pipes Archives - My Professional Plumber

Why Your Plumbing Company May Recommend A Whole-House Repipe | Knoxville, TN

Jamie Ndungu on November 4, 2022

Repiping your Knoxville, TN, home is a necessary step in many situations. If your home was built in the 60s or 70s, and the pipework hasn’t been replaced by your plumbing company yet, you will likely need a new plumbing system soon.

A plumbing inspection from your local, trusted plumbing company will identify problem areas and indicate whether it’s the right time to upgrade. If it’s time to upgrade, you might see:

Discolored water from rusty pipes. If your water turns yellow or brown, this is a sign that your pipes are rusty. If you notice the water becoming discolored, it’s a sign that your pipes are rusty or moldy. You should stop drinking and bathing in the water immediately. If it affects a widespread area, such as multiple fixtures, then it’s time to ask your plumbing company about repiping the whole house.
Inconsistent, low water pressure from misshapen pipes. Broken or damaged pipes are another sign that it is time to repipe your house. These problems can cause extreme pressure swings or a gradual decrease in water pressure. This is not only inconvenient but also means there is the likelihood of rust and mold.
Strange-tasting water. Water contaminated with minerals or rust can alter the taste of your water. Any change in taste is an indication that it’s time for you to repipe your home. You should stop drinking tap water until your pipes are inspected by a plumbing company, and they confirm that it’s safe to use.
Frequent leaks and clogs. While a few leaks and clogs are normal, if you notice your pipes leaking or backing up frequently, this is a sign of damaged pipe. Replumbing your home is the only way to stop frequent clogging or leaking.
Mold growth on water and sewer lines. Even if there are no water quality or pressure issues, you should be wary of mold growth near pipes. Even pinhole leaks can lead to mold growth in dry areas, without affecting water pressure. Although small leaks can be repaired with minor plumbing repairs, larger leaks may require repiping.

These problems are not only inconvenient, they pose a risk to the safety and health of everyone in your Knoxville, TN, home. Our team can help you schedule a repiping appointment quickly. Even if you’re hesitant about repiping, you should schedule an inspection with your plumbing company, so they can confirm if it’s necessary. Issues that require repiping are severe and can cause lasting, major damage if left unchecked.

What Is the Repiping Process?

Don’t worry if you have to have your whole-home plumbing or repiping done. You might think that repiping can cause major damage to your home and create a mess. However, this is not true. The process takes between 2 and 4 days in most cases. Here’s a general overview of how your plumbing company will handle the repiping process:

Preparation to Repipe

Once it has been decided that repiping is the best option for your home, the plumber will determine where to begin. They can usually work on a room by room basis, so you don’t have to completely vacate the property and you can still use other areas of your home. It is recommended that you cover any furniture and belongings that are not in use before the work starts.

Installation of New Pipes

This part can be fairly straightforward, but it depends on your home’s age and whether there is easy access to the existing pipes. The plumber should inform you if anything untoward happens during the installation, so that you can take appropriate action. The plumber should not shut off water for more than 24 hours, and most likely the main water supply will only be closed off during active repairs. Your plumbing company will typically use copper, PEX, or CPVC plastic replacement pipes. These materials are more resistant to corrosion and damage.

After Repiping

After the plumber has completed installing the pipes, they will test everything to make sure it is all working properly. A reputable plumber will clean up the mess and make sure that customers are satisfied. You should be able to see the following after a complete rework of your home’s plumbing:

Better Water Pressure

A rise in water pressure is one of the first signs you will notice after your plumbing has been replaced. Older pipes are more susceptible to internal corrosion and buildup of contaminant residue. These accumulations can cause a decrease in the pressure of your home’s water supply over time. Older pipes are also prone to small leaks that can reduce the water pressure. A whole-home repiping will solve all the issues you have with your plumbing system. This will allow you to enjoy better water pressure in your shower, faucets, and appliances.

Leak Prevention

Old plumbing can lead to unanticipated leaks. These incidents, whether they are small or major, can cause pipe failures that are very costly for homeowners. The risk of serious water damage is high. You can be confident that your pipes are in good condition after a whole-house renovation, and you won’t see a leak again for a while, if you work with a trusted, licensed, and experienced plumbing company.

Improved Health & Safety

Older pipes can become corroded and rusty, which can then affect the water supply to your appliances, faucets, and shower. Rust and other elements can pose a danger to your health and safety as well as that of your family members. You can eliminate the risk of rust and other pollutants in plumbing systems by having your home repiped.

Added Home Value

A whole-home repiping project will improve the home’s value, as with all home improvements. If you are thinking of selling your home, this is especially important. Potential buyers are more interested in homes that have new plumbing systems.

Although it might seem daunting, a plumbing company will offer a whole-home repiping when it’s necessary. Contact My Professional Plumber to find out more about whether your Knoxville, TN, home is in need of this service!

Photo By Vladimir Borozenets at Shutterstock

Only A Few More Months Until Cooler Weather, Call Your Plumbing Company! Winter Plumbing Problems In Homes | Oak Ridge, TN

Jamie Ndungu on July 3, 2021

Photo By wsfurlan at istock

Having functional plumbing systems is desirable by homeowners throughout the year regardless of the climate or weather seasons. Cold weather can cause diverse plumbing issues for homeowners in Oak Ridge, TN, and the surrounding regions.

The plumbing issues due to low temperatures can lead to severe water damages, which will require a technician from a reliable plumbing company to fix them promptly and professionally. Below are some of the plumbing issues that tend to pop up during winter.

Frozen Septic Tank Pipes

The sewer drainage system is an essential part of the plumbing system because it directs wastewater and human waste to the septic tanks or public sewer lines. Most septic lines are built underground, but the lines might be buried or exposed. If your residential home has unburied septic pipes, you should expect freezing problems during the cold season. The main septic lines connecting to your house might freeze, causing a blockage of the entire drainage system. It can, in turn, lead to backups in sinks, bathtubs, and toilets.

The backups are a sign that a plumber from a reliable plumbing company is needed as soon as possible to help restore the frozen septic lines and pipes. Sewage leaks are also susceptible if the pipes crack due to expansion, which might become a health hazard in your entire residential property. It can also contaminate the clean water supply in your home, causing diseases such as diarrhea.

The company you reach out to should send employees immediately to inspect the septic tank system and diagnose and fix the arising problem. The trained plumbers might also advise you to be pumping the septic tank before the cold season to protect the tank and its lines with layers of straw.

Frozen Indoor and Outdoor Pipes

Another common winter plumbing issue is freezing indoor pipes. The indoor pipes can freeze due to lower temperatures, leading to leakages due to the expansion and cracks.

Pipes aligned with the exterior walls and insulated areas are most likely to freeze and burst, leading to indoor flooding because of the major leaks that will emerge. When you notice scarce or no water supply in your home’s faucets during winter, it is time to visit a trustworthy and licensed plumbing company in Oak Ridge, TN, and request for a plumber.

The technicians might save you from spending on water damage repairs that are costly. They identify the frozen parts of the indoor pipes and unfreeze the waterline using heating equipment such as space heaters and electric blankets. These equipment are available at the company.

Afterward, the professionals will thaw the pipes and ensure water flows freely with the desired water pressure. If the pipes are leaking water due to cracks, the staff will shut off the main water shutoff valve to prevent further flooding and water damage. It will also replace parts of the pipes with cracks.

The team of technicians from the plumbing company might also check the outdoor pipes to determine if they are winterized to prevent outdoor water damage. If they are not, the pipes might be cracked and silently causing water damage without your knowledge because they are outside your vicinity. With thorough inspections of the lines, the plumber you get from your trusted company will identify the problem and fix it.

Frozen Well Pumps

Water or well pumps are responsible for pumping water upwards from a private well to the entire household for daily chores and drinking. There are two types of well pumps in the plumbing market, namely submersible and jet pumps. They use centrifugal force and spinning rotors or impellers to force the water upwards from the basement or a private well. EPA estimates that over 13 million homeowners use private wells to provide water for their households. The households rely on the pumps entirely for water supply.

During winter, the well pumps are prone to freezing, causing water shortages in the home, which could be frustrating for homeowners. The frozen jet well pumps require the immediate attention of plumbers to prevent cracks arising from water expansion.

If you contact a nearby unreliable plumbing company on time before the well pump cracks, its technician might heat the area where the pump is to allow a constant supply of water in your home. But, a contractor from a trustworthy plumbing company will replace the well pump if it cracks due to expansion due to freezing.

Sump Pump Backup

A sump pump is an essential plumbing appliance during the winter or rainy season. It is a submersible device fixed in a sump pit, basement, or crawl space in your house to prevent flooding. When a lot of water flows to your basement or sump pit, the sump pump removes the excess water, draining it in a nearby dry well or storm drain.

During winter, the sump pumps might also have backup problems. The ice and snow getting into the sump pump might lead to clogs, causing backups. Having trained plumbers from a reputable plumbing company to check the sump pump is imperative to prevent water damage and floods in your basement and structures that might require expensive repairs.

The plumbing contractors will inspect the discharge line of the pump to ensure there are no obstructions. They also thaw the ice clogging the pump by using heat. Additionally, the experts can prevent further clogs in the sump pumps by insulating the pipes to avert freezing.

Clogged Drains

Having clogged drains in your home is a common occurrence during winter. The clogs can be caused by the frozen wastewater in the drain pipes, making it impossible for water to drain freely. A common sign of clogged drains is stagnated water in sinks or standing water in bathroom drains.

Once you notice the standing water, call a plumbing company that offers emergency services to address the plumbing issues. Its prompt services will save your wallet from spending on water damage and mold removal caused by overflows and standing water.

Call Us Today!

Winter plumbing problems might cause havoc in your home if not addressed with urgency. The cold temperatures make plumbing pipes, sump pumps, and drain lines to freeze and cause clogs. If you experience any plumbing problems during the cold season, do not hesitate to call My Professional Plumber in Oak Ridge, TN. The plumbing company has trained and skilled plumbers ready to attend to all your plumbing needs.

3 Ways Your Plumber Can Help You Prevent Pipes From Freezing | Knoxville, TN

Jamie Ndungu on August 15, 2020

Photo By Aleksandar Tasevski at Shutterstock

As temperatures drop during the winter, most homeowners don’t realize that they have to worry about their pipes freezing. As the water temperature fluctuates, the water expands. This force is more than enough to burst the pipes and cause them to break. You may not even realize the extent of the damage until the next year. At which point, you’ll be left with a large bill when you call a plumber.

There are many different ways that you can prevent your pipes from freezing. In fact, if this is a huge concern for you, you should highly consider calling one of our professionals in Knoxville, TN to come take a look at your plumbing situation. We’ll figure out which areas of your plumbing are most susceptible to damage and help you figure out a game plan that will help you avoid a rather huge bill in the future.

This article will look at 3 simple ways that you can prevent your pipes from freezing during the winter. By winterizing your home, you’ll have more to gain than lose. It’s definitely something that’s worth looking into!

Insulate All Pipes, Especially the Ones Outside

Pipes that are not insulated are much more prone to freezing. They are much more susceptible to temporal fluctuations and changes. One of the best ways to prevent your pipes from freezing is to call a plumber and have them inspect your pipes. Ask the professional to let you know which pipes are not insulated, and which ones will be most susceptible to freezing. Your plumber should give you a layout of all of the vulnerable areas and also be able to recommend different types of insulation for you.

There are many different types of insulation. To figure out which one is best for your home, check out the r-value of the insulation. The higher the r-value, the more effective the insulation will be at preventing your pipes from freezing.

Some of the main areas that require insulation include the attic, basement and the exterior of the home. There are usually many areas in the exterior that are left exposed. If you can’t install insulation in those areas, you might want to find some other way to protect the pipes. Some homeowners recommend wrapping the pipes with newspaper and other materials for the time being.

Drain All Sprinkler Systems, Hoses and More

Before the temperature drops, take some time to drain all of the exterior water lines that won’t be used. If you have a pool, make sure that you drain that first. Some of the water lines that you should consider draining include hoses, water sprinkler systems. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions. If you’re not sure what’s the best way to drain the plumbing system, ask your plumber. They’ll be able to provide you with more information.

Most important of all, make sure that you do not put antifreeze in any of these water lines unless you were asked to by a plumber or directed by the manufacturer. Antifreeze is harmful to the environment and can also be dangerous to the landscaping, to pets, to wildlife and to humans.

Last but not least, make sure that you close the inside valves that are supplying the outdoor hose bibs. You should keep the outside hose bibs open, so that water can drain out. Keep the outside valves open as well, so that any excess water has room to expand and move.

Keep the Heat On in Your Home

Last but not least, it’s a good idea to keep the heat on in your home during the winter. Even if you won’t be home, make sure that the heat is still on and above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this may not seem like a big deal, it is. If the heat is on, you can avoid a potentially detrimental situation where multiple areas of your plumbing may have burst.

It may also be a good idea to find a way to warm rooms that are in unheated areas of the home. These areas tend to be the most vulnerable and susceptible. You could, for example, keep a portable heater in the room, so that the temperature doesn’t drop too much.

Another good idea is to keep the garage door, doors and windows in your home closed during the winter. Don’t let a draft in because then you’ll have a much harder time keeping the pipes in a warm environment. If you can, weatherstrip the doors and windows. Weatherstrip is cheap to install, and can make a huge difference in the indoor temperature of your home. You might even want to consider adding insulation to the inner walls. This could not only help prevent your pipes from freezing, but may also help lower your energy bill.

Give Us a Call for More Information

If your pipes are frozen, call a plumber in Knoxville, TN to get it thawed. Don’t try to fix the situation yourself, as you might actually worsen it if you’re not careful or if you don’t have the right tools, equipment and expertise. Our plumbers can come out and take a look at your situation to give you some recommendations on what your next steps should be.

With that said, you should try to avoid getting your pipes frozen in the first place. If you think your pipes are vulnerable to freezing, call one of our plumbers for advice.

To get more information on how you can prevent your pipes from freezing this winter, give My Professional Plumber a call. Our licensed technicians will come and take a look at your home to see what preventative measures can be put in place to prevent your pipes from freezing. We can ask to take this opportunity to look at your plumbing system to see if we can catch any minor problems before they become a huge headache. Give us a call today and see what we can do for you!

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