Top Tips for Finding Hidden Leaks in Your Home

Monday, March 30th, 2020

Hidden sewer and water leaks present a series of problems for homeowners. Unfortunately, finding these leaks is necessary to prevent costly water damage. So, how do you know when to call for professional water leak detection service?

At My Hayward Plumber Hero, we’ve put together a list of signs and symptoms to keep a lookout for. Stay alert to the following:

  • Does water sound like it’s rushing through your walls when it’s not on?
  • Has the water meter reading changed when no one is using water?
  • Have your water bills rose gradually over the past weeks or months?
  • Have you noticed wet spots on the floor for no reason?
  • Do you have a slab foundation that has suddenly developed hot spots?

If you answer yes to any of the above, call one of our licensed plumbers in Hayward immediately for professional leak detection services. Specialists have tools that detect the tiniest leaks that create huge problems.

Common Household Leaks

Although leaks are elusive, they aren’t original. In fact, most households experience leaks in the same areas. These areas include the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and laundry room. Small leaks pop up in kitchens due to loosened pipes under the sink, poorly installed garbage disposals, and bad pipe connections.

In bathrooms, leaks occur under sinks, around toilets, and inside toilets. Toilets leaks inside the bowl or tank of the toilet often cause little visible damage and add up over time. When toilets run non-stop or for longer than normal, you pay the price on your water bill.

Laundry rooms experience plumbing issues too because of the water line connections to the washing machine. Replacing plastic pipes with stainless steel connections prevents many leaky pipe situations.

Basements are the scene of slab leaks and water heater leaks. This area of the home also tends to leak due to floor or wall cracks as a result of foundation issues. Additionally, water pipes run under the basement flooring and shift over time. The smallest shifts create enough friction that pipes may break. Depending on the length of time the leak went unnoticed, a slab leak has the potential to cause serious structural issues.

Schedule Annual Leak Detection Service

Some leaks are tricky. While some leaks make themselves known, others keep you guessing. Don’t let hidden leaks get the better of you. Stay on top of potential leaky problems by scheduling annual electronic leak detection services. The small out-of-pocket expense for this valuable maintenance service, saves you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, in the long run.

Schedule your service call with My Hayward Plumber Hero today!

Fix that Leaky Faucet and Save Money

Saturday, March 7th, 2020

Is that leaky kitchen faucet stealing from you? No one wants to waste money, but when you allow leaky tap to continue, that’s exactly what you’re doing—wasting money.

You might not think the annoying drip coming from your bathroom faucet is a big deal, and you’re not alone. Many people ignore these drips. However did you know that when your home has a faucet that drips 10 times per minute that you’re wasting as much as 2 gallons of water a day [source: U.S. Geological Survey’s drip calculator]? Would you toss out two full gallons of milk each day?

At My Hayward Plumber Hero, we don’t want you to pay more than you need to for water. That’s why it’s important to us to help you fix leaky faucets.

Below are some of the most common faucet leaks our plumbers in Hayward fix:

Worn Out Washers, Gaskets, or Valve Assembly

Considering how often the faucets in your home get used each day, it’s no wonder that they break down after a while. The good news is that most of the time replacing these parts fixes the problem. To make sure you buy the right parts, you need to know the type of faucet you have such as ball or cartridge. If you’re not sure what your faucet’s type is, take a picture of it and show the person at the plumbing supply store.

Or, better yet, save yourself the hassle and call us. We have parts for all faucets styles in our fully-stocked vehicles. We can get your faucet fixed, ASAP!

Clogged Faucet Aerator

A clogged faucet aerator can cause drips too. It’s not unusual for aerators to become clogged, especially in homes that have hard water. To clear particles from the aerator and get it clean, unscrew it from the end of the tap.

Run the aerator under the water. For difficult to clean hard water stains, spray it with a limescale remover. Then rinse it and replace it. Did this work?

For persistent leaks, it’s always a good idea to call for professional plumbing service in Hayward. Why waste your day dealing with an aggravating leaking faucet? We evaluate the situation and make suggestions for repairs. If the leaky faucet isn’t repairable, we can help you pick out a new faucet.

My Hayward Plumber Hero saves you time and money. We’re here for you whenever you need us for plumbing repair, replacement, or maintenance services. Call us today to schedule a service call with one of our expert plumbers!

5 Ways to Save on Your Water Bill

Wednesday, February 12th, 2020

Managing a home can get expensive. Between property taxes, household repairs, and all the other “little” things that pop up, the costs can multiply quickly. At My Hayward Plumber Hero, we want to help you save money. One way to do this is to lower your water bill.

Check out these tips from our plumbers for top ways to save money on your home’s water bill.

Replace Old Appliances

Do you have an old dishwasher that uses a lot of water and doesn’t even do a good job cleaning the dishes? Maybe you have a washing machine that uses an unbelievable amount of water even for small loads. Do yourself a favor and replace old, water-guzzling appliances. Not only will you save money on your water bill, but you’ll also save on energy costs.

Install a Tankless Water Heater

Many homeowners save money by replacing their tank water heater with a tankless heater. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand which saves energy, but they also don’t waste water because they don’t need refilling several times a day.

Replace Faucets

Do you have a habit of leaving the water run while brushing your teeth? Replacing your home’s faucets with low-flow models is a lot easier than trying to break a habit. Low-flow fixtures are 30% more efficient than standard faucets and you don’t lose water pressure.

Fix Leaks

Leaky toilets, faucets, and shower heads waste a lot of water. More than you know. The good news is that most of these leaks can be fixed quickly and for a little money. Some you can even fix yourself. For example, when interior toilet parts wear down, this creates a leak between the tank and bowl. Replacing broken toilet parts costs less than $20 and can be down in a matter of minutes.

Turn Off the Water in the Shower

We admit that this suggestion is controversial because not everyone embraces the idea of turning the water off in the shower while washing and conditioning their hair. However, if you’re looking for as many ways as possible to save money on your water bill, using less water in the shower is one way to do it.

Our plumbers in Hayward, CA, want you to have the best plumbing and conserve water. If you want to install low-flow fixtures, need leak repair, or want to install a water heater, call us today. We’re always happy to help our customers get the most from their plumbing.

Tips from Your Hayward Plumber to Conserve Water in the Kitchen

Friday, February 3rd, 2017

We find that more and more homeowners are looking for ways to conserve water in their homes. One of the easiest places to start is in the kitchen. As the go-to Hayward plumber for green plumbing solutions, we have several suggestions for using less water in the kitchen.

Get Prompt Kitchen Faucet Repair

A leaky faucet may not seem like a big deal, but what many people don’t realize is that the longer a leaky exists, the more water that is wasted. Do you have a tap in your home that drips slowly, but consistently? A leak that drips even just once per second can waste thousands of gallons of water in a year. Not only are you wasting water, but you’re wasting your money too.

Avoid Mindless Running of the Faucet

It’s easy to do and we’re all guilty of doing this. Whether you’re leaving the water on to wash your hands while cooking or you simply get sidetracked, needlessly running the tap wastes so much water. If you’re forgetful and leave the water running frequently, you may want to consider installing a touch-free, automatic faucet. These faucets are similar to ones that you find in public restrooms, yet available in many styles to match the look and feel of your kitchen.

Install an Energy-efficient Dishwasher

A lot of people mistakenly believe that running a dishwasher is a huge affront to water conservation. Actually, it’s washing dishes by hand that wastes the most water – as much as 27 gallons in some instances. If you have an old dishwasher, consider upgrading to an energy-efficient dishwasher that uses less water without compromising cleaning power.

Call a Hayward Plumber for Kitchen Faucet Repair and Installation

Don’t let small problems turn into water-wasting situations. Call us today for immediate kitchen faucet repair and installation. Our licensed plumbers are available 24 hours a day and ready to help you find cost-saving solutions to save money in your home.

My Toilet Drains Slowly – Do I Need Toilet Repair Service?

Monday, January 16th, 2017

Hayward plumbers available 24/7 for toilet repair service. Slow draining toilets make it unpleasant to use the bathroom and should make you take pause. A toilet that is operating normally should drain quickly without problems. If you have a toilet in your home that isn’t flushing as quickly as it once did, you may need toilet repair service by Hayward plumbers.

Drain Cleaning Service May Take Care of the Problem

Most of the time a slow flowing toilet is a sign of blockage in the drain or pipes. Before you call a licensed plumber, you may want to try plunging the toilet and see if this solves the problem. If it does, great. You probably had a shallow clog. If the problem persists after plunging, the blockage may be too deep in the pipe to be affected by plunging. In a scenario like this, you’ll need professional drain cleaning service.

At My Hayward Plumber Hero, we use hydro jet drain cleaning most of the time (as opposed to drain snaking) to clear clogged pipes. Using this drain cleaning technique, we’re able to clear the entire clog instead of poking a whole through it and leaving a mess that can reform into another blockage later down the road. When contacting a drain cleaning plumber, it’s always best to ask which method they will use.

You May Need Pipe Repair

Sometimes, upon further inspection, it may be determined that the problem isn’t because of a blockage. It may be that the pipes were installed incorrectly or become misaligned. Homeowners who don’t catch problems like this right away risk more expensive plumbing repairs due to water leaks. A professional Hayward plumber won’t just assume a clogged drain is the problem. Our guys will use video camera equipment to get a complete view of what’s going on with your slow draining toilet.

For immediate toilet repair service in Hayward, call the drain cleaning experts with a proven record of accuracy and affordable pricing. We’re available 24/7 to meet all our customers’ schedules.

Avoid Sewer Line Repair Emergencies with Annual Maintenance

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016

Sewer line repair in Hayward, CA by highly-trained plumbersWhen it comes to dealing with frustrating plumbing problem, like clogs and leaks in the main sewer line, it’s always better to stay ahead of the game. Many of the most common causes of clogs and other issues stem from manageable sources. While My Hayward Plumber Hero is always happy to serve our Hayward clients with complete sewer line repair services, we also encourage customers to schedule an annual checkup and drain cleaning for their entire system.

How Does Regular Cleaning Protect Sewer Lines?

What starts as a wad of hair in the tub drain can turn into a monstrous obstruction if left unchecked. Blockages tend to grow over time as they trap additional debris that flows through the pipes. They can also sink further into the system, turning a one-drain problem into a disaster that disables your home’s entire plumbing system.

Scheduling annual routine inspection and drain cleaning from a professional plumber is a great way to identify risks and clear out grime before they cause serious issues. We use video camera inspections to find leaks, clogs and other issues, so you can make informed decisions regarding your home. Our plumbers are also equipped with snakes, hydro-jetting equipment and other tools that make plumbing maintenance a fast and affordable task.

How Long Before I Need Repairs or Replacement for My Sewer Line?

Some sewer systems can operate for decades before they need significant repairs or maintenance. However, this is only the case for well-kept systems that are regularly cleaned and inspected by professional plumbers. Damage from tree roots or other external pressure can deteriorate both new and old pipes, so they are always a threat to your sewer system.

As a licensed and insured plumbing contractor, My Hayward Plumber Hero is proud to serve Hayward residents with expert sewer line repair, routine maintenance and other essential plumbing services. Call us today to learn more about our company or get an estimate for your project!

3 Signs You Have a Basement Leak

Monday, July 25th, 2016

A leaky basement is never a good thing. If you have a finished basement, a hidden leak can be even harder to deal with and very destructive. At My Hayward Plumber Hero, we know how important it is for homeowners to have a dry basement to protect their belongings, protect their health, and to protect their finances. Here are 3 tell-tale signs that moisture is invading your space.

Cracks are Present

With an unfinished basement cracks are easier to identify. When you have drywall and flooring in the space, spotting cracks can be difficult. Pay close attention to any lines that form in the drywall. If you notice hairline cracks forming, call a plumber in Hayward to further investigate the situation.

Flooring Is Wet

Another good indication that you have a basement leak is when flooring becomes damp or you notice mold forming. Sometimes water can leak for days or weeks and go unnoticed if it is leaking in a corner of the basement that doesn’t get much traffic. If you have a sump pump, check to make sure it is working correctly. If so, most likely have a foundation crack that is leaking water slowly into your basement.

Higher than Average Water Bills

Is your water bill getting higher and higher each month? If you’re not using more water, it’s quite likely that you have a hidden leak. Typically, hidden leaks form under a home’s foundation. We call these slab leaks. If you suspect you have a slab leak, don’t wait to call for service. Slab leaks can cause thousands of dollars in damage and threaten the structural integrity of your home if not fixed promptly.

Professional plumbers at [insert company name] have the tools and technology to locate and fix even the tiniest basement leak. Using electronic leak detection, we can find the source of the problem quickly and keep your basement dry. Call us today to learn more!