It’s easy to forget about where your running water is coming from when you can just turn on the tap and enjoy all of the clean, free-flowing water you’d like. But that water has to get to your home’s plumbing through water mains, and those pipes aren’t infallible. Over time, your water mains could become damaged due to root penetration, crushing, or pipe deterioration, leading to costly damage and leaks. Continue reading to learn what to look for in identifying water main damage and how to go about fixing the problem.

Symptoms

If you’re not looking for them, the symptoms of water main deterioration could completely pass you by unnoticed. Here are some major symptoms of water main damage to take seriously:

• Water Costs: This is a big red flag. If there are no other new fixtures or plumbing services that could account for higher water costs, this can indicate that there is something amiss with your water main–like a big leak!

• Old Pipes: Knowing how old your water main pipes are can help determine if there is risk of damage. Consider inspecting your plumbing with a high-tech video camera system to see if there is any visible damage.

• Water color: If a water main breaks, you may find brown or cloudy water running from your tap.

Solutions

When you discover the damage to your water main, the best course of action is to call in a professional to pinpoint the problem and repair it. While many homeowners may feel inclined to be their own handyman, amateur work when it comes to water main repair could put you at greater risk in the future for leaks and other malfunctions. If your water main is irreparably damaged from tree root penetration or a rupture, the water line must be dug up and replaced.

This may come as a surprise to property owners who don’t put much thought into their water main infrastructure, but it is possible to relocate your water main if the situation calls for it. Professional plumbing contractors can handle any type of water main relocation or repair that could arise, so be sure to ask if your water main would be better off in a different location. Whether encroaching tree roots are causing an issue with the water line or a remodeling project interferes with the current placement of the main, your plumber can install the water main in a new location.

It’s best to be aware of the symptoms of water main damage to know when to act quickly to fix any growing issues before it’s too late, so make sure you keep an eye out for the issues listed above.

You try to take a shower, and end up ankle-deep in murky water. You brush your teeth, and the
sink doesn’t drain. We’ve all been there. There’s nothing pleasant about a clogged drain or blocked pipe. Fortunately, there are a number of drain cleaning solutions that can have things running smoothly again in no time. How do you know whether to tackle the problem yourself or to call your local plumber in? Here are a few tips to help you make the decision.

Taking the DIY Approach

From hair to grease and beyond, many clogs and blockages are easily resolved at home, using a number of DIY techniques. These work particularly well on soft blockages that are located relatively close to the
surface of the drain. If you know what is blocking your drain, or you want to try a quick fix before calling a professional, these options may be for you.

Corrosive Drain Cleaners

The first thing that many people do when faced with a clogged drain is reach for the drain cleaner. There are a number of drain cleaners on the market that use corrosive chemicals to power through soft clogs near the surface of the drain. These cleaners typically come in liquid form and contain highly concentrated bleach, lye, or potassium hydroxide. Some drain cleaners contain two components that are mixed when poured into the drain, creating a gas that is trapped inside the plumbing by a thick foam. The foam is designed to coat the insides of the drain pipe, removing the substance causing the clog. Chemical drain cleaners can be very convenient and easy to use. Most of them just require you to pour them into the clogged drain, wait awhile, and then rinse with warm water. The downside to chemical drain cleaners is that they are typically ineffective on more difficult clogs, or on blockages that occur further down the sewer line. The corrosive nature of these products also makes them potentially dangerous if they come into contact with your skin, eyes, or even lungs if you inadvertently breathe in their fumes. If you decide to use a chemical drain cleaner, take care to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take proper caution to prevent injury.

The Natural Approach

A safer (but equally effective) alternative to chemical drain cleaners comes from combining ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Do you remember building volcanoes for the school science fair by combining vinegar with baking soda to make an “eruption?” This technique builds on that same principle. First, pour about 3/4 of a cup of dry baking soda down the drain. Then, pour about 1/2 a cup of vinegar down the drain. White vinegar and apple cider vinegar work great, but any type will do. As soon as you pour the vinegar down the drain, you’ll want to cover the drain opening with a rag or some type of drain plug. The mixture of vinegar and baking soda will cause a chemical reaction, creating a foam that will rise up through the drain (just like the volcano!). Covering the drain will keep as much of the foam inside the pipe as possible, where it can unleash its cleaning power. Let the foam do its thing for about 30 minutes, then flush it thoroughly by pouring hot water down the drain. It may take multiple applications, but this method often leaves your drain clean and flowing smoothly. Using baking soda and vinegar is great when you need a drain cleaning solution on the fly, or if you are looking for a natural alternative to corrosive cleaners.

Clearing the Trap

A third DIY solution requires a little bit more work on your part, but is well-worth it if you are
faced with a large hair clog, or some foreign material caught in your sink drain. The first thing you’ll want to do is clear out the area under the sink. Then, place a bucket (you can use a pot in a pinch) under the sink pipes to catch any water or other debris that might fall out of the sink trap. Use pliers to loosen the metal slip nuts, and then finish removing them by hand. If you’ve got a plastic trap, you can usually skip the pliers, and just turn the slip nuts manually. You can use your hands to knock any blockage from inside the “elbow” of the trap into your bucket. If the clog is higher up near the drain (as is often the case with hair clogs in bathroom sinks), you can straighten a wire hanger and use that to pull the clog down through the pipe. Once the blockage is clear, just put the elbow back on and re-tighten the slip nuts. Dispose of the water and debris in your bucket (do NOT pour it back down the drain!), and voila–as good as new!

When to Call in the Pros

There are some times when it is just better to leave the plumbing repair work to the professionals. Examples of professional draining cleaning jobs include when you have:

• Recurring or persistent clogs that don’t respond to DIY treatment
• Thick grease blockages
• Clogged sewer pipes
• Invasive root growth

Master plumbers and other professionals have access to a number of tools made specifically for handling difficult drain clogs and blockages. Professional drain cleaners, such as those containing sulfuric acid, can be extremely dangerous when used by someone other than a licensed professional. Other professional tools, such as those used for hydrojetting, are far too expensive to be practical for anyone other than a master plumber. With the right tools and their extensive training, your plumber can effectively clear your drains of even the toughest blockages.

If you have tried to attack a difficult clog to no avail, it is possible that the blockage is in a place beyond your reach. With a bathtub drain, you might have to go into the pipes behind a wall. Some clogs can even
occur further down the water main, outside the house. A licensed plumber has the knowledge andexperience to handle complicated situations, making sure that all of your pipesend up back in the right places, avoiding further issues down the line. Amaster plumber can clear a drain and conduct additional troubleshooting todetect invasive root growth or other issues that you may have overlooked. If you’ve got a leaking faucet in addition to a blocked drain, you might want to call in a professional who can take care of everything at once.

The pros of calling in the Pros include:

• Expert knowledge and experience
• High-quality tools made to get the job done
• Convenience of having someone else do the work
• Troubleshooting knowledge to prevent other issues

When it comes to simple drain clogs, you can often resolve them on your own. For larger, more difficult jobs, don’t let the cost of hiring a professional deter you. Many plumbing specialists offer reasonable rates for their services, and you can’t put a price on your personal safety and peace of mind. Resolving a problem like a persistent leak can also save you on your water bill–savings that are well worth enlisting the help of a
professional.

A rooter is one of a plumber and sewer professional’s most specialized tools. When you call a plumber for drain cleaning service or sewer
line assistance, having a basic understanding of what a rooter is and how it works can help you conduct a more productive conversation. You won’t be left in the dark regarding what’s actually wrong and what your plumber is going to do to fix it, and your plumber will see that you are an involved homeowner who values their services. By knowing the ins and outs of rooter use, you’ll also know what questions to ask to make sure that the job is done fully and that all necessary sewer pipe repairs are addressed.

In essence, a rooter is a specialized type of plumber’s snake. It consists of sharp blades attached to a heavy duty cable that can be inserted into sewer lines. The blades are then turned by an attached motor to break up invasive tree roots–hence the name “rooter.” The invention of the rooter was revolutionary because it meant that sewer contractors no longer had to dig up your lawn to get access to underground pipes that were clogged by overzealous tree root systems. Gaining access to sewer lines via a rooter is both less invasive and less expensive than excavating, which is a plus for both plumbers and homeowners. If you have clogged or slow draining pipes, a plumbing and sewer professional will be able to use their expert knowledge and diagnostic tools to determine if tree roots in your pipes are the culprit. If they are, a rooter will be able to address the “root” of the problem quickly and efficiently.

When it comes to tackling plumbing difficulties that are caused by tree roots, getting rid of the roots is only half the battle. If you have roots in your sewer lines, it means that there are holes or other damage to the structure of those pipes. Using a rooter is the first step in getting your pipes working again. In addition to that, though, your plumbing and drain service professional will also need to make any necessary repairs and do appropriate sewer line replacement work in order to get the whole system back into tip-top shape (and to prevent uninvited roots from becoming a problem again). If you don’t know what to ask for at this step of the process, however, there are some plumbing professionals out there who won’t bother to inform you that this is a necessary action. This is where knowing what a rooter is, how it works, and what caused the problem in the first place comes in handy. If you know the lay of the land before going in to a conversation with your plumber, you can make sure that your property and sewer lines get the best care possible.

We don’t all need to be plumbing experts, but a little basic knowledge about what a rooter is and how it works can go a long way in making sure that we get the best drain repair and plumbing service available. If you call your local plumber in for help with sewer line clogs, you’ll be able to go into that conversation armed with the information you need to be an informed and involved client.

Whether you are a homeowner or a business owner, your hot water heater is a central part of your day-to-day life and is essential to both your comfort and your basic needs. When hot water heaters stop working, it can have a huge impact on just about every aspect of your domestic or business routine. Due to their complexity, it’s not advisable to try to water heater repair work on your own. The good news is, though, that a master plumber will have on hand the tools and the expertise to address any issue you might be experiencing with your hot water supply and can perform whatever repair, service, or replacement work is necessary to get things back to normal.

There are a number of different elements that might signal that you have a problem with your water heater. You may run out of hot water quickly, or only get lukewarm water even when you run water from the hot tap. You may also hear banging or other noises from inside the water heater tank. These symptoms can signal an array of problems, from a cracked tank shell to a damaged or malfunctioning heating element. These are not problems that are safe to address on your own, even if you have extensive home repair experience. Water heaters are powered either by electricity or gas and, of course, are connected to water supply lines. Working with this combination of elements can be dangerous unless you have professional experience with those utilities, so it is advisable to leave both the diagnostic and repair work to an expert.

Once you call a plumber in, he or she will be able to assess the situation and determine what part of the water heater system isn’t working. In some cases, however, your water heater may simply be at the end of its life. In this scenario, your plumber will be able to help you determine what your current hot water heater needs are for your home or business and can help you choose and install a new water heater that will best suit your situation. Your plumber may even recommend a new tankless water heater, which, as the name suggests, eliminates the hot water holding tank found in traditional water heaters. Instead, tankless models heat the hot water you need on demand, which is a more energy-efficient option than constantly keeping a reservoir of hot water at the ready. Whatever option you choose, your plumber will be able to disconnect and remove the old heater and perform the new water heater installation so that you get hot water running again as quickly as possible.

A working hot water heater is an essential feature of any home or business. If you’re not getting the hot water you need, contact a master plumber in your area as soon as possible. They can perform necessary repair work that is beyond the purview of even the most intrepid DIY expert or can replace your water heater in cases where repair work won’t be sufficient. With their help, you’ll be able to enjoy plentiful hot water and to feel secure in the service or replacement work that was performed.

A problem with your plumbing system can cause countless inconveniences and expenses. Ignoring such issues or relying on amateurs is just asking for more trouble. If you suspect blockages, leaks, or other plumbing problems, call your local professional today.

Are you making home updates and improvements to prepare for a sale? Did you wake up one morning to find a flooded bathroom or a stopped up sink? Have you been experiencing very high water bills? These are just three of countless reasons why home and business owners may need to call in the services of a master plumber. When you have plumbing problems of any kind, it is essential to trust an experienced professional plumber, ensuring all repairs, installations, and maintenance tasks are performed with knowing hands and quality products. Amateur work can not only cause a disaster–it can end up costing you a fortune to have a professional reverse the damage!

Just some of the excellent services available to you through your local plumbing expert include:

• Rooter Service – Take one step beyond your typical drain cleaning job! Sometimes very nasty clogs–tougher than what typical over-the-counter drain cleaners can handle–block pipes deep within your plumbing infrastructure. To dissolve these hair wads, invasive tree roots, and other blockages, your local plumber will use a powerful tool called a plumber’s snake to clear the blockage. Professional operation of this tool is essential, as using a snake that is the wrong size or is too powerful for your particular system can result in warped, cracked, or bent pipes.
• Leak detection service – A leak in your plumbing can cause high water bills, damage to your home and property, and more. The first step to repairing the leak is actually locating it in the labyrinth of pipes that run through the walls, ceilings, and floors of your building! This can be done with a variety of high-tech leak detection methods, such as video pipe inspection, hydrostatic detection, and static detection. Once the leak is detected, the plumber can determine the source, size, and severity of the leak and begin the appropriate approach for repairs. Professional leak detection also takes much of the guesswork out of pipe repair, meaning that your system will be working at top notch again faster and with fewer disturbances to your property.
• Water heater repair and installation – Everyone’s been stuck with a cold shower at one point or another, and for most people, it’s not an experience that they wish to repeat. If you have a broken or malfunctioning water heater that produces no or insufficient hot water, cold showers aren’t the only problem–without hot water, your dishwasher and washing machine will be unable to provide you the best service possible. Make sure that all of your amenities and appliances are performing at full capacity by calling your professional plumber immediately if you suspect that your water heater is malfunctioning or underperforming. Signs of a spent or damaged water heater can include discolored water, leakage around the tank, lukewarm water, and water that turns cold quickly.

Faucet repair, sewer repair, and drain repair are some more of the quality services performed by your local plumber. A true professional is available to help with jobs both big and small. Plumbing is a modern marvel that makes life as we know it possible. Don’t exacerbate your troubles or inconvenience yourself by hesitating to give your plumbing system the treatment it needs–call today!

Professional plumbers have the knowledge and tools to keep your plumbing system in tip-top shape. If you have noticed that your system is behaving unusually, call in the experts for repairs that will last.

No one pays too much attention to their plumbing system–until there’s a problem, that is. Burst pipes, clogged drain and sewer lines, malfunctioning backflow testing equipment, and other plumbing system problems can cause property damage, render your appliances unusable, and even pose health risks and code violations. If you have recently noticed any of the following issues with your plumbing, you may need to call in a master plumber to give your system professional attention:

• Unusually high water bills
• Discolored or bad tasting water
• Weak water flow
• Drains not draining promptly
• Toilets backing up
• Warm water running out frequently or not flowing at all

If you recognize these symptoms or have any other complaint about your plumbing system, don’t hesitate to call your local plumbers. Professional craftsmanship ensures that the job will be done correctly, removes the risk of damages caused by amateur mistakes, and helps prevent similar problems from cropping up in the future.

Your local plumbers will perform a wide variety of services to keep your system running smoothly, including:

Leak detection – Using expert methods such as video pipe inspection and hydrostatic leak detection, your local professionals can locate any leak and determine its source and severity. This allows the plumber to customize a repair plain without performing major excavations or wall removals in order to diagnose the problem.

Rooter service - Sometimes clumps of hair, tree roots, and other foreign obstructions block your pipes and can’t be dissuaded by over-the-counter drain cleaning products. For all of the blockages that you just can’t clear, your local master plumber has a rooter snake. Using only the snake of the correct size and strength, your plumber will thread the device through your plumbing system to dislodge the blockage.

Sewer line repair and water main services - A burst pipe or cracked sewer line is a very stinky situation to say the least. Using leak detection technology, the plumber will first locate the source of the problem, and then, using quality tools and materials, replace or repair the troubled section of pipeline. Your plumber can also perform routine pipe degreasing.

Water heater repair and installation – Like all appliances, water heaters sometimes go on the fritz, forcing you into a world of cold showers and ineffective dishwashers and washing machines. Your local plumber can replace degraded anode rods, repair malfunctioning valves and lines, and more. In addition to troubleshooting your unit and determining the necessary repairs, the plumber can also recommend a replacement unit and perform installation in the event of an irreparable water heater issue.

These are just a handful of the many services offered by your local plumber. To learn about additional services, such as faucet repair, drain cleaning, and more, simply pick up the phone and call. Hesitation can only result in further damages to your plumbing and more days of having to live in a building that cannot function as it should. Stay on top of your home’s maintenance and repair: call your local plumber today.

A visit from your local plumber at the first sign of a plumbing problem can save you a great deal of money and stress. If you suspect any leaks, clogs, or other plumbing maladies, don’t hesitate to call!

Owning a home is a wonderful blessing, but it comes with lots of responsibility. If something breaks, it’s you who is responsible for taking care of the problem before it becomes a bigger issue that could irreparably damage your home, cost you tons of money, and even threaten the health and lives of you and your family members.

One part of your house that many homeowners don’t even consider to be any sort of threat to their health–or their wallets–is the plumbing. But in many cases, your plumbing can create major problems that will seriously set back your budget. A home that is older or puts a lot of demand on the plumbing system is at risk for a variety of plumbing problems that will start out as mere annoyances and grow into a completely different monsters. For instance:

• A leaky faucet could cost you hundreds of dollars or more in wasted water per year. Contact your local faucet repair specialist today to stop those pennies from falling down the drain. Faucet replacement is also available.
• If you’re experiencing low water pressure and abnormally high water bills, it may be due to a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Using state-of-the-art leak detection technology, such as video pipe inspection, hydrostatic leak detection, and static leak detection, your local plumbers will locate the source, severity and placement of the leak without having to break ground or walls in order to do so. Once the pipe is patched or replaced, you should notice a significant difference in service–and savings!
• Not every clog can be fixed with drain cleaning solution. For serious blockages, call a plumber in to find the source of the clog and dislodge it with specialized plumbers’ tools, such as a hydrojetter, plumbing snake, or rooter. Using professional instruments ensures that no further damage will be incurred on your pipes during the clearing process. Ignoring these blockages could result in burst or cracked pipes, a serious mess, and costly repairs.
• Most people don’t realize that many plumbers also handle gas line repair. A gas leak poses a huge threat to safety and health, so the moment you suspect a gas leak for any reason (smelling gas, feeling light-headed, etc.), evacuate the premises and call an expert in to have it fixed immediately.

Remember, quick action is the key to keeping your home’s plumbing in tip-top shape. It’s hard to believe that a tiny crack in your plumbing infrastructure could lead to a burst pipe, but it can, flooding your basement with sewage in the process… A water main leak underneath your slab could worsen until the foundation of your home is cracked, threatening the very stability of your home… When you plumbing is working at maximum efficiency, you’ll enjoy more years of home health and happiness. There’s a whole network of pipes running through your home and across your property, and it takes an expert to keep it running properly. The moment you suspect something is amiss, pick up the phone and dial your local plumbing experts to prevent bigger problems down the line.