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Showing posts with the label home plumbing

What is Plumbing Excavation?

We're moving the Earth and tackling your exterior plumbing needs! When you think of the term "excavation," you probably think of construction work: contractors might use an excavator to level out the ground for home, deck, or pool building. However, plumbing excavation serves a bit of a different purpose. Although we do need to use excavation equipment to achieve our goals, those goals are not the same. Plumbing excavation refers to the process of digging into the ground to either repair or install sewage lines, water lines, or gas lines.  Do you have trees planted close to your home? If you do, you may eventually consider our plumbing excavation services. Why? Because tree roots can grow on-top of or around pipe lines underneath the soil, and they can puncture the pipes, disrupting the supply of water or gas to your home. Blockage in general is a main reason for excavation. If a pipe is blocked, it can cause major damage to your building. Another key reason for excavatio...

The Best Option to Prevent Leaks

Flood and Leak Protection With the amount of rainfall we collect in Ohio, it is the safest option to invest in a flood and leak prevention tool to prevent water damage before it occurs. As you collect water damage in your home, you are risking weakened structure, the potential growth of health-threatening mold, or high costs to fix the problem. It is better for you to invest in our LeakSmart tool to give you the peace of mind you deserve. This tool has the ability to detect leaks within your home and stop water damage before it even begins. At the first sign of leakage, the LeakSmart tool will shut off your water, give you alerts through the system, and send a message to your phone, letting you know what happened. Also, with this tool, you have the ability to turn your water off from anywhere at any time, just for added security that your home is safe from the dangers of water damage. Our complete LeakSmart system consists of the valve, the sensor, and the hub. These three powerhouses ...

The Do's and Don'ts of a Clogged Drain

                   Clogged drains and pipes are no fun to play with. Whether it was food, hair, or grease that clogged your drain, getting it unclogged is the main goal. The good news is that you are able to DIY most clogged drain situations, how you do it is what counts. There are a lot of "home remedies" when it comes to unclogging drains that can either work, or cause serious damage to your pipes. Because of this, at  Prestige Plumbing  we thought it might be important to let you in on some do's and don'ts of having a clogged drain.      First we will start with the Do's. When your drain is clogged it is most commonly just grease and hair build up that's the culprit. Running boiling hot water down your drain can help to weaken and break down the caked-on grease and build up, fixing the clog. You can try to safely remove the blockage if you notice that it isn't too far down into your drain. In order to r...

Is Your Main Sewer Line Clogged? Here's How to Tell.

         Plumbing is easily on of the most important inventions ever made. It has allowed us to control and direct water into our homes for our own uses, as well as keep clean and dirty water separated for the sake of our health, hygiene, and well-being. So what happens when the plumbing in your home is less than par. If your drains are all clogging, slow to drain, or you smell a funny smell when water sits in your sink then you may be experiencing a clog in your main sewer line. At Prestige Plumbing we think it is important to educate everyone on what to do if they are having a plumbing emergency, so we are going to give you tips on how to tell if you have a clogged main sewer line, and what steps to take if it turns out you do.  How to tell if your main sewer line is clogged: If more than one drain in your house is running slowly, it is probably not a coincidence, but a sign that one clog is causing issues for all of them. Usually it will start on the fi...

How To Fix A Clogged or Humming Garbage Disposal

       Imagine you have just made a huge dinner and have thrown your little food scraps down the drain, only to find your garbage disposal is not working, or it is making a humming sound. Now what? How do you fix a broken or clogged garbage disposal? Don't worry, at  Prestige Plumbing  we have the expertise it takes to repair your garbage disposal.       If your garbage disposal starts to make a humming sound, typically that means that while your garbage disposal is getting power, the blades are not rotating. This could be a sign that the motor is clogged or jammed and that it is failing to grind. If a plumbing emergency like this occurs at your home there are a few steps you can take to fix the disposal yourself, before having to call us in.       Firstly, if you notice that your garbage disposal is making any weird sounds or is not working, cut the power to the garbage disposer by unplugging it from under the...

5 Plumbing Upgrades to Try

5 Plumbing Upgrades to Try If you haven't upgraded your home's plumbing system, you could be wasting money. There are many things that you can try to help you save money.  Buy a New Water Heater Traditional water heaters let hot water sit unused until it cools down. This means that you have to run the water until it gets hot, this results in wasting water. Replace your water heater with a tankless water heater from Navien.  Switch to Low Flow Low-flow fixtures provide great savings. Your shower heads and faucets can also be put on low-flow setting. This option is also more eco-friendly and lowers your carbon footprint. Take Care of Your Pipes Another way to save money and upgrade your plumbing lies in the pipes of your home. Often times, pipes aren't insulated properly and this causes pipes to freeze in the winter. And because pipes aren't properly insulated they cause the water heater to work, this results in excess water waste. It is important to contact a professiona...

Drain Video Inspections

Is your home or business constantly in need of plumbing attention for clogs, leaks or slow drains? Have you called a plumber, but no matter how many times the problem is looked at no one can seem to find an effective solution? Sounds like it's time to bring out the high-tech problem solvers for your issue in the form of a video inspection of your drain or pipes!  Video inspections start with a professional plumber coming to your home with a specially designed waterproof camera that will be inserted into your water or sewage lines. This will allow your service person to be able to visibly see any problems in your drains that would have in the past been completely inaccessible, apart from tearing up parts of your building. This can include pipes that run under cement or even plumbing that runs underneath the foundation of your residence or business. Catching on to how this can truly help you find the root of your plumbing issues ?  After the plumber receives and inspects the vi...

Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?

    Toilet clogs are one of the most common plumbing concerns homeowners experience. Occasionally, you can DIY your way through a toilet clog, but some cases may require the help of an experienced plumber professional like those at Prestige Plumbing . Dealing with clogs requires knowing the probable causes and through prevention. Knowing what to and not to flush down your toilet. Are you tired of your toilet clogging? Continue reading to learn the possible causes of a clog and the steps on how to avoid it.      When clogging happens, there is usually an item that is keeping the waste from flowing down. Incidentally, there are several non-flushable items that people tend to keep on flushing. Feminine products such as tampons or pads are the main suspects. They expand whenever you flush them and they take a long, time to breakdown in the sewer system. Next, you have your paper towels and cleaning wipes. You may think it's safe to flush them since the packaging...

Why You Should Switch to a Tankless Water Heater

    Tankless water heaters are quickly becoming the norm around many households across the U.S. People are tired of high water bills that seem never-ending and the ever so often cold water cutting on during their showers. Energy efficiency plays a big part as well for those who are concerned about how traditional water heaters are affecting the environment. Plus, who wants that big ole water tank taking up space in the basement? With a tankless water heater , all of these problems can be solved. In addition, they come with a load of incredible benefits that you may not have been aware of.     Some of the benefits included with a Navien Tankless Water Heater:      Energy efficiency is off the charts. Navien condensing technology provides up to 0.99 Energy Factor. These extremely efficient and eco-friendly units provide extra energy savings over a traditional tank and non-condensing tankless water heaters. A traditional tank only provides between a ...

Taking Care of Your Drains

Chemicals can be extremely harsh on your drains, so it's important to manage your  plumbing drains  in different ways. How are you supposed to take care of your drains when they become clogged or you just want to do a little preventative maintenance? Today we’ll be focusing on three of the most common problem areas and how to deal with them. The bathroom is home to showers, sinks, and toilets, which are three of the most  common plumbing problem  sites, and the fourth being the kitchen sink. 1. The Kitchen Sink Kitchen sinks see a lot of things they shouldn’t necessarily see. Focusing on keeping excess cooking grease out is one of the top ways to keep your drain in working order. Ensuring you have a drain plug with a catch while doing dishes is vital to keeping food that doesn’t belong in the drain, out of the drain. Things like eggshells, leafy vegetables, and stringy vegetables (like celery) are some of the most common culprits of food clogs. If you are one of thos...

Plumbing Tips to Prepare for Winter

The calendar has turned over to September, and now cooler weather is on the horizon with winter weather looming behind that! This is time of year to get your plumbing in your home ready for the winter months, so here are some tips to keep you from costly emergencies! 1. Put away hoses. This means disconnect, drain and store your hoses in a place where they will be protected from freezing. If any water that didn't drain out freezes, it could ruin your hose! 2. Turn off the spigot. Stores do sell "frost-free" hose bibb, also known as spigots or outdoor faucets. Now is the time to install one if you don't have one. If you don't want to invest in one, make sure that you turn off the inside line that leads to the bibb. If freezing air gets to the water in the line and it's not shut off, you risk getting frozen and then busted pipes! 3. Get any necessary maintenance. Have your sewer checked. Some plumbers offer camera inspections of lines. Getting your water heater ...

Check on Your Water Heater!

Water heaters are something you kind of take for granted...until it stops working. You can picture taking a nice, hot shower when suddenly the water turns ice cold. Kind of made you shudder, didn't it? Checking out your water heater every so often can save you a world of trouble, so here are a few tips. Check the water heater for signs of leakage, rust or other problems. Look at the hardware and other parts and see if there is any corrosion. Use a bright flashlight to inspect underneath and around the bottom, and/or you can run your hand all around and under the base to see if you feel the water. A typical, tank-type water heater lasts 10-15 years depending on the model, level of maintenance and the kind of water running through it. Hard water can cause mineral deposits to build up and impede water flow, so it helps to clean off any accumulated materials occasionally. Sediment builds up on the bottom of the hot water heater tank but can be flushed out every so often by releasing a ...

Don't Put It In Your Plumbing!

One of the most common calls plumbers get is to "get rid of this clog." So this blog is here to help you know what not to put down your drains so your pipes will run clean and you won't have to call a plumber! Your toilet is the last thing you want to have clogged and backed up, so avoid flushing these things: Baby Wipes Cotton Swabs Feminine Hygiene Products (even if they say they are flushable) Paper Towels and Facial Tissues Diapers Medication Kitty Litter Cleaning/Disinfectant Wipes Your garbage disposal is something that is so useful, you can sometimes forget that it does have limitations. Many of these things will gum up the gears (or break them), clog your pipes, or stick everything and the rot will cause a horrible smell! These things are a "no go" when using your disposal: Grease & Oil Rice, Pasta, Anything That Swells Egg Shells Non-Edible Food Items Animal Bones Harsh Chemicals Fibrous Vegetables like celery, asparagus, etc. Coffee Grounds  This o...

Spring Plumbing Tips

It is finally starting to turn the corner towards warmer weather and sunshine in Ohio. Spring cleaning gets on the minds of many. If that's you, don't forget about taking care of your plumbing too! Taking the time for these tips can save you a lot of hassle in the future! In the basement: Tankless Water Heater Check the temperature setting on the water heater . It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use. Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater. Check your water heater manufacturer 's website for specific instructions concerning your make and model. Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient. Consider going tan...

Little Known Plumbing Facts

We use plumbing every single day, oftentimes in more way than one. Despite the importance and prominence of modern plumbing in our lives, many people don't know very much about it. Prestige Plumbing strives to educate our clients on plumbing, how it works, and the best ways to care for your residential and commercial plumbing . Are you interested in knowing more about your plumbing? If you answered yes, here are a few little known facts about modern plumbing. 1. If you have a leaky faucet that drips just twice an hour, in one week you will have wasted OVER one gallon of water. 2. There is a long time saying that if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, water will flow the opposite direction of here in the Northern Hemisphere. This is false! Water is free moving and can flow in either direction wherever it is in the world. 3. Standardized plumbing can be traced back to around 3,000 B.C. to the Indus River Valley civilizations. 4. The flushing toilet wasn't invented until ...

Why Does My Home Have Low Water Pressure?

Water pressure is the strength at which water is pushed out from your faucets and showerheads. The water pressure psi should be somewhere between 40 and 45 psi and should not exceed 60 psi. Most pressure regulators are adjusted by turning the screw on top of the adjuster. Dealing with an unusually low water pressure can affect daily tasks like showering and washing dishes. A lighter flow can be quite annoying, especially if you have tried to make a pressure adjustment. There may be an underlying cause if you are noticing extended periods of dropping water pressure. One of the most commonly fixed culprits is a leak somewhere along the line. Even a small leak can cause a sudden drop in pressure since not all the available water is making it to the tap in use. If you think you have a potential leak, you can check around your home and basement for sudden wet spots. If you aren't seeing any new moisture but are still concerned you can turn off all taps in the home, record the water ...

Basement Flood Prevention

A flooded basement is one of the most common home emergencies, and many homeowners have said it's one of the most unexpected. Many times a flooded basement can cause issues with other home appliances, like the water heater, furnace, and potentially washer and dryer sets. Protecting your home from flooding risk is an investment that saves you a lot of stress later on. Understanding a few quick home flood prevention tasks can go a long way.  If you live in an area prone to heavy or prolonged rain, installing a sump pump is a great starting place. Automatic sump pumps protect your home as soon as water is detected. The pumps act as a drain and are angled in a low spot so water runs freely to them. When water enters the pump, it will push it out of the basement and away from the foundation of your home. We offer sump pump battery backup s at Prestige Plumbing so you can relax knowing your home in protected even if the power goes out.  Older homes are prone to water...

Tree Roots and Plumbing

Did you know that tree roots have a high growth rate during the early weeks of fall? The sudden growth of roots can lead to plumbing issues when roots find their way into plumbing pipes. Most home water waste lines pass through front or back yards where trees and bushes roots can find cracks and cause major blockages. If you notice sudden changes in shower drainage or toilet flushing, you should consider the risk of tree doing plumbing damage. Slow draining or gurgling while water is going down are two of the most noticeable signs. Many times a homeowner will opt for a quick pipe snake to but the clog, but if the problem continues you should have a more explorative look from a professional plumbing contractor the specializes in video drain inspections, like Prestige Plumbing. While sinkholes are a little less common, spots in your yard that seem to be sinking or extra wet can be a good way to identify the spot the problem area. When a tree root begins to damage a pipe, water ...

Common Plumbing Questions

We here at Prestige Plumbing understand how frustrating plumbing repairs and issues within your home or business can be. Sometimes they aren't as severe as they initially seem to be. Plumbing something that every home has, but not every homeowner fully understands. We're here to help clear up some questions we hear a lot when working in our customer's homes. 1. What should I do if my faucet is leaking? Often times we hear, " Well I tried to tighten the faucet and knobs, but it is still leaking." Most of the time a leak comes from a worn-out internal seal. Once we have the faucet apart we have a better understanding of if more than just a seal or two needs replaced. 2. My drain is clogged, how can I fix it myself next time? Prestige Plumbing really recommends having a professional deal with a moderate to severe clog. Drain cleaners can damage your plumbing, and a professional can fully clear the clog quickly and completely. There are a lot of different re...

Descaling a Tankless Water Heater - How To Do It and Why It's Important

Navien Tankless Water heater installed by Prestige Plumbing Descaling is an important part of tankless hot water heater maintenance . While you don't need to do it monthly, or even yearly, it should be done no less than two years. When a tankless water heater warms water, something called dissolved solids are left behind. Over time, these solids build up in your water heater and can poorly affect the flow and efficiency. In extreme cases, your how water may even overheat leading to major repairs being needed. So how to do descale your tankless water heater? You'll need a few items: 1. A System Descaler - Generally this is composed of a pump, bucket, and a few hoses. 2. Descaling Solution - You will want to ensure this is food safe and biodegradable. 3. Proper Valving - Most of the time this is no worry when your tankless water heater is installed by a professional, but making sure the correct valves are installed it crucial. If you aren't sure or think something i...