Prestige Plumbing

  Prevent basement flooding with these tips from Prestige Plumbing. They say April Showers bring May flowers, but the change in weather conditions is not all daisies and tulips for some. This is because, from here through summer, we're in the prime season for flash floods. That means potential basement flooding and repair costs, not to mention hours of cleanup. However, the good news is that there are a few preventative measures you can follow that might save you from the consequences of excess rain and thunderstorms.  First of all, if your basement has flooded, don't panic. Turn off your water valve and call an experienced plumbing service immediately . If this requires you to completely shut off your plumbing, make sure not to use your washer, dryer, dishwasher, or other machines that rely on water as the main energy source. Shut off electricity, but if the water in the basement is blocking your path, do NOT pass. There may be open circuits that could cause electrocution. If...

                   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...

         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...

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...

Sewer backup describes what happens when water comes up or is pushed into your home through the pipes from sewer or drainage systems. It is a very unpleasant type of water damage because it often involves dirty water from the sewers that will not only destroy your personal property but can also impact your health because it's so unsanitary. There are several potential sources of sewer backup: Blockage of a city sanitary main: If the city main gets blocked, it may cause water to back up into your home through your pipes. Aging sewer systems that require updates or repair. Tree roots: When you have older pipes, sewer lines and water entry pipes, tree roots can find their way into the pipes and cause blockages. You can check for this problem on your own lines by having a plumber check your pipelines with a camera and do some basic preventative maintenance on your home, which we will address in a little bit. City-related pipeline issues like combined pipelines or problems in the sanita...

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...

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...

Spring is just around the corner! In fact, it’s only 40 days away. We all know that along with spring comes rainstorms. Some spring days seem like it might never stop raining. This constant rain will create a very real risk of your basement flooding. Prevent basement flooding with an emergency sump pump from Prestige Plumbing, LLC!  Imagine this. You are coming home in the wee hours of the morning from a long vacation. You are exhausted from traveling a long way. You head downstairs to put your dirty laundry from the trip in the washer. You’re almost to the bottom of the stairs when you realize your basement is completely flooded. This is probably the last thing you want to happen. You were hoping to take care of the essentials and get some sleep. Now, you must call the electrician, plumber, and insurance. You’re sitting up making these calls for emergency services and hoping that someone is available to help. Prestige Plumbing, LLC knows how to help you avoid thi...

You woke up to find that you have frozen pipes... now what do you do?! Frozen pipes aren't all that uncommon during the winter months but that doesn't mean they are any less stressful. Outside of preventative measures, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the thawing process. The first step can be a little tricky, you'll need to locate where the freeze is actually at. The most effective way to do this is to test each faucet. If no water or a very small amount trickles out, chances are the pipe leading to that spot is frozen. A majority of the time if one pipe is frozen, there are others also affected. If you are able to see pipes, like in the basement or under sinks, you may be able to identify it that way as well. Frozen plumbing will oftentimes result in a white frost and bludge at the problem area. If you are able to access the frozen area, you're in luck and have easier thawing options.  Once located, you will want to open both the hot and co...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

With cooler temps getting closer by the day, it's important to make sure your home or business is ready for the dangers that come along with them. Frozen pipes are one of the most common plumbing emergencies despite only being a concern for a few months of the year. Frozen pipes lead to not being able to use your water, and can burst leading to flooding. Even if your pipes don't burst, there can be damage done from the ice expanding inside of them. We have a few simple tips to help keep your water flowing freely through your pipes.  Keeping your residential or commercial property warm can go a long way with avoiding frozen pipes. This might seem like a common sense answer however when people leave for holiday trips, they often times turn the thermostat up to save money on heating costs. This small temperature adjustment can be just enough to allow freezing to happen. Keeping the home about 55 degrees is recommended.  Allowing the faucet to drip can keep just enough...

Garbage disposals are extremely convenient when it comes to just rinsing food scraps down the drain, but you should really be careful what you decide to wash away. You might be asking yourself, "But its called a garbage disposal, can't it handle.. garbage?" Sure it can handle most things, but if you want it to stay in top working order, you should be mindful to avoid plumbing issues . So what should you avoid sending down the disposal? 1. Fruit seeds and pits - Just think, if a knife can't cut them the blades of your disposal can't either. They can lodge and cause the disposal to not work at all, or wear your blades down meaning they'll need replaced sooner than necessary. 2. Coffee grounds - It's hard to not let a few slide down here and there, but avoid washing large amounts of them down. They can pile up in your drains and cause a sludgy mess leading to quite the clog. 3. Potato Peels - Becuase potato peels are made of starch, they break down ...

As a homeowner, we know it’s scary facing anything that could potentially damage your home. Plumbing emergencies aren't all that rare. Knowing what problems are common for others can help you quickly identify the issues your home may have and call a professional to repair them. Clogged Drain A clogged drain ; whether it’s in the shower, sink, or basement floor, is probably the MOST common plumbing issue you can have. Usually, you can easily fix this problem yourself using a snake or drain dissolving product. However, if the issue persists it may be best to contact a plumber. Clogged Toilet The toilet is probably the most used plumbing fixture in any home, so it’s understandable that toilet issues would be common based on use. DIY toilet fixes can be helpful in a pinch, but a persistent issue can lead to leaks, water damage, or sewage backups. Leaks A leaky faucet or any other fixture may seem like a small problem at the beginning. A couple drops of water every few minu...

Ohio winter can be pretty harsh and unforgiving meaning we don’t like to think about it any sooner than we have to. It is almost August though, so maybe it’s time to start making sure your home and its plumbing is ready for the approaching cold temperatures. Beginning to prepare for a winter weather early can help you make sure you have all your bases covered and help prevent a plumbing emergency . Let’s talk about some ways you can get your home ready. Frost Free Sill Cocks Installing the frost-free sillcock will help water properly drain every time the pipe is used meaning there won’t be water left laying to freeze up. Unlike a typical faucet, the frost-free option’s valve, seal, and washer is found a little further back in the wall versus the standard faucet that is placed at the wall. Heat Cables Running heat cables along vulnerable pipes can be a wonderful solution. The cables do need to be able to reach a power source since they have a running internal thermost...