Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Emergency Plumber’ Category

7 Plumbing Problems You Should Not DIY

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020

Plumbing Problems You Should Not DIY

As a homeowner, you’ve probably DIY-ed a bit around your house, from the broken drawer handle to the leaky faucet. These projects are basic and can be done in a few hours. However, there are times when you need to call your Appleton, WI plumber. Otherwise, you may end up creating a bigger problem than the initial issue. Keep in mind that some states do require a licensed contractor to complete plumbing jobs. Below our plumbing contractors share seven plumbing problems you should not DIY.

Gas Leaks 

Gas leaks are very rare, but they’re still hazardous to human health and to human life as well. If you do recognize the rotten egg smell that is a sign of gas, then you should evacuate the house immediately.

Then contact emergency services as well as a Fox Valley plumber and wait outside for help. Do not attempt to fix the leak yourself. A certified plumber knows how to deal with natural gas. This also applies to any gas-related problems you might be experiencing. For your own safety as well as that of others, do not try to fix the issue yourself.

Expanding or Moving Your Pipes

If you are planning to expand your plumbing or to move your pipes on your own, we suggest you don’t. To do this, you need a permit before you can begin your operations, and you also need a professional plumber from Tureks Plumbing Services.

Expert plumbers who are licensed know the code requirements that ensure that you and your family are safe and that you are within regulations.  

Standing Water

This refers to any body of stagnant water. If you ever encounter standing water in your home, contact a Fox Valley plumber immediately. It does not matter if it’s your sink, toilet, or water heater. It can be caused by leaky pipes, a clogged sewer line, or cracks in the house’s foundation.

Most of the time, standing water is a sign of a bigger issue. So before you begin digging into the problem, get a professional Appleton, WI plumber who will use their expertise to determine the exact cause and repair the problem before your house turns into a waterpark.

Rerouting External or Internal Pipes

If your DIY repairs involve the tearing down or opening up of a wall or the digging up of your yard, then you should, without a doubt, get a professional involved. The issue may be larger than it seems, and without expert knowledge, you can’t really tell for sure. 

If you would like to reroute your pipes, involve a certified plumber first. They will inspect your home and make sure that it can accommodate the changes you’d like to implement. A professional plumber will also determine whether those modifications will be up to the plumbing regulations and standards that are set by the local and state government. If they aren’t, they may suggest other ways to execute your desires. Their knowledge helps advise on practical ways of doing what you want, the right way.

Plumbing Appliances

If your appliances such as the sump pump, water heater, or any other water-based appliances have issues, it’s best to have an expert come check them out. The maintenance or replacement of these appliances can be a demanding process that requires skill. Only a licensed plumber from a Fox Valley plumbing company can replace or repair these appliances correctly.

Large Water Connections & Water Pressure

Every homeowner should have the know-how or ability to turn off the water supply in their own home. For simple DIY projects, shutting off the water is not a big deal. However, if you are unsure about which lines to shut off or you need to handle a large water connection, it would be best to call in a professional. 

Your home’s water pressure can be tricky to maneuver. Do It Right Plumbers, an Orange County plumbing company, often gets calls from customers complaining about their water pressure. Most have tried just about everything and can’t seem to figure it out. Trust us, it’ll save you the time and hassle if you contact a professional plumbing company.  

Foul Odors

Bad smells may be an indication of a much larger issue. More often than not, it is caused by bacteria that feed on the buildup inside your pipes. The materials you flush down the drain can cling to the pipes’ sides and create a biofilm.

If some vents of your plumbing system fail, you may also notice a foul odor coming from them. The bottom line is the pipes need to be taken apart and cleaned. This should be done by a professional plumber from Tureks Plumbing Services. Contact us today for the professional plumbing help you need.

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Trenchless Sewer Repair Costs

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020
Trenchless Sewer Repair Costs - Tureks Plumbing Services

How to Determine Costs for Trenchless Sewer Repairs

When your drain line needs to be replaced, pricing is usually the most asked question by people. So, how do you determine trenchless sewer repair costs?

Turek’s Plumbing Services offers trenchless pipe repair services in Appleton, WI. Our team of licensed plumbers works on trenchless repairs more times a year than we can count. Using our vast experience, we answer your questions below by taking you through the whole process: trenchless sewer repairs and breaking it down to show why they cost what they cost.

However, it should be noted that pricing for trenchless sewer repairs may vary, depending on your location, the contractors you choose, the sewer design, and approach.

The following are some of the factors most contractors involved in trenchless pipe repair in Appleton WI consider in the pricing of trenchless sewer repairs.

The Depth and Size of the Pipe in Use 

The thickness of the pipe you are using may be used to determine the cost of the material. Pipes with smaller diameters cost less as compared to those with larger diameters. Also, trenchless methods need access points. An access point will be constructed if your sewer system does not have one. This is done by accessing a vent pipe, installing a sewer cleanout, or unearthing the sewer at the point the Fox Valley plumber chooses.

If the person’s drain requires an access point, the depth of the pipe to be used will also be considered when generating a quote for the repair.

The Trenchless Approach Used

There are many different trenchless methods available. It is essential to do your research and settle on a trenchless way to help you have, at least, a rough estimate of how much it may cost. The different techniques have substantial differences in cost. For example, epoxy pipe lining (cured in place pipe lining), has a very high material cost. For affordable pipelining, contact Tureks Plumbing Services in Appleton WI.

Additionally, McQuillan Bros, an HVAC, and plumbing company in St. Paul, says a sewer line longer than 100 feet may be more expensive to repair/ replace. Methods like pipe-bursting have a lower material cost, although the technique requires more access holes. If this method is used for a sewer with many connecting drains, costs may increase because each connecting drain needs to be uncovered before pipe-bursting to replace the sewer.

Access to Your Existing Pipes

If the sewer line passes below your patio or pool, this may present a challenge in terms of access to a trenchless contractor. Landscaping may also present obstacles in terms of access to the sewer line. Additional costs may be incurred to cut down on dust generation if you want the access hole to be constructed in your house. For properties with utility lines moving across their land, access is not only challenging but also very dangerous. 

If access to one’s sewer line is required in a city street or public passage, prices are bound to skyrocket. This is mainly due to city regulations. For a summed up price quotation, a contractor needs to determine the access point of your pipe. 

The Present State of the Pipe in Use

Your pipe condition may determine the technique to be used in the repairs due to the presence of different trenchless techniques. For instance, if one has a cast iron sewer line with lots of scale buildup, it is required that the pipe be de-scaled before repairs can begin. De-scaling a pipe is a step in the preparation procedure for lining pipes. The process may take any amount of time between an hour to a whole day. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the degree of buildup before the plumbing company in Appleton, WI comes up with a price.

Trenchless contractors are required to collect information on all of the above using a specialized sewer camera before they can give a figure of the total price. Make sure that you receive a sewer camera inspection report before hiring a contractor for sewer pipe repair Appleton, WI to dispense their services.

Trenchless Sewer Repair in Appleton, WI

In conclusion, it is essential to keep in mind that many contractors may quote a price based on price per foot for trenchless repairs. Be cautious before you accept a price per foot estimate as this may be a way to provide an estimate while leaving out important variables that drive the price higher. 

From the above, it is clear that the distance a sewer line covers isn’t the only variable taken into consideration when coming up with the total price. Therefore, always probe into the “per foot” price, any costs that may not have been revealed to you, undisclosed challenges, or any incidents that may surface as a result of the trenchless repairs. However, with the sophisticated machinery used in trenchless technology, the price estimates are bound to be a minimum of $2,500 on the part of trenchless sewer repairs and $3,500 for trenchless sewer replacements. Contact Tureks Plumbing Services, and we will gladly inspect the sewer line and give you a competitive estimate for the repairs.

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Reasons for Water Heater Leaks

Wednesday, May 20th, 2020

Reasons for Water Heater Leaks

Water heater leaks can cause inconveniences, can be costly, and can result in damage to your property. However, water heater leaks come with the added risk of being potentially fatal. It is important for you to know the best course of action to take for water heater leaks. Turek’s Plumbing Services shares what homeowners should do during water heater leaks.

Confirm That the Water Heater is Indeed Leaking

Don’t be quick to conclude that your water heater is leaking simply because you have seen some moisture around it. This is because the heater is surrounded by many pipes, fittings, and connections. The leak may originate from any one of those other elements.

To isolate the source of the leak, plumbing professionals in Appleton, WI recommend that you clean up the water underneath the water heater and then examine the water pipes, connections, and any other features near the water heater.

If you don’t see another puddle forming, then it is likely that the moisture you saw earlier was the result of normal condensation around the water heater. If you see another puddle form, but you are unable to identify an external source, it is likely the water heater.

Turn the Power Off

Once you confirm that your home or commercial water heater is leaking, Headwaters Construction Inc., a Sacramento commercial construction company, highly recommends that you quickly turn off the power to the water heater. You can do this in one of two ways, depending on the type of fuel that your water heater runs on.

  • Electric water heaters. Go to the circuit breaker box and switch off the breaker of the water heater.
  • Gas water heaters. Check on the water heater itself and locate the power switch. Turn this switch off.

Turn the Water Off

If there your home or commercial water heater is leaking, it is important for you to turn the water off immediately. Doing so will prevent further leakage occurs while you are fixing the problem. Another reason why the plumbers at Turek’s Plumbing Services recommend that you turn the water off is that the hot water from your heater can cause serious injuries to you while you try to fix the leak in the heater.

Locate and turn off the water from the cold water shutoff valve located at the top of the water heater. If it is risky for you to access this valve, then don’t sweat it. Just turn the water off from the main shutoff valve located outside your home so that you can be safe while fixing the leak.

Reasons for Water Heater Leaks

  1. Loose Connections or Fittings. The fittings and connections found on the cold water inlet, and hot water outlet side of the water heater can become loose and cause the water heater to leak. These fittings and connections are found at the top of the heater. The solution may be as simple as tightening those connections and fittings explains Sacramento, CA plumbing company, Gilmore Heating, Air, & Solar.  You should talk to a plumbing maintenance professional from Gilmore Heating, Air, & Solar to help!
  2. A Malfunctioning T&P Valve. A T&P valve is the temperature and pressure release valve on your water heater. This valve is one of the most important safety features on the water heater. It allows excess pressure to escape once the water heater exceeds the set temperature that the water should be heated. High temperature causes the pressure in the tank to get dangerously high, and the T&P valve steps in to restore the pressure and temperature to a safe level. This component of the water heater is very dangerous to troubleshoot if you aren’t a professional, so it is best to ask a plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin, for help.
  3. A Defective Drain Valve. The drain valve is located near the bottom of the water heater. Over time, this valve can deteriorate and start leaking. Fortunately, the drain valve is easy to replace or fix once it leaks, so buy a replacement valve if you check the current one and find it leaking at the point where it is connected to the water heater.
  4. A Leak Inside the Tank. If your efforts to pinpoint an external source of the leak are futile, then the problem may be within the heater tank itself. Corrosion is normally the cause of such a leak. The most viable remedy is to replace the water heater.

Call Turek’s Plumbing to Fix Water Heater Leaks

As a general rule, you should not attempt to fix a leaking water heater on your own if you aren’t a trained professional. Be cautious and call Tureks Plumbing Services for a water heater repair. Our trained Appleton, WI plumbers will inspect the heater and recommend the best course of action.

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Why You Might Have Stinky Plumbing Problems

Wednesday, March 4th, 2020

You will notice at times that your plumbing literally stinks. If your drains/sinks are reeking of an awful smell, you’ll likely need the help of a 24-hour plumber in Fox Valley. So, what’s causing this smell? Well, there are numerous reasons why you may be having this plumbing problem: 

A Breach in the Sewer Line

There are a few different reasons why your sewer line becomes breached. For example, clogs can result in pressure buildup, which causes the line to burst. With sewers being underground, tree roots can grow and spread through the line. Bad soil conditions can result in the line sinking into the ground. All of which results in line breaking and sewerage leakage.

To identify a sewage leak, you need to pay attention to your toilets and drains. You’ll know that there’s a sewage problem when there’s a clog. Placerville HVAC company and plumbing adds that there is no easy way to resolve the issue on your own, and you will have to call your Appleton plumber to come and fix it for you.

Dirty Garbage Disposal

Yes, the garbage disposal is there for you to get rid of the garbage, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to clean it. Without proper garbage disposal maintenance, your kitchen sink will start to reek overtime. You can clean the disposal on your own as there are numerous DIY to do it, including using vinegar and baking soda. Just make sure you disconnect the disposal before you do it. 

P-trap Plumbing Problems

Sometimes plumbing problems occur in the “U” or “P” shaped part of the sink’s pipes. What typically happens is there is a small amount of water buildup. To fix this problem, you will need to cycle water through the pipes. This type of problem usually occurs when you infrequently use a toilet or sink, which results in the water in the pipe drying out. 

Buildup of Biofilm

Biofilm is the result of buildup from various products you use, such as soap, shampoo, oil, and cream. As biofilm starts to form in the drain, it attracts bacteria that feed on it. The bacteria that buildups emit an unpleasant odor. You can use a natural cleaner such as hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. You let the solution sit for about two hours and flush down hot water again, the biofilm should be removed along with the smell.

Most of these problems are not too difficult to tackle. But if you want professional plumbing help, contact the professionals. Are you looking for a plumbing company in Appleton, Wisconsin? Give Tureks Plumbing Services a call. Our plumbing experts will get your plumbing system up and running in no time! 

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Signs Tree Roots are Interfering Your Underground Pipes

Thursday, February 27th, 2020

signs tree roots are interfering your underground pipesTrees are a great addition to your lawn or compound. Their benefits range from increasing the aesthetic value of your home to holding the soil together and preventing erosion and providing natural shade. 

However, underneath the trees are roots that could cause problems to your underground pipes. Unlike the branches and leaves which can be monitored and trimmed before causing damage, roots are often left unattended. Their growth can damage your plumbing system and cause blockages. Our friends at Gilmore Heating and Air Conditioning, a residential ac company in Placerville, add that roots can also damage your heating and cooling system if they get out of hand.

Given that you cannot see roots, how can you tell that they are interfering with your underground pipes? Below are several different signs to look for. 

Repeated Toilet Backups

Your toilet drain transports waste material which is a great source of nutrients to plants. Since roots are always using nutrients, they can invade your drainage system in search of these nutrients. Initially, the small root hairs find weak spots in your drainage system and get through. But with time, the hairs grow thicker and bigger causing blockages. 

Such a situation unchecked can cost you a lot of money to replace the damaged drainage system. 

Other signs that indicate root interference with your drainage system include: 

  • Recurrent and unexplainable clogs 
  • Gurgling sounds 
  • Slow drainage 

Blocked Water Main

Your water main is also susceptible to damage from roots. The water main feeds water into your home for various uses. Therefore, any kind of interference from the roots will affect the amount of water you get. Some of the signs to be on the lookout for include: 

  • A gradual drop in water pressure
  • Banging and gurgling sounds

Since roots take time to grow, the effect might not be easily noticeable until very late. 

Broken Pipes or Sewer lines 

As roots grow bigger, they tend to crush or break underground pipes. This is especially the case in homes whose pipes are made of concrete or clay. You might not experience such effects on your pipes if they are made of PVC since they are impervious to roots. 

Some of the most telling signs of broken pipes and sewer lines include: 

  • Low water pressure
  • Abnormal sounds such as whistling and banging from the pipes
  • Increased water bills despite no change in water usage habits
  • Odors coming from your basement or yard
  • Water puddles in your yard. This could either be clean water being fed into your house or sewage coming from your house. 

The best way to determine whether your pipes are broken is through the use of a special camera that can be snaked through the pipe to detect issues. 

Prevent Tree Roots from Damaging your Underground Pipes 

Stopping tree roots from damaging your underground pipes will not only save you money but will also save you the trouble of having to damage your yard during repairs and replacements. You can do this through 

  • Considering your pipes and sewer lines before planting your tree. Avoid planting your trees around them. 
  • Find out what kind of roots your trees have. Avoid those with aggressive root systems. 

And if you have trees already, the best way to ensure that their roots do not interfere with your underground pipes in Appleton Wisconsin is by calling Tureks, your number one plumbing solution. Contact us today so we can inspect your roots and drains!

 

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Traits You Should Look For in a Plumber

Thursday, February 20th, 2020

traits you should look for in a plumberA plumber is one of the most important people to work with during your home maintenance routines. Their work is to ensure that everything in your plumbing system flows smoothly, so to speak. They are usually the first people you call whenever you encounter issues such as clogs, leaks, and other assorted issues such as faulty water heaters. 

For a successful interaction between you and your plumber, you need to be sure that they are up for the task. Here are a number of things you can look for in your plumber to determine whether they are fit to work in your house. 

Experience

Papers are not enough to make a plumber qualified to work on your home. Your plumber needs experience as well. Experience allows them to pinpoint issues and fix them fast enough thus allowing you to go back to your normal routines. 

Safety 

Every skilled tradesman understands the importance of safety when working. Your plumber should prioritize safety by employing safe practices and procedures when working. This prevents the plumber you and your family members from getting injured. 

Physical Health 

Plumbers need to work in different situations that are physically tasking. For example, some work will require them to get on the roof and safely work from there. Other times they will have to crouch for long hours in order to produce good results. Your plumber should be in good shape to reduce the risk of injury. 

Communication Skills 

Communication is one of the most important skills to have. Whether you’re a student, an employee, an HVAC company, or a plumber. We asked the best residential ac company in Placerville, Gilmore Heating Air, and Solar, how important communication is in a home service business. The Sacramento HVAC professionals stress the importance of effective communication before, during, and after services. Your plumber needs to communicate effectively in order to fix your problems. That means being able to listen attentively and understand what you need. They should also be able to properly explain things to you as a homeowner. 

Good Work Ethic 

Does your plumber get to work on time? Plumbing services performed usually cripple the whole workflow inside your home. You might find yourself unable to use water due to these issues. Your plumber should get to you in time to solve the issues and allow you to get back to your normal living. Additionally, punctuality is one way of offering great customer service. 

Another good work ethic indicator is the ability to fulfill promises. You plumber should be able to lay down achievable promises and actually work towards achieving them. They should also treat you with respect as their client at all times. A good work ethic is one way to guarantee quality service. 

Insurance 

Find out whether your plumber is insured. Plumbers are required to get insurance to a certain amount which helps cover costs to any unforeseeable damage to your plumbing system while they work for you. This will ensure that should such an eventuality happen, both you and your plumber will not encounter a lot of problems. 

Proper registration

Is your plumber a registered professional? You are more likely to trust your plumber if they are registered with the relevant authorities. This shows that they have passed the required qualifications to practice as tradesmen in Appleton Wisconsin. 

You do not have to worry about getting a qualified plumber in Appleton. At Tureks Plumbing Company in Appleton Wisconsin, we endeavor to provide our customers with the best services at any time of the year. 

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4 Problems an Emergency Plumber Can Fix

Wednesday, December 4th, 2019

4 problems an emergency plumber can fixOf all the emergencies that you can prepare for in your home, plumbing emergencies rank at the top. There’s no reason to panic, just contact your local emergency plumber in Appleton, WI. Tureks Plumbing Services is open 24/7, and we’d gladly come out to your home at any time of day to help. In this article, we discuss the top 4 problems an emergency plumber can fix. 

Flooding and Water Damage

Flooding and water damage is something that plumbing professionals should deal with. These problems normally arise when a pipe bursts, a drain (toilet or sink, for example) is clogged or any other such situation that can cause water to flood into your home.

Emergency plumbing repairs are necessary to fix the damage that allowed water or sewage to flood your home. Once this repair is completed, you can then embark on the difficult task of dealing with the water damage itself. Mold and mildew can quickly grow and render the home unfit for occupation. If you’re experiencing flooding or water damage in any area of your home, contact Tureks Plumbing Services today.

Water Heater Problems

Hot water is a staple that is often taken for granted until it’s no longer accessible. The prospect of taking a cold shower in the middle of winter isn’t an exactly inviting one, so you can understand why a water heater problem qualifies as a plumbing emergency. 

If your water heater is not working, you may need a water heater replacement. Our techs will make a thorough diagnosis and determine whether or not your water heater should be replaced or needs a tune-up. Don’t go all winter with cold water. Call Tureks Plumbing Services immediately, and we will make sure your hot water is working correctly.

Frozen Pipes

The cold months of the year heighten the risk of water pipes freezing and bursting, especially the pipes that are in unconditioned spaces of your home, such as the crawlspace, the basement, and the attic.

When the water in your water pipes freezes, it expands and eventually causes the pipes to burst since the pipe cannot expand at the same rate or to the same degree as the water.

We asked our friends at Gilmore Heating & Air, a plumbing and heating & cooling company in Placerville, about how homeowners know if their pipe is frozen. They said that one way to detect that you have a frozen pipe is when no water comes out when you open the faucet. If you are sure that the water supply to that fixture hasn’t been disconnected, then there is a strong likelihood that water has frozen somewhere in that pipe.

This is the time for you to act quickly by calling a plumbing company in Appleton Wisconsin so that the pipe can be thawed safely by an emergency plumber before it bursts. The longer you wait, the more your risk water damage once the pipe expands to its limits and bursts.

It is best to work with Tureks Plumbing Services early enough so that your entire plumbing system can be winterized. This proactive step will avert the need to scramble and fix problems of frozen pipes and the associated consequences, such as water damage.

Blocked Drains and Toilets

Typically, if you’re experiencing clogged drains and toilets after you’ve cleared them, there’s a bigger issue at hand. If you’ve done everything you can and you’re drains are still blocked, you likely have a backed-up sewer line. This often happens in older homes. Tree roots are one of the common causes of blocked sewer lines. You can tell that your sewer line is blocked if the following occurs: 

  • Your drains all run slow.
  • You have several plumbing fixtures clogged at the same time.
  • Water backs up when you flush the toilet.
  • You hear a gurgling or bubbling sound when you run water in the bathroom.
  • When your washing machine drains, your drains back up with water.

Now that you’ve learned the top 4 problems an emergency plumber can fix, you can determine if you need emergency services. If you’re experiencing any or all of these plumbing problems, contact your Fox Valley plumber immediately. A blocked sewer line can get messy and costly fast. It’s best to let the experts at Tureks Plumbing Services do what they do best, so just give us a call, and we’ll be out to your home in no time. 

For questions about our 24/7 plumbing services in Appleton, WI, contact Tureks Plumbing Services. Our team is always happy to help.

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7 Ways to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019

ways to prevent frozen pipes - Tureks Plumbing ServicesWhen water freezes, it expands. However, your water pipes will not expand, and this exposes them to the risk of bursting and causing costly water damage in and around your home. The plumbing professionals at Tureks Plumbing Services in Appleton, Wisconsin, reveal that matters don’t have to get that bad since there are measures that you can take to prevent the pipes from freezing. The following discussion points out the many ways to prevent frozen water pipes this winter.

Wrap the Pipes in Heater Tape

You can prevent water pipes from freezing by buying heater tape from a reliable supplier and wrapping that tape around the pipes. Talk to a plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin, about the best UL-approved tape that will protect your pipes. Make sure that you follow the specific usage instructions provided by the tape manufacturer. For example, avoid wrapping insulation on the heater tape if the manufacturer warns against doing so.

Insulate the Pipes from the Cold Ambient Air

Another way to keep the water pipes in your home warm is by keeping the cold air from getting to those pipes. This method entails wrapping the pipes in foam tape designed for insulating pipes. While wrapping the pipes, check and confirm that no gaps exist in the insulation. Fox Valley plumbers recommend that you miter all the foam tape ends that meet at pipe corners and keep them in place using duct tape. This method will simply prolong the time it takes for the ambient cold to reach the pipes, but it isn’t a permanent fix to the possibility of frozen pipes.

Open the Taps

If you happen to experience a power disruption on a particularly cold night, don’t resign to the possibility that the water pipes will freeze. Instead, Tureks Plumbing Services recommends that you open the faucets so that a tiny amount of water keeps dripping out of the pipes, thereby preventing them from freezing. The amount of water that you lose when you do this will be nothing if compared to the costs you could incur when the pipes freeze and burst, triggering massive water damage after thawing.

Seal Any Gaps Near Pipes

The approach of winter may also be the time for you to check around all water pipes and identify any gaps in the walls. Fix those gaps using caulk or any other appropriate material so that cold air from outside doesn’t get in and cause the pipes to freeze. Invite an Appleton, Wisconsin plumber to inspect your home for any hidden gaps just so you are sure that these leaks won’t expose your water pipes to the risk of freezing and bursting.

Adjust the Thermostat

Changing the settings of the thermostat in your home can also protect your water pipes from freezing and bursting. Appleton Wisconsin plumbers recommend that you set the thermostat to at least 13°C (55°F). This temperature setting will be high enough to prevent the water in the pipes from freezing. Warm air will also get to the attic and other unconditioned spaces, thereby protecting the pipes there as well.

Drain the Water Lines

The water pipes in and outside your home will not freeze if there is no water in them. It, therefore, follows that another winterization measure that you can take is to drain all the water lines, starting with the main water line and all the lines supplying the different points of use in your homes, such as the kitchen faucet and the dishwasher.

A good place to start is by locating the main shutoff valve found outside your home near the street. Turn this valve off and then locate the other shutoff valve located either in your basement or in a box outdoors close to the exterior wall. Turn this off, too, and then open the faucets to drain all the water left in the pipes.

If the flow doesn’t stop, Tureks Plumbing Services advises that you check again to confirm that you turned off the shutoff valves in the two locations mentioned above.

Check for Leaks 

Inspect all the water supply lines and see if you can find any detectable water leaks. Fix the leaks that you find before the cold weather sets in. If you aren’t up to this task, call an Appleton Wisconsin plumber for help.

The measures above can be of great help in reassuring you that you have done what you can to prevent the water pipes on your property from freezing. However, there is a possibility that your winterization efforts are not enough, especially if you live in an area that is particularly prone to very cold winters. The best way to be certain that your plumbing pipes are safe is by inviting a plumber from Tureks Plumbing Services to conduct a thorough winterization inspection. We’ll make sure that your pipes are ready for the winter. Contact us today to set up an appointment. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services in the Appleton, Wisconsin areas. 

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Leaking Toilet Base

Wednesday, September 25th, 2019

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1569263090937{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]leaking toilet base - Plumber in Appleton WIA leaking toilet base can prove to be a big nuisance in the bathroom, especially if it is an old bathroom. A leaking toilet base is an unhygienic problem, and it can make your bathroom look not well taken care of. Another problem is that it can damage your bathroom flooring, and leave stains. To avoid severe water damage arising because of a leaking toilet base, you can address this common plumbing problem by fixing it yourself even if it the first time you are trying your hand at plumbing repairs.

Call Your Local Plumbing Experts

Our team at Tureks Plumbing Services are always ready and happy to assist you with your plumbing problems. If you don’t have time to deal with leaking toilets then give us a call at anytime. Our expert plumbers can analyze and advise you on the problem and the best possible solution for it.

How to Fix Leaking Toilet Base

  • Problem identification: To do this, you first need to dry the base, and this can be done by wiping it by a cloth or a towel. After doing this, you need to check all the connections.
  • Address the faulty connections: The bolts connecting the tank to the toilet are secured with rubber washers to prevent the water from leaking. Leakage can occur if these bolts have loosened up. Therefore if you find these bolts to be loose, you can tighten them using a screwdriver. Although you should make sure you do not overtighten the bolts because this can cause the tank to crack. You also need to make sure that the toilet is level on the floor because if it is un-level, it might break the seal. If tightening the bolts does not address the problem, then it means that the problem lies somewhere else. In that case, you may need to reach out to for our plumbing services.
  • Replace the washers: You might need to replace the washers if tightening the bolts does not solve the problem of a leaking toilet base. The washers might have worn out, and before replacing them, you will first need to stop the water source. After that, remove the bolts, dry the area, and replace the washers.
  • Replace the wax ring: If the problem still persists, it is possible it is due to a failed wax ring. The wax ring is not a very expensive replacement and will therefore not cause a serious dent in your pocket. But on the flip side, it might take a few hours of your time to replace as you will have to remove the toilet in order to replace it. After removing the toilet base, you need to remove the old ring and replace it after thoroughly cleaning the surroundings. After this replacement, you can install the toilet back into its original place. If this sounds like too much work, we will gladly do it for you, just fill out a plumbing service request.
  • Replace the toilet altogether: If all of the methods mentioned above have failed, there is only one option left, and that is to remove and replace the whole toilet itself.

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Do I Need to Fix My Gurgling Drains?

Wednesday, September 4th, 2019

do i need to fix my gurgling drainsYou should be concerned if one or more drains in your home are emitting a gurgling sound each time that drain or another one is used. While the sound can be annoying, it is actually a good thing because it draws your attention to a developing problem. Read on and discover why drains gurgle and what you can do to fix the problem on your own before calling the experts at Tureks Plumbing Services for help.

Where Does the Gurgling Come From?

One of the most important steps, before you can fix the gurgling sound in your plumbing, is finding out where the sound is coming from. You can get answers to this question by listening carefully as you use different drains. From this observation, Fox Valley plumbers recommend that you note down the specific drain or drains exhibiting this symptom.

When Does the Gurgling Occur?

Tureks Plumbing Services also recommends that you take note of when gurgling sounds are emitted. For example, one drain may gurgle each time it is used. It is also possible for a drain to gurgle when another plumbing fixture is used. A clear example of this is when you hear gurgling in the floor drain of your bathroom when you pour water down the kitchen sink drain.

What Gurgling from One Drain Means

When you talk to an Appleton plumber about the gurgling from just one drain, he or she will immediately suspect that there is either a partial clog or blockage in that drain, or there is a malfunction in the vent of that plumbing fixture, such as the kitchen sink.

Solutions to Gurgling in One Drain

First, use a plunger to try and dislodge the clog that is blocking the single drain emitting the gurgling sound. If you try to use the drain and the problem persists, then it may be time to switch to an auger. Be careful when using the auger because any mistake that you make can result in damage to the plumbing pipe.

If you aren’t certain of your ability to accomplish this task on your own, contact a plumber in Appleton, WI for help in using an auger to safely get rid of the clog.

The second alternative solution is suitable for gurgling due to defective venting. Here, what is required is to clean the p-trap of the fixture from which the gurgling sound is originating. Access the vent and clean it so that it can start letting air into the drain as water is flowing through.

If you find that the plumbing fixture doesn’t have a vent, now is the time to call a Fox Valley plumber and ask him or her to install a vent on this particular fixture and others without vents.

What Gurgling from Multiple Drains Means

You can hear gurgling sounds from several vents in your home if the main vent of the plumbing system has a problem, such as a bird’s nest blocking it or when it is constricted by a heavy object. Alternatively, gurgling from multiple vents may also result if the main sewer line has a clog or is damaged.

Solutions to Gurgling in Multiple Drains

You may have noticed that your home has a vertical pipe that runs to the roof of the house. This pipe is the main vent of the entire plumbing system. Tureks Plumbing Services explains that once this vent is clogged, then air will be unable to enter the plumbing pipes and several drains will begin gurgling.

The fix to this problem is to access the vent on the roof and remove any clog inside that vent. You can use a thin piece of tubing to push down any debris which has entered the vent. This may also be the time to put an elevated cover or mesh on the vent opening so that tree leaves and other forms of debris don’t enter the vent in future. You might want to hire a Fox Valley plumber to perform this task if you are afraid of heights or you find climbing onto the roof too risky.

The second solution involves unclogging the main sewer pipe if the main vent has no problem but you continue to hear gurgling from different drains. If you are up to the task and you have the necessary tools, such as a plumbing snake, you can open the nearest cleanout port and push the snake into the pipe until you dislodge the clog.

Calling Professional Fox Valley Plumber

However, you are better off asking a plumber in Appleton, WI to clear the pipe. This professional will inspect the pipe using a camera and identify the kind of blockage hindering the flow of wastewater. For example, tree roots may have penetrated the pipe and partially blocked it. This inspection will enable the plumber to use the most appropriate technique to get rid of the clog so that the gurgling sounds are brought to an end.

It is vital that you resist the temptation to ignore the gurgling sound coming from a drain or several drains in your home. Any delay to address the problem can allow the situation to deteriorate and a plumbing emergency, such as a burst sewer pipe, can arise. Don’t let matters get this far. Call Tureks Plumbing Services as soon as you notice gurgling in any drain and our expert plumbers will assess and resolve the situation.

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