Plumbing emergencies are capable of resulting in a substantial amount of damage to a home or building. They often result in flooding and water damage to the building, which can lead to even more extensive problems. Though plumbing emergencies can cause extremely expensive repairs to become necessary, many people don’t take the steps to reduce the likelihood of them occurring. Understanding how to prevent some of the most common plumbing emergencies and what to do when they occur can go a long way toward protecting your property. This can reduce the total damage to the building and even prevent these issues from arising in the first place. Here are some of the things that you need to know about the most common plumbing emergencies.

Common Causes of Plumbing Emergencies

Ultimately, plumbing emergencies tend to occur as a result of plumbing negligence. In fact, many people obtain more regular maintenance for their cars than they do for their home! This negligence is the leading cause of plumbing emergencies because regular maintenance can be implemented to help prevent these emergencies from arising. Preventative maintenance is designed specifically to help reduce the likelihood of these plumbing emergencies. However, if a plumbing emergency arises, it will be critical to obtain fast, effective emergency services to mitigate the total damage to your building. You will also need to know what to do immediately after the emergency to reduce the damage that the emergency will cause to your property.

Burst Pipes

Burst pipes tend to lead to extreme flooding inside of the building. Water can lead to a significant amount of damage, which can be expensive and difficult to repair. It can cause rotting, the development of mold, and many additional issues. If you are experiencing a burst pipe that is causing flooding, first you will need to find the main water shut-off valve. Close this valve to prevent water from circulating to the burst pipe. After you have closed the main water shut-off valve, you will want to turn cold water taps on throughout your building. This will help to drain the trapped water inside of the pipes. Once you have stopped the damage from escalating with these steps, you will need to call an emergency plumber before you will be able to use the water in your building.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are rather common when you experience extremely cold temperatures. Without the proper strategies, the water inside of the pipes may freeze. If the frozen pipe has burst, you will have to follow the steps listed for burst pipes in order to minimize damage, before you focus on the frozen pipe. If the pipe hasn’t burst yet, it is crucial to take some steps to thaw it out before it can burst. You may be able to use hot water bottles to help thaw the pipes. However, it is crucial to never use an open flame in an attempt to thaw the pipe. These flames can simply lead to additional damage to the pipes. Another way to protect your building from frozen pipes is to ensure that you provide appropriate insulation for your pipes. This can help to prevent them from becoming frozen in the first place.

Blocked Toilets and Drains

When a toilet or drain is blocked, it is highly likely that the fixture that is clogged will be unusable. Not only can this be inconvenient, but when not resolved, it can lead to excessive damage to your plumbing system. The first thing you will need to do when you have a blocked toilet or drain is to try to clear the blockage. Using a plumbing snake or plunger may help you to accomplish this. However, if these tools don’t help to clear the blockage inside of your plumbing system, you will likely need to call a plumber. They will be able to identify the problem and remove the clog without causing damage to your plumbing system.

Water Heater Failure

You rely on your water heater much more than you realize. Every time you take a shower, wash your dishes, or do your laundry, you are using the hot water provided by your water heater. However, when your water heater stops to function effectively, it will likely result in a broad array of issues. This can make it extremely difficult to follow your regular operations inside of your building. Water heater failure is incredibly inconvenient. There are many other issues that can arise with the water heater system. For example, if your water heater leaks, you may have water damage in your home. Alternatively, a water heater that functions inefficiently will ultimately raise your energy expenses. When you have an issue with your water heater, it will be important to consult with an experienced plumber to have the situation resolved.

Sewer Line Backup

Sewer line backups are extremely problematic. They often cause flooding and can result in many additional issues and damage to the building. When you have a sewer line backup, it is crucial to have it resolved quickly by an emergency plumber. This will help to prevent damage to your building and ensure that your plumbing system can be restored. A backup in the sewer line may impact your entire plumbing system. It is important to familiarize yourself with the signs of a main sewer line backup.

Here at S & B Plumbing, we are dedicated to providing you with the plumbing services that you need to protect your building and keep your plumbing system in great condition. It is crucial to understand the various common plumbing emergencies and what to do when they occur to your property. Providing regular preventative maintenance for your plumbing system can help to prevent these emergencies from arising in the first place. This goes a long way toward protecting your building and minimizing the likelihood of expensive repairs. To learn more about common plumbing emergencies and how to protect your home when they occur, contact our experienced team at S & B Plumbing today!

Pipe corrosion occurs in a variety of ways. When allowed to progress continually, corrosion leads to substantial issues with your plumbing system. Understanding how to stop pipes from corroding in the first place can go a long way toward improving your plumbing system, preventing damage, and ensuring that your pipes remain in good condition. Here are a few top tips for stopping pipe corrosion in your property.

What is Pipe Corrosion?

In order to effectively stop pipe corrosion, it is important to first understand what pipe corrosion is. Essentially, pipe corrosion is the outcome when the material that comprises the pipes breaks down. This often results in the appearance of pipes that are both eaten away or worn out. Pipe corrosion commonly occurs over time, particularly in older buildings or buildings that have specific types of pipes. If you notice the signs of pipe corrosion in your property, it is useful to ensure that you have it repaired in your plumbing system.

Causes of Pipe Corrosion

Pipe corrosion is common because there are multiple things that lead to the corrosion of pipes. Sometimes, the connections between different pipe materials lead to corrosion of pipes. These various materials don’t always interact appropriately with each other, which can cause corrosion to arise. Oxygen is often one of the biggest culprits of pipe corrosion. When oxygen in water reacts with the metal material of the pipes, it is common for pipe corrosion to arise. Minerals that occur naturally in your regular water supply may also have a reaction to the pipes, which can lead to corrosion. There are many additional issues that can lead to pipe corrosion, though these are generally the most common.

Signs of Pipe Corrosion

Familiarizing yourself with the signs of pipe corrosion will help you to identify when issues are present with your plumbing system. Signs of rust or stains in your sinks or toilet bowls are often an indication of corrosion in your pipes. Weak water pressure is another sign that your plumbing system isn’t working quite as it is intended to. Excessive clogs often indicate that the pipes aren’t working correctly. Pay attention to the water that comes out of your plumbing system. When water is somewhat discolored, usually an orange tinge, it is likely that the pipes have become corroded. In addition, corroded pipes may produce water that has a rather metallic odor or taste.

Tips for Stopping Pipe Corrosion

Stopping pipe corrosion in the early stages can help to protect your plumbing system. When you allow corrosion to escalate, it can lead to additional damage to the plumbing. It is often most beneficial to stop pipe corrosion early on to prevent an escalation of damage and ensure that your plumbing system remains in the best possible condition. Here are a few tips for stopping pipe corrosion on your property.

Test your Water

The quality of your water often has a substantial impact on the condition of your pipes. In order to determine if the water is capable of damaging your pipes, you may want to obtain a kit that is specifically designed to test your water. This will help you to identify the amount and type of minerals that are present in your water. If there are minerals that react negatively to the pipes of your building, you will want to take steps to improve the quality of the water.

Install a Water Softener

Using a water softener can go a long way toward keeping your pipes clear and free of corrosion. This tool helps to pull harmful minerals from the water that you drink. Not only will this help to protect your plumbing system and your pipes, but it will also ensure that soaps and shampoos are more effective. Hard water can dry out your hair, damage your pipes, and lead to many other types of damage.

Check your Pipes

It is important to check the pipes that you have in your home. For one thing, you will want to inspect them for the possibility of damage. Another factor is to check the materials that your pipes are comprised of. Certain materials are more likely to corrode than other materials. This can also help you to determine what metal pipes will react to other minerals and materials.

Water Pressure

When your system uses extremely high levels of water pressure, it is likely that the water pressure can damage the pipes. Higher amounts of pressure tend to put higher levels of stress on the pipes of your property. It is particularly beneficial to ensure that your water pressure isn’t too high in order to prevent wear and damage to the pipes of your plumbing system.

Regular Drain Cleaning

It is important to have your drains cleaned on a regular basis. Clogs ultimately put a substantial amount of pressure on your pipes. When they are allowed to accumulate, it can lead to an escalated amount of damage to your pipes. Having your drains cleaned on a regular basis helps to have these clogs effectively removed, as well as prevents corrosion from occurring.

Consider Re-piping

It is important to consider whether re-piping is the best solution for your property and specific situation. Re-piping tends to be extremely beneficial for older homes that have consistent problems with the plumbing system. When the plumbing system has sustained a significant amount of damage, you may want to obtain re-piping services for your property.

Stopping pipe corrosion is an important way to protect your plumbing system and prevent a substantial amount of damage. We offer a large array of services to help protect, maintain, or repair the plumbing system of your property. Keeping the pipes in good condition is an important way to prevent an extreme amount of damage from occurring after a malfunction with the plumbing system. Here at S & B Plumbing, we strive to ensure the best services possible for your plumbing system. To learn more about the services that we offer, as well as how to keep your pipes in great condition, contact our experts today!

The bathroom is often one of the most common places where mold can grow inside of a home, due to the specific environment of a bathroom. These rooms host rather high levels of humidity, which provides the superior environment in which mold can grow. Allowing mold to be present in your property can be incredibly detrimental to the health of everyone who lives in the house and breathes in the mold spores. Due to the impact mold can have on health, it is extremely important to prevent the growth of mold, as well as have it removed after it has accumulated. Not only should you take the steps to prevent mold, but you should also regularly inspect your property for the presence of mold. Here are a few tips for preventing the growth of mold in your bathroom and protecting the health of your family.

Areas to Check for Mold

You need to regularly check your bathroom for mold in order to ensure that it hasn’t developed. This will help you to detect mold in the early stages, which can prevent the damage to your health and the health of other residents inside of the building. Understanding the best areas to check for mold will help you to locate it early on. You need to check the caulking in the bathroom, especially around the tub and other areas with water. Check in and around the sink, as well as the toilet. Check the bathroom windows to locate the growth of mold, especially if the windows regularly experience condensation.

The ceilings and walls may allow moisture to cling to them, which often results in the growth of mold. This happens more often when you close the door while showering, because the moisture doesn’t have another exit point. Ensure that you wash towels, bathrobes, shower curtains, and shower mats regularly to prevent the growth of mold. You also need to check them regularly to identify when mold begins to grow.

Regular Causes of Mold

Understanding the causes of mold in a bathroom can go a long way toward helping you to prevent it from developing. This goes a long way toward protecting your room and preventing the development of mold. Bathrooms maintain a high level of humidity. Every time someone takes a shower in the bathroom, the humidity level increases. In addition, most bathrooms have relatively poor ventilation because the bathroom door is often closed during shower time. This leads to moisture sticking to the surfaces in the bathroom, rather than dissipating. The moisture accumulation allows mold to develop. In addition, caulking that begins to deteriorate can also make it easier for mold to develop within the bathroom. Familiarizing yourself with these causes can help you to take the steps to improve your bathroom and prevent the development of mold.

Implement Bathroom Fans

Most people don’t feel comfortable with showering with the bathroom door open, especially in shared households. However, shutting the bathroom door decreases the ability for steam and moisture to leave the room, which ultimately results in moisture accumulation and increased humidity inside of the room. You may want to consider showering with the window open in order to allow the moisture to get out of the room. However, this may not be an effective method in humid climates. In these situations, you may want to add a dehumidifier to the bathroom to reduce moisture levels.

You can also shower with the door open to improve the ventilation of the room. However, if none of these methods are available, you can have bathroom fans installed in your bathroom. Ensure that these fans are on when you shower to ensure that the moisture can be properly removed from the air inside of the room. Bathroom fans can substantially improve the ventilation of the room.

Ensure Plumbing is in Great Condition

It is critical to ensure that the plumbing of your building stays in good condition. Mold accumulation is one of the leading negative consequences of plumbing issues. It is important to ensure that the plumbing doesn’t leak. Have your plumbing regularly inspected by a professional to reduce the likelihood of leaks or other substantial concerns. In addition, regular plumbing maintenance is crucial in protecting the overall condition of your plumbing system. When you let plumbing maintenance fall to the wayside, it is far more likely that you will have leaks and you may even experience a burst pipe. These issues create an environment that allows mold to accumulate and cause further damage to the building. Contact our expert team to ensure that your plumbing system stays in good condition.

Mop Up Water

Allowing water to accumulate often leads to the development of mold. It is important to remove puddles and mop up water as quickly as possible after it has accumulated. This can help to prevent mold accumulation. In addition, it is important to have clogs fixed when they occur with your bathroom fixtures. A sink full of water, because it won’t drain, tends to allow mold to accumulate. It is incredibly important to have clogs removed quickly. Not only will this minimize the likelihood that mold will accumulate, but it will also ensure that your bathroom fixtures are still functional, which can improve the convenience of your home.

Here at S & B Plumbing, we offer a broad array of services in order to ensure that your plumbing systems continue to function effectively. This can go a long way toward preventing substantial issues from occurring and keeping your plumbing systems in superior condition. When there is an issue with your plumbing system, it is incredibly common for mold to develop, which simply compounds the damage to your building. Our plumbing services can both help to fix leaks, resolve clogs, and provide multiple other benefits. We also offer emergency services in the event that substantial issues arise. To learn more about our plumbing services and how they can protect the condition of your plumbing system, contact our experts at S & B Plumbing today!