Plumbing problems can be a real pain. Not only do they disrupt your daily routine, but they can also lead to serious water damage if left unattended.
The best way to avoid costly repairs is by keeping up with routine maintenance. Here are some of the services plumbers offer: -Water leak detection.
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains and pipes are a common plumbing problem. When water or sewage backs up through sink, tub or toilet drains it can cause flooding, damage to your home’s structure, and create foul-smelling conditions in your home. Backed-up wastewater can also be hazardous to your family’s health and can contain dangerous bacteria.
Clogs can be caused by a variety of factors, including tree roots, hair, normal sludge buildup, sanitary items and more. Many clogs are easy to resolve, however, some require professional assistance.
A clogged drain is usually the first sign that your plumbing system has a problem. If multiple fixtures are affected, or if a clog affects the main sewer line, a professional plumbing service may be needed to resolve the issue. Clogs that affect the main sewer line are more costly to fix than those that affect individual drain lines within your home. This is because it can take longer to access these clogs and they’re often more difficult to clear.
Backflow Issues
A backflow issue is a big problem that can result in contamination of your fresh water supply. It happens when the pressure of sewage pipes is greater than that of the water lines that carry fresh water to your home. This can be caused by burst pipes or even by a malfunctioning water valve in a water system that is pressurized.
This can cause the flow of non-potable water to reverse its direction, contaminating the potable water supply with dangerous substances like toxins and bacteria. You can prevent this by having backflow prevention devices installed and having them tested regularly.
Another way that you can prevent backflow is by installing air gaps in your plumbing systems, such as at the point where the wastewater pipe meets the potable water line. These will make sure that there is no cross-contamination. However, it is important to remember that these devices are not foolproof and they will need to be tested on a regular basis.
Water Heater Repairs
Water heater issues often call for professional plumbing services, especially if you’re dealing with a leaking water heater. A fully ruptured tank can cause significant and expensive damage to your home and may require a new water heater installation.
Some common water heater repair issues include cold showers, faulty heating elements, high water bills and smelly or bad-tasting water. Homeowners can do a few things to troubleshoot these problems before calling a plumber. First, they can turn off the power supply to the water heater by resetting a tripped circuit breaker or replacing a blown fuse.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, homeowners can try turning off the water supply to the hot water heater by shutting off the valve located at the water heater or at the main meter box. They can also install a leak alarm and automatic shut off system on their water heater to prevent costly and dangerous flooding and water damage.
Drain Cleaning
Drain cleaning services can prevent clogs and keep your plumbing in optimal working condition. If you notice your sinks, bathtubs, or toilets emptying water slower than usual, that’s a sign your drain pipes are clogged. Regular drain cleaning can also help prevent sewage backups and other costly problems.
For stubborn clogs, plumbers use long snake augers or “roto-rooters” to break up and remove debris. They may also use a hydro-jetter, which uses a high-pressure water hose to clean out entire sections of pipe. Before using this method, however, plumbers insert a video camera into the drain line to look for any damage that could be made worse by the high-powered water.
Chemical drain cleaners are not recommended, as they can cause pipe damage and emit toxic fumes that are harmful to your health. Instead, opt for professional drain cleaning to keep your pipes healthy and your home smelling fresh.
