plumbing Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Tips for Finding a Reliable Plumbing Company During the Holidays

The Best Plumbing Companies Are There During the Holidays Too

Sometimes finding a reliable plumbing company is more difficult than it sounds. This is especially true for those that have recently moved and aren’t familiar with the area. Regardless of why the homeowner needs a plumber, it is essential to know that they can call the plumber whenever they need to. The holidays in particular are a critical time to ensure there is a professional plumber the homeowner can call in the event of an emergency.

Plumbing emergencies happen at the most inconvenient times, and the last thing any homeowner wants during the holidays is to experience something like frozen pipes. Continue reading below to learn the crucial tips to look for before hiring any professional plumber.

Double Check Licensing and Insurance

It doesn’t matter what industry a customer is looking in; they should look for a few key things when choosing a company to invest in. When it comes to a professional plumber, the stakes are even higher. A plumber is responsible for the homeowner’s safety and the efficiency of their home via the plumbing system. The more efficient the plumbing, the more the homeowner saves each month.

One of the first things every homeowner should double-check is the licensing and insurance information. It is not enough to ask if the person is licensed and insured. Homeowners must ask to see the verification. After all, it keeps everyone honest without any guessing games. Not only that, but it ensures the safety of everyone involved when the plumber is insured. All professionals will be licensed and insured to use their tools - always!

Online Reviews Are Extremely Important

The progression of the internet has moved a lot of things online in the modern world. The online reviews are something that can make or break any business. Customers tend to take online reviews seriously because everyone has a busy schedule, and no one likes to waste money on things that aren’t worth it. Online reviews give the customer a sense of security that the service will be what they are expecting. If the plumber doesn’t have any online reviews, it is probably best to look for a plumber that does.

Some things that online reviews can showcase include:

Their customer service
Product efficiency
Business ethics
Overall atmospheric feel of the business
Professionalism
Experience and skill

Ask If They Offer Service Memberships

Some homeowners rely on service memberships because it helps them keep track of their home’s maintenance. Not only that, but most of them also reward their customers with discounts on services. If this is important to homeowners, they must remember to ask the company before hiring. It might not be a deal-breaker if the company doesn’t offer this, but it is always nice to ask!

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air Keep Homes Efficient

When Fairhope, AL homeowners need a reliable and affordable plumber, they call the professionals at Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air. They have the experience homeowners look for and prices that are hard to pass up. To schedule a plumbing appointment, call today!

Distribution Links +

Frightful Plumbing Disasters

The Scariest Plumbing Emergencies People Face

The last thing anyone wants to worry about is a plumbing emergency at home. Homeowners should always be aware of the emergencies that can happen to better understand how to prepare for them.

Pipe Bursts

Burst pipes are one of the most common plumbing emergencies that homeowners can experience. When a pipe bursts, it can leak (or spray) water all over the wall, the floor, furniture, cabinets, and any appliances sitting nearby. This results in tons of damage that can take a lot of time and money to repair.

The most common causes of pipe bursts include the following:

Frozen pipes: When the water inside the pipe freezes, it expands the pipe and can cause it to burst.
Rusty pipes: When pipes rust, they become thinner and more fragile, making them prone to breakage.
Improper installation: If pipes are installed incorrectly or use low-quality connections and fixtures, they can burst easily.

Toilet and Sink Overflowing

No one likes to talk about toilet clogs. It can feel uncomfortable for many people, but the toilet can be a prime location for plumbing problems. When flushing too much toilet paper or other things that aren’t meant to go down the toilet (like cotton balls, q-tips, tissues, wipes, etc.), it can be easy to clog the toilet.

And if it clogs, there’s a chance it will overflow. When this happens, all of the waste in the toilet bowl overflows with the water too. It’s not a pleasant situation and can lead to water damage on the floor and nearby cabinets. Talk about a big mess to clean up!

Failure of Sump Pumps

A sump pump can protect homes against the damages of flooding, and it does so by removing excess water that accumulates in a basin. However, the sump pump can fail if there is a power outage or heavy rains that the device can’t keep up with. When it fails, it can no longer remove that excess water, so the water starts to creep into the house, starting at the lowest level. Its damage is similar to that of a flood, damaging flooring, baseboards, cabinets, and furniture. If the excess water is not removed to dry everything out, it can also lead to other problems like mold growth.

In any of these situations, homeowners should always call professional help. These plumbing problems need to be handled immediately and need the hands of an expert for the most effective and efficient solutions available.

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air was founded in 1996 with the belief that customer service needed to improve in service companies. Their team knows that success is truly measured by how well they take care of customers and their homes. Their professional technicians will take the time to provide customers with detailed explanations and recommendations so that they can make the best decision for their homes. Call now for their plumbing and repiping services!

Understanding Your Bathtub Plumbing

Bathtub Plumbing Made Easy

Just about every homeowner in America shares something in common - they all have multiple bathrooms in their house. Out of those bathrooms, usually, one or two will have a bath. Bathtubs get used day in, day out, all year-round. Depending on how many people are in the house, bathtubs will get used multiple times a day by adults, children, and even pets! But with all the use they receive, how often does anyone stop to think about the inner workings of the plumbing or how important it is that drains be kept clear? Most plumbers will tell you, homeowners rarely, if ever, give their bathtub plumbing a second thought.

Keep on reading to learn about your plumbing system, important details related to bathroom plumbing, and how to keep your bathtub plumbing flowing well.

Your House Plumbing System

Every faucet, drain, sink, toilet, and tub are all connected somewhere in your house. How is that possible? They are connected through the plumbing system. Each source of water, be it the shower, toilet, washing machine, or kitchen sink, will connect at some point via the piping under your house. All water and waste then drain out through your home’s main sewer line into city plumbing lines.

It becomes easy to see why it’s so important to keep all pipes free and flowing. If one pipe gets clogged up, every other pipe in your house can be impacted - whether it’s the kitchen or bathtub. Since every pipe connects to the other, backups and blockages can cause significant drainage issues and adversely impact pipes that are supposed to remain sanitary for drinking and washing.

What’s Included in Your Bathroom Plumbing?

The plumbing in your bathroom, just like the rest of your house, all connects together. The toilet bowl drains directly down into the main pipe that eliminates water and waste from your house. The sink, shower, and toilet all have fresh, clean water that comes in through clean-water supply pipes. For the toilet, supply pipes fill the tank, and for the sink and shower clean, drinkable water comes through the tap. Wastewater for the toilet, sink and shower all get emptied through main pipes leading away from the bathroom.

When even one part of your bathroom plumbing gets clogged or blocked, all other areas of your bathroom can be effected. The toilet will back up if your main drainage line is blocked for some reason. If this happens, the toilet may overflow, and your drainage line from the sink and shower could backfill with sewage. This is a serious problem and can cause a major health hazard if not taken care of right away.

The Specifics on Your Bathtub Plumbing

Your bathtub has numerous pipes connected to it, both to supply freshwater and take wastewater away. A clean water pipe hooks up to your shower head and faucet to provide water for a shower or a bath. The pipes that leave your tub to carry the greywater away are equally important, and if they crack, break, or are misaligned, you can end up with significant leaks within your home.

There is a pipe that connects to your drain in the bottom of the tub and a pipe that connects to the overflow spout. Both of these pipes are needed to ensure that water properly drains away from your house into the main drainage line.

Fast, Affordable Plumbing Service

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air proudly serves the Fairhope, AL, area for all plumbing, heating, and air needs. They offer a full list of services, including bathroom remodeling and plumbing repair. Every customer is guaranteed to receive prompt, on-time service, no overtime charges, and 24-hr response time for all emergencies.

Distribution Links +

Poor Plumbing Leads to Home Flooding

Prevention for Home Flooding

Spring is a wonderful time when snow melts and flowers begin blooming. It’s also the season that brings heavy rainfall. If you don’t keep a careful eye on your plumbing system, you could find out that the April showers that water everyone's crops and garden beds are causing problems for your home.

It may not sound like it immediately connects, but keep reading and you’ll see how spring rains could cause problems for your home plumbing and even cause your home to flood, if not prevented.

Heavy Rains Can Strain Your Plumbing

Early spring brings a lot of rain. It’s the seasonal time when the earth is watered, gardens are planted, and the earth is ready for a long drink after the winter. Due to all the water that is flowing through the land, you could experience extra pressure on your pipes.

If they’re in an area where groundwater can build up and cause pressure to your plumbing, you might experience cracks and leaks that could lead to eventual flooding. If you get enough rain, there could also be a build-up of debris in drains that lead to the sewer. This could lead to backups in your pipes.

Increased water pressure is all that is needed to cause your pipes to crack and burst. To avoid this, keep a close eye on how your plumbing functions. If you are experiencing any backup of water, water discoloration, or low water flow, check your pipes for any sign of blockage. You’ll also want to adjust the water pressure from your regulator if your pressure is too high.

There Could Be Unseen Damage

When you experience heavy rains, it looks like most of the water slides down your property and away. That, however, is not what occurs. The majority of rainwater is soaked up into the ground. Because the ground soaks up water, the dirt will turn into mud and cause much heavier pressure to be placed upon the pipes under your home. This, unfortunately, can cause underground pipes to shift and crack.

While most pipes are durable, the older your pipes get, the more susceptible they are to breakage. If the pipes shift from their original position, they can easily crack and leak at seams and joints when bent out of shape.

Check Your Home’s Foundation

With the ground soaking up all the extra water from spring rainstorms, the dirt turns into mud underneath your home. Mud weighs more than dirt and can put extra pressure on your home’s foundation. When this happens, pipes are stressed beyond their breaking point.

Minor cracks can start and by the end of the season, they can turn into major leaks and can even burst, flooding the inside of your home. Pipes that burst do not leak directly into the ground, but will come up through the cement and flood any room they are directly under.

If you have a crawl space foundation, a burst pipe can turn that area into a swimming pool, threatening the very foundation of your home. If pipes aren’t cared for as soon as you notice something wrong, you could end up with significant problems later on.

Expert, Professional Plumbing & HVAC Technicians

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air proudly provides top-notch plumbing services in Fairhope, AL for all their neighbors' needs. They offer guaranteed on-time, white-glove service for every call. Their professional technicians provide prompt service, no overtime charges, and a 24/7 availability. Be sure your home is prepared for spring weather with expert help!

Distribution Links +

New Residential Plumbing Tips For The Upcoming New Year!

Some Plumbing Tips to Help Start the Year Strong

The New Year is a time for resolutions and for starting fresh. It marks an opportunity to take on new habits and to learn something new. It’s an exciting time, and for many, it’s a time filled with much energy and momentum. As you make your resolutions this year, consider adding some home maintenance items to that list.

It’s the perfect time of year to learn more about how to better take care of your home. With that goal in mind, here are some plumbing tips from local plumbing professionals.

The Importance of Saving Water

It’s easy to think that small leaks don’t result in much-wasted water or that small issues in your plumbing system aren’t a major problem. However, the reality is that these issues can lead to lots of waste, and people are looking to save water more now than ever before.

Even a small leak, over time, can lead to lots of wasted water and a substantial increase in your water bill. Avoid this wasted water and money by ensuring that all of your piping systems are in good shape.

If you haven’t had your pipes inspected recently, it’s a good idea to do so. This will let you identify any unnoticed leaks or problem areas and will enable you to quickly fix those issues before they lead to bigger problems and more wasted water.

Using Eco-Friendly Pipe Materials

As everyone works to be environmentally friendly, it’s important to think about ways that you can make your home more eco-friendly. If you find yourself needing to replace some piping or needing to repipe your home, there are some materials that are better for the environment than others.

A few materials that are particularly eco-friendly are: copper, as no solvent-based adhesives are used during installation and it can be recycled; cast iron, which is made from 100% recycled materials; galvanized steel, because it can be melted down and recycled and because of its low impact; and PEX, because no adhesives are used during installation.

If you need piping in your home, make sure you talk to a trusted plumber about the most eco-friendly materials to use.

Adding Water Filters

Water filters might not seem that important, but they can actually help all aspects of your plumbing system. Not only can they improve the quality and safety of your home’s water, but they can help to protect your pipes.

Water filters help to remove particles, contaminants, and minerals from your water supply. Doing so reduces the buildup in your pipes that eventually leads to pipe corrosion. If you’re concerned about the quality of your home’s water or if you’ve noticed that your home has hard water, it’s a good idea to talk to your plumber about installing a whole-house water filter.

Hopefully, these plumbing tips will help you to make your plumbing systems function better and help you avoid any plumbing emergencies. And, if you have any questions or concerns about your plumbing system, it’s always best to contact a trusted professional before a small problem becomes a major emergency.

Contact Your Local Service Company

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air provides quality HVAC and plumbing services for the Fair Hope, Spanish Fort, and Mobile areas. Committed to customer service and quality workmanship, they are available 24/7 to meet all of your HVAC and plumbing needs.