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To ensure that every drain in the house is functioning the way it should, routine drain cleaning is essential. When it comes to large drains, basement drains and sewer lines, it is suggested that inspections be done every 2-3 years, depending on the presence of tree root systems and the age of the pipes. Adhering to such a schedule will help make certain that the pipes and drain system can last as long as possible.

There is a wide range of reasons why a drain could become clogged. However, most clogs are attributable to buildups of hair, grease, dirt and grime.

Many homeowners turn to commercial drain cleaning products as a means to solve this type of issue. It is admittedly a convenient, cost-effective answer. All that must be done is to purchase the product, pour some down the drain and allow it to sit. However, there are health concerns involved in such methods. Chemical products of this sort are corrosive and can harm skin that is put into contact with them. Fumes emitted from the products are also potentially dangerous, particularly to those with sensitive respiratory systems.

Nobody wants to be confronted by an emergency clog. It is also possible for the main sewer line to develop problems due to things such as tree root infiltration and the convergence of a series of other drains. If there is a particular drain in the house that is prone to clogs, this could be indicative of a more significant issue in the main sewer. Professional assistance is necessary in such scenarios.

Modern drain cleaning techniques are very efficient and can work wonders. Water jets that utilize high pressure levels can make a big difference in residential and commercial drains. However, not all local cleaning companies have invested in this type of equipment. As such, it really does pay to conduct a bit of research to identify drain cleaning professionals in the local area able to provide a high level of service at a great price. The difference in functionality after a thorough drain cleaning is conducted will more than make up for the inconvenience of doing this type of legwork. Emergency clogs will be a thing of the past, provided routine maintenance and cleaning is performed.

While a lot of homeowners and renters are vaguely aware of the existence of “sump pumps,” a lot of us aren’t exactly clear on what they are and what they do. The term tends to come up mainly in the context of a sump pump failure, and that lends the entire subject a scary aura. But rest assured, an effective sump pump is a really good thing to have! To learn the fundamentals about what a sump does, why it’s important, and even how to fix basic sump issues, just read on!

Sump pumps come in a range of different types. Some are permanently mounted in your home while others are portable. There are certain fundamentals that are common to all varieties of sump pump.

All sump pumps have the same purpose: They’re intended to prevent flooding by getting rid of any excess water collecting in the lowest level of your home. They also all run on electricity (though some may get that electricity from an independent generator).

Not every home has a sump pump. It’s a good idea to poke around and figure out whether or not you have one BEFORE you have a flood to deal with. If your home has a basement, look for a circular cover set into your floor, a little smaller than a manhole. This is where you’ll find a built-in sump pump if you have one.

Sump pumps can fail for a number of different reasons. One of the most common failures is simply losing access to the electricity the pump needs to run. This can get all too dangerous, because the same sort of extreme weather that might create a flood risk is also likely to knock out your home’s connection to the electrical grid. This is why a battery backup for your sump pump makes a great investment.

Your sump pump might also be knocked out of action by debris buildup. In most cases, you can fix this yourself by cleaning the pump out.

A lot of sump pump designs are triggered by a float switch, not unlike the float in the water tank of a toilet. If the switch breaks or gets jammed, your sump pump might not turn on at the right times. This is another problem that’s usually within most homeowner’s do-it-yourself capabilities.

Another handy preventative investment is a sump pump alarm. This will let you know when your pump starts and stops. It can be a good idea to install one because most pumps are extremely quiet when they’re working and entirely silent when they’re not. You don’t want to wait until your basement starts flooding to find out your sump pump is broken.

A sump pump, like all the other parts of your home’s plumbing system, can develop problems that you don’t feel comfortable or capable of fixing yourself. When you have such a situation, calling in a professional plumber to repair or replace your pump is the right choice. We strongly recommend investing in a battery backup and an alarm for your sump pump; they cost far less than cleaning up an undetected flood caused by a failed sump pump.

If your sump pump is crying out for professional help and it’s located anywhere in the Frisco, TX area, call Smith and Son Plumbing. They have decades of experience (operating since 1970) with every sort of plumbing issue, and they’d be happy to help you out.

Whether you’ve just purchased your house or you’re a longtime homeowner, plumbing is one of the most common parts of the home to forget about. It’s all too easy to take for granted that you’ve got working pipes until something goes wrong. What might seem like a sudden disaster on your end has actually taken a long time to build up, and there are plenty of warning signs you may have missed.

We’ve put together a list of some surefire signs that something is amiss with your plumbing. These issues might seem small, but even just one of them is reason enough to get in touch with a professional plumber right away. The longer you go without addressing these tiny plumbing problems, the sooner they might balloon into something much bigger.

1. No Water From Your Sink

This one might seem obvious, but it’s no joke: If your sink doesn’t let out any water when the knobs are turned, something is wrong! There could be many reasons for the lack of water flow, from a blocked main to a major leak somewhere in the pipes. Whatever the cause, it’s sure to lead to stress in a busy household. You should call a plumbing company immediately upon noticing this.

2. Constant Toilet Overflow

Listen, we all know that clogged and overflowing toilets happen. If you’ve flushed a lot of waste at once, it’s totally normal and understandable for a clog to happen. In these cases, you can just grab the plunger and get to work. Generally speaking, the problem will take care of itself after a few pushes off the plunger, and you don’t need to worry about it further.

Where an overflowing toilet becomes more problematic is when it happens all the time and for no apparent reason. For example, if you’re flushing down only a small amount of waste, or even no waste at all, and the toilet still struggles as though you’ve clogged it, something is wrong. In many cases, this might mean there’s a problem with backup deeper within the piping that your sewage runs through. Just using a plunger won’t be much help with an issue like that, but a professional plumber can take care of it in a snap. Be sure to get in touch with a professional who has access to high-quality drain clearing materials.

3. No Hot Water

Here’s a nightmare scenario: You hop in the shower one morning, flip the switch and prepare for some nice, warm water, only to be met with a freezing cold stream. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than a cold shower, and you’ll also be unable to perform other important household functions like washing the dishes. If you’re having trouble getting hot water from your faucets, there’s probably something going on with your water heater. Your house may be in need of a water tank or heater upgrade, or you may just need to get the pilot light up and running again. Either way, you should contact a plumber to check it out and determine what’s depriving you of warm water.

Give Us A Call Today

When it comes to something as vital as plumbing, you need a group of professionals you can rely on. Our team of experts can provide the highest quality of service for all your plumbings upgrades, repairs, and other needs. Call us today to get all the details and schedule an appointment.

Your plumbing system is one of the most important systems in your home. If you do not keep it properly maintained, a number of issues can arise and cause you problems. One of the most annoying issues of a plumbing system is a leaking toilet. A leak increases your water consumption, thus increasing your water bill. Some typical sounds associated with a silent leak are sounds coming from the toilet when it is not being used, needing to keep the handle pressed down to completely empty the tank, water that runs down the sides of a toilet when it is not being flushed and runs even when the handle has not been pressed down. These can point towards a leak; however, you may have a leak even if you cannot hear it or see it. This type of leak is called a silent toilet leak. In order to diagnose this type of leak, you will need to perform one of the following tests.

* The Dye Test

This test is very popular among homeowners. To perform this test, you will need to purchase a dye kit from your local plumbing supplier or your water company. The dye supplied is typically red in color. Once the dye has been purchased, you are ready to begin the leak test. Remove the water tank cover and any product that colors the water, such as a toilet cleaning tablet. In order to do this test, you will need completely clear water. Next, place enough dye in the tank to create a deep red color. Wait thirty minutes and verify if the water changed color. If the water has turned even a light pinkish color, you have a silent leak.

* Shut Off the Water to the Toilet
another way to determine if you have a silent leak is to turn off the water to the toilet at bedtime. In the morning, check the water level in the tank. If there is less water in the tank than there was when you went to bed, you have a silent toilet leak.

Toilet leaks can cause you to waste a lot of water. In fact, some homeowners lose as much as 500 gallons of water each day due to a leaky toilet. This not only increases your water bill but also is not good for the environment. There are several reasons for a leaky toilet, including a worn out ball or flapper, a crack or hole in the overflow tube, the gasket under the flush valve is damaged or a new washer or seat is needed for the ballcock.

Because silent leaks cannot be heard or seen, many homeowners do not know they have a leak until they get a huge water bill or experience a serious plumbing issue. One of the most important maintenance tests that a homeowner can perform is a silent leak test using one of the methods described above. Performing this test will ensure that your toilet is running properly, improve your water conservation efforts and keep your water bills low.

A water heater is one of those appliances you use daily. This is why you should perform key maintenance tasks. By doing this, you will be making sure your water heater runs for many years to come, and save money on costly repairs. When the water heater breaks down, you will be inconvenienced because you have to find other options, which can take a lot of time. Here are some tips that are going to help keep the hot water working well.

Lowering the temperature setting on the water heater
The default setting of most water heaters is over 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature recommended by most professional lumbers is between 115 and 120 degrees. When you set the lower temperature for your water heater, you are reducing the chances of the water heater overheating, and you can also expect to see up to 5% savings on your energy bill.

Inspecting the temperature and pressure relief valve
This is the safety valve on the water heater. When the water heater is heating water even after it has reached the set temperature, then it can result in an explosion because there has been a lot of pressure building up inside. To prevent this, the water heater is going to expel excess pressure and temperature through a valve, and the water heater is going to run normally. The three steps of inspecting the valve are;

– Lifting the T & P lever partway then allowing it to snap back.
– You should expect to hear gurgling noise because the valve is sending water to the drain.
– If it doesn’t do anything, then you should make an effort of contacting a professional so the valve can be replaced.

Performing a mini-flush on the water heater
Sediment is going to build up in the water heater tank over time. The sediment can cause the tank to corrode and also reduce the efficiency of your water heater. How often you are going to flush dependence on the hardness and acidity of the water in the area. Below is a simple guide to use in flushing a water heater.

– Shut off the power if you have an electric water heater because safety always comes first.
– Put a bucket under the drain valve or connecting a hose running to a safe place outside
-Open the drain valve of the water heater carefully turning it in a counter-clockwise manner. The water is very hot, and it can easily result in a person getting burned if they are not careful.
– After emptying one to two gallons, turn the valve clockwise to shut it down.

If the water heater hasn’t been maintained regularly, then you can expect to deal with a corroded valve, and it is not going to properly operate. If you don’t feel confident doing this, then you should call a professional plumber to do it for you.
While you can do a lot to prevent the water heater from breaking down, you will still need a professional to do a water heater inspection at least once a year.

Plumbing emergencies can crop up at any time of day or night; during such times, you need to be able to call in a qualified and reputable plumbing professional to rescue the situation. Often times, when disaster strikes people tend to throw everything they have learnt over time, opting for a quick and mostly cheap fix.

However, when it comes to plumbing, calling in the first name you see on online search results or phone directory may not work out well especially in the long run; a cheap and quick fix now may result into costly repairs further down the line.

Here are some useful tips on how to find the right 24 hour plumber to help you through a plumbing emergency.

24 Hour Service

First and foremost, you need to make sure that you are dealing with a 24 hour plumbing service. After a water pipe bursts and starts dumping gallons of water into your basement or any other part of your home, you have no time to waste calling plumbers that are closed for business, or too far away to come in during the middle of the night. In most cases, you will find that 24 hour plumbing services operate locally.

Customer Answering Service

The first sign of a plumbing service’s dedication to offering the best services to their customers is a helpful answering service. When you call the plumber’s number, do you get the helpful voice of a professional that understands the pressing nature of your emergency, or do you get an answering machine?

Of course the best services will have a knowledgeable and helpful professional answering all their calls.

Cost

As a rule of thumb, any price estimate you get over the phone is most likely going to be a base price; it is likely to go up, once the plumber comes to your house and takes stock of the sort of damage they need to fix. Furthermore, the cheapest repair option usually turns out to be the costliest in the long run. As such, avoid going choosing plumbers based on price alone, even during emergencies, instead considering how much value you get from their specific services.

While you might not have the time to properly vet each and every plumbing service available to you, using the tips above in mind when looking to hire a 24 hour plumbing service during an emergency will increase your chances of making the right hire.

Clogged toilets are noted as being one of the most common residential plumbing problems.

Whether it is jewelry or rolled up toilet paper, the toilet can clog up in seconds and become impossible to correct. As a result, it’s important to understand what can be done to make sure it’s properly taken care of.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preventing a toilet from clogging.

1) Set a Scheduled Maintenance Routine

Maintenance is a must whether it has to do with smaller components or how the toilet is functioning. Each part plays a role in the toilet’s ability to function properly.

This is why it’s important to go through a comprehensive maintenance routine twice a year. This semi-annual approach can help alleviate clogged toilets over the long-term.

Any issue that does arise will be taken care of during the scheduled maintenance routine. For those willing to spend a bit of money, it’s highly recommended to seek out a qualified plumbing company for these scheduled check-ups.

2) Don’t Use Chemicals

Chemicals are horrible for the toilet and can do a tremendous amount of damage to the toilet’s structural integrity.

It may seem like a good idea to use chemicals while cleaning the toilet but they do more harm than good. It’s all about keeping the cleaning process as natural as possible to avoid filling the toilet is bad chemicals. These chemicals can start to build up inside the pipes and eventually clog up the toilet.

It’s better to avoid chemicals and only use natural cleaning methods such as a plunger.

This will ensure the pipes remain clear throughout the year.

3) Only Flush Human Waste and Toilet Paper

Stuffing random items into the toilet and flushing them is a bad idea. This is what ends up costing property owners. It’s important to not only avoid doing this as an adult but to also make sure younger children are aware of these rules. They shouldn’t be tossing small toys into the toilet and flushing them.

This is one of the fastest ways to clog the toilet.

It’s a good habit to make sure only human waste and small amounts of toilet paper are flushed (don’t roll up the tissue paper into a large ball!). Anything other than shouldn’t be going into a toilet bowl.

4) Purchase a Good Plunger

Sometimes, the issue has more to do with not having the right plumbing tools.

There are situations where a property owner may ignore a problem because they don’t own a plunger. It’s better to go out and invest in one as soon as possible. This will make it easier to take care of minor problems before they turn into larger ones. In many cases, quick action can go a long way in keeping the toilet in good shape.

These are the tips to implement as soon as possible when it comes to keeping the toilet in good shape. There is no reason to see it get clogged as long as the right steps are taken.

If you aren’t already familiar with the inner workings of your toilet, it is worth learning more about how the flushing process works. Once you understand how the components in the toilet tank work, you will be in a much better position to identify toilet-related problems.

The best way to learn more about your toilet is by watching it in action. Begin by removing the lid from the back of the toilet tank. Then, flush the toilet. As you do, you will see that the toilet handle is attached to a chain that lifts up a flapper valve. This opens the flush valve opening, allowing water to drop down from the tank into the bowl. As the new water enters the toilet bowl, the dirty water and the waste is forced down the drain pipe. Once all of the water has been removed from the tank, the flapper valve drops back into position, blocking the exit and allowing the tank to fill up again. Once the float ball reaches the correct height in the tank, the water shuts off.

After seeing all of these steps in action, it will be easier for you to identify problems so that you can have them repaired.

A Bad Flapper Valve

If the flapper valve on a toilet becomes cracked or gets too brittle over time, it will no longer seat properly around the opening in the bottom of the tank. As a result, water can continuously seep down from the tank into the bowl, causing the toilet to run all of the time. Another common symptom of this problem is if it sounds like there is a pipe banging when the toilet finishes filling. This is an easy repair that our experts will be more than happy to help you make.

Upgrading Your Existing Toilet

If you have a standard toilet in your home, you may want to consider upgrading it to a larger model. Bigger toilets are generally more comfortable to use. Although it may not seem like comfort should be a big factor when choosing a toilet, it is actually an important consideration. If you are ready to make a positive change, contact us today so that we can help you find a toilet that is sized properly for your needs.

Other Toilet Issues That Require Professional Repair

Some of the other toilet problems that can occur that require professional assistance include the following:

* Leaking water
* Cracks in the tank of the toilet
* Pools of water around the base of the toilet
* Problems flushing the toilet
*A handle that is stuck or that is too loose

Regardless of what type of toilet problems you are experiencing, our professionals can help. Reach out to us today for expert assistance.

It is easy to take things for granted in life, and sound plumbing is often one of them. A home’s plumbing system tends to get lots of wear and tear, but we only think about the inner workings of the pipes when there is a problem. This is the time we really notice how important it is to take care of one’s pluming. Fear not, the following paragraphs offer some useful hints that can keep your plumbing working well and prevent costly and time-consuming repairs.

1) Steer Clear Of De-Cloggers
Toilets, sinks and drains are prone to clogs, and this is a fact of life. There are chemical agents available on the market that claim to alleviate these clogs. Keep in mind that these are not a great idea and can cause more harm than good over the long term. Thus, try to steer clear of their use. Drain augers or vacuum tools may be much more effective and safer to use.

2) Keep Grease Out Of Your Drain
In a time crunch, you may be tempted to pour grease down the sink because it seems to disappear just as the water does. But, if this happens often, there will be a serious buildup that eventually causes a clog. You will then be forced to spend valuable time and perhaps also money to remedy the situation. Therefore, find another way to dispose of your household grease and oil.

3) Learn About Your Own Plumbing
You need not train yourself in every aspect of plumbing systems, but it is smart to become familiar with the basic functions of your home’s pipes. If you have a main pipe burst, it is helpful to be able to shut off the main valve to limit the amount of harm sustained.

4) Increase Accessibility Of Access Points
You would hate to call a plumber only to have him or her waste time moving things around in your house simply to access the pipes and drains. Keep these areas clear of items and obstacles so that emergencies can be quickly handled.

The ideas above are just some of the ways you can prepare yourself to deal with plumbing situations that may arise in your house. Of course, if you encounter a scenario that is beyond your capabilities, we hope you will contact us right away for professional, prompt assistance. We know how stressful plumbing problems can be, and we stand ready to bring our training and knowledge to bear. We are committed to getting your plumbing and your life up and running like normal in no time at all.

Plumbing issues are very inconvenient. However, what will you do if you find yourself with a true plumbing emergency? This can be a very scary moment as you fear that the threat of damage to your home looms with every passing second.

The first step you need to take is calling a plumbing professional. Pick up your phone and ask for a plumber to be sent to your place immediately.

However, while you are waiting for the plumber, you need to do some things to avoid further damage. Depending on the situation, these will prevent things from getting worse while waiting for help.

Turn the water off

Before you even think of calling a plumber, you need to first turn the water off immediately. It is very important to know where your property’s mains are and how to shut them off so that in case of an emergency you will not have to spend a lot of time looking for them.

Turn the hot water system off

If your hot water tank is leaking, you need to shut down the system. You need to also familiarize yourself with the operation of your heating system so that you know where the switch is located.

You can also isolate this system so that you can continue to use cold water throughout the house. There is usually a separate isolation valve that controls this.

Stop any residual leaks

Any leaks that occur from fixtures can be isolated if they have a specific valve. Trace the pipe back to any valve and turn to shut off the flow. If the water is flowing or gushing, turn off the water at the mains.

Use a duct or Teflon tape to temporarily hold off any residual water leaking from taps or pipe connectors. Use a container to collect any drops and place towels around the area to hold off further water damage until the arrival of the plumber.

If there is a gas leak, it is important to know where the gas main that is the gas meter is located and turn the isolation valve to the ‘Off’ position. This will immediately shut off all gas supply until further help arrives.

Unblock drains

Having a blocked drain emergency can be very scary as the water can overflow without warning. If you find yourself in this situation, you need to stop using any water in the house.

If you discover that you have a minor blockage and you know the source, it is good to use methods such as the cup plunger to unblock the sinks and toilets.

Drains will usually block over time and the best indication of this is a gurgling sound. A gurgling sound during the drainage process is usually a sign of a blockage. If you notice this, it is good to call a plumber to provide a solution rather than waiting for it to get worse without further warning.

Stay Calm

The most important thing when a plumbing emergency occurs is to stay calm and act logically. It is very important to read this tips and understand them well but always remember that familiarizing yourself with your mains will help you maintain control during an emergency. Having the ability to think straight will go a long way in helping you hold off the damage until a professional arrives.