Leaking plumbing can be a frustrating and costly issue for homeowners. Whether it’s a dripping faucet or a pipe that has burst, plumbing leaks can cause damage to your home and lead to higher water bills. Identifying and fixing the source of the leak as soon as possible is crucial to prevent further damage.
In this blog, we’ll explore some common causes of leaking plumbing and provide tips on how to prevent and fix these issues. Whether you’re dealing with a minor leak or a major plumbing emergency, the experts at St Paul Pipeworks are here to help.
If you discover a leak at or near a plumbing fixture in your home, the first thing to do is to figure out where the leak is coming from. The leak could possibly be coming from 3 different places:
- From the water pipes and faucet system,
- From the waste pipe and waste system, or
- From the actual fixture itself around the seal of the fixture or from a crack in the fixture.
The first thing that a St Paul Pipeworks plumber is going to do is figure out where the leak is coming from. If the leak is coming from the water supply side, the fixture is usually dripping all of the time because the water pipes coming from the main and the water pipes leading up to the faucet are all under pressure.
If the leak is inside of the faucet, the faucet won’t leak when the fixture is turned off. Water can leak around the faucet handles, around the stems, or at the spout. There can be a lot of different places where it can leak.
Often, for most standard brands, St Paul Pipeworks plumbers will have all of the parts with them on their truck, and they can be replaced immediately during the same visit. If the leak is in the waste system, the plumber typically finds it by running the faucet water down that waste system.
If it is a wash basin, a kitchen sink, or a laundry tub, St Paul Pipeworks plumbers will fill it up with several inches of water and then pull the stopper. That will rapidly flush the water down the waste system, and the plumber can figure out if the leak is coming from where the waste pipe is connected to the fixture or if it is coming from the tailpiece of the fixture. The water will either leak into the p-trap itself or leak directly into the waste pipe.
The plumber will figure that out and typically take the pipe apart and replace parts or replace the entire pipe and fittings. Finally, there can be excess water sloshing about around a fixture, or the entire fixture can be cracked.
Once in a while, St Paul Pipeworks plumbers come across this kind of situation that is a little bit more difficult to diagnose. The plumbers know how to figure out if you have a crack in the china fixture or if there is water being splashed around because it is leaking from a seal.
Often underneath a toilet, there are concealed seals, and the plumber can go through their diagnostic routine and find the leak. Once they find out where the leak is coming from, then they can attack the problem.
If you are having trouble with a leaking fixture in your home or are just looking for a quality plumber in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro area, give St Paul Pipeworks a call today.
Yours Truly,
Matthew Dettwiler
Social Media Manager
FAQs
Q: What should I do if I discover a leak near a plumbing fixture in my home?
A: If you discover a leak near a plumbing fixture in your home, the first thing to do is to figure out where the leak is coming from. The leak could be coming from the water pipes and faucet system, the waste pipe and waste system, or the actual fixture itself around the seal of the fixture or from a crack in the fixture. Once you’ve identified the source of the leak, it’s best to call a professional plumber, like St Paul Pipeworks, to fix the issue.
Q: How does St Paul Pipeworks identify the source of a leak in a plumbing fixture?
A: St Paul Pipeworks plumbers have years of experience and the necessary tools to identify the source of a leak in a plumbing fixture. They will first determine whether the leak is coming from the water supply side or the waste system. Then they will use various diagnostic techniques to locate the exact source of the leak, which may involve taking the fixture apart or running water through the waste system to observe where the water is leaking.
Q: What are some common causes of leaks in plumbing fixtures?
A: Some common causes of leaks in plumbing fixtures include worn-out seals, cracked or damaged pipes, loose or damaged connections, and damaged fixtures. Other factors like high water pressure or hard water can also contribute to leaks in plumbing fixtures.
Q: Will St Paul Pipeworks have the necessary parts to fix my plumbing fixture on the first visit?
A: St Paul Pipeworks plumbers often have all the necessary parts to fix most standard-brand plumbing fixtures on their trucks. This means that they can usually complete the repair during the same visit. However, in some cases, they may need to order specialized parts, which may require a second visit.
Q: How can I schedule an appointment with St Paul Pipeworks for plumbing repairs in the St. Paul and Minneapolis area?
To schedule an appointment with St Paul Pipeworks for plumbing repairs in the St. Paul and Minneapolis area, you can call our office at (651) 644-9400 or fill out our contact form. We offer 24/7 emergency service for urgent plumbing repairs.
