Some of the Most Common Plumbing Emergencies

Some of the Most Common Plumbing Emergencies

As a smart homeowner, you need to know about some of the most common plumbing breakdowns that create emergencies around the house. It will help you be mentally and technically prepared to face the situation and not panic if you suspect a particular plumbing issue.

Let us look at the most common ones:

            1.   Faucet Leaks

The dripping sound of the faucet can be irritating and can take away your sleep. Faucet leaks are the most common plumbing problems, especially once the plumbing system or the fixtures age. Though they may not seem like an emergency at first, however, a leaky faucet can waste gallons of precious water as well as damage your home.

            2.   A Clogged Sink or Shower Drain

Clogged drains in the bathroom or kitchen can be distressing when the water collects or floods the rooms. It can be a big emergency for the family. As soon as you notice the water is draining slowly, take it as a warning sign not to be ignored if clogged drains are to be avoided by all means.

            3.   Clogged Toilets

Toilet clogs can create serious issues around the homes and are again a very common problem. Since the toilet fixtures are used more than the other plumbing fixtures, they often wear out. You can handle minor clogs with a plunger but if the problem recurs often, or refuses to settle, call for professional help.

            4.   Water Heater Issues

Another problem that comes up often is the shock of cold water when you turn on the shower expecting hot water. The problem can occur mainly due to some electrical fault, heater issue, or cracks or pipe burst. You will need to get in touch with your utility company at the earliest and resolve the hot water issue.

Water heater leak is another most common plumbing emergency that occurs, especially after years of use. The drips from the heater or the pipe joints can be seen as a puddle below the leaking point on the pipe. The water heater leaks, apart from creating a messy and wet floor, also unnecessarily increase your water bills due to the wasted water. So before the problem increases, it is smart to get the same inspected and repaired. It may range from replacing a valve, pipe to the entire heater.

            5.   Frozen or Burst Pipes

Frozen pipes are very frequent problems during winter. If your water supply stops suddenly during winters, the issue likely is that of frozen pipes. You will need to locate the section and try to resolve it by applying a hot towel or with the help of the hairdryer. You must remember that you do not use any flame for heating the frozen section since the pipes can burst. Pipes can also develop cracks or burst due to when the water expands or freezes rapidly. A burst pipe is a plumbing emergency that needs to be handled immediately by a denver plumbing contractor.

            6.   Faulty Toilet Flush

The valve of the flush button can stop functioning, creating constant running water in your toilet. It can waste a large amount of water as well as increase your water bills manifold. It ]needs to be inspected and repaired soon, to stop the dripping noise and the water wastage.

            7.   Washing Machine Hose Leaks

It is again a common problem that can arise at any time as the washing machine hose tends to crack or develop leaks over the years. You should inspect it for mold and dust too. 

            8.   Garbage Disposal Block

The device helps to keep the kitchen sink unclogged. However, it can get clogged and stop functioning and will need to be repaired asap.

            9.   Sewer System Malfunctioning

Sewer malfunctioning can be quite a nightmare as the system can throw the sewer back into the home and will need to be repaired immediately to stop your home from turning into a garbage dump.

            10.   Gas Pipe Leak

This also is a common household problem that needs immediate attention as it can be very dangerous if not resolved at the earliest. You should call for professional help without losing any time and get the gas pipe repaired.

 

12 Tips for Choosing the Right Plumbing Service

 

When a plumbing crisis strikes, it’s easy to go into panic mode and call the first plumbing company you find, but this isn’t always the best course of action. Hiring a plumber is often a costly ordeal on its own, so the last thing you want to deal with is an unexpected issue in the future due to a poor repair job.

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This is why it’s important to choose the right plumber. Not only will you benefit from a faster and more affordable job, but also one that will prevent further plumbing issues from happening a few months down the line. Another concern is the wellbeing and security of your family, which is something you can’t put a price on.

So, the next time your dog is swimming in the bathroom or your sink is spurting like a spring, here are 12 tips that’ll help you choose the right plumbing service.

Experience

Naturally, a plumbing company that has been around for a few years will be able to provide a much higher quality service than one that was only recently established. While it’s true that every company has to start somewhere, a more established plumber has already learned from the mistakes that an inexperienced plumber might make on your home.

Plumbing License

Confirm that the plumber you choose has valid licenses. This is required by all local authorities and states, so no plumbing service worth your money should be without one. If they don’t have a license, chances are there’s a good reason for it and you should look elsewhere.

Insurance

In a similar light, a good plumber is wise enough to take the necessary precautions in their work and insure themselves for general liability. This can also include workman’s compensation insurance, which protects the workers handling your plumbing. A good plumbing service will be able to provide evidence of their insurance or bonding upon request.

Website

These days, a website serves as the most common point of contact between a business and its potential customers. Therefore, a good plumbing service will have a well-designed website that adequately details their services. Their website should include information about their hours, areas of service, and contact details.

Additionally, a good plumbing service might be one that goes the extra mile and offers additional content on their website. This can include a blog where they provide advice on plumbing issues or a live support center that you can contact in emergencies. These elements serve as indicators of how much a company cares for its customers.

Warranties

Reputable plumbing companies trust their workers to provide good service and their suppliers to provide high-quality products and tools. Therefore, a good plumbing company should have a warranty on the labor and products they offer. Be sure to also check whether they have a satisfaction guarantee with respect to customer service.

Customer Treatment

The way a company handles their calls and inquiries is telling of their workplace culture and how they treat their customers. A good plumbing company will answer your call in a warm, friendly manner and provide a helpful service throughout the conversation. Their behavior will extend to when they visit your home, so be sure to keep it in mind.

Transparency

Nobody likes a company that sneaks in additional fees and charges that you weren’t informed about. A reliable plumber will be transparent about exactly how much you’ll pay for their services. Avoid working with a company that isn’t willing to provide an upfront quote for fixing your plumbing problems.

Online Reviews

In this day and age, any company that is proud of its services will have a position on review websites such as Yelp and Google My Business. They should also have social media accounts where they interact with customers and follow up on reviews. A plumbing service with a load of unhappy customers and one-star reviews should probably be avoided.

References

In addition to online reviews, a good plumbing company should be able to provide a list of references. You can follow up on these references to firstly, see if they’re legitimate and secondly, to get an idea of what it’s like to work with the plumbing service in question. If they refuse to provide any references at all, look elsewhere.

Location

While not necessarily telling of the quality of their service, it would be easier to deal with a company that is located in your local area. This way, you can visit their office and get an idea of how they operate. It also makes it easier to receive a fast response in the event of a plumbing emergency in the future.

Credentials

There are three main types of credentials that a plumber can have. This includes the following:

Apprentice: An apprentice is a plumber who works alongside journeymen or master plumbers to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills required to become a qualified plumber. They usually participate in classroom instruction and paid practical work.

Journeyman: After passing training, an apprentice graduates to a journeyman and earns a license from their local state. Most don’t have established companies but can handle the majority of plumbing work.

Master Plumber: If you find a master plumber, chances are they’re the best in your area. Master plumbers have associates degrees and have tons of experience.

Additional Services

Some companies offer additional services to their customers for added value. For instance, this company offers a Home Service Back Office, which allows plumbing and home service businesses to outsource their customer support operations. If you’re interested in starting your own plumbing or home service business, this will serve as a great addition to your company.

Look out for plumbers that offer additional services like these, as it shows that they’re willing to go the extra mile to stand out from their competitors.

Conclusion

By factoring in their experience, reputation, transparency, customer service and credentials, you’ll be able to find the right plumber for your needs and have a reliable company to call in emergencies. Taking the time to do your research will inevitably pay off in the future, making it a worthwhile endeavor.

 

DIY: Plumbing Repair Tips For Homeowners

While many people dread DIY plumbing projects, a lot of the projects are actually easy and do not take a great deal of time. Here are some home plumbing repairs that you can do on your own with just a few basic tools.

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Garbage Disposal Repair

One of the most common plumbing repair jobs is fixing a garbage disposal. If yours is making a humming noise but not working properly, follow these steps. This is a fairly simple fix, but make sure that the unit is turned off before you start.

Step 1: Use a flashlight to see if there is any debris clogging the unit.

Step 2: Grab some needle nose pliers to remove as much of the obstruction as possible.

Step 3: Get underneath the sink and use an Allen wrench to turn on the disposal. To do so, all you should have to do is insert the wrench into the bottom of the unit and turn. Once the disposal is on, any remaining debris should be freed to the point that it either goes down the unit or you can pull it out with the pliers.

 

Toilet Repair

Most people have an issue with their toilet at one time or another. The easiest problem to fix is a toilet that does not stop running. You may be able to jiggle the handle a little bit to loosen the chain and keep water from running out of the tank. If that doesn’t work, you’ll probably need to change the flapper valve. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Shut off the water to the toilet. You should see a knob at the base of the unit. Then, flush the toilet so that the tank empties.

Step 2: Take off the tank lid and check the flapper at the bottom of the tank. This is the part that keeps water from entering the bowl. If it is cracked or worn, take it out and bring it with you to the hardware store to make sure you find the right replacement.

Step 3: Replace the old flapper with the new one. Before you do, however, check the valve seat to make sure there aren’t any rough edges. If there are, use an emery cloth to smooth them. This will help create a more watertight seal.

 

Leaking Showerhead

A leaking showerhead is not only annoying; it can also raise your water bill a great deal. Here’s how to fix a showerhead that is leaking at the base:

Step 1: Take a wrench and unscrew the showerhead from the wall.

Step 2: Wrap some plumber’s tape around the threads of the stem.

Step 3: Re-attach the showerhead and turn the water on. If you still notice a leak, take the head off again and add a little more tape. If this still doesn’t work, then you may either need to call a plumber or buy a new showerhead.


Faucet Repair

Today’s faucets are relatively easy to fix as long as you know some basic information. For this particular example we’re going to use a traditional faucet that has two handles — one for hot water and one for cold water.

Step 1: You will want to have a screwdriver handy as well as a small Allen wrench. Look at where the water is coming from and then turn off the water supply. You should see a shut-off valve underneath the sink. If you don’t see one, then you may have to close your home’s main water valve.

Step 2: Once the water is turned off, open the faucet to relieve pressure. Cover your drain hole with a strainer or a rag so that you don’t run the risk of losing any small parts.

Step 3: Unscrew each handle. You may first need to pry off the decorative cap on each side.

Step 4: Take your wrench and remove the nut on the hot and cold side. Remove the stem and set it aside, making a note of which one goes on the hot side and which goes with the cold side.

Step 5: You should then see an O-ring, which sits on top of a seat washer. The washer is probably the culprit causing the leak because it has worn out.

Step 6: Replace each seat washer. It’s the part that is held in place with a brass screw that is upside-down. Take the old ones with you to the hardware store to make sure you get the right replacements.

Step 7: Use plumber’s grease to coat the replacement seat washers and insert them into the sink. Re-assemble the handles and the leak should be fixed.

If you have any problems with any of these projects, call your local plumber.

 

Author Bio

Patricia Bonacorda is the President of Spartan Plumbing a plumbing and HVAC Company. For over 50 years, they have assisted apartment and multi family homes. Spartan Plumbing is a licensed, bonded and insured business that has provided professional plumbing, heating and air conditioning services throughout the DC Region.

DIY – How to Fix a Leaking Faucet

In addition to being aggravating in general, leaking faucets make water bills go through the roof. With that in mind, it’s smart to take care of the problem right away. There are many places where a faucet can leak, and a leak at the handle can be especially perplexing. Despite turning the handle as far as possible, a small, steady trickle of water may drip out into the sink. When the faucet is on, the leak may turn into a small stream that gets onto counters and causes a mess. The good news is that repairing a faucet that’s leaking at its handle is fairly simple. Just follow the directions below.

What You’ll Need
Until you take apart the handle, you won’t be able to tell what is specifically causing the leak. Fortunately, it’s probably just one of two possible things: A damaged handle cartridge or a corroded, cracked O-ring. Neither part is especially expensive, so you might as well replace them both while you’re at it. The local big-box home improvement store is sure to have both pieces, and you can probably find them at smaller hardware stores as well.

In addition to buying O-rings and a handle cartridge, you will need the following tools:

  • Wire brush
  • Mini screwdriver
  • Allen wrench set
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Sharp knife
  • Wrench
  • Non-toxic, heatproof plumber’s grease
  • Calcium solvent

 

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1) Turn Off the Water
Any time you work on a sink, the first step is to turn off the water. The last thing you need is to be sprayed in the face after pulling off the handle.

  1. Look beneath the sink. There should be two valves located at the back or side of the cabinet.
  2. Turn each valve all the way to the left. You may have to use a wrench. Don’t use excessive force because it could damage the valve and force you to run out and buy a new one.
  3. Close or cover the drain to keep screws and other hardware from dropping in and getting lost.

2) Remove the Handle
The only way to repair a leaking faucet handle is by removing it. Follow these steps to do so.

  1. Take a minute to examine the handle and faucet. The specific steps that you’ll need to take will depend on how it is designed.
  2. If you have an older faucet, you should be able to simply twist off the handle or handles. Turn the handle as you would when turning it on. When it reaches what seems to be the farthest point, apply a little extra pressure and keep turning. It should push past that point. From there, keep turning it until it twists off completely.
  3. To remove the handle on a newer faucet, look for the brand logo near its base. You should be able to pry it off with a flathead screwdriver. Once it’s removed, you will see a tiny hole. Insert the Allen wrench or mini screwdriver into the hole and twist it to the left. At this point, you should be able to remove the handle.

3) Fix the Handle
Now that you’ve removed the handle, you can really get down to business. Keep in mind that the following steps are simply a guide. The assembly of your faucet and handle may differ slightly. You might want to snap photos as you work so that you can put it all together again easily.

  1. If you have a newer faucet, you will see a shroud. Twist it to the left to remove it.
  2. You should now see a small adapter that’s secured by a screw. Using a wrench to hold the assembly in place, remove the screw. The adapter should pull off with ease.
  3. Remove the small plastic cover that you’ll see after removing the adapter.
  4. There will be another, larger plastic cover. To remove it, twist it to the left with a wrench.
  5. To remove the small clip, just pry it off with a flathead screwdriver.
  6. Using the wrench, pull up on the stem of the faucet. This will allow you to access the spacer, which you should remove. At this point, you should be able to pull the stem off all the way.
  7. Use a wire brush and calcium solvent to remove any buildup. If it’s not removed, it could keep causing problems in the future.
  8. Remove the O-ring or O-rings and replace them with the new ones.
  9. Put in the new handle cartridge.

4) Rebuild the Faucet Handle
To rebuild the faucet handle, just follow the same steps you did before but do them in reverse. This is where the photos you took earlier will come in handy. Take your time while rebuilding the handle. Securely fasten all of the hardware and wipe everything down to ensure that it is dry and free of debris.

5) Test the Faucet
After everything is in place, turn the water back on by turning the valves beneath the sink. Look closely for signs of a leak. Turn the handle or handles and check to see if water leaks from them when the water is on. If not, you are good to go.