Category Archives: Plumbing Advice

Professional Advice And Tips For A New Water Heater

May 31, 2016Energy Efficiency, Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advicematt

The hot water heater in your home is one of the most important parts that keep it functioning. You need your hot water heater for using hot water in the shower and to wash clothes and dishes. What happens when your water heater goes out? How do you know that you need a new hot water heater? Are there any tips in order to make this process much easier? There are a few signs that your local plumber can point out to you before it is too late. If you catch these problems sooner rather than later, you will save yourself money and time in the long run.

Signs That You Have A Problem

Your local DC plumbing company can show you exactly what you need to know when it comes to your water heater. One of the first signs that you need to replace your hot water heater is that it drips, leaks or water has started to build up underneath the water heater. If you look at the flame, it should be burning blue. If it is burning another color such as yellow, it is time to get your hot water heater checked out.

Temperature Fluctuations And Rust

If you have set your hot water heater’s temperature pretty high and you have noticed that your showers are either too cold or too hot, there could be a problem with the hot water heater. If it cannot regulate temperature, a diagnosis is in order, maybe even a replacement.

Many homeowners notice some rust coming out of the faucets. This means that the hot water heater is in need of a flushing, and also possibly a replacement. Lastly, if you notice any type of changes in the physical appearance of the hot water heater, it may be time for a new one.

Metal Rods Can Save The Water Heater

What many people do not know is that there is a metal rod in the hot water heater that can pretty much save it. This rod is called the anode rod and it is what can help to keep the hot water heater from rusting from the inside out. These rods generally last up to five years, sometimes longer, but they are usually the prime suspect when the hot water heater starts to go out. When your local plumber comes out to look at the hot water heater, chances are they will check this rod first.

When it comes down to the health of your hot water heater, it is important to remember to catch these signs before it is too late. Replacing a hot water heater can get pretty expensive. When you call on the right plumbers, they can catch the problem long before you are due to have a new one installed. If you see any of these signs, do not panic, but do call your plumber. They will make sure that they can fix the problem before it begins to get worse. You will have functioning hot water flowing again in no time with their help.

Why Leaks Can Cause More Problems

May 26, 2016Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advicematt

Whenever there is a plumbing leak, some homeowners may have a tendency to blow it off until it gets to that point where they must call on their local plumber. When leaks are simply pushed to the side, there is actually more that can happen and compound. One of these major problems is that leaks can invite bugs and other pests come into your home. Having a water leak can lead to having quite a few different bugs in your home and no one likes to spend that much time with bugs.

Water Makes Them Thrive

Because these pests need water in order to survive, like most organisms, they are attracted to your home instantly when they see that there is a leak of some sort. Your local DC plumber will tell you how you can get rid of the leak and probably give some advice about the pests that are coming in with it. When bugs see that there is a free flowing water supply coming from somewhere in your home, they think they have found an oasis.

There are many different places that you need to be aware of that could be attracting bugs and other pests. There are many places in your home that are not the easiest to reach and these places could possibly be housing your pests. In your kitchen, roaches love to hide near any water that may build up underneath and around the bottom of your refrigerator. This is one of the first spots to look when you suspect you have a leak.

Other Spots For Hidden Pests

In your home, you will find out that there are plenty of nooks and crannies for these pests to find water that has been leaking. One of the easiest places to find leaks is around the sink and toilet in the bathroom. These spots are great hideouts for pests like roaches and you will see them immediately if you have discovered that you have a leak. Also, check in any cabinets that may have water pipes in them. This is prime ground for pests to breed.

All in all, your local plumber will let you know what they can do about these leaks. They will seal them up first and that should remove the welcome mat for pests. Eliminate any remaining ones yourself or speak with an exterminator. Be sure to keep an eye on appliances and pipes in your home that could be leaking water. These areas are a breeding and living habitat for all types of pests and they will slowly take over your home if you do not take care of the leaks as soon as possible.

Signs That You Need To Have Your Drains Cleaned

May 15, 2016DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, Plumbing AdviceDC plumbing repairs, DC plumbing servicesmatt

When the drains in your home get backed up, there could be plenty of reasons why. It is a very annoying thing to have to deal with, but there are many professional plumbers that can give you advice on when and how to have your drains cleaned. Following these tips will not only help you to have cleaner drains, but you will also have less plumbing issues to deal with in the future.

Calling Your Local Plumber For Help

There are specific signs that you will see that will let you know when it is time for a drain cleaning. DC plumbing services can help you with all of these needs. As soon as you have seen some of these signs, it is very important to call your plumber immediately. You do not want to have continuous buildup in your drains or you may have to deal with other repairs in the long run. Many different drain problems may not even require a plumber. For most of these issues, you can use a drain opener that you can buy from your local hardware store.

Accumulation In The Shower

When you notice that your drains are frequently stopped up, this is the sure sign that you have a drain problem. Many people notice this right off in the shower or bath. This is one of the easiest drains to clog because of the amount of hair that tends to get accumulate. This is one drain that you can use the store bought products in. If you see that it continues to happen after buying hair catchers and other drain products, it will be time to call your local plumber. They will be able to explain to you more about why this is happening so frequently.

Smells Are A Sign

Bad smells that are coming from your drain are another way to tell that you have a clogged drain. This may mean that you have more than you think backed up in your drains. You may actually have some serious waste problems that you will need to get help for. When you call your plumber, let them know that you have bad smells coming out of your pipes. They will be able to help you with the problem, especially if it is a sewer drain problem.

Slow Draining

If your drains are running and draining very slowly, you have a backup. This is one of those situations that can be taken care of with store bought drain openers. If the problem is too bad though, you may need your plumber to come out to repair it. There are simple ways to fix it yourself, but unless you have some plumbing skills under your belt, you probably should not attempt the repair on your own. Once you are aware of these problems, it is imperative that you have them looked at right away.

Tips On Making The Change To Plastic Pipes

May 13, 2016DIY Plumbing, Plumbing Adviceadmin

Many homeowners are deciding to put plastic pipes in their homes. A lot of them are switching from copper and bronze because of the wear and tear. Plastic has become one of the most popular types of pipe to use in the home recently. Is it right for your home? There are a few tips from professional plumbers that can help you decide.

What Are The Advantages?

There are quite a few reasons that home owners decide to make the switch to plastic pipes. A plumber in DC will make sure that you know all there is to know about changing over to plastic pipes. These pipes are very flexible. Most of them have been made to be joint free which means that they will not leak as much as your current pipes. Less leaks means that you will have fewer problems with your pipes.

Plastic pipes are much easier to install and they cost less. This will save you money on parts and labor when you go to make the switch. Plastic pipes have also been shown to last much longer than others. Some tests show that these pipes will last up to 100 years longer than bronze or copper pipes. Lastly, plastic pipes can be used again and recycled. This seems to be the best choice for those thinking of the earth.

The Different Types Of Pipes

There are quite a few types of plastic pipes to choose from. PVC and CPVC are two of the most well-known of these pipes. PVC pipes are mostly used for colder water whereas CPVC are used for hot water. PVC pipes are the white, plastic pipes that are very rigid. PE pipes are a type of plastic pipe that is incredibly flexible. These types of pipes have been shaped and curved in a very specific way so that there is no need to fit the pipes together. This also helps to keep the leaks away. Finally, there is ABS piping. This is made out of black plastic and is quite rigid as well. This type of piping is mostly used for drainage lines. This type of plastic piping is actually cheaper than PVC pipes.

You can probably walk around your local do-it-yourself store and see the sudden change in the piping sections. You will see that plastic pipes seem to be taking over in the world of plumbing. If you are seriously interested in making the switch, your local plumber can give you quite a lot of helpful tips and information that can help you decide. Making the change can be difficult to grasp, but once you have decided, you will be saving more money and even energy. The pipes that you have in your home are probably very old and could use a remodel. Changing them out will even give you a cleaner water supply and you will have less of a chance of having freezing pipes in the winter time. Talk with your local plumber about making the switch today.

Helpful Advice About The Cleanliness Of Your Home’s Water

May 12, 2016Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advicematt

There is quite a lot of talk about the cleanliness and safety of water these days. With all of the chatter about the terrible water problems faced in Michigan, it is no wonder that Americans are scared of finding lead or other contaminants in their water supply. You are probably worried about how safe your water is to drink. There are some steps that many professionals will suggest to you in order to make sure your water is safe.

What Do I Need To Know?

Having your pipes checked is one of the best ways that you can be sure that there is no lead in your water. This can be done by your local plumber when they come to do any standard DC plumbing repairs. When homes were being built in the very early 20^th century, there was little or no concern about how dangerous lead was to the homeowners and their families. Most of the pipes that were installed at that time in homes were all lead pipes. Once your plumber does a little more investigating into your pipes, they will be able to tell you if they are lead. Most of these home have had the pipes replaced, but there could be a few laying around that got missed. Your local plumber can even help to replace the pipes if you do have any lead ones in your home.

Water Treatment Systems

One way to keep lead out of your water is by having a water treatment system installed. This will keep all of the toxins and contaminants out of your drinking water. Your plumber can install this for you as well. Once you have it in place, your water will be much cleaner and safer for you and your family to drink. The great thing about a water treatment system is that if your city has lead in the water, you won’t. You will be drinking the cleanest water in the city because of the treatment system that you have installed.

Ways To Reduce Exposure

Many homeowners find out that their homes and pipes have been exposed to lead and that is why they have a problem with their water. There are many rules of thumb to remember when drinking and cooking with water. It is important that you never use hot or warm water to cook with or to drink. There are chances of the amount of lead in warm water being higher than with cold water, even directly out of the faucet. When getting drinking water, you should run the water until it is as cold as it can get. Then fill up a pitcher or bottle and place it in the refrigerator until you want to drink it later in the day. If you do not have water filters, this is the best way to know your water is clean.

The quality of your water is important and if you are unsure on how clean it is, ask your local plumber to help you out. He can test your water & suggest solutions for your specific needs and budget.

What Happens When My Pipes Freeze In The Winter?

May 10, 2016How To, Plumbing Adviceadmin

Everyone dreads the cold weather for many reasons. One of those reasons is that they are not prepared for what to do if their pipes freeze. All of the professionals say to leave at least one faucet dripping in order to make sure that the pipes do not freeze. We are human, however, and we may forget. It is going to happen and the thing to do is to stay calm and listen to some of the advice from professional plumbers.

Winter Proofing Your Home

A DC plumbing company will gladly give you some advice on how to make your home winter proof and ready for the cold. There are some days that the temperature will drop below freezing and it is important that you leave the faucets in your home dripping. Your local plumber will walk you through all of the steps that it takes to winter proof your home. If you ever have any questions about the faucets, do not be afraid to ask them. They are here to help you out. They can also do a winter check-up on your home to make sure that you have everything in place that you need. They will make sure that your pipes are in good condition going into the colder months.

If you are unable to winter proof your home appropriately, there may be some consequences. When the pipes in your home freeze, there is no simple way to repair them. If your pipes are frozen, chances are high that they have begun to crack, too. The big problem is when they thaw out and there is a lot of extra water running throughout your walls and into your home.

Calling Your Plumber Now

Once you have noticed this problem, there is nothing you can do except give your local plumber a call. Hopefully, they will be able to take care of this problem before it has gotten too far gone. They will come out and check all of the pipes in your home. If they get to the problem soon enough, they can help to keep your home from flooding. They can do some testing in the walls and in the pipes that will make sure that you will not have a huge mess to clean up. Letting them take a look at the issue is one the best ideas. Even if you do not have a problem, it never hurts to have your plumber look at the pipes anyway.

Frozen pipes can be a huge problem, but with the proper plumber to take care of them, you can be sure that your home will be safe from extra water and leakage. Your pipes are important and expensive, so be sure to leave those faucets dripping if you hear of any drop in the temperature.