Troubleshooting Water Pressure Issues

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Does your shower feel like a drizzle instead of a shower? Does your faucet only give a trickle when you need a flood? You have water pressure issues! While low water pressure may not be an emergency, it is a sign that something is wrong with your plumbing. To get to the source of the issue, here are a few troubleshooting tips.

  • Is the water pressure only low from certain fixtures? The first step is determining whether this is a house-wide problem or an isolated issue. If washer pressure is only low in the shower or maybe in certain rooms, that helps narrow down the source. It is only in one fixture, than it most likely is a clogged showerhead or faucet.
  • Is only the hot water low pressure? If it is only your hot water that comes as a drizzle, you are probably experiencing issues with your water heater. Call your local plumber to have your water heater inspected and serviced.
  • Whole house low pressure. If your entire home has low water pressure, there could be a few reasons. You should check to make sure your main water valve is completely open or that a water pressure reducing valve is not in place. Also talk to your neighbors – do they have low water pressure too? It may be the city water supply that is providing low pressure. Adding a water pressure booster may be a solution.

If you still are unable to find the source of your low water pressure, call your local plumber to have your plumbing inspected. They can help find the cause and offer solutions to get your pressure back to a normal level.

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

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Fixing Bad Odor from Dry Traps in Plumbing Drains

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Do you have an unused drain that is emitting a horrible stench? Most drains have a trap that fills with water and prevents sewer gases from escaping up the drains and back into your home.  Those drains that are not often used such as basement floor drains or extra bathrooms may dry out from non-use and have a dry trap. This means those nasty sewer gases can come up through the drain and into your home. If you are experiencing a smelly drain in your home, you might be able to fix the issue by simply adding moisture and sealing your drain trap.

If you have a drain that is emitting odor and has not been used in some time, simply run water down the drain for a few minutes. This will flush out any debris and refill the drain trap with water. However, if left unused, the water will once again evaporate and you will have the same issue. Try adding a small amount of vegetable oil, just a few tablespoons, after the water has finished draining. This oil will float on the top of the drain trap water and help prolong the drain from becoming dry by slowing evaporation.

However, not all bad odors are due to a dry trap. There may be something more serious happening in your sewer pipes. If you try eliminating the dry trap and there is still a bad odor, it is time to call a plumber. You may have a clog forming in your sewer pipes that is causing the smell. Your local plumber can investigate the issue using digital video cameras or other methods and offer a solution.

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

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Preventing Kitchen Plumbing Clogs During the Holidays

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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With the winter holidays quickly approaching, now is a good time to revisit housekeeping tips to keep your kitchen plumbing free of clogs. After all, much of the holiday festivities begin and end in the kitchen. Nothing can ruin a holiday gathering quicker than a plumbing emergency so beware of what is going down the drain this holiday season by adhering to these tips.

  • Fatty foods. Holiday meals are seldom light on fat, with gravy, greasy goodies and lard-laden pies. Make sure you are not letting those fatty foods go down the drain. Rinse plates and pans in a container and dispose of the water outside to avoid the leftover grease from going down the drain.
  • Fiber foods. Your garage disposal can grind almost any food but some items should be kept out of the disposal and drain. Eggs shells, vegetable peels and any hard-fibrous foods should be put in the compost, not down the drain.
  • Be careful of chemical cleansers. Getting your home ready for the holidays means heavy-duty cleaning. Be careful of dumping harsh cleansers down the drains, especially if you have metal plumbing. Many chemicals used in cleaning solutions can corrode pipes and plumbing fixtures that are steel, cast-iron or brass, leading to expensive plumbing repairs. Even those quick-fix drain clog removers can be harmful for your pipes.

Don’t let your holidays be dampened with a nasty clog in your kitchen pipes. Make sure everyone in your family is following these tips to prevent plumbing clogs. However, if you do end up with a back-up, call your local plumber that offers emergency repairs remove that clog fast.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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Tips to Prevent Cold Weather Plumbing Problems

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Plumbing Piping
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An unexpected cold snap is all it takes to cause a major problem with your plumbing. An exposed pipe can quickly freeze and crack, leaving you with repair costs and possibly water damage. Most cold weather plumbing issues can be prevented, saving you the inconvenience and costs of a plumbing emergency. Here are a few tips to get ready for the cold weather around the bend.

  • Wrap exposed pipes. Any plumbing that is exposed to the outdoors should be insulated, even in warmer regions. Some insulating plumbing tape wrapped around the pipe can be enough to prevent freezing.
  • Close crawl space vents. Protect those pipes under your home by closing any vents to your crawl space to help insulate them when the cold weather hits.
  • Garage plumbing. If you have plumbing for a laundry room, bathroom or utility sink in your garage, be careful of leaving the garage door open. Garage indoor plumbing is one of the most common to freeze due to unexpected cold snaps during the winter.
  • Disconnect outdoor hoses. Do not leave outdoor hoses connected during the winter. A cold burst can freeze the water in the hose and cause the pipe to freeze as well. Disconnect all hoses and use a cover for outdoor faucets.
  • Keep any room with plumbing heated. Even rooms with little use need to stay heated during winter cold fronts if they contain plumbing. Make sure all rooms are kept above 55 degrees to ensure plumbing stays above freezing.

Even with the best prevention measures, every year there are cold weather plumbing emergencies. If you have a frozen pipe, call your local plumber for an emergency repair to prevent further damage to your home.

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

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