Don’t Put Off Replacing Your Old Water Heater

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Water Heaters
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Water heaters are the unsung heroes of most homes. For years they provide hot water for showers, cleaning and bath-time, yet many never even receive regular maintenance. Most water heaters can last up to ten years, more if they are serviced annually as suggested. But like all equipment, eventually these large tanks will be ready to be replaced. If you wait too long, you may be saddled with large costs from the damage that can occur when a water heater finally gives out.

When a water heater is several years old and has not been maintained, there is a good chance it has collected minerals and lime inside the tank. This accumulation can cause rust and corrosion of the tank from the inside out. While regular maintenance can slow this process, it will still happen over time and can lead to a water leak in the tank. This is the end of the water heater and it can be a very expensive lesson to learn for the homeowner.

If the hole or seam breaks through when no one is home or notices, the water damage can be severe. Most water heaters hold around 70 gallons, which is a large amount of water to pour into your home unabated. This amount of water can ruin floors and cause structural damage, even lead to hazardous mold issues down the road.

Don’t wait too long to replace your old water heater. If it begins to make strange sounds, has heating issues or is over a decade old, consider immediate replacement. Call your local plumber to discuss installation of a new unit as soon as possible to avoid the expensive consequences of waiting too long.

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

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Indoor Natural Gas Leaks

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Gas Leak Detection
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A natural gas leak can be extremely dangerous if it occurs indoors and the gas in trapped within the structure. Although rare, once a gas leak occurs it only takes spark to cause an explosion, that could potentially fatally injury someone in the home and cause astronomical damage to the home. When the gas leak is inside the home, it is usually the homeowner’s responsibility to have it repaired.

Once a gas leak is noticed, the first thing to do is to remove everyone from the home and call the gas company. The gas to the home will need to be shutoff before the leak can be found and repaired. This will require a pluming company that is specialized in gas leak detection.

Plumbers with gas leak expertise can quickly find the location of the leak inside the home using highly sensitive tools for gas leak detection. These tools allow the plumber to find the exact spot where gas is leaking and make the repair on the spot, replacing the pipe, valve or other components to make the home safe again.

In some cases, a leak may be within the walls of the home, requiring removal of a part of the interior wall or structure. However, plumbers will only remove these elements if necessary and will try to keep the damage to a minimum.

Once the repair is complete, it will be tested to ensure that it can safely handle the pressure of gas without leaking. When it is certified as safe, the gas company can be contacted to turn the gas back on and the homeowner’s can return to their house.

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

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Should You Install Your New Toilet?

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Toilets
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Is it time to get a new toilet? Whether your old one broke or you are trying to upgrade to a more efficient model, installing a new toilet takes some plumbing know-how. Although it is possible to install a toilet on your own, there are a few things you should know before you tackle this job. Keep these toilet installation issues in mind before you begin this project:

  •  How long has the existing toilet has been in place?  If the existing toilet has been in place for several years or more, expect to deal with corroded components that will need to be cut or replaced.
  • Replacing corroded closet bolts.  The bolts that connect the toilet to the floor are closet bolts.  These bolts often can rust and become corroded, needing to be replaced with the toilets. Due to the corrosion, removing them incorrectly can damage the flooring if you are not careful.
  • Issues with the water shutoff valve.  To remove the toilet, you will need use the water shutoff valve. This can cause problems in and of itself if it has not been used in years. It can get stuck on, leak or break.
  • Leaks.  Installing the wax ring is tricky and can cause a leak if not done correctly, possibly damaging the floor.  Leaks can also occur at the base and tank, at the water supply line and the base of the fill valve.
  • Cracking the toilet base. When tightening the closet bolts on the new toilet, over tightening can crack the base. Not tightening enough can cause a leak.

Many toilets that are installed by amateurs end up needing to be reinstalled by a plumber or cause costly damage to the home due to leaks or other issues. Save yourself the time and headache and call a professional plumber to install your new toilet.

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

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Are Your Outdoor Plumbing Pipes Insulated?

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Plumbing Piping
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Frozen pipes – it is a common plumbing issue for homeowners to face during the colder months of winter. Outdoor pipes can freeze when a cold snap hits out of the blue.  Plumbing such as outdoor faucets or plumbing located in outbuildings or garages are vulnerable to freezing. If you have plumbing outside or in unheated buildings, you must insulate these pipes to protect them from freezing during the colder winter temperatures.

Protecting Outside Pipes

You need to put insulation between your outdoor pipes and the cold air to prevent freezing. To begin, outside faucets should be turned off and all the water allowed to drain out of the pipes before you add insulation. You can use insulating plumber’s tape to protect pipes or even wrap newspaper and plastic around them in a pinch.

After the outside pipes are covered, check all the plumbing in the garage, outbuildings and even in the crawl space under the home. Any pipes that are exposed to the cold air without insulation have the possibility of freezing if the temperature drops low enough. If pipes are allowed to freeze solid, the ice can expand and cause a burst pipe that can be expensive to repair or replace.

Unfortunately, even insulation does not stop all pipes from freezing. A severe drop in temperature can cause a pipe to freeze even inside your home if it is located on an outside wall. If a pipe freezes, turn off the water valve to the pipe and call your local plumber for emergency service. It is best to have a professional handle thawing the pipe in case the pipe was damaged and needs replacement.

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

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