not too spoiled to smell nice. You can freeze these pieces first, if you wish.

If your garbage disposal breaks and you need help from a professional, it may be time to call: Benjamin Franklin the punctual plumber.

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080

MARTIN (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

Learn more about Benjamin Franklin Plumbing services, click on this link: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/

Benjamin Franklin - Lic. #CFC1426801 Ins. EOE/DFWP

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