The Importance Of Finding Your Water Shutoff Valves

If you find a major leak in your household plumbing, immediately contacting a plumber is likely the first thing that comes to mind. However, if your home is flooding due to major water leaks or other problems, shutting off your home's main water valve is the very first action you must take. Below are some facts that will help you locate water valves quickly and stop excessive damage until a plumbing professional arrives.

Well Water

Depending on whether your water source is municipal or private, there are several possibilities for turning off the water supply. If the latter comes from a private well, you must first locate your pressure tank. Older tanks are steel. Modern tanks are blue. The shutoff valve is located on the pipe that goes from the tank to the home. Simply turning this valve immediately eliminates well water flow to the dwelling. However, when the shutoff valve is located on the opposite side of the tank, on the pipe leading away from the tank, to the natural water source, the pressure in the tank must bleed down. This needs to happen before the water will stop. You can speed this process by opening all outside hose faucets. In rare cases, the shutoff valve is inoperable. This happens when the property is quite old. These types of home never had a shutoff valve installed outside. In this case, your only choice is to go to your breaker panel and turn off the well pump's power source.

Municipal Water

When the plumbing in your dwelling is from a municipal source, a meter controls the water supply. The meter is located near the front sidewalk or curb. When you find it, carefully remove the lid. Check for insects or spiders. They almost always gather inside here. The meter has two sides, one for the city and one for property owners. The homeowner's side generally features a manual shutoff valve. Turn this valve clockwise until it stops, which should completely halt the water flow. When no hand-operated shutoff valve is found, you must use the city's side. However, this requires a meter key. This is sometimes called a long-handled plumbing wrench. It can be purchased at most hardware stores. Although some municipal water companies prefer that homeowners not purchase such keys, in reality they are necessary in certain cases and it is wise to have one in your possession. You will see an obvious place where you can insert the key into the meter. Turn it and line up the holes. You have successfully shut off the water. When you are unable to locate the water meter, get in touch with your local water company immediately. Ask them for instructions.

 

Individual Shut Off Valves

It is also important to locate individual shutoff valves in your home. You will find your sink valves directly beneath the sink. Commode valves are easy to spot as well. You will find them attached to the water line coming from the wall. Shower and tub valves are sometimes not as easy to find. You will find the shower and tub valves located inside the walls. To access them, you will need to remove hardware like face plates.

Plumbing Bethlehem PA

It is in the best interest of all homeowners to find shutoff valves in case a plumbing emergency occurs. If you need more information or cannot locate these valves, contact a plumbing professional for assistance. Robinson Plumbing offers  the best plumbing services in the Lehigh Valley. Our services are both affordable, clean, and professional. Let our experienced and certified plumbers address your plumbing needs. We can get your plumbing system back in working order in no time. in a timely fashion. Give us a call today so that we may answer any plumbing questions that you have. We service Allentown PA 18101, Bethlehem PA 18015, Catasauqua PA 18032, Center Valley PA 18034, Coplay PA 18037, East Texas PA 18046, Emmaus PA 18049, Lehigh Valley PA 18001, Northampton PA 18067, Whitehall PA 18052, and surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The following post The Importance Of Finding Your Water Shutoff Valves was originally published to Robinson Plumbing Articles

Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), homeowner losses related to water damage reached $7,958 billion for the period spanning 2010-2014. These losses usually stem from leakages that are remain unresolved over a considerable period. For this reason, it is wise to contact a professional plumber immediately after noticing that your water heater is leaking. This article will cover issues that could cause water leakage.

Excess Pressure

Excess pressure build up inside your water heating tank can cause water to leak. In most cases, extreme pressure leads to failure of a water tank part -- such as the wall and water pipe connection points. This problem will occur if your heater's pressure relief valve is not working as expected. Setting the temperature of your water heater too high or pumping in water at high pressure can also lead to pressure buildup inside your water heater.

Water Inlet And Outlet Connections

Failures around water inlet and outlet connections can lead to water leakage. Due to this, it is wise to check both connections carefully and tighten any loose connections with a suitable pipe wrench. In cases where replacement of entire pipe sections is necessary, it is advisable to hire an experienced plumber. According to the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, maintenance and repair tasks related to pressurized containers require the expertise of experienced professionals. This is necessary to reduce the risk of faulty repairs that could cause serious problems including explosions later.

Drain Valve

Besides the water inlet/outlet, the drain valve is another common source of water heater leakage. Evaluating this valve can be tricky because it is usually located at the bottom of the water tank. This is where a professional plumber would come in handy.

Condensation

Condensation forming on the walls of your water heater unit can drip onto the floor leading you to conclude that there is a leakage when the opposite is true. Luckily, you can resolve this problem by wiping water puddles that form on the floor. Condensation mostly occurs when there are substantial temperature differences between a water heater's inner and outer surface. A good example is when cold water flows into a water tank when the surrounding temperature is high.

Old Tank

Water heaters become prone to corrosion and rusting over time, which in turn leads to water leakage. In such a case, the standard practice is to replace the old tank with a new one that complies with energy efficiency standards/regulations such as the Energy Star initiative. This approach makes financial sense because old heaters tend to consume a lot of energy leading to high power bills. What's more, maintenance and repair costs normally rise over time meaning keeping such a tank is costly. It is also worth noting most states provide tax credits to property owners who install energy efficient appliances.

 

Water Heater Repair Easton PA

A leaky water heater should be repaired immediately to prevent further leakage. Hire a professional plumber to carry out maintenance and repair tasks. This notwithstanding, common causes of water heater leakage include pressure buildup, condensation, as well as failure of water inlet/outlet connections. Repairing or installing a water heater on your own is dangerous. When your water heater starts acting up, contact Robinson Plumbing. Our certified, friendly, and experienced plumbers can get your water heater in working order quickly and affordably. We service Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Easton PA 18040, Martins Creek PA 18063, Nazareth PA 18064, Riegelsville PA 18077, Stockertown PA 18083, Tatamy PA 18085, and surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

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What Is That Sewer Smell In My House?

There are many types of odors that you can have at home. When you do a lot of cooking, you throw food in the trash. The food that you throw into the trash produces a foul smell. However, this is easily solved when you take out the trash. What concerns you is a foul smell in your home. You cannot explain it. It, simply, will not go away. In this article, we will discuss what causes a sewer gas smell and what you can do to eliminate it.

Causes Of Sewer Gases In A Home

Dry P-Trap

Every drain system has a p-trap, whether it's the kitchen sink or toilet. This indicates that it has been installed according to code. The p-trap keeps sewer gases away from the house. When you flush the toilet, run the faucet, or pour liquids into the drain, the p-trap allows the waste or water to move down the sewer line and empties the sewer gases out of the vent along with it. Usually, the p-trap has some clean water that remains in it. This water blocks sewer gases from getting back into the house. When the water level in the p-trap gets low or dries out, however, sewer gases will move freely into the house and cause the sewer smell. When sinks or plumbing fixtures are infrequently used, the sewer gas smell is the end result. Also, when the drain is improperly vented, then the "sewer gas" air has no where to go but inside of your home. Essentially, the water in a p-trap acts as a seal when sewer gases move in and around your system.

Signs Of P-trap Problems

Aside from the foul sewer smell, another sign of a poorly ventilated p-trap is a "glugging" sound. This plumbing sound usually comes from one drain when another drain is being used. This is simply one drain using a different drain as a vent for sewer gases or air. This usually occurs in older homes and cabins. However, newer homes with improperly vented additions can also experience this type of problem.

How To Resolve The Problem

Obviously, you do not want your home to continue having a foul sewer smell. Therefore, you need to get to the bottom of the issue and have the problem resolved effectively. You may think that the sewer gas smell is only temporary and try using air fresheners to suppress the smell. However, you will discover later on that the smell will persist and get stronger with time. Ideally, you should call a professional plumber to look at your drain system and make the necessary alterations in your plumbing system to resolve the problem.

Importance Of Hiring A Professional Plumber

When you experience any type of plumbing problem, be sure to hire a licensed plumber. Make sure that they have a lot of experience in the industry. Trying to fix the problem on your own, or making it a DIY plumbing project, may exacerbate the problem. This means it will cost you more money to fix. Professional plumbers are effective at resolving plumbing issues, including sewer gas venting problems. Also, they take a reasonable amount of time to fix the problem. Therefore, you are getting value for your money when using plumbing services.

 

Plumber Easton PA

When you need a plumber, be sure to get a hold of Robinson Plumbing. We have certified and trained plumbers that can get your plumbing system back in working order quickly and affordably. Give us a call today so that we may answer any questions that you have. We service Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Easton PA 18040, Martins Creek PA 18063, Nazareth PA 18064, Riegelsville PA 18077, Stockertown PA 18083, Tatamy PA 18085, and surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

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Your Guide to Spring Plumbing Maintenance

Spring is the time of year when many homeowners perform maintenance chores. During the winter, your plumbing system battles freezing weather, flooding or other seasonal hazards. Hopefully your plumbing survived the winter intact. As they say, it is better safe than sorry. Spring is the perfect time for "spring cleaning" for your plumbing. Spending the time and money now, may save your property from water damage. Use this list to guide you as you consider your entire plumbing system. Be sure to take pictures and make notes so it is easier to share your observations with your plumber.

Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Test Your Faucets

Take a moment to turn on each water faucet. Test both the hot and cold water. Ask yourself:

• How does your water run? Air bubbles hint to blockage or an interrupted water flow.
• How is the water pressure? Low pressure may indicate a leak somewhere else in your water line.

Check Your Drains

Please don't ignore stalled or clogged drains! If you have any, be sure to unclog them. If the clog is unresponsive to your efforts, contact a plumber immediately. Clogged drains can lead to nasty backflow or even flooding.

Check Any Exposed Pipes

Look for signs of leaks or other damage. Be sure to inspect the area surrounding each plumbing pipe for signs of excess moisture (possibly caused by leaks).

Perform Seasonal Water Heater Maintenance

Ask your plumber to flush your water heater to get rid of sediment or mineral build up. Ask about whether your heater is efficient and up-to-date. Plan to replace your water heater as recommended since this expense is an investment into efficient and well-functioning plumbing.

Maintain Your Sump Pump

A working sump pump prevents water damage to your home's foundation. Ensure it is functioning well. Contact your plumber if you have any concerns.

Check Your Toilet

Check your toilet for signs of leaks, hairline fractures, inefficiencies and other problems. One easy way to check your toilet tank for leaks is to add a couple drops of green food coloring to the tank. You should not see any of the green color in the toilet bowl.

Check Your Showers And Bathtub

Check your shower and tub for leaks, blockage, fractures, and low water pressure. This step is much like the other steps mentioned, but please don't overlook these major plumbing appliances.

Check Your Washing Machine And Dishwasher

Check any other water intensive appliances for leaks, efficiency, or damage. Damage to these big-ticket appliances can cause damage to your home.

Plumbing Repair Bethlehem PA

When it comes to your household plumbing, "don't try this at home!" Always call a licensed, professional plumber for the more advanced maintenance tasks and for any repairs. Maintaining your plumbing is a little like preventative medicine. A periodic checkup and treatment by a skilled professional saves you from costly damage later. We hope you find our guide to spring plumbing maintenance helpful. If you notice any problems, don't hesitate to call your plumber during any season! Robinson Plumbing offers  plumbing services that are both affordable and professional. Let our certified plumbers address your plumbing needs. We always get the job done accurately and in a timely fashion. Give us a call today so that we may answer any questions that you have. We service Allentown PA 18101, Bethlehem PA 18015, Catasauqua PA 18032, Center Valley PA 18034, Coplay PA 18037, East Texas PA 18046, Emmaus PA 18049, Lehigh Valley PA 18001, Northampton PA 18067, Whitehall PA 18052, and surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The following post "Your Guide to Spring Plumbing Maintenance" was originally seen on Robinson Plumbers