Does Your Main Water Line Need Repair?

All the water used in your home comes in through the main water line, either from a well or municipal water source. Considering that this water sustains and cleanses your family, it is important to ensure it functions correctly. Damage to the main water line can cause leaks and may put your water at risk of contamination. Yet, the pipe is underground, making it difficult to detect issues. Here are some signs that your main water line needs repair.

Higher Water Bills

If you are on municipal water and your bills have went up over the last few months due to higher water use, you may have a leak in your main water line. Check for evidence of leaks – wet ground or green spots in your lawn are common indicators. Tree roots love water lines and are often the culprit that damages these important pipes.

Changes in Your Water’s Appearance

Is there a color difference or an odor to the water that comes from your faucets? If there is damage to the main water line, dirt and other debris can contaminate your water, which can impact the health of your family. Even chemicals used for lawn maintenance could be entering your water supply.

Lower Water Pressure

Does it seem like you have lost water pressure? If your faucets are trickling or your showers are dismal, you may have a breach in your water line that is affecting your water pressure.

If you are concerned your main water line has been compromised, a complete inspection is needed. Contact your local plumber to inspect your water main for damage. They can recommend the correct repairs needed to protect your water supply.

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

Signs Your Water Fixtures Need Replacement

Does your kitchen still have the sink and faucet it had when you bought your home? Are your bathroom sinks and showers looking outdated? Unless you recently remodeled or your home is only a few years old, it is likely your sinks, faucets and showerheads will soon show wear and need replacement. You may not notice the issues since you see them every day, but it may be time to inspect your water fixtures and determine whether it is time for replacement.

Faucets Leaks and Drips

Does your bathroom or kitchen sink faucet drip or leak? Do you hear drips in your shower or tub into the middle of the night? Repair is one option, but sometime old hardware wears out, making it difficult to completely stop leaks on old faucets. It may be better to replace the entire faucet versus another repair.

Sink Surface Damage

If enamel is chipped or the metal is dented in your sinks, it is time to update and replace them with newer versions. These surfaces can last for many years, but eventually they do become worn and can detract from the beauty of your home.

Outdated Styles

There are so many new options for your bathroom and kitchen water fixtures. Just updating your kitchen sink can change the look of the room and many new faucet options offer better function and convenience. The same is true of your bathroom – new faucets and showerheads can improve the style and there are water-efficient options to reduce waste.

When you are ready to replace your kitchen and bathroom water fixtures, contact your local plumber. They can install your new fixtures to ensure they will be properly fitted and endure for many years to come.

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

5 Signs of Drain Pipe Problems

Every fixture in your home that uses water also uses a drain pipe. The water, debris and waste that goes down these pipes should safely exit your home into your sewer line, but that is not always the case. When a problem occurs with your drain pipes, you could have waste leaking or backing up into your home, or pests trying to get in. Here are five signs you may have a drain pipe issue in your home that needs an immediate inspection.

  1. Drain slow downs and backups. One of the most common drain pipe issue is a clog. Slow drains and backup are usually caused by interior drain clogs but could be a sign of sewer line issue as well.
  2. Mold and mildew. Have you noticed more mold and mildew in your home or on a wet wall? You may have a small leak in one of your drain pipes that is collecting moisture in your home.
  3. Pest problems. It only takes a small crack or hole in a drain or sewer line to give pests a way into your home. If you notice creepy crawlies coming up your drains, you may have a break in your drain line.
  4. Bad odors. Does a foul odor come from your drains? You should have them inspected to see where the odor is coming from.
  5. Water spots. Water spots on walls or ceilings is a bad sign. You may have a drain pipe or water line leak hiding behind your walls.

If you have any of these trouble signs, call your local plumber for an inspection. They can use a video camera to access the inside of your drain lines to find the problem quickly and offer a repair solution.

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

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for Your Home?

Is time ticking away on your old water heater? Most tank water heaters last about 10-15 years, sometimes more with excellent maintenance. However, before you replace your old tank with a new tank, it may be time to consider the benefits of a tankless water heater. While tankless models are not right for everyone, they can be a great way to save energy and offer on-demand hot water when you need it. To determine whether a tankless water heater is right for your home, consider these factors.

Lower Energy Bills

Tankless water heaters only heat water when you need it, unlike tank models that keep a hot water supply available 24/7. This can be a significant savings on your energy bills, lowering your water heating costs up to hundreds of dollars per year.

On-Demand Hot Water

When a tank model runs out of hot water, it must refill and reheat water before any more is available for use. With tankless models, the hot water never runs out as it is heated as you go. However, excessive hot water use from a few different sources in your home at one time can impact the stream of hot water available.

Less Space Needed

Tankless water heaters are excellent for smaller homes with limited space. There is no large tank to store and the unit can be installed on a wall, giving you more room.

Not sure if a tankless water heater will meet your needs? Talk to your local plumber about the pros and cons of going tankless for your next water heater. There are different sizes and outputs available to ensure you get the convenience you desire while saving money on your energy bills.

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

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

Ways to Reduce Mold in Your Bathroom

Is there black mold around your bathroom window or pink mold around the edges of your shower or tub? Mold in the bathroom is common, but it can also be controlled. Excessive mold can be signs of too much moisture, plumbing problems or other issues in your bathroom. There are ways to minimize mold, protecting your bathroom surfaces and your family’s health.

Mold Loves Bathrooms

It is no mystery why mold is common in bathrooms. Mold spores thrive in moist, warm environments. A closed shower with wet walls or a steamy bathroom with no exhaust fan allow for moisture to linger and mold to grow. A few ways to control this moisture includes:

  • Wipe down showers and tubs after use
  • Don’t leave wet towels or clothing in the bathroom
  • Keep a working exhaust fan in the bathroom and turn on during baths and showers
  • Open windows to allow air circulation and moisture escape
  • Frequently clean tub, showers, sinks and other surfaces to remove mold spores

Another cause of mold issues is plumbing issues. A dripping sink faucet, leaking showerhead, condensation on the toilet tank or a leak in the pipes under the sink can add more moisture to the air. These leaks and drips keep humidity high 24/7, making it almost impossible to control mold problems. Repairing faucets and leaks can help minimize moisture, protecting your plumbing and home, while helping prevent mold in your bathrooms.

Mold can stain or damage your surfaces, cause health issues and make your bathrooms look unclean. Implement options to control the moisture in your bathrooms and fix plumbing issues to ensure your bathrooms are less prone to be invaded by mold.

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

Buying an Older Home? Use This Plumbing Checklist Before You Buy

Buying a new home can be daunting, especially when you are considering an older home. You may be concerned about hidden costs and repairs that may be revealed after you buy. A thorough home inspection can help uncover possible issues, but home inspectors may not see issues hidden behind walls or under the home in the plumbing. Before you buy, there are some areas that should be inspected by a professional plumber.

Complete Plumbing Inspection

Plumbing problems are not always apparent, especially during a standard home inspection. You need a plumber that can evaluate the type of piping and possible plumbing issues that may surface in the next few years. Some of the plumbing elements that should be inspected before buying an older home include:

  • Water heater performance
  • Type of piping – old lead pipes and polybutylene pipe often will need replacement
  • Video camera inspection of sewer lines
  • Septic system evaluation
  • Inspection of sump or ejector pumps
  • Check for leaking fixtures or pipes
  • Test water pressure and draining performance
  • Water quality testing and well evaluation

Having a professional evaluation of all the plumbing in the home can reveal any possible issues that will need repair or replacement. This can give you a chance to negotiate with the current owner to have plumbing issues resolved or a lower sale price to cover your costs.

Older homes can become money pits if there are hidden problems, especially with your plumbing. It is worth the investment to have a separate plumbing inspection performed to investigate all the items on this checklist to ensure you are making a wise purchase with your new home.

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

Do Showers or Baths Use More Water?

If you are trying to conserve on water, you may wonder how much water your daily showers or baths use. It was once thought that showers were more water efficient, but is that really the case? You may have your own preference of showers or baths, but when it comes to water efficiency, it depends on how you use these methods.

Water Use for Baths and Showers

For baths, the amount of water you use is directly linked to the size of tub you have and how full you fill it. A deep tub versus a shallow tub can be a difference of tens of gallons of water. The average tub holds about 35 gallons of water, but it is unlikely most people will fill it that full. Depending on how much water you displace, you may only use 20-25 gallons, but that is a set amount no matter how long you linger in the bath.

For showers, you have control over your water use. An average showerhead uses about 3-4 gallons of water a minute. If you use a water-efficient showerhead, the amount could be less, about 2 gallons per minute. A 5-minute shower using an efficient showerhead will only use about 10 gallons of water, half of that of a bath. But a longer shower will use more, as will a conventional showerhead, making showers less efficient.

If you are looking for ways to conserve water, talk to your local plumber. They can help you install efficient fixtures and appliances that will make a significant difference in your water use, from showerheads and faucets to tankless water heaters and washers.

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