4 Common Toilet Troubles

No one wants to realize their toilet is not working correctly. Toilets are a fixture you use every day, but fixing troubles is never fun. However, a dysfunctional toilet can cause extensive damage to your home if not fixed quickly. Here are four common toilet issues and what will need to be done to fix them.

  1. Running toilet. The toilet that keeps running has an issue with the stopper mechanism in the tank. When the tank fills, the stopper should close. If water is still escaping into the bowl, the stopper may not be sealing, or the ballcock float is stuck. These parts can be found at any hardware store if you want to replace them on your own.
  2. Wax ring seal is broken. If you notice a leak around the base of the toilet, it most likely is a broken wax ring. The toilet needs to be reset and sealed to prevent leaks and damage to the floor. This may require the service of a plumber.
  3. Crack in the toilet or base. A cracked toilet usually needs to be replaced. In many cases, you can just replace the tank or base instead of the entire toilet. Contact a plumber and give them the model number of your toilet to determine the type of replacement you will need.
  4. Overflowing toilet. When your toilet is overflowing, you most likely have a clog in the drain. Use a plunger to dislodge the clog. If this does not work, it may be further down in your plumbing and calling a professional is your next move.

While you can fix some toilet issues on your own, it is best to leave the big jobs to a plumber. They can quickly repair the problem and relieve your toilet troubles.

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

What to Do When a Plumbing Pipe Bursts

Water flows through the walls, floors and ceilings of your home day and night, usually without a drop of water escaping the pipes of your plumbing. But, plumbing is not infallible, and these pipes can leak or burst, causing extensive damage to your home. When a pipe breaks or springs a leak, you need to act fast to reduce the water damage. Knowing what to do can help you react quickly if you ever come home to a plumbing pipe emergency in your home.

Shut the Water Off

When you discover a leak or broken pipe, the first thing you need to do is shut the water off. For some fixtures and appliances, there may be a localized shut off valve you can use. Most sinks, toilets, washing machines and water heaters will have a shut off valve, but you can always use the main shut off valve for the home.

Call the Plumber

Find a local plumber that offers emergency service and give them a call. Many have 24/7 emergency service, so you can get the help you need any time of day or night.

Soak Up the Water

While you wait for the plumber to arrive, soak up as much water as you can to reduce the damage to surfaces. Be careful if there is extensive flooding – electrical shock can occur if any appliances are touching the wet floor.

Acting fast in a plumbing emergency can reduce the amount of water that flows into your home and help minimize water and mold damage. Keep a reputable local plumber on speed dial so you have a reliable professional to call when you need them.

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

3 Ways to Make Your Water Heater Last

Replacing a tank water heater can be expensive, but if you maintain your heater, it can last much longer. With good maintenance, many tank water heaters can last 15 years or longer. However, homeowners often forget about water heater maintenance, which can shave years off the lifespan of their appliance.

Water heaters wear out from the constant heating and storage of water. This puts stress on the metal tank and the heating elements, especially due to the minerals that are released from the water. There are simple ways to reduce this stress and prolong the life of your water heater, including these three tips:

  1. Keep 120-degree temperature. You want your water to be hot enough to kill bacteria, but not overly hot which can put extra stress on the tank and run up your energy bills. Keep your temperature at 120-degrees, a safe level for your needs.
  2. Drain the tank annually. Releasing the minerals and sediment in the tank can help reduce corrosion and help keep the heating elements efficient. You can do this yourself or your local plumber can do this as part of an annual service.
  3. Replace sacrificial anode rod. There are sacrificial anode rods in tank water heaters. These are meant to attract minerals to reduce corrosion occurring in the tank but will slowly disintegrate as they do their job and need replacement.

By doing these three maintenance items, along with repairs as needed, you can get more years of life from your tank water heater. Make it easy by scheduling annual service for your water heater with a local plumber. They can drain your tank and check the anode rods and other parts, replacing components as needed to keep your water heater maintained.

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