Starting in 2023 the Village of Ashville will provide Grease Containers

The Village has acquired a fat trapper and is making it available to residents. One is allowed per household. Replacements are available at Ace Hardware.

The Disposable Bags are also available at Ace Hardware 2943 St.Rt. Ste. A.    Item # 6027596 MFR # 6000-02    Bags Item # 6027597 Mfr # 65105 or 65110

SystemBags  

Use    

Click here for the FOG (kitchen fat, oils, & grease) pdf 

We are going from STOP the GREASE BLOB 

in 2010 to Stop the FROG    in 2021!

The objective is still the same, preventing problems for our homes.

The Village of Ashville is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative designed to help mitigate the amount of grease discharged into our sanitary sewer system.  Fats, Rags, Oil, and Grease (FROG) create hazardous and costly issues for residents, business owners, and village resources by generating blockages in sewer mains and lateral. Equipment can break if these items reach a Lift Station, Force Main Pump, or Water Resource Recovery Facility Pump.   

For Residents - How can you help?

• Scrape left over food in the trash and avoid using a garbage disposal.

• DO NOT pour hot grease down the drain.  Let it cool and dispose of it in the trash.

• Make sure rinse water does not exceed 140° F.

• Clean up any spills with paper towels and dispose of them in the trash.

• Only flush toilet paper – Disposable Wipes, feminine hygiene products, and everything else does not belong in the sewer.

For Businesses

The FROG program will consist of inspecting grease traps/grease interceptors, reviewing standard operating procedures, and ensuring best management practices (BMP) are being followed to prevent grease from entering sewers. You will be contacted by the Village of Ashville to schedule the initial inspection of your equipment and BMPs.  If an appointment is not scheduled, then, per ordinance, the Village will visit your business at a time that is convenient for our staff.

The following are forms and information you can use:

Do Not Pour Grease Down Drains

Food Service Establishment BMPs

Grease Trap Use Guidelines

Food Service Employee Training Checklist

Grease Trap Maintenance Log

Village of Ashville’s Code of Ordinances regarding FRO

If you have any questions, please contact the Chief of Wastewater Operations, Adam Kehoe, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 614-402-9875.

Storm drains prevent flooding by conveying rainwater away from houses and roads and discharge to a stream or lake.  The wastewater transports pollutants causing detrimental effects to aquatic and plant life and the people using these waters for recreational purposes.  A blockage in a homeowner’s line can be damaging as well.  If a plug occurs due to FROG, the sewage leaving the home can back-up and overflow into basements or other areas of the house causing an unsafe environment for your family. This program was initiated to continue to provide the residents of Ashville a clean and safe environment to live, work, and play.  Prevention is key when addressing FROG and the most cost-effective way to manage its impacts.

What you read is not always true

We encounter endless possibilities of purchases every day. The consumer uses different reasoning techniques to help decide in purchasing items based on affordability, quality, convenience, and service. Persuasive advertising techniques have controlled the bathroom hygiene market segment in recent years, as products sold as “flushable” have increased in popularity. Everything from disposable baby wipes to flushable toilet brushs have been sold with the assumption that these products are biodegradable and harmless. These “flushable” products can cause havoc on home sewer leads or municipal collection system infrastructure.

The item that should be flushed is regular ply toilet paper. Toilet paper is designed to break down rapidly and dissolve into almost nothing. Material which should not be flushed, but not limited to this list goes as follow: baby wipes, flushable wipes, flushable diapers, feminine hygiene products, contraceptives, cotton balls, cigarette butts, paper towel, flushable toilet wands, Q-Tips, dental floss, and all fats, rags, oils, and grease (FROGS), from page one.

For homeowners, these products have a greater possibility to get trapped in lateral leads leaving homes. Over time, these items will accumulate in the pipe until a plug has occurred, causing an unsanitary environment of raw sewage backup into households.  The cost to sanitize a household because of a sewer backup can be thousands of dollars, and if not properly insured, the homeowner will be responsible for the entire amount.

A similar scenario can occur for our municipal sanitary sewer collection system. They accumulate in certain areas of the sewer until a plug happens. Along with pipes, sanitary sewer systems have pumps to elevate sewage to higher elevation, and then allow gravity to convey the sewage to wastewater plants. These items plug pumps, increasing the probability of sewer backups.  As pumps are plugging, more energy is needed to operate the pumps, increasing total electrical usage. Once the pump is plugged completely, village sewer operators are required to remove the debris.  Higher energy cost, contracted services, and labor means more cost that will be passed on to the consumer. To control these cost, remember to only flush toilet paper and disregard flushable wipes properly in trash receptacles.   Thank you for reducing our cost and protecting the environment!

You can do your part by following some the simple grease do’s and dont's.

Don't pour grease down the sink or garbage disposal.

Don't run hot water along with the fats, oil and grease doesn’t help!
No amount of hot water keeps grease from eventually congealing. This only gets the grease through the part of the pipes in your home. Once it goes into the sewer and cools, it sticks to the walls of the pipes and creates an expensive and messy problem of sewer backups - for you, for your neighbors and for the creeks and rivers in your neighborhood.

Do reduce, reuse, and recycle. Put used fat, oil and grease in a foiled lined bag, such as a foiled coffee bag or a used soup or vegetable can. If you generate Greaselarge amounts of used cooking oil such as used when frying turkeys, reuse or recycle it.

Grease can completely block sewer pipe, as shown below.
Picture provided by the Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland, Oregon

On September 1, 2010 the following notice was sent to residents north of State Route 752.

Letter About Grease  

The treatment facility is located at 140 Park Street. The water treatment facility processes water as outlined below.

Processing at the WTP Water Source:  The Village of Ashville’s Water Department receives its drinking water from two wells located at the village-owned and operated facility and a third well on the corner of Circleville Avenue and East Main Street. This third well was placed into service in 2010 and is approved to produce 800 gallons per minute and testing indicates it has 1220 gallons per minute capacity. These wells obtain raw water from the Teays Valley Aquifer.  Aquifers are porous underground formations (such as sand or gravel) that are saturated with water. Water Treatment Facility:  The treatment facility is located at 140 Park Street. The water treatment facility removes iron and manganese by oxidation and filtration. The filtered water is softened using an ion-exchange process. Softening & Distribution:  The softened water is disinfected with chlorine prior to distribution to our customer.  More information about your water can be found in our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). This is found in the Ashville Newsletter Issue 8.6	Clearwell Sensor	1932 Electrical System Replaced $55,000

The distribution system requires Backflow Prevention.  Read more by clicking on the button below.

Backflow Prevention Program

Recycling and Refuse Services for the Village of Ashville are contracted through a SWACO's Consortium III using Local Waste Services. Bills are processed by the Village of Ashville Utility Department. By clicking on the links to the upper right you can access information on:

• Billing and Costs
• What and How to Recycle
• How to Implement and Recycling Program
• The Agreements now and in the past for recycling and refuse services 

Local Waste Services

614-409-9375 Option 2

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Residential Pick-up

Monday 6am-6pm

Holiday Pick-up is on Monday unless the Holiday is observed by LWS & is on a Monday. The following are observed Holiday's

New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, 4^th of July, Labor Day & Christmas Day

Commercial Pick-up is arranged through Local Waste Services

Village Residential

$21.19 for 2022-26 includes recycle & refuse toter

Senior Discount 10%

Village Senior Residential
$19.83 for 2022-26 includes recycle & refuse tote

Senior Discount Form

Commercial 1 pick-up / wk

Toters $28.24

Includes Recycle & Refuse

2 Yard $85.58

4 Yard $115.75

6 Yard $125.17

8 Yard $144.61

Commercial
2 pick-up / wk
Two times the rate to the left

If you need this service or you need a change in the size or frequency of service contact Local Waste Services at 614/409-9375 Option 2 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

65 Gallons Recycle              90 Gallons Refuse

Toters for refuse and recycling will be provided as part of the 2022 Consortium III Agreement

Recycling is available at Teays Valley East Middle School Parking Lot

Recycling comes to Ashville

The symbol above will be used when the Village of Ashville is dealing with environmental topics. One component of recycling is the environment. What is now part of any comprehensive environmental programs is the financial impact. The Mayor and Village Council have determined that a balance of the environmental and financial interests have been reached concerning recycling. Therefore, it is time to bring curbside recycling services to our residents. 
This recycling page will be dedicated to inform and educate.

We will answer questions like, “What can you recycle and what cannot be recycled”? Please use our Facebook Page as another method for “Questions and Answers”.

Accepted Co-Mingle Recycling

Paper Materials (Acceptable)

• White Ledger Papers : Computer, Copy Machine, Typewriter Paper, White Ledger Pads, Machine Tape
• News Quality Papers : Newspaper, Phonebooks, Wide-lined Newsprint
• Folders : Manila, Colored and Coated Folders
• Mail : Letters, Brochures, Advertisements, Magazine
• Correspondence : Legal Pad Paper, Colored Paper, Message Sheets, Self Adhesive Notes, Index Cards
• Envelopes : Window Envelopes, Non-Window Envelopes, With or Without Labels, Colored, Coated
• Brown Papers : Brown Grocery Bags, Cereal Boxes, Beverage Carrier Boxes, Clean Pizza Boxes
• Cardboard Boxes : Broken down into 3ft x 3 ft sections

 
Plastic Materials (Acceptable)

• Plastic Containers / Plastic Bottles #1-7 : Milk Jugs, Soda Bottles, Laundry Detergent Bottles, Water Bottles, Shampoo Bottles, Contact Solution Bottles, Etc. – The base of the container must be wider than the mouth of the container.

Metal Materials (Acceptable)

• Aluminum Cans : Clean Beverage and Food Cans, Etc.
• Steel Cans : Clean Soup, Food, and Aerosol Cans, Etc.

Glass Materials (Acceptable)

• Clear or Colored Glass Bottles and Jars – Please rinse and remove lids.

Un-Accepted Items & Co-Mingle Recycling

 Paper Materials (Un-Acceptable)

• Text Books –­ Glue binding contaminates paper.
• Candy Wrappers – Candy and sugars contaminate paper.
• DIRTY Plates, Cups and Napkins – Food contaminates paper.
• Facial Tissue and Paper Towels – Use of material contaminates paper.

Plastic Materials (Un-Acceptable)

• Plastic Bags : Grocery Bags, Etc. Please return grocery bags to store.
• Butter Tubs or Whipped Topping Tubs (Food contaminates materials)
• Plastic Plates, Cups, Utensils, Food Trays, Etc. (Food contaminates materials)

Metal Materials (Un-Acceptable)

• Scrap Metal, Pots and Pans, Coat Hangers, Paint Cans, Etc.

Glass Materials (Un-Acceptable)

• Window Glass, Drinking Glasses, Fish Tanks, Light Bulbs, Etc.

A good website for Central Ohio Information is Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) https://www.swaco.org/

A good information page at SWACO is https://www.swaco.org/FAQ.aspx

Step 1: Build a team

“To create a recycling program, the first thing you’ll need is a team of motivated and environmentally minded community members, including politicians. You’ll need help in many areas to build a program, such as with issuing the best collection bins and equipment, choosing and negotiating with the recycling hauler, and understanding and negotiating different contracts and budgets.”

Village Council and Mayor completed this step by joining Consortium II in September 2014 and Consortium III in 2017.

Step 2: Create a plan

“Outline the program’s objectives, keeping them as focused as possible. As a recycling team, you have many things to determine: Will you include businesses and apartments in the program, or just houses? What are you going to recycle? What recyclables do the haulers want? How often will you pick up recyclables, or will you have a drop-off center? Can you offset some of the costs by partnering with a neighboring community?”

Ashville decided to start with curbside residential recycling. Businesses can work with Local Waste Services. What is being recycled was published in the September Newsletter. Ashville will have recycle pick-up on Monday.

Step 3: Choose which materials to recycle

“Deciding which materials to recycle seems like the easy part. It can be a slippery slope, though, if you aren’t specific about the materials that will be part of the program — you’ll have community members who want to recycle odd items like phone books and electronics . . . and then they’ll try to set out an old washing machine. The team needs to focus on not only removing materials from the waste stream but finding a market for them.

To start with, what recyclables does your community generate in the greatest quantities? To better answer this, conduct a waste assessment to see what is currently being thrown away. The most common items include aluminum, steel food containers, certain glass and plastic bottles, and various acceptable papers. Also check with your state’s recycling office about restrictions regarding materials such as recycling yard waste and household hazardous waste. Choosing the right type of recycling bin is just one step in starting a community recycling program.”

Ashville has selected the items indicated above which were also outline in the September Newsletter. Ashville will work with Local Waste Services to monitor our recycling as an ongoing assessment. 

Step 4: Figure out collection and processing

“Check with your state’s recycling office regarding what collection systems have worked best with large and small communities. Your collection system is an integral part of your entire program. Consider things such as:

• Will your recycling program be collecting the recyclables curbside or will you have drop-off centers?
• Will you include businesses?
• Who will do the sorting?
• Depending on the size of your community, would it be best to outsource the recycling to a contract hauler?”

This step was completed by Ashville with continued  monitoring. The future includes looking at more actively extending the program to businesses.

Step 5: Plot a plan for preventing waste

“People get so focused on recycling that they forget that eliminating waste at the source is even better than recycling. Look at ways you can prevent waste production, then look at managing the ongoing waste to determine the best recycling options.

Once you’ve outlined your recycling goals, negotiated your recycling hauler and put a collection system in place, it’s time to get the community’s buy-in. This will take the effort of your entire team, and it’s crucial to your program’s success.”

Step 6: Educate the community

“Your team will have to educate members of the community on what can be recycled and why it’s important to participate. The quickest way to get community buy-in is to align with community leaders who will champion your efforts. This is an important step in implementing your recycling program. You will need local and state leaders to help fund your recycling endeavors and assist you in maneuvering through any unforeseen governmental red tape that could prevent you from succeeding.

Once you’ve gotten a feel for how the community is responding, you’ll be able to divide your community into two groups: those who are environmentally friendly and those who may be a little more difficult to persuade. Begin by marketing to and educating the individuals who fall into the first group. Explain and simplify the program so it gets off to a positive start. Once the program is building momentum, start focusing your message on the people who may not believe that recycling is important. To this second group, emphasize the economic benefits of recycling over the environmental values.

Recycling is more than a feel-good tree-hugging movement — it’s a growing industry with positive results for our economy. Get your local council members and politicians involved by reminding them that, in addition to helping the environment, your community’s recyclables have a monetary value.

Ashville will focus on Step 5 and 6. Part of this will be using the newsletter you are now reading, our website www.ashvilleohio.gov, and our Facebook and Tweeter pages. Your input will be appreciated.

A second container can be requested. The following information LWS supplied for recycling, thank you: 

The Refuse Services for the Village of Ashville are contracted provided by Local Waste Services but billed through the village through the utility department.

If you are interested in how the Village of Ashville contracted with Local Waste Services click the indicated area below:

Codified Ordinance on Refuse

This webpage is designed to explain plumbing leaks, how they can have a significant impact on bills, how you can identify a leak, and our utility billing fee structure.  Please click on the links from the "Article Index" for the topic you wish to read. 

Drip, Drip, Drip

 Leaks from pipes, plumbing fixtures and fittings are a significant source of water waste for some households. A “2016 Residential End Uses of Water Study” (https://www.waterrf.org/) found that the average household loses about 17 gallons of water per day to indoor leaks. Some leaks are obvious, such as dripping faucets and leaking water heaters. Unfortunately, many leaks go undetected for years because the source of the leak is not visible. The following information outlines the many sources of leaks and how high utility bills can be generated.

Common Causes of a Leaky Pipe (Equipment)

Tubs and Toilets Tubs and showers have seals designed to keep water moving down drains and to the sewer. Sometimes, a seal is faulty. For a homeowner, this can create a disaster, especially if the leak isn’t noticed for a long time. Toilets also have seals that ensure water drains to the appropriate place. Leaks in bathrooms go undetected because they’re typically in places where you can’t see the evidence immediately. Water may have been soaking into subflooring for months, where it creates the perfect environment for mold growth. The first sign of a tub or toilet leak may be stains on the ceiling or joists in the area below the bathroom.  A toilet leak is a common problem that can often be overlooked but be the cause of your higher water bill. Sure, you can jiggle the handle but that’s only a temporary fix. Some causes of a running toilet could mean a faulty stop valve or floater switch. To fix it, carefully remove the lid and place it in a safe spot. You will see a large bulb inside and that is the part that must be replaced in order to fix it permanently.

No homeowner wants to deal with a water leak. Some people ignore water leak symptoms because they’re afraid of what they might find if they go poking around behind walls and near pipes. Learn the five most common causes of water leaks in your home so you’re prepared to deal with them.

Clogs Clogs are often seen as nothing more than an annoyance. While this may be true, they can also be the cause of a leaky pipe. When a clog goes untreated, pressure can build up behind it. This pressure can be too much for a pipe, causing it to crack or break. Some types of clogs can also have corrosive substances in them, such as a cleaner, which can expedite damage to the pipe and eat through the metal. If you develop a clog in any pipe in your home, it’s essential to address it as soon as possible.

Hot Water Heaters Water heaters generally have an 8- to 12-year lifetime before they give up on providing you with that nice hot shower. Sometimes, you know when a water heater is wearing out, and you can be proactive about either repairing or replacing it. It’s not unusual, however, to be blissfully unaware of a problem until you realize you have a small creek in your basement. Time to call a plumber!

Water Softener Leaking  Water Softener Leaking from The Top Common Culprit #1: Rotor Valve If your water softener is leaking from the top, there are a few common culprits. One of these is the rotor valve. This valve is the source of water for the softener. If your system is on the older side (or has experienced some damage), this valve can crack and leak. This valve also contains a seal. If you don’t notice any cracks on the valve itself, the seals inside may be damaged and to blame for the leak. In either scenario, you’ll need to contact a professional with access to replacement parts for your softener. Common Culprit #2: O-Rings in Bypass Valve Another potential cause of a water softener leaking from the top is defective bypass valve o-rings. As part of water softener maintenance, you occasionally need to have a professional lubricate these o-rings to keep them functional. As the system reaches the 20-year mark (which is how long softeners typically last) you may need to replace the o-rings altogether.

While most aspects of softener maintenance are DIY-friendly, you’ll need someone with access to the right parts and know-how to solve a bypass valve o-ring issue promptly.

Water Softener Leaking from The Bottom Common Culprit: A Punctured Brine Tank If your water softener is leaking from the bottom, it is almost certainly a brine tank issue. The brine tank is where you place salt. A water softener that’s leaking at the base is usually caused by an overly aggressive attempt to clear a salt bridge. At American Home Water and Air, we’ve seen plenty of people puncture their brine tank by poking at a salt bridge too aggressively. Unfortunately, if your water softener brine tank is leaking, your best bet is going to be replacing the tank altogether. Certain types of epoxy may help contain the leak for a short time but you risk further damage and malfunctioning of the unit. If you’re certain you didn’t cause damage to the tank yourself, contact the company that installed it for you. The issue may be covered under warranty.

Water Softener Leaking from The Drain Line

You can usually find a water softener drain line running near the top of the unit or even further up. If your water softener is leaking from the drain line, this will be hard to miss or misdiagnose.

To solve this issue, call a water softener repair expert. They should be able to solve the issue by replacing the faulty plumbing.

Water Softener Hose Leaking

If your water softener hose is leaking, you’ll be able to tell by looking at its connection to the top of the unit. If it’s come loose for some reason, solving the issue could be as simple as tightening the connection. As with all components, however, a water softener hose can wear down over time. If the hose itself (as opposed to its connection to the softener) is leaking, you will need to have it repaired or replaced by a professional.

Thankfully, this is a fairly simple operation. If you’re handy around the house, you may be able to do it yourself — after you’ve disconnected the unit’s electricity and water supplies.

Some electric sump pump with a battery backup, can run up to 166 hours depending on how often it cycles (and you can also add additional batteries if needed to make it last even longer).

James Welsh, Water Operator, worked with a resident that noticed a doubling of their water bill. Mr. Welsh discovered the water powered sump pump was coming on every few minutes. While this may be better than water in the basement, it can be a very expensive alternative to electricity. A thousand gallons of water will cost $19.81. The estimated usage for a water powered sump pump is 180 gallons per hour or 4,320 per day or  129,600 per month. It is not likely that it would operate continuously but you can see by the numbers it could become expense.  $86 for 24 hours that could be spread over a number of days.   You may hear a water powered sump pump is a “Green” alternative or will cost less for the equipment set-up. This article is not to tell you what to do but to inform you about the possible results of not monitoring your sump pump. Some municipalities will not approve a water powered sump pump because of the wasted drinking water. There is also a concern about a water line being connected to a sump pump discharge line carrying “greywater”, in case there is a backup from the sump pump.

 Pros and Cons Water and Battery Sump Pumps

https://insights.globalspec.com/article/12877/pros-and-cons-of-battery-and-water-powered-backup-sump-pumps 

Other Sources of Leaks     Outside Faucet

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub
Irrigation System
Ice Maker
Dish Washer
Clothing Washier
Clothing Dyer (those that have steam capacity)

Common Causes

of a Leaky Pipe

(Infrastructure of Location)

Corroded Pipes Corrosion in your pipes is an inevitable issue. You could insulate the metal to maintain its durability, but still, corroded pipes will happen eventually. When your pipes become corroded, pinholes can begin to form, resulting in small leaks in your pipes. Over time, pipes can develop corrosion, such as rust. Corrosion is a chemical reaction between the metal and the substances in the environment. In the case of your pipes, it is what is found in your water that can cause the corrosion to occur. Corrosion eats away at your metal pipes, causing them to weaken. Corrosion can also eventually create holes, which then allow water to escape. If you have pipes that were laid several years ago, they might be at a higher risk of corrosion than newer pipes. Corrosion can also happen because the pH of the water or the water’s mineral content is off. To check what your water’s pH levels are, purchase pH test strips at any hardware store. The recommended pH level for your water is 6.5 to 8.5. If you have high or low pH water, install water treatment tools to balance out the pH levels.

Damaged Joints The joints are typically the weakest areas of your pipes. They are the curved parts of the pipes that cause the water to change direction so that it can get to where it needs to go. In some cases, the joints can weaken over time, which can then allow a leak to form. The first sign that there’s an issue with the joints is strange noises when the water, more specifically the hot water, is running. You might hear a clacking or banging sound in the pipes.

The Pipes are Laid Improperly Many leaks develop because the pipes were laid incorrectly. When it comes to laying pipes, the job should be done by a licensed professional. Pipes and connectors have to be laid correctly. Backflow devices should be used as necessary. If your pipes haven’t been installed correctly, you could be left with a serious plumbing problem as well as a lot of water damage to your home. The next thing you know, you’re paying to have the pipes fixed, and you’re paying other expensive repair bills. If you are unsure of whether or not your pipes were laid correctly, a professional plumber can evaluate them for you.

Cracks in a Fixture Sometimes cracks in your fixtures happen. Someone might have tripped and caught the fixture in the process. A ball may have been thrown in your home that hit the sink faucet. Or, perhaps you shove something repeatedly underneath the sink without realizing that you’re hitting the pipe. Cracks in faucets are generally noticeable immediately. You’ll see the crack from where the water leaks through. For cracked fixtures under the sink, you might not notice it right away until you find that the area underneath is damp. The Pipes Have Shifted

Old Pipes Pipes can last a while, but they’re not meant to last forever. Older pipes are made from materials that are much more prone to corrosion, such as iron. When corrosion occurs, the pipe weakens and begins to break down. This can eventually result in a leak. If you have older pipes, it may be recommended to upgrade to newer ones. Newer pipes are generally made from copper or plastic, which is resistant to corrosion. While copper pipes won’t last forever either, at least you won’t have to worry about corrosion being the problem that damages them.

Tree Root Intrusion Leaks can begin outside of the home just as quickly as they can begin inside. One of the most common causes of a leak that starts outdoors is an intruding tree root. While the root of the tree in your yard might not have been an issue when the pipes were first laid, they may gradually make their way over as the tree continues to grow. If the root intrudes and damages the pipe, the water can then leak out into the dirt. A dip in water pressure is a common indicator of a leak. If you notice this dip along with a wet patch in your yard (and there’s a tree nearby), it could very well mean that the root of the tree has damaged the pipe. Tree roots also can be the culprit when water leaks into a basement. These roots can exert pressure on water pipes, which causes them to crack. If you do find that your leaky basement is caused by tree root invasion, don’t ignore it.     You might turn an already expensive repair into a major financial disaster.

Broken or Damaged Seals Seals appear in a few different places around your plumbing. Anywhere your pipes connect to faucets or other fixtures, rubber seals should have been placed around them. These seals are meant to keep the connection watertight. The problem, however, is that rubber seals aren’t made to last forever. Over time, they can wear out. They can get damaged and break. When the seals are damaged or broken, this breaks the watertight seal. As a result, water can get out. Water or condensation near a fixture could be indicative that there’s a loose, damaged, or broken seal.

Shifting happens. There could be an issue with your foundation or settling may have occurred. There may have been erosion, a flood, or tremors from an earthquake. When your home shifts, the pipes shift too. When this happens, the connections can break. Changes in your plumbing can indicate shifting, particularly after a flood or major storm. You might notice the water pressure has changed or that the watercolor has changed. These issues can mean that there’s a leak in your pipes that should be addressed right away. While Ashville may not have many earthquakes, if compaction of soil is incomplete after a work project the ground can and has shifted in locations.

Temperature Fluctuations Temperature fluctuations can cause your pipes to expand or contract. When these fluctuations occur rapidly, expansion and contraction can damage the pipes. This is a particularly common issue in the freezing temperatures of winter. If the damage leads to the formation of a crack, then a leak can develop. This can be an issue with older pipes as well as newer ones. Any pipes made from metal are susceptible. Now that you know a bit more about what a few common causes of water leaks are, you’re better prepared to prevent them. Check periodically for signs of water damage. Pay attention to clogs and deal with them quickly. Have your water heater inspected each year. Prevention may save a homeowner from inconvenience and financial hardship. Keep your plumbing system and your wallet free of leaks.

Ways to Tell if Your House Has a Plumbing Problem Present

If you’ve ever encountered a plumbing issue in your home, you know that there is worse than having a leak on your hands — especially when you can’t detect the initial source at first glance. Here are a few signs to be on the lookout for that proclaim you should call a plumber immediately.

Water Damage

If you happen to see water marks or bubbles on a nearby ceiling or wall, that can indicate that you have a plumbing problem on your hands. While this is often due to a leaking pipe, sometimes a roof that needs to be repaired may cause those seemingly random water spots on the ceiling.

Continuously Running Water Meter

A water meter that continuously runs is not a good thing — especially if you know that no one in your home is using water. To indicate whether or not you have a hidden plumbing leak present, walk around your home and make sure that anything that uses H2O is shut off. Once complete, go to your water meter and recheck it. If it’s still running, you have a leak present.

Higher Water (H2O) Bills

Have you noticed an increase in your home’s water bills out of nowhere? If so, that can indicate that there’s a plumbing problem somewhere in your house or outside of it. The EPA states that 90 gallons of water are wasted, per day, by ten percent of households with a leak present.

The minute you feel that there may be a lingering leak, call your plumber right away to get to the root of the problem and stop it in its tracks.

High Water Pressure

Who doesn’t love a strong hot shower in the morning? It’s a great way to wake up and face the day. It’s also a sign that you may have water pressure that’s too high. Why should you care? The water pipes in your home are not designed to withstand high water pressure for an extended amount of time. Normal water pressure should be 60 pounds per square inch (psi). Pressure higher than 80 psi can cause pipes to develop multiple pin holes, which leads to a large-scale water mess in your home. If you’re not a handyman and don’t have the necessary tools to check water pressure, call a plumber. You can combine the visit with your yearly hot water heater check and main sewer line inspection.

Once you know you have a leak how can you tell where a water leak is coming from?

Sometimes leaks can happen right under your nose. Before you start ripping out walls, the easiest way to check whether you have a water leak is by reading your water meter. Some water meters are found in the basement, right above your main water shut-off valve. The leak indicator (small colored symbol beside the meter hand) will be moving if there’s a water leak in your home. Next go to your toilet and turn off the water at the valve. Go back to the water meter and see if the leak indicator has stopped. If it has you have located the source of the leak. Go to each valve in your home and shut off a valve. Once the meter has stopped indicating a leak, you have located the source. Now go back one by one and turn on the valves you have tuned off. Check the water meter before you go to the next valve. This will allow you to determine if you have more than one source for a leak. If after tuning off all valves the leak is still being indicated, it is now time to contact a plumber. Some locations may not have shut off valve, i.e. tub, outside faucet.

Leaking pipes are a major issue. They can cause severe damage to your home, ruining ceilings, floors, walls, carpets, furniture, and more. The moisture can encourage the growth of mold and mildew. All of these problems can then result in some rather expensive repair bills. Not only that, but leaky pipes also waste water, which means you’re paying a whole lot more on your water bill for the water you’re not even using. One of the most significant issues with leaks is that you can’t see the pipes in your home, so you might not even know that one has developed. Understanding the most common causes, however, can enable you to contact a plumber and prevent future issues.

Itemized Fee Structure

Since this Newsletter discussed what may cause an increase in your utility bill, it would be a good opportunity to discuss what is on the utility bill. It is made of the following seven charges:

• Water Unit Cost is $3.74/1,000 Gallons
• Sewer Unit Cost is $7.61/1,000 Gallons
•  I & I is 34¢/1,000 Gallons *
• Tank Fee is 26¢/1,000 Gallons **
• Debt Service is $7.86/1,000 Gallons ***
• Stormwater is $3.00/ERU ****
• Refuse/Recycle is $16.72 /month Senior Citizen $15.09t *****

As you can see this bill has two charges that are the same each month-stormwater and refuse/recycle. The other four charges are multiplied per 1000 gallons each month. The water and sewer charges is adjusted each year for the prior year Consumer Price Index (CPI), Reference Ordinance 2009-03. We do not have that information for 2020. That adjustment is usually published in the March Newsletter indicating the percentage and new rate, generally between 0.3 and 1.5%.

* I & I Infiltration & Inflow correction as mandated by the Ohio EPA Director’s Final Findings & Orders

** The Tank Fee is the cost to refurbish and maintain the water towers at the Water Plant & State Route 752, Reference Ordinance 2011-01

*** Debt Service Cost to acquire land, design, and construct a Water Resource Recovery Facility as mandated by the Ohio EPA Director’s Final Findings and Orders, Reference 07-14 Resolution and Ordinance 2016-07

**** Equivalent Residential Unit for Residential Average 2,000 Sq. Ft. of Impervious Area, Reference Ordinance 2006-14, Chapter 929.08

***** Refuse residential cost from Service Agreement with Local Waste Services, Ordinance 2017-10

Link to Codified Ordinance on Village of Ashville Utility

Final Thoughts

No one wants to deal with a leaky pipe. Dealing with it as soon as you notice it, however, will help to save your property and your wallet. If you see any signs of a leak, such as a dripping faucet, an increase in your water bill, or a musty smell, it is vital to call a plumber to get the issue taken care of as soon as possible.