Distinct Sounds of Plumbing Issues

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

Causes of Low Water Pressure

Are you experiencing low water pressure or flow in your home? There are several different causes of low pressure, some that are easily remedied. The first step is to determine where and what is causing the reduction in water flow. Here are some tips to find the problem and how it can be fixed.

Isolated Low Water Pressure Problems

Are all your faucets experiencing low water pressure? If it is only in your bathroom or kitchen, it may be an isolated issue. For example, if only one faucet has low pressure, the supply valve for that faucet may not be completely open. Showers that trickle water may be due to a clogged showerhead, not related to the actual plumbing.

Whole Home Low Water Pressure

If you have low water pressure throughout your home, there are a couple possible causes. If you are on a municipal water supply, it could be low pressure from the main source. Using a hose bib water gauge can help you determine your base water pressure. If it is above 40 PSI, your base water pressure is stable; if it is lower, contact your municipal water supplier as there may be a problem with the supply.

If your base pressure is fine, the problem must be in your home. The most common causes within the home for low water pressure include:

  • Failed pressure release valve
  • Partially closed main water valve
  • Corroded internal pipes

While you can check the main water valve to ensure it is open completely, a failed pressure release valve or corroded pipes may require the professional assistance of a plumber. They can further evaluate the issue and offer solutions to resolve the problem.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

5 Reasons to Hire a Plumber

Even the most resourceful DIY homeowner will eventually come across a plumbing problem that they cannot fix. Although many minor plumbing issues can be resolved with a trip to the hardware or home improvement center and some elbow grease, there are times when a professional should be called. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or just an average homeowner, here are five situations when you should hire a plumber:

  1. Water heater failure. If your water heater is no longer providing hot water, or worse, is causing a flood in your home, you need to call a plumber. Most likely you will need a new water heater installed which should always be done by a professional.
  2. Sewer line backups. Are all your drains backing up? You may have a sewer line clog. If the clog is underground, you will need a professional plumber or sewer company to fix the problem.
  3. Low water pressure. If your whole home has low water pressure that is not due to an external supply issue, you may need to call in a plumber. You can check the main water valve, but if that is not the problem, it may be corroded pipes or a failed PRV.
  4. Burst pipe. Whether it is due to a deep freeze or just worn out piping, a burst pipe is a good reason to hire a plumber. They can fix the problem and inspect the rest of your plumbing for possible issues.
  5. New installation or remodel. If you are spending money on adding a new bathroom or installing a shower, make sure it is done right by hiring a plumber for installation. It could save you money in the long run.

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

Leaky Sinks Can Lead to Bigger Problems

We’ve all dealt with a leaky sink at one point or another. Either the faucet gasket stops working, or a small drip appears under the sink. It may not seem like a major concern, yet if left unfixed, it could lead to bigger and more expensive problems. If you have a leaking sink, consider the possible damage that can result from procrastinating about repairs.

Damage Caused by Leaky Sinks

The most common leak problem in sinks is often a dripping faucet. While this may be annoying and waste water, it rarely causes any other problems. The dripping water just goes down the sink and is drained safely away from other areas of your kitchen or bathroom. It’s when the leak is located around the base of the faucet or under the sink that real damage can occur. This excess water can cause extensive damage, including:

  • Water damaged vanity or counter. The dripping or leaking water can destroy wood or particle board, which is commonly used in vanities or counters, causing thousands of dollars in damage.
  • Water damaged floors, walls or ceilings. A dripping pipe under your sink could cause water to pool on your flooring, ruining the subfloor, the attached walls and even the ceiling below if in a second story room.
  • Mold damage. Even a small amount of water can attract mold growth. Mold can be hazardous to your family’s health, plus cause damage to the surfaces upon which it grows.

If you have a leaky sink, don’t wait to have it repaired. Your local plumber can quickly get the issue resolved, saving you from larger problems in the future.

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

Little Known Plumbing Facts About Common Household Products

There are many common products which may be in your home, posing a risk to your plumbing. In fact, some of these products are even designed to be used with sinks or toilets, yet can be damaging your plumbing every time you use them. To protect your plumbing and avoid the necessity for expensive repairs and replacements, here are a few facts about some household products that may be harming your plumbing.

  • Soap. Yes, you read that right. Your everyday hand soap can be damaging your plumbing fixtures. When you wash your hands and grab the faucet with your soapy digits, that soap left on the handle can be ruining your hardware. Ever see little bubbles or peeling fixtures? This can be caused from soap; wipe off the faucets after you use them with soapy hands.
  • Toilet tank cleaners. Those little in-tank cleaners for your toilet may not be cleaning anything at all. Many of these products only bleach the deposits, and don’t remove them. So while you think your tank and toilet are being cleaned, they are accumulating build up. Take the time to scrub down your tank and toilet instead.
  • Chemical clog removers. Most plumbers will agree that the chemical clog remover is one of the most harmful products you can put down your drains. These chemicals can damage your plumbing while doing little to completely remove any clog. Use a plunger or snake to remove clogs, or call in a professional!

Ask your local plumber about other little known facts regarding your plumbing which may surprise you. These professionals have seen it all when it comes to plumbing problems, and can offer you some money saving advice!

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

Five Fall Plumbing Maintenance Tips

As the year eases from summer into fall, it’s time to start getting your home ready for winter. This includes maintaining your outdoor plumbing. Even in regions with mild winters, there are still times when the temperatures can drop below freezing, so it’s important to protect your plumbing and fixtures from cold weather damage. Here are five tips to maintain your plumbing through the months ahead. 

Hoses. Unscrew your outside hoses and drain them completely, storing them in a garage or other insulated area. Hoses with any moisture in them can freeze, cracking the rubber or plastic and rendering them useless when spring weather arrives.

Sprinklers. Make sure to drain or blow out your sprinklers and irrigation system to remove all the water from the pipes and heads. An early cold snap could freeze your sprinklers, causing expensive damage to the entire system.

Insulate all exposed pipes. If you have outdoor spigots, pipes or any other plumbing, make sure to cover and insulate them before winter. Even some open pipes in garages which are not heated may benefit from insulation. Look for areas where cold air can reach pipes, sealing or insulating these drafty spots.

Water heater maintenance. Fall is a good time to do an annual tune-up on your water heater. Your local plumbing company can perform a routine maintenance check to ensure your water heater is ready for the colder months ahead.

Water main education. Winter is a common time for burst pipes. Everyone in your household should know where your water main is located, and how to shut it off in an emergency. A single large pipe can funnel as much as 10 gallons of water into your home a minute if it bursts, causing extensive water damage to your home. Keep your local plumbers number easily accessible for these types of emergency situations.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

Preventing Common Plumbing Pipe Problems

To make your plumbing pipes last, there are many things you should and should not do. Just like any fixture or piece of equipment, pipes can wear out when exposed to repeated stress. Chemicals, high water pressure, temperature and other factors can cause unnecessary stress on your pipes and make them more likely to burst or crack. Since a burst or leaky pipe can cause extensive damage in your home as well as be expensive to fix, maintaining your pipes is a much easier and less costly option.

Tips To Make Your Pipes Last Longer

There are simple things you can do to extend the life of your plumbing pipes. By protecting your pipes from certain elements, you can prevent many leaks and needed plumbing repairs.

  • Lower your water pressure. While high water pressure may fill up your bathtub faster, it can also cause damage to your water pipes over time and be a waste of water. A hose bib gauge can measure your water pressure, which should read between 40 and 85 psi. If your reading is higher, you should consult with your plumber about reducing your pressure.
  • Do not use chemical clog removers. Drain cleaners and chemical clog removers can harm your pipes and rarely remove the entire clog. When you’re dealing with a clogged pipe, it’s always best to call a plumber who can remove the clog correctly and completely. Prevent clogs by keeping grease, coffee, hair and other non-liquid items out of your drains.
  • Protect your pipes from freezing. Freezing can cause your pipes to crack and eventually burst. Protect pipes by using insulated covers or tape to reduce the chance of them cracking.

By taking it easy on your pipes, you can help them last for decades and prevent many leaks and plumbing problems down the road.

Posted on behalf of Tony McAdams, A-1 National Sewer and Drain

Google

 

Minor Plumbing Repairs

Every home will need minor plumbing repairs and preventative maintenance from time to time, even if it is a new home.  Common plumbing repairs include clogged drains, leaking water pipes, stopped up toilets, leaky faucets and toilets that run all of the time.  While most are an inconvenience, they can be expensive and result in property damage, if not repaired properly.  Preventative maintenance includes such things as draining down outside faucets before the first freeze and periodic faucet cartridge replacement.  As with minor plumbing repairs, if periodic maintenance is not done, it can lead to expensive repairs.

Often homeowners are tempted to do the repairs and maintenance themselves but often fail because of the lack of expertise, lack of the proper tools and lack of the correct parts.   Plumbing is a very specialized trade with plumbers needing 4-5 years to learn their craft thru trade school or an apprentice program.  Most people have no idea how to do the work.  As far as tools are concerned, many plumbing tools are specialized and may never be used again once purchased.  Everyone has experienced the 3-4 trips in a single day to the local big box building supply store for a mysterious plumbing part.  Do you really want to spend 5 hours at the local big box hardware store searching for plumbing parts?   Most people will find that it is not a good way to spend a Saturday morning!

In most cases, the homeowner will find that it is more economical in the long run to hire a qualified, professional plumber to make repairs and perform routine preventative maintenance.  In addition, it is the best way to make sure that the repairs are done properly, in order to protect your mot valuable investment, which is your home!

Have You Done Your Routine Plumbing Maintenance Yet?

By the very nature of its word, routine “maintenance” (to prevent failure or decline) of all of your home’s plumbing systems is important to perform periodically. You can potentially save time and money by proactively addressing whatever minimal plumbing problems may currently exist by committing yourself to an annual plumbing maintenance schedule.

Start with your bathroom, check for leaking faucets, slow drains, lower water pressure and running toilets. While a small amount of leaking water may appear insignificant, it can eventually cause costly damage, not to mention the gallons of water wasted. Debris can collect and partially clog drains and faucet aerators. A build-up of encrusted calcium can easily obstruct the flow of water. Of course, the working parts of toilets can start to wear down over time and cause problems, as evidenced by the toilet handle sticking or the sound of water running long after the toilet has been flushed. Tremendous amounts of water are wasted by running toilets. Follow the same procedure for your kitchen. In addition, check your kitchen sink for leaks, either at the faucet, disposal or sprayer. Check the cabinet underneath the sink for water damage and around your dishwasher.

Regular maintenance is the best way to avoid a main water line or sewer back-up. Having your septic or sewer lines inspected by your local plumbing professional is the easiest way to prevent sewer line catastrophes; a little time and money spent now can save you much in the future. Also, at the time of your routine plumbing maintenance service, you will want to have your regular sewer main snaked if you’ve been plagued in the past by tree root problems.

Broken Pipe Repairs

A broken pipe is a serious plumbing problem especially if it is a pressurized water line or drain line that’s hidden behind the walls or buried underground.  Broken pipes can be caused by many different things but one of the most common is a frozen pipe.  Since water expands when it freezes, a frozen pipe is a real problem.  As the water freezes inside the pipe it will expand and the pipe will crack or burst.  As soon as the weather warms up and the pipe thaws, look out!

A broken pipe can be a small leek or a steady spray of water.  In either event, you will need to call a reputable local plumber to fix the leak as quickly as possible.  A leaking or broken pipe can cause severe damage to walls, floor and ceilings as well as causing water damage to your personal property.

In addition, a leaky pipe wastes a lot of water and damp or wet walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, and other areas promote mold and mildew growth.  You need to get any broken or leaking pipes fixed as quickly as possible.  While waiting for the plumber to arrive, you should turn off the main water supply inside your home. If the break is in the water supply line, try turning off the water supply at the street.

A professional plumber has the expertise to locate a broken or leaking water line that’s hidden in the walls and to repair the broken line quickly while doing as little damage to your walls, floors and ceilings as possible.