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Are you dealing with a dripping faucet, low water pressure, or clogged pipe? You’re probably tempted to call a professional plumber, and with good reason. Homeowners usually don’t have the necessary skills for a DIY plumbing job. They can even make matters worse in the end, triggering thousands of dollars in property and personal damage. But don’t put your plumber on speed dial just yet! Here are 10 basic plumbing secrets every homeowner should know. Maybe one of these could save you a costly visit from your local expert. Know the Location of Shut-Off Valves   Before moving into a new home, note the location of the main shut-off valve and drain (in some cases, the shut-off will be located outside the house). You should also get acquainted with sewer line access points, in case you need to conduct periodic cleanouts. Note that apartments and condos may not have their own dedicated shut-off valves.   Related: 12 Things Your Plumber Wishes You Knew Don’t Puncture Pipes Are you planning to drill holes or pound nails into your walls, floors, or ceiling? First determine if there are any supply or drainage pipes behind your work area since you don’t want to accidentally puncture them. You may be able to locate pipes behind walls with an inexpensive stud finder. Alternatively, you could invest in an endoscopic camera, which can be snaked into the walls. Related: 13 Home Improvements That Are Illegal to DIY Find Out What’s Flushable Homeowners shouldn’t use their toilet as a trash can, since flushing anything except toilet paper leads to nasty clogs. Even “flushable” baby wipes can back up the system! Don’t Put Garbage Down the Drain Never dump coffee grounds, food debris, bacon grease, vegetable peelings, or starchy foods like rice or potatoes down the kitchen drain; they will almost certainly clog your pipes. It’s also smart to read the manufacturer’s manual for your garbage disposal to know what, exactly, the unit can handle.   Related: 10 Things Always to Keep Near Your Kitchen Sink Take the Plunge Invest in a high-quality plunger to clear clogs in toilets, sinks, and drains. If you’re planning to clean sink traps, use a plunger to push most of the water out before removing the trap. The task will be a lot less wet and messy.   Related: No Plunger Needed: 7 Easier Ways to Clear a Clog Pull Out the Vacuum When you’re trying to dislodge …

Whether you’ve lived in your current home for years or you’ve just moved in to your first house ever, there are some things about a home’s plumbing system that every homeowner should know. Although there is no way to completely avoid a plumbing emergency, below are 5 basic plumbing tips that can help keep your plumbing system running efficiently and lower your chances of having one occur. Tip #1: Learn where your main water shutoff valve is located for your home. When you do have a water emergency, getting the water supply turned off is critical because running water can cause extensive damage and it can happen very quickly. Keep in mind that where the shutoff valve is located will depend on the arrangement of your house, but most of the time it is usually located close to where the main water supply comes into your home. If you have a basement or crawl space, it is normally located on an outer wall near the front of the house, but if your house sits on a slab, you could also find it near the water heater or even out in the garage. Most of the time, the shutoff valve to a house can be turned off by hand. Since an emergency could occur while you are away, make sure that family members know where it is and understand how to turn it off should the need (or water) ever arise (pun intended). Tip #2 Give your water heater a yearly checkup. You may not know it, but over time, sediment can form in the bottom of your water heater. If your water source comes from a well, this sediment is often composed of sand and other debris that comes up through the waterlines, or if your water comes through a municipal source, it can be caused by minerals, such as calcium carbonate that are drawn out of the water and later settle at the bottom when the water is heated at higher temperatures. Since the sediment works as an agent that corrodes the water heater, thereby making it work less efficiently, draining several gallons from the water heater tank can help slow down this process and may even prevent it from shortening the life of the water tank. While you are inspecting your water heater, it is also a good time to check the date on your water heater. If your water heater is over 12 …

1. South End Plumbing South End Plumbing was started by Wayne Doherty in 1975. The business specializes in servicing commercial and residential clients with the utmost respect for their time and money. The plumbers here are very experienced and will do their best to earn your trust. They do not leave the mess behind and will gladly explain the why behind every work they are about to do. Furthermore, this company has a very fast response time and will finish most of the jobs in a day. The business specializes in a wide variety of services such as repairing leaks, boiler installation, bathtub repair, and sink de-clogging. Contact them by filling out this form and they will get back at you in no time. 2. Beacon Hill Plumbing & Heating This is a professional service that can easily solve most of your plumbing problems. The company employs Master Plumbers who are very experienced, which has earned them a great reputation. They can easily fix a variety of things like toilets, sinks, faucets, and boilers. Additionally, they also offer drain cleaning for when your pipes are clogged. All of this is done quickly and at reasonable prices, which has made them a favorite service of many residential clients. Just fill out the form on this page, and they will contact you shortly with a free quote. Website: http://beaconhillplumbing.com/ Phone: + 617-723-3296 Address: 56 Myrtle St, Boston, MA 02114 3. Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup was started in 1935 by Samuel Blanc and has since become the largest provider of plumbing services in North America. The company is both licensed and insured and focuses on serving residential clients. Throughout the years, it has earned an amazing reputation thanks to the high quality of their work. The company offers a ton of different plumbing services such as toilet repair, drain cleaning, setting up showers, washing machine installation, and re-piping. It also has a 24/7 emergency service that will show at your doorstep in under an hour. You can set up your appointment here, and you will receive a text 30 minutes before your plumber arrives. 4. McMahon Plumbing & Heating McMahon Plumbing & Heating is an excellent plumbing service located in Hyde Park. The business was started by Harold McMahon in 1952 after he has already accumulated a decade of experience in the field. Today, this family business is on the 4th generation of Master Plumbers and has …

How does your house plumbing actually work? When you turn on the kitchen sink tap, the bath or the shower your plumbing system is working hard to deliver its magic. And although plumbing has been around for thousands of years many people still don’t quite understand how it functions. If you’re one of these people who want to know how your house plumbing actually works, we have the answers. We have tried to simplify the explanation as much as possible and give you the description of the basic plumbing system and how it functions. Of course this may differ a bit between properties but the main principle remains.    How does your house plumbing actually work? First of all let’s start with the basics. Your house plumbing system comprises of two sub-systems. One brings the fresh water in, and the other one (also known as drainage system) takes the waste water out. When the water enters your home it is under enough pressure, which allows it to travel upstairs and around corners, everywhere it might be needed. In the households, which have a water meter the water passes through the meter and the amount of passing water is recorded. It is also common that your main water stop valve (or stopcock) is located close to the meter, or under the kitchen sink. Knowing where your stopcock is located is extremely important because it allows you to shut off the water supply in a case of emergency. In most modern homes there are stop valves especially for the sink, toilet or bathtub so you don’t need to turn off your house’s water supply in case of a problem with one of the pipes. Once the pressurised water enters the home it is immediately ready for usage, if you need cold water. If you want hot water, however there is an extra step. A dedicated pipe carries water from your cold water system to the water heater, where the water is heated up and send out to all fixtures and appliances that might need it.   Once the water has flown through your house it becomes waste water and it needs to be disposed of. While pressure drives your water intake system, the drainage system is simpler – it functions because of gravity. Your waste water leaves your property because all wastepipes are ultimately created to go downwards. It is gravity that …

In the US, plumbing leaks waste 1 trillion gallons of water annually. That’s equivalent to 40 million swimming pools. Most of these leaks don’t even need the attention of a professional. Armed with a wrench and a few plumbing basics, you can fix some of the most persistent leak problems. Fixing leaks yourself is obviously economical, but you also need to know when to call in the plumbers. In this article, we’ll dissect the complex mesh of pipes to its most basic. You’ll learn when to go DIY, when to call a plumber, and how to differentiate the two. Let’s dive right in. How Does Plumbing Work: Plumbing Basics Home plumbing is pretty straightforward. A casual gaze at the interwoven mesh of pipes and valves may seem overwhelming but bear with me. Understanding a few plumbing basics will see you navigate the mesh like a pro. House plumbing consists of two systems: Water supply system Drain-water vent system (DWV) House Plumbing Basics: Water Supply System Water supply is a system of pipes that brings fresh water into the home. The system is highly-dependent of pressure. Water in these pipes come from one of two sources: City water Wells City water enters your house from a humongous pipe ‘the main pipe’ that’s usually parallel to your street. If your connection to the main has a problem, call a professional. Damage to the main can result in civil lawsuits and hefty fines. People who don’t have access to city water usually get their fresh water supply from wells. Water must then be pumped into the home at high pressures. Reduced pressure keeps water from reaching the furthest and highest parts of your house. Running showers and faucets are usually the first victims of low pressure. Factors affecting pressure range from leaks to blockages. If the leak is caused by a loose connection, it’s easily handled in-house. If, on the other hand, the leak necessitates re-piping, you best call for a professional plumber. You can read more plumbing problems you should leave to a plumber, here. The main pipe is connected to your water meter. There’s a shutoff valve before or after your meter. The valve cuts off the water supply system making it useful when doing repairs. Let’s look at the common problems facing the water supply system. Basic Plumbing Tips: Maintaining the Water Supply System Correctly installed piping is leak-proof. The system, however, disintegrates with time. In some cases, a plumber …

If your water heater is acting up, the garbage disposal is backed up, and drains are clogged (hopefully not all on the same day), you don’t have time to deliberate over finding the perfect plumber. But making a rash decision about the plumber you employ could result in more problems down the road. You want to find a plumber whose advice you can trust and who offers long-term results. While you can’t avoid plumbing problems entirely, you can avoid having to fix the same problem several times. We know that price is an important part of making your decision, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Sometimes plumbing companies offer the lowest possible price over the phone but then add on charges once they get to your home and properly inspect the problem. So how do you find the right plumber for your home? Here are seven tips to help you make your decision: MAKE SURE YOUR PLUMBER IS LICENSED AND INSURED This goes without saying but is the most important factor in finding the right plumber so bears repeating.  Ask if they are licensed and make sure they carry insurance in the case of a catastrophe. ASK HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR As with most services, you want someone with the most experience performing repairs on your home. A plumbing company that has been established for decades is likely to employ knowledgeable plumbers and have a well-known reputation. They’re also less likely to disappear on you halfway through your repair. INQUIRE ABOUT WRITTEN ESTIMATES A reputable plumber often won’t give you an estimate until they have properly assessed the problem in your home.  Once the problem has been determined but before any work is performed, inquire about a written estimate that includes labor and part costs. CHECK REVIEWS AND REFERENCES When making your decision, don’t rely on the website or advertisement of the plumbing company alone. A good aspect of the Internet is that it forces businesses to be transparent about their services. If a plumber offers subpar work, a quick Google search will reveal past customer experience. You can also check Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau for reviews. COMPARE COMPETITION You may not know much about plumbing when looking for a plumber, but you certainly know how to look for a company that delivers more than others in their industry. Check to see if the plumbing company has been …

Finding a good plumber or tradesman can be a nightmare, especially if you have an emergency that cannot wait. But it doesn’t have to be! Read further and learn our 7 tips on how to find a good plumber in your area and save yourself the hassle of dealing with cowboys and shoddy workmen. Table of Contents The Benefits of Finding a Reputable Plumber Plumber vs Heating Engineer A Service Company Vs Local Plumber How to Find a Local Plumber You Can Trust In The Case of Plumbing Emergencies How to Avoid Common Plumbing Scams The Benefits of Finding a Reputable Plumber Did you know that water waste in the UK amounts to ~460 million liters each year? The reason is that even the smallest of leaks can waste many liters of water. Leaks can not only cause damage to your and your neighbors’ homes but can also break the bank and have a negative impact on the environment. Hiring a “cowboy” to do the job of a professional will only contribute to these adverse effects. Here are a few reasons why hiring a reputable plumber in your area is worth every penny. Good understanding of the local plumbing needs – local plumbers are familiar with the area, the parking situation, the hardware stores, and the local directives. Short-notice appointments and a one-stop-shop service – hiring a local plumber often mean he can come out quickly and offer you a full-package service – from diagnosing the issue to sourcing materials and completing the job. Valuable advice – an expert can provide helpful tips on how to prevent the issue from recurring. They can help you with trusted recommendations, such as how to upkeep your bathrooms and plumbing installations. You get more value for your money. You support the local economy – buying local is a building block of any good economy. This way, you help hard-working professionals find work and you keep your money circulating locally. Plumber vs Heating Engineer Have you ever wondered what the difference between a plumber and a heating engineer is? Plumbers deal with the water fixtures and pipework around the home. If you have a leak or a drip, you call them to fix it for you. They can install or repair showers, sinks, and toilets, and unblock a sink or a toilet. However, if you have an issue with your boiler or central heating, you need a heating engineer. …

Rhino Rooter wraps high-powered pipe cleaning equipment in an eye-catching package that helps generate customer calls Interested in Waterblasting? Get Waterblasting articles, news and videos right in your inbox! Sign up now. Waterblasting+ Get Alerts Residential drain cleaner John Larsen never planned to be a one-man show, but years ago he saw that’s what he would remain without equipment upgrades. These days, Larsen, owner of Rhino Rooter in Brigham City, Utah, tows a trailer-mounted tandem-axle CJ85-3600TU waterjetter from Hot Jet USA with a smart-looking 2008 Ford F-350 pickup with a KUV truck body from Knapheide Manufacturing Co. and exterior-accessible cabinets. Both carry the company’s tie-dyed rhinoceros logo. The rhino came when Larsen bought a drain-cleaning company in 2002 from Ron Rhinehart, whose nickname was Rhino. Larsen came up with the tie-dye element (he and his wife are Jimmy Buffet fans). Then the only missing pieces were a better truck and a new jetter. Larsen saved for a couple years to buy the jetter in August 2009. He had been using a cart jetter that produced 3,200 psi/4 gpm – not powerful enough to cut roots out of laterals or quickly remove grease from lines. After research that included attending the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo, Larsen chose the Hot Jet cold-water jetter, which produces 3,600 psi/8.5 gpm and carries a 330-gallon water tank and a 35 hp gasoline engine. He was attracted by the price and the size – “not too big and not too small,” in his words. Related: Best of the Decade: Can-Do Attitude “It cost me about $17,000,” Larsen notes. “That’s a lot of money for a one-man show. But I saw the work I was giving away. I’d unclog someone’s pipe, then camera it and still see roots down there. The customers would want them removed completely, so I was continually referring work to my competitors. When you see those dollars going into competitors’ pockets, you start thinking you should do something different.” With the jetter and a Warthog nozzle from StoneAge, monthly sales now average six to seven times more than during his first year in business. That’s partly because the business wasn’t full-time when he bought it, but the jetter is a major revenue generator, letting Larsen do more jobs because it unclogs lines much faster. “A jetter brings in more money because it does a better job than a cable machine, which kind of skips …

When a frozen pipe bursts or a drain backs up, you know something’s wrong right away. You quickly identify the source, pinpoint the problem and take care of repairs. When a slow leak starts inside your home’s walls, it doesn’t attract attention, but it does leave solid clues. If you know how to detect water leakage in walls, you can minimize potentially serious damage. Be on the lookout for these 10 signs of water leaks behind your drywall. 1. PERSISTENT MUSTY ODORS As the water slowly drips from a leaky pipe inside the wall, flooring and sheetrock stay damp and develop an odor similar to wet cardboard. It generates a musty smell that can help you find hidden leaks. 2. MOLD IN UNUSUAL AREAS Mold usually grows in wet areas like kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms. If you spot the stuff on walls or baseboards in other rooms of the house, it’s a good indicator of undetected water leaks. 3. STAINS THAT GROW When mold thrives around a leaky pipe, it sometimes takes hold on the inside surface of the affected wall. A growing stain on otherwise clean sheetrock is often your sign of a hidden plumbing problem. 4. PEELING OR BUBBLING WALLPAPER / PAINT This clue is easy to miss in rooms that don’t get much use. When you see wallpaper separating along seams or paint bubbling or flaking off the wall, blame sheetrock that stays wet because of an undetected leak. 5. SLOWLY WARPING SHEETROCK Over time, sheetrock wicks up moisture from a slow leak, and that can cause the wall to develop bends and curves. Warped sheetrock is a sure sign of a slow water leak. 6. BUCKLED CEILINGS AND STAINED FLOORS If ceilings or floors in bathrooms, kitchens or laundry areas develop structural problems, don’t rule out constant damp inside the walls. Wet sheetrock can affect adjacent framing, flooring and ceilings. 7. WET BLOTCHES Wet spots are sure signs of water damage in walls, but they don’t always pinpoint the problem’s location. Water can travel down a pipe and cause wet blotches on the wall below the leak. 8. ODD DISCOLORATION As a leak moves further down inside the wall, overlooked wet spots eventually dry. They leave behind splotches that appear lighter than surrounding drywall or wallpaper. 9. WET FLOORS This sign is obvious on kitchen floors, but it’s not as noticeable in carpeted rooms. If an area of carpeting …