residential plumbing services

Plumbing is a major part of your home’s infrastructure, and every homeowner is going to need qualified residential plumbing services from time to time. Plumbing companies do everything from tying your home into the municipal sewage mains to adding new water lines to a workshed, but the most common plumbing needs are for drains that aren’t flowing properly or sewer lines that are backing up into the home.

Some plumbing problems can be corrected by the homeowner using an ordinary plumber’s plunger, but other problems require more specialized approaches such as forcing a plumber’s snake through the line, replacing broken pipes, or installing new sewer lines.

Home Plumbing Inspections

If you have not located the source of a clogged drain or blocked sewer line, you can schedule a home plumbing inspection with your local home plumbing services company. During the inspection, workers will check your drains and P-traps, verify that your water lines are in good condition, and examine faucets and valves to make sure they are working properly. You will then be notified of the problems that have been located and can choose to repair or replace any defective parts of your plumbing system.

1. Drains and Faucets

Clogged drains are the most common type of plumbing services. From toy cars to washcloths, drains can become clogged with any number of items. Small children often put toys and other interesting things inside toilet bowls and flush them away. Unfortunately, most of these items are too rigid to go around the bowl’s P-trap, and end up getting stuck in the drain between the bowl and the sewer line. To be fair, drains can be clogged for other reasons as well, including grease buildup, broken sewer lines, and nonfunctioning septic systems.

It is sometimes difficult to identify the source of a clogged drain without a household plumbing inspection, especially when the problem is under the home foundation or somewhere outside the walls of the house. Rooter services can eliminate a majority of sewer line clogs, but some situations require more in-depth operations, up to and including sewer line repair and replacement.

Another common household problem is a plumbing valve that has stripped and no longer works properly. In some cases the water will not turn on, and in others there is always a constant drip or flow. While some faucet systems can be repaired or have washers replaced, it can be time-consuming to repair rather than replace. Some plumbing valves –specifically those used in showers or tubs- cannot be removed from the line and must be repaired or replaced in place. This requires specialized tools and plumbing experience, and should be done by a trained professional.

2. Sewer Services

Like clogs, a lot of different things can happen to your sewer lines. They can be clogged, blocked, broken, crushed, and flooded. A common problem is to have a sewer line penetrated by tree roots, at first blocking the flow of sewage, and then destroying the sewer line. Traditionally, repairing a sewer line problem involved digging a ditch, repairing the line or replacing pipe, and then  filling the trench afterward. The process was often destructive, causing damage to driveways, landscaping, and lawns. Inside the home, it was often necessary to cut out a section of your foundation slab, and then rapport it after the repair.

A more modern approach is to use trenchless sewer services. This type of repair causes less damage to your home and property, can be completed with fewer workers, and typically takes a fraction of the time to complete. Instead of a long trench, holes are dug at each end of the line being replaced and then special underground equipment is used to assess and repair the damages. Trenchless sewer lines can go straight under asphalt or concrete without causing any damages or shutting down walkways and drives.

Other Home Plumbing Services

Clogged drains and sewer lines are the most common plumbing services, but there are many others, as well. Water heater repair and replacement is going to affect every home eventually because water heaters deteriorate with time. Water lines may break or rattle in the walls. Or maybe your house is being renovated and you want to rejuvenate your bathrooms during the remodel. Even your outdoor landscape sprinklers need to be installed by qualified plumbers who can calculate the pressure requirements for each irrigation zone. 

If you haven’t had to replace a wax toilet ring yet, it will happen eventually. When the wax ring becomes damaged, your toilet may even leak directly onto your bathroom floor. The first symptom of a wax ring deteriorating is when the toilet begins to rock or wobble every time someone sits on it. Untreated, the wobble will become more and more pronounced, and eventually the rin will give way and raw sewage will begin to drain.

DIY Plumbing

There are some jobs you can do yourself, but there are also times when only a plumbing professional can solve the problem. Plumbing plungers can remove semi-rigid items that are lodged in the drain, for example, and trying to use a snake without any training can severely damage porcelain toilet bowls, separate PVC joints, or even make clogs worse. Unless you are comfortable with your plumbing knowledge, the best advice is to call a plumber and get the job done right the first time.

Hiring a professional is even more important when it comes to plumbing problems inside your walls or above ceilings. These spaces are also commonly used for electric wiring, and a mistake in cutting through the drywall could cause accidental electrocution.

Every homeowner is going to need residential plumbing services occasionally. It is pretty easy to accidentally dig over a plumbing or sewer line, and exterior lines are vulnerable to tree roots penetrating the pipes as trees grow. Valves wear out. Plumbing is important for your family’s safety, convenience, and health, so make a habit of hiring a plumbing service as soon as a problem develops instead of waiting on a small problem to create a major issue.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

The first thing to do for a clogged drain– even before arranging residential plumbing services— is to attempt to remove any visible material and then use an ordinary plumbing plunger. If this does not cure the problem, do not attempt to perform any major plumbing repairs on your own unless you have the proper tools and training. Instead, call a residential plumber and have the situation properly diagnosed and repaired.

1. Sewer Line Replacement

There are a number of things that can happen to your sewer lines, including penetration by tree roots, accidental crushing, and the settling of the soil around the lines. Residential plumbing services can repair broken lines or replace them using new technologies like trenchless sewer replacement. Among the key indicators of a sewer line problem are slow-flowing drains, wet spots or standing water, and offensive odors near the defective area.

2. Septic Pump Outs

If you use a septic tank system, it may need to be pumped out more frequently as it ages. Even though most septic tank systems are not designed for household grease, hair, and other contaminants, they end up in the sewer system over time. Grease and hair are particularly troublesome because they can clog the outflow of your septic tank, requiring a pump-out service to renew proper flow. 

3. Aging Drain Field

Another septic tank-related problem that you shouldn’t try to fix yourself happens as your tank’s drain field ages. Plant roots, contaminating materials like grease and hair, and chemicals that counteract necessary biodegradation are all common causes of drain field failure, along with things like crushing drain field pipes accidentally by driving on the area. The only solution for problems of this sort is to remove the damaged area and replace it. Pumping out the septic tank will alleviate the problem for a short time, but once the tank fills up the problem will return.

4. Clogged Drains

Household drains can get clogged with contaminants like those we have already mentioned. A common mistake homeowners make is to pour off-the-shelf acidic chemicals down the drains. These chemicals can dissolve grease and hair, but they can also cause deterioration in sewer lines and may result in severe leaks if the chemicals are used often or improperly. Additionally, objects caught in the sewer lines may not be vulnerable to chemical treatments. The best solution is to have the clogs removed by experienced home plumbing contractors who can identify and address problems using specialized tools and equipment.

Sadly, attempting to fix sewer problems yourself is equally likely to cause additional damages that do not become apparent right away. In the long term, it is more economical to hire plumbing services with the tools and experience to locate the source of the problem and make repairs that will extend the life of your septic system. 

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

Plumbing is part of your home’s infrastructure, and a remodel requires residential plumbing services from a reputable contractor with a proven track record. They can take care of getting the appropriate permits, meeting code inspections, and performing quality work in a timely manner. Because your plumbing is an important part of the home, we suggest including residential plumbing contractors in the planning phase, and taking these simple steps to protect your plumbing against future costs.

Use Licensed Contractors

Be wary of fly-by-night contractors who promise you the moon but fail to deliver. You can do this by checking online reviews, and verifying that your residential plumbing services contractors are licensed and insured. Being licensed means that the contractor is authorized to perform plumbing services by the local and state municipalities, and insurance protects you and your property against anything that may go awry during the plumbing remodel. During the initial phases, your plumbing contractors will map out your current and planned plumbing layout and then work with you to make sure that the project goes as planned.

Locate Valves

If you do not already know where the valves and cutoffs for your home’s water are located, find them before beginning a remodel. This includes the valves for water entering the home, entering and leaving the hot water heater, and local valves for sinks and toilets. The sooner you can turn off the water to a broken line, the less potential for damage there will be, and water damage can become extensive quickly.

Inspect for Leaks

While your walls or floors are opened and the plumbing is exposed, take a few minutes to inspect for small leaks, pipes that aren’t stabilized to prevent rattling, and other plumbing problems. Your plumbing contractors can alert you to any items that may cause future problems, and solving a plumbing problem before it occurs is by far the least expensive way to go. 

Replace Old Pipes

Older homes were built using materials that are no longer used today, including galvanized pipe, cast iron, and even clay sewage pipe. These materials met the needs of their time, but were prone to corrosion, root penetration, and other blockage sources. While your plumbing is already under construction is the best time to protect against future sewage repair costs by replacing outdated pipes or segments that clog frequently.

Licensed plumbing contractors will take a lot of the headache out of helping you plan and implement plumbing remodels. From rerouting your existing pipes to helping you select the most appropriate bathroom and kitchen fixtures, selecting qualified and experienced contractors before you start is the most effective way to go,

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

It is fairly easy for toilets to overflow, and not every instance requires the use of residential plumbing services. The key to handling most overflows is to stop the water flow immediately, remove water to prevent damage, and then try to remove the clog yourself. 

Do You Need Residential Plumbing Services?

The first thing to do is to identify the problem. If the problem is not a clogged toilet, then you should call your residential plumber for rooter service. Other sources of water flow could be:

• Leaking where the tank connects to the bowl
• Water seeping from beneath the toilet
• Dripping from the fitting that connects the toilet to the water supply
• Water leaking behind the wall and flowing onto the floor

Keep in mind all of these might not be caused by bad habits that destroy your sink, shower, and toilet pipes, but could be consequences of time.

Turn Off the Water

Turning off the water to a clogged toilet is as easy as turning off the small valve located behind and beneath the toilet tank. If there is not a valve or if the water is leaking from anywhere other than the toilet you will need to turn off the water supply to the home. There may be a valve where the main line enters the house, but you may have to locate and close the water flow at the meter. Turning off the water at the meter may require a wrench or other tools.

Remove Standing Water

With the flow of water stopped, you can use a mop or wet vac to remove water standing on the floor. It is important that you do this as soon as possible to reduce the risk of water damage to the floor. If the toilet is not on the ground floor, standing water may seep through and damage the ceiling of the room beneath.

Remove Excess Water and Debris

With a wet vac or something that can be dipped, remove the excess water from the bowl so that you can work with the clog. Remove any visible debris that may be causing the clog. Do not flush the toilet yet. Even though the water is off, your tank is still full and could cause another overflow if you flush.

Plunge the Toilet

The best plungers have a tubelike opening beneath the plunger bell that fits more securely into the drain of the toilet. Carefully insert the plunger into the drain and work it up and down rapidly a few times. If the water goes down, try flushing the toilet to see if the clog is completely removed. If it is not, you may need to use a plumber’s snake or call for expert assistance.

There will be times when residential plumbing services are the only solution. If you discover leaks that are not caused by a clog or overflow, the necessary repairs may be difficult to perform without a working knowledge of household plumbing systems.

Residential Plumbing Services — Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 residential plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.