It’s easier today than ever before to find professionals to take care of any job that you may need. All you have to do is type in a few terms into an Internet search engine, and then dozens (maybe hundreds) of options will pop up on your screen. But this creates the paradox of choice: how do you know that you’ll receive the quality you want when you have this many options? There are so many choices that it’s not difficult to end up making the wrong choice. (more…)
My Drain Company Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing Repair’
What to Look for in a Professional Plumbing Contractor
Monday, July 4th, 20164 Reasons Your Sump Pump May Stop Working
Monday, September 28th, 2015Southern California may be due for some heavy rains in the coming fall and winter months. Although this is good news for helping to alleviate our drought, it can be bad news for homes that are prone to flooding. A sump pump is good installation to have put in the crawlspace or subfloor of your house to prevent water damage and the build-up of moisture that can lead to problems from increased humidity and mold and mildew growth. Even if the massive rainfall doesn’t arrive, your home could always suffer from a plumbing accident that sends water gushing into the subfloor. (more…)
Reasons You Should Have Trenchless Sewer Line Replacement
Monday, August 31st, 2015For many decades, there was one standard way to have a home’s sewer line replaced: bringing in heavy digging equipment, excavating a trench across the property to access the pipe, lifting out the pipe, then placing down a new pipe and covering it over. This method is still used all over the country—but it isn’t the only option any more. Trenchless technology is now available to do the job using lateral boring techniques that inserts a reliner into the sewer pipe, then expand it to shatter the outside pipe and replace it with the reliner. (more…)
Why Call on Professionals for Your Commercial Plumbing Repairs
Monday, April 20th, 2015There are very few businesses that don’t rely on a plumbing system in some way. Running water and waste removal are essential parts of keeping a company running smoothly and employees, clients, customers, tenants, etc. content and safe. If something goes wrong with the plumbing at your company, such as leaking pipes, clogged toilets, or a loss of water pressure, you need to call on professional plumbers with commercial experience right away. (more…)
Signs Your Plumbing System Is Worn Beyond Repair
Friday, January 23rd, 2015Plumbing materials are made to be durable, but they don’t last forever. Depending on the age of your home and when your plumbing was installed, you may have plumbing in your Chatsworth home with a lot of miles on it. The good news is that new plumbing repair can help bring your plumbing fully up to date, making it more efficient and giving it a new lease on time. Not sure if you are seeing the signs of worn-out plumbing? Here are a few to be aware of:
- Problems with multiple leaks – have you had to repair multiple leaks in various areas of your home’s plumbing? This can be an indication that your plumbing is wearing out in different areas and may be best replaced instead of constantly being repaired.
- Signs of corrosion – are you seeing brown or yellow water coming through your faucets, particularly after being away for a few days? This can indicate that there is rust on the inside of your plumbing, which means there is corrosion present.
- Flakes, dimples and other corrosion on pipes and/or tubing – any kind of significant corrosion on the outside of your piping indicates the presence of corrosion; let a trained professional tell you how much corrosion there is and whether or not repair or replacement is better.
- Age – as mentioned above, the age of your plumbing can play a significant role in whether or not you need to replace failing plumbing.
- Constant clogging – as with multiple leaks, if you are experiencing constant clogging from multiple drains, you may want to compare the cost of repair calls versus replacement.
- Poor water pressure – if the various faucets in your home are all exhibiting signs of poor water pressure, this can indicate that your pipes are no longer up to the task of supplying you with needed water.
It is better to stay ahead of worn out plumbing than wait for a significant leak or other major plumbing problem to develop before making the decision to replace worn piping. If you are in need of professional plumbing repair in Chatsworth, call My Drain Company today and schedule an appointment with one of our plumbing experts.
How Do Professional Plumbers Detect Leaks?
Wednesday, January 14th, 2015Leaks are very often out of sight, making them difficult to locate until they create such a mess that you can’t miss them. No one wants to wait until serious water damage has occurred before finding out about an existing leak, so how do you go about finding one? Hire a professional plumber to perform leak detection and repair for your Glendale property.
Signs of a Leak
First, let’s take a look at signs that can indicate you’ve got a leak somewhere in your home:
- Your water bill is unexpectedly high – has your water bill risen significantly but your water usage hasn’t? Water leaks are notorious water-wasters, so if your bill is suddenly sky-high, it is likely a leak has developed somewhere in your plumbing.
- Sound of constant running water – are you hearing the sound of running water when there are no open faucets? Running or dripping coming from unknown parts mean water is escaping from somewhere, somehow.
- Decrease in water pressure – your plumbing system needs to maintain a level of pressure inside it to help push the water to where it needs to go. A noticeable drop in water pressure means the air inside the system is no longer balance, and it is likely from a leak that is allowing the air to escape.
Finding Leaks
As mentioned above, many leaks are not readily visible to the eye. This is why professionals use different tools to help them locate leaky plumbing:
- Audio equipment – professional plumbers have specialized listening equipment that allows them to hear the smallest drip through drywall, plaster, cabinets and even concrete. This equipment allows the plumber to pinpoint the exact location of a leak and commence repair.
- Infrared detection – infrared technology can detect areas of moisture by temperature. Typically a leak will be cooler than the air that surrounds it, so infrared can be a fast, efficient way to find the source of a leak.
- Video – using a camera placed on a fiber optic cable, professional plumbers can look deep into any plumbing system. The camera sends back real-time video of the inside of the piping, and many cameras are equipped with dye injectors that can help pinpoint any other additional leak problems.
As you can see, accurate leak detection entails training and using professional equipment that most homeowners simply won’t have. If you suspect you have a plumbing leak, call My Drain Company today and schedule an appointment for professional plumbing repair in Glendale.
What Causes Leaks in Gas Pipes?
Friday, October 3rd, 2014If you suspect you may have a leak in your gas pipes, it’s important that you take action immediately. Natural gas is generally a safe way to fuel some of the appliances in your home as well as your heating system. Clothes dryers, water heaters, and gas furnaces and boilers all rely on a supply of gas in order to function. And depending on the cost of natural gas in your area, these gas appliances may save you money over time and could last longer than some electrical appliances.
But as soon as you believe a gas pipe leak threatens your home, you should evacuate immediately. You may notice the smell of rotten eggs or a hissing sound. Do not turn on any light switches or electronic devices or use matches and lighters, and call your utility company right away.
If you need gas piping installation or replacement, or for drain cleaning or plumbing repairs, be sure to call the experts at My Drain Company. We know the ins and outs of pipes, so you can be certain your gas piping is installed properly, preventing the need for repairs. So what causes leaks in the gas pipes?
- Rust and Corrosion: One of the most common reasons for leaks has to do with faulty installation. If your gas line is near a water source or appliance that could have a leak, water may cause the pipe to rust and, eventually, to corrode.
- Faulty Joints: As with your plumbing system, the pipes are connected with joints that may wear down over time, which is why it’s important to have the pipes inspected from time to time.
- Loose Seals: The gas pipes are also sealed to your appliances, but these seals could also deteriorate someday.
Proper installation can keep your gas pipes from threatening your home in the future. The experts at My Drain Company also know what to look for to make sure your current system is not at risk for leaks. For anything from gas pipe installation to plumbing repairs in Glendale, give us a call today!
Common Causes of Plumbing Repairs in Northridge
Tuesday, April 29th, 2014No matter how well we maintain our home’s plumbing, eventually we will encounter a problem that needs the services of a professional plumber. Leaks, clogs, loss of water flow, dripping faucets… you’ve probably encountered all of these at one time or another. But remember: a good plumber has encountered them numerous times, and will have no trouble fixing whatever ails your pipes, drains, water heater, or faucets.
My Drain Company has 15 years of working with all types of plumbing repairs in Northridge, CA. We’ve put together a list of three common causes for the repairs we often perform. If any of these afflicts your plumbing, contact us right away (any time of the day or night) and we’ll rush out to help you.
3 Common Culprits Behind Plumbing Repairs
- Pipe corrosion: If you live in a house built before 1970, chances are high that the plumbing consists of galvanized steel pipes. This is strong and durable material, but it has fallen out of favor among plumbing installers because it eventually corrodes. Corroded pipes will spring leaks, break, and develop blockages. If you encounter numerous problems because of older pipes, you may wish to consider a whole-house repiping to replace the outdated pipes with copper or plastic ones.
- Fat, oil, and grease: Collectively known as F.O.G., these hot liquids often go down kitchen drains where they create numerous troubles from clogs and high water pressure. Although F.O.G. in liquid form seems innocuous enough, it changes into a waxy solid when it dries. This will start to coat the inside of pipes and choke off the space for water. Clogs will become frequent, and water pressure will spike as the room in the pipes shrinks, leading to leaks. Regular drain cleaning will help get rid of F.O.G., and you should also avoid pouring these substances down your drains and instead put them in a trash receptacle.
- Hard water: This describes water with a high level of mineral content, principally magnesium and calcites. Hard water comes from the municipal water supply, and it is rarely unhealthy to drink. However, it can damage your plumbing. Hard water leaves calcite deposits inside pipes which will contribute to higher water pressure and clogs. It will also damage appliances like your water heater and promote corrosion.
Call for Professional Plumbers in Northridge, CA
Homeowners often try to go the DIY route with plumbing repairs, but simply owning a set of wrenches doesn’t mean you can effectively solve most plumbing issues. You might make the problems worse and end up flooding a room in your house. Let professionals take care of all your plumbing repairs in Northridge, CA. Call My Drain Company the next time you have clogs, leaks, or any other plumbing hassles.
Signs of Earthquake Damage to Your Plumbing
Monday, January 27th, 2014We get our share of earthquakes in Southern California, and sometimes the damage can extend well beyond the temblor itself. The ground can shift beneath your home and formerly stable elements can become dangerously unbalanced. The especially applies to components of your home such as the electricity and plumbing. Here in Glendale, plumbing repair services can fix many problems associated with plumbing, but you need to know what to look for before you can call them in. Here are some signs of earthquake damage to your plumbing.
Of paramount concern is the main line from your home to Glendale’s public sewer system. If it ruptures or breaches, you’re likely to notice. The grass could suddenly become greener in the patch of ground above it, as the leaking sewage serves as a de facto fertilizer for your lawn. You may also notice puddles of liquid forming in your yard and/or unpleasant odors coming from your pipe. Water mains will result in puddles as well, in addition to a severe drop in the water pressure in your home.
Damage inside the home is likely to be more localized, and may affect only one single room or unit. You may turn on a sink or shower and find no water coming out. You may also see signs of backup in toilets and sinks, or discolored water emerging from your pipes. If you detect any such signs, shut off the main water valve to you home and call a plumber to fix the problem immediately. Under no circumstances should you drink or cook from water delivered by pipes that have been damaged in an earthquake. Use bottled water until a plumber has had a chance to take a look at it.
If you spot signs of earthquake damage to your plumbing, the Glendale plumbing repair experts at My Drain Company can help. We offer plumbing repair services, from earthquake damage falls under our purveyance, and we can even install additional safety features to help your system better endure the next quake. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!
The Best Ways to Prevent the Need for Plumbing Repairs
Monday, January 20th, 2014Here in Glendale, CA plumbing repair services are used to handling all kinds of issues. But better than waiting for plumbing problems to crop up, homeowners can save themselves a lot of time and heartache by taking preemptive measures with their plumbing. An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure as they say, and you can often stop a significant problem before it starts. Here are some of the best ways to prevent then need for plumbing repairs:
For starters, watch what you pour down the drain. Certain materials such as grease or fibrous vegetables will increase the chances of clogs. If you throw them in the trash instead of letting them wash down the sink, you’ll keep them out of the pipes and thus prevent damage. The same principle applies to hair and shampoo in your bathroom drains. Use a screen or strainer on the drains, and clean it out every time you shower or bathe. It will keep the pipes free of detritus and reduce the risk of clogs and drains.
In addition, it pays to know where the main shutoff valve in your home is: the one that controls the entire water supply in the household. If a leak springs up or some kind of plumbing disaster looms, get to the valve and shut it off. It could prevent a huge amount of water damage to your home and cut down on repair bills accordingly. The shutoff valve is usually on the bottom floor of your house (or your basement if you have one) near an outside wall or the street.
Finally, it always pays to have a reputable plumber ready to go; someone who can perform basic maintenance services as well as big repairs. Good plumbers would rather help you prevent big problems instead of ripping you off, and once you find one, he or she can be worth their weight in gold. Plumbing repairs in Glendale, CA can be performed by the experts at My Drain Company. We know the best ways to prevent the need for plumbing repairs and can help you keep your pipes clean and free of detritus. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!
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