Plumbing Leak Prevention
8 Smart Tips that Could Save You Future Trouble
1. Locate Your Home’s Main Water Shut-Off Valve
Many customers, especially at rental properties, never consider locating the main shut-off valve. This is typically located where the water line first enters the structure. If there’s ever a plumbing leak, you can go straight there and quickly turn off the water to the entire house.
2. Install Shut-Off Valves at Individual Appliances and Fixtures
This allows you to keep water flowing in other areas of the house while making site-specific repairs. You can find quater-turn, ball-type shut-off valves for less than $10; you can expect to pay around $50 to $150 per hour for a plumber, often with a minimum two-hour charge.
3. Install a Flow Sensor
Install a flow sensor that detects plumbing leaks and automatically shuts off water to the entire house or a specific appliance. Those devoted to a specific appliance are more attainable and start around $75. Whole-house flow sensors may be the right option for some customers, but costs can reach the thousands. Plus, factor in the cost of a plumber.
4. Remove Hoses from Outdoor Spigots
We know it's inconvenient to unhook a water hose, but removing hoses from outdoor spigots in winter can prevent frozen water from cracking the pipes and causing plumbing leaks or, worse, a flood. Install frost-free hose bibs at exterior spigots.
5. Add Pipe Insulation
Add pipe insulation to the plumbing in cold parts of your house—such as garages, basements, and crawl spaces—to avoid frozen pipes (and to shorten the wait for hot water). Pipe insulation tubes cost as little as 35 cents per foot. It's a small investment that could save you plenty.
6. Don’t Use Exposed Pipes as Hanger Rods for Laundry or to Store Clothes
Can you ever have enough closet space? Probably not...but hanging items on exposed pipes can loosen joints and fasteners and lead to plumbing leaks. Probably not what you were hoping for.
7. Don’t Overload Vanities and Sink Cabinets
When you crowd stuff into your cabinets, you can jostle water supply pipes and drains, loosening connections and causing plumbing leaks. If drips occur, they’re tough to spot amid piles of cleaners and spare toiletries.
8. Fix Problems Quickly
Even small leaks can make pipes corrode more quickly and cause significant water damage or mold. Take the time to scout for signs of leaks and drips periodically.
Water Leak Adjustment Request Form
If you experienced a water leak on your property impacting a recent utility bill, complete this form so we can see if you are eligible for a bill adjustment.
EyeOnWater
EyeOnWater is a mobile application and website designed for water utilities and their customers. For customers with newer water meters (approximately 1/5 of BVU's water customers), it provides customers with a tool to monitor and manage their water usage more effectively. Here are some general features that such apps often include:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Users can view their water consumption data in real-time. This feature allows them to track how much water they are using on a daily or even hourly basis.
- Usage History: Historical data is often available, allowing users to analyze their water consumption patterns over different periods.
- Leak Detection: Some apps have features that can detect potential leaks by monitoring abnormal water usage patterns.
- Custom Alerts: Users can set up custom alerts to be notified when water usage exceeds a certain threshold. This can help identify leaks or unusually high consumption.
Download the EyeOnWater mobile app or visit www.eyeonwater.com to learn more.
