You may know a basic thing or two about the plumbing in your home. Maybe you fixed an overflowing toilet or noticed a leaky faucet and were able to take care of that right away. But did you know around 10,000 gallons of water is wasted each year due to household water leaks? That’s enough water for 11 million households! It’s easy to fix the simple problems, but even in seemingly simple problems, there could be an underlying issue that you’re unaware of. Any one of the following alarming plumbing issues should get you thinking, “I need to call a plumbing contractor near me.” Recognize these emergency signals before it’s too late.

Low Pressure

A tell tale sign of an emergency is if you notice that the water pressure in your home is lower than usual. Most homes actually have pressure regulating valves already installed. The pressure regulating valves regulate between your home and the street but can sometimes fail, which causes the pressure to drop low or rise if there’s a problem. There could be damaged pipes somewhere or a clogged aerator, which tends to only affect one sink. Should the pressure be low in all bathrooms and the kitchen, you may have clogged or damaged pipes elsewhere. The only way to be sure is to let a professional take a look.

Water Leaks

Water leaks are no joke, and they can be extremely costly. Not to mention the health issues which can arise from mold and mildew forming from unnoticed leaks. A water leak is also a fire hazard if it’s close to electrical wiring. Shorted wires and circuits can cause a fire within your home.

Most water leaks aren’t emergency related, but why take that chance? The moment you spot any discoloration on your ceilings or walls, it’s time to think, “I need a plumbing contractor near me.” Soggy walls or ceilings are a telltale sign that you have an emergency plumbing issue.

Piping Issues

Clogged drains and pipes can actually build up to an emergency if not regularly cleaned out. It’s an unavoidable situation; however, it can be prevented with proper disposal of baby wipes, tissues, human hair and other materials that can get lodged and clog the pipes. Believe it or not, tree roots can grow through the pipes to create these blockages. After you’ve eliminated all the possible clogging scenarios and you still find an issue, it’s safe to think, a plumbing contractor near me can inspect my home thoroughly to determine the actual cause.

Unusual Noise

Old homes are known to give off strange sounds. But newer homes with a faulty piping system can also become noisy. When you flush the toilet, turn on the faucet, or take a shower, you may hear unusual noise from behind the walls or sink unit. Gurgling sounds coming from your toilet or shower are a sign that your plumbing system is trying to find air in the pipes. This will eventually lead to a backup of water. Hearing water running from your toilet or through your house in your pipes can also be an indicator of broken or damaged pipes.

While these are the top four emergency signs of plumbing issues in your home, every home is different. When you encounter one of these signs, don’t wait for an emergency before you call a plumber. A trusted and reliable plumber can arrive promptly at your home and be able to diagnose the problem. Our team at Genesis Plumbing provides a wealth of knowledge to better serve you so you can stay comfortable and safe in your home for years to come. Contact our handy team today for an inspection!

For about 50 years between the 1930s and 1980s, houses were fitted with steel pipes to support the indoor plumbing. Around the 1960s, copper was also introduced to the plumbing market. These days, PVC is the pipe material of choice and performs infinitely better than the metal varieties. If you own an older home that still has metal pipes, there’s a good chance you might need to consider whole house repiping. Look for these signals. 

Leaks

If you live in an older home and regularly deal with plumbing leaks, a whole house repiping might be in order. Over time, metal pipes corrode and no longer provide an impermeable barrier to the water and wastewater that they’re carrying through your home. Left unrepaired, plumbing leaks can easily, and quickly, cause $1,000s of damage in your home. 

Water pressure problems

Constant water pressure problems are also another sign that it might be time for new plumbing. The reason this happens is that deposits and buildup of minerals collect in your pipes over time and can create blockages in the pipes. These blockages impact the flow of water which causes less than ideal water pressure. 

Discolored water

If you notice that the water coming from your faucets is no longer clear, it could signal a degradation of the metal piping in your home and point to repiping as the answer. Over time, as metal pipes corrode, they release rust and metal particles into the water. Water with any tint of brown coming out of your faucet is a problem that warrants a call to your trusted plumber.   

Preventative updates

You might also consider a whole house repiping projects well before any problems rear their ugly heads. Replacing old metal pipes is a worthwhile upgrade in your home and will even make it more attractive to prospective buyers if you ever decide to sell. If you’re unsure if this type of plumbing upgrade is right for you and your home, call a knowledgeable plumber and discuss the pros and cons of the project. 

Your sewage can back up for a number of reasons. The buildup of grease in your pipes over time, a growing collection of trapped paper towels, wipes, and personal products, and any number of other situations all can cause a clog. Whatever the cause, a quick fix will always be a necessity. If you ever find yourself dealing with this situation and searching for a sewage backup fix, remember these solutions. 

The quickest sewage backup fix

You can try clearing the clog with this easy sewage backup fix with things you probably already have at home. Mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda and pour down the sewer drain. The vinegar will start to break down the clog in the pipe while the effervescence of the mixture will keep it moving. After an hour, flush the pipe again but this time use very hot water. Test the drain to see if the sewage backup fix worked.

Use a snake tool

If you happen to have a drain snake lying around, it might be just the thing you need to clear your sewer clog. This is often the second line of defense after you’ve tried a plunger to free the clog. Push the snake through the block drained until you feel the cause of the problem. Rotate the tool until it frees the debris and get water moving through the drain again.  

The plumbers sewage backup fix

To bring in the heavy hitters for really tough clogs or active backup situations, you should call a plumber. This will definitely be necessary if the blockage is beyond something you can reach, or if you’ve tried multiple home fixes to no avail. A plumber can use a hydro-jet to push water at an extreme velocity from your home out toward the sewer line. 

Finding the clog by camera

 A professional plumber also has the means to locate and isolate the clogged area with a special camera system. They’ll inspect the system by feeding a thin wire and attached camera through your toilet and through the drain. The camera illuminates the space and allows the plumber to see exactly where the problem might be.

Most homeowners don’t give much through to their sinks until there’s a problem. But these workhorses of bathrooms and kitchens deserve a little more attention because when things go wrong with them, they have the capacity to go really wrong. So, if it’s been a while sink you inspected the health of your sink, or if you never have looked at it closely, here’s a few things to look for that signal it could be time for a sink replacement. 

Cracks signal a sink replacement

If you notice any cracks in the bowl of your sink, you should probably look closely for any signs of leaks in the cabinet or on the floor. A cracked sink definitely signals that it’s time for a sink replacement since crack fixes don’t offer much promise for permanent repair. The good news is that a basic new sink won’t break the bank, and a better sink is possible if you have a little bit more to spend. 

If you’re dealing with constant clogs

Another reason that you might need to consider sink replacement is if you’re dealing with constant clogs. Hair, soap scale, and other organic matter has a tendency to gather in the sink’s piping and build up over time. It’s possible to move the clog and professional plumbers definitely have that skill. But after time, the cost of calling in a plumber will cost way more than the cost of buying a new sink and having it installed. 

Signs of rust or mold call for a sink replacement

Any signs at all of mold growth in or under your sink are a good reason to have your sink replaced. Mold anywhere inside your home presents a hazard to you and your family. If the problem gets out of hand, removing it can get really expensive. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get rid of it at the very first sign. Same as rust, if you have rusty water coming out of your pipes, there’s little that can be done to fix it and the sink should just be replaced instead.  

Your bathroom needs some TLC

Another reason to consider a sink replacement is if your bathroom is looking a bit tired and out-of-date. A bathroom renovation is a great home improvement project that will give homeowners a great return on their investment. And if you’re planning on listing your house soom, putting a little lipstick on your bathrooms with beautiful new sinks is a great way to wow potential buyers. 

Traditional tank water heaters have a standard lifespan of between eight and 12 years. If yours is approaching that window, it might be wise to keep an eye on the old work horse for any signs of leaking or strange noises. If a water heater installation is in your future, here’s what you can expect from the pros completing the job. 

The first step in water heater installation

One of the first and most important things your plumber will do during water heater installation is to determine if your water heater runs on natural gas, propane, or electricity. Any of these fuel sources will need to be turned off for the removal of the old water heater and the installation of the new one. There is also a shut off valve on the tank if yours uses natural gas or propane. Your plumber will also shut off the main water supply while they work on the tank. 

Draining the tank during water heater installation

The next step is to drain the tank. To do so, they will attach a section of hose to the tank and via the drain valve, drain the remaining water still in the tank from it. They will use enough hose to send however much water the tank still contains outside. 

Cutting the lines

Next, your plumber will detach the vent hood from the vent pipe and then cut the water lines and free the old tank from the space. They will then add a new valve for pressure and temperature relief to your new hot water heater, attach a discharge pipe, typically made of copper, and attach the other pipe assemblies to the tank. The new tank will then be put into place and attached to new water lines via soldering. The vent is put back together and the fuel source is attached to the new tank. 

Testing, testing

Once the new water heater installation Port St. Lucie is complete, your plumber will light the pilot light if it’s a natural gas or propane-powered tank, and will then conduct testing to make sure everything is as it should be. They’ll check for leaks of water or fuel. You can expect the whole installation process to take no more than eight hours for a standard installation. 

When your indoor plumbing isn’t functioning properly it can be a real pain in the rear end. You could pick up the phone and call a reputable plumber nearby who can come to the rescue, but, depending on the situation you could also take control of the situation on your own. Consider these tips for common toilet repair and, with any luck, your problems might be solved with a little bit of elbow grease and common household tools. 

Phantom flushes toilet repair

Phantom flushes are a sign that something is not quite right deep inside your toilet bowl. This problem is usually caused by a slow leak into the toilet bowl from the tank and is a toilet repair  that you can handle with minimal plumbing experience. Usually, the flapper is the culprit which has a tendency to go bad after many years of service. The fix is fairly simple and requires draining the toilet completely, inspecting the flapper and flapper seat, then heading to your nearest home improvement store for a replacement if it appears worn or broken.  

Fixing a clogged toilet

A clogged toilet is one of the most common plumbing problems in a house and not necessarily one that needs professional attention. At least, not before you try freeing the clog yourself. Use a force-cup plunger to clear the clog by affixing it over the drain hole and forcing water deep into the toilet. This forceful motion is usually enough to move the clog from where it’s trapped and allow the water in the toilet bowl to drain.   

Constant trickle and toilet repair 

If you hear a faint but constant trickle of water emanating from your toilet, that signals another problem that you might be able to tackle on your own. You’ll need to drain the toilet like you read about for addressing phantom flushes, and then carefully inspect a few parts inside the tank, namely: the refill tube, the float, and the inlet valve assembly. Check for any damage to any of the parts. The fix might be as simple as replacing anything that appears worn over time.  

Fix the broken lid

Over time and use, the hinges that attach the lid to the toilet can begin to fail. Luckily, your toilet seat cover is pretty easy to replace. Remove the old one from the toilet and measure it carefully. Take those measurements to a home improvement store near you and find a suitable replacement. Affix the new lid and, in no time flat, your previously broken toilet will be good as new. 

For some homeowners, indoor plumbing can be an intimidating mystery that they’d rather leave up to the pros to handle. And plumbers in your area are just fine with that. There are some things that a homeowner can do, however, to help support the proper function and longevity of their plumbing system. Consider these plumbing solutions brought to you by your trusted neighborhood plumbing service. 

Plumbing solution #1: Know the main

Even if you don’t know how to handle any other plumbing issue, the key plumbing solution that you should know is where your water main is. In the event of an emergency that sees water pouring into your home from broken pipes, shutting off the main is key for minimizing the damage that that situation might cause. The main to your home is typically located somewhere near your hot water heater and will feature and easy to maneuver shut off valve that should stop water from being serviced inside your home. 

Learning how to deal with drains that are clogged

Sure you could call your friendly, neighborhood plumber every time you have a clogged drain. They’d be happy to help you out any way they can. But this is a household situation where you can learn to handle yourself with the right tools. It’s smart to have a plunger and maybe even a snake tool on hand so that you can remove or push through any clogs in the system.   

Another plumbing solution: Play nice with toilets and garbage disposals

You might think that both your toilets and your garbage disposal can handle anything you throw it’s way. That’s not necessarily true. It doesn’t take much to clog a toilet and a disposal, so it’s wise to treat both with care. Both appliances have big, important jobs to do. It’s important to treat them tenderly and to keep a plunger on hand in the event of any clogs that you can handle on your own. 

When cold comes, protect your pipes

Frozen pipes can be a homeowner’s nightmare. So anytime the weatherman on TV predicts a chilling cold snap headed your way, do what you can to protect your pipes. Add cold weather protection to any exposed pipes, and if your home is lifted on piers, consider having a plumber come out to ensure the plumbing is winterized.

Everyone knows who to call for burst pipes or a damaging water leak. But did you know that plumbers actually provide a host of other services? If you’re a homeowner, you should consider these four plumbing services that you probably didn’t know you needed and that a plumber can provide until now. 

Gas line extension plumbing services 

Your friendly neighborhood plumber isn’t just an expert when it comes to water, but they’re also a pro when it comes to dealing with gas. If you have natural gas as a fuel source in your home, the line was probably put there by a licensed plumber. If you need that line extended, or even a brand new line run to a different area on your property, a plumber is the one to call for this unexpected plumbing service.  

Plumbing services for bathroom remodel

If you’re eyeing a bathroom remodel in the near future, you’ll definitely need a skilled and knowledgeable plumber. These professionals can help move important features of the bathroom—like your toilet or shower—to different locations in the room. They can also run new pipes if necessary, and offer more guidance on the best practices for the remodeling project.   

If you’re considering a water purifier

Many homeowners take the safety of their indoor plumbing to a whole new level by installing a whole-house water purifier. These appliances guarantee that your family is drinking and using the safest water possible. The professional that can help with the safe and timely installation of a water purifier is your friendly, neighborhood plumber.  

In the event of a slab leak

If you start noticing damp spots on your floor, you might just have a slab leak on your hands. This means that a pipe contained within the slab is leaking and requires immediate attention. An experienced plumber is the best person for this job which will require accessing the pipe for rerouting or repair. 

Indoor plumbing took a long time to become part of almost every American household. In fact, even in 1940 only half of them had any type of indoor plumbing. Thankfully, those days are behind us and indoor plumbing is the norm. When plumbing problems creep in like leaks, it can quickly feel like the years before 1940 again. It’s smart to call in help quickly and here’s what you can expect from leak repair. 

First step in leak repair

The first critical step in leak repair is to shut off the water. Water can do tremendous damage to a structure and shutting off anything actively running is key. If the water leak is between the service line and the home’s pies, you can turn the water off at the main. If it’s in the service line, you’ll need to turn the water off at the meter.   

Consider shutting off the electrical too

When you have a major water leak, it can present an extremely dangerous situation if it mixes with electricity. It’s smart if you have water in your home to also turn the electricity off at the breaker until the situation improves. If the leak is relatively small, it may just require unplugging any appliances in the immediate vicinity of the area. 

Emergency plumber for leak repair

An emergency plumber is the perfect professional to provide leak repair. Making sure they’re licensed and insured means that you’ll get high quality work and benefit from the experience of a seasoned pro. The plumber will find the leak and isolate it so that a fix can be applied and your water restored. 

How long will a fix take

Depending on the size of the leak, the hole could be fixed quickly or might take a little bit of time. It might require a new pipe, or it might be able to be salvaged with just a patch. A knowledgeable plumber will know and get the water flowing back into your home in no time flat. 

What’s not to love about an old house? Imagine the stories it would have if walls could talk. Perhaps the only thing that’s hard to love about an old house is the to-do list that will probably never go away when you own it. One thing that might land on that list depending on the age of the structure is a whole house repiping, and here’s what you can expect if that’s in your future.  

How to know if you need whole house repiping

There are few solid reasons that it’s time for whole house repiping. If your home is very old and has lead pipes, it’s wise to consider the job for the health of your family. This type of pipe usually exists in homes built well before 1920. The same goes for galvanized steel. It was a popular construction material in the U.S. but the material corrodes over time and must be replaced. If you find yourself calling the plumber often, that’s another sign that your house might be ripe for a repiping. 

Inspections and estimates

If you already have a plumber for the job, you can skip to the next item. If you don’t, you’ll have to go through the process of getting estimates for the job. The golden rule is to get three to be sure you’re getting a fair price for the work. Having a professional look at the situation also informs if you need to repipe the whole house at once, or if you can go section by section over time.  

Once the whole house repiping work gets started

The first thing that your plumber will do is shut off the water to the house. It will remain that way for the entire job, so if you have some place comfortable to wait out the project, it’s a good option. Specialized tools will be used to identify the exact location of the pipes to minimize the damage to the drywall. Replacement pipes are installed through holes in the drywall which are patched and repaired once the new piping is in place.  

How long does it take

The answer to this question depends entirely on the size of your home. A large home could take a week or more to repipe. A small home might be done in a day or two. The estimated time for completion will be included in your estimate and it’s wise to check in with the plumber each day during the job for a progress update.