Check Your Water for Chlorine

By

Today, in the US at least, water is more readily available than ever before. However, it is still crucial to make sure that your family or clients are drinking water of the highest quality. Water treatment facilities use chlorine to get rid of bacteria and other harmful organisms. However, when used in excess, it can be a health hazard. Chlorine levels must be lowered before water comes out of the tap.

Understanding the Residuals

It requires several steps before you can treat water with a significant amount of chlorine. First is to understand the residuals, which come in different kinds. There is free chlorine, and there is chloramine.

Free chlorine is made up of hypochlorous acid, dissolved chlorine gas, and hypochlorite ions. On the other hand, chloramine is the combination of ammonia and chlorine. Many treatment plants in municipalities chlorinate but neutralize it by including ammonia to comply with EPA regulations.

The Power of Water Testing

Chloramine and chlorine may be excellent water disinfecting agents. However, they must eventually be filtered out. This is where water treatment dealers get a good opportunity to provide a solution. Because they are privy to the various uses of chemicals by municipalities, they can provide effective solutions and gain the trust of the community.

Water customers need chlorine to make sure that the water they get in their homes remains pristine despite the trip from the water plant to their home plumbing. Things like point of use (POU) devices help clean the water and get rid of the chemicals that treatment plants add.

Chlorine testing is done in two ways: through test kits and test trips. Some tests are done to check for both chloramine and free chlorine. To determine if you have chlorine or chloramine compound, simple tests can distinguish between the two, and quantify how much of each is present in your water.

The DPD system is often used. This is a specific type of test, using diethyl-p-phenylene diamine, wherein the DPD reacts instantly with free chlorine compounds, forming the red color. Potassium iodide is then added to the DPD to react with chlorine and chloramine. You get the difference between the reaction of free chlorine and the reaction of total chlorine to get the reaction of chloramine.

Health Effects of Chlorine

Water treatment facilities are doing a superb job of ensuring that American households get clean, healthy water. However, you must consider three things in the water: the added chlorine, fluoride, and plumbing-corroded metals. You don’t want to ingest these when you drink tap water. You definitely want them filtered out.

Chloramines may be harmful, but much less when ingested. You must, however, be concerned when you inhale them. Once they pass through your lungs, they quickly raise the chloramine level in your blood.

Chlorine is often used for drinking water as a disinfectant. It also helps get rid of bacteria and foul odor in swimming pools. When in the water, chlorine reacts by forming hypochlorites and hypochlorous acid. When ingested, these can be detrimental to your health.

Bladder cancer is one of the more serious conditions that may result from ingesting chlorinated water in excessive amounts. You are at high risk of contracting bladder cancer if you have been drinking chlorinated water for more than 20 years. Aside from bladder cancer, you are also at risk of developing asthmatic conditions.

Final Word

For your own safety, as well as the safety of members of your household, it is best to have your water checked for its chlorine content. You need to make sure that your water poses no short- or long-term risks. Contact Spartan Plumbing for more information about checking your water for chlorine and other plumbing concerns.

How the Arizona Heat Affects Your Home Plumbing

By

If you live in Arizona, you know how hot and humid the temperatures in summer can get. This is not only bad for your body. The extreme heat can affect your plumbing and air conditioning system as well.

When the temperature reaches high levels, the extreme heat can affect some parts of your home’s plumbing and HVAC systems. You know how frustrating it is to experience AC and plumbing problems, especially during very hot and humid days.

How will you endure the heat if there is no properly functioning air conditioning unit? Or, what if you cannot take a nice refreshing bath because there is low water pressure? Sure, you can always leave home and take a vacation somewhere else. However, that’s expensive, especially if it is not part of your summer plans, and basically impossible to do on a moments notice.

To prevent plumbing and AC problems during the summer, you need to prepare. Have professional plumbers from Spartan Plumbing inspect and make sure that your plumbing and HVAC systems are ready for the summer.

Following are some of the common problems that you may experience during the hot and humid days of the Arizona summer:

 

Expanding Water Pipes

When the weather outside you home gets extremely hot, the pipes in your plumbing system may start to expand. Worse, they may even burst.

When this happens, you will have no recourse but to replace all the affected pipes as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’d be forced to go through summer with little to no water at all in your home.

 

Clogged Toilets

During the summer months, your kids are probably off from school and staying in your home. This means there will be a lot more bathroom trips than usual.

Thus, it will be much easier for your toilets to get clogged compared to days when your kids are in school. Simply put, the more people using the toilets, the bigger the risk of experiencing clogs.

 

Low Water Pressure

The extremely hot weather can have a negative impact on your home’s water pressure. Contrary to what you may think, it’s not only in winter when this can be a problem. It can also happen when the weather is extremely hot.

When you experience low water pressure during summer, call Spartan Plumbing right away to fix the problem. After all, one of the most frustrating things you can experience during summer is having no water to cool you down!

 

Overworked Air Conditioning Unit

Your air conditioner manufacturer specifies your unit’s estimated useful life. This often depends on whether or not you follow the manufacturer-recommended repairs and maintenance plan.

Arizona households use air conditioning systems probably more than residents of many other states do during the summer. Since their units are in use most of the time during hot and humid summer days, Arizona residents tend to neglect the maintenance needs of their equipment. This effectively reduces the useful life of their unit.

An air conditioning unit that isn’t properly maintained and cared for will slowly incur damage over time. The unit will then be forced to work double time to generate the usual results. Little issues will slowly become bigger until the system totally breaks down. When this happens, it may be too late for minor repairs. Aside from a higher than usual electric consumption caused by a defective unit, you may now be looking at costly major repairs.

 

Final Word

There is no question that the extreme summer heat in Arizona can take its toll on your HVAC and plumbing systems. The good news is, there are some simple repair and maintenance procedures that you can take to prevent aggravating the problem. These do not require any tools or technical know-how to perform. Call Spartan Plumbing for more information.

Buying a Used Home? Here’s What to Look Out For

By

Buying your new home, even if it is a used one, is very exciting. All the planning-related stress disappears once the big payoff comes. However, there are some things you need to watch out for when in the process of buying your home. These include:Tucson Plumbing Inspections

Recognize a roof’s repair needs –

Before stepping inside the home, inspect what’s going on at the top. Is the roof about to cave in, or does it look relatively new? If there is an obvious defect, such as a big hole or even a dip, then it should raise a red flag. You may end up spending a lot for repairs. If the roof is sturdy and new, it may require lower home insurance premiums and it will better protect you from the elements.

Don’t be deceived by a paint job –

When you step inside the home, check out the structural stuff like loose wires and aging fixtures. Don’t be impressed by upscale décor and newly painted walls. This is because, long after the paint has chipped, the walls, fixtures, and electrical equipment will remain – and you need to know now that they are what you want.

Check the plumbing –

When inspecting the kitchen, go deeper than what you can see at eye level. Check under the sink and examine the pipes. Try to see if there are leaks, mold, or any sign of water damage. If you see plumbing defects and you still decide to buy the house, have Spartan Plumbing perform the necessary repairs before moving in. Mold, for one, is a health hazard that can harm infants, seniors, and people with asthma.

Identify your deal breakers –

Think about what your purpose for buying a home is, and what you need for your lifestyle. Do you need extra bedrooms for your children or guests? Do you have a large collection of books that needs ample storage space? Or, do you need to have a spacious backyard for your barbecue parties?

Check the temperature in the home –

When checking out a home to buy, bear in mind that it often looks its age. This means that, if it seems rickety, chances are it is. Note that HVAC systems cost a lot to fix or replace. If you retain it, you may be paying a lot in terms of utility bills. Thus, before you move in, make sure that the HVAC system is in good working condition.

Use your sense of smell –

Is there an unpleasant smell like sewage, gas, pet odors, mildew, cigarette smoke, or anything bad-smelling? If you are planning to buy an older home, it’s not far-fetched that the sewage system may be clogged or root-damaged. The good news is, reputable plumbing companies like Spartan Plumbing can use cameras to see inside the pipes to spot any blockage or break.

Inspect the land beforehand –

It’s not only the building itself that you should take a look at, but the entire area surrounding it. Is the area at risk of wildfires or flooding? Does another property share the driveway? Are the fences, if any, properly positioned? These questions may sound secondary, but when buying a new home you cannot ignore the vicinity.

Buy a well-insulated home –

Your new home must be comfortable year-round. Thus, you need to check the water pipes, attic, and heating ducts to make sure there’s proper insulation. This will help provide you comfort during winter and summer, and help keep your cooling and heating expenses low.

Final Word

Almost every used home on the market has some defects. There’s nothing wrong with that. Some are obvious, while others may be hidden from plain view. In most cases, the defects are easy to fix. What is important is that you are aware of them before you buy. This way, you can have them fixed before moving in or be prepared to do the work yourself in a reasonable time frame. It will also help you ask for a lower price.

 

Importance of Annually Flushing Your Water Heater

By

Your water heater is one of the most important appliances in your household. For one, it provides all your warm water needs – from hot water for cooking to hot water for bathing.

Like other home appliances, your water heater is also subject to the effects of wear and tear and may encounter problems from time to time. These include leaks, as well as little or no hot water. The good news is, these can be avoided by the simple task of flushing the appliance on an annual basis.

Annual Water Heater Flushing

As mentioned, it is ideal to flush your water heater once a year. The problem is, a lot of people neglect this important task when their home plumbing is fine, only to panic at the first sign of trouble.

Worse, by then, the problem is already in an advanced stage. It could require major repairs, or worse, replacement. Either of these would cost a significant amount of money. You can avoid major repairs and early replacement just by doing the simple maintenance task of flushing the water heater.

 

Sediment Build-up in the Water Tank

When you heat water, the calcium carbonate in the heater precipitates then settles down after some time. This leads to sediment build-up in the heater’s water tank. The build-up of sediment is often a slow process. However, if you live in a hard-water area, your water heater can fill up fast.

When there is excessive sediment build-up, it may result in your home not getting enough hot water or water that is not warm enough. The best way to prevent this from happening is by flushing your water heater on an annual basis.

 

Benefits of Annual Water Heater Flushing

Flushing your water heater yearly offers lots of benefits. These include:

  • Longer useful life of your water heater as you get rid of most water contaminants
  • Improved water heater system efficiency
  • Enhanced heating ability of the equipment with the removal of all cool patches
  • Increased heat performance of the water heater
  • Reduced internal corrosion

When air gets inside your water heater, it can cause the equipment to wear away inside. Iron sludge sediments will form in the radiators, as well as in other affected parts. The fragments will then attach themselves to the equipment coverings. This can cause early malfunction of the valves and pumps, as well as cool spots. It will likewise obstruct the hot water coils and heat exchangers.

One solution to the problem of sediment build-up is the yearly flushing of your water heater system. It will help protect your water heater system for the long term.

It is also a good idea to set up a power flushing device. This way, water will flow from the radiators down to the filter. It will then gather all the deposits of iron sludge as soon as they come to the boiler. This will reduce what will proceed to the boiler’s heat exchanger.

You can also add a corrosion remover solution that typically comes in a phosphoric acid base. This will help guaranty deep cleansing for your water heater.

 

Final Word

To sum everything up, a water heater is both a mechanical and electrical device. As such, you can expect it to develop problems in the future. In many cases, you do not need to replace it as soon as it shows signs of malfunctioning. A lot of times, all it takes is a minor remedy and a good understanding of the problem at hand.

For more information on annual water heater flushing and other plumbing concerns, get in touch with Spartan Plumbing. Set up an appointment for free consultation now!

New Lateral Reinstatement Tool Increases Spartan Plumbing’s Efficiency

By

What is Lateral Reinstatement and How it Helps Plumbers?

Spartan Plumbing provides superior solutions for homeowners who require HVAC services and plumbing repairs. Plumbers use advanced technologies in order to provide the best outcome. This is why the company developed a new tool in order to allow service professionals to repair piping infrastructure without digging trenches and damaging the homeowner’s yard. This tool is the Tornado ™ Reinstatement Cutter and is now available exclusively through Hurricane Reinstatement Solutions and Spartan Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

Lateral reinstatement is a procedure that allows plumbers to access damaged subterranean pipes without digging trenches. This is beneficial for homeowners who want the repairs done with a minimum amount of disruption to the property. It is important to understand that pipes will wear down over time. Corrosion, rust and other types of damage may accumulate in the pipes. In addition, gaining access to the lateral connective surfaces of the piping is often difficult. Access points might not be readily available, and the pipes are often installed in areas that are hard to reach.

How Lateral Reinstatement Helps Plumbers

Repairing these parts can be tricky when the pipelines are located underneath the ground. Trenchless technologies allow plumbers to conduct essential repairs without defacing the property. When a plumber is performing a cured-in-place pipe technique, or CIPP, the available tools will determine the amount of time it takes to complete the procedure. This usually involves several steps, and it also requires gaining access to the lateral connectors of the pipe.

Best Lateral Reinstatement Tool

The unique Tornado cutting tool from HRS allows the plumber to access lateral connections and correct problems. It also allows the work to be completed in the shortest amount of time possible. For example, most cutters typically have a reinstatement time of 30 to 45 minutes. Any modest improvement in this area will save time and improve efficiency. The Tornado ™ Reinstatement Cutter performs at a rate of 15 to 30 seconds. This is a substantial improvement in the time required to perform the reinstatement.

Spartan Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Spartan is proud to offer this new technology, which was thoroughly tested in a major installation in Las Vegas. The Tornado ™ Reinstatement Cutter tool was used at one of the largest major Perma Liner installation jobs in the city. The work was done at the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower in Las Vegas. After this initial success, the cutter was employed more than 80 additional times for lateral pipe reinstatements, and the tool performed flawlessly.

The Tornado ™ Reinstatement Cutter allows plumbers to gain access to the most difficult areas of the pipe and restore the service of the line. Lateral reinstatement is necessary in order to achieve the best results. The Hurricane Reinstatement Solutions cutter is a new innovative tool that allows plumbers to reinstate the lateral connections in record time while maintaining the highest quality of work.

Plumbing Tips to Keep Your Plumbing System Running Smoothly

By

Plumbing problems may pop up from time to time. Often, they happen when you least expect them to. It’s great if you know how to fix these problems on your own. Otherwise, you can always leave the job to the hands of experts such as Spartan Plumbing.Smart Faucent

Following are some plumbing tips that will prepare you to deal with unexpected plumbing issues when they happen.

Fixing Frozen Pipes

If you see frozen pipes, switch on the faucet that is nearest to the pipes. This way, water will flow out once the pipes begin to thaw. Doing this will also help keep the pipes from bursting, which can result in more expensive repairs.

Preventing Septic Tank Backup

To prevent septic tank backups, you should make sure it is pumped at least once every 5 years. Regular pumping will prevent the build-up of sediment that may cause a backup into your home, or worse, septic system failure.

You may be worried that having your septic tank pumped will cost some money. It will. But, keep in mind that it will cost you a lot more money to clean sewage backup, or to replace or fix your septic tank.

Covering the Drains

Cover all drains with a strainer. This way, particles that can potentially cause clogging will not go down the drain. Make sure to clean kitchen sink strainers each time large food particles are collected. For the bathroom, a bathtub strainer will keep hair and soap scum from causing a clog in your drains.

Extending the Life of Your Garbage Disposal

Cleaning your garbage disposal unit on a regular basis will help prolong its productive life. When it starts to give off a foul smell, run some citrus rinds and dish detergent through the cycle. This will help the equipment smell fresher.

Maintaining Bathtub Drains

A good way to maintain your bathtub drains is through the use of a vinegar and baking soda solution. Just pour the solution into the opening of the drain once every month. Then, cover the drain’s top with a towel or washcloth to restrain the chemical reactions.

Wait for a few minutes before flushing out the drain with boiling water. This will help clear the pipes of all the accumulated soap scum and hair.

Water Seeping into the Dishwater

At the first sign of water leaking into your dishwater, inspect your kitchen sink. Determine if the hose is properly installed. The hose must go in a hill-like pattern – something similar to the St. Louis Arch – to keep water from mixing. Beginning from the sink, it should go up and then down before it connects to the dishwasher. Only pressurized water will be able to pass through the hose; thus, leakage will not be a concern.

Showerhead Replacement

When your showerhead needs replacement, make sure to buy a replacement that is of high quality. Don’t give in to the temptation of buying a cheaper alternative. In many cases, these options are cheap for a reason: they are of inferior quality. They tend to break easily.

 

Final Word

The best time to learn how to deal with possible plumbing issues is before they actually emerge. You shouldn’t wait for the problem to happen before educating yourself on what to do. Also, preventive maintenance can help a lot in keeping plumbing problems at bay.

Keep the tips provided in this post in mind. Use them in your plumbing strategy. This way, you can keep your plumbing system in great shape for a long time. You can then deal with problems as they happen. For problems you cannot handle on your own, let Spartan Plumbing do it for you!

Maintenance for Your Commercial HVAC

By

According to the Energy Information Administration of the US, heating costs contribute around 25% of the total energy expenses in commercial buildings. The estimates may even go higher, depending on the prevailing local rates. As such, it is important to keep your HVAC system working at optimum levels at all times. This will only be possible through regular preventive maintenance.

The winter season also increases risk exposure of your commercial HVAC equipment. But, you can lessen the risk through preventive maintenance measures. These include regular inspections of your equipment that can help avoid the most common types of HVAC system failures during winter.

Most Common Types of HVAC System Problems during the Winter Season

  • Less heat resulting from rooftop unit condenser failure. During the cold months, snow, debris, and other materials may accumulate around the rooftop condenser unit. As a result, your HVAC system may produce poor heat output and less efficient operation within the building.

When there are obstructions, air intake may contribute to potentially poisonous gas build-up (like carbon monoxide) on the premises. This may happen throughout the winter season.

Commercial HVAC system preventive maintenance measures include cleaning your rooftop condenser units and setting up a plan to remove snow, ice, and other debris before and during the freezing months of the winter season.

  • Heat exchanger failure due to dry air from overuse. Dry air poses a big problem during the winter months. It can cause skin and other health problems to the building occupants. As the building owner, this will reflect on your brand.

Dry air also triggers a lower heat exchange efficiency in your HVAC equipment. This is because dry air is not capable of containing as much heat as regular air. As part of your HVAC preventive maintenance plan for the winter season, you can install additional humidifiers or update your existing units.

  • Reduced coil efficiency due to dust, mold, and debris. The accumulation of dust, mold, debris, and other similar materials around the coils of your HVAC system has a negative impact on the equipment’s overall efficiency. To ensure optimal performance from your HVAC equipment, clean the coils on a regular basis. You should also inspect the coils for any sign of coolant leakage.
  • Occurrence of gas problems. Depending on the source of energy your HVAC equipment uses, you should inspect all the incoming gas lines for possible leaks and pressure. As you perform these steps, check the pilot lights to make sure they are working efficiently. Gas pilot lights must stay lit all the time, and electrical pilot lights must be free from dust and other types of debris.
  • Additional problems arising from improper thermostat calibration. It is possible that your heating unit has not been used since winter of last year. Thus, your thermostat may not be calibrated properly. While this may seem like a minor concern, it may unnecessarily trigger the activation of the HVAC equipment. It turn, this may cause both the cooling and heating systems to fire up at the same time. This will not only result in poor heating within the building, but it will also cause a spike in your electricity bills.

 

Final Word

By having a sound preventive maintenance plan in place, you can reduce the total cost of your building’s HVAC systems. By implementing an early preventive maintenance program for your HVAC equipment, you can prevent potential HVAC system disasters from happening during the winter months, when you need your heating system the most.

Contact Spartan Plumbing now to schedule an appointment or to inquire about our commercial HVAC system maintenance plans. Do not wait for winter. Act now!

How to Unclog a Toilet

By

Most homeowners would agree that cleaning the toilet is the most disliked task around the household. Next to that would probably be unclogging a blocked toilet.

Many factors can lead to a clogged toilet. But, whatever the reason, it can be quite irritating when you see a lot of water coming out of the bowl, or when there isn’t any water coming out! What is worse is when you see excess water spilling out of the bowl and onto your bathroom floor.

When faced with the problem of a clogged toilet, the first thing that comes to people’s minds is to reach for a plunger and unclog the toilet on their own. This fix may work in many cases, especially when the clog is only minor, like clogs involving some toilet paper that failed to get into the sewage system. But, there are some instances when the problem is worse than anything a plunger can fix. For these problems, you may need to hire the services of experts like Spartan Plumbing.

Things That Can Lead to Toilet Clogs

As mentioned, different things can cause a toilet clog. These include anything other than human waste and toilet paper, such as the following:

  • Soft toys
  • Rubber or plastic
  • Chunks of food waste
  • Feminine napkins and other hygiene products
  • Diapers

These things belong in garbage bins, and they are not intended for your toilet. Refraining from flushing these things down your toilet can help prevent clogging. In addition, there are other things you should and should not do when trying to avoid a clogged toilet or when you are fixing one.

 

What You Should Do to Unclog a Toilet

Following are some things to keep in mind when trying to fix your clogged toilet on your own:

  • Only use the proper tools. This means using only tools and equipment intended to unclog toilets, the most common of which is the plunger. For clogs that are located deeper down the waste pipe, you can use other DIY tools like a snake that can help you reach deeper clogs safely.
  • Always maintain your composure. It is easy to lose your cool when things get frustrating. But, you need to keep your temper in check at all times. This is the only way you can think clearly. You may only cause more damage to your toilet when you work on it while you’re angry.

 

What You Shouldn’t Do When Unclogging a Toilet

Refrain from doing the following when trying to fix a toilet clog. Doing these may only make your problem worse.

  • Using regular household items. Never try to reach the blockage and unclog your toilet using regular household items like clothes hangers. For one, it can result in scratching your bowl. It can also cause stains and some minerals getting to the surface. Worse, it can bring significant damage to your toilet bowl.
  • Continuously flushing in hopes of removing the clog. Doing this will not only waste a lot of water and raise your utility bills, but you can also cause flooding in the bathroom. Instead of fixing what could be a simple clog in the first place, you may only worsen the situation. The best thing to do when this happens is to call Spartan Plumbing and let the experts handle the job for you.
  • Removing the toilet. If there is one thing you do not want to do when fixing a clogged toilet, this is it. After trying everything to no avail, your next step should be to call a professional for help. Removing your toilet will not help.

 

Final Word

A lot of toilet clogs are simple and easy to deal with. But, you need to follow some basic rules as covered in this post. For plumbing issues that are beyond DIY repairs, call Spartan Plumbing.

How to Ensure That Your Air Conditioner Is Operating at Maximum Efficiency

By

There’s no question about it: it’s a great idea to learn how to ensure your air conditioner is operating at maximum efficiency. A good air conditioning system makes any home comfortable. At their maximum efficiency, you can even save a whole lot on your monthly electric bills.

commercial ac installation

Though there could be many HVAC professionals at your beck and call, it’s good to put in some effort yourself. There are lots of no-cost things you can do to improve your air conditioning unit’s efficiency, but you might want to leave some of the harder, more technical issues to the pros. In any case, here are some ways YOU can improve your AC system.

Cooling down your home to a nice temperature is not an easy feat, especially during the summer. The most important thing to remember is you should help your AC system do some of the work.

For example, if it gets too hot in the middle of the day, you might want to close some blinds and let down some curtains. Direct heat and sunlight can pass through glass windows, and west-facing rooms get even hotter due to the hot afternoon sun.

Clean your AC’s housing unit so it doesn’t heat up as fast. The housing needs to be free from all kinds of debris. Trim plants and bushes so there’s a wide enough space between them and your AC housing. A more thorough cleaning can be done by professionals, but you should at least do a weekly checkup and light cleaning. This will help you make sure nothing’s getting lodged in the housing.

If you could, avoid using appliances that depend on heat during the afternoon. Your AC unit will have to work harder to cool down a kitchen that is running stoves and ovens in the middle of the day. If you can do the cooking and baking during colder times, like at night or before the break of dawn, your AC unit will have to exert substantially less effort to cool the kitchen down.

The same applies when you’re running your clothes dryer. You can either let them dry on a clothesline outside, or you can put off using your dryer and wait for the night when it’s colder. Needless to say, you might want to avoid using the dryer and the oven at the same time.

Of course, some fixes will include an investment of some sort. Zoning systems help with regulating temperature separately in different zones of your home, so different rooms can have different temperatures, ensuring maximum levels of comfort for those occupying each room.

Using ceiling fans in addition to your air conditioner can help you save on your energy bills, and can take some load off your air conditioning unit. Ceiling fans use less energy than air conditioners, and they help distribute cool air around the room.

Programmable thermostats make good investments too. You can set a programmable thermostat to a higher temperature during times when no one is home. You can set it to automatically lower the house’s temperature when your area is expecting a heat wave.

A quick tip on thermostats: avoid placing lamps and other heat sources near thermostats, as they may incorrectly read the temperature of the room.

Lastly, if you’ve done all you can but you still want to know how to ensure your air conditioner is working at maximum efficiency, give Spartan Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a quick call. Spartan Plumbing is the best professional plumbing and HVAC contractor in the Tucson area. We not only do great plumbing and HVAC work, we also offer financing options, coupons, discounts, and VIP priority services.

Is Your Toilet Base Leaking?

By

One of the most annoying things you can experience as a homeowner is a leaking toilet base. The sad part is, determining the source of the leak can be difficult. Pinpointing where the unwanted water is coming from, and fixing it, will often take you a lot more than just a few minutes. In many cases, you will need the help of professionals like Spartan Plumbing.

Toilet Base Leaking

Several factors may cause your toilet to leak from the base. Knowing them can help you prevent them, saving you a lot of money in expensive repairs. Following are some of them:

  • Wax Seal Issues – Your toilet base is most likely water-sealed with the use of a wax ring. If your toilet recently underwent a plumbing job, or if you had work done on the sub-flooring, it may take longer than usual for the drain to work. This means there might be some water sitting around the wax ring. The water will then spill out in the base area if the ring is a bit loose.

You will know this is the problem if you observe some rocking in the toilet, or if you see visible gaps around the toilet seal. If the bowl is not firmly fixed to the base, the wax seal may sustain damages. You can easily replace the wax seal, but to make sure the problem is properly fixed, it is best to let a professional handle the job for you.

  • Toilet Not Fixed Firmly – Your toilet is supposed to be fixed to the floor tightly, secured with a pair of bolts at the toilet bowl’s sides. If the bolts are a bit loose, water may leak. If this is the root of your problem, make sure both bolts are tightened. This way, the bowl will be secured tightly to the floor.
  • Toilet Bowl Cracks – The presence of cracks in your toilet bowl’s fabric often leads to leaking around the base. Thus, when you flush, the water pressure will force water to seep through the crack. This will create a water pool around the toilet base.

If you are sure this is causing the problem, you can fix it by removing the water from the bowl, then sealing the crack using waterproof sealant or glue. Use the type intended for baths and sinks. Make sure to dry everything first before using the toilet. Replacement of the entire unit may be necessary if the leaking problem persists.

  • Other Leak Sources – If any of the tips above didn’t solve your problem, the problem may be caused by something else. One possible cause is a leaking tank, in which case the water leak flows around your toilet’s base. The bolts securing the tank to your toilet bowl may be causing the leak. It is also possible that the gasket under the bowl is the culprit.

If this is the problem, you can easily fix it by removing the bolts and replacing them. You may also fix the problem just by tightening the bolts if you can, without removing them. To achieve the best seal possible, screw from the tank’s inside going down. Use a screwdriver for this.

Final Word

A toilet leaking at the base may be annoying and difficult to troubleshoot. It can eat a lot of your time. But, it will save you a lot of time and money if you pinpoint the cause of the leak and are able to fix it on your own.

However, not all leaks are easy to fix. For such plumbing concerns, call Spartan Plumbing right away to schedule an appointment.