General Plumbing Tips

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers licensed, professional plumbers with the expertise to ensure reliable plumbing services. Get tips and solutions to common plumbing problems here, and watch for others in upcoming blogs. If you need plumbing repair, contact a Ben Franklin plumber in Arlington.

Frozen Pipes

During extreme cold, a faucet that won’t provide water is the first sign of frozen pipes. When severe cold is forecast, prevent freezing and potential bursting of pipes with the following suggestions. Prevention is the best policy, and when freezing temperatures are forecast, here’s how to keep your pipes from freezing:

  • Allow the faucets to run with a trickle of water
  • Ensure the heat registers are open in rooms where pipe tend to freeze
  • Insulate exposed and vulnerable pipes with newspapers, foam pipe insulation sleeves, or insulating heat tape for pipes in the basement or crawlspace
  • Open cabinets doors to expose pipes to heat under sinks
  • Seal cracks and gaps in the foundation and siding with expanding foam to stop air leaks which can freeze pipes
  • Close foundation vents

Leaking Pipes

An unusually high water bill may be the first indication of a water leak. If the signs of a leak are not obvious check the water meter with all the water cut off in the home. If the dial is moving, you have a leak. Write the reading down, and recheck in an hour without any water use in the home, including shutting off the ice maker. If the numbers change there is a leak. Contact a plumber in Arlington for water line repair.

Noisy Pipes

Pipe noises range from knocks, to loud hammering sounds to high–pitched squeals. The potential causes include a loose pipe strap, water logged air chambers, or high water pressure to name a few. Use a pipe strap to secure exposed pipes that are making noise, other remedies will involve calling a plumber in Arlington.

Water Hammer

Water hammer occurs when the water is turned off quickly. Other potential problems causing it are water logged air chambers, worn plumbing or a problem with high water pressure.

Showerhead

Poor water pressure and erratic spray indicate clogging due to hard water buildup. Unscrew the showerhead and soak in white vinegar for 1 hour after testing the finish with a drop of vinegar in a hidden area. Scrub remaining residue with a soft brush, and clear holes with a straightened paper clip or dental pick. You can soak the showerhead overnight if required for heavy buildup.

Sink Sprays & Diverters

The kitchen sink spray is attached to a hose, and connected to a diverter valve, which reroutes water from the faucet to the sink spray. Clean the aerator in the spray nozzle with white vinegar and a soft brush. Continued sluggishness or a no-spray condition may indicate diverter valve problems. Contact a plumber in Arlington for repair.

Water Heaters

Water heater problems are a frequent cause for plumbing service. The complaint of no hot water is among the most common. In a gas water heater, the pilot light may be out, other potential problems will require a plumber in Arlington to provide water heater repair. In an electric water heater, the temperature may be set too low. Ensure it is set at 120 degrees F, and check the breaker in the home’s electrical panel to ensure it is on. Otherwise, you will need to contact a Benjamin Franklin plumber in Arlington for repair.

Benjamin Franklin licensed plumbers offer a wide range of plumbing services, including maintenance, repair, and installation. Contact a Ben Franklin plumber in Arlington today to schedule reliable service with the Ben Franklin 100% satisfaction guarantee. We serve Arlington, Fort Worth and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.