Are you concerned about a possible water leak in your home? Left unchecked, an underground water leak can have serious consequences like flooding the basement or damaging the foundation. By learning to recognize the signs of an underground water leak, you can take preventative action and save yourself headaches down the road. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what common indicators of an underground water leak look like so that homeowners can protect their homes from extensive damage. Read on to find out more!

Discolored or soggy patches on the ground

As we walk through nature, we expect to see vibrant, green grass and lush plants. However, sometimes we come across discolored or soggy patches on the ground that interrupt the picturesque scene. These patches could be caused by a variety of factors, such as over-watering, under-watering, fungi or disease. While it might be frustrating to see these unpleasant blemishes, they offer a reminder that nature is not always perfect and tidy. In fact, these patches could provide an opportunity to learn about the environment and how to care for it. Despite the initial disappointment, these imperfections can serve as a valuable lesson in the beauty of nature’s imperfections.

Wet spots on the walls and ceilings of your home

Discovering wet spots on the walls and ceilings of your home can be alarming. These unsightly blemishes not only ruin the aesthetics of your home, but they can also indicate a larger problem that needs addressing. From leaks in your plumbing or roof to compromised insulation, there are several reasons why water might be seeping into your home. Ignoring these wet spots can lead to further damage and even hazardous mold growth. Therefore, it’s crucial to pinpoint the source of the problem and take action to fix it as soon as possible. After all, prevention is always better than cure.

Sudden increase in water bills without explanation

Water is essential to life, but it can also be a source of frustration when it comes to the bill. If you’ve noticed a sudden increase in your water bill without explanation, you’re not alone. Many people have experienced this issue, and it can be challenging to pinpoint the cause. You may be tempted to blame a leaking faucet or a faulty toilet, but sometimes the issue is beyond your control. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to address the problem promptly to avoid any further surprises. By contacting your water company and reviewing your usage habits, you can take steps to bring your water bill back to a manageable level while ensuring that you’re not wasting a precious resource.

Unusually strong smell of dampness or mildew

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately detected an unpleasant musty smell? It’s likely that you’ve stumbled upon the scent of dampness or mildew. This pungent odor can be caused by a variety of factors, including moisture buildup, poor ventilation, and water damage. The smell of mildew can be incredibly overwhelming, and it’s important to address the underlying issue in order to rid your space of this persistent odor. Don’t let the unpleasant scent linger any longer – take action to identify the source of the mildew and eliminate it for good.

Low water pressure in plumbing fixtures

Have you ever turned on your shower, only to be greeted with a weak, unsatisfying stream of water? Low water pressure in plumbing fixtures can be a frustrating and inconvenient problem to deal with. Whether it’s a weak stream from your faucet or a trickle of water from your showerhead, it can make simple everyday tasks become time-consuming and frustrating. There are numerous reasons why low water pressure can occur, from clogged pipes to issues with the water supply line. No matter the cause, it’s important to address the issue promptly to avoid more significant problems down the line. A simple call to a plumbing professional can fix the problem and get your plumbing system working correctly again.

Visible evidence of standing water near your home’s foundation

Discovering visible evidence of standing water near your home’s foundation is a concern that should not be taken lightly. Not only can it compromise the structural integrity of your home, but it also poses a potential health hazard. If left unaddressed, water accumulation around the foundation can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, attracting insects and rodents. While the immediate solution may be to manually remove the water, it’s crucial to identify the underlying cause and work to prevent it from recurring in the future. Whether it’s a clogged gutter, drainage issues, or even a grading problem, taking steps to prevent standing water can help to ensure the safety and longevity of your home.

As homeowners, it is important to be vigilant about any signs of water damage within our properties. By keeping track of the aforementioned warning signs, we can take proactive steps to remedy the issue before it becomes a major problem. Even small leaks and dampness can add up to cause significant damage over time. It is prudent to seek out professionals for diagnosis and solutions if you are uncertain about the cause or scope of the problem you encounter. Investing in the prevention of water damage can save you valuable time and resources down the road.

Learn more about Pathmaker Plumbing:

May 7, 2023

The holidays are upon us! With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner kitchens in Charlotte are abuzz with activity, and for us plumbers, that means just one thing; drain clogs. Often, homeowners rely on a caustic (acidic) drain opener to get them flowing again.These materials can be very hazardous to your health and the health of your loved ones (just read the warning labels). They can also take a toll on your pipes. When a caustic drain opener goes into a pipe and hits organic material (squishy drain gunk) it begins a chemical reaction that produces excess heat and pressure inside the pipe. Not good for plastic piping! If you have an older home with steel or cast iron drains, this acid can (and does) eat through the metal over time until eventually the bottom of the pipe is gone. The acid of chemical drain openers can also eat away at the finish of your sink connections taking the chrome, brass or oil rubbed bronze finish off and leave the metal with a flat looking, dull finish (not to mention without its protective coating).

So what is a homeowner to do?

Well, if your clog is just below the surface of the drain opening such as in the bathroom lavatory or tub drain you can try to clean it with a simple plastic device like this one .

These little devices are cheap, safe and if the clog is near the surface, effective.

Another good method is to keep your drains treated with a good enzymatic drain cleaner. These won’t open clogged drains, but rather if applied regularly when the drain is open, will eat away at the sludge before it builds up and develops a clog. Bio Clean is a good product and many reputable plumbers carry and sell it.

If you do come across a clogged drain this holiday season it really is best to let the pros handle it. A licensed plumber should have all the tools necessary to open a clogged drain in your home without using any materials which are caustic and dangerous to your family and your piping. A rotary cable machine is the tool of choice for most plumbers because it is safe, effective and, unlike chemical drain cleaners which can only poke a small hole through the gunk it gets the pipe clean all the way around the inner circumference of the pipe, so the drain stays open longer.

Jetting is also a good option that a licensed plumber can offer. This tool uses pressured water to safely blast away the gunk on the inside of a pipe; especially handy for greasy drains!

Also, a good plumber will inspect your piping in the crawl space or basement and under the sink to see that they are plumbed with the appropriate amount of downward pitch. A wide open pipe won’t drain well if it is running uphill.

Often times as an older home settles the walls and foundation shift causing the pipes to level off or even start running uphill. Unfortunately, it is not unheard of to see homes built like this from day one either. A shoddy plumbing subcontractor can (and often does) bring a lot of trouble to a home even years after he finished plumbing it.

If you need us, Pathmaker Plumbing can help get your drains open this holiday season. Whether you would like for us to come out and do a preventative cleaning or you’re already in full holiday swing, you can trust us to get you flowing again.

Learn more about Charlotte NC plumbing services at Pathmaker Plumbing – 704-733-7507.

November 26, 2013

Nobody wants to pay for expensive home repair bills. That is the reason why home warranties appeal to so many people. For a set fee each year home owners can have some assurance that whenever a mechanical problem occurs in the home, someone else will pick up the tab, right? …Sort of.

Plumbing contractors decide to do work for these warranty companies for a number of different reasons. The upside for the contractor is that they have a chance to build their customer base when first starting out. The hope is that after the warranty expires they will have built a rapport with the home owner and can count on getting calls from them for future repairs. If a repair isn’t covered by the warranty company the contractor has a chance to bid on the repair for the normal retail price. There are a few established companies who pick up warranty work as a supplement to their own customer base when things are slow.

The downside for the contractor is that the rates these warranty customers pay is usually well below market value. This means that a plumbing contractor has to honor his commitment to make a given repair at a low price while at the same time doing so in a quality manner so that it will last. If the repair fails, it’s the contractor who is liable for making it right, and on his dime. This puts many contractors in a difficult position.

At Pathmaker Plumbing we are home owners too. We believe the best person to make decisions about how a house should be repaired is the home owner. Our job is to empower home owners to make the best possible decisions by giving them good information. We take our time to properly diagnose problems. We put our experience to work for you by pointing out things that will lead to future problems. We put control of your home into your hands.

Below is a link to an article from Angieslist.com providing an accurate scope for the purpose of home warranty companies. It offers viewpoints from a number of different home warranty customers across the nation and highlights some of the pros and cons to having these contracts.

http://www.angieslist.com/articles/why-home-warranties-are-no-guarantee.htm

Learn more about Charlotte NC plumbing services at Pathmaker Plumbing – 704-733-7507.

July 18, 2013

Did you know that your typical tank style water heater should be drained and flushed every six months to a year? For most homeowners this is news. Almost every manufacturer of water heaters states that in order to keep your unit functioning at top efficiency and to help prevent damage, the tank needs to be drained and flushed of build up and debris on a regular basis. This relatively simple task can add years to your water heater if done regularly and keep it as efficient as possible. If you are not sure how to do this call us today to schedule an appointment. Once we show you how to do it you can take over from there. Or if you’d prefer, we can set up a regular water heater inspection date and come do it for you.

Contact our expert plumbers at Pathmaker Plumbing.

Learn more about Charlotte NC plumbing services at Pathmaker Plumbing – 704-733-7507.

July 10, 2013