Plumbing Tips

Bathroom odor, by any other name, is just as off putting, and possibly dangerous. When there’s a buildup of bathroom smells and your basic air freshener is not knocking out the bad odors then it may be time for either a deep clean, where every crack and crevice has been touched; this is one way to address that foul smell. There could also be a deeper plumbing problem that is causing the toilet odor and you’ll need more than a DIY solution like baking soda, bleach, lemon juice, essential oils, white vinegar or a cup of vinegar and hot water, and will need to be addressed by a professional. The odors could be from mildew  on the grout that you clean . What’s Causing the Foul Odor?  Unfortunately, we don’t have a definitive answer because there can be a number of causes and without being there, it can be difficult

When it comes to strange noises in homes, few things can make the types of sounds that your water pipes can make when things are not as they should be, and for young or first-time homeowners, it can be downright freaky when pipes make noise. What kind of noises could you hear? Loud banging Gurgling Squeaking Humming noise Squealing Hammering Buzzing Whistling Let’s look at some of the possible causes of these noisy pipes and see what may need professional help and may be a DIY project you can take on as a homeowner. Common Causes of Noisy Pipes Water Pressure Water pressure, typically high water pressure, is often to blame for buzzing sounds, due to the vibration of the pipes as the water flows through. Water pressure regulators are an option to fix this issue, or sometimes called pressure reducers. Many modern homes already have these installed, but they

As a homeowner, it’s inevitable that you’re going to deal with plumbing issues every now and then. If you’re like most people, you have a pretty good idea what’s wrong when the bathroom sink clogs (likely culprits hair and soap scum), or when the kitchen sink clogs (grease, debris, food scum). However, there’s a lesser-known cause of some plumbing problems, and it’s sitting on top of your house right now: it’s called a “plumbing vent.” Plumbing vents are situated on the roof of homes, with the 2 to 3-inch pipe extending upwards. The purpose of this pipe is to allow air into the drainage system. The problem is that when this vent gets blocked, the blockage can cause the flow of water to slow down, or stop, and then foul smelling sewer gasses can enter the home. Blockages Create ‘Negative’ Pressure When this vent gets blocked, the flow of water

Drains can and will become clogged throughout the daily usage that homeowners and their families place on the drains and plumbing system of the home. When blockages occur, whether in the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, tub drain or shower drain, garbage disposal, or any sink drain with stubborn clogs, backups, or even a slow drain issue, there are other solutions than immediately turning to chemical drain cleaners like Drano or Liquid Plumber.  Why You Should Not Use Drano Many people associate drain clogs with Drano or other products with toxic chemicals that are supposed to clear or prevent clogs. Plumbers, in general, do not suggest using these caustic and harsh chemicals since they can cause damage to the pipes and fittings in the house. Drano also joins wastewater and will end up in rivers and streams, causing harm to the environment. Furthermore, suppose a plumber is working on a drain

Let’s say you just moved into a new home and every time you turn on the kitchen sink faucet, you hear this ominous “hammering” noise in the pipes. Now, you’re worried that one day you’ll turn on your kitchen faucet to rinse off a few dishes and all of a sudden your pipes will burst. What gives? If your pipes are making a mysterious “hammering” sound, there’s a good chance that there is air trapped inside the household plumbing, especially if you live in an older home. One of the most common causes of noisy plumbing is trapped air. For example, trapped air can cause strange vibrating noises or a worrisome jack-hammer sound – one that often leads to a phone call to the plumber! You see, air can get trapped inside the circuit, especially higher pipes, and when this happens, it can lead to loud, vibrating sounds or repeat

Shut off valves, or water shut off valves, are vital in your home’s plumbing system. It allows homeowners and plumbers alike the ability to cut off the water pressure when there is a plumbing emergency or while installing plumbing fixtures or performing plumbing repairs.  Shut off valves are like doors for water pressure, and allow plumbers and DIY’ers to stop the flow of water in your water supply line, or even your main water supply. . Types of Shut Off Valves  . As your home’s toilet, washing machine, icemaker, water heater and sink shut off valves are rarely used, when you do try to cut off the water supply, you may find that the valves no longer function. Whatever the reason, if you need to get a new shut off valve, you will need some basic info on water shut off valves in general, as well as main water shut

Do you have a toilet that’s rocking back and forth? Would you describe your toilet as “wobbly”? Are you worried that your toilet tank may start leaking on the bathroom floor because your rocking toilet moves so much? If so, will the entire wobbly toilet need to be replaced, or can it be fixed? Rocking Toilet Reasons Mounting Bolts Sometimes, all that’s necessary to stop a rocking toilet is to tighten the mounting bolts / flange bolts a little bit. However, make sure that you don’t crank the loose bolts down too tight, because doing so could crack the ceramic, which turns this easy fix into more than a trip to the hardware store. Flange / Wax Ring The flange at the base of the toilet is where the toilet is connected to the drain pipe in the floor. A wax ring is part of the connection at the bottom

WATER HEATER MAINTENANCE IN KANSAS CITY, KS HOW TO KEEP YOUR WATER HEATER FREE FROM RUST If your water heater’s tank is like most others, it is made of steel, but there is also a layer of glass. If water seeps through that glass though, then rust will develop along with the tank, causing a leak. The problem is, you probably can’t be aware that there is rust forming until the leak actually happens. And if a leak is coming from the tank itself, then you cannot fix your water heater; you will have to replace it altogether. That being said, you can still take measures to prevent rust in your water heater. Actually, you have a rust-fighting element included in the water heater, and this is the cathodic anode (it could also be called the sacrificial anode). This anode can be three to five feet in length, and its

The plumbing in your Kansas City home is designed to last decades, but repair and maintenance issues will occur from time to time. Plumbing emergencies can cause considerable inconvenience and can damage your home if they aren’t remedied quickly.  Fortunately, 24-hour plumber services can help homeowners quickly resolve some of the most frequently occurring plumbing issues, such as: Clogged sinks and shower drains – Food, hair, and other debris can clog your kitchen or bathroom sinks. Sometimes you can resolve the problem on your own but, often, the clog is so severe an emergency plumber is needed. If your garbage disposal is clogged with a buildup of some kind, we can help. Clogged drains are the most common types of plumbing emergency call we receive, and clearing sink drains is one of our specialties as a full-service plumbing company. Leaky faucets and toilets – Leaky faucets and toilets won’t just

Believe it or not, plumbing has played a major role in developing human civilization, facilitating the transport of safe drinking water and disposal of waste that makes large human settlements possible. Plumbing has been around for millennia, and pioneers in this field have greatly contributed to the advancement of human health and industrial development. Consider these important dates in the history of plumbing: 4000 B.C. – Copper water pipes were used in palaces in the Indus River valley in India. 500 B.C. to A.D. 455 – The ancient Romans developed sophisticated plumbing systems that included underground sewer systems, public and private baths, and water piping systems. 1596 – Sir John Harington develops the first recorded flushing water closet. 1848 – The National Public Health Act was passed in the U.K. The law, which set rules for drainage and sewers and clean drinking water became a model for legislation adopted by