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What Does Your Reliable Plumber Have To Say About A Cleanout?
Are the wastes from your plumbing backing up from your bathroom, kitchen drains, or even the toilet? That signifies a huge issue down the drain, most likely a clog. This means that you should immediately call a plumber near you to inspect the drains, diagnose the problem, and formulate a method to fix the problem. One of the plumbing fixtures that play a critical role in inspecting and cleaning the drains is what is called a cleanout. But what is a cleanout in your plumbing to begin with? If you are scratching your head around this, worry not, for you are at the right place. In this article, you will learn what this is, the cost of installing one, and how it helps your plumbing.
What’s a Clean Out?
This access point for the drainage system or sewer line is considered a means of accessing the sewer line for whatever purpose, be it cleaning or unclogging. Although a cleanout is crucial, only some homes have one. However, if your home does have one, you can find it about three inches off the edge of your building or home. Plumbing experts install the cleanout outside your home for easy access to the drainage system or main sewer line.
If, in any case, you don’t have a cleanout, having a professional install one can help you get to the main sewer line or drainage system quicker. Hence, unclogging and drain cleaning will be faster and easier. Whenever the main sewer line or drainage system has an underlying issue, whether roots or clogs in the line, your entire home might quickly start to back up. This will make the plumbing break down. With a cleanout, you can have your local plumber easily and quickly access the lines with a plumbing CCTV camera and fix the problem without dragging their plumbing tools and equipment through your home.
After a professional determines the kind of clog or problem they are dealing with and the location, they will choose the right tools and method for removing the blockage. After completing the repairs or cleaning, the professionals run the camera through your drain lines to determine everything is in order. This can be particularly important when making insurance claims to your home insurance provider.
Are Plumbing Cleanouts Necessary?
Some homes don’t have a cleanout, and their drainage and sewer systems usually work. But does this mean that cleanouts aren’t necessary? Well, while having a cleanout at your home is not mandatory, having one is convenient and recommended. This means the professional can easily access the drainage or sewer system for cleaning, unclogging, or inspecting them for any underlying issues.
Why Should You Have a Plumbing Cleanout Installed?
As mentioned above, installing a cleanout isn’t mandatory. However, installing one could end any frequent sewer or drainage issues you have been experiencing. With it, a plumbing expert can quickly inspect the drains and sewer system using a plumbing CCTV when they come for a maintenance visit. Hence, it will help them determine the underlying problem before it worsens.
If you don’t need a cleanout for your entire home, you can always install a drain or sewer-specific cleanouts. With these cleanouts, it becomes even easier for the professionals to complete the inspections, cleaning, or even unclogging. Many modern homes feature drain- or sewer-specific cleanouts in the yard, garage, laundry room, or kitchen.
Since cleanouts help the plumbing experts complete the sewer or drainage cleaning faster, that could increase your home’s resale value. This is because the prospective owners know that cleaning the drains or sewer will be completed or done easily, lowering the costs. If you have a cleanout, drainage and sewer issues can be effectively dealt with.
What If There Are No Clean Outs at Your Home?
Should it be a matter of concern if you do not have a cleanout at your home? Does that mean that your drains cannot be cleaned or inspected? As explained above, you don’t need to have cleanouts. If your home doesn’t have one, a plumber can still clean or unclog the drains. However, that could mean that completing the inspection, unclogging, or even drain cleaning will take longer. This is because the technician can clear the blockage from the toilet or the roof.
If your drains are clogged, the professional can partially access the sewer line from your toilet. Optionally, they can remove the toilet and use hydro jetting, sewer rodding, or any other method to unclog the drain. Unfortunately, this means that the clog/blockage cannot be as thoroughly removed as when doing it from a cleanout. This is because the piping beneath your toilet is smaller.
Further, several loops or turns make the prices complex. The turns and loops might result in friction with professional tools, ultimately damaging them. While clearing the sewer line from the roof can still work, getting a plumbing CCTV down can be challenging. This means that the camera might never reach the main sewer line, meaning that the plumbing experts will need help determining the location of the clog. Hence, if you don’t have a cleanout and have a backup or slow drainage issues at your home.
Cleaning Out Vs. Cleaning Up
Therefore, cleanouts make cleaning the sewer lines or removing clogs exceedingly easy. With cleanouts, it becomes easier for the professional to inspect the drains and formulate a method to deal with the clog. This will help you avert the worsening of the problem, meaning that you’ll get to save a fortune in repairs. Hence, you might talk to your plumber about fitting one if you don’t have one installed.
Do you need cleanouts installed in your plumbing? Contact us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach to schedule a cleanout installation appointment.
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6 Obvious Signs That You Need A Plumbing Company
Every homeowner has a moment when they consider whether they need to call a plumber or wait to see if the problem resolves on its own, which is fair enough. After all, we can understand waiting if something is just a fluke. Unfortunately, when plumbing is involved, most of the time, there are no flukes. If something is going on with your plumbing system, then it needs to be addressed by the plumbing company; otherwise, the problem will continue. What is even more concerning when you have a plumbing issue is that flooding is always a possibility if you don’t act quickly enough.
Flooding is the most significant risk factor of any plumbing issue because it is irreversible and will usually result in some damage to your home one way or another. It is also a huge risk of the wait-and-see approach, which is why we always advocate calling a plumbing company if you suspect that something is wrong with your plumbing system. Most people never regret calling for help, but they do regret waiting too long before they call for help. Keep that in mind while deciding what you should do about a plumbing situation.
The good news is that there are a few signs that are hard to debate, so you can confidently call a plumber without any regrets if you happen to notice any of these situations happening in your home. We will take a close look at some obvious situations that you need to call a plumbing expert to help make the decision easier for you. These are situations that will always result in problems if you delay too long, so if you recognize your particular on the list it is time to pick up the phone.
Odd Water Pressure Issues
One of the first indications that there is an issue with your home plumbing system is if you start to notice that you have odd water pressure issues. Water pressure issues are extremely hard to diagnose since they can be caused by a variety of different things. If you notice that sometimes you have high water pressure while other times it takes you an hour to wash anything, then this is a sign that there is something going on with your plumbing system. Don’t wait until you have no water pressure; call a plumber today to take a closer look at what is going on.
Dripping Faucet
Another sign that you need a plumber that you should not ignore is dripping faucets anywhere in the home. A lot of people ignore dripping faucets or think that they are just part of a normal home, but in reality, a dripping faucet is an indicator that your faucet is probably going to fail eventually. In addition, it will cost you a lot of money if you don’t repair it because it doesn’t take much water loss to add up on your utility bills. In fact, if your faucet drips two times every minute, that is a gallon of wasted water each week, but chances are if you have a drip, it is dripping much more than just two times.
Discolored Water
Another sign that you have a major plumbing issue brewing is discolored water within your home. Oftentimes if your water is starting to look rusty or is a light brown color, this is a sign that rust has infiltrated your water supply. If the discolored water is only coming out of your hot water taps, then you can usually trace the problem back to your water heater. The only way to fix this problem is to replace your water heater, but it will usually solve the issue. If you notice discolored water coming out of both your taps, then you need to talk to a plumbing company to track down the cause quickly. A pipe that is rusty enough to release rust into your water is rusty enough to burst.
Slow Drains/Gurgling Drains
Another sign of plumbing trouble is slow drains or drains that gurgle while they drain. The gurgling noise will only occur if there is a partial obstruction that is allowing air to get trapped in them. A partial obstruction will close off eventually and leave you with a full-fledged obstruction and clog that may even result in sewage coming back up your pipes. Therefore, you want to pay attention to the warning signs and get ahead of the issues.
High Water Bill
Another sign that you need to call a plumbing company is if you notice that your water bill is higher than usual. A growing water bill if your water usage has not changed usually indicates that there is a leak somewhere. Leaks can hide anywhere, underneath the flooring, in the concrete foundation of your home, or in the ceiling. Just because you cannot see them does not mean that you aren’t wasting water which is reflected by a high water bill. Only a plumber will be able to find the problem and get things back on track before you have to deal with a high water bill and water damage.
Water Stains on Wall or Ceiling
Finally, one sign that you may have a hidden leak behind your wall or ceiling is water stains. If you notice discoloration on your walls or ceiling or you notice that the paint is starting to bubble then you probably have a hidden leak. Talk to a plumber right away to stop the leak and then you can deal with repairing the damage.
Are you experiencing a plumbing issue that is on this list? Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach to schedule a visit. We will help you resolve the problem quickly so you don’t have to worry about any long-term damage.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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Why You Must Avoid DIY Water Heater Repairs | Myrtle Beach
The water heater is one of the most important components of most residential plumbing systems around here. This is because the water supplied by utility companies is usually too cold to be comfortably used for bathing and cleaning. Your water heater always works hard to ensure you and your family can always access hot water on demand. With a properly working water heater, you can confidently walk into your bathroom to take a shower at any time knowing that you will find hot water. However, like any other electromechanical appliance, your water heater can break down and fail to deliver hot water as expected or pose a safety hazard in your house. Unfortunately, considering the importance of a water heater in your home, most water heater issues will need to be addressed urgently. However, you should never be tempted to fix a broken water heater on your own, no matter how quickly you would like to see a water heater issue resolved or how much you enjoy getting your hands dirty. This is because DIY water heater solutions could lead to several serious problems. Instead, you should hire a professional water heater repair service to help you handle all the water heater problems you might run into. Below is a rundown of the reasons you should fight any temptation to fix a broken water heater on your own.
Avoid Serious Physical Injuries
Handling a broken water heater can be quite dangerous, and it could leave you with severe physical injuries. For instance, if you use a solar-powered water heater, repairing it may involve climbing, which could expose you to the risk of falling and sustaining severe fall injuries. Besides, handling a broken water heater without the necessary training and safety gear could put you at risk of suffering severe burns and electrical injuries like electrocution or electrical shocks. The good news is that you can circumvent such risks and pass them to other people by simply avoiding DIY water heater solutions and choosing to hire a professional water heater repair service to help you fix all your water heater issues. Professionals are adequately trained and equipped with everything they need to handle water heaters without putting themselves and other people in danger. In any case, plumbing contractors are adequately insured, and even if they get hurt while repairing your water heater, you will not have to worry about the financial burden of their injuries since their insurance will take care of it.
Avoid Damaging the Appliance
Although your water heater may seem tough and durable, it has some delicate components that must be handled with care. Therefore, without the necessary skills and experience, you might end up damaging such components if you decide to try DIY water heater solutions. Unfortunately, this means that you might end up paying for needless, expensive repairs. For instance, if you use an oil-burning water heater, deciding to change the nozzle on your own could involve the risk of damaging the electrodes. In the event of such an eventuality, you may end up having to replace the entire burner assembly to restore the performance of your water heater. To prevent such a possibility, you will need to avoid DIY water heater solutions and work with a professional water heater repair service, no matter how simple the water heater problem you are facing might seem. Professionals have the right tools and adequate training and experience to resolve any water heater issue without causing any further damage to the appliances.
Protect Your Warranty
Water heaters are quite pricey appliances. This explains why they come with warranties. Manufacturers basically use warranties to express the confidence they have in the superiority of their product’s quality. Using a warranty, they accept to take responsibility should your water heater develop a problem within a given time. Therefore, if your water heater still has a valid warranty. You may be entitled to free repairs or even replacements should your water heater break down. However, it is important to note that the validity of your water heater’s warranty is subject to several conditions. There could be a slight difference from one warranty document to another, but there is a good chance you will be required to ensure that your water heater installation and repairs are done by a licensed plumbing contractor. If this is the case, resorting to DIY water heater solutions will effectively void your warranty. Unfortunately, this means you could lose all the privileges your warranty affords you if you decide to repair a broken water heater on your own. On the other hand, you can protect the validity of your water heater’s warranty by simply ensuring that all your water heater issues are handled by a licensed professional plumber.
Save Time and Money
Some people resort to DIY water heater repairs hoping to save some money in the end. However, the truth is that even if you decide not to call a professional plumber over a particular water heater problem, you will still spend some money buying the tools and parts you need for the job. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will effectively resolve the issue at hand. Therefore, even after spending your time and money on a given DIY water heater solution, you might end up calling a professional and spending more money on the same issue. On the other hand, by hiring a professional plumber, you can get the issue at hand resolved in the most efficient way possible and consequently save your time and money.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, handling a broken water heater calls for the right tools and adequate training, experience, and safety gear. Therefore, unless you are a professional plumber, you should not consider doing it on your own. If you are looking for a dependable plumber to help you repair your water heater, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach is your best bet. Get in touch with us today for more information about our services.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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Plumbing Service And Maintenance Needs For Motion Sensor Faucets
If you’ve ever dreamed of having a “smart” bathroom, look no further than the motion sensor faucet. These high-tech fixtures provide a modern look to any bathroom or kitchen and make for an overall easier experience. But just like any other appliance or fixture, it needs regular maintenance to keep it running at its best. Let’s look at some essential plumbing services and maintenance needs for motion sensor faucets.
Battery Replacement
One of the most important maintenance needs that all motion sensor faucets must have is battery replacement. Most motion sensor faucets are powered by AA batteries, which need to be replaced every few months to ensure they continue functioning properly. If you forget to replace your batteries on time, you could have a malfunctioning motion sensor faucet that fails to turn on when needed. Check your batteries regularly and replace them when they run out of power.
Cleaning & Disinfecting
Another essential maintenance need for motion sensor faucets is regularly cleaning and disinfecting the sensors and surrounding areas. This will help prevent dirt and debris from building up around the sensors, which can interfere with proper operation. Cleaning and disinfecting motion sensor faucets involves more than wiping them down with a disinfectant wipe. It requires thorough attention to detail, including cleaning the sensor, nozzle, and surrounding area. That is why you should hire a plumbing service professional to do the job. They have the experience and know-how to ensure the job is done correctly.
Leaks & Repairs
When it comes to motion sensor faucets, leaks and repairs are just as important as any other maintenance need. Ignoring leaks or putting off repairs can lead to even worse problems. No matter how small, a leak can indicate a bigger issue with the plumbing or sensor system. And a broken sensor can render the faucet useless, defeating the purpose of having a hands-free option in the first place. It’s important to stay on top of any potential issues and address them quickly to keep your motion sensor faucet functioning at its best. Plus, fixing leaks and making repairs will help save water and prevent unnecessary expenses from skyrocketing water bills.
Calibration Adjustment
Calibration ensures that the sensor accurately detects user movement and activates the water flow appropriately. If the sensor is not calibrated correctly, the faucet may either not turn on or continuously run, wasting water and increasing utility costs. Therefore, including calibration adjustments in your motion sensor faucet maintenance routine is crucial to ensure efficient and effective operation.
You should calibrate the sensors once every few months or more often if needed for them to detect movement accurately. While some people may try to calibrate the sensors themselves, having a trained plumber handle this task is recommended. When you hire a professional plumbing services provider, they have the right tools and experience to calibrate your motion sensor faucet correctly. Besides calibrating the faucet, they will inspect other components to identify and fix potential issues before they become something major.
Water Pressure Adjustment
Have you noticed that your motion sensor faucet isn’t working as efficiently as it used to? The culprit could be the water pressure. Without proper maintenance, the water pressure in your motion sensor faucet can decrease over time, resulting in slower and less effective water flow. You should adjust the water pressure regularly to keep your motion sensor faucet working at its best. This can be done by hiring a professional plumber to come in and inspect the faucet. They will adjust the water pressure properly so your sensor-activated faucet functions optimally.
Check All Connections
It’s not just about keeping the exterior of your motion sensor faucet clean; it’s also important to pay attention to its inner workings too. Ensure all connections are securely connected by checking them at least once a month. This includes all electrical wiring, battery connections, water supply lines/valves, and other components, such as pipes and seals, which can wear down over time if not properly maintained according to industry standards. If something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to call in an experienced plumber.
Lubricate Seals & O-Rings
All moving parts should be lubricated periodically to continue functioning properly; this includes seals and o-rings, which can easily become worn out after extended use without proper maintenance routines being performed on them. Therefore, it’s important to ensure these parts are lubricated regularly. A plumbing professional will know exactly how to do this, so hire one when you need maintenance on your motion sensor faucet. They can easily identify worn-out seals and o-rings and replace them with new ones.
These are just a few maintenance requirements for a motion sensor faucet. Depending on the specific model, there may be other maintenance needs. However, these should all be addressed to ensure your faucet’s efficient and effective operation. With proper care and regular maintenance, you can rest assured that your motion sensor faucet will remain in great condition for years. You should engage a professional plumbing services expert to ensure that all maintenance needs are properly addressed, and your faucet remains in peak condition. With the help of a professional, you can be sure that your motion sensor faucet is functioning at its best and will continue to provide an efficient and convenient hands-free experience.
We Are the Plumbers to Call
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach, we understand the importance of regular maintenance and repairs for motion sensor faucets. Our team of experienced plumbers has years of experience servicing and repairing these types of fixtures, so you can trust us to do the job right. We will inspect your faucet thoroughly and ensure all components work properly before leaving the job. In addition, we can provide tips and advice on how to get the most out of your motion sensor faucet for years to come. Contact us today for all your motion sensor faucet repair and maintenance needs.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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A Plumbing Company Explains The Benefits Of Smart Plumbing Technologies To Homeowners
The smart plumbing revolution is ramping up in different products and fields for convenience, safety, and enhanced comfort. They are also changing the plumbing sector through their numerous smart plumbing fixtures for bathrooms and kitchens.
The innovations, which have evolved to homes, are not limited to smart faucets, showerheads, toilets, water filtration systems, irrigation, and water quality. They are enhancements of the standard plumbing fixtures and faucets, with additional features and capabilities that make control and monitoring easy.
Most common control systems that connect to the smart plumbing are Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant. Smart plumbing technologies are an excellent addition to your house for the following reasons.
Convenience
The first reason for upgrading to automated plumbing fixtures, such as smart showers, faucets, and toilets, is convenience. You can control the systems using internet-enabled controls and monitor your water consumption 24/7.
Technicians hired from a reliable plumbing company can integrate your smart plumbing technologies accurately to respond to commands from an App in your smartphone, remote control, or motion sensors.
They can control your water sprinklers to water your lawn, flowers, or trees and shut down when done without your physical presence. The faucets can also turn on and off when they sense motion due to motion sensors. They can also respond to your voice command when paired with Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant.
Monitors Water Usage
If your water bills are always high and you cannot pinpoint the culprit, it is best to get smart plumbing technologies. The systems have sensors that analyze your water usage, especially the flow rate of your faucets, toilets, and showers in gallons per minute. With prolonged use of smart plumbing, they learn your water usage patterns during peak and low-usage hours.
The technologies help detect water wastage or potential mishaps, especially leaks. They keep you ahead of issues in the plumbing systems by sending you an alert. Monitoring water usage helps identify inefficient fixtures for repairs or replacements to prevent water wastage that accounts for 9,400 gallons per annum in an average home.
Conserves Water
Another reason why professionals from a renowned plumbing company advocate for smart plumbing technologies is water conservation. Smart plumbing fixtures use half the water standard plumbing appliances use.
For instance, smart toilets, faucets, and showers are great water-saving products you can rely on to reduce water consumption and bills. If your current toilets use 6 gallons of water per flush, upgrading to a smart toilet can reduce it to 1.6 gallons per flush.
Greywater systems also have water recycling capabilities that can provide water for irrigation purposes, saving your freshwater. Some smart showers feature water-saving capabilities facilitating water conservation. In addition, smart faucets, such as Delta Touch20, Delta Pot Filler, and Delta VoiceIQ technologies, are best for conserving water in households.
Enhances Beauty and Home Value
Investing in smart plumbing technologies can also increase your home’s curb appeal. Your bathroom and kitchen become trendy and stylish as the automated plumbing systems. You can select the options that blend well with your bathroom, kitchen, and home, giving your property that luxurious look that leaves your relatives, neighbors, and pretentious enemies in awe.
Having toilets with massaging bidet wash, foot warmers, heated seats, and Bluetooth capabilities can make people enjoy their visit because of their comfort and beauty. The self-cleaning, self-deodorizer, and automated flushing capabilities ensure your toilets are always clean with a pleasant scent.
Smart faucets, showers, and toilets can revamp your home and add to its value, increasing a handsome return on investment.
Prevents Water Damage
Homeowners face numerous plumbing issues, including leaks, leading to adverse effects in need of emergency services from a reputable plumbing company.
Unnoticeable water leakages are common culprits of water damage because they lead to rotting and mold growth on wood floors, home structures, cabinets, and furniture. Experts in plumbing can recommend upgrading to smart plumbing technologies to prevent water leaks and damage.
The systems have smart water leak detectors or sensors to detect leaks, preventing most plumbing issues. Once the sensor notices a looming leak, they alert you via your smartphone of the problem for quick repairs.
Some advanced smart plumbing technologies automatically turn off the valves when they sense a leaking pipe or fixture. The intervention of shutting off valves saves your home from the dangers of floods, water damage, and expensive repairs or restoration services.
Improves Water Quality
An additional benefit of using smart plumbing technologies entails improving water quality. Plumbers can help you find the best smart water filtration systems that remove contaminants such as lead and rust to improve water taste and quality. The smart water filters are Wi-Fi enabled for efficiency and triggering water flow alerts. They also monitor the quality and usage of water using a smartphone.
The water filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis, have sensors and other software that make it easy to integrate into home automation. They feature state-of-the-art technologies that check for specific contaminants in your water. You can watch the system remove pollutants through a smart RO App on your phone.
Wrapping Up
Smart plumbing technologies are among the best fixtures for your home. They increase comfort, convenience, and the curb appeal of your bathroom and kitchen.
The units control and monitor water usage, quality, and wastage, empowering you to make wiser water consumption decisions. These fixtures also help detect potential water leaks, sending you an alert to act fast by getting a qualified plumber.
Trust Our Experts to Meet Your Plumbing Needs!
When you are ready to remodel your plumbing system, go for smart plumbing technologies that come with numerous benefits. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach, the best plumbing contractor, for unmatched installation services that will leave your smart fixtures well-installed and integrated for peak performance.
Our Conway-based plumbers are trained and skilled to provide unbeatable residential and commercial plumbing as well as 24-hour emergency services. So, call our plumbing company for all your plumbing concerns.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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