Burst Pipes

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

A clogged drain can damage your plumbing, cause burst pipes, lead to significant water damage throughout the home, and require attention from a professional plumber. Some homeowners use various DIY methods to keep from getting clogged drains in their kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks, such as hot water from the faucet, baking soda, boiling water & dish soap, a cup of vinegar, table salt, bleach or other chemical drain cleaners. When it comes to staying clog-free and preventing plumbing problems with sink drains and your home’s plumbing system, regular maintenance can be vital to preventing a drain clog, slow drains, or septic system issues. Commons Problems from Not Cleaning Your Drains What issues can surface if you do not regularly clean your drains? Here are some examples of the common problems that arise if you neglect to clean your drains: Bad Odors: Does your sink drain smell like rotten eggshells?

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

In this beautiful midwest climate, the leaves turn deep shades of orange, red, and brown, the weather is noticeably cooler and pumpkins seem to be adorning the doorsteps of homes all around town. When we feel the cooling temperatures and see the fall colors, as Kansas City licensed plumbers, it gets us thinking about frozen pipes and what homeowners can do to prevent them from freezing. When the first cold snap hits the cold weather and freezing temperatures are here for the season! If you don’t have one already, you should pick up a temporary patch kit from a local home center to seal off any burst pipes as you wait for a plumber to make a permanent repair. You should also know where the water shutoff valve is located in case a pipe does freeze and break. The real key is prevention to stop the potential for massive water

As a homeowner, a water leak can wreak havoc on your home and it can lead to costly water damage; a plumbing leak can turn into your worst nightmare in the blink of an eye. From leaky faucets left running, plumbing problems with the connection from your appliances to your plumbing system to small leaks from corrosion on a water line or a water main that burst; no matter the type of leak when you have uncontrolled leaking water so much can go wrong.  Left unchecked, a water leak can: Damage flooring Destroy furnishings Damage ceilings and walls Cause hazardous mold Require mold remediation Destroy cabinets Whether you have a small, barely noticeable leak, such as a dripping sound behind a wall,  or you have a very obvious leak, such as a burst pipe, it’s important to STOP the leak as soon as possible. Unfortunately, water leaks are common household

The majority of the time, most homeowners are thinking that they don’t have to worry about their pipes bursting. After all, the temperatures are slowly rising by the day and the threat of frozen pipes are the least of our worries. If you own a home or commercial building, just because the weather is getting warmer, it doesn’t mean you’re “out of the woods” when it comes to the possibility of your pipes bursting. As someone concerned about their home, furnishings and bottom line, you must know that your pipes can still burst, even in the spring or summer months. What starts as an ominous rumbling sound quickly turns into a nightmare. Next thing you know, a pipe bursts and you’re greeted with the horrifying sight of water everywhere, soaking everything in its path. It could even be gushing from the ceiling onto furniture or even computers below. 6 Causes

Plumbing is one of those modern-day conveniences that we rarely think about until we have a problem. But, as we all know nothing says pain in the neck more than a clogged toilet, loss of water pressure, or broken garbage disposal. Or worse, a burst sewer line that has sewage spilling into your home instead of the septic tank or sewer system! If you’re not the DIY type, you may not understand your home’s plumbing system all that well, but it’s really not that complicated. The trick is to gain a basic understanding of how everything works so you can maintain your system and prevent major problems before they start. Here’s a basic plumbing checklist to help you get started with maintaining your home plumbing. Review this inspection checklist and ask yourself whether any aspects of your plumbing system may be in need of attention, inspection, or repairs. 1. Do

Are you concerned that you may have a leaking pipe under your foundation? If there is a water leak, it’s either coming from a water or sewer line. While repairing the damaged line isn’t too difficult, locating the leak and gaining access to it is another story. Once the leak is located, an experienced plumber will have to cut and chisel their way through the concrete to repair the broken pipes. What are the Signs of a Slab Leak? Sometimes, simply walking around your home barefoot will give you clues as to where the water lines are leaking. There are several signs that indicate a possible slab leak, including: Water spots on the floor, whether hardwood floors, linoleum, or seeing water spots on drywall, including mildew or mold spots Damp spots on the floor or puddles A significantly high water bill (as compared to normal) The sound of rushing water

Sometimes a leaky pipe can be a quick fix that doesn’t call for a professional plumber. Other times, a leak can mean something serious. If you notice that your water bill is higher than usual or you hear running water even when all faucets are off, it might indicate that you have a water leak. Before contacting a plumber, there are some steps you can follow to see whether or not this leak can be fixed on your own. A-1 Sewer and Septic are here to walk you through these steps to ensure that you save money and prevent costly damage in the future. Locating Your Leaky Pipe Locate the leak by following the sound of running water and checking to see if there are water stains on ceilings, floors, or walls. Depending on where a stain is found, you may need to examine different places. Ceiling stains indicate the

Treating Damage, Fixing Pipes, and Cleaning Faucet Aerators If you want to conduct maintenance on your plumbing, or if you are experiencing leaks and don’t know where to start, here are several things you can try to protect your home from water damage. Before proceeding with a couple of repairs…. General Tips to Get Started Here are some vital tips on how to handle water damage: See a sinking ceiling? Cut the room’s power off at the main breaker panel before you go in to investigate. Securing water or gas supply lines? Place a hold-back wrench on valves while you do so, to prevent the joints from weakening. Leaving wet supplies out to dry? Don’t put any objects that have been ravaged by water outside. Exposure to the sun could crack or distort these items. Instead, leave them in a dry, airy spot inside. Water stains on the ceiling? You