Thursday 31 March 2016

3 Signs You Have a Gas Leak


Gas leaks are undoubtedly serious business, but they’re even more serious when they go undetected. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to enjoy the advantages of natural gas and detect leaks that can help save lives and your property.

1. Odd Smells

To make it easier to identify leaks, a special additive is delivered to the gas streaming into your home. The additive smells like rotten eggs and is one of the most common signs of a gas leak. If you ever detect this smell, it’s best to vacate your home and immediately call the fire department.

2. Dying Plants

Take a look around your property. If you notice plants that are dying for no discernible reason, there’s a good chance you have a gas leak. Leaking gas essentially makes the soil toxic and “clogs up the lungs” of your plants, making it all but impossible for them to thrive.

3. Physical Symptoms

There are also physical symptoms associated with gas leaks. Such symptoms include:

●    Dizziness
●    Fatigue
●    Headaches
●    Sickness
●    Disorientation
●    Trouble breathing

While you might think yourself sick if you’re experiencing these symptoms, the reason behind them might be a gas leak. Contact a trusted plumbing company to help reach a conclusion.

For additional information regarding gas line repair in Carlsbad, be sure to check out this site.

When to Replace Your Water Heater

You may not realize how convenient it is to have a water heater until yours goes on the fritz. Now you’re left wondering if it’s better for you to repair your heater or simply replace it. To help you reach a decision either way, you’ll want to consider a few factors.

Maintenance

If you haven’t done a good job of maintaining your water heater, you’ll likely to need to replace it sooner than one that’s been well maintained. In addition to having your heater regularly inspected, you should also have it flushed once a year.

Location


Water heaters located on upper or main floors without drains are more likely to need repairs than heaters in a basement near a drain. If you’ve been making several repairs to a heater located on a higher floor and without a drain nearby, you’ll probably want to start saving up for a replacement heater.

Water Quality

Test the water quality in your area to see how hard or soft it is. Hard water comes with more sediment, which builds up in your water heater and leads to more repairs. If it’s determined you do have hard water in your area, you can expect to have to replace your water heater sooner rather than later.

For more tips on water heater replacement in Encinitas, be sure to check out this site.

Leaking Pipes

When you have a broken or leaking pipe, it can wreak havoc in your home. Water damage is a serious issue so you should call a professional plumbing service at the first sign of damaged or leaking pipes.

How to Tell if You Have a Slab Leak


If you aren’t familiar with them, slab leaks occur when you have a leak in a water line that runs underneath the concrete floor of your residence. While it’s easy to understand what they are, they aren’t always so easy to detect. Thankfully, there are a few ways to help you determine whether you have such a plumbing problem that needs to be addressed.

Moisture Problems

Slab leaks often lead to:

●    Mildew and moisture under carpets
●    Bubbles in linoleum floors
●    Cracks in tile floors

The presence of any of these could be a sign there’s something going on with the plumbing underneath your home.

Areas of Warmth and Odd Sounds

If you’ve noticed one area of your home’s floors is unusually warm, it might be an indication your hot water line has sprung a leak. What’s more is that you may be able to actually hear a slab leak. Specifically, you might hear hissing or the sound of splashing water without a discernible source.

Low Water Pressure

Pay close attention to your water pressure the next time you turn a faucet. If the pressure is low, it could mean you have a slab leak. Even the smallest of leaks in your main water line can lead to a significant compromise in your water pressure.

Be sure to check out this website for information on professional slab leak detection in Carlsbad