Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Is It Really Necessary to Have My Home Dewinterized?

Our answer is yes! You've already done the right thing by having your home winterized by a professional plumber, BUT we highly recommend having a licensed plumber de-winterize your home also. Winterization of a plumbing system does not serve as a leak test on your existing piping, so existing issues or leaks could already be present.  Additionally, if the water was accidentally turned on over the winter AFTER the home was winterized, there could be potential issues.  During the de-winterization process, the plumber will perform an air pressure test on your piping BEFORE turning the water back on.  This will ensure that any leaks/issues are caught and repaired ahead of time.  

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

What Should I Do If I Get An Abnormally Expensive Water Bill?

An abnormally expensive water bill could have a few culprits.  First off - call your water provider and ask them to double check that the meter was read correctly.  Also have them inspect the city owned side of the meter to make sure there are no leaks.  

If the meter was read correctly, and your water provider didn't find any leaks on their side of the meter, call a plumber and ask them to help you investigate to find the source.   A few things to look out for include: water pooled up in the yard (could be indicative of a break in the water main), constantly running toilets, or any visible signs of leaks or water damage.  The issue could be as simple as a leaking flapper valve, or you could have a break in your water main that may need to be dug up and repaired - either way, a plumber can help you identify the cause.  

After the repairs are complete, be sure to get a copy of the invoice from your plumber.  Some municipalities will give you a break on your bill in certain cases if you are able to show them that there was a problem and it has been repaired.