Pipes and Drains Archives - Action Plumbing

How To: Home Waterline Management

April 19, 2022 By Action Plumbing

home waterline maintenance Remember the last time you saw your local water department working on fire hydrants in your neighborhood in order to flush water lines? Although this gushing, brown, flood of water may seem incredibly wasteful, in reality, it is an important routine activity necessary for maintaining the integrity of your community water system.

Generally speaking, degraded water quality is often the direct result of stagnant water which has collected in lesser-used parts of the distribution system, which is made up of a complex network of storage reservoirs and pipes. Over time, deposits and sediments can accumulate, and contribute to water quality deterioration, discoloration, odor, and taste problems if not removed.

Whenever you see your local water department or fire department flushing hydrants, there are a few things you need to be aware of in regards to your home tap water:

If you turn on your tap water and it is discolored and/or contains sediment, turn it off immediately and wait a few minutes before turning it on again.
Once you turn the water on again, allow it to run for several minutes so you can evaluate if it is completely clear. Be sure to let cold water run for a bit, giving the new water time to work its way through the pipes.
If the water is still unclear, turn it off and wait a few more minutes before trying again
You may notice slight discoloration for a few hours after flushing, but this discoloration does not affect the quality or the taste of your tap water.

Now that you understand the steps to making sure you’re tap water is drinkable after a community flushing, you should also know that this type of routine maintenance is important for your home as well. To ensure the quality of the water inside your home is excellent, your home’s water heater should be drained and flushed on a regular basis. This will help to keep it working efficiently and save you on costly repairs.

We typically advise that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on often your home water heater should be drained and flushed. If you have any questions regarding community hydrant flushing or are in need of assistance with flushing and draining your home heating system, contact Action Plumbing today.

The Reasons For Noisy Pipes

November 18, 2021 By Action Plumbing

reasons for noisy pipes action plumbing Do you ever hear loud or even subtle clanking and creaking at your office or home? If so, it’s more than likely a sign that something is going on with your plumbing. Before you take action, you’ll probably want to know the reason for your pipes making noise.

Sounds Such As Banging or Clanking

This noise seems like lots of racket, but often it indicates that your pipes are loose. As you can see, this is quite common in buildings (especially older ones).

These pipes flex when the flow of water comes to a halt. After that, it causes some rattling. Fortunately, are relatively easy to fix with the help of an experienced plumber.

Tick-Tock

We’re not talking about the app here. If you’ve got a tick-tock sound, trying to track down where that noise is coming from can often be infuriating. Luckily, the ticking sound is usually just your water meter reverberating through your building’s pipes. This happens often if it’s located near your foundation. Additionally, you’re more likely to hear this noise when the water is on. However, if you don’t hear it, there’s not much you can do to avoid it.

Drip-Drop

Dripping can be a clue to more serious concerns that may have otherwise alluded you. Although many times a drip is coming from something as simple to fix as a leaky faucet, other areas that should be inspected very closely include your water heaters, refrigerator, and especially the inside of your walls. It is imperative that you locate the cause of your leak and have it addressed by someone who knows how to fix it correctly so you can avoid any future damage.

Whether your pipes are dripping, ticking, or banging, it’s important to remember that these little annoyances can sometimes be warning signs which should not be ignored. If you’re asking yourself “why are my pipes making noise” or are unsure about whether or not your noisy pipes are the sign of something more serious, contact one of our Action Plumbing experts today.

The Benefits of Plumbing Cameras

March 15, 2021 By Action Plumbing

Efficiency is key when it comes to ensuring your plumbing job is done right. With the many technological advances we’ve had over recent years, there’s no doubt that one of the most beneficial was the introduction of video cameras into the commercial plumber’s arsenal of professional tools.

Before plumbing cameras, it was impossible to see exactly what was happening inside your pipes without excavation. Not only is excavation extremely expensive, but it can damage the environment. This is why so many commercial plumbing problems go ignored or simply treated ineffectively, causing more damage and costly problems down the road.

Fortunately, there’s a better solution these days thanks to sewer camera inspections.

Why Are Plumbing Cameras So Effective?

Today, plumbing cameras give us the flexibility and maneuverability of a plumbing snake along with the major benefit of actually being able to see what’s going on inside your pipe. This makes locating problems like leaks and clogs easier than ever before.

Although cameras aren’t used for every job, in many instances they can help to keep down costs and eliminate the guesswork that typically came along with performing many similar jobs in the past. It’s the best way to diagnose and ensure that a problem has been solved by performing the proper repair job.

There are many instances when a plumbing camera is the right choice for your needs, some of which include:

When you’re unsure about the extent of damage you’re facing or what’s causing the problem in the first place.
When you’re doing a remodel and you don’t have the blueprints needed for a plumbing installation.
When you can’t find a leak using traditional methods.
When you’re experiencing a blockage in your business’ drains, such as grease buildup
When you’re buying a building and you want to be 100% certain that there is no plumbing issue.

Don’t forget that unknown issues are often the reason the small plumbing jobs turn into big plumbing jobs, and although a plumbing camera won’t scale down the amount of work to be completed, it will ensure that your plumber is accurately diagnosing any issues and performing the best repair work possible.

If you would like to find out more about the benefits of sewer cameras or about how our commercial plumbing professionals utilize the most modern technologies available to get your job done right the first time, contact one of our representatives today.

How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe

January 15, 2021 By Action Plumbing

how to thaw a frozen pipe So, you’ve taken all the precautions you can think of in order to prevent your pipes from freezing, but alas, you’ve found yourself with a problem. You turn on the faucet in the bathroom or kitchen and … nothing. Not a drop comes out.

What to do now?

For starters, don’t panic. It’s time to get to work because your frozen pipes need to be addressed immediately in order to avoid damage.

Here’s some helpful advice on how to thaw a frozen pipe in your business:

Where’s is the Frozen Pipe?

The first thing you need to do is figure out exactly what pipe is frozen and where the problem area is. This is often easier said than done, particularly if you have a large business. Start with the most likely culprits … unfinished basements and attics are usually a good place to begin your search.

Once you locate your frozen pipe you need to apply heat utilizing one of the following methods:

A hand-held hair dryer is often the fastest and easiest way to thaw a frozen pipe. Just move the hot hair up and down the frozen area of the pipe evenly and consistently.
Place a space heater near the frozen pipe no closer than 3 feet and allow the hot hair to heat the pipe. Be sure your heater is no closer than the recommended safe distance to avoid a potential fire.
Apply heat tape (which can usually be purchased at any hardware store) to the frozen part of the pipe. Just wrap it evenly and plug it in to begin heating. Don’t forget to remove the heat tape when your thaw job is complete. Heat tape is NOT meant to be kept on your pipes all the time and doing so can cause a fire.

And remember, you should NEVER attempt to thaw your pipes using an open flame. Doing so can have a disastrous outcome, resulting in a life-threatening fire.

We’re Here to Help!

If you have questions or concerns about a frozen pipe in your business, Action Plumbing is here to help. Contact us anytime to talk with one of our experts. Our professional plumbing services are available anytime, day or night to give you the assistance you need when you need it.

Why Are My Pipes Making Noise?

February 28, 2018 By Action Plumbing

If you can hear the clanking of creaking pipes why you lie awake at night, you’re likely willing to do anything possible to get that noise to stop. However, like many things in life, your question can be answered by figuring this out. So, why are my pipes making noise?

As you can see, if you learn to live with the noise, eventually it becomes tolerable. After that, you’d be able to drown out the noise. Even though you’re able to deal with it, ignoring these sounds could be costly in the long run. Often enough, these could be warning signs of underlying plumbing issues.

Banging or Clanking

This noise seems like lots of racket, but often it indicates that your pipes are loose. As you can see, this is quite common in buildings (especially older ones).

These pipes flex when the flow of water comes to a halt. After that, it causes some rattling. Fortunately, are relatively easy to fix with the help of an experienced plumber.

Tick-Tock

If you’ve got a tick-tock and it’s not from a clock, trying to track down where that noise is coming from can often be infuriating. Luckily, the ticking sound is usually just your water meter reverberating through your building’s pipes. This happens often if it’s located near your foundation. Additionally, you’re more likely to hear this noise when the water is on. However, if you don’t hear it, there’s not much you can do to avoid it.