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Plumbing Emergency: What To Do During a Flood

Welcome! My name is Sally. This is my blog about plumbing. I decided to start writing about plumbing after a very scary experience. I arrived home from work one day only to discover that a pipe burst in my home. When I opened the front door, I saw a torrent of water pouring down the stairs. I panicked and ran next door to my neighbour. Luckily, he used to work as a construction contractor, so he has a lot of experience in dealing with household problems. He helped me to turn off the mains water and helped me to mop up the mess. After this event, I decided I wanted to learn more about the plumbing in my house, so I went to a night school class.

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Plumbing Emergency: What To Do During a Flood

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The Many Benefits of Hiring a Plumber for a Sewer Camera Inspection
Maintaining your plumbing system is crucial to the well-being of your home or business. If you suspect that there's an issue within your sewer line, such as a blockage or leak, it's time to call in a professional. One of the most effective methods to pinpoint the problem is a sewer camera inspection. By inserting a high-quality camera into your pipes, a professional plumber can inspect the inside of your sewer system and identify any potential problems.

3 Plumbing Problems You Should Act On Quickly
If you find yourself dealing with a plumbing problem, you may wonder if calling a plumber can wait, particularly if the problem develops over the weekend or during a holiday period. There are some plumbing issues that aren't urgent, such as a dripping tap or faulty toilet cistern, but there are also problems that should be dealt with immediately to prevent damage to your property. Here are three plumbing problems that you should act on quickly:

How To Prepare Your Plumbing System For Storm Surges And Flooding
As monsoon season approaches, it's essential that you take steps to protect your home from storm damage — including your plumbing system. A little bit of preparation can go a long way towards preventing costly repairs down the road. Below are some tips on how to prepare your plumbing system for storm surges and flooding. 1. Inspect all exposed pipes and fittings for signs of wear and tear The first step is to inspect any exposed parts of your plumbing system.

Essential Maintenance Tips for Your Home's Water Heater
With a properly sized and functioning water heater, you get hot water when you need it. To keep the hot water flowing reliably and safely, you need to perform preventative equipment maintenance throughout the life of your water heating system. Preventative water heater maintenance also ensures efficient water heater operation, saving energy and keeping the cost of heating water to a minimum.  However, being proactive with your water heater maintenance will increase the service life of your water heater, reducing the chance of premature water heater replacement.

Five Lesser Known Signs Your Hot Water Unit Needs Repair
Hot water units are important to your home. These systems heat water to a temperature that is ideal for bathing, washing clothes and dishes, and other common household tasks. Hot water units are also used in commercial establishments such as restaurants, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. The problem with hot water units is that they can break down at any time. If you notice any of these five less known signs your hot water unit needs repair, contact a plumber right away for tap and toilet repair:

Common Reasons Why Your Toilet Won't Flush
It's easy to take your toilet for granted. You probably flush it dozens of times a week without giving it a second thought. Because of this, when something does start to go wrong, it's natural to feel a sense of panic settle in. Here are some common reasons why your toilet won't flush as it should. The Handle Doesn't Work If you push your toilet's handle and nothing happens, you're probably dealing with a simple problem.

How to Clear a Clogged Drain
If you have a drain that moves very slowly or is completely blocked, then you need to take action to clear the clog that is preventing it from draining properly. The following tips can help when you have a clogged drain. 1. Remove the Clog Manually Sometimes, it is possible to peer down into the drain and see the object that is causing the clog. Long hair is perhaps the most common culprit, as it snags on the drain stopper and creates a tangle just inside the entrance to the drain.

Finding The Right Condensate Pump for Your HVAC System
Pumps play a crucial role in HVAC systems. They provided the much-needed energy to ensure water flows efficiently through your system's fittings, piping and other equipment. Generally, HVAC systems can be designed with different types of pumps. For instance, condensate pumps are some of the most vital pumps you will find on many HVAC systems. They move water, a by-product of the cooling process in your HVAC system, to a holding tank before it's directed to a drain.

Top Reasons Why Underground Water Leak Detection Equipment Is Valuable
Underground water leak detection equipment is special equipment that is used to look for leaks in water lines and pipes. Whether you purchase this equipment, rent this equipment or hire a company that will use the underground water leak detection equipment, you will probably soon realise that underground water leak detection equipment is incredibly valuable. Some of the top reasons why this equipment is so valuable are outlined here. Even Underground Leaks Can Be a Problem

How to Choose the Right Pool Heat Pump Suppliers
When it comes to heating swimming pools, homeowners have many options. Those keen on cutting costs are leveraging the energy efficiency of pool heat pumps to keep their pools warm all year round. In a market with many swimming pool heat pump suppliers, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. However, it doesn't have to be that hard. Here are three smart strategies that will help you sieve through the many pool heat pump suppliers and get the best fit.

Everything You Should Know About Your Hot Water System Installation Options
Storage, tankless, or solar? Three main water heating solutions are available on today's market, so it shouldn't be hard for you to weigh up your options to choose the correct one. Here's what to know about each type before committing. Storage water heater This hot water system is the conventional choice for homes. It features a tank that is used to store hot water, hence the name. The size of the hot water tanks depends on the hot water consumption of every household.

4 Issues That Need the Services of an Emergency Plumber
Ignoring a plumbing issue doesn't make it go away. If anything, a plumbing problem can quickly escalate into something catastrophic. Although it is possible to successfully DIY minor plumbing issues, some problems can only be fixed by a professional. Here are some plumbing issues that are better left to professional plumbers. 1. Flooding in Your House Plumbing issues like burst pipes, water shut-off valve failure, or sewer backup can cause flooding.

Common Plumbing Issues That Signal the Urgent Need for Drain Repair
Despite how critical your plumbing network and drainage system is for the overall smooth running of your household, it is easy to take these systems for granted. A reason why some homeowners stop considering issues with their plumbing as an emergency is due to how frequently problems seem to arise, making them feel that, similar to the last several times that they may have experienced an issue, the current problem resolve on its own.

Troubleshooting Tips for Your Water Tank Pump
Water tank pumps are generally reliable, but at some point during the pump's lifetime, it is likely that it will develop some kind of problem. The following troubleshooting tips can help you to work out which part of your pump is faulty and take action to correct the problem. What to Do If The Pump Doesn't Start If your water tank pump refuses to start, first check that the pump is connected to an electricity supply.

Hot Water Systems Installation Done Right: What to Expect From Experts
Quite a lot hinges on making sure you get it right with the installation of your hot water service. Seemingly minor mistakes during installation can have a significant effect on the efficiency and longevity of hot water systems. This is the more reason why you should get a qualified and experienced plumber for the job. What is it then that hot water systems plumbers bring to the job? Here is a rundown of what you can expect.

Solar Hot Water: A Closer Look
The concept of solar water heating is not an entirely new one. This concept has, however, gained immense popularity in recent times due to the increasing need for environmental conservation more so with the ever-rising global temperatures. If you are looking to invest in a solar hot water system, there are certain things you should know before you spend your money on such an investment. This article provides a closer look at solar hot water systems in order to make you more enlightened as you plan to make this big investment.

Don't Fix This At Home! 4 Plumbing Problems That Need a Professional's Touch
Some minor plumbing problems, such as a backed up drain, are easy to fix at home. However, it is important to avoid taking on repairs that require a professional level of expertise. If you face any of the following plumbing issues, be sure to get in touch with a local plumber. 1. Frozen Pipes Many people think that frozen pipes are an easy problem to fix. All you need to do is turn on the heating to thaw the ice, right?

6 Signs of a Sewage Backup
Sewage back-ups are not only disgusting but also disturbingly common. Sewage backing up in your plumbing can cause a lot of problems, some of which are very noticeable. Look out for these six signs so you can take action before you end up with a sewage spillage in your home. 1. Bad Smells Sewage back-ups smell terrible. If you notice a bad odour coming from the drains or a general lingering smell of sewage in or around your home, a main sewer line blockage could be the culprit.

How to tell if your bathtub is leaking
As you enjoy a refreshing time inside your bathtub, you may not realise that it's leaking water. There are those obvious bathtub cracks that you may see in the movies--but the reality is that most leaks occur at a slow, yet steady pace. This is why you should pick up on any issues with your bathtub before they get worse. In fact, a slow leaking tub can significantly damage your bathroom over time.

Common Tap Repairs for Compression Faucets
Compression faucets are the most common type of faucet you will find in older homes. They work with a washer and pressure system. When the tap is open the washer is raised and causes pressure for the water to release at a certain rate. Though this is the most common faucet type, it does come with several common tap repairs. Here are a few of those repairs and what you need to know about each one.

Top 3 Easy-To-Use Plumbing Tools For Your Blocked Drains
A qualified plumber will always be your best option when it comes to dealing with blocked drains. However, depending on the extent of the blockage, you may be able to clear your drains on your own using one or more of several simple plumbing tools. You will not require any special skills to work these simple tools in clearing blocked drains. However, you will need to be a little careful to avoid any damages.

Is Toilet Paper Blocking Your Toilet Drain?
If your toilet has trouble flushing and you think there's a blockage in the system, you'll try to work out what the problem might be. You haven't done anything to your plumbing, and nobody in the house has thrown anything odd down the pan, but it is obviously blocked by something. After you wrack your brains for a while, you realise that the only thing that you've changed when you use the toilet is your toilet paper.

Two Mistakes That Can Cause the Pipes in Your Home to Burst Open
A burst pipe can inflict major damage on your home. As such, it's important to be aware of the mistakes that could potentially cause one of your property's pipes to break. Read on to find out what these mistakes are. Ignoring a clogged drain for too long Most people will immediately call a plumber if the drain in their kitchen or main bathroom becomes clogged up, as a blockage in this area of their home will affect their ability to perform essential daily tasks, such as bathing or washing dishes.

Traditional vs. Tankless Water Heater: Which Way Should You Go?
You have decided that it is time to do away with the old water heater in your home. With so many options on the market to choose from, finding the ideal one can be confusing. However, the choice comes down to two options: traditional and tankless water heaters. These two systems vary significantly in their operations and features. Read on for a detailed comparison that will enable you to make the best choice for your home.

Do You Need a Heavy-Duty Drainage System for Your Residential Property?
Not all residential properties need the same type of drainage in their garage as you would find under a car wash or installed in a large farm, but sometimes a standard residential drainage or plumbing system is too inefficient for your needs. A heavy-duty drainage system, installed on the garage floor or under a shed or storage area, can mean better drainage on the property and more convenience for you as well.

Commercial Buildings: How to Ensure the Water Supply Is Clean
If you own or manage a large commercial building, you are responsible for ensuring that the drinking water is safe and clean. While the mains water is clean when it enters your building, it could become contaminated by microorganisms or rust and other metals as it passes through the building's internal plumbing system. These contaminants may lead to people becoming unwell due to drinking bad water and could leave you facing a lawsuit or investigation by the local health and safety authority.

Blocked Drain Pipes: Tips for Preventing Them
Consistently having to call a plumber to come and unblock your clogged drains can be quite inconvenient, not to mention expensive in the long run. Nevertheless, some homeowners do not realise that their own neglect is what leads to these blockages cropping up on a regular basis. As much as our drainage system is out of sight, this does not mean it should be out of mind too. It is prudent to enlist the services of professional plumbers on a scheduled basis to maintain your plumbing system.

How to Avoid Expensive Winter Plumbing Leaks
Home plumbing can pay a huge price if the house isn't adequately prepared for winter. Seasonal shifts, whether related to travel, winter temperatures or festivities can push your home's plumbing system to the brink. So how do you ensure your plumbing is ready for winter? Here's how to save cash as well as keep pipes from freezing: Protect Plumbing Pipes from Freezing Whenever winter temperatures plummet, water easily freezes inside. This causes them to burst.

Turning Over A New Leaf: Stopping Autumn Leaves From Blocking Your Outside Drains
Blocked indoor drains can be tiresome and expensive to deal with, and most of us take care to avoid shoving anything too dangerous down our sinks and plugholes. However, outdoor drains, such as the french drains and culverts used to direct water away from driveways, generally receive much less care and attention, when the consequences of a blockage can be easily catastrophic.  One particular source of peril for your outdoor drains is falling leaves in the autumn, and thick, waterproof layers of rotting leaf detritus can quickly build up in neglected outdoor drains.

3 Potential Problems That Can Occur With Your Bathroom Taps
Most bathroom taps are well engineered to remain unaffected for a long time, but every so often, something can go wrong. Some people choose to replace their taps entirely, but some quick fixes can be undertaken by professional plumbing services to ensure that you don't have to shell out much for replacement. This guide offers you some insight into potential problems that can occur with your bathroom taps. Your Bathroom Tap Screeches

Why You May Not Be Able to Get That Blocked Drain Clear
You may not need to call a plumber every time your home has a blocked drain; sometimes the old household trick of putting a little vinegar and baking soda in the drain can help to push a clog along quickly and easily. However, there may be some very good reasons why you can't get a blocked drain clear no matter what you try, and why you may want to stop your household tricks and simply give a plumber a call.

How to Reduce the Stormwater Load on Your Drainage System
It can be very expensive to install a stormwater drainage system on a residential property where no measures have been taken to limit the volume of stormwater originating from that property. You can take some simple steps to minimise the volume of stormwater that your stormwater drainage system will have to carry. Those measures may reduce how much you will spend on stormwater drainage installation. This article discusses some of those measures.

Hot Water Tank Relief Valve Drip: When Is It Time To Call In A Plumber?
As a first home owner, you are embarking on a journey that combines home ownership pride with home maintenance 101 education. Take, for example, the dripping hot water tank relief valve problem that you have recently noticed. You may think a few drops of water here and there are not going to do any harm, so is it really necessary to call in a plumber? It's time to understand why the relief valve is dripping so you can make a decision about how long you can wait to get it replaced.

When It's Time to Call a Plumber
Having a burst pipe in the home is not the only time you want to call a plumber and have them inspect and repair your home's pipes, as there are many other signs that your home has a water leak or other damage that should be addressed by a plumber. Ignoring these signs can mean larger repair bills down the road, as well as the risk of your home being damaged by mold, mildew, and the like.

'Erm, It's Still There' 4 Reasons Your Toilet Isn't Flushing Solid Waste
So, you've flushed your toilet as usual, then turned around to be confronted by the fact that your solid waste is still hanging around. This can be pretty disgusting, not to mention embarrassing. Unfortunately, there are actually quite a few reasons why it might be occurring. Here are just four. 1. There's a Clog The most obvious answer to your toilet's inconvenient habit of failing to clear solid waste is that there is a clog.

Important Factors You Shouldn't Overlook When Buying a Water Heater
When getting a new water heater for your home, you want to take the time to compare different models so you know you get something that will provide the hot water you need without wasting energy. Solar water heaters are a viable option for many homes and tankless water heaters can also be a good choice for certain spaces, but these too must be chosen carefully. When you're ready to choose, note a few factors you don't want to overlook so you know you get the right water heater for your home and family.

Troubleshooting Why Hot Water is No Longer Coming Out of Your Faucets
If you notice that the water coming out of your hot water faucet is not hot at all, you most likely have an issue with your gas water heater. When the water is not heating at all, there can be a number of causes behind the problem. This means that you need to know how to troubleshoot the issue and determine what the cause is before you can begin repairs on your gas water heater.

Reasons Why You Should Hire Professionals for Cleaning Your Blocked Drains
The most common cause for a blocked drain is the accumulation of materials and foreign objects in the pipes that transport waste. These materials can include in their composition fats, foods, pieces of hair and even soap! As a result, you need to regularly clean your pipes in order to avoid completely blocking them. A blocked drain can cause you lots of stress because of the inconveniences that they create as well as the unpleasant odour that they produce.

Reasons why your drains are always getting blocked
It can be extremely frustrating when your drains keep getting blocked. But if you keep treating the symptoms and not the cause, you will constantly be suffering from these problems. Blocked drains also waste time and money. They also leave a bad smell and can cause health problems due to the presence of bacteria. Thankfully, the majority of these blockages are completely preventable. Here are some reasons your drains keep getting blocked and what you can do about it.

Rotten-Egg Smell In Water Heaters: What Causes It And How To Treat It
Have you ever noticed an unpleasant rotten-egg smell in the water coming from your water heater? That is the smell of hydrogen sulfide gas. However, there is no cause for alarm as the gas is usually present in low volume, and hence, carries little threat. Concentrations of as little as 1 parts per million can trigger the pungent smell of hydrogen sulfide. Even though the gas is harmless in low concentration, it must be irritating to inhale it every time you fetch water from your water heater.

Handy Tips While Waiting For Emergency Plumbers
Dealing with plumbing emergencies can be quite stressful. Not only are you at risk of excessive water in your home through leaks or burst pipes, but this situation can also wreak havoc on your belongings if not stopped in time. The good news is there are a few things that you can do on your own while waiting for emergency plumbers like Sam's Local Plumbing. Here are some handy tips when dealing with plumbing emergencies.

Things To Know about Blocked Sewer Drains
A clogged kitchen sink is a minor plumbing problem, one that you can usually take care of on your own. But when you have a blocked sewer drain, that is a major plumbing issue that must be handled immediately to prevent a total failure of your sewer system. If you are having trouble with sewage backup or other telltale signs of a blocked sewer drain, here's what you need to know about how to handle the problem.

Different Types of Residential Plumbing Services You May Require
Experiencing plumbing problems at one point or another is commonplace for households. Residents will use their plumbing system on a daily basis, thus it should not come as a surprise that malfunctions could crop up from either regular wear and tear or something more serious. As such, there is a range of residential plumbing services offered to ensure that your system is up and running in no time. Plumbing contractors will deal with a myriad of issues including dispensing drinking water, waste disposal, fixing heating issues and more.

Best Materials for Pipe Plumbing Fittings
Fittings are essential components in plumbing systems because they are designed to connect different tubing sections. They can be used with straight pipes and may be installed when there is a need to regulate or redirect the flow of fluid. There are diverse fittings in the market so the process of choosing the ideal products for your building can be challenging. One of the most important factors to consider before purchase is the material used to manufacture the fitting.

Plumbing Jobs That No Homeowner Should Ever Try on Their Own
Many homeowners today are getting more and more ambitious when it comes to handling their own home repairs, as they can follow videos online for the instructions they need and rent specialty tools from local hardware stores. However, this doesn't mean that a homeowner should try to tackle every single plumbing installation or repair job, as there are some jobs that require more expertise than you'll get just by watching a simple video.

Septic Tank Problems: 3 Causes of Drain Field Failure
A septic tank is an ideal onsite sewage treatment system for residential properties located in areas without connection to the local sewage networks. This disposal system prevents contamination of nearby streams, rivers and ditches as well as the general land. If the septic drain field is faulty, you will notice plumbing problems such as backed-up drains, odours emanating from sinks, and overflowing toilets. In some cases, the septic tank container will flood causing extensive problems.

How to Tell if Your Gutters Are in Need of a Cleaning Service
Gutter cleaning is an integral part of proper roof maintenance. By cleaning your gutters, you ensure that rainwater flows freely without creating undue pressure on your roof – something that can cause leaks and structural damage on your roofing structure. To tell if you need this service, check the helpful pointers below. Your gutters haven't been cleaned in a while At a minimum, you should have your gutters cleaned twice a year.