Pipes and Drains Archives - Page 2 of 4

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.

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.

Avoid Frozen Pipes by Planning Ahead

November 2, 2017 By Action Plumbing

Bitter cold temperatures may already be here, but it’s not too late to take the necessary steps to avoid frozen pipes and other costly plumbing issues. Whether you rent or own your own business, there are a few things to consider in order to protect your property from unnecessary damage.

Of course, not all frozen pipes result in catastrophe, but it is common for expanding ice to break pipes that are vulnerable, and this often results in damaging leaks or flooding. So, how do you these kinds of problems? The answer is simple … you can avoid frozen pipes by planning ahead using a few of the following tips:

Locate Your Pipes

In order to ensure your pipes are protected you need to know exactly where they’re located. While a pipe may be well insulated in one area of your business, there’s a good possibility that it’s exposed to freezing temperatures in another. If you’re unsure about how your plumbing system is laid out, Action Plumbing can work with you to complete an audit of your plumbing system.

Insulate

Once you have a better idea of where your at-risk pipes can be found, you need to make sure they are protected with insulation. While a newspaper can sometimes be adequate for pipes found in a cold basement, others at greater risk should be insulated with foam tube or heated tape.

Let It Run

If the temperatures have already plummeted and you’re concerned, allowing the water to run even slightly can prevent pipes from freezing. Although it’s true you’ll be wasting water, it’s better than facing the alternative.

Let in the Heat

On particularly cold nights it’s a good idea to open the cabinets or drawers under your sink. This will allow the heat from your business to enter in order to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Find the Main Shut-Off

If you are faced with damaged or leaking pipes, it’s important that you know how to shut off the main water supply in order to prevent serious flooding. And remember, Action Plumbing is available 24 hrs a day 7 days a week in the event you have an emergency and need assistance.

Preventative Maintenance Contract

October 18, 2017 By Action Plumbing

If you wait until you experience a leak, flood, or another unexpected disaster to call your plumber, you’ll often find that many of your problems could have easily been avoided. Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your business’s plumbing running as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and Action Plumbing is here to help you keep everything on track with our expert services.

Now is the time to talk with an Action Plumbing expert about the possibility of arranging a preventative maintenance contract in order to get ahead of pesky plumbing issues before they wreak havoc. Preventative maintenance contracts can include a wide variety of services, and some of the most popular include:

Drain Cleaning

Regularly scheduled drain cleaning or sewer jetting is an important part of preventative maintenance to help you avoid a flooded basement, sewer backups, costly repairs, and the disruption of day to day activities in your business. These services involve cleaning your plumbing lines in order to remove any build-up or debris including grease, sludge, leaves, and other inhibitors.

Camera Inspections

Utilizing this high tech tool, our Action Plumbing experts can locate potential problems quickly and efficiently while keeping your costs down through extensive diagnostics. A camera inspection allows our plumbers much more flexibility and makes finding clogs or more serious problems like broken and leaking pipes a more direct process. A camera inspection is vital for ensuring you have the most in-depth look into what’s really going on in your pipes and sewer.

Catch Basin Cleaning

The most important use of a catch basin is to keep your local water supply free of debris like leaves, sticks, rocks, garbage, and much more. Unfortunately, these materials can build up quickly, which is why it’s important to have your catch basins maintained on a regular basis. Professionals often rely on an industry-standard vacuum to remove debris, while also relying on shovels and other devices.

With a contract for regularly scheduled preventative maintenance, you don’t need to worry about when these types of services need to be performed in order to keep your plumbing in good standing. To find out more about Action Plumbing’s preventive maintenance contract offerings, contact one of our experts today.