Plumbing - Phoenix Remodeling | Phoenix Handyman

New Mr. Rooter® Facebook Game Calls Attention to Water Conservation

December 21, 2011 by Susan

by Mr. Rooter

Mr. Rooter Plumbing uses Wally the Wrench in The Drip Game on Facebook to promote being Water-Wise™ in real life.

The Drip Game is about stopping leaks, which has become a rampant problem in reality. More than 1 trillion gallons of water is wasted from household leaks each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“We started the Water-Wise initiative at Mr. Rooter Plumbing to bring attention to the importance of conserving water,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “With The Drip Game we can make learning about water conservation more entertaining.”

And entertaining, it is. In the first month of being live, The Drip Game has been played more than 65,000 times. That equals more than 7,500 hours of playtime.

“We’ve been blown away with the attention The Drip Game is getting,” said Fawn Barlow, marketing manager at Mr. Rooter Corporation. “It’s challenging, fun and to be honest, my wrist hurts from playing it so much.”

The Drip Game has three levels: sink, toilet and shower. It also has “powerups” that make the game interesting. While some catch, slow and stop the drips, others multiply the score and lower the clog level.

The Drip Game is available on Mr. Rooter Corporation’s Facebook page at facebook.com/mrrootercorporation. Just click on The Drip Game link in the left side menu.

If you have a leak, check out the Mr. Rooter online drip calculator. It determines the amount of water wasted daily, monthly and yearly based on the number of drips per minute.

It’s easy to use. Just enter the number of drips per minute in the box, and the amount of wasted water is calculated immediately. You can find the drip calculator at www.mrrooter.com/AskTheExpert/Drip Calculator.aspx.

Finding and fixing leaks can save the average household more than 10,000 gallons of water annually, according to the EPA. That’s enough to fill a back yard swimming pool.

About Mr. Rooter^®:

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com and www.mrrooter.ca. Follow us on www.facebook.com/mrrootercorporation and twitter.com/mrrootercorp.

Filed Under: Do it Yourself Projects, Plumbing Tagged With: arizona handyman, Do it Yourself Projects, phoenix arizona handyman, phoenix doors, phoenix home remodel, phoenix home repair, phoenix remodel, phoenix remodeling, phoenix windows, scottsdale handyman

12 Days of Christmas (For Your Home): Top 5 Holiday Tips You Haven’t Thought Of

December 16, 2011 by Susan

by Mr. Rooter

The tree’s up and decorations are out …but what about those holiday preparation and cleanup tips that aren’t on your to-do list? It’s a busy time of year for Mr. Appliance^®, Mr. Electric^® and Mr. Rooter^®Plumbing. In celebration of the holiday season, they came up with their version of the 12 Days of Christmas.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my service professional fixed for me:

Twelve tangled lights
Eleven frozen pipes
Ten dishwashers spraying
Nine power cords fraying
Eight drips a leaking
Seven ovens overheating
Six breakers blowing
Five toilets overflowing
Four fridges not cooling
Three light bulbs bursting
Two drains clogging
And one service call to fix it all.

To keep the oven, garbage disposal and kitchen sink drain in good working condition this holiday season, cooks need to take some precautions before and after the holiday celebration.

“Oven problems usually go unnoticed until the big meal is already inside the oven,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance^®Corp. “A few minutes spent checking your kitchen appliances could save your holiday season.”

The same goes for your decorating your home for the holidays. “The holidays can be a joyous time, but we also need to be aware of the potential for electrical accidents and keep our families safe,” said Mr. Electric Corporation President Jeff Meyers.

Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electricand Mr. Rooterhave the Top 5 Holiday Tips You Haven’t Thought Of:

Avoid running the self-cleaning cycle before a big holiday dinner.
Replace gaskets at the first sign of a leak or if moisture appears on outside of oven.
Avoid pouring grease down the drain.
Throw leftovers in the trash or compost pile instead of putting down the garbage disposal.
Ensure there is enough space around appliances to allow heat to escape.

—

About Mr. Appliance®:

Mr. Appliance is North America’s leading appliance repair franchise system. Established in 1996, its franchises provide full-service residential and light commercial appliance repair. Mr. Appliance has more than 150 locations throughout the United States and Canada and is consistently ranked among the top home service franchises by Entrepreneur magazine and other industry experts. Mr. Appliance is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information, visit www.mrappliance.com.

About Mr. Electric®:

Established in 1994, Mr. Electric is a global franchise organization providing electrical installation and repair services. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500,” Mr. Electric franchisees provide these services to both residential and commercial customers at almost 200 locations worldwide. Mr. Electric is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For further information or to find the location nearest you, visit www.mrelectric.com. © 2011 Mr. Electric Corp.

About Mr. Rooter^®:

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com or www.mrrrooter.ca.

Filed Under: Do it Yourself Projects, Plumbing Tagged With: arizona handyman, DIY, Do it Yourself Projects, phoenix arizona handyman, phoenix doors, phoenix home remodel, phoenix home repair, phoenix remodel, phoenix remodeling, phoenix windows, scottsdale handyman

Frost Should Nip at Your Nose, Not Your Pipes

December 14, 2011 by Susan

by Mr. Rooter

10 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

If homeowners don’t winterize their homes before Old Man Winter arrives, he could bring a flurry of high repair bills as well.

“Frozen pipes can be a costly problem if proper precautions are not taken,” said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “Often times, homeowners are unprepared when the winter weather hits.”

The best way to prevent frozen pipes is to take the necessary precautions now. It can save homeowners time and money later.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing has 10 simple tips that will help homeowners keep their pipes from bursting when temperatures plummet this winter:

1. Insulate pipes

Cover faucets and exposed pipes with insulation or wrap thick towels around them.

2. Secure basement doors, windows and crawl space openings

Caulk, seal and weather-strip.

3. Drain outside water lines

Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets, close interior valves that lead to outside hose taps and then open outside hose taps to drain.

4. Apply electrically-powered heat tape to pipes

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or call a plumber to do this.

5. Wrap water heater with an approved manufacturer’s blanket

Use the appropriate type of blanket for your water heater

6. Open cabinet doors

Allows heat to circulate and keeps interior pipes warm.

7. Keep faucets running

Either a small trickle of water or constant drip is recommended when temperatures drop below freezing for more than 24 hours.

8. Do not set thermostat lower than 55 degrees when travelling

Have a neighbor check during below freezing temperatures

9. Locate the main water shut-off valve

Learn how to use it in case pipes freeze and burst.

10. Have a hair dryer handy if pipes freeze

Heat pipe’s exterior with a hair dryer by applying heat slowly and moving constantly.

The first step to safely thawing frozen pipes is turning off water at the main water shut-off valve. Next, open the nearest faucet to allow water to drain as the ice melts. Now it’s time to use the hair dryer to heat the pipes, or you can wrap a hot, wet rag around pipes. Do not attempt to thaw exposed frozen pipes with an open flame, such as an acetylene torch. If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer or your pipes burst, call a qualified plumber.

—

About Mr. Rooter^®:

“We’ll be available 24/7 to help those having a plumbing emergency. This can be a stressful time for homeowners, and we understand the urgency they feel.”

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is an all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its “Franchise 500” and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com.

How to choose a quality service company

November 15, 2011 by Susan

Pool heater and heat pump contractor’s guideline on how to choose a quality service company

swiming pools How to choose a quality service company

This article was written to help people choose a company to work on their pool equipment but the philosophy applies to all trades.

Choosing a swimming pool heat pump service contractor for a job is sometimes harder than the work itself. You need to find one who is honest, competent and who cares about the quality of his work with swimming pool heating systems.

They are out there, though. Usually they don’t have to advertise their experience with pool heaters, and they can pick and choose who they work for, but when you find one, hang on to them, because they are worth their weight in wrenches. Hopefully it will be the start of a relationship that will last for many years; one that will give you peace of mind knowing that you are being treated fairly and your electric pool heater, gas pool heater, or solar pool heater is properly installed and maintained at a reasonable price.

The best way is the old standby: word of mouth. Call everyone that you know and ask who they have had a good experience with when it came to the installation of their swimming pool heating equipment. If you are a hermit or new to your area, we’ve made a list of ten rules to help you find a good pool heating service contractor. And don’t forget anything beats just calling the biggest ad in the phone book.

1. Never use a pool heating contractor who solicits you for your business. You have to ask yourself why he’s so lonely?

2. Only use a pool heating contractor who uses his name in the title of his company. I want a person with a big ego fixing things for me. Chances are they will take pride in their work.

3. Try only to deal with the owner of the pool heating contracting company. Employees come and go but owners seem to stay around a little longer. Remember you are trying to develop a relationship.

4. Never chase a special price on pool heater service. There is always something else you have to buy. See rule #1.

5. Ask what the hourly rate is on the phone. When they arrive tell them that you want to know the cost of the pool heating parts before they are installed. If the rate is too high or the materials seem out of line, tell them that it is more than you are able to spend at this time. Never let them lower their price. Tell them that you respect their ability and competence, and the way they value their work but you are unable to do business with them at this time. But the next time something comes up you will give them the opportunity to bid on the work. And the next time do give them the chance. They might be more reasonable.

6. If the estimate is too high, tell the contractor that you will get some more quotes. If he wants to be paid for the service call, pay him and ask for a credit if he does the work later. Then call two other pool heater contractors to get a free estimate for the specific repair that the first contractor said the problem was.

7. Never haggle with the price. See rule Five. If you use them again they will overcharge you and then reduce it when you haggle. You don’t want somebody working for you who feels like they are being cheated.

8. Don’t promise to get them a lot of work with other people. Contractors hear that all day long from people who want a break on the bill. Don’t give the contractor an opportunity to laugh at you.

9. Look at the truck and the service person. Are they clean? Is the name painted on the truck? Does the pool heater contractor look like an axe murderer?

10. Pay by credit card if possible or pay by check when the job is complete. No deposit “to buy the parts” but on equipment change outs you might have to give a deposit. Make sure you have a contract.

When you find a good one, treat them well and you’ll be repaid many times. And don’t forget good people know other good people so don’t be afraid to ask. Maybe you will have a lot less to worry about.

This article was provided by PoolHeatPumps.com

Bring the Indoors Out

July 13, 2011 by Susan

By Whitney Wyatt

With the uncertain economy and high gas prices, homeowners are doing more ‘staycations’ these days. And that has made enhancing the backyard for entertaining purposes more popular.

From upgrading the patio to putting in an outdoor kitchen, creating outside spaces has become the trend. What is your idyllic outdoor oasis? Many homeowners find outdoor kitchens make their homes more convenient while giving their backyards a nicer look.

Before hiring a professional to help build your summer sanctuary, Mr. Rooter® Plumbing recommends homeowners ask themselves this question: “How do I want the space to be used?”. (Don’t forget to keep children and pets in mind while you think about this.) When this question is answered, it’s time to decide on a budget. Once the budget is set, here comes the fun part – selecting the products.

Think about your home. The kitchen is usually the focal point when it comes to family gatherings – from doing homework to eating meals to playing games. Just like it was important to select items for the inside of your home, it’s important to design your outdoor space to your liking as well.

For homeowners who want an outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles, they also need to think about products that will ‘weather’ the weather. Thankfully, there is a good selection of items, as backyard retreats have become increasingly popular.

And the popular sink selection is stainless steel. Picking a stainless steel sink is going to be the best option, because it withstands weather better than other materials. Because it is sturdier than other products, it also doesn’t damage as easily. When it comes to fixtures, heavy duty brass is the top pick. Heavy duty brass does not corrode, and it is rust free.

When it comes to installing these projects, some can be do-it-yourself while others are not. For example, installing the water line for outdoor kitchen sinks, refrigerators and ice-makers can be a DIY project. But hiring a plumber is recommended, because professionals know the best location for installation.

As for installing the drain line for the kitchen sink, homeowners who are not DIY savvy should hire a plumber. The drain needs to connect to a sewer source to dispose of waste water. It is also best for homeowners to hire a professional to install the gas line for outdoor ranges and grills as well as patio heaters and fireplaces. Professionals have the training and experience to ensure proper and safe installation.

Once your outdoor space is created, we hope it captures the feel you want – whether it’s a party atmosphere or a serene space to read a book.

This article was provided by Mr. Rooter.

Filed Under: Do it Yourself Projects, Kitchen, Plumbing Tagged With: arizona handyman, DIY, Do it Yourself Projects, phoenix arizona handyman, phoenix doors, phoenix home remodel, phoenix home repair, phoenix remodel, phoenix remodeling, phoenix windows, scottsdale handyman

How to Choose Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures for Your Home

October 23, 2008 by Phoenix Handyman Leave a Comment

By Chris Robertson

Whether building a new home or remodeling, you’ll find there are many plumbing fixtures and accessories available. The choices can seem overwhelming, and you’ll want to make sure the items you choose are both durable and decorative. Using the guide below, choose bathroom plumbing fixtures that will fit well with your decor plans while providing adequate use for the long term.

Fixtures for the bathroom should be practical and durable. They should be tough enough to withstand years of usage without wearing easily, rusting, or molding. Consider your entire dÃ©cor including the colors of your floors and walls and the style used on other items in the room.

Choosing a Bathtub

When choosing a bathtub, there are four basic bathtub styles. The old-type enamel cast-iron bathtub with the China-glazing finish is popular with new constructions. It is extremely heavy and offers quietness while being filled with water. This tub usually comes as a basic five-foot tub with few styles to choose from. The average price is about $250.

Next, there’s the molded plastic bathtub, which resembles the cast-iron tubs but is usually thicker. This tub is more lightweight and great for remodeling – especially when tile is already on the floor. This type of bathtub can come in several styles and colors, including a full shower/tub combination with built-in walls. It ranges in price from $250 upward.

The enameled steel tub comes in white or a variety of colors and is finished with a ceramic-glazed material. This tub is priced at around $250. Next is the fiberglass tub, which can be installed on a platform or in the floor. It comes in different shapes and sizes. Some have spa features as well. This type of tub is high-priced, some even costing in the thousands of dollars.

Shower stalls come in several styles such as a pre-built shower base, fabricated shower stall, and the fiberglass enclosed shower stall. Pricing varies according to size, style, and brand name.

Choosing a Toilet

The toilet should be comfortable and practical. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but sometimes paying more means getting better quality. There are now toilets with higher gallons/flush capabilities – up to the government’s standard of 1.6 gallons per flush. If you want to save on your water bill, opt for an efficiency toilet that flushes 1.3 gallons per flush. There are also dual-flush toilets that offer two flush buttons – one for liquid waste removal and one for solid waste removal. The liquid waste button, of course, uses less water per flush.

Bathroom Sink Options

The bathroom sink is important and has many uses – from brushing your teeth to shaving to facial cleansings each night! A popular bathroom sink is the V-shaped vessel sink bowl, which is made of glass, copper or stainless steel. There are also bathroom vanities with the sink already built-in for easy installation. Types of sinks include pedestal sinks, which provide no storage underneath, under-counter sinks, and above-counter sinks.

Faucets and Other Bathroom Items

Choose durable faucets made of materials that are rust-free and provide an even flow of water. With small children, you’ll want to be sure the faucets have temperature settings built in to prevent scalding. For decor purposes, choose matching faucets for the bathtub and sink. Also, be sure the faucet will last for many years without dripping. Faucets come in many shapes and styles – some are plain and some are fancy. They are priced from $40. Some popular finishes for faucets include brass, brushed nickel, oiled bronze, and the popular chrome plate.

Accessorize your bathroom with other fixtures and accessories to complete your decor. You can go online to find great products in almost any style you need. Also, you can find other home accessories online such as ironing centers, door hardware, cabinet hardware, towel warmers, and more.

Choose your bathroom plumbing fixtures wisely for a pleasant and long-lasting bathroom.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about Tips to Choose Plumbing Fixtures or Majon’s Home and Garden directory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

Filed Under: Do it Yourself Projects, Plumbing Tagged With: bathroom, plumbing fixtures

An Easier Way to Fix Home Plumbing Problems

October 23, 2008 by Phoenix Handyman Leave a Comment

By Yamini Chowdhury -

Leaking faucets, clogged drains, faulty pipes – is there any hope of getting some respite from the minefield of home plumbing problems? That’s the kind of plaintive wail that resonates across homes all over the world. With their anguish unmitigated by any hope of relief, homeowners search relentlessly for some sort of succor.

Your consternation may seem uncannily familiar, but there’s absolutely no need to despair. These problems can be countered without falling prey to the guiles of plumbing professionals and their horrendous costs. A few plumbing tools and some patience ensure the blueprint for sparkling success.

Five Boiler-Plate Rules For Success

Routine plumbing problems around the house do not signify the harbinger of doom. Here’s how you can go about conducting minor repairs yourself without calamitous results:

Before you embark on any kind of repair work, make sure you are armed with proper plumbing tools. Make a beeline to the nearest plumbing supplies store and pick basic tools like an auger, a plunger, a Philips screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, pipe wrenches, slip-joint and needle nose pliers, compression nuts and rings and faucet seats.

Familiarize yourself with the location and functioning of the shut-off valve of every fixture, as well as the main shut-off valve in the house. You will need to turn off the water supply during all repair projects.

If the problem occurs in a particular fixture, you’ll need to close the valve of that fixture only, generally located beneath the fixture, by turning it clockwise. What if that fixture does not have a valve of its own? Simple, then all you do is close the main shut-off valve in the house.

To get to the root of a leaky faucet, you’ll have to take off the faucet handle with a screwdriver, followed by the screw cap that secures the stem with an adjustable wrench. All this with a great deal of patience and limited force, so that you don’t damage the faucet.

In some faucets, the washers may have to be replaced to stop the leak, while in washerless faucets, the ‘O’ rings may be the cause of your anxiety.

Donning a plumber’s hat is not that ludicrous a proposition, right?

Learn exactly how to generate 100′s or even 1000′s of positively *BRILLIANT* Bathroom Remodeling Ideas … FAST ! And here are 25 Dirt Cheap Home Improvement Ideas that could increase the value of your home by several $1000′s …

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yamini_Chowdhury

Filed Under: Do it Yourself Projects, Plumbing Tagged With: plumbing problems

An Important “How to Roofing” Tip For Homeowners

October 23, 2008 by Phoenix Handyman Leave a Comment

By John C. Bishop -

If you’re looking for “how to roofing” information, you’ve come to the right place! But first, let me tell you a little story that teaches an important lesson for do-it-yourselfers.

When I started roofing 22 years ago, I went to work for a small roofing contractor in Southwest Florida. One of my first jobs was helping to reroof a big, expensive home in Fort Myers.

Even though I was a rookie and it wasn’t my responsibility, I was very worried about the job for three reasons:

First off, heavy rain was predicted… and it wasn’t for the late day showers that pop up like clockwork during our rainy season. The forecast was for coastal showers coming in off the Gulf of Mexico, which could arrive anytime.

Second, the house was surrounded by tall trees, giving us almost no view of an approaching storm. Not that it would matter, because unlike most of our sunny days, this one was overcast. The rain clouds could be right overhead and we would never see it coming.

And third, it was a flat roof. Unlike sloped roofs that are fairly simple to dry-in quickly, flat roofs take more time. The roof deck needs to be prepared, the base sheet needs to be nailed down and at least one layer of felt needs to be installed to get it watertight.

Basically, it was a perfect storm of conditions… Just right for a roofing disaster. To this day, I don’t know why the Boss decided to go ahead and risk the tear-off. He certainly had the experience to know better. Perhaps, he needed the job to make payroll or to pay some big insurance bill.

Whatever it was, he made the fateful decision to go ahead…

We no sooner had all the roofing torn off when the rain hit us, and man did it rain! We stayed up on the roof throughout the storm sweeping water, but it didn’t do much good. Ceilings, walls, flooring and furnishings were damaged throughout the entire home.

My point in telling you this story is that unlike a contractor who occasionally has to take a risk like this, you don’t have to. Wait until the conditions are perfect before you tear off your roof, especially if it’s a flat roof.

Of course there’s a lot more “how to roofing” information you should know. To help you with that, I’ve written a Special Report full of trade secrets that will make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes. It’s called: “How to Roof Your Own Home and Save Thousands of Dollars!” You can find details at my website: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C._Bishop

Filed Under: Do it Yourself Projects, Plumbing, Roofing Tagged With: DIY roofing

Replace & Repair Leaky Bathroom & Kitchen Faucets

October 21, 2008 by Phoenix Handyman Leave a Comment

By Jhoselyn Aleman

Everyone dreads having to repair anything in the bathroom, because oftentimes, the solution involves more than a bottle of Liquid Drain-O and a flush of cold water. Also known as “leaky bathtub faucet,” this refers to any major clogging problems, a drop in water pressure, or a bathtub faucet leak.

A certified plumbing company should come in and do an inspection and fix any major problems after giving you an estimate of the damage. If left unattended, the problems bathroom faucets can lead to are more than just inside the bathroom. There have been lawsuits and even divorces over the neglected leaky bathtub faucet. Overall, neglecting to fix your bathroom faucet will lead to a higher water bill (with less water pressure!) and further damage to supply pipes and your entire bathroom function ability. This can even sometimes result in pipes inside the walls to leak and cause water spots throughout the walls.

Here are some tips on how to replace and/or repair a bathtub faucet, bath shower faucet and bathroom sink faucet:

• Pry off the cap of the bath faucet if you think there is less water pressure coming from the faucet. Unscrew the handle to get deep inside the faucet to check if there is any blockage you need to remove. Clean the aerator if necessary, which is the small piece at the tip of the spout that can get blocked over time. After cleaning all the parts, put back together and test to see if there is any improvement. This applies to any bath faucet you have in the house, from the kitchen faucet to the single-lever bath faucet.

• If you are having a leaky bathtub faucet, get the bathtub faucets make and model and to a Home Depot or any hardware store to purchase the appropriate bathtub repair kit. Remove the bath faucet’s existing ball, packing and springs and replace them with the new ones in the kit.

• If you have tried cleaning the parts and bathtub faucet and it still does not seem to improve the water pressure or the leak, you may need to replace the bathtub faucet entirely. Or the problem may be something more than just the bathtub faucet. Now is the time to call a certified plumbing company. The company can come in to repair your leaking bathtub faucet, changing bathtub faucets or do any necessary bathtub repair.

For more information visit: http://www.bathfaucets.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jhoselyn_Aleman http://EzineArticles.com/?Replace-and-Repair-Leaky-Bathroom-and-Kitchen-Faucets&id=1335348

Filed Under: Kitchen, Plumbing Tagged With: kitchen and bathroom faucets, leaky faucets, repair of leaky faucets

Six Plumbing Symptoms to Watch For

October 21, 2008 by Phoenix Handyman Leave a Comment

By Billings Farnsworth

It is easy to ignore plumbing problems, especially those that do not seem to cause too much trouble. The truth is that you may be paying for water you are not using. You may be putting up with inconveniences that will only get worse. There are some symptoms to look for in evaluating your plumbing needs.

1. You have to use the plunger on your stool often. Your septic system might be clogged with tree roots or your septic tank might need to be pumped out. The problem could be as simple as a design flaw. The plumbing might have been designed in such a way that there are too many sharp turns for sufficient release of the waste.

2. Your faucets screech when you turn them on. This means you have air in the lines. It might have happened as a result of a water main break where your water was shut off for a time. On the other hand, there is a system in the plumbing that is made specifically to bleed off air. This may not be functioning properly.

3. You have low water pressure. If you have old galvanized pipes, they may be clogged full of residue and sediment. Another scenario is a home with pipe diameters that are not adequate to carry the water well. You may also have a leak. If it is on your side of the water meter, you are losing money every minute the water pours through the crack.

4. Your drains gurgle. Water is supposed to go down and air is supposed to be vented out for the drains to work correctly. If the vent is plugged or broken, the water goes down a bit, the air bubbles up, and only then can the water go down some more.

5. Your drains smell bad. The P-trap is likely the culprit when you have stinky drains. This drain allows the water to drain through, leaving a small amount of water in the P-trap to provide a barrier against odors. If it a case that the drain has not been used for a long time, it might just be that the P-trap water has evaporated. Try running a little water down the drain to refill the trap.

6. Water leaks out of your faucets when you turn them on but not when they are turned off. The likely plumbing problem here is that you need new o-rings or washers. It is an easy and inexpensive repair.

Watch for the tell-tale signs that your plumbing is not up to par. When you have a problem that needs to be repaired, fix it right away. It may be a small repair or a major overhaul, but taking care of it will make your life much more comfortable.

GoGo Rooter ( http://gogorooter.com) offers expert residential and commercial plumbing in San Jose with rates by the job, not by the hour.

Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billings_Farnsworth http://EzineArticles.com/?Six-Plumbing-Symptoms-to-Watch-For&id=1543462

Filed Under: Plumbing Tagged With: Plumbing, plumbing repair, pluumbing symptoms

Pool heater and heat pump contractor’s guideline on how to choose a quality service company

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