Serenity Plumbing Inc Archives - Serenity Plumbing Inc

3 Methods to Prevent Sewer Line Clogs

Ways to Avoid Drain and Sewer Line Blockages

A blocked sewer line can cause a lot of unfortunate issues for homeowners. It can cause drains to back up, foul odors to seep into the house, toilets to clog, and other problems. But perhaps the biggest risk is its negative impact on family members’ health. Raw sewage leaks on a property can put the entire household’s health at risk.

Fortunately, property owners can avoid these issues by using tips from experienced plumbers to prevent sewer line clogs, including booking routine drain cleaning services, utilizing mesh drain screens, and knowing what foods cannot go down the kitchen sink drain.

Drain Cleaning

One of the best ways for homeowners to prevent clogged sewer lines is to schedule regular drain cleaning services with a professional. Over time, pipes can accumulate a build-up of debris and residue, which causes clogs. Experts can eliminate clogs and reduce the risk of a blockage forming with sewer line cleanouts.

When professionals arrive, they will perform cleaning services and inspect the line for defects and other issues. One issue they might encounter is a large blockage, such as from an intruding tree root. If plumbers spot the signs of a tree root invasion, they will use specialized methods to remove it, such as hydrojet drain cleaning, and then perform sewer line repair to fix the damage or cracks from tree roots entering the line.

Mesh Drain Screens

Some causes of sewer line blockages are food, hair, and other debris that goes down the drains. Homeowners can prevent these things from going down their drains and causing clogs by purchasing and using mesh drain screens in their drains throughout the house.

They can be used in bathroom sink, shower, and bathtub drains to collect hair and over kitchen sink drains to collect food scraps before they go down the drain and form blockages in drain or sewer lines. Mesh drain screens are inexpensive, easily installed by homeowners, and easy to remove and clean.

Don’t Put Food Down the Drain

One easy way for households to avoid clogs in sewer lines is to be careful what they put down the drains. This can include what food scraps go down the kitchen sink. Many homeowners might think that if they have a garbage disposal, they can put any food scraps down the drain without issue. However, this is false. Even with garbage disposals, many foods can cause clogs and problems with the garbage disposal and should go in the trash instead.

Certain types of food should never go down the drain, including:

Cooking oils, fats, or grease
Coffee grounds
Eggshells
Pasta, rice, and other starches
Nuts
Stringy vegetables like celery and asparagus
Bones

If homeowners suspect they have a clog, they should call a plumber to remove the blockage with drain cleaning.

About Serenity Plumbing Inc

Serenity Plumbing Inc. is a family-owned and operated company serving Midlothian and the surrounding areas since 2017. They offer flat rate prices, on-time service, and the latest technology. Call them today for drain cleaning services in Midlothian, VA.

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Crucial Plumbing Lessons for Homeowners

Plumbing Essentials for Property Owners to Know

Homeowners don’t need to know everything about their plumbing systems. This is what plumbers are for. However, property owners must understand some plumbing basics to help prevent costly plumbing problems, high water bills, and water damage to their homes.

Expert plumbers recommend that homeowners know how to recognize the signs that their plumbing systems are malfunctioning and need repairs or replacements. They also need to schedule routine maintenance to prevent major plumbing issues from occurring. This blog post will share some important information for people to know about their plumbing.

Plumbing Fixtures

The components of the plumbing system homeowners most often use are their plumbing fixtures. Family members use faucets, toilets, and showers daily for basic hygiene. It’s essential for these fixtures to work correctly and for homeowners to spot signs of wear and tear, issues, and inefficiencies as soon as possible.

To make plumbing fixtures more water efficient, helping homeowners save money on water costs, plumbers recommend that homeowners schedule plumbing fixture installations and replace old fixtures with new, more efficient ones, including:

Low-flow, water-saving toilets use less water per flush, saving water.
Dual-flush toilets save water by providing different flushing options based on whether the waste is liquid or solid.
Low-flow showerheads provide quality water pressure while using less water.
Faucet aerators add air into the water, which allows households to use less water without changing the water pressure.

Common Signs of Plumbing Issues

Plumbing problems can cause significant water damage to a home, cause a spike in water bills, cause a backup, or other issues. Even what might seem like a small leak can waste a ton of water and money. To avoid damage and more costs, plumbers recommend that homeowners understand how to identify the signs that their plumbing systems are malfunctioning so they can quickly schedule repairs.

Some signs of plumbing problems that plumbers recommend property owners watch for include:

Spikes in the water bill: Unexplained higher water bills indicate water is being wasted from a leak.
Dripping or leaking: Leaks from any part of the system, including fixtures like faucets, must be fixed quickly. If not fixed right away, it can lead to larger problems and costs.
Slow drains: Slow-draining sinks, showers, bathtubs, or drains can indicate a clog.
Clogged toilets: While these can be common, tough clogs or frequently clogging toilets should be handled by a plumber, as they could indicate a clog in the sewer line.
Low water pressure: Poor water pressure from faucets or showerheads can indicate several issues, such as a leak or a clog in the plumbing system.
Foul odors: Bad smells coming from the drains and toilets could signal an issue with the sewer line.
Running toilets: These can annoy households and waste money but can typically be easily repaired by plumbers.
Discolored water: This can signal corrosion in the water heater or piping system.

Regular Plumbing Maintenance

When plumbers advise homeowners on how to prevent damage to their plumbing system, one of the biggest tips they offer is to schedule annual plumbing maintenance and tune-up services. These appointments will keep plumbing systems working correctly and efficiently and allow plumbers to identify issues and repair them before they get worse – or require emergency plumbing repairs. Plumbing maintenance also helps extend the life expectancy of the plumbing.

During an inspection of a home’s plumbing system, experts will perform the following tasks:

Check for signs of leaking in faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures.
Ensure toilets are operating correctly, and check the toilet’s base for leaks.
Inspect the drains for clogs. If there is a blockage, they will then perform drain cleaning services.
Check the water pressure.
Examine the pipes for signs of leaks, aging, and corrosion.
Inspect the water heater for leaks or corrosion.
Drain and flush the water heater’s hot water tank to remove corrosive sediment.
Check the water heater to determine if it is operating correctly and if the anode rod needs to be replaced.

About Serenity Plumbing Inc

Serenity Plumbing Inc. is a family-owned and operated company serving Midlothian and the surrounding areas since 2017. They offer on-time service, straightforward pricing, and the latest technology. Call them today for plumbing services in Midlothian, VA.

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When Households Need Repiping

Signs Repiping Is Needed

Replacing the piping throughout a house is likely not something many homeowners think about when planning out home repair projects. However, when home repiping is needed, scheduling services as soon as possible is essential. Avoiding repiping when needed can result in leaks, water damage, high water bills, mold, mildew, and other issues.

To prevent these problems, homeowners must call professionals immediately after noticing signs that repiping is needed. If a household experiences signs like frequent leaks, low water pressure, or discolored water, it’s essential to have a plumber inspect their pipes and determine if repiping is needed.

Frequent Leaks and Pipe Repairs

One of the first issues homeowners might notice around their home that can indicate it needs to be repiped is frequently leaking pipes or repairs. If they constantly call a plumber to inspect or repair their pipes, it can indicate a more significant issue with the piping than just a leak.

Getting worn out and damaged pipes fixed constantly can also be expensive. Scheduling multiple repairs can take a toll on a household’s budget and cause inconvenience as the property owners must keep making appointments to deal with frequent leaks. To avoid this issue and prevent frequent leaks and repairs within a plumbing system in the future, plumbers may recommend repiping a house.

Water Pressure Issues

Another issue property owners might experience that can indicate they need repiping services is if they notice reduced water pressure. Many issues can cause lower water pressure. Some indicating homeowners may need repiping services are aging and corrosion, leaks, and clogs.

Older and aging pipes can deteriorate due to corrosion which can cause clogs and buildups, reducing water pressure. If the lines are older and corroded, repiping is likely needed. Leaks and clogs may be able to be repaired but may also require pipe replacement depending on the severity and condition of the pipes.

The Water Has a Strange Color or Smell

Water discoloration or even an odd smell of water can also indicate a home needs repiping services. If pipe corrosion occurs, rust can get into the water, causing it to have a brown or yellow tint and possibly a strange metal smell. Water can also have an odd smell if there are bacteria or contaminants in it.

If homeowners notice these issues, they should call plumbers who can recommend repiping services if needed to correct these problems. Once the home is repiped, it should experience fewer plumbing problems, giving homeowners peace of mind that their plumbing is in good condition.

About Serenity Plumbing Inc

Serenity Plumbing Inc is a family-owned and operated business serving Midlothian, VA, and the surrounding communities since 2017. They provide straightforward pricing, on-time service, and financing. Call them today for repiping services in Midlothian, VA.

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Tips to Save on the Water Bill This Summer

Spend Less on Water This Summer

With hot summer weather often comes an increase in water usage. From watering the lawn and garden to playing with water toys and games and filling up pools to more showers to rinse sunscreen and sweat, Richmond, VA, homeowners might find themselves paying higher water bills than usual in the summer months. Fortunately, there are ways to conserve water and save money. Plumbers provide easy tips for households to reduce water usage in this post.

Install Water-Saving Devices

One way for homeowners to drastically reduce their water bills is to install water-saving devices for various plumbing fixtures. These upgrades can save water without compromising water pressure and convenience for residents. Some types of water-saving fixtures that can be installed include:

Low-flow showerheads: These are designed to reduce water use without compromising water pressure. They can save significant amounts of water by limiting the flow rate while still providing enough water pressure for a relaxing shower.
Faucet aerators: These are attachments that fit onto the tip of a faucet and introduce air into the water stream. They reduce the water used while maintaining good water pressure, helping to conserve water without sacrificing functionality.
Dual-flush toilets: This type of water-saving toilet offers two flushing options, a full flush, and a half flush. The full flush is used for solid waste, while the half flush is suitable for liquid waste. This allows users to choose the appropriate amount of water for each flush, resulting in water savings.
Water-saving toilets: These come in many types and use modern flushing technologies to reduce water consumption per flush. They often utilize improved bowl designs, pressure-assist mechanisms, or gravity-assisted systems to achieve effective flushing with less water.
Water-saving faucets: These incorporate features such as aerators, flow restrictors, or sensor-based controls to reduce the amount of water used during handwashing or other faucet activities.

Water the Lawn Strategically

Watering the lawn is essential during summer to keep lawns and gardens thriving despite the heat, especially during periods without rain. However, this extra water can cause utility bills to increase. An easy way to trim these costs is to be strategic about when to water the lawn and how. Experts recommend watering the lawns in the early morning, as the temperatures are cooler during this time of day, allowing the water to soak into the soil. It also minimizes evaporation, ensuring more water reaches the roots and preventing using more water than necessary.

Watering in the early morning also helps because of the reduced wind. The wind is typically calmer in the morning, which helps prevent water drift and ensures the water is distributed evenly across the lawn. When determining when to water the lawn, homeowners should also look at their local watering restrictions and check the forecast. Property owners can save more water by skipping watering and letting the rain provide moisture to their lawns if it’s going to rain.

More Ways to Limit Water Usage

Households can also reduce their water usage while performing daily routines. Saving some water with daily habit changes can add up to noticeable savings. Some more tips to save water are:

Take shorter showers: Aim for showers that last around 5 minutes to minimize water usage.
Turn off the faucet during tasks: A significant amount of water can be saved by simply turning off the water when shaving and brushing one’s teeth. Instead of leaving the water running, wet the toothbrush or razor and turn off the tap until it’s time to rinse.
Use a dishwasher: Dishwashers are generally more water-efficient than washing dishes by hand. Make sure to run the dishwasher with a full load.
Wait for a full load before doing laundry: Run the washing machine with a full load to maximize water efficiency.

About Serenity Plumbing Inc

Serenity Plumbing Inc is a plumbing company serving Midlothian, VA, and the surrounding areas since 2017. They provide flat rate prices, same-day service, and on-time service. Call them today for kitchen and bathroom plumbing services in Midlothian, VA.