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Plumbing problems are unavoidable. No matter how diligent a homeowner might be, there are problems that arise. Sadly, a host of Salt Lake City homeowners end up falling victim to believing myths.

Myth, Legend, and Other Dangerous Ideas

People who are not versed in plumbing or home improvement-related matters might prescribe to a number of myths. These myth not only can prove extremely costly, they might end up being extremely dangerous.

Five Major Plumbing Myths

There are scores myths out there. The following five are some of the more common ones.
#1 - Plumbing Problems Are Exclusive To The Plumbing System. The issue may start with the plumbing system, but they could spread to other areas. A leak that is going untreated could cause major water and mold damage.
#2 - Delaying Repairs Is No Big Deal. In a way, this is a statement people use to convince themselves they do not need to address plumbing mishaps. Maybe they are short on funds and want to wait until a bank account is a bigger. The trouble here is few plumbing problems should ever be delayed. A plumbing system that is not operating properly is only going to cause problems.
#3 - DIY Kits Are Sufficient. Mostly all those "as seen on TV" plumbing products are of limited use and value. Rather than waste time and money with these gimmicky products, it would be a far wiser plan to just have a Salt Lake City professional handle the task. This brings us to another item.
#4 - Friends And Family Members Can Do The Job. Don't go there. That handy person you know might be overstating his or her worth. And no, there are no guarantees or warranties offered when such a person is used to address a plumbing problem. And how do you know the person is not going to end up making things worse?
#5 - Homeowners Insurance Will Pay For It. This is another reason why people may ignore having plumbing work done. The assumption is they can let things go because the insurance provider will pick up the tab. No one knows how the insurance company will react to a claim. Standard plumbing maintenance is usually not covered anyway. Delays and other forms of neglect could undermine any deserved payments.

Don't Fall for Myths

Rather than fall for myths, take the advice of a real, legitimate plumber. Doing so avoids a lot of problems.

Are you having trouble with your Salt Lake City, UT plumbing system? Call Valley Plumbing at 801-487-4770 for all your repair needs!

 

Pets make life more enjoyable; they offer unconditional loves. Thus, they are regarded as important members of a family. However, many people don't associate drainage issue with their pets. Every time a cat and a dog get a bath, the pet hair can clog the drains.
To many families, clogged drains are nightmares. Often they occurs at most inopportune times, and they tend to be time-consuming, expensive, and headache to deal with. Once the drain has clogged, the choices are either to use harmful chemical or call a Salt Lake City professional to fix it. The good news is that pet related clogs can be prevented with proper maintenance. As a pet owner, there are plumbing related tips that are helpful to know.

Use of drain strainer to keep hair from clogging pipes

Whenever a cat or a dog needs a bath, a drain strainer should be used to keep off their hair from causing clogs. To many pet owners' especially short haired cat or dog, it is tempting to think they do not shade hair at all.
The truth is that all pets shed some hair, and they do shed more than we think. Further, clogging is a gradual problem that culprit in the drain. A drain strainer can keep all the hair from the pet out of pipes and also make it easier to clean the tub.

Using a balancing valve during bath time

Often during bath time, a pet owner may use water that has too much pressure. Too much pressure shed pet hairs that end up in the drain and result to clogging. Installing a balancing valve enable regulation of water pressure before putting it on a pet. Besides, too much pressure might overwhelm a pet while too low pressure makes pet bathing to be an endless chore.

Use of pet hair-snare to prevent clogging

Pet-hair snare is great for everyday use in cats and dogs bathing to prevent clogged drains in your Salt Lake City home. It helps to keep the hair out of the drain. It is a self sealing technology with a flexible base, and it can fit most sinks, shower, drains and tubs.
Besides, it is characterized by a raised centre screen that can accommodate most pop-up stoppers. It is designed to catch hairs before they enter the drain and it has the natural suction mechanism on the drain that hold pet- snare in place. Together with tub bathing mat a pet hair snare protects the drain from hair clogging.

Don't let your fluffy pup clog up your drain! If you need drain cleaning in your Salt Lake City, UT home call Valley Plumbing at 801-341-4222 today!

So, you turned on the water in your Salt Lake City home this morning, only to find that it's coming out brown. Or, you filled the tub and noticed the water was a strange, yellow tint. Regardless of what color your water is coming out, there is usually a logical explanation for it.

A Water Main Break

If there is a water main break or an incident that involves the fire department having to use the hydrants, then the extra activity can stir up the minerals that are usually sitting at the bottom of the mains. These minerals, usually iron and manganese, will make your water appear either yellow, brown, or black. The water is generally safe to drink, though you may not want to.

Rusty Pipes

Red, yellow or brown water coming from only one faucet in the house can mean that your galvanized pipes are rusty. If that is the case, you definitely need the help of a plumber who can get those pipes repaired or changed out. Rust can cause discoloration of bathroom fixtures and clothing, so you don't want this to be a prolonged issue.

Copper Pipes

Greenish blue water that leaves a stain in your tub or sink can mean that your copper pipes are having a problem. If this is the case, they need to be replaced immediately as too much copper can cause serious health problems, including liver or kidney problems.

What Do You Do?

For problems with the water main, there is not much that can be done from a homeowner's perspective--it is up to the facility your water comes from to fix that issue. However, if there is an issue with the pipes, it is important to call a Salt Lake City plumber who can assess the problem, and fix it for you.
The cost of plumbing repairs may seem high until you realize that the cost of replacing discolored bathroom and kitchen fixtures is high as well. Your family's health may also be at stake if the water they are drinking is unsafe. There is no need to take that chance.

If your water is discolored in your Salt Lake City, UT home, call Valley Plumbing & Drain Cleaning at 801-341-4222 today, and we'll solve the problem for you!

Water leaks can happen at any time in both old and new Salt Lake City homes. A leak can consist of small droplets that fall from a faucet every few seconds or flowing water. Either way, a leak can waste gallons of water a day and cost you a lot of money over time.

What are the best ways to discover the presence of a leak?

Some leaks will be out in the open. Other leaks will be located where pipes aren't visible. The next time you suspect a leak in or near your home, consider the following:

Obvious Signs

Indoor faucets and hot and cold lines under sinks are often sources of leaks. Additionally, leaks typically occur around the toilet bowl, water supply line, connector and inside the tank. If the water is lower than normal in the tank, for example, you might need to have the seal replaced. Another obvious sign of a leak is a stain on a wall, ceiling or floor near where water lines run behind those areas.

Not-So-Obvious Signs

It's easy to forget that an outdoor faucet or garden hose can leak. An underground leak can also occur. Signs of a water line break include moisture or mold stains and/or cracks on foundations and concrete patios and walkways. Sudden musty smells anywhere indoor or outdoors can also be a sign of a hidden leak that is providing enough moisture for mold growth. A muddy or soft spot on otherwise dry ground can also indicate a leak.
Corrosion and/or stains on metal or plastic pipes are signs of moisture escaping from the pipe's interior or a pipe above it. These signs also indicate that a pipe or seal is failing because of age or defect. The leak itself might be extremely small, but it can result in costly damage of the line bursts after further erosion.

Professional Assistance

There are times when you can't detect a leak. Sometimes what you think is a “leak” is actually a water-related system, such as an automatic dishwasher, using too much water. When you can't find the source of a high water bill, it is time to hire a plumber to evaluate your water supply situation. A local Salt Lake City plumber will check all water sources for leaks and inefficient water usage.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!

Call Valley Plumbing & Drain Cleaning at 801-341-4222 today to get your Salt Lake City, UT system checked out by a professional plumber!

When the wind starts howling and the frost starts appearing on the trees, it's time to winterize your home. The good news is that it's easier than you think! Here are just five ways to prepare your home for everything from snow to sub-zero temperatures.

1. Perform Draft Tests

First things first: Where are your drafts coming from? The source of the problem could be as small as a crack in your window frame or a weather strip that's eroded away from the floor over the years. Go around your home with a bottle of caulk to plug up the leaks and stop exterior winds from bringing down the entire temperature of your home.

2. Insulate

Your attic should be your first stop. Then your basement. You might also want to insulate any sunrooms or attached kitchens that share doors, windows or other openings with the outside world. The goal is to pad all access points into your home so winter won't be able to reach you indoors. Its bite will be stopped by all of your insulation efforts.

3. Clean Your Gutters

This is something many homeowners don't even think about until it's too late. When your rain gutters are full of leaves, branches and debris, they freeze and turn into projectiles just waiting to drop and hurt someone. They can also cause irreparable damage to the gutters themselves through their constant freeze-and-thaw cycle.

4. Protect Your Pipes

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can raise the temperature of your home by 2-5 degrees when you insulate your pipes. You'll also ensure that you get hot water without any sputters or delays, something critically needed when you've just stumbled out of bed on a cold morning and are desperate for a hot shower. Take the time this year to insulate your pipes: It's worth it.

5. Check Your HVAC System

When's the last time you changed your furnace filters? How long ago was your hot water heater professionally inspected? You should have HVAC units looked at every few years or so. Not only will this ensure that you're getting the best performance out of your system, but it'll also inform you of any problems just waiting to happen.
These are just five ways to prepare your home for the upcoming winter. A little caution now can save you a lot of time, energy and frozen toes in the future!

Winter is nearly here! To get the best advice on winterizing your Salt Lake City, UT home, call Valley Plumbing at 801-341-4222 today.