Tips for Repairing a Leak Under Your Sink

What you can’t see can’t hurt you. The problem is, once you do see the problem, it’s usually a problem that needs to be fixed right away. This is certainly true for plumbing problems. Pipes aren’t traditionally exposed in your home, so you can’t see the small leaks, the corrosion of the pipes, or a clogged pipe. When water does appear, the problem becomes immediate. One of the most common places there are plumbing issues is at your sink; whether it be your kitchen, bathroom, or utility room sink. Luckily, leaky sinks aren’t complicated to fix.

Tips for Repairing the Leak

When you see water on your floor coming out of your pipes you know that there is an issue with your plumbing, but here are some signs that you have a water leak when you don’t see water: water bills are higher than normal; water meter moves when water is turned off at each faucet; running toilets; spongy, soft, discolored walls; musty smell around floor and/or walls; or mildew present on walls, floor, and/or ceiling. Knowing what causes a leak under your sink can help you know how to fix it. Three of the most common reasons for a leaky sink are dirty parts, worn parts, and/or damaged parts.

Root Cause and Treatment Action

If you can’t visibly see where water is leaking from you will need to determine where the sink is leaking before being able to fix it. Identify the leak by checking the following areas of your sink and water flow:

• Drain Seal: A leaky drain seal is easy to identify when the sink cannot hold water without it dripping. Run water into your sink and then allow it to drain. If the water leaks while the sink is draining, your drain seal needs to be repaired. To repair a drain seal you have to purchase a new one and install it remembering to apply new adhesive around the bare drain.
• Sink Faucet: Leaks at the faucet level won’t be a cause for concern in the area of damage, but it is one of the main sources of water being wasted. If you notice water leaking from the top of the sink when the faucet is turned on, your faucet is leaking. To fix a leaky faucet, tighten or replace the washer in the faucet.
• Water Supply: A water supply leak usually isn’t discovered until there is water gushing out from under the sink potentially causing serious water damage. To know if your water supply is leaking, plug the drain of the sink. If a leak appears under the sink while the water is running out your water supply is leaking. To fix a water supply leak find the joint that water is emerging from and tighten the joint. If this doesn’t stop the leak, call a local plumber.
• Sink Drain: Detecting a leak coming from your sink drain is not always easy to find because the leak usually occurs directly below the drain opening. A leaking sink drain is detected when there is a presence of discoloration due to rust and mineral build-up.
• Shut-Off Valves: The shut-off valve does what its name describes: shutting off or allowing water through the line. A leak is detected at the shut-off valve when the water cannot be closed off through the pipe. If the shut-off valve is screwed on it can easily be replaced, but you will need to call a plumber if a compression fitting is used.
• Water Hose: A leak from a water hose is detected when water comes out of the connection between the hose and the faucet. Tighten the connection between the hose and the faucet to fix the leak. If that doesn’t work, replace the gasket on the faucet and/or the hose.
• P-Trap: The P-trap begins to leak when debris and food is trapped in the P-trap and water backs up and is forced out the P-trap. To fix a leak in your P-trap, remove the P-trap, clean it out, and ensure there is no clog. Your P-trap may also leak because there is a hole in the actual pipe. If this occurs, you will need to replace the entire P-trap.
• O-Ring, Washers, and Valve Seat: Your sink has several connecting points where O-rings, washers, and valve seats keep water flowing in the correct direction and from leaking out of the pipes. To find if each of these are the cause for the leak, each joint will need to be opened and visually inspect the O-ring, washer, or valve seat.

If you need further assistance with your sink repair, or any other plumbing issues, and you live in the Jacksonville, FL area, contact Eagerton Plumbing Co. at 904.638.7979 or online. We have been in business since 1954 and are a trusted plumbing business in the Jacksonville area.

Things to Consider Before Hiring a Plumbing Contractor

Why do you need a plumbing contractor?

When you have water where there isn’t supposed to be water, it is time to contact a plumbing contractor. Googling “local plumber” leads to numerous results, so how do you pair down your list to the plumber that you need to contact? We’ll explore some of the factors that you will need to consider before calling a plumber.
plumber at work in a bathroom, plumbing repair service, assemble and install concept.

Six Factors to Consider

One of the biggest mistakes that customers make is to only ask about the price the plumber will charge. There are several other factors to consider and questions to ask of your plumber before hiring them. Here are the factors that will help you find the best plumber for your plumbing situation.

Experience:

You can’t gain experience without doing something the first time, but you don’t want your plumbing problem to be the first time your plumber has faced this issue. Ask your plumber how long they have been in business, how many times have they encountered the problem you are facing, and what is usually the result when they encounter your problem. The more often they have encountered your problem the more comfortable and confident they will be while fixing your problem. They will also do a better job, complete the task quicker, and not have to come back out and fix anything that they “fixed”.

Price:

Just because we said you shouldn’t ask first about price doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask about price at all. Always ask for a price quote before agreeing to hire the plumber. Also, ask what the quote entails: priced by the job or by the hour and does it include all parts or just the parts they suspect they will need. When you consider the different prices you have been quoted, make sure they are equal quotes when you compare them. Just because one plumber has a lower quote doesn’t mean the final cost of repair will be the lowest. This also means that the highest quote means they will do the best work with the best quality products.

Licensing:

Ask your potential plumber if they are licensed in your state, what license they hold, what certificates they hold, and if they are part of a union of plumbers. These licenses and certificates do not mean they will be flawless, but it does mean that they are held accountable to a third party agency and that their work is endorsed by them. When you ask for their license, verify their license number. Check to see if your state requires plumbers to be licensed because not all states require a license to perform plumbing tasks. Even if your state does not require a license you can enquire to see if complaints have been filed against your potential plumber.

Insurance and Bonding:

When a plumber carries insurance it protects them and you. Accidents happen while on the job, and your property and their person should be protected. Your plumber should also be bonded to cover the cost of the job in the event the terms of the contract are not met. The potential plumber should be bonded for a minimum of $500 but should be bonded for the entire cost of the job or for the job to be redone.

References:

You will come across some groups that do not recommend asking for references from your potential hire because they will only provide references of people who will speak positively of them. If you do ask for references and they aren’t able to provide any, or are hesitant to provide references, you should be hesitant to hire the individual. You can also do your own search of the individual plumber online to see what comes back and what kind of reviews people have given them.

Warranty:

Your top plumbers will offer you a warranty without you even asking because they stand by their work, and if the work is substandard, they want to correct their mistakes and make it right. If your potential plumber doesn’t offer a warranty, you should ask them if they provide a warranty to back up their work. The warranty is not an indication or an expectation that they will perform substandard work, but a guarantee that the work that you pay for will be completed correctly, whether it be the first or second time.

If you live in the Jacksonville, FL area and need a plumber, contact us at 904.638.7979 or online to discover our experience, prices, licenses we hold, insurance we carry, warranties that we offer, and reviews that our customers have left for us over the past 70 years.

Professional Drain Cleaning Services in Jacksonville, FL

Drain Cleaning Services in Jacksonville for All Seasons

Commercial drain cleaning is an essential part of the overall maintenance of your building. Without it, you run the risk of burst pipes, backed-up sewer lines, clogged drains, leaks, and more. All of these problems become more likely in the winter. That’s why we offer professional plumbing drain cleaning and sewer cleaning here at Eagerton Plumbing. We use the latest tools and technology to clean your drains and prepare them for winter safely. So ask yourself, when was the last time you had your drains professionally cleaned? If it’s been too long, be sure to give us a call.

Winter Weather Challenges for Drain Cleaning

The colder temperatures present different problems from the ones your plumbing systems face when it’s warm. What may be fine to do in the summer may lead to clogs and leaks in the winter. Take a look at the following list of common winter commercial plumbing    problems:

• Frozen Water – Sometimes, the water in your pipes can freeze when the temperatures are low enough. Frozen water can lead to clogs in the line. Pipes can also burst outright and cause costly leaks.
• Overflowing Lines – When there is an increase in precipitation (as there often is in Jacksonville winters), your commercial drain lines might overflow. This is an even bigger risk when you haven’t had your drains cleared for many months.
• FOGs – FOG stands for Fats, Oils, and Grease. FOGs congeal much faster in the winter. So if you have many of these substances in your drains and pipes, they can congeal and cause clogs.

The best way to avoid the above problems is to keep up with regular maintenance and drain cleaning. Regular maintenance may seem like a hassle but it can save you money. A commercial drainage leak can cost thousands of dollars to repair. But if you get your drains cleaned regularly, you can avoid more expensive damage. Hiring a professional drain cleaning company will also ensure that your plumbing lines are fully functional – something you can’t leave to chance as a business owner. For more information on our commercial drain cleaning services in Jacksonville, FL, call us.

Health and Safety Concerns Regarding Clogged Sewer Lines

Did you know that clogged sewer lines can lead to backups that, in turn, can lead to infections? Sewage water contains contaminants that are harmful to humans and pets. Leaking water from clogged drains can also cause mold, releasing spores into indoor air. These spores can cause allergic reactions and even respiratory issues.

When you fail to keep your drains clear, they can back up and leak into your interior spaces, hurting the health of your patrons and employees. Besides the serious health concerns, clogged drains can cause foul odors and generally unsanitary conditions. While clogged drains have serious health risks, you can prevent them with regular cleanings. Besides, many businesses are legally required to ensure that their septic, sewer, and drain lines are regularly cleaned.

Eagerton Plumbing is committed to helping business owners in Jacksonville, FL keep their buildings safe and healthy. We offer complete commercial drain cleaning, so call us today.

Get Affordable Drain Cleaning Today

Our team at Eagerton Plumbing does regular drain cleanings to negate the need for pricey work like pipe repair, mold remediation, and leak cleanup. We offer affordable rates to save you even more money. Ensure your pipes and drains are safe and functional by calling or filling out our contact form.

Your Expert Commercial Contractor in Jacksonville

Choose An Experienced Commercial Contractor in Jacksonville

As a business owner, you don’t have time to read up on zoning laws and secure permits during a renovation or remodel. You have more important things to do. Working with an experienced and certified renovation contractor is so important. Choosing the wrong contractor can cost you time and money. An inexperienced commercial contractor may not know how to resolve project issues, cause the job to go over budget, and not adhere to your timeline. A bad commercial contractor may also do shoddy work requiring repair/correction sooner than later. Here at Eagerton Plumbing, we have over 70 years of experience as commercial remodeling contractors. We work with the most skilled subcontractors and can make your vision come to life. Whether you are relocating or want to remodel your commercial space, we can do the job professionally

What to Look for in a Commercial Contractor

Whether you are undergoing a major or minor renovation, there are certain qualities you should look for in a contractor:

• Experience and Expertise – When remodeling contractors are experienced, they can predict issues before they become big problems. Experience is very valuable for a contractor. As much as possible, review a prospective contractor’s portfolio, customer testimonials, and ask questions about past projects they have completed that are similar to yours.
• Communication and Customer Service – Commercial remodels are complex and always highly involved. As a contractor’s customer, you need to know what’s going on while the project is going on. That’s why it’s important to choose a contractor that maintains open lines of communication. They should be available to field questions and give updates as often as you want.
• Project Management – To determine how well a contractor manages commercial projects, reaching out to past customers is helpful. Any professional contractor should have no issue with providing you with references. Be sure to ask the past customers of the prospective contractor how well they adhered to timelines, handled unexpected occurrences on the job, and whether or not they could stay within the budget. It can also be helpful to ask the general contractor which subcontractors they plan to hire.
• Pricing – The lowest bid isn’t always the best. While you shouldn’t need to go over your budget, it’s worth considering all bids. That’s because sometimes, the higher bids come from more experienced contractors who do better work. You should also make sure that your contractor is transparent with pricing. They should be able to detail the project costs, the timeline, and the must. Watch for hidden costs or any charges that don’t make sense.
• Safety and Compliance – When you hire a contractor who isn’t certified and doesn’t carry the proper insurance, you are taking a huge risk. In this situation, you may be liable if there is an accident, or someone is hurt on the job. Always look into the safety record of any contractor you are considering hiring. Also, ask them if they are state certified and what insurance they carry.

Our 70+ years in the business speak to our experience and expertise. Our track record for safety and transparent pricing has made us a favorite among Jacksonville residents and business owners. We always stay in close communication with our customers throughout the project. To ensure the best results for your commercial remodeling project, call us at Eagerton Plumbing.

Get Your Commercial Renovation Started

You have your choice of commercial remodeling contractors in Jacksonville, FL. Choose us because we always strive to treat our customers right. Plus, we provide many services, including plumbing repair, drain cleaning, sump pump repair, septic services, water softening services, and more. Call us now or fill out our online contact form to get your project started.