Pipe and plumbing problems in commercial buildings impact revenue. These are the best reasons to hire a professional plumber for your project.
Whether you run a restaurant or manage a property, you have pipes and water systems that need maintenance from time to time. While you can try the DIY approach, it is not always the best option. Here are the best reasons to hire a professional plumber for your project.
First and foremost is the wasted time and energy on your end. A professional plumber has the training, credentials, and experience to handle problems quickly and plan a solution. Anyone handling the situation with an untrained eye will more than likely spend several hours researching their problem before acting. This educational back and forth will waste time and expend energy that you could spend on business-related items. If you want to keep plumbing problems from growing into monstrous headaches, you should use a professional plumber to give you peace of mind.
When you address a plumbing issue yourself, you are responsible for following up and keeping tabs on it over time. Should your solution fail a week down the road, you will need to repair the plumbing again. Avoid these future risks with a professional plumbing service. A dedicated business will always be available to field your questions and help you problem-solve issues in the weeks to come.
Hiring a professional may sound like it involves extra work and scheduling people far in advance, but most plumbers are local and available. In fact, you can’t do much better than 24-hour local plumbers. These quick responders have the necessary tools and parts to finish a job or know how to acquire them. As a business manager, you know the importance of a quick fix, so utilize the fastest solution—a professional plumber.
There are many reasons to hire a professional plumber for your project, so make sure you have one on speed dial should a problem occur. Support other local businesses and handle your issues efficiently with a plumbing service. If you have any plumbing emergencies or maintenance needs, reach out to us at Allegiance Service Group today.…
A homeowner usually thinks that a plumber and plumbing contractor is the same, but there are DIFFERENT. These two terms are commonly used interchangeably so it can be confusing. Now you might be wondering what the difference is. If you have a common plumbing problem – like a clogged toilet or a leaky sink — you contact or hire a plumber. In many cases, the plumber works for a plumbing contractor. A plumbing contractor almost always deals exclusively with new customers, repairs, remodeling, and handling tasks that involve the building’s water supply or septic system. In smaller businesses, the plumber may also be the plumbing contractor. In the plumbing industry, this trade is the second-highest earning with a mean annual wage of $58,360. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between what is a plumbing contractor and a plumber.
Plumbers are usually the first trade worker that homeowners or building mangers go to when there is a plumbing emergency or for standard plumbing services. Their typical tasks range from fixing drains or unclogging toilets, to dealing with pipes that have burst. Even though these are drastic to homeowners, these are considered minor repairs in the plumbing world. Plumbers are commonly trained in an apprenticeship program under another plumber. They learn how to install common plumbing fixtures like bathtubs, showers, sinks, toilets, food disposals, and built-in water dispensers.
Plumbing contractors’ tasks are more complex than a plumber. For example, the plumbing contractor will construct a building’s water or waste disposal system, install water heaters (gas or electric), and install gas connections. You will need a plumbing contractor for professional installations such as backflow prevention, gas valves, and other waster system services. This isn’t a complete task list for a plumbing contractor, but these are a few of their tasks that are more complex than a traditional plumber. What are plumbing contractors trained for? Plumbing contractors go through training and certifications to handle any plumbing service requests.
Additionally, plumbing contractors act as consultants when clients are in their planning phases. In terms of responsibilities, plumbing contractors are instrumental in ensuring that any maintenance or new construction is up to code with local, state, and federal regulation, as well as that commercial plumbing, adheres to all requirements of the Americans and Disabilities Act (ADA). Another responsibility they have is the final inspection; they evaluate and assess the plumbing work that they construct in their building phases.
There are different levels of licensing that plumbers and plumbing contractors need. All employees that perform plumbing work must have certification and license by the Division of Labor. Typically, plumbing contractors should have strong customer service, mechanical and people skills, troubleshooting abilities, as well as physical strength and knowledge of plumbing systems and tools. In addition, it is essential to have the following requirements to become a plumbing contractor: Become an apprentice, get a master plumber license, get a contractor’s license.
Apprentice programs are the most common route to take for plumbers to learn the skills in this trade. Apprenticeships are commonly sponsored by companies, contractors, or local unions. They vary in time to complete, roughly four to five years. In these types of programs, you have must complete a requirement of educational hours and on-the-job training. Educational hours take place at trade or technical schools where they learn plumbing codes, regulations, blueprint reading, physics, etc. On-the-job training is a hands-on experience with training in appliances, fixtures, water pipes, etc.
After one goes through apprenticeship programs, you can become a journeyman plumber. This means you can work alone without supervision. You must successfully submit all fees and applications to the respective state licensing agency and pass an assessment. For one to obtain a master plumber license, individuals must be qualified and pass an additional exam and adhere to state requirements.
The last step to becoming a plumbing contractor is to obtain a contractor’s license. Licensed plumbing contractors own their own plumbing business and hire and/or subcontract work to other licensed contractors in different trades. State licensing requirements vary, but typically the requirements …
It may not be necessary to hire a professional to handle every home repair. Some are relatively simple and can be handled on a do-it-yourself basis. However, plumbing problems are a special case. While they may seem simple on the surface, they are often among the most complicated home repair issues. Your amateur attempts may negatively affect the entire system. Here are some specific reasons why you should contact plumbing services rather than trying to fix the problems yourself.
Some plumbing issues can contaminate the water that comes out of the faucet. The contamination is not always visible. You may take care of the problem you can see, but the water may still be dirty as a result. Hiring a plumber helps to ensure that the repair is complete and the water remains clean.
You may not even be aware that governments at the local, state, and national levels impose codes on plumbing work. However, if your DIY repair is not up to code, it could affect the resale value of your home. Professional plumbers are familiar with these codes and will make sure the repair is compliant.
People usually undertake DIY repairs in the interest of saving money. However, trying to make your own plumbing repairs could end up costing you more in the long run. For example, if you do not repair a leak correctly, or miss it altogether as you are doing repairs, the loss of water due to the leak could significantly increase your water bill. Not only that, but a botched DIY repair could lead to even bigger plumbing issues that you have no choice but to hire a professional to handle.
Like most other forms of technology, plumbing equipment has seen significant advancements over the past few decades. Plumbers are early adopters of the most advanced equipment, which means faster repairs.
Attempting to perform your own plumbing repairs could expose you to safety risks. Scalding hot water coming in contact with your skin or attempts to lift and carry heavy pipes could result in an injury. Another safety hazard associated with plumbing repairs is the force of the water, which you may not be able to control. You can avoid such hazards entirely when you hire a professional plumber, who is trained to manage these risks effectively.
Because plumbing problems are complicated, you may inadvertently put your property at risk for further damage when you attempt the repair yourself. Professional plumbers are trained to avoid accidental damage to your property, and if something does go wrong, they will acknowledge it and make it right. On the other hand, if you inadvertently cause damage to your property while attempting plumbing repairs, it is entirely your responsibility.
Plumbing can be a messy job, especially if it involves raw sewage or old pipes. You may think that you can handle it, but you may underestimate how messy the job will become. Professional plumbers have no qualms about the mess, and once the job is complete, they will clean up afterward so that you do not have to deal with it at all.
Our professionals are prepared to handle all plumbing jobs. Whether the job is large or small, we will ensure the highest quality. We take pride in being helpful, friendly, and providing amazing customer service. Plumbing is one service that we provide, but whatever job you need to be done around the home, we can handle it for you. Check out all the repair and remodeling services we provide.…
There are no two ways about it, household maintenance is a boring job… but just because it’s boring doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary. When it comes to home maintenance, we often forget about things like the pipes, drains, and taps and only ever think about it when they block up or burst. Rather than waiting for an emergency situation and having to fork out for the cost of that, it’s a better idea to budget for plumbing maintenance and aim to avoid the emergency situation altogether.
Here are some of the basic plumbing maintenance tips:
Kitchen sinks are often clogged with food and cooking oil. Even as you’re washing the tea leaves down the sink you know it’s a bad idea but do it anyway. And, who hasn’t had that horrible job of pulling hair out of the shower or bath plughole when it stops draining properly. A simple strainer on top of plug holes can help stop much of that gunk heading down the drain in the first place.
A drip or two from water pipes and taps should be given immediate attention. This is a small sign of a problem that will only get bigger if left alone. The pipes in your home can be affected by the toxins and chemical composition of cleaning products we use when unclogging drains and sinks. When taps start dripping, check the washer, it might need replacing. You can also check the main valve, the pressure might be too much which could be causing continuous dripping. If you’ve adjusted it already and replaced the washer, and the drip is still there, you may need a replace the tap.
An annual inspection of sewer lines should be done to ensure water flows properly and continues to where it should go. If you have a garden, or trees near where your sewer lines are installed, there’s a possibility that roots might affect the pipeline. Tree roots can often be a cause of broken pipes. Call a plumber to have it checked once in a while, and never plant anything near your sewer line.
Maintenance and plumbing system checkups are designed to prevent costly repairs and replacements. You can do it yourself, but if you don’t know what to look for, it’s a good idea to get a professional plumber to do it for you.
Did you know that fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills? Owning a home means having to face inevitable plumbing problems! Be prepared for any minor plumbing problem by having these basic plumbing tools.
It may be the most obvious, but a plunger is an essential plumbing tool for every homeowner. Plungers are helpful when you have a clogged toilet, but did you know a plunger can be used for a clogged shower drain? A plunger is an inexpensive tool that will help you get out of some minor plumbing problems!
Does your sink or shower not drain properly? The solution could be just a simple drain snake away. A drain snake, or plumber’s snake, is a flexible auger used to dislodge clogs in plumbing. A drain snake is a simple plumbing tool that will allow you to clear debris like hair and product buildup without damaging your pipes.
Adjustable wrenches are an essential tool in any home plumbing toolkit. There are two types of wrenches that are particularly helpful when it comes to dealing with common plumbing.
When dealing with pipes and plumbing, rubber gloves can be an overlooked yet essential tool. Keep your hands, wrists, and forearms clean and protected from sharp objects by wearing rubber gloves when dealing with household plumbing issues.
Have you lost a wedding ring down your kitchen sink drain? Slip-joint pliers can save the day. Slip-joint pliers are useful tools for both bending and gripping in tight plumbing situations. With two sets of teeth, slip-joint pliers are a versatile tool to keep on hand. They have the ability to grip small objects like nails or grab bulkier objects like bolts.
Thread seal tape is also known as PTFE tape, plumber’s tape, or Teflon tape. This tape is good for sealing pipe threads and other plumbing leak necessities. If you have a leaky pipe, consider using thread seal tape to temporarily fix the leak to avoid further water damage. In some cases, thread seal tape can be used to solve the issue. Household leaks can not only cause damage and increase utility bills but also lead to water waste. The average family wastes 180 gallons per week from household leaks according to the EPA. Consider the thread seal tape in your plumbing toolbox as a way to combat this problem.
The last plumbing toolkit essential is a basic tape measure. When dealing with plumbing you’ll often need to take exact measurements to ensure correct repairs in tight spaces. A tape measure will help you avoid costly mistakes due to incorrect length or distance in your home repair.
If you have a plumbing problem and are without these 7 basic plumbing tools don’t worry. Contact us at alpha-plumbing.com today for all your home plumbing needs.…
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While professional plumbers drive around with plenty of specialty equipment on their trucks, homeowners can handle more of their own needs with just a handful of plumbing tools. This is because the most common household plumbing repairs are more about the know-how (and replacement parts) than about advanced tools and special techniques. But there are a few specialty items that are indispensable for everyday plumbing jobs. Topping the list are those for the most familiar plumbing problems of all: clogged drains.
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A sink auger (also called a drum auger or canister auger) is the ultimate weapon for breaking up and clearing clogs in sink and tub drains. Just don’t use it on toilets—they call for a closet auger or toilet auger.
A sink auger consists of a flexible stainless steel cable with a corkscrew tip at the end. The cable is coiled within a drum canister and is extended into a drain to reach a clog and clear it. The drum has a handle, and there’s a thumbscrew that locks the cable to the canister, and when you insert the cable into the drain and turn the handle, the rotating drum snakes the cable through bends in the drainpipe, allowing the cable tip to penetrate clogs and pull them out.
The toilet auger (also called a closet auger or water closet auger) is used to clear clogs in toilets. You do not want to use a sink auger for toilets, or a toilet auger for standard drains, as the tools are designed for very different purposes. A toilet auger has a long metal rod with a bend for reaching into the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. A rubber sleeve covers the bend to protect the porcelain in the toilet from being scratched. Once the tool is in place, you push and rotate the auger cable to snake it into or through the clog.
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The flange plunger, or ball or toilet plunger, is a specially shaped plunger used to clear clogs in toilets. It works like a regular plunger but has a flange—an extended rubber flap below the dome of the plunger head—that helps seal around the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. With the bottom opening sealed, the plunger can effectively create the hydraulic pressure necessary to dislodge most clogs from a toilet.
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The cup plunger may be the most common plumbing tool in the home. It has a rubber cup-like shape and a wooden handle and is used to clear clogs in sinks, tubs, and showers. Do not use this plunger for clearing toilet clogs; that requires a specially shaped plunger called a flange plunger (previous slide). Some flange plungers, though, can be used as standard cup plungers when the flange is tucked up inside.
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Plumber tape is an essential material for preventing leaks at threaded plumbing connections. Often called Teflon tape (although it’s not made with Teflon-brand material), plumber’s tape is a thin white tape that you wrap around threads on pipes and fittings before twisting the parts together. It adds a bit of lubricant to aid threading and also helps to seal the joint to prevent leaks. Made with PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene), it is silky in texture and is
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Channel-type pliers are commonly known by the brand name Channel-Locks and are also known as slip-joint pliers. They’re similar to regular adjustable pliers but have extended adjustment sections as well as angled jaws, allowing you to grip pipes or other plumbing parts of almost any size. The long handles provide tremendous leverage for squeezing and twisting. You can use them to grip heavy steel pipe or to gently tighten large plastic nuts on sink drains. If you own only one specialty plumbing tool, this should be the one.
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An adjustable pipe wrench is the
Before moving into a new home, note the location of the main shut-off valve and drain (in some cases, the shut-off will be located outside the house). You should also get acquainted with sewer line access points, in case you need to conduct periodic clean outs. Note that apartments and condos may not have their own dedicated shut-off valves.
Related: 12 Things Your Plumber Wishes You Knew
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Are you planning to drill holes or pound nails into your walls, floors, or ceiling? First determine if there are any supply or drainage pipes behind your work area, since you don’t want to accidentally puncture them. You may be able to locate pipes behind walls with an inexpensive stud finder. Alternatively, you could invest in an endoscopic camera, which can be snaked into the walls.
Related: 13 Home Improvements That Are Illegal to DIY
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Homeowners shouldn’t use their toilet as a trash can, since flushing anything except toilet paper leads to nasty clogs. Even “flushable” baby wipes can back up the system!
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Never dump coffee grounds, food debris, bacon grease, vegetable peelings, or starchy foods like rice or potatoes down the kitchen drain; they will almost certainly clog your pipes. It’s also smart to read the manufacturer’s manual for your garbage disposal to know what, exactly, the unit can handle.
Related: 10 Things Always to Keep Near Your Kitchen Sink
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Invest in a high-quality plunger to clear clogs in toilets, sinks, and drains. If you’re planning to clean sink traps, use a plunger to push most of the water out before removing the trap. The task will be a lot less wet and messy.
Related: No Plunger Needed: 7 Easier Ways to Clear a Clog
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When you’re trying to dislodge a clog caused by a small, hard object (like a child’s toy, toothbrush, or comb), rely on a wet-dry vacuum. It’s more effective to suck the object out. A plunger will only push it deeper into the drain, making it more difficult to remove.
Related: You’re Not Using Vacuum Attachments the Right Way
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That steady drip, drip, drip of a fixture symbolizes money going down the drain. In fact, a leaky faucet typically wastes up to eight gallons of water per day, while a running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day. Fix small leaks promptly before they become big—and costly—problems.
Related: 14 Sneaky Ways to Save Money on Your Water Bill
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A common DIY plumbing mistake is over-tightening fittings and connections, which leads to broken bolts and stripped screws. Remember this adage: “hand-tight is just right.”
Related: 9 Signs Your Tap Water Might Be Contaminated
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Plumber’s tape (also called Teflon tape) is used to seal pipe threads to prevent leaks around joints and fittings. You should typically wrap plumber’s tape three times around the pipe threads before sealing. Also note that white tape is designed for common household plumbing projects, while yellow is for gas line connections.
Related: 9 Things First-Time Homeowners Don’t Know to Do
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After every plumbing project, check for leaks by running water through the system, then opening and closing all valves and drains. Even professional plumbers may miss a small leak and need to reseal a connection.
Related: 11 Things Your Contractor Won’t Tell You for Free
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With the right knowledge, you can be your own first line of defense for basic plumbing issues.
The plumbing system is one of the most important systems in your home. The plumbing system in your home has a variety of elements such as your sewer system and your water heater. It’s important to keep the plumbing system in your home properly maintained in order to ensure that it’s running efficiently. Regular plumbing maintenance can eliminate the need for costly plumbing services and repairs in the future. It will also give you peace of mind to know that your home is a safe and healthy environment for both you and your family.
Plumbing Services That A Professional Plumber Can Provide
A professional plumber can provide a wide variety of services such as repairing water leaks, clearing slow or clogged drains and reducing calcium build-up in your water. They can also repair or replace your water heater and perform sewer services like sewer line installation and repair, sewer drain cleaning, and well as sewer main replacement and repair. They even have specialized cameras that allow them to see things underground that are invisible to the naked eye.
Water Heater Services
During the cold winter months, it’s more important than ever to keep your water heater in good condition and running efficiently. A certified, licensed plumbing professional can help you with that too.
Emergency Plumbing Services
Even with routine plumbing maintenance, plumbing emergencies can still happen. A professional plumber offers emergency plumbing services for exactly those kinds of emergency situations.
Sump Pump Installation And Repair
A professional plumber can also assist you with sump pump installation or repair. Your sump pump should also be inspected by a professional plumber on a regular basis to make sure it is working properly.
Home Remodeling And Renovation
If you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen or bathroom, you should consult a certified licensed, plumbing professional in your area. They can even upgrade the plumbing system in your home to help you get the most out of your new kitchen or bathroom. If you need Alexandria plumbing upgrades a professional plumber is the person that you should call for help.
How Do You Know If You Need A Plumbing Upgrade In Your Home
If you’re having persistent plumbing problems in your home such as leaks, slow or clogged drains or cracked pipes then you should probably consider upgrading the plumbing system in your home. If the plumbing system in your home is very old or if you’re considering renovating or renovating your kitchen or bathroom, it’s probably a good time to consider a plumbing upgrade.
What Does A Plumbing Upgrade For Your Home Entail
A professional plumber can advise you on what kinds of plumbing upgrades are right for you and your home. A plumbing upgrade can be something as simple as installing new fixtures or something as complex as installing new appliances or replacing the entire plumbing system in your home with a newer, more energy-efficient version. If you think your home needs a plumbing upgrade, talk to a plumbing professional to decide what changes should be made. A plumbing upgrade will help the plumbing system in your home run more efficiently and may also save you money on your utility bill.…
Old homes have unique charms, but they also may be hiding plumbing problems in their walls and floorboards.
Older homes can have a host of problems with the plumbing that you can’t see – it may simply be old and reaching the end of its usable lifespan, piping may have been installed that later proved to be problematic or an amateur plumber may have made repairs.
Plumbing has a lifespan, from the water lines and fixtures to the drains and sewer lines. Copper lines will last the longest, at 60 to 80 years, followed by cast iron drains and sewer lines at 50 to 65 years. Galvanized steel, used for both water and sewer lines, lasts about 40 to 60 years, followed by polyvinyl chloride, or PVC plastic, at 40 to 50 years, then PEX at 40 years.
Fixtures need replacement more often – and they aren’t limited to faucets, although those should be replaced every 15 to 20 years. Water heaters should be replaced more often, at 10 to 20 years, and shut-off valves should be replaced every 20 years, or they may become frozen in the “on” position. Sinks, tubs and toilets are the sturdiest of home plumbing fixtures, needing replacement every 40 to 80 years.
In addition, some of the oldest homes were built before plumbing was common and were retrofitted with plumbing later. In order to update those aged pipes, plumbers may need to drill through floor joists or install drop ceilings so there is room for the appropriate slope for gravity-fed drains.
As pipes age, their joints may begin to loosen and the pipes sag, causing “bellies,” as they separate. A belly is where debris, rust or minerals can collect where a pipe sags, causing clogs and stoppages.
When the issue of problematic pipes comes up, so does Flint, Michigan, where it was discovered that a combination of lead pipes and cost-cutting resulted in dangerous levels of lead in the public water system.
Highly acidic water, hot water, highly chlorinated water or water that has remained stationary in a pipe for a long time can leach lead from pipes or lead solder used on brass pipe fittings. It’s estimated that 10 million homes have water service lines that are at least partially lead – and many residents don’t realize they are responsible for the maintenance and replacement of those service lines. In many cases, there is simply no record of whether a water service line is lead or not, although it is more prevalent in older homes, since lead water service lines were popular before 1950.
Lead lines aren’t the only plumbing homeowners should be on the lookout for – polybutylene pipe, or “poly,” was popular, because it was inexpensive, from its introduction in the mid-1970s through the mid-1990s and is found in another 10 million American homes. However, poly piping fails at an abnormally high rate under normal conditions. Poly pipes react poorly to oxidants in water, flaking away from the inside out, so a poly pipe may appear in good shape during a visual inspection. It, too, is prone to faster degradation when exposed to high levels of chlorine and hot water.
In addition, use of galvanized steel piping also has been discontinued, except for repairs of existing systems. It was introduced as an alternative to lead lines, often used for water lines prior to the 1960s, until it was discovered in the early 1970’s that it, like poly, was corroding within. Unlike poly pipe, galvanized steel would corrode and rust would build up within the pipe, narrowing the diameter of the pipe and causing water pressure issues.
Some home insurance companies will refuse to insure homes with poly or galvanized steel piping or require high deductibles before a home with known problematic plumbing can be insured. Those purchasing a home with poly or galvanized pipes may be required to have a licensed plumber to certify the system before it can be insured. It also will lower a home’s resale value and make it more difficult to find a buyer.
Then there’s Orangeburg sewer lines – pipes made …