Albuquerque Plumber | Our Plumbing Blog

You Can’t Afford Leaky Plumbing: Call Roto-Rooter

May 15th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Home maintenance is one of the biggest responsibilities you will face as a homeowner. It is second to paying your mortgage. If you are a do-it-yourself type, then this won’t seem daunting to you. If you are not, then you will need to find a good handy man that you can rely on to help out with those things that are beyond your capabilities. It is a great idea to have the numbers of service people you trust at your fingertips or stored in your phone. When something goes wrong with your plumbing in Albuquerque, you want to be able to reach Roto-Rooter as quickly as possible.
How do you go about keeping track of all the appliances, systems, equipment, and other things that need regular servicing? Don’t forget that the fence needs staining and the concrete requires sealing every summer. Besides all that, there are all those little things that need fixing that crop up. The doorknob is loose, the bathroom door always swings shut when you want it to stay open, and or the faucet keeps leaking water throughout the night. As a homeowner, these jobs are your responsibility to take care of. What you need is a maintenance schedule.
To create one of these, you will need to go around your home and yard and make a list of everything that with require servicing or maintenance. Next to that task, write down how often that job needs to be done. Next, create a maintenance calendar by putting all these tasks into it. For instance, have your lawn mower tune up and blade sharpening done in the month or two preceding mowing season. It is much easier to find an available air conditioning technician in the early spring to service and recharge your system than if you wait until July. Also schedule fix-it days where you can do any repairs.
At the first of every month, go over your calendar for that month and the one or two following and make any appointments for maintenance that needs to be done. Remember, though, if you have any problems come up with your plumbing in Albuquerque, those need first priority. You can reschedule the fence painting, but water has to be dealt with immediately. Do hesitate to call Roto-Rooter to come in and help to get a handle on your plumbing problems. Water is destructive and if not taken care of immediately, it can cause a lot of damage to your home.

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Faucet Repair For Compression Types

May 7th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

If you are new to faucet repair in Albuquerque, then the following information provided by the technicians at Roto-Rooter will be helpful to you. Use this information when dealing with compression faucets that are leaky. Oftentimes leaks start because the handles have experienced wear in some form or another. Whether the handles are loose, rubber stoppers are out of place, or other components have experienced failure, it is fairly easy to take apart a faucet and perform your very own repairs. With a little bit of effort, you can get your leaky faucet back to new again.

• Before getting started, make sure that the shut-off valves under the sink are turned off so you can take things apart easily.
• Then remove the handles from the faucet. If there are decorative caps on top of the screws holding the handles in place, use a box cutter or a flat heat screwdriver to pop them off.
• Taking a Philips head screwdriver, remove the screws, and pull the handles off. Underneath, you should be able to clearly see the stem assembly. If the handles are firmly in place, you can cover the flathead screwdriver with a rag and continue to pry the handles loose.
• After the stem assembly is exposed, use a pair of slip-joint pliers to loosen the retaining nut and hold the stem in place. (There should be a stem for each handle and a nut for each stem as well).
• Once these items have all been removed, look at the pieces for damage. Look at the rubber washer at the end of the stem for damage. If they look like they are in good shape, unscrew the packing nut and check out the rubber O-rings running along the stem assembly. If any of them look out of shape, simply cut them off and replace them with white grease-coated replacements.
• Instead of replacing the rubber washer O-rings, you can simply replace the entire stem assembly with a new one. Keep in mind that if you decide to do this, then you should replace the opposite handle’s stem as well.
• When purchasing a replacement, realize that hot and cold faucet handles often turn opposite directions from each other. Stem assemblies, as a result, will be mirror images of each other. Have someone help you buy the right parts.
• Make sure to check the faucet seats to make sure there are no rough spots, new washers, and O-rings won’t fix things if the seats have gone bad.

For more information about faucet repair in Albuquerque, give Roto-Rooter a call today for help.

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Plumbing Problems and Common Fixes

April 30th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

With the complexity of a structure from top to bottom, it is no wonder that a homeowner has a lengthy list of chores to get done on a regular basis. For everything to work correctly and run the way it is supposed to, maintenance, repairs, and cleaning needs to be a part of a rotating schedule that touches on all parts of a home. From the backyard to the kitchen, you have plenty to wrap your mind around and occupy your time. In the hustle and bustle it is easy to forget about plumbing problems in Albuquerque, until they get way out of hand. When this happens, our technicians here at Roto-Rooter are always standing by and ready to help. With the years of experience we’ve gained in the industry helping millions of customers just like you, there is hardly a situation that would surprise our veteran staff. Consider the following tips and tricks when dealing with these common household plumbing issues:

Clogged toilets are always causing headaches. Usually, however, they are easy to deal with and after a couple of tries with a toilet plunger, you are back in business. Normal clogs occur when too much is trying to pass at once. Most toilets only have a 2-inch trapway. To keep clogs from happening, split your usage up into a couple of flushes if need be. This allows the toilet paper to dissolve enough to pass through without any issue. If the clog is still causing problems, you may need to use a toilet auger snake to push the clog through the line or pull out whatever is causing the issue. Never let anything besides toilet paper, waste, and certain cleaners down the toilet, otherwise, backups will be more frequent and severe. And if you use a toilet auger, make sure it’s the kind with a rubber sleeve around the cable because steel cable will scratch the porcelain coating on your toilet.
Frozen pipes hit homes across the country every winter. Next winter, why not protect your home from this expensive mess by taking precautions during the warmer months? As water pipes start to get cold, the water inside starts to freeze. Believe it or not, the forming ice isn’t directly responsible for the pipe cracking. As the water freezes, it expands and puts pressure on trapped air pockets. When the pressure gets high enough, the air bursts through the side of the pipe, forming a crack or shattering it altogether. To prevent this from happening, make sure that the insulation in your walls is sufficient to shield pipes from extreme temperatures outdoors. For pipes exposed outside, wrap them in specially made pipe insulation that is weatherproof.

For more information on plumbing problems in Albuquerque and solutions for them, give the technicians at Roto-Rooter a call today.

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Plumbing Repair: Roto-Rooter Tips

April 16th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

This year, how much of a budget have you set aside for repairs, maintenance, and DIY projects for your home? Taking care of your property and adding useful additions to it go a long way toward growing its equity. In the future if you ever decide to sell your home, the equity will be a profit that will compensate you well for your efforts. With all of the different areas to worry and think about, it is easy to forget about one of the most important aspects of your house: the plumbing. Especially with plumbing repair in Albuquerque getting expensive with more and more serious problems, why not rely on someone who can help you stay on top and ahead of the game? Roto-Rooter has been a leader in the industry for years and provides customers with all the tools they need to be prepared to face it all. With that in mind, consider the following for your home.

Clogged drains are common, smelly, and very easy to take care of. Over the course of just a few weeks, drains attract hair, grime, soap scum, and dirt. As these things meld together, clogs grow to impressive sizes and completely shut off any type of draining. When this happens, all you can do it bust out a screwdriver and start pulling out what you can. As long as you pull out as much as possible, using a bit of pipe cleaning fluid will finish the job nicely. The acidity will strip away anything lingering and allow the pipe to drain well. It’s no substitute for a professional cleaning but it will help you avoid clogs.

Clogged toilets are a common happenstance that most homeowners conquer with a handy toilet plunger stowed away behind the toilet bowl, ready to unsheathe the moment trouble arises. In most cases, the plunger will handle a clog easily. Most clogs happen because just a little too much is being pushed through a 2-inch diameter drain at a time. To prevent this from happening, all you have to do is make sure that you split up each turn into a couple flushes if necessary and everything will drain smoothly. There are certain circumstances when a clog may be too serious and require the professional help of a Roto-Rooter technician. This occurs when food, garbage, plastic, stone, or metal is ever flushed. Using special tools, the technician will be able to pull out the blockage.

For more information about plumbing repair in Albuquerque and how Roto-Rooter can help you, give us a call today.

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Plumbing Solutions: Roto-Rooter Water Heater Information

April 6th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Water heaters are an important part of the water system in your home. With plumbing carrying water to and from the premises, it is up to the water heater to make that water tolerable for showers. It also provides enough of a supply to be able to run a dishwasher, clothes washer, and anything else that needs hot water on demand. With water heaters costing anywhere from 5-10 grand to replace, it is really important to take care of your existing unit and choose a great replacement when the time comes to get the most for your money. With plumbing repair in Albuquerque costing enough as it is, the last thing you need to do is add to the burden from an overpriced water heater.

One thing you should always make sure and do is schedule an annual or biannual inspection of your heating unit. Water heaters run hard all day and night to keep your hot water ready for when you need it. Over time, however, most systems get bogged down pretty badly and need some tuning up, cleaning, and repairs. While these repairs will cost you a little bit, it is much less than replacing a broken and neglected water heater and will save you money in the long run.

Another way to take better care of your water heater is to make sure that your water softener is always working correctly. The minute your softener stops working, hard water starts to do a number on the heating unit. Calcium starts to clog up the mechanics and the water can erode much faster than normal. By simply keeping your water softener working at all times, you will literally cut your water heater problems in half and even extend the life of the entire unit.

Most water heaters only last on average 11 years. These older units, if taken care of, can last a bit longer, maybe 15-20 years if treated right. But, like most machines, they have to be replaced sometime so it is worth knowing what your options are. One of the more popular choices today is the tank-less variety. They are thermal heaters that kick in on demand. This means that when you turn on the hot water, the unit zaps the water hot as it passes through a coil. As a result, it runs less, uses less energy while running, and saves you a lot of money in energy each month.

For more information about water heaters and plumbing repair in Albuquerque, give Roto-Rooter a call today.

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Tips For a Successful Water Heater Repair

March 30th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

If you are looking to do your own water heater repair there are some things that you should know that will make the process go much better for you. Of course, we would recommend that to make is as smooth as is possible you should hire us, Roto-Rooter, to get the job done. Of course, we may be a little biased, but you do not need to listen to us. There are plenty of testimonials and reviews online of those who will say that we can do your water heater repair in Albuquerque and do it very quickly, nicely and with a smile on our face.

Of course, that aside, we know that there are those people that are going to do their own water heater repair. Below you will find some tips that will make the go smoothly.

Don’t make any assumptions. It may be tempting to go and buy a part first because you think you know what the issue is. However, you will regret it more often than not. Take the time to figure out exactly what is wrong and then go and get the replacement part.
Know what the issue is. In other words, depending on the symptoms there are certain things that could be wrong and other things can be ruled out. Make sure you are looking for the right things based on the symptoms that you have.
Check the obvious first. No matter what the issue is, start with the most likely and move the less common issues based on the symptoms.
If your issue is not enough hot water, look for working power to the water heater, crossed lines, pilot light, thermostat gone out.
If the issue is a noise, look to see of the tank contains a lot of minerals. They make a popping sound when they get hot. Drain the water tank to rid it of mineral deposits but be careful. You may need to cut power to the unit first so follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
If the issue is a leak, check the tank for rust, other things that cannot be replaced. Check for where the leak is coming from and determine if it can be fixed.

Like we said, if you don’t want to hassle with all of that, we have done a lot of water heater repair in Albuquerque and understand how to get the job done efficiently and in a professional way.

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The Most Common Issues We Find in Faucet Repair

March 23rd, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

When we go out and do faucet repair in Albuquerque we find some common things that tend to be the culprit of the leaks. While we know what the issue is ninety percent of the time, we still replace several things in the faucet to make sure that you have a like new faucet. We want to make sure that you have a nice, working faucet that will work for a long time from that time forward rather than springing a leak shortly thereafter.

The thing that is almost always the cause of the leaky faucet is one or both of the O-rings on the body of the faucet. In most cases, these simply have worn over time and are not as tight and no longer fit in the groove that they are suppose to be in. On other occasions they have been torn from being pinched, though this is also a function of it not fitting as well as it should and thus falling into the path of the faucet.

While this is the most common issue and the obvious reason for the leak in the faucet, when we do a faucet repair in Albuquerque, we replace a lot more than that. It is our opinion that it is much easier to replace these other parts that could wear out over time anyway, while we are already into it. So in addition to replacing these O-rings that are the usual cause of these issues, we also are going to replace the seats and even a stem ball if we feel it is bad.

By doing this, you are going to have a faucet that is like new and you will not need to worry about it for a long time. You will also be much happier with our service because of this fact. All around, it is the smartest way to go in our opinion. Some folks might ask why we would replace parts that aren’t broken. Well, if you’ve ever had a timing belt replace on a car, you might remember that the mechanic replaced the water pump while he was changing the timing belt. It’s not because the water pump was broken, it’s because it’s a relatively inexpensive part that will eventually wear out and should be replaced while the mechanic has access to it. Cost of replacing a water pump is about $35 for the part and several hundred dollars in labor! Think it over, it makes good sense. The same goes for your faucet and even a toilet repair. If you’re going to replace a flapper valve and your toilet is a few years old, it makes good sense to replace all of the inexpensive tank parts.

Faucet repair is not something that needs to take a lot of time or take a lot of money. If you are worried about calling us because you are worried about what the cost may be, take the time to call us and find out what the reality is of cost so that you can make decisions based on facts and not assumptions. You will be glad that you did.

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Plumbing problems in Albuquerque

March 16th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

When you are looking to buy a home there are a lot of things that you need to consider. For example, one of the things that you want to take a look at is the plumbing in a home. However, the question that everyone has is how to do that. How do you identify plumbing problems in Albuquerque homes when you are looking? Here are some tips that you can use to find out as much as you can about the plumbing in a home before making a purchase.

Consider having a thermographic picture taken of the home. This will give you some idea if there are any problems inside the walls that are not easily detected yet.
Look for signs of water damage in walls and ceilings.
Look for signs of water or water damage under the sinks in the home.
Look for signs of water damage around tub, toilets and showers.
Do not easily dismiss a mildew smell. There are many causes for it, but plumbing problems are one of those things, so make sure you find out before dismissing the smell as nothing to worry about.
Turn on the faucets. Fill the tubs and the sinks with enough water to then see if the drains work quickly when you open the drain.
Keep in mind that if it is an older home there is higher risks of problems. In addition, the pipes may be made of iron or lead. Iron pipes eventually run once the galvanized coating wears off. And lead pipes present a health hazard that should not be overlooked.
Consider hiring a plumber to inspect the sewer pipe with a fiber optic camera snake. Sewers in the past were made from clay, concrete and even a tar paper type of material called Orangeburg. All of these materials are at the end of their lifespan and could potentially cost you upwards of $10,000 to replace. Roto-Rooter provides this service for as little as $150-$200. No, that’s not cheap but a small price to pay compared to replacing a sewer pipe.

If you find any plumbing problems in Albuquerque homes as you inspect them, don’t be afraid to include potential costs to repair that in any deal that you make. Do not make an offer on a home without checking for plumbing problems first and do not make an offer that does not take into account anything that needs to be repaired. As you take this approach, you will ensure that you are not stuck repairing something on your own dime that should have been taken care of by the previous owner.

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Finding Time for Plumbing Repair

March 9th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

In the world in which we live today, we are very busy people. We are expected to devote a lot of time to our profession. In many cases, because of the way the economy works, there are not only both parents working to make ends meet, but quite a few people are working multiple jobs.

With so much time devoted to our own professions, it leaves little time to take care of home maintenance and repair issues that people used to have time for. For example, there were a lot more people willing and wanting to do their own plumbing repair in Albuquerque than there are today. These days, there is little or no time to do these tasks for ourselves.

The way that we find time today is by finding two minutes to make calls to the professionals so they can come and fix the things that the men and women of the house used to handle. When we have the professionals come in to take care of our plumbing problems, we are benefitting from the fact that the job gets done much sooner, much quicker and is done right, usually with a warranty on the workmanship and parts. That is not the case for those who do their own plumbing repairs. The reality is when we did the repairs ourselves we did not always get it done right. We often found ourselves having to redo the work and sometimes we even had to re-buy parts because we screwed it up the first time.

Doing your own plumbing repair in Albuquerque can be a risky and time-consuming venture if you don’t know what you’re doing. If it’s a big job, you have to worry about plumbing codes and best practices. Safety is another concern, especially if you’re working on or near a gas line. There’s a reason plumbers are licensed and go through continual training to keep up with the latest practices and current plumbing codes.

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The Plumbing Parts and Pieces

March 2nd, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

If you are going to do your own plumbing repair in Albuquerque you are going to need to know what to call the plumbing parts and pieces when you go to the store to get them. For most people who are not professional plumbers, this is the hardest part of doing the job yourself. We often call it the “doohickey” or the “whatchamacallit.” That does not help the person at the counter know what it is we need. Here is some practical advice on figuring out the plumbing parts to buy.

First, look at the part and see if there are any part numbers on it. If you can find a part number and a brand name, you can search it online and find the name of the part. If you can do that then you can head straight to the plumbing parts store armed with a name, brand and part number. This is the most successful, but the least used method from do- it-yourself plumbers because that information is not on the part 90% of the time.

Second, you can search online for a diagram of the piece or fixture that the part came out of. For example, if you were taking apart a kitchen faucet, then search for a diagram of a kitchen faucet online that can help you can go to the plumbing store with the name of the product. That should be enough to get you the right part.

Third, if all else fails you can take the part in with you and show them. This will help you get the part just fine, but it may be a bit more of a trial and error because there may be several sizes of that particular item that you have and they will need to match it up.

These are just a few ways to handle that awkward moment of not knowing what to call the part that you need to do that plumbing repair in Albuquerque. Of course, we would recommend that you call the professionals to do the repair for you because you’ll get the repair done right and with a guarantee in most cases. However, we recognize that there are some who want to do their own repairs. With a little patience and persistence, you should be OK to make the repair. Watch our blog for more articles on how to handle things from the perspective of doing it yourself plumbing. We like to give advice once in awhile on how to do this.

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