Tag: plumbing

Prepare the Plumbing Before Vacationing This Summer

How to Secure the Home’s Plumbing for Vacations

There’s usually a laundry list of things to do to prepare the house for a trip. Arranging someone to pick up the mail and bring any packages inside is huge. Having someone look after the plants or check on the house occasionally is also a big help. Unfortunately, one task that’s not often on that list is securing the plumbing. There are several reasons why preparing the home’s plumbing is beneficial; this article covers three. So read on to learn three simple ways to prepare the house for vacation this summer. 

Shut off the Water to the Home

burst pipeMany people associate only cold weather with burst pipes and water leaks, but this is far from the whole story. Plumbing problems can happen at any time. As if in service to Murphy’s Law, plumbing emergencies often occur at the worst possible time — like when the homeowners are on vacation. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to avoid costly damage from a plumbing emergency during vacation. 

The simple act of shutting off the main water shutoff valve can ensure that the home doesn’t become flooded or water-damaged while the homeowners are away. If little or no water is in the plumbing system, any problem that occurs won’t have a chance to do lasting damage. It doesn’t take long to do this because it’s only a matter of finding the main water valve and shutting it off. These are usually located in the basement or inside a utility closet, but they can also be found in the crawlspace or near the street in the yard, often in a small permanent box. 

Adjust the Water Heater

water heater When leaving town for an extended period, it’s a good idea for homeowners to think about their water heater. Since the water heater will continue heating the water inside it while the homeowners are gone, that energy is wasted. Luckily, there are several options homeowners can use to deal with this issue before they go on vacation. 

The first way is to turn the water heater off. If homeowners are turning the water to the house off, turning the water heater off is a good idea to prevent any issues arising from not having an inflow of water into the heater. However, some older models may need help to restart. It’s a good idea to consult the water heater owner’s manual for guidance on turning it on or off. Alternatively, adjusting the water heater's temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit can help save energy while on vacation. Finally, some water heaters may have a vacation mode, which can be used to conserve energy by dropping the temperature for the duration of the vacation. 

Check for Plumbing Problems Before Leaving

One of the best ways to prepare the home’s plumbing for vacation is to check the entire system for potential issues. Since leaks and clogs often happen at the worst possible times, a thorough system check can prevent any issues and give homeowners peace of mind that everything is okay while they enjoy their vacation. However, it can be difficult for the homeowners to do this themselves. 

Fortunately, scheduling plumbing maintenance and inspection with a professional plumbing company is quick and simple. After scheduling, a professional plumber will check the system for potential issues, clear clogs, and fix any leaks before the vacation starts. This is not only good for the plumbing system’s health in general, but it can also assure the homeowners that they will return to the home just the way they left it. 

Choose About Plumbing Inc.

About Plumbing Inc. has been proudly serving Jefferson County, MO, since 2016. With over 20 years of combined experience, the friendly professionals at About Plumbing use the latest technology to provide informed and affordable solutions. Contact them today for plumbing inspection and maintenance in Jefferson County, MO. 

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Why Not Put Plumbing Maintenance On Your New Year's Resolution List?

What Is Plumbing Maintenance and Why Is It Important?

Plumbing is one of the most important things homeowners must maintain inside their homes - and yet, it is not exactly a pleasant chore. It's something that most would rather sweep under the rug than happily take on. Still, it's too important a job to ignore. If it keeps the water running and the sewage safely flowing away, then all the tasks on this particular checklist should be on the resolutions list for the new year. 

Thorough Drain Cleaning

drain service Drain cleaning is one of the most important parts of plumbing maintenance for obvious reasons. Drains and sewage pipes remove dirty water from our homes and make it possible to live in sanitary conditions with great comfort and convenience. This is why homeowners should keep their drains clean and clog-free to keep sewage flowing seamlessly away from the house. 

To do this, homeowners must first prevent objects that could clog sewer lines from going down the drain. These objects include food items such as oil, grease, stringy, fibrous, and gelatinous food, solid waste like cigarette butts, copious amounts of toilet paper, and chemical substances that are corrosive to plumbing such as industrial strength chemical cleaners, acids, and the like. 

Homeowners should call a professional plumber who can thoroughly clean the pipes if drains still get clogged despite these preventive measures. They can remove clogs manually by using plungers or drain augers, or they can bring out a hydro jet, which is a powerful stream of highly pressurized water that can remove not just debris that has accumulated along the interior walls of the pipes but also any stubborn clogs that may be blocking the free flow of sewer water. 

Only a Professional Will Do

A homeowner may have the very important task of taking care of their pipes, but when home measures don't cut it anymore, getting a professional plumber on board is crucial. Professional plumbers are the best people to tackle complex plumbing problems because they have the skills, knowledge, training, and experience to understand how to approach things and get them done. They also have specialized equipment and tools unavailable to most homeowners. 

With a plumber on board, homeowners can expect a timely and thorough resolution to their plumbing problem. Still, they can also expect that their trusted plumber will be able to perform the following maintenance tasks:

  • Inspecting, repairing, or installing correct pipes, connectors, and fittings
  • Checking for leaks and signs of moisture
  • Locating the source of leaks or clogs
  • Testing speed of drainage
  • Checking and tightening each fixture at the handles and valves

Maintaining Your Water Heater

water heater Pipes and fixtures aren't the only things included in plumbing maintenance. The water heater is also part of the whole maintenance process. Water heater maintenance is crucial because the indoor water supply passes through the water heater storage tank first before being distributed through the various taps and fixtures around the house. 

Because water heaters are a complex piece of equipment connected to both a water and electrical supply, safe and professional handling must be practiced, calling for the expert hands of a professional plumber. Under his care, water heaters perform routine maintenance tasks such as flushing and cleaning, adjusting to correct temperatures, inspecting the anode rod for corrosion, checking for leaks, and testing the pressure relief valve.

What Is About Plumbing Inc.?

About Plumbing Inc. is a reliable plumbing solutions provider serving homes and businesses in Jefferson County, MO. The plumbers on their team are knowledgeable and experienced in their field, assuring satisfaction backed by a guarantee to come back and make anything right. With straightforward pricing and friendly yet professional service, About offers effective solutions at affordable prices. Call them today for plumbing services in Jefferson County, MO.

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Avoid These 3 Common Plumbing Mistakes

How to Stop Making Common Plumbing Mistakes 

There are three common plumbing mistakes that professional plumbers want homeowners to know about. In this blog post, we share what the most common plumbing mistakes are and how to avoid them in 2023. The new year is the perfect time to start the year by leaving old bad habits in the past. Here are three bad plumbing habits of leaving behind. 

Proper care for a home plumbing system is essential for preventing plumbing disasters. Knowing the common plumbing mistakes and how to avoid them can help save homeowners from spending unnecessary time and money on plumbing issues this year. Signing up for a maintenance plan at the start of the year can take the hassle out of scheduling appointments for the rest of 2023. 

Mistake #1: Using Liquid Drain Cleaner 

clogsLiquid drain cleaner is a product that has been advertised as a solution to clearing clogged drains. In reality, liquid drain cleaners can do more damage to the plumbing than good. The harsh chemicals in liquid drain cleaners are designed to burn away clogs, but they can also burn away metal pipes leading to corrosion. 

Using too much liquid durian cleaner can lead to the entire plumbing system being replaced. Preventing corrosion is just one of the reasons why plumbers recommend that homeowners never use liquid drain cleaners. These products also contain highly toxic chemicals that can have severe negative health impacts on humans and animals. 

Mistake #2: Skipping Maintenance Appointments 

maintenanceThe best thing homeowners can do to promote the efficient performance of their plumbing system is to invest in a maintenance schedule. Skipping maintenance appointments can be a costly mistake if the system breaks down. Fixing small problems early on can help to keep them from turning into big problems. 

During plumbing maintenance appointments, the plumber will tighten loose parts, clean, and inspect the plumbing. If any issues are found, the professional plumber can recommend solutions for the homeowner. It is essential to regularly flush out the inside of the water heater tank to prevent mineral sediments from corroding the tank. Routine water heater maintenance protects the homeowner’s investment in their plumbing hardware. 

Mistake #3: Hiring Amateurs or Attempting “DIY”

Before hiring a friend or family member to attempt plumbing repairs, installation, or maintenance, always check to ensure that they are fully licensed and insured for the type of work being prepared. Without the proper business insurance coverage, the homeowner may be liable for any damages during the repairs. Hiring an amateur repairman can be dangerous because someone could get hurt. 

Installation or maintenance from an unqualified person could void the factory warranty on hardware and parts. The best way to ensure the plumbing system is safely installed and maintained is to leave it up to a trustworthy and affordable local plumbing company. A professional plumber will know the most efficient and safe way to perform the necessary maintenance and repairs. They will also be able to make expert recommendations for improving the home plumbing system’s performance. 

What is About Plumbing Inc.?

About Plumbing Inc. is a top-rated provider of plumbing services in the Jefferson County, MO area. This locally-owned plumbing and water heater company provides friendly customer service, expert opinions, and fully stocked worked trucks at every appointment. Giving Plumbing Inc. a call today to schedule an appointment for plumbing repair in Jefferson County, MO!

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3 Plumbing Tools Professionals Use To Clear Clogged Drains

What Is Drain Cleaning - And How Does It Work?

Most homeowners will have to deal with a clogged drain at some point - a toilet, sink, tub, or even the main sewer line. One can take care of some minor clogs with a plunger or other DIY method (although the liquid drain cleaners sold in stores often do more harm than good) - but sometimes, the best bet is to call a plumber for professional drain cleaning. So how do the pros handle drain cleaning?

There are a few different tools and methods professionals use to unclog drains, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. But drain cleaning and the tools involved aren’t just used for clearing clogged drains - they can also be useful for preventive maintenance and solving other plumbing problems. This article will discuss three professional drain cleaning tools and the other purposes they serve.

Plumber’s Snakes

snakePlumber’s snakes, also known as drain snakes, are probably the most familiar of the professional drain cleaning tools - versions of them are sold in most hardware stores. Drain snakes come in many forms to fit specific needs, but the basic idea behind snaking a drain is the same. A long flexible cable with a corkscrew-like tip is fed into the drain and simultaneously rotated (via a manual or motorized crank) to bore into obstructions and remove them.

Typical drain snakes feature a 25-50’ cable and are mostly used for clearing sink, tub, and shower drains. Toilet augers are special drain snakes inside a tube designed to fit down a toilet drain without scratching the porcelain. Mini-rooters are longer motorized drain snakes designed for clearing deeper blockages or removing obstructions from rooftop vent pipes. Sewer augers are heavy-duty snakes designed to clear out the wider underground sewer pipes that carry waste from the home to the main sewer line. These often feature special cutter heads for cutting away invading roots or stubborn clogs.

Hydro-Jetter Machine

A hydro-jet machine is a professional-grade piece of equipment that resembles a pressure washer for pipes. Hydro-jetters feature a long flexible hose with a special water nozzle at one end and a high-powered water pump at the other. As the hose is fed into a clogged pipe, the pump is turned on, and the nozzle sprays a jet of high-pressure water straight ahead while simultaneously spraying water backward in a cone shape. The conical spray cleans the pipe walls and propels the hose deeper into the pipe as the forward-facing jet blasts through obstructions.

Hydro-jetting is an extremely powerful method for removing stubborn clogs from the home’s pipes and sewer lines. Still, it’s also used for preventative drain cleaning thanks to its ability to wash away grease, food debris, soap scum, and other buildup from the pipe walls. Hydro-jetting can even be used to remove tree roots in some cases. 

Video Inspection Cameras

equipmentBefore a professional undertakes any drain cleaning process, they will typically thoroughly inspect the affected pipes to determine the right method and tools for the job. After all, some older pipes may not be able to handle the immense pressures of hydro-jetting, or a drain snake may not be very effective at removing years of grease buildup in a sewer line.

That’s where video inspection equipment comes in. This generally involves a small camera on the end of a flexible cable that can be fed into the drain, allowing the plumber to visually assess the situation. This technology is instrumental in locating and identifying clogs and surveying the state of a home’s plumbing system before and after a preventive drain cleaning service. One can also use video inspection equipment to spot signs of internal pipe corrosion or pinpoint leaks.

As powerful and fascinating as these tools are, they also tend to be very expensive and require training to operate correctly, so it’s always best to leave the major clogs and drain cleaning to the professionals!

Who Is About Plumbing Inc.?

Since its founding in 2016 by twenty-year plumbing veteran Greg Glore, About Plumbing Inc. has quickly become Jefferson County’s go-to plumber. As a BBB-accredited local business, they always offer up-front competitive pricing and guarantee 100% satisfaction on every job. Their courteous and professional technicians are licensed, insured, background-checked, and drug-tested - so homeowners can rest easy when they call About Plumbing for drain cleaning in Jefferson County, MO!

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3 Major Players in Plumbing Tools: Welcome to the Plumb Connection!

It’s the Game Where Contestants Share What They Can Do for Home Plumbing!

If someone came to this article looking for love, they are in the wrong place; if they came for a breakdown of basic plumbing equipment, they have come to the right place. In introducing three of the most commonly used plumbing tools, this article’s purpose is to increase customer knowledge of the world of the professional plumber and help homeowners ask the right questions when they encounter a problem with their home plumbing. 

Contestant Number One: The Pipe Augerdrain snakes

The pipe auger is essential for any professional plumber. Often referred to as a pipe snake or drain snake, these tools are key in removing all forms of drain clogs, from the toilet to the kitchen sink and beyond. 

Snakes can be operated either manually or with an electric motor. Here are a few of the different types of drain snakes and their particular areas of usage:

  • Top Snakes: These are the smallest augers and are particularly useful for sink and tub drains. They can fit into the smaller pipes used for such drains and are among the shortest, with around 25 feet of cable.
  • Toilet Snakes: As the name states, these augers are specifically designed for unclogging a toilet. They can remove stubborn clogs that the good old household plunger cannot resolve.
  • Medium Drain Auger: The medium machine has a 50-75 foot cable and works well for kitchen drains and main clogs. One cannot use this in the bathroom pipes as it can cause damage to them.
  • Large Drain Auger: This heavy-duty machine is used for unblocking a serious clog in the main drain line. It can have 100 feet of cable and is built sturdily to extract even the toughest of nasty clogs.

Contestant Number Two: The Wrenchwrenche

While the term ”wrench” describes more a category of tools than a single tool, it is a word that tends to evoke images of the traditional tools of the plumbing trade. There are many types of wrenches used in a variety of industries, and a professional plumber would not use many in their everyday work. 

There are a few specific types of wrenches that a plumber must have ready in their tool belt. The list below includes a few wrenches likely to be found in any plumbing professional’s inventory: 

  • Adjustable Wrench
  • Channel Locks
  • Pipe Wrench
  • End Pipe Wrench
  • Offset Wrench

Contestant Number Three: The Safety Kit

Safety equipment is one category of tools that are often used but often neglected in lists. The proper safety equipment keeps both the technician and the clients safe and free from injury or property damage. 

Safety equipment can be as simple as the steel-toed boots a worker wears or as advanced as molded ear protection made specifically to fit a certain person’s ear. Gloves and safety goggles are perhaps the most often used in the world of plumbing. Gloves in particular protect and assist with gripping tools and make the technician more effective at their job.

Who Is About Plumbing Inc.?

Backing up their services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, About Plumbing Inc. has the know-how and the experience to solve even the toughest plumbing problem. Don’t let unexpected plumbing issues derail a romantic outing, call About Plumbing in Jefferson County, MO to get that outing back on track. Call now for plumbing service!

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