How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

How to Avoid Frozen Pipes

Does Your Sewer Line Need Repair?

You may not realize it, but one of the more common home maintenance issues is a clogged sewer line. Unfortunately, sewer line repairs are for the most part expensive and complicated. The worse the clog gets the more expensive it is to fix. Now that is not to say that all sewer line repairs are expensive, if the problem is caught early it can be taken care of relatively cheaply. However, if the problem is allowed to hang around for a long time you might just have to consider replacing your sewer lines entirely.

Interior or Exterior Damp Areas or Pools
One of the telltale warning signs that there is a problem with the sewer line is the sudden appearance of damp areas or soggy pools either inside or outside your house. If inside, the most likely spot for these areas or pools to form is in the basement or on the ground floor.

If outside, expect to see pools anywhere near where the sewer line runs underneath the property, and particularly in areas where there are large tree roots that appear to intersect with your underground sewer pipe network.

You can be even more certain you are dealing with a potential sewer clog, crack or break if there is an unpleasant or musty odor coming from the damp or pooled areas. Odors may smell like sewage, or they may simply smell damp, grassy, cold, moldy or all of the above.

If you also hear a sound like clanking or keys rattling, and if the sounds seem to reliably coincide with the use of the indoor plumbing (such as turning on the water in the sink or flushing the toilet), it is fairly safe to assume there is some kind of plumbing line leak at work.

Contamination from raw sewage is a very real threat once these pools or soggy spots form, so be sure to use some kind of barrier or fence to keep kids and pets away from such areas until you can schedule a professional plumber to come out and make any necessary repairs.

Slow or Backed Up Indoor Plumbing
Indoor plumbing is a marvelous invention, except when it stops working properly. When this occurs, a small plumbing problem can turn into a major repair if not attended to rapidly. When drains start backing up, the first sign is typically standing water that is very slow to drain. This indicates there is some matter forming that may cause a later clog.

Sometimes tree roots can also impact underground pipes to the point where there is a full clog or blockage instead of a break-through in the pipe, although most commonly roots cause a crack or break that begins leaking.

If you see water that is draining slowly, this is the right time to contact your plumbing repair company before the matter gets worse and turns into a clog. Clogs can be caused by a wide variety of matter, including hair, sanitary products, baby wipes, diapers, cat litter and other material that can get easily bunched up to the point where it won’t fit down the sewer pipe.

Your toilet in particular is a place where this can happen readily. If your toilet water level begins to change for no particular reason, the tank looks like it is “sweating,” or the bowl begins percolating like a coffee maker, these are also signs you should pay attention to. A quick call to your plumbing repair technician can ensure any potential blockages are removed quickly before they turn into a full-on clog.

Multiple Plumbing-Related Problems All at Once
The third most common warning sign that you may need to make repairs to your sewer line is if your Beaverton area home begins to experience a number of different types of plumbing issues all at once or gradually over time. For example, if your toilet starts percolating and then your tub begins draining more and more slowly, there may be some kind of clog or impaction in this area of your sewer pipe network.

Similarly, if you smell an unpleasant stench in your basement or on the ground floor and at the same time that your washing machine starts to overflow, this can indicate a problem with both a clog and a potential breach of the main sewer line (with a concurrent contamination risk).

Experiencing multiple plumbing issues at once may point to a blockage or breach somewhere in the main sewer line or could even indicate an issue with the main sewer line in your city of Beaverton.

The important thing is to take action right away to determine the source of the plumbing issue, identify who is responsible for repairs (you, the city or both), get the repairs made to avoid any dangerous health issues and ensure your home’s sewer line is safe and in proper working order for the future.

By understanding these three reliable signs that can indicate your sewer line is in need of repair, you can move quickly to restore your home’s indoor plumbing to proper safe working order. The earlier you can spot the warning signs, the less risk your family will bear from potential contamination. In addition, catching a budding plumbing problem can go a long way towards controlling the repair costs.

One of the best preventative measures you can take, regardless of whether your Beaverton home is new construction or a pre-owned home, is to schedule an annual plumbing inspection to ensure all your pipes are free from clogs, roots, rodents or other debris that could lead to a dangerous situation. By taking a proactive approach to sewer line maintenance, you lessen the chances of ever having to clean up contamination from sewage or foot the bill for a major repair.

For Plumbing Services in the Beaverton area give Vanguard Plumbing, LLC. a call at (503) 966-4599

See additional info on: www.vanguardplumbingllc.com

3 Reason to Invest in Drain Cleaning

You have likely heard the saying about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure? Well when it comes to preventative maintenance on your home that is definitely the case. Spedning a little bit of time and money on upkeep in the short term can help your home run smoothly and save you money and repairs and downtime in the long run.

This rule of thumb is particulary true when it come to your home’s plumbing system. The plumbing system in your home can easily be ignored as long as it is seemingly working, but if you neglect the plumbing system for too long you are asking for trouble, and a huge repair bill.

So why should you spend money on drain cleaning?

Think of all the time you spend cleaning your home. You can scrub the floors and the walls all you want, but with the dirt, bacteria, and germs that are spreading through your home in the standing water of a clogged drain, your home isn’t as clean as you think. If you really want a clean living environment then professionally cleaned drains can get the water flowing throughout your home, and reduce the amount of bacteria that your family is exposed to.

Top 3 Reasons for Drain Cleaning:

1. Prevention of Clogs

If you have ever had a clogged toilet or stopped up drain you know what an inconvenience it can be. If given the choice you would obviously rather invest in drain cleaning now than having to deal with that messy situation in the future. Having your drains professionally cleaned removes all the buildup that causes clogs in the first place.

2. Save Money on Water Bills

If your plumbing system is starting to get clogs it can be tempting to just grab a store bought drain cleaner and temporarily fix the situation. Yes, those drain cleaners can break through clogs, but they also have the potential to damage your system. The harsh chemicals in OTC drain cleaners can damage your home’s pipes and eventually lead to leaks. This will lead to huge repair bills in the future.

Another cost to keep in mind is your water bills. Pipes with damage are prone to leaks and water waste, which means that your water bills in Tigard or the surrounding area will be higher than they have to be. A drain cleaning is a small investment that will save you lots of money down the road.

3. Quiet Down Noisy Drains

If your drains have residue built up in them they may squeak or crack. When the passageway of the pipes are narrowed, this is the sound of pressure building up and trying to pass through. The sound is even worse when the water is hot because the heat of the water makes it expand. When you get your drains cleaned that noise will go away.

If you are looking for have your drains professionally cleaned, give Vanguard Plumbing, LLC. a call today at (503) 966-2566

See more info on: https://www.vanguardplumbingllc.com/

Replace or Repair Plumbing Problems?

Every time you have a plumbing problem you ask yourself the same things that other Portland homeowners do, should I repair or should I repair. This could be for something as small as a leaky faucet all the way up to considering repiping your entire home. Most of the time, repairing the issue will be cheaper in the short term. The problem is that you are likely putting off the inevitable and when you no longer have any choice but to replace the bill will be substantially higher than expected.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you replace plumbing equipment that is causing your plumbing problems it tends to increase the efficiency of your home. This is especially true if you have been putting off a major issue for years. Modern equipment require less maintenance and are more energy efficient which can lead to savings in the long run. So how do you decide when you should replace or repair?

Replacing Your Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink is integral to the overall function of your home. Because of this, you need your sink to be functioning at peak efficiency. The fact that it is used so much is why it is usually the first sink to develop a leak or other wear and tear issues.

A leaky sink can be a huge problem, especially if you decide to put off replacing it. Not only does it waste water and increase your water bill, it also can lead to water damage which lead to expensive repairs. Upgrading to a new sink will greatly reduce this risk.

If you want to save some money, be sure to get a water efficient faucet to go with your new sink. This will increase your home’s efficiency and save you money on your utility bills.

Does Your Water Heater Need to be Replaced?

Even though water heaters are designed to last more than a decade, they still go through a lot of stress and strain on a daily basis. Depending on how old your water heater is, some models tend to age more quickly. If you do not keep an eye on your water heater’s performance you can run into major issues.

If you hear any kind of strange noises, notice rust spots, or water leaks these are all clues that your water heater may need to be replaced.  They all can result in a less efficient water heater, which accelerates how quickly it will deteriorate.

If you have decided to replace your water heater, you should consider a tankless water heater for your Portland home.  Tankless water heaters are directly connected into your homes plumbing.  This means that you will have a limitless supply of hot water on demand.  Not only are tankless water heaters efficient and practical, they also give you more storage space because there is no tank taking up space that could be used more efficiently.

For all your Portland plumbing emergencies, give Vanguard Plumbing a call.  We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Read additional information on: https://www.vanguardplumbingllc.com/

Don’t Ignore a Leaky Faucet

It may be tempting to ignore a leaky faucet in your Corvallis home, but when you get your water bill you may be in for a big surprise. This is when that small drip that was only slightly annoying becomes a nightmare. So how do you fix a faucet exactly? When fixing a small leak your plumber will have to assess several things.

What Type Of Faucet Do You Have?

The first thing a professional plumber will have to determine what type of faucet you have because different faucets have different parts. Different faucets also require different repair methods, so let’s take a look at the different types of faucets:

• Compression Faucets: These faucets are built with a stem open and closes the waterway as it rises and falls.
• Cartridge Faucets: These faucets have a cylidrical catridge which houses rubber o-rings that are used to control water flow.
• Ball-Type Faucets: These faucets are very reliable because they only rely on one moving part, a rotating metal or plastic ball. The ball is used to regulate water flow, and because of the simplicity of its design these faucets are very durable.
• Ceramic Disk Faucets: These faucets open and close the flow of water with two ceramic discs, hence the name. Much like ball-faucets, a ceramic disk faucet tends to be very low maintenance.

Identifying the Problem

Now that the faucet type has been identified a plumber has to identify the specific issue. Usually a leaky faucet is just a matter of a worn seal that needs to be replaced, and the specific seal will depend on the faucet type.

There are occasions where the leak is caused by something other than a seal. Some faucets can become old, worn out, and start to develop cracks.

In cases such as these the entire faucet, or at least the part that is cracking will need to be replaced. This obviously is a slightly more complicate job than simply replacing a seal, but the team at Vanguard Plumbing will be happy to help you out. Our techs can even asses your current plumbing system and recommend a better, more efficient faucet. If you have to replace your faucet either way, it may be beneficial in the long run to upgrade instead of a simple direct replacement. Your Corvallis plumbers at Vanguard can help you make the best decision possible.

Read additional information on: Vanguard Plumbing’s Blog

How to Choose a Plumbing Contractor

When you have plumbing issues in your home it is important to shop around for a plumbing contractor that can help. Unfortunately, plumbing repairs can be a significant expense and you don’t want your hard money wasted on a plumber that can’t get the job done.  With all the choices out there, it can be hard to know which plumber in the Salem area to choose.  How can you be sure you are making the best decision for your family?  Vanguard Plumbing is here to make the decision easier for you.

Things to Look For When Searching for a Salem Plumbing Contractor

We understand that when faced with all the local plumbers in the area, narrowing your options down can be overwhelming.  We have put together a list of questions to help you make the best decision when it comes to choosing a plumbing contractor.

“What plumbing services do you offer?” - Obviously if you have a particular issue that needs to be addressed it does you no good to consider plumbing contractors that do not possess the skills to get the job done.  It is sad to say, but in this industry there are many people that will come to your house, try to charge you a service fee, and then realize they cannot fix the problem.  At Vanguard we are a one stop shop for all your plumbing needs.  We can handle any size job from small resident problems to large commercial projects.

“Are they up to date on advanced technology?” - With the advance of technology, many plumbers have taken the steps to learn about and utilize some of the more modern repair methods available today. For example, you may need them to fix sewer for you. Some plumbers still use “old school” methods of having to dig a trench to get down to the broken or damaged sewer lines. However, methods like trenchless technology can greatly reduce the mess of having sewers repaired or replaced the traditional way. The “old school” way involves digging a large trench and takes hours and hours of work. It also means that your yard must be completely dug up. Therefore, Vanguard uses more modern methods that can make pipe-lining sewer repair less of a hassle and save you money in the long run.

“Are the available for emergencies?” - We offer 24-7 emergency repair. This is a big deal. There are many plumbing contractors who will not work with you like this. What happens if one of your lines bursts in the middle of the night? Just give us a call. We will handle it. As soon as you explain the situation and get the address, we will dispatch someone to you right away. You could call us at 2:00 AM, and we would still come out and take a look.  We have day and night crews. Each one is fully trained to handle any type of problem. This will take some of the stress off of you. You can go back to your day/night. knowing that we have go the issue covered.

If you are looking for a plumbing contractor in Salem, or the Greater Portland area, Vanguard Plumbing is here for you.  Give us a call today to learn more about, and to schedule a free consultation.

Find additional info on: https://www.vanguardplumbingllc.com/