What to Know about Drain Cleaning Solutions

September 13th, 2021

water-running-down-a-drainThe #1 thing you should know about drain cleaning solutions is that if using them is your method to clean your drains on a regular basis, then you’re actually doing more harm than good to your plumbing system.

Let us elaborate!

First off, we understand. One of the most irritating plumbing issues a homeowner deals with is clogged or backed-up drains. You may be doing something as seemingly benign as brushing your teeth when all of the sudden you have a backed-up and overflowing sink. It’s only natural that you want a quick and simple fix. And nothing is faster and easier than using a bottle of store-bought drain cleaning solution, right?

Unfortunately, fast or even affordable does not necessarily mean effective. Read on to learn more!

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What Is Water Hammer and Why Is It a Problem?

August 16th, 2021

woman-covering-her-earsLet’s say you find yourself alone in your house at night… everything is quiet and peaceful, until.. a sudden metallic clang coming from the walls, startling you from your rest. Don’t worry, it’s probably not ghosts or intruders that you’ve heard. Instead, it could be something coming from your plumbing system called water hammer. 

A term like water hammer can sound intimidating all on its own, but it’s actually a pretty common occurrence in plumbing systems, and it doesn’t have to lead to any big plumbing problems. In fact, it’s something that can be relatively easily fixed, by calling our plumbers. Read on as we dive into what water hammer actually is, as well as what it can do and what you can do about it.

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Why Your Tankless Water Heater Needs Maintenance

August 2nd, 2021

tankless-system-on-green-bathroom-wallWhen you look at a standard, conventional tank water heater, it’s probably clear why it would need regular maintenance. It’s large, it has a number of components to it in order for it to work, and it’s metal full of water–two things that don’t typically go together without rust and corrosion. Tankless systems are so different though, right? They don’t hold water in them–instead, they heat water on demand when a tap or a plumbing appliance requires it. So you don’t have to worry about rust or corrosion as much. They don’t have as many components either, so their repair needs are limited.

So, why does your tankless water heater need maintenance? Well, it’s due to a little something called scaling, which actually impacts all types of water heaters, not just conventional tank systems.

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How Do You Spot a Good Plumber?

July 19th, 2021

technician-serving-water-heaterIt likely goes without saying that your plumbing system is vital to the comfort of your home. Modern homes just aren’t built to be without plumbing! So when you encounter problems with that system, it can pretty much bring your life to a halt, if even temporarily. When this happens, it’s vital that you have a plumber you can trust, who you can call right away. You want a plumbing contractor who can not only get the job done, but give you the peace of mind that your plumbing system is in better shape than it was before they came.

The thing is, not all plumbing contractors are the same. There are a number of folks out there who are handy with a wrench and a leaky faucet, and they offer services to do just that. But when it comes to really addressing the needs of your comprehensive plumbing system, you need much more than just some general knowledge. You need a team that is expertly trained and qualified to deal with all sorts of plumbing needs.

How do you know if this is what you’re getting? Well, consider the following factors:

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The Unfortunate Reality of Slab Leaks

July 5th, 2021

woman-and-child-dancing-on-wood-floorFor those people who have already dealt with a slab leak, the term is pretty scary. It describes a leak that occurs in either the hot water (more common) or cold water lines that lie underneath your concrete foundation, and is a problem for the homes it happens in. Not only do slab leaks create a lot of water waste, they also can damage the property, lead to the growth of mildew and mold, plus add extra strain to the water heater if the leak is occurring in the hot water lines.

Our trained and experienced professional plumbers are well equipped to accurately locate and repair these issues. But what causes a slab leak to begin with? Shouldn’t a plumbing pipe that is set down in your concrete be pretty protected from the damage that can lead to pipe breaks and pinhole leaks?

Well actually, there are a few different things that can create a slab leak. Read on to learn more.

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Do You Have a Plumbing Leak?

June 21st, 2021

brown-pipe-with-leakPlumbing leaks definitely make the top of the list when it comes to common problems faced by homeowners in our area. Pipes are designed to last a very long time, however, factors such as age and water pressure do take their toll eventually. As a result, a leak can spring up and leave you with property damage or at least wasted water. Our professionals can conduct professional leak detection services to determine where your leak is and accurately repair it.

It is imperative that you allow a trained and experienced professional handle a problem like this. Of course, you also need to know when it’s time to even call for leak detection services. Are there signs you can watch out for that you may have a plumbing leak? There certainly are! Read on to learn more.

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The Benefits of Trenchless Sewer Relining

June 7th, 2021

sewer-line-dug-upWhen it comes to modern homes, there probably isn’t a more important plumbing component than the sewer line. A broken sewer line leads not only to unsanitary conditions, but it can totally stop up any plumbing use you have in your home. Pretty much, you won’t be able to use your plumbing until you get it fixed. And for that, you’ll need a professional who can get the job done as quickly as possible.

The good news is, you’ve come across this blog post, so you have access to professional plumbers with extensive experience in the Glenview area and beyond! We have a number of techniques and tools we utilize for reliable plumbing repairs, including trenchless technology. In the past, repairing an underground pipe meant digging up landscaping, and potentially even breaking through slab inside your property. It was time-consuming and expensive for homeowners! Fortunately, now there is trenchless sewer relining, which we are pros at! Read on to learn more about the benefits of this service.

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Does Your Home Need Pipe Relining?

May 24th, 2021

sewer-line-unearthedTo answer this question, it first helps if you understand what pipe relining is. This describes a process where we insert, through trenchless technology, an inflatable lining that hardens once it’s inserted into your sewer line. This is the easiest way to fix leaks and other damage that may have occurred to your sewer line.

Most homeowners don’t really think about this much, but the sewer line of your plumbing system is probably the most important part of your plumbing system, removing wastewater from your home safely and hygienically.

Sewer lines are usually buried beneath the yard, which keeps them unexposed so they’re less likely to suffer from damage that can come due to weather-related wear and tear or animals. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean they’re immune to problems, and those problems can be hard to spot since the sewer line is underground.

So how can you spot sewer line trouble, such as a leak?

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Don’t Ever Put These Items Down Your Kitchen Sink Drain!

May 10th, 2021

drain-with-water-going-downBefore you toss that banana peel down your kitchen sink drain and turn on your garbage disposal system, read on! Although garbage disposals are very convenient and simply to use, they’re not designed to chew up all uneaten scraps. In fact, there are many items that homeowners wouldn’t even think are damaging for their garbage disposal system or their kitchen sink drain, however, they can do a lot of damage.

So, we’re here this week to provide homeowners with a quick guide on what should and should not go down the kitchen sink drain. Hopefully, you and your family can avoid some plumbing catastrophes with these tips.

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Why Are Tree Roots Bad News for Plumbing?

April 26th, 2021

split-drainage-pipe-with-roots-in-itThere are a number of reasons that your plumbing system’s sewer line is buried beneath your property. For starters, your yard and home are more visually appealing this way. It’s also for functionality as well as safety and hygiene.

Unfortunately, this does mean that your sewer line is out of sight—so hard to spot problems with it when those problems occur. One of the problems that sewer lines are susceptible to is tree root infiltration.

Tree roots, since they’re constantly searching for a water source, actually are a fairly common find inside damaged sewer lines. And not only do they lead to leaks in the line, but they cause clogs and backups too. Even the smallest leak that exists in the sewer line can attract them too.

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