Author Archives: admin

If Any Of These Things is Happening You Might Need A Sewer Line Inspection

Posted on by

Sewer Line Inspection

Think a sewer line inspection is an unnecessary expense? Ask anyone who has ever been knee deep in sewage for their opinion on the subject. A sewer line inspection is not part of the standard home inspection package but considering what a nightmare a backed up sewer can be it is a must for homeowners who believe they might have an issue or buyers who are considering purchasing an older home. The cost of an inspection more than outweighs the potential damage that can result from ignoring a sewer problem. If any of these things are happening you might need a sewer line inspection.

Unpleasant Odors

Unless you are standing over the sewer vent stacks on your roof, you shouldn’t be able to smell sewer gas in or around your home. If you do, it probably means you have a damaged sewer line. When the smell is accompanied by mold growth in your home, which only occurs in areas where moisture is present, you shouldn’t waste any time scheduling a sewer line inspection. A sewer smell outdoors is likely coming from pooling wastewater bubbling up from an underground leak.

Your Drains are Backing Up or Draining Slowly

A drain that frequently backs up or doesn’t drain at all can be an early warning sign that something is not right with your sewer line. Most clogged drains can be cleared with a plunger or auger. A serious blockage in the line will be resistant to these common solutions and a sewer line inspection can help locate the issues which could include tree roots or dirt intruding into the line through cracks.

A Leak Under the Foundation

If you find a leak under your foundation, it could be an indication of a damaged sewer line. The main line runs under the slab of your home and if a leak goes undetected it can lead to cracks in the foundation and foundation settlement. In cases like this, you can also expect to make a call to a foundation repair specialist.

Unusually Green Patches in Your Lawn

Every homeowner wants a thick, lush lawn. But when you notice unnaturally green patches of grass it could mean a leaky sewer line is fertilizing that particular section of the lawn. Another sign of a compromised sewer line that you might spot in your lawn is an indentation above the main sewer line that develops when the soil becomes oversaturated. In extreme cases, a sinkhole can develop.

Infestation

This one might make your skin crawl. Rats, cockroaches, and sewer flies are among the pests that can gain entry to your home through a damaged sewer line. These intruders live in city sewers and can enter through small openings in your sewer line and cause all sorts of problems, including potential health risks. In the case of rats, they are naturally drawn to the smell of sewer and pick up on the odor faster than we do. This means you may notice rat holes popping up around your yard if you have an issue. If you are making frequent calls to the exterminator it might be money better spent on a sewer line inspection.

Let us know if you’d like to receive a free quote to get your sewer line inspected!

6 Typical Plumbing Issues Found In Older Homes

Posted on by
Old bathroom

Old bathroom

Is Your Home Old? If the answer is yes, there are some plumbing issues that you should be aware of. That older home of yours can lose a lot of its charm when you are constantly dealing with problems ranging from low water pressure to a backed up sewer. Sometimes the fix can be tricky and time-consuming or expensive if you aren’t able to do the work yourself. Here are some of the usual suspects when it comes to serious plumbing issues in older houses.

Normal Wear and Tear

Like anything in an old house, you have to expect a certain amount of natural deterioration that comes with day to day use over a long period of time. But understand why something happens doesn’t make it any less problematic. Eventually, small leaks can grow into large leaks and can leave you with water damage that will only compound the challenges of maintaining an older home. Relining the pipes is one alternative to completely replumbing the house.

Galvanized Steel Pipes

Older homes are more likely to have galvanized steel pipes rather than plastic or copper pipes that are more common in newer homes that you may want to have inspected. Over time, those older pipes begin to rust and corrode. This affects the performance of water pipes, making them susceptible to water pressure problems and clogs. If you get brown water when you first turn on the faucet that means you have a rust problem. You will want to replace steel pipes to head off any major leaks before they occur and turn your quaint old home into a money pit. Other older materials including clay sewer lines and cast iron drains can pose their own problems.

Plumbing That Has Been Altered Numerous Times

If you have a leak, it may be more difficult to run down the problem in an older home. Odds are previous owners have altered and reconfigured the plumbing in the house several times which can make finding the source of an issue that much more difficult. Eliminating any extraneous pipes can not only cut down on the clutter but can also shorten up the amount of time it takes to react to a plumbing emergency.

Small Vent Pipes

When most older homes were built two-inch vent pipes were the norm. These smaller vent pipes are inadequate to meet the needs of a modern household and can lead to slow drainage, among other problems. Replacing those undersized vent pipes with three-inch pipes will prevent headaches in the future.

Tree Roots in the Sewer Line

Large trees growing in the yard are often part of the allure of an older house at least until the roots start growing into the septic tank or into your slab causing a slab leak. This can cause the sewer to back up, or water line breakage and inflict serious damage on your property. You’ll want to take action the first time you have this issue or you could have a really big problem later.

Noisy Pipes

Your house can sound haunted when old pipes start creaking as they expand and contract. The solution to this problem is fairly easy and inexpensive. By adding some insulation, you can help keep the pipes at a constant temperature and eliminate the noise.

Davis Plumbing & Drain offers plumbing service inspections in older homes. Please call to scheduled yours today.

Benefits Switching To Water Saving Faucets, Heads and Appliances

Posted on by

There are a number of benefits to switching to water saving faucets, heads and appliances beyond the obvious advantage of lowering your monthly water bill. From an environmental standpoint, water saving fixtures and appliances are an excellent way to conserve water. It is estimated that over three trillion gallons of water a year could be saved if every home in U.S. installed energy efficient water fixtures to say nothing of the additional savings “green” appliances could offer these same households. Some communities and utility companies also offer households incentives for switching to these water-saving plumbing accessories and appliances.

Water Saving Faucets

One of the benefits of replacing fixtures is that a water-efficient faucets have a flow rate of 1.5 GPM, compared to 2.5 GPM for conventional faucets, which can save an average family around 700 gallons of water annually. This lower flow rate in no way affects performance. These faucets also reduce energy usage by putting less of a demand on hot water heaters. The addition of a flow restrictor to an existing faucet can accomplish the same objective.

Water Saving Shower Heads

That refreshing shower you take in the morning could be responsible for up to 30 percent of the water usage in your home. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that American’s waste around two trillion gallons of water every year in the shower. Making the switch to a low-flow showerhead can reduce your water consumption by up to 40 percent and also save you a couple of hundred dollars or more on your water bill. Expect to save a few dollars on your electric bill as well. You can find low flow shower heads at most hardware stores and they are quick and easy to install.

Some people resist moving to low flow shower heads because they equate them with low water pressure. If you’re concerned about sacrificing the quality of your shower in the name of water savings take heart; recent improvements have addressed the issue of lower water pressure that once made showering with low flow heads so unpleasant.

Water Saving Appliances

Water saving appliances can be a little more expensive than less efficient models but you can quickly make up for the extra cost with what you’ll save on your utility bills. These water saving appliances also use less electricity and take up less space in the home.
Switching to a more water efficient washing machine can save a family of four up to 11,900 gallons of water annually. But there are other considerations that make water saving washers a smart purchase. Most of these high-efficiency washers are front loaders which rely on tumbling action to get clothes clean, a process which is gentler on clothes and requires less detergent. And since more water is removed from clothes during the final rinse cycle drying takes less time.

A water-saving dishwater can save a four-person household up 700 gallons of water a year. The more sophisticated water efficient dishwashers use soil sensors to automatically adjust the amount of water delivered to dishes based on how dirty they are. Even more basic models can save water and energy since they typically use about one-third of the amount of water that a conventional dishwasher uses and are 41% more energy efficient.

Need help converting to water saving fixtures, faucets or appliances? Call Davis Plumbing & Drain at (480) 985-3012

3 Ways to Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

Posted on by

If you’ve ever dealt with burst water pipes, yes even here in the “Valley of the Sun”, you know what a costly nightmare it can be.

Fortunately, there are several things a homeowner can do to protect their pipes from freezing when temperatures start to fall. Some are basic steps that anyone can take and others will require getting your hands dirty. When you consider the alternative, it is time and effort well spent. Here are three ways to protect your pipes from freezing.

Turn Up The Heat

Everybody is trying to save on heating bills in the winter but if you live in an older home with an unheated attic, basement or crawl space, turning the thermostat down can cost you big in the long run.

Keeping your house warm will increase the temperature in poorly insulated rooms and areas susceptible to cold. It is important to keep the thermostat set at the same temperature throughout the day so you aren’t caught by surprise by a sudden drop in mercury.

Even when you are not home, keep the heat set above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re planning to be gone for a prolonged period of time keep the thermostat around 65 degrees. It’s also a good idea to install fiberglass insulation in areas where exposed pipes are present and to insulate the pipes themselves with tape or foam rubber sleeves.

Open Those Cabinet Doors

How will something as simple as keeping bathroom and kitchen cabinets open protect your pipes? If the plumbing is located behind an uninsulated exterior wall, the pipes are exposed to the cold and prone to freezing. By simply opening those cabinet doors you raise the temperature in that space and help protect vulnerable pipes. If you have pets or small children make sure potential harmful cleaners and chemicals stored under sinks are removed before leaving the cabinet doors open.
Keeping interior doors open is also a good idea to keep the heat circulating throughout the house.

Leave the Water Running

Running water is less likely to freeze which is why it’s a good idea during an extreme cold snap to turn on the faucets to sinks with exposed pipes. A slow drip is sufficient and will keep the amount of water wasted to a minimum. In the event that the water does freeze, having the tap open will still help since it will relieve the water pressure and prevent damage to the pipes.

These simple preventative measures can protect your pipes from freezing and save you thousands of dollars in plumbing repairs and clean up. However, if your pipes do freeze and burst it is important to know where the water shut-off valve is located in your home so you can quickly stop the water’s flow and minimize the damage. It’s also a good idea to turn off the valve while you sleep or if the home will be vacant during the extreme cold. This will limit the problem to the water which is left in the pipes, this could mean the difference between a little water damage and a flood.

Unclogging A Stopped Sink

Posted on by

A clogged/stopped sink can be a very frustrating plumbing problem. Although it may seem like a simple problem, spending a little time and money on it now and then can prevent a small problem from becoming a big problem.

Listed here are a few different reasons why your sink could be failing to drain. If you realize that your sink isn’t draining it could be:

  • You are pouring grease down the drain which is now trapping food particle hindering the passage of waste water.
  • You are washing your coffer grounds down the sink instead of throwing them.
  • You are draining waste food particles mixed with waste water down the drain pipe.
  • You usually take too long to have your entire drainage system in your home checked to prevent plumbing problems that usually takes time to manifest.

Which ever the reason, a clogged/stopped sink is can cause flooding and other problems and therefore a homeowner should be ready and equipped to unclog a sink before calling an expert to examine it further.

4 DIY Tips On How To Unclog Your Sink:

Try A Plunger

This is one of the most important plumbing tools that you should always have in your home. To use this plunger in your sink you should first clamp all the other drain pipes with wet rug. Then completely cover the drain opening of your sink, then stroke vigorous for several times. You will see your sink start draining after several strokes.

Snake The Line

Sometimes hair, chunks of food or small objects can get stuck in your line. A hand auger or commonly known as a snake is a wire-like tool that is turned several times in the drain pipe to unclog it. It is comes with different price depending on its length, size and turning mechanism. However, if you do not have a hand auger, you can as well straighten a wire hunger and use it as your snake. After you straighten it, run it down the drained pipe of your sink then rotate or twist it. Then use it to pullout or pushdown the clogged materials.

Using Baking Soda With Vinegar or Salt

This is mostly used to clean the grease or other materials attached to the drain pipe.

All you will need to do is pour one cup of baking soda and half cup of salt or vinegar and wait for several hours and then pour hot water.The acidic reaction will clean your drainage pipe and unclog the trapped particles.

Clean The P-trap

This is another equally effective DIY method that requires one to have some technical skills. It involves disassembling the P-trap and cleaning it then assembling it back. It is the most effective and should be the last option to consider after you have tried the above 3 methods.

If this plumbing problem persists, it is very important to seek the services of a trained and experienced plumber to handle the task on your behalf. An experienced plumber will be able to identify the exact point with the problem and fix it completely.

Need help? Call Us Now – (480) 985-3012

Why Is My Water Heater Running Out Of Hot Water?

Posted on by

Does it seem like your hot water heater isn’t working right? After a couple of minutes in the shower does your hot water turn lukewarm? Your hot water heater may have a problem and there could be a number of reasons for this. The reasons below are typical problems but be sure to contact a professional plumbing service to help determine your specific issue.

Dip Tube

Both gas and electric hot water heaters have a pipe called a dip tube that is supposed to make the unheated water coming into the tank go down to the bottom so the already-hot water can be sent out of the tank to where it’s needed. If your dip tube is broken or it falls off, this won’t happen, meaning new water coming into the tank will mix with the hot water and lower its temperature. Hence, you wind up with lukewarm water.

Thermostat

Your water heater has a thermostat that tells it how much to heat the water before it goes on its way. If the thermostat is not functioning properly, you are likely to wind up with water that isn’t hot. If the thermostat is broken altogether, your water heater won’t heat any more water, so eventually you will run out after whatever in the tank is gone. If the thermostat setting is off, you might get water that’s not heated to the temperature you expect.

Heating Element

If you water heater is electric, you could have a problem with your heating element, especially the one on the lower part of the tank. If it’s not functioning properly, your water heater may only heat the water in the top of the tank, which means you eventually will run out of hot water.

Some of these issues you can investigate on your own, but you likely will need a licensed plumber to assess the situations and either make repairs or suggest a replacement.

3 Signs You Have Hard Water

Posted on by

Hard water refers to water with a high number of minerals — particularly limestone, calcium sulfate, and calcium carbonate — that get absorbed into the water before it makes its way into your home. Water with a high mineral content is called “hard” because, along with the minerals make it hard to lather soap, the mineral content can actually cause damage to your plumbing system.

Hard water can be a problem because it forces appliances like washing machines to work harder and it can cause damage to plumbing. Fortunately, hard water can be corrected with the right water softener. Here are 3 tell-tale signs that your home has hard water.

1. White Buildup On Shower Walls & Faucets

Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits on almost everything, including faucets, sinks, bathtubs, and shower walls. No matter how often you clean, you will likely notice a film on your shower walls or bathtub after the water from bathing dries. Faucets in homes with hard water often develop a thick build-up of mineral deposits, or scale, that’s very hard to get rid of. This problem can’t be avoided without treating the hard water problem.

2. Spotty Dishes

Are your dishes cloudy or spotty when you take them out of the dishwasher or leave them to dry overnight? Spots and cloudiness are caused by hard water deposits that are tough to get rid of.

3. Trouble Getting Clothing Clean

Do you find that clothing is still dirty or stained after it’s been washed? Hard water makes soaps less effective and harder to lather. The minerals can cause clothing to become faded, grayish, or less vibrant. Your clothes may also feel scratchy because the minerals create a salt that clings to the fabric.

Hard water is more than an annoyance; it can actually damage your plumbing by leaving scale build-up that eventually leads to clogs and even leaks. If you have signs of hard water, it may be time to consider the benefits of water softening.

3 Reasons You Might Have Mold Growing In Your House

Posted on by

There are several reasons why a home can have mold growth, but whatever the reason, you need to determine the source to repair the problem before beginning a cleanup. Having mold in your home is dangerous because it causes symptoms such as watery eyes, itchy skin and chronic coughing. Here are three causes of mold inside a home that you must look for and fix.

Leaking Roof

You might not realize that a home’s roof has holes because it is not something you inspect on a regular basis. However, tiny cracks can permit moisture to enter after it rains or snows, and the moisture causes serious problems. Small amounts of moisture can leak into a home to damage ceilings and walls. Because mold spores thrive in moisture, colonies begin to grow rapidly and send out more spores into a home’s ductwork.

Leaking Pipes

Old degraded plumbing can lead to mold growth inside a home because pipes and connectors begin to leak and will need to be re-piped. The tiny drops of water soak into drywall and insulation, helping mold spores to grow. This type of mold can grow inside walls for several years without homeowners noticing, and unless the materials are removed and cleaned thoroughly, the building’s occupants can begin to experience health problems.

Poor Air Circulation

Mold spores will grow quickly in areas of your home that have high humidity levels and poor air circulation. Spaces such as attics, closets and basements are also dark, creating a perfect environment for mold to grow. Homeowners may not enter these spaces for several months and not realize that mold is growing on the walls, floors or ceilings until serious damage occurs that requires tearing out materials before sanitizing underlying surfaces.

 

Hot Water Heater Installation Process

Posted on by

If your water heater is starting to show its age by not adequately heating your water or leaking, it may be time to replace it. It’s best to hire a plumber to do that. Here’s what you can expect from the installation process.

Many plumbers do water heater installations as a package deal, meaning they allow you to select from a limited selection of water heater units and charge you one price for the heater, any permits needed to install it and the labor. When seeking out bids, you should clarify how the plumbing contractor does it.

Expect the installation to take at least a couple of hours, during which time you will be without water and whatever power source the unit uses, be it gas or electricity.

Your plumber will first shut off the water and the power source and then will drain whatever water is left in the tank. He’ll then cut or unhook the water lines to remove the unit.

To install the new unit, he must first install a relief valve that is needed to keep pressure from building up in the unit. Then he will hook the unit back up to water and power sources. He will attach the pipe assemblies and then reattach the water lines. After he has reattached the vent, he will attach the unit to its power source. For an electric water heater that may be as simple as connecting wires or plugging it in. For a gas one, he must reattach the gas line and then turn the gas back on and check for backdrafting.

Once everything is connected, the plumber will turn on the water heater to check for leaks. Assuming there are none, it’s ready to go if it is electric. For a gas water heater, there is one more step: lighting the pilot light.

Is Your Slab Leaking?

Posted on by

When a water pipe underneath a home’s concrete foundation breaks, water will seep into the home’s foundation and the surrounding ground, causing a slab leak that will need immediate repair. Some common causes of slab leaks are pipe corrosion, pipe abrasion, forceful water pressure and a high water table. Learning to spot signs of a slab leak is key to saving countless dollars in repairs.

A Mysterious Running Water Sound

If hear the unmistakable sound of trickling or running water, check all appliances, pipes, sprinklers and fixtures. If you cannot find the sound’s source, this is a sign of a possible slab leak.

Hot Spots

Unless your home has radiant heating, the hot water lines should be insulated, so they will not heat the floor. If there is an area of the floor that feels more warm than the surrounding floor, there may be a leak in a hot water line underneath the concrete slab.

Floor and Wall Cracks

Floor and wall cracks are signs of several different problems such as ground shifting or a leaking slab. If the leak is left unchecked, a hole may eventually form under the home’s foundation; the stress placed on the foundation can create cracks in the walls and floors.

Mildew and Moisture

When a leaking pipe cracks the concrete slab, drywall and padding tend to absorb the moisture. In turn, mildew may grow under the carpets and behind the walls.

Water Bill Spikes

An unusually high water bill may be caused by a number of plumbing failures, including a broken pipe under the foundation. If you have confirmed that the water meter is working, then it is highly likely you are dealing with a plumbing issue such as a slab leak.