There is evidence that indoor plumbing has been around since 2500 BC. For as long as there has been indoor plumbing, plumbing services have been needed. In some cases, plumbing services are a must. For example, a water heater replacement Madison WI homeowners require is something to leave to the pros. However, there are things you can do to avoid the need for an emergency plumber.

 

If you want to avoid the need for plumbing services, a little maintenance can do the trick. Winterizing outdoor pipes, for example, and making sure only flushable items are placed into the toilet can allow you to alleviate the need for emergency plumbing. Following these easy tips can help to cut costs on plumbing services.

 

Winterize Your Outdoor Pipes

 

It is important that you protect outdoor pipes from freezing and ultimately bursting. Be sure to disconnect all hose spigots for the winter and cover the spigot either with insulation tape or old towels to protect them.

 

Exposed pipes outside should be wrapped in insulation and heat tape if possible. Keeping exposed pipes protected is a good way to keep from having to call for professional plumbing services.

 

Keep an Eye On the Toilet

 

Plumbers pull the strangest things out of toilets. A clogged toilet can be a huge inconvenience but you do want to avoid putting chemicals down the toilet to try to clear the clog. You will have to call in a plumber to manage the unclogging if you want it done right.

 

One of the best ways to ensure that the toilet stays completely flushable is to keep an eye on what is being flushed. Nothing, absolutely nothing, should be flushed down the toilet except human waste and toilet paper. Don’t throw grease down the toilet or other liquid waste. There are so many things that wind up down the toilet that should not.

 

Perform Regular Maintenance

 

Maintenance on your plumbing systems can go a long way in keeping the plumbing services truck away. It is always better to pay for maintenance than it is to pay for plumbing repairs. Regular care of your plumbing system can help to identify any potential problems and address them quickly.

 

Take care of your plumbing and it will provide reliable function year-round. That said, certain maintenance and repairs should always be performed by a professional. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and contact your professional plumbing services provider.

Small plumbing issues are often a struggle for many homeowners, and while they may seem insignificant, they can be irritating at best and damaging at worst. As many as 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons of water or more per day. However, not all plumbing problems come in the form of a leaky faucet. Clogged drains and clogged toilets are incredibly inconvenient and can even be a health hazard. To protect your plumbing and home, here are just a few things you should know about drain blockage removal and clogged drain.

More Serious Than Expected

Clogged drains aren’t just inconvenient – they can actually end up becoming dangerous. Water backup can be a breeding ground for disease and germs, and if left unaddressed can quickly pose a health risk to you and your family. This is especially the case for clogged toilets but also applies to everything from a shower drain to a kitchen sink. The longer the water is left standing, the more serious the problems could end up being for both your plumbing and your health.

Chemical Cleaning Options

When you contact your local plumber for drain cleaning, they’ll likely try one of two approaches. Typically, the first attempt at clearing a blocked drain involves using chemical solvents to dissolve the material creating the blockage. Most of the time, plumbing services will have cleaning chemicals strong enough to remove the blockage without additional measures, but if the blockage is due to a single item, other steps may be needed.

Drain Blockage Removal

If the drain is still blocked after using chemical cleaners, your plumber may need to remove the blockage directly. This is often done through the use of a drain snake, but if that also is ineffective, more extensive plumbing work may need to be completed to fully remove the blockage. This is almost guaranteed to be the last step in removing the blockage and will almost always be successful in fixing clogged drains.

Do you have a clogged drain in your home or place of business? If so, contact HJ Pertzborn Plumbing and Fire Protection today for drain blockage removal and to keep your plumbing safe and clean.

Summer is here and it’s time to focus on pool parties and backyard barbecues, not plumbing concerns. Unfortunately, the summer season does bring its fair share of common plumbing problems. So to help you have the best summer possible, let’s look at a few plumbing issues that may arise so you know how to handle them.

Clogged drains: With many summer events involving plenty of food, drains and disposal systems can easily become clogged. Putting food items, like fruits, vegetables, and even meat, down the drain can do some serious damage. Additionally, used cooking grease can end up coating the insides of pipes and hardening, resulting in clogs. Fortunately, professional drain cleaning services can fix these clogs — but try to avoid them in the first place by properly disposing of food.

Backed up sewer line: Sewer line problems can be more than a hassle — they can become a big project if they’re not taken care of right away. With heavy summer rains, sewer pipes can become cracked or damaged, resulting in a backup. Or if your pipes are near large trees, tree roots may end up spreading to the pipes, causing damage. If you notice any signs of sewer line problems, call for sewer line repair or sewer line inspection sooner rather than later. Otherwise, you may end up with a huge mess in your house or in your yard.

Plumbing leaks: Plumbing, like toilets, sinks, showers, and even the washing machine, are often used more in the summer because more people are at the house. And with increased use comes the increased risk of problems. Plumbing leaks are all too common — whether it’s a drippy sink or a flooded basement, leaks of all sizes need to be fixed as soon as possible. Not only can fixing household leaks save homeowners around 10% on water expenses, but leaks can lead to home damage. So if you notice even a slight drip, call for plumbing repair services.

Plumbing is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re enjoying the nice summer weather. But keep these common issues in mind, and have a plumbing repair number in your phone, in case something does go awry. This way, you can get it fixed quickly and get back to enjoying your summer.

Humans have been enjoying indoor plumbing since around 2500 B.C. — but despite the added comfort and convenience, plumbing is not without its faults. And this means, as a homeowner, you’re probably going to be dealing with a problematic toilet at one point or another. Fortunately, with the help of local plumbing services, most minor toilet problems can be easily fixed. However, there are times when a toilet may be beyond repair and just needs to be replaced. So let’s take a look at a few details that will help you decide between toilet repair and replacement.

Consider toilet repair if…

Toilet repair is the way to go if you’re experiencing infrequent, minor issues with your toilet. A few common problems that can easily be fixed with the help of a professional plumber include:

• The toilet continues to run
• The tank is leaking
• The toilet won’t completely flush
• The tank takes a long time to fill

While these issues can be annoying and inconvenient, they are pretty easy for a plumbing contractor to fix. Additionally, homeowners can do their best to keep their toilets in good working condition by regularly cleaning both the interior and exterior of the toilet and avoid flushing items that shouldn’t be flushed. But if any of these minor problems are experienced, it’s important to hire toilet repair services sooner rather than later.

Consider toilet replacement if…

While a few issues here are there aren’t concerning, if you’re dealing with issues over and over again, it may be time to invest in a new toilet. As toilets age, they may begin to show significant signs of wear and tear — scratches, cracks, and other damages showing up may be a signal it’s time to replace the toilet. Additionally, older toilets may pose problems that more modern toilets might not. Older toilets tend to use more water and become difficult to flush due to frequent clogging. If you’re looking to avoid having to deal with these issues again and again, replacement may be ideal over plumbing repair.

Ultimately, deciding to repair or replace your toilet is up to you. But make sure you consult a reputable plumber so you can ensure you’re making the best choice possible.

Remodeling your home can both bring new aesthetics to the house and increase property value. In fact, even a minor kitchen remodel can result in an ROI of 82.7%. But one room of the house that often gets neglected is the bathroom. While bathrooms get a lot of use, they don’t always get updated when they need to. So if you’re thinking about remodeling your bathroom, here is why hiring a plumber can be beneficial.

You’ll avoid making mistakes: One of the biggest problems homeowners run into during DIY bathroom remodeling is making big mistakes — whether it’s drilling into a pipe or buying the wrong screw, even a small mistake can be costly. And big mistakes, like bursting a pipe, can be detrimental. But you don’t have to worry about these concerns when you hire a plumber. Experienced plumbers know how to disconnect water safely, set up bathroom features properly, and can ensure the job gets done correctly.

Plumbers get the right materials: Another problem homeowners may run into when trying to remodel their bathroom is finding the right materials and products for the job. From replacing pipes to doing toilet repair to screwing in new fixtures, it’s essential that you have the right materials. And unfortunately, it may be difficult for people to know what they need or even find what they need. But plumbers will quickly know which materials they need and know right where to get it, making it much easier.

The job will be done quickly: Plumbing companies are invaluable when it comes to getting remodeling jobs done quickly. If homeowners try to do a project themselves, their bathroom may be out of commission for weeks until the project is done. But a plumbing contractor can make the changes in no time at all. This is why hiring a plumber for a quick bathroom remodeling project is always a good idea.

As you can see, there are endless benefits to working with a plumber when remodeling your bathroom. If you want your bathroom remodeling project to go smoothly and quickly, hire a local plumber.

If you’ve ever had to call a plumbing contractor, it’s likely that they have made the effort to check your sump pump. This common household feature is often placed in the basement of your home to protect against flooding. Here’s what you should know about this handy tool as a homeowner.

What is a sump pump?

As mentioned above, a sump pump is a valuable tool that mitigates the potential for flooding in your home. Countless plumbing companies and home builders will install this tool in the lowest part of your basement to redirect harmful floodwater away from the home’s foundation.

A pit rests beneath the sump pump in order to collect water, usually through a series of drains or runoff. The pump will redirect water that enters the pit safely away from your home, thereby keeping your home dry.

What homes can benefit from a sump pump

Nearly all homes can benefit from the installation of a sump pump, however, these tools are particularly helpful in wet climates that experience a lot of rain. Areas that experience heavy snowfall and melt will need sump pumps, along with homes located by bodies of water that are prone to flooding. But your home doesn’t even need to experience a flood to take on damage; a humid or moist environment can cause serious — and expensive — damage because of mold and mildew growth.

Do I need a sump pump?

More often than not, your home will need a sump pump. This is especially important if you have a crawl space or basement located below the ground. This area will experience higher levels of moisture than normal. It’s essential that your sump pump works to keep the area dry.

If you don’t install a sump pump, you’re putting your home at risk. Flooding can cause thousands of dollars in property damage. High levels of moisture can put the integrity of your home’s structure at risk and cause cracks in your home’s foundation. Whether you’re looking for plumbing repairs or a bathtub replacement, rely on an experienced plumber to check your sump pump as well. After all, the average life expectancy for a sump pump is only 10 years.

Are you looking for a great bathroom remodeling or plumbing service? Rely on the experience of HJ Pertzborn Plumbing and Fire Protection. We offer the best in bathtub replacements, emergency plumbing, and fire protection in Madison WI. Contact us today for more information.

Most people understand the benefits of hiring a plumber at any time of the year — after all, fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills. But when it comes to the winter season, many homeowners are unaware that the lack of maintenance can cause adverse effects on their home’s pipes and plumbing systems. With that in mind, here are just a few reasons why it’s particularly important to invest in residential plumbing services for winter maintenance.


Hot Water

Going through a full winter without pipes that deliver hot water efficiently is an absolute drag. There’s nothing worse than a cold shower on a cold and dark winter’s morning. A plumber can help make sure your hot water tank is functioning properly and efficiently so that you have a thorough hot water supply all season long. If you have existing hot water issues, you’ll notice the difference immediately.


Reduce Frozen Pipe Risk

Frozen pipes can be a homeowner’s absolute worst nightmare. Not only can frozen pipes leak and damage the structural foundation of your home and its contents, but if you’re leaving your home for an extended period of time, you could return to find that you can’t access your home’s water supply at all. But rest assured; a licensed residential plumber can stop by to examine your plumbing system, making improvements to virtually eliminate this risk. Just make sure to let them know if you plan on being away from your home from an extended period of time, as they may provide specific instructions regarding how to prevent freezing.


Prepare Sump Pumps

The US Department of Housing and Development estimates the average life expectancy for a sump pump is 10 years, but regardless of how old your system is, a plumber can ensure that it’s functioning properly in the event of a massive blizzard or snowstorm. This can also help to prevent a major home disaster.


Ultimately, it’s important to be aware of these reasons to hire residential plumbing services before the harsh winter weather reaches its peak and poses the biggest risk to your home’s pipes. For more information about residential or commercial plumbing services, contact HJ Pertzborn Plumbing and Fire Protection.

In the last post, we discussed some of the most common problems homeowners experience with their sump pumps. However, having a full understanding of the range of problems that can occur from lack of maintenance is the key to maximizing the lifespan of your sump pump. Here’s part two of our guide that will explore some more frequently experienced sump pump problems and how to avoid them.

Improper Sump Pump Installation

Making sure you’ve properly installed your sump pump is of the utmost importance. That’s why most people hire residential plumbing services to make sure the job is done just right and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Improper sump pump installation can lead to a myriad of issues. For example, many manufacturers require the installation of a check valve on the sump pump’s discharge line. If this is done incorrectly or not at all, the back-flow of water may result in the pump impeller rotating in a backward motion and coming loose from the motor shaft.

Another common issue related to sump pump installation is installing it in the wrong location. The sump pump pit should never be set in gravel or dirt, as this can cause excess debris to enter the pump and interfere with its power switch or float arm.

Discharge Line Clogs

Finally, having a clogged or frozen discharge line can cause the entire system to stop working. The water needs a clear exit path, and it can easily clog up with ice, sticks, dirt, rocks, and other debris. Make sure to protect your system’s discharge pipe where the water exits; this will optimize sump pump operating conditions. Similarly, make sure the exit pipe doesn’t become blocked or frozen with ice or snow.

Ultimately, proper maintenance and installation is the key to avoiding most of these common sump pump problems. With proper maintenance, however, they can work effectively for years. Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years, and sump pumps last an average of 10 years with routine maintenance. For more information about plumbing repair, contact HJ Pertzborn Plumbing and Fire Protection.