Expert Plumbing Services

A water leak isn't always obvious — many develop slowly and without visible signs. One of the simplest ways to check is to make sure all fixtures inside and outside your home are turned off, then go to your water meter, open the lid, and watch to see if any dial is moving. When no water is being used, nothing should be moving — even for several minutes. Common indicators also include an unexplained increase in your water bill, the sound of running water when nothing is in use, or wet spots appearing where they shouldn't. Even a small leak can amount to several gallons of wasted water over a 24-hour period — enough to show up noticeably on your water and sewer bill. If you suspect a leak but can't locate the source, a licensed plumber can perform a thorough leak detection.

Predicting exactly when a water tank will start to leak is difficult. A better question to ask is: where will the water travel if the tank does leak? At Fitch Services, we recommend installing a tank drainage pan to protect your home. If that's not possible, a draining tube that carries leakage to a safe drainage area is a practical alternative. Age and condition are both factors in knowing when replacement makes sense — if your unit is showing signs of wear, performing inconsistently, or hasn't been evaluated in some time, a professional assessment is the best way to understand where things stand.

A running toilet is usually caused by one of a few things — a deformed or worn flapper, a fill valve that has dirt in it or has worn out, or a float ball stuck in the down position. Left unaddressed, a running toilet can waste a significant amount of water over time.

A burst pipe can release a significant amount of water very quickly. The most important thing is to stop the flow of water — your main water shutoff valve controls the water supply to the entire house and turning it off will stop the flow while you wait for a plumber. Moving valuables and electronics out of the affected area if it's safe to do so can also help limit damage. A burst pipe is definitely an emergency situation that warrants an immediate call.

When something feels wrong with your plumbing, it's almost always better to call sooner rather than later. Water damage compounds quickly — what starts as a small issue can become significantly more expensive and disruptive within hours. If you're uncertain whether your situation is urgent, that uncertainty itself is a good reason to call. A plumber can quickly assess whether something needs immediate attention or can be scheduled — and getting that answer early is always worthwhile.

Every home has a main water shutoff valve that controls the water supply to the entire house. In most homes it's located where the water line enters the building — near the water heater, in a utility room, basement, or crawl space. Knowing where yours is before an emergency happens is genuinely useful. Turning it clockwise will stop the flow of water throughout the home. If you can't locate it or it won't turn, your water meter at the street typically has a shutoff as well.

Frozen pipes are a serious concern because as water freezes it expands — and that expansion can crack or burst the pipe, leading to significant water damage when the pipe thaws. If you suspect a pipe has frozen but hasn't burst yet, the most important thing is not to try to thaw it aggressively with an open flame or high heat — that can damage the pipe or create a fire hazard. If a pipe has already burst, shutting off the main water supply immediately will stop the flow of water when it thaws. Either way — a frozen pipe or a burst pipe from freezing — warrants a call to a licensed plumber. Prevention is the best approach: if temperatures are expected to drop severely, keeping cabinet doors open under sinks on exterior walls and allowing a slow trickle of water to run can help prevent freezing in vulnerable areas.

For electric water heaters, a burnt-out heating element is the most common cause — most units have two elements, and when one fails the heater can't maintain its full capacity. For gas water heaters, sediment buildup or a burner issue can reduce performance over time. In either case, it's worth having the unit evaluated — particularly if it's more than eight to ten years old.

Water heaters should be drained and flushed at least once a year to prevent the buildup of sediment, calcium, and magnesium. This sediment accumulates at the bottom of the tank over time, reducing heating efficiency and accelerating wear on the tank lining. Regular flushing is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of a water heater.

The lifespan of a water heater depends on several factors — the type of unit, the quality of the original installation, how well it has been maintained, and the quality of the water running through it. Tankless units generally last longer than conventional tank heaters with proper upkeep. Homes with hard water or acidic water conditions tend to see shorter lifespans without treatment, as mineral buildup and corrosion accelerate wear. Regular maintenance is one of the most effective ways to get the most out of any water heater — and if yours is showing signs of age or underperforming, a professional evaluation is the best way to assess where things stand.

That is a prelude to a stoppage. The line has a partial blockage.

Over-the-counter drain cleaners are more useful for preventative maintenance than for clearing an actual blockage. The most effective drain cleaning products are used by professionals and aren't available over the counter. Repeated use of chemical drain cleaners can also be hard on older pipes over time.

A sewer camera inspection involves feeding a small waterproof camera through your sewer line to get a real-time view of what's inside — blockages, root intrusion, cracked or collapsed pipe, or buildup that's reducing flow. It's the most accurate way to diagnose a sewer line problem before committing to a repair approach, and it's also a valuable tool for homebuyers evaluating an older property.

A video pipe inspection involves feeding a small waterproof camera through your plumbing or sewer lines to get a real-time view of what's inside. The camera transmits live footage that allows a licensed plumber to identify blockages, root intrusion, cracked or collapsed pipe, corrosion, or buildup that's affecting flow — without any digging or opening of walls. It's one of the most accurate diagnostic tools available for plumbing issues that aren't visible from the surface.

A water softener removes calcium and magnesium from the water supply through a process called ion exchange. Hard water passes through a tank filled with resin beads that attract and hold the hardness minerals, replacing them with a small amount of sodium. The result is softened water that's gentler on pipes, appliances, and fixtures. The resin tank periodically regenerates using a salt solution from the brine tank, which recharges the resin beads and flushes the captured minerals away.

The most visible sign is blue-green staining on sinks, tubs, and fixtures — the result of copper leaching out of pipes as acidic water corrodes them. A metallic taste in the water, pinhole leaks in copper pipes, and premature failure of water-using appliances are also common indicators. These signs don't appear overnight — they develop gradually over time, which is why acidic water often goes undetected until the damage is already underway.

The most reliable way to know is a water test, which measures pH along with other water quality indicators. Acidic water has a pH below 7 — the lower the number, the more corrosive the water. In the Charlottesville area, well water drawn through granite and igneous bedrock tends to be naturally acidic, making testing a worthwhile step for any homeowner on a private well. A licensed plumber can help arrange testing and interpret the results.