Handling Slab Leaks in Your Home

 

A slab leak is the result of a home’s plumbing leaking under the foundation. Some mistake the name “slab leak” as the foundation of the home leaking, but this is not the case. Slab leaks can have catastrophic results to a home if not quickly and properly taken care of.

What Causes Slab Leaks?

Slab leaks can be the result of several different issues. These issues include pressure, abrasion, and corrosion. Slab leaks from pressure result from pipes being squeezed or bent. Pipes that are squeezed or bent can restrict the flow through the pipe causing excess pressure to build up and the pipes to wear unevenly. Leaks can result from unevenly worn pipes.

Abrasion slab leaks can result from the constant flow of water through the pipes, expansion of the pipes from pressure or vibrations of the pipes leading to rubbing. Abrasion leaks can happen over time and start out very small and progressively grow if not fixed.

Corrosion slab leaks happen over time as a result of constant water running through the inside of the pipes and the constant contact of soil with the outside of the pipes. A charged ground coupled with water balance can cause corrosion from the inside or the outside of the home’s pipes.

How Do I Know If I Have A Slab Leak?

There are several different indicators to look for with a slab leak. One of the first things a homeowner will notice if there is a slab leak in the home is a constant hissing or splashing noise. Hissing or splashing noises (sounding as if there is water running even though there are no faucets turned on) is a sign of a slab leak.

A sudden warm spot in the home’s floor is another sign there may be a slab leak. It is much easier to discover hot water slab leaks because homeowner’s typically feel unusually warm spots on the home’s floor.

Unusually low water pressure is another sign that the home may have a slab leak. Most slab leaks tend to occur within the major water line to the home and can cause water pressure to decrease dramatically.

How Long Does A Slab Leak Repair Take?

On average, a slab leak repair takes several days to complete. Two days can be designated to the actual plumbing repair work while another day or two can be dedicated to finishing the repair (for example to replace flooring).

Slab leaks can be repaired in a direct manner where the floor is opened directly above the leak or an indirect manner where the plumbing is rerouted. Depending on which method of repair is used will determine exactly how long the repair will take.

Don’t let a Slab Leak take over your home! Call Allore’s Plumbing at (772) 288-0998 right away for the best services in the Stuart area. 

Reasons Behind a Clogged Toilet

 

There are plenty of issues that can come about and cause a clogged toilet. Should your toilet clog, it is always important to bring in a professional who is able to work with the situation and correct it as soon as possible. However, before you bring in the professional, it is good to know what might cause the clogs and how you can avoid it. In general, by simply not flushing down certain items into the toilet, you should be able to avoid most clogs. Of course, there are certain instances where your toilet might just become damaged and there is not much you can do about it. Either way, this is a list of 10 reasons why your toilet might become clogged.

Water Pressure

If the water pressure inside of your home is reduced, your toilet is not going to have the water to push items down. Should this happen, you might suffer through a clog.

Damaged Drainage System

If the drainage system inside of your home is damaged, or if the sewer line is backed up, material can start to flow back up through the toilet, which can cause problems on its own. This is why you need to bring in a professional to work on your toilet if it is clogged, as they know what to do and how to correct it.

Too Much Toilet Paper

Flushing down too much toilet paper at once can cause your toilet to clog. Even though the toilet paper is designed for toilets, putting too much in it is going to cause problems.

Kitty Litter

This is a common area where people simply toss the kitty litter into the toilet. After all, it is where the cat goes to the bathroom, so it should work fine in the toilet. The problem with this is kitty litter is made up of sand and mud, which is going to harden in the water and back up the toilet.

Condoms

It is small, but the condom can collect material inside, causing it to enlarge and block off the toilet. Never flush these down.

Paper Towels and Wet Wipes

These items are not designed for the toilet as it does not break down in water like toilet paper.

Damage Inside the Tank

If your toilet is not flushing down correctly, there might be damage inside of the tank.

Food

You’re at a party and flush what you don’t want to eat. This can lead to bad problems.

Tampons

In the same boat as the paper towels, these are designed to absorb, which is going to block off the toilet.

Toilet Bowl Scrub Pads

It’s in the toilet, so just flush it down? Avoid this, as it is made to clean, not to flush.

Call Allore’s Plumbing at (772) 288-0998 right now if your toilet is clogged. Our experienced technicians will service your Stuart home in no time! 

The Perils in Bathroom Remodeling

 

Bathroom remodeling is an activity meant to make your home a better place. This means you will need to make some effort to ensure everything is set up in the best manner possible. One of the best options to guarantee positive results is by hiring the best group in the market to help in the execution of this process. However, you will notice that there are problems that arise in the course of having your plan implemented despite the fact that you have hired the most qualified professionals for the job. This has to do with structural differences that may not allow some items to be fixed in the right manner as expected.

Hidden Flaws

Depending on the time the initial plumbing was done, you may realize some problems due to poor installation and planning. This may deter you from getting all upgrades fitted in their respective locations thereby taking much time to bring the project to completion. Mostly, you are forced to start the whole plumbing process afresh to accommodate the changes well. Moreover, you may also realize that your system was fitted at a time when there were no modern devices that can make your bathroom better. This will call for your attention to ensure the outdated parts are replaced. If for instance your budget was not structured to cover such expenses, you will not be in a position to continue with the project unless you have some backup.

Drainage Issues

Although your plan to have your bathroom remodeled may seem easy, you may at some point realize that more time will be needed because of things like poor drainage in the plumbing system. This means you will be forced to embrace measures that are meant to first correct the drainage problem before moving ahead with the remodeling. If your plan was to have the bathroom remodeled within a certain time period, you may be forced to wait longer before the project is finished. You should not also forget that this attracts more spending.

When Should You Replace Your Shower or Tub?

Although it is recommended that you should replace your shower or tub during remodeling, some instances may force you to perform this a time earlier. For instance, in case your shower gets some functional flaws, you will need to replace it immediately to avoid inconvenience if the situation gets aggravated. Similarly, you may need to replace your tub when you come to the realization that it is no longer giving the desired effect.

Looking to hire professional plumbers for your Stuart home’s bathroom remodel? Call Allore’s Plumbing at (772) 288-0998 for our quick and efficient services. 

 Handling Gas Line Leaks

 

Natural Gas and Its Dangers

Natural gas that is used in homes is made mainly of methane. It is a convenience that most people enjoy. It warms their home and water and cooks their meals. This convenience can also be a hazard. A natural gas leak can cause people to become ill. Or, even worse, it can cause fatalities.

The main culprit for gas being dangerous is carbon monoxide. Another danger of natural gas is that it will cause an explosion, if it comes in contact with a flame. Its ability to cause illness, fatalities, and explosions are enough reasons for homeowners to be proactive in checking their gas lines.

Signs of a Gas Leak

Because methane by nature is invisible, odorless and tasteless, it is not easily noticeable. To detect a gas leak, homeowners must know what signs to look for. The first sign of a leak is the smell of rotten eggs. This odorant is added so homeowners can better detect the presence of natural gas in the event of a leak. Another sign is a sudden discoloration of house plants. Just like the consequential product formed from the compression of methane harms people, it also harms vegetation. A third sign is appliances such as the furnace, stove, and water heater not working properly. In all three cases, the best way to deal with a broken gas line is to replace it.

Cost of Replacing a Gas Line 

The cost of replacing a gas line runs in the range of free to several hundreds of dollars. It depends on rather it is being installed by the gas company or a professional. The gas company in some cities will install a new gas line for free if homeowners are planning to have a gas appliance installed.

If the gas company does not perform this task for free, then the rate will be included in installments with the monthly bill. Depending on where the homeowner resides, this rate may be cheaper than the going rate of a professional. Or, it may cost more than the going rate of a professional.

Does your Stuart home need urgent Gas Line Leak repair? Dial (772) 288-0998 now to contact Allore’s Plumbing’s top notch services. 

Maintaining a Garbage Disposal

 

My Disposer Smells Really Bad

Anyone who has a garbage disposal can begin to smell something bad coming from it over time. If the garbage disposal has food that is stuck inside, and it hasn’t been crushed up or ran through the disposer, it may begin to smell. Sometimes the food may get stuck on the sides of the garbage disposal, and it sits there for a long time, until it begins to get rotten, and the smell will go throughout the entire kitchen. Sometimes the problem is not left over food, but you may be getting a sewage type smell that is coming from the garbage disposal.

This smell could be because of a bad trap that is not doing its job properly, and allows the sewage smell to seep through. Usually, the smell is coming from the garbage disposal itself, especially if it has the inability to crush up food, and is not functioning properly. If you are getting a smell from your garbage disposal, you can try several remedies to get rid of the smell, but you may need to call a plumber to fix the problem.

What Can A Plumber Do To Get Rid Of It?

Plumbers have the ability to take apart any garbage disposal, and see where the smell is coming from, and also to help get rid of the smell. If you choose to call a plumber to fix the problem, usually, it’s something that you cannot fix on your own. If the smell is due to the trap that is not providing the protective seal on the pipe, and it’s allowing the sewage scent to come through, a plumber can fix this. A plumber can also advise you on how to continue to have a clean smelling garbage disposal, as well as one that works properly at all times.

What Shouldn’t I Put Into My Disposer?

It’s never wise to put anything too big inside the garbage disposal. It’s also recommended that you do not put in any solid meats from animals in the disposal, whether it’s raw or cooked. These meats may not be able to pass through the disposal. Anything that is extremely hard cannot be put into the garbage disposal, because it can ruin the blades, and possibly break the disposal completely. Make sure that whatever you put into the disposal is something very soft, and it won’t obstruct the disposal from functioning.

If your home is in need of garbage disposal services, call Drain Cleaning at (772) 288-0998 for the best services in the Stuart area. 

Dealing With Frozen Pipes

 

Why Does a Plumbing System Freeze?  

A plumbing system can freeze because it contains water throughout the system. When the weather gets too cold and drops below freezing the plumbing system can freeze and cause a burst pipe. This can happen throughout the house or in parts of it.

There are several ways to prevent your plumbing system from freezing, but most of them revolve around being prepared for the event. By reading this article you are already preparing for the possibility that your pipes might freeze. One of the best ways to prevent your pipes from freezing is to turn up the heat.

How Can I Prevent This?

If you live in an old house, then it is very likely that your crawl space is not insulated. This means that your pipes are exposed to whatever the temperature is outside. Turning the heat up will make it a little bit warmer and thus help your pipes stay warm. During the warmer months you can also install insulation in the areas of your house where your pipes are. This will help your pipes retain heat and thus avoid freezing. You can also put a heating cable or a space heater near pipes within your house to keep the house warm. One technique that you can use in a worst case scenario is to turn off your water. This will keep the pipes within your house from freezing because they will not have any water in them to freeze. This is a last ditch effort thing to do because once you have done it you will not have any water in your house. There are many things you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Why Is It Important To Keep This From Happening?

Keeping your plumbing system from freezing is extremely critical. Pipes that freeze have an extremely high potential to burst. This will wreak havoc on your plumbing system and if left unchecked for too long cause damage to other parts of your home. The repairs for these damages will be extremely costly as they will require a professional plumber to locate and take care of the burst. Your home is one of your most valuable assets and preventing damage to it should be one of your highest priorities. You should take measures to prevent your plumbing system from freezing in order to save yourself time and money.

The winter is bringing extremely cold weather and if you do not take the appropriate measures, then you could find yourself facing high plumbing bills. Take measures today to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Is the cold Stuart winter making you think about the security of your plumbing system? Call Drain Cleaning today at (772) 288-0998 for top quality frozen pipe services. 

Drain Clog Prevention

 

Water Works Of Drainpipes

The plumbing system in a house has two separate subsystems, one subsystem brings in freshwater while the other disposes of waste-water out from the house. The water that enters the house is under pressure at about 50-60 psi so that it can go around corners, upstairs and anywhere else it is required, it passes through a meter that reads the amount of water used.

Waste-water is pulled down by gravity and exits through the drainpipes while air from the vents keep the drains running smoothly. Vents are used to ventilate supply pipes to prevent the build up of sewage gases in the house. If a vent is too far away it won’t allow enough fast drainage when breaking the vacuum. The main stop valve is located closest to the meter, however other fixtures in the house should have individual stop valves so that only one section of flow can be shut off. How well a plumbing system works depends on the plumber’s skills.

How To Prevent Drain Clogs

A clog occurs from gradual build up of organic matter, if not cleaned properly, hair and grease will accumulate on the inside of the drainpipes over time. When a large clump of debris or hair passes through it can become stuck resulting in a clog. Tree roots are the main cause of clogs in sewer lines, especially in older houses. Whenever these issues arise, it is important to call for professional Drain Cleaning services.

Before applying these techniques, take an inventory of all drains in the house. Avoid putting food scrapes in your garbage disposal and always run with cold water after doing dishes and keep water flowing for a few minutes after shutting off. There are certain foods you should never put down the garbage disposal as these can jam the blades.

Use a good quality sink strainer that fits for the drains and clean it often. Periodically flush pipelines for the house as this sometimes helps to dislodge build-up of matter. Have the house septic system inspected regularly and if there are problems, look into a trench-less sewer line replacement.

Only waste and toilet paper should go down the toilet and never flush too much at once. Never pour paint or paint thinner down the drains as this can damage them. Don’t pour grease down the drain, keep lint out of laundry tub drain and use screen covers for shower drains.

Are you looking for Drain Cleaning services in the Stuart area? Look no further than Allore’s Plumbing, call us today at (772) 288-0998. 

The Secret to Lowering Your Water Bill

 

What Consumes the Most Water in My House?

You noticed that your water bill is higher than normal, but you and your family have not be using the water any more than you normally would. So the first thing you do is go back and think about where you may have used more water than normal. Possibly filling a pool in the summer or washing the car every day in the driveway will use more water, but it shouldn’t cause a spike in the price that causes you alarm. When this happens, a professional plumber is the best possible help you can hire in order to lower your bill once more.

What Appliances Use the Most Water?

During normal water usage, the dishwasher and washing machine use a large amount of water just once. The hot water heater only heats the water for your shower, sinks, and washing machine. Unless you have an army staying in your home, this should not be an appliance responsible for higher water usage. The toilets and sinks are used most frequently each day, and a family will use them the same each day. The reason for the increase in water usage must be related to a leak somewhere.

Finding the Water Leak

Finding the source of a water leak can be a challenge if you do not know where to look. Just because the house appears dry, doesn’t mean a pipe isn’t dripping water each day. The first place to look is the most obvious, under the sinks and around the toilets. While a drip from the sink might not cause the rise in water bill price, several leaks can cause the problem. Check pipes leading to and coming from all appliances, and check the garage if your water heater is out there.If you have not found any water leaking, it is time to call a plumber so he can check the pipes that you can not access.

Finding Leaks In Hidden Pipes

There is a huge network of plumbing pipes running in your attic, basement, and behind the walls in the house. If any of those pipes are leaking, you may not see the damage until it is too late. Your plumber will use tools to test the pipes for weakness and leaks, then look for some tell-tale signs of water damage. If the plumbing is leaking in an attic, the water could be dripping where you may never see it. The plumber will find, repair, and help you to restore your water bill back to normal again.

Are you spending far too much on your water bill? Take action and call Allore’s Plumbing today at (772) 288-0998. Your Stuart home will thank you. 

Saving Money With Preventive Plumbing Maintenance

 

A smart way to save money on plumbing expenses is to use preventive maintenance. To detect minor issues before they grow into bigger problems, licensed plumbers should do whole house inspections at least once per year.

No More Emergency Plumbing Calls

When calling plumbers, homeowners usually need emergency service to fix issues such as clogged toilets or bathtubs. A thorough cleaning of the main drain ensures that smaller clogs do not occur in household fixtures. Additionally, preventive maintenance includes chemical applications that flush away debris that might be stuck inside fixture traps and drain pipes. Such preventive maintenance ultimately reduces the need to call for emergency plumbing services in the middle of the night and pay premium rates for labor.

Water Heater Maintenance

The storage tank of a water heater can gradually get filled with solid deposits such as natural minerals and other chemicals. Scaling can occur inside the actual tank, hot water supply pipes and fixtures such as shower heads and faucets. An annual flush and cleaning of a water heater can prevent such common problems in a home’s plumbing system. Additionally, a well maintained water heater delivers a proper flow rate of hot water to all points inside a house. Neglected storage tanks might accumulate an enormous amount of solid debris that can lead to tremendous pressure accumulation inside and create the risk of an explosion. Pressure relief valves should be checked by professional plumbers to make sure there’s a way to minimize the risk of explosive accidents in old water heaters.

Fixture Leaks

A leak in the toilets, faucets and shower heads can impact a monthly water bill. Preventive plumbing services include thorough inspections of all cold and hot water supply lines as well as fixtures. Sometimes, minor leaks might occur below the counter tops or vanity units and cause mold and mildew growth. Leaks can also happen due to worn out wax rings and other hardware that connects toilets to drain traps. A simple caulking might not always be a long lasting remedy to such a plumbing problem. Leaks that are detected early can lead to major savings on future plumbing repairs and full replacements of pipes and fixtures.

When it comes to saving money on long term plumbing service costs, savvy homeowners should fully understand that preventive maintenance is the way to go. When minor problems are fixed promptly, there’s no need for emergency calls.

Looking to save money in the long run? Call Allore’s Plumbing today at (772) 288-0998 for plumbing maintenance services in the Stuart area.

What Are the Precautions to Take When Discovering a Leak in My Home?

 
Conscientious homeowners who want to ensure that their living space is highly functional
and aesthetically appealing should learn as much as possible about leaks. In the event that a homeowner discovers a leak somewhere in the house, a specific course of action should be taken to minimize risks and damage. By learning more about this important issue, you can keep your living space in the optimal condition necessary to ensure that your home is the haven that it should be. We can help with our plumbing services.

Leak Precautions

There’s nothing quite as disconcerting and anxiety-inducing as a leak. However, if you know which precautions to take once you discover a leak, you will likely find that there is little to no damage to your property. Here are several important precautions to take once you discover a leak in your home:

1. Do Not Try To Do A Major Repair.

Oftentimes, people fly into a panic once they realize that there is a major leak in their home. This panic results in the perceived need to identify and resolve the source of the problem immediately. Don’t do this. Unless you are a professional electrician, technician, or HVAC worker, you likely do not have the knowledge and experience necessary to complete this process well. Instead, call the professionals and let them handle the issue.

2. Turn Off Any Running Water.

Outside of calling the professionals, this is typically the most important precaution to take once you become aware of a leak in your home. Shutting off the water is a simple and effective way to stop the flow of water and prevent more damage. Almost any plumbing issue that you have will become significantly worse and result in more damage if no one in your home is able to shut off the water flow.

Why Is It Important To Fix Your Leak Issues?

To many people, leak issues appear as minor plumbing issues that they can ignore. With time, these individuals reason, the leak will go away. This is the wrong attitude to adopt. In fact, it is very important that you fix your leak issues as soon as they emerge.

This is important for several reasons, including the fact that addressing the issue early can prevent a more serious issue (such as a bursting pipe) from surfacing. Additionally, when you call professionals to resolve your leak issue, they will often be able to identify other problems with your plumbing and resolve those matters as well.

Conclusion

If you want your home to look as pristine and polished as possible at all times, you should know that taking care of leak issues as soon as they emerge is the best way to accomplish this objective. When you become aware that you have a leak issue, take the proper precautions and contact professionals immediately to preclude the minor matter from becoming a big problem.

Serving your Stuart community everyday. For leak detection assistance, Call Allore’s Plumbing at (772) 288-0998 today for reliable plumbing services.