Filtered Water For A Cleaner, Healthier Home

Pure water is not something you can take for granted. Even homes on municipal water supplies may have contaminants in the water. A professional home water filtration system is an excellent way to ensure that all the water you use in your home is free of both harmful elements as well as excess minerals which can affect water quality.  A whole house water filtration system can also help extend the life of your plumbing fixtures and appliances by reducing the amount of sediment, rust, and sand in water heaters, dishwashers, pipes, faucets and other fixtures.

Healthier Drinking Water

One of the most important reasons to invest in a filtration system is to have safe, tasty drinking water. Even if your water tests satisfactorily for safety, there can be a big difference in the flavor of filtrated water. Even your ice tastes better and looks clearer when you have filtered water.

Better For Cleaning

Filtered water makes a large difference in how clean everything looks in your home. Dishes can have fewer spots, clothes are softer and even your floors can look better after they are washed with filtered water. Excess minerals can cause build up which makes surfaces and items in your home look dirty. In addition, filtered water can even make fabrics last longer, with less abrasion to the fibers.

Great For Skin And Hair

Filtered water is wonderful for leaving skin and hair soft and clean. The elements that can leave dishes spotty can also add residue to your body and hair. Look and feel your best with water that is filtered before it leaves the shower head.

Not sure you need water filtration? Start by having your local plumbing company test your water to see determine the presence of excess elements. You can also do your own test. Freeze a tray of your faucet water and a separate tray of bottled or filtered water. In most cases, you will notice a big difference in clarity in the bottled water cubes, emphasizing the excess elements in your water supply.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

Major Problems Start With Minor Leaks

When it comes to plumbing leaks, a minor leak is a ticking time bomb. What may be only a small drip today could become a gushing pipe in a matter of weeks, days or even hours. Even a drip can cause major damage, especially when located in walls, above floors or any other part of a building’s structure. There are several good reasons to get a leaky water line  repaired immediately, including:

  • Water damage. A small amount of water can cause expensive damage to drywall, floor coverings and other materials. Even putting a bucket under a drip does not stop the damage, since the excess moisture can lead to harmful mold growth.
  • Leaks only grow. A leak is not going to go away on its own; in fact, it is most likely going to get bigger, sometimes very fast. Don’t procrastinate too long, or your minor leak will become a big headache.
  • Repair cost. Calling in a plumber to fix a minor leak may seem expensive. Still, it’s much less expensive than waiting until you have a major leak or worse, water damage.
  • Water waste. On top of impending damage that a leak can cause, a minor leak can lead to hefty utility bills and wastes one of our most important natural resources. Even a dripping faucet can waste several gallons or more of water each week.

The best solution at the first sign of a plumbing leak or dripping faucet is to call in your local plumber to have the problem fixed. Waiting can lead to costly water damage and a higher plumber’s repair bill when the minor leak becomes a major problem.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

Professional Tools For Removing Drain Clogs

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems any household can have. Grease, hair, food and other items can build up in your pipes, causing a slow draining sink or a clogged toilet. Often, homeowners will try to handle clogs on their own by buying commercially available liquid drain cleaner. Though these may work in some cases, they can also be harmful to your plumbing fixtures or only temporarily fix the issue. It’s always better to call in a professional plumber who has the right tools for the drain cleaning job.

Professional Clog Removal Tools

Your local plumbing company has powerful tools at their disposal which can safely and effectively remove even the toughest clog. These tools, which are not ideally suited to use by amateurs, can make quick work of damaging drain clogs.

  • Motorized drain snakes. For major clog removal, drain snakes are used to clear pipes by extending long coils of wire down the drain, into the clog. While you can buy a manual drain snake from a hardware store, motorized snakes used by plumbers are much more effective for serious clog removal.
  • Video inspection. You know your pipes are clogged, but do you know where? Plumbers can use video cameras designed to look inside your pipes to see what type of clog they need to remove. This allows them to choose the right tool to remove the clog quickly and safely.
  • Hydro-jetting. In some cases, your plumber may use water to remove the clog. Hydro-jetting uses high pressured water to push out clogs and clean the interior of pipes. This is very effective for serious clogs in sewer pipes.

If you have a drain that constantly becomes clogged again and again, it is time to call in a professional plumber with the right tools for the job.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Troubleshooting Garbage Disposal Problems

You may not realize just how much you depend on your garbage disposal until it stops working. It’s very convenient to be able to scrape leftover food off plates and pans right down your drain, plus it disposes of food waste which can begin to smell or attract pests to your property. The two most common issues which need troubleshooting in disposals are jams and power issues.

Disposal Does Not Turn On

If you flip the switch for your disposal and you hear nothing, you most likely have either a power or motor failure. The first and easiest area to check is the power. It can often be as simple as the mechanism becoming overloaded by a power surge or other electrical issue. Most disposals have a reset button on the bottom of the device; push in the red button, then try the switch again. If nothing happens, you may have a motor failure or other electrical problem. It is time to call in a plumber. 

Disposal Is Jammed

While a garbage disposal can chop up many food scrap items, there are also items which can jam the blades and cause the device to malfunction. Bones, seeds and non-food items are common causes of jammed blades, which can quickly burn up the motor if not fixed. If you turn on the disposal and it makes a loud hum, turn it off immediately. It is most likely jammed or clogged. The sharp blades can be dangerous, so call in an experienced plumber to address the issue. The best solution is prevention; keep bones, seeds, high fiber peels and non-food foreign objects out of your disposal.

Still not sure what the problem is with your garbage disposal? Call your local plumber to inspect and repair any complicated disposal issues.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Plumbing

Common Signs Of Water Heater Problems

Do you get halfway through your morning shower just to have the hot water run out? How about when you turn on the hot water and have a lovely stream of brown liquid come out of your faucet? These are both common signs of a problem with your water heater. Water heaters are the unsung heroes of your home, working day in and day out; that is, until they stop working correctly or stop working altogether. Most issues are just a sign that your water heater needs maintenance or a minor repair. However, some may be a sign that it’s time to replace the entire unit.

  • Temperature decreases. If your water heater is producing cooler water, it could be something as simple as needing a thermostat replacement or adjustment. Check the heat setting; most water heaters are set between 120-140 degrees. If the setting is correct, you may need to have the thermostat replaced, or you could be encountering a failed heating element or power supply issue.
  • Increased noise. Banging, tapping or other strange sounds are a common sign your water heater needs maintenance. Often it is just mineral build up causing these types of sounds. Schedule an appointment to have your unit flushed and inspected to diagnose the problem.
  • Leaking unit. If you have water puddled by your water heater, it is time to call a professional. Some leaks may be able to be repaired; however, it can be a sign it is time to replace the unit completely. A small leak can quickly become a flood of water which can cause major damage to your home, so don’t wait to call in your plumber.

With annual maintenance, many water heaters can last fifteen years or more. You can avoid many simple issues and extend the life of your unit by keeping it on a regular maintenance schedule with a licensed, local plumber.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer