Water Leak

Why Does My Sink Smell? It is not uncommon for homeowners to encounter unpleasant odors in their household sinks or water, and when they do, they want to go to the source of the problem and find out what is causing their water or sinks to smell unpleasant. If you are experiencing an unpleasant odor in all of your water faucets, then you most likely have a problem with the main water supply. On the other hand, if the smell is only coming from certain faucets, the problem is probably located in the fixtures or pipes involved in those specific faucets.   Does Your Sink Smell Like Rotten Eggs or Sewage? If you are experiencing a rotten egg (sulfurous) or sewage-like odor in certain sinks, it is likely a result of bacterial activity, which can be caused by bacteria growth inside the drain: This is the most common cause behind

If you’re like many of us, you may find the septic system a bit of a mystery. You probably have a vague understanding of how it works, and maybe you know that it involves a drain field and a tank, with the knowledge that it should be cleaned out every few years. If a clog happens, and the wastewater pipe leaks and backs up, homeowners with septic systems can sometimes not know what to do – and that can be exacerbated during freezing temperatures and the freezing problems that can come from the frozen ground and holding tanks.   Otherwise, you probably don’t think about the septic system much until there’s a problem. Fortunately, as a homeowner, you can prevent many mishaps or common issues through regular maintenance and care, but what about when the weather causes your septic tank problems? Does Cold Weather Affect Septic Systems? Yes. Cold weather

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

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

As the kids return to school and everyone eases back into their back to work routines, the leaves begin to turn brown and the nights get a little bit chillier. During the summer, you may not think about your hot water heater, but now that it’s starting to get cooler, it’s a good idea to put some thought into your hot water heater and how long it’s been since it’s been maintained. In today’s households, hot water is an absolute must. You need hot water to wash dirty dishes, towels, linens, and whites. Nobody likes to start off their autumn day with an ice-cold shower – that’s one day to start the day in a bad mood. If you have children, it’s virtually impossible to get them to bathe unless you have nice, warm, comfortable water. Obviously, hot water is an absolute must expense, just like water and electricity. So,

If you’re like most people, you’ve heard or read stories about “toxic mold” in people’s homes, usually caused by excessively moist environments and plumbing leaks. While mold spores can definitely be toxic to your health, the bigger issues are usually the property damage that mold causes. Learn more about mold from the CDC here. One of the biggest issues about mold growth in a person’s home is property damage. While mold is usually caught before anyone’s health is put at risk, unfortunately, that is not always the case for their wallet. In general, homeowners’ insurance policies will not cover property damage caused by mold growth. If a homeowner tries to submit such a claim, it will usually be denied. Mold inside people’s homes usually comes in one of the four categories: Alternaria Aspergillus Cladosporium Penicillium So, what do you do if a leaky pipe or showerhead leads to mold, fungus

As the weather gets warmer, we have much to look forward to. Our lawns will be green again, flowers will be blooming, and the leaves on our trees will be lush and full, which not only provides shade but makes our yards look beautiful after a long winter. For homeowners, the spring means lots of things. It means it’s time to organize garages and clean rain gutters of leaves and debris and give the inside of the house a thorough dusting and cleaning. While you’re contemplating which flowers to plant in your yard this spring, don’t forget about your indoor plumbing, especially if your family has spent a great deal of time indoors this winter, heavily using sinks, showers, and tubs. Just like your rain gutters, air ducts and carpets, indoor plumbing systems and sump pumps need to be periodically maintained, otherwise, you can be in for a clogged drain or toilet, a

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

It may seem like one person can’t make a difference in our nation’s water supply, but that’s not true; every one of us can make a difference and it all starts at home. According to National Geographic News, the worst drought in 1,000 years is predicted for the American West. Meanwhile, pictures of Lake Mead, North America’s largest man-made reservoir show that the water level is at the lowest it’s been since Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s. A study recently published by scientists from NASA, Columbia University, and Cornell University report that the chances of a “megadrought” striking the Southwest and central Great Plains for 35 years or longer by 2100 are greater than 80 percent. Why it Matters to Kansas Residents Droughts can have a significant impact on agriculture and city water supplies. We can see some of those effects right now in California, which is experiencing

In the Kansas City area, the greatest risks for homeowners are natural disasters, such as severe storms, tornados, and floods. In the winter, ice storms can lead to power outages and frozen pipes, while man-made emergencies include fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. As a homeowner, it’s important to keep your family as safe as possible and to know what to do in case there’s a gas or water leak. For starters, install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home, and don’t forget to change the batteries every 6 months. You want to install a carbon monoxide detector within 40 feet of all bedrooms. The detectors should be installed so they will be easily heard in all sleeping areas. Know Where Your Utility Mains Are Learn where all of your utility mains are located and how to operate them because this is essential to minimizing property damage and maintaining