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Water is a precious commodity. No one is comfortable losing it through leakages. Unfortunately, water leaks may go on for long without anyone noticing. Wait until you get the water bill. 

You will be shocked by the figure written. You need to keep on inspecting your house to ensure there are no water leaks. Don’t wait until it’s too late. You have to understand how water leakage occurs.   

Here are 8 household water leaks to check regularly:

 

1. Leaks Caused by Pipes

If your plumbing pipe gets a hole(s) the water that flows through it will start pouring onto the floor. It might begin with continuous drops. 

 

Since the tube is weak, it may end up busting if pressure increases. If you don’t take appropriate remedy on time, you might incur a substantial cost.

Sometimes, noticing leaking pipes can be a challenge. The plumbers embed some in the wall. You can hardly notice the leak until you see some wet spots on the wall or your ceiling. 

Though it is not common, it can cause massive damage. Don’t ignore if the pipes begin to leak. Call your plumber right away.

The water may destroy some electronics. It may endanger your life if it touches a live wire. Getting a plumber to make already busted water pipe is a bit costly. Wiping away the flooded water is a task. 

Note: The water bill will hike as water continues to flow.

You can repair it either by relining, re-piping, replacing the damaged section, or adding a durable material.

2. Leaks as a Result Of Faulty Showerheads

If a showerhead is defective, the water will start to leak. You can call a plumber to check if it is possible to repair the already damaged showerhead. 

If it’s too faulty, replace it with a new one. If you don’t take action right away, be ready to pay a higher water bill.

 

3. Improper Installation of Your Washing Machine and Dishwasher

With a rapid change in technology, you can do your work easily. Washing clothes and utensils have never been so comfortable before. The invention of the washing machine and dishwashers is a great blessing to many.

Unfortunately, they can be disastrous if you install them poorly. Wait until your washing machine hoses burst. 

A lot of water will leak, causing high bill and destruction of other electronics. Regularly, take time to check them before and after use.

Apart from the washing machine and dishwasher, the water heater may also leak. It can also be disastrous. Keep on checking it regularly. It may hike your water bill since it can leak gallons of water.

4. Faulty Irrigation System

Do you have a kitchen garden?

Imagine waking up one day and finding your vegetables destroyed by flooded water? 

You can avoid all the trouble by regular inspection of your irrigation system. If you see some water forming somewhere, trace the source of the leak. You can either fix it or call a professional plumber to do the work.

5. Ceiling Leaks

If your building is ancient, you are likely to experience ceiling leaks. It happens due to the worn out of the waterproof membrane. 

The water manages to sweep through your house concrete floor slab. You need to handle the matter urgently before the water destroys your household.

If you stay in a rental house, talk to the landlord to repair the ceiling. You can make an arrangement to fix it and deduct from the rent. If it’s your house, take full responsibility and call the experts to repair.

 

6. Toilet Leaks

The water from your toilet may leak from three areas. It’d either leak from the bowl, tank, or bottom.

a). Leak into the Bowl

• If your toilet tank is faulty, the water is likely to leak into the bowl.  
• If you fail to clean, align, or replace your toilet flapper.
• If the water fills the valve.
• If you fail to align your toilets, plastic -water fill tube well.
• If water overflows from the toilet tank.

b). The Water May Leak From Your Toilet Tank

It’s essential to repair the tank immediately after realizing the leakage. Your tank has bolts and spud washer. You can decide to change the rubber gadget surrounding each. 

Hard water and minerals are the cause of deterioration.

c). Leak from the Bottom

It is easy to identify any bottom leakage. The water from the bottom can cause health complications. 

It may damage your subfloor and the ceiling below your toilet. You need to avoid using the bathroom and call the expert to repair immediately.

The leakage at the bottom may occur if…

• Your toilet bowl has a crack(s).
• Wax seal have a problem.
• When building your toilet, the carpenter failed to set it firmly.

7.  Faucet Leaks

You can easily detect and repair your household faucet leaks. If you decide to ignore it, you are likely to get a rude shock after getting the water bill. 

A lot of water will have gone to waste. Generally, faucet leakages mainly occur due to corrosion, if the internal part gets mineral deposits, a defective gasket, a washer or the o-rings.

Reasons for Why Faucet May Be Dripping

1. If the o-ring develops problems.
2. If the valve seat gets corroded.
3. If the washer gets worn out.
4. Due to the improper installation of the appliances.

 

Solutions

1. If possible, shut off the faucet.
2. Ensure there is no leakage from the faucet.

 

How to Repair a Leaky Tap

1. Ensure that the packaging nut is tight.
2. You can decide to replace your packaging washer.
3. You can also replace the handles of your tap.

8. Leaking Garbage Disposal

Once the garbage disposal starts leaking, the foul smell will keep you very uncomfortable. You cannot afford to let it stay for another second. 

If you don’t take immediate action, it is likely to allow mold growth. You need to call the expert to repair right away.

Common Causes of Water Leakage in the Home 

1. Broken seals
2. Excessive water pressure
3. Damaged pipe joints
4. Corrosion
5. The clogged lines
6. Intruding roots of trees
7. Loose water connectors
8. A rapid change in temperature

Consequences of Water Leaks in the Home

Apart from paying more in water bills, the consequences of water leakage in the home is enormous. Let’s consider a few of them:

1). Reduces Property Values

This is a no-brainer. But a history of water leakage can lead to damage, which can become severe to the extent of driving down the value of your home. This is because the lingering effects of water damage would remain, even after you’ve successfully fixed the damage or seal your leaking pipes. 

This can jeopardize your bargaining position when you’re ready to sell your home in the future, and ultimately, it’ll utterly reduce the final selling price. 

It’s smart to always take care of water leaks in the pipes, toilet, or kitchen right away — this will prevent that damage from escalating and help to retain the value of your home.

2). Mold and Fungal Growth

A common consequence of water damage (which mostly happens as a result of water leaks) for your general health is the growth of fungi and molds within the home.

When these organisms are present, they cause spores that pollute the environment and air and can be a huge risk to your long-term health. Too many homes are suffering from mold spores of some sort — which can be found at the nooks and crannies of their home. 

This is sure for every home, even with new construction. Especially in dry areas, spores can be dormant for years (even decades), and may not cause any obvious problem to man or animals. 

However, when spores makes contact with water, there’s a reaction which causes growth.  

When water is now in the equation, it gives mold spores the chance to proliferate, dominating the affected area with unhealthy and molds and resulting in additional spores that begin to adulterate the environment and pollute the air.

For most people, the presence of mold spores in the air can give rise to irritation, with the common symptoms of molds such as difficulty breathing, coughing, nasal congestion, and sneezing fits.

3). Structural Damage

There are other consequences of water damage in the home which you need to be aware of. Bear in mind, though, that this particular damage is more structure, and can be quite expensive to fix, even more costly than the cost of medical expenses as a result of mold exposure.

The common effects of water leakage that affects the structure of the building are aesthetic – ranging from staining, discoloration, and streaks on the walls.

In fact, these clear symptoms of structural damage serve as the first signal for most homeowners that they have a leakage in the house. 

Conclusion

Water leakage can be very costly. You need to call your plumber to check the plumbing system regularly. In most cases, leaking water causes flooding. 

It destroys the floors and ceiling. If you notice any leak in your toilet, faucet, water heater and dishwasher, call for help. 

Don’t ignore if the leakage if from the tap, ceiling, showerhead, irrigation system, or pipe. You need to get information about various areas where leakage may occur.

This post first appeared on https://blog.antaplumbing.com

If you’ve lived in Florida for any length of time, you’re probably well-versed on hurricane preparation. You’ve stocked up on batteries, cut down tree branches (or dead/dying trees) so they don’t crash through the roof and taken care of all the other major precautions. But have you protected your plumbing if the big one hits this hurricane season?

Most people don’t consider plumbing as being at risk from a hurricane. After all, it’s underground, right? The common assumption is that pipes and drainage systems should be safe and sound. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true. Taking the following steps before, during and after a hurricane can help reduce the risk of water damage to your property.

Inspect your property for tree roots – Even when it isn’t hurricane season, tree roots can break through sewer pipes. Inspect your property for any roots that might cause problems with your plumbing. If ignored, there’s a chance roots can obstruct your pipes and limit the quality of your water flow. This could occur independently of a storm, but a hurricane could cause more extensive damage. A plumbing professional is capable of detecting problem roots that should be removed before hurricane season begins in earnest – which in Florida is mid- to late summer.

Clear slow or backed-up drains – Make sure you do not have sewer drain backups or slow drains prior to the storm. The heavy, prolonged rain that a hurricane produces will cause an even greater backup in your home.

You can test to see if your drains are working by pouring water through them and seeing how long it will take to drain. If your drains take longer than a few seconds to drain, use a commercial drain cleaning product. In the case of a more stubborn problem, call a professional. Routine maintenance to keep your sewer main line clean by an experienced plumber is key to preventing problems any time of year.

Check your home and yard’s drainage systems – Heavy rains can affect your gutter drain system. Inspect your roof gutters and downspouts to make sure they are securely fastened. Make sure your drains are completely clear of all debris. Drains that are clogged or cluttered with debris will not be able to handle the overload of rain and other debris that comes along with a hurricane. You do not want to deal with a home that’s flooded because you didn’t clear out the drains in and around your home. Also check your roadside curbs and swales and clear those of debris to prevent backup.

Take care of your septic tank – Our February 2019 blog post – “How Weather Affects Septic Tanks in Florida” – covers the risk that the sustained heavy rains a hurricane brings can flood your drain field and cause backups. If your septic tank is almost due to be pumped out, schedule it before hurricane season. Also take extra care about the demands your household places upon it.

Prepare your swimming pool – Hurricanes can drop a lot of water onto your pool deck and subsequently into your yard. The Sun Sentinel provides the steps to take to prepare your pool area for a hurricane.

The first step is to make sure as much water as possible drains from the deck as quickly as possible. Test how well your deck drains by using a garden hose to spray water on the deck and watching how quickly the water disappears.

During any test, make sure that the water runs unobstructed out the ends of the drain to low spots in the yard, flowing quickly away from the house and pool deck. Remove any grass, mulch or dirt that may block the end of the drain.

If you don’t have a deck drain, make sure high grass, dirt, mulch or stones do not block the edge of the deck. These obstacles can prevent water from quickly moving off the edge and into the yard. An easy solution for edges that don’t drain quickly is to dig a small trench directing the water to a low spot away from the house and pool deck.

If you know a hurricane will strike your area

Consider shutting off the water – It may be preferable to shut off your water just before the storm to prevent contaminated water from entering your water supply.

We recommend you have plenty of bottled water on hand – both for drinking and for use in flushing toilets. Using bottled water takes stress off your plumbing during the storm and may be your only option for a time.

Shut off the water heater – You will not need hot water during a hurricane. Switch off your water heater. Having it operate during a hurricane puts unnecessary pressure on your household plumbing system. The water stored in your water heater is safe to drink, should you need an extra source of usable water. 

If you need to evacuate

If you’re ordered to evacuate, shut off the main water supply before leaving. Doing so will help prevent flood water from contaminating your water supply. You can turn on a faucet, which allows air to enter your plumbing system. This protects your plumbing system from changes in ground saturation and pressure.

After the storm

From the plumbing perspective, you also need to know what you should do after the hurricane. When it is safe to do so, inspect your property and clear debris around the gutters, drains, or other drains so that your system can pump properly. Keep a close watch for leaks, cracks or discolored water.

The state-certified Master Plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing can perform preventive maintenance to keep your fixtures and lines in top condition – and provide the experienced, industry-leading repair service that we’ve built our reputation upon over the past 60 years. Contact us and learn more about our services today.

 

The post Preparing Your Plumbing For Hurricanes appeared first on Adams and Son Plumbing Services.

A well-maintained, properly functioning grease trap prevents restaurant grease waste from contaminating the municipal water system. If grease enters the city water system, it can cause serious problems. According to the EPA, blockages in sewer pipes cause the majority of the 400,000 sewer backups that occur annually in the United States. The EPA has also determined that the leading cause of sewer blockages is grease. Since restaurants produce a significant amount of grease waste, it is necessary that restaurant grease waste is disposed of properly. That is what a commercial grade grease trap and a reliable grease trap company in Hollywood, FL can do for you.

What is a Grease Trap?

Essentially, a grease trap (also known as a grease interceptor) is a large underground container designed to collect liquid waste and facilitate passive separation of fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) from other liquid waste. A standard passive grease trap is comprised of two separate compartments, called tanks. A crossover pipe, positioned at an angle connects the primary and secondary tanks. The secondary tank has an outgoing pipeline that connects to the city sewer lines.

How Does a Grease Trap Work?

All the waste collected from the restaurant drains are deposited into the first, or primary tank of the trap. In this tank, the FOGs in the waste separate from the water and float to the top. There may also be small food or other solid particulates that will gather at the bottom of the tank. The liquid waste from the primary tank transfers to the secondary tank via the crossover pipe. Though most of the FOGs remain behind in the primary tank, the secondary tank provides another opportunity for any remaining FOGs to separate out. From the secondary tank, the liquid waste then enters the city sewer system through the outgoing pipe.

Grease Trap Maintenance and Services

While the separation of FOGs from restaurant waste happens passively in the grease trap, the remaining grease waste must be emptied and disposed of safely. Even with regularly pumping out the grease trap, residual grease can adhere to the walls of the tank and pipes and build up over time. As a result, a restaurant grease trap needs to be cleaned and serviced regularly to ensure long-term reliability.

At A to Z Statewide Plumbing, we understand the importance of keeping restaurant grease waste collection out of our municipal water systems. When we service your grease trap, we don’t just skim off the grease. At each service, we will scrape residual grease off the trap walls and power-wash your entire grease trap including the sidewalls, bottom, inlet and outlet pipes, and trap baffles.

We provide much more than standard pumping services and will work with you to keep grease waste from causing sewer blockages and backups in our local sewer systems. If you are looking for a grease trap company that is committed to comprehensive grease waste management, contact A to Z Statewide Plumbing today.

This post first appeared on http://www.atozstatewideplumbing.com

Most property owners rarely flush their water heaters regularly while others neglect this vital task. Manufacturers of water heater systems recommend flushing out mineral scale buildup, silt, and sediments from tanks every once a month. Here are more reasons why you need to flush your water heater.

It Extends The Lifespan Of The Equipment

Allowing scale buildup in your water heater will cause it to fail. For the gas variety of water heaters, the accumulation becomes an insulation between the water and the heat source. As a result, the metal at the bottom gets hotter than usual, increasing stress inside the tank that can either cause leaks or failure. In an electric heater, these scales lead to premature failure of electrodes and hot water will be unavailable.
Flushing your water heater will prevent such occurrences and save you replacement cost.

It Reduces Noise

The presence of scales inside the tank will cause the water heater to produce banging, popping, or crackling sounds. Though they may fade at some point, you need to take action. When the noise ceases, it is an indication that these scales have solidified, making it hard for water to percolate through. Call in a plumber to descale the tank once you notice the noise.

It Reduces Operational Costs

Failure to flush your water heater implies that more energy will be required to heat the water, thereby increasing your utility bills. Besides, you may have to spend more on repairing parts destroyed by corrosive scale deposits or clogging sediments. By flushing the system, you are protecting yourself from these unplanned expenditures, which can strain your finances.

It Improves Heating Speed

The heat transfer process takes longer when there is build up of foreign material on the electrodes of an electric water heater, and at the bottom of the tank. As such, you will have to wait for lengthy periods before the water heats to desirable temperatures, and running out of hot water becomes a norm. Once you flush your water heater, heating speed will improve.
It costs more to repair faulty parts or replace your water heater system as a whole, than what you will pay to get it flushed. Since this is an expense you may not be prepared to incur, plumbing services become a sustainable option.

If you need to flush your water heater – please contact A to Z Statewide Plumbing at 954-981-2133. We are open 24/7.

This post first appeared on http://www.atozstatewideplumbing.com

Drains normally get clogged from time to time. You will note that if your drains are clogged waste materials might not flow away from your home more effectively.

This can actually make your home to have a bad odor. It might be very difficult to stay in your house. In this case, you should unclog your drains so as to avoid this problem.

One of those drains that get clogged regularly is the bathroom drain. A lot of things can cause this.

According to Direct Energy, “Most bathroom drain clogs result when dirt, skin flakes, and especially hair binds to soap scum on the walls of drain pipes. Over time, this gunk accumulates and reduces water flow.”

If your bathroom drain is clogged, you might not be able to utilize your bathroom. There are many things that can clog your bathroom drains.

These include; hair, soap and other foreign objects that might find their way to your bathroom.

If you notice that your bathroom drain is clogged, you should not hesitate to hire a professional plumber to help you out. You will note that this expert is well trained on how to unclog different bathroom drains out there.

The following are the advantages of hiring the services of this expert to

unclog the bathroom for you:

1. Availability of tools

You will note that few homeowners usually have the right tools that can help to unclog their bathrooms. If their bathroom drains is clogged, you will realize that most of them usually hire tools out there.

This might seem to be a good idea but it can have its own repercussions. You will note that you need to know how to utilize these tools in order to mitigate this situation.

In this case, it is advisable that you hire the services of a professional plumber so that you can fix this issue. The good news is that this expert is always well-equipped with the right tools that can help to get the job done fast.

This has actually worked well for many homeowners. Hiring the services of this expert has proved to be very helpful.

 

2. Expertise.

Have you ever dealt with a drainage clog in the past? You will note that this undertaking is normally very cumbersome. Sometimes, you might not be able to achieve the desired results.

You might even spend several days trying to unclog your bathroom drains. In this case, it is advisable that you get a plumber to help you out.

You will note that this expert is well-trained on how to unclog various drainage systems out there. He or she is more competent in this area.

This can actually assure you that you will get quality plumbing services after hiring him or her.

 

3. Enable you to save more time.

Some homeowners usually work during the day. If you are keen, you will note that most of them usually leave their houses early in the morning and come back late in the evening.

In this case, they might not be able to unclog their bathroom drainage in good time. If you are a busy homeowner, you might opt to postpone and do it on a weekend. However, this is not a good idea.

The situation might get worse. You might not be able to enjoy a good shower in your bathroom. It is therefore advisable that you hire an expert to help you to fix your drainage issue.

This plumber can help you to save more time in the long run.

You can trust that you can attend to your customers in your business while this plumber works on your bathroom drain. This makes it more important to get a professional to unclog bathroom drain for you.

 

4. Permanent solution.

You might choose to unclog your bathroom drain on your own in order to save money. Sometimes, you might be lucky to get this job done.

However, your bathroom drain might get clogged again. This can frustrate you. If you want to get a permanent solution, you should invest in the services of a professional plumber.

You can trust that this expert can help you to diagnose the problem and then fix it more professionally. This can assure you that you will not experience this problem in the near future.

 

5. Can handle emergency cases.

Sometimes, your drains might get clogged when you want to take a shower. The situation can be worse if you have visitors in your home and they still want to take a shower.

In this case, you should hire this plumber to fix this issue for you. This expert can offer emergency plumbing issues in your home.

You just need to contact him and tell him the address to your home. You can trust this professional will be there within a short period of time.

 

6. Help you to save more money.

If you try to unclog your bathroom clog on your own, you might end up causing more damages to your drainage pipe.

You will note that some homeowners have ever poured harsh chemicals in their drainage pipes in order to mitigate this problem in the past. This can be detrimental. Your drainage pipe might get affected.

You might cause other damages to your bathroom. This can make you spend more money repairing it.

If you want to avoid such issues, you should hire a plumber to help you unclog your bathroom for you. This can help you to save more money in the long run.

 

7. Safety issues.

You might get injured when trying to unclog your bathroom drainage system. Involving your loved ones in this undertaking might be very risky too.

It’s important that you get a plumber to help you solve this issue. This can help

to prevent accidents in your home.

You will note that this expert is more conversant with these issues and can, therefore, mitigate this problem for you within a short period of time.

 

8. Professional advice.

Besides offering professional services, this expert can offer professional advice to you regarding your bathroom drain.

This can help you know what could lead to this problem in the future.

You can also ask him several questions regarding how you can improve your bathroom and so on. This can help you know how to prevent drainage clogs in your home.

 

9. More comfort.

If your bathroom drain is clogged, you might not be able to enjoy more comfort in your home. You might choose to take a shower from elsewhere. This can inconvenience you.

In this case, it is advisable that you invest in the services of this professional so that you can enjoy more comfort and convenience in your home.

You should not allow your bathroom drainage to remain clogged. You should hire a plumber to help you fix this issue. You will note that this expert is always available to serve you.

In addition, this expert is normally certified to offer these services.

This can assure you that you will get the value for your money. Invest in the services of this expert will not be disappointed. The services of this expert are truly the best.

 

10. Run Plumbing Diagnosis

It doesn’t matter how skilled you’re at maintenance in the home, you need to humble yourself and allow only a professional plumber, from a certified plumbing company, to do the technical stuff.

With their wealth of expert knowledge on plumbing systems, they can effectively run plumbing diagnosis and carefully inspect your home and drain lines and decide on the right tools needed to fix the issue.

So don’t go messing around and troubleshooting with your plumbing systems and drains, allow a professional who knows exactly where to start looking and how to fix it.

These plumbers are usually licensed and insured service professionals, which means that any damages they caused will be effectively handled at no extra charge. You’ll get your system repaired, no matter what.

 

Conclusion

All in all, professional licensed Plumbers are in a better position to find where the leaks in your home originate, as well as the main cause of the bathroom drain.

If this leak results in full-blown flooding which, in turn, clogged the drain, they will know where to start fixing the problem.

When you hire a professional plumber, you’re saving yourself from imminent issue associated with clogged bathroom drains, it also means that the job is done efficiently, without wasted time and money.

Now that you know the reasons why you should hire a professional plumber from a professional plumbing company to handle your bathroom drain and entire plumbing issue, it’s time to relax knowing that your bathroom is in good hands.

This post first appeared on https://blog.antaplumbing.com

Plumbing tips bring benefits any time of the year. But, after a long winter, they are especially helpful. Concerned about springtime plumbing problems? You are not alone. In many places, spring brings with it a welcome release from the cold and dangerous conditions of winter. In addition, it brings an opportunity for homeowners to take a good inventory of any damages caused by winter’s wrath. Here are some springtime plumbing tips to help you make sure your pipes are up to dealing with the rest of the seasons.

 

Outside plumbing tips

The best place to start with your spring plumbing check is outside. By ensuring the proper drainage of rainwater away from your home, you will protect your foundation. Make sure you look for signs of leaking pipes, as well.

 

Gutters

Gutters take the brunt of winter’s storms. By spring, gutters are often choked with dead leaves, twigs, and other debris deposited by winter winds. Clogged gutters and downspouts allow rainwater to sheet down the walls of your home and seep into the foundation. Clean out the gutters and be sure to replace any damaged or broken sections. And remember to blast water through the downspout to clear it, as well.

 

Outside faucets & pipes

Even insulated pipes can freeze in some winter conditions. Leaving your hose on the hose bib and connected to the faucet can also cause your pipes to break if water freezes in them. Check your outside faucets and pipes and make repairs or replacements as needed.

 

 

Mainline & sewer line

Standing or puddling water in the yard may indicate a break in a buried pipe, such as the main line or sewer line. If you suspect this is the case, call a professional immediately.

 

Inside plumbing tips

Problems inside the house can also represent plumbing issues. A number of these problems can be dealt with using DIY techniques. Some, however, need the trained touch of a professional plumber.

Slow drains

Winter parties, hosting guests and being cooped up inside all lead to extra usage of your plumbing system. Drains take a particularly big hit during this season. If you find your drains working slowly, you can try non-chemical DIY fixes. Many chemical-based DIY fixes end up seriously damaging pipes and requiring much more time and money to repair. Some people clear clogged drains by simply using a smaller form of a plumber’s snake. If your drain resists your efforts to remove or dislodge the clog, call in a professional.

 

Sump pump

The next item you need to inspect dwells in probable obscurity in your basement. Your sump pump provides your main line of defense against basement flooding. You will want to make sure it is in prime condition before you need it. Check this appliance by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should start within a few minutes. Watch to be sure the water flows out and the pump cycles itself off. If any problems arise, you will need to contact a professional to conduct repairs or replacement.

 

Conclusion

Don’t let plumbing problems drag you down this spring. Follow our springtime plumbing tips to safeguard your pipes and your home. Remember to call Knoxville Plumbing for all your plumbing needs!

The post Plumbing Tips for Spring appeared first on Knoxville Plumbing | Plumber in Knoxville | Plumbing | Tennessee.

Home maintenance can be a tricky matter for many homeowners, especially when you can’t see the problem coming. Hidden issues can worsen over time until they become an emergency, resulting in serious damage and high repair costs. Sewer pipes, specifically, have the additional disadvantage of being underground, truly out of sight and too often out of mind.

Because our master plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing want you to avoid the unpleasant surprise of a clogged or – even worse – broken sewer line, we offer this guide to cleaning your sewer lines, recognizing the signs that a cleaning is due and what to do if you discover an issue.

Why would you need to clean your sewer pipes?

It’s important for homeowners to know some basic sewer line maintenance tips, as they can help you avert major plumbing disasters. Common causes of sewer line problems include the following.

Roots –Tree root intrusion in sewer pipes can completely block the line, causing serious problems. Roots can eventually break the pipes, creating the worst-case scenario in terms of raw sewage backing up in indoor plumbing and spilling out into the yard – as well as the considerable expense of replacing sewer pipes.

A sag in the pipe – A sag in your pipe or a bellied pipe can occur when a portion of the pipe slopes down, creating a belly effect. A sag in the pipe can occur when the soil around the pipe loosens or breaks, which makes the soil unstable, which causes the pipe to sink. Sewerage starts collecting in the bellied area of the pipe, eventually resulting in blockage.

Grease – Grease and drains are not the best of friends. If you are in the habit of pouring grease down the drain, then you should be prepared for frequent blockages in your sewer pipes. The grease which you pour down the sink will ultimately solidify and cause a blockage in your pipe, as described in our blog post, “Still Pouring Grease Down the Sink?”

Benefits of keeping a clean sewer and drain

Keeping your sewer and drain clean has several benefits, some of which are described by our colleagues at Mister Sewer, in Bethel Park, PA.

Reduces blockages – Regular cleaning of drains can help prevent blockages to a large extent. While small blockages can be irritating when you use the sink or take a shower, a serious clog can cause tubs and sinks to back up.

Prevents odors – It is hard to get rid of sewer odor once it’s entered your home. When you keep your sewer clean, it prevents the blockages cause odor. If a sewer odor comes through the P-traps in your plumbing fixtures, you need to call a plumber.

Keeps your home clean and healthy – If you don’t keep your drains clean, it can result in serious cleanliness issues. Regular cleaning can help prevent drains from becoming clogged, which leads to blockages that result in an overflow.

Reduces your expenses – Keeping the drains cleaned on a regular basis can prevent serious problems with the drains overflowing and leading to unsanitary conditions in the home. It is beneficial to plan on having professional plumbers not only clean the lines but look for other concerns as well.

Signs you need your sewer cleaned

It is always helpful to know the signs and symptoms of a sewer blockage. If you know the signs, you can avert major problems. Here are some of the telltale signs that you need to get your sewer cleaned, courtesy of our colleagues at Scott English Plumbing, Anaheim, CA.

Several clogged fixtures – One common sign of a sewer drain clog is multiple clogged fixtures. If you have two or more fixtures that get clogged at the same time, it can be an indication that you have a clog and need sewer drain cleaning. Most commonly, homeowners will notice that more than one toilet gets clogged at the same time. Toilets are usually the first place where you will notice signs of a clogged sewer drain, because toilets have the most direct path to the sewer system and the largest drain. When there is a clog in the sewer drain, it is rare for the toilets to function properly.

The bathtub and shower are also frequently affected by a clogged sewer drain, as these drains are lower than other drains – like sinks.

Plumbing fixtures show unusual reactions – If your plumbing fixtures show unusual reactions, it is yet another indication that you have a clogged sewer line. Some of the reactions that you need to be aware of include the following.

• If the water backs up into your tub or shower when you flush your toilet.
• When you run your washing machine and the toilet starts overflowing, or water backs up into the tub or shower.
• When you turn on the sink faucet to wash your hands after using the toilet and the toilet starts to bubble up. This indicates that air is trapped in your plumbing system.

Keep a tab on the main line clean out – In some plumbing system, there is a main line clean out point that you can check for problems. You can remove the cap and look for water or sewage backing up. If you find the water coming out of the clean out, or if there is standing water in the drain, it means that there is a blockage in your sewer system.

Now that you know the issues that can cause your sewer line to clog, you’re better informed to prevent inconvenient, expensive plumbing problems. The state-certified Master Plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing can perform preventive maintenance to keep your fixtures and lines in top condition – and provide the experienced, industry-leading repair service that we’ve built our reputation upon over the past 60 years. Contact us and learn more about our services today.

 

The post The Importance of Maintaining a Clean Sewer appeared first on Adams and Son Plumbing Services.

One of the most-used and least-thought-about appliances in your home lives tucked away in either your basement or an out-of-the-way closet. Your electric storage tank water heater. We do remember it, though, when we run out of hot water. Although problems are not common, they do come along from time to time. Let’s take a look at the most common problems you’ll see with electric water heaters. Safety tip: Remember to UNPLUG the appliance before you start troubleshooting.

 

Temperature problems

Problems with water temperature far outrank any other water heater problems. Thankfully, repairs tend to be inexpensive for these types of issues.

No hot water

When you have no hot water at all, check your circuit breaker to make sure a breaker has not been tripped. If the circuit has been tripped, switch it off and back on again to reset it. If the problem is not the breaker, you will want to check the hot water temperature reset button above the upper thermostat inside the heater. In electric water heaters, failed heating elements or a faulty thermostat can also cause no hot water. If this is the case, you will need to check both the upper and lower elements and thermostats and replace whatever is malfunctioning.

Not enough hot water

Tank size. The primary cause of not enough hot water is a tank that is too small to meet your family’s needs. If your family has grown since you bought your home or if you have added newer water-using appliances (i.e. dishwasher, washing machine) your tank may not be able to keep up with the increased demand. In this case, the best option is to replace your tank. The Department of Energy provides guidelines on sizing your water heater tank needs. We also encourage you to consider multiple options such as our tankless or on-demand water heaters.

Electrical issues. A thermostat that is set too low can also explain why there is not enough hot water. Other culprits can be a failed upper water heater, a faulty thermostat or loose wiring. The elements can also become encrusted with sediment which prevents them from heating the water adequately.

 

Water too hot

This problem most likely stems from a thermostat that is set too high. You will have to access the thermostats for each element to lower the temperature. If you are unable to lower temperature settings, your thermostat has most likely failed and will need to be replaced.

 

Leaks

The second most common problem with electric storage heaters is leaking. Leaks present significant safety hazards and should be dealt with as soon as they are discovered.

From the top

While water leaking from the top of the tank poses a less immediate threat, you still need to address it in a timely manner to keep it from becoming a more serious issue. Water leaking from the top of the heater tank can come from only a limited number of sources, most of which can be easily remedied. Check the ball valve in the cold water inbound line. If this is the source of your leak, simply tighten the nut securing the handle to the valve. Another potential leak site is the temperature and pressure relief valve on the top of the tank. If this is leaking, you will most likely need to replace it. If water is leaking from any of the pipe joints, you will probably want to call in a professional to make repairs.

From the bottom

Water under your tank can be coming from a loose heating element gasket, simple condensation, or a little run-off from the TPR valve releasing some water. It can also be a case of corrosion rusting out the bottom of your tank, in which case, the tank will have be replaced.

 

CONCLUSION

Electric water heaters don’t generally have problems, but when they do, you’ll know what to look for. If you decide to replace your water heater, we’d love to talk with you about your options. Water heating isn’t just for tanks anymore!  As with any type of plumbing issue, if you feel uncomfortable troubleshooting or managing repairs, give us a call! We offer 24-hour emergency service and welcome the opportunity to serve you and your family.

The post ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS: COMMON PROBLEMS appeared first on Knoxville Plumbing | Plumber in Knoxville | Plumbing | Tennessee.

Gas water heaters remain a popular option among homeowners. In spite of competition from their electric counterparts, gas storage water heaters supply hot water to about 60% of America’s homes. How you choose to heat your household water makes a difference in an economy where heating water in the home has become the second-largest household expense, according to the Department of Energy. Gas storage water heaters are a great option for lots of families, but they can still have some drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some of the common problems associated with a gas storage water heater.

Gas water heater problems with performance issues

Typical gas storage water heaters tend to outperform same size electric storage water heaters. They just have a faster recovery time. Sometimes, though, older — and even newer — units can malfunction. Here are some common gas water heater problems.

Little or no hot water

Arguably the most annoying hot water heater problem, reduced or no hot water when it’s needed ranks as the most common issue. Little hot water results from a variety of issues.

Increased demand for hot water prevents the water heater from fully heating water before delivering it. Are you remodeling? Do you have guests or a new family member? How about a new, larger washing machine? All of these can increase the demand for hot water and affect how quickly the water heater recovers. Other common causes of reduced hot water supply are:

• Thermostat set too low
• Thermostat malfunction
• Faulty dip tube
• Sediment build up in tank
• Incoming water pressure is low
• Dirty or faulty gas burner

Adjust the thermostat to a higher temperature and see if this resolves the issue. If not, you may need to check the thermocouple. This is a safety device that shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out. It is fairly easy to replace. A faulty drip tube delivers cold water into the tank at a higher level than designed. This allows the cold incoming water to mix with the hot water at the top of the tank and cool it down. Replacing the drip tube can remedy this problem. Over time, sediment build up in the bottom of all storage water heater tanks. This layer of sediment prevents the burner from heating the water as efficiently. Annually flushing your water heater eliminates this problem. The gas burner beneath your water heater may also be in need of cleaning or replacement.

No hot water

If you have no hot water, you might have a problem with your pilot. Pilot lights can go out when there is no problem with the unit. If this is the case, simply relight the pilot. If the pilot fails to stay lit, you probably have a bad thermocouple. Older gas water heaters have a pilot easy to light with a match or a candle-lighter. Newer models, however, have a button you push to activate a spark igniter inside the burner compartment. If the problem is the thermocouple on an older unit, you can DIY the replacement. A newer unit requires the services of a professional because the thermocouple is behind the sealed compartment and not easy to access safely without the proper equipment. If the thermocouple is not the problem, you might have a faulty gas valve. In this case, definitely call in the professionals.

 

Leaking

If you find water on the floor under or near your water heater, you need to find the source of the leak. Leaks can occur in several different places on your water heater. One potential leak location is the top of the tank where the cold water enters the drip tube. This leak presents an easy fix. Just tighten the connections. The T & P (Temperature & Pressure) relief valve sits on the outside of the tank near the top and has a small pipe running to a drain near the heater. You can repair a leak from this valve, but if the leak originates in the bottom of the tank, you will have to completely replace the tank.

 

 

 

Gas water heater problems with sounds and smells

Faulty plumbing and normal wear-and-tear provide a homeowner with plenty to do. Unfortunately, gas water heaters have a reputation for some additional types of problems.

Sounds

Rumbling. Popping. Ticking. Sizzling. Hissing. Hammering. Knocking. Gas water heaters have a reputation for conjuring all of these noises. Fortunately, each sound indicates a specific problem or two for you to check and correct.

Popping:

This occurs when sediment has built up in the bottom of your tank. The sediment causes the water to boil. Water bubbling up through the sediment makes the popping sound.

The Fix: Flush your tank annually to keep sediment from becoming a hazard. Or, install a water softener system to prevent sediment from collecting in the tank at all.

Ticking:

Ticking noises come from a couple of problems. The first, variations in water pressure, you really can’t fix. The second, however, presents an easy fix. The pipe straps holding the hot water lines that come out of the tank can be loose and cause an annoying ticking sound.

The Fix: Pick up some plastic spacers at the hardware store and install them to keep the straps from slapping into the pipes.

Sizzling or hissing:

This sound also arises from a couple of possible sources. A tightly closed relief valve can generate a sizzling sound. Water dropping onto the hot gas burner assembly will also cause a sizzling noise.

The Fix: Not so easy this time. The water dripping onto the burner is probably coming from the bottom of your tank. A leaky tank can’t be fixed. It must be replaced.

Rumbling:

This is also a sound you really don’t want to hear from your tank. A rumbling sound occurs when the tank has begun to rust out from sediment build-up.

The Fix: The rusting metal leads directly to a leaking tank, which, as stated previously, leads to a replacement.

Discolored water

Has this ever happened to you? You turn the hot water on, step into the shower and get splattered by reddish brown streams jetting from your shower head? Hopefully, it hasn’t. But, if it does you can narrow it down to a couple of sources. Rust in plumbing can cause water to appear yellow, brown, or red. The rust could be in the pipes inside your home. It could also be in the outside pipes leading into your home or even in the water heater. The good news is that it’s not really a health hazard. The bad news is — well — it’s pretty unsightly. It also causes the water to taste metallic and can leave stains on clothing and toilets and tubs. This fix has to be handled by installing a water treatment system.

Rotten egg smell

Unfortunately, discolored water is often accompanied by a nasty, sulfur-like rotten egg odor. This sewage-like smell indicates that bacteria are growing in your water heater. This happens for a few reasons. If you’ve been away and turned the water off or turned the thermostat too low to keep the water hot, bacteria will take advantage of a prime place to colonize. Although the bacteria are not harmful, it’s best to have a professional plumber help you deal with this problem.

 

CONCLUSION

Your gas water heater provides essential service for your family. Make sure you take care of it.Whether your gas water heater is new or old, if you’re experiencing any of these issues, Knoxville Plumbing is here to help. Give us a call today for any of your plumbing needs!

The post GAS WATER HEATER PROBLEMS appeared first on Knoxville Plumbing | Plumber in Knoxville | Plumbing | Tennessee.

Natural disasters are a threat to your plumbing system.

Recent research has shown that between the years 1900 to 2016 the United States has experienced a lot of natural disasters inclusive of 24 heat waves.

As a matter of fact, the data shows that aside from China, the United States is the country with the most natural disasters.

Furthermore, there have been over 106 cyclones, 40 earthquakes, and 2 tsunamis from 1900 to 2016 alone, which affected over 13.5 million people.

Crazy right? Well, that’s not all, in 2015; the United States recorded 22 natural disasters being ousted only by China.

By now you should understand the importance of knowing exactly what to do in the event of an evacuation due to natural disasters. It’s extremely vital!

The data revealed that 13.5 million people have been directly affected by natural disasters but how many of them knew the right steps to take to protect their plumbing and ultimately their home before being evacuated?

The effects of unprotected plumbing can be disastrous to any home when disaster strikes.

So what do you do when you are a certain disaster is on its way? Below are a few steps that you’ll need to follow to ensure you adequately preserve your home with proper plumbing protection.

Basic Protection of Your Plumbing System

Studies have shown that tornadoes are accompanied by exempt destructive winds moving at speeds of over 289 MPH and what’s more? A tornado’s leaves a messy trail of destruction measuring up 50 miles long and 1 mile in width!

Can you imagine the wreckage? Regardless, of the damage, you can still save your home by preparing it before evacuation and the first thing you need to do is:

1. Ensure Your Water Heater is Safely Hooked to the Wall

This cannot be overemphasized, as the damage a loosed water heater can cause to your home is immense. Before you leave your home due to evacuation ensure that it is properly strapped to the wall. One wrong fall can initiate a domino effect of problems.

It can easily fall off during a storm and break gas lines or cause other damages that could become irreparable.

So how do you safely strap your water heater to the wall? Well first things first, you need to check for the plumber’s tape.

Keep in mind that prior to the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes in 1989 and 1994 respectively, only 1 single strap of plumber tape was recommended by experts, however, now more is recommended due to numerous water heaters bursting as a result of single strapping.

So, what is acceptable now is a heavy-metal gauge strapping instead of a regular plumbing strap. Next, you need to secure both the top and bottom of your heater rather than just the top or bottom as this won’t pull through.

Then ensure that you replace all metal and copper piping with flexible water connectors or natural gas pipes. These will prevent a disastrous outcome in the event of breakage.

Below is an image of what a properly strapped water heater should look like:

2. Switch off Your Main Water Valve

After your water flows through your cities valves it gets to what is termed as the main water valve. This is a very important valve that you need to know its exact location before any form of disaster occurs.

Why? Well, the main water valve is responsible for allowing the full flow of water into your home when turned on and when it is turned off, usually in anti-clockwise motion it shuts off the complete water flow into your home.

You might be wondering why shutting off water is essential during an evacuation. It is highly vital because a simple pipe break can leave your house flooded, which will eventually ruin things left over in your home.

Now, your main water valve is usually located either in your basement or on an outside wall in a utility area of your home, so simply turn it off by turning in an anti-clockwise direction.

Ensure you find the location before you have to hurriedly leave due to an incoming natural disaster; otherwise, it might be quite difficult to locate it when in panic mode.

There are two types of designs for the main valve:

i). Gate Valve: The gate valve has one of the most durable valve design there is, however, they usually become very stiff and extremely difficult to move if they haven’t been touched for some years.

Hence, it’s best you find its location as it’ll be a lot easier getting a tool to move it when you’re in a peaceful state of mind that when a natural disaster is looming over your head.

Take a look at the image below to see exactly what you’re looking for:

b). Ball Valve: If your home uses a plastic or copper pipe then you most likely have full-blown ball valve. In order to know when a ball valve is open or close you need to check its placement. For instance, if the ball valve handle is directly aligned with the pipe then it’s open.

Hence, to turn it off, the ball valve handle has to be turned clockwise, placing it at a right angle to the pipe. The Image below, shows you, what direction it should be turned.

You have to keep in mind that the main valve is a major way to prevent a lot of plumbing disasters, so you need to ensure that you know it’s a location like the back of your hand. So in the event of an evacuation, you can easily turn it off without any complications.

Also, if you are using a gate valve and haven’t touched it for years, you need to keep a plier around you that’s easily reachable, as you may have to use it to change its position in order to shut it off in the event of a hurried evacuation.

If you’re still not sure how to differentiate between a gate and a ball valve below is another picture of the difference.

Furthermore, whenever you adjust the position of the valve, whether open or close, it may begin to leak a bit. All you need to do to stop it is tighten the nut, as the stem of the valve is held in place by a nut called the packing nut.

3. Remove Debris From Your Drains and Sump Pump

The purpose of a Sump Pump is to remove or get rid of water from around your home. They prevent water from getting into your crawl space, basement or home in the event of a flood, so they are extremely important.

However, they can easily get clogged up if proper maintenance is not carried out on them before an evacuation takes place.

Hence, you have to ensure they your Sump Pump has all debris and clogs efficiently removed from it and serviced adequately before leaving.

Now, you should also make sure that your home gutters are a properly cleared of debris as they can easily get clogged up with grass clippings and leaves, so, to ensure that your sewage system works efficiently clear it out completely.

a. How to Clean Out Your Sump Pump

In order to efficiently clean out your Sump Pump, you’re going to need a few tools such as plastic sheets, plastic scraper, container, dry or wet shop vac, and a garden hose.

The next step is to turn off everything your Sump Pump is linked too. All you need to do is turn off the electricity being supplied to it, by either switching off the circuit breaker connected to the Sump Pump or simply turning off the electric connection of the Sump Pump itself.

Second, you need to locate the discharge pipe your Sump Pump is connected too and disconnect it.

After doing all of that, it’s now time to clean it off. So simply wrap up your Sump Pump with a plastic wrapper. This is to prevent debris, dirt, and sludge from spilling all over your house as most of its dirt would be extremely dangerous to your health.

Once you’ve done that and your Sump Pump is outside, take off the plastic wrap and connect your garden hose with water and begin to wash off the sludge and dirt from off the pump.

In some instances, you’ll have to deal with caked dirt on your pump, especially if you haven’t cleaned it out for a while. Well, no worries that’s what the plastic scraper is for.

Simply scrape off all the caked dirt and slime from off the pump completely and rinse it again with water.

For the final cleaning step, you’ll have to remove standing water from the Sump pit. To do this effectively, you would need to use a way or dry vac.

Conclusion

If you’re a homeowner, renter or business office owner you need to have a well thought its plans in place to ensure that you effectively secure the plumbing of your building or home.

And this goes beyond just your home. The life of your loved ones and property is also at stake if these preventive measures are not taking to protect your plumbing.

Furthermore, make sure that your drains and Sump Pumps are completely cleared out before evacuation.

Follow these tips in order to efficiently protect your home plumbing system without struggles.

This post first appeared on https://blog.antaplumbing.com