Protect Against Plumbing Disasters

Plumbing disasters often occur at the most inopportune times, which is not always a coincidence. The normal use of your plumbing is nothing compared to the times when you have extra guests staying in your home or when you host a large event. Whether it is a big backyard party during the summer or a week of household guests during the holidays, these are the times when a plumbing disaster is more likely to occur. Avoid an inconvenient plumbing problem with these preventive measures.

Add Strainers to Your Bathroom Drains

Keep hair, soap and other debris out of your drains with strainers. These can be the most common reasons for plumbing backups and clogs, especially in the bathroom and with extra people using your facilities.

Avoid Putting Grease Down the Drain

Big events often mean big meals. Avoid allowing grease and fat to be dumped down the drain. Grease can cause clogs and damage to septic systems – scrape grease and fats on plates and pans into the trash to prevent plumbing problems.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Make sure exposed pipes in attics, crawl spaces, garages and basements are insulated to prevent freezing. If you go away for the winter holidays, you do not want to come home to broken or frozen pipes.

Choose a Plumber

If a plumbing disaster does occur, you do not want to call the first plumber you find through Google. Have a quality plumber on speed dial that offers emergency repairs and meets your qualifications.

Keeping up with preventive measures can help you avoid plumbing emergencies during big events at your home. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to prevent plumbing issues and what to do in an emergency to protect against plumbing disasters.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Avoiding Electrical Shock During Plumbing Problems

When a pipe bursts, your drains backup or a major leak occurs with your plumbing, it can cause serious risks to your home. Water and mold damage can cause extensive damage to your home, but there is a more pressing risk to your health. Plumbing leaks can put you and your family at risk for electrical shock. Know how to handle plumbing problems to protect your family from risk of injury caused by electrical shock.

Everyone knows electricity and water are a dangerous combination. When a plumbing problem leaks water into your home, it is important to understand the risk for electrical shock. Even a small leak can create a electrical shock risk that can cause serious injury and even death. If the floor is wet, or water gets inside an electrical fixture like a ceiling fan or outlet, it can pose a risk of shock.

What to Do if You Have a Plumbing Leak

It is best not to risk the chance of electrical shock if you have a plumbing leak in your home. Even touching a light switch that has been affected by the water leak can cause a shock. If you can access your fuse box, shut off power to the rooms affected to protect against shock. Also shut off the main water valve to your home to prevent further water leaks in your home. Then, make a call to your local plumber company for an emergency plumbing repair.

Never try to remedy a major plumbing leak yourself. Electrical shock is a real danger whenever water is leaking into your home. Call a professional to protect yourself from injury and your home from additional damage when you have a plumbing problem.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

Common Plumbing Issues Businesses Experience

Any plumbing problem is inconvenient, but when it happens at your business, it can also be costly. Not only do you need to pay for a repair, you could be losing business or revenue until the issue is resolved. You cannot plan for a plumbing issue, but you can be aware of what problems can occur and how best to handle them. Here are some common plumbing issues that plague businesses and what to do if one happens at your business.

Backed-Up Toilet

Every business has bathrooms, some just for employees and others for both employees and customers. When a toilet backs up and overflows, it can cause a health hazard. In a public restroom, you may need to shut down your business until it is fixed.

Broken Water Pipe

A broken water pipe has more than one issue if you own a business. Not only do you need to get the pipe repaired, you may also need to shut off the water supply to the building. Many businesses, especially restaurants, cannot be open without running water, so this can cause a financial problem until the pipe is fixed.

Boiler Shutdowns

No hot water or heat in the middle of winter is a big issue for a business. Boiler shutdowns are a common reason to call in a commercial plumber for a fast repair.

Drain Clogs

Clogged drains are a problem in any plumbed building, but a bigger issue if you have customers to serve. An overflowing sink or toilet can be caused by indoor drain clogs or a sewer line issue and will need immediate service.

When you have a plumbing crisis at your business, you need a plumber that can handle the scope of a commercial plumbing problem. Keep a reputable commercial plumber on speed-dial that has 24/7 priority service for businesses to get the problem fixed fast to reduce losses in revenue.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

Why You Need an Emergency Plumber

The worst time to choose a plumber is during a plumbing emergency. When you have a broken water pipe or a sewer backup into your home, you do not have time to do the necessary research to vet a plumber. The best approach is to choose an emergency plumber that you can trust before a plumbing emergency occurs. For most homeowners, it is not if, but when, they will need to call a plumber. Here is why you need to have an emergency plumber on speed dial and how to choose the right one.

For one, not all plumbers offer emergency service. They may advertise they handle plumbing emergencies, but that does not mean they will be available at two o’clock in the morning when you find a broken water pipe. You want to ensure that the emergency plumber you choose is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Even if it is Thanksgiving Day or another major holiday, you want to know your plumber will be there when you need them the most.

You need a plumber you can trust, an experienced, reputable company that will handle your plumbing emergency quickly and affordably. Having an emergency plumber can give you peace of mind when the inevitable plumbing issue occurs. Knowing the crisis will be handled and you will not get any unexpected surprises when it comes time to pay the bill can help reduce the stress of an emergency plumbing problem.

When choosing your emergency plumber, make sure to check their credentials. How long have they been in business? Are they licensed and insured? Do they handle both plumbing and sewer/septic emergencies? Do your research when you have time to do it right; then, put their number in your phone so when you have a plumbing problem, your emergency plumber is right there at your fingertips.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

Do You Know Where to Find Your Plumbing Shut-off Valve?

A plumbing emergency can happen at any time. If you have a burst water pipe or one of your faucets starts spurting water, do you know how to turn off your water flow? If you don’t, a small plumbing emergency can turn into a large home repair. Water is constantly flowing into your pipes and plumbing throughout your home. If there is a break or other issue that water will keep flowing into your home, possibly causing thousands of dollars in damage, unless you shut off the main water valve.

Most homes have plumbing that has several shut-off valves and one main valve. The individual valves can be to larger water appliances like your toilet, washer and water heater. You may also have separate valves under your kitchen or bathroom sink. These can be used to shut off water to these fixtures when you need to do a repair or replace parts, or in case of a plumbing failure. Simple turn the valve to the off position and the water is stopped for that area.

When a pipe bursts or no shut-off valve is available, you need to turn off the water at the main pipe entering your home. If you have city water, this will usually be located at the front of your house or on the side nearest your water meter. For homes will wells, the main shut-off valve should be wherever the main pipe enters the home from the well.

The first thing you should do in a plumbing emergency is shut off the water to the fixture or use the main shut-off valve for the home. Then, call your local plumber for an emergency repair.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

When Is a Plumbing Problem an Emergency?

Not all plumbing issues require you to call your local plumber in the middle of the night for emergency service. A small drip under the sink can wait until morning, as can a clogged sink drain. However, there are some plumbing problems that are true emergencies – waiting will cost you more than making that emergency call to your plumber. Here are a few plumbing issues that should have you running for your phone as soon as you see them.

  • A burst pipe. A burst pipe, whatever the cause, needs emergency care. Often this is caused by an unexpected freeze or old pipes. Shut off your main water valve and call your plumber right away to get this issue resolved.
  • Sewer backup. A clogged toilet is one thing; a sewer backup is a completely different animal. When all your drains begin to backup, you most likely have a major sewer pipe problem. While you probably will not need to call your plumber in the middle of the night, it should be the first call you make in the morning. You may have a broken or clogged sewer line, making all your plumbing useless until it is fixed.
  • Water heater leak. If you have a tank water heater, there is always a chance that it could spring a leak, allowing hundreds of gallons of water loose in your home. This can quickly add up to thousands of dollars in water and mold damage, much less the expense of replacement. Want to avoid this emergency all together? Invest in a tankless water heater and you will never have this problem.

Never try to fix a true plumbing emergency yourself. More often than not, DIY fixes end up costing more money down the road. Call in an expert and get your emergency resolved by a professional.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Handling a Plumbing Emergency

It is easy to take your plumbing for granted. You can go years without having any major issues with your pipes, drains or other plumbing fixtures. However, when a plumbing emergency happens, you need to act fast to minimize the damage. Beyond the cost of fixing your plumbing, a water or sewer leak can cause thousands of dollars of water damage to your home or business, plus lead to dangerous mold issues. Here are a few tips on handling a plumbing emergency to limit the cost and damage to your property. 

Turn Off Water

If you have a burst pipe or major leak, you need to shut off your water supply. You can turn off the main water valve to stop all water from coming into the home or turn it off at the source. Most toilets, sinks, washers and other plumbing spots have individual valves that can be switched off.

Protect Your Family

Water on floors can put your family at risk of injury. Slips, falls and electrical hazardous are all aspects to consider. Keep your family and pets away from the danger zone; for major flooding or sewer leaks, it is best to have everyone evacuate the building.

Call Your Trusted Plumber

Don’t wait for a plumbing emergency to pick a plumber that you can call 24-hours a day. Keep their number handy and call them right away when you have a leaking pipe, backed up drain or other major plumbing issue. Make sure the plumbing company you choose is available 365 days a year and have plumbers that can come out any time, day or night.

No one wants a plumbing emergency but when one occurs, you can minimize the cost and damage by being prepared. Have your local plumber on speed dial and act fast when the unexpected happens.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

Don’t Wait for a Plumbing Emergency

Have you ever ignored a plumbing annoyance, just to have it turn into a plumbing emergency? If not, you are one of the lucky ones. It happens all the time. A toilet that frequently becomes clogged is plunged and handled as-needed, but never fixed. Then it overflows, creating a nasty mess, possible water damage and contaminating the home. Now, not only is there a plumbing emergency, it will cost much more to fix than if it had been repaired when the issue first started. Don’t let a small plumbing issue turn into a plumbing emergency. Here are a few common issues that should be fixed as soon as possible:

  • Leaking pipes. Under many kitchen or bathroom sinks is a bucket catching a drip. That drip will only get worse. Don’t wait for the pipe to burst or the seal to completely give way – call a plumber to have it repaired.
  • Clogged drains. Just like the toilet situation, if you have a drain that constantly becomes clogged, you should have it inspected. There may be a major issue that is causing the drain to back up, or you just need a professional drain cleaning.
  • Plumbing noises. Is there banging in your pipes or is your water heater making strange noises? Don’t ignore these signs that you may have issues in your plumbing. You could come home to a burst pipe or a water heater tank that has leaked hundreds of gallons of water into your home.

It is always best to be proactive when you have a plumbing issue. It will cost you less to have the issue fixed than to wait for an expensive plumbing emergency.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Making a Plumber’s Emergency Kit

From clogged drains to burst water pipes, emergencies tend to strike unexpectedly – that’s what makes them an emergency. Why should plumbing be any different? But knowing what to do when the unexpected happens isn’t always enough. If you’re prepared for plumbing emergencies, then that makes handling them that much easier.

Consider using a bucket to hold your tools – you can find one of various sizes at any home improvement store. That way you’ll have plenty of room for everything you need to carry, and if a leak springs unexpected, you’ll be ready to catch the water and eliminate some of the mess. You can also buy something called a tool caddy, which can be attached to the bucket for extra space to hold things.

Necessary tools that you should have on hand are plungers, several wrenches of various sizes (either fixed or adjustable), a set of pliers, a multi-bit screwdriver, an Allen key set, along with several styles of tape like duct tape and teflon tape. You could also consider some heavy duty paper towels or rags for cleaning up any small messes.

Other tools you might consider are force plungers, which are used to apply extra force or blow compressed air or CO2 down a drain to break up extra tough clogs. These plungers are also best suited to unclog toilets.

Having an emergency kit is an important step to be prepared for plumbing emergencies, but the best tool you can get for your kit is the number for a trusted local plumber or professional plumbing service. They can give you other tips about what to add to your emergency kit, as well as when to contact them when you need some extra help.

Plumbing Emergencies

When a plumbing emergency like a broken water line or overflowing toilet happens, it’s important to know how to shut off the water quickly to prevent further damage to your home. Everyone who lives in your home should know how to locate the main shutoff valve for the house, as well as the individual valves for all of the appliances and faucets and where they’re located.  The main water shutoff valve is usually located near the point that the water supply line enters the home.  Some homes do not have a main water shutoff valve.  If your home is one of these, ask your plumber to install a shutoff valve.

If you ever need to turn off a particular fixture, look for the shutoff valve and turn it clockwise. This will shut off the water, but only for that individual appliance. The valve is usually located underneath or behind a fixture at the point where the water supply connects to it through a pipe or pipes.   Make sure to check that the shutoff valve isn’t defective and needs replacing.  Some shutoff valves are not used for years and become stuck or start leaking when they are turned. If so, contact your local plumber and have the shutoff valve replaced.

If the problem is not with a particular fixture or appliance, you may still be experiencing other issues that needed addressed. If your sinks are stopped up or clogged, make sure to shut off the faucet or anything draining into the sink. Avoid using any chemical cleaners if you suspect the entire pipe is clogged – instead, use a plunger or snake to remove the blockage.