All About the Pipes | Charlotte Plumbing Company

Top Rated Charlotte Plumbing Company discuss issues related to plumbing in the queen city.

Best Way to Clean Faucet Aerator

clock April 4, 2013 23:33 by author Chris Vigna

Faucet Aerators can become clogged over time, causing problems with the water flow. Mineral deposits from within the water can accumulate in the faucet aerators in the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Common signs of a clogged aerator are changes in water pressure and uneven flow. For the best results, routinely clean this part of the faucet. How often it will be necessary depends on how many minerals are present in the city’s water.

Cleaning a faucet aerator is a very simple process that the home owner can do themselves. Protect the aerator with a rag to avoid any damage or scratching. Use pliers over the rag to unscrew the faucet aerator. Take the piece apart once it has been removed. There are usually three separate pieces in a standard aerator, the housing unit, main body, and the screen. Keep in mind how it comes apart to make reassembly easier. Let all pieces soak in a dish of white vinegar overnight. The next day, scrub each piece with a tooth brush to remove debris. Reassemble the faucet aerator and screw it back in place. At this point the water should run evenly and at full pressure.

In most situations this will be enough to solve the problem with the water flow. In case there is still low pressure or uneven flow, call a professional to investigate for further complications. The professional staff at All About Pipes Plumbing, Inc. can help you get your water flow back on track. Serving the Charlotte North Carolina area, we are a Better Business Bureau member and have received a super service award from Angie's List. All of our parts and labor are backed up with a two year warranty. Home owners can trust All About Pipes Plumbing. Every plumber is insured, licensed, and bonded for your peace of mind. The Charlotte Weekly Magazine rated us Best of Charlotte for exceptional service and quality work. We can help with all plumbing problems and routine maintenance, saving the homeowner time and hassles.

 

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Stop Wasting Time and Money! Install Recirculating Pump for Your Water Heater

clock March 19, 2013 18:50 by author Chris Vigna

Are utility bills eating up most of your budget? In these difficult economic times, every penny counts. You want to enjoy long, hot showers, but at the same time you also want to reduce your water consumption. The solution is to install a recirculating pump for your water heater. How does a recirculating pump help you save money?

  • No more waiting for hot water to emerge from your shower. The instant you turn on the tap, you will have hot water within seconds. Without a recirculating pump, you turn on the tap and waste several gallons of water just waiting for your water to finally heat up.
  • Your home can save as much as 31 gallons a day or 11,000 gallons a year! That amount of water is enough to fill up a 14’ x 30’ swimming pool. With this amount of water you can save per year, imagine also the amount of money you can save on your utility bills.
  • Although recirculating pumps run on electricity, they don’t consume much energy. There are also ways to reduce its energy consumption even more. For instance, you can install a timer to the pump so that the pump will just turn on just before you take a shower in the morning or when you return from work in the evening.

This Comfort system is what you need all throughout the spring season so you can continue enjoying long, hot showers. Save both time and money this spring. Check with All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. now and get a free estimate and avail special sales and discounts.

 

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Causes and Resolutions to Fix a Stuck Bathtub Drain Stopper

clock March 15, 2013 17:26 by author Chris Vigna

Chances are that if you own a home, you are going to encounter some plumbing problems. One common problem that often happens in the bathroom is that the drain stopper in your bathtub gets stuck. There are many reasons this can happen, and there are simple ways to fix it.

Some things that may cause your bathtub drain stopper to get stuck could be that there is hair clogging the drain, or some other type of obstruction such as a buildup of personal care products, or just plain soap and mildew buildup.

This can be easily taken care of by yourself, but the method you use is going to depend on how much hair is stuck in the drain. First of all you will need to go to any hardware store and buy a snake. Depending on how much hair is clogging the drain, will determine if you need an electric snake of if you can use a manual one. Most manual snakes get the job taken care of quite easily. You will then need to remove the drain cover by getting a flat head screw driver and remove the 2 screws that hold the drain stop in place. You can remove the drain stop by pulling the face plate towards you, and remove the center of the drain. Remove the hair that is visible, and then use the snake to finish the job.

If you do not own a snake, you can try unclogging the drain by using a plunger. If all else fails, you will need to contact a professional plumber, like All About the Pipes plumbing, to help you with the drain.

If you want to prevent another clog, simply buy a bathtub strainer. They are inexpensive, and will prevent hair and other objects from going down the drain.

All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. is a great plumbing company to consider for all your plumbing needs. All their work is guaranteed, and all of their plumbers are licensed, bonded, and insured. All About Pipes Plumping, Inc. is also a member of the Better Business Bureau. If you need any professional plumbing done give us a call, we service the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

     

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Finding a Whole House Clean Out Pipe: Do You Know Where Your Whole House Clean Out Pipe Is?

clock February 27, 2013 16:10 by author Chris Vigna

If you are a homeowner, knowing where your whole house clean out pipe is situated is important. It could save valuable time and money in a plumbing emergency. Drainpipes, sewer pipes, sewer lines - they are all the same and can become clogged resulting to raw sewage seeping up into your toilet, basement, or yard. When this happens the lines should be cleaned out by a professional. And if you know where the whole house clean-out pipe is, the plumbing professional can easily get to the clog.

  • Finding the clean-out pipe will be easy if you know where the septic tank is located or at least if you know which side of the house the septic tank is on. However, your clean-out pipe might be connected to the city sewer and therefore, may not be connected to the septic tank.

  • Now look under the house for the main sewage pipe that goes from the house to the septic tank. It will be about 4 inches in diameter and will be either white PVC or metal usually black. Follow the pipe to where it begins to go underneath the ground. Once you have located this, you will know which side of the house the clean out pipe is located. 

  • Begin your search on that side of the house. Usually it is located about 2 to 4 feet from where the main sewage pipe goes under the ground. The clean-out pipe will be white PVC or steel pipe sticking out of the ground with a cap on it that can be removed for cleaning out the drains or for inspecting the drains with a camera to find clogs.

Finding a home’s clean out pipe is fairly easy to do, but it may take a few tries. Hiring a professional plumber to come out and find the clean-out might be a good idea if you have a hard time locating it. Some homes don’t have clean-out pipes that are easy to find and sometimes they don’t have them at all.

If the clean-out pipe isn't located fairly soon, take your search all the way to the septic tank or the street. If you still can’t locate a clean out pipe, then the chances are good that you don’t have one. It is not uncommon for a home to not have a clean-out pipe, but it is not good to not have one either. In an emergency situation when dangerous raw sewage is backing up into your house or yard, finding that pipe is the key to quickly eliminating the problem.

Hiring a professional plumbing company like All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. can locate or install a sewage clean-out pipe in less time than you can imagine and at a better price too. They have a camera and locating device that will help easily locate the clean-out pipes. Call us today and let us help you protect your family against the dangers of a sewage back-up into your home or yard.  

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Routine Maintenance Keeps Your Home Plumbing Running Smoothly

clock February 5, 2013 20:43 by author Chris Vigna
Ongoing maintenance is an important factor concerning home plumbing, as it keeps the system up to par, which reduces the possibility of malfunctions in the future. Examples of mini disasters that can result from poor maintenance are pipe breaks, toilet leaks and abrasive flush noise, clogged shower heads, and sink problems. Other problems can affect the kitchen fixtures, and the pipes that run throughout the rest of the house. From the emergence of smelly drain odors to the pipe noises that make individuals uncomfortable, home plumbing can become defective over time if it is neglected. In order to prevent these things from happening, home owners should make routine maintenance a priority.
 
The worst thing anyone can do is attempt to put a patch on every defect. For example, if the sudden closure of a valve or pump failure causes water hammer, a noise which happens in pipe lines, a professional company should oversee what happens next. Some individuals seek to solve the issue independently, with no knowledge of what can happen next. This leads to more problems. Checking for these issues is the only independent venture that yields positive results. But patch up work is not maintenance, but is rather like placing a band aid on a deep gash that needs the care of a professional.
 
Any home is an investment, and maintaining its systems may be time consuming. But the time spent is worth the long term benefits. A smooth running plumbing system is better than one that demands repair expenses on a frequent basis. It also supports a steady utility bill that does not fluctuate. Contacting a professional business like All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. is ideal in implementing routine maintenance. The burden of addressing all inconsistencies within the plumbing system is taken off of the home owner's list of tasks.

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Choices for bathroom and kitchen faucets

clock January 7, 2013 05:21 by author Chris Vigna
Bathroom and kitchen faucets are seen and used very frequently. It is important to choose quality faucets that are easy to use and that have the finish and features that you desire. The kitchen is a high traffic area of the home where families and guests seem to always congregate. Cooking and entertaining are vital and enjoyable activities in many homes, and it is important to have a sink and faucet that are both functional and fitting for your kitchen decor.
 
Kitchen faucets come in a myriad of color finishes. Various shades of black and bronze are a trendy and up to date kitchen faucet finish. There are also a wide variety of classic kitchen faucet finishes such as stainless steel and chrome. Styles range from old world styles such as Victorian looking faucets, to modern stream lined styles. Faucets come in one and two handle varieties. Choose the type that you feel gives you the most precise control of temperature and volume. Kitchen faucets also have various sprayer options, such as a side sprayer, or a pull down sprayer. When choosing a kitchen faucet, consider whether or not you plan to use a built in water filtration system.
 
Bathroom faucets should match the overall decor of your bathroom. As with kitchen faucets, there are a myriad of color finish and style options for bathroom faucets. Choose one that is functional, fits in well with your bathroom design, and has a good warranty. Sometimes bathroom faucet choices are limited by the type of sink and faucet holes already in place.
 
When you are ready to move forward with faucet choices, as well as any plumbing services, repairs, or renovations, contact All About the Pipes Plumbing, in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina Area. We are an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, were rated Best of Charlotte in Charlotte Weekly Magazine, and offer two year warranties on all parts and labor. Get the kitchen and bathroom of your dreams, and work with a team that is committed to superior work and customer service.

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Draining Pipes for the Winter Season

clock December 28, 2012 03:01 by author Chris Vigna
There are several reasons that a dwelling may need the water pipes drained to prevent freeze damage in the winter. The structure may be a vacation property, a house on the market for sale or even an unoccupied apartment. Most unoccupied structures at least maintain minimal heat in the winter. However, heating systems can fail, and some unoccupied structures have all utilities off. Water in the plumbing system stays unless it is drained.
 
It is best to have a plumber purge water lines in structures that are going to be left unoccupied. Homeowners and landlords attempting to do the work themselves have to rely on gravity alone and may miss a water line. The usual method is to shut off the water at the main, and then open the faucets that are at the highest point followed by ones at the lowest point to allow gravity to drain the system.
 
Any water left in a line can freeze and cause a pipe to burst, and not every water line in every structure has been installed according to code. There may be a low spot that prevents gravity from fully draining it, and flexible lines at toilets, dishwashers and clothes washers may not drain completely. Toilet tanks are another place where water is often overlooked. Additionally, traps in drains to prevent sewer gas from backing up always have water in them. Without a special type of non-toxic antifreeze being added, drains and toilets can freeze and burst.
 
A cold snap can come on quickly before the season gets into full swing. If there is the slightest chance that temperatures can drop to freezing, have a plumber prepare the plumbing system of an unoccupied structure for exposure to winter's cold. Professional plumbers have the experience and tools to drain pipes and protect the system with appropriate non-toxic antifreeze. All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. is ready to get any plumbing system ready for the winter whether it is draining pipes of unoccupied structures or fixing plumbing problems in occupied homes and businesses. Give us a call for any of your plumbing needs.

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How to Avoid Blocked Drains This Winter

clock December 20, 2012 15:25 by author Chris Vigna

Blocked drains are a big problem at any time of year. They can be even a bigger problem during the winter months. Clogged drains are often caused by items like hair and food. Pipes shrink during colder weather. Debris can get trapped in smaller pipes. A clogged plumbing pipe with stuck or even frozen material is difficult to fix. This can result in expensive repairs down the road if ignored for too long. The best way to avoid blocked drains this winter is to contact a professional plumbing company. All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. is the complete source for affordable repairs. Trained and certified plumbers will dispatch immediately to get things back to normal. They have the tools and expertise to get the job done right.

Clogged pipes during the winter are a big inconvenience. Pipes can accumulate residue over the course of the year. This material becomes a problem because of the contraction of pipes during cold weather. It only takes a small amount of extra debris and then disaster strikes. Such problems occur deep within the plumbing system and can only be reached by professionals using specialized equipment. This is especially true when the blockage is frozen in place or impacted. The normal household remedies and store-bought products do not work. Just call the best plumbing professionals in the area. The experts will be glad to prepare your system and keep it running smoothly throughout the year.

Winter does not always just bring cold weather. It can also bring a big repair bill for people that neglect regular plumbing maintenance. It is easy to avoid common plumbing problems this winter. A professional plumber can inspect your entire system and spot issues before they become a serious problem. The most trusted plumbing company is all about saving customers money. Take advantage of everything that experienced and knowledgeable experts have to offer. All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. can prepare your plumbing for extreme weather. Let us save you from inconvenience and expensive plumbing problems. Contact us today and have peace of mind the next time you use the faucet.

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Make Sure you Have Hot Water this Winter

clock December 12, 2012 22:32 by author Chris Vigna

You need hot water more in the winter than any other time of year. The last thing you want is for your water heater to fail in the winter and leave you without hot water for your morning shower. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your heater and help it run strong throughout the winter.

Consider the Heater’s Location
If your heater is in the main house in a closet or heated basement, then you won’t have to worry about it freezing. However, the cooler temperature in a garage or unheated crawlspace can leave water heaters struggling. The structure around the water heater can be warmed up marginally with better weather stripping and possibly insulation. It’s also wise to wrap the heater in a special insulating blanket to reduce heat loss and help if function better.

Line Distance is Important
The longer you have to wait for hot water to arrive at your shower, the further this fixture is from your water heater. As water travels through the lines, it loses heat and that forces your heater to work harder. In addition to wrapping the water heater itself, consider wrapping any long runs of hot water pipes to improve efficiency and prolong the life of your heater. Special wraps are available from your local home improvement store.

In addition to wrapping the pipes, a recirculating pump will also help you save money on hot water. A pump like the Grundfos Comfort System allows you to move cold water through the line, so you only receive water once it is hot and ready to enjoy. The average home saves more than 11,000 gallons of water a year with these systems. That's enough water to fill a 14-foot by 30-foot swimming pool, so you should add one of these to your wish list.

Check the Dip Tube
Hot water heaters work by delivering cold water to the bottom of the tank through a dip tube, warming the water and allowing it to rise to the top for use. If the dip tube is cracked, then cold water will invade the hot water space at the top and leave you dealing with tepid showers. The good news is that the dip tube is replaceable in many models, so you may not actually need a new heater.

Don’t wait for your water heater to break down and leave you with cold water this winter. All About the Pipes Plumbing, Inc. can check your system for damaged dip tubes, defective thermostats and other common problems. With the right inspection and repairs, you can rest assured that you won’t run out of hot water this winter.

 

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Prevent Sewer Gas Odor in Winter With Proper Maintenance

clock December 7, 2012 21:32 by author Chris Vigna
 
Sewer gas odors not only smell horrible, they can make your family ill. Caused by methane and bacteria, this odor in the winter months means something isn’t right with your plumbing. Proper maintenance and inspection of all your plumbing will help keep the system in working order, and keep the odors at bay.
 
What is Sewer Gas?
Sewer gas odor is caused by a mixture of methane gas and bacteria. The smell isn’t just unpleasant it can actually make you ill. The most common ailment from this methane and bacteria mixture is a headache. In addition to making you ill, a buildup of methane gas is combustible, which puts your entire family at risk if it explodes.
 
Outdoors
If you have a septic tank it’s a good idea to have it pumped at least every three years. If you have had a new tank installed, it will not need to be pumped for five years. It’s best to check with the regulations in your area, as some cities have different codes. Odors that have been created by the pumping process should dissipate in a couple of days. In order to keep your septic system healthy, try flushing a packet of baker’s yeast down the toilet a couple of times each year.
 
Before and after every winter season you need to do a visual check for any broken or leaking pipes and covers. If there are any broken, cracked or missing pipes or pipe covers you will need to replace them immediately. It’s also a good idea to climb onto the roof and check the vent stacks at the same time. Animals can nest in the stacks if the covers are loose or missing, and leaves and other yard debris can create a seal that will cause the system to leak odors into your home. To prevent the vent stacks from freezing during the colder months paint them black. The dark color will attract the winter sun and prevent a buildup of ice.
 
Indoors
Most internal home sewer odors come from dry traps. To prevent your traps from drying out, flush all toilets and run water in the sinks and bathtubs at least once every three weeks.
The cold winter months can wreak havoc on a septic system. Everything from cracks in the pipes to animals nesting and ice buildup in the vent stacks can cause horrible sewer odors to leak inside and outside the home. If you have questions about your septic system, or want a professional to check your system for you, contact the professionals at All About The Pipes Plumbing, Inc. and schedule a professional septic inspection before you have odor problems.

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