Category: Plumbing

Water Heater Repair Can Keep Homeowners Safe

Whether homeowners work outside in the winter or not, nothing compares to a nice hot bath after a long day of work when it’s cold out. However, for this to happen, the water heater must be working efficiently. Otherwise, the homeowner is subject to little or no hot water in their bath. Not only that, but if the water heater is broken, that means there are no clean dishes or clothes either. Every homeowner should know three common signs that indicate trouble with their water heater. If the water heater starts to show any of these symptoms, it is crucial that the homeowner calls a professional as soon as possible to save the most money on repairs. To learn about the three common symptoms, continue reading below!

Is Water Pressure Low?

It might not initially seem very common, but a difference in water pressure is often the first sign that homeowners notice something wrong with their water heater. When the water pressure is low in the home, it can actually point to many possible culprits, but the water heater is one of the most common. 

Some of the reasons for low water pressure due to water heater malfunction include: 

• Sediment build-up in the tank 
• A leak in the tank
• Rust build-up
• The age of the water heater

Any Strange Sounds?

Strange sounds are also common to hear from a water heater that needs to be repaired. The louder the sound, the more serious the problem probably is. That said, when the homeowner notices even the faintest of sounds, they must call in a professional right away. 

When homeowners catch water heater problems early on, it can not only save the life of the water heater, but it will save the homeowner a lot of money in the end too. 

Sediment build-up in the tank is perhaps the most common reason for the strange sounds. If the homeowner hears the noises accompanied by low water pressure, the problem is most commonly sediment build-up. Luckily, professionals can eradicate this problem in no time by flushing the system out. 

When homeowners have their water heater flushed regularly, it helps to avoid this issue altogether. 

How Much Hot Water Is There?

Perhaps the most commonly reported sign of water heater issues is a water heater that produces little to no hot water. That said, that doesn’t mean this is the first sign that the water heater exhibits. Usually, the water heater will show signs before this occurs. 

Regardless, if the water heater isn’t producing hot water, it’s never going to. The only resolve is to call in a professional to have the unit looked at. The professional will be able to tell if the homeowner can pay to have the unit repaired or if it’s more worth it to invest in a new one altogether. 

Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Knows Plumbing

Homeowners in West Jordan can keep their homes safe all year round with help from the professionals at Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning. They work hard to ensure their customers are always happy, and their homes are efficient. Call today for water heater services such as maintenance, repairs, or replacements!

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Beware of These Haunting Water Heater Sounds

Even though it’s the spooky season, that doesn’t mean the water heater should be making spooky sounds. Popping, screeching, and crackling all indicate different problems with the water heater. Identifying exactly what that means and the recommended course of action can help all homeowners keep their home safe and their water heater in proper working order.

What Was That Popping Sound?

Popping noises, like the type made by a creepy clown with a bunch of balloons, are never something homeowners want to hear in their home. But it’s also one of the most common noises that a water heater can make. 

The usual reason a water heater will make a popping noise is because of excess mineral deposits and other sediment sitting on the bottom of the tank. Homeowners who live in areas with hard water tend to have more issues with popping in their water tank. 

To fix this issue, homeowners should have their water heater serviced regularly. Simply having the water heater flushed will get rid of all of the sediment, debris, and other particulate matter in the bottom of the water heater so that it doesn’t overheat and will stop making that popping noise.

There’s a Screeching in the House

High pitched screeching is always disconcerting, especially when it happens unexpectedly. However, screeching, even though it can be terrifying, is usually the result of a fairly normal plumbing problem… water flow restriction. 

Specifically, the screeching noise is usually coming from the inlet control valve located on the water heater. An inlet control valve that is partially closed can prevent water from flowing freely through the pipes. That also leads to a build-up of pressure, which can be risky if allowed to continue for an extended amount of time. 

Luckily, there is an easy fix! In addition to regular plumbing maintenance, homeowners should check to verify that the inlet control valve is fully open if they hear a sudden screeching noise. Check the user’s manual for its exact location, which is usually near the water heater tank base.  

Crackling or Cackling?

Neither crackling from the water heater or cackling in the home is normal, even during the spooky season. The good news is, unlike with cackling, crackling has a down to earth explanation. It is usually due to one of two things.

The first explanation for a crackling noise coming from the water heater, especially with a gas-powered water heater, is that there may be some condensation on the burner. In this context, the great news is that crackling is typical and does not indicate any major problem. It will eventually burn off on its own, but regular maintenance is always a good idea. 

In some other cases, a crackling noise can indicate that there may be some sediment present in the water heater’s tank. This can be resolved by simply having the water heater serviced by a professional plumber. The tank may just need to be drained and flushed. 

About Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning has multiple locations to provide professional plumbing services in West Jordan and Lehi, Utah. They are a family-owned business that services both residential and commercial clients. Their technicians have years of experience and are trained in the latest techniques and methods to provide fast, expert, quality service. Local homeowners know to trust water heater repair in West Jordan to the experts at Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning.

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Learning About Modern-Day Sanitation Heroes

Life is hard enough without coming home from work to an overflowing toilet or a low water-pressure shower that refuses to work right before an important meeting. These are modern-day inconveniences that can be solved by a quick call to a local plumber.

Now, imagine life without plumbing. How hard would life be in a world without a sewage system or water purification? The amount of human waste accumulation would be unimaginable. Where would all of it go?

Here’s Why Plumbers Are So Important for Society

There is no denying indoor residential plumbing has made life exceptionally more convenient compared to life without it. A residential plumber can resolve some of the most common homeowner’s issues. For example, that annoying dripping faucet that keeps people up at night, the water heater that goes out after wanting nothing more than a hot shower, or the busted pipe that floods the basement. Residential plumbers take care of all household plumbing needs. Life would be less convenient without residential plumbing, but if society didn’t have industrial plumbing, the consequences would be devastating.

Before proper sanitation practices, the waste removal process was barbaric at best. People would dump waste onto the ground or into the waterways. Doing this led to many of the plagues throughout human history.

The disease-ridden waste contaminated the well water everyone drank. There was no water treatment for the rivers and lakes people would both dump in and drink from. Cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and polio are some of the diseases plagued by the masses due to inadequate water treatment. Poor sanitation was one of the reasons the Bubonic Plague spread so rapidly.

Along with the aid of vaccines, industrial plumbing had a significant impact on the eradication of these waste-related diseases. Although they still exist, these diseases have significantly decreased in communities with modern plumbing.

How to Become an Industrial Plumber

Becoming an industrial plumber is no easy task. Few are accepted into the apprenticeship program.

Acceptance requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Driver’s License
• Passing aptitude tests 

Once accepted, the apprentice must take 8000 hours of on-the-job training in no less than four years and 576 hours of relevant classes.

After years of training to become a licensed plumber, the apprentice must take the state-required Journeyman’s exam. Most states require a plumber’s license.

What Services Do Commercial Plumbers Provide?

Clogged drains are a big problem in commercial buildings, especially in food establishments that handle grease. When a clogged drain is present, the first thing commercial plumbers try is drain snaking. They send a long cable with a corkscrew head through the pipes to remove any blockages.

If that doesn’t work, plumbers will do a video inspection by sending a camera through the pipe to locate the blockage. For severe blockages, plumbers use hydro-jetting. Like pressure washing, hydro-jetting cleans the pipes, but plumbers have to be careful not to damage old pipes.

About Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

Salt Lake City’s Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning provides residential and commercial plumbing services to their community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Opening in 2011 as a family-owned and family-run business, Valley Plumbing provides an honest solution to the community’s plumbing needs.

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Common Sewer Main Problems

Having a clogged main sewer line can be a nightmare. The waste buildup will start to stink up your house. Water could start coming back up out of the sewer system.  The sewer water also won’t drain properly and strange noises can come from the drains. The function of a sewer drain, why you need to service it, and how to maintain it are all explained in this article.

How Does Your Home’s Sewer Line Work

Common Sewer Service Issues 

Another common sewer problem is the sewer smell. A lot of people think a bad smell means the sewer line is clogged, but this is not always the case. The smell could be traced to an open drain cap. The cap is meant to keep the sewer smell out of your home. Trees are also common problems. As trees grow, the tree roots branch out and onto the sewer system. Sometimes these tree roots can cause blockages in the sewer system. Even worse is that trees with heavy roots can cause the pipes in the sewer line to collapse.

Pipes that are old or are made of a material other than PVC pipe have a high probability of deteriorating over time. The deteriorated pipes can collapse, breaking up the sewer line. Pipes that have sunk into the ground over time also cause a problem, creating an area for waste to pool together.

How to Prevent Sewer Clogging

If you take care of and maintain your sewer over time, then you can prevent many of the events that lead to sewer mishaps. Inspecting your septic tank every few years or so will alert you to any possible problems you might have with your sewer line. If you fear that there may be a clog of some sort, hire professionals to clean out the sewer line. That way, even if there’s not, you have avoided a problem. 

To prevent tree roots from growing on the pipes, plant your trees further away from the sewer line. Also, if your pipes are old or not made of PVC pipe, consider having your pipes replaced. While a lot of work upfront, this can save you from having a clog mishap in the future.

Contact Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning 

Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning have been servicing the Salt Lake area since 2011. With award-winning skills in plumbing and drain services, they provide top-rated cleaning for your pipes. The company offers emergency services 24/7 to fix any unexpected problems. 

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Leaky Faucets Are a Pain

Imagine trying to sleep as your bathroom faucet leaks in the next room. The drip, drip, drip, while unnoticeable during the day, drive you crazy throughout the night.

You try tightening the faucet handle, but it seems only to make the problem worse. While it’s hard to imagine such a small inconvenience could cause so much distress, anyone who has dealt with a persistent leaky faucet will tell you the frustration is genuine.

While a leaky faucet may seem like a simple fix, there may be a serious underlying issue causing the problem. Read on to learn why a plumber’s expertise is necessary for leaky faucet repairs and the hidden costs associated with it.

Signs of a Leaky Faucet

While obviously, visible dripping is an indicator that a facet in your home needs repair, there are other, more subtle signs to watch out for that indicate you need to contact a plumber.

These signs include:

• Spitting Faucet: occurs when the water stream from a tap is not smooth and could mean a clogged aerator.
• Screeching Sound: If your faucet makes a screeching sound when you turn the faucet handle, this could indicate a rubber washer that needs replacing.
• Squeaky Handle: If the handle itself squeaks as you turn your faucet on or off, it could indicate that a faucet stem needs repairing or replacing.

Plumbing Solutions

Leaky faucets, while a common problem, could stem from several underlying issues. Therefore a plumber will need to locate the origin of the leak before he/she can fix it.

• The plumber will shut off the water to the sink by turning off the individual shut-off valve. If a particular sink does not have this, the plumber will have to turn off the home’s main water line.
• After the water is turned off, the plumber will remove the handle. This is where a homeowner can easily damage their faucet. An experienced plumber knows how to remove different kinds of handles and can do so delicately.
• After removing the handle, the plumber determines the cause of the leak. If there are any broken or corroded parts, he/she will replace those parts with new ones.
• Finally, the plumber will reattach the faucet handle and make sure it is secure. Often homeowners make leaks worse by failing to reattach the faucet handle properly after fixing the original leak.

The Cost of a Leaky Faucet

A leaky faucet can be inconvenient and surprisingly expensive if not taken care of promptly. A leaky faucet can cause a household’s water bill to skyrocket as water is continuously leaking even when a sink is off.

A leaky faucet can also lead to water damage, especially if the leak is behind a sink and not visible to the homeowner. In the US, insurance agencies pay out about $2.5 billion annually for water damage-related claims.

Leaky faucets, while considered a minor repair, can lead to exponential costs down the road if not handled properly by a professional plumber. Don’t wait. Take care of the problem today.

Let the Experts Help

Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning, serving West Jordan, is a family-owned business dedicated to solving all residential and commercial plumbing issues. Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning are ready to get the job done right the first time with competitive pricing and highly trained technicians.

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