Leak Repair Services

Plumbing Leaks and Drips: a Nuisance for the Residents of Baltimore

Leaks and drips can appear anywhere in your home and can be an annoying, recurring problem. If you live in Baltimore or the surrounding area, we can help!

Check out the most common leaks and drips that frequently plague residents of Baltimore, and call 410-267-6141 today for help with that annoying plumbing problem!

Kitchen Leaks or Drips

The most common leaks in the kitchen are first identified by water on the floor. If the puddle is near your refrigerator then you may have a leaking ice maker line. If it is around the base of your sink you may have a leak from your faucet, garbage disposer and or dishwasher. Regardless of the situation, we have the experience and tools to identify and fix the leak and take the necessary steps to help prevent future issues.

Bathroom Leaks or Drips

A small room that is home to a toilet, a tub & faucet, a shower head, and one or more lavatory faucets has the potential for a variety of plumbing leaks, blockages, and drips. Bathroom plumbing problems can also be some of the most difficult to remedy. Often a problem is only noticed as a leak through a wall or a ceiling. At that time, other damage has already been done, and it’s necessary to call in the experts immediately. If you think you may have a leak or drip that is causing damage to other areas of your home, call the experts at Catons as soon as possible and we can provide a free assessment and cost estimate for the repairs.

Toilets

Toilets alone can present several different problems:

• Clogs and blockages: A backed up toilet may be as simple as a “soft” stoppage that may be remedied with a plunger, and can be caused by any variety of non-toilet-friendly items entering the toilet, or may be a symptom of a more wide scale sewer blockage somewhere further down the sewer system.
• Flushing & Filling problems: These are hydro-mechanical problems that may be a single failed part or several failed parts. Remember, few things last forever sitting in water. Often with older toilets, replacing one old part will only expose weakness or failure in another. It is best to replace an older toilet with a brand new one. It really is not much more expensive than rebuilding all the components of the older toilet.
• Leaks at the base: Often these are discovered when water stains appear on the ceiling below. The most common cause is a problem with the flange that secures the toilet to the floor. If this breaks or corrodes badly, water can leak and will do damage to the subfloor and the ceiling below. If you think you have this kind of a problem, call a professional plumber right away. The longer you wait, the worse the long-term damage.

What’s the best way to check for toilet leaks?

Toilet leaks can be wasteful and expensive. At least once a year, check your toilet for leaks by adding a small amount of red food coloring to the tank, and then check the toilet bowl later. If the toilet bowl water is colored red, water is seeping through from the tank. If it is leaking, you should replace the tank ball.

Drains

There are drains from the tub and/or shower, a drain from the toilet, and drains under the lavatory sinks.

• Clogs and blockages: A tub/shower drain blockage is usually a symptom of a “down-stream” problem, but may be as simple as a clogged trap. Tub and shower drains can be difficult to access, so call an expert at Catons and let us do the dirty work! The traps under the lavatory sink may also be clogged themselves or be backed up from another problem in the home.

Faucet Problems

• The most common problem with a faucet is that it will not shut off completely and drip or run. Typically an older faucet is difficult and costly to repair. You may wish to consider simply replacing it with a new one. Some newer faucets may be repaired by replacing a cartridge in the faucet.
• Tub & Shower faucets can be very difficult to remove, particularly if there is not an access panel on the other side of the wall behind the faucet. If access is difficult, call your plumbing professional to assess the problem before attempting repairs that may damage tile or other fixtures.
• Low water flow: This can often be caused by a clogged aerator. This can usually be removed, cleaned and replaced fairly easily. If, however, the problem with low flow is a more extensive water pressure problem (for example it is evident in multiple fixtures), you may wish to call a plumbing professional to test the pressure throughout the house and trouble-shoot the issue.

Basement Leaks or Drips

In an unfinished basement, leaks and their source may be easier to locate but should the basement be finished the source of that water will be more difficult to determine. In many households the water service that enters the home does so through the basement foundation. You will often find a water meter, main water cut-off valve and a pressure reducing valve (PRV) which ensures proper water pressure within your house. You may also have a hot water heater which services the entire house’s plumbing system needs. Each fixture and valve in the plumbing system is an opportunity for drips or leaks should they fail or become damaged. Other water systems such as sump pumps, laundry tray sinks and ejector pumps should also be checked for proper operation.

Wall/ceiling Leaks or Drips

Leaks that appear in the ceiling or walls are clear indications of problems either from the floor above or from piping running between the walls. Our technician will investigate the source of the leak by looking at what systems are nearby or above. Water may drip in one area and then “travel” along an internal pipe then fall further down the line where there is a union or drop off. These kinds of leaks can fool you into an immediate and incorrect assumption of the leaks origin.

Let Us Do Your Dirty-Work, Baltimore!

Call Catons any-time, day or night at 410-267-6141 or schedule an appointment online and we’ll get an expert plumber to solve your drainage problem as soon as possible, often within the hour. We’re here to help around the clock!

Looking for more quick DIY tips and tricks that may help you solve a plumbing issue or prevent a future problem? Check out our Plumbing Resources page for some tricks of the trade.

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