Plumbing problems can be frustrating. But knowing the common signs of a plumbing repair can help homeowners save money and keep their homes in better condition. A dripping faucet may seem harmless enough, but over time those drops add up to significant water usage and costly energy bills. The same goes for toilet leaks and cracks in pipes.
Water Heater
Your water heater is responsible for providing hot water throughout your entire home. So, if it is having trouble providing the right amount of hot water, you could be facing serious plumbing problems and will need to call in a professional Plumbers Shreveport for help.
Some of the most common issues with water heaters include having a problem with the temperature of the hot water, a problem with not having enough hot water to do multiple tasks at once, or loud and strange noises coming from the unit. Other signs that your water heater is having a problem are smelly or discolored water. These could be an indication that your water is contaminated with minerals or bacteria.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to get your water heater fixed immediately so that you can start having reliable, hot showers again. If you wait too long, you may find that your hot water heater has completely corroded, and then you will be looking at a much more expensive replacement bill.
You can help to prevent water heater problems by doing regular maintenance on your unit. This includes draining the tank twice a year to remove any sediment and minerals that collect inside the tank. You should also replace the anode rod about once a year to protect against corrosion.
Another simple repair is relighting the pilot light on your gas water heater. This is a fairly easy process, but only if you follow the safety manual that accompanies your water heater. If you are having a hard time getting the pilot light to stay lit, it might be a sign that your thermocouple or gas control valve is not working properly.
Finally, if you are having trouble with your hot water heater producing enough hot water, there could be a problem with the upper or lower heating element on your unit. Replacing one of these is a relatively inexpensive repair, but the installation process can be tricky and should be done by a trained professional.
Sewer Line
The sewer line is your major drain highway in which waste from every toilet, shower, kitchen sink and garbage disposal makes its way to the city sewer system or septic tank. When this line gets clogged, it affects your entire home. The sewer line is so important that any problem with it should only be fixed by a qualified professional plumber. There are several different ways to repair a clogged or damaged sewer line, including traditional excavation and trenchless options.
Licensed plumbers have years of technical training and experience with diagnosing and fixing sewer and drain issues. They use specialized camera inspection equipment to quickly find the cause of a problem and make the best repair. They can also use trenchless methods that minimize property damage and prevent future problems.
If your sewer line has extensive damage, a plumber will likely recommend full replacement of the pipe. This involves digging a ditch along the length of the old pipe, removing it and replacing it with new pipes. This option is expensive, but it is the most durable solution.
A plumber may also try a more cost-effective method called hydro-jetting to remove clogs from your sewage pipes. This uses pressurized water to break apart and flush out clogs. It can even clean out small tree roots. This method works well for most clogs, but it won’t fix broken or collapsed pipes.
To determine whether a broken pipe can be repaired with epoxy, the plumber will conduct a video inspection. The plumber will insert a bladder that is filled with epoxy resin and sent down the pipe guided by the video camera. The technician will inflate the bladder and deflate it, leaving behind the epoxy that fills cracks and leaks. The process is quick and can be used to repair PVC, cast iron and clay pipes.
If the plumber recommends a sewer line replacement, they will dig an access hole at each end of your old sewer line. They will then run a specialized drill tip and machinery through the old pipe to break it apart and make room for the new line. They will then cover the access holes and make sure everything is working correctly before they finish.
Drain Cleaning
When a drain becomes clogged, it prevents waste and water from properly siphoning away. A plumber will use various tools to clear any debris that has collected in the pipes and keep them functioning normally. Clogged drains often result from soap scum, hair, fats, oils, and other materials that accumulate on the walls of your pipes and trap moisture. Over time, this moisture can cause the metals in your pipes to rust and break down. Clogged drains can also cause foul odors and can lead to a build-up of bacteria.
Clogs can be caused by the organic material that builds up inside your pipes, as well as by mineral deposits from hard water. The best way to prevent clogs is by being vigilant about not pouring any items down your drain that aren’t meant for there, including food scraps and hair. You should also regularly flush your drains by pouring boiling water down them. This helps to remove any accumulated hair and soap scum that may be blocking the opening of your drains.
For more serious clogs, you can try one of the many DIY drain cleaners available on the market. Most of these products are safe for your pipes, but if they don’t work, it might be time to call a professional.
If a plunger isn’t working, you can try using a snake to dislodge any blockages. This requires a bit of plumbing expertise, but it’s still better than using chemical cleaners that are damaging to your pipes and dangerous to touch.
Another option for more serious clogs is to have the plumber use hydro jetting to scour away the build-up on the inside of your pipes. This is a service that most plumbing companies provide and uses a blast of high-pressure water to clean stubborn blockages.
Finally, you can also use a sewer line auger to clean the drain lines in your home. This is a tool that is often used by plumbing professionals, but it’s also available for purchase at most hardware stores. It works by inserting the head of the auger into the clogged drain and cranking it to break up any obstructions in your sewer line. You should only use this tool if you’ve already tried more conservative methods of unclogging the drain.
Clogged Toilet
If your toilet keeps getting clogged, there may be an issue with your home’s main sewer line. This line carries waste from every drain in your house to the municipal sewage system or septic tank. A clog in this line will affect all your toilets and other drains in your home, so it needs to be addressed quickly. If you have tried to clear the clog and it persists, you should call a plumber for professional help.
A clogged toilet is one of the most common plumbing problems, but it’s also easily preventable with regular maintenance and cleaning. You should always be careful about what goes down your toilet and make sure to dispose of waste correctly. It’s also a good idea to use a water softener that decreases the high mineral content in your household’s water, as this will reduce the accumulation of residue inside drain lines and the toilet.
The toilet’s s-trap, a curved channel that sits between the drain line and the toilet, is often the location of clogs and blockages. A plunger can force a partial clog from the toilet trap through to the branch drain line and onwards, but if it persists, you may need to use a drain snake (also known as an auger) to break up and remove the obstruction.
Another common cause of a persistent clog is the vent pipe, which connects the toilet to a vent on your roof. This vent allows air to rotate through your drain lines and flush away waste. Sometimes, this vent can become blocked with hair, debris, or even insects. Using a garden hose to flush the vent can help clear these issues, but if your toilet continues to get clogged, it is likely time for professional assistance.
A professional plumber can diagnose the issue and determine whether it is a problem with your septic system, your drain lines, or your sewer line. They can then recommend the best solution for your long-term peace of mind. Attempting to solve a clog yourself can be dangerous, so you should contact a licensed plumber for any major issues that you cannot fix on your own.