Tag Archives: professional plumbers

Apr '24

Plumbing Nightmares: When Storms Wreak Havoc in Your Home

Stormy weather can often bring unexpected problems to your doorstep. While many homeowners worry about leaking roofs and flooded basements, one issue that is frequently overlooked is the impact that severe storms can have on your plumbing system. From burst pipes to overflowing drains, plumbing nightmares during storms can turn your peaceful abode into a chaotic mess. In this article, we will explore some of the common plumbing problems that arise during storms and provide you with tips and advice on how to handle these situations effectively.

Understanding the Impact of Storms on Your Plumbing System

When storms hit, the excessive amounts of rainfall can put a tremendous amount of pressure on your plumbing system. The sudden influx of water can overwhelm the pipes, leading to blockages, leaks, and even burst pipes. Additionally, heavy rainfall can cause sewer lines to become overwhelmed, resulting in sewer backups and flooding. Understanding how storms can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing is crucial in order to prepare for and prevent potential issues from occurring.

Identifying Common Plumbing Nightmares During Storms

Here are some of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners may encounter during storms:

Burst Pipes: When the temperature drops significantly during a storm, the water in your pipes can freeze and expand, causing them to burst. This can lead to extensive water damage and flooding in your home.

Flooding: Heavy rainfalls can saturate the ground around your home, leading to excess water seeping into your basement or crawl space. This can result in a flooded area that can damage your belongings and compromise the structural integrity of your home.

Blockages: Storms can cause debris, leaves, and other types of sediment to accumulate in your gutters, downspouts, and drainage pipes. This can lead to blockages, causing water to back up and potentially overflow into your home.

Sewer Backups: Excessive rainfall can overwhelm the sewer lines, leading to backups and potential sewage flooding in your home. This poses serious health hazards and requires immediate attention.

Leaking Roof: While not directly related to plumbing, a common issue during storms is a leaking roof. If water enters your home through the roof, it can affect your plumbing system as well.

a professional plumber making repairs on plumbing.

In cases of severe plumbing issues, it’s best to call a professional plumber who has the expertise and specialized equipment to handle the problem safely.

What to Do When Faced with a Plumbing Nightmare

When a plumbing nightmare strikes during a storm, it’s essential to act quickly to prevent further damage. Here are a few steps to take:

1. Shut Off the Water

If you experience a burst pipe or any other significant plumbing issue, locate your main water shut-off valve and turn it off immediately. This will stop the flow of water and minimize the damage caused by the plumbing emergency.

2. Call a Professional Plumber

In cases of severe plumbing issues, it’s best to call a professional plumber who has the expertise and specialized equipment to handle the problem safely. They will assess the situation, provide necessary repairs, and offer guidance on how to prevent similar issues in the future.

3. Remove Excess Water

If your home experiences flooding due to a plumbing nightmare, it’s important to remove excess water as soon as possible. Use a wet/dry vacuum or call a water damage restoration company to extract the water and dry out the affected areas.

4. Document the Damage

Take photos or videos of the damage caused by the plumbing emergency and contact your insurance company. Provide them with the necessary documentation to support your claim and ensure proper compensation for the repairs.

5. Preventative Measures

To minimize the risk of plumbing nightmares during storms, consider implementing the following preventative measures:

Insulate exposed pipes in your home to prevent freezing during cold weather.
Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly to avoid blockages.
Install a backwater valve to prevent sewer backups.
Ensure your sump pump is in good working condition and have a battery backup in case of power outages.
Regularly inspect your roof for leaks and address any issues promptly.

When storms wreak havoc in your home, the last thing you need is a plumbing nightmare adding to the chaos. By understanding the potential plumbing problems that can arise during storms and taking preventative measures, you can minimize the risk of damage and protect your home. Remember to act swiftly and seek professional help when needed. Stay proactive and prepared, and your plumbing system will weather the storms with ease.

Jan '24

What Can Your Plumber Find With a Sewer Camera Inspection?

Discovering the Hidden Mysteries: What Can Your Plumber Find With a Sewer Camera Inspection?

As a homeowner, it is essential to understand the inner workings of your plumbing system, especially when it comes to the sewer lines. Over time, sewer pipes can deteriorate, leading to blockages, leaks, or even complete system failure. In the past, diagnosing and resolving these issues required extensive digging and guesswork. Fortunately, with advancements in technology, plumbers now have a powerful tool at their disposal: the sewer camera inspection.

The Power of Sewer Camera Inspections

Sewer camera inspections have revolutionized the way plumbers identify and address plumbing problems. This non-invasive technique involves inserting a waterproof, high-resolution camera into the sewer lines to get an up-close look at the interior of the pipes. By doing so, plumbers can accurately diagnose issues, make more informed decisions, and provide targeted solutions.

The benefits of sewer camera inspections are numerous, offering homeowners and plumbers alike a comprehensive understanding of their plumbing systems. Let’s delve into what your plumber can discover using this cutting-edge technology:

1. Blockages and Clogs

One of the most common plumbing issues homeowners face is blockages and clogs in their sewer lines. These obstructions can result from a variety of factors, such as tree roots infiltrating the pipes, accumulation of debris and sediment, or even foreign objects mistakenly flushed down the toilet.

With a sewer camera inspection, your plumber can pinpoint the exact location and nature of the blockage. By identifying the cause, they can determine the most effective method to clear the obstruction, whether it requires hydro jetting to remove built-up debris or removing tree roots that have intruded into the pipes.

2. Pipe Damage and Deterioration

Over time, sewer pipes can deteriorate due to age, material weaknesses, or external factors. Cracks, fractures, and collapse are common issues that can lead to sewer line leaks and disruptions in the overall plumbing system. Traditionally, detecting these problems involved invasive digging, which was time-consuming and expensive.

Sewer camera inspections eliminate the need for excavation by providing a visual assessment of the pipe’s condition. By navigating the camera through the sewer lines, your plumber can identify any signs of damage, pinpoint the specific areas affected, and develop a targeted plan for repair or replacement. This proactive approach saves homeowners money by addressing potential issues before they escalate into major problems.

3. Bellied or Sagging Pipes

Overtime, the ground surrounding your sewer pipes can shift or settle. This movement can cause sections of the pipeline to sink, known as bellied or sagging pipes. Bellied pipes create low points where debris and waste can accumulate, leading to recurring clogs and backups.

By employing a sewer camera inspection, your plumber can identify bellied or sagging pipes with precision. This knowledge allows them to develop a strategic plan to rectify the issue, whether it involves pipe repositioning or pipe replacement, ensuring optimal flow within the sewer system.

a sewer line with tree roots grown into them.

By removing the roots and implementing preventive measures, your plumber can help you avoid future complications.

4. Infiltration of Tree Roots

Tree roots are a natural enemy of sewer lines. Seeking out sources of moisture and nutrients, roots can infiltrate and grow within the pipes, causing blockages, pipe fractures, and even collapse. Identifying the presence of tree roots is crucial as it provides insight into the severity of the problem and determines the most appropriate action plan.

Sewer camera inspections enable your plumber to detect tree root intrusion accurately. The camera’s high-resolution imagery allows them to visualize the extent of the infiltration and design solutions tailored to address the root cause of the issue. By removing the roots and implementing preventive measures, your plumber can help you avoid future complications.

5. Construction and Installation Issues

During the construction or installation of a home’s plumbing system, errors can occur. Inadequate slope, misaligned pipes, or improper connections can all lead to compromised sewer lines. These issues can cause frequent backups, low water pressure, and other plumbing problems.

With a sewer camera inspection, your plumber can identify any construction or installation errors. By reviewing the footage captured by the camera, they can pinpoint the problematic areas and recommend corrective measures. This proactive approach ensures that your plumbing system functions optimally and prevents future headaches.

In a Nutshell

Investing in a sewer camera inspection is a wise decision for homeowners looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of their plumbing systems. It enables plumbers to diagnose issues more accurately, design targeted solutions, and ultimately save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

If you suspect any problems with your sewer lines or want to ensure the overall health of your plumbing system, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber who offers sewer camera inspection services. By doing so, you can rest assured that your plumbing system is in capable hands and that any issues will be resolved with precision and efficiency.

Jul '23

Ask a Chicago Plumber: Should I Book Drain Cleaning?

As a homeowner in Chicago, you may have experienced clogged drains at some point. Whether it’s a slow-draining sink or a completely blocked toilet, dealing with such plumbing issues can be frustrating. Many homeowners wonder if booking a drain cleaning service is necessary or if they can solve the problem on their own. In this article, we will answer the question – should you book a drain cleaning? Let’s find out.

Understanding the Importance of Drain Cleaning

Before deciding whether to book drain cleaning, it’s essential to understand the importance of maintaining clean drains. Over time, various factors can lead to clogged drains, including grease, food particles, hair, soap scum, and even tree roots in outdoor drains. Neglecting regular drain cleaning can result in the following problems:

Slow or blocked drains

Foul odors

Overflowing sinks or toilets

Backups and water damage

Potential health hazards

Regular drain cleaning helps prevent these issues and ensures the proper functioning of your household plumbing.

When to Consider Booking Drain Cleaning

While some minor drain issues can be resolved with DIY methods, there are situations where booking professional drain cleaning becomes necessary. Consider the following scenarios:

Frequent clogs: If you experience recurring clogs in the same drain, it indicates a deeper problem that might require professional intervention.

Slow drainage: If your sinks, showers, or tubs are draining slower than usual, it may indicate a partial blockage that needs to be addressed before it worsens.

Foul smells: Persistent odors coming from your drains suggest a buildup of debris or bacteria, which requires thorough cleaning.

Multiple affected drains: If more than one drain is showing signs of clogging or slow drainage, it could indicate a larger issue in your plumbing system that needs professional assessment.

Older plumbing: If you have an older house with aging plumbing, regular drain cleaning can help mitigate potential problems caused by deteriorating pipes.

Preventive maintenance: Even if you haven’t encountered any noticeable issues, scheduling periodic drain clearing as part of your preventive maintenance routine can help catch potential problems early.

Benefits of Professional Drain Cleaning

Booking a professional drain cleaning service offers several advantages over DIY approaches. Here are some benefits worth considering:

Thorough cleaning: Plumbers have specialized tools and expertise to provide a more comprehensive and effective cleaning compared to home remedies.

Identifying underlying issues: A professional plumber can identify potential plumbing problems before they escalate, allowing you to address them proactively and avoid costly repairs in the future.

Preventing damage: Improper DIY techniques or using harsh chemicals can damage your plumbing system. Professional drain clearing ensures the longevity of your pipes and fixtures.

Time-saving: By hiring a professional plumber, you can save time and effort spent on attempting to fix the issue yourself.

Long-term savings: Regular drain cleaning helps prolong the lifespan of your plumbing system, reducing the likelihood of major breakdowns and expensive repairs.

DIY vs. Professional Drain Cleaning

While there are DIY methods for clearing minor drain clogs, it’s important to understand the limitations and risks involved. Chemical drain cleaners, for example, may provide temporary relief, but they can also harm your pipes and the environment. Snaking or using a plunger can help with simple clogs, but if the problem persists or recurs, it’s advisable to consult a local plumber for a more sustainable solution.

Choosing a Reliable Plumbing Service

When it comes to booking professional drain cleaning, it’s crucial to choose a reliable plumbing service in Chicago. Here are some factors to consider:

Experience and expertise: Look for a plumber with extensive experience in drain cleaning who can handle a variety of issues and plumbing systems.

Licensing and insurance: Ensure the plumbing service is properly licensed and has adequate insurance coverage to protect you and your property in case of any unforeseen incidents.

Reputation and reviews: Read customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the plumber’s reputation for professionalism, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

Pricing and warranty: Obtain multiple quotes to compare prices while ensuring that the plumber offers warranties or guarantees on their services.

Availability and response time: Choose a plumbing service that offers emergency plumbing services and can promptly respond to your cleaning needs.

In Summary

In conclusion, booking drain cleaning is highly recommended under certain circumstances, such as frequent clogs, slow drainage, foul odors, or multiple affected drains. Professional drain cleaning offers thorough cleaning, early detection of underlying issues, and long-term savings. While DIY methods can be effective for minor clogs, professional plumbers bring expertise, specialized tools, and preventive maintenance to ensure the proper functioning of your drains and plumbing system. Choosing a reliable local plumbing service is crucial to ensure quality service and customer satisfaction.

Mar '23

Can You Prevent Clogging of a Drain?

Can you prevent clogging of a drain?

Clogged drains are a common problem in modern plumbing systems. Mostly due to aging pipes or a general lack of plumbing maintenance, every year, thousands of American households find themselves dealing with plumbing issues caused by obstructions inside their drain lines. Clogged drains make up a significant part of all insurance claims related to water damage.

What causes a home’s drains to become clogged?

Keyrenter Broward explains there are two significant reasons; natural causes beyond the homeowner’s control and artificial causes from how you use the home’s drains.

The natural causes of clogged drains are less crucial because they account for a considerably small portion of drain issues in the house. These natural causes include:

Normal wear and tear on aging pipes: This is a common cause of clogs in old metal or clay drain pipes. The internal diameter of the pipes often becomes narrow as a result of rust or decay. When this happens, water finds it difficult to pass through the drains, increasing the rate of buildup inside the pipes.
Tree roots intrusion into drain lines: Tree roots may find their way into drainpipes via fractures in the piping or through weakened connections. Once inside the pipes, the roots can grow until they form a ball that partially or completely blocks the drain.
Earth movements: These are small shifts in the soil beneath a home. These slight movements can dislodge or damage a pipe because the proper slope of the drain is altered, making it more predisposed to build up.

But as already stated, natural causes of drain clogs are less critical than artificial ones because they are less frequent. The majority of drain clogs result from poor maintenance and improper use of the drains. Drain systems are designed to carry very specific types of waste. If the wrong items or materials are flushed into drains, they will clog.

Can you prevent drain clogs?

You can prevent the majority of drain clogs since most drain clogs are artificial. The key to keeping a home’s drain free of obstructions is to understand the everyday mistakes that cause this problem and avoid them. Below is a list of things that predispose the drains to clogs and how to avoid them.

Keep FOGS out of the drain

Fats, oils and grease (FOGs) are the number one enemy of drain pipes. Once inside the drain, these materials become congeal, sticking to the sides of pipes and trapping the debris inside wastewater until the pipes are clogged or blocked completely. Pour FOGs into a sealable container and dispose of them in the trash.

Avoid forbidden items

In addition to FOGs, food waste like starchy foods (rice or mashed potatoes), eggshells and coffee grinds should never be flushed into the drain. Starchy foods, for instance, will absorb water and swell to many times their normal size inside the drains. Eggshells and coffee grinds slow the water movement by settling at the bottom of the drainpipes.

Watch what you flush

A few items people dump into their toilets include wipes, paper towels, diapers, female hygiene products, dental floss, paint, or paint thinner. All these items increase the risk of clogs inside a drain system. It has no business inside the toilet if it is not human waste or toilet paper.

Install strainers over drain openings

As unlikely as it sounds, hair and soap scum will block the shower drain. It is not possible to keep your body from shedding hair inside the shower. Soap scum is also an unavoidable product of using soap. To keep soap scum and hair out of bathroom drains, install a mesh screen or a shower drain hair catcher over the drain opening.

Avoid chemical drain cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners are quick fixes that can result in bigger issues. Chemical drain cleaners can clear your drains because they contain strong corrosives. But these corrosives can weaken the drainpipes and make them more liable to leak. To prevent drain clogs, avoid chemical drain cleaners.

Tackle problems early

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This adage is completely true when dealing with drain systems. Most drain issues start as minor problems that produce telltale signs. These small issues become major problems when those signs are ignored. Prompt action to solve problems will prevent most drain clogs.

Finally, even after doing all of the above, it is still possible to have clogs inside the home’s drain system. That is because modern plumbing systems are extensive and complicated. Homeowners can’t keep an eye on everything going on with their home’s drain lines. But there is a simple way to get around this problem.

Annual camera inspections of your drains and sewer lines should be a central part of the plumbing maintenance program for you to prevent clogs in the system. These inspections are vital for picking up problems at the early stages and solving them quickly and cheaply instead of waiting until they escalate into considerable costs. Only a professional plumber should perform these inspections.

Sep '22

DIY Drain Cleaning and Why It Can Be a Bad Idea

Slow or blocked drains are common issues every homeowner experiences with their home’s plumbing from time to time. Due to how often we use them and what we use them for, toilet, bathroom, and kitchen drains are always at risk of getting blocked.

When this happens, it is normal that you will want to cut costs by trying to fix the problem yourself. Like most homeowners, says DRP Management, you will reach for a drain snake, plunger, chemical drain cleaner, vinegar, or baking soda, each time your drains show signs of trouble.

But do DIY drain cleaning solutions work? Are you really saving money when you use them? What is their long-term impact on the health of your drains? Is there a right time to use DIY drain cleaning methods, and what are their limitations? This post answers those questions.

Common DIY drain cleaning methods and why they can be a bad idea

The most common do-it-yourself methods for clearing clogs and blockages from your drains are:

Handheld drain snakes
Plungers
Baking soda, vinegar, salt, and boiling water
Chemical drain cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners are easily the worst things you can pour into your drains. While they may clear your drains, they do so at a huge cost. Chemical drain cleaners have acids in them. These acids do not discriminate between the material blocking the pipe and the pipe itself.

Chemical drain cleaners not only shorten the lifespan of your pipes, but they also harm the environment. The acids in chemical drain cleaners will not only dissolve the clogs inside your drain but corrode your pipes and eventually find their way into the soil, which will leach into groundwater.

The other DIY drain cleaning methods in this list are only suitable for removing clogs close to the drain opening. If the material blocking your drainpipe is further inside the pipe, removing it with the above drain cleaning methods is often impossible.

Baking soda, plungers, salt, vinegar, and hot water are only useful when you have an emergency. Because they do not actually remove the material blocking the pipe but merely push it further down the pipe, they cannot be used as a long-term fix.

But if you do not understand these DIY drain cleaning methods and use them as your go-to solution for drain issues, you can expect the following problems.

The trouble with DIY drain cleaning

Health and environmental issues

In addition to the harm they do to your drainpipes, chemical drain cleaners are also dangerous to your health. The toxic compounds inside drain cleaners linger in the air after the cleaner is flushed into the drain. They may eventually end up inside the lungs and stomachs of humans and pets.

Furthermore, using chemical drain cleaners is almost the same as putting poison in your drinking water. These harmful substances flow from your drain into the city sewer system and finally into the water bodies that feed the natural systems where we get our drinking water.

DIY solutions ignore the root cause

When you hire a professional plumber to solve a drain problem in your home, that plumber adopts a holistic approach, including the entire plumbing system and how you use them.

This ensures that whatever solutions they employ for the issues will have a lasting effect. Conversely, DIY drain cleaning solutions are temporary fixes that do not address your drain problem’s underlying cause.

Your drain problems never go away

DIY drain cleaning methods only worsen the issues with your drains. Unlike when you use a professional plumber, DIY drain cleaning does not highlight the things you are doing that may hurt your drains. They also don’t altogether remove the offensive materials inside the drains. The result is that those drain problems only worsen with time until they do massive damage that will cost a ton of money to fix.

You can’t do preventive maintenance with DIY drain cleaning

With DIY drain cleaning, you must wait until there is an issue with your drains before you take action. These solutions lock you into a reactive mindset where you are always one step behind the problems with your plumbing.

A professional plumber, on the other hand, can help you create a preventive maintenance program that will let you avoid major issues with your drains, prolong the life of your plumbing and help you save money in the long run.

Save money and time

Hiring a professional plumber to solve the issues with your plumbing can help you save time and money. A professional plumber will find and solve those issues in a fraction of the time it takes you to find them.

Furthermore, when selling your home, the fact that your plumbing is managed by a professional makes much difference. Buyers have more confidence when the systems are under the care of an expert, and they are often willing to pay you more for the peace of mind that comes with that knowledge.

Mar '22

Problems with DIY Plumbing Repairs

Plumbing issues in the home are wide range and every time something goes wrong with one of the plumbing features in your home, the chances that you are going to spend money to fix it are high. The combined cost of fixing small plumbing issues in the home can sum up to a lot of money at the end of the year.

One of the best ways to minimize the cost of solving problems with your plumbing is to understand how the system works. As a homeowner or a landlord, says Vineyard Property Management, you should know how to prevent, diagnose, and fix certain plumbing issues in your home. It makes no sense to call a plumber for problems you can handle yourself.

At the same time though, a do-it-yourself approach to plumbing issues in your home also can be a problem. DIY plumbers get into trouble when they start to imagine themselves as professional plumbers. There is a difference between what you can learn on a YouTube video and what a professional plumber knows.

Not knowing the limits of your DIY abilities will cause you more plumbing problems than you are trying to solve. The plumbing in your home is massive, complicated, and is made up of interconnected systems. Seemingly small issues in one part of the plumbing will result in bigger problems elsewhere.

Most amateur plumbers do not fully comprehend the truth about the complexity of a home’s plumbing. As a result, they will undertake projects without a complete overview of the system. What often results is they end up compounding the existing issues and causing bigger problems for themselves.

What are some of the DIY plumbing repairs that homeowners encounter?

Increased risk of flooding

The margin for error when fixing plumbing problems in the home is very narrow. Small things you overlook can result in consequences that are several times worse than the original problem.

It is not uncommon for the home to get flooded as a result of mistakes during a DIY plumbing repair. This happens because amateur plumbers do not follow a systematic routine and they can also fail to turn the water off.

Superficial fixes

Most DIY fixes focus on the immediate rather than the remote causes of a problem. The concern of the homeowner is to eliminate urgent and distressing issues. As a result, DIYers do not do a proper diagnosis of the issue but only apply superficial fixes.

The result of doing that is the underlying problem is left to persist and grow worse. When it is eventually discovered, it will cost a lot more money to solve than it would have if it was detected earlier.

Recurring problems

Without attention from a licensed plumber, your home’s plumbing systems will deteriorate at a faster rate. Firstly, the prevalence of shoddily done DIY fixes will combine to make the system more prone to damage.

Secondly, the lack of attention by a professional plumber will increase the rate of natural wear and tear. The issues of a plumbing system will steadily become worse if that system does not get the professional care it requires.

Exposure to safety hazards

In addition to pipes and connections, the plumbing system in your home also has components that use gas and electricity. Fiddling with appliances like water heaters and washing machines when you don’t have the necessary training is a recipe for disaster.

Moreover, some plumbing repairs require the use of power tools that can easily cause injuries. Lastly, slips and falls are common when doing plumbing repairs. Protect yourself by leaving the job to a professional.

Lost time and avoidable delays

There is nothing like a plumbing emergency to get you to rearrange your plans. The danger of flooding posed by the problem and the chance that you will be without water, makes solving the problem urgent.

The frequency of disruptions to your work schedule and lifestyle increases with the number of plumbing issues in the home. A professional plumber can help you prevent plumbing problems that show up at the most inopportune times.

Higher system maintenance cost

DIY repairs are more impromptu than they are systematic. A DIY approach to solving your home’s plumbing issues prevents you from adopting a preventative maintenance schedule that is based on timely inspection of the plumbing. This narrow focus on solving short-term problems will cost you more money in the long run because it is easier and cheaper to manage your home’s problems when you can anticipate the issues.

In conclusion, when maintaining the plumbing system in your home, it is important to make a distinction between what you can do and what you should not try to do. Minor repairs like changing faucet aerators or unclogging the toilet with a drain snake are things every homeowner should be able to DIY. More complex plumbing repairs are best left to a local plumber.

Hiring an expert plumber when you need to will ensure your personal safety, protect your home’s plumbing system and also minimize your plumbing expenditure.