homeowners Archives - Anchor Plumbing Services

Key Plumbing Lessons Homeowners Need to Know as School Returns

Back to School Plumbing Homework for Homeowners

Rrrrrring! Class is back in session! As the new school year begins, it’s a great time for homeowners to brush up on plumbing basics. Understanding the plumbing system can help them identify potential problems early and prevent costly repairs.

Property owners should watch for common issues like water leaks, slow drains, and unusual noises. Regular plumbing maintenance is also essential for ensuring the system operates efficiently. In this post, Helotes, TX, plumbers explain how homeowners can quickly spot the signs of a problem.

Common Symptoms of Water Leaks

Early detection of leaks in water lines is crucial in preventing costly damage in Helotes’ homes. Plumbers recommend that households look for these common indicators:

Visible water: Puddles, drips, or streams are clear signs of a leak that should not be prolonged.
Mold or mildew: These can signal hidden water damage.
Increased water bills: Unexpected spikes in a water bill might indicate a leak.
Musty odors: Unusual smells can sometimes point to a water issue.
Soft spots on walls or floors: This sign could indicate water damage behind the surface.

If homeowners suspect a leak in supply lines, they should immediately contact a local, trusted professional plumber for inspections and repairs.

How to Identify Sewer Line Problems

A clogged sewer line or sewer line leak can cause significant disruption and health hazards. Watch for these warning signs:

Gurgling drains: Odd noises from the drains can indicate a clog in the sewer line.
Slow drains: Water draining slowly is another common symptom to watch out for because it could mean a blockage in the drainage system.
Sewer backups: If you notice sewage backing up while draining, this could mean a serious problem requiring immediate attention.
Foul odors: Unpleasant smells coming from drains or sinks are a red flag.
Multiple clogs: Frequent clogs throughout a home may indicate a main sewer line issue.

If homeowners catch any of these signs, they should contact a professional plumber, schedule sewer line repairs, and prevent further damage and health risks.

Key Benefits of Regular Plumbing Maintenance

Regular plumbing maintenance is essential for preserving the health and efficiency of a home’s plumbing system. These services provide numerous advantages like the following:

Prevent costly repairs: Scheduled routine inspections can identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems.
Increased efficiency: Regular maintenance ensures optimal water flow and pressure.
Longevity: Expert check-ups can help extend the lifespan of the plumbing system.
Energy savings: A well-maintained system can reduce water and energy consumption, helping the household save on utilities costs.
Peace of mind: Knowing the home’s plumbing is in good condition provides comfort and security.

Scheduling plumbing inspections and drain cleaning services can protect the home and help homeowners avoid unexpected plumbing emergencies and have it repaired as soon as possible.

About Anchor Plumbing Services

Anchor Plumbing Services are the plumbing pros San Antonio depends on. They offer same-day services, flat-rate pricing, and 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Call them today for plumbing services in Helotes, TX.

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Hydro Jetting: What Homeowners Need To Know

Basics About Hydro Jetting

When major clogs occur in a home’s pipes, homeowners need to take steps to remove the blockage promptly. While typical methods like drain snaking can be used to remove small clogs, hydro jetting should be used to remove large, stubborn blockages.

Hydro jet drain cleaning involves using a highly pressurized stream of water to eliminate residue and clogs inside sewer line pipes. This effectively removes buildups. Helotes, TX plumbers explain the basics of hydro jetting, when it should be used, and its benefits over other common drain cleaning methods.

How Hydro Jetting Works

When plumbers perform hydro jetting services, they take several to ensure they accurately and completely remove the sewer line clog. These services are ideal for removing the following types of blockages:

Buildups of grease, food, hair, or other solid materials
Tree roots growing into the sewer lines
Accumulation of minerals building up in the pipes

When performing hydro jetting services on clogged sewer lines, plumbers first find the access point to insert the hose. Then, they insert the flexible hose and nozzle into the opening. Next, they turn on the specialized machine called a jetter. The pressurized water will flush the pipes out and eliminate any buildup. Finally, if plumbers are worried the entire clog has not been removed, they might perform a sewer video inspection to look for blockages in the line.

When Homes Need Hydro Jetting Services

Hydro jetting services are extremely accurate when removing clogs from a sewer line. However, in many cases, typical drain cleaning services will eliminate minor blockages.

Hydro jetting should be reserved for large, stubborn clogs that standard techniques cannot eliminate. These can include:

Persistent clogs in numerous sinks or drains at the same time
Several slow-draining sinks or drains in the house
Recurring clogs that drain snaking cannot fully remove
Foul odors coming from the drains
Gurgling sounds coming from the drains
Sewage backups in the sewer lines

Tops Advantages of Hydro Jetting Services

Hydro jetting services can have several advantages over other typical drain cleaning methods, including chemical drain cleaners and snakes. When using chemical drain cleaners, homeowners can be more harmful than good, leading to deterioration and other problems. Plumber snakes or drain augers effectively remove small clogs, but they can struggle to eliminate a large blockage.

Hydro jetting offers numerous advantages to homeowners, including:

Completely clean out pipes to fully remove clogs.
Safe techniques to remove blockages using only water and no chemicals.
Prevent pipe damage caused by pressure buildups in pipes.

Call professional plumbers when you need hydro jetting services to remove large, stubborn clogs.

About Anchor Plumbing Services

Anchor Plumbing Services are the plumbing pros San Antonio counts on. They offer flat-rate pricing, same-day services, and satisfaction guaranteed. Call them today for hydro jetting services in Helotes, TX.

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Why Backflow Testing Is Essential for Homeowners

Basics About Backflow

When households flush waste down the toilet or rinse dirty water down the sink, they expect the dirty water to flow out of the house. If there is an issue and the water flow reverses – causing contaminated water to enter the home’s water supply – it can pose numerous threats to the household. This issue, called backflow, must be repaired by an experienced professional as soon as possible.

In this post, Helotes, TX plumbers explain the dangers of backflow, what happens during testing, and the importance of backflow testing.

Dangers Backflow Can Pose to Households

If it occurs, backflow can cause serious health risks for households. It refers to when water reverses flow in a plumbing system, causing water that was supposed to exit a house instead to enter the home’s water supply. This can lead to bacteria, waste, and other contaminants entering the water, making family members sick. Fortunately, these risks can be avoided by scheduling professional backflow testing.

What To Expect During Backflow Testing

Backflow testers perform numerous tasks during backflow testing to ensure the plumbing system and backflow prevention devices are working correctly.

When inspecting the system for signs of backflow, the plumber will first turn off the water supply. Then, they will check the type of backflow prevention device the system uses. Once these are located, the expert will test the backflow devices to ensure they work correctly. Next, the technician will shut off the downstream and attach the test kit hoses. They will then clean the check valve before performing a test to ensure the system works properly.

Plumbers recommend scheduling backflow testing on their backflow preventers at least once a year to avoid water contamination and health risks.

Why Backflow Testing Is Crucial

Homeowners need to schedule backflow testing services to identify signs of backflow as soon as possible. The faster the problem is detected, the better the chance households have of preventing backflow and keeping sewage out of their drinking water.

If backflow occurs, it can cause E. Coli, salmonella, hepatitis, and other illnesses. Household members can also experience eye, nose, throat, and ear infections, ulcers, and vomiting.

Backflow testing can protect households by helping them avoid these risks. During these services, plumbers will check the backwater valve during backflow prevention appointments. In addition to keeping households safe and healthy, backflow testing can protect public health by keeping backflow away from the city water supply.

About Anchor Plumbing Services

The team at Anchor Plumbing Services provides trustworthy plumbing services to the Helotes area. They offer same-day services, flat-rate pricing, and satisfaction guaranteed. Call them today for backflow testing services in Helotes, TX.

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Toilet Backing Up? What Homeowners Should Do

How to Repair Backed-Up Toilets

A backed-up toilet is not an issue homeowners want to deal with. It can be messy and gross and can lead to health issues. Plus, they can signal an issue in the sewer line or plumbing system that needs to be repaired.

Helotes, TX plumbers explain what causes toilets to back up, how plumbers repair them, and ways homeowners can avoid problems.

Common Causes of Backed-Up Toilets

When a toilet backs up, homeowners can panic, trying to figure out what caused the problem. A plumber will perform a complete inspection of the plumbing system, including the sewer line. Some possible issues they will look for that can lead to backed-up toilets are:

Clogged sewer lines. These blockages can be caused by grease, debris, or larger objects like tree roots.
Collapsed sewer lines. These can be caused by aging and deterioration.
Sagging sewer lines. When this happens, or when lines become bellied, it can cause wastewater to build up.
Cracked pipes. Corroded or cracked pipes can cause debris to accumulate.

Ways to Repair a Backed-Up Toilet

Homeowners should schedule repairs on their backed-up toilet at the first signs of an issue. When plumbers arrive, they will assess the situation and determine a course of action.

Initially, plumbers might perform a sewer video inspection. This will help them quickly and accurately locate a defect in the sewer line. Once they determine the cause and the severity of the issue, they can select a repair method.

For minor sewer line clogs, plumbers may use a plunger or a drain snake to remove or break up the clog. They might also use hydrojetting services if there is a large blockage, like a tree root.

Plumbers might opt for trenchless sewer line repairs if the line has a crack. If there is a larger problem that trenchless methods can’t fix, then technicians will need to use traditional options.

How to Help Prevent Toilet Backups

While backed-up toilets can be a hassle for homeowners and their households, fortunately, they can take steps to prevent these from occurring.

Helotes, TX plumbers offer tips property owners can follow to avoid backups from happening:

Only flushing waste and toilet paper. Homeowners should never flush wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, dental floss, and other items.
Scheduling regular drain cleaning services and sewer video inspections to remove residue and buildups. Homeowners should also book hydrojetting services to remove large clogs.
Never pour grease down the drain.
Add screens over drains to prevent hair, soap scum, and other debris from going down the sink.
Inspect tree roots and add root barriers to prevent them from growing into the sewer line.

About Anchor Plumbing Services

The team at Anchor Plumbing Services offers top plumbing services to the San Antonio area. They offer same-day services for their client’s convenience and always provide flat-rate pricing and 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Call them today for toilet repair services in Helotes, TX.