Tucson Plumber | Our Plumbing Blog

Plumbing Repair Around the House with Roto-Rooter

May 14th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

The experience of owning your own house comes with its ups and downs. It is a joy that is equalized by the not so joyful responsibilities that come with it. Every experienced homeowner has come to realize that the best way to care for a property is consistent maintenance, a little here, a little there. Even the most on the ball people forget about one of the most important parts of a house: the plumbing. With pipes running in the walls and under floorboards, it is quite easy to forget about and overlook problem areas. For example, slow leaks can go on for months causing serious water damage before anyone ever notices. This type of plumbing repair in Tucson has led many customers of Roto-Rooter to ask more questions and educate themselves about household DIY fixes and maintenance.

Clogged toilets are a serious problem only in the moment it seems. With a plunger handy, most overflowing messes can be dealt with easily and quickly. Since the bathroom is a high traffic area, toilet bowls experience slight failures as the drainpipe gets buildup of passing waste, paper, and dirt. One rule to always remember is to never flush anything that should not be flushed. For example, garbage, cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, and rocks have all been the cause for serious clogs and backups that require the professional assistance of a Roto-Rooter technician in order to fix. As long as you stick with common household cleaners, toilet paper, and human waste, your toilet should function properly all the time.

Leaky faucets are another common plumbing issue that most houses are experiencing every single day. In fact, you may have several in your own home. Water is naturally erosive and can do a number on plumbing brass. Just like the rivers that cut valleys and canyons into the earth over the course of time, water that starts to seep out of a faucet will eventually completely ruin the fittings. Did you know that a single drippy faucet can waste up to $20 of water a month? If you have several of those around the house, it can add up to be quite a lot of money! Luckily, this is an easy fix. First, shut the water off to the faucet. Next, using a wrench, loosen the nut holding the faucet in place. When it is removed, take a look inside at the sealant washer. If it is warped or damaged, replace it with one that fits perfectly in its place. Your leak will be gone for good.

For more information about plumbing repair in Tucson, give Roto-Rooter a call today!

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Plumbing Problems Around the House: Easy Fixes

May 8th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Have you been to the doctor lately? Why is it important to go? Regular checkups and annual physicals are an important thing to keep in your schedule over the years. For one, they help you stay on top of the various problems you have and also prevent the development of other more serious problems. The same is true for your house. Regular, comprehensive inspections are a great way to stay on top of all the house requires. Knowing the ins and outs of all the various systems and layers of your house will help you stay on the ball and prevent minor problems from getting out of hand. With plumbing in Tucson needing regular maintenance, we here at Roto-Rooter have put together a few ideas of how to take better care of your house through simple plumbing knowhow.

Have you ever lain awake at night listening to the sounds of dripping water from the kitchen or bathroom? This annoying dripping is more than just a noisy nuisance, it is an expensive problem. On average, one leaky faucet can waste $25 in water each month. If you have a few of those around your house, it might not be a bad idea to fix them right away and save yourself some money. Luckily, leaky faucets are usually very simple to fix and only take a little time to resolve. First, make sure the water is shut off in the part of the house you will be working. The last thing you want to do is remove a faucet and start a flood. Second, use a wrench to loosen the nut holding the faucet head in place. After it is loosened and removed, take a look inside. You will notice, in most cases, a small sealant washer. This little piece is set against a seat and is responsible for moving back and forth to allow water to flow, but also hold it back when the faucet is turned off. As pressure from the water starts to seep, it can erode and even warp. If this is the case, replace it with an exact fit. This should solve any drippy or leaky problem for good. Other faucets use a cartridge type system and the entire cartridge must be replaced. Moen faucets are good examples but the good news is that Moen will send you free cartridge replacements if you phone them.

Clogged toilets are another common problem that many houses face. Most clogs happen when too much of something is flushed at one time. As long as you keep a toilet plunger close by, you will be able to quickly fix most clogs in no time at all.

For information about plumbing in Tucson, give us a call today!

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When Water Heater Repair Turns Into Replacement

April 30th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

While there are many cases in which water heater repair is sufficient to solve the issue of a lack of hot water, there may come a time when a full on replacement will be needed fix the problem. However, before you jump straight to this be sure that you have a second opinion from a professional company that does water heater repair in Tucson. The last thing that you would want to do is replace your water heater when it could have been repaired.

Once you have confirmed that your water heater will indeed need to be replaced and cannot be repaired, you may want to take some time to educate yourself on the different water heaters on the market. While you need to make a decision rather quickly, do not make an uninformed decision about the differences in the water heaters. It is important to know what your options are so that you can make the choice that is best for you.

In addition to this matter, you may want to take the time to talk to a professional plumber and ask all of the questions that you have. Ask them, “If this was your home and money was not a concern, what would you do?” This will open some dialog that can help lead your conversation to places that you may not have thought of. It may also cause you to ask additional questions for clarification on certain things.

Once you have decided on which water heater you are going to have installed, do some shopping to see if you can purchase them cheaper than what you are being quoted. Sometimes you will be able to get it cheaper because of some of the crazy specials that stores run. However, if this is not the case, you are fine to just have the plumber get it for you as well. It is in these circumstances that water heater repair in Tucson has evolved into water heater replacement in Tucson. Know that the average water heater only lasts about eleven years so don’t invest a lot of money repairing a 9-year-old water heater if you’re likely to have to replace it in a year or two anyway.

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So You Want to Work Among the Plumbers

April 16th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Deciding what to do as a vocation can be an exciting and scary thing all at the same time. It is scary because you may have some uncertainty or doubt about what you should choose. However, it is also exciting to think that you can start working and making money in the field that you have chosen. If you are in the middle of making this decision and you are thinking about becoming a plumber you may want to take some time to talk to the plumbers in Tucson. This conversation can be invaluable for you in terms of understand the day-to-day tasks they do so you can determine if it is something you can handle.

When you talk to the plumbers, take the time to not only ask questions but to truly listen as well. It is easy to walk through your interview and not really get much from it. However, if you are listening carefully you will be able to hear not only what they are saying but what they are not saying as well. This can be a big clue into what they think of their vocation. This can lead you to some additional follow-up questions.

Being a plumber certainly has some challenges. This is not likely a good profession for someone who is easily grossed out. It is also not for the person who is sensitive to bad smells. In this industry we face some gross and bad smelling stuff. However, that is not an everyday occurrence.

In today’s tougher workforce you will need to go to school and get a solid educational foundation. At the very least, you need a high school diploma and some trade school certificates under your belt. A college degree is not unheard of in this profession either. If you take the time to take some classes specifically for plumbing and understanding some of the physics of nature, water, etc., you will have a head start on your competition. While some may think that it is not necessary to go to school to become a plumber, the opposite is true. There used to be a day in which you could learn all the skills just from being an apprentice. While that is still possible, chances are good that you will not go as far or fast in the industry without appropriate schooling. The competition you face is much stiffer than it used to be and you will need that edge to move up in the industry. As you talk to various plumbers in Tucson they will tell you the same thing. They understand very well how much an education means to the men and women trying to get ahead in the plumbing industry.

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Finding Tips for Faucet Repair

April 6th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

We have written several articles in the past with some tips about how to repair your own faucet. However, not all faucets are the same and in some cases you may run into something specific that you cannot figure out. If that is the case, how are you going to find the help you need to do the faucet repair in Tucson? Here are some ideas on how to find what you need.

First, the internet is a tremendous source and odds are what you need to find you can find on the internet. However, that does not mean that it is always going to be easy to find. With that in mind, do a very specific search. For example, you may search for something like, “faucet repair instructions for a Moen faucet.” This will start you in the right direction to finding what you need. In many cases there are videos on the internet that are great to watch because they will not only tell you step by step for your specific faucets; they will show you the repair being made.

Another way to find the tips that you need to find to repair your faucet is through forums online. Finding a plumbing or a home repair forum that has some activity can be a gold mine. You are certainly not the first to make this faucet repair and so if you can find the right place you can find the right people to talk to and get your answer or the tips you need from them.

One last way of finding the tips that you need on the internet for faucet repair is to search for manuals online. Most everything that you think is in hard copy can also be found on the internet. Finding the manual or parts schematic may give you the answer that you need.

The internet is full of information that can help you and there is a good chance that you will be able to find what you need to find to be able to make the repair. On the other hand, if you are tired of looking for tips, you aren’t good with your hands and you simply want to find the companies that do faucet repair in Tucson, search for them on the internet and you will have a laundry list of people that do just what you need them to do. Roto-Rooter is a full-service residential and commercial plumbing company that has been in business since 1935. They are fully-licensed and insured so you know the job will be done right. And if it isn’t, they offer a guarantee.

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The Secret Behind Avoiding Plumbing Problems

March 30th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

No homeowner likes to deal with plumbing problems, yet those problems tend to come whether you like it or not. However, with a little extra care and a few tips, you can avoid plumbing problems and the need to call for a plumber to make the repair. We have been fixing plumbing problems in Tucson for decades now and we have seen it all. If you want to know how to avoid having to call us to your home, try out these tips to keep the problems at bay.

Regularly use an over the counter drain maintenance product to clean the drains before they back up. No one ever said that you had to wait for a clog to use a drain cleaner. We recommend a biological-based product like Roto-Rooter Pipe Shield rather than the harsh lye-based products that can harm your pipes.
Send a lemon wedge down your kitchen sink drain into the garbage disposal once a month. This will keep it fresh as well as take the citric acid from it and keep the garbage disposal clean and working well. Toss in a few ice cube with it for a more thorough cleaning.
Maintain the area around the water heater. Make sure it is clean and not cluttered around it. Be sure there aren’t any paint cans around that might combust.
Use CLR, vinegar or some other cleaner to clean calcium deposits around the spouts on your faucets and shower heads. This will keep any buildup from clogging things up.
If neighbors on your street begin to have sewer main trouble, address the issue of your own sewer by looking into options to help you solve the issue before it becomes an emergency problem. This will save a lot of time and money.
Keep toilet lids down and plugs in sinks. This will prevent really young kids from accidentally sending something down the toilet or drain that would cause an issue.
Clean out P traps under sinks annually. This is not a pleasant thing to do, but it is very helpful in preventing plumbing problems in Tucson

Hopefully these tips are helpful to you. We have seen them successfully implemented on homes. Making these commitments costs some of your time, but it is better than calling a plumber in an emergency.

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Why You Need a Plumber for Plumbing Repair

March 23rd, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

When you have a plumbing issue do you attempt to fix the issue on your own or do you call someone? The truth is there are a lot of people who try to fix it on their own, but the reality is most people need a plumber to come and fix things for them.

One of the best reasons why you need to call a professional plumber to fix your plumbing problems is because we can see beyond the current repair. We can help you avoid emergencies by spotting trouble before it becomes problematic and needs to be dealt with.

Our plumbing repair in Tucson is second to none. We have the best technicians in the industry and we make sure that we compete with the pricing of our top local competitors. We want you to have the access to top of the line plumbers when you have a need for a plumber.

While everyone in this industry is called a plumber, they are not all created equal. When you are looking to hire a plumber you need to remember that fact. Just like there are differences in the quality and level of service from anything else you do, the same is true of the plumbing industry.

When you have called in a plumber, pay attention to how well they respect your home. They are out on job sites and other places all day long and sometimes will get mud on their boots. Do they take off their boots when they come into your home? Roto-Rooter plumbers fit cloth boot covers over their shoes before they enter the house – or at very least, they check the bottoms of their boots before coming inside just to make sure they are not going to track mud into the home. Another signal that you can look for is the way that they do the job. A professional will make sure they are picking up after themselves on a frequent basis to keep their work environment cleaned up. They will also be working to make sure that they not only fix what they were called out to do, but they will not overlook any other minor problems that they see within the same area.

In other words, is your plumber looking beyond the scope of the work and looking to add value for the money you have spent? The best plumbing repair in Tucson will involve a lot of little extras. These extras may not be a whole lot in terms of time and money if they were going to charge for them, but they make a difference in telling you the quality of plumber that you have hired. When you get a good one, you will know why you need a plumber’s wealth of experience to solve your plumbing problems.

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The Truth About Plumbing

March 16th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Some of the oldest plumbing in Tucson is constructed from materials that have not stood the test of time. Old water supply pipes were often made of lead, galvanized iron and other materials. Back in the day when plumbing was installed it often consisted of metal pipe. While this sounds great, it does have a lifespan when it is buried underground. Eventually it either rusts bends or breaks. These issues happen a lot with the water main coming into your home.

You will know that you have a problem because your front lawn will be floating around like a water bed. As soon as you step on it you will know that you have an underground leak. The repair on this is expensive and messy. It is one of those things that drive homeowners crazy. However, you can do something to avoid the inconvenience and prepare yourself for what is coming.

If you see one of your neighbor’s water mains fail, you know that it is time to have yours looked at. Usually, when one water main goes in a neighborhood you can count on the whole neighborhood having that issue over the next couple of years. As a homeowner, you should also be aware of this and try your best to start putting some money aside as soon as you see the first one fail in the old neighborhood. The goal is to be prepared financially to have the repair done before it is an emergency problem. This way, you’ll have the money set aside for the repair. The plumbing in Tucson today is much stronger and much more suited to be buried underground. It is not going to have the same issues as the metal piping has. Some plastic pipe could last 100 years! Hindsight is always 20/20, but we have finally gotten it right.

The plumbing solutions continue to evolve and we continue to get better materials and workmanship. For you the consumer it is hopefully reducing the amount of times you need to call a plumber. For us, we may need to reinvent who we are as an industry to make sure we are not running ourselves out of work.

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The Joy of Successful Water Heater Repair

March 2nd, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

Have you ever had that experience of stepping into the shower in the morning, half awake and stumbling over everything? You have to get ready to go to work and then when you turn on the water in the shower it is freezing cold. You scream a loud, high pitched scream that wakes up the whole house and your eyes, once half open are now as wide open as they ever have been. Your heart is racing and the blood is pumping from the shock of the cold water. How can there be no hot water when you are the first one in the shower?

When you have this experience, and you will at some point in your life, you need to call in a plumber who does water heater repair in Tucson. Hopefully, the plumber you call is us. We know how to repair water heaters and we know how to make sure you won’t face a cold shower again.

If you’ve had the experience described above, you now have an appreciation for waters heaters and for the simple pleasure of hot water. Though we all take water heaters for granted, water heaters typically last only about ten or eleven years. That first shower after the water heater has been repaired will be perhaps the most enjoyable shower you will have for a very long time.

While the plumber who does water heater repair in Tucson is there to repair your water heater, consider your water heater’s age. Don’t put hundreds of dollars into a water heater that is near the end of its life. It may be more cost effective to replace your old water heater with a more efficient newer model.

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Need a Plumber Again?

February 29th, 2012 by Roto-Rooter Bloggers

If you are someone who has the plumber on speed dial, there is a good chance that you have young children in the home. Children seem to be fascinated with the plumbing in the house. The sinks, tubs and toilets in the home seem to be a temptation that they cannot refuse. Invariably, they will put something down a drain that gets stuck in the pipes and clogs things up.

When you are in this stage of life, you may well have a plumber in Tucson as one of your best friends. Best friendships take some time to develop and a lot of interaction. At one time, my family was on a first name basis with the local body shop. If you call the plumber often enough for service you might even be exchanging Christmas cards and inviting him to family birthday parties by now if your toddler is flushing toys, rubber balls and army men down the toilet.

As much as this is frustrating to you right now, this time of life will soon pass. Learn to laugh about these things now because they’ll be the subject of nostalgic tales to your grandchildren in a few years. Your children will grow up sooner than any of us wants to think about…and you will not have to call the plumber nearly as often to rescue GI Joe from the sewer pipes. You will once again get to live a normal life again where you don’t know any plumbers by name. However, for now you should enjoy the relationship you are building with your plumber in Tucson. You’re helping to pay for his kids’ college education so it’s like you’re paying it forward.

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