The weather has been crazy this past year for much of the country including Florida. There were more cold snaps this year than recent memory. And for places like Texas and even parts of Florida there was deep freezing, something which is rare. PEX is a type of plastic pipe that has been used in plumbing for years now. Plumbers have replaced the use of copper with PEX because it is more affordable, it is corrosion proof and, as it turns out, is more resistant to cracks from freezing. Copper pipes are more rigid and the freezing process causes the ...
Read MoreBeing in this business for several decades, we have pretty much seen it all. Some of the problems people face with their household or residential plumbing is very common and we see it all the time. Other, more rare occurrences, do happen. But we are saving that topic for another blog. Today we want to list and discuss the most common calls we receive. As you can imagine, they have to do with plumbing wear and tear. Dripping Faucets - The dripping faucet has been a problem to most everyone who has ever lived on Earth. It starts as just ...
Read MoreMany people out there enjoy high water pressure for their shower or outdoor garden hose. But there is such thing as too high water pressure. In this article we will look at some of the effects of having too high water pressure. First let's set a number for what is too high. Basically anything over 60 pond per square inch is consider too high in the plumbing industry. The industry standard is 45-55 PSI. (more…)
Read MoreMany homes here in Central Florida are made from concrete block. Consequently, the external pipes to items such as water sprinklers or outdoor spigots run on the outside of the home and are bolted or fastened against the surface of the concrete. Many of these pipes are made from PVC or other plumbing plastics. Day after day these pipes are exposed to the rays of the sun. It may seem innocuous but over decades time, the suns rays can have a warping and degrading effect on these pipes. The pipe becomes brittle and one day while you are watering your ...
Read MoreWhen you own a home you want to keep your expenses down anyway possible. This goes for the short and long-term. Pipes eventually go bad in a home and replacing them can be very expensive. In this article we will go over methods to keeping your pipes lasting as long as possible. Checking Water Pressure This is a big one. Too much water pressure is bad for your pipes. Just a few PSI above the recommended level doesnt seem like much, but over years time it can do serious damage. It is suggested that you keep your PSI below 85. ...
Read MoreThe dreaded repipe. Many home-owners are aware of the process. Your home's piping is old and decaying and it is time to replace it. Sounds like an enormous project, one in which there will be workers walking through your house all day and plastic covers are draped from wall to wall. It really isn't that bad. The fact is that you can get a nice repipe for a very affordable price. You don't have to rip out your existing plumbing system. Many times the plumber can go through the attic and create a work around. (more…)
Read MoreIf there is water leaking from under the concrete in your house you may have a slab leak. Slab leaks can occur for a variety of reasons. Among the reasons a slab leak occurs are: Improper construction Outside pressure Poor water chemistry and quality Old age Damage from settled earth The problem with ignoring a little leak is that it will eventually become a big leak. As a result of a bigger leak you can suffer from more property damage and higher repair bills. Also, the water may be dissipating into the ground and your water bill may be edging ...
Read MoreThe main sewer line connects your home system to the main sewer. It is usually run under your from yard toward the street in front of your house and may run under the driveway. Problems do occur with this connection and this article will discuss some of the signs and symptoms that there may be a problem with your main sewer line. Slow drainage: Although this doesn't mean you definitely have a problem with your main line it is one of the symptoms. It is best to try to see if there is a clog in your drains first. (more…)
Read MoreSummer is definitely upon us. The nights are warm and the days are hot. Daylight has been more and more abundant. In fact, we are only a week away from the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. That got me thinking: what are the most common plumbing problems this time of year? So, I put together a list below: Washing machine problems - The washing machine is used very frequently in the summer time. Kids make their clothes dirty all day and the laundry piles up. More use of the machine means more drain build up. Plumbers get ...
Read MoreTo locate sources of sewer odors, locate leaks, as well as entry points for rodents and insects in buildings and homes, sewer smoke testing is often completed. A video inspection often accompanies a plumber smoke test to provide a more thorough analysis of commercial greasy waste drainage, sanitary drainage, or storm drainage systems. How a Sewer Smoke Testing is Completed A non-toxic, environmentally safe vapor, or smoke, is blown into the grease, storm, or sewer system by way of an access point like a vent in the roof. Next, the smoke makes its way through the pipes, placing pressure on ...
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