Basement Floods

Homeowners know that a water leak, even a small leak or slow leak, no matter how insignificant, can eventually lead to major water damage, and being able to see the signs of a leak to know to call a professional plumber can be critical. Leak detection, and finding the plumbing problems that your plumbing system may have, can take different routes; from listening for hissing sounds, or sounds of water running, looking for water stains, or even simply keeping a close eye on your water usage and your water bill. There are also many different plumbing systems throughout your home that can be the culprit if you suspect you have a leak. Irrigation systems, toilet tanks and bad flappers, washing machines or washer/dryer combos, bad shut-off valves or even hidden leaks from cast iron water pipes and water lines behind the drywall of your home; all of these systems could

Do it yourself (DIY) is the latest craze when it comes to home repairs. How many of us have watched a decorating or home repair project on television and thought, “Sure, I can do that!” only to find out that not only could you not do it, you made a terrible mess in the process. Deciding when to DIY or hire a professional should be decided on a project by project basis. When it comes to plumbing projects and services like installing a faucet, it’s always worth hiring a professional plumber that has the skill and expertise to get the job done right… the first time. Whether you are replacing a leaky faucet or want to add a new sleek design to your kitchen or bathroom sink, a new faucet may seem like something you can easily do on your own; however, if you install it improperly, it’s going to

If you will be entertaining over the holidays the last thing you want is for a plumbing disaster to strike, and we all know that emergencies always happen at the worst times – like when we have a house full of guests! Whether the issue is a toy car clogging the toilet, turkey grease solidifying in the kitchen drain, silverware jamming the garbage disposal, or a broken water heater on Christmas Eve, plumbers are the superheroes over the holidays, that’s for sure! Many households see an increase in activity between November 23rd and January 1st, which places additional stress on the water heater, dishwasher, showers, bathtubs, toilets, kitchen sink drain, garbage disposal, and even the washing machine, which means household plumbing is put the ultimate test. While you can put in an emergency call to a plumber over the holidays, you’d prefer not to have to place a call on

The last thing you need during the mad holiday rush is to have something go wrong with your plumbing, right? Unfortunately, if you don’t prepare your plumbing for the winter, you could end up paying a big price, and you don’t need any added expenses during a time that your budget is already stretched to the limit. There’s no such thing as a “good time” for a plumbing emergency. Emergencies often occur when our minds are on something else, like preparing for out-of-town guests over Thanksgiving and Christmas. While you’re stocking the fridge for your annual holiday dinner or the linen closet with new sheets and towels for your in-laws, don’t forget that the colder weather means more than holiday travel, it means temperature shifts that can cause your plumbing to fail at the worst of times – when you have a house full of guests! Here are some of

It’s an all too familiar scene for homeowners with basements: Following heavy rain, their sump pump fails, filling with water that leads to their basement flooding, and massive water damage to drywall of the basement walls, carpeting, and depending on the amount of water, busting through basement windows. Basement flooding and the clean up, the insurance company that you hopefully have flood insurance through, and all of the damaged items that may not be covered by homeowners insurance or a flood damage clause, are all such an ordeal for homeowners to have to work through. Often an insurance policy will not cover groundwater or natural disasters if they are the cause of the flooded basement, even with waterproofing efforts in place. . Common causes of a flooded basement will be situations such as: Defective sump pump or an issue with the circuit breaker the sump pump is on during heavy

Dealing with a flooded basement due to a sewer backup from the basement’s floor drain is one of every homeowner’s worst nightmares, but if that dreaded day comes it’s important to know what to do. Since dealing with a flooded area can be a dangerous undertaking, you must take extra safety precautions. When in doubt, call a Kansas City plumber from A-1 Sewer & Septic Service, Inc. Important Safety Tips If you wind up with a flooded basement, it’s important to follow these important safety tips: Since electrocution is a number one danger with a flooded basement, wait for the water to recede before you start cleaning up. If you decide to walk in the water, make sure that you shut off the electricity from the main box first. Since the water could be contaminated with raw sewage, wear rubber gloves and boots to minimize skin contact. When you’re in