Month: October 2021

Plumbing Tips

What You Should Know About Drain Cleaning

Calvin Barr


If you’ve ever encountered a clogged drain, then you know that things progress from slow-moving drains to an outright clog seemingly overnight. This problem is as frustrating as it is expensive. If you’d like to keep your drains clean, then you should familiarize yourself with the drain cleaning services available to you.

There are certain things you should know when it comes to your home’s drain cleaning services and we’re the team who can help you understand. We’re experts on everything plumbing in Avondale, AZ.

How Clogs Occur

Your plumbing system does a considerable amount of hard work on a daily basis. If even minor things go wrong, it can create a domino effect and cause a clog. Try to avoid the following things to avoid future clogs:

Hard Water: Hard water is typically part of your water system. The problem with this is that it doesn’t stay part of your water system. Eventually, the sediment is going to settle at the bottom of the pipes. It’s important to handle hard water because it can constrict the flow of your home’s plumbing.Inorganic Waste: You don’t want to put things down your garbage disposal that aren’t food scraps, and you don’t want to put things down your toilet that aren’t organic waste. If you do, then it’s going to set you up for a fast track to a clog.FOG: FOG stands for fat, oil, and grease. It’s important that you avoid ever putting these substances down your drain. If you do, it’s going to settle, congeal, and become a bigger issue down the line when it causes a clog.

Now that you know that clogs occur, you should familiarize yourself with how we handle clogs.

How Our Team Handles Them

There are two major ways that we can handle a clog. Those two main ways are either with hydro-jetting services or with a motorized drain snake.

A motorized drain snake is a professional version of an auger. Our professionals use a corkscrew motion to dig down into clogs and break them up or remove them. We know that augers are available to you as a homeowner, but it’s not something that we suggest you do on your own. Professional service gives you long-lasting care.

Another way we can handle your clog is via hydro-jetting. Hydro-jetting is when you blast a highly pressurized stream of water into your plumbing system. This gets rid of any hard water deposits or other grime that’s sitting in your drains.

Why You Should Trust an Expert

You should always contact an expert for your plumbing services. You’ll hear us reiterate this often, but it’s because this is truly vital. You need to make sure that you have a service that’s going to address your needs now and keep your plumbing in impeccable shape later.

We have the experts you can trust. We put quality care into all the work we perform. You won’t have to worry about your plumbing care with our team members.

Contact The Trusted Plumber today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.

Plumbing Services

The Low Down on Water Heaters

Calvin Barr

tankless water heater
Are you thinking about upgrading your water heater? You should take the time to brush up on everything water heater-related. Buying a new water heater is something you do about once a decade. There are many changes that happen in the industry during this downtime. If you want to do it right, then we’re prepared to help you with the process.

We know what it takes to get an excellent water heater in Buckeye, AZ. If you want to have a great option for your home, we’re here to make sure that you get it. We’re here to give you the low down on water heaters today.

What to Consider

Here are a few things you should consider before you buy yourself a new water heater.

The Type of System

There are a few different types of systems you can choose from when you work with our team. Here’s the low down on a few:

Tank Water Heaters: The standard water heaters you’re used to. They’re reliable and more efficient than ever now thanks to advancements in the industry.Tankless Water Heaters: These are the systems you should choose if you’re concerned with home energy efficiency.Hybrid Water Heaters: Hybrid water heaters give you the best of both worlds. You can marry the efficiency of a heat pump water heater with the power of a standard water heater.Heat Pump Water Heaters: Heat pump water heaters use the same technology that heat pumps do. Heat pump water heaters move warmth where you need it rather than generating it. These systems save you energy and money in the process.

The Fuel Source

You can choose either electric or gas water heaters. While we typically recommend gas-powered water heaters, electric-powered ones can do the job as well. Discuss your specific needs with our team members.

Your Efficiency Needs

What are your efficiency needs? If you’ve wanted to save yourself some money on your water or energy bill, then this might be the time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient system. We’re here to consult with you about this.

The Space Available

Do you have the proper space available for the water heater that you want? If you don’t, this should be something that you factor into your purchase. Not every home has the room to house a large, standard water heater, and that’s okay. This might be the push you need to go tankless. We’re prepared to discuss your options and work with you.

Your Home Needs

The size of your house and the amount of people in it affect how your home performs. If you live in a large home that houses five people, you’re going to need more hot water than someone who lives in a small home that only houses two.

We make sure to factor this in and run the right calculations. Our professionals have the experience necessary to factor in your home sizing needs. Make sure you get in touch with our professionals for the proper service.

Contact the Trusted Plumber—the team you can trust for your plumbing services.

Plumbing Services

How to Detect Hard Water In Your Home

Calvin Barr

closeup-hands-under-water
Today, we’d like to discuss hard water in your home.

We get a lot of questions surrounding hard water. We know it’s a topic that is a little confusing from the vantage point of homeowners. It’s not always something you’re going to notice right away. If you’re wondering if you’re struggling with hard water at home, we’re going to help you determine this today.

If you read through this blog and realize that you are, in fact, struggling with hard water, then you should schedule an appointment with one of our plumbers in Buckeye, AZ. We’re here to make sure that hard water never becomes a detriment to your home.

Do You Have Hard Water?

If you’re struggling with hard water, you might notice these symptoms:

1. Scummy Appliances

Have you noticed that your shower, tub, or even sink fixtures have become increasingly hard for you to fix? This is a problem that stems from hard water.

Hard water leaves residue around your home that presents itself in this way. Spot the signs and make sure that you’re noting them. Don’t think this is just an aesthetic issue. This is something that’s building up within your pipes as well.

2. Dry Skin, Hair, and Nails

Your skin feels like it’s about to peel off, your hair feels like hay, and your nails are brittle. If nothing has changed about the way that you’re taking care of yourself, then you probably have an issue with hard water.

3. Spots on Your Dishes

You take your plates out of the dishwasher and notice these annoying little spots. You’re always scraping them off or having to follow behind your dishwasher to make sure things are actually clean. These spots on your dishes are a symptom of a hard water issue.

4. Your Clothes Are Scratchy

Your clothes are always scratchy after you take them out of the dryer. Did you know that this could actually be due to hard water? Hard water affects your laundry too. Don’t try to drown your clothes in fabric softener. Address the issue at its core.

5. Your Location

Some areas are more prone to hard water than others. Hard water is common in most homes across the country, and Buckeye is no different. If you think you’re struggling with hard water in this area, then you’re probably on the right track.

What Are Your Solutions?

If you think you’re struggling with hard water in your home, start off with water testing services.

Water testing is the best place to begin because it’s a chance for our experts to pinpoint exactly what’s going on with your home. You might think you have hard water and actually have it, but only address that need and bypass another quality issue with the water. Water testing makes sure that you address everything that needs proper care.

The next step is choosing the right water softener system for your home. Water softeners remove the minerals that make your water “hard.” If you’re looking for a system that’s going to get rid of your hard water for the long term, then this is the system to choose for your home.

Contact The Trusted Plumber today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.

Plumbing Services

“Is My Water Heater About to Die?”

Calvin Barr

faucet-kitchen-modern-running
There are some peculiar things going on with your water heater and you’re questioning what’s going on.

We know that you’re not waking up in the morning with the first thought on your mind being your water heater. If we’re being realistic, you might not think about your water heater at all in a day.

We want to put it at the forefront of your mind today, though. Most of the problems with your water heater start long before you notice them. Today, we’re going to hip you to some signs that your water heater in Glendale, AZ might give you trouble.

Troubling Signs for Your Water Heater

Here are some signs that your water heater is about to give you a headache. If you notice any of this going on, it’s important to schedule an appointment with our team members.

You Don’t Have Enough Hot Water

You run out of hot water every time you need it. It’s as if your water heater is quitting halfway through the job. This points to a severe capacity issue. This will worsen until you barely have any hot water in your home. We can fix this for you.

Leaks

You hear a sizzling sound from your water heater because there’s hot water leaking out of the system. A leaking water heater is a problem because it’s going to be hard for you to get comfortable water temperatures. It’s also going to be a problem because of potential water damage. Don’t risk serious home damage or internal failure with your water heater due to leaks.

Water Temperature Is Inconsistent

Do you stand in the shower and get scorched out of nowhere by the temperature of the water? What about the opposite: you’re lathering up under a warm stream of water it suddenly goes cold? Both are extreme issues that point to a water heater problem. We’ll look at your thermostat and make sure it’s set up to work well. Then we’ll assess your capacity needs.

You Hear Odd Sounds

The funny thing about water heaters is that they can start to make noise when they’re having trouble. It’s as if they’re literally trying to reach out and speak to you. Watch out for some unusual noises like cracking, rumbling, screeching, banging, and more.

Odd sounds are bad no matter what they are. You should report this problem to a professional no matter what it is. We can guarantee this problem will snowball into a bigger issue and we’d like to prevent that.

Reduced Water Flow

When you hop into the shower and lather up, you notice that the shower doesn’t really act like a shower anymore. It feels more like a watering can is being poured over the top of your head.

Reduced water flow is a clear sign that the water heater is struggling capacity-wise. The water heater may have a build-up of sediment at the bottom. If this gets extreme, you’ll notice that your water heater’s capacity is greatly reduced. We’re prepared to help correct this.

Trust The Trusted Plumber. Schedule an appointment with us today for your water heater repair needs.

Plumbing Maintenance

Answering 4 Common Questions About Hidden Leaks

Calvin Barr


Leak detection and repair are among the most important services we offer for plumbing in Glendale, AZ. No homeowner wants leaky pipes or fixtures in their house since this wastes water and can lead to mold growth and building damage. Since most of the piping in a house is hidden from sight, locating leaks is difficult and requires plumbers with the right skills and tools.

We’re going to answer four common questions people have about the hidden leaks they may have in their homes. We hope this helps you deal with potential problems and avoid the worst outcomes of leaky plumbing.

1. Is there anything I can do to prevent leaks from starting?

Yes, but you cannot stop all leaks through preventive measures. Unfortunately, one cause of hidden leaks is a type of corrosion that occurs in copper pipes called formicary corrosion. This corrosion leads to pinhole leaks, which are difficult to catch. Formicary corrosion comes from chemicals in the water or in the air of a house, and it’s hard to stop it from happening. The best way to avoid leaks is to have repiping done for the house if the plumbing is old (more than 50 years).

2. Can I locate hidden leaks on my own?

It’s possible—but you won’t be able to locate them with the precision necessary to repair the leaks, nor do you have the equipment and training necessary to excavate the pipe, remove the leaking section, and replace it. You can do detective work to determine that you have hidden leaks by checking the water meter, but once you know about the leaks, it’s best to leave the detection/repair job to licensed professionals. 

3. How much water does one of these leaks waste?

When we talk about something called a pinhole leak, it doesn’t sound intimidating. Yet the cumulative water waste from these leaks can be staggering. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day, with a total for the country of one trillion gallons wasted through leaks a year. As a basic guideline, if a family of four has water use per month in excess of 12,000 gallons, it means there are major leaks. 

4. How do professionals find hidden leaks?

The methods and techniques of leak detection continue to advance with each year, and our plumbers use the best tools and the most up-to-date training. Detection starts with plumbing knowledge to narrow down where leaks are most likely occurring. Once our plumbers have a general sense of the problem and where it’s coming from, they use tools such as acoustic listening discs to hear the sound of water escaping and special thermal scanners that pick up on temperature differences and pressure rises in areas where water is leaving a pipe. Video camera equipment inserted into the plumbing can pinpoint leaks and their size with great precision. 

We have emergency services available to handle your home’s leak problems. If you aren’t sure about hidden leaks in your house, scheduling leak detection is an excellent preventive measure that helps you get ahead of problems.

Trust The Trusted Plumber.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.davieplumbingandsupplyfl.com/?p=160

Plumbing Maintenance

6 Great Things Your Can Do for Your Plumbing

Calvin Barr

checkmark-green
Homeowners don’t often think of “preventive plumbing” for their homes. Usually, the only major planning people do for their plumbing is to avoid pipe freeze during winter. That’s not something we need to worry about here in Arizona. But there are several preventive measures you can take to stop problems, large and small, in the future. We’ll go over six of them below.

1. Schedule routine drain cleaning

This one we often recommend to our customers. Rather than waiting for clogs to start to happen, you can keep them from happening—all around the house. Drain cleaning is great for getting rid of major clogs when they strike, but it’s also a maintenance service. Our plumbers will use the finest tools available to return your home’s drains to “like-new” condition, making it unlikely there will be clogs in the future. This also prevents drain flies, foul odors, and helps the drain pipes last longer. 

2. Arrange for leak detection

You may have leaks around your home that you aren’t aware of… yet. Hidden leaks are a common problem, and they both waste water and eventually cause building damage and mold growth. We advise our customers to schedule professional leak detection every couple of years. If you’ve never had leak detection done, it’s time to check this one off. That way you’ll have leaks addressed before they become major problems.

3. Install an automatic shut-off valve

This is a defense against flooding because of a major plumbing accident, the sort of disaster that might occur when you’re on vacation and which can keep you from relaxing. The shut-off valve works with leak detection devices around the house in key areas where flooding might occur, and when water begins to accumulate they’ll shut off the water main. The valve will also close if there is a sudden drop in water pressure. The newest in shut-off valve technology will even send an alert to your phone regarding the problem.

4. Install a water softener

Your house may not need this one, but many homes in the area do, so we recommend you ask plumbers about the presence of hard water in your home. Hard water does extensive damage to plumbing and can wreck water heaters. A water softener is attached to where the water main enters the home and counteracts the hard water minerals with sodium to “soften” the water. 

5. Have the water heater flushed

You should schedule maintenance for your water heater each year to ensure it works effectively, efficiently, and safely. Your plumbers will be able to tell you when it’s time to flush out the water heater, which will remove silt build-up that will increase energy efficiency and help with the water heater’s longevity. 

6. For an older home, repipe

If your house was built before 1970, it likely has aging pipes in it made from outdated materials. It’s a good idea to consult with our plumbers about the state of your pipes (such as during leak detection) and find out if it’s time to do a partial or full repiping. 

For all your needs for plumbing in Peoria, AZ, we’re the plumbers to call.

Trust The Trusted Plumber with your plumbing in Glendale, AZ and the surrounding areas.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.davieplumbingandsupplyfl.com/?p=157

Plumbing Maintenance

Bad-Smelling Plumbing? Here Are Possible Causes

Calvin Barr

woman-covering-mouth
You don’t want your house to have the smell of a sewer drifting through it, but this can sometimes happen to even the cleanest house because of troubles with the plumbing. If your house has terrible odors making daily life unpleasant, you’ll want to know the source and have it corrected.

We’re going to look at common causes of foul smells from plumbing in Peoria, AZ. This can help you know what to do about them. Our plumbers are ready to help make your house smell fresh again, and we have 24-hour emergency service to correct any plumbing disaster you run into.

ONE: Problems with the sewer line

We’ll start with a worst-case scenario, but unfortunately a common trouble for residential plumbing systems. The sewer odors in your house may actually be emanating from the sewer line itself. When the sewer line is in regular working shape, it moves wastewater from the drains in your house out to the municipal sewer line without you noticing. But if the line develops breaches, clogs, or root infiltration, it will begin to push sewer gas the wrong direction through the plumbing. The odors are a warning: unless the sewer line issue is addressed, actual sewage backup will eventually occur. You need professional plumbers on the job ASAP!

TWO: Blocked drain vents

Drain vents are the pipes that allow sewer gas to escape up through outlets in the top of the house. This prevents a buildup of pressure between the sewer line and the drains. If these escape-route pipes become clogged, they will push gas up through the drains. 

THREE: The dried p-trap

Here’s an easy one you can fix yourself. Can you track the bad odors to a single drain? If so, is this a drain that hasn’t been used in a few weeks? Then the trouble is that the p-trap—the curved section of pipe that holds a barrier of water—has dried out and sewer gas is rising through it. Simply run water down the drain for a minute or so to restore the p-trap’s water barrier. 

FOUR: The dirty garbage disposal

When you consider how much food waste goes down your kitchen’s garbage disposal on a regular basis, it’s surprising that it doesn’t develop odors more often. But disposals are designed to rapidly move ground-up waste into drain lines and leave little residue. The residue can build up over time, and if the disposal is malfunctioning it can cause a large accumulation of rotten food. The disposal may need to be cleaned, although for older units (more than 10 years) it may be better to replace it.

FIVE: Bacteria

This an issue you may encounter from the shower drain. Bacteria can develop within a substance called “biofilm” that grows inside shower drains because of soap, shampoo, and other body-cleaning products accumulating. It can affect other drains as well, and the best approach to solving this problem is with drain cleaning. No, don’t use chemical drain cleaners! They won’t solve the issue. It takes professionals drain cleaning to wipe out a biofilm buildup in drains. 

Trust The Trusted Plumber! Call us for emergency plumbing repair in Glendale, AZ and the surrounding areas. 

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.davieplumbingandsupplyfl.com/?p=154

Plumbing Services

Do Tankless Water Heaters Have Any Drawbacks?

Calvin Barr

tankless water heater
If you’re asking this question, it means you’re likely looking at water heaters in Surprise, AZ as a replacement for your old one. If this is the first time you’ve considered a tankless water heater, we understand why you have plenty of questions and maybe a touch of skepticism. After all, many installers talk up the huge benefits of going with a tankless water heater—we certainly have

But any reputable plumbing contractor will tell you that a tankless water heater isn’t the right installation for every home and every situation. Sometimes the right storage tank water heater will do a great job for a household. 

Tankless water heaters do have several drawbacks that may affect your decision to purchase one. Some of these won’t apply to your house, or the benefits will far outweigh them. Make sure you work with our professionals to help you with the choice so you have the best water heater for your home. 

The price

This is simple: tankless water heaters are more expensive units than conventional storage tank water heaters. Because of their high energy efficiency and extended service lives, tankless systems can pay back their cost over only a few years. However, the initial price may not match your current budget plans. Talk to our technicians about the long-term savings and your best options.

Efficiency concerns in larger homes

A tankless water heater is best suited for small and medium-sized households. This is because, although they won’t run out of hot water, they can be overwhelmed if multiple hot water taps are on at the same time. If your household has multiple showers running in the morning or you have several hot water-appliances that must run simultaneously, it may cut into a tankless water heater’s efficiency. One solution is to install more than one tankless water heater for a larger house, but this also affects the budget. 

Hard water concerns

If a home has hard water, it may have a negative effect on a tankless water heater. Hard water in general is harmful to any type of water heater, but even a small amount of mineral deposits inside a tankless unit will harm water flow. For homes with hard water that don’t already have a water softener installed, it may be necessary to include a water softener installation along with the new tankless water heater.

Slower hot water delivery

A storage tank water heater has a supply of hot water ready to send to the taps. A tankless water heater must heat up water when the taps come on, so there is usually a longer delay from when the tap turns on until the water reaches it. 

Temperature fluctuations

The water temperature coming from a tankless water heater has more fluctuations than from storage tank water heaters. You might feel an initial rush of hot water, only to have it lose temperature and quickly heat up again. Most people soon become used to this, but it is technically a drawback.

Find out more about the ideal new water heater for your house. Just Trust The Trusted Plumber!

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.davieplumbingandsupplyfl.com/?p=151

Plumbing Maintenance

Here’s How You May Be Wasting Water and Not Know It

Calvin Barr

faucet-dripping
No homeowner sets out to wastewater on purpose. There’s no reward in that! The problem is that it’s easy to unintentionally wastewater and then continue to let it happen. You’re probably using more water than you need to right now and be unaware of it. Even higher bills may not alert you, because if the problem has been going on long enough, the bill will always be high!

When it comes to household plumbing in Surprise, AZ, we’re the experts. We’ve often helped our customers enjoy better plumbing and save water, so we know about the many ways households can wastewater. We’re going to look at seven ways you may be wasting water and what you can do about it.

ONE: Overlong showers

Yes, you’ve heard this one. We want to repeat it, because cutting down on the time spent running water in the shower can make an enormous difference in monthly water consumption. We recommend you time your showers. If they are over five mins, even if it doesn’t seem long to you, it’s still too long. 

TWO: Unfixed leaks

Hidden leaks is the source of one trillion gallons of water going to waste across the country each year. Of course, it’s difficult to notice a leak that’s hidden, but you can watch for signs. If you suspect hidden leaks or you’ve never had your house checked for them, call our plumbers for leak detection services.

THREE: Running the dishwasher that’s not full

Did you know that using the dishwasher to handle cleaning the dishes uses less water than washing them by hand? It’s true—but only if the washer is used to the fullest, i.e. when it’s full. Running a half-loaded dishwasher is wasteful. (We also recommend using the “light” setting on the dishwasher to help reduce consumption.)

FOUR: Running a half-full laundry load

This is similar to the washing machine mistake. You’ll conserve water if you only run the washing machine when it’s loaded to maximum capacity. You may also wish to install a new washing machine with water-saving features if your current one is more than ten years old. (Look for the WaterSense label.)

FIVE: Keeping an old toilet

The standard toilet, depending on its age, uses from 2–6 gallons per flush. New low-flow toilet models use less than 1½ gallons per flush. Making the change from an old toilet to a low-flush one will have a big impact on water use in your house because the toilet accounts for the highest amount of indoor water consumption. We install low-flow models and are happy to help you with the upgrade.

SIX: Running the water while you brush your teeth

We don’t know why people often have the faucet running during their teeth-brushing regimen, but it’s common. Try to break this habit, because it does make a difference. 

SEVEN: Unnecessary toilet flushes

Please don’t use your toilet as a trash can! It’s only for human waste and toilet paper. Using it to dispose of other items not only wastes water, it risks creating clogs. 

We’re here to help you to save water: new installations, leak detection, and more much more.

You can trust in The Trusted Plumber! Call us for plumbing service in Glendale, AZ and the surrounding areas.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.davieplumbingandsupplyfl.com/?p=148

Plumbing Tips

4 Plumbing Problems That May Not Look Like Emergencies, But Are

Calvin Barr

woman-with-plumber
What counts as a “plumbing emergency” in your home? The easy answer to this is “Whatever feels like an emergency to you, the homeowner.” It’s a good adage, because even if you’re wrong about whether the plumbing problem you’re facing is an emergency or not, you’ll be glad you had the trouble investigated. Better to be cautious and avoid a big disaster.

There’s more to defining emergency plumbing needs, however. Sometimes, plumbing emergencies hide behind what look like lesser issues. Things that just don’t feel like big deals. Troubles you can get to later. These are the truly tricky and dangerous emergency plumbing jobs, because you’re much less likely to treat them as such and call us for emergency plumbing in Glendale, AZ to get the issue fixed before it becomes a major problem. 

To help, we’ve listed four plumbing problems you may encounter that may seem mild, but are a good reason to call our plumbers ASAP.

#1. Water spots on the ceiling

Discolored spots on the ceiling are leaks, and you probably know that. If you notice these spots developing on the ceiling of rooms of your two-story house, it might seem like something you can get to at a more convenient time. But these leaks are serious business: they’re likely coming from bathroom plumbing (check to see which room is above the discoloration) and mean that water damage has already occurred and spread. This not only wastes water, it weakens the building material and could even cause collapse. The quicker this is solved, the less expensive and extensive the repairs.

#2. Multiple slow drains 

A slow drain is an annoyance, but because it’s not a full clog, people will often ignore them or simply deal with them rather than call a plumber. A slow drain isn’t usually an emergency, although we recommend you move sooner on this rather than let it get worse. But when multiple drains in your house are slow, something is wrong deeper in the drainage system, and it might be trouble with the sewer line. Sewer line repairs are always emergencies, since you may end up with no drainage at all or sewage backing up into the house. 

#3. Red discoloration in the hot water

You’ll see a reddish color in the water from a tap that hasn’t been turned on in weeks, but after a few seconds it will clear up. If you see this discoloration coming from a hot water tap and it doesn’t clear up, it probably means the water heater is rusted through and on the verge of a full breakdown. At this point, the water heater will probably need to be replaced, and you’ll want plumbers on the job fast before your hot water is gone. 

#4. Water pressure suddenly drops

The water coming from the taps is abruptly much weaker than before. Maybe not impossible to work with, but noticeable. This might be a municipal issue (see if the neighbors have a similar problem). If it’s not, we recommend calling for plumbing assistance right away, as there may be trouble in the home’s water main. 

Call The Trusted Plumber no matter what you need for plumbing help. We have emergency plumbing available!