By Steve, on March 23rd, 2010
In my last article I touched on what constitutes emergency plumbing.
In this article, I would like to approach emergency plumbing from a different angle. Today I would like to discuss some of the most common plumbing emergencies, and what you can do to sort of stem the flow (so to speak) until the plumber can get there.
Sewer main backup
This is by far the most common plumbing emergency the average homeowner experiences. It usually starts with a toilet that just doesn’t seem to want to flush correctly, followed by a sort of burbling, and finally the toilet overflowing onto the bathroom floor. The biggest problem with a mainline backup is that it can often be mistaken for a regular toilet blockage. The symptoms look almost identical at first, especially to the untrained eye. The easiest way to tell if it is your Main line that is backed up, is that often
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By Steve, on February 15th, 2010
The question of what constitutes emergency plumbing is an interesting one. It is also important for a number of reasons. Let’s start with the most broad definition, and its application.
Here in California we have a law that states that any time someone comes to your home to sell you a good or service that is valued at over $300, you have the right to cancel that transaction within 3 working days after signing the contract. That means that if someone comes to your home and you buy a vacuum cleaner from them (for more than $300), you can notify the seller in writing that you wish to cancel the sale up to 3 full working days after you bought it. The seller, by law, must accept the vacuum back and issue a full refund of
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By Steve, on December 22nd, 2009
As a service plumber, one of the most common plumbing problems that I have been asked to diagnose is low “water pressure”. The reason that I put “water pressure” in quotes is because what a customer thinks is low water pressure is quite often actually low flow. There is a difference, and that difference is very important when trying to figure out the best remedy for the problem.
So what’s the difference? Pressure is the amount of force behind the water, pushing it through your pipes. It is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Flow is the amount of water that “flows” out of an open outlet, like an open hose bib or faucet. Flow is usually measured (in the US) in gallons per minute (gpm). The symptoms for low pressure and low flow can sometimes look similar, but it is usually pretty easy to diagnose.
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By Steve, on November 23rd, 2009
Quite often a home owner’s first experience with a plumbing problem is when a drain in their home backs up. Knowing how your drainage system works and the most common causes of back-up problems with different drain lines can really help you when it comes time to get your drains serviced. This information will make it easier for you to get the right solution to your problem, and make life easier for the plumber who is trying to explain it all to you.
Let’s begin with a little plumbing theory. Please keep in mind, that depending on your area, your lay-out may be different. I will give you a simple layout to give you an idea of how drains tie together. Your plumbing may be a bit different, but the theory will be the same.
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By Steve, on November 21st, 2009
Hello again! In my last plumbing info article, I talked about the two different types of plumbers and the pluses and minuses of using each. I also revealed my opinion on the best kind to go for to deal with most plumbing issues. In this article, I am going to tell you how to make sure you are getting the best value for your plumbing dollar.
This article is going to focus almost entirely on up-sellers. These are complete plumbers, and the true plumbing professionals will be in this group. There are a LOT of impostors though, so I want you to know how to tell the difference. You want a professional working on your plumbing.
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