Tag Archives: home repairs

Leaky Basement Repairs

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Why Hiring a Professional Local Contractor for Your Residential Plumbing Job Is the Best Option

Of all the things we take for granted, water is one of the most dangerous ones. You won’t realize it unless you face a leakage problem in the basement. What starts as a dysfunctional pipe or tap  will creep deep into the foundation resulting in damage beyond your DIY repairs.

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If not repaired properly, the damage will continue to grow, and the issues will soon go out of hand. To save yourself all the trouble, basement waterproofing and foundation repair jobs must be left for plumbing professionals who are trained and well-equipped to deal with them.

If you are still stuck on the idea of doing it on your own, make sure you have assessed the risks and resultant problems. Since professional local contractors are used to cleaning up a mess made by DIY efforts, there are a few reasons most of them believe that hiring a professional for residential pluming jobs is the best option:

Assessment is Easy

Professional waterproofing contractors are well-equipped. They don’t just have the technology but also the experience that allows them to assess the damage and identify the problem in the least possible time.

There are a variety of options for waterproofing repairs. Unless you have experience, your do-it-yourself job may cost  big dollars. If you haven’t diagnosed the problem correctly, you may end up making the wrong choice, such as only using waterproof paint or patching a leak with a sealant. Both of these options will fail if you have heavy rains or freezing temperatures. A professional can offer a custom-tailored solution for your problems since all leaks are different and may have an inside or outside cause for a particular location.

You Can Miss the Mold

When it comes to basement leakage and foundation damage, the problem may be bigger than it seems. If doing it yourself, you might focus on one problem and miss other causes. Professionals, on the other hand, look for all causes such as mold, which commonly goes undetected until it becomes a huge issue. There are a variety of mold species that may cause damage to your piping systems.  An experienced professional can analyze the type of mold and pinpoint the most effective means of destroying it.

Save Time and Money

When you hire professionals for residential plumbing jobs, such as repairing your leaky basement and damaged foundation, they ensure that the solution is long lasting. They take less time to provide a service that offers great value in the long run. You won’t need another repair job for years to come.

It is of paramount importance to know what the warranty from the waterproofing company covers and the validity period (10 years, 25 years, etc.). Additionally, you should also know if the warranty is transferable if you decide to sell your house.

Safety Is Important

Steady water can be dangerous as it becomes a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Exposing yourself to those risks is not a good idea for you or your family. Professionals  are well aware of the best safety practices and standards. They will keep you informed and take the necessary measures to protect you and your family.

Professionals Take Responsibility

One of the best things about working with a reputed professional local contractor is that he will take complete responsibility, even after the job is done. His work is guaranteed, and you can rest assured that you will be satisfied when the job is completed.

You Pay Only Once for Waterproofing!

Often the job done by a do-it-yourselfer does not address the source of the problem or is not the right solution for the repair needed, so the job becomes even more costly when he has to pay a professional to clean up his failed work and do the repair correctly.

You may think using the services of a professional is a costly option, but for most plumbing jobs that require minor repairs, the total cost ranges from $200-$350. For jobs that require major repairs, the total cost ranges from $2,000-$15,000. However, an average homeowner spends a little over $7,000 on basement waterproofing.

Bottom Line – Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should!

Basement waterproofing and foundation repair are tricky residential plumbing jobs and should be left to professionals. However, finding a good local contractor is the key.  Look for references and recommendations from previous customers. (A reputable company will be happy for you to hear from satisfied customers.) Check the Better Business Bureau’s rating to see if there are any complaints and whether complaints have been resolved. Check resources such as Angie’s List.

You  also need to know if the company you have decided to hire is licensed, bonded, and insured, and whether it uses subcontractors to get jobs done or does all the work themselves.

Once you have collected the information you need, you can hire a company that meets your unique needs and preferences.

 

 

 

Water Heater Repair

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Know When Your Plumbing Job Is Outside of Your Skill Set!

We have all been there—getting into the shower only to realize there’s no hot water.  For water-heater-repair2most of us, water heaters are easy to ignore until suddenly we are forced to take cold showers, and unfortunately, it’s too late by then.

To avoid costly repairs, it is important to have regular maintenance checkups scheduled. Regular checkups will not only make your water heater work better but will also extend its life.

Water Heaters – Common Issues

There are a number of issues that may impede the proper functioning of water heaters. Some of these are as follows:

  • Sedimentation – Often water heaters build sediments that may cause damage to the tank. It will be necessary get the tank drained in order to remove these sediments completely. To be certain there are not other potential issues, your best option might be to contact a professional.
  • Rust – If you notice metal particles or find that there’s rust in your tank’s water, contact a professional without wasting any time. These may indicate that there is a problem with the anode rod, and you might need to get the rod changed. To retard corrosion inside the tank, don’t wait till the anode rod fails altogether to replace it; this may also extend the life of your water heater.
  • Corrosion – If there is corrosion in the water heater lining, your water heating unit may start leaking. Moreover, if the drain pan located under your water heating unit has completed its life or was installed incorrectly, it may cause damage to your floors, walls, or ceilings depending on its location within the house.

The Million Dollar Question: Repair or Replace?

When faced with issues involving your water heating unit, how do you know if the unit needs to be repaired or replaced? The answer is fairly simple. If repair costs  exceed the total cost of replacing your water heating unit, it would be a better option to get it replaced instead of spending money on repairs.

Contact a Professional Plumbing Contractor for Your Plumbing Jobs

One of the best things about working with a respected professional local contractor is that he will take complete responsibility for his work. Just be sure to find out what kind of guarantee he offers.  An ethical contractor will stand behind his company’s work, and he will serve you until you are completely satisfied and the value is delivered.

 

DIY Plumbing Repairs to Save Your Money

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One of the most annoying things to a homeowner are those pesky drips and leaks that diy-plumbing-repairhappen from time to time. They can be expensive to fix if you have to call someone for plumbing repairs, but they can be an easy fix if you know what to look for yourself. If not repaired promptly,  they will cause more damage and lead to more costs down the road. Leaks can also drive up your utility bill, especially a hot water leak that causes your hot water heater to operate more than it should. We all know that the more your hot water heater runs, the higher your utility bill will be. Take a look around your home and inspect all your water sources to make sure these leaks are not a problem, and make the plumbing repairs necessary to save your money.

  • Cut-off valves:

At each place that water is supplied to your fixtures, such as bathroom faucets or toilets, there should be a valve coming from the wall. This is your cut-off valve (also called shut-off valve). It will cut off the water supply to your plumbing fixture in the event that you have to replace the fixture. If you have a leak at this point, you should cut off your main water source and replace your valve.

  • Leaky faucets or kitchen sinks:

This can be an easy fix if you know what to look for. This leak is often caused by worn washers that are inside your faucet. To check, turn off your cut-off valve, then remove the knobs on your faucet. (Look at the knobs to determine how to remove them.) After you remove the knobs, you will see a valve seat. You will see a part of the valve seat that looks similar to a nut—where you can place a wrench. Use a wrench to loosen the valve and remove it. Some valves have a rubber seal at the bottom. This seal may be worn and need to be replaced. Your valve may have a rubber O-ring instead; this also needs to be replaced. These worn seals and O-rings will allow water to pass through and cause your faucet to drip. This is a simple plumbing repair that will save you money and trouble down the road.

  • Bathroom commode:

Listen to the tank on the back of your toilet to see if it is always running. If it doesn’t shut off after each flush, you need to replace the insides of your tank. This is easier to accomplish than you might think. You can go to your local hardware store and purchase a kit that contains all of the parts needed to replace the insides of your toilet. Before you make any repairs to your toilet, be sure to turn the shut-off valve off.

  • Supply lines:

Supply lines are located between the shut-off valve and your plumbing fixture. The ends that are attached to the cut-off valve of your fixture will often develop a leak. Usually the rubber seal at the end of the supply line is worn. These lines can easily be replaced with the use of a wrench.

These are just a few things to check out if you do have an annoying leak. You can perform these simple plumbing repairs yourself and save!  However, if you do not have the time to accomplish these tasks, you can contact your local plumber, and he will be more than happy to take care of the problem for you.