Almost every homeowner has been faced with at least one plumbing problem in their bathroom. For many people, the problems are clogs, in toilets and drains alike. However, toilet problems are extremely common, and often avoidable! Today we will discuss several ways you can prevent problems with your toilet at home.

Don’t Flush That!

Rule number one to follow when you are hoping to keep your toilet free from problems is that you shouldn’t flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper. Feminine products, toys, alligators, and paper towels don’t belong in the toilet. Make sure to keep a trashcan close to the toilet, to encourage other members of your household to use it instead of the toilet.

Don’t Put That In The Tank!

This one is for those of you who rely on old fashioned remedies. It was once believed that putting a brick in the tank of your toilet would displace the water and save your toilet from wasting so much water. However, unless your toilet is from before the mid 90s, it likely only uses 1.6 gallons of water to flush. If you are working with an older toilet, consider replacing it, or using a weighted water bottle to displace the water, as bricks break down and clog your system over time.

Don’t Clean With That!

It is important that you avoid using harsh chemical cleaners to clear clogs in your toilet. Those chemicals can damage your pipes, as well as the finish on your toilet, and they are not an effective way of solving clog problems. Use a flange plunger, or call an experienced plumber instead!

If you’d like more tips on keeping your toilet in top condition, or if you need any help with plumbing repairs, give us a call at 214-388-8838!

When it comes to residential plumbing, many homeowners don’t think about plumbing problems until they are impossible to miss. For example, did you know that most clogs have already formed long before your water stops draining completely? Additionally, clogs that are left until the last minute can really wreak havoc on your plumbing, and even cause pipes to burst in extreme cases. Today we will discuss a few ways to determine if your drain has a clog, before your water stops draining!

this one seems fairly obvious, but a surprising number of homeowners choose to ignore it. When your drain is letting out water at a slower rate than normal, there is definitely a clog somewhere down the line. When you catch a clog at this stage, we should be able to fix it well before it stops draining.

Gurgling

If your sink is starting to gurgle , that is another clear sign of drainage issues. In fact, gurgling can alert you to major issues with your drain. Gurgling occurs when there is air trapped in your drains, and this only happens when there are obstructions present.

Strange Odors

Another indication of a drain problem is any sort of strange odor coming from your drains. Clogs are often full of bacteria, and bacteria is known to produce some strong odors. If the odor reminds you of sewage, however, you may be looking at a more serious problem, such as sewage backflow.

In most homes, hot water is in high demand for everything from washing dishes to relaxing baths. All water heaters, even the top of the line models, are susceptible to damage as they age. As with any aspect of home repair, it is always best to address problems sooner rather than later. However, it can be difficult to recognize a problem with your hot water heater before you lose access to hot water entirely! Below, we’ll discuss a few ways you can determine if your water heater is in need of repairs or replacement.

Age

For most water heaters, you can expect 8 to 10 years of service. Be sure to know how old your hot water heater is so that you can prepare for replacement as your water heater nears the end of its lifespan. If you wait longer, your water heater becomes increasingly susceptible to corrosion, cracks, and worn out parts.

Rust

In your hot water heater, there is a rod that attracts corrosive elements within your water, and it is called the anode rod. The anode rod will begin to rust with time, and you can find this rust in your hot water supply. If your hot water is coming out of the faucets with a rusty tint, you likely need to have the anode rod replaced if your water heater still has a few years of life left. However, sometimes the rust can come from the tank itself, which means that you are very close to needing a replacement.

Noise

Most water heaters are relatively quiet. If your unit begins to emit loud banging noises, or loud gurgling sounds, you may need to have it replaced soon. These sounds usually happen when your water heater is having trouble maintain the temperature of the water, and is therefore working harder to provide your hot water. This also puts a larger drain on your energy usage, so you should opt for a more efficient model promptly.

If you need hot water heater repair in Dallas, TX and surrounding areas, give us a a call at 214-388-8838! We look forward to serving you!