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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.

Hard water is a term used to describe water that has high levels of minerals, sediment and other particulates that can cause a variety of problems. Filtration equipment and treatment options may be needed in order to ensure homes have access to soft water that may be more suitable for bathing, cooking and even cleaning.
Scheduling a service appointment with a professional in order to have your water tested can provide valuable insight regarding the quality of your water and the options and solutions that can be made available in order to address any issues you may be experiencing.

What Causes Hard Water?

Hard water is created when water percolates through chalk, limestone and other sedimentary mineral deposits that may leave trace elements and particles within a water supply. Older plumbing and fixtures that may be improperly maintained could also be responsible for decreased water quality.
Hard water can leave stains and mineral deposits on surfaces that it has come into contact with which can make cleaning more difficult or create excessive and premature wear on pipes, fixtures and appliances.

How is Hard Water Treated?

Treating water in order to improve its quality can be done through a variety of methods. High-end filtration devices can be very effective at removing minerals from within a water source and even water treatment products can provide an effective solution in circumstances where overall quality remains relatively fair.
Speaking with an experienced professional regarding your options and needs can ensure that finding the right resources and solutions may be done with greater ease. Home and property owners who are interested in improving the quality of their water would be wise to seek the advice and service that only a professional may be able to offer.

Signs You May Have Hard Water

While professional testing of your water is the only way to be sure about water quality and purity, there are several common signs that might indicate a problem. Noticing a film or residue on sinks, tubs and even glassware and dishes is a common indication of hard water.
Water that has an unpleasant taste, a cloudy appearance or a strange smell are other signs that it may be time to call in the professionals. Filtration equipment and water treatment services can be very effective in softening water and ensuring that your plumbing and fixtures can be kept in good working condition.

Knowing about the water in your Salt Lake City home is important. Call Valley Plumbing at 801-341-4222 to learn more about treatment options!