plumbing advice from the pros

 Spring is here! Which means the spring cleaning tasks list have commenced. When making those “to do” lists, don’t forget to include your drain maintenance tasks! Warm weather calls for a different approach for maintenance as opposed to the cooler winter months. Performing a few basic maintenance tasks on your system will keep your plumbing in great shape and will help save you from costly repair work later! Keep reading below for five spring drain maintenance tasks that you should do this month!

 Faucet Testing

Indoor and outdoor faucets should be tested in order to ensure that they are in working order. The outdoor faucets will possibly put out some air when they are first turned on. However, this is normal if you turn the water off during winter. For the indoor faucets, you should check the hot and cold water separately.

 Inspect the Pipes

Inspecting your pipes is extremely crucial during the springtime of the year because of the temperature fluctuations. The changes in temperature can compromise the piping system which can lead to leakage or rupture. You should inspect your pipes and familiarize yourself with valves to shut it off. If you notice issues, you should call a professional plumber as soon as possible.

 Flush the Water Heater

It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year to prolong its life and drain the tank of sediment. The spring is a great time to flush your water heater. Be sure to check the temperature gauge on your heater and reset it to 120 degrees if you had it cranked up for the winter!

 Check Your Garden Hose

For many of us, spring cleaning entails yard work! Which means you need to have that hose working. You should re-attach your hose, turn on the water, and check for any leaks in your water hose. A leaky hose can make your water bill go up, so it’s better to solve this problem beforehand!

 Sump Pump Testing

April showers bring May flowers! AKA along with Spring comes the rain! The rain can cause a lot of issues if your sump pump is not in tip-top working order. Have your sump pump tested and get any repairs you may need before that first spring shower rolls in!

 If you have any questions, feel free to give us at Southeast Plumbing and Leak Detection a call. We can have one of our experts head out to your house and check on any issues you may be experiencing.

Detecting what is going wrong with a plumbing system can be difficult to determine with just the naked eye. How can you tell what is going on when it isn’t visible to you and is below ground? The solution: a plumbing camera inspection. Plumbing camera inspections come in handy and help discover issues that occur out of sight.

 What a Camera Inspection Helps Do

A camera inspection happens when a plumber uses a waterproof camera to view your pipes, which is pushed into your plumbing system. As the camera travels, a plumber is able to look inside the pipes and find potential issues.  Here’s how a camera inspection could help you.

 ●   Camera inspections are extremely accurate because it allows a plumber a visual inspection of your plumbing. Your plumber is able to tell exactly where and what the problem is, which makes it a quick way to discover the problem without wasting time on what could potentially be causing the problem.

●   Camera inspections can also help prevent future issues that may arise because it allows plumbers to tell whether there are cracks in the piping, pests, or other damage to the plumbing system.

●   Camera inspections require less labor than a plumber would have to do if they had to dig at the sewer line or if they were to cut into walls to access pipes.

 Does Your Plumbing Need a Camera Inspection?

While some issues occur at the surface, everything is connected to one main sewer line, so deep clogs or leaks will require professional help. There are plenty of warning sides to look for in determining when to call in the big guys.

●    Are your sinks draining slowly? This issue could be caused by a clog in the sewer line. While you can try your own declogging methods, if it doesn’t work then it is time to call a plumber.

●    If you are finding unwelcomed pests in your home, like rats and bugs, they could be coming from a crack in the sewer line. If you suspect there is a crack in your sewer line, it is crucial to have it sealed right away.

●    If your water bill is higher than usual, this could be because of a hidden leak. This can be quickly detected by a camera inspection.

●    If your sewage doesn’t go down the pipes and is coming back up, it is time to call a plumber IMMEDIATELY!

●    You should never smell sewage in your home and if you do, it could be because of a crack in the sewer line.

 Keeping your plumbing clean and functional can be a challenge, but by having a camera inspection can help make your life a little easier! Detecting potential problems early on can help you get ahead of the game and could help spare you some money!

  Southeast Plumbing & Leak Detection, LLC provides a broad spectrum of services that include repair, installation, full replacement, and ongoing maintenance. We are Baldwin County’s most trusted plumbing service.

That horrible moment when you drop your favorite piece of jewelry down the drain is bound to happen at some point! Contrary to popular belief, it is not gone forever! So, the next time you drop your beloved jewelry down the drain, get ready to jump into action to save it. Below are five tips for retrieving things that have fallen down the drain.

 Break Out a Magnet

Believe it or not, a magnet may do the trick of saving your jewelry when dropped down the drain. If you have a magnet, attach a string to it and slowly lower the magnet into the drain. When you pull the string back up, you will need to do it slowly in order to not drop it back down the drain. If it doesn’t work out on your first attempt, try to use a longer string and if that doesn’t work it is time to attempt further measures.

 It’s Tool Time

If you can’t grab whatever you dropped down the drain yourself, a tool just might do the trick! Most stores sell fair priced four-pronged tools that will fit into narrow spaces and are able to grab smaller pieces of jewelry. Shine some light down the drain and you should be able to retrieve it more easily!

 Install a Drain Guard

If you have a drain guard installed, you won’t have to go fishing for that lost piece of jewelry you just dropped down the drain! A drain guard serves as a filter to catch items before they disappear into your drain. This is a great tool to utilize if you are a little on the clumsy side, or paranoid about losing items.

 Take Apart the P-trap

If your item has fallen down into your pipes, it could be in the P-trap. If you remove the P-trap, you can empty the contents and successfully retrieve the piece of jewelry you have lost. You will need to prepare by putting on gloves and laying a sheet on your floor because this could get messy!

 Call a Professional

When all else fails, call Southeast Plumbing and Leak Detection! When your attempts are unsuccessful, we can help you retrieve the item out of your drain. We have the right tools to retrieve the items you have lost, without the possibility of damaging your plumbing system!

 Southeast Plumbing & Leak Detection, LLC provides a broad spectrum of services that not only includes retrieving lost items in drains, but also repair, installation, full replacement, and ongoing maintenance. We are Baldwin County’s most trusted plumbing service. Visit us online at www.southeastplumbingleakdetection.com.

Have you ever heard of the term, backflow? Do you know what it means? Southeast Plumbing & Leak Detection is here to answer these questions for you!

 What is backflow?

Backflow is a plumbing term that describes an unwanted flow of water, in the opposite direction. In the circulatory system, it can be referred to as regurgitation or reflux.

 Why is it important?

It is a serious health risk. Backflow contaminates potable water with foul water, which, naturally you do not want to occur, as it risks your water being completely contaminated.  

 Why does it happen?

There are two main causes of backflow, back pressure and backsiphonage.

 Back pressure means that there is higher pressure in the system than its supply, meaning the pressure has increased, leaving unvented heating and thermal expansion.

 Backsiphonage means that the pressure has lowered below the system - meaning it has been interrupted or drained in a downward spiral.

 What are the risk levels?

Here are a few ways you may find your plumbing affected by backflow:

●      Potable water (No Risk)

●      Water Heated (Just aesthetically displeasing)

●      Cold Water Storage (Hazardous because of substances of low toxicity)

●      Pesticides (Significant Hazard)

●      Human Waste (Serious Health Risk)

 How do you fix Backflow?

In most residential cases, you will need a device to install in your pipe that allows water to go to your sprinkler system - it is called a pressure type vacuum breaker. It constantly will monitor your water pressure to prevent backflow in your supply.

 We recommend calling one of our professionals at Southeast Plumbing and Leak Detection so we can assist you in preventing and fixing your backflow worries. Southeast Plumbing & Leak Detection, LLC provides a broad spectrum of services that include repair, installation, full replacement, and ongoing maintenance. We are Baldwin County’s most trusted plumbing service. 

When it gets cold outside, you might grab an extra jacket out of the coat closet to protect your body from the elements. But, do you prep your house, including plumbing, for cold weather? This can be non-negotiable in saving you valuable time and money, not to mention, avoiding frozen pipes!

  Here’s a checklist to prepare your plumbing for cold weather from our expert plumbers.

 1.      Shut Off Outdoor Faucets

Turn off any outdoor faucets directly at the valve. Be sure to drain any water, if not, the pipe could still freeze and crack.

2.      Wrap Your Outdoor Pipes

Be sure to insulate outdoor pipes to protect from harsh weather conditions. This is especially important in an unheated area, such as a crawl space, attic, or garage. You can buy pipe insulation for under $5.00.

 3.      Drain Your Water Heater

Sediment can build up in your tank, causing rust. We don’t want that to leak into your drinking or bath water. If you’re seeing rusty water now, you may want to consider replacing your heater prior to harsher freezes.

 4.      Fix Lingering Leaks

Stop any leaks now to reduce further problems in the future.

 5.      Put Away the Outdoor Hoses

We anticipate you won’t be playing outdoors much in the next several weeks, so be mindful of harsh weather exposure by putting away your outdoor hoses.

 6.      Shut Off the Water

When you visit friends and family outside of town, make sure to shut off your water. This will help prevent waste since even small drips can freeze in the pipes without consistent water flow.

 7.      Insulate Your Garage Door

If you have water lines in the garage, insulate your door (not necessarily your whole garage). Portable heaters may also be necessary in the garage.

8.      Keep a Consistent Temperature

Maintain a consistent temperature on your thermostat. This will help keep your energy levels stable and keep your house warm. You can even turn it up a few degrees.

 9.      Leave Your Faucet Dripping at Night

This will keep water flowing through your pipes and help reduce stop freeze. Think of a dripping faucet like a relief valve for pressure.

Valentine’s Day is such a beautiful time, reserved for lovers, poets, dreamers and…plumbers? Your view of the special day might inspire thoughts of roses in candlelight complete with a significant other dressed to the nines. But St. Valentine would like for us to celebrate everyone that is important in our lives on his special day, even if we only think of them when we need them. When it comes to our home life, few fit this bill more than our plumbers. These men and women are there for us when disaster strikes at any time, any day. They’re happy to rush over when our kid shoves that toy down the toilet, flooding the bathroom or when we accidentally drop our ring down the kitchen sink. So, this year show your appreciation for that all-important fixture in your life and start making plans about what to get your plumber for Valentine’s Day with these ideas from Southeast Plumbing and Leak Detection.

Long Shirts Let’s just be honest; one of the things these do-it all guys are most notorious (read: infamous) for is “plumber crack” for lack of a better term. Help them combat the problem with some long button-up shirts. Whether they let the shirt hang out or tuck it in, the tail will keep everything above board while your family hangs out during repairs. There are many workingman brands now that specifically make long tailed garments for these situations. Invest in a few for your plumber.

Head Light or New Flashlight Help shed some light on those dark areas under sinks, around pipes and even under the house—in case your situation has become that dire. Gift wrap a nice new headlight and/or a small hand-held flashlight that will fit in pockets while shedding maximum wattage.

Cologne or Perfume Plumbing is a nasty and smelly business. Help them mask the scent with a nice new cologne or perfume. They dig through a lot of crap (pun intended) for us, so help them ease the unpleasant aroma with some chemically formulated scents.

Poo-Pourri While you’re helping your plumber get rid of any smells, give them the opportunity to spread that love on their own time. Chances are these workers spend a majority of their day around toilets that are emitting horrifying smells. When it’s time for them to take care of their own “business,” a bit of Poo-Pourri will help make the entire experience more pleasant—at least in the olfactory sense.

Kneeling Pad With how much time these guys spend on their knees peeking under faucets, it’s bound to take a toll. A nice, thick kneeling pad can help put off years of wear and tear and make you their favorite customer.

Pipe Clamp Every workingman seems to have adopted an unofficial motto: “You can never have too many clamps.” This is especially true when you’re working with pipes, having to constantly shut them on and off, cutting and reconnecting the maze. Throw a clamp into their tool set for a gift that will constantly be used.

Waterproof Socks When you flood the bathroom in the middle of the night and call in a professional for help, take heart for what they’re wading into—literally. Waterproof socks are something few people would think of but everyone will want, especially someone who has to spend hours on end working through water.

Now that you’ve wrapped your head around the idea of lavishing your plumber on the day of love, decide what to get your plumber for Valentine’s Day with these handy tips from Southeast Plumbing and Leak Detection.

If you are looking for professionals to check your plumbing system or inspect a new or existing home, then contact Southeast Plumbing & Leak Detection today. We provide a broad spectrum of services that include repair, installation, full replacement, and ongoing maintenance. We are Baldwin County’s most trusted plumbing service. 

From teenagers who brush their hair a little too harsh to toddlers flushing action figures down the toilet even to grease going down the drain after dinner. We have all been there - stressing over how to unclog the drain.

Hair in the Shower

It is bound to happen, losing hair is as natural as it is growing it but, some of us lose a little more than average and that can be a problem with your drains. Take a moment if you notice clumps of hair in the shower to gather up what you can to eliminate the risk of clogging. Also, hair in the shower just doesn’t look very hygienic.

Toys…

If your child has spontaneously decided that one of his favorite toys wanted to go for a dive then you are most surely stressing now about how to get it out of there.

-          Remove all water from toilet

-          If you see the toy grab it with a glove on.

-          The toy may not be visible so you will need to fish it out with something thin like a coat hanger

-          By now you should have retrieved the toy and you are now the hero of the day. Take a moment to clean the toy as well considering where you just pulled it out of.

Unclogging     with Dish Soap

There are a few cases where it is necessary to call a plumber, however, there are few cases where dish soap comes in handy. ¼ of a cup in the toilet bowl will do the trick. Wait 5-10 minutes and add warm (not boiling) water. Let sit to allow soap to reach down the clog and flush.  

Grease    

Many times too often people have this genius idea to pour cooking oil down the drain, this is a huge reckless idea that will backfire immediately. Take the time to find a container that you can put cold grease into and dispose of it appropriately. This will help the environment and the drain.

It is always a good idea to run some dish soap in your drain to keep it from getting clogged. If you are ever in a pinch to pull a toy from a toilet grab a hanger and drain the toilet and hope for the best. Nature and your drain will thank you greatly when you dispose of oil in the correct manner as well.

 Southeast Plumbing & Leak Detection, LLC provides a broad spectrum of services that include repair, installation, full replacement, and ongoing maintenance. We are Baldwin County’s most trusted plumbing service. If you are experiencing a clogged drain visit us online at www.southeastplumbingleakdetection.com.

 Every year, on New Year’s Eve, we spend time in contemplation and excitement as we consider the things that went well for us in the last year. We then decide what we want to accomplish in the new year. While studies show that many of us fail within the first month, there are ways to make sure that we succeed. Setting small, achievable goals and building on each one for future successes is a great way to grow as a person.

This year, make another list. Apply the same ideas to your home. See if you can get some of those things done that seem to always be looming on the project list, but never get finished and checked off. Here are a few New Year resolution ideas for your home:

·         January: Make a list of projects that you need to accomplish and the ones that never seem to get done. Use a 1-2-3 system to prioritize. Number 1 is for those things which are integral to the health of the home and its residents, such as getting the septic system pumped or rewiring the house. Number 2 is for those improvements that would add value but are not going to damage anything if they don’t get done, such as the new outdoor kitchen. Number 3 is reserved for the things that live in your head, but you never seem to get to, because of other priorities. This means cleaning and organizing closets, changing water filters in the house and refrigerator, re-designing the pantry, and other such things. Hang this list where you can see it. Be sure you change your furnace filter this month and every month for a healthy house.

·         It may not be feasible to get everything on the list accomplished in 2018, but now you have a roadmap. Prioritize the list numbered 1, based on importance, and then decide which ones MUST be done and CAN be worked into the budget. Write a target month beside them.

·         Review the list of number 2 items and pick one or two items that you would like to get done. Assign a month to those. If you have huge financial offsets with the items in number 1, choose things that can be accomplished with less money and more labor, such as building gardens or re-doing some of the landscaping.

·         The remaining months are going to be “back of the list” months, or number 3 months. You will not believe how rejuvenating it will be to see these little things go away. You may have dreamed of that new pantry for ten years, or looked at that old deck that you need to haul away. You should have several months left, depending on the number of larger projects that you have selected. We know someone who takes two long weekends each summer and does “back of the list” projects with vacation time. She claims that those are the highlight of her summer as she gets things done.

Try this idea for one year. See how it works out for you. Even if you don’t get everything checked off, you may get something done that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Maintain your list as the year goes on.

Remember, too, that you may be able to break many projects into bite-sized pieces. You don’t have to do it all in one weekend. Seeing progress will inspire you, we promise!

And remember, if you get in over your head on any issues with plumbing, Southeast Plumbing & Leak Detection is here to get you back on track with your resolutions. We provide a broad spectrum of services that include repair, installation, full replacement, and ongoing maintenance. We are Baldwin County’s most trusted plumbing service.