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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Drips Under Your Sink? Don’t Wait Too Long to Get It Fixed

January 5th, 2018 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Most people have dealt with a drip or slow leak from the pipes under the sink. Whether it is in the kitchen or bathroom, there are often several connections where a small leak can occur in the plumbing. It may seem inconsequential, since the leak only causes an occasion drip. Before you just wrap some plumber’s tape around the joint or stick a bucket under the sink to catch the drips, here are some reasons to get that leak fixed sooner than later.

Small Drips Add Up Fast

A drip from a faucet or leaking pipe can lead to a big amount of water waste. Even if there are only a few drips a minute, that can end up being a gallon or more water wasted every day. While a gallon may not seem like much, that is 365 gallons wasted over a year, water that could be used elsewhere.

Small Leaks Can Become Big at Anytime

If there is a small leak, it will only get worse. It may take weeks or even months, but when it grows, it may become a large leak all at once. You may or may not be home at the time, which could lead to serious damage in your home. A flowing leak from a pipe under a sink can ruin flooring and anything under the room. It is much less costly to have it repaired than to replace floors, ceilings and other items in your home.

Don’t ignore plumbing leaks. Whether it is a faucet, pipe or running toilet, call your local plumber to get it fixed. It will stop water waste and protect you from serious, expensive damage to your home.

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

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Why Is My Water Pressure So Low?

October 8th, 2017 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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If you have low water pressure, everything using water takes longer. Showers can take a few extra minutes, filling the sink or cooking pots takes longer and running a bath can seem to take forever. Low water pressure is not necessarily a bad idea – it can help reduce the amount of water you use. However, you should be receiving the pressure you desire and if it is low, you need to find out the reason.

There are a few different reasons you may be experiencing low water pressure in your home. To troubleshoot the issue, you first need to determine if it is only certain water fixtures or rooms that experience low pressure or the entire house. If it is only the bathroom or just the kitchen sink, you are most likely dealing with a fixture issue. If it is only hot water, not cold water, then it could be a problem with your water heater, not the plumbing.

When the water pressure is low throughout your house, it could be caused by a couple dynamics. If you are on city water, ask your neighbors about their water pressure – it may be the city water main that is producing low pressure. You could also have a water pressure reducing valve in place that you were not aware of that needs adjustment. You should check to make sure your main water valve is completely open as this could restrict water into your home.

If you are still unsure of why you have low water pressure, call your local plumber. They can inspect your plumbing and provide answers as well as solutions to increase the water pressure in your home.

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

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Distinct Sounds of Plumbing Issues

August 2nd, 2017 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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You know what to look for when it comes to plumbing problems. A pool of water under the sink or a water spot on the ceiling below a bathroom are obvious visual signs of a plumbing issue. But do you know what to listen for when it comes to plumbing problems in your home? Here are some sounds that could be alerting you to call in a plumber.

  • Banging in the pipes when water is turned off. Do you hear banging or knocking in your water pipes when water shuts off? This is often called a water hammer and can be an issue with a water valve in your plumbing system. A valve that closes quickly can cause these noises, alerting you to pressure being exerted on your pipes. A plumber can add an absorber to the valve to reduce damage to your pipes.
  • Water turning on and off. If it sounds like water is turning on and off by itself, you may have a leaking toilet. The seal or flapper at the bottom of the tank may be leaking, causing the toilet to refill over and over, even when it is not in use.
  • Banging or pounding when the water is on. If your pipes make sounds when the water is running, it can be a few different issues. If you are on city water, it could be a pressure issue. It could also be coming from your water heater, echoing through the pipes.

Any strange noises in your plumbing is worth a call to your local plumber. Get the problem diagnosed and fixed before it becomes a bigger issue like a burst pipe is always a good idea.

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

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5 Plumbing Issues that Should Be Left to a Plumber

September 14th, 2016 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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It is understandable to want to save money by doing home repairs on your own. While it is simple enough to do many repairs around your house as do-it-yourself projects, plumbing issues can be a different story. Replacing a washer on a faucet is one thing – replacing a toilet or fixing other plumbing issues may be more difficult than it looks when you watch a DIY video on YouTube. Here are five plumbing issues that are better off left to the professionals.

  1. Toilet installations. Installing a new toilet is not rocket science but it also takes finesse and skill. Ensuring that it is properly set and sealed is important to prevent much bigger plumbing problems.
  2. Severely clogged drains. A small hair clog can be easy enough to remove but deeper, more severely clogged pipes should be handled by a plumber to solve the issue.
  3. Leaking pipes. While you may be able to fix a small leak under the bathroom sink, a leaking pipe behind a wall may require more expertise to reduce damage to your home.
  4. Sewer backups. Multiple drain backups need emergency plumbing repair. You may have a clogged or broken sewer line that could push contaminated sewage into your home.
  5. New appliances or fixtures. Many experienced DIY homeowners can handle replacing a washer or faucet. But when it comes to new appliances or fixtures that need to be plumbed into your home, call a professional.

Even small plumbing issues can be better off in the hands of a professional. The time and money you spend going back and forth to the hardware store can be avoided with a call to your local plumber.

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

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Buying an Older Home? Have the Plumbing Inspected

June 27th, 2016 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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When buying an older home, it is important to know what home improvements may be needed in the future. Apart from the sale price, you must consider possible expenses that you could incur due to the age of the home. When was the last time the roof was replaced? Is the furnace or HVAC system in good shape? Are there any underlying issues you need to know about? While a home inspection may reveal some of these problems, it may not uncover everything. Plumbing is one of the areas you may want to have separately inspected before you buy.

If the home was built in the 1980’s or before, it is a good idea to have the plumbing checked out before you buy. From the interior plumbing to the sewer pipes and septic system, there are many components that can be outdated. Replacing a septic system or the sewer lines can cost thousands of dollars; interior plumbing issues can lead to water and mold damage, as well as the expense to replace pipes and fixtures. Some areas that should be inspected include:

  • Camera inspection of exterior sewer lines
  • Water heater – is it efficient? When will it need to be replaced?
  • Interior pipes, drains and fixtures
  • Septic system and drain field inspection, if applicable

Having a local, expert plumber inspect the entire plumbing system is worth the investment before buying an older home. It can alert you to any potential issues so you are aware before you buy. If there is a major plumbing problem, you have the option of negotiating with the seller to have the issue fixed, changing your offer price or deciding that this may not be the right investment.

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

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Causes of Rusty Water

April 10th, 2016 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Have you noticed a change in your water? Even if your water looks clear, if you have started to notice brown or orange stains on your sinks and tub or dingy clothing, you may have rust in your water. Although many people with well water fight with rust issues, if this is a new problem, it may be coming from inside your home. To find the cause or source of the issue, you may need to investigate your plumbing fixtures. 

If the rust is not coming from your water source, it is being added somewhere along the way. This is usually from one of two places: your water heater or your plumbing pipes. There are a few ways to determine which is the cause. The easiest is to start with your water heater.

Most water heaters last between 10-15 years, sometimes more. It is common for lime and minerals to collect within the tank, which can cause rust. To stop this corrosion, it is recommended that water heaters undergo annual maintenance to flush out these collected minerals. Draining the tank and having your water heater inspected by a professional plumber is the easiest way to determine whether your rusty water is being caused by your water heater.

If the water heater is not to blame, most likely you have an old pipe that is rusting, emitting rust into your water supply. Your local plumber can help you find any pipes that may need to be replaced to remedy the issue.

Water filtration and softeners can reduce rust in your water, but they won’t fix the problem if the rust is coming from inside your home. Schedule an appointment with your trusted plumber to get the rust problem resolved for good.

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

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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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