Did you know that pipes have an average lifespan of about 50 years? If your home is older or the plumbing has not been updated, your pipes most likely have issues that could cause costly repairs. Even 10-year-old pipes can start showing their age and compromise the flow of water to your home and appliances.
A surefire way to tell if your pipes are damaged is uneven water flow. The water flow from faucets around your house should be consistent, if you experience different flows, call Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning and plumbing immediately.
Don't wait for that inevitable leak. We'll check all of the pipes, marking those that need to be replaced. We'll also evaluate the benefits of replacement in the original location of the pipe. Or, if they are under a slab or in a location that would require extensive damage to walls or ceilings, we will recommend a repair. , Jeff Chapman, Chapman Heating and Air
Keep an eye on your monthly bill to be sure that your pipes aren't draining water and your wallet. Stay aware of all of the signs and symptoms of bad pipes. Look for leaks, listen for noises and carefully track your monthly bill.
Another thing to look out for is pinhole leaks. These leaks usually sound like a running toilet and will cause the meter to spin while no appliance is in use. If that is the case, you have a pinhole leak and will need repair. Unfortunately, pinhole leaks don't usually happen in just one place. If you have one pinhole leak, odds are you have many pinhole leaks. Leaks like these are bad news for your home and for your wallet.
Repairing an entire plumbing system is a difficult task. The Chapman professionals are highly skilled in replacing pipes and fixing damage with as little damage to your drywall and floors. Damage caused by leaking pipes can be extensive and pipes that leak without notice for long periods of time cause massive amounts of expensive damage as well as one big repair project.
An even bigger costly mistake is not hiring a professional. Leaks inside of walls or under slabs of concrete are typically not a do-it-yourself project (unless you happen to be a certified technician).
If you suspect your pipes are leaking or damaged, call the Chapman Plumbing experts at 317-291-4909. Make sure you're not spending money on a water bill that is also damaging your home from the inside out. Schedule your appointment today.
Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, your source for qualified plumbing repair and installation
So the worst scenario has happened and something is wrong with the plumbing within your concrete slab. You're not sure what is happening, but you have made the first step to fix the problem by calling a professional. Here are a few things you need to mentally prepare for during a concrete slab repair.
First, the plumber will ask why you think there is a leak in the concrete foundation. Then the water in the house will need to be turned off by the plumber in preparation for specialized listening equipment the plumber will use. This equipment will listen for any leaks or inconsistency within the pipes.
When the leak or problem is discovered a plumber will use this technique to fix the problem:
Jackhammer Approach
The jackhammer approach is very inconvenient to home owners, but may be the best way to fix the problem. Where ever the leak is detected a square of your home will need to be cut and removed. Then a jackhammer will be utilized to break through the concrete slab to gain access to the pipes. For this approach, make sure to factor in the costs of repairing the floor that was damaged. Be prepared for loud noises and to avoid the area for the duration of the repairs.
Concrete slabs leave no room for short cuts or quick fixes. Repairing plumbing within a concrete slab is expensive, time consuming and can happen any time of year. Expect any damage in your slab to take at least a week's worth of inspection and labor to be completed. When a leak occurs, call Chapman to determine the best option for your home. For more information about concrete slab leaks or repairs, give us a call at 317-291-4909 or visit our website today!
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, to provide plumbing services for your home today!
Concrete slabs are a stabilizing base for building homes. They are usually found in homes built in California and Texas. It became a trendy building technique during the 90's and early 2000's in the Midwest. It's not a common technique in most of the country, but it's important to know if your home was built on a concrete slab.
If your home was built on a concrete slab it not only maintains a stable base during construction, it also keeps all your plumbing in place. But what happens when something shifts? Damage coming from the slab can be extremely hard to detect, but we are here to make it easier. How do you discover a plumbing leak within a concrete slab? Keep reading.
1. Wet or Damp Floors
After slipping off your shoes, you might notice some dampness under your feet. Damp or wet areas of flooring can be indicators of a plumbing leak. The water escapes the pipes within the slab and starts rising to the surface. It may also cause an elevated or bubbled area of flooring. If you see this you need to contact Chapman immediately!
2. Sound of Rushing Water
If you hear the sound of rushing water and no one is taking a shower or running a bath, you've got a problem. While the water hasn't reached the surface of your flooring, it may be flowing around the pipes instead of within them.
3. Increased Water Bill
Your water bill comes in the mail and BOOM, you notice your bill is $50 more than the previous month. Pick up the phone and get a plumber on the scene. A larger water bill may be an indicator that water is escaping the pipes which is increasing your water usage.
Fixing a plumbing system within a concrete slab can be tricky, but Chapman has the expertise to make it as smooth as possible. If your home is built on a concrete slab, stay on your toes for indicators that something may be wrong. For more information about concrete slab leaks or repairs call us at (317) 207-9378 or visit our website today!
Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, your source for qualified plumbing contractors
We know what you're thinking. It's cold and I want to get warm fast. So while you're busy making sure your furnace is in tip-top shape and you're using a humidifier to balance out the dry air, you might have forgotten about your plumbing. Oh yeah. Your plumbing is going to need just as much tender love and care as the rest of your home maintenance. Icy morning showers, frozen or cracked pipes, flooding and leaks are just some of the many plumbing issues that happen when the temperature drops. Avoid these issues with some of these winter plumbing tips.
Leave Water Running - If the weather channel predicts negative temperatures or a snow storm you need to take preventative measures. Make sure the faucet in your kitchen or bathroom is dripping slightly to reduce pressure in the pipes. A slow trickle is best, not a stream. Be sure to use insulating faucet covers, rags or trash bags around your outdoor faucets.
Keep Your Pipes Insulated - Leave some of your cabinet doors under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms open to allow heated indoor air to circulate around the pipes. You can also use foam padding sleeves to guard your pipes during the colder months. Exposed plumbing should be kept warm! Don't forget about those pipes in the basement or unused areas of your home. You don't want frost to accumulate or cracks to develop.
Don't Forget the Outdoors , When freezing temperatures hit you definitely want to disconnect water hoses from faucets. Drain the hose and bring it indoors if you can. You also need to close the shut-off valve on the pipes that lead to your outdoor spigots. When spring decides to arrive, roll the hose back out.
Spread Out Your Showers , Not having hot water during the winter is just the worst. Eliminate this issue by spacing out showers by 10 minute intervals. This will help maintain hot water and water pressure for everyone in your house. If you decide to turn up your water heater, make sure you keep the temperature below 125 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.
These are just a few tips to help get you through the freezing cold months without any plumbing issues. Still have questions? Call Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning at 317-291-4909 or visit our website today.
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing a call, to answer all your plumbing needs!
Hard water is nobody's friend. It can ruin your plumbing, your faucets and your hair and skin. Hard water is a pain to deal with, and it doesn't help that Indiana is famous for it. So how do you save your pipes and yourself from the effects of hard water? A Puritan Water Conditioning system is exactly what you need.
Hard water is caused by particles like calcium, magnesium, iron, lead and other minerals being picked up by water as it travels through the ground and out of your faucet. Water hardness will vary depending where you live, but in general, water is relatively hard when it leaves treatment plants. All of the minerals and dirt in the water reduce soap's ability to later and clean. This causes a dingy, white residue on dishes, sinks and bathtubs. It also causes buildup in your hair and leaves a film on your skin.
So how do you prevent hard water from ruining your life? Puritan water conditioning systems not only soften water, but also filter the water and remove impurities. Instead of spending money a shower head filter and a water softener, you get the results of both devices in one system. Puritan filtration and softening systems correct a variety of problems, while generally improving the quality of your water.
When the quality of your water is improved, the life of your plumbing is greatly increased. Hard water can cause scale to build up on water heaters and pipes. This will limit the water flow, which will cause the machine to work twice as hard, and increase your energy bill. Improved water quality will make cleaning and doing laundry much more efficient. Say good bye to dingy dishes. You'll no longer have to run the dishwasher multiple times to get those hard water stains out. A Puritan conditioning system will help you save money and allow your home to become more energy efficient.
Put a stop to hard water damage today. Puritan conditioning systems will help keep your dishes and hair clean, all while saving you time and money. Stop complaining about hard water stains and mineral buildup. Call Scott Plumbing today at 317-773-3325 for more information about Puritan conditioning systems, or visit their website.
Get your hard water fixed today. Call Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, for all your plumbing needs
