As many homeowners quickly discover, attempting to deal with a clogged washing machine drain can be risky business. How can you be sure you’re using the right tools or disconnecting the proper fixtures to resolve clogging and debris? Even more concerning are the possible ramifications of poor DIY attempts, which can actually wind up leaving your washing machine drains in worse condition than before. Read More
The plumbing system in your home doesn’t have to cost you insane amounts of money. In fact, working with the right plumber and taking care of your plumbing system can help you save money! Industry professionals can help you by providing honest advice, quick fixes, and so much more. Here are just five examples of ways that a plumber can save you money.
Honest AdviceA great plumber will provide you with honest advice when you are facing a plumbing problem. While it is easy and profitable for companies to suggest a more extensive, costly repair, it is rarely necessary. The right advice will often solve the problem without costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Finding a plumbing company that you can trust and rely on will save you a lot of money over the length of your homeownership.
A 24-hour emergency plumbing service can help you solve a problem before it gets worse. For example, unclogging a toilet quickly and correctly as soon as it is clogged ensures you don’t accrue additional damage due to flooding. When it comes to plumbing, the worse a problem gets, the harder and more expensive it is to fix. Plumbers can perform quick repairs that cost less than a more expensive repair later on down the road.
During an emergency plumbing repair, the plumber can also check for opportunities for preventative maintenance. They can find red flags that, while not an issue now, could become one in the future. The plumbing professional can check drains, pipes, and appliances to see if there are ways to improve how they function, resulting in money saved each month.
High-Efficiency AppliancesHave a plumber install high-efficiency appliances in your home. For example, try a low-flush toilet. Not only are these toilets more sleek and modern in their design, but they also help save a lot of water with each flush. On average, it is believed that a low-flush toilet can save owners more than $100 each year on their water bill. The more toilets in your home that you switch from traditional flush to high efficiency, the more money you can save annually.
While high-efficiency toilets are a great way to save water and money, there are other ways to save even more water. For example, a plumber can fix leaks anywhere in your home, even just a few drips a day constitutes as a leaky faucet. If you have a leaky faucet or showerhead, you could be wasting gallons of water each month. These gallons of water quickly add up to you spending hundreds of dollar unnecessarily.
Start saving money by assessing and making changes to the plumbing in your home. An emergency plumber in Pittsburgh, PA, can help you save hundreds of dollars every year. Take advantage of this professional knowledge and experience by contacting Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today!
The post 5 Ways a Plumber Can Help You Save Money appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
“Drain cleaners.” If this name makes you think of bottled of chemicals found on the shelves of stores, you’re not alone. It’s what most homeowners think of when they hear about drain cleaning for their home plumbing.
There’s just a slight problem with this. These so-called drain cleaners aren’t good at their job. In fact, they can be downright hazardous and create more problems for drains and plumbing systems. No professional plumber recommends the use of store-bought chemicals to unclogged stopped-up or slow drains.
We understand why people often reach for chemical drain cleaners when they run into a clogged drain or slow drain in their home. It seems like such a simple, cost-effective solution. These chemicals are advertised as fast ways to open up a drain again without needing to call a plumber.
However, these mixtures of highly acidic chemicals are a “cure” that’s often worse than the original problem. Here are some of the negative effects of these chemical concoctions:
When you have a slow or clogged drain, the first step to take is use a sink or toilet plunger and see if this will get rid of the obstruction. If the plunger doesn’t work, you can try a hand-cranked drain snake (a.k.a. drain auger). Once you’ve exhausted these possibilities, it’s time to call for professional plumbers in Glendale, AZ. Expert plumbers have a variety of tools, such as motorized drain augers and hydro-jetters that can not effectively eliminate clogs, but thoroughly clean the drains, making it difficult for the clogs to come back. We recommend our customers arrange for drain cleaning as a regular maintenance job once a year to prevent clogs from starting in the first place.
Trust in The Trusted Plumber! Providing plumbing services in Glendale and the surrounding areas.
This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com
here are major and minor plumbing problems.
You might be a great handyman who loves to fix stuff around the home, but knowing when to call in a professional plumber can help you get a lasting solution and save more money in the long-run.
According to the World Health Organization, “Every aspect of plumbing is delicate. Because there’s an interconnected system between pipes, drains, and hubs. When a pipe is leaking, for example, it could lead to an overflow in the kitchen.”
You don’t want to experience that in your kitchen or anywhere around your house.
Waking up in the morning only to find a messy bathroom or surrounding, due to one or more plumbing problems could be the worst nightmare to many.
Whether it’s a minor problem with the tap, or something as serious as a clogged kitchen sink, you’ll no doubt want to fix it.
Major problems in your home plumbing could cost a lot more to repair.
A regular maintenance schedule can help you save money on these costly repairs. A thorough inspection is the best way to detect small problems before they escalate.
Hidden leaks below water heaters can constitute a nuisance in your home. Because over time, they could lead to severe water damage and overflow and encourage mold growth, as water seeps into plaster and sheetrock.
With this in mind, when you notice any of these 25 plumbing problems, you know it’s time to call your plumber:
At the top of our list of plumbing problems you should never fix by yourself is low water pressure. If after opening the faucet completely and you notice that insufficient water is gushing out, then you might have a low water pressure issue.
In this case, the water will only be dripping with no pressure to pump the water out. A few factors could be responsible for this:
Breakage of the main water supply, sedimentation, or bent pipe may be the problem.
When there’s also an accumulation of the minerals contained in the water, it could cause low water pressure. Large deposits of minerals in your pipe could obstruct the flow of water in your home or workplace. It needs to be fixed immediately.
You’ll need professional plumbers in your city to assist you. Don’t try to embark on this strange adventure all by yourself.
Since it’s difficult to fix the root cause of low water pressure problems, maybe because you lack the necessary tools and certainly, you don’t have skills in advanced plumbing.
If you reside in Toronto or neighboring cities, you might be looking for a reputable plumbing company. We’re here for you. Our team of plumbing experts is well versed to handle major and minor plumbing problems, be it low water pressure issues, and more.
2. Dripping Faucets
Faucets are an indispensable part of our homes. Keeping them in good condition can affect other parts of the home structure. A dripping faucet is a huge problem; it could affect your sleep and increase your water bill.
Wasted water is viewed as consumed water in Toronto, Canada, so you’ll have to pay for it. You can expect to pay $600 – $750 per year depending on how much water you consumed.
It can lead to catastrophic water damage in the home. Of course, there are several causes of a dripping faucet such as defective gaskets, o-rings, corrosion, or heavily induced by mineral deposits on the internal structure of the pipe.
If you’ve plumbing experience, you could fix a dripping faucet as long as you have the right tools. Otherwise, you should call a plumber in your city. Remember that ignoring a dripping faucet could lead to costly repairs — up to $1,000 for a complete plumbing replacement project.
Aside from the costly repairs, a dripping faucet will sooner or later result in a waste of water — up to 100 gallons every single month.
3. Sink Draining Slowly
This can be a major inconvenience in the home. When you notice this plumbing issue, the first port of call is to check for blockage that could be restricting water flow. Food remnants, oily residue, or congealed fat could clog your kitchen sink drain.
If the fault is in your bathroom sink, they can check for a blockage caused by knotted hair and soap.
A good way to clear a clogged sink might involve making use of a plunger. A skilled plumber could use a plumber’s snake, or pour down baking soda and vinegar or some form of chemical clog remover.
The professional will know the exact quantity of these chemicals to use — if you’re not skilled there’s no way to be sure.
The earlier your sink is unclogged, the better. Because it’d worsen over time if neglected until eventually, the drain is no longer useful or completely blocked.
How a Plumber Could Unclog a Sink Drain Using Chemicals:
Plumbing experts can help you prevent damage to your drainage pipes by making sure that these chemicals aren’t used all the time.
However, for a lasting solution, preventing clogging on your sink drain is the best approach. A good plumber will even advise you on the best practices to adopt for your drains.
After doing your ‘business’ in a friend’s home. You flush and nothing happens. This can be self-demeaning and embarrassing, to say the least. In extreme cases, you might flush and the water slowing starts rising like an edifice.
What a mess? How do you get out of it when you’re not a professional? Well, you could be pardoned by your friend. After all, that’s part of the experience!
But let’s bring it home. If it happens in your home who will be responsible for it? When the toilet bowl fills up, it could make you anxious, especially when it’s not draining away.
This blockage is mostly caused by a mixture of human waste and undissolved toilet paper. A plunger could normally fix this if it’s minor. Or you could save yourself the trial and error by employing the services of a toilet plumber in your city.
Using sewer snake or drain auger can help loosen the blockage. But there might be even more issues lurking in the internal parts of the pipe.
A plumber might decide to run the hot water in the sink and while that’s ongoing, use shampoo or liquid soap to act as a lubricant.
Dish soap can be helpful but if there’s none at that moment of anxiety, Shampoo or liquid soap will do the trick. He will pour a lot of the lubricant into the toilet bowl to lubricate the system and weaken whatever is causing the clog.
According to Tess Wilson, using Epsom salt or bath bomb would also work. Any form of lubricant will go a long way to curb the stickiness of the mixture. With that out of the way, you can unclog easily with your plumber snake or flush the mess down the drain.
5. Clogged Bath or Shower Drain
Drains are one of the trickiest areas to tidy up in your bathroom. When anything goes wrong, it could render the entire shower useless — pending when it’s fixed.
You need to do everything possible to avoid severe clogs in the shower. Anything from soap scum, hair, and what have you can clog the shower drain.
Sure, you can decide to take some DIY lessons online and learn how to fix it anytime there’s a minor issue associated with shower drain, but extreme cases will require extreme measures.
Stubborn clogs happen. And when they do, you should seek professional assistance. Professional plumbers have a few tricks they usually employ when clogging is extreme.
Even though clearing this blockage may require a plunger or a snake, you’ll first get a thorough inspection from an expert plumber. This is priceless and very important in your home.
Through inspection, a plumber can pinpoint whether the problem is primarily the result of soap scum or a mix of hair and soap.
A good way to prevent hair from getting into the drain is to use a drain guard to capture every strand of hair that wants to slip through the hole with flowing water.
If you think you’re experienced enough to tackle this problem, go for it. But if you need a helping hand, you can contact professional drain cleaning experts in Toronto.
When the drain smells awful, it may be a sign of a plumbing issue in the system. This smell can be downright unbearable — so there’s a need to fix it immediately.
For most homeowners, they usually throw harsh products to see how this can clear up the mess — and it works sometimes.
But it doesn’t offer a long-term solution to the problem. Just like blocked drains, stinky drains may not cause an overflow but it can affect your health. If you try using cleaning chemicals, it could even become worse.
So rather than employing all the tricks you saw on TV or read online to combat foul-stinking drains all by yourself, it’s usually advisable to call in your plumber to help you sort the issue.
Whether the foul smell is coming from your bathroom drain or kitchen sink drain, it tends to get out of hand. This unhealthy smell in this kitchen drain can be caused by rotten eggs or sewage or rotten vegetables.
It could also be as a result of bacteria build-up. Flushing down rotting food or fat down the sink can get trapped in the pipes.
Additionally, a lot of drains lack a soil vent pipe (SVP). These pipes are important because they provide an alternative route for foul smells to leave, diverting them away from the living rooms and where people mostly relax.
So getting a soil vent pipe might be a long-term solution if you don’t want to replace your drain system completely. However, you’ll need a plumber to install these SVPs either in your kitchen or bathroom.
The basement plumbing system plays a key role in the overall home structure, but it can be challenging when there’s an issue — especially with the sewage system. The problems can be so complicated; attempting to fix it by yourself might lead to even more problems.
Diagnosing what’s wrong with the basement plumbing is better left for professionals. Because skilled plumbers will first check the point of the back up which isn’t related to the point of the pipe effect.
Remember that water under pressure, especially water from a sewer back up is looking for any available route to escape.
This explains why wastewater backing up from a basement sewer system often slips out of a floor drain or through the main house trap.
There are many causes of sewer backing up in any basement. Being a complex task, it requires the help of a professional to figure out the root cause and how to fix it.
If you’re a novice and don’t even know what the root cause is, you might diagnose the wrong cause, since tampering with any piece of your plumbing system without the required skills and experience often leads to trouble, and drain lines are the main culprits.
A sewer backup in the basement is just like those of the washtub basic. It usually results in a clogged strainer and must be cleaned. Sure, a homeowner with knowledge of the system can fix it. But if you don’t have the strainer, it’s quite easy to install one.
Other times, sediments may be the major factor clogging the trap under the basement. A plunger may offer additional help or you get an electric snake to clean a clog that happens frequently.
The trap could also be removed, cleaned, and re-installed. Why not hire a pro to help you handle these “seemingly” easy tasks?
That being said, there could be serious issues that need to be diagnosed once you see a washtub basin back up. More so, if the basin is a part of the fixture in your basement plumbing system, then it’d provide an easy route for sewer water to escape.
For a lasting solution, though, remember that drains that back up frequently with water require an expert touch.
Don’t try to fix it all by yourself. It doesn’t matter the Do-It-Yourself tutorial you purchased online or off the store, focus on what matters most to you and let the expert plumbers do their job.
Backed up drains could also indicate that a pipe is damaged. So you should consider fixing that or replace it completely.
This is one plumbing problem you should steer away from. Water main break can be extremely dramatic and results in more problems if not handled by a pro.
When there’s a broken pipe from underneath the ground, it forces water out of the ground, creating a geyser that can extend to the sky, many feet into the air. The street will be flooded with hundreds if not thousands of gallons of water. This can flood nearby homes and offices.
This unimaginable gushers of water can cause a huge opening in the ground, which can cause accidents or even swallow up cars. It’s that possible.
If a water main line breaks in your front yard, for example, you may not experience this level of turmoil, but it still requires the help of a pro, a trained technician who can diagnose the causes of water supply line break and how to fix it.
Sometimes, though, water main line break occurs when the main water supply hub that allows water into your home is affected in some way.
As water leaks out or flows out of the ground, with extreme force, it causes the surrounding areas to be damp and never drying out.
It leads to so much water wastage. According to EPV, water leaks, especially from the main supply hub can be equivalent to the amount of water required to wash about 300 loads of laundry.
This can be unbearable, but it can get worse and escalate your water bill. Preventing a water main line break is often the best solution to preventing exorbitant water bills.
When there’s a fault in the drainage line, it means one of the pipes that supply used water from the drains is affected. In this case, used water will seek an alternative routes to escape.
This will lead to strong pressures in the drainage pipes, thereby causing damp spots on the floors or walls.
When you notice mold growth, it could also be a sign of a drainage line leak. Other possible indicators of a drainage line problem are cracks and buckling areas.
Given that pipes are generally hard to get to, considering how they’re installed in most homes, it’d be difficult to fix them.
Drainage line problems are a major factor in the home — which could lead to costly repairs over time. So it’s always a good practice to hire a plumber whenever you suspect a leak or related signs.
Toronto homes are experiencing a surge of sewer pipe problems as a result of the 20 – 30 year expected life span of the installed pipes. Cast iron pipes only last for a few decades and must be replaced. They could fail at any time when left unattended.
Also, tree root intrusion, channeling, misaligned connections, or cracks are some of the major causes of a complete sewer line failure.
Allowing your plumbing system to fail is going to cost you more.
Trust me, nothing beats a drainage line break. It’s as disturbing as a sewage line break.
Don’t let water from your drains and toilets seep out of your drainage line. If it happens inside your house, that’d be messy. Lucky are you if the leak is in your garden, then the stink will be outside.
What if the break is right under your house? That would pose a difficult problem to diagnose and fix. Being a toxic job only reserved for experts who have the right tools and experience, you should not attempt to solve it by yourself.
How do you know when there’s a potential plumbing emergency in your sink pipes?
The truth is you might be able to notice a malfunctioning sink pipe if it’s visible from the open cabinet right under the sink. But the real problem is diagnosing where the real problem is unless you look closely or separate the pipes.
Reassembling pipes require years of being in the trenches — particularly when they’re all closely connected to other components of your plumbing system.
However, it’s difficult to find out exactly where the problem is unless you take the pipes apart, and this can be a very risky undertaking — such as garbage disposals or dishwashers or other machinery in your house structure.
If you’re certain about the location of the malfunctioning sink pipe and how much impact the obstruction has caused, and you’re able to dismantle and reassemble the pipes, you can try fixing it.
Or save yourself the problem and just seek the services of a pro. They’re all around you or call our Toronto plumbing service.
According to Winnipeg Planning, Property, & Development Department:
“Where piping may be exposed to freezing conditions, it must be protected. No drainage or water system can be installed on any exterior wall of a building. Vent pipes are permitted in exterior walls provided they are protected from frost.”
Frost can be a disturbing factor in plumbing pipes. Truly, your pipes need to be taken care of if you want it to last for a long time.
Unprotected pipers are usually susceptible to cold temperatures. We learned that water will expand when goes liquid to solid form. And cold water will damage your pipe. According to a study, a gallon of frozen water will expand to a volume of 9% greater than the original gallon.
Sadly, homeowners in Toronto and other parts of Canada assume that all that matters is melting away the frost and the problem will be fixed.
Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Worse, most homeowners we’ve seen have escalated the problem by using a blow torch, which is almost useless if you don’t know the right angle to thaw.
Fixing frozen pipes is for the unexperienced. This ‘frozen’ task is best reserved for your local plumber. He can help diagnose the major problem in pipes, what could be causing the problem (especially if it occurs frequently), and what must be done to stop it from recurring.
While considering hiring a plumber, make sure you have adequate lagging on your pipes, if not you can apply it right away. A plumber can also assist you in this respect.
Do you notice cold sweats all over your toilet tank? If yes, this calls for urgent attention before the dripping water overflows your bathroom floor.
When damp air reaches a cold surface, condensation is bound to occur. This dripping off on a toilet tank can cause moisture that dampens the bathroom floor for days, it could damage the flooring, and gradually rot out the floor framing. You don’t want that to happen, do you?
One of the quick ways to prevent a sweaty toilet is to employ quick fixes or use a more costly but effective solution.
Although some toilets have insulated tanks that prevent condensation problems, thus leading to sweaty tanks, but not too many people can afford this luxury.
A plumbing company can help diagnose the cause of the problem. To avoid consuming unnecessary water and inflating your utility bill, it’s important to stop this water from trickling through the toilet. The tank can get colder as well — and more prone to sweating — since the tank is constantly refilling itself with at least 10 gallons of cold water.
Checking the flapper can help. Check through the flap sealing; add a few drops of food coloring into the tank and examine it for at least an hour.
If you notice that the color shows up in the bowl, you might want to call in a local plumber to replace the valve and flapper. It doesn’t cost more than $25 to replace this — make sure the fix that can be done, try untangling the lift chain.
Whatever decision you decide to make fix a sweaty toilet, get some professional help. Even if you’re going to learn how to fix it when it happens again, let a local plumber guide you accordingly.
What about a lose flush handle? It seems like a simple plumbing task to fix, so should you do it?
Well, it depends on your knowledge and experience in fixing stuff in the house. If the flush handle becomes disconnected from the tank or outright lose, it could be an indicator of several other things.
Whether you’re living in a large house or a smaller apartment, this common problem is bound to happen, it’s only a matter of time. Since flush handles are used all the time, there’s a chance they will begin to loosen up.
Most people can fix this problem without calling in a local plumber. Congratulations if you’re one of them.
It usually requires the right tools and expertise:
Once that’s out of the way, you should test what you did by pushing the handle down with the assumption that you’re flushing the toilet. If the handle is too tight, then it’ll likely not go down completely.
Go ahead and loosen the nut one rotation at a time or let a plumber help you. Don’t forget to turn it clockwise for easy and quick loosening.
If the flush handle becomes too stiff to push down, the problem is likely associated with the toilet chain. Maybe the chain is too long and the length has to be shortened.
On the other hand, if the flush handle seems to be loose, after all your efforts, then you might want to inspect the mounting nut — which can be found at the back of the toilet handle when you open the inner part of the toilet.
The mounting nut may need some cleaning with Vinegar to remove the lime residue (if any).
If all of your efforts prove futile and the toilet flush handle is still loose, then you may have to call in an expert plumber in your city.
You may have seen someone setting up a new stove, dryer, microwave they just purchased, and you’re like “that’s lovely.” The question is, how many times have you seen a friend or neighbor successfully set up a dishwashing machine?
Most dishwashers are so difficult to set up. Most homeowners never bothered to learn how to set them up because they came with their apartment.
There’s so much complexity involved with setup — mostly when it comes to installing water and drainage lines under the cabinet. That’s why a licensed plumber with the required experience is all you’ll need.
Although most dishwashers are 24 in. wide, so there’s no need for altering the cabinets in a bid to fit in the new one (if you get a new dishwasher with different size, you’ll have to alter your cabinets). That’s where more advanced carpentry skills are required.
You may also notice that extra layers of flooring have resulted in a raised floor height in front of the dishwasher. This will cause a serious obstacle when you’re trying to pull out the old dishwashing machine and install the new one.
If you ever have to either loosen the countertop or excavate flooring when you decide to hook up your dishwashing machine, are you confident in your skills? Do you think you can do it?
Consider getting help from a professional installer if you need a clean and functional dishwasher that will serve you for years to come.
If you have a cottage or live in a small community, there’s a chance you know what a septic tank looks like or currently use one. To refresh your memory, according to SepticSmart, a publication of Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority:
“Septic systems are onsite treatment units that eliminate the need for municipal sewers in rural areas. Anything that goes down the drain — every shower drip and every toilet flush — flows to the septic system. Septic systems are comprised of a tank, a network of pipes and billions of organisms that process your waste.”
Most homeowners prefer the Septic tank and field line systems when it comes to sewage treatment in certain areas where it’s conductive.
For better understanding, field lines are drain fields or leach fields. Septic tank and field line sewer structures function best in areas where there’s sandy soil. That’s one of the major considerations for installing them.
A plumber will always consider sandy soils before fixing or installing Septic tanks.
For people who live in secluded areas, the water that flows out from the tub, toilet, and sinks might escape through a septic tank instead of a sewer line. If it escapes through a septic tank, calling a plumber could be the best decision.
If you reside in a secluded area, the outgoing water from your sinks, tub, and toilet might go through a septic tank rather than a sewer line. In the event of a septic leak, you’d need to wait for a plumber to come and fix the problem.
You’ll likely perceive foul smells as a result of the flowing water. That’s why a plumbing expert with the right tools should be consulted to remedy the situation.
Going through a plumbing advice manual may be helpful, but it’ll never furnish you with the necessary skills and confidence required to replace or reroute your piping system.
So don’t even attempt to do it without consulting a local plumber.
Homeowners and self-acclaimed handy-men who attempted to do this often wind up with far more confusion than they ever imagined in the first place.
The truth be told, replacing cracked pipes is not an easy task at all. It requires dismantling delicate parts of the plumbing system to get the job done.
More importantly, copper pipes, among other components, need to be fused with a torch. So we’d recommend calling in a professional plumber in Toronto or any nearby state/city.
A rocking toilet is common plumbing that occurs when the toilet isn’t firmly fastened to the floor. This can cause serious problems in the future. Because even a slight movement in the base of the toilet can damage the wax seal.
It’s the quickest way to cause leakage in the toilet pipes and surroundings. A great way to steady a rocking toilet, though, is to cut plastic shims to fit and gradually slip them underneath the toilet.
An expert plumber will likely remove caulk before adding shims. With the plastic shims all slipped in, it’s time to caulk around the toilet.
Then the nuts can be tightened. Avoid cranking them too tight to prevent a crack in the toilet. This all seems like a complex task — because it is. So what are you going to do? Maybe you should call in a local plumber if you ever experience a rocking toilet.
For a professional who understands the science behind toilet seats, installing a new toilet seat could be a 5-minute job. All they need to do is set the seat in the right place and tighten the nuts.
But for DIYers out there, fixing a cracked toilet seat can take hours of work. The same thing goes with removing an old toilet seat — a troublesome ordeal only left for the professionals.
When the bolts that hold the seat are rusted and have become difficult to unscrew the nuts, there are techniques that only an experienced plumber can use — since they have been doing it for years.
When homeowners consult with us, the first thing we usually do is examine the bolts that fasten the seat.
If they’re made of plastic, they’ll be easy to lose because plastic doesn’t rust. We’ll remove the cover behind the seat to see the bolt’s head with pliers or a screwdriver. We also hold the nut underneath firmly with the pliers so they don’t shift.
What a fulfilling job when you know what you’re doing. But a real confusion when you try to solve it by yourself. A cracked toilet seat isn’t fun at all, it’s always a good thing to seek immediate support from your local plumber.
Refill values have different designs, and the older ones are popularly called “ballcocks.” You must have seen the hollow floating ball that operates the valve (clock), which controls the water pressure.
Most people sometimes refer to the ballcock as any type of fill valve, but the term is mostly associated with two types of valves:
Both styles of valves are designed with the float ball that works the valve through a long arm that’s attached to the ball. You don’t always find these valves in modern toilets, only the plunger-type and diaphragm-type ballcocks are prominent in older toilets.
But the mechanism is simple, and whenever adjustments are needed for the water level, it’s operated by making sure the float arm is bent up or down to alter the point at which the float ball stops the water supply.
For instance, if the water level in the tank is high, then the toilet will likely continue to run after you’ve flushed and even leave the bathroom.
When you bend the float arm downward, you’ll make it possible for the float arm to shut off the water right at the lower tank level. By fine-tuning consistently, it becomes easier to adjust the water level in the tank.
Just by studying the mechanism behind Ballcock valves, you can see they’re susceptible to problems.
If you observe any of the highlighted problems, it’s always a good thing to replace it with a modern valve. While some people would attempt to do it by themselves, you can ask a local plumber what steps you need to take. This will save you from escalating the problem.
The flush value is an integral component of your toilet system. It can be found in the center of the tank. This flush value is made of plastic material or brass fitting carefully fastened to the bottom opening of the toilet tank.
The value functions with a neoprene flapper or a float ball.
This flapper can be found sitting against the valve opening and mostly keep the water secured in the tank until you push the flush handle down.
As soon as the handle is pressed, it operates a chain connected to the handle rod. This pushes the flapper away and keeps the valve seat separated from the hub — it makes it easy for water to flush down into the bowl.
An empty tank will signal to the flapper to move back into the valve seat, sealing the opening route, and enabling water to start dripping into the tank again.
This will happen continually as long as the water in the tank is used up — except, of course, there’s a problem with the flush valve.
There’s a vertical overflow tube that’s integrated into the valve. It’s designed to connect to the tank from the base of the valve. This overflow tube is important because it allows a small quantity of water to flow into the toilet bowl while the tank is refilling. It also prevents overflow.
Given the complexities involved in a flush valve, imagine how difficult fixing it would be if it’s ever broken. There’s no point trying your hands on it, just get help from a plumber.
This can be a plumbing problem if it’s a frequent occurrence. If you’re not getting heat no matter what you do, there might be clogs or blockage in the water circulation system. Washing or changing the filter can help.
Both solutions are cheap and often recommended by local plumbers. So always consider them first.
To give it a go, first, press the heater’s reset button. If you notice that the high limit switch shuts the heater off as a result of water that’s too hot or due to air trapped in the lines, you might want to reset the heater.
Suppose you just refilled your hot tub, there may be an airlock — a situation when air gets trapped in your plumbing system and hinders water from flowing as it should. This will stop water from heating up.
Fixing the airlock may seem easy, but proper inspection must be carried out by professionals.
In your hot tub, the control panel is one section your eyes must always go to. You want to continually check the displayed codes for any indicators of error.
These error codes can be confusing, to say the least. Worse, these errors don’t give insights on what’s happening with the hot tub itself. Your manual will contain many codes, but a few important codes show up almost all the time.
Error codes such as “FLO or FLC” (Low Flow Error) usually appear when there’s a flow issue in the hot tub. Often, it’s an indication that your jets are malfunctioning and requires immediate attention.
Then you can check for potential blockages, then replace your filter or clean it properly.
If it doesn’t work and the error codes are still showing up in the control panel, you can inspect your circulation pump to see if it has power flowing to it.
If there’s power flowing to it and it’s still not working, this may be the right time to replace the circulation pump. Hire a local plumber to handle this task for you.
Rusted Bolts are common plumbing problems that require immediate attention. When there’s a fault in the toilet tank or kitchen sink, it may be difficult to loosen rusted bolts.
Applying a lubricant can free the nut. But if it doesn’t, you’ll need a drill, safety glasses, and drill bit collection.
With your 1/16-in. bit, start drilling into the bolt where it collapses with the nut. Make sure you drill 1/4-in. into the bolt. The next thing to do is widen the hole using a 1/8-in. bit, while complementing it with a 3/16-in. bit. Next, get your socket wrench and try it again.
At this point, you don’t necessarily want to unscrew the nut but to separate the bolt from the nut by breaking it off. Keep widening the hole to weaken the bolt so that it breaks out freely.
The process that I’ve just explained is complex, I know. If you’re not confident in the process, you can always get help from a local plumber to help unscrew rusted nuts and replace them with new ones.
How do you fix leaks in the toilet base?
Only a professional plumber or someone with experience can boldly answer that question.
Although most toilet problems can be traced to the tank, when you see water escaping around the base of the toilet, on the floor, you know it’s not a tank-related problem.
We know that in summer, condensation happens. But seeing a lot of water flowing around the base of the toilet is a major concern. The water will be dirty, so fix the problem before it gets really messy. For the time being, avoid using your toilet and go get an expert plumber.
One of the things that cause this problem is a faulty wax ring that seals the toilet base. There may be a break in the drainpipe which causes unclean water to leak out from the base.
To fix this problem, the first step is to remove the toilet and replace the wax ring. Of course, you’ll save some money if you do it yourself successfully, but if you fail to get the job done, it can result in a costly repair over time. So get some help!
Conclusion
There you have it, the 25 plumbing problems you should never solve by yourself. Some problems are more severe than others while some of the common problems are pretty easy to fix.
There’s no denying the fact that you’ll save hundreds of dollars if you’re able to solve these problems by yourself.
Other times, though, hiring a local plumber can be cost-effective if you know where to find one.
If you’re not sure about diagnosing a problem or replacing a component on your own, call us today. Our team of experienced professionals is ready to help you out.
This post first appeared on https://blog.antaplumbing.com
Now that summer is officially done and fall is all around us, it is time to think about fall and winter plumbing maintenance. The days still have plenty of warmth when the sun is out to give you a chance to do routine maintenance around the house that will keep your plumbing system up and running. That is why we have come up with a quick plumbing maintenance checklist for the fall and winter to help Ottawa home owners avoid troubles like frozen and burst pipes.
Be sure to do the following maintenance checks:
The first thing you need to do is disconnect any outdoor hoses, shut off sprinklers, drain pools and hot tubs, and all of that. Get rid of all residual water. Pack up any items that could retain water and store them in a dry place. Then seek out the main water valve for your outdoor faucets and turn these faucets off. Make sure water has drained out.
Sometimes the valves you seek are located in the basement. For those who have separate plumbing for outdoor irrigation, you might have to locate the water pump.
Next, you head down to the basement and take a look at the pipes and the walls. Tighten valves that seem loose and keep an eye open for anything that looks even close to a leak. If you find any dripping or leaks or cracks, you need to repair these things immediately. If you need help replacing any damaged pipes, reach out to a neighbor plumber or basement contractor.
You also want to make sure insulation is up to spec. Ottawa has plenty of extreme wintry weather, and pipes freezing and exploding is nothing new. Usually, pipes that run outside are the first ones to freeze and burst. Poor insulation will make matters worse. It is always wise to ensure you have enough insulation.
Lastly, your sump pump and hot water heater will need to be inspected and maintained. Nothing is worse than having zero hot water on a frigid winter morning or a sump pump that doesn’t work once the snow starts melting. Sump pumps can also get quickly overwhelmed and overheated if they are not maintained. Call the local plumber to get your equipment serviced before winter comes around to avoid any extensive and extremely expensive water damage.
There you have it—a checklist of things to do in preparation for winter. Remember that doing these little checks around the house can save you from a lot of headaches and grief later on. Five minutes spent making appointments and shutting off valves has never been better spent!
Contact the Irish Plumber today to learn more about how we can help you get your plumbing ready for winter. We are happy to assist you with all your plumbing needs.
The post Plumbing Maintenance Checklist For Fall and Winter appeared first on The Irish Plumber.
Compared to other home appliances, the water heater has quite a demanding role. It has to provide hot water on-demand for such activities as bathing, washing dishes and cooking. A water heater also has to withstand constant temperature changes and internal pressure. As such, regular maintenance is vital to ensure the heater remains in peak condition. Here are three water heater maintenance tips:
Flushing your water heater rids it of sediments such as hard-water minerals such as calcium, sand, and rust. Sediment build-up not only affects your water heater’s efficiency but also leads to clogged lines. Consumer Reports recommend that you flush your tank at least once yearly. When flushing your tank, follow the below steps:
-Shut off the water supply to your water heater as well as the power
-Connect a hose to the water heater’s drain valve. Make sure the other end of your hose is in a place that will not be affected by hot water
-Open the drain valve and allow all the water in your water heater to drain out
-With the drain valve still on, turn the water supply back on and allow the water to drain until the water is clear
Hybrid water heaters: pros and cons
You may have noticed a switch located on one side of your water heater with a plastic or copper discharge pipe. This is the pressure relief valve. Its purpose is to prevent pressure build-up in your water heater. If the pressure builds up within the water heater, the pressure relief valve automatically opens. When checking the pressure relief valve, place an empty bucket underneath the discharge pipe and lift the lever. You should notice some water vapor and gurgling sounds as the water gets into the drain valve. If the valve doesn’t automatically snap back, consider having it replaced.
The anode rod attracts corrosive materials which would otherwise attack the water heater’s exposed stainless steel and other components. It would be wise to replace the anode rod every four or five years. Shut off the power to your water heater and drain a couple of gallons of water. Check the user manual to locate the anode rod and use a wrench to unscrew it. If it is severely corroded, you will need to replace it. Use pipe thread sealant rather than tape on the threads to make the anode rod more effective when reinstalling it.
By observing these maintenance tips, you will mitigate failures before they become costly repairs and prolong the life of your water heater. If you have no idea where to start, let the experts at A to Z Statewide Plumbing do it for you. Call us at 954-981-2133. We also provide water heater installation services.
This post first appeared on http://www.atozstatewideplumbing.com
What to Do If You Need Emergency Plumbing Services
Most people who are not professional plumbers would rather not deal with plumbing issues, but there’s a range of homeowner reaction to certain situations. A fit, sturdy individual with good DIY skills may feel confident handling such tasks as replacing a leaky faucet or even installing a bathroom sink. On the other extreme of the plumbing comfort zone continuum are those who are reluctant to use a plunger. What the first type may consider no big deal would have the second type on the phone to their plumber’s 24-hour emergency line.
Of course, we at Adams and Son Plumbing are ready to provide the services of our team of master plumbers in all situations. Yet, we know that calling an emergency plumber can be costly. Our April 2018 blog post – “Got a Plumergency?” provides national average costs for specific types of emergency repairs. Being able to tell the difference between an issue that can wait until the next business day and an emergency can save money. However, emergency situations can cause extensive property damage and dangerous, unhygienic conditions, in addition to leaving important fixtures – like toilets – inoperable.
Here’s a point we need to emphasize. No matter how experienced you are in DIY plumbing projects, a plumbing emergency requires repair by a professional as soon as possible! Do not attempt an emergency repair yourself. Further damage could result. Be sure you know where the main water shut-off valve is located on your property, as well as how to turn off the water heater.
Five things that are considered plumbing emergencies
Now that we’ve covered the dangers of false economy in not making an emergency call, here are the leading types of plumbing emergencies, provided by our colleagues at MAC Plumbing and Heating in American Fork, Utah, and the good folks at Experts In Your Home.
1. Water Leak – Obviously, if you wake up to a foot of water in your home, it’s an emergency situation. A burst pipe is one big reason for major water damage. Shut the water off to your house immediately and call a plumber. Once water saturates drywall or the floor, it can cause irreversible damage.
Nevertheless, other issues can be harder to determine. Water may be leaking into areas where you can’t see it easily. Even a small leak can cause plenty of damage and waste many gallons of water. Trace the source of the water as best you can. Feel walls to see if they are wet. Check your flooring – especially if you have carpeting – to see how wet it is. Look all around the outside of your home for large amounts of water. Listen to see if you can hear water flowing. If you see or feel large amounts of water, you have an emergency.
2. Blocked Drain – If you can unclog the sink or tub/shower drain yourself, great! But if not, that blockage could cause water to back up in other parts of the house and cause a flood. Call for a professional plumber to remedy the situation. You’ll save yourself a lot of money and hassle by avoiding a worse situation than one clogged pipe.
3. Clogged Toilet – If you only have one toilet in the house, not being able to use it for the weekend or several hours is not really an option. If you cannot unclog it yourself, be sure the water to it is turned off, the lid is down and that everyone in the house knows not to try and flush it again which could cause it to overflow. Call a plumber immediately to get rid of the clog and avert a messy disaster if the toilet overflows.
Even if you have more than one toilet, leaving the clogged fixture unrepaired will quickly cause unsanitary, unhealthy conditions in your home. It’s still an emergency.
4. Broken or Leaking Hot Water Heater – If the hot water heater is leaking, it’s a major problem. There is no way to contain that much water and keep it cleaned up. Shut the water off to the house and immediately call a plumber. If the unit is not leaking but not heating water, then it’s your call. Is everyone fine with cold showers in the morning or for the weekend? If not, call for emergency repair.
Our September 2019 blog post – “Why Does My Hot Water Never Last Long Enough?” – provides a troubleshooting guide to common hot water heater problems and how to recognize when “trouble” constitutes an emergency.
5. Backed-up Sewer Line – If the backyard is suddenly a swamp and there is a bad odor, your sewer is probably backing up. It’s only a matter of time before the excess water finds its way into your house – and possibly even the neighbors’ homes! You cannot use the toilet, sinks or showers until the sewer line is fixed, so call for a plumber immediately.
Our May 2019 blog post – “The Importance of Maintaining a Clean Sewer” – provides valuable tips on proactive steps you can take to prevent damage to sewer pipes that eventually lead to burst pipes and expensive replacement. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
While you can’t predict when a plumbing emergency will strike, you can count on prompt, professional emergency service from Adams and Son Plumbing. We are a family-owned business with over 50 years in plumbing service. A state-certified plumbing contractor, we have over three generations of master plumbing experience.
Contact us to learn more, and to schedule maintenance, as well as repairs of minor problems to prevent emergencies.
The post What to Do If You Need Emergency Plumbing Services appeared first on Adams and Son Plumbing Services.
One of the biggest challenges facing municipalities across the country is the maintenance of the hundreds of thousands of miles of public sewer lines and the lateral lines that connect private residences to the public sewage system. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are between 23,000 and 75,000 sewer overflow events every year, most of them caused by deteriorating infrastructure. Local governments are expected to invest billions in repairing these wastewater assets, forcing civic planners to seek out cost-effective solutions that will allow them to deliver the most value with their limited budgets.
After a summer of almost constant AC use, many homeowners welcome the fall as a time to take advantage of naturally cool air without running the HVAC unit. Though the autumn season represents a period of decreased air conditioning usage and more pleasant ambient temperatures, that doesn’t mean that you should forget about your AC unit altogether. In fact, there are some critical maintenance tasks that should be performed on your AC unit just as summer gives way to the fall. While some of these tasks can be done by homeowners, others are better left to professionals who specialize in air conditioning and heating service and repair.
This fall, make sure that you prepare your AC unit for the downturn in usage and make sure that it is prepared to weather the long winter unscathed. Seasonal check-ups conducted by an air conditioning and heating repair company in Pittsburgh, PA, are always a good idea, and the autumn season is no different. Keep reading to learn a few tips for preparing your air conditioner for the fall.
You should really be changing your air filter monthly, but it’s especially important as you prepare your unit for fall. The autumn season is typically quite dry, and that means that dust, allergens, and airborne pathogens are prevalent in the air both outside and inside your home. The same filter that cleans air for your AC also filters air for your heater, so it’s important to start the fall season with a fresh filter in place.
Professionals know exactly what your AC unit needs to weather the winter, and the fall is a great time to have a preventive maintenance check-up on your HVAC system. During the check-up, ask the technician to check and clean air ducts, check refrigerant, measure airflow on the evaporator coil, verify electric control sequence, inspect electrical connections, oil motors, check and replace belts, and calibrate your thermostat if needed. Those are tasks that the average homeowner can’t perform, so the cost of a maintenance call is well-worth the price.
Clean Up Around the UnitAfter a summer of growth, you may have plants and foliage overtaking your outside AC condenser unit. That can be problematic if it restricts airflow and limits the efficiency of your unit. Also, as fall proceeds, your unit may be covered with fallen leaves from deciduous trees. That can also lead to reduced airflow to your unit and can cause problems when you turn the AC back on in the spring. Therefore, it’s a good idea to clean up around your AC unit and make sure that there is plenty of space for air to flow freely. Also, be sure to either clean the coils in the condenser yourself or have a technician take care of that task during your scheduled check-up. The coils gather grime from the presence of condensation and dirt, and in the fall there’s additional dust that can become caked on the coils. Don’t let that grime remain on the coils all winter long, as it can lead to problems when you turn the unit on again next spring.
By taking care of these fall maintenance tasks, you can prepare your AC unit for a season of limited use and make sure that it’s ready to perform again when the temperatures climb as winter ends. To learn more about preparing your AC unit for fall, contact Stahl Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning at (412) 273-1000.
The post How to Prepare Your AC Unit for Fall appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
In thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong with your plumbing system, hard water is not likely something comes to mind. Why? Well for one, things like burst pipes, clogged toilets, and leaky faucets often take precedent. And secondly, many of us are just accustomed to having hard water in our homes.
But here’s the truth: hard water is something to take seriously, for if it’s left untreated, it has the potential to wreak havoc on your plumbing system! So below, we have explained some things we think you should know about hard water, that way you can decide if you want to do something about it. All you’ve got to do is keep reading to find out more!
Hard water is basically just water with high concentrations of magnesium and calcium particles. Though these minerals are not harmful to you, they can wreak havoc on your plumbing system, as mineral deposits will start to accumulate on the walls of your pipes. This kind of build-up is often referred to as limescale, which you are likely familiar with.
There are plenty of reasons to worry about limescale: unsightly drains and faucets, not-so-shiny dishes, and most importantly, damage to your plumbing system. The more limescale builds up inside your pipes, the more it restricts the flow of water through them. This reduces the water pressure in your system and makes it much more difficult for the system to operate effectively. And if the issue isn’t caught right away, the minerals will eventually harden, making it nearly impossible to remove. When this happens, it is quite likely that you’ll end up having to replace some, if not a majority, of the pipes in your home.
The best way to address hard water in your home is to have a water treatment system installed, specifically a water softener. A water softener is a kind of water treatment system designed to treat hard water. There are a number of different kinds of water softeners, but they all operate by neutralizing the magnesium and calcium particles in some way.
There are a number of ways to tell if you need a water softener in your home:
If you’re sick and tired of dealing with hard water in your home, be sure to hire a professional plumber for your water softener installation in Orlando. Only a professional plumber has tools, training, and experience to match you with the water softener that best meets your unique needs and install it accordingly. Yes, there are going to be plenty of amateurs willing to perform these services for a fairly cheap price, but remember, sometimes an attempt to save money could end up costing you much more in the long run. Trust us, when it comes to your comfort, you don’t want to take any risks!
To learn more about our water treatment system services, contact the team at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today.
This post first appeared on https://www.modernpi.com