Archive for the ‘drain and sewer maintenance’ Category

The Root of the Problem – Why Some Sewer Lines Get Blocked in Las Vegas?

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Have you ever had to fix a blocked sewer line?  Well if you have, you are familiar with the nightmare that Las Vegas drain and sewer maintenance can be.  Sewer lines are comprised of incredibly tough components for a purpose: mostly because we collectively want to keep their contents inside. So, when a sewer line gets blocked and starts backing up or seeping — or even cracks under the stress — it can be a real mess.

If you have never had encountered a sewer line block, count yourself lucky.

Whichever category you fall into, it is important to know about causes of sewer blocks lie, so that you have an idea what you are up against should you ever encounter (another) one, as well as being able to take some reasonable prevention measures. Read on to learn about some of the common culprits that block up sewer lines.

Flushed Objects

The most preventable common cause of a blocked sewer line is the flushing of objects that should not be flushed. Sewer lines are not meant to handle solid objects like diapers, sanitary napkins or other garbage, so if these get flushed down the toilet — either intentionally or by accident — it can cause an ugly block.

Even smaller objects or bits of debris that seem to move fine through the sewer line can build up over time to cause a block. Paper towels, hair, grease or dirt can collect on the walls of the line and cause a block as well.

Tree Roots

It may seem like nothing happens beneath the ground of our lawns, where the sewer line runs. In fact, there is quite a bit of life going about its business under there, including the root systems of the trees in your yard. These roots can grow right into your sewer line, infiltrating it and causing a blockage.

Defect

The last main cause of a sewer link blockage is shoddy materials. Although sewer lines are meant to be made of high quality material because of the stress they perform under, it is still possible for one to collapse or bulge with use.

If Repairing a blocked sewer line is what you need to do, it’s best to call Yes! Plumbing for assistance. To avoid having to make that call, the best thing you can do as a homeowner is keep solid objects from being flushed down into the sewer line. It can save you a huge headache later on.

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Unclog a Floor Drain: Complicating Factors in North Las Vegas

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Wandering down into the basement only to realize that your floor drain has backed up is never a fun event. This is not a problem that will solve itself and you want to get it under control as promptly as possible. While there are definitely an abundance of solutions you can try to unclog a floor drain on your own, and there are quite a few potentially complicating factors to contemplate.

First point of action, you should confirm that no one in the house turns on any running water for anything until the drain has been cleared. The floor drain in your basement is almost always the final stop in the plumbing for all of the drainage used in your house, and so any running water anywhere above will ultimately cause more water to back up in the basement. Of course, if you cannot use any running water anywhere else in your house, it is even more essential that you are able to unclog the floor drain swiftly.

If you happen to own a snake for plumbing uses, this may be the best option to try first. However, it can be a bit difficult to get the snake to make the sharp turn prevalent in these types of drains not long after the pipe descends below the floor. That is not to say that it cannot be done, but be aware that you will need to make sure the snake turns the corner before it will be useful to you at all.

People who do not own a snake may still be able to take care of the blockage without hiring a professional plumber like Dial 1 Plumbing. But first you have to locate the issue. Depending on the layout of your drainage system, this may be easier said than done. You can also make a pretty big mess if you open up various sections of pipe looking for the blockage, so be attentive and make sure you have something in place to catch the runoff and debris that may come out of the pipes when you open them.

You may also run into trouble if the blockage is really outside of your house in the larger sewer line that runs to the street. Unclogging a drain with this type of problem is commonly a job for a licensed specialist and there is very little you will be able to complete on your own.  If you run into issues please call Yes! Plumbing.

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Things You CAN do Yourself Around Your MacDonald Ranch Home

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

If you own a home, there are a lot of fun ways you can stay on top of regular maintenance without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to hire a contractor. Sure, there are some tasks only a contractor should perform, but there are plenty of others you can take care of with a little spare time on the weekend.

  • Fixing Leaks – Unless it’s in a main water line or in your sewer, you can usually fix a leak or clog in your pipes by yourself. Replacing a faucet, snaking a line, or taking apart a fixture should still be done with the help of manufacturer’s guidelines, but as long as you turn the water supply off correctly, you should be okay taking things apart and making quick repairs.
  • Yard Installations – Short of digging it up (always have it checked for gas and electricity lines), you can do pretty much anything on your own in the yard. This includes composting, landscaping, adding a barbeque pit or upgrading your back porch.
  • Painting – Feel free to paint anything in or around your home without the help of a pro. Just make sure to use proper ventilation and to ensure that you remove any old paint carefully. If you’re not sure about the age of your paint, it should be tested for lead before you chip it clean, especially if you have children.
  • Replace Appliances – Old appliances can be removed and replaced relatively easily as long as you have someone to help you get rid of the old ones. Also, if you have a gas stove or other appliances that run on gas, always have them checked by a professional. Never unplug gas lines without someone there to ensure the gas supply to your home is off.
  • Tiling – Tiling is something anyone can do, but make sure you’re ready for the time commitment. Especially if you plan on putting tiles on a wall, it’s easy to make a mistake and ruin good tiles or good walls. Also, proper sealing around water fixtures like a bathtub or sink is vital. If you’re not sure, call a plumber to help.

There are a lot of ways you can have fun and fix up your house without paying for a professional’s help. But, remember not to take on jobs that are too much for you. If you aren’t sure how to complete a task or you want a second opinion, never be afraid to call Yes! Plumbing for some help. Even if they just check your work, it will save you money and you get the satisfaction of having done the work yourself.

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Blue Diamond Plumber’s Tip: Common Toilet Problems

Monday, February 6th, 2012

The toilet is one of our most important parts of your Blue Diamond home’s plumbing. But it also prone to its fair share of problems. Let’s take a look at some common toilet problems and how to fix them.

  1. Running
    Perhaps the most common of toilet annoyances is the constantly running toilet. Not only is the sound irritating, but it can result in high water bills.  Fortunately, it is simple to diagnose and fix. Just look into the tank at the flapper. If it is not seated properly, adjust the chain to give more slack. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the flapper may be worn and need to be replaced.
  1. Slow draining bowl
    Also known as a weak flush, this one is also fairly easy to fix. A weak flush is usually caused by clogged flush holes, which are underneath the rim of the bowl. Clearing the clogs should fix the problem.
  1. Phantom flush
    Although it won’t actually flush, sometimes you may hear the tank spontaneously start to refill as though someone has just flushed. This just means the water is leaking out of the tank, which can usually be fixed with a new flapper, as with problem #1.
  1. Suction sounds
    If you flush the toilet and hear sucking or gurgling sounds emanating from the tub or sink, that usually indicates a clogged vent pipe. Such clogs usually originate in the roof, such as a dead bird falling into vent pipe up there. You may be best served by calling a plumber to fix this one, in order to avoid making the problem larger.
  1. Clogged or overflowing
    Lastly, of course, is the clogged or overflowing toilet. While wearing gloves and holding your nose, use a plunger or pipe snake to clear the drain. If that doesn’t get it done, the clog may be too large to handle without professional equipment, so you had better call a plumber.

If you have a problem with your Blue Diamond home’s plumbing, remember that Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency service!

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Signs that You Have a Sewer or Water Line Issue at Your Spring Valley Home or Business

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The last thing anyone wants to deal with in Spring Valley is a water line or sewer issue. But, it happens. Pipes freeze, crack, and get old and eventually they fail. But, if you recognize the signs of a problem before it gets really bad you can take care of it quickly. So, to help stay in front of the problem, here are some signs you should watch for.

  • Increased Water Use – Are you suddenly using way more water than you ever did before? Whether you first notice an uptick in your water consumption or your most recent water bill just gave you a small coronary, this is a sure sign that a leak has sprung somewhere in your plumbing.
  • Odd Smells in Your Drains – Your plumbing system is designed so you never have to smell anything. If there is a smell coming from your drains it can be due to anything from a dried out drain trap to a backup in the sewer line. If pouring a fresh gallon of water down the drain doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to call for help.
  • Slow Flushing or Draining – When clogs start to form in your drains and sewer line, one of the first symptoms is a universal slowing of the drains in your house or business. It could be something minor like a clog in a single pipe but if you notice every drain suddenly moving much slower, possibly combined with odd smells in the drains, you may have a much larger clog in the main sewer line.
  • Consistently Wet Lawn – If you spring a leak in a water line or sewer line under your lawn, the only way you’ll notice (short of watching your water meter like a hawk) is when the water pools up above your lawn. But, usually before that happens, dampness will form. If it hasn’t rained in a week and the ground is still wet to the touch, combined with any of the other symptoms on this list, it may be a water or sewer line issue.

When you have a problem in your sewer line or water line, it can grow slowly over time, so if you pay close attention and catch one of these issues early enough, it will be much easier to fix the problem right away.  Call Yes! Plumbing with any questions or signs of the issues above.

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