The Problems With Undetected Leaks

The Problems With Undetected Leaks

  • bathroom remodeling
  • kitchen remodeling
Leaky faucet repair by McHales

Unless you’re a licensed plumber, it’s best to let a professional repair any leaks in your home. Deciding when it’s time to call in a plumber, however, means knowing when there’s a leak in your house. Since some leaks are trickier to find than others, it’s important to understand the various warning signs of a house leak. The sooner you find a leak and repair it, the better, as an untreated leak can end up costing thousands from damages. To catch a leak as early as possible, here are a few warning signs to watch out for.

When it’s Time to Call the Plumber

  • Mold or mildew. One of the most telling signs of a leak is discovering mold or mildew in your home. When enough moisture accumulates, mold and mildew can grow, creating a health hazard for you and your household. If you find patches of mold or mildew on the walls, ceiling, or somewhere out of the ordinary, there’s a leak somewhere in your house.
  • Damaged paint or wallpaper. Leaks can happen in a variety of places, including inside your walls. That’s why if you see warped or peeling paint, or cracked or discolored wallpaper, the culprit is most likely a leak.
  • Stained walls and ceilings. If your roof is leaking, it can usually result in dark stains on the walls and ceiling. Sometimes the color of the stain can also help to determine what caused the leak. Dark brown or copper stains, for example, are usually caused by a leaking pipe.
  • Musty odors. If there’s mold somewhere in your house, you’re more likely to smell if before you see it. Mold has a distinct odor, and usually, when something smells musty, it either indicates a leak or old age. Be mindful of any foul odors. If you suspect you smell something musty, call a plumber.
  • Warped walls and doors. Any type of leak or water damage is very harmful to wood, and wooden walls and doors are no exception. While the damage might be subtle, it’s a good idea to check your walls for any curved planks of wood, uneven surfaces, or slight discoloration. A house leak can also cause the doors in your house to warp, making them difficult to open or close.
  • If your walls appear to be sweating, it’s because there’s a leak somewhere inside your wall. A “sweating” wall or condensation is usually the result of excessive moisture accumulating behind a wall.
  • Damaged flooring. It’s important to not only watch your walls and ceilings but your floors as well, as hidden leaks can happen beneath tile and wood planks. Be on the lookout for warped wood, stains, soft areas, loose or cracking tiles, peeling caulk, and damp carpet. All are typically signs of a leak.
  • Damaged roof shingles. If your roof is the source of the leak, the easiest way to detect it is through the shingles. The shingles are your roof’s first line of defense, and damaged shingles usually indicate a leak. If you suspect your ceiling has a leak, it’s time to check your roof for bald, buckling, curling, or missing shingles.
  • Cracked garage floor. House leaks can also happen underground. If you notice there are cracks in your garage floor, it could be due to an underground waterline leak. Broken pipes beneath your house can lead to soil erosion, causing parts of the house to settle at a lower level.
  • Warm and damp floors. A damp floor can indicate a plumbing or foundation leak, but if your floors are both damp and warm, the problem may have to do with your water heater. Hot water leaks are another potential problem, and if your water heater isn’t the culprit, you may have a sewer line leak. Hot water leaks are especially problematic, as mold grows faster with hot water.

If you have leaky kitchen or bathroom appliances, call McHales today! 

By Michelle Fadeley

How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Your Damaged Faucet

How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Your Damaged Faucet

  • bathroom remodeling
  • kitchen remodeling
McHales Kitchen and Bath Faucet Repair

Plumbing services take up your time and can cost a great deal of money, which is why it’s important to first determine whether your faucets are damaged or not. If your faucets are damaged, you should call a licensed plumber as soon as possible. If you’re struggling with your faucets, the problem might not have anything to do with your faucet, as your home’s plumbing is complicated. If you think your faucet is damaged, however, here are a few warning signs to watch out for.

How to Know if Your Faucet is Damaged

  • Dripping faucet. A leaky faucet can be a common plumbing problem, but if you notice your faucet is constantly dripping, then you have a damaged faucet. Constant dripping is usually caused by high water pressure or a broken valve.
  • Spitting faucet. Faucets that function normally, should release a consistent stream of water, but if your faucet has an irregular water flow, there could be some damages. A spitting faucet is usually caused by some sort of internal damage done to the faucet.
  • Squeaking faucet. If your faucet’s handle squeaks when you turn the water on, there could be damages that need urgent repair. Sometimes a squeaky faucet needs a little grease applied, if that doesn’t work, however, then it’s time to call a plumber.

When It’s Time to Repair Your Faucet

  • The type of faucet. There are several different types of faucets, and some faucets have more parts than others. Faucets, such as ball faucets, have several different parts that can be susceptible to damage.
  • Frequent dripping A leaking faucet can usually be fixed with a repair than an entire replacement. Most leaky faucets are fixed by simply removing the handle and tightening the adjusting ring. A leaky faucet can also be resolved by replacing the O-rings on the cartridge when they’ve worn out. If any internal parts are too worn out, however, then it’s time for a replacement.
  • Squeaky faucet. Usually, a squeaky faucet doesn’t warrant a replacement, but a simple repair. Removing the appropriate parts to grease them usually solves the problem.

When It’s Time to Replace Your Faucet

Faucets aren’t built to last forever, and your faucets will break down from use over time. The older the faucet, the less likely it can run efficiently which can result in expensive water bills. If your home runs on hard water, that can cut down on your plumbing’s lifespan drastically. Replacing your entire faucet, however, can be costly, which is why it’s important to determine when your faucet needs a replacement. Here are a few warning signs to watch out for.

  • Age. A good rule of thumb for replacing any appliance is by its age. Faucets are generally built to last for 15-20 years. If your faucet is nearing the end of its lifespan, it might be time to consider a replacement.
  • Frequent issues. One of the most common signs that it’s time to replace your faucet is when it needs constant repairs to function. A few repairs here and there are usually always cheaper than a full replacement, but if the repairs start to add up, you might as well save your money and replace it.
  • Efficiency Older faucets can waste a lot of water, running anywhere from 3-5 gallons per minute. If you’re trying to cut down on utility costs, modern faucets run much more efficiently.
  • Damages. There may be nothing wrong with your faucet, but if your sink or counter surface is damaged, your faucet may need to be replaced as well. Some materials, such as ceramic, ages poorly, and can result in cracks and scratches.

If you need faucet repair in your Levittown kitchen or bathroom, call McHales today! 

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By Michelle Fadeley

Benefits of Ceramic Tiles in Your Home

Benefits of Ceramic Tiles in Your Home

  • bathroom remodeling
Ceramic Tile installation

You may be wondering why you should install ceramic tiles in your kitchen instead of hardwood floors. While both are great options – and we install both – ceramic tile flooring is a good option for many different reasons. Here are some of the ways a ceramic tile can benefit your home: 

Ways that Ceramic Tile Can Benefit Your Home 

  • It’s waterproof. Think about how steamy the bathroom can get when you take a shower, or how wet the floor gets when your kids get out of the tub. Consider all of the back-splash and spills that happen in the kitchen. In most places, this continuous exposure could cause costly water damage. Ceramic tiles don’t corrode overt time or rot like wood and other materials, so they are an investment that will benefit you long term. 
  • Easy to clean. Because ceramic tile isn’t absorbent, debris lie on top of the surface. Dirt, stains, water, and other liquids will wipe away with ease so you can maintain a clean environment at all times. 
  • Visually pleasing. Ceramic tiles can certainly add appeal to your kitchen or bathroom. Not only do they come in a wide variety of colors and designs, they tend to pop and add style to any area where they’re installed. If you’re looking to add appeal to your kitchen or bathroom, you should consider a ceramic tile installation. 
  • Increased home value. Not only are ceramic tiles pleasant to look at, they’re can add value to your home. 
  • Cost effectiveness. Because they are so durable, it’s a guarantee that they last longer than wood or other materials. Ceramic tiles are a wise investment – especially when you cake into consideration how long they will last you. 
  • Installation and repair. For the professionals at McHale’s Kitchen and Bath, a tile installation is a simple process. Repairs are easy too! While they are considerably tough, it’s possible for them to chip or break. One of our skilled technicians will be able to replace the affected tile in no time at all. 

Now that you know the benefits of a ceramic tile installation in your home, what are you waiting for? 

Call McHales Kitchen and Bath today to schedule your service! 

 

By Michelle Fadeley