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6 Potential Signs of a Hidden Plumbing Leak

1/25/2021

 
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A great many people don't believe that little leaks represent a serious plumbing crisis. In any case, considering the expense and time even a minor plumbing leak can bring about, one should look to the services of a plumber in Coquitlam should you see indications of a hidden plumbing leak coming from a leaking pipe. Concealed pipe leakage is known to be a serious problem as water damage can get worse over time. Consequently, the question is: what are the indicators of an invisible water drip? Contact your Coquitlam plumber on the off chance that you recognize any of these signs:

UNEXPLAINED WATER BILL HIKES: An unusual spike in your water bill even though your water use has not changed serves as an excellent indicator of a hidden plumbing leak. It is most advisable to consider your previous half a year of water bills and check when your bills began to rise the most. This can give you a good indicator of the leak’s existence and the degree of harm the leak may have caused.

SMELLING MUSTY ODORS: Old, gathered water from a defective pipe, as a rule, gives off an unmistakable smell. In the event that you do experience a stale earthy or musty smell, even after totally cleaning your washroom, this is a certain sign of a leak along the pipes. Consequently, since the leak stays covered up, there is less of a possibility for the water to dry. To check to see whether this is an issue with a leaky pipe at the sink, open up the cabinet under the sink and check for water pooling on any objects that are stored under the sink. Additionally, you should run your hand along the woodwork and floor under the sink to check for dampness and/or indications of swelling material.

WATER STAINS ON CEILINGS: In the event that you have a plumbing leak issue in your second-floor washroom, indications of water damage, or different stains on the ceiling below in the room under the washroom. Keep in mind that you may also see stains farther away since water can stream over a significant distance. You may have a plumbing leak with your second-floor pipes if the ceiling underneath shows dark, copper, or brown colored stains.

WATER DAMAGED FLOORING: It's uncommon occurrence for water to harm your washroom floor except if you permit water to settle on it or if there is a floor leak. A staining, cracking, or buckling washroom floor might be a good indication of a concealed plumbing leak. Water might have settled there from another leaking spot as well, or a leaking pipe underneath the floor.

WATER DAMAGED WALLS: Your washroom or bathrooms might be experiencing a plumbing leak should you notice stained or warping wall as well. When drywall is exposed to moisture, it begins to bubble, getting soft. Also, if the leak spreads to the ceiling, it ultimately leaks and begins to warp. 

MILDEW OR MOLD: Regardless of how exhaustive or how regularly you clean your washroom, a concealed water leak may eventually cause mildew or mold. The pipes installed under the flooring surface or in a wall fill or in corners as well are excellent areas for mold or mildew to develop if there’s a water leaking issue. Should you notice mold or mildew on non-shower walls or in corners of your bathroom; this could be an excellent indicator that you have a water leakage issue.

Should you observe that your home is encountering any of the above indications of a concealed leak, it is always a good idea to contact an experienced Coquitlam plumbing expert as soon as possible. A knowledgeable plumber will have the ability to detect if this is an isolated issue or a real issue that requires prompt professional attention. 
​
HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLD OR MILDEW DUE TO PIPE LEAKAGE.

When mold or mildew develop inside a home they can rapidly prompt serious health issues if unresolved. These health effects may include:

  • Throat, nose, and skin aggravation
  • Irritated eyes or redness
  • Regular hacking or sniffling
  • Upper and lower respiratory problems
  • Sinus blockage
  • Rashes

Much of the time, these kinds of medical issues are brought about by taking in unsafe spores. Direct skin contact, can likewise cause hypersensitivity. These issues are made significantly more serious when joined with previous respiratory conditions, for example, asthma. That is the reason why it's so critical to act rapidly to look for water damage from leaking pipes when these symptoms occur.

For professional plumbing assistance, our plumbers in Coquitlam are always available to assist.

What Causes Clogged Sewer Lines and How to Prevent Them

1/25/2021

 
sewer line repair
​Sewer lines carry waste away from your home or business. When they become clogged, it can be a serious inconvenience that is not only gross but damaging. In this article we will look at some of the most common causes of sewer line backups, how to prevent them, and the early warning signs to watch for.

Causes and How to Prevent Them.

Sewer line clogs are caused by several factors. Some of those factors are tied to your actions directly and are preventable. Others are environmental or caused by factors outside of our control. Regardless of the cause, you will need to contact New West Plumbing of Coquitlam to resolve the issue.

  • Cause - Tree Roots

Trees are a wonderful addition to any yard, but the aboveground beauty belies the underground menace lurking slowly towards your sewer lines. Tree roots can spread dozens of feet below ground as they seek water. That search will bring them closer and closer to your sewer lines. If you have older sewer pipes made of clay or other porous material, the roots can penetrate the pipe. As the roots grow, they will cause cracks in the pipe leading to a break and the resulting clog will prevent waste water from flowing through the pipes.

Prevention - Unfortunately, there is no steadfast way to prevent tree root damage to sewer pipes. Newer PVC pipes are more durable and have tighter joint seals than older pipes made of clay or other porous materials, so newer homes may encounter fewer issues.


  • Cause - Toilets
​
Ask any of the plumbers in Coquitlam about their most common house call and they will tell you tales of the toilet clogs they have cleared over the years. It is remarkable what people will flush down a toilet either knowingly or unknowingly. Flushing things like wipes, diapers, toys, and other non flush-able items can cause clogs in your sewer lines. You can clear some clogs with an everyday plunger. Blockages that are allowed to build over time will probably require a Coquitlam plumber to resolve.

Prevention - Waste and toilet paper are okay to flush but anything other that that should be avoided.


  • Cause - Pouring Grease, Oil, and Fats Down Your Garbage Disposal​

When it comes to plumbing Port Coquitlam, pouring grease and oil down the garbage disposal is another common cause of clogs in sewer pipes. A common misconception is that you can pour grease, oil, and fats down the drain as long as you run lots of hot water down it as you do it. That thinking is incorrect. As the grease and oil travels through the pipes it cools and hardens building up over time to form a blockage.

Prevention - Always pour hot grease, oil, and fats into a coffee can or jar. Once it hardens, you can throw it in the trash. Using a screen or strainer in your garbage disposal will help prevent larger chunks of debris from getting into your pipes. Businesses should contact a plumber in Coquitlam to schedule annual drain cleaning service as a preventative measure.


  • Cause - Sewer Pipe Damage

Sewer pipes run underground and are affected by several different forces. Shifting and settling soil, increased traffic or weight on the ground above the pipes, corrosion, and leaking joint seals are all common factors which can cause damage to sewer lines.

Prevention - Regular sewer line inspections can help to identify potential issues before a clog is formed. Damaged sewer pipes will always require the expertise of a Coquitlam plumber.

What to Watch For

Most sewer line clogs worsen over time. Knowing what early warning signs to watch for can help catch problems early. Things to watch out for include.
  1. Frequent backups in a drain or multiple drains, especially if the backups occur in the lowest level of your home or business could be a sign of a break or blockage in your sewer line.
  2. Multiple fixtures are blocked at the same time. If you have multiple plumbing fixtures all clogged at the same time, you definitely have a sewer line issue.
  3. Changes to your lawn. Because sewer lines run from your home to the street finding a wet spot in your lawn when you have had no rain or an indentation in the lawn that was not there before are signs you have damage to the sewer line.
  4. Strange odors, bubbling, or noises coming from your drains or toilets.
​
There are several issues that can cause your sewer lines to clog. Knowing what not to do and what to look for to identify a potential clog is an important part of owning a home or business. Calling your Coquitlam Plumber from New West Plumbing at the first signs of an issue can help save time and money down the road.

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  • HOME
  • PLUMBING
    • TOILET
    • SINK
    • DRAIN
    • SHOWER / BATHTUB
    • EMERGENCY PLUMBING
    • WATER PIPE
    • SUMP PUMP
    • SEWER LINE
    • CAMERA INSPECTION
    • BACKWATER VALVE
    • HYDRO JETTING
    • COMMERCIAL
  • HEATING
    • WATER HEATER
    • FURNACE
    • BOILER
  • Locations
    • COQUITLAM
    • BURNABY
  • Blog
  • CONTACT