When Do You Need A Water Line Repair? | Atlanta, GA
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There are two major components to your plumbing system that most people never think about until something goes wrong with it, our water main and your sewer line. These plumbing systems bring fresh water into your home and send dirty water out of your home. These two systems basically make up your home’s plumbing input and output. Understanding how these systems work and how to tell the signs that you are in dire need of water line repair is vital to maintaining your Atlanta, GA home. If you learn the signs that you’re in need of a repair you can avoid a nasty plumbing emergency.
Your Homes Water Main
Any home that receives water from the City of Atlanta, GA Water Department has a water main. The water main delivers fresh water to your home, the water you drink, bathe and cook with. A house water main is the main pipe connected to the city water supply which brings water into your home, it is connected to the city water source. You can find your water main by finding your home’s water meter. Your water meter is used to record the amount of water your home uses, to provide accurate billing each month from the City Water Department. Water mains have a size ranging from 1/2″ to up to 1 1/2″ in diameter. Larger water mains tend to be for multi-family homes or homes with multiple bathrooms. The size of your water main has nothing to do with whether or not you will need water line repair, the size of the water main is simply a matter of how much water your home requires.
Leaky Water Valve
Leaky water valves are a problem that many homeowners encounter. Certain types of water valves are more prone to leaks than others, like gate valves for example. If your shut-off valve is leaking it is best to call a plumber to ensure the leak gets fixed. In some cases, the valve may need to be replaced. Professional help will be needed if your valve needs to be replaced.
Shutting Off Your Water Main
All water mains will have a shut-off valve. You should always be aware of where your shut-off valve is located in case of a plumbing emergency or if you have need of Water Line Repair in your home. Your shut-off valve when used can help to prevent flooding during a plumbing emergency. The valve is typically located in the basement or garage but can also be found on a valve box outside of some homes and even in some people’s crawl spaces. You want to test the valve every year to make sure the valve is in good shape and you should also ensure that the valve is easily accessible in the case of a plumbing emergency especially one requiring Water Line Repair.
Water Main Malfunctions
Newer build homes tend not to require Water Line Repair often. Water Line Repair tends to be needed for older homes since the age of a water line can affect the water main’s integrity. Newer homes can however experience the need for a repair since water line pipes are under pressure. Nearly every homeowner at some point requires Water Line Repair. Holes and cracks often develop in water mains over time, often due to corrosion that happens from the soil and age. If your water line breaks or has a hole or a crack in it you will lose water pressure to your home. This can also cause water to flow out of the pipe and either into the street, the front lawn, or into your home. Knowing where the shut-off valve is vitally important! If you have any type of break in your water line chances are what water does enter your home’s plumbing system is contaminated so you should not drink the water or use appliances until you have made the call for a repair in your home. Yearly plumbing inspections can help you to find these problems before they become full-blown plumbing emergencies. It should be noted that you are responsible for water main issues if they occur on your property line, the city will not perform repairs on your property. The city will however repair water main problems that occur streetside or on city property.
How to Detect Leaks in Your Water Main
A leak in your water main can cause extensive damage to your home and your property. This damage can include damage to both your walls and your ceiling. Your water bill will likely skyrocket as well due to all the water that your water line is leaking. Water main damage can even cause mold and mildew damage to occur in your home, requiring expensive mold remediation, which is especially true if the mold happens to appear inside of your walls. Yet how do you tell if you have a water main leak? One tell-tale sign is the sudden appearance of lush green grass on just one part of your lawn. This is due to all of the excess water leaking into your lawn from a broken water main. Another sign of needing a repair in your home is the sudden appearance of mold and mildew in your home when you have not had flooding or any known water damage to your home. Leaks to your water line can be hard to find since they are often located out of sight in places such as under your lawn or under a concrete slab of your home. These leaks can remain hidden from view yet cause massive property damage, requiring an urgent need for a Water Line Repair.
If you have or suspect that you have issues with either your water main and your sewer line, call the experts at Peach Plumbing & Drain of Atlanta, GA today! We are knowledgeable in Water Line Repairs and can have your water main repaired quickly.