It’s easy to take indoor plumbing for granted but it’s a very integral part of your home. It controls your cold and hot water, disposes human waste through the toilet, provides safe water for drinking and other uses among many other functions. Well, what can you do if your indoor plumbing is not working as it should? What can you do? Here are some of the common plumbing issues in your home and how to handle it.

1. The Leaky Fixture

Is there a drip in your kitchen tap, the shower in your bathroom or any other fixtures in the house? Well, a leaky fixture is not really a huge emergency. If the dripping is too much, you can solve the problem by shutting off the water in your house. After this, the leak should be small enough to fix on your own without hiring a professional plumber.

Leaky fixtures are as a result of a worn out part such as the O-ring or the washer. It’s easy enough to replace these parts. However, if they are broken or damaged completely, you need to hire a plumber to fix these parts immediately.

2. Blocked Drains

If you noticed your drains were slow, it’s the first sign that your drains were about to be blocked. Is the sink or bathtub taking longer to drain the water? It means there is a partial blockage interfering with the water flow. With time, the partial block becomes a full block and the water doesn’t go down the drain.

Well, if there is a blocked drain in your home, you should start with the traditional solutions before calling a plumber. Start by using a plunger to remove the blockage. Also, you can use drain cleaners to clear out the blockage in your drains. However, you need to be careful when using drain cleaners because they are corrosives that can damage the old pipes. Even worse, they might warp or melt the newer pipes. You need to try the mechanical options before the chemical ones.

3. Overflowing Toilet

It’s similar to the blocked drain but it’s more unpleasant and dangerous. In a single flush, toilets release a lot of water. As such, if there is a blockage in the sewage drain, the amount of water being flushed down the toilet will come back up in the toilet and overflow on the floor. If this happens, you need to try the traditional options first. You should start with a plunger or a snake/auger. Seek professional help if these don’t work as expected.

4. Burst Pipe

Depending on the damage, it can be a terrible plumbing emergency. If the water pipe in your home is burst, the water will be leaking out. As such, it might reach the basement and other areas in your home. Eventually, you will have water damage to the ceilings, walls and other areas in your home.

If the sewage drain pipe bursts, the used water including your toilet water will start seeping into your backyard or inside your home. The type of pipe burst and location, determines the total cost of repairs. You shouldn’t take any chances if there is a plumbing emergency in your home such as a burst pipe. You need to hire a professional plumber to handle the issue. Handling these major plumbing issues without the required expertise will result in more problems that might be more costly in the long run.

A slab leak is a leak in the pipe running underneath the foundation concrete slabs of the home. When this pipe breaks, the water gets into the ground and foundation of the house. Slab leaks are very difficult to reach and have a ripple effect that can damage your home. Hence, these should be dealt with as soon as possible since they are expensive and talking your time, will lead to a massive spike in your water bill. With this kind of leak, you should not try to DIY but call a plumber. Below are some of the signs that you have a slab leak.

A Spike In The Water Bill.

Leaks in the home will lead to the water bills being higher than usual. If you find out that your bill is higher than expected and there is no explanation, then you may have a leak. However, this does not mean that there is a leak beneath the foundation. You should check to see if the plumbing inside the home is intact by checking the faucets and exposed pipes. If it is okay, then the leak may be unseen beneath the foundation.

Warm Or Wet Spots On The Floor.

You may find some mysterious hot spots or puddles on the floor, which may mean that warm water is leaking from a pipe beneath the foundation.

Cracking Foundation.

If your foundation buckles, there will be cracks in the foundation that is outside the home area or in the walls and floors inside.

Carpet Mildew Or Mold.

If the carpet gets mildew or mold, it may be due to the foundation becoming saturated and the moisture leaking into the house.

Once you note that you may have a slab leak, it is advised to call a professional and qualified plumber to check it out. They have non-invasive equipment that they use to make a definitive diagnosis. They detect, locate the leak and also fix it as soon as possible.

Do you wonder what’s inside your drains and whether you should have them cleaned, and maybe you’re wondering if it’s your responsibility to clean your drains. If you notice that your water is hard, then consider drain cleaning. Find out why by reading the rest of this article.

Hard water is water that contains high amounts of mineral. Small amounts of minerals are deposited on the pipes’ inner walls when water flows throughout your pipes. As time goes on, the deposits build up and this can lead to blockage or restricting the flow of water throughout the pipes.

The municipality treats water before it flows to your home, and this is to remove harmful substances that are present in water. However, small amounts of minerals and chemicals can be left behind every now and then, but your water should be free of stuff that may be harmful, for the most part. If water is not treated, then water should be a concern for you.

It might not be dangerous to you, but the water can cause damage to the plumbing system in your home. This kind of water is what we call hard water. Hard water is not good for your home’s plumbing.

You probably are aware that hard water isn’t good for your skin or hair. Hard water can make it hard for you to rinse your hair after you have shampooed it and your skin may become dry and itchy due to hard water. Not only that, but you might notice your clothes look duller after you have washed them in hard water. The good news is the effects of hard water on your pipes, laundry and family can be eliminated with a good drain cleaning product.

Calcium Deposits And External Surfaces
Hard water can cause limescale as it goes through your pipes, but calcium deposits can start to build up on external surfaces, which happens when it’s exposed to hard water. Calcium deposits are a white substance that have a chalky appearance and they can be found in showers and around faucet heads. If there are deposits like these in your home, the chances are there is limescale in your pipes and you will want to clean your drains.

Reduced Water Pressure
As time goes on, water flow will be restricted by the built up limescale. This isn’t good, but it is an obvious sign that you do have pipes that have limescale that has built up. If your water pressure isn’t that good, you might want to clean your drains. This is because there’s a good chance that limescale is present in your pipes.

Do you believe you’re dealing with hard water? If so, call a plumber or a drain cleaner. After they clean your drains, you should notice an improvement in water flow and the quality of your water might be better too.

If you have a clogged drain, it is going to create a problem regardless of where it is. However, there are some clogs that are simply harder and more difficult than others. Drains are a necessity in the household and take away all of the waste, there are times though when items are tossed down the drain by accident.

If you fear as though there is a clogged pipe, it is essential to contact an area plumber as soon as possible.

Some people will try and take the do it yourself approach with plungers or in some cases plungers. We understand that this may seem to be a cheaper alternative than a plumber, in many cases, it is a short term fix and the problem is rarely resolved.

The vast majority of qualified plumbers will not use chemicals because they tend to have a corrosive effect on pipes. In fact, using chemicals over a prolonged period can seriously damage pipes and septic systems resulting in the need for replacement. Obviously, over the course of time this will become quite expensive. As you can see, it is actually a much more cost-effective solution to contact a plumber as opposed to using household chemicals.

When A Plumber Should Be Called

Considering that the vast majority of plumbers can be reached via a quick text or phone call, there is no reason the homeowner should search for the clogged drain. Simply find a plumber who will be able to sort out the problem and find a solution. In addition, what may seem to be a simple clog could be hiding a much more serious underlying problem.

What You Should Consider Before Contacting A Plumber

The Full Extent Of The Situation

If raw sewerage or water is spreading throughout the house, a plumber should be contacted immediately. While this may look like an insignificant leak, it can quickly escalate to a severe drainage problem and health hazard. Consider the cost of having to replace appliances, furniture and even floors and walls as opposed to be insignificant amount to call a plumber to come to the house.

Which Areas Of The House Are Affected?

If the clog manages to affect the whole house, this is more than likely a serious situation that needs immediate attention. If only a small section of the house has been affected, it is still wise to seek out a plumber but it may not be an emergency situation.

How Often Is The Clogged Area Used?

Another thing to consider is how long it is going to take before the drainage area needs to be used. For example, if it is a secondary bathroom that gets little to no use, a plumber does not need to be called immediately. This is an excellent way to ensure that your budget has room for the maintenance that will be required.

How Critical Is The Drainage Area?

Room such as kitchens and bathrooms need to be repaired as soon as a problem has been detected. This is simply due to the fact that these areas require a clear drainage system.

The key take away from this article is to ensure as soon as a problem has been detected, you want to get in touch with a plumber. The sooner the problem is detected and a resolution is presented, you have a much more likely chance that it will not escalate into an expensive repair project.

Plumbing problems can be stressful, costly and lead to unhappiness. Therefore, it is good to have these problems solved as soon as possible to prevent any further problems. Whether you live in an apartment, single family home, or you just have some plumbing problems in your office, look for a reliable plumbing company whenever you experience any plumbing related problems.

It is a good idea to look for an honest, reliable and experienced plumbing company that will solve your plumbing problem once and for all. Most of the people have a story about a plumber whose services resulted in more damage instead of solving their plumbing problem or problems.

This usually happens to those who wait until their situation is an emergency rather than carrying out preventative maintenance of their plumbing system on a regular basis.

Do you have a home that is older than 25 years or so? Then it may be a good idea to replace your zinc coated, galvanized pipes with copper repiping. If your water pressure is no longer efficient as it used to be, look for a professional plumbing company to do the installation.

Another plumbing problem that should be dealt with on a regular basis is clogged drains. Those who have a clogged up sink or toilet should have the problem addressed as soon as possible before it worsens. Most of us take our plumbing system for granted, so it is upsetting when something doesn’t work the way it should.

Hair, coffee grounds, grease buildup, and grime are some of the common things that clog drains. Leaky pipes also occur at the worst possible moment. So, it is good that you call an experienced plumber as soon as the problem occurs to prevent more damage to your plumbing system.

Remember to turn off your water at the main water valve before your plumber arrives. This is very important as it prevents water from entering your home hence ensuring that you don’t have to deal with a larger problem.

A reliable plumber will locate the water leak and determine its size before making any repairs. The plumber will wait until the area around the leak is dry and clean as possible. Ensuring that the area is dry is a good idea as it allows the area to air dry rather than absorbing excess water which may make the affected area warp or make the affected area moldy.

It is also a good idea to use some electrical tape to temporarily fix the leak while waiting for a plumber. This will only work for small leaks. Dry the area around the pipe using a towel to better allow for the electrical tape to adhere to the pipe. Start about 2 inches away from the actual leak.

Always remember that any repairs you make are temporary and it is wise to look for professionals. Your home’s or office’s plumbing system is very important than you may realize. So, don’t take it for granted but instead contact a plumber so that your problem is fixed by a professional who knows the ins and outs of plumbing problems and knows how to fix plumbing problems effectively.

Slab leaks are caused by a number of factors such as poor construction, corrosion, water quality, and even foundation shifts. When slab leaks are not detected at an early stage, then they can cause major damage to your home or office. That is why it is important that you hire an expert specialized in slab leaks detection.

Detecting Slab Leaks.

To identify slab leaks, the first thing that you need to do is look out for common signs that help you identify slab problems. Some of these signs are mildew and mold growing in different sections of your property, damp spots start to appear on the walls, floor and ceiling, crack on the walls and also in baseboards. Slab leaks can also cause the water utility expenses to increase if the problem is not solved at an early stage before it spreads.

Repairing Slab Leaks.

Slab leaks can be easy or difficult to repair depending on where the problem has occurred. If the location is easy to access, then you can expect the repair work to be done within a short period since there will be enough room to work. Here are a number of techniques used to repair slab leaks.

1. Pipe Coating.

Pipe coating is considered to be the best method of repairing damaged pipes. Moreover, plumbers use an epoxy pipe coating to repair the pipes from within. You also need to be aware of the fact that pipe coating can only be done by exposing the foundation so that it can be easy for the plumber to access all the hidden pipes.

2. Re-Piping.

Re-piping is also a lasting solution to slab leaks. Re-piping is usually done on homes and commercial buildings that experience chronic and frequent leaks. When it comes to re-piping, the old unreliable plumbing is usually removed to create space for the new lines. Plumbers can also choose to re-route the lines and leave the old plumbing lines in place.

3. Spot Repair.

Spot repair is considered to be the best solution for fixing single leaks. All that the plumber is required to do is hack through the concrete in order to detect the damaged area and repair this section. Spot repair can be done in homes and warehouses that do not experience frequent leaks.

Conclusion.

Detecting and repairing slab leaks can be challenging. Especially if you do not have the skills and the tools needed to complete such a task. That is why it is advisable that you hire a plumbing company specialized in slab leaks repair.

Is your sink taking a little longer to drain? Is there water pooling around your feet when you are in the shower? Is there a strange and unpleasant odor coming from your drains? Well, all these are signs that you will have a clogged drain soon. You need to know how to clean your drains to avoid any plumbing emergencies.

DIY Drain Cleaning Tips To Avoid Plumbing Emergencies

1. A Bent Wire Hanger

It’s an effective drain cleaning method that will remove any clogs before they come serious. Go to your closet and get a regular wire hanger. Try to straighten it out as much as possible. Bend over one of the ends to create a hook. Push it over the drain cover and start pulling out the clogs inside there.

With this hook, you can remove the hair and any other things inside your drain that might lead to a clog. Remember, you need to pull out the gunk and not push it in. Once you have removed as much of the gunk as possible, you can run hot water and clear out everything.

2. Vinegar And Baking Soda

Use a measuring cup to mix a 1/3rd of baking soda with a 1/3rd of vinegar. It will start fizzing immediately. Next, you should pour the fizzing mixture down the drain. It will remove the gunk, grime or hair that has most likely built up in the drains. You can leave the mixture in the drains for an hour or overnight for the best results. Flush out the mixture with hot water and clean your drains accordingly.

3. Boiling Water

Boil some water using your kettle. Use some hand towels to hold the kettle to avoid getting burned. Next, pour the boiling hot water down the drain allowing for a few seconds for the hot water to work through the drain before the next pour. It’s the easiest and quickest way to unclog a drain. You should see your water moving faster and the odd smells will disappear immediately.

4. Caustic Soda

Make sure you have some eye protection and rubber gloves before doing this. Caustic soda is also known as sodium hydroxide and is likely going to cause chemical burns if not handled properly. You can find it in your local hardware store but you need to be extremely cautious when handling it.

Pour some water into your mop bucket and add 3 cups of caustic soda. Use a wooden spoon to stir up the mixture properly. You will see some fizzing immediately. It’s also going to start heating up. You can pour it into the drain and leave it for about 20 to 30 minutes before pouring some boiling water to clean up the drain. You can repeat this procedure if you see fit for the best results.

Other Drain Cleaning Procedures

If none of the DIY drain cleaning methods work, you can also use a drain snake. T’s a low-tech piece of equipment that will clean your drains effortlessly. With all these drain cleaning methods, you will end up avoiding catastrophic plumbing emergencies.

It might seem like professional plumbers are expensive, and this might be true depending upon the type of job that you need done. In some cases, it might be tempted to do the job yourself to try and save some money. Is it a good idea to try to do plumbing jobs yourself, or should you always call upon a professional?

It is true that you can find supplies at many local hardware stores or online plumbing supply shops. In fact, you can even find lots of online videos and articles that will outline the steps that you need to take to perform many common plumbing repair jobs. These common tasks might include replacing toilet flappers, fixing a leaky faucet, or unstopping a clogged drain.

However, you should probably still hesitate if you are not very experienced in these types of home handyman projects. The articles and videos might be good basic guides, but they rarely tell you what to do if anything goes wrong. They are usually created with a perfect situation in mind, and home owners rarely experience a perfect situation when they have plumbing problems that require urgent attention.

You might be fine if you attempt very simple tasks yourself. For example, many people can figure out how to replace shower handles or unstop a toilet drain if it is a matter of a simple clog. However, in some cases, you might do more harm than good if you try to become an amateur plumber.

Amateur Plumbing Horror Stories

For example, if you try to use a plunger to unstop a toilet with a major obstruction, you might actually be pushing sewage up back into your house somewhere else. That can be a messy problem to deal with, and you would have been better off calling a plumber to diagnose your real problem and handle it without making a bigger mess. If you cannot unplug your toilet with a couple of pushes on your plunger, it is probably time to call for help.

In another case, you might try to wrestle with a stuck faucet and break it off. Now you will have to replace more than just the faucet, and if you forget to turn off the water and drain the pipes, you could cause a flood in your home. If you cannot get a faucet to turn easily, let a professional technician come in and deal with the situation properly.

These are actually real horror stories from people who have decided to call a plumber for most of their home plumbing work in the future.

The Advantage Of Licensed And Professional Plumbers

Licensed and professional plumbers undergo a lot of classroom training and on-the-job experience before they are allowed to call themselves professionals. They are likely to fix the problem right the first time, and they are much less likely to cause more damage in the process. It may seem like they charge a lot, but you are actually paying for years of training and experience.

In addition, these technicians have to come to your house to fix your problems. It is not like you can bring your leaky shower or broken hot water heater to them!

Finally, a plumber is likely to have the right tools for the right job, and he will know how to use them. If you have to go out and buy tools and supplies, you might not really save any money by trying to fix your problems by yourself.

When Should You Call The Plumber?

There are some situations that almost always require professional assistance. In other words, these are urgent situations that should probably not be delayed.

— Broken water heaters are really tough to remove and install correctly. A technician will bring in the new unit, install it where it needs to go, and carry out your old one.

— Low water pressure in your home might be caused by a leak or serious blockage. Get a technician in to figure out the source of the problem quickly before it causes more damage or even flooding.

— Frozen pipes are one of the biggest sources of home floods, and you are unlikely to be able to resolve them yourself. It is better to try to prevent pipes from freezing in the first place, but if you have a frozen pipe try to get a plumber to help you as quickly as possible.

— A severe or chronic blockage in your toilet is probably an indication that your sewer lines are damaged or have severe obstructions. Get a professional to come in and either clean out the mess or find out if you need repairs. Your own attempts to clear blockage might cause damage that you did not even have in the first place.

Nobody wants to have a blocked drain or have to do deal with it, especially if it’s late at night. That’s when it is important to have a plumber that will be there for you on a 24/7 basis to get your blocked drain fixed and your house functioning properly once again.

What Can Cause A Blocked Drain?

One thing that can really mess up drains are trees. Falling leaves and other kinds of debris can not only fall into the drains and block the flow of water, but also roots can travel into the drain from underneath the ground and crack the pipes to get to the water. When a concentration of roots reaches a critical point, the drain stays blocked until it can be repaired by a plumber.

Hair, fats, grease and foreign objects are some of the other main culprits that can cause drain blockage. It’s also very important to watch what liquids you pour int your pipes and to have a barrier for preventing any solid objects from getting into the drainage system. As soon as a problem has started, it can become worse quickly since additional materials can start gathering at the point that is blocked.

Clogged Sewer Drains

A clogged sewer drain needs to be considered to be a real emergency. Whenever the sewer gets clogged, there will be signs of this also in other drains. A serious health emergency can be created if sewage ends up backing into your house.

Plumbers have highly effective snakes they can use to clear your drain out quickly. Unfortunately, a drain can get clogged at any time, including the middle of the night. That is why it is important to work with a plumbing contractor who can and is willing to come out during the middle of the night to get your problem resolved quickly. Plumbers have all the necessary tools for getting a job done fast and getting your house restored back to its normal condition.

We Can Repair Your Clogged Pipes 24-7

It can be really annoying to have clogged pipes. You can end up in an embarrassing situation right when you aren’t expecting it. Attempting to unclog it on your own might work or it might not. Our plumbers can come to your rescue if you can’t do it yourself. We are able to get clogged pipes fixed no matter what time of day it is. Our 24-7 plumbing service is here for you, no matter what day of the week or time of day it is. Just let us know what the most convenient time for you is and we will do our best to meet your time frame.

The difference between contacting a professional plumber and trying to unclog your lines or pipe yourself is that we have all of the knowledge and special tools needed for doing the job right and keeping your pipes long after we have fixed them.

We even own video equipment that goes into drains and pipes, to allow us to detect what where the problem is, and then come up the best solution to fix it. The only then you need to do is give us a call and then give us a detailed description of your problem. Most likely our specialist will ask you some questions to help determine which tools to pack.

Our plumbers are well-trained and skilled, so you can be confident that they will do a great job and not damage any of your property. We have insurance, but also do our best to minimize any incidents. We take all of the necessary precautions that are required for providing the safest invention possible. Your furniture, floors and carpets are all safe with us.

We take great pride in doing a thoroughly professional job at all times. Our clients are all very important to us . Therefore, no matter what type of job you have, you will always get the very best treatment from us.

If you are on the lookout for a plumber to assist you with an emergency, we are here for you – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Like most other plumbers out there, we are available Monday to Friday during regular business hours. The question is, “Who do you call when you have a plumbing problem during the wee hours of the night or right after you have eaten your holiday dinner?”

Whether the problem you are experiencing is…

a leaky boiler that is soaking your basement floors.

a sewer that is all backed up.

old pipes that are badly broken and starting to leak.

sink or bathtub drains that have become clogged and backed up.

a stopped up toilet that is starting to overflow.

Unfortunately, plumbing emergencies often happen at the worst times; when there is no one available to come and help you. This is not something you will ever need to worry about since we are here for you.

We Are Open 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week – We Can Handle All Of Your Plumbing Emergencies

Our Phoenix based plumbing company can send someone to your home whenever you are in need of assistance, and this includes weekends and holidays. Even if you call us at a time that may seem pretty strange to most people, we will get to you right away so your problems do not become any worse than they already are.

Here Are A Few Plumbings Issues That Should Be Taken Care Of ASAP:

1. Blocked Drains

2. Burst Pipes

3. Clogged Toilets

4. Broken Water Heaters And Boilers

We will never fail you at a time when you need us the most. While we cannot guarantee your problem can be alleviated in just one visit, we will make sure that you are able to use your sink, toilet, and shower while we are trying to get things back in the proper order.