Your home’s bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your house, which is why it’s important to keep its plumbing well maintained. The last thing you need is a costly and inconvenient plumbing emergency. From sinks and shower drains to toilets, bathroom plumbing maintenance is something everyone needs to take seriously.

Check out these bathroom plumbing tips from our trusted to help you safeguard your home from plumbing emergencies.

Faucet Maintenance

Functioning bathtub faucets and sink faucets keep water flowing and protect against unexpected plumbing problems. Over time, the moving parts of a faucet need to be tightened. Sometimes they even need replacement. One of our plumbers can help you determine if you need to replace these parts.

Fix Leaky Faucets Right Away

The longer you wait to perform faucet repair, the more water you waste. Did you know that according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) it only takes one drip each second to waste 3,000 gallons of water a year! Save yourself money and conserve water by taking care of leaks right away.

Clean Faucet Aerators

Have you noticed leaks coming from the handle? Maybe you’ve had low water pressure lately in one of your faucets. Most times, sediment buildup in the aerator’s opening is to blame. It’s easy to clean an aerator. Just follow these steps:

• Unscrew the aerator by turning it counterclockwise. Sometimes, you need to use a pair of pliers to loosen the aerator. If using pliers, wrap the teeth with masking tape so you don’t damage the faucet
• Take apart the aerator
• Use vinegar to clean the aerator. You may need to soak the aerator for 15 minutes or more to loosen the sediment
• Reassemble the aerator

Showerhead Maintenance

Showerheads can develop a buildup of mineral deposits like faucet aerators. When this happens, you may notice poor spray performance. Clean the showerhead for a better shower experience. Follow these steps for quick, easy cleaning:

• Unscrew the swivel ball nut. Like with aerator removal, we recommend that you use a masking-tape wrapped pair of channel pliers or adjustable wrench to protect the showerhead’s finish
• After you unscrew the collar nut from the showerhead, gently clean the intel and outlet holes of the showerhead. We recommend using a thin wire to clean the holes thoroughly.
• For stubborn buildup, you may need to let the showerhead soak in vinegar for several minutes.
• Next, rinse the head with clean water.
• Reassemble and reattach the showerhead.

If you’re not keen on disassembling the showerhead, another option is to pour one cup of vinegar into a plastic bag. Place the plastic bag over the showerhead and keep in place using a twist tie or rubber band. Let the showerhead stand overnight in the plastic bag. Then, in the morning, take the bag off and, using a damp cloth, wipe off the mineral deposits.

Toilet Maintenance and Leak Detection

Toilets are a very common source of bathroom leaks. These fixtures leak from a few places – some more obvious than others. When leaks form at the base of the toilet, the reason is usually a faulty wax seal. These toilet leaks need to be fixed ASAP because they can cause damage to the flooring and baseboards.

Other types of toilet leaks aren’t as noticeable but can be just as costly. These leaks happen between the toilet bowl and the tank. While they aren’t going to flood your bathroom, they do waste a lot of water. Luckily, repairs for these types of toilet leaks are inexpensive and straightforward. You can replace faulty parts like a flapper or flush-valve assembly for less than $10. If you’re not confident with your DIY skills, call us to help you out.

Another important aspect of toilet maintenance is to be careful about what you flush. The only non-organic matter that should be flushed is a sewer and septic-approved toilet tissue. Items like feminine hygiene items, diapers, cleansing wipes, and other items should never be flushed. Throw away these items in the wastebasket.

How to Avoid and Fix Bathroom Clogs

Let’s be real. A bathroom clog is not a pleasant experience. Whether it’s a clogged toilet or backed up shower drain, neither are a joy to deal with. The good news is that it’s possible to avoid most clogs, and if a clog does occur, there are simple solutions available.

• The easiest way to keep water flowing free is to run hot water down the drain once a week
• Install strainers in showers and tubs to catch hair and soap residue. Don’t forget to clean the strainers regularly
• Again, don’t put things in the toilet that don’t belong. Use a wastebasket
• When you have a clog that isn’t responsive to plunging, call a plumber right away.

When you need bathroom plumbing services like toilet leak repair, shower repair service, or sink repairs, call Sun City Action Plumbers. We are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to address all bathroom plumbing problems.

 

 

 

This is a question we get asked often. The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all because the length between cleanings depends on how you use your kitchen sink. Do you rinse a lot of grease food down the drain? If so, you may need drain cleaning in Sun City sooner than your neighbor.

Below are some examples of homeowners that affect how often professional drain cleaning is recommended.

Kitchen Plumbing

Homeowners use their kitchen plumbing every day and a lot of non-organic substances tend to make their way into the drainage system. Let’s revisit the grease issue. Any grease that’s rinsed down the sink has the potential to coagulate and lead to clogged drains. Even a small amount that comes off of pots or pans during the dishwashing process can cause these problems. That’s why we recommend that you wipe down pots and pans with a paper towel before washing them to get rid of as much grease and fat as possible.

Now, let’s talk about the garbage disposal. Do you have one of these plumbing appliances? Disposals make it easier to clean up after a meal, but they increase the frequency of sewer and drain cleaning. The reason for this is that people overuse and abuse the disposal. Too many of the wrong foods get into the disposal and cause clogs.

Bathroom Plumbing

Bathroom habits also contribute to how often your home’s drainage system needs professional drain cleaning service from Sun City plumbers. Flushing items such as cleansing wipes, paper towels, facial tissues, make-up wipes, and even too much toilet paper can cause blockages in the sewer system. Be careful about what you flush. It’s good practice to stick with one or two-ply toilet paper.

Also, use fewer chemical cleaners. The more chemicals you use in the bathroom and throughout the house, the greater the chances of pipe failure due to corrosion. If you have a septic system, you want to be especially careful about the cleaning products you use.

Professional Drain Cleaning in Sun City

At Sun City Action Plumbers, we help homeowners come up with a drain cleaning schedule that keeps their home’s drainage system working well 24/7. If it’s been a while since you’ve had your home’s drains professional cleaned, call us. Need an emergency drain cleaning service? Call us.

We’re here for you when you need us most. Sun City Action Plumbers is a local plumbing service serving residential properties proudly. Give us a call today and tell us how we can help you.

Without proper plumbing, your household wouldn’t run smoothly. The pipes, drains, and fixtures work together to make sure you always have clean, fresh water in your home. If you have a plumbing problem, we always recommend calling one of our plumbers in Sun City to check out the problem. You can’t argue with the benefits of professional plumbing service.

That being said, we also like to educate our customers on their plumbing systems. We want you to know how things work so you can stop problems and know when to call for help. In this post, we want to get your better acquainted with your home’s pipe system, specifically PVC piping.

Why We Use PVC Piping

PVC  is one of the most commonly used materials for residential piping. Polyvinyl chloride is a white plastic pipe that is a great replacement option for metal piping. We use PVC pipes plumbing and drainage because it’s reliable, strong, simple to install, and is an affordable option for our customers.

How We Install PVC Piping in Your Home

Not all PVC piping is the same. We use different types depending on where we’re installing the pipe. For example, if we’re installing PVC hot water pipes, we need to use a schedule 40 PVC pipe. This type of PVC pipe can withstand temperatures up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, schedule 40 PVC pipes aren’t necessary for other waterlines, valves, and drains. For those projects, we’ll use DVW PVC pipes. It’s important that we select the right pipes for each situation to make sure we get the best results for our customers.

The Universal Cutter Is Our Most Important Pipe Cutting Tool

Our plumbers use many tools and equipment to complete plumbing jobs, but we rely on universal cutters for pipe work. These cutters are useful because they can cut through a variety of piping material. We use them when installing PVC pipes and when making new metal pipe connections. If you plan to do any DIY work on your home’s pipes, consider adding this pipe cutting tool to your toolbox. Or, just leave the work to us. It’s always better to let professional plumbers handle most pipe repair jobs.

Do you have questions about your home’s plumbing? Do you need repiping or other pipe repair services in Sun City? Pick up the phone and call Sun City Action Plumbers to book a service call with one of our licensed and experienced plumbers right away.

 

It’s a safe bet to say that you probably don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on emergency water heater repair or any plumbing repair, right? Luckily, if you follow a few tips from your friendly, neighborhood plumber, you won’t have to call for emergency water heater service in Sun City.

Pay Attention to the Sounds the Water Heater Makes

Water heaters are appliances that make a minimal amount of noise upon startup, especially older, tank water heaters. These sounds are normal and you can expect them to last while the burners are heating the water. What homeowners should be attentive to are sounds that are normal such as popping, screeching, and grinding. These sounds can indicate that there is something seriously wrong with the water heater and that you should service it right away.

Annual Hot Water Heater Maintenance Is a Must

At Sun City Action Plumbers, we know the important of preventive maintenance. We recommend that homeowners consider purchasing a preventive maintenance plumbing plan that includes hot water heater maintenance. This maintenance service includes flushing the tank, checking the pressure valve, inspecting the burners, and inspecting the unit for any small problems that could quickly turn into a problem that could lead to replacing the heater. Yearly maintenance is an affordable option for all homeowners that is designed to save thousands of dollars in repair or replacement costs and extend the life the of the appliance.

Consider Purchasing a Water Softener

Not all households need to condition their water, but if you live in a home that has hard water this is something you may want to seriously consider. Hard water leaves orange-colored stains on shower walls, in sinks and toilets, and can eat away at the inside of the water heater’s tank. Flushing sediment once a year (more if your water is particularly hard) can go a long way toward protecting the heater, but conditioning the water is an even better option. Your local, Sun City plumber can help you decide is a water softener is something you can benefit from installing.

Call a 24 Hour Plumber with Any Concerns

We advise all homeowners to call a 24 hour plumber right away if they believe there is something wrong with their water heater. Poor heating, strange sounds, and leaking are three indications that repairs may be needed. For affordable, 90 minutes or less emergency water heater service in Sun City is only a phone call away. Give us a call now and a licensed and insured plumber will be there is a jiffy – guaranteed!

Having a working kitchen sink isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. When you have a clogged kitchen sink, it messes with your daily routine. Some problems can easily be solved if you’re handy with a plunger. Other issues may require the help of a licensed plumber in Sun City. Here are some tips to help you deal with a blocked sink.

Do You Have the Correct Plunger?

The right tools for the job can make all the difference starting with the plunger that you use. There are two kinds of household plungers. One is designed to unclog toilets, while the other is perfect for shower floor drains and kitchen sinks. This plunger has a wide, flat base that provides the best suction. These plungers can be regular sized or handheld and found at the home improvement store.

Handy Homeowners May Want to Clear the P-trap

Many clogs are too far in the pipe to be cleared using a plunger. Instead, they are found in the p-trap, the curved part of the pipe under the sink. Many blockages in this area of the pipe are caused by a buildup of grease and other non-soluble substances. This method of taking care of a clogged kitchen sink is a little more involved that using a plunger. Leaks can develop if the pipes are not reconnected correctly, which is why this is a repair that’s best left to a licensed plumber if you’re not handy with basic tools.

Snake the Line

Do you own a drain snake? This handy contraption can get rid of small clogs that can’t be reached using a plunger or by taking the p-trap apart. One word of caution about this tool, though. Because the tool is made of metal it can damage delicate materials. If you have a porcelain sink, it could scratch the material. Also, drain snakes sometimes only poke a hole in the clog. While the hole may allow water to move through it for a while, it’s only temporary. Eventually the clog will form again and you’ll be back in the same situation.

At Sun City Action Plumbers, we always recommend hiring a licensed plumber to alleviate a clogged kitchen sink. Professional drain cleaning service in Sun City, AZ, is inexpensive and effectual. We’re available around the clock to meet your drain and rooter needs.

There are various alternative plumbing options if you do not want a contractor to dig an ugly trench when replacing your sewer line. At Sun City Action Plumbers, we provide homeowners with the option of the new trenchless and pipe bursting technology, which is becoming increasingly popular. We can also help get rid of roots that invade your sewer lines to avoid blockages and damage to your sewer lines.

Will Homeowner’s Insurance Help?

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover sewer line replacements because damage to sewer lines is often caused by gradual wear and tear. However, some insurance policies cover damages caused by damaged sewer lines including flooding and sewage backup. Such policies often cost more than traditional homeowner’s insurance policies.

What Are Your Replacement Options?

Homes with old sewer lines will eventually need sewer line repair or replacement. As a homeowner, you will be responsible for the costs of the replacements or repair. The sewer lines of older homes are made from clay tiles, which can crack or break easily. This allows tree roots to invade the sewer line and clog it.

Traditionally, sewer replacement involved digging trenches in a homeowner’s yard along the extent of the lateral. This option allows homeowners to save significant amounts of money when installing sewer lines, especially if the home is located near major municipal sewer lines.

However, trenchless technology is a more modern approach to sewer line repair or replacement. Trenchless sewer pipe repair involves inserting a resin-coated pipe into the inner part of the damaged pipe and inflating it. The only requirement is one access hole. The resin hardens after a few hours, creating a “pipe within a pipe”. The diameter of the sewer line will be about a quarter inch less than the original diameter after repair. Although trenchless technology is quite expensive it allows homeowners to save significant amounts of money in the long run.

Sun City Action Plumbers specializes in sewer line repair and replacement using various techniques including the trenchless method. Call us today for a free estimate.