June 2009

Heffner and Associates, LLC

A Plumbing Service Company

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Carpet In The Bathroom Can Hide Water Leaks

I received a phone call recently from a retired couple that had water on their bathroom floor. I asked what was leaking and they said that they thought that it was the toilet. The "flooring guys" were pulling up the old carpet and found that it was all wet and so was the sub-floor underneath. The insurance company denied the claim, so this couple had to pay for all of the repairs out of their own pocket.

Lesson learned: Carpeting is a poor choice in a bathroom for a host of reasons. In the case of this customer, the leaking toilet went unnoticed for an extended period of time because the carpeting was tight to the toilet base.

A new floor in the bathroom can be an exciting part of a remodeling project. There are some things to consider in terms of the plumbing however that most people don't know about or consider.

Please read on for more information.

The "Flooring Guys" Or The General Contractor Are Not Licensed Plumbers

Removing and reseting a toilet is not rocket science and yes, most people can probably perform this task without incident. If not done properly however, the resulting damage can be costly.

When I worked in new construction, the lead plumber that I worked with always asked what the finished floor was going to be (wood, tile or vinyl). In doing so he could set the level of the toilet flange so that it would be flush with the finished surface. Doing this ensured that the wax ring that seals the toilet to the drain is making the proper contact.

What I have seen countless times over the years is that a new floor goes in and the toilet flange is below the finished floor. "Put in 2 wax rings, that always takes care of that problem." say some. WRONG ANSWER! The height of the toilet flange needs to be raised accordingly and not by just adding a second wax ring.

Other things to consider:

1. Two piece toilets- Two piece toilets may have the seal compromised between the tank and the bowl when it is being moved. Make sure that this connection is not leaking after the toilet has been reset.

2. The supply tube for the toilet- If the supply tube for the toilet is not set right it will leak. A leak that is small enough to go unnoticed for an extended period of time can be costly. Ask me, I know!

3. The shut-off valve for the toilet- Most of the water shut-off valves for toilets that come out of the wall or the floor will have a packing nut behind the handle. Opening and closing the valve can loosen the packing nut and cause it to leak. The nut can be tighted with an adjustable wrench or a pair of pliers and should be snugged up to make sure that the valve does not leak.

A Pledge To Help Others In 2009

An organization that is near and dear to my heart is the Central Indiana Young Marines. I have been an Adult Leader with the program since 2007 and my own daughter, Sarah, joined the program last year after she turned 8.

The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.The Young Marines is the focal point for the United States Marine Corps' youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.

Young Marines web site

Central Indiana Young Marines is always looking for financial support for all of the different programs made available for our kids each year. Please call or e-mail me for more information or to make a donation.

David@HeffnerandAssociates.com

317-248-9668 Office

Sincerely,

David Heffner
Heffner and Associates, LLC