Although summer isn’t quite over just yet, there’s only a few weeks left until Labor Day weekend. The climate change from summer to fall can be a difficult change for many, especially when we’re all so used to the Texas heat. Don’t be unprepared for the temperature to drop, call Rodger’s Plumbing today to set up a time to ensure your pipelines are ready to roll for when the temperature starts to change.
- Make sure that your outdoor hoses are disconnected. You would hate for your water pressure to go to waste, and when we leave hoses connected in the cooler temperatures, you’re at risk for frozen pipes. Or even worse, they could be at risk for expanding beyond their capacity. When a pipe gets too full and frozen, eventually it’ll cause the pipe to burst.
- Clean those gutters! When you remove debris and leaves from your gutters, this allows the flow of water to travel down more adequately and you can also avoid clogs that can cause a blockage of buildup. Now when your pipes begin to thaw out, water drainage will work ten times more efficiently because you have already previously removed anything that could cause a clog in the system.
- Is your sump pump up to date? In order to survive a problem free plumbing winter, you’ll want to make sure that your sump pump is in good shape. A sump pump has about a 10 year life span, so it’s important to take care of it with frequent maintenance. Sump pumps are what eliminate moisture and prevent your basements from flooding over, and if they’re not cleaned out regularly, you run the risk of excessive mold and mildew backup.
- If you have any pipes in your home that are located in certain areas that may not be as insulated as others, protect them with things like heat tape to prevent them from freezing or bursting.
- Sediment buildup can become a huge problem with any plumbing system, and expensive if it’s not treated the right way. To err on the side of caution, flush out your water heater at least every six months. Your water heater is going to want to work harder to keep up in the cooler months, and depending on your water’s mineral content you may need to flush it out more often. WARNING: Every water heater is going to be different, so make sure you consult with a professional from Rodgers Plumbing to make sure your water heater is getting the attention it needs based on its make and model.
- Call us to test your water heaters pressure relief valve. The water coming out of your pressure relief valve is extremely hot, however checking it on a consistent basis will help to diminish the chance of sediment or mineral buildup, as well as catch any leaks that may have appeared early on so that they can be fixed sooner rather than later. If the temperature or the pressure in your water gets too high, you could be facing a potential explosion. Be sure to keep in mind that if your water heater is older than five years, if you try to check the pressure relief valve you may cause it to crack and leak out anyways since you’re testing an older unit.
Summer is that time of year that everyone looks forward to. We all want to be outside, playing in the sun and having a good time. Unfortunately, these good times can put additional strain on your plumbing. Rodger’s Plumbing is here to help with a few things you should be looking out for during the summer months.
- Garbage Disposal Repair
With the increased rate of family and friend get-togethers during the summer, your garbage disposal is bound to see some extended use. Make sure you make it clear to everyone in the household that large, stringy items such as corn husks are not to be thrown down into the garbage disposal. You don’t want your garbage disposal to be clogged. Also make sure you aren’t putting greasy food such as bacon grease from those big family breakfasts down there. If you do run into a clogged or broken garbage disposal, give Rodgers Plumbing a call! - Outdoor Faucets and Spigots
Early summer months are prime time for using your outdoor faucet. Whether it be running your sprinkler, washing your car, filling up your pool; the more you use your spigot, the more likely it could lead to a leak. A leak could lead to an unexpectedly high water bill and it can leave a dark, unattractive patch of damp soil next to your home. A lot of times you can fix the leak by yourself by tightening the packing nut. If the leak persists after that, contact Rodger’s Plumbing and we can help diagnose the problem. - Sewer Pipe Maintenance
Summer storms in Texas are extremely common. If you have small cracks in your sewer line, the rain water can leak into your line and cause congestion or blockages. It is suggested to get your sewer lines inspected every year. To make sure that your pipes are prepared for the summer, call the experts at Rodgers’s Plumbing and we will check to make sure your sewer lines are in good shape.
Are you experiencing high water bills, wet groundwork boards, warm or damp spots on the floor? You may have a slab leak! A slab leak is a plumbing term for a pinhole leak that appears in a copper water line running beneath your home’s groundwork. Slab leaks tend to be common in northern Texas during the winter. When there is moisture in the air and excessive rain, water pooling occurs around the pipes. Surprisingly, Dallas holds a lot of moisture in the air which can lead to plumbing problems. These problems must be addressed immediately before they turn into a much larger and pricey production.
How do I know if I have a Slab Leak?
Slab leaks can actually be tricky to detect before serious damage occurs. Typically, an average leak is noticeable and doesn’t involve any digging into your plumbing structure. But when a slab leaks occurs within the home, the groundwork needs to be dealt with immediately. If you have slab leak you may notice your water bill increasing, along with low water pressure throughout the home or commercial estate. There may also be damp carpets or water on the floor, causing mildew or mold growth. A common detection of a slab leak is hearing water running throughout your home when no appliances are being used.
How to treat a Slab Leak?
The first thing to do if you believe you have a slab leak is give Rodger’s Plumbing a call. It is important to have a specialist inspect the home and find the source of the leak. We will also provide you with expert advice! We have the right people and exceptional equipment to find the leak fast and efficiently. Once we treat the slab leak, it is important to maintain proper water pressure throughout the home or commercial estate. Customers can have Rodger’s Plumbing come in for regular plumbing inspections to make certain there are no problems under the concrete slabs.
Dallas, Texas is unexpectedly a wet city. The rainfall and moisture can unfortunately cause unique problems with your plumbing. When moisturize gets into the groundwork and concrete, it can produce a slab leak. The slab leak can then create a fragile foundation which can turn into very dangerous conditions. It is essential to connect with a plumbing specialist at Rodger’s Plumbing. We promise that your slab leak can be treated in a timely manner with minimum damage to the foundation of your home or business property.
Although Dallas is typically a very sunny city with a pleasant and moderate climate, it is also surprisingly wet.
Dallas has an annual rainfall of 39 inches while other parts of Texas have an annual rainfall as low as 21 inches. Because Dallas can see a lot of precipitation throughout the year, it is important to be aware of possible leaks in both your pipes and water heater systems.
Why Rodger’s Plumbing?
Rodger’s Plumbing is especially experienced in water heater repair and replacement. Offering different types of water heaters and equipped with a capable and fully licensed staff, Rodger’s Plumbing is the perfect business to contact for all of your water heater needs.
What can we do for you?
There are all different types of water heaters. At Rodger’s Plumbing, we offer both tank and tankless water heaters. Tank water heaters are limited to the amount of water that the tank can hold while tankless water heaters flash-heat cold water. Just like there are pros and cons to gas versus electric heaters, tank and tankless water heaters are both ideal for different homes. For more information on specific brands, please visit the Water Heaters tab on our web page.
There is the occasional dip in temperature in the winter and the last thing you want is to take an unexpectedly cold shower. If you notice any leaks or problems with your water heater, be sure to call us for repairs right away.
Rodgers has saved the day! This is the second or third time I’ve called on them and they always come through. Their customer service is fantastic, they always show up on time and Robert fixed an issue in our home today that another plumbing company (brought in by our homeowners warranty) could not. So glad I called in for that second opinion! This probably saved us thousands of dollars! Grateful for your experience and service. Will use you again and refer you!!
Rodger’s Plumbing was responsive, quick, affordable, and their customer service was outstanding today repairing our outside hose bid faucet that broke during the 18 degree temps early this morning. They came recommended to us by a friend, and we will definitely be recommending them to others!
Wonderful and knowledgeable service at a good price!
In the Spring months of Dallas you can expect a lot of rainfall to occur. One key adjustment to make during this time is to check the condition of your sump pump. Sump pumps are key in avoiding basement or low area flooding and it is important to make sure your sump pump is working as it should.
When upcoming rainfall is on the forecast, be sure to check on your sump pump to see if it still is operating normally before the rain comes. A simple test of pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit can let you know if it is still working. The pump should then start up automatically and get to work. This is when you know you have a working sump pump.
Be sure to clean it
An overworked or dirty sump pump will not work as efficiently as a clean one. Check the sump pump’s filter screen and clean off any mud, leaves, pebbles, or any other debris that can get caught up in the filter. Clogged filters can lead to premature shutoff or even standing water. If the filter needs a cleaning, it might be a good idea to clean out the entire pump and the pit. This will require an unplugging of the entire machine and bringing it outside to clean.
Flush out the entire sump pump by disconnecting it from the system and use a hose to clear out any debris. It is important to clean out the sump pump while the machine is disconnected. The pit might collect debris over time and it is best to clean it out. After cleaning out the system, put it all back together and test it one more time by pouring water into the pit to affirm the system is still working.
Replace system often
If maintained properly, an average sump pump will last you around seven years. If your model uses a back-up battery, also check the life span of the back-up battery and replace when it is appropriate. You want to make these changes before any failure happens as this could result in a damaging flood that could cost you thousands.
If you have any sort of problems with your sump pump or you want a replacement, call Rodger’s Plumbing and we will take care of all your plumbing needs and ensure the safety of your home. Whether it is replacement, repairs or installation, Rodger’s Plumbing guarantees the best quality service.
Not all leaks are obvious and some could be happening without you even knowing about them. Leaks could be running up the cost of your water bill or even causing extensive damage to your home. They could even be hidden underground or somewhere in the walls.
If you suspect a leak, one way you can check is to stop using water in your house. After a couple of hours, check the water meters dial to see if the needle has moved. If it has, then there is a leak somewhere in your house. Call professional plumbers like us at Rodger’s Plumbing to help you find and fix the leak.
We will do a walkthrough of your house and use various methods to try and find the hidden leak in your home, including those that could be hidden underground or in the walls. If a leak is detected, Rodger’s Plumbing will find and fix the leak as quick as possible.
Even if you are not suspicious of a leak in your home, it is a safe measure to stop running water in your house for a couple hours and check the water meter dial to see if there actually is a leak in your home. This could help you save money on your water bill and prevent expensive water damage.
Do you have a backflow prevention system installed? Is the system updated and working effectively? Backflow prevention systems are crucial in making sure that your incoming water is safe from pollution and contamination.
How does my water get contaminated?
Backflow prevention ensure that dirty water leaving your house is pushed out of the way and not mixed up with the clean incoming water. Without a backflow prevention system, low water pressure can allow dirty water to flow right back into the supply lines. Human waste, bacteria, soapy water, and all outgoing substances mixed in with the dirty water can sneak back into your incoming water supply simply due to low water pressure. Low water pressure can occur after any pipe burst or any broken water line.
How do I avoid backflow?
Check often the quality of your sink water. If you start to notice any discoloration or unpleasant taste or smell, you might want to check your backflow prevention system. If you do not already have a backflow prevention system, call Rodgers Plumbing at (972) 931-1021 for a quote today! If you are unsure the quality or performance of your backflow system, give us a call and we can make sure your backflow prevention system is up and running in no time.