Preventing Plumbing Flooding Problems

August 23rd, 2019 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Flooding can create disastrous problems in your home. From damaging walls, floorings and furnishing, to the mold issues left behind, flooding is something you want to avoid. While you cannot prevent natural disasters from occurring, flooding from plumbing can often be prevented or quickly handled. Knowing the possible causes of plumbing flooding can help you look for the signs to avoid this disaster in your home.

Leaking Pipes

A small plumbing drip or leak never stays small. Any leaking plumbing needs to be fixed before it becomes larger. Look for water stains on walls or ceilings; bubbling or soft flooring can also be a sign of leaks. Get these issues fixed before a pipe bursts and causes serious water damage in your home.

Water Heater Tank Leaks

One of the most common causes of plumbing flooding is tank water heaters. The interior of these tanks deteriorates over time from mineral buildup. Eventually, the tank can corrode or the release valve can stop working, releasing dozens of gallons of water into your home. Keeping up with maintenance and proactive replacement for your water heater can prevent leaks and expensive flood damage.

Frozen Pipes

Freezing pipes can cause damage that can lead to a burst pipe either during the freeze or down the road. Make sure all exposed pipes are insulated to prevent freezing. If a pipe does freeze, call a plumber to inspect the pipes for damage to prevent leaks later.

If you have a water heater or leaking pipe problem flooding your home, turn off your main water valve and call your local plumber. The quicker you can catch, stop and fix the leak, the less damage that will be done to 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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Protect Outdoor Water Pipes From Freezing

February 12th, 2014 Posted in Water Line Repair
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One of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face during the winter months is the possibility of frozen pipes. The most vulnerable pipes are those which are located outside the home, like outdoor faucets or those located in an unheated storage building or garage. These water lines are exposed to more extreme cold, typically are not heated and need extra protection to keep them from freezing and bursting under pressure.

Insulating Exposed Pipes

Any pipe exposed to the elements needs insulation to prevent freezing. During cold weather, outside faucets should have the water valve turned off and all water drained before insulating the pipes. All pipes should be wrapped in insulation or heat tape to keep them protected. A secondary precaution is to wrap plastic over the insulation to protect the pipes from moisture.

In addition to pipes which are directly located outside, make sure to protect pipes in garages, out buildings and even those in the home which are on an outside wall. It only takes one cold night to freeze a forgotten pipe, and cause damage to your plumbing. Make sure you check and insulate all pipes that have even the slightest exposure to the cold weather outside.

Even insulation does not always prevent all frozen pipes. If you suspect that a pipe is frozen, you need to shut the water off to the affected pipe before thawing. The pipe may be already cracked, so when it thaws, the water can flow out of the crack unchecked. This can be dangerous if you use an electrical device to thaw the pipe, and can cause severe damage to your home. In such cases, it’s best to have a professional attend to potentially frozen pipes in order to avert the worst of the trouble.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Protecting Your Water Pipes From Freezing

December 3rd, 2013 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Frozen water pipes are a common problem that can lead to big home repair expenses. When the temperature drops, especially unexpectedly, homeowners can find themselves with pipes that become frozen and even burst under the extreme cold and pressure. Once they burst, not only do they need to be replaced, but they can also cause water damage and other issues in your home. The best solution to avoid a broken water line repair is proactively preventing frozen pipes in the first place.

Water Pipe Freeze Protection

A severe cold snap, especially in warmer climates, is the most common cause of frozen water pipes. While homes in colder climates typically are built with well-insulated pipes, those in warmer regions may not have adequate insulation to protect them in unexpectedly cold weather. When the water in pipes freezes, it expands, causing pressure and backing up water being forced into the pipe. To prevent freezing and the resulting bursting, use these tips before and during cold weather.

–          Insulate your pipes. Check areas in basements, crawl spaces and attics where pipes may be exposed to cold weather. Wrap pipes with insulating tape, foam or even paper to help insulate against cold air.

–          Run water. Just a small trickle of water can keep pipes from freezing. In extreme weather snaps in warmer climates, this can be used short term to prevent freezing.

–          Use heat. Keep the heat on in cold weather, even when away from home. This can help to keep the pipes warm and aid in freezing prevention.

In cold weather, if water does not come through your faucet, that is the first sign of a frozen pipe. A frozen pipe can often be thawed before it bursts, so calling a plumber right away may reduce further damage and expense.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

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More Basic Plumbing Tips You Should Know

March 13th, 2013 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Knowing how your home plumbing system works can be a daunting challenge, but there are plenty of helpful tips and pieces of advice to remember. Having a basic grasp of what to do and what not to do can be the difference between solving simple problems and having a huge job that needs fixing.

During cold months, water can become trapped inside the pipes in your house and can freeze.  Since water expands as it freezes, it can can cause the pipe to burst.  If you think your water pipes might freeze, leaving a faucet running at a trickle can help prevent the problem and prevent your water pipes from being damaged or bursting.

Cold weather can create expensive water line repairs if your pipes do end up freezing. However, there are ways to prevent this from happening. Start by insulating any exposed pipes outside your home. When the temperature drops, make sure that you bring your garden hoses in, and make sure to drain them completely.

If you need to hire a plumber, make sure to have due diligence and research several in your local area. Keep the contact information for your local plumbing service available just in case. Check on the Internet for a plumber’s reviews or talk to people you trust like family or trusted friends about a reliable plumbing professional.

Be cautious if you decide to use toilet tablets that are made of bleach or any tablets that are designed to remove odors. While these can clean the bowl and remove any unpleasant odors, they can also damage any plastic or rubber parts in toilet bowl or tank. Make sure to check any packaging or labeling before you buy, just in case.

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Spring Plumbing Tips

March 13th, 2013 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Spring is just around the corner, which means that the season for deep house cleaning and warm-weather preparation is quickly approaching. While you’re caught up in the rush of organizing closets and scrubbing every surface until it gleams, it’s a a good idea to keep in mind that your plumbing system needs a bit of attention this time of year, too.

While you’re giving a seldom-used guest bathroom a bit of extra cleaning attention this spring, it’s smart to pour a gallon of water into the sink and shower drains. This will fill the trap to prevent odors from coming into the house through the drains. You should also examine the pipes under the sink for any signs of a leak that could go unnoticed otherwise, since the fixtures aren’t often used.

Before the heavy rains start, you’ll need to make sure that the drains, gutters and downspouts around your home are free of debris, birds’ nests and leaves. Birds can also build nests in the vent pipes, so take a look at them to ensure that they’re clear. While you’re outside, look at all of the hose bibs and faucets to see if they’re flowing freely. Drips from and outdoor faucet or leakage into your home can be a sign that a pipe froze over winter, cracked and you may need a water line repair or replacement.

It’s a good idea to install a backflow valve into the floor drain if the sewers have been known to back up into homes in your area to prevent future back-ups and potential damage. Make sure that, if you have a sump pump in your home, it’s operating properly by pouring water into the sump pit.

If you encounter any problems or are unsure of how to proceed in terms of spring plumbing maintenance, make sure that you contact a licensed, professional plumber in your area for service and advice.

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Frozen Water Pipes Can Cause Major Damage

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you’ve ever had water pipes freeze in your home, you know that it can be, at the very least, a frustrating experience. If you are one of the unlucky homeowner’s who have actually had frozen water pipes burst, then you understand just how extensive the damage can be in that situation.

The water pipes that are mostly likely to freeze are those that are located in or near an outside wall or pipes in an unheated crawlspace. The water in the pipes can freeze during an unusually cold dip in temperature. This is usually not an issue in a well-insulated and heated home. Homes in areas that don’t normally have extremely cold weather can be susceptible, as well as homes which are vacant during a cold snap with no one maintaining the heat levels in the home.

The first sign that you have a frozen water pipe is often when you are unable to get any, or very little, water from a faucet. The ice in the pipe is blocking the flow of water. The danger of major damage comes not only from the fact that the ice may break the pipe itself, but that the break in the pipe could quickly flood your home with water.

A burst water line may not be immediately evident, since the ice in the pipe may actually be keeping the water blocked inside the pipe. It is when the ice begins to thaw that the leakage starts to happen and you are at risk of having gallons of water pour into your home. Professional plumbers understand these dynamics and know how to check for these potential problems. If you suspect frozen water pipes in your home, contact a plumber immediately so they can assess the situation and assist you in minimizing the damage which can result.

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Preventing Water Pipes From Freezing

February 5th, 2011 Posted in Water Line Repair
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This has been a very cold winter for many parts of the United States.  Freezing temperatures for prolonged periods of time have been seen in most states.

During prolonged freezing temperatures, you need to ensure that your pipes do not freeze and burst.  Broken pipes will cause immediate flooding in your home, creating sheetrock damage, ceiling damage, and destruction of floors and carpets.

The easiest way to ensure that your pipes don’t freeze is to know how well the pipes were insulated.  If you have never checked your exposed water pipe insulation, this is an easy job. Simply visually inspect all water pipes.  Appropriate insulation should surround each pipe.  If no insulation is present, local homeowner’s stores sell these relatively inexpensively.  Homeowner’s can then apply the insulation around the pipe, securing with tape for colder months.

If you did not have time to check the pipe insulation, on cold nights and whenever the temperature is expected to be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, you should leave water trickling in a sink.  One water outlet generally is fine, and a slow drip is all that is needed to keep the water moving through the pipes.

If this fails, and you notice water stains, standing water in your basement or bottom floor, or signs of a burst pipe  such as a lack of water pressure or water stream when turning the water on, you should immediately contact your local professional plumber for an emergency water line repair.  Turn the water off at the main entrance point, usually at the street water meter, and wait for help to arrive.  During this time, you should also consider calling your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if any assistance is available to you for repairs and clean up.

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