Performance Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

Ominous Signs of Sewer Line Trouble

Monday, February 1st, 2021

tree-root-in-pipeIf we were to ask you what the most important part of your plumbing system is, what would your answer be? If it’s “my sewer line,” we’d be inclined to agree! After all, it has a big job of removing wastewater from your home and moving it into the municipal sewer system, safely and hygienically away from your home. Sewer lines are typically buried beneath the ground, in the back or front yard, where they’re safe from damage due to inclement weather or wear and tear.

That doesn’t mean they’re indestructible, however. Landscaping like trees and shrubs can grow roots that infiltrate the line, for example. A shift in the soil can create instability and cause your pipes to shift and break, as well.

If any of this does happen, all you have to do is give our team a call! But first, you’d need to know you even have a problem. Keep reading as we go over some of the most common signs of sewer line leaks.

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What’s Wrong with Store Bought Drain Cleaning Solutions?

Monday, January 18th, 2021

If you’re like many homeowners, when you discover that you have a clog, your first instinct is probably to reach for that bottle of chemical, store-bought drain cleaning “solution” that you got at the grocery store.

The problem with this is… you’re probably doing more harm than good.

That’s right, these chemical solutions can actually hurt your drains and the rest of your plumbing system. While they may temporarily clear out the affected pipe, they do so at a considerable cost—one that most homeowners don’t realize they’re paying.

Read on to learn more about what you’re doing to your plumbing system when you use store-bought remedies and what you can do instead.

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Holiday Plumbing Tips for a Happy Home

Monday, November 23rd, 2020

couple-cooking-holiday-dinnerIt seems like we blinked and then the holiday season was upon us, right? Like it or not, it’s time to start making plans—and of course this year those plans are going to look a lot different than we thought they would. Still though, whether it’s your adult children coming over or a few people in your “quaranbubble” the fact is that you might be having guests over for the holidays. And with guests comes an increased demand on your plumbing system, believe it or not.

Read on as we uncover some of the most common plumbing repair calls we get this time of the year, and learn what to do about them.

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Are Your Pipes Knocking? Here’s What to Do!

Monday, October 26th, 2020

two-horizontal-copper-pipesImagine this scenario: you’re peacefully sleeping or relaxing in your home, and then all of the sudden your peace is disrupted by a persistent knocking noise. It’s not coming from the front door—rather, it’s coming from… inside your walls!

No, this probably isn’t the sign of a haunted house. A much more likely scenario is that what you’re heating is your plumbing pipes knocking. This is definitely not a sound to be too alarmed by, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore the problem either, and that can cause plumbing problems like pinhole leaks and loose plumbing joints.

Read on as we dive into what causes knocking pipes and what you can do about it.

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Do You Have a Plumbing Leak?

Monday, February 17th, 2020

plumber-working-on-sink-plumbingGiven that most of your home’s plumbing system is hidden behind walls or beneath the floor, it can be really hard to detect plumbing leaks—especially since the signs of these leaks are usually subtle to start with!

This is the main reason we recommend scheduling preventive maintenance at least once a year. However, it’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself and your family with the warning signs that your plumbing system is experiencing problems. On the rare chance that a problem does happen between maintenance visits, this way you can spot it quickly and call for repairs right away.

Read on as we uncover several of the most common signs you have a leak.

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Signs It’s Time for a Drain Cleaning

Monday, November 25th, 2019

water-running-down-drainHave you ever had a bad hair day? Well, imagine how your pipes feel when they have a bad hair day.

We’re talking about hair in your bathroom shower and sink drains—hair, as well as grease, grime, and other particles can all contribute to dirty and more importantly, clogged drains. Without proper care, problems with your drain system can turn into huge hassles and impact your entire plumbing system. Therefore, it’s important to invest in not only regular annual drain cleaning, but to schedule drain cleaning whenever you suspect you need it.

But, how do you know if you need it? Well, fortunately, there are signs you can watch out for. We’ve outlined them below for you. Read on to find out if now is a good time to schedule your drain cleaning.

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Tips to Protect Your Kitchen Sink This Thanksgiving

Monday, November 11th, 2019

friends-cooking-togetherYou may not want to think about it quite yet, but Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Are you hosting the meal this year? This means you’ll be doing a considerable amount of cooking, then. We can’t give you much advice in the way of culinary skills, but we can tell you how to treat your kitchen sink during this fun and festive holiday.

There are some important things to be aware of when you’re cooking large meals, regardless of whether or not you have a garbage disposal system or not—but you’ll want to be even more careful about your kitchen sink if you do have a disposal system in place. When you need professional plumbing services, we’re the team to call. In the meantime, keep reading to learn about avoiding common holiday hazards.

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Don’t Let the Sound of Knocking Water Heater Haunt Your Home

Monday, October 28th, 2019

residential-water-heaterKnock-knock-knock. “The trick-or-treaters aren’t here yet, it’s too early for that, right?”

Knock-knock-knock. “Oh great, my house is haunted!”

While we can’t solve a haunted house, we can tell you that it’s probably not the cause of those knocking sounds you’re hearing. The knocking may be faint, and it could be otherwise easy to ignore if you just assume it’s coming from outside, but the truth is, it’s very likely coming from your water heater.

And no sound coming from your water heater should be ignored, especially not knocking! This type of sound can indicate issues that can accelerate faster, the longer you let it continue. Keep reading to learn more about what this sound may be and what you should do about it.

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Prepping Your Pipes for Winter (It’s Not Too Early!)

Monday, September 16th, 2019

Winters are no joke in Missouri, with temperatures dropping to frigid temperatures. So the question we have for you is, do you know how to prep your plumbing for the change in the weather? Sure, summer’s not even officially over quite yet, but when temperatures turn they do so quickly, and you’ll be grateful for taking precautionary steps with your plumbing.

The thing is, it’s very easy for your pipes to freeze in cold weather. Frozen pipes lead to burst pipes. Our team is here to help with any plumbing repair needs you have, even emergencies, but we’d like to help you avoid problems to begin with, if at all possible! One way we can do that is by alerting you to winter problems and how you can prevent cold weather from impacting your plumbing this year. Read on!

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Plumbing Problem vs. Emergency

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

pipe-with-blue-cloth-tied-around-itReliable plumbing companies know that emergencies never happen a convenient time, and therefore are there for you when a plumbing problem just can’t wait. As much as we like, sudden leaks, clogs, or other problems don’t make themselves known during “regular business hours.” The plumbing system is integral to your home, and we understand you may not be able to just sit idly by until you can call and schedule an appointment.

But, when is a plumbing problem actually an emergency? When do you need to incur the cost of an emergency after-hours call? That’s a question that can really only be answered on a case-by-case basis, as it depends on the specific circumstances. For instance, a small leak in a single faucet—while over a long period of time will wastewater—isn’t much of a cause for concern. But water spreading across your kitchen floor with no way to shut off the source is a much different problem.

There are a few steps you can take though, to determine if you really do need to call for emergency services:

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