Of all the innovations we’ve had in urban development and plumbing specifically, it’s kind of surprising that toilets still work the same way they always have. You begin by pushing down the flushing handle (or button) to allow water to fill the toilets tank. From there the water level rises, lifting the float, which in turn shuts off the water supply once a certain level is reached. When the handle returns to it’s original position a lever that is connected to the handle opens the flapper that is contained within the toilets tank. The opening of the flapper reveals a hole that leads to the bowl that allows for the “flush” to occur.

Since this process has remained relatively the same over the years, when we receive calls from customers experiencing issues with their toilets, it usually takes us all of a few minutes to figure out what is going on. The most common issue we hear about is the ever-so-annoying running toilet.  Below we have outlined 6 common causes of running toilets so you can troubleshoot like a pro!

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In the era of DIY reality shows, YouTube instructional videos, and the boom in online content being provided by professional contractors it’s no wonder as to why there are so many handy-homeowners tackling repair work on their own. Although you may be amongst the group of handy land owners it is important to understand that some projects are better left to professionals. This is usually true when it comeas to most plumbing work. Sure, you can use a plunger or snake to clear stubborn clogs from a drain line or pop the lid off of the toilet tank to stop that running noise, but some tasks require special skills training that you just get from in front of the screen.

From proper training to specalized tools access, sometimes calling in a professional plumber is exactly what is needed to ensure your homes small plumbing problem doesn’t turn into a big one! Below is a list of the 4 most common plumbing issues that should be handled by a state licensed plumbing contractor.

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There are few things more relaxing that a nice, warm shower to end a long and stressful day. So if you imagine stepping into a should-be hot shower only to be sprayed with cold water, you can see how frustrating it could be. When hot water ceases to flow from the taps in your home, it is likely due to an issue with your hot water heater. In today’s post we are covering some maintenance tips to keep your home’s hot water heater functioning perfectly all year-round.

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That foul smell coming from the basement might not be mold. You shouldn’t let it fester either. A foul smell coming from a basement, specifically one with a sump pump, could be from the sump pump itself. It’s easy for the foul smell to spread to other rooms of the home and not just remain in the basement. Odors can easily enter into the ventilation of the home and spread to the top floor, where  your bedrooms are located. If you notice that the odor gets stronger when you reach the basement, you likely have a problem with the sump pump on your hands. If that’s the case, it’s time to call the reputable team from Flow Plumbing in Mesquite, TX.

Breach of the Sewer Line

If your home is connected to the sewer system on your street, there could be a breach of the sewer line if a foul smell is present in the basement near the sump pump. The main goal of a sump pump is to pump excess water out of the home and into the front yard or into the street so that it can drain into the sewer system.

When there is an illegal setup of the sump pump, which is when the pump is connected directly to the municipal sewer system, a backup can occur. When there is an illegal connection, the sump pump can easily backup into the home, causing the foul smell.

You might also have a crack or other breach in the sewer line that runs from the street to your home in Mesquite, TX. If this is the case, the sump pump could be pulling in water that has leaked from the sewer line into your basement. Since this water comes from the sewer line it will smell foul. A plumber will be needed to locate where the breach is in the sewer line so it can be determined who is responsible for fixing the line, either you or the municipality.

Too Much Water

When you check the sump pump every now and then, do you notice water sitting in the bottom of the well/tank? If you do, this is nothing to worry about so long as the water is below the cutoff mark that would activate the pump. If it hasn’t rained in a while in Mesquite, TX, that little bit of water in the pump will remain there since there won’t be enough water entering the pump to activate it. A dry period can cause the water in the pump to become stagnate, develop mold and bacteria and lead to a foul odor.

When there’s too much water in the sump pump well, or if the pump hasn’t operated in a while because of a lack of rain, you can easily fix this problem. All you need to do is pour some diluted bleach into the well to get rid of the foul smell emanating from it. If the diluted bleach does not fix the smell you can always use a wet/dry vacuum to get the water out of the well. Once the well is dry, clean it to remove any remaining bacteria, grime, or mold. Once the well has been cleaned you need to add fresh water up to the fill line. Water helps to keep the foul smell from moving throughout your home. If the well is completely dry, foul smells could also develop and wind up emanating throughout the home.

Check the Float Switch

If you continue to have foul smells in the basement, you need to check the float switch of the sump pump. The float switch the is part of the pump that activates the pump to remove the water from the home. If the float switch has failed it will not tell the pump to turn on, therefore leaving too much water in the well.

Call a Plumber Today for Sump Pump Issues

When you are dealing with a sump pump issue, such as a foul smell coming from the well, you will want to call an experienced plumber immediately. A foul odor coming from the sump pump in your basement can make living in the home extremely unpleasant. Call the experienced and trusted team at Flow Plumbing in Mesquite, TX today to schedule an appointment.

The summer season is right around the corner in Mesquite, TX. Don’t let a few common plumbing issues ruin your first barbeque, pool party, or even a celebration for the 4th of July. The experienced and trusted team from Flow Plumbing has put together a list of the seven most common summer plumbing issues homeowners face every year. Check this list and keep an eye out for any signs that could show trouble with your plumbing so the summer season is not ruined.

1. Overused Toilets

The toilets in your home will got a lot more use during the summer when you have kids. Why? They are home from school in the summer, which means the majority of their bathroom visits will come while at home. Added flushes for your home’s toilets could lead to overuse and eventual damage. You might wind up having to replace the handle, break up clogs, and even deal with toilets overflowing onto the bathroom floor.

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A consistent build up of soap scum, grease, hair, nail clippings, and leftover food waste can create an un-plungeable nightmare of a clog in your home’s pipes. The appealing solution? Over the counter drain cleaning chemicals of course! They’re relatively inexpensive, fast acting, and can be purchased just about anywhere toilet paper is sold. But before you reach for that old trusty bottle of chemical compounds, let’s take a deeper dive into what exactly is in that bottle.

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When you consider the vital role a sewer line plays in your home’s plumbing system along with the high costs associated with repair/replacement services,  you’ll quickly see that the decision to have work performed should be taken lightly. Understanding some of the various details associated with your home’s plumbing can help make hiring the right plumbing contractor much easier.

While most sewer systems tend to be very similar if not the same, the overall layout of the pipes, the general care, maintenance, and usage makes them all unique. When you set out to have a broken sewer line repaired it is in your best interest to understand all of the options available to you. Being informed will allow you to reduce the accompanying stress of such a major project, save time, and money. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to make the appropriate decision for you, your home, and your budget.

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For many homeowners, having the skill to save some cash by performing minor repairs around home is a blessing. However, when dealing with plumbing issues that may arise, it is important to know exactly what is manageable and what should be turned over to the professionals. We’ve put together this post to help you better understand the difference between DIY plumbing repairs and jobs that only licensed plumbers should remedy.

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When looking to purchase a home in the DFW Metroplex it is not uncommon for future buyers to want an older home. It could be the style and architecture, value and price, or the home’s location & history that draws them. When old homes go on the market they are typically renovated and updated with modern appliances, cabinetry, flooring, and other details. These renovations do a great job at lifting the value of the property and giving the home a nice “face-lift.” One key component that is usually missing during these renovations or is simply overlooked by sellers and buyers alike is the home’s plumbing system. Typically the only plumbing related due diligence that occurs is a Hydrostatic Pressure Test to ensure no leaks are present in the homes pipes.

It is for precisely this reason that most older homes can become a time bomb ready to explode with unforeseen plumbing issues. In this post we will cover some of the things that can wrong related to the plumbing in older homes and ways you can protect yourself from them.

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All too often when we think about plumbing services we think about repairs & service. We rarely stop to consider what we can be doing to avoid service & repairs and prevent plumbing issues from arising in the first place. In this blog post we will focus on 4 best practices that you can implement right away to prevent plumbing problems from occuring in your home or business.

Be Mindful Of What You Put Down The Sink

The most common calls we recieve from customers in need of plumbing service include clogged or backed up drain lines. Sure, it is convenient and time saving to clear leftover food from plates directly into the sink before tossing them into the dishwasher. However convenient it may be, it is not worth the risk. Anytime you place solid foods, cooking grease, vegetable scraps and peels, or other foods down the drain you are increasing your chances of clogging the line and decreasing the flow and efficiency of your homes plumbing system. And perhaps the most damaging of all, you are also increasing the pressure inside the pipes which can lead to catastrophic plumbing leaks.

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