Month: August 2021

We talk a lot on this blog about the importance of your air conditioner’s filter. It keeps contaminants at bay while the interior components of your AC are able to work towards the goal of cooling your home. Also, as a little added bonus, your air filter protects the air quality of your home! There’s really no good reason to allow this component to get clogged up with dust, debris, or other contaminants.

That being said, the true secret to having a filter in good shape is putting together a routine. If you can check your filter every 1-3 months, then you’re much more likely to be in good shape when protecting your home from inefficiency and repair needs.

Today we’d like to focus on the benefits of replacing your air filter, and also talk about when you might need your filter fixed! Don’t forget to call us for AC repair in Wayne, NJ if you notice anything suspicious about the condition your system is in.

The Benefits of Changing Your Air Filter

Your air filter is an incredibly important component of your air conditioner. That means you need to change it regularly to ensure it’s doing its job as intended. While that might be frustrating to some busy homeowners, take a look at some of the amazing reasons why your air filter might do more to make you happy and stress-free than you think!

• It protects your AC. Air conditioners that go without a filter change can quickly become damaged beyond repair. Sure, it might start as one of your coils getting dirty or your compressor getting gunked up, but eventually that damage turns into a full system breakdown and an early replacement.
• It keeps energy bills low. Your air conditioner relies on powerful air currents to enter and exit the system. When the air filter gets clogged up and stays clogged up, it will be unable to do this efficiently and it will soak up more energy to provide cooling for your home.
• It reduces contaminants in your air. We mentioned this above, but there’s a huge bonus to having a fresh air filter in your AC, and that’s the improvement of your indoor air quality. While it’s not the main purpose of this filter, we welcome it with open arms!
• It keeps your system from overheating or breaking down. Many problems can occur or compound all at once. A clogged air filter could lead to more energy being consumed, damaged interior components, and overheating to the point where your system breaks down. The best way to ward off all these problems is to replace your system’s filter regularly

Is Your Filter Broken?

It’s hard to replace an air filter if it’s broken! Don’t worry, the first step is figuring out whether it’s a disposable filter or a reusable one. If it’s disposable, you can simply purchase a new one. However, if it’s reusable, then you’ll need to call for help.

Here’s What to Do

Our team can provide you with a new filter if yours is damaged in any way. Just call our team and let us know about the problem you’re experiencing.

Call MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. for help with your AC’s air filter!

The post It’s Time to Fix That Filter! first appeared on MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc..

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com

If you made it through the summer without running into any air conditioner issues, count yourself lucky. When temperatures rise, your A/C unit shoulders a heavy burden in trying to keep your home cool—and this hard work can leave a lasting mark on your appliance as temperatures start to drop.

For this reason, the fall season is a popular time to schedule A/C tune-ups before covering the appliance or storing it away for the winter months. If you’ve never scheduled a fall A/C tune-up—or even if you haven’t been consistent in providing this maintenance every year—you could be setting yourself up for some big headaches in the future.

Read on to learn about the importance of regular air conditioner maintenance, as well as the value of fall tune-ups and where you can go to schedule this service.

What Is an A/C Tune-Up?

An A/C tune-up is one of the best ways to extend the life and performance of your air conditioner, while also helping you avoid costly repairs in the future. Like the tune-up you give to your car or furnace, an A/C tune-up involves a service visit from an HVAC technician to inspect your unit and address any urgent maintenance needs.

This maintenance may include:

• Adding refrigerant
• Adding lubricant to moving parts of the unit
• Flushing and cleaning the drain line
• Cleaning the unit’s condenser coils
• Cleaning the radiator
• Replacing air filters

Most HVAC experts recommend an annual A/C tuneup to make sure the appliance is in proper working order.

The Importance of Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance Service

While you might be able to get away with neglecting HVAC maintenance on your air conditioner for a year or two, eventually your lack of tune-ups will catch up with your appliance—and homeowners will pay the price.

After steady wear and tear over the course of the summer, fall is a great time to give your A/C unit a tune-up, and to determine whether any repairs are needed before next spring and summer roll around. Without regular central air service appointments to tune up your unit and monitor its overall health, you could become exposed to the following problems:

• Reduced air conditioner efficiency. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, your A/C unit has to work harder to cool your home. This increases your utility bills, as well as wear and tear on the appliance.
• Lower indoor air quality. Mold and other pollutants will inevitably enter into your home if filters and other A/C components aren’t properly cleaned.
• Overheating concerns. When outdoor debris clogs the air conditioner’s radiator and other components, it increases the risk of overheating, which impacts your air conditioner’s performance and can damage critical components in the unit.
• Mechanical breakdowns and disrepair. A regular tune-up can help spot and address impending mechanical failures before they strike. This ultimately saves your home from situations where your air conditioner breaks down during use—leaving you unable to regulate the temperature in your home.

The Benefits of an HVAC Maintenance Plan

To simplify and streamline the costs and scheduling for your A/C tune-ups, many heating and cooling companies offer an HVAC maintenance plan that bundles tuneups and other service visits into a fixed-rate cost for homeowners.

While a HVAC preventative maintenance plan doesn’t cover every cost you may face when servicing your air conditioner, it can offer value to homeowners who stay on top of tune-ups and take advantage of the services that come with this plan. By investing in a maintenance plan, you can also incentivize yourself to schedule regular appointments, since you’ve already paid for those services.

How Can I Find an HVAC Inspection Near Me?

If you’re in need of central air service but don’t know where to turn for a local heating and cooling expert, you might start with recommendations from friends, family, and neighbors in your local area. You can also use an online search engine to seek out potential HVAC inspection providers in your area, and to consult past customer reviews to find a business with a strong local reputation.

If you’re interested in purchasing an ongoing HVAC maintenance plan, you will also want to check with any potential provider to see if they offer this service, as well as the cost and benefits of this program. Keep in mind that service offerings and costs may vary from one HVAC company to the next.

By scheduling a consistent fall A/C tune-up, you can fix any problems that have developed over the summer and prep your unit to hit the ground running once temperatures start to rise next year.

The post Do You Need a Fall HVAC Tune-Up? Find Out Here appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

It’s happened to you—you’ve come across a clogged or slow-moving drain in your home. The next question is “What can I do?” We know that this is something that you’re not looking forward to handling. Trying to figure out when it’s going to work for you to have a professional over to your home isn’t always convenient. Because of this, we understand how tempting it can be to use chemical drain cleaners.

Today, we want to run through all the things you should know about chemical drain cleaners. We’re experts in plumbing in Orlando, FL. If you’ve got a question, we’ve always got the answer and a plumbing professional who can handle your needs.

Is It Safe?

Honestly speaking with you, the answer is no.

It’s an adamant, blanket “no” too. We really wouldn’t recommend any type of chemical drain cleaner in your home. Professional service is always the way to go if you’re ever in doubt. This is true because chemical drain cleaners:

They’re Not Truly Effective

The problem with drain cleaners is that they’re not truly effective. In reality, they might even be a little too effective. You might find that your drain cleaner isn’t able to eat away at the clog you’re facing in one attempt. You might even have to do it a couple of times. The other problem is that they actually might hurt your drain. We’ll get into it below…

They Hurt Your Drain

In some circumstances, your chemical drain cleaner is so effective that it starts to eat away at your pipe after your clog. The chemicals in your drain cleaners are caustic. If you use these consistently, they can start to corrode the pipes that you have.

They’re Generic

A chemical drain cleaner is very generic. When you hire a plumber, this individual is going to be able to pinpoint the source of your issue and then solve it appropriately. You’re not going to get this type of care from a chemical drain cleaner. It’s generic and a one-size-fits-all approach to your care. Don’t let your plumbing system become a victim of these problems.

Our Recommendation to Handle Plumbing Problems

We always recommend that you have a professional handle the plumbing problems that you’re having with professional care. We know that chemical drain cleaners are much faster and easier to use, but it’s not going to be the best long-term response for your home. Chemical drain cleaners are eventually going to hurt your plumbing system. You can come to us for:

• Bathroom Plumbing
• Pipe Replacement
• Kitchen Plumbing
• Backflow Prevention
• Emergency Plumbing
• Water Line Needs
• Garbage Disposal Services
• Gas Piping
• Sewage Pumps

We have the right plumbing professionals in place to care for your plumbing system. We perform a wide range of plumbing services, we perform this quickly, and we perform them with precision. Make sure that you get in contact with us as soon as possible for the services you need.

Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today to schedule an appointment with our plumbing professionals.

This post first appeared on https://www.modernpi.com

Sometimes, there are things that you’re missing in your home. You can get by with missing certain things in other areas of your home, but your bathroom is one of those areas that you should treat with care.

Today, we want to help you take the necessary steps to safeguard your plumbing system in your bathroom. Your bathroom definitely isn’t the most fun place in the home, but it’s definitely one of the most vital. Imagine having to go even a day without it—it’s an unpleasant thought. We want to help you breathe life into your appliances and keep your space in pristine shape. Here’s how…

Tips to Try

Here are a few things to try to help your bathroom plumbing in Glendale, AZ.

1. Watch Those Leaks

Are you noticing your bathroom is springing leaks? Don’t try to tough out this problem. Even small leaks that just create a consistent dripping noise in your bathroom are bad. They lead to reduced water pressure, higher energy bills, and excess stress on the plumbing system for no good reason. It’s always best to contact a professional no matter how mild the problem seems.

2. Prevent Clogs

Know what you can flush down your drains. If you want to prevent clogs in the bathroom, your first step is investing in a drain strainer. This will keep fallen hair out of the drain so you can avoid a clog.

The next step is to pay attention to the toilet. Those wet wipes that companies promise are “flushable” are actually a clog magnet. Flushing these is self-sabotage.

3. Conserve Water Where You Can

The harder you are on your plumbing system, the more repair work it’s going to need. Conserving water is great for the environment, but it’s also great for you. It’s great for you because it will reduce your monthly bills and help your plumbing system avoid repairs.

Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth, wash your face, and install low-flow shower heads.

4. Get Professional Help When You Need It

If you’re thinking about contacting a professional for plumbing service, do it. Professional care is always the answer for your plumbing needs because plumbing systems are complicated. Only let a trained pro like one of ours work on your plumbing.

5. Consider a Water Softener

Hard water is a slow and silent killer of plumbing. When we talk about hard water, we notice that many people tend to focus on the effects of this in their kitchen and sometimes in their laundry room. Although you might see more of the effects in these spaces, they’re just as bad in your bathroom.

As the mineral deposits from hard water settle and layer up, they reduce the flow of water in your bathroom. This means that your showers are going to feel less satisfying because you’re going to have weakened water flow. You’ll start paying more as this goes on too. Don’t let this become a problem in your home.

Contact The Trusted Plumber for your bathroom plumbing services. We’re here to help.

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

Basement flooding is all too common in the Mid-Atlantic—especially with the amount of rainfall we experience! It is important to guard your home against flooding and a cost-effective way to do this is by installing a sump pump and a backup system. However, for those homeowners who already have a sump pump and backup as the first line of defense, it’s important to make sure your system is working before it’s too late.

How To Check Your Sump Pump

Here are a few tips for you to check if your sump pump is working.

• Locate the outside pipe that catches the water as it drains from the pump. Make sure the inside of the pipe doesn’t have any dirt or debris clogging the drain.
• Fill a 5-gallon bucket or a large cooking pot with water. Slowly pour the water into the sump pit and watch the water level within the pit.
  • The float on the sump should rise and the pump will kick on well before the water reaches the top of the pit. As the pit empties, the system should turn off.
  • If the float doesn’t rise or the pump doesn’t turn on/off automatically the pump should be further inspected.
• This may seem like common sense, but make sure the pump is plugged into a working outlet. Sometimes damp areas of a basement can cause electrical outlets to trip.
• Repeat these steps every 2-3 months!

What Happens If the Power Goes Out?

It’s also important to know that sump pumps rely on electricity to operate.

If the power goes out your pump will not work so consider installing a battery-powered backup system. This will kick on as soon as a power outage occurs—a charged backup system can last up to 7 hours. Installing a battery-powered backup system is like getting extra insurance on your system. It’s always a good idea to have a backup in case of a power outage! You can also consider a water backup system. We install both kinds of sump pump backups and are happy to help you decide which option is best for your home.

Install a Sump Pump in Your Mid-Atlantic Home

If you don’t already have a sump pump, and you’re tired of mopping up water and propping up your basement belongings to prevent water danger—not to mention the associated problems with mold and excess humidity—then you should consider installing a system.

To help protect your home and belongings, contact Len The Plumber today. And as always, we’re here when you need us 7 Days A Week, with no extra charge for evening or weekend appointments.

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com

These days, we take it for granted that when the water runs from our taps, it’s clean and safe to drink or wash with. But this wasn’t always the case. In fact, until fairly recently in history—less than 100 years ago—most people couldn’t drink their tap water without fear of illness because they didn’t know what was in there or how to treat it.

Nowadays, most developed countries like Canada have strict regulations about what can be put into public drinking water systems and how often these regulations need to be met with testing; but even if you live in a country with no such laws on the books, you should still think twice before drinking your tap water or taking a shower! Here are some of the reasons why:

 

• The pipes leading to your home may be corroded.
• Your city’s water supply has been contaminated by a spill or other incident.
• The treatment plant could have malfunctioned due to an outage, equipment failure, or even sabotage!

 

No matter where you live, whether in Canada or elsewhere around the world, it’s best to assume that your drinking water has not been treated or filtered in any way. If you’re at all concerned about what could be lurking in your tap water, use a special pitcher or filter to treat it before drinking!

The same applies to the shower – if it’s something you drink from occasionally, then you probably don’t need to worry too much about what you’re putting on your skin. But if you’re someone who takes long, hot showers every day, it’s best to be aware of what they could be doing to your plumbing and the environment.

 

Okay, so we’ve established that taking a hot shower isn’t bad for you; but are there any habits you should avoid?

Let’s take a look at:

5 bad shower habits that have an effect on your home’s plumbing and the environment:

 

1) Using the wrong amount of shampoo/conditioner

Use the amount of shampoo or conditioner that’s recommended on the packaging. Using too much or too little interferes with the effectiveness of your product, which can cause your hair to appear dull and lifeless or make it feel more oily than usual. It can also leave soap scum in the shower and lead to buildup on the fixtures. Allow any shampoo that you use to fully rinse off before turning on the water for washing, so that extra shampoo doesn’t get into the pipes!

 

2) Using too much body wash/soap

The same goes for using too much soap in general; be aware of how much you’re using so that there’s not a significant amount left over after getting dressed! Otherwise, this could lead to:

• Soap scum buildup on shower walls and the tub itself.
• Mold growth due to excess moisture, which can be bad for your health!
• Your skin being dried out over time with a decrease in natural oils  (your own built-in moisturizer!)
• A build up of soapy residue from products that contain sulfates (esp. sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS) which respond negatively with wet tiles and grout.

Too much soap can clog your pipes.

3) Keeping a window open during a hot shower.

If you have to take a hot shower because of an injury, illness, or allergy flare up, then it’s perfectly fine to leave the window open. But if you’re taking a hot shower simply because you like it hot, then consider closing the window – and even using a fan to keep the moisture in! Doing so reduces humidity from your home (which is great in cold weather), while helping to reduce your overall energy consumption (it takes a lot less power to heat up water than to warm up the air around it!).

 

4) Leaving taps on.  

It may seem ridiculous that anyone would do this without meaning to, but there are stories of people who get distracted by their pets or children and forget that they left the bathtub faucet running when they go back into another room. If you can’t walk away from a sink without turning the water off, install a flow restrictor on your faucet so that it stops after a set amount of time – or even better, have an automatic shut-off feature installed if you can afford it!

This is not an ideal solution for older homes where there is no plumbing to connect the shower head to, but if you’re having trouble remembering to turn the water off in your bathroom and kitchen sinks every night before bed, then consider installing a device that will automatically do it for you.

 

5) Not letting the water run long enough after using it.

This habit not only wastes even more water than leaving taps (and bathtubs!) running, but also doesn’t get all of the soap out of your hair and skin. When you get out of the shower, turn off the water from the tap (or bathtub faucet), then stand there for a few seconds and let the remaining soap run down your body before turning it off completely.

With these habits in mind, hopefully you can be a little more conscious of your actions when you’re taking a shower.  You may even save yourself some money on plumbing bills. If you have an alternative practice for something listed here, I’d love to hear about it – just comment below with your experiences, as well as any other interesting tips and tricks that people should know about showers & their plumbing!

Air conditioners do a lot of heavy lifting for residential homes as summer heats rise. Unfortunately, that workload means that even the best air conditioning units wear out and require replacement over time.

Most air conditioners don’t completely break down overnight. Instead, they start wearing out over time, and developing new problems that forewarn homeowners that they’ll soon need a replacement for their air conditioner. But exactly when is it time to replace a central air conditioner—and what are the signs homeowners should be looking for?

Read on to learn about five tell-tale signals for when to replace your A/C unit.

1. Your A/C Unit Isn’t Keeping Your Home Cool

It’s one of the clearest signs your air conditioner needs to be replaced: If your unit can’t keep your home cool in warming temperatures, it isn’t meeting your household’s needs.

While it’s normal for some A/C units to struggle to meet demand in extremely hot weather, your air conditioner might be ready for replacement if it’s regularly unable to keep your home at your desired temperature.

2. Your Energy Bills Are Soaring During Hot Weather

As air conditioners age, they become less efficient. This means they end up using more energy to adequately cool your home. For this reason, you might notice a spike in your energy bills as your air conditioner is relied upon more regularly during the hotter months of the year.

If you’ve lived in your home for multiple summers, you can compare your current energy bills to your charges from the same months in prior years. If your bills are rising compared to your historical payments, it could be a sign of a depleted A/C unit.

3. Your Air Conditioner is Producing a Bad Smell

When your A/C unit is running, a bad smell is never a good sign. The source of the smell dictates the kind of smell you’re noticing. If the smell is musty or sour, it could be a sign of mold in the A/C system, which could be a serious problem for both your own internal air quality, and for the A/C unit itself.

If the smell is metallic or burning, it could be a sign that something’s wrong with the mechanical components in your air conditioner. If this smell develops, shut off the unit and contact an HVAC professional immediately.

4. Your A/C Unit is Making Loud or Unusual Noises

Grinding, screeching, or clanging noises could signal a need for repairs on your air conditioner. If the unit is allowed to continue running while this sound is being made, small, fixable damage could grow into major mechanical problems and failures that require a replacement for your air conditioner.

As with a bad smell, turn off your A/C unit if it starts making strange noises, and contact an HVAC service professional to figure out the root problem.

5. Your Air Conditioner is At Least 10 Years Old

When should you replace your air conditioner? In some cases, it depends on the age of the air conditioner, and the manufacturer’s estimated life expectancy for the appliance. If your A/C unit is less than five years old but showing clear signs that it needs to be replaced, you might want to first check its warranty before replacing the appliance.

That said, most air conditioners are built to last 10 to 20 years. While the exact life expectancy may depend on a number of factors, including the size of your home and the manufacturer’s advertised life expectancy, any air conditioner over a decade old is a prime candidate to need replacement, depending on the issues it develops. While it’s possible for an A/C unit to properly function for 15 or 20 years—or even longer—homeowners should be prepared for their unit’s eventual breakdown.

Do I Need a New Air Conditioner?

Air conditioners aren’t cheap, which is why many homeowners are eager to repair the appliance and extend its life even when its performance and/or efficiency have declined. While this can make sense for some households—particularly if you just need time to save up for the cost of a new unit—delaying an A/C replacement can end up being the more costly move.

If the unit is still running but consumes a lot of energy, you’re paying extra on your utilities bill that could be put toward payments on a new air conditioner. Once you get a clear sign your current A/C unit is about to go, weigh the upfront cost of that appliance against the overall cost of overpaying for utilities, paying for repairs, and eventually paying to replace that appliance. The difference in cost could be persuasive in convincing you it’s time to change out your air conditioning unit.

The decision to replace an A/C unit may be a tough financial pill to swallow, but taking action fast could help you save more money over the long run—and you’ll be more comfortable in your climate-controlled home, too. If you upgrade your air conditioner, you might even end up with a more powerful and efficient appliance than you’ve had in the past.

The post 5 Signs That Its Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

Old, they say, is gold. Many people love vintage homes for their craftsmanship and intriguing architectural details. From arched doorways to crown moldings and glass-stained windows, older homes have many features that attract homebuyers. However, regardless of the charm they exude, older homes can come with a host of maintenance challenges.

Plumbing is one such challenge. Even a general home inspection before you buy may not uncover every problem – or potential problem. Hiring a professional plumbing inspector is an investment that could save you from purchasing a “money pit” should extensive problems be discovered – or, at least, let you know how much to budget for repairs or use as a bargaining chip to negotiate the sales price down should you decide to proceed.

At Adams and Son Plumbing, we want our valued customers to make wise decisions. That is why we have put together some plumbing issues that you should be aware of if you are planning to buy a house that is older than a few decades. And if a vintage house is already your home, here is what you need to keep your eyes open for.

Piping Problems in Older Homes – Quietly Ticking Time Bombs

Pipes are usually out of sight and out of mind. Unfortunately, old homes tend to have pipes that are near the end of their useful life, or are made of materials that have proven to be a health hazard or prone to premature deterioration. The good people at Express Sewer & Drain, Rancho Cordova, CA, provide a comprehensive list that includes the following.

Old piping – Homes built before the 1990s could have outdated, hazardous piping material no longer approved by state building codes.

There are three types of outdated pipes that you may come across in an old house:

Lead – In the past, sewer lines and water main lines were generally made of lead. One of the oldest metals used for piping, lead was the most common material prior to cast iron – and was also used to solder copper pipe fittings. However, lead was eventually proven to be highly toxic. There is no safe level of lead exposure – especially for pregnant women and children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even at low levels, lead has been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention and academic achievement. Making lead an even more insidious threat is its difficulty in being detected, as you cannot taste, smell or see it. 

Our blog post – “Are Lead Pipes Contaminating Your Water?” – covers the dangers of lead pipes in greater detail. The United States restricted the use of lead since the 1920s and banned it completely in 1986 by amending the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Galvanized – Made of iron with a coating of zinc, galvanized pipes were commonly used for water lines in houses built before the 1960s. Zinc erodes over time, leaving the pipe to corrode and break. Though these pipes are durable (they can last for 60 years), they start clogging much sooner due to rust. Minerals present in the water react with the pipe, resulting in mineral build-up. This, in turn, results in corrosion. Our blog post – “How to Tell if Your Pipes are Corroding” – covers issues with galvanized pipes (as well as polybutylene pipes) in further detail.

Polybutylene –Polybutylene pipe was introduced as a replacement for copper lines in the 1970s, and saw widespread use throughout the 1980s. Unfortunately, the manufacturer was forced to pay out millions of dollars after a class action lawsuit alleging the pipes were defective. Although the manufacturer never acknowledged a defect, oxidants in public water systems caused a chemical reaction with the plastic, leading it to flake, become brittle and crack. Although it was used mainly in mobile home installations, any home constructed or remodeled in the 1980s and early 1990s may have the plastic pipes somewhere. No longer manufactured or rated by U.S. building codes, any existing polybutylene pipes should be replaced before they fail.

Bellied pipes – Most of your home’s plumbing runs under your house. Your home shifts and settles over the years, causing your pipes to slope or belly. When the pipe shifts downward, it creates a negative slope, restricting the flow of water and creating bends where waste and sediment collect over time. When left undetected, bellied pipes can cause blockages and leaks.

Defective sewer line – A defective sewer line can cause sewage to seep into the ground or back up into your home. Our blog post – “Common Sewer Line Problems and Their Causes” – covers this issue in greater detail, but old homes are more prone to have a sewer line that’s shifting or damaged by tree roots. In addition, vintage homes were built before the invention of today’s popular appliances – such as dishwashers and garbage disposals – which put extra demand on a sewer line. The situation can be made worse if your home has had extensive renovations that include plumbing fixtures.

Old Fixtures and Connections That Can’t be Fixed

Sinks, tubs and toilets all have a useful life – as do faucets. The first three are known in the trade as “fixtures,” while faucets, shower heads, shower valves and shutoff valves – basically, any device designed to control and guide the flow of water – are known as “fittings.” Our blog post – “Why You Need to Upgrade Your Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings” – covers this topic in greater detail.

As a blog post for All City Plumbing, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, states, “In addition to lacking in style, outdated plumbing fixtures and connections also pose a more serious risk of falling apart, causing leaking and even flooding. This is especially common when significant amounts of limescale have built up on your fixtures over time.”

Express Sewer & Drain adds this observation: “Corrosion and general wear and tear can lead to restricted water flow, broken knobs, and leaks that make simply using water in the house an inconvenience at best and an expensive disaster at worst. While many people try to simply ‘get by’ with failing plumbing, things have a way of breaking at the worst possible time.”

Botched Amateur Repairs by Previous Owners Throughout the Years

Previous owners may have tried their hand at DIY repairs in an attempt to save money. As Scott Sidler writes for The Craftsman Blog, “When you buy an older home, you’re buying into the repairs the previous owners may or may not have done. For better or for worse, new homeowners are at the mercy of what previous owners have done to the plumbing system. The older the home, the better the odds that significant repair work has been done. 

“Particularly for vintage homes without proper documentation, it’s not obvious to know exactly what kind of work has and hasn’t been completed. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a plumbing professional stop by to evaluate the condition of the entire plumbing system.

“An experienced plumber can provide much-needed insight into the health of your existing system and offer guidance on expected maintenance requirements. Without their expertise, homeowners may be flying blind into serious plumbing challenges.” 

The Take-Home Message

Thanks, Scott! We couldn’t have said it any better ourselves! Keeping the plumbing of your old house in top condition is essential in keeping it a comfortable, enjoyable and healthy home for you and your family. If you’re looking for an experienced plumber, our master plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing have proudly served Central Florida homes and businesses with the highest level of quality and experience for over 60 years. We are family-owned and operated, and all of our plumbers are state-certified master plumbers. Contact us to get – and keep – your home’s plumbing in top repair.

The post Common Plumbing Problems in Old Homes appeared first on Adams and Son Plumbing Services.

Baltimore, MD (August 11, 2021) – Len The Plumber, LLC, a Mid-Atlantic-based plumbing company, celebrated the graduation of its first class in the recently established Len The Plumber Academy (LTP Academy). LTP Academy houses the company’s Apprenticeship Program, which focuses on developing driven and capable individuals who are passionate about a career in plumbing and who want to become industry leaders. Len The Plumber’s vision merges the desire to restore honor and tradition to the trade while providing individuals with no plumbing experience a path to career success.

On August 3, 2021, the first five students of LTP Academy graduated from the Apprenticeship Program after successfully completing all required curriculum. LTP Academy curriculum is composed of lab, e-learning, and in-field training, with a goal of instilling the confidence and leadership necessary for plumbers to work independently in the field after graduation.

Led by Program Director and Master Plumber Michael Vettas, LTP Academy offers an environment where students can train and grow professionally. Training areas are outfitted with complete plumbing system simulations for Apprentices to practice and hone their technical skills while being mentored by Master Plumbers. In addition, they are coached on the soft skills needed to deliver the 5-star customer service that is at the core of what Len The Plumber exemplifies.

“A career in the trades is something to be proud of, and LTP Academy is designed to be a beacon in the community of what is possible with a career in the plumbing field. We are extremely proud of our graduates and excited to see them thrive in their careers with our company,” says LTP Academy Program Director Michael Vettas.

About Us

Len The Plumber is a locally operated Mid-Atlantic plumbing company with over 25 years of experience in residential and commercial plumbing inspection, installation, and repair services. The company prides itself on upfront estimates and same-day service from an army of experienced plumbing professionals. More information is available on the company website.

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Brown, Director of Marketing

Phone: 410.247.9970

Email: [email protected]

 

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com

You are probably pretty familiar with the pipes under your sink or the drain in your shower, but you’ve likely never given a second thought to the pipes that connect your home to the public water and sewer system. Those pipes pull heavy duty for your home. Check out these five signs you have a problem with your home’s main water line.

1. Your water bill increased significantly.

Summer water bills are often higher than normal because of watering the lawn, filling the pool, and even showering more frequently. But, if your water bill seems out of the ordinary, you may have a leak in your main water line.

2. You are hearing strange sounds coming from several of the pipes in your home.

Are your pipes talking to you? If you are hearing gurgling from your sink when you flush the toilet or the reverse, that’s a sign of a more systemic plumbing issue.

3. You’re finding sinkholes or cracks in your foundation?

A leaking main water line can be the cause of major damage to your home’s structure and a source of erosion of your landscape.

4. Your home has low water pressure at all the faucets.

Low water pressure can be a sign that your main water line is clogged. Clogs can happen from household waste and also from tree root infiltration. Both a clog and tree roots can put pressure on these pipes and create cracks. If not addressed these cracks can evolve into a full break of the line. Did you know the repair of a water line break outside your home is the homeowners’ responsibility?

5. Your water is cloudy.

While there are a few different causes of cloudy water which can include a problem with that particular fixture or issues with your water heater tank, cloudy water can also be caused by disintegrating or damaged pipes.

If your home is experiencing any of these issues, you might have a problem with your home’s main water line. At Len The Plumber, our experts can get to the root of the problem using diagnostic cameras and the most advanced plumbing tools. And, we have the experience to make sure we repair or replace your main water line quickly to minimize the damage and restore your confidence.

Contact us to schedule a main water line service today. From D.C. to Baltimore, Northern Virginia, Delaware and the Philadelphia area, just call Len The Plumber, your local plumber with same-day service, 7 days a week!

This post first appeared on https://lentheplumber.com