3 Ways to Maintain Your Sewer Lines

September 20th, 2018 Posted in Sewer Line Repairs
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You probably don’t think much about your sewer lines. Those large pipes that transport waste and used water from your home quietly do their job year after year, often with no care at all. But if they do have a problem, it can be a messy, expensive issue. There are ways you can maintain your sewer lines and help avoid sewer backups and emergencies. Here are three ways to maintain your sewer lines and keep them working like they should.

  1. Watch what you put down your drains. Sewer line clogs don’t usually happen overnight. It is months, even years, of fats, grease, hair and other items that go down the drain that accumulate in the pipes. Use hair traps in your bathroom drains, don’t dump grease down the sink and don’t flush down non-biodegradable items. Have clogged drains repaired by a plumber before your pipes are permanently affected.
  2. Protect your sewer lines from damage. Driving over sewer lines can cause damage. Make sure you know where they are in your yard. Also, tree roots pose a risk to sewer lines. Plant trees away from sewer lines to avoid root infestation that can break your pipes.
  3. Routinely clean your sewer lines. Your local sewer/septic service can clear your sewer lines of sludge to avoid clogs. Schedule routine cleanings using hydro-jetting to remove tree roots and accumulated debris in your sewer lines.

Just doing a few maintenance tasks can go a long way in protecting your sewer lines. You can also have your sewer lines inspected with a digital camera to proactively repair problems before you have a backup. With some care, you can avoid many sewer line problems and the possibility of a sewer line emergency.

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

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Tips on How to Hire a Professional Plumbing Repair Service

September 20th, 2018 Posted in Choosing a Reputable Plumber
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Fortunately, you don’t need a plumber all the time. So, when you do need one, you may not know where to begin to find the right one for your needs. You don’t want to just pick one from the phonebook or the first name that pops up on a Google search. You want a plumber that will be able to do quality, reliable work, whether you need an emergency repair or a professional installation for a new appliance. Here are some tips on how to hire a professional plumbing repair and installation service that will meet all your needs.

  • Experience. You want a plumbing company that has been around for many years and has a good reputation in your community. You also want to ensure the people you hire have a stellar track record.
  • Licenses, insurance and credentials. A quality plumbing company has all the licenses, bonds and insurance that is required in your area. Plus, make sure they perform background checks on their employees for peace of mind.
  • Services. You may only need a pipe repaired or a water heater installed now, but you want a plumber that will be around for all your plumbing needs. Choose a company that offers emergency repairs 24/7, sewer/septic repairs and a wide variety of other services.

Take the time to find a reputable plumbing service that can provide you with excellent service when you need it. There are excellent plumbers that have decades of experience, are trustworthy and guarantee their work, you just need to do a little research to find the right one to meet your needs.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 884-4678

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Common Plumbing Issues Businesses Experience

September 20th, 2018 Posted in Commercial Plumbing
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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

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How to Choose the Best Water Softener for Your Needs

September 20th, 2018 Posted in Water Softener
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Unlike many appliances, water softeners are not always easy to determine what size and type is best for your needs. There are many different factors that come into play when choosing a water softener that will meet the needs of your home. It is important to know what questions to ask and the information to consider before you purchase a new water softener. Here are some of the factors to consider:

  • Size. You need the right size softener for your household. One that is not large enough will not function properly and an oversized model will waste money. This should be based on how many gallons of water you use each month.
  • Hardness. The hardness of your water and the elements in your water will be important in choosing the right softener. You should have your water tested to determine the grains per gallon and the minerals found in your water source.
  • Maintenance. There are many different types of water softeners with varying levels of maintenance. How often you will need to add salt and auto-indicators of salt levels are some of the features that can help with maintenance. The DIR or demand-initiated regeneration option can save energy and salt by only regenerating when needed, versus a timed system. You also want to consider other features like additional filtration for water quality.

To find the right type, size and features that you need for your water softening needs can be confusing. You should get the professional advice of a professional plumber to determine what model is right for your use. They can test your water and evaluate your water use to recommend the best options for your home, and do the installation for you.

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

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Does Your Home Smell Like Sewer?

September 20th, 2018 Posted in Sewer Line Repairs
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Ever get a whiff of something that doesn’t smell right in your home? Sometimes it is something as simple as a garbage that needs to be emptied or some spoiled milk in the fridge. But there is a distinct odor to sewage and waste, and if you smell it in or around your home, it could mean problems. Here are some tips to find the source of the smell and fix the issue.

Pin Point the Source

Sewer smells are usually going to come from one of two places; drains or outdoors. Take a sniff near your drains, especially those in the lower levels of the house. Is there one drain that has a stronger smell, do they all have an odor or is there no odor near your drains? Drains that smell like sewage can mean a backup or blockage in your system.

If the smell is outside, look for wet spots in your yard. You could have a broken sewer pipe. If you have a septic system, check around your septic tank and drain field. Look for wet areas and sniff for stronger odors. Septic tanks can leak and drain fields can fail, which can create a sewage odor.

Call a Professional

Whether you have a blocked sewer pipe, a septic problem or a broken main sewer line, you need professional help to get your sewer issue resolved. Call your local plumbing company that offers both plumbing and sewer repairs for an inspection. They can help find the exact source of the problem and offer a solution to stop the odor and fix the sewer issue, whether it is inside or outside of 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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How to Find Your Water Shut-Off Valve

September 4th, 2018 Posted in Emergency Plumbing
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If you had a burst water pipe gushing water into your home, would you know how to shut off the water quickly? Every homeowner – and even renter – should know how they can stop the water flow in their house in an emergency. In less than a half an hour, hundreds of gallons of water could be in your home, causing extensive damage to your belongings and house. Here is how to find the water shut-off valve in your home to prepare you in case of a plumbing emergency.

First, you should know there may be several water shut-off valves in your home. Each sink may have its own valve under the sink so you can stop water flowing to the sink while replacing fixtures. Your toilets may also have their own valves – if your toilet is continuing to run and overflow or a sink’s faucet springs a leak, you can shut off the water right at the source.

However, if a pipe bursts in a wall, you want to shut off all water to the home. This is the main shut-off valve to the home. This will stop all water coming into your home from your city water line or your well. This valve is typically located wherever the main water line comes into the home. It may be under the home in a crawl space or basement, but should be easy to reach. It can also be in a garage or by the water heater in homes without crawl spaces or basements.

It is important to know where your shut-off valves are located. If a plumbing emergency occurs, turn off the water and call your local plumber to avoid any unnecessary damage to your home and property.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 884-4678

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Top 3 Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater

September 4th, 2018 Posted in Tankless Hot Water
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Tank water heaters have been the traditional source for hot water in most homes for decades. Whether they use gas or electricity, they offer a supply of water that is already heated and ready for use, with average-sized tanks holding 40-50 gallons of water. However, tankless water heaters are becoming more popular due to their on-demand design, energy efficiency and small space needs. Here are the top 3 pros and cons of tankless water heaters for residential use.

Pros of Tankless Water Heaters

  1. Lower energy costs. Tankless water heaters only heat the water on-demand, saving money off energy costs. Unlike tank water heaters that keep water hot 24/7, the tankless water heaters heat water as needed.
  2. Smaller unit. Since there is not a tank, these water heaters are much smaller in size. They can be hung on a wall or even put on the outside wall of a home.
  3. Less risk of water damage. If a water heater tank springs a leak, it can cause extensive water damage in a home. No tank means no risk of a tank leak.

Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

  1. Higher initial cost. Tankless water heaters tend to be higher in initial cost than their tank counterparts, but make up the difference in long-term energy savings.
  2. Slower hot water. Tank water heaters have many gallons of hot water ready to go, while tankless must heat water as needed. This can make it slower to get hot water, but the hot water will not run out like with a tank.
  3. Not well-suited for larger homes. If there are several rooms using hot water at one time in a home, a tankless water heater may have trouble keeping up with the demand. Most tankless water heaters can heat about 3.5 gallons per minute.

If you are looking for a more energy efficient hot water source that will never run out of hot water, tankless may be the way to go for your home. Talk to your local plumber about the options available in tankless water heaters.

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

 

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How to Avoid Drain-Cleaning Scams

September 4th, 2018 Posted in Choosing a Reputable Plumber
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Most plumbers are trustworthy professionals that you can count on when you have a plumbing emergency like a clogged drain. However, like many professions, there are scam-artists that can take advantage of those with a plumbing issue. Drain-cleaning scams are used by disreputable companies to gouge customers for services they do not need. Here are some tips to avoid these scams when you have a plumbing issue.

  • Are you a target? Scam-artists look for people they think will be easily deceived. Often victims are elderly, especially women, that are targeted due to the perception that they may not know much about plumbing. Be wary if they start asking personal questions.
  • Accompany the inspector. If you have someone inspecting your home for a drain problem, make sure someone you trust is with them. These scammers may place items in a basement or pipes as “proof” of a broken pipe, like dirt or rocks. Make sure someone is there to see the evidence first-hand.
  • Watch videos live. Many plumbers use video cameras for sewer line inspections. While useful, you want to make sure you are watching a video of your pipes, not someone else’s. Watch the video live as it goes down the pipe so you know you are seeing legitimate footage.
  • Hire a reputable, local plumber. The best way to avoid scams is to hire a reputable, local plumber. Check their reviews, years in business and their rating with the Better Business Bureau to ensure you are hiring an honest, reliable professional.

Most plumbers are professionals that you can trust when you have a plumbing emergency like a clogged drain or a broken pipe. Avoid scams by hiring a plumber based on their reputation and experience, not by a cheap price point or persuasive advertising.

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

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3 Tips to Dealing with an Overflowing Toilet

September 4th, 2018 Posted in Toilets
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It happens to almost everybody at one point or another. You use your bathroom, flush the toilet, and watch in horror as the toilet bowl fills to the rim instead of going down. As it begins to overflow, you need to react fast. You either need to unclog the toilet or stop the water flowing in to mitigate the mess. Here are three tips to dealing with an overflowing toilet to avoid a big mess.

  1. Shut off the water. The water from the tank is already going into the toilet bowl by the time you realize you may have an overflow issue, but most toilets have a water shut-off valve. Turn off the water to avoid more water coming into the tank and bowl.
  2. Use your plunger. Most toilet clogs are in the curved pipes of the toilet. Too much toilet paper or other waste can make a clog. Your plunger can release most clogs and clear the pipes. When it clears, the water in the bowl will disappear and you can turn the water valve back on again to fill the tank and flush again to ensure your toilet is completely clear.
  3. Disinfect your bathroom. If you’re able to unclog your toilet, but you had an overflow, make sure to thoroughly clean your bathroom before letting kids or pets near the room. Use disinfectant to kill the bacteria and remove any health risk.

If using a plunger does not stop your overflowing toilet problem, you should call your local plumber. You may have a larger clog in your plumbing that needs professional removal with a snake or possible hydro-jetting.

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

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