Preventative Maintenance Archives

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.

Tips to Avoid Summer Plumbing Problems

July 14, 2021 By Action Plumbing

Avoid Summer Plumbing Problems Even though we don’t have to worry about frozen pipes in the summer, that doesn’t mean your plumbing is A-OK. In fact, the warm weather brings its own problems, and it’s important you know how to prevent them. From clogged toilets to flooded basements, there’s a lot you can do to keep your plumbing running smoothly.

Here are a few tips to avoid summer plumbing problems from the experts at Action Plumbing:

Be Careful With What is Flushed

A problem-free toilet is a key to keeping things on track. But with customers flushing the wrong items to kids fooling around, clogged toilets are likely to occur this time of year.

Remember to tell your customers not to flush down anything that could plug up the toilet such as feminine hygiene products or large wads of paper. If your toilet does get clogged, make sure there’s enough water in the bowl to plunge it. Close the toilet flapper so the water doesn’t overflow and don’t flush the toilet until the clog begins to loosen up. If you’re still not having success, contact Action Plumbing right away.

Avoid Tree Roots

There’s a good reason experts recommend that trees or plants with a strong root system be planted a safe distance away from your home’s foundation. Even the slightest leak in your sewer line give roots an opportunity to find the water they so desperately crave, and the room to grow and block up pipes.

If you have very slow drains, or your toilet is backing up into your shower or bathtub, chances are a tree or plant root may be causing a blockage in your sewer line.

Replace Washing Machine Hoses

Inspect your washing machine hoses for leaks, cracks, or bulges. Remember, now that your family is spending more time at home, you likely have more laundry to do, which adds extra stress on both you and your washing machine!

A normal washing machine lasts only about 5 years, so replacing your hoses regularly could be the most important thing you do to prevent a flooded basement. Be on the lookout for leaks behind your machine and always make sure that the connection to your water supply pipes is snug.

Problems With Stormy Weather

With hot, humid days comes powerful storms. Which means a flooded basement could easily be in your future. So it’s time to check your sump pump and make sure there are no issues.

Here are some signs to watch out for on a malfunctioning pump:

You notice a mildewy, must order coming from the pump
The float switch is stuck
When it’s working, it makes a loud, obnoxious noise
It just won’t turn on no matter what you do

Since your sump pump keeps the water out of your basement, you’re going to need it checked ASAP.

If you have any additional tips to avoid summer plumbing problems, we’re here to help! Contact Action Plumbing today for all your residential and commercial plumbing needs.

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.

Ice Dam Prevention Tips for Gutters

November 27, 2017 By Action Plumbing

Although it’s extremely important to keep your gutters clear of debris throughout the entire year, it can be especially challenging during the winter months when Mother Nature strikes the hardest. Clogged gutters can easily trap water that will inevitably freeze, leaving you with a potential hazard sometimes referred to as an ice dam.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam often occurs along the edge of your roofline or in your gutters depending on the orientation, style, and pitch of your roof. The culprit is often melting snow that refreezes, clogging your gutters and preventing water from draining properly. When this happens, water can easily get backed up, causing havoc with your shingles and eventually leaking into your business.

How to Recognize an Ice Dam

One of the best ways to check for an ice dam is to take a close look at the ceilings of your exterior walls and attic. If you notice moisture or water stains, there’s a good possibility you may have an ice dam.

Inspect any icicle formations you may have around your business’s exterior to discover whether they are trapping any water. Icicles can often lead to additional problems blockage problems and potential dangers for those walking below.

Prevention Tips

Be sure to clean your gutters regularly, even during the winter months whenever it’s possible.
On mild winter days, inspect your gutters and the areas around your business for any signs that an ice dam may be forming.
Safely remove icicle formations and remember … never stand directly underneath an icicle when inspecting your gutters, cleaning, or performing icicle removal.

Lastly, one of the best ice dam prevention strategies is to hire a professional to handle your routine gutter cleanings to ensure you always have a clean gutter system. For more information on our professional gutter cleaning services, contact an Action Plumbing representative.

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.