Archive for the ‘Plumbing Maintenance’ Category

Leak Detection is Key for Boulder City Homes

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Leak detection for Boulder City homes is one of the greatest aspects of plumbing maintenance you can do for your home.  When leaks go undetected wood can be destroyed, mold can grow in crawlspaces, and plumbing throughout out the home can be negatively affected. Setting time aside for leak detection is great because it can pinpoint the problem and and provide a solution quicker than a small bucket will fill with lost water.

Sinks

Cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks are a good place to start. Look for signs of water damage or build up. Mold and mildew are telltale signs of water leaks. Touch the pipes, particularly the areas where they enter the faucet. Run the hot and cold water faucets for a few minutes and repeat the inspection. Finally, fill the sink with water, let it stand a few minutes and open the drain. Now check the drain pipe and the joints that connect it to the sink for leaks.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers can’t easily be checked for leaks without pulling them out from beneath the counter. But you can inspect the water lines that connect the dishwasher to the kitchen sink. For some units, you may be able to shine a flashlight beneath the dishwasher to look for puddles.

Refrigerators

If the refrigerator has an ice making unit in the freezer, locate the water line that feeds the unit. The lines tend to be fragile and can come loose over time. Trace the line back to the source, which is usually the kitchen sink. Inspect the floor around the refrigerator for condensation leaks. Old refrigerators that don’t evaporate condensation can be a major source of water damage.

Toilets

Toilets can leak from the water supply pipes filling the tank and from the seal between the toilet and the waste pipe in the floor. Flush the toilet several times and carefully look for any signs of leaks in the  joints of the water supply pipe and the floor around the base of the toilet. Lift the lid off the tank and flush the toilet. When the tank refills, the water should completely shut off. If the flush valve or water control unit is old, corroded, or loose, the water will continue to run. Running water cools the water delivery pipe to the toilet and the tank, which will cause them to collect condensation in humid weather. The condensation will drip and eventually cause water damage to the floor behind the toilet. Bottom line – don’t ignore a running toilet. Have the water control and flush valve fixed or replaced.

Tubs and Showers

Inspect the caulking around the tub or shower. Old, cracked, or missing caulking can allow water to leak into the wall. Water dripping from a leaky faucet or shower head will go down the drain and not cause any damage, but the faucet may also be leaking water behind the tub or shower.

Washing Machines

For washing machines, make sure the hot and cold water hose connections are open and check for leaks. Inspect the floor around the washer for signs of puddles or water damage.

Hot Water Heaters

Finally, inspect the hot water heater for leaks, and the boiler if the house has hot water heating. The first place to look is the floor around the appliance, but also look at the joints where the water pipes connect.

Don’t wait, call Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing today to schedule your leak detection visit.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Leak Detection for Boulder Home, Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance | Comments Off

Repairing Common Sump Pump Problems: A Troubleshooting Guide from Southern Highlands

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Sump pumps in Southern Highlands, and almost everywhere else, is a very crucial aspect of a home’s plumbing because it removes excess groundwater.  When a home gets too much ground  water you home could flood, but sump pumps prevent this from happening.  If you have ever had water damage in Southern Highlands or anywhere else, you will understand why sump pumps are vital. If a pump comes to a halt or is unable to turn off, residents can typically fix this problem themselves. During months of increased down pour and flooding is almost inevitable, that is why it is a good idea to examine a sump pump on a very frequent basis to ensure it’s operating properly.

You can maintain your pump by having it inspected by a professional plumber, and keeping the pump clean and the well free of debris. Feel free to call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing if you have questions about how to maintain a sump pump, or to make an appointment for an annual inspection and professional cleaning.

Most issues can be repaired easily and without much plumbing maintenance from a professional. Here’s a troubleshooting guide to help you solve minor issues with your pump.

Check for Electrical Problems

Always check to make sure the sump pump is fully plugged in and that there aren’t any fuses that have burned out. If there is standing water in the basement, you should take extra precautions when handling any electrical equipment, even a plug. Call a plumber or electrician for advice if you have any safety concerns.

Check the Float Switch

Just like the float in a toilet tank, the float attached to the side of your sump pump acts as a guide for turning the pump on and off. This is called the float switch, and it usually has a large bulb or other floatation device attached to a metal arm. This float detects the water level inside the well, and it turns the pump on when the water reaches a certain height in the well.

If the pump is plugged in and there are no blown circuits, move the float switch up and down to see if it will turn the pump on. Debris can get trapped underneath the float causing it to stick. If the motor is constantly running, this switch may be stuck in the “on” position if debris is lodged underneath it, or if there’s substantial corrosion.

You can actually move the entire pump around to change the position if there’s no apparent debris causing the issue. Sometimes the pump gets shifted around slightly, and the float switch cannot work properly if the pump isn’t plumb or level. Be careful not to move it too much, since it could damage the drain line attached to the pump motor.

If your motor is constantly running, and none of these steps work, the motor could overheat and stop working. Unplug the pump while you’re investigating the problem, and if none of these steps work, call a professional plumber.

Check for Clogged Filters

In addition to causing issues with the float switch, debris trapped in the screen can also cause the motor to overheat or shut down. If your filter is dirty, try to get out as much of the debris as possible, but if this doesn’t solve the issue, you could have a clogged drain line. In this case, you will need to call a professional plumber to snake out the line.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

You can prevent issues with the sump pump in your Southern Highlands home with a few preventative maintenance tasks. Keep debris from falling into the well as much as possible, and clean out any particles that could clog the screen or affect the operation of the float switch. Occasionally inspect the pump and well for any corrosion or other concerns. If you are comfortable with the operation of your pump, drain and clean the entire well and pump at least once a year.

Lastly, call a qualified technician at Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing for a yearly sump pump maintenance visit.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance, Sump Pumps in Southern Highlands | Comments Off

What Causes Discolored Water for North Las Vegas Residents?

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Water discoloration can be troubling, because it makes it seem like your water is unclean. While sometimes discolored water can be cause for concern, other times it has pretty mundane origins, and will only require minor plumbing maintenance.

Check out these common causes of discolored water:

  • Yellow/brown/reddish water is usually caused by rust, either in the water mains that run from the waiter supply or the pipes in your home. If the water is only discolored momentarily when you first turn the water on, it is probably rust in your pipes that gets flushed out quickly. If it persists longer, it may be rust that was stirred up in the water mains. Turn a few of your cold taps on for several minutes, or just turn the tap off and wait about thirty minutes.
  • Water that appears white or cloudy often does so because of trapped air bubbles. Air that is under pressure in your pipes gets released when you turn the tap on, which causes tiny bubbles, just like in a bottle of soda. This has no effect on your water’s quality. The discoloration should dissipate after standing for a few minutes.
  • Sometimes water appears to have a greenish hue, especially when standing under fluorescent light. This is sometimes due to tiny copper traces from the piping in your home, or — depending on the climate — seasonal algae blooms in the local water supply. Either way, this green color is usually harmless.
  • Blue water can occur for a few reasons. One is severe copper corrosion in the plumbing system, which leeches into the pipes. A second cause can be toilet cleaner. If you use a cleaning product in your toilet tank, sometimes that can cause your tap water to turn blue. If you suspect this is the case, do not drink that water and immediately call a local professional to administer a water test. The chemicals in such cleaners can be toxic and hazardous to your health.

Keep in mind that those are some of the most common causes of discolored water. There can be others, and if you are unsure, you should call Yes! Plumbing for assistance.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Plumbing, Plumbing Advice, Plumbing Maintenance | Comments Off

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.

Tags: , ,
Posted in drain and sewer maintenance, Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance | Comments Off

Henderson Plumbing Tips: How and Why to Recaulk Plumbing Fixtures

Monday, February 13th, 2012

In Henderson you probably don’t pay much attention to the caulking, or plumbing maintenance around your tub and sinks. It is one of those things that is always there, working kind of behind the scenes, that you never seem to notice until something goes wrong.

The thing about caulking, though, is that something can go wrong with it rather quickly. Because of the high frequency of use of tubs and sinks, the caulk that seals the space between the fixture and the wall can deteriorate and crack over time. This can cause gaps in the caulk or cause the fixture to come loose from the wall, which would necessitate more bathroom plumbing.

When this cracking and erosion happens, water from your bath, shower head or faucet can seep in between the fixture and the wall, potentially causing water damage and fostering colonies of mildew and mold.

Cracked caulk is inevitable with daily use, so you don’t need to worry about preventing it. Instead, learn how to properly fix the situation with a fresh caulk job:

  1. Scrape away all the old caulk from around the fixture using a utility knife or putty knife. Take care to remove all the old caulk while also avoiding scratching porcelain fixtures.
  1. With all the caulk gone, clean out the joint thoroughly. This will remove any last traces of caulk, as well as any other dirt or buildup. If you notice mildew or mold, use a chlorine bleach solution to clean the joint before recaulking.
  1. Once the joint is dry, recaulk it using a bead of caulk that is just slightly wider than the joint. This ensures an adequate seal. Wipe any excess away with a rag.
  1. Allow the caulk to dry thoroughly before using the sink or tub. Read the instructions on the caulk for an estimated drying time.

Take note that it is very important to thoroughly remove all the old caulk and clean everywhere along the fixture joint before applying the new caulk. Otherwise, the new caulk will not adhere properly and potentially damaging dirt may get sealed into the joint.

If you followed all the steps carefully, you should have a fresh seal of caulk that will last you another several years!  If you would rather have a professional handle this delicate situation please call Yes! Plumbing.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Bathroom Plumbing, Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance | Comments Off

What to Do if a Pipe Bursts in Mountains Edge

Friday, February 10th, 2012

If you live in a cold climate, like Mountains Edge, there is a chance that you will experience the disaster of a frozen pipe bursting, which will require plumbing repairs. There are other causes of burst pipes, so rest assured you are not alone; plenty of homeowners have had to face a burst pipe as well.

When this happens, there are three fronts on which to attack the problem: stopping the flooding, repairing the pipes and preventing future bursts.

Before doing anything else, you need to stop the flooding in your house. Start by turning off the main water line, either to that pipe or to the whole house. It doesn’t matter which, as long as it’s shut off. Turn on cold water taps around the house to drain remaining water from the pipes. Turn off the water heater. This will at least prevent the flood damage from being too extensive.

Get a sump pump and or some absorbent material to start sopping up the water that leaked into your home, then call a plumber. The pipe and fitting will need to be replaced, and some adjacent ones may need to be as well, so the best solution here is just to call in a professional rather than try to do it yourself. The last thing you need is another burst pipe.

Finally, prevent future breaks in pipes by implementing some of these strategies:

• Insulate your pipes

• On cold days, keep your pipes warmer by opening up doors to the attic or basement

• When going away in the winter, shut off the water supply and drain the plumbing system

By keeping your pipes as warm and insulated as possible, you decrease the likelihood that the water within will freeze, potentially causing a leak or break in the pipe. Burst pipes are not necessarily completely preventable, so it is important that you now know what to do if and when a pipe bursts in your home.

Water damage, especially flooding, can cause serious trouble in your home, so everything you can do to prevent and mitigate the risk is a good step.  If you have any additional questions on this topic please call Yes! Plumbing.

Tags: ,
Posted in Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance, water line | Comments Off

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!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in drain and sewer maintenance, Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance | Comments Off

Kitchen Plumbing Advice from Top Sun City Summerlin Plumbers

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Considering how often we use our kitchen sink – i.e., many times per day, every day – and all the grimy business that it usually has to put up with, it’s kind of amazing that we don’t all experience headaches with our kitchen plumbing once a week. Chalk that up to the marvels of modern engineering and design.

That does not mean that kitchen plumbing is perfect, though, and all Sun City Summerlin homeowners face problems with their kitchen plumbing from time to time. Fortunately, many such problems are fairly common and routine and therefore are easily remedied.

Below are 3 common kitchen plumbing problems and some possible solutions for each:

  1. Clogged drain
    Probably the most commonly aggravating of all kitchen sink problems is the clogged drain. If you have never had to deal with one, first thank your lucky stars and then brace for impact, because you’ll probably have to soon. This is usually caused by some piece of food or other deposit obstructing the sink. Try plunging it out, or breaking it up by pouring boiling water or white vinegar down the drain. This may take several attempts. If none of that works, you can resort to a commercial drain opening product.
  2. Leaky faucet
    Got a dripping sound keeping you up at night? Often, leaky faucets are caused by an obstructed aerator, which is that little screen thing on the end of your faucet. Unscrew that, clean it with water and put it back on. If the faucet still leaks, there may be a loose fitting somewhere further down the line, in which case you may need to call in a plumber. (Bonus tip: To quiet the dripping noise until the leak is fixed, tie a length of string to the end of the faucet. The water will run down the string silently instead of clanging into the basin all night.)
  3. Garbage disposal won’t run
    The quickest and most common solution to this problem is the reset the garbage disposal by pressing the button on the unit under the sink.

If these tips don’t work to solve your kitchen plumbing conundrum, then it is probably best to call in a professional. Plumbing is a tricky thing – and garbage disposals can be dangerous – so sometimes it is best to leave it to the pros.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Plumbing, Plumbing Advice, Plumbing Maintenance, Yes! Plumbing | Comments Off