When Should I Call for Pipeline Inspection Services?

April 17th, 2017

sewer-line-repairThe sewer line that runs from your house to the municipal system in the street, or to a septic tank if your house is unconnected to the municipal line, is buried out of sight—and that’s the way we’re sure you want it. But this means it’s difficult to access or to observe when the sewer line starts leaking or suffers from tree root infestation.

Pipeline inspection services are necessary to properly diagnose what’s affecting a problematic sewer line. Our plumbers use the finest in pipeline inspection technology to do this job. Miniaturized digital cameras mounted on long fiber-optic cables capable of snaking the length of a residential sewer line give us a close view of the interior of the pipe. Using the images sent back from the camera, we can locate leaks with precision, know when a sewer line requires cleaning, or discover any other problem affecting this important part of the plumbing system—and how to fix it.

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What Water Testing Can Tell You about Your Home’s Water

April 11th, 2017

People today are more concerned than ever about contaminants in the water that enters their homes. And they have good reason to be cautious in this regard: lead in drinking water is often a serious problem, even with the best reduction efforts under 1986 and 1996 regulatory requirements. We’ve previously looked into the issue of lead in your drinking water and the dangers it poses. It’s one of the main reasons we strongly recommend all homeowners arrange to have professionals test their water and find what water treatment systems will help.

Water testing, however, is broader than hunting for lead only. When you schedule professional water testing in Cincinnati, OH with our team, you’ll receive a complete rundown on all the contaminants in your water supply that can pose problems for household health and the plumbing system.

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Sewer Line Problems: How to Tell You Need Professional Plumbers

April 3rd, 2017

question-mark-badgeIf you live in a house with a connection to the municipal sewer system (which is the majority of homes in the Cincinnati Area, but certainly not all) then the sewer line that runs from the house and out to the city pipeline in the street is your responsibility. If this line should suffer from damage, become blocked, or corrode, it’s up to you to call for professional plumbers to locate the issues and fix them. It’s a big job—but if it doesn’t get done, the consequences for your home will be unpleasantly high.

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Danger: Potential Water Heater Scald Hazards

March 20th, 2017

thermometer-going-redThe storage tank water heater is the most common type of water heater found in homes across the country, and has been since the early 20th century when it first entered widespread domestic use. Even with recent developments in water heating technology resulting in the spread of systems like tankless water heaters and heat pump water heaters, the storage water heater remains a dependable way to enjoy a steady supply of heated water throughout a house.

Chances are high that you have a tank water heater serving your family’s needs. If you require service for your water heater, or you’re interested in a replacement system, call on our specialists. We offer quality repairs and other services for tank water heaters in Cincinnati, OH.

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Is Your Sump Pump Ready for Spring Flooding?

March 13th, 2017

Spring is coming up soon, and we’re already experiencing warmer weather here in Cincinnati—although these warmer temperatures are also coming with rains and thunderstorms. The change between seasons from winter to spring is when flooding presents the biggest danger to homes. Snowmelt and stormy weather can mean water entering your home’s basement or crawlspace, causing expensive water damage and creating an environment where mold and mildew develop.

This is where a sump pump is invaluable. A sump pump turns on automatically to pump out excess water that flows into the lower parts of a home. This water is pumped out to the waste water system or into a well. If you don’t have a sump pump in your home, we encourage you to contact our professional plumbers to arrange for this service. If you do have a sump pump, look below to find out how to prepare it for the season of flooding.

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A Look at the Different Types of Well Pumps

March 6th, 2017

water-dropletsNot every home has the benefit of a connection to the municipal water system to bring potable water into the household plumbing. These homes instead use a ground well.

If your home’s plumbing relies on a ground well, there are a number of crucial components in place necessary for it to work. One of these is the well pump. Unless you walk out to the well daily with a bucket to draw out the water you need, the water in the well won’t reach your house without the action of a well pump. And not just any pump will do: there are different models to match with different well depths.

We’re going to take a closer look at the different types of well pumps commonly used for residential ground wells. Finding the model that fits your home’s needs when it’s time to either install a pump for a new well or replace an aging pump is a job to leave to professional plumbers. You can depend on our skilled plumbers for a great new well pump installation, as well as future repairs and maintenance.

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Copper, Corrosion, and Water Treatment

February 20th, 2017

leaking-water-pipeAre you at the mercy of leaking pipes in your house? One of the most likely causes of consistent pipe leaks is corrosion.

At this point you might say, “But I have copper pipes. Copper doesn’t corrode.”

But that’s not actually true. Copper is corrosion resistant, not corrosion proof. It won’t corrode under most common circumstances (metal and oxygen in the presence of water) like steel and iron will. But exposure to certain chemicals and compounds sometimes found in water—especially water coming from a well—will create specific types of corrosion in copper.

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Am I or the City Responsible for the Sewer Line from My Home?

February 13th, 2017

This is a question that homeowners often ask when it comes to taking care of the sewer pipe that carries away waste from their drains and out to the municipal sewer system. If something goes wrong with this pipe, such as a break or blockage, is it the responsibility of the utility company or the homeowner to have the pipe repaired or replaced?

The answer is: the homeowner. From the point where the sewer line exits the home to where it crosses under the property line is the responsibility of the homeowner. However, this isn’t as huge a burden as it sounds.

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5 Benefits of Water Softeners

February 6th, 2017

golden-water-faucet“Hard water.” It’s a strange phrase when you first hear it. Isn’t hard water called ice? No, hard water is a condition where water has a high amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in it. This isn’t something to worry about when it comes to health. But it does has other effects throughout a home that can damage the plumbing and appliances.

If you have noticed a film or residue on your hands after using soap, then that’s a sign of hard water. What’s happening is that the soap is reacting to the calcium in the hard water and creating soap scum. You’ll also notice this soap scum on glass and porcelain surfaces. Hard water usually enters the water supply through municipal pipes, and it’s common in urban areas.

Don’t ignore hard water signs: it needs to be corrected, and the way to do it is to call on expert plumbers who offer water treatment services. They can attach a whole-house water softener to your plumbing that will eliminate the hard water problems.

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The Other Type of Plumbing: Natural Gas Plumbing

January 23rd, 2017

natural-gas-burnersWhen people think of the word plumber, they automatically connect it with water and sewer pipes. But this isn’t the only type of professional plumbing. There are also natural gas plumbers who work with the lines that transport gas from municipal lines to the various gas-fired appliances in a house or commercial building. Natural gas pipes provide the fuel supply for stoves, ovens, boilers, furnaces, fireplaces, outdoor grills, water heaters, and even laundry machines.

Why Expanding Natural Gas Use Is a Good Idea

If you already have natural gas power to your house, you may want to consider expanding the number of appliances that use it thanks to the work of gas line plumbers. Here’s why making the most use of natural gas is beneficial:

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