What Causes Water Line Leaks or Slab Leaks?
No type of piping is intended to last forever. The older the piping is, the more likely it is to spring a leak. As water flows through pipes, it causes vibrations. These tiny vibrations add up over the decades. For pipes that are buried under slabs, even small grains of sand can eventually abrade the pipe enough that it leaks.
The only way to avoid this very slow and long-term damage is to make sure piping is installed correctly by a trustworthy plumber. Ensuring that proper installation procedures are followed will make certain that you get the correct lifespan out of the piping.
What Are Some Common Emergency Plumbing Issues?
Plumbing emergencies can be very stressful and expensive to deal with. Because most plumbers charge extra for emergency calls that happen outside of normal business hours, it is important that you know what constitutes a true emergency that needs immediate attention. Some examples of plumbing emergencies are:
- Overflowing toilet
- Sewer backup
- Burst pipes
- Sump pump failure
- Broken water heater
Calling for emergency service in these cases is the right thing to do. For most other common problems, you can wait until morning to have a plumber deal with.
When Is Trenchless Sewer Repair Needed?
Trenchless sewer repair is an exciting new method to replace sewer lines without digging a new trench. If you’ve been dealing with frequent sewer backups or if a plumber has told you that your sewer lines are compromised then you definitely need your sewer main repaired. The best method to accomplish this is a trenchless method. Trenchless sewer repair is cheaper than digging a new trench. It also is faster and avoids the need to tear up yards, sidewalks and driveways.
What’s the Best Type of Water Heater?
Depends on your situation. Conventional electric and gas water heaters are what most homes were designed around. They provide years of reliable service and can be easily replaced by plumbers since your home is already designed around that infrastructure. Conventional tanks can be rated for high efficiency but they all are inherently wasteful because they keep water heated even when there is no demand.
Tankless water heaters take a little more to install than a conventional water heater. They are expected to last longer than a traditional water tank and they can provide endless hot water on demand. They save lots of money on energy bills because they only heat water when it is demanded.
What Is the True Cost of Leaks?
Too many people focus on the cost of hiring a plumber to fix water leaks and disregard the true cost of leaks. Small leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water per month and cost you lots of money in utility bills. Leaks are responsible for property damage that is expensive to rehabilitate, further driving up the hidden costs of water leaks. When you add all of these hidden expenses up it quickly becomes cheaper to pay to have the leak fixed. Your plumbing and your utility bills will thank you.
Do You Do Commercial Plumbing?
Yes! In many municipalities, plumbers must have special training or offer certain services to perform commercial plumbing operations. The truth is, commercial plumbing can be more of a challenge than simple residential plumbing so many plumbing contractors don’t offer commercial plumbing services. At Valley Plumbing Pros, we invite the challenge. The same great service and competitive pricing that we give to our residential customers, we make available to commercial customers as well.
Is a Water Softener Worth It?
A popular misconception about water softeners is that they are only for people who don’t like the taste of their water or have some skin condition that is helped by bathing in soft water. The truth is, most homes in the US have water that is hard. Hard water prevents soap residues from being washed away so it can leave clothes dingy from the washer, skin, and hair dry and dull, and a nasty build-up of soap scum on showers and sinks. Water softeners also prevent mineral scale build-up on the inside of appliances like hot water tanks, coffee makers, and piping.
So, yes. Water softeners are worth it to protect your plumbing. They are economical and easy to operate and will pay for themselves over the years in savings for plumbing repairs.