Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Archive for January, 2017

What Causes Slab Leaks in the First Place?

Monday, January 30th, 2017

piping-toolsThe term slab leak is a bit of plumber-speak for any leak that occurs in the cold or hot water pipes set down in the concrete foundation of a home. It can also refer to any pipe down in a rock surface, but for residential buildings this almost always applies to the foundation.

Slab leaks are major problems for homes, since not only do they end up wasting large amounts of water, they can also cause damage to the house, lead to the growth of mold and mildew, and place extra stress on the water heater if the leaks happen in the hot water lines (which is around 80% of the time). Professional plumbers are trained and equipped to locate slab leaks so they can be fixed.

But why do slab leaks start in the first place? A pipe that’s set down in concrete would seem to be well protected from the damages that can lead to pipe breaks. But there are different forces that can create a slab leak underneath a home. Below are three of the more common.

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What Constitutes a Plumbing Emergency?

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

Good plumbing services often offer emergency calls for those times when a plumbing problem just can’t wait. As much as we might like, leaks, clogs, and other issues don’t always choose to make themselves known during regular business hours, and because the plumbing system is so integral to your home, you might not be able to just sit on it until you can schedule an appointment. Emergency plumbing calls will get the issue fixed right away, and get your system back up to speed quickly.

But when is it appropriate to make that call? When do you need to incur the added cost of emergency plumbing? That’s a question that only individuals can answer, and it depends largely on the specific circumstances. A small leak in a single faucet likely isn’t cause for concern, but if there’s water spreading across your kitchen floor, that’s a much different situation. There are, however, certain factors that can help you guide your decision, regardless of what the actual emergency is.

Start by Shutting off the Water

Every home has a main water shut-off valve which cuts off the water supply to the whole home. Every family member should know where it is and how to use it. The minute there’s any kind of a problem with your plumbing, shut off the water to keep the issue from getting worse. In some cases, individual plumbing outlets will have their own shut-off valves that cut off water to them while keeping it running in the rest of the house. If you’re sure the problem is localized to such an outlet, you can use that valve instead of the main valve.

Determine How Long You Can Wait

In many cases, an emergency plumbing call depends on the extent of the issue and whether or not you can wait for regular hours. If the damage is localized, for example, or the issue takes place with just a few hours to go until a plumber can make a regular call, then you might not need to incur the added expense. If it brings your whole household to a halt, however, and/or if you’re going to have to wait 24 hours or more before a plumber can arrive during regular hours, it’s probably a good idea to call for an emergency plumber.

Peace of Mind Matters

In some cases, an emergency call isn’t just warranted by the specific circumstances, but can help you rest a little easier and not worry quite so much. Plumbing issues can be quite serious and if you’re trying to enjoy the weekend or get a good night’s sleep before work in the morning, you might not want to just sit around and wait. In those cases, the money spent on an emergency call helps to quell those concerns, allowing you to enjoy your free time or get some rest when you dearly need it.

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Keep Your Drains Happy and Healthy With These Helpful Tips!

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

Having clogged drains can be problematic as it is, and can even lead to more serious issues that could end up costing you time and money to fix. Keep your drains running freely with these helpful tips from the professionals at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.!

Prep Food Carefully

A common mistake that people make when it comes to plumbing is thinking that their garbage disposals can handle anything that they toss down the drain. While modern garbage disposals are certainly effective and rugged, there are certain materials that should not be put down them.

When prepping food, avoid putting animal bones and fruit pits down the drain. These very hard items can damage the disposal’s grinding mechanism. If you’re straining pasta or rice, make sure that none of that gets down the drain, either. These items can absorb water, swelling up and causing blockages. Make sure that fibrous food waste, like celery stalks, get tossed in the garbage or compost. That way, their fibers won’t get wrapped up in the disposal’s moving parts.

Be Thoughtful During Cleanup, As Well

Some people really love to cook, but fewer people share that level of enthusiasm when it comes to cleaning up after a big meal. In addition to keeping the materials mentioned above out of the garbage disposal during cleanup, as well as preparation, we want to remind you to avoid pouring grease or fat down the drain, too.

By the time that you’re done eating, you may notice that the grease and fat in the pots and pans has started to congeal. If you were to heat them up again, they’d turn back to liquid. When they hit the pipes after being poured down your drain, these substances can congeal again and cause major blockages. Pour fat and grease off into a container, and dispose of it in the trash.

Cover Your Drains

Having company stay with you means that there are going to be more people than usual bathing and potentially shaving in your house. While you and your family may be diligent in keeping hair out of the bathtub drain and wiping whiskers out of the sink, rather than letting them wash right down the drain, you can’t really expect the same level of diligence from your guests.

Rather than bothering them with such issues, just buy a few drain covers and put them into place before company arrives. That way, your bathroom drains are far less likely to wind up moving slowly, gurgling, or even coming to a full stop when you need them the most.

There you have it: some expert plumbing tips from the professionals at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.

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Watch Out for These Warnings Your Toilet Needs Repairs

Monday, January 16th, 2017

Did you know that the toilets in your household account for, on average, 40% of your home’s indoor water use each year? Yes, that’s a lot! Most people assume that the shower might be the major source of water use, but the amount of water used per flush in toilets add up fast. This is one of the reasons we strongly recommend homeowners install low-flow toilets and other fixtures.

We bring this up as a reminder of how important the toilet is to your home’s plumbing. Yes, its function is vital, but it also uses immense amounts of water. Any time there’s a plumbing issue with a toilet, it needs to be resolved ASAP! And often, those problems can be tough to detect—or easy to ignore. Below we’ve put together a list of some signs your toilet may need repairs. Contact our plumbers for the work.

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World Plumbing Day 2017 Celebration and Poster Contest!

Thursday, January 12th, 2017

Take a moment to reflect on the incredible importance of our plumbing infrastructure.WPD_logo

Every day we use multiple parts of the plumbing systems that help us stay hydrated, stay clean and a multitude of other things we tend to take for granted.

On March 11th every year, we take a moment to appreciate the advancements in technology that have afforded us the sanitation and water needs of a modern society. It’s important to us that we take a moment to appreciate the foundation on which our business is built, and one of the great pillars of society. Next time you go fill your water bottle, use the lavatory or anything requiring a plumbing system, think about the work and technology that goes into maintaining such an important system.

To celebrate the marvels and importance of today’s plumbing systems, join Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. for the annual World Plumbing Day poster contest!

You could win an iPad, money for your school and your future education!
CLICK HERE FOR RULES AND REGISTRATION

See the winners of last year’s contest HERE

For more information on World Plumbing Day, go to: www.worldplumbingday.org

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Are There Times When a Tank Water Heater Is the Best Choice?

Tuesday, January 10th, 2017

We install high quality tankless water heaters for homes, and we strongly recommend that anyone who is planning on putting in a water heater give serious consideration to a tankless system. Compared to a storage tank water heater, a tankless water heater save space, consumes less energy, and lasts longer.

But does that mean that a tankless water heater is always the best choice for a new water heater installation? Not necessarily. Every home has different needs, every household different budget plans, and these affect the type of water heater that will best serve it.

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4 Signs You May Need a New Garbage Disposal

Monday, January 2nd, 2017

Have you thought about replacing your kitchen’s garbage disposal? You probably haven’t, since this is one of those home appliances that people often imagine is immune to damage. But a disposal is a hard-working device that will eventually wear down to the point where additional repairs are no longer worth the effort.

To help you with the decision about whether you should get a new sink disposal unit installed, we’ve put together four signs warning about potential problems:

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