Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing Problems’ Category

The 5 Most Common Plumbing Problems

Thursday, April 19th, 2018

As your home gets older, you may find yourself calling the plumber more often. This is because, over time, your pipes and other parts will be affected by the usual wear and tear and will become brittle or blocked. As a result, different kinds of plumbing issues will arise every now and then.

Knowing how to detect and fix simple plumbing problems can save you money, time, and unnecessary stress. Below are some of the most common plumbing problems you may encounter and tips on how to deal with them.

Leaking faucets

As faucets get older, their washers wear out as well. You can extend the life of your faucet’s washers by not turning the faucet on and off with too much force. Dripping faucets can also be repaired temporarily by replacing the joint yourself.

Leaky pipes

This typical plumbing problem can cause huge and expensive damage to floors, walls, and belongings. Leaks in pipes usually occur at joints. If this is the issue, you can easily fix this with commercial joint fillers and fitting compounds which you can buy at a hardware store. You can also prevent small leaks from worsening by checking your pipes regularly. Be on the lookout for rust or white lime deposits since they can indicate the beginnings of a leak.

Clogged or slow drains

If the water or anything that goes into your sink, toilet, or tub won’t go out, it is highly likely that you are dealing with either a partial or a complete clog. To get the drain flowing quickly again, remove the waste materials or debris immediately. There are different plumbing tools you can use for this task.

You can also use some chemical products or lubricants which will break up the waste material. This will allow the stuck material and water to flow through with ease.

No hot water coming from faucets or shower

This plumbing problem is caused by an issue with your water heater. If this problem keeps happening, before calling a  Tureks Plumbing Services, make sure you check the following first:

  • If you have an electric water heater, check the thermostat first. Your device may have a malfunctioning heating element which you can also replace since you can buy this part at most hardware stores. Check if the device is leaking water and has an undersized or weak fuse or breaker since they can cause your heater to malfunction as well.
  • If you have a gas water heater, make sure that the gas is on and the gas valve is not in the closed position. Make sure the pilot light is on as well. Adjust the setting to ensure that the temperature is set high enough to give you adequate amounts of hot water.

Low water pressure

Low water pressure is a common plumbing problem in older homes but it can also happen in newer homes, too. Low water pressure can be caused by a leaking or corroded pipe, old shower heads, blocked faucets or pipes, and other plumbing issues. You can keep this problem in check by having pressure regulators installed.

If you’re not sure you can deal with your plumbing issue, don’t hesitate to call the professionals immediately. Plumbers, such as the team of Turek’s Plumbing, will be able to correctly assess your problem and fix it quickly.

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What Pipes Rattling

Saturday, September 30th, 2017

Pipes Rattling After Shower? Here Are the 2 Possible Reasons

After a tiring day at work, the first thing that you want to do is to take a nice shower before getting into bed.

But after turning off the shower, you hear rattling noises. What’s the reason behind these noises? Rodents? Pests? Ghosts?

There are two possible reasons behind these noises.

Copper pipes

If the sounds you hear come after using the hot water, it is possible that the main reason behind these noises is the copper pipe used in your home’s plumbing system.

Like other types of metals, copper expands and contracts, depending on the temperature. When you hear the pipes rattling after shower with hot water, this simply means that the copper pipes are expanding and rubbing against other components of the plumbing system like the joist, bracket or stud.

Apart from the noises you hear, there is not much you need to worry about. The expansion and contraction of the pipes rarely cause other problems.

Solving this problem can be complicated, especially if the pipes have been installed between the walls. Quite simply, you will need to spend money to have your drywalls removed.  If you have extra money stashed, you can ask your plumber to remove the drywall in the areas where you hear the rattling sounds. Your plumber will then place either foam insulation or foam rubber which will act as a cushion between the pipe and the framing, effectively eliminating the rattling noises you hear.

Alternatively, you can opt for plastic pipes as a replacement for the copper pipes. Plastic pipes do contract and expand, but not enough to cause rattling sounds.

Water hammer

On the other hand, if you hear the noises when you turn the water on and off using either cold or hot water, the main cause of your problem is what is called the water hammer problem.

A water hammer happens when you turn off a faucet or shower quicker than you turned it on. The noise you hear is the result of the sudden movement of water in the pipes. This sudden movement, in turn, causes movements in the pipes, especially if these are not properly secured.

One possible solution to this problem is to install a pressure-reducing valve which lowers the water pressure. Another solution to this problem is to use water hammer arresters. These devices act as a cushion and absorb the energy produced by the movement of the water inside the pipes. Schedule your appointment with us today!

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Where to Start With a Bathroom Remodel

Thursday, August 10th, 2017

After a stressful day at the office or doing household chores, nothing else can make you feel better quicker than taking a long, soothing bath. The look and feel of your bathroom can give you an experience that is similar to visiting a spa or a resort.

Currently, though, the design and layout of your bathroom may not be ideal for the type of experience that you want. You can change it with a remodel.

One important question to ask is where to start with a bathroom remodel. Here are a few tips to help you out:

Determine its purpose

A bathroom is where people take a shower, brush their teeth and take care of other hygiene issues before going out. These are some of the most common activities done inside a bathroom, but it is also a personal space. What you need to consider is what you want your experience to be like when you are inside. Do you use the bathroom for a quick bath or do you also want to use the space to relax and unwind for a while?

How you answer this question will influence the design, materials and colors that will be used in remodeling the space.

Consider the existing layout

The current design and layout of your bathroom can affect what you can do with the space. For instance, the placement of your toilet bowl, urinal, faucet and showerhead is fixed. You can change the fixtures but not where they are installed. Changing the placement of the fixtures involves moving or extending the pipes. This involves a lot of work and will cost you more.

Consult an expert plumber in your area to find out what the limitations are when it comes to remodeling your bathroom. This may affect the final design of your remodeled bathroom but it can help you save money and give you fewer problems to worry about during the remodeling process.

Identify the users

Knowing the people who use the bathroom is also an important factor when having it remodeled. If you live on your own, then your personal taste and preferences will be used as the sole basis for the design. However, if you live with your parents or kids, or there are several other people living in the same space, then it could affect the final design of your bathroom.

For instance, if you live with your elderly parents or somebody with medical issues, you will need to have grab bars installed and use non-slip materials that are easy to clean. If you live with toddlers or young kids and you want a tub, you can consider tubs that include a step. This will make it easier and safer for them to get in and out of the tub. And make sure to schedule your appointment with us today!

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Water Conservation Tips to Save You Money and Do the Environment Well

Thursday, July 27th, 2017

Water is essential to human life and its shortage can result in problems of a major scale. This is why everybody is encouraged to conserve water. With smart practices, water shortage can be prevented and quality of human life protected.

A reputable plumbing company trusted by Applegate and Fox Valley residents has a collection of water conservation tips that can help. So, if you wish to do your bit in doing the environment well and helping sustain its ability to provide water to us all, and at the same time, slash your household’s water bill, you can implement these tips from the pros.

Eco-Friendly Products

Don’t go overboard with detergents, bleach, and other chemicals to get your clothes and house clean. Not only do they contribute to water pollution but they also cause routine cleaning to consume more energy and water.

Switch to eco-friendly soaps and detergents. They are much easier to rinse and don’t contribute to water pollution.

Lawn Care & Water Conservation

Improve your lawn care. Watering frequently is actually counterproductive; water deeply just twice a day (ideally before the sun goes up and when it’s setting) instead. You’ll use less water by watering wisely.

Contact your local water authority to make sure that the water pressure on your street is less than 60 pounds per square inch. Pressure that is any higher than that is too much for plumbing systems and will always result in excessive water usage.

Plumbing Leaks

Make sure that there’s no leaky plumbing in your home. Leaky toilets consist of more than 40 percent of your total water usage. Meanwhile, leaky faucets that drip once per second waste as much as eight gallons of water a day. To make sure that you’re not dealing with a leaky plumbing system, check your water meter when no water is being used. If the meter continues to move even when no one’s using water, that’s a clear indication that you have a water leak somewhere. Call professional plumbers to find where the leak is and repair the problem.

Collect Water

Wisconsin gets a lot of rain and you can fill rain barrels with rainwater that you can use as a resource for the future. It can be used for gardening and cleaning your home.

Plumbing Fixtures

Replacing some plumbing fixtures, such as an old showerhead with a more water-efficient design, can actually save you up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without compromising spray pressure. You can also look into low-flow toilets and faucets. Call us to schedule your appointment today!

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Causes of Leaking Garbage Disposal

Tuesday, July 25th, 2017

Fixing the 2 Most Common Causes of Leaking Garbage Disposal

A leaking garbage disposal system does not necessarily translate to a massive hole in your pocket. Leaks can occur from time to time and in some instances, you do not have to spend a small fortune to remedy these problems.

Here’s a brief rundown of two of the most common causes of leaks and what you can do about these.

Gasket

Check your garbage disposal system and determine where exactly the leak is coming from. If the leak is coming from the top rim where the rubber seal and the flange meet, it is highly likely that the cause of the leak is the gasket which can be found on top of the system.

Over time, the rubber gasket breaks down. In some cases, if the garbage disposal system is not used for an extended period of time, the gasket can dry up, causing leaks. Sometimes, the gasket causes leaks if it is replaced unevenly. Finally, if you dismantle the system for whatever reason, it is a good idea to replace the gasket.

Fortunately, if the gasket is the cause of the leak, it can be easily replaced. Just make sure that you purchase the right gasket for your garbage disposal system.

After you have bought the correct gasket, the first thing that you need to do to replace the old one is to disconnect the drain. After that, you can unplug the cord. Make sure that you remove the dishwasher drain hose from the system.

Next, hold the sides of the mounting nuts and turn these counter clockwise. This will unlock the garbage disposal system.

The next step that you need to do is to remove the old gasket and put the new one that you bought. Check whether the new gasket fits properly.  After that, you can replace the garbage disposal system and reconnect the drains and plug.

Disposal flange

If the leak comes from the upper area of the garbage disposal system, the possible source of the leak is the disposal flange.

The flange can leak if the seal is not tight enough or has become loose. In either case, you will need to dismantle the system so that you can reseal the flange.

After dropping the garbage disposal unit, you will need to loosen the bolts that hold the flange in place. Next, find the clip that holds the flange in place by using a flat screwdriver to pop it out of place. Then, remove the top flange from the sink. You should then clean the sink before reinstalling the system and applying putty.

In applying plumber’s putty, make sure that you apply an even amount. You should also make sure that the putty wraps around the rim of the flange. After that, you can put the flange into its original position and replace the bottom flange. Replace the screws tightly and then you can clean the area where you worked. And schedule your appointment with us today!

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Farmhouse Sink: Trendy or Timeless?

Friday, July 21st, 2017
Is the farmhouse sink trendy or timeless? Although still largely seen as traditional, the farmhouse has quickly become a popular fixture in modern homes as well.

This short guide will show you how this rustic sink has evolved through time. If you are planning to renovate your kitchen anytime soon, the list of pros and cons may help you decide whether it is worth buying or not.

Form and Function

The farmhouse sink is characterized by the deep design of its basin. Sometimes known as apron-front sinks, these kitchen fixtures were designed to hold copious amounts of water and wash large cooking tools. The basin is so deep that you can bathe a baby in it.

Farmhouse Sink Installation

A typical farmhouse sink is installed with the apron protruding beyond the cabinets below it. This design feature is meant to protect the cabinets. If the water starts to overflow, the liquid will fall straight to the floor instead of damaging the cabinets beneath the sink.
The width and depth of a farmhouse sink offers homeowners ample space for washing dishes and kitchen tools. On the other hand, farmhouse sinks are also bulky. Standard sinks weigh around 20 to 30 pounds while an apron-front type may weigh up to 100 pounds. If you intend to replace your standard sink with a farmhouse one, you will need to find a way to reinforce the supports around the sink.
Farmhouse sinks don’t come with holes for faucets. As a result, the faucet needs to be installed on the wall or counter. On the upside, if the sink ever gets damaged, you can take it out without the need to turn off the water mains. However, you will also need to pick the right type of faucet to go with your country style sink.

Materials

Farmhouse sinks were traditionally made out of porcelain or fireclay. During the 1920s, sinks forged out of cast iron, copper and nickel alloy became popular. Nowadays, you can find farmhouse sinks made out of stainless steel, concrete and stone as well. Farmhouse sinks also come in a wide range of available styles and textures to suit varying design needs.

Price

Finally, going for a specific style can be expensive. With farmhouse sinks, expect to pay hundreds of dollars more than your standard type. Plus, you will need to consider the installation cost and other fees. Make sure to explore these expenses carefully before making your decision.

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5 Things That Cause Drain Clogs

Thursday, July 20th, 2017

It is normal for debris to accumulate over time, but there are certain items that can make your drains clog faster. The following are five of the likeliest causes of drain clogs and what homeowners can do to reduce the chances of a blocked drain.

Hair

Clogs caused by hair strands are more common in bathroom sinks, showers and tub drains. Each time you shower, you lose hundreds of strands. These thin strands normally get washed away, but on a rare occasion, strands may get stuck along the walls of your drain pipe. Over time, the buildup can block the flow of water and clog your drain. Installing a hair catcher or sink guard helps, but won’t totally prevent clogs. It is possible to find clogged bathroom drains, especially in older homes.

Soap

Dirt, grime, hair strands, dead skin cells and other types of waste can stick to the soapy residue and cause a blockage. Other than bathroom sinks, showers and tubs, soap scum can also become a problem when washing dishes. One way to reduce this buildup is to pour two buckets filled with hot water and chlorine down the sink at least twice a month.

Grease

Grease buildups more commonly occur in kitchen sinks. Similar to the case of soap scum, small food particles and other sediments can get trapped in this thick, gooey liquid. However, unlike soap, the oily residue is more difficult to remove. You can try using cold water when running your garbage disposal. This can help remove some of the layers of grease and let the fat flow more freely through the drainage pipes.

One better way to prevent grease buildup is to avoid pouring any type of oil down the drain at all. Instead, what you can do is to pour the grease directly into the garbage. This prevents any residue or particles getting stuck along the pipe’s walls.

Toilet paper

Toilet paper sheets are designed to break down easily when exposed to water. This makes the sheets easier to flush. However, paper towels, baby wipes and multi-ply tissue paper are more durable and may not break down as easily as a single ply sheet of toilet paper. To prevent blockage, avoid flushing these types of toiletries down the toilet. Inform your relatives, friends or guests to do the same when staying at your home.

Napkins and diapers

Finally, these types of hygiene products are a major cause of concern. Because they are designed to absorb water, napkins, diapers and other similar products can quickly cause a blockage. Always throw these types of items straight into the trash and not into the toilet bowl. And make sure to call us today!

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Slow Drain Septic System Problems

Thursday, June 22nd, 2017

Slow Drain Septic System Problems: Signs, Causes, and How to Fix Them

The bathroom is one of the dirtiest places in your home since different types of bacteria can be found here. Once you have a drainage or septic system problem, you will consider your toilet even more unsanitary and a hassle to use.

Signs of a Septic System Issue

Septic system problems are more common in houses and buildings that have already been in use for many years. Some of the signs that indicate you already have this kind of plumbing problem are:

  • Water is draining slowly from the shower, bathtub, sink, and other areas
  • The sound of gurgling from the tub or sink when a toilet is flushed
  • Water backing up in toilets, tubs, and sinks
  • Water puddles on the grounds on your lawn
  • The smell of sewage odors outdoors

Possible Causes

There are several reasons why you have a problematic or slow drain septic system. The most common one is the overuse of the system. This means that too many people are using or too much water is being used in the household or building that the usage has gone beyond the system’s capacity.

Another common cause of this problem is the lack of or delay in inspection, maintenance, and pumping. Once your septic tank becomes full, the filter in the outlet baffle will start to plug. This plugging action will cause the water level inside the tank to rise which will restrict the flow of effluent.

Finally, your septic system may not be working properly if something is clogging the pipes or drains. Grease, food, certain sanitary products, toys, or even pieces of clothes can be stuck somewhere in the pipes and cause the slow drain or the system’s malfunction.

Getting Things Back to Normal

If the reason behind your slow drain problem is a blockage, you can remove the clog by using some tools at home. However, harder clogs and blockages will require the use of a plumbing snake; in such instances, it is best to call in experts to do the job to avoid further damaging your plumbing and septic system.

Calling in professional plumbers at the onset of a problem is always a smart idea since the contractors will know how and where to identify the issue quickly. In case you have slow draining fixtures, plumbers will check the drain-vent system. If the problem is in this area, they have the expertise, tools, and equipment to fix the issue. Also, if you already have a failed septic system, qualified plumbers will be able to detect this easily. Depending on the particular problem and design of your system, the professional plumbers will give you sound advice on whether it is best to have your system repaired or replaced.

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How to get jewelry out of a drain

Wednesday, May 31st, 2017
You are doing the dishes after a family meal and before you even finish, your prized piece of jewelry (a ring, bracelet, earring) slips off from you. Before you even have the time to catch it, it goes down the kitchen sink.

What should you do?

If you want to know how to get jewelry out of a drain, here are the steps that you need to follow.

Keep the area off limits

Tell the members of the household to avoid using the sink until the item has been retrieved. Otherwise, it will become increasingly difficult to get the jewelry back.

Turn off the garbage disposal and water

If water keeps on flowing down the drain, the jewelry might be pushed down further until it reaches the sewer line. When that happens, the chance of getting the item back becomes slim.

Stopping the flow of water increases the likelihood that the item goes to a more accessible area of the kitchen plumbing system, like the P-trap.

Find a magnet

Find a strong magnet and attach it to a string. After that, lower the magnet down the drain. There’s a good chance that you can get your jewelry back with this nifty trick.

Check the P-trap

If you can’t retrieve your jewelry with a magnet tied to a string, the next best thing to do is to check if the item is sitting inside the P-trap.

Before removing the different components of the P-trap, you should place a bucket underneath it to catch the water, the grime, and hopefully, the jewelry that went down the drain.

Start by removing the slip nuts and the J-shaped part of the P-trap using either a pair of pliers or a wrench. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to retrieve the lost item and you can replace the parts that you remove. But before replacing these parts, it is a good idea to clean the gunk off the pipes.

Call your Appleton Plumber 

If you are unable to successfully retrieve the item or if you do not want to gamble and test your luck with your home’s plumbing system, consider calling in the experts for help.

Preventing this plumbing emergency

If you wish to avoid the loss of a piece of prized jewelry, there are a few things that you can do.

As much as possible, remove any jewelry before doing the dishes, especially if the sink is open and unstopped.

Place the jewelry that you removed from yourself in a safe area and not over the sink. Alternatively, you can put a jewelry tray nearby.

Put drain stoppers in the kitchen and bathroom sinks. These can help prevent jewelry and other valuable items from going down the drain.

If you have a piece of jewelry trapped in your drain, please call us today for help!

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Why Are My Drains Bubbling?

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017

Bubbling toilets or drains explained

Whenever you use the bathroom to take care of your personal hygiene, the only sounds you would want to hear are the ones you make as you move around — the sudden rush of water as you turn on the tap, the toilet flushing, water going down the drain. If your body pipes up as well — such as your stomach rumbling thanks to the heavy meal you had earlier — that would be expected, and thus totally fine, too.

What you don’t want to hear, however, is a gurgling noise coming from various areas of the bathroom. If you hear this gurgling or bubbling noise after you use the shower, sink, or the toilet, it could mean trouble — and it’s something that you shouldn’t ignore.

Why are my drains bubbling? Here are possible answers to this question:

·         There is a blockage in your vent pipe or drain

·         A pipe may have collapsed or gotten damaged

·         There is a buildup of grease dirt or other debris in your home’s plumbing

Vent pipes are joined to the major pipes that make up your home’s plumbing. These typically end at the roof of your house. If a vent pipe is blocked by things such as accumulated dirt or debris coming from outside your house such as dead leaves, these gurgling noises indicate that air cannot escape through the vent. Instead, the air makes its way to the nearest available opening, which could be the sink in your bathroom.

If the problem is buildup in your plumbing, it means that water cannot drain properly. Typically, both water and air flow through the drain and then escape the pipes through their respective spots. When the pipes are dirty and blocked, however, the air bubbles will end up getting expelled at the nearest vent, which results in the bubbling noise.

Keep in mind, though, that if you hear the gurgling noise in every drain you can find throughout the house, then it is an indication of a much bigger blockage in the main plumbing pipe, and not in the smaller pipes attached to the drains.

How can these blocks — and consequently, the gurgling sounds — be prevented?

There are a number of things that everyone in the household can do to keep your home’s pipes free and clear:

·         Refrain from pouring or throwing anything down the drain that could cause buildup — this could be grease, hair strands, food particles, and other physical waste.

·         If the buildup already exists, you can try using chemical solutions to clean out the pipes. Make sure to use the product as directed so that they can work as intended. Also, remember to follow safety precautions when handling the chemicals.

·         Alternatively, an auger can be used to manually unclog the pipes. With sufficient force, any buildup can be broken up, but take care not to cause damage to the pipes and cause additional leaking problems.

If you’re unsure about how to perform these properly, there’s always the option of getting in touch with the plumbing specialists in your area. These professionals will know exactly how to diagnose and resolve your plumbing problems and get rid of that troublesome gurgling noise once and for all.

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