Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

Ask a Plumber: Why Does My Toilet Run So Long?

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

Running toilets are one of the most common problems that plumbers face, a nuisance that requires professional attention to properly treat. A plumber can usually pinpoint the issue fairly quickly and implement a solution, but it may help homeowners to understand why their toilet is running so they know when to call for a repair.

A running toilet is invariably caused by a leak somewhere in the system. In some cases, a leaky flush valve is the culprit, in which case it can be fixed simply by jiggling the handle (the flush valve lifts whenever you flush the toilet, draining the water out of the tank). A leaky valve should be replaced eventually, and a plumber can diagnose whether the problem lies with the valve itself or the chain-and-handle connected to the toilet lever.

An improperly set float ball may cause the problem as well. It’s the rubber ball on the end of a stick, which shuts off the running water and prevents the tank form overflowing. If it’s not set properly, the water won’t shut off; it will just keep running.

A more severe leak could be taking place in the spud gasket which connects the toilet tank to the toilet bowl. In some cases, you can spot this leak by the presence of water on the floor around the toilet. Spud gaskets require a significant effort to replace, so a plumber should be called in as quickly as possible.

Modern Plumbing Industries Inc. employs some of the best plumbers in Orlando and throughout the surrounding area. Our plumbers are fully certified and we pride ourselves on our efficiency. If your toilet keeps running and you’re not sure how to stop it, give us a call today!

Tags: Orlando, Plumbing
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Polybutylene Piping and You, What You Need to Know

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Polybutylene Piping was a common material used in the plumbing systems of many commercial and residential buildings between 1978 and 1995. Due to its inexpensive cost it was used frequently as a material for the plumbing system piping in homes and businesses. Since 1995 it has been discovered that polybutylene piping is actually vulnerable to leakage, breakage or general erosion due to the reaction of the metal with certain common chemicals used to treat water.

It is important to know whether or not you have this type of piping in your house because it may be susceptible to these erosive type failures that can cause or lead up to catastrophic failure event. Beyond the potential for a major failure of the piping, it is also important to note that many insurance companies may not underwrite insurance for homes or business that have this type of material. You could find yourself unable to get adequate insurance due to the discovery of polybutylene, which means a full re-piping of your home may be required. This issue has been known to affect home sales as well, and is often something a potential buyer will ask be fixed prior to completion of the sale. There have also been incidents of insurance companies dropping homeowner policies upon discovery of this plumbing material, making it extremely important to find out if your home contains this material and catching plumbing issues early.

If you find your home or business has this type of piping you may be asking yourself what the next step should be. Call us at Modern Plumbing Inc and we will come inspect the piping for your plumbing and give you some options for replacement. We want to protect our community residences and residents as well as local businesses, many times just getting an expert opinion can start you on your way towards having peace of mind that your plumbing is safe. If you live in the greater Orlando or Winter Springs, FL area give us a call today!

Tags: Pipe Replacement, Plumbing, polybutylene
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How Can I Benefit from Professional Drain Cleaning?

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013

You rely on the plumbing system in your home for countless chores and household duties, including dishwashing, bathing and doing the laundry. Of course, once you have used the water piped into your home to do so, it has to get out somehow. That is where your drain lines come in. Disposing of wastewater in an effective, hygienic manner is one of the most important functions of your plumbing system, and it is vital that you ensure your drainage system is able to operate properly. With professional drain cleaning in Orlando from Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., you can have confidence that your drains will function reliably.

There is simply no way that you can prevent foreign substances from making their way into your drains. Even when you use drain guards to keep food, hair and other items out of your drains, they cannot be 100% effective. Because of this, it is a common problem for homeowners to deal with slow-moving, clogged and completely backed up drains. All too often, homeowners content themselves with pouring liquid drain cleaner into the bathtub or down the kitchen sink. This is simply not nearly effective or dependable a method. To get a truly outstanding performance from the drains in your home, you need professional drain cleaning.

The problem with liquid cleaners is that they rarely are able to clear away a clog completely. If even a small chunk of the clog is left behind, it is only a matter of time before that clog reforms. Some homeowners attempt to snake out their drains on their own. Again, the likelihood of completing the job thoroughly is just not guaranteed. It is possible for an amateur to simply push the snake through a clog, leaving a ring around the interior of the pipes. This will allow some water through, which may fool you into thinking that you have successfully cleaned the drain. Only a professional, though, has the tools, including video camera pipe inspection equipment, to ensure that the job is completed completely.

For more information about the benefits of professional drain cleaning, or to schedule service with the Orlando drain cleaning pros on our team, give MPI a call today. We will gladly clear out your drains to prevent future problems, including the potential for a pressure imbalance and burst pipes, within your plumbing system. Call now for more details.

Tags: Drain Cleaning, Orlando, Plumbing
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Can Neglecting Drain Cleaning Cause Damage?

Monday, July 1st, 2013

Having good, working drains is critical to your home’s proper functioning and also to your daily life. Getting regular drain cleaning is one of the best ways for you to make sure that your drains continue to work well for as long as possible. But what happens if you neglect drain cleaning? Can it really cause damage to your home’s plumbing system? Here at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI), we are dedicated to our customers’ satisfaction and to the quality of work that we do. We anted to help our customers understand the importance of getting regular drain cleaning in Orlando, FL.

The Importance of Regular Drain Cleaning

Your drains get a ton of use every single day from showers, toilets, sinks, dish washers, and laundry machines. All that use can cause your drains to develop small clogs, cracks and leaks. These types of problems usually start small and then end up becoming larger, more costly repairs.

But when you get regular drain cleaning, you might be able to keep those problems from being quite such a hassle. During a drain cleaning visit, your plumber will thoroughly clean out your entire drain system. This will allow them to remove any small clogs that are developing before they completely clog your drain. Your plumber will also inspect your drains for any leaks and cracks that could be happening. This is probably the best way for you to potentially avoid drain leaks. However, if you neglect to get drain cleaning, there’s no way for your to keep those small clogs or cracks from becoming full-blown plumbing repairs.

Call for Drain Cleaning in Orlando, FL

If you’re tired of having your drains clog or if you’d like to potentially avoid plumbing repair, call the friendly experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI). We will visit your home on a regular basis and use our specialized tools to thoroughly clean out your entire drain and plumbing system. Contact us today for drain cleaning in Orlando, FL.

Tags: Drain Cleaning, Lake Mary, Orlando, Plumbing, Sanford
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Plumbing Question: What Does a Drain Vent Do?

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

At Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI), we have seen a wide variety of plumbing jobs throughout the Orlando area. We believe that an informed customer is a great thing; it allows you to spot any issues or problems with your piping that may cause clogs and leaks. It’s relatively simple to understand that drains needs to be installed at a pitch so that gravity can push your organic waste and gray water into your sewer. But your drain ventilation system is just as critical. In today’s post, we’d like to address what a drain vent does. If you have any issues with your plumbing system that need professional attention, give us a call today.

Your wastewater disposal system cannot work without proper ventilation. Think of your drain as a tube plugged at one end. Without ventilation integrated into the drainpipe, that wastewater cannot move because there is a pressurized vacuum. A drain vent pipe connects your drain to what’s known as the main stack. While its location may vary from home to home, the main stack ventilates your drainpipe system all the way through the roof. This allows for air to flow into your drainpipe, thus relieving the pressure of a closed system, and letting gravity do its job to keep your home a hygienic and pleasant place to live.

As you can imagine, your drain vent is subject to wear and tear and problems just like any other aspect of your piping system. If there are any blockages in your drain vent, whether at the local pipe itself, or within the main stack, then you simply cannot expect effective and efficient waste removal. This may cause odors to develop in the home or might even completely backup your plumbing. It’s critical that any such problems be addressed by a professional plumber so that your home is restored to its normal operation.

Call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today for comprehensive plumbing services in Orlando, including drain vent repair.

Tags: Drain Repair, Drain Vent, Orlando, Plumbing, Sanford
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Benefits of Scheduling Maintenance Service with a Professional Plumber

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

There are huge benefits to getting your home’s plumbing system regularly maintained. The expert plumbers at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) have years of experience offering complete plumbing maintenance for all different kinds of plumbing system. Make sure that you take a couple minutes to check out some of the benefits of getting your plumbing system inspected and maintained on a regular basis.

Reduced plumbing repair – Perhaps the most important benefit of regular plumbing maintenance is that it could potentially reduce the need for plumbing repair. When you have a professional plumber regularly cleaning and inspecting your system, they will be able to find the small issues that eventually turn into repair. This could allow you to prevent some plumbing problems from ever occurring.
Increased efficiency – Your drains should be able to quickly drain the water out of your home. If you start to notice that your drains are slowing down it usually means that there is a clog forming somewhere in your plumbing system. During regular maintenance visits your plumber will look for the beginnings of those clogs and remove them which could help all the drains in your home work better.
Extended life – In some cases, clogs in your plumbing system can cause leaks or ruptures in your pipes. Maintaining your pipes and drains can help them last longer.

If you’re interested in scheduling regular maintenance for your home’s plumbing system, just call the Orlando plumbers at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI). We will visit your home several times every year and perform a thorough inspection of your home’s plumbing system.

Tags: Orlando, Plumber, Plumbing, Plumbing Maintenance, Winter Springs
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Ask a Plumber: Why Won’t My Toilet Stop Running?

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Toilet problems can be incredibly disruptive. As one of the most used appliances in your home, you need to make sure that it operates well every day throughout the year. One of the most common problems that we come across is toilets that continue to run long after flushing. While this may seem like an inconsequential, minor issue, it can actually lead to leaks and higher utility bills. There’s no repair too minor (or too large) for a professional Orlando plumber, so call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today.

In order to better understand what the problem is with your toilet and why it won’t stop running, it’s useful to first look at how your toilet functions. Your toilet is comprised of three major components: the flushing mechanism, bowl siphon, and the refill mechanism. Simply physical principles ensure that there is a consistent and constant level of water in your toilet at all times. Water conforms to a container or surface because of gravity and the curvature of the pipe behind the bowl allows the overflowing of the bowl by the tank to cause the toilet to flush. So long as the bowl is filled quickly with enough water to activate the siphon, your toilet will flush.

The tank behind the toilet bowl rapidly dumps several gallons of water into the siphon, which causes the bowl’s contents to overflow down the drainpipe. But in order to control the flow, your toilet tank has a flush valve that controls the flushing mechanism. The filler float, which looks like a ball connected to the end of a stick senses the level of water in the tank, and tells the filler valve to send water into the tank and the bowl after the flush is complete, so that the flush mechanism can be restored.

A sticky or damaged flush valve can cause a toilet to run constantly after flushing. It may also be a problem with the chain that connects the handle to that mechanism. Sometimes a jiggle on the handle will ensure that the tank fills back up, but you may need to replace the part to ensure that it doesn’t happen regularly.

Call MPI today if you need an excellent Orlando plumber. We’d be happy to take care of your any problems with your home plumbing.

Tags: Bathroom Plumbing, Plumbing, Toilet, Winter Springs
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Corroded Pipes and Plumbing Repair

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

We often think of our home plumbing system as indestructible. After all, metal is known for its strength as well as its durability. But corroded pipes can sneak up on homeowners. They can lead to serious systemic damage and you may need whole house repiping. In this post, we’d like to share with you two major issues that can lead to severe corroded pipes within your home. If you’re concerned with your pipes, then don’t hesitate to call for plumbing repair in Orlando, FL. Call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today!

Photo from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vax-o-matic/3828158533/

Your home plumbing materials are made out of plastic, concrete, or metal. While both plastic and concrete pipes tend to resist corrosion, metals are susceptible. But what is corrosion? Metal corrosion involves the constant release of ions of the metal into the water. Rust is probably the most well-known form of corrosion, and it involves the electrochemical oxidation of the metal in reaction to the oxygen in the air. When there is a substantial difference in the mineral composition of the metal piping and the water that runs through it, corrosion can result. Let’s take a look at common reasons for corroded pipes.

Flux problem: The term “flux” names a kind of paste cleaning agent used in the copper pipe soldering process. Plumbers use flux to facilitate soldering because dirt, oil, and oxidation at the site of the soldering can present obstacles to a successful joint. Muriatic acid cleans the joint and thus prepares it for bonding. But the downside of flux is that it may actually begin to react with the copper pipe itself if the pipe installation is delayed. If cold or hot water does not run through those pipes relatively soon after installation, then the acidity may pose problems to the integrity of the joint.
Water acidity: The alkalinity, hardness, and pH of the water running through the pipes all contribute to corrosive or scale-forming results. If the pH of your water is low, then your water is acidic and this often leads to enhanced levels of pipe corrosion.

We hope this helps you to better understand why pipes corrode. When you need comprehensive plumbing repair in Orlando, FL, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI)!

Tags: Corroded Pipes, Orlando, Plumbing, Plumbing Repair
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Commercial Plumbing Project: Florida Hospital Altamonte Surgery Expansion

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

One of the most rewarding benefits about working in the plumbing industry is working on a project that will ultimately help people. We worked on a major expansion of a surgery center in Altamonte Springs, FL in 2009. This expansion allowed the surgery to fulfill the medical needs of a much wider range of patients, and the experience for us was both challenging and rewarding. Working on a new large commercial building is relatively simple in comparison. When you have to move materials and equipment and make noise in a hospital environment, you really have to take into consideration where you are, and the patients nearby who are both preparing for and recovering from surgery.

That means paying attention to the risk of contamination, limiting noise, and disruption of ongoing services, and fast-tracking the project by working double-shifts. The project involved a wide range of gas equipment installation, including five major medical gas systems. Additionally, the expansion required extensive medical alarm panel wiring, along with various plumbed sinks and specialty fixtures for surgical and clinical purposes. Such equipment requires very precise installation because there is no room for error when it comes to taking care of patients. We also installed a domestic water system and sanitary and storm systems.

All in all, the project was a success, completed within budget and on time. Although we excel in such situations, every job is a learning experience and we continue to grow as a company so that we can meet the demands of any job.

Call us today to learn more about the residential and commercial plumbing services we offer to Altamonte Springs, FL and the surrounding area.

Tags: Altamonte Springs, commercial plumbing, Plumbing, Plumbing Installation, Project
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Factors That May Damage Your Sewer in Orlando

Friday, April 26th, 2013

We rely on our sewer systems every day to provide safe, effective wastewater disposal. However, considering all the use that it gets, it will probably need professional repair at some point. Because of what it does and where it is, your sewer is subject to various potential factors that may affect its integrity and performance over the years. In this post, we’d like to look at a few that seem pressing. For more information about your sewer in Orlando, and whether it may need professional attention, call the experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI).

Root penetration: The roots of trees are incredibly powerful. While they do not move fast, they carry a lot of force behind their extensions into the earth. If you have trees in the vicinity of your sewer line, then you may have to deal with the possibility that a root may penetrate your sewer line, causing it to crack and leak.
Soil erosion: While we feel only solid ground underneath our feet, the soil is constantly shifting. When parts of the underground soil composition erode, it can lead to shifts in soil density that can collapse your sewer line.
Nearby construction: When large machines move over the earth, the soil may expand or settle in adjacent areas. If you or your neighbor has a construction project, make sure the contractor knows about any sewer lines in the area.
Age of pipes: Over time, even the most durable sewer pipes corrode, crack, and collapse. Even when professionally installed, your sewer line is at risk when it hits a certain age. If you have an older home plumbing, you may wish to consult with a professional about pre-emptively replacing your sewer line before it causes a major disruption.

For more information about factors that can damage your sewer line, make sure you contact your local plumber. Sewer repairs should be taken care of immediately. If your sewer in Orlando needs professional attention, call the experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today!

Tags: Altamonte Springs, Orlando, Plumbing, Sanford, Sewer
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