Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Evanston’

Is a Sump Pump a Worthwhile Investment?

Monday, April 10th, 2023
backup-sump-pump

If you live in a house that doesn’t already have a sump pump installed in the basement or the lowest section of the building (such as a crawl space), you may have thought if it’s something you need to purchase. That many homes already have sump pumps in them is a pretty good indication of the answer: although sump pumps aren’t necessary in all climates and areas, Chicagoland is definitely a place where they are semi-essential.

In other words, if you don’t have a sump pump, get in touch with our plumbing professionals and find out more about getting one put in soon.

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How Tree Roots Can Damage Your Plumbing

Monday, March 13th, 2023
tree-root-cutaway

If you look out the window of your house, do you have a pleasant view of trees and bushes around a well-kept yard? It’s a relaxing sight to look at—but you might not be aware that those trees and other plants can present a danger to a part of your house. The growth of plant roots can wreak havoc on the plumbing for your house, potentially creating sewage back-ups. 

Tree-roof infestation is a major problem for residential plumbing in Evanston, IL and elsewhere in the Chicago suburbs. Our climate is conducive to the growth of trees with aggressive root systems: silver maples, poplars, and willows. As these trees grow, their roots can spread far and wide, seeking sources of water and nutrients, including your plumbing system. 

So although you may love having a tree-filled yard in the suburbs, you need to be aware of the ways tree roots can damage plumbing and what you can do to prevent it. 

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Three “Nice” Ways to Clean Your Drains—And One “Naughty” One

Monday, December 5th, 2022
Christmas-black-lab

It’s December, and we think that’s a great time to make our own “Naughty and Nice” list. We’re not Santa Claus, so we can’t make any judgments about people’s behavior. But we are exceptional plumbing professionals, so we can make judgments about the tools and methods used to clean drains. We’ve got a list with three “nice” ways to clean your drains and one extremely “naughty” one that might as well be a lump of coal jammed down a drain. 

Okay, let’s make that list, check it twice, and help you make the best decision when it comes to drain cleaning in Evanston, IL.

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The Holiday Season Is a Time to Be Careful With Your Garbage Disposal

Monday, October 10th, 2022

sink-drain-with-water-flowing-downOctober marks the start of the “Big Three Holiday” months: three months in a row with significant holidays that combine food and feasting and merriment. It’s a terrific time of the year, although people do get exhausted from all of it. 

If you want to make the season less tiring and more fun, then take some steps to keep your garbage disposal in good shape. Trust us, garbage disposals are at a high risk of breaking down during the season of big meals and plenty of cooking. 

What can you do to keep your garbage disposal in top shape through the holiday barrage? We have some advice.

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The Terrible Tale of Tree Roots and Your Sewer Line

Monday, August 15th, 2022

split-drainage-pipe-with-roots-in-itLast week we looked at some of the reasons other than clogs that you’ll discover slow or stopped drains in your home. In that post, we mentioned that tree roots can create blockages in your sewer line. This is a big enough topic that we want to look into it closer. Tree roots, and roots in general, can turn into major catastrophes for the sewer line from your house—and that can mean major catastrophes for your house!

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What Is Clogging Up My Drain?

Monday, June 20th, 2022

sewer-line-with-tree-rootsOne of the key services we offer our clients is professional drain cleaning in Evanston, IL, and throughout our wide service area. We recommend drain cleaning as part of regular annual maintenance for your plumbing.

But drain cleaning is most often deployed as a way to thoroughly remove drain clogs and get rid of slow drains. If you’ve got a stopped drain that you can’t open with a plunger or a simple drain snake, don’t reach for chemical drain cleaners! Instead, reach for your phone and give us a call for drain cleaning, any time of the day or night.

Let’s look a bit closer into what’s clogged your drain in the first place. You may already know the problem, like an object that accidentally rolled down the drain like a children’s toy or the cap of a bottle near the bathroom sink. But other types of clogging can sneak up on you, like…

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Water Stain on the Ceiling? That’s a Serious Plumbing Problem!

Monday, April 25th, 2022

stain-on-ceilingWe often talk about the problem of hidden leaks in residential plumbing. It’s easy for these leaks to go unnoticed for weeks or months while they raise water bills and inflict damage on building materials. But today we’re going to look at when a hidden leak becomes an obvious leak. Unfortunately, it’s an obvious leak that people often still overlook or delay at getting fixed. We’re looking at the water stain on the ceiling!

You’ve probably come across this phenomenon at some point; if not in your own home than in another building. A brownish-red discoloration spreading through the drywall or other material of the ceiling. Unsightly, but maybe you only need a bit of paint to touch it up…

No, don’t do this! That stain is the sign of a leak, and it means you need fast service to have it fixed. You can worry about painting over the stain later. 

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Knocking Pipes: What This Symptom Means for Your Plumbing System

Monday, October 25th, 2021

woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listenLet’s say you’re sleeping, or at least relaxing comfortably, in your home, and all of the sudden you’re aware of a perhaps soft but persistent knocking coming from your walls…

It can be quite alarming! Fortunately, it’s not a plumbing emergency, but it’s still a plumbing problem you’ll want to pay attention to. Ignore it and you’ll only notice the sound getting louder and louder.

So what is it that you’re hearing? Knocking pipes!

There are solutions to this nuisance, which we will get into below. In the meantime, if you need reliable plumbing services, emergency or not, don’t hesitate to dial our number!

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What Types of Leaks Are Most Popular?

Monday, October 11th, 2021

woman-on-phone-viewing-leak-under-sinkWhoever said that being “popular” was a good thing had it all wrong. Just like you don’t want those popular mean girls in your home, you also don’t want popular leaks in your plumbing system.

The good news is, however, since they’re popular, we know what to look for, and we’re prepared to share some wisdom with you! From leaky pipe joints from aging plumbing to slab leaks, there are some common leaks that if you know what to look for, you can mitigate damage before they turn into huge emergencies. Of course, our team is here to help whether you only suspect a plumbing problem and need leak detection, or you need us for emergency repairs after finding a burst pipe has water gushing into your property.

Without further ado, the most “popular” leaks include:

  • Pipe leaks under sinks due to loose joints.
  • Slab leaks, a.k.a foundational leaks.
  • Leaks in pipes behind drywall.
  • Toilet leaks.
  • Water heater leaks.

So, what are the signs a leak like this is occurring? Read on!

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Why Your Tankless Water Heater Needs Maintenance

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

tankless-system-on-green-bathroom-wallWhen you look at a standard, conventional tank water heater, it’s probably clear why it would need regular maintenance. It’s large, it has a number of components to it in order for it to work, and it’s metal full of water–two things that don’t typically go together without rust and corrosion. Tankless systems are so different though, right? They don’t hold water in them–instead, they heat water on demand when a tap or a plumbing appliance requires it. So you don’t have to worry about rust or corrosion as much. They don’t have as many components either, so their repair needs are limited.

So, why does your tankless water heater need maintenance? Well, it’s due to a little something called scaling, which actually impacts all types of water heaters, not just conventional tank systems.

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