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

water 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

billAnother 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.

Celebrate National Wellness Month by Focusing on Indoor Air Quality

Defining Indoor Air Quality

National Wellness Month happens to correspond with a heat wave that is sweeping the nation. The heat sends families scrambling away from outdoor summer activities back inside to take advantage of the home’s air conditioning. One of the benefits of summer is the opportunity it allows people to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. But, when it gets too hot, families find themselves back inside, exposed to low-quality air.

Indoor air is proven to be more polluted than outdoor air, bringing multiple negative consequences. This summer, don’t fall victim to low-quality air. Take advice from local HVAC technicians and keep the air inside the home fresh and healthy.

Health Effects of Low-Quality Air

dizzinessHomes are engineered to keep nature outside and a climate-controlled atmosphere inside. The downside of this is that the same air is constantly circulating around the house. As it circulates, it picks up odors, dust, and evaporated chemicals like cooking oils and hygiene products. The resulting air can have serious negative health effects like:

  • Eye irritation
  • Dry sinuses
  • Increased incidence of respiratory problems, including asthma and allergies
  • Sore throat
  • Dizziness

Most of these consequences are short or medium-term. Long-term, more serious problems that result from low-quality air can include increased susceptibility to viruses, heart disease, and cancer.

Air Filters and AC Maintenance for High-Quality Air

replace air filterSo what can be done to prevent the effects of poor indoor air quality? In the spring, when temperatures are milder, opening the windows can allow fresh air inside. But, with temperatures soaring outdoors, the only option is to keep the air inside the home cleaner. Two things are necessary to accomplish this: changing the air filter and professional AC maintenance.

Changing the air filter on time is perhaps the best thing a family can do to protect indoor air. High-quality filters remove dust and allergens from the air, leaving the air cleaner and fresher. Air filters should be changed at least every three months to keep the air and AC clean.

Fresh air is only as fresh as the machinery that moves it around the home. Over time, air conditioners become fouled with dust, mildew, and mold. This can lead to chronic health problems for anyone in the house. AC maintenance from a licensed professional can turn back the clock on air conditioners and help them supply only the freshest air to the home, improving indoor air quality.

Air Purifiers and Air Sanitizers

In some cases, good AC maintenance and frequent filter changes aren’t enough to keep the air clean. Portable air cleaners are great options if that is the case in a home. Portable air cleaners are small appliances that remove dust and biological agents from the air, resulting in cleaner and fresher-smelling living spaces.

Remember the difference between air purifiers and sanitizers when shopping for portable air cleaners. Air purifiers focus on removing larger particles from the air like dust, dander, and allergens. Air sanitizers use powerful UV light to destroy biological agents and odors like viruses, bacteria, and cigarette smoke.

About RCL Mechanical

RCL Mechanical is a locally-owned and operated business serving the residents of Taunton, MA, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat-rate pricing, on-time arrival, and 24/7 availability. Call them today for indoor air quality services in Taunton, MA.

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?

softenerWater 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

signsYou 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.

How to Keep the AC Working This Summer

Avoid Having a Faulty AC 

Summertime means homeowners will use their AC units to stay cool and comfortable during the year's hottest months. There are a lot of air conditioner maintenance benefits that homeowners often overlook. Homeowners can ensure that their system runs effectively and efficiently all summer long by taking proper steps to maintain air conditioning units. 

AC units sit all winter without being used, so come summertime, it should be no surprise that they need to be tuned up and serviced by a professional. Of course, there are also other tips to keep the AC running smoothly this year that homeowners can do themselves. 

Replacing Air Filters is Crucial filter

One of the most important ways to keep an air conditioning unit in good shape is to replace the air filter regularly. Changing these filters is easy enough for most homeowners to do and should be done around every three months. However, they may need replacing even more frequently if pet dander or allergy sufferers are present in the home. 

Air filters are designed to trap pollutants and airborne contaminants. The air circulates through the filter, causing it to become dirty. The more pollutants in the home, the dirtier the filter will become. Homeowners that change these filters on time can benefit from cleaner air, relief from allergies, and better efficiency with HVAC units. 

Avoid Clutter Around HVAC Units 

Homeowners should keep debris, plants, and other obstructions away from outdoor HVAC units to maintain the system. Debris can get trapped and build up in the system, especially during storms. This can cause problems and interfere with airflow. Debris can also affect the efficiency of the HVAC unit and cause it to consume more energy. Plus, it can cause damage to the system’s compressor or condenser coils. 

Additionally, plants can also cause interference if grown around the AC unit. Some plants will grow against whatever is nearby, including HVAC units, which can obstruct airflow, making the system work harder to keep the home cool inside. This can result in higher energy bills, costly repairs, and a shortened lifespan of the AC if the plants do any additional damage to the unit. 

maintenance

Regular AC Maintenance is a Must 

Homeowners should contact their local HVAC company to schedule air conditioner maintenance. It is important to have an HVAC system serviced twice a year to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. By keeping HVAC units maintained, homeowners can avoid unexpected and costly repairs. An AC technician who services the unit can spot problems early on, which lessens the chances of the issue worsening. Also, keeping the system maintained means it will run better, have a decreased risk of breaking down, and help in keeping energy bills low. 

When a licensed technician comes for regularly scheduled maintenance, they will thoroughly investigate the HVAC unit. This includes checking and replacing the furnace filter, looking for signs of wear on the system’s ventilation system and exterior, conducting repairs if needed, and cleaning and inspecting the unit’s interior. While this may seem like a lot of work, keeping an HVAC system maintained and running all summer efficiently is necessary.

About RCL Mechanical 

RCL Mechanical is a locally-owned and operated business that provides its neighbors in Taunton, MA, and the surrounding areas with award-winning service. They offer flat-rate pricing, 24/7 availability, and the latest technology. Call them today for air conditioning services in Taunton, MA.

How To Spot an Underground Water Leak

Three Ways To Find and Fix a Hidden Water Leak

Homeowners should not take hidden pipe leaks lightly. They need to act quickly to preserve their home’s structural integrity. Once someone discovers an underground water leak, the problem’s been happening for quite some time. 

Hidden water leaks are more common in areas where earthquakes or serious weather events (such as blizzards) are common. They’re also prone to happen in houses that are decades old, as these homes typically have older plumbing systems. If a homeowner even suspects a water line leak, they should reach out to a plumbing company as soon as possible. The longer one waits, the more they risk irreversible damage. 

Know the Signs To Look For water bill

Some signs of an underground water leak are similar to leaks under sinks, toilets, and AC systems. Some signs of hidden leaks include: 
  • Poor water pressure 
  • Foul odors coming from a drain 
  • Higher-than-usual water bills 
  • Soggy or swampy parts of the yard
  • Sinkholes 
  • Clogs or backed-up drains 

A professional familiar with underground plumbing systems can assess a situation, determine the cause of a leak, and remedy the problem. 

Monitor the Home’s Water Meter 

Whether built 100 years ago or last week, every home has a water meter. These devices share how much water a home consumes in a given period. If one’s water meter increases each day, despite no noticeable change in water consumption, this could point to an underlying problem. 

Here’s how homeowners can check their water meters to see whether they have a hidden water leak: 

  • Check the number on the water meter: Many water meters have dials that look like watch faces. Homeowners should find the number and write it down. 
  • Turn off the home’s water supply: One should do this at the beginning of the day, preferably when no one’s home. 
  • Check the water meter at the end of the day: There likely isn’t a hidden leak if the number stays the same. However, if that number increased (even slightly) during the day, this could point to an underground leak. 

A water leak repair service could also check the home’s water meter and explain whether there’s any cause for concern. 

Reach Out to a Water Line Leak Detection Service professional

Finding and fixing a water line leak isn’t a DIY project. It’s something that requires a professional’s insight. When a professional is called about a potential hidden leak, they will: 

  • Inspect the home’s appliances, such as the air conditioning unit and water main 
  • Use specialized software to detect any underground leaks 
  • Turn off the water main and check the water meter 
  • Check the plumbing system’s overall integrity 

A water leak repair service may employ additional measures to those listed here. 

About RCL Mechanical 

RCL Mechanical is a locally-owned and operated business that provides unbeatable plumbing and air services to its neighbors in Taunton, MA, and the surrounding areas. They offer flat-rate pricing, 24/7 availability, and a rewarding membership plan. Call them today for plumbing services in Taunton, MA.