Monthly Archives: November 2013

plumbing, Plumber

Should I Call a Professional Plumber to Unclog My Drains?

Link

:

Clogged drains are one of the most common questions posed by homeowners, says Charlotte plumbing & repair of Charlotte NC.  It is not advisable to use a chemical drain cleaner in a fixture that is completely blocked.  The most powerful cleaners contain lye, a caustic compound that is dangerous and can harm fixtures if left too long in them.  If the chemical cleaner does not clear the drain, you will be exposed to the caustic when you open a clean-out plug or remove a trap.

There are a couple of variables at play when determining whether you can unclog a toilet yourself or not. The first is the location of the clog. If it is too far down the drain pipe, the only choices may be to use an augur (which most homeowners don’t have – you can rent one or buy one at a hardware store) or to call your local Seattle plumber and get them to hydro jet your system. The second variable is the composition of the actual clog, or if it’s too densely packed, then no amount of do-it-yourself unclogging is going to work.

Charlotte Plumbing & repair Tip of the Week

 Tip # 1  Using a plunger:  Begin by removing the sink strainer or pop-up drain plug.  If there is an overflow opening—most kitchen sinks have none—plug it with wet rags.  Any air gap provided for a dishwasher also must be plugged.  Be sure there is enough water in the basin to cover the plunger cup completely.  Coat the rim of the cup evenly with petroleum jelly and center the cup over the drain hole.  Without breaking the seal between the drain and the cup, pump down and up with short, rapid stroke 10 times, then jerk the plunger up from the drain quickly.

Tip #2  Using an auger:  With the strainer or pop-up stopper removed, feed a drain-and-tap auger into the drain by cranking the handle clockwise.  As you push the auger wire farther into the drain, alternately loosen and tighten the thumbscrew on the auger handle.  When you hook something move the auger backward and forward slowly while cranking, then withdraw the auger wire slowly while continuing to crank in the same direction.  Pour hot water and detergent through the trap to clear away residual grease or oils.

Tip #3  Working through the clean-out plug:  If the trap under the clogged fixture plumbers has a clean-out plug, place a bucket under the trap and remove the plug.  After water has emptied from the trap, straighten a wire coat hanger, form a small hook in one end, and probe through the trap.  If the obstruction is near the opening, you should be able to dislodge it or hook it and draw it out.  If not, feed a drain-and-trap auger first up to the sink opening, then through the back half of the trap. Call http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com

plumbing, Plumber

How can I tell if my water and waste pipes are old and corroded?

Link
This article’s intent is to help you diagnose water quality and water pressure along with drainage issues with your potable water and waste pipes. Older homes built before the 1980’s did not have many options as far as plumbing materials go. The most readily available materials were cast iron and galvanized iron pipe. Unfortunately there was not enough technology, research or even thought put into what will happen to these materials down the road. As the result plumbers nationwide have to constantly service and in most cases rip out the entire systems and install new modern systems such as copper, PEX (Polyethylene Cross Linked), ABS, and PVC. If you notice you have slow drains or they do not drain at all, then you may have galvanized iron drains. If you notice low pressure or low flow from your faucets then you may have galvanized iron water lines.
  First of all let’s state the fact that not all iron systems are bad. In fact cast iron drains seem to have an average 40 – 60 year life span. This means if your sewer main is cast iron and has no signs of constant plugging issues or leaks then if it isn’t broke don’t fix it. However, majority of cast systems inside of the building used galvanized drains for all of the branch lines such as tubs, showers, and sinks. Plain and simple, these drains are the worst. Some severe cases will not drain at all and cannot be snaked out. You ask why can’t they be snaked out and I will explain. Modern pipe systems are designed to maintain a smooth path way for fluids and solids. This prevents solids from being caught and eventually blocking the pipe off. Glued fittings such as ABS or PVC, if installed correctly, prevent this from happening. The reason iron does not provide this is simple, it is a corrosive material. Corrosive metals, even treated, will eventually scale and rust from long term exposure to water and chemicals. One other important reason is that it is not maintainable due to original Plumbing contractor error.
  Galvanized drains are threaded pipe turned into the threaded hub of a fitting. If the original installer buried the pipe too deep into the hub you will have a jagged ridge of pipe penetrating into the water way. This is where a service technician will no longer be able to help you. As you push a sewer snake cable into the fitting the end of the cable will bind on that ridge and prevent the cable from passing through the hub. At this point you are out of luck. Last ditch attempt is to use some pure sulfuric acid but that rarely works because there is too much build up. Please note you should never dump sulfuric acid down a disposal because it can severely damage the unit and could blow nasty acid all over you. Please use extreme caution and safety equipment when using such a chemical. Only option left at that point is to remove all of the galvanized drain lines from above the flood level of the fixture in which it serves to the main cast iron trunk line with either ABS or PVC.
  Most all older production homes used galvanized iron water lines. This was at that time period the most common and cost effective way to plumb potable water. If you are lucky the plumbing company

spent a little extra and used copper. If you experience bad water pressure or flow it could be from under sized piping but in most cases it is corroded galvanized pipe. Not only did they almost always under size the system, but the pipes have approximately a 40 year life span depending on your water quality and electrolysis issues. 
  Galvanized water piping will commonly leak at the joints and fittings of a branch arm. This happens because upon installation of the pipe it is thread with a threading machine. When you thread galvanized pipe it removes the galvanized coating at the threads as well as thins the pipe. This is why the most common place for this type of system to leak is at the joints.
  Electrolysis happens when two or more types of metal touch and water flows through them creating an electrical charge that immediately breaks down the softer metal, usually the copper goes first. Finally the most common is natural corrosion. This happens naturally and can be sped up by hard water and other chemicals pumped in by the city’s water supply.
  Once any or all of these things happen the scale inside of the pipe will break off and end up plugging your faucets flow restrictors, faucet aerators, shower cartridges, and shower heads. If you experience any of these symptoms then you probably have this type of pipe and should consider having a licensed Plumber provide you with an estimate to
re-pipe your entire water system charlotte nc.
plumbing, Plumber

Charlotte plumbing & repair save water

Link

Let’s face it; Summer has always been a Water Hog! Whether it’s washing your car, filling up the pool, watering your yard or multiple showers after a trip to the beach, your monthly water bills tend to swell up during the summertime, but they don’t have to.
4It’s everyone’s responsibility to do whatever they can to help preserve our natural resources and consistent water conservation reduces your energy needs and puts money back in your pocket.
You might be surprised, but making a few simple changes or modifications around your house can have an impact on our water supply, your monthly energy consumption and reduce your monthly utility bill all at the same time.
Being a part of the solution feels so much better than being part of the problem! Join the Southlands ever growing proactive water conservation effort to help preserve our natural resources and save a few bucks while you’re doing it.

SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE TIPS TO CONSERVE WATER AND SAVE $$
Replace Old Faucets & Showerheads with New Energy Saving Models
2Showers are responsible for 18% of all indoor water use in the United States. A recent study estimates that American’s use over 300 billion gallons of water each day. That’s 250 gallons per person, per day for every person in America. Help conserve our limited natural resources by using any of the following methods to reduce your water usage while lowering your monthly utility bill.
Simply changing your current shower head to a high performance energy efficient model shower head can reduce your shower’s water use by up to 60%. Older model showerheads use between 4-5 gallons per minute while newer energy efficient use only 1-1.5 gallons per minute without a significant reduction in water pressure.
Another simple way to reduce your water usage is by installing newer more efficient faucets in your high use areas. These faucets use about 1.5 gallons of water per minute compared with a standard faucet which uses 3-5 gallons per minute. In fact, the EPA states that simply adding pressure reducing valves or aerators to your existing faucet, set to reduce pressure by half, can reduce water consumption by 1/3 and aerators that are added directly to faucets can reduce water use by up to 60% without having any effect on your water pressure.
Replace Old Runny Toilets with New Energy Efficient Models
3The average toilet uses 4.5 gallons of water per flush, but you can reduce your water usage per toilet by as much as 34% by replacing your old conventional toilet with a new low-flow toilet that uses 1.2 gallons per flush. New energy efficient and water conserving toilets aren’t cheap, but there are some extremely cheap alternatives that offer water conservation with cost savings as well. One of the most practical methods is to simply place a heavily weighted object, such as a brick or plastic container filled with rocks, in your toilet tank. The brick, or rocks, displaces the water in your toilet’s tank and it takes less water to fill it.
Additional Easy & Simple Ways to Save Water & Money

4Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets. Install an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up. This will also reduce heating costs for your household.
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you not the drain.
Don’t use running water to thaw food. Thaw your food in the refrigerator and especially if it’s beef, fish or poultry.
When you clean your fish tank, use the water you’ve drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.
Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes and you’ll save up to 1,000 gallons a month
Run dishwashers and washing machines on the light load setting and only run them with full loads. Note that this will also save money on your electric bill.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth

Outdoor Water Conservation, Energy Reducing and $$ Saving Ideas

5Sweep leaves and other debris off driveways and walkways instead of hosing
Install outside rain catcher systems to irrigate your landscaping
Mulch, Mulch and More Mulch! Use bark chips to help retain water and moisture on flower beds to hold moisture more effectively. Mulch should be 2-4 inches deep which helps with soil temperature, weed control and improves water penetration
Use drip line watering in your flower beds and get less waste due to evaporation
Avoid watering during the hottest periods of the day to prevent loss through evaporation
Use slow release or low-concentration fertilizer and you shouldn’t over fertilize plumbers
Call Charlotte plumbing & repair 704-394-5252 for all your plumbing needs. Http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com

plumbing, Plumber

Inline video inspection and leak location

Link

:

Charlotte plumbing & repair has all the equipment to find and locate slab leaks from water (domestic) to sewer (sanitary) and gas sniffers to locate leaks. We have sewer cameras and line tracers to insure the leak is found and accurate. We have line tracers and listening devices to locate leaks under the slab of your home. With our state of the art equipment pin pointing the leak or leaks is very accurate. We take pride in the fact that in most cases we only have to make one hole to make our repairs. With the tools and experience we have in slab leaks we can test, locate and repair all slab leaks. We will help you deal with your insurance company and make sure the job is done right from start to finish. If you are not sure if you have a slab leak give us a call and we will test your plumbing under your slab to find out if there is a plumbing problem.
Some for the signs of a slab leak are: House sifting or moving Cracks in the foundation Water around the footing of the house Hear water running when you are not using water Moisture around your house or on the edges of your house High water bill Doors not lining up or closing right Hot spots on the floor This is just a few things caused by slab leaks. We also recommend before buying or selling a house that it be tested for slab leaks or other plumbing issues to insure things are done right call Charlotte Plumbing Repair and schedule an appointment to have your house or a house you are looking at to purchase tested by the professionals at Plumbing Solutions. Concord, Mooresville, lake Norman, Huntersville, charlotte, south end and Belmont NC.
Http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com

plumbing, Plumber

Save Money With Charlotte Faucet Repairs

Link

Save Money With Charlotte Faucet Repairs
http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.comWhen your faucet is leaking, you need to have it immediately fixed. The noise of the dripping water is more than an annoyance – it is the sound of money that is leaking down your faucet.
If you have a dripping, broken or leaking faucet, you should quickly get it repaired to prevent yourself from wasting not just water but also money. There are many plumbing professionals and companies that are offering Charlotte plumbing repair http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com anyway, thus, it could not be difficult for you to stop that annoying drip.

plumbing, Plumber

Knowledge is Power When it Comes to Water Heaters

Link

Knowledge is Power When it Comes to Water Heaters
http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com  Being knowledgeable about water heater repairs water heater repair can come in handy the next time you suddenly find that there’s no hot water or if the temperature is not at your desired range anymore. Having your water system professionally serviced is ideal, especially if you’re no handyman, but if time’s of the element, knowing the basic things about your water heater and how it runs may be of good use. The basic components of a water heater, apart from the thermostat, are the vent and pressure relief valve.
If you find water leaking but the temperature is fine then it’s the valve that may need replacement. Other possible causes of problems may include a rusty tank. In some instances like if there’s noise, the tank may simply have to be drained, flushed and refilled. A common unfavorable problem would be dirty hot water coming out of your heating device. Smelly hot water is another problem that can be traced to impurities like bacteria forming, in which case the heater may need to be flushed with chlorine water, or the aluminum anode rod may have to be replaced.
The first thing individuals would need to assess when faced with the possibility of a need for Rowlett water heater repairs is to see if the device can be fixed, or if it must be replaced. Proper care and regular servicing is actually a must to prevent the heater from conking out or malfunctioning. Take note of what a plumber will normally do at least once in about three or six months – drain the tank of water to prevent sediment from building up underneath the tank. Before draining, though, don’t forget to turn off the heater and close the water intake.
Water heater repairs would also depend on the type of device you have. There’s the storage tank and there’s the tankless type. Problems with the tankless type may be a rare occurrence. Nonetheless, a periodic maintenance is advisable. It would also be helpful to read about troubleshooting tips. If you’re simply wary about replacing the heating element, much less siphoning the water out of the heater, then there’s really no option but to get professional help.
When dealing with the repairman, it’s still very important to be in the know. Find out how much it’ll actually cost to replace your water heater, and how long you’ll be able to use the device when fixed. Rowlett water heater repairs will also depend on the specific type and model and the overall quality and the installation of the device. Talk to your Charlotte plumbing contractor to discuss your specific needs.charlotte plumbing contractor

plumbing, Plumber

Is Your Plumbing Gurgling? Here’s How to Handle It

Link

s Your Plumbing Gurgling? Here’s How to Handle It
http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com  While it’s impossible to ignore major drainage issues with your plumbing, noises coming out of the pipes and drains are often difficult to diagnose. For example, gurgling noises may indicate something as simple as a clogged drain or as complex as a poorly vented plumbing installation. If you have noticed a gurgle or other odd noise coming from your drains or toilet, here are some possible causes and ways to approach each issue.
Problem 1: Bathroom Sink Gurgles When Tub or Toilet Drains
The bathroom is a space where multiple drains are in close proximity. As a result, it’s easy to identify when there is a drainage issue. Marietta homeowners often report instances where the toilet or sink drain starts to gurgle when the shower is draining. This problem typically indicates a system-wide clog.
Solution 1: Plumber’s Snake
Because there are so many chemicals in industrial drain cleaners, pouring large quantities of these liquids down the drain may cause more problems than it fixes. A professional plumbing snake is the best tool for the job. Though you may be able to find one for rent in a home improvement shop, charlotte nc plumber can handle the job with greater convenience.
Problem 2: Gurgling Sound Persists Despite Clean Indoor Drains
If you have clear interior drains but keep experiencing clogged plumbing in the bathroom, kitchen or area around the washing machine, the issue could be in the drains on your home’s roof. There may be debris, vermin or any number of objects blocking the flow of water or air.
Solution 2: Diagnose Outdoor Drains
Homeowners who are comfortable climbing onto the roof can examine the drains for blockages. You may also find that ice and snow have caused the blockage. In this case, you are going to need a more complex fix. Typically, you’re better off contacting a plumber to avoid further damage.
Problem 3: Noises Occur Because of Drain Vents
There may be situations in which you find your home has widespread drain-venting issues. In this case, the lack of proper venting is causing drains to struggle for air — a process that makes the plumbing gurgle or otherwise operate erratically.
Solution 3: Add or Extend Ventilation
Plumbers can actually extend the venting in your home’s shower, tub, toilet and washer lines. In other cases, you may want a new venting system that reduces problems in drains without creating any aesthetic disturbance. This job requires more extensive work from a pro plumbing team.
Problem 4: Septic Tanks and Drain Lines Cause Backup
Perhaps the most alarming plumbing problem arises when a home’s drain lines or septic tank become blocked. The odor will tell the story that cannot be seen, forcing homeowners to contact a plumbing team that can tackle large-scale work.
Solution 4: Full Cleaning
Plumbers should be called to empty a septic tank or clear a clogged drain line. Though this problem will seem frightening at first, plumbers experienced in sewer-line cleaning and septic tank maintenance can fix it without delay.
There’s nothing appealing about listening to drains make gurgling noises, but unseen problems could be far worse. Talk to Charlotte plumbing & repair about addressing your pressing plumbing problems today

plumbing, Plumber

Valves: The Control Freaks of Your Plumbing

Link

:

:

The idea is simple: Keep the water from coming out when you don’t want it to, and when you do want it to come out, be able to control the flow. There. That’s what your valves do for you. While valves may not seem like something you want to think about in the course of your daily life, there are times when, for some homeowners, they take a front and center place in one’s thinking. Let’s look at some examples:

You are building a new home or remodleing your bathroom and you come to the fun part of getting to pick out what style of faucets you want to decorate with. Those faucets? They’re just fancy looking valves.
When you hit the flush handle of your toilet and nothing happens that’s usually going to be a valve issue. Either the fillvalve (old timers know it by the name “ballcock”) is not working right or that very simple valve known as a “flapper” is misbehaving.
That dripping hose spigot on the outside of your house is a valve (old timer name: sillcock). By the way, charlotte plumbing repair can fix or replace that. . . just sayin’.
You smell a gas leak in your home. Someone will need to turn a valve off to stop the flow of gas. In fact, it could be a gas valve that is causing the problem. Did you know that licensed plumbers like Charlotte Plumbing & repair are the ones who find and repair the vast majority of gas leaks in homes? It’s true.

There are lots of other valves in your home, of course, such as those under your sinks, on your water heater, at your water softener, sump pump, etc. Valves are great friends when they are not leaking and are easy to turn on and off, but no one likes to find out that a valve is too corroded to use when the time comes.
If you don’t know anything else about the valves in your home, make it your mission to know about this one: The main water shut-off valve. This is the one that turns the water on or off to your entire house. Your main valve is the one you can go to in a plumbing emergency to stop the pressurized flow of water into your home. If you don’t know where it is located or whether it is working properly, find someone who will locate it for you and try it out to make sure you can turn it easily plumbers.
Lastly, if you’d like to know that your valves are in good working order and would like to have someone familiarize you with your main water shut-off, you can always call Charlotte Plumbing & Repair to come out and do that for you. Http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com

plumbing, Plumber

It’s Simply Plumbing, Water, drain pipes

Link

Plumbing’s primary premise is simple: Direct fluids where you want them to go, when you want them to go there, and keep them from showing up where they’re not desired. For the next few blog posts we are going to look at the various components of your plumbing that make your home’s plumbing world work. We’ll also point out some helpful tips on how you can keep it doing what you want it to.
Let’s start with pipes. If water is the lifeblood of your plumbing, then the vessels are your pipes. You have two kinds: those that bring water in to your house (water lines) and those that take it away (drain lines). The majority of newer homes’ water lines are made of copper or pex (a polyethylene material). In older homes you may also find galvanized steel. In the case of drains, they are usually made of PVC in newer homes and of copper or steel in older homes.
The most common problems with pipes are leaks. Leaks usually occur due to corrosion, punctures, or a failure at a joint where two sections of pipe connect. Corrosion is most often seen in aging metal pipes. It is best to replace corroded pipe with a non-metallic piping material. A typical puncture is when someone drives a screw, nail or drill bit through a wall without considering the location of a pipe inside the wall. If it happens to be a water line then it is under pressure and will not stop spraying water until the water is shut off to that line. That would be a good reason to know where your main water shut-off valve is in your home (hint, hint). A punctured drain line will only leak when water is run down that drain, so the leak may appear somewhat sporadically. Leaks at pipe joints are typically caused due to poor plumbing workmanship or an incorrect use of plumbing fittings.
While there is not a lot of preventative maintenance to be done to your pipes, the best way to head off major problems is by observing them while they are still small. An occasional glance at pipes under your sinks or when you are around exposed pipes in your basement or crawlspace will inform you of obvious leak issues. If no actual water is observed under or on a pipe, look for any type of buildup that may be occurring on the outside of your pipes. External buildup can be an indicator of minerals collecting from water leaking through a water line or it could be corroding through. In the case of drain lines, darker colored areas near pipe joints may indicate waste leaks coming through. If you see any of these indicators it is best to get them repaired right away. If you need any help, you know who to call, right? plumbing, plumber and plumbers.
Charlotte plumbing repair, 704-394-5252 Charlotte, NC

Http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com

plumbing, Plumber

My Showerhead is Leaking

Link

Yesterday a young woman called to let us know that her showerhead was leaking and she didn’t know what the problem was. Of course we get similar calls all the time here at Charlotte Plumbing & Repair and sometimes the caller wants to know if we can come out and replace the showerhead with a new one that doesn’t leak.
As I explained to yesterday’s caller, just because water is continually dripping doesn’t mean that the showerhead is the problem at all. Actually, the most common reason is because the valve inside the wall behind the hot/cold knob(s) is not sealing all the way when the water is shut off. When the valve fails to seal because of worn seats or gaskets and the escaping water begins to fill the pipe leading to the showerhead and eventually finds its way out leading to the drip…drip…drip that keeps you awake at night.
So, what’s the solution? Well, it’s not replacing the showerhead. The problem is usually solved by replacing the rubber seats or the cartridge in the tub/shower valve – we call this a “rebuild.” Sometimes the problem is a little more serious and the entire valve may need replacing.
If you’re a handy person with some basic tools you may be able to do a little research and do your own rebuild. If the whole valve needs replacing, most people will need to call a plumber to do the work. By the way, dripping faucets are usually a similar problem.
So, if you’ve got dripping driving you crazy and you want to get it fixed fast, Charlotte Plumbing & repair can usually get out the same day to restore your sanity! plumber, plumbing, plumbers.
Charlotte NC Plumbers 704-394-5252

Http://www.charlotteplumbingsvc.com