Fixing an Outdoor Leak Tips




When you yourself have noticed a large increase in your monthly water bill, there is an excellent chance that you might have a water leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Now there are of course several other potential causes for a high water bill. Things like runny toilets or leaky faucets are all common culprits as well. However, in this article, we will discuss the case where the increase in water usage is a result of an outdoor leak.

There are always a variety of things that could cause an outdoor leak at a home and while this isn't particularly difficult to repair, it is one of the very most intimidating problems for the average homeowner to solve on their own. Here are a few tips to assist you to diagnose and repair a problem like this in the case that you're faced with this problem.

1. Trace the main water line from the meter to your home. If you walk along the path that your main water line travels as it makes its way from your water meter at the street to the interior of your home, you will likely encounter a portion of the ground that is much wetter and softer than the remaining yard. Now obviously you will have to wait to achieve this test when you have had recent rain but in general, this is a good way to identify a potential leak. Once you see the leak you will have to dig up the ground at and around the middle of the moist area.

2. Locate the leak. When you have located the leak after digging up the earth around the pipe then you're able to begin the repair process.

3. Turn the water off at the main shutoff valve at the street. You ought to be able to take a couple of pliers and turn the valve at the water meter to shut off the water to your home. When you have shut off the water you can cut the pipe around the leak and make the repair.

4. Use a compression coupling to replace the damaged the main water line. Now for the purposed of this article, I have assumed that you have PVC/CPVC pipes carrying water into your home. While this is actually false for everyone this is true for many homes built within the last few 20 years. A compression coupling is available at any local hardware store and is very easy to attach to the water line.

5. Turn the water back on and test the repair. Once you complete the installation of the compression coupling you may wish to turn the water on and let it run for a day or so. Come back and ensure that there are no leaks after 24 hours and then re-bury the water line.

If you follow these simple steps you ought to be able to successfully fix an outdoor plumbing leak.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Plumbing Tips

Image
Saving water is a simple way to reduce water costs and conserve for the environment. There are numerous things that you can certainly do right at home to save water, with ideas ranging from replacing old water heaters to fixing leaks. 1. Care and Maintenance One of the main things that you can certainly do to conserve water is to ensure that your plumbing is in good working order. Hidden leaks can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars a year. To see when you have hidden leaks you can check your water meter, and then stop using water inside your home for some hours. If the meter has changed after several hours, you probably have a hidden leak. A plumber can assist you in locating any hidden leaks and fixing pipes that are old, damaged or corroded. Reducing water pressure to your residence may also help you save water. Reducing the water pressure to your residence does make it take a few minutes longer to fill containers, but when washing your hands or perfor...
Read more

Finding A Reputable Plumbing Company

Image
          Finding a reputable plumbing company to assist with construction or renovations just isn't about the best price, but the best service. There are numerous considerations before hiring a plumber. Finding a good plumber requires research. Individuals need to hire a licensed plumber only. Check with the local licensing board to be sure the company has licensed plumbers. Aside from a state license, these individuals should be bonded, have a city business license, a city permit to work on the bottom, and when they have been employees that come to a job with them, workers compensation insurance in the event of an injury to an employee on the premises of the home. Another item individuals check out is client referrals. Others living in the neighborhood are an excellent source of advice because they're truthful about bad services. Do not choose a company depending on how many advertisements they have, as name recognition do...
Read more

Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Image
The trouble with home plumbing problems is they have a way of sneaking up on you and often at the worst possible time. But is there ever a great time to experience a problem with your plumbing? Here are a few tips that will assist make your life a little easier: 1. Watch out for water leaks Small water leaks can and often do lead to big problems. Be alert to signs that more trouble may be on the way. Leaking faucets, damp cabinets, rocking toilets or dripping refrigerators are all symptoms that require fast and decisive action. 2. Repair problems early A leaking faucet isn't just annoying. The moisture puts wear on sink fixtures and encourages mold and mildew growth. Another way to spot a plumbing leak is to pull your refrigerator away from the wall at least one time a month. If you see water, you could have a leaking icemaker. Also, small puddles could be worse than larger ones, as that can indicate that water is soaking into your floor. 3. Learn...
Read more