Ways to Prevent a Plumbing Catastrophe during Christmas

During Christmas, everything seems to change, family reunions, hosting friends at home, meeting new neighbors, preparation of food, endless possibilities that you and your home is expose to a different routine. Based on that challenging season we considered this article very useful to help you to prevent a plumbing catastrophe, specially during Christmas time.

Its plumbing safe to try on your own, correct? Even when there are many simple DIY plumbing projects, more complex projects needs the help of an expert, because it’s a job that people spend years and years learning how to do well as plumbers. Becoming a master plumber takes 8 years, in fact. That’s as much as a doctor. So, when it comes to dealing with plumbing emergencies, prevention is the name of the game. Follow this common ways to prevent a plumbing catastrophe at home:

1. Know where your main water shutoff valve is and if it works

It is important to know where your main water shutoff valve is. If any plumbing problems arise, this will allow you to quickly stop the incoming flow of water into your house. It is also a great thing to know about if you will be doing any minor DIY work. 

2. Check plumbing fixtures

Regularly checking your toilets, tubs, sinks, valves and other fixtures will help to ensure problems aren’t being discovered the wet way. Every 2-3 months, making a lap around your house inspecting your fixtures for any damage. Check the place where the fixture meets the drain. If anything looks wrong or broken, get some professional help.

3. Freeze-proof your pipes

Even Thought winter in Florida is no that aggressive, it’s important to recognize that your plumbing also needs to be fitted for the change of the weather. On unusually cold days, cabinets containing plumbing should be left open toward the heated room, and rooms with exterior plumbing should be kept no colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Only use matching components

If you need to replace a connector or a pipe fitting, you should always make sure you are using matching components. Size and materials are both important. We see a lot of damage done by people connecting the wrong types of pipes in attempted DIY work. Because a break in this fixture, for instance, could leave you up a certain creek 

5. Test your sump pump

Sump pump systems keep pesky ground water from seeping into your house through the basement. Every 3-4 months, test your sump pump system by pouring enough water into the pit to trip the float and make the pump run. The pump should remove the water. If it doesn’t, make sure it’s plugged in and connected to electricity. If it properly plugged in and still doesn’t work, then call the experts.

6. Call a professional, Call Benjamin Franklin

As we mentioned there is a follow up steps that could be made in order to prevent a catastrophe, however plumbing is not really a DIY activity. Attempting to “learn by doing” with the stuff under your house and in your walls, could damage both your house and your walls. In situations where you are unsure, call a professional to have their advice.

We recommend our professional team; our highly skilled plumbers are expertly trained and experienced to exceed your expectations. Plumbing emergencies can happen at any time day or night, so you can’t afford to wait for normal business hours to call a repair technician. 

For your Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach emergency plumbing contact Ben Franklin Plumbing emergency line. We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to solve all your plumbing problems at your convenience.

Wishing you a safe and Happy Holidays! 

EMERGENCY SERVICE: (877) 236-1776

ST. LUCIE: (772) 236-6080

MARTIN: (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH: (561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER: (772) 617-0370

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DID YOU KNOW THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING IS ALSO THE BUSIEST DAY FOR PLUMBERS?

One of the busiest day of the year for plumbers is the day after Thanksgiving, wondering why? Simple, with the preparation for Thanksgiving meal there’s a lot that can go down your drain and disposal. Small portions of food as well as the extra use of your drain and disposal among others, puts more pressure on plumbing systems. For that reason, the day after Thanksgiving we are prepared to receive tons of phone calls looking for our services. 

In some cases, trying to complete a huge plumbing project using DIY procedures can actually be very dangerous. You might be handy, and it’s possible you know your way around a faucet and a drain at home but, when it comes to plumbing problems, there are some things that are simply better left to a professional.

A recent survey by Benjamin Franklin Plumbing found that the majority of homeowners try to fix plumbing problems themselves rather than calling a certified plumber. Here is a list of simple tips you can consider during this season to avoid many plumbing issues:

• Follow a regular check out on your plumbing fixtures

Following a regular check out on your plumbing system to see is everything is working accurate will save you time and money, so go around the house and look carefully if anything of the following issues are happening: Dripping faucets, running toilet, leaky pipes, slow or clogged drains and low water pressure.

• Consider a preventative maintenance if not sure if your plumbing system is accurate 

If water drains slowly in your showers or sinks, and it’s been a while since you’ve had a plumbing inspection, now may be a good time to call a trusted plumbing professional. They can spot potential trouble areas. They can also help winterize your plumbing system for the colder weather to come. Cold temperatures can put more stress on your pipes, drains, outdoor hose bibs and water heaters

• Use substantial amount of water 

A common mistake many people make is not using enough water with the disposal. Run water for more than just a few seconds when using the disposal. The water keeps the food moving through the drain and helps flush it out.

• The trash can or compost pile is best

Fats, bones and vegetable peels can clog drains and damage the disposal. We recommended to have a handy trash where you can put them as the extra use of your disposal puts more pressure on the plumbing systems. When fats and grease cool, put them into a disposable container also and throw it in the trash. If you have a compost pile, that’s a good place for peels.  Anything that you can hold in your hand and throw it out instead, is better to keep safe the plumbing system.

Plumbing emergencies can happen at any time day or night, so you can’t afford to wait for normal business hours to call a repair technician. For your Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach emergency plumbing needs contact our emergency plumbers from Ben Franklin Plumbing at (877) 236 -1776. 

We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to solve all your plumbing issues at your convenience, and lets the spirit of Christmas begins safe and enjoyable! 

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How Water Supply Plumbing System Works at Home

Water travels under pressure through a system of pipes to your home. The water company uses a water meter to measure how much water you use. This meter is often buried in a housing with a removable lid, located in front of the house, near the street.

A shutoff valve is located on each side of the water meter; the one closest to your house will locked off all the water to your home and property. The main shutoff valve is often located on each side of the water meter. The one on the street side is the water company’s valve, the one used to shut off the system when the company wants to work on or change your meter. 

The other one controls water that flows to your house. When you turn it off your main shutoff valve will stop all water flowing through your water supply system, both indoors and outdoors.

An easy way to look for a shutoff valve in cold states may be inside the basement or crawlspace, its regularly located where the meter reader can be checked it monthly without any disturbing process. 

Do you know how to read the amount of water you spent monthly?

The water company distributes water to the meter through a large pipe called a main, which often parallels the street. The water meter measures the amount of water that flows to your house. Dials or a digital figure on the meter record how many cubic feet of water travel through the meter.

The company meter reader records the numbers each month, and the company computes the difference between last month’s and this month’s readings to calculate your bill. Reading a digital meter is easy, just like reading a car’s odometer. To read a dial-type meter, record the smallest of the two numbers near the tip of each indicator.

The Gate valve is another important part of the system, its used as the main shutoff valve, is designed to be used either completely open or closed. As you open the valve, a tapered wedge retracts from the water channel into the valve’s body, allowing water to flow. When closed, the wedge creates a seal. Other valves control the flow of water through parts of your supply system. A valve near the house may shut off all water indoors; another may control all garden water.

If you feel interested about this subject, you might also check the video The Evolution of Plumbing - Geographic History

For another concern about your Water Supply System Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing the experts in the Treasure Coasts and Palm City Area at (877) 236 -1776. 

Remember we are here to check and fix any water plumbing emergency you have, our full-service plumbers are ready to address all types of standard plumbing repairs such as leaky faucets, toilet repairs, sinks, showers, among others. You can also visit us at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/  

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Understanding The Drain - Waste - Vent System at Home (DWV)

The Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) pipes carry waste and water out of the house without gasses or tinkles.

The main piece of a DWV system is the stack, normally a pipe 3 or 4 inches in diameter that runs straight up through the roof. Water travels sliding through the stacks to the main drain line, which leads to the municipal sewage system or to a septic system. 

In older homes the main drain may be made of clay pipe or other porous material. Tree roots sometimes work their way into the main line, causing wastewater to back up into the house. If that is the case the solution is to call a company that specializes in auguring main lines. Drain stacks in older homes are often made of cast iron, which rusts through after 80 years actually the new homes instead use plastic pipe for stacks and branch drains.

Drainpipes must be leaned generally about 1/4 inch per foot, so water can run freely through them. Codes require special fittings that make sweeping, rather than abrupt, turns so waste does not get stocked in the pipes. Drainpipes often have cleanouts these are some places where a plug can be temporarily removed so the pipes can be equipped to clear a clog.ssage. Vent pipes also carry odors out of the house.

There are some other drainpipes:

• Secondary stack: A 2 or 3 inches in diameter pipe that serves a branch of the system.
• Branch Drainpipes: Smaller diameter pipes, normally 1-1/2 or 2 inches that carry water from specific fixture to a stack.

Another aspect to consider from the DWV system is the vent pipes those allow water to flow smoothly without gurgling. Normally Vent pipes extend from the drainpipes up through the roof to provide that passage. Vent pipes also carry odors out of the house.

The drainpipe for each plumbing fixture must be connected to a vent that supplies the pipe with air from the outside however in some cases the drainpipe is connected directly to a main or secondary stack pipe, which travels straight up through the roof.

Plumbing codes strictly recommend where vent pipes can connect to the stack and how far they should travel. In most cases a damp section of a pipe frequently the part that carries wastewater cannot be used as a vent, even if it is usually dry.

If your drainpipes gurgle when you run water in a sink or flush a toilet, call a professional plumber for an inspection. A vent may be stopped up and need clearing. Or the plumbing may be incorrect, and you may need a new vent line.

Never install or replace a DWV pipe without consulting a building inspector. These pipes must be installed according to precise specifications.

For more information about your DWV contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. The specialist’s plumber in the Treasure Coasts and Palm City Area 772-236-6080

Visit us also at http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/ to learn more about us and our services.

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What to do if your Water Heater is Leaking?

A water heater leak may seem like just a minor issue, but if you don’t get this problem fixed in a short time, a water heater failure can cause a significant flood in your house. This can also lead to weighty repair bills, and cause mold to sprout, which can be hazardous to your health as well as lead to even more damage to your property.

Hot water heaters, whether gas or electric, will last you about 10 – 12 years (depending on how good you take care if it). Even so, there’s always a chance your water heater could leak.

Water heaters will typically leak from one of two places. Depending on where the leak is located, you may or may not need a new water heater.  Take a few minutes to determine where the leak is actually coming from, and you may be able to fix the leak yourself with little or no cost. 

Where to Start?

Step 1: The first thing you have to do before starting work on the water heater, is to turn off the power and the gas, and shut off the water to the heater to avoid possible shock or burns.

Step 2: When you have completed the previous steps, you have to drain the water tank. To do this, you have to let the water flow through a hose until the tank is empty. The water should run outdoors, or to a large bucket (it’s not recommended that you empty the water inside of your house).

*Caution: Remember that the water exiting the water heater will be very hot!

Step 3: Identify the leak’s location:  Sometimes the location of the leak is obvious, but a pool of water can also show up some distance from where the leak occurs.  Once you experience a leak from your water heater, there are two places where the leak may come from:

1. The drain valve also called (Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve), which is the spigot at the bottom of the tank that drains the water.

2. The water heater’s tank: The leak may even be at the top of the water heater, and simply running down through the body of the heater before escaping at a lower level. Water heaters have limited life spans; it’s possible that your tank has become corroded. 

If there is a puddle close to your water heater, condensation could be an explanation too. Condensation occurs when most of the water inside the tank is cold, so the cold tank, reacting with the warmer air inside the home, causes condensation. The water then drips off the tank and onto the floor, which gives the false appearance of a leaking tank. 

Step 4: Repairing or replacing the tank: As stated above, water heater leaks can be a serious problem, so take action quickly! 

If the leak comes from the drain valve, you have to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise. If this does not solve the problem, there could be another problem that requires a professional plumber to repair.

Replacement valves for hot water heaters are available at most hardware stores, and can be replaced using only a wrench. Turn the existing valve counter clockwise to remove it. Wrap the threads of the replacement drain valve with plumber’s tape, and then screw the new valve into the opening until it is hand tight.

If the water heater is leaking from the tank itself, you certainly have to contact a licensed plumber to replace it, because there is no way to repair a leaking tank. The inside of the tank eventually corrodes from mineral deposits and from the constant strain of heating and cooling. 

If you choose to replace your water heater yourself, you will need to properly dispose of the old unit, but either way, the best advice is to call a professional plumber. 

How to Extend the Life of Your Hot Water Heater

To avoid these kinds of problems, which can happen to all of us, the following practices can help extend the life of your hot water tank, as well as keep it operating at its maximum efficiency.

• Drain the tank yearly.

• Replace the anode rod that is inside the tank every 6 months or so.

Any time your hot water heater’s tank begins leaking, the safest thing to do is call a professional plumber who can assess the problem and determine if you need to replace your water heater. Do you live in the Treasure Coast Area?

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast and Palm City can repair or replace your water heater, and help you choose a new one that’s right for your family’s needs.

Be sure and check out the current rebates for tankless water heaters.

Contact us here:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080.

MARTIN (772) 214-3848.

PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007.

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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Basic Plumbing Tools

Occasionally challenges such as clogs or leaks arise which a do-it-yourselfer would like to remedy quickly. Specific tools are necessary for these types of repairs. While you don't need to know everything about plumbing, it's important to understand the basics, especially when it comes to leaks.

Plumbing Tools

A few tools that are crucial to any home plumbing tool box include: 

1. Closet Auger

Unclogs toilets when a plunger will not work. The auger feeds into the toilet opening and releases the clog when pulled out.

2. Pipe Wrench

Heavy-duty wrench available in several sizes. Great for gripping and turning pipes. Adjustable jaws are made to grip one way and slide the other way.

3. Slip-joint Pliers

Great for various plumbing jobs. Easily removes large nuts such as those found on the p-traps under your sink.

4. Basin Wrench

Long handle wrench with jaws at the end. Designed for reaching nuts in hard to reach areas.

Tips to Remember:

• When dealing with toilet clogs, be sure to wear heavy-duty rubber gloves.

• Pipe wrenches and slip-joint pliers are great tools to have around for retrieving items that have fallen into a drain.

• A basin wrench fits where most other wrenches can't.

• Probably one of the most important tips to remember is where the main water valve is for easy shut off access. (Just in case)

• The average household plumbing system represents an investment of about fifteen percent of the value of the house.

If you are not equipped with these tools, and are in dire need of help, contact the experts.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast.

benfranklin@benfranklinplumber.com

772-236-6080

Mon-Sun: 24/7

www.benfranklinplumber.com

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Signs that your Sewer Lines need a Repair

South Florida homes have been experiencing a large wave of sewer pipe problems due to the 25-35-year life span of cast iron pipes. Even when most homeowners’ insurance policies pay for some costs associated with faulty interior plumbing and electrical wiring, depending upon the policy, problems with exterior plumbing may or may not be covered.

A damaged sewer line can make you spend thousands of dollars, and not just on changing the tubes; there may be damages to floors, walls, furniture, carpeting, and electrical systems. More importantly, damaged sewer lines can also pose a major health hazard.

As a homeowner, you should be aware of the signs that may be telling you about the condition of your drains.  You should also know a good plumber who can respond to emergency situations, and arrive quickly to address the issue.

In this article, we want to highlight the main eight tell-tale signs that your sewer line is deteriorating and possibly damaged or broken.

1) Sewage Backups and Blockages: If every time you flush or run water down your sink or bathtub drain, you experience a backup, you most likely have a blockage as the air is having trouble escaping from your sewer system. 

2) Sewer Gas Odor: A sanitary sewer system should be air tight everywhere, with the exception of the vent stack. If you can smell a foul odor coming from your basement or around your home or building, this is definitely a tell-tale sign that there is a crack somewhere in your sewer system.

3) Mold Problem: Mold is the result of humidity levels rising to a point suitable to encourage the growth and presence of mold. This is another tell-tale sign that you may have a cracked sewer pipe behind a wall. Another sign that may point to a break in your sewage drain pipes is the detection of If you noticed mold accompanied by sewer odor.

4) Varying Water Levels in Your Toilet Bowl:  Fluctuating water levels in your toilet are usually a sign of a severe plumbing problem.  If water levels begin to fluctuate too much, your toilet bowl could be at risk of malfunctioning and/or overflowing.

5) Damp Areas in Your Yard:  Excessive wetness in your yard or waste water pooling often times proves there is a problem with the sewer drains located directly under the pool of sewer water. 

6)  Lush Patches in Grass: Spotting an extra green and lush patch of grass in your yard may also be evidence of sewage leakage underground.

7) Cracks on the Wall and Sinkholes: More extreme symptoms of sewer problems include foundation issues with your home or building, such as cracks, or your property may even experience sinkholes. 

8) Rodent or Insects Problem: Rats, cockroaches, palmetto bugs, and sewer flies can unfortunately make their way to the pipes running behind your walls.  To eliminate any infestation and to prevent others, you will need to address the entry point, which may indeed be a crack in your sewer lines.

How You Can Prevent Sewer Line Backups

• Do not pour Grease and/or Food through the drains: Avoid pouring grease, fats, gravies, sauces, and cooking oils down your kitchen drain, because these substances will cool off and solidify, and eventually build up to a massive clog. 

• Do not Flush improper items Down the toilet: Diapers, paper towels, facial tissue, feminine products, and food products should never be flushed down the toilet as they do not deteriorate over time and, can cause clogs.

• Periodically perform Maintenance to your Pipes: Every year or so, contact a professional plumber and ask them to perform a checkup and cleaning of your sewage and drainage pipes.

• Install a Backwater Prevention Valve: These fixtures are installed into a sewer line in the basement of your home to prevent sewer backups. They allow sewage to go out, but not come back in.

Facts to consider when fixing a broken or cracked sewer line

Now that you know what the warning signs are for a malfunctioning sewer line, it is also helpful to be aware of certain facts  before calling out a professional plumber.

1) Replacing a sewer line can vary in price, especially if you replace only part of the drainage pipes at different points in time.  In fact, the price can be three times as expensive than if you were to replace the entire line from the house to the street at one time.

2) If there is a broken pipe near the foundation wall or the city connection in the roadway, the price to repair the pipe may depend on the age and material of the existing pipe.

3) There could be tree roots causing your sewer problems… please remember that once roots invade your sewer line, there is no turning back. It is extremely risky to repair a section of pipe that has been invaded by tree roots, as the roots have already entered your pipe, and will continue to grow even after they have been cleared out.

What to Do If You Experience a Sewer Backup

As you can see, sewer backups can produce the most horrible of nightmares, without mentioning diseases, mold formations, destruction of valuables, and electrical malfunctions.  A prompt cleanup is necessary to restore sanitary conditions, and prevent further damage.

If you experience a sewer backup situation, at a minimum, you should have a sewer inspection done. Call Benjamin Franklin of the Treasure Coast as soon as possible; plumbing systems can fail unexpectedly and cause substantial damage to your home. Benjamin Franklin technicians and plumbers are fully trained using state-of-the-art equipment and technologies to solve all of your plumbing and drain problems, including sewer repair and sewer line replacement.

Still have questions about your sewer line? Make sure to call Benjamin Franklin of the Treasure Coast:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080

MARTIN (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

Learn more about Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Services, by clicking on this link:  http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/

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