Plumbing Issues to Look for When Buying a New Home

December 13th, 2018 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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If you are contemplating buying a new home, you may be looking at many houses, trying to find the right fit for you and your family. When you narrow it down to a few that have the right attributes you are looking for, it is important to check for any hidden problems. Plumbing issues are often not apparent, especially during typical walk-throughs and even inspections. Here are a few things you can check to identify any possible problems.

Check the Fixtures

When looking at the kitchen and bathrooms, go beyond looking at the features and use the fixtures. Run water in the sinks, flush the toilets and turn on the shower. Watch for any drips or leaks when using these fixtures; it may not be a deal-breaker, but it is good to know if they have been maintained.

Look for Leaks

Keep an eye out for brown or water stains on ceilings or walls. This could indicate a plumbing leak that has occurred, which could also mean mold and other damage you cannot see. Look under the sinks and check for any signs of leaks.

Check the Drains

When you check the fixtures, use enough water to check how quickly the sinks and showers drain. Slow drains can be an indication of a clog, or even bigger issues in the main sewer lines.

If you do notice any problems with the plumbing, it may be worthwhile to hire a plumber for a more thorough inspection. It is better to know ahead of time if anything will need repair; you may be able to have the seller fix these issues as a condition of your sale or negotiate a lower price to encompass the needed plumbing repairs.

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

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Is Leaking Plumbing Inviting Pests into Your Home?

December 13th, 2018 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Most people want to keep their homes free from pests, but plumbing problems can be inviting them inside. Ants, mice, rats and many types of insects are drawn to moisture, seeking places that are damp to make their home. If you have leaking pipes in your crawl space, basement or other areas in your home, there is a good chance that pests are trying to invade. Fixing those plumbing issues can help minimize mold and water damage, as well as minimize the attraction to pests.

Small Leaks Can Create a Big Pest Problem

It doesn’t take a broken pipe or large leak to attract pests. A small amount of condensation or slow drip is enough to create a moist environment that cockroaches, mice, termites and other types of pests, love. These leaks can be happening in inconspicuous places but could be at the root of your pest problem. Here are a few common leak areas:

  • Around water heaters
  • Under your home in crawl spaces
  • In your basement
  • Under sinks
  • Behind walls and under floors
  • Around appliances with water hook-ups

Look for mold, mildew, water stains or rotting wood; these are signs of too much moisture that may be derived from plumbing leaks. Not only does it damage your home and cause possible health issues, it puts out an invitation to pests to make your home their home.

If you have a pest problem, look for possible plumbing leaks that can be making the issue worse. Call your local plumber to have these issues fixed to help make your home less attractive to insects and rodents, as well as prevent further damage to your home.

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

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3 Tips to Improve Your Plumbing and Shower

December 13th, 2018 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Showers can do a number on your plumbing and creating other problems. They are notorious for causing clogs in drains and pipes, and long showers can quickly empty your water heater, leaving the rest of your home with cold water and increasing your energy bill. By making a few changes, you can improve how your shower impacts the rest of your home. Here are three tips to make your shower hot water and plumbing-friendly.

  1. Drain Cover. Every time you take a shower, it is likely you are losing hair that is flushing down the drain. Whether you have short or long hair, those strands can add to existing clogs occurring in your pipes. Add a drain cover to catch hair and other debris from going down the drain and reduce the chance of clogs.
  2. Liquid soap. Did you know that most bar soap is made from fats that congeals and can cause clogs in your plumbing? Even when it is lathered up, the residue causes soap scum on your tub and shower walls. Small pieces can go down the drain and contribute to clogs. Switch to liquid body soap for a cleaner tub and less chance of clogs.
  3. Tankless water heater. Do you run out of hot water in your home at shower time? Switch to a tankless water heater to have on-demand hot water and reduce energy bills with more efficient water heating. Talk to your plumber about the option of installing a tankless water heater.

A few changes can help reduce the chance of clogs in your plumbing and hot water issues from your shower. Follow these tips and enjoy your shower, for as long as you want, without worrying about running out of hot water or having clogs.

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

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Signs it is Time to Replace Your Plumbing

December 13th, 2018 Posted in Plumbing Piping
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Some things are easy to see when they need replacing in your home. Carpet that is worn or an air conditioner that no longer cools the air is simple to identify as needing replacement. Plumbing is not as straight-forward; pipes can corrode, and other issues can occur behind walls and under the ground that cannot be seen. Knowing the signs of plumbing issues can alert you to when your plumbing may need replacement to protect your health and the investment in your home.

Changes in Your Water

One of the signs of old plumbing that may need replacement is changes in your water. If you have well water, you may have some discoloration or odors in the water, usually when your filtration system needs updating. But in most cases, water should be clear and odorless. When you start noticing changes, like darker water or odors, there could be an issue in your pipes. There could be rust, bacteria and other issues in the plumbing that are causing the changes to your water, signs that the pipes might need replacement.

Water Leaks

A drip in your faucet doesn’t mean you need to replace your plumbing, maybe just a washer or the fixture. However, leaks occurring in pipes in your home or underground are signs of problems. Water stains on walls or ceilings, damp areas in the lawn or rotting floor boards can alert you to leaks and possible pipes that need replacement.

Plumbing can last for decades, but it does eventually need replacement. If you notice changes in your water or your home that are signs of plumbing issues, call your local plumber to have your plumbing inspected.

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

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