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Water leakages in residential homes in the country account for over 1 trillion gallons of wasted water annually. The startling high amount of water wastage requires early intervention measures that help detect the leakages on time for prompt repairs.

In Fernandina, FL, a plumber can use different leak detection methods to swiftly identify water leakages in the plumbing system, such as faucets and showerheads, toilets, water pipes, and irrigation systems.

Most leakages arise from:

  • Faulty plumbing materials that can crack with exposure to heat or cold weather,
  • Cracks due to corrosion or penetrating tree roots, and
  • Loose connections.

How Leak Detectors Work

An experienced and qualified plumber can install the leak detectors in your piping system in different parts of your home, including close to the tubs, sinks and toilets in the bathroom and the water heating systems, sink and dishwashers in the kitchen.

While some detectors alert you of a leakage, others indicate the exact location of the leaking pipe or plumbing system for swift repairs or replacements. Some of the leak detection methods used by a qualified and experienced plumbing professional in identifying the leaking water systems in a home are not limited to:

Noise Loggers

To top my list are noise loggers that effectively analyze the entire piping system. A plumber can install the acoustic-based sensors temporarily to check the system for leaks or permanently. If you choose permanent installation, the water leak detecting device continuously monitors specific areas in the plumbing pipes and alerts you whenever they detect a leak.

The plumbing expert should consider the piping materials before deciding on the intervals to install the noise loggers for leak detection. Some pipes like the PVC water lines require the noise loggers to be close to each other for effective detection of water leakages. When closely installed, the noise loggers listen for high frequency that signifies a leakage.

The optimal placement of the loggers ranges from 100 to 300 ft to scan the pipes during low-use hours of the day. The technologically advanced noise loggers feature frequency filters, digital readouts, and wireless connectivity to help the hired plumber interpret the data and detect the exact location of a leak. But, if you want to use the noise loggers to identify a leakage in bigger water systems, it might be too costly.

Smart Water Meters

Another way of detecting water leakages in plumbing systems is the smart water meters (advanced meters). It has wireless or Wi-Fi connectivity, cellular, hardwired or radio that communicates the amount of water used to analytic monitoring services. The data the devices gather on water usage is essential for a plumbing professional to identify a leakage in your home.

So, if the Smart meter reads high water usage when no taps are open, it is evidence of water leaks that require urgent repairs. To get the precise location of a leak in the water systems, you may have to use another method such as the noise loggers, making the entire process expensive.

Temperature Monitoring

Folks in areas where freezing temperatures are frequent require temperature monitoring or low-temperature leak detectors. The sensors alert you when they sense freezing pipes or excess humidity. Frozen pipes are a high risk for homes as they can burst and leak out gallons of water if not identified and repaired on time.

So, the temperature monitoring device is the best system during the winter season because it checks the freezing temperatures and informs you of potential frozen pipes for prompt insulation that prevents cracks and water leakages.

In-Pipe

In addition to the above leak detection methods is the In-Pipe technology. The plumber in Fernandina, FL, uses the one-time device with electromagnetic, acoustic, or pressure sensors to find leakages in water pipes.

They can use the device when the water pipelines have no water in them or with water. The in-pipe tool tethers or floats freely in the water to inspect the pipes and mark the exact locations of the leak for easy identification and repairs.

In de-watered systems, the device becomes a robotic crawler to identify parts in the pipes that could be leaking. The marking of the specific leaking part helps the plumber replace the corroded, cracked, or damaged pipe with a more advanced corrosion-resistant pipe.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure

Furthermore, plumbing technicians can install the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in your plumbing pipes to detect leakages for prompt repairs. It features Smart meters and analytical software that monitors the water systems.

The analytic software processes the water usage data and alerts you of any abnormalities that indicate a leakage. The plumbing expert uses the data to identify the leaking locations in the pipes for fixing or repairs. Advanced metering is the best for homeowners with ample water systems.

Automatic Water Shut-Off

People can also opt for automatic water shut-off devices to automatically turn off the water supply when they sense a leakage. The system can come in handy for travelers and folks that rarely stay at home, saving their valuable and beautiful houses from water damage that is costly to restore.

They are also applicable in sprinklers as a water-saving technology because they shut off the water after detecting system damage. Therefore, having a plumber install the automatic water shut-off leak detectors in your home is the best decision that saves water and protects your valuables.

In a Nutshell

Leaks due to cracked pipes, failed connections, faulty plumbing materials, corroded pipes, and burst water systems are the leading cause of water wastage in most homes.

The best way to save water is to identify the leakage using different leak detectors in time, and call a skilled plumber to fix it as soon as possible.

Call Us For The Best Plumbing Solutions!

Therefore, you should not hesitate to reach out to Bert Norman’s Plumbing, serving Fernandina, FL, if you suspect you have leaked one of your plumbing systems. We are a family-owned and state-certified plumbing company serving residential clients since 1985.

Our plumbing experts offer personalized, competent, and reliable services, such as repairs, replacements, maintenance, and installation. You will get the best plumber for transparent diagnosis, proper analysis of the problem, and the best solutions to all the identified leaking problems.

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Indoor plumbing is probably one of the most underappreciated innovations of our civilization. Without it, it is hard for you to imagine how you would handle wastewater from your home, let alone how you would get clean water into your house. Given the importance of your home’s plumbing system, plumbing problems can lead to serious inconveniences and even affect your family’s health and hygiene negatively. As such, most plumbing situations call for urgent repairs. However, no matter how quickly you want to see your plumbing issue fixed, you should never be tempted to try DIY plumbing repairs. Therefore, you need to be in touch with a professional plumber to be sure that you have someone you can trust to help you respond to any plumbing situation in your Fernandina, FL home. Below are some of the most serious plumbing situations that should prompt you to seek the immediate attention of a professional.

Burst Water Pipes

A water pipe can burst due to a number of reasons. For instance, if there is some excavation job on your property, your water pipes can get damaged. Similarly, a pipe can burst due to shifting ground or even tree roots encroachment. But whatever the cause might be, a burst pipe can cause several serious problems in your home. For instance, it can lead to a severe fall in water pressure in your house or even cut off your home from the public water supply line. Furthermore, if a burst pipe is not fixed immediately, it can cause flooding, which can then damage your garden and even your house. To prevent such eventualities, you need to call an emergency plumber as soon as you notice that you have a burst pipe within your property.

Malfunctioning Water Heater

The water heater is an integral part of your home’s plumbing system. Its role is to ensure that your house has a constant supply of hot water for cleaning, washing, cooking, and bathing. Therefore, if your water heater is broken, failure to get it fixed immediately might force you and your family to take cold showers and perform house chores with ice-cold water. If the water from your hot water is too hot for your liking, but the thermostat settings seem okay, this is also a sign of a malfunctioning water heater, and it is even worse in the sense that it might end up hurting your family. Given the importance and the sensitivity of your water heater, you need to ensure that you make a call to your plumbing company as soon as you realize that the water heater is misbehaving.

Clogged Drains

Drains form a section of your plumbing system that is responsible for discharging wastewater from your house into the public sewer or a septic tank somewhere outside your home. Therefore, there are so many things that go down the drains, including hair, oils, greases, soap scum, and even food particles. As these materials attach themselves to the sides of the drain pipes, they can create clogs that can prevent wastewater from leaving your house. This means that the wastewater might end up overflowing your sinks and even flooding your bathrooms. Unfortunately, this will make your bathroom and sinks unusable. The good news is that professional plumbers have the right tools and skills to ensure that such clogs are removed quickly and in a way that does not endanger your plumbing system. On the other hand, trying to remove a drain clog on your own might involve the use of rudimentary drain cleaning methods that can potentially damage your plumbing system. In a nutshell, given the importance of your home’s drains, drain clogs are serious plumbing situations and they must only be addressed by professional plumbers.

Blocked Toilets

When you flush your toilet, you expect the wastewater and all its contents to rush out within the shortest time. However, when your toilet is blocked by paper or some other foreign material, this will not happen. Instead, the wastewater will fill the toilet bowl and create a mess that you certainly do not want to see. In addition to making your toilet unusable, this can also cause a foul odor in your home. As such, a blocked toilet is one of those plumbing situations that cannot wait to be resolved another day, meaning that you will need to call a plumber to your Fernandina, FL house as soon as you notice that your toilet is blocked.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are some of the most serious plumbing situations a homeowner can face. The issue occurs when cold temperatures cause the water in the pipes to freeze. This can have several devastating impacts. For instance, water seems to expand as it freezes, and therefore, your pipes might be put under pressure that could cause them to crack. Besides, blocks of ice in your water pipes could effectively cut off your home’s water supply. To solve this issue, you need the assistance of a professional plumber. Professionals have the necessary tools and skills to help you fix frozen water pipes and quickly restore the supply of water to your house. They can also help you improve your pipe insulation to prevent the pipes from freezing in the future.

The Takeaway

As you can see, given the importance of your plumbing system, most plumbing issues that you will face will need to be attended to urgently. But since your plumbing system is highly complex, it will be impossible for you to fix most of them, and therefore, you need to be in touch with a professional plumber. If you are looking for a reliable plumber to help you deal with the most serious plumbing issues you might face in your Fernandina, FL home, Bert Norman’s Plumbing is an excellent choice. We have a highly experienced team of plumbers you can trust to solve any plumbing issue, no matter how complex it might seem. Feel free to contact us today for more information about our company and services.

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Do you suspect a leak in your plumbing? If your water bills are higher this month, there might be some problems with your plumbing system. Contact a plumber in Callahan, FL, today for an inspection. Below are the common questions about leak detection service homeowners want to know.

FAQs for leak detection:

How Do I Know I Need Leak Detection If I Can’t Find Any Leaks in My Plumbing?

We strongly recommend homes and businesses to get a leak detection service as a preventive service every year or every couple of years. During the inspection, a plumber may find leaks or not. If they do find one, you should be glad that the problem will be resolved early. Otherwise, that would have led to a major plumbing emergency that will even cost you more money.

Some plumbing leaks will not be obvious, but you will need to watch out for the signs. When you notice these, call a professional right away as there might be leaks in your plumbing:

High water bills – if they suddenly skyrocket, it’s time to call a professional for an inspection.

Mold growth and rise in mildew or humidity at home – can lead to health issues and will not benefit those suffering from allergies and other respiratory diseases. Call a plumbing company asap.

Discoloration on walls – there might be leaks in one of the pipes behind the walls. Best to get professional help, so the issue is promptly resolved.

How Is Leak Detection Done?

This depends on the situation — we do use various techniques to help us detect leaks in your plumbing. For example, we might use listening devices, pipe cameras, scanners and other tools that won’t disrupt your home or the building. Don’t worry; our plumbers are trained to use plumbing devices to help us diagnose and resolve problems.

Can I Buy This Equipment and Do Leak Detection By Myself?

The plumbing tools and equipment that we use are expensive, and you may need multiple devices to help you determine if there are leaks in the plumbing system. Also, you need to know that the equipment are not like regular cameras; they do require specialized training. It’s less expensive and easier to hire professionals for help than do the leak detection by yourself.

How Accurate Are the Leak Detection Services?

Because our plumbers in Callahan, FL, are trained and experienced, we can say that we can narrow down the location of plumbing leaks where little excavation is necessary. Rest assured, we know the best ways to resolve the problem.

How Much Does It Cost to Find a Leak?

We suggest you call us today so our team of professionals can discuss with you the cost. As to how much depends on the situation – you may contact us today for an estimate. Our plumbers will be happy to assist you at your earliest convenience. As soon as we get your call, we’ll quickly dispatch a professional to help you find leaks in your plumbing.

Do You Need Information From Me?

It will help us resolve the issue faster when you provide us with more information about your plumbing system. Consider having this information with you before calling us for a leak detection service.

  • What type of pipes are installed in your home? Are they made of copper, plastic, or steel? When were they built?
  • Where are the faucets located, and are the water valves accessible?
  • Do you have utility maps that we can use?

Don’t worry if you don’t have the information handy. With our tools, we can still help you locate the leak and resolve the problem promptly.

Are Leaks Related to Other Plumbing Issues?

This would be a yes. Pipe corrosion is one of the main causes of plumbing leaks. For example: if you fail to flush out the sediment build-up in your water heater tank, the buildup of minerals at the bottom of the tank eventually leads to cracking. They may leak when not flushed at all.

High water pressure can also strain the pipes. If you don’t regulate high water pressure in your home, that may lead to leaks in your plumbing. Not insulating the pipes during winter can also lead to plumbing emergencies. When the water freezes, the pipes may expand and burst.

Call a plumbing company right away to help you locate the leak and permanently resolve the problem.

What Do I Do When There Are Already Leaks in My Plumbing?

First, try not to panic when there are leaks in your plumbing. Stay calm and switch off the water mains. Do this before calling a plumber. We would ask you to also clean the area, but we suggest that you don’t do anything if there are electrical fittings. To avoid accidents, stay away from the water. Just wait for one of our professionals for assistance.

Do All Plumbers Offer Leak Detection Service?

Yes, most licensed professionals offer these services to homes and businesses. An Unlicensed and unqualified plumber may offer this at a lower price, but we suggest you don’t hire them. They may not have the tools and the training to properly use the tools. The best thing you can do is call us as soon as possible. Our professionals are certified and licensed to perform leak detection services.

Contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing

Do you need a plumber in Callahan, FL, today? Don’t hesitate to call Bert Norman’s Plumbing! Rest assured, we will work incredibly hard to help you locate the leak and permanently fix the issue. Our professionals are highly skilled and experienced, and we can handle any plumbing job, big or small. Call us if you need any plumbing repairs, installations or maintenance. Get in touch now for an appointment.

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The average water leakage in homes can trigger wastage of about 10,0000 gallons of water annually, and approximately 10 percent of households experience leaks that can lead to nearly 90 gallons of water misused every day. Homeowners may experience wall or ceiling damages and hiked water bills without timely repairs on the damaged water lines. Getting some insights about signs of a damaged waterline will help you know when to contact a plumber to fix the mess and save you some cash in the long run.

Additionally, water facilitates multiple household activities, which may include cleaning, washing, and preparing meals. With the help of the waterline and your home’s plumbing systems, water used in your homes can reach bathroom shower heads, kitchen faucets, or toilets. Waterlines are found a few feet underground, and a glitch in the connection due to physical damage could cause inconveniences. Mentioned below are some of the signs of a damaged water line in Jacksonville, FL.

Low Water Pressure

In some scenarios, low water pressure may happen due to factors that are out of your control. For instance, it could be due to a damaged main water line at your local water supply station, an issue that a plumber at the station may fix. Weak water pressure makes showering or washing dishes annoying and time-consuming. Additionally, defects in the waterline, including ruptured or clogged pipes, may lower the water pressure that reaches your home. Regardless, low water pressure issues require the attention of a certified emergency plumber for quick and impactful solutions.

Water in Your Yard

Heavy rains may cause puddles of water to accumulate in your yard, creating soggy and wet patches in your garden. However, if there has been no rain in your area for some time and you notice a wet patch in your yard, there might be a bigger problem underground. In many cases, it’s the damaged waterline that requires the attention of a professional. If not addressed early, the patches can cause slip and fall accidents or attract disease-causing insects, including mosquitoes, into your home. Unfortunately, it can in turn lead to high health care bills if you get injured or contract a disease.

Hiked Water Bills

Locating a water line leakage is practically a tough task to conduct, especially if the leakages are minute. These small leakages can be costly since they can result in cumulative water wastage in the long run. The unexplained increase in the cost of your water bill is a sign that your water line or plumbing system is experiencing troubles.

If all the visible plumbing fixtures in your home are in perfect working condition, it could mean there’s something fishy underground. You can consult with a professional to troubleshoot the issue before your pockets become drained because of expensive and abnormal water bills.

Dirty Water From the Supply Pipe

A broken underground waterline can accumulate dirt resulting in a supply of contaminated and foul-smelling water into your home. If your water has some rusty tint, then this indicates that your pipes could be corroded, and in most cases, corrosion occurs in worn-out pipes. The discolored water is unsafe for drinking and cooking purposes and can even stain your super white clothes. So it’s vital to get immediate repair or replacement services from a trusted plumber depending on the extent of corrosion.

Bubbling Water Sounds

Whistling, bubbling, or hissing sounds coming from pipes connected to your home’s water line could indicate the presence of a defect. The sounds could arise from cracks or holes on the surface of the pipes. You should be on the lookout for any sounds coming from areas likely to experience water leaks. Afterward, you can book an appointment with a plumber to inspect the system and determine and fix the exact leaking spots causing the strange noises.

Unexpected Pests Infestation

A damaged waterline attracts pests and insects such as roaches, sewer flies, or palmetto bugs. To make matters worse, it might create a negative picture about your hygiene in the presence of your visitors. Also, when your water main leaks, all the water leakages collect somewhere else, a place that may be unhygienic. Moreover, insect infestations can result in possible health problems and allergic reactions due to allergens found in their saliva or fecal matter.

When you or your family members experience frequent digestive problems, especially after eating leftover meals, It could be a sign the insects are present in your home. In addition to that, the pests could have come from the main pipe connected to your house. It could be a sign that your waterline has some issues and requires an immediate check-up from a professional. Some homeowners may opt for insect control measures but may prove to be ineffective in the long run. After trying out pest control measures and the results aren’t satisfying, you’ll need the assistance of a well-versed plumber to assess your water line and fix the arising problems.

Cracks in the Foundation of Your Home

Leaking water from water lines passing under the foundation of your home can seep through the ground towards the floor of your foundation, generating cracks. When this extends for a long time without a prompt fix from a plumber, the intensified cracks can lead to damaging the structural integrity of your home. At this point, you are at the risk of losing your whole home and sustaining injuries in case the building collapses. Ensure your water line is checked frequently by a trained plumber to prevent major damages and losing your cherished home.

Wet Spots on Your Ceiling

Wet floors and damp or bubbling patches on ceilings and walls are some signs of a hidden leak. The presence of a leak in your foundation results in water leaking up through the walls of your basement. Sometimes the high humidity in your homes may be triggered by a broken water line. It creates a favorable environment for mold growth on your walls and sometimes in parts of the house without plumbing fixtures. You should contact a professional to assess your water line and fix arising defects to save your ceiling from total damage.

Bert Norman’s Plumbing; A Trusted Plumbing Service Company in Jacksonville, FL

Family-owned and operated, Bert Norman’s Plumbing provides waterline services to homeowners in Jacksonville, FL. Our skilled plumbers offer multiple water line solutions, including new installations, pipe section replacements, and leakage detection and sealing. We will be glad to help if you have any water line emergencies in your home. All you need to do is call us.

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If you own a home, you know that plumbing leaks happen, but what you may not understand is why they happen. There are a good handful of reasons why they occur, and understanding them may help you prevent them in the future. While you will still need to call a plumber when you notice a leak in your Jacksonville, FL home, your aim should be to prevent future leaks.

Plumbing leaks are an odd thing because sometimes they are hidden behind walls, under sinks, and in the basement. To the untrained eye and everyone but the plumbing service, it can seem like leaks come out of thin air. One day you may be sitting in a dry home and the next day you are sitting in one with a notable leak. This is what makes them so annoying to deal with.

Depending on where the leak may be coming from, it can even seem like its sole purpose is to annoy you. No one likes a dripping faucet or a leak that appears to stop and then come back like you are playing some obnoxious version of tag with your plumbing system. This is why you should always call a plumbing service if you suspect a leak because it will not fix itself on its own.

While you may not want to hear it, almost all pipes will leak eventually because at the end of the day they are just metals that corrode and deteriorate like anything else. While piping is usually made of every strong piping that is much less likely to break, it still has a lifespan attached to it. One way you can lengthen that lifespan is by keeping good plumbing habits and having a plumbing service out for an annual inspection. That said, there are a few things that can impact how long it takes for that leak to pop up. Here are just a few.

Clogs

Any plumbing service in Jacksonville, FL will tell you that clogs are one of the number one reasons why pipes leak before their lifespan is up. Both partial and full clogs prevent water from flowing the way it is supposed to lead to an increased amount of water pressure inside of the pipes. Pipes are not designed to deal with sustained extra pressure over time, and eventually, that pressure takes its toll on the pipe walls and in areas where seals are used to help create one long piping system.

Eventually, that pressure is too much for a pipe or seal to handle and a small leak pops out to relieve some of the pressure. The leak is not always noticeable, as even a small leak can relieve enough pressure that the pipe is then able to take the sustained pressure. This is one reason it is very important to call a plumbing service when you have a clog in your home because while you may only be concerned about breaking the clog up, the plumber will know to look for any other damage that clog may have caused in your plumbing system.

It is also important to remember that a small leak can cause a large amount of damage over time. While you may not immediately notice that a pipe is leaking, when your paint starts to bubble or mold starts to grow you will wish you paid more attention to the signs of a leaking pipe. If you have any indication that there may be a small leak hiding in your home, it is important to call a plumbing service.

Broken Seals

Almost every major home appliance has a seal at the point that water from your home plumbing system connects to them. If you have a washing machine, a refrigerator with an ice maker or water fixture, or a water heater in your basement then you have an appliance that may eventually need some attention from a plumber. The seals that are placed on the connection points are not meant to last forever, because that is virtually an impossible task.

If you have not looked at the joint in years, now is a good time to go inspect the seals on each of your major appliances. After years of use, the seals simply wear out or if there is sustained extra pressure they may break. The end result will be a leak at the connection point. While not immediately a concern, you might see the leak reflected in your water bills or notice that the floor behind an appliance is dry rotting because of sustained water damage. Unfortunately, most people don’t notice this because they don’t often move their washing machines or fridges to look behind them. You can prevent this from occurring by making sure you pull out your machine once a year as part of your spring cleaning to spot check. If you have any reason to suspect a problem, make sure to call a plumbing service that can properly reseal the appliance.

Corrosion

Even the best-kept pipes will rust and corrode eventually at which point you may need a plumbing service to reinstall your plumbing. If there is extremely high water pressure in your home this may happen even faster. There are also other things that can lead to corrosion that can be avoided.

For instance, when you have a clog it is best to contact a plumber versus using chemical drain cleaners. A lot of people think that drain cleaner will save them money versus calling a plumbing service, but actually, the opposite turns out to be true. Drain cleaners can’t differentiate between clogs and the sides of your pipes, so over time, they eat away at your pipe walls leading to much more damage. Regular use can actually lead to your pipes corroding faster than they would have.

If you have noticed a leaking pipe in your home, call Bert Norman’s Plumbing of Jacksonville, FL, and we will happily come out to your home to troubleshoot the problem.

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Most people happily ignore their ceilings, but when they are sitting on the first-floor and feel a drip hit their head suddenly their attention is focused upwards. Ceiling leaks are a huge problem because not only can they lead to a discolored and ugly ceiling, but they indicate you have a plumbing issue that needs to be remedied immediately. You don’t want to mess around with a ceiling leak because it can compromise the safety of your home and eventually lead to your ceiling rotting out. Unless you want your bathtub relocated into the center of your living room, you need to call a plumber in Fernandina, FL.

The good news is there are a few things you can do to stop the destruction from getting any worse while you wait for the professional to show up at your house. Knowing what to do once you notice a ceiling leak is the first step towards effectively stopping the problem. Not every ceiling leak has to result in panic, but they are not something that you should ignore either. Here is a quick guide to troubleshooting ceiling leaks and understanding why they happen while you wait for the plumbing company to show up.

Signs of a Ceiling Leak

If you haven’t spent a lot of time looking up at your ceiling, now is a good time to do so. There are a lot of signs of a leak that you can spot pretty easily if you know what you are looking for. For instance, you can look for areas of discoloration, watermarks, or blistering paint. Paint that is only peeling or bubbling in one area of your ceiling is a clear sign that you have a leak buried under your ceiling.

It is not uncommon for leaks to be hidden for a long period of time before they start to show signs, so once you start to notice any outward signs it is time to take action and call a plumber. A lot of people figure they have a while since they just noticed it, but most likely the leak did not just happen. It probably happened months ago, but the leak has finally gotten bad enough that you are just seeing it now.

How to Get Ready for the Plumbing Company

If you have already called a professional about your ceiling leak, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to address the issue while you wait. The simple answer is always yes. While you may not be able to look under your ceiling and see what is causing the leak, you can do a couple of things to guard against further property damage while waiting for the plumber to show up.

First of all, clear the area where the leak is coming from by removing all furniture and personal belongings from around it. Keep in mind that just because the leak is in one spot doesn’t mean it won’t grow as time goes on, so make sure you clear out a large radius to protect everything within touching distance. In addition, check to make sure that you don’t have any electronics near the leak such as plugged-in lamps, phones, or tablets. If you do have an electrical outlet that is in line with the leak consider turning off the circuit breaker for that room until the plumber gets there to investigate.

Clearing out the area is also helpful to the professional since they will now have plenty of space to work in the area. They will usually need to fit a step stool or a ladder into the working area depending on the height of your ceilings, so it can be extremely helpful to have a room cleared out before their arrival.

Once the room is clear, make sure to put a bucket under it to catch the leak. This will prevent your flooring from becoming the next victim of the leak. With any luck, you can contain the water damage to the ceiling which will save you a lot of money in the long run. It will also give you and the plumber a good idea of how much water is leaking which can help with troubleshooting.

Common Causes of Ceiling Leaks

Wondering what may be causing your ceiling leak while you are waiting for the plumber to show up? There are few common culprits that you may be able to stop using while you wait to help minimize the amount of damage that is done. For instance, toilet leaks often come from the supply tank and as a result of a worn wax ring. The wax ring sits around the base of the toilet and stops leaks, but when it starts to wear out water can get around it after flushing causing it to seep through your ceiling. If this is the case, don’t use the toilet until the plumber gets there if you have a second toilet in your home.

Other common issues are ceiling leaks or sink links as a result of tile or flooring start to peel or curl near the shower area. A curled-up tile on the floor may be all it takes for the shower water to leak through. If you notice that the leak only starts before or after using the shower and/or sink this is a clear sign that it stems from this fixture and you need to quit using it until you see the plumber.

Contact a Fernandina, FL Plumbing Company for Help with a Ceiling Leak

Ceiling leaks are not something that you want to play around with. If you notice a ceiling leak call a local plumber who can get to the bottom of the issue right away. Bert Norman’s Plumbing of Fernandina, FL has helped many locals with their ceiling leaks, and we would be happy and come out to help troubleshoot your issue.

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Knowing what to watch out for is half the battle when it comes to owning a home. The sooner you can spot a plumbing problem in your home, the sooner you can get it fixed and the less damage it’s going to do. However, most homeowners don’t know the first thing about plumbing, especially as it pertains to discovering and identifying problems. If you want to make sure you’re calling a plumber as soon as possible every time, here are six signs you need to watch out for.

1. A pipe or fixture is leaking

No matter how minor a leak in your home may be, it’s a big problem. Leaks only get worse with time, and they can cost you a lot of money in wasted water and water damage to your home. If you notice any pipes or fixtures leaking, call a plumber right away before you end up with a larger repair bill.

Oftentimes, stopping a leak is as simple as replacing a component of a fixture or replacing a pipe fitting. While these repairs are still going to cost you a bit of money, you’ll save a fortune compared to what you could pay for the water damage leaks can cause.

2. A pipe is frozen

Burst pipes are one of the biggest problems plumbers have to deal with, and it all starts with a pipe freezing. When the water inside a pipe freezes, it expands to the point that it can crack the pipe. If it’s below freezing outside and one of the fixtures in your home isn’t working, chances are you’ve got a frozen pipe.

A professional can help thaw your pipe out before it gets damaged, so it’s important to call the pros right away. The sooner you have somebody check out your frozen pipe, the less likely it is to burst. This can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in water damage, so preventing frozen pipes from bursting should be a top priority.

3. A pipe is badly clogged

Slow or clogged drains aren’t an uncommon plumbing problem, but they certainly can be. If you can’t get rid of a clog using a liquid drain cleaner and a plunger, that’s a sign that you need to call a professional. Any further drain cleaning needs to be handled by a professional and trying it yourself could result in hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage.

Bad pipe clogs can lead to sewage backups, which introduce dangerous sewage to your home. Drain clogs can also lead to pipe corrosion or flooding, both of which result in costly repairs. These major clogs have to be removed using an auger or snake, which can cause significant pipe damage and even flooding if done wrong. This is why you need to call a plumber if you have a drain clog you can’t take care of on your own.

4. Your water tastes, smells, or looks strange

When you fill a glass with water or turn a faucet on, you can usually tell if there’s something wrong with your water. If you notice the water coming out of a faucet tastes, smells, or looks strange, stop drinking it and have somebody check it out as soon as possible. While some changes in water quality aren’t a huge deal, you could be drinking toxins that can lead to serious health problems. In particular, you want to look out for:

  • Water that has a blue or green color
  • Cloudy or foamy water
  • A chlorine taste in water
  • Dirt and sediment in water
  • Water that smells like sulfur

If you notice any of these water quality issues in your home, call a plumber to have it checked out. The last thing you want to do is put your health at risk by drinking contaminated water.

5. You have no hot water

Every morning when you wake up, you expect to have hot water. Whether you’re washing your hands on a particularly cold day or taking your morning shower, hot water is an essential part of modern life. Unfortunately, there are several water heater problems that can lead to a lack of hot water in your Jacksonville, FL, home.

The best-case scenario is a simple breaker problem. If a breaker is tripped, it can prevent your water heater from heating up. Most of the time, however, you need to replace a heating element or thermostat. And in most cases, it’s the bottom element or thermostat that goes out first, since it does more of the work.

6. Your water bill is significantly higher than it should be

It’s normal for your water bill to fluctuate a bit from month to month, but a sharp increase in your water bill is a sign that you need to call a plumber. It could be that you’ve got a leak, a running toilet or a dripping faucet. In some cases, a high water bill can result from water meter problems.

If you haven’t added members to your household or significantly changed your water use habits lately, you shouldn’t see a massive change in your water bill. If you do, it’s time to call a plumber.

Give Us a Call

Knowing what to watch for is only half the battle when it comes to taking care of your home’s plumbing; you also have to know who to call when you have a problem. If you’re in the Jacksonville, FL, area, the best way to solve your plumbing problems is by calling Bert Norman’s Plumbing. We have a team of experienced plumbers who can help you get leaks, clogs, and other problems fixed in a hurry no matter how severe they are. We can even handle major work like plumbing an addition or remodel and repiping your home. When you need a plumber, give Bert Norman’s Plumbing a call at 904-225-5888.

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When you own a home, sometimes it feels like you spend all your time looking for problems and spending money fixing them. If you’re sick of spending too much money on plumbing repairs, you need to educate yourself about plumbing a bit and find someone you can count on to handle all your service needs. If you’re not sure when to hire a plumber for your Fernandina, FL, home, here are some problems you need help with.

Cleaning Your Drains

If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve at least taken a shot at cleaning your drains with a liquid drain cleaner. Perhaps you’ve even tried using a plunger to get a stubborn clog out of a toilet or sink. While these are both effective methods of removing clogs at home, any more involved drain cleaning should be left up to your plumber.

Snaking a drain may seem like a simple concept, but doing it wrong can leave you with severe damage that costs a fortune to repair. A professional knows the layout of your drain pipes and can use a snake to effectively remove the clog without there being any worry of pipe damage.

Fixing a Running Toilet

Most people have dealt with a running toilet before, but that can seem like a minor problem if you don’t know what’s really going on. When a toilet continues to run after you’ve flushed it, the tank is continuously filling up with water, which can waste thousands of gallons of water per month. A running toilet that won’t stop is a definite sign that you need to call a plumber.

The good news about running toilets is that they’re generally pretty easy to fix. There are only a few parts inside your toilet tank, and one of those parts is generally what’s causing your toilet to keep running. However, it’s important to call an expert right away to minimize water waste.

Fixing a Leak

Whether you notice a bit of water coming out of your faucet when it’s off or a large wet spot on your wall, you need to call a plumber as soon as possible if you spot a leak. Leaks only get worse with time, especially if they’re in areas where they can cause a lot of damage. Plus, you need a professional to run a new section of pipe or change the fitting that’s causing your leak.

Whether you’re dealing with a minor leak, a burst pipe or a slab leak, you need to get leaks fixed the right way if you want to prevent damage and save yourself time and money in the future. A professional has the tools and knowledge to fix any type of leak in a hurry.

Plumbing Emergencies

Another good reason to call a plumber is when you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency. While there are plenty of simple plumbing problems you can wait a couple of days to fix, there are also emergencies that can cause severe damage to your home if you don’t get them fixed right away. Make sure you know about some of the most common plumbing emergencies so you can call a professional before too much damage is done.

Burst pipes are probably the most common plumbing emergency, as they can lead to an absurd amount of water waste and water damage. However, you should also call an emergency plumbing company if you have a clogged drain that’s causing a foul odor, as that’s a sign you’re dealing with a sewage backup.

Flooding is another problem that always requires the help of an emergency plumber. Whether your home is flooding as a result of a sewage backup, a burst pipe or an overflowing toilet, you need to call an expert right away to minimize water damage.

Installing New Fixtures

If you ever want to upgrade or replace the fixtures in your home, you’ll need a licensed plumbing company on your side. Installing fixtures the wrong way can lead to expensive leaks and other plumbing problems, so you should always hire a professional if you want your fixtures to work correctly.

Another important reason to hire an expert when installing new fixtures is to make sure you’re making the right choices. A plumber can tell you what kind of fixtures you should upgrade to and help you evaluate all your options. Plus, this is the perfect time to make any changes that need to be made to your plumbing system in order to install new fixtures.

The Importance of Licensed Plumbing

Finding a good plumbing company can be tough, but it’s so important to have somebody you can call when there’s a problem. Whether you’re dealing with a major plumbing problem or simply need to replace a faucet in your home, make sure you’re hiring a licensed professional if you want the best work.

Plumbers are required to be licensed in Florida, but that’s not the only reason you should choose a licensed plumbing company. These plumbers have also gone through training and schooling to prepare them for the job, which means they have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of plumbing. If you hire an amateur, you never know what kind of work you’re going to get.

Call Today

Being a responsible homeowner isn’t easy, but it’s well worth it to have a home you can be proud of. Even better, you only need to have a little knowledge so you know when to call a professional and let them handle the dirty work.

If you want to take better care of your home, you need help from the plumbing experts at Bert Norman’s Plumbing. Our expertise makes it easy to keep your Fernandina, FL, home in better shape year after year. To learn more about common plumbing problems or schedule a service appointment today, give Bert Norman’s Plumbing a call at (904) 225-5888.

Reasons-To-Call-A-New-Plumber-_-Jacksonville,-FLNew homeowners may not realize just how much maintenance your pipe systems need.
You can avoid having to have impromptu plumbing service calls by hiring a plumbing service to perform preventive maintenance on your plumbing systems. A well-maintained plumbing system will not break down as often as a poorly maintained one. It’s important to use preventive maintenance as a means of damage control. Preventive maintenance will help you save money and prevent damages by repairing and cleaning your plumbing system before fixable issues get out of hand. If you live in the area you should contact Bert Norman’s plumbing from all your
plumber needs.

Reasons You May Need to Contact a Plumber

You may see that you need a plumbing technician in between scheduled maintenance calls if you are experiencing plumbing issues. Some of the most common plumbing issues can go unnoticed or be neglected, leading to bigger issues in the future.

Falling sink

If your sink has fallen and is now detached from its under-mount, you need to contact a plumbing technician right away. This can lead to a heap of problems if left unchecked. Your plumber will first need to access the pipes beneath the sink to ensure there is no damage. If there is then your professional plumbing technician will fix or replace the damaged pipes. Allowing a fallen sink to persist may result in other connected devices malfunctioning such as the dishwasher. If this is damaged the repair of this appliance can be added to the bill. Contacting a professional plumbing technician as soon as your sink falls can save you loads of money on the repair.

Preventive maintenance could have topped your sink from falling. There are signs that show your sink needs to be maintained and reattached to its under-mount. If you notice the sinks adhesive is breaking down, you should have a professional plumbing technician apply more adhesive to secure it. Preventing the sink from falling would be a lot more cost-effective and less stressful.

Leaking Pipe

Leaking pipes can happen from anywhere and at any time. Certain habits may cause your pipes to leak faster than others. The best way to prevent leaky pipes is to follow simple rain etiquette practices and have you trusted, local plumbing technicians clean your pipes periodically.

Chemical drain cleaners can be harsh on your drains. Professionals will be able to clean your drain with minimal to no abrasions. This is important because over the counter drain cleaners can exasperate issues and lead to bigger more costly problems in the future.

Many things can lead to leaks in your pipes, those things include corroded pipes, clogs, incorrect pipe installation, joint damage, cracks in the seals, cracks in the pipes, high water pressure, corroded pipes. Leaking pipes should not be ignored regardless of the cause. Understanding the cause can help you and your plumber avoid leaks in the future. Bert Norman’s Plumbing is knowledgeable and experienced enough to determine the cause of the leak and help prevent further leaks from occurring in the future. If you’re in need of a local plumbing technician contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing.

Pipe Corrosion

Pipe corrosion is a serious problem. Pipe corrosion usually occurs in older homes and for various other reasons. If you have lived in a home that is 50 plus years, you may want to look into replacing our pipes with newer, sturdier materials. Updating your pipe system can help increase the value of your home and prevent pipe corrosion.

Pipe corrosion could be the result of a low pH in our water. If your water’s pH level is below 8, it can dissolve the barrier in your piping, which can lead to leaks. Contact a skilled plumber to learn how you can fix this issue.

High oxygen levels in the pipes can also lead to the erosion of your pipes. Higher than normal oxygen levels can lead to rust. Rust can lead to leaks and pipe corrosion, as well as bad health. Ingesting rust can be dangerous. If you suspect your pipes have become rusty contact your local plumbing company to access the problem and make suggestions on how to best handle the issue.

High Water Pressure

Fixing your water pressure is an easy task. Contact a professional plumbing technician to ensure your water pressure is where it should be. High amounts of water pressure can lead to the corrosion of pipes; it can also lead to water turbulence which also leads to corrosion. Water turbulence can sometimes occur during sharp turns, elbows, and other obstacles. Hire a plumber to help prevent water turbulence by rearranging a professional for more practical and more efficient operation.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains happen in every household. If your drain is constantly clogging you may need to call in a professional. Luckily, if you live in Jacksonville, FL, or its surrounding area, you can contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing for clog removal service. Clogged drains occur for many reasons. All kinds of debris get lodged in your clogs. The key to clean drains is prevention.

To prevent your drains from becoming clogged, you should always strain food that goes down the sinks, refrain from pouring oil down the sinks, use a strainer for the bathtub, and schedule recurring drain cleaning services from your local plumber.

Using cover the counter drain cleaner for your pipe systems can actually backfire. Drain cleaners are harsh on your drains and can lead to a larger more stubborn clog. Over the counter drain, cleaners can’t break through every clog. Thick and stubborn clogs can become larger masses that will become a semi-permanent fixture in your pipe system if left to grow. Removing a stubborn clog can be very costly. You can save on the cost by contacting a plumber once you notice the issue.

Other reasons to contact a plumber include water heater issues, sump pump problems, and rapid water leaks. Some of these plumbing issues can cause serious damage that must be addressed with the help of a professional plumbing technician. If you live in the Jacksonville, FL area, contact Bert Normans Plumbing for satisfactory plumbing work.

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Plumbing service is always a critical must, and those who own homes or run businesses know the high price of plumbing gone bad. Quality-Plumbing-Service-_-Jacksonville,-FLAnything from a drain clog, an aging water heater, or leaky water fixtures are all the basic plumbing necessities of your home’s indoor plumbing. Pipes can go bad due to wear, tear, or simple aging, and nothing is more stressful than a pipe that suddenly bursts without any warning.

Drain clogs have symptoms of their own, and they are many and varied. Keep in mind that all of your drains are interconnected, and that what happens in one affects the others. In your bathroom, if your toilet or sink drains are clogged, they can back into each other. And when you see this happening to your fixtures, then you know it’s time to call on the professionals at Bert Norman’s of Jacksonville, FL for your plumbing service needs.

Anything can cause a drain clog. Grease and oil collection can align the walls of your pipes and start hardening once they cool, thus causing a drain clog that slows the passage of water into the sewage system. Other items, such as food bits, hardened soap scum, jewelry, and small toys often have sneaky ways of creeping into your drains and getting stuck without warning.

A leaking or malfunctioning garbage disposal can be another cause of your drain cleaning woes. One good sign that your disposal is on the brink is the sudden appearance of fruit flies that lurk around your sink area. Thankfully, good plumbing service also includes the ability to repair or replace a broken garbage disposal.

There may be a time when you turn on your garbage disposal only to have it regurgitate a mountainous mess of food bits, both great and small. Before you know it, both sides of your sink are covered in leftovers, leaving you with a giant mess in which to deal with.

Thankfully, the contractors at Bert Norman’s have plenty of experience in assessing and treating your garbage disposal needs. As part of good, quality, plumbing service, your plumber can look at your unit and determine the course of service at a cost that’s affordable to you. They have vast knowledge of all types of makes and models and can give you a reasonable estimate of the cost of parts and labor involved. Good plumbing service includes the installation of a garbage garbage disposal, repairing an existing one, or simply maintaining one on a periodic basis.

And homeowners should beware that a bad garbage disposal can be another leading cause of a clogged drain. In fact, if it fails to properly grind your food up, then it can choke the very life out of your drain and cause the kind of damage that leads to the need for professional plumbing service.

DIY efforts may appear to be normal, even heroic, but they are hardly recommended for your drain cleaning needs. Home drain cleaners such as Draino can cause more harm for your pipes and drains, thus leading to more costly and time consuming repairs down the road. Therefore, it’s best to rely upon good, quality professional plumbing service from a licensed professional.

Many times, a plumber can use a mechanical snake to pull out solid debris from a clogged drain, This method is commonly used in cases where a bathroom drain may suffer a clog with origins that can be traced to a collection of hair or two-ply toilet paper. Other cases will need to use other measures of drain cleaning, however, and these include those where drains are clogged due to food, oil, grease, or soap scum build up. In those cases, it becomes critical for the plumber to use hydro-jetting, where several pounds of pure water are injected straight into the drain pipe without the added use of harmful chemicals.

There are many other modern-day plumbing amenities we have all come to rely upon; and, in some cases, even taken for granted. For example, water heaters are certainly nothing new to homeowners, and those who live within the Jacksonville, FL area know all too well that without a reliable water heater comes much undue plumbing distress.

Hot water has a variety of uses within the home, and without it, basic tasks of normal daily living cannot be done as well as you’d like. Think of those long, warm, luxurious tub baths that are a source of comfort and luxury right after a hectic day at the office. Plus, those nice, steaming morning showers that have you feeling clean and ready to start your day are the result of a good water heater that does its job and does it well.

Your plumbing service does include water heater installation and repair, which is a major source of help once your unit loses the steam it needs to keep you and your home clean and sanitized. The plumbing service team at Bert Norman’s knows all too well that taking a cold shower is no fun, and that we humans take great pride in how well we keep ourselves nice and clean. Sometimes, a new unit can break down due to poor installation or a missing part, but older units with a lifespan of ten years or more will need to be replaced as soon as possible.

The good news is that newer water heater models stand a far better chance of running much more efficiently and of being in full compliance with EPA standards. Plus, a better, more improved model can greatly reduce your monthly water bill, thus saving you even more money in the long run.

This is especially true if you decide to have a tankless water heater installed. Tankless water heaters are reliable about heating only the amount of water you will need to use in the course of a day. It also uses far less water due to the fact that it doesn’t need to come up through the pipes to the source of output, as the unit is very tiny and typically uses much less water than traditional brands.

Whatever the issue is, don’t wait. Trying to fix it yourself may come across as noble, but the consequences are great and outweigh the benefits. You can call or visit online today to speak with a professional for an appointment with Bert Norman’s Plumbing.

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