7 Plumber Tips and Tricks on How to Avoid Plumbing Problems and Nightmares | Burleson, TX
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Did you know that Americans spend $150 billion every year on home improvements and repairs? A good chunk of this money goes towards plumbing repairs and installation. Plumbing repairs and installation in Burleson, TX can be quite costly and can be a headache if you don’t know what you’re looking for or what to expect. It’s vital that you keep in mind these tips and tricks below that will help you avoid plumbing problems and nightmares.
#1. Always Check Over Your Water Bill
Many homeowners neglect to do one simple thing — check over their water bill. Instead of keeping an eye on it, they simply pay whatever they’re asked to. This means that they don’t know what an average bill looks like, and they don’t realize when they are paying more and more every month.
By keeping an eye on your water bill, you’ll notice anomalies. What these anomalies signify is that there is a leak somewhere in your house. In the best case situation, it may simply be a leaking faucet or a minor leak in a plumbing section. However, in the worst case scenarios, you might be dealing with water line damage. The water line may be damaged by eroding soil, a shift in the ground movement, roots from nearby trees and bushes and more. These damages tend to cost the most.
Many homeowners are spending an extra several hundred, if not several thousand dollars, every year due to water leakages. If you can, sign up for some type of service that will keep you updated on whether your water bill has increased or not.
#2. Familiarize Yourself with the Different Materials and Parts
Don’t just rely on your plumber in Burleson, TX to pick out the materials and the parts that your plumbing needs. You should always be proactive and also make an effort to better understand what the different types of parts are and what their pros and cons entail.
A good plumbing team in Burleson, TX will insist on talking to you about several things. The first being the average lifespan of the material that you are interested in. Different materials have greatly different lifespans. For example, consider the following:
- Copper pipes can have an average lifespan of about 50 years;
- Galvanized steel pipes can last for anywhere from 20 to 50 years; and,
- Brass pipes can last for anywhere from 40 to 70 years.
But, which material is best suited for your needs? It can be difficult to choose what will work best for your situation and what will be most compatible with the overall structure of your home. A good plumbing team will tell you about the unique features of each material. They will also tell you what the advantages and disadvantages are, so that you make an informed decision. Do some research ahead of time to make sure that you are getting some honest feedback.
The same can be said for various parts. Different companies may make the same part. You might be confused about whether one part is the same as the other, although the price might be vastly different. Find a plumber who has experience working with different materials and parts. They will be able to offer you the most help. Good knowledge is hard to come by.
#3. Keep an Eye on the Color of Your Water
One of the first obvious signs that there was something wrong with the water in Flint lay in the color of the water. Knowing what to keep an eye out for can really help you make an informed decision. If you’re not sure whether the water looks funny or not, consider talking to some plumbers in Burleson, TX. With that said, here are some of the most common colors that you’ll see coming from your tap water, as well as the condition that this color signifies:
- Yellow, red or orange water. These colors usually signify that you have rust in your water. The more intense and dark the color, the more rust that you likely have in the water. This might signify that you need to replace your plumbing.
- Greenish or bluish water. This usually means that there is a copper or brass fitting in your plumbing. It may or may not be a problem. You’ll need to speak with a plumber in Burleson, TX to get a better idea of whether this color is a cause for concern. In general, most of them will recommend that you switch the fittings or even install a filter.
- Black water. DO NOT IGNORE THIS COLOR. Many people don’t realize just how serious this color is. If your water is black, it likely means that you have a mold problem. Call a plumber in Burleson, TX right away. You’ll want to fix this problem immediately, as it can be associated with profound health consequences and complications. Do not drink the water.
- Green water. This usually means that there is algae living in your water.
- Pink water. This usually means that there are some harmless organisms in your water. You can still get your water tested just to be sure that it’s safe to drink.
If you’re ever concerned or unsure, call up some plumbers in Burleson, TX. Our plumbers will come to your home and assess the situation to determine whether your water is still safe for consumption.
#4. Consider Pex Plumbing
Many people don’t realize that the material that they choose can make a huge difference in the overall lifespan and quality of their plumbing. If your plumber recommends that you switch to a different plumbing, you might want to consider switching to a different material.
In general, new copper piping can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000. That’s quite a lot of money!
If you’re wondering whether there is a cheaper solution, the good news is that there is. Cross-linked polyethylene tubing, also known as PEX, is easy to install and is also really flexible in nature. This means that a plumber will not need to rip into your walls in order to install this type of plumbing. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches during this time. This type of plumbing is usually also a lot cheaper. Something that would cost $8,000 to $10,000 with copper piping would only cost about $4,000 in PEX piping. This includes all parts and labour!
If you decide to go with PEX plumbing, you do need to keep in mind that no one really knows what the average lifespan of PEX plumbing may be. The truth of the matter is that this material is so new that we don’t have a lot of data yet. In a way, you’re also taking a risk.
#5. Get to Know Your Plumber
This might sound cheesy, but don’t call the first plumber that you see in your phone book. Finding a good plumber will make an even bigger difference in the quality of your plumbing than choosing the right plumbing material.
For one, a good plumber will already have all of the knowledge that’s needed to help you make an informed decision. You’ll know what to choose and what to avoid based on the plumber’s recommendations and expertise. A good plumber will have a lot of experience under their belt, and will be able to provide you with some personal insight that can’t be found in books. You’ll learn from them what works and what doesn’t.
Some other important things that you need to look for in a good plumber is a warranty and guarantee. A good plumbing team will be able to offer some type of insurance on their work. If you’re unhappy with what you receive or if you run into any problems, they will quickly solve the problem for you, and will usually do it for free. This, in itself, can make a HUGE difference.
When you call a plumbing team, make sure that you ask them about their warranty. The plumbers should give you an idea of the length of the warranty that they offer for various services. This will also include the type of insurance that they have.
#6. Look for Corrosion and Leaks
It’s always good to be proactive. Other than keeping an eye on your water bill and on the color of your water, another thing that you should do is inspect the plumbing that you can see. This includes things like your faucets in your bathroom and your sink. It also includes the plumbing that’s hidden in the cabinets underneath the sinks.
You should look out for discoloration and dimpling. You should also look out for flaking and stains. These are good indicators that there is a leak or that a leak is imminent. Another thing to consider is whether there are any leaks in one area. If you see a small water stain on your walls or on your ceiling, there’s a good chance that there’s something wrong with the plumbing. If you don’t get it fixed now, you’ll just pay for it later.
#7. Protect Your Plumbing and Your Pipes
Last but not least, it’s important to know that your plumbing won’t last forever. Don’t act like it will last forever and don’t act like your plumbing can handle anything in its way. It’s not Iron Man although many people treat their plumbing as if it is. You should always do as much as you can to protect your plumbing. This includes things like:
- Making sure that the plumbing is properly insulated. Make sure that you add proper insulation and outer protection to the plumbing can help lengthen its lifespan. This is particularly true for any water lines that are outside your home, as they are not as protected and are exposed to the elements.
- Avoiding the act of throwing anything down the sink. Many people have a bad habit of throwing anything down the sink. Grease from bacon? Down the sink it goes. Huge chunks of food? Also, down the sink. This is extremely bad for the plumbing. It will not only create clogs, but it will also cause the inside of the plumbing to erode. This means that you’re much more likely to get leaks and even burst plumbing.
- Turning off the water supply when it’s cold in the winter. Keep in mind that cold water will expand, and this can put a tremendous amount of pressure on the plumbing. Many people don’t realize this and don’t do anything about it. In fact, they don’t even think that they should protect their plumbing. If the weather starts to turn cold or if you won’t be at your home for a while during the winter, consider asking our plumbing team whether you should turn off your water supply.
There is so much that you can do to protect your plumbing. Don’t be one of those people who don’t even do anything for it. If you put in a little effort, your plumbing can last for a much longer time. You’ll thank yourself in the future, and you’ll have a lot more money to spare.
Give Us a Call for Quick, Immediate Service
If you’ve run into any problems in the meantime, don’t hesitate to give Benjamin Franklin, the Punctual Plumber, a call. They serve various areas. If you’re looking for a plumbing team in the Fort Worth area, call 817-983-7876. If you’re looking for a plumbing team in the Arlington area, call 817-478-4119. Our plumbers will assess the situation and offer you several different solutions that will fit your various needs and budget. Sometimes, there are cheaper fixes to expensive problems although these fixes may come with their disadvantages.
Some of the plumbing services that we offer in Burleson, TX include bathroom plumbing, conventional water heater repair, drain cleaning, faucet repair and replacement, line repair and installation, kitchen
plumbing, sink and tub replacements and more. Our plumbing team offers emergency services, and can schedule an appointment at any time that is convenient to you.