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Indications That The House Has A Water Leak

Signs That a Home Has a Leak

Sometimes it’s easy to tell when there is a leaky pipe in a home. Pooling water where it is not supposed to be, structural water damage, mold, and mildew are clear signs that water is coming from somewhere it shouldn’t, such as a burst pipe or leak. Leaks are not always so obvious, but several more subtle signs may indicate this problem in the home plumbing system.

Sounds of Running Water

There are many reasons to hear water running in a home. Faucets, dishwashers, showers, and washing machines running are all examples of where it’s normal to hear running water. However, if a homeowner hears hissing or running water sounds when no water is being used, this can point to a water leak. Here are a few other ways hissing or running water sounds can indicate a plumbing leak:

The sound is in a different location than expected.
The sound is louder than normal.
The sound is new or unusual.

Water Pressure Issues

Sometimes changes in water pressure can be evidence of plumbing problems. If water pressure suddenly seems low, that may indicate a leak in the supply lines. This is especially true if water pressure is lower throughout the house. If it's only in one spot, it's likely a problem of scale buildup, although it can indicate that the leak is just close to the particular fixture too.

As soon as the low water pressure is noticed, homeowners should reach out to a professional to determine the cause. Reasons for low water pressure can be quite varied and include the following:

Leaks: This is, of course, the big one discussed in this article. When water can escape the pipe, the pressure is diverted and does not go straight for the faucet or fixture it is intended to.

Scale Buildup: Calcium and other minerals commonly found in hard water can build up in the pipes and reduce water flow.

Supply Problems: Sometimes, if a municipal water supply is experiencing issues, it can affect the pressure throughout the system.

Escalating Water Bills

Another subtle way leaks can reveal themselves is through higher water bills. A sudden unexplainable increase in water usage may point to a leak. If no other signs are present, it may even be under the slab or in the main supply line.

There can be multiple reasons for a water bill to increase, but if a rate increase has not happened and there have not been many guests in a home to increase water usage, a leak may be the most likely reason. If any of these signs show up, it’s time to call a professional so they can determine the source of the problem, fix it, and prevent further damage.

About RCL Mechanical

With flat-rate pricing and technicians available to answer calls around the clock, RCL Mechanical is ready to meet the plumbing needs of Taunton, MA, and the surrounding areas. They provide on-time arrival and the latest technology so customers can get on with their lives as quickly as possible. Call them today for water leak detection services in Taunton, MA.

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Does Your House Need a Water Softener?

What is Considered Hard Water?

The difference between hard and soft water is the mineral count in the water. Hard water has a higher mineral count because it moves through calcium and magnesium deposits in the ground. Water has different levels of hardness, including moderately hard, hard, and very hard. The higher the mineral count, the harder the water. Hard water is safe to drink and bathe in, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Read on to learn what hard water is capable of and how to protect against its negative effects.

How Do Water Softeners Work?

Water softeners eliminate the mineral deposits in water before the water goes into the house through an ion exchange process. This is important because hard water can damage appliances and plumbing. A whole-home water softener accomplishes this with two tanks: one filled with special resin beads and one called a brine tank filled with salt or potassium chloride pellets and water. The hard water goes into the tank with the resin beads, which attract the minerals thanks to their negative charge. The water then flows out of the softener tank and into the house for everyone to use.

However, although the resin beads don’t need replacing, they do need to be recharged occasionally. This is because they lose their negative charge after attracting minerals. How many gallons before a recharge depends on the system. When the built-in computer records the pre-set amount of water, it flushes the salty water from the brine tank through the softener tank. The salted water flushes the minerals and recharges the beads. That water is then flushed out of the system through a discharge hose. Then the cycle starts over again.

Signs You Have Hard Water

You may or may not know if you have hard water. One good way to tell is if you feel a film on your hands or body after you wash with soap. It often feels as if the soap doesn’t fully rinse off your hands. The minerals in hard water can also make your skin and hair feel dry and itchy. It can also cause hair to lose its luster.

Another sign that a home has hard water includes soap scum on glasses and dishes. If the dishes come out of the dishwasher with water spots, hard water is likely the culprit. Plumbing fixtures (faucets and showerheads) in a house with hard water will experience scale buildup. Lastly, the minerals in hard water prevent detergent from working effectively, leaving clothes looking dull.

Whole-Home Water Softener Benefits

All this stuff may sound pretty harmless, but the signs above are only the easily visible ones. Since homeowners can’t see inside their pipes, they don’t know the damage hard water is doing to them. Calcium and magnesium build up inside the home’s pipes, which leads to higher utility bills and less efficiency. It can also lead to costly plumbing repairs and damaged appliances.

With soft water, homeowners can rest assured that appliances like their dishwasher and washing machine will last longer. They can also get out of the shower feeling cleaner and enjoy healthy-looking hair and skin.

About RCL Mechanical

RCL Mechanical provides the residents of Taunton, MA, and the surrounding areas with award-winning service and professionalism. They offer flat-rate pricing and 24/7 availability. Call them today for plumbing services in Taunton, MA.

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Why Won't Your House Stay Warm Enough?

Three Common HVAC Issues That May Be Affecting Your Home’s Heating

As autumn rolls on and the weather grows ever chillier, homeowners find themselves running the heater with more and more frequency. Unfortunately, many homeowners also find that no matter how often or how long they run their furnace, the house never seems to reach or hold the desired temperature. This can be frustrating and problematic, to say the least, especially with winter just around the corner.

So keep reading to learn about three of the most common reasons a home’s central heating system might be struggling to provide warmth - and what to do about them.

Wrong Sized Unit

One surprisingly common cause of heating issues is a heater or furnace that’s the wrong size for the home. This can occur if the unit was selected and installed without proper calculations or if part of the house has been remodeled.

If the unit is oversized, it will produce too much heat too quickly, and the thermostat will shut off the heating cycle prematurely. This is known as “short-cycling” and can cause some parts of the home to be deprived of heat. An undersized unit will run longer than intended as it struggles to meet the thermostat’s demands. The result can be higher utility bills and increased wear and tear on the unit in either case. Unfortunately, the only solution is a new heater installation.

Thermostat Issues

In some cases, a heat deficiency may be caused by something as simple as a thermostat problem. If the thermostat is located near a heat source or exposed to direct sunlight, it may cause the heater to turn off even though the rest of the house hasn’t been properly heated. Similarly, if dust or grime has built up inside the thermostat, it may not be able to accurately read the temperature, potentially resulting in insufficient heat.

Alternatively, the problem may also simply be an old thermostat. For instance, some older thermostats contain a mercury bulb, which can cause malfunctions if it isn’t completely level. Even a purely digital thermostat can become worn and begin to fail after many years of use. The best way to solve thermostat issues is to call an HVAC professional to diagnose the issue and perform thermostat services such as a cleaning, adjustment, or full upgrade.

Debris In Or Around the Outdoor Unit

Another reason the home’s heating system may not be producing enough heat is a buildup of debris around the outdoor unit. In homes with heat pump systems, the outdoor unit is responsible for capturing heat energy from the outdoor air to be transferred indoors.

Fallen leaves, twigs, or other debris can get into the unit or clog up air pathways, impeding airflow and interfering with the heat transfer. The heater will then struggle to keep up with the demands of the thermostat. Fortunately, this can be resolved with professional heater service and likely won’t require repairs. In between heater maintenance visits, homeowners can help prevent this issue by keeping the area around their unit clear of leaves and other yard debris.

About RCL Mechanical

RCL Mechanical proudly serves Raynham, MA, handling all their plumbing, heating, and air conditioning needs. They offer superb customer service and stellar workmanship performed by professionals. Their techs arrive on time and always leave the home clean after every job. Give them a call today for expert heating service in Raynham.