Tag: Plumbing Maintenance

Should I Have a Plumbing Inspection Done on My New Home?

Posted on | by Drainiacs

The Benefits of a Plumbing Inspection for New Homeowners

 

Baldwin park PlumberWhen looking to buy a new house, new homeowners are thoroughly assuming that all of the functions of the house they are looking at are already intact and functioning properly. What they don’t assume, is that there are any problems with the plumbing. Although sometimes this may be true, it is still in the highest benefit to have the plumbing of the house inspected before purchasing; this will allow the homeowners to be aware of any problems early on.

There are two main benefits of having this done: one, you become well aware of any small problems that could be carried out in the future and two, you will save time and expenses in the long run. Even the issues that seem minor, such a small leak, can pose hazards to the home and health of the people living inside. The leak may be small, but even the slow drip is already causing problems to the pipes and the homeowners’ wallet; the finances from the pockets of the homeowners not only includes the finances to pay for the damage of the leak but also the finances for the health visits that can arise from what comes from the leaks. The small leaks that seem minor, cause mold, which continues to grow and divide into the air; putting everyone in the home at risk for health issues.

Bad plumbing in the new home can cause other various issues, such as; low pressure, odors, and the discoloration of water inside the home. The inspection only takes a couple of hours and whether or not the inspector finds anything, the homeowner will have a sense of perception on what to do further out. When saving time, finding out whether there is a plumbing problem or not, can help the homeowner know if their new home is worth all of the money that they will put into it.

Are you in need of a home plumbing inspection in the West Covina area? Call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer at (626) 962-0885 and schedule a service call today!

How Do Drain Cleaners Work?

Posted on | by Drainiacs

Reasons to Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaning Solutions to Unclog Your Drain

 

West Covina Drain CleaningChemical drain cleaners are a common remedy used in unclogging kitchen and bathroom drains, but did you know that these chemicals can actually cause more harm than good? Here are some reasons why chemical drain cleaning solutions should be avoided.

To start with, the chemicals found drain cleaners emit toxic fumes that can be harmful to your family and pets. These fumes can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. Excessive usage can result in severe damage to your upper respiratory tract that can potentially lead to a chemical-induced pneumonia.

If drain cleaners are designed to eat away sticky buildup deep down in your drains, just imagine the harm it could do to your skin. One of the main ingredients, sodium hydroxide, can cause severe tissue damage, or burns, if your skin is exposed to it. Being splashed in the eyes with just a small amount of sodium hydroxide could potentially cause blindness.

When left unattended, sometimes dogs and cats will jump up onto sinks so they can lick up any water that’s left behind. You wouldn’t want to accidentally expose them to residual drain cleaner solution that hasn’t flowed down the drain. There are also other animals that you should be concerned about – wild animals that rely on lakes and rivers for water. Sometimes uncapped drain cleaner bottles wind up in these watery regions, poisoning fish and other surrounding wildlife.

Pipes are commonly made from copper, tough PVC plastic, or galvanized steel copper. And while these surfaces may seem durable or indestructible, the oxidizing chemicals found in drain cleaning solutions can be corrosive to them as well, particularly if the pipes are already in a weakened state.

The next time your drain becomes clogged, instead of reaching for a bottle of drain cleaning solution, call your plumber for professional drain cleaning services such as hydro jetting. Hydro jetting utilizes highly pressurized reverse water jets to clean drains at the effective rate of 1,500 to 4,000 pounds per minute, to break apart and flush down grease, dirt, food particles, hair, and other unwanted sediment.

Are the drains in your West Covina home clogged? Call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer at (626) 962-0885 and schedule a service call today!

How Can I Take Care Of the Drains in My Home?

Posted on | by Drainiacs

Maintaining Your Home Drainage System

 

West Covina PlumberIn order to properly maintain your home drainage system, you should perform a full inspection of your system at least once a year. This will allow you to find any issues that need to be repaired to avoid flooding in your home. Your inspection should include the entire system, inside and outside your home.

When inspecting your drainage system outside, you want to start with the most obvious places. First, check all eaves troughs and downspouts. Remove any leaves or debris you find inside, and look for any elbows or connections that need to be tightened. Check for any leaks that may need caulking and any badly dented or cracked sections that need to be repaired. Next, inspect all splash pads and extensions. Check for any loose pads or connections and any bad dents or cracks. Be sure to check the soft rollout extensions for any leaks, and ensure that they are working properly. Lastly, inspect your lot grading. Look at the slope from the basement wall. The backfill should be at least 8 inches from the top of the foundation. Keep an eye out for any settling, especially under stairs and decks. Also look for low spots that need to be filled, and any cracks or spaces on your driveway, walkways, or patios that are next to the foundation wall that should be fixed.

Inside your home, you want to start by inspecting the foundation walls. Check for any moisture along the floor while looking for any visible cracks that need to be filled or sealed. You also want to make sure that your sump pump is in good condition. Check for power, and then test the pump by pouring water into the well to ensure it is working properly. Follow the outside pipe to check for leaks and to be sure that water is flowing to the street or back lane. Finish your inspection with the backwater valve. Clean out any debris, and make sure the flapper is moving freely.

Make note of any issues that you find along the way. Any needed repairs should be a top priority. Are you dealing with clogged drains in your Baldwin Park home? Call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer at (626) 962-0885 and schedule a service call today!

Why Is It Taking so Long for the Water in My Home to Heat Up?

Posted on | by Drainiacs

Signs Your Water Heater Needs Maintenance

 

West Covina Water HeaterWe tend to take our water heater for granted. We bathe, wash dishes, and clean our clothes with hot water. What if we found ourselves at the most inconvenient time without it? There’s no reason to have this happen with a simple knowledge of what to look for when it comes to water heater maintenance.

The first thing a professional plumbing technician will recommend is a regular water heater inspection. By doing this yearly chances of heating problems will be minimal if not eliminated. However, if you suspect you’re on the verge of a water heater problem it’s something you need to take care of right away. There are certain points to always be on the lookout for if you feel you may have a water heater problem. Below is a shortlist of possible problems to be on the lookout for.

Shortness of hot water is the most immediate problem homeowners find. If you feel that the length of time your water remains heated has shortened then chances are it has. Heating elements are the basic item that heats our water and can go at any time. This is usually following a lessening of hot water as a warning. At the first sign of this, you should immediately call a plumbing technician.

Any water leakage, no matter how small the leak, which you find around your water heater should also be inspected as soon as possible. Again do not do it yourself. The leak could be from a number of different problems and will, more than likely, save you time and money by using a professional.

There is any number of qualified plumbing professionals, but it takes a simple search on the internet to find the best one in your area. Make sure they offer a guarantee on their work and that they’re available 24/7 for any unforeseen emergency. A good relationship with your plumber is like having one with your doctor. Preventative maintenance is always a good idea to avoid expensive repair or replacement. At the first sign of any problem call the plumbing technician of your choice.

Is the water heater in your West Covina home in need of repairs? Call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer at (626) 962-0885 and schedule a service call today!