5 Tips to Prevent Plumbing Problems

5 Tips to Prevent Plumbing Problems

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

It’s amazing in 2021 to ever imagine life without indoor plumbing. Many of us, especially first-time home buyers, seemed to take plumbing for granted. Owning a home for the first time and noticing things like water pressure and slow drains made us realize just how little we know.

The first time we get a clogged drain, we may run to the store, grab a bottle of the strongest drain cleaning gel we could find and pour it in hoping to avoid the sight of whatever that gross clog is. And we do this with no idea that it could do more harm than good. At the first sign of garbage disposal issues, we might run to the local hardware store and look up videos for how to install it, instead of trying a few quick fix solutions.

Being a homeowner is a lot like being a parent – we learn as you go. Until we start researching ways to be proactive instead of reactive, we may be spending a ton of money, time and energy. With that said, let us save you a headache with 5 tips to prevent plumbing problems before they start.

Clean your drains.

Gavin’s Sewer Service recommends having a professional do a sewer drain cleaning to remove any grease, hair, and/or other items that could be causing it to become backed up.

Fix your faucets.

Did you know according to emergencyplumbersca.com that one drip every two seconds from your faucet or shower head can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water annually? These small drips turn into big leaks fast and not only can waste water but make your bills skyrocket!

Test your water pressure.

If your water pressure isn’t right, it doesn’t have to stay that way! Bad water pressure can put a strain on your pipes as well as be inconvenient. Professionals can help you get your pressure back on track. (Did you know cleaning your shower head can remove the mineral deposits blocking the holes and can help your water pressure as well as keep your water heater running better, for longer?)

Look under your sink.

Often you can see a leak or crack when it’s small and manageable. The big trick to plumbing problems are locating them and fixing them while they’re small. Big problems lead to big leaks and lots of surrounding damage.

Other helpful ways to prevent plumbing issues include making sure the only thing flushed down your toilets is toilet paper and human waste, having your system inspected if you have mature trees on your property, and check your appliances for water leaks.

Questions or concerns you’d like to ask our drain and plumbing experts? Give us a call today at 303-571-5114. Let our 80+ years in the industry help you with your first time homeowner concerns.

What to Do If You Have a Burst Pipe

What to Do If You Have a Burst Pipe

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , /by

There are few nightmarish homeowner situations worse than a burst pipe. For starters, many people don’t have the first idea what to do when this happens, but the mess alone is about as frustrating as house damages can get. The professionals at Garvin’s Sewer Service obviously can help, but there are a few things our customers can do while they wait for the professionals to arrive.

If you should experience a burst pipe, follow these tips to help get your home back in working (dry) order.

Step #1: Turn Off the Water

As is the case any time there is water behaving in ways it should not throughout your house, the first step always is to turn off the water. Whatever damage has been done, you can at least minimize any further problems by stopping the water from flowing. To do this, you’ll need to find your water main and turn the lever so it’s perpendicular to the pipe. Once it’s off, you’ll need to drain the pipes, and you can do that by running all the faucets in your house until they go dry. When there is no more running tap water, the leak should stop.

Step #2: Find the Source of the Damage

After you’ve shut off the water, you’ll want to find the source of the damage to assess exactly how big a problem you’ve got. A major water pipe, for example, is a much bigger problem than a single pipe under a sink.

Step #3: Call a Plumber

Your next step will be to make sure you get a professional to your house as soon as possible to begin the repair process. Here at Garvin’s Sewer Service, we specialize in emergency drain cleaning service and ruptured pipes, so if you want to make sure the water is truly stopped and return function to your sinks, showers, and toilets, you’ll need to call us as soon as possible so we can fix the problem and get things functional again.

Step #4: Clean Up What You Can

While you wait for our professionals to show up, you can begin cleaning up whatever water you can. Sometimes, these jobs are too big for a single person to even know where to begin, but if you can use buckets, mops, and towels to clean up some of the mess, you absolutely should. Water damage can easily lead to mold, and the sooner you clean it up, the more likely you are to avoid the worst of that.

Step #5: Consider Hiring a Drying Crew

Sometimes, it’s in your best interest to hire a professional drying crew. They can minimize the formation of mold and get your furniture up on blocks so everything can dry. There may be other repairs in the future, including replacing flooring or drywall, but a drying service can salvage what they can before making those expensive decisions.

It is not ideal to have a pipe burst but remember that Garvin’s Sewer Service can help if this should happen. Never hesitate to call us if this problem arises. We even have a call line for off-hours emergencies should something like this happen in the middle of the night. Either way, we are the plumbing professionals that can help get your pipes fixed and your water working normally again.