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Plumbing Repair Easy Fixes from Roto-Rooter

May 15th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

The average homeowner knows a good deal about their property. Especially after living in a place, you start to get a feel for how everything works and what your house needs to stay in good shape. One thing, however, that a lot of owners struggle with is knowledge of their own plumbing. It runs mostly out of vision and can start to experience problems long before you ever begin to notice. One great way to get to know your plumbing better and to stay on top of maintenance is to have a yearly inspection done through Roto-Rooter. Our trained technicians are great at sweeping the property top to bottom and compiling a list of things to go over with you that need to be looked at or fixed sometime soon. This is a great resource for plumbing repair in Minneapolis as homeowners can stay one step ahead of serious issues and keep them at bay through regular repair. Here is a list of common problems that our technicians run into.

• Leaky faucets. Water is erosive. The evidence of this fact is present all around with rivers, streams, and other bodies of water eroding and shaping the earth that it touches. Just as water can cut through mountains and form canyons in the ground, it can also do a number on your plumbing. When faucets start to leak, there is a process beginning that if not dealt with quickly, can eventually leave your faucet unfixable (i.e. having to replace the entire faucet head). A leaky faucet can easily wastes about $15 worth of water a month, so it is definitely worth your time to get things running properly. All you have to do is remove the faucet head and take a look inside at the sealant washer. If it isn’t set on the seat perfectly, water is leaking by. If you can jostle it back into place, then the problem is fixed. If not, replace the washer with a new one and you can re-attach the faucet head without any more issues.
• Clogged drains. These bad boys make a stink and can also be easily taken care of with a few implementations of weekly cleaning habits. First off, take a look down the drain. If you can see the clog, grab a spoon, screwdriver, or anything you can use to pull out the gunk. This will work especially well in bathroom drains. Next, every month use a pipe maintenance product like Roto-Rooter Pipe Shield to take care of the grime and your drains will always work great.

For more information about plumbing repair in Minneapolis, give us a call today!

 

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Plumbing Tips and Advice from Roto-Rooter

May 7th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

As a homeowner, you are constantly faced with a lot of responsibility ranging from the upkeep of your backyard to paying monthly utility bills. As you go along seemingly mastering it all, there always seems to be some new problem that manifests itself to you at the most inconvenient moments. For example, the plumbing in your house acts up when guests are using the bathroom or when your father-in-law is using the shower. It is in moments like these that it is nice to have someone there for you to fix the issue right away. Roto-Rooter has been that someone, that service since 1935. We’ve helped millions of customers over and over again with simple plumbing issues dealing with small leaks and backups to full on flooding and serious plumbing damage. Especially with all our plumbing in Minneapolis experience, we’ve compiled a small list of common issues and suggestions for handling them that you can try out at home.

• Clogged toilet. Everyone has one every now and again. Especially with older toilets, backups are very common because of the heavy use that this particular fixture takes on at pretty much every home. As waste is flushed, residue is left behind on the drain wall and attracts more gunk as time goes by. Before too long, there is a decent clog in the way and you find yourself dealing with inefficient flushes. In order to combat this, always keep a good plunger close by. For all other types of clogs, make sure that no one in your house has flushed anything that wasn’t designed to be disposed of in the commode and you should be able to handle it just fine. If you are having trouble after these efforts, give Roto-Rooter a ring for more help.
• Broken pipes are a common problem during the winter. As the water in pipes starts to freeze and expand, it pushes on the trapped air. Soon enough this trapped air bursts through the pipe with nowhere else to go making cracks or completely shattering the pipeline. Once a line is shattered, Roto-Rooter professionals must be called in order to replace the section of pipe before flooding occurs. The best way to prevent this from happening is to use enough insulation in your walls. If the pipe is outside and directly exposed to the cold, wrapping the pipe in special insulation will do that job, too.

Fore more information about plumbing in Minneapolis, give Roto-Rooter a call today.

 

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Water Heater Repair and Frozen Pipes: A Roto-Rooter Guide

April 30th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

No matter how well you take care of your property, your house can always use a little extra TLC in areas that you don’t know as much about. When the lawn is mowed, floors are swept, and roof fixed to perfection, there is still an important system that is often completely overlooked: the plumbing. As evidenced by the increased need for water heater repair in Minneapolis and frozen pipes in the winter, it is obvious that a little advice from Roto-Rooter will go a long way. As a leader in the plumbing industry since 1935, we have built a brand associated with the best service, products, and professionals around. With experience that goes far beyond the normal day-to-day routine, take the following advice when dealing with your own plumbing at home.

  • Water heaters only last about 11 years on average. Rather than wait to replace your unit, why not do what you can to make it last longer? The best thing you can do for your heating unit is to have a yearly inspection done. With each inspection, pay the technician to make any small repairs for servicing. If you do this regularly, you can almost double the life of the heating unit. In the event that you really do need to replace the entire water heater, consider going tank-less. Tank-less water heaters use thermal technology to heat water extremely fast as the water passes through. On demand hot water uses far less energy and will save you a bundle on your energy bill.
  • Soft water is a water heater’s best friend. As long as you keep your water softener functioning properly, you will eliminate at least half of the issues that can damage a water heater. You have probably already seen what hard water will do to plumbing as calcium buildup clogs faucets and stains showers. This calcium will do a number on your water heater too. 
  • Frozen pipes cause thousands of headaches each winter. Why not be a little more prepared this next winter and keep frozen pipes out of your repair costs this year? As water expands and freezes, it is actually the trapped air that causes problems. The forming ice pushes on the trapped air until the pockets force their way out, bursting the cracks and even shattering pipes. To prevent this from happening, insulation is key. Boost the insulation in your walls and wrap exposed pipes with special plumbing insulation products.

For more information about water heater repair in Minneapolis and how to deal with frozen pipes this winter, call Roto-Rooter to speak with a professional today.

 

 

 

 

 

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Plumbers Advice from Experience Now Yours

April 16th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Every house has a personality. As you live in a certain place long enough, you can almost anticipate certain problems before they even arise. Even if you know your house this well, it is hard to be familiar with things that you can’t have a good look at. Plumbing runs out of visibility under the ground, in your walls, and above your head. With plumbers in Minneapolis performing annual inspections for anyone who needs them, it is easier than ever to get the low-down on your plumbing. If you call Roto-Rooter for a full and comprehensive inspection of your home, you will notice quickly the looming problems and issues that are bound to happen. With this information, you can stay one step ahead to keep your house protected and well maintained.

Plumbing is an interesting service that literally connects your house with millions of others in your region. From the water processing plant, a huge waterway of hundreds of thousands of pipes go out through a city or rural area and connect to each home, directly providing not only the water needed by the people there, but also enough pressure to even use the water. After that, all of the waste and drainage from homes, streets, and businesses, all of this flows into a gigantic sewer system through which the water is then transported and dealt with accordingly. With a system so large and intricate, it is a wonder that more problems aren’t popping up every day with your plumbing system.

One great way to take care of your plumbing is to use cleaning products. Pipe cleaner is a great way to clean your drains and prevent clogs from forming, but it’s also acid (lye) based and it can damage pipes over time. Instead, consider using a biological-based maintenance product that uses “good bacteria” that feed on the icky stuff that clings to the walls of drainpipes. This bacteria is safe and over time it does a better job of keeping the pipes clean.  

Whenever you plan on doing any kind of project in your home, just like you shut off the electricity before dealing with live wires, you have to shut off the water when working around pipes. If you do so, you will prevent accidental flooding from loose pipes or accidents that can happen on the job.

For more information about plumbers in Minneapolis call Roto-Rooter today.

 

 

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Faucet Repair Made Easy by Roto-Rooter

April 6th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Common plumbing issues spring up on a regular basis but can usually be fixed fairly quickly. Often times, though, people do the least amount possible instead of going the extra mile to make sure the problem is really taken care of. As a result, more serious issues with plumbing develop from simple problems that could have been dealt with quickly and cheaply. With our decades of plumbing experience, we have helped millions of people get their plumbing back on track. Our service, products, and professionals are the best in the industry. With that in mind, consider the following DIY information for faucet repair in Minneapolis.

Water can be extremely erosive. It can literally dissolve compounds, oxidize metals, and carve its own path. Over the course of thousands of years, rivers and streams have cut out gigantic canyons and valleys. This effect is experienced in the brass work of your plumbing. Over time, water will find a way to seep through any weak points.

In order to find out where your plumbing is most vulnerable to failure, schedule an inspection of your house with Roto-Rooter. A trained technician will arrive on the scene with all the tools to do a comprehensive analysis of your plumbing to make a list of suggestions of repairs and maintenance that should be taken care of. With this information in hand, you can prevent serious issues from ever developing. And save money in the long run.

Leaky faucets are very common but often go unnoticed. If you let a leaky faucet go on without repair, seeping water will erode the brass fitting beyond repair. You may have to completely replace the faucet head. Also, leaky faucets are expensive. One drippy faucet can waste up to $20 a month in water. If you have 2 or more of those around the house, you are looking at a hefty water bill each month.

To fix your leaky faucet you will need wrenches, a cloth, and replacement washers and O-rings. First, make sure to turn off the water to the faucet. Second, loosen the nut holding the faucet head in place. Make sure to use a cloth between the wrench and the chrome to avoid scratches. Now, take a look inside the faucet head and try to jostle the sealant washer back against the seat. If it seems to fit, your leak will be gone. Most likely, the washer will be warped and need to replaced. Make sure the replacement fits perfectly or it will defeat the purpose.

For more detailed information on faucet repair in Minneapolis for specific models, call Roto-Rooter today.

 

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Plumbing problems and Solutions from Roto-Rooter

March 30th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

While your house can be the place you count on for rest and relaxation when you are not working, it is also a huge source of headaches and frustration. With messes in the backyard, flooding in the basement, and missing shingles on the roof, there is always plenty to worry about. Just when you think all is well, something else creeps up out of the blue. Plumbing is one of those things that seem to pop up and demand your entire attention until sorted out. Roto-Rooter has been the expert since 1935 in home plumbing. With our excellent service, products, and experience, we can help you get things fixed and working again in no time. Consider the following plumbing problems in Minneapolis and tips for DIY care.

A frozen pipe can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage to a home or office. As temperatures drop, the water inside pipes starts to freeze. But believe it or not, it isn’t the water that you should be worried about, it is the trapped air. For this reason houses that keep using their water often through winter will hopefully avoid any problems. As water starts to freeze in a pipe, it pushes on trapped pockets of air. As the pressure rises, the air bursts through your pipeline and causes serious cracks or shattering. The best way to avoid frozen pipes this winter is to prepare. Insulation is the best way to keep pipes from freezing. Boost the amount of insulation in your wall and make sure to really wrap up and protect pipelines that are exposed to really low temperatures.

A water heater is another part of your plumbing that comes with baggage. Since water heaters usually only last about 11 years, they are particularly sensitive to the corrosive effects of hard water. To minimize the problems within a water heater, make sure that your water softener is always working. If hard water finds its way into a heater, it can quickly lead to failure and expensive replacement. The best way to keep it up and running and free of issues is to have a technician come out and do an inspection once or twice a year. Follow the prescribed care needed and you can even double the life of your water heater to 20-25 years of use.

For information about common plumbing problems in Minneapolis, give us a call today.

 

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Plumbing Repair: Helpful Tips and Ideas from Roto-Rooter plumbers

March 23rd, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Are you a homeowner? Are you hands on? Do you like to save a dollar when you can? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may have what it takes to become a great Do-it-Yourself handyman or handywoman. As maintenance tasks need to be taken care of around the house, you can quickly develop a useful skill-set for doing a lot of your own maintenance. Especially for plumbing repair in Minneapolis, DIY knowhow will save you a few dollars and help you live more independently. For any issues that are beyond your skill-set (or desire to deal with), Roto-Rooter is on call to get the job done quickly 24/7. And in the Twin Cities, we don’t charge extra for nights, weekends or holidays. Here are a few tips and tricks for more effective DIY plumbing care.

  • You should never wait for your plumbing to fail. Having a thorough knowledge of your home’s plumbing layout will help you anticipate possible plumbing problems due to age, climate and weather changes or heavy usage. Slow water leaks or full-on flooding both lead to serious water damage, and water damage can cost thousands of dollars to fix. It is better to prevent it from ever happening but consider placing inexpensive water alarms near flood-prone areas. These cost about $15 and are available at most hardware stores.
  • Did you know that appliance failure is responsible for more household floods than weather? It’s true. Check behind your washing machine and make sure those water hoses aren’t split or cracked. Replace rubber hoses with braided stainless steel hoses, which rarely ever burst or fail.
  • Does your toilet run? Do your faucets drip? These leaks add up fast and can really impact your water bill. Drop a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Wait 15 minutes then look in the bowl. If the coloring has made it into the bowl, you have a leak. Often, these leaks are silent but make no mistake, leaks are costing you money.
  • Why not call a plumber for a full home inspection? Your plumber will look over your toilets, water appliances such as ice makers, dishwashers, washing machines and sump pumps. Roto-Rooter of Minneapolis provides free home plumbing inspections. An expert plumber will bring a checklist and will walk with you through your home. He’ll inspect all aspects of your plumbing and point out the good, the bad and the ugly. For instance, he will tell you how old your water heater is, check its condition and tell you how much longer it will likely serve you (11 years is the average lifespan of a water heater). The plumber will inspect your sump pump and make sure it’s doing its job. The plumber will check for leaks, slow drains that may be indicative of other problems, he will test your garbage disposal, show you where water shut-off valves are located and give you tips for keeping your plumbing in top condition. Whether or not you hire us to fix any problems is your choice. But awareness is comforting, knowledge is power, and as the homeowner, you can choose the best option for dealing with plumbing issues.
  • Frozen pipes are common enough that thousands of people every year seek our help to thaw them and fix them. As temperatures drop in colder climates, water supply pipes can freeze. As water starts to freeze, small pockets of air get trapped in the pipe. The expanding ice increases the pressure and forces the trapped air to burst through the pipe forming a crack or shattering the pipe altogether. The freeze is bad enough but when the pipe thaws, a rush of water will be unleashed from the pipe causing damage to your home. To prevent freezing pipes, prepare far enough in advance to cover all of your bases. Insulation is the best way to keep your pipes guarded from the cold. Especially along the outer walls of your home, insulation added to the space between the wall and the water pipe will act as a buffer. For added effect, you can also wrap the pipe in insulation or fit it with a foam insulation sleev

For more tips about plumbing repair in Minneapolis, read more on Roto-Rooter’s blog, website or Facebook page.

 

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Water Heater Repair, Replacement, and Energy Efficiency

March 9th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

If you are looking for water heater repair in Minneapolis, look no further than your own local Roto-Rooter. With years of experience behind all that we do, we offer top of the line service, products, and people to fit any situation perfectly. Hot water is an important commodity in most homes these days. From hot morning showers to the joys of a dishwasher, a working water heater is extremely important to have. In the event that you experience a water heater failure, a full replacement may be in order. We can help you choose from the many models that we sell that best fits your needs. If, however, you find a water heater elsewhere, our technicians are trained to install all brands. Give us a call and we’ll make sure it gets installed quickly and correctly.

Traditional Water Heaters

Water heaters are powered by gas or electricity to heat a large tank of water. The tank is kept at a constant temperature all day long so that you have hot water right when needed. The problem with these big water heaters is that because of the constant heating all day, they can break down every now and again. In fact, water heaters only last about 11 years on average. If properly taken care of, they can last longer, depending on the local water source. Hard water does a number on the inner workings of a water heater, so it is important to have a water softener installed to help keep minerals at bay and limit the amount of stress on the heater.

Cost

The cost of a water heater adds up over time with the monthly energy costs, repairs, and eventual replacement (which can cost a lot of money). Older water heaters hold lots of water and heat it all day, even when you are not home. New tank-less water heaters deliver hot water only on demand. This means that when you turn the water on, the heater kicks in and zaps it to the desired temperature. Along with being extremely energy efficient, they last on average 20 years! If maintained properly, they may last even longer than that.

Safety

It can be dangerous keeping an old water heater in your home. Max temperatures can be set so that there is always plenty of hot water available. The problem with setting the max too high is the possibility of scalding burns. Make sure to set your max at a reasonable temperature that won’t injure. Plumbers recommend setting the temperature at 120-degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding but deliver a reliable supply of hot water. Older water heaters can often times be unpredictable, so have them inspected to make sure they are working properly every few years.

For more information about water heater repair in Minneapolis, call Roto-Rooter today.

 

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Plumbing Repair: Helpful Tips and Ideas from Roto-Rooter plumbers

February 25th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Are you a homeowner? Are you hands on? Do you like to save a dollar when you can? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have what it takes to become a great Do-it-Yourself handyman or handywoman. As maintenance tasks need to be taken care of around the house, you can quickly develop a useful skill-set for doing a lot of your own maintenance. Especially for plumbing repair in Minneapolis, DIY knowhow will save you a few dollars and help you live more independently. For any issues that are beyond your skill-set (or desire to deal with), Roto-Rooter is on call to get the job done quickly 24/7. And in the Twin Cities, we don’t charge extra for nights, weekends or holidays. Here are a few tips and tricks for more effective DIY plumbing care.

  • You should never wait for your plumbing to fail. Having a thorough knowledge of your home’s plumbing layout will help you anticipate possible plumbing problems due to age, climate and weather changes or heavy usage. Slow water leaks or full-on flooding both lead to serious water damage, and water damage can cost thousands of dollars to fix. It is better to prevent it from ever happening but consider placing inexpensive water alarms near flood-prone areas. These cost about $15 and are available at most hardware stores.
  • Did you know that appliance failure is responsible for more household floods than weather? It’s true. Check behind your washing machine and make sure those water hoses aren’t split or cracked. Replace rubber hoses with braided stainless steel hoses, which rarely ever burst or fail.
  • Does your toilet run? Do your faucets drip? These leaks add up fast and can really impact your water bill. Drop a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Wait 15 minutes then look in the bowl. If the coloring has made it into the bowl, you have a leak. Often, these leaks are silent but make no mistake, leaks are costing you money.
  • Why not call a plumber for a full home inspection? Your plumber will look over your toilets, water appliances such as ice makers, dishwashers, washing machines and sump pumps. Roto-Rooter of Minneapolis provides free home plumbing inspections. An expert plumber will bring a checklist and will walk with you through your home. He’ll inspect all aspects of your plumbing and point out the good, the bad and the ugly. For instance, he will tell you how old your water heater is, check its condition and tell you how much longer it will likely serve you (11 years is the average lifespan of a water heater). The plumber will inspect your sump pump and make sure it’s doing its job. The plumber will check for leaks, slow drains that may be indicative of other problems, he will test your garbage disposal, show you where water shut-off valves are located and give you tips for keeping your plumbing in top condition. Whether or not you hire us to fix any problems is your choice. But awareness is comforting, knowledge is power, and as the homeowner, you can choose the best option for dealing with plumbing issues.
  • Frozen pipes are common enough that thousands of people every year seek our help to thaw them and fix them. As temperatures drop in colder climates, water supply pipes can freeze. As water starts to freeze, small pockets of air get trapped in the pipe. The expanding ice increases the pressure and forces the trapped air to burst through the pipe forming a crack or shattering the pipe altogether. The freeze is bad enough but when the pipe thaws, a rush of water will be unleashed from the pipe causing damage to your home. To prevent freezing pipes, prepare far enough in advance to cover all of your bases. Insulation is the best way to keep your pipes guarded from the cold. Especially along the outer walls of your home, insulation added to the space between the wall and the water pipe will act as a buffer. For added effect, you can also wrap the pipe in insulation or fit it with a foam insulation sleeve.

For more tips about plumbing repair in Minneapolis, read more on Roto-Rooter’s blog, website or Facebook page.

 

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Plumbing Care: You Can Do It | Roto-Rooter

February 24th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

One of the most important systems in a home is plumbing. Having water where and when you need it is one of the miracles of the modern age. In past times, and even still in less fortunate countries, plumbing was not an option. Fetching water from a well, stream, or spring was part of daily life. Today, we don’t even think about how the water is getting to us. Only when issues arise do we realize that plumbing is a fantastic resource that needs to be taken care of. With our many years in the industry, Roto-Rooter has become the go-to service provider for all plumbing needs. With that in mind, here are some tips and tricks for taking better care of your plumbing in Minneapolis.

  • Flooding: Every small leak is a serious matter because of the repercussions of water damage. Slow leaks allow water to seep into wood, causing warping, and the growth of mold. Black mold spores can cause serious health conditions, lung problems, and even death. On top of that, water damage can cost thousands of dollars to fix.
  • The best way to catch problems like slow leaks early on is to have a full home plumbing inspection done. Call Roto-Rooter and have a professional come out and take a look at your plumbing system. We will be able to figure out the various issues you are facing and provide options for fixing them. Whether you hire us or not, you will be able to avert plenty of expensive problems by nipping them in the bud early.
  • Frozen water pipes: As temperatures drop each winter, thousands of homes are left vulnerable. Water pipes easily freeze over. As the water starts to freeze, air pockets can get caught inside. The expanding water presses on the trapped air inside the pipe. Eventually, the air will burst through the side of the pipeline forming a crack or shattering the pipe altogether. If not noticed, serious flooding will occur shortly. The best way to prevent frozen pipes is with insulation. Packing plenty of insulation in the walls will do the job nicely. For added effectiveness, wrap the waterlines with insulation all along the outer walls of your home. While the temperatures may still drop just as low, the insulation still acts as a guard from freezing water.

 For more information on plumbing in Minneapolis, call Roto-Rooter today for more details.

 

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