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

Do You Have a Plumbing Leak?

Monday, June 21st, 2021

brown-pipe-with-leakPlumbing leaks definitely make the top of the list when it comes to common problems faced by homeowners in our area. Pipes are designed to last a very long time, however, factors such as age and water pressure do take their toll eventually. As a result, a leak can spring up and leave you with property damage or at least wasted water. Our professionals can conduct professional leak detection services to determine where your leak is and accurately repair it.

It is imperative that you allow a trained and experienced professional handle a problem like this. Of course, you also need to know when it’s time to even call for leak detection services. Are there signs you can watch out for that you may have a plumbing leak? There certainly are! Read on to learn more.

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Why Are Tree Roots Bad News for Plumbing?

Monday, April 26th, 2021

split-drainage-pipe-with-roots-in-itThere are a number of reasons that your plumbing system’s sewer line is buried beneath your property. For starters, your yard and home are more visually appealing this way. It’s also for functionality as well as safety and hygiene.

Unfortunately, this does mean that your sewer line is out of sight—so hard to spot problems with it when those problems occur. One of the problems that sewer lines are susceptible to is tree root infiltration.

Tree roots, since they’re constantly searching for a water source, actually are a fairly common find inside damaged sewer lines. And not only do they lead to leaks in the line, but they cause clogs and backups too. Even the smallest leak that exists in the sewer line can attract them too.

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When Is It Time to Call a Professional Plumber?

Monday, April 12th, 2021

woman-looking-under-sink-at-leaking-pipe-while-on-phoneSometimes, it can be difficult to detect the kind of shape that your plumbing is in. In fact, most homeowners don’t think about their plumbing system very much at all, particularly when nothing is necessarily going terribly wrong. Out of sight, out of mind after all, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t the best mindset to have about your plumbing.

It’s pretty much inevitable that at some time, you will need a plumbing repair. When this does happen, it’s important that you’re able to address it right away in order to prevent it from becoming a bigger emergency. So, what are the signs that it’s time to call in a pro?

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How to Protect Your Garbage Disposal and Kitchen Sink Drain

Monday, March 15th, 2021

sink-drain-with-water-flowing-downIf you are one of hundreds of homeowners throughout Skokie and beyond that utilizes a garbage disposal in their kitchen sink, then you probably think it can handle just about anything. Garbage disposal systems are very convenient and easy-to-use. But, this system was not designed to chew up all your uneaten scraps. In fact, it doesn’t “chew up” much of anything.

Your garbage disposal functions by using a motor to spin impeller “blades” to break up what’s going down the drain. This is great if you have cooking scraps or leftovers involving things like boneless meat, and most fruits (without pits) and veggies. There are some things though, that really shouldn’t go down the drain, both for the sake of the garbage disposal system and the sink drain itself. Keep reading to learn what these things are.

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“Knock, Knock,” Time to Check Your Pipes

Monday, October 26th, 2020

woman-covering-her-earsIt’s the middle of the night. You’re peacefully sleeping when it happens. You’re awoken by a persistent knocking sound that isn’t coming from your front door—it’s coming from inside your walls!

When you first hear it, you may think you’re just imagining things. Or perhaps you’ll think your house is haunted (spoiler alert: it probably isn’t). But eventually, the noise will become so annoying that you just can’t ignore. And what could very well be happening is that your pipes are knocking.

Read on as we uncover what causes this, why it’s a problem, and what solutions are available. And if you’re concerned about anything plumbing related, please don’t ever hesitate to reach out to our team.

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How to Spot a Hidden Leak

Monday, July 20th, 2020

white-pipe-with-blue-cloth-tied-on-itThe tough thing about hidden leaks is, well, they’re hidden! This means they can do a lot of damage, since it may be days or even weeks until you realize the problem is even occurring. The pipes tucked away in the various areas of your home, like the basement, inside a cabinet under the sink, or behind walls, tend to hide their problems well.

Fortunately, there are signs you can watch out and listen for. Being aware of these indicators could be the difference between a minor repair from our professional plumbers or an emergency service call to our team as well as carpenters to help fix your drywall and flooring after a leak has gone on for too long. Read on to learn what these signs are! 

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Your Sewer Line Vs. Tree Roots: What To Do

Monday, May 11th, 2020

split-drainage-pipe-with-rootsHave you ever wondered why your plumbing system’s sewer line is buried beneath your yard? You might have just assumed it looks more attractive this way. And that’s true, but the real purpose of this placement is for safety and functionality.

Unfortunately, this means it’s out of sight, making it harder to spot problems right away, and making it susceptible to problems like tree roots searching for a water source. This is actually a relatively common cause of sewer line damage and clogs, both of which require professional sewer line services to resolve.

As you’d expect, tree roots crave water and fertilization. So even the smallest leak from your sewer line can attract them. While tree roots aren’t the only threat to your sewer line, they’re certainly a big one, and worth discussing.

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How to Best Prepare for Stormy Weather

Monday, April 13th, 2020

neighborhood-under-dark-sky-with-lightningIt’s that time of year again! The snow is melting away only to be replaced by weeks of torrential downpours. Stormy weather is not pleasant to contend with, but the good news is there’s something you can do about it, and we can help!

No, no, we don’t mean we can control the weather. We wish we had Mother Nature on speed-dial, but alas our powers lie more in plumbing in Des Plaines, IL. And the good news is, there are plenty of plumbing devices and systems that can help you prevent home damage due to stormy weather.

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“Should I be Concerned about Water Hammer?”

Monday, January 6th, 2020

woman-covering-her-earsFirst, it’d probably be helpful for you to know what water hammer is, so we can appropriately answer this question. It sounds ominous, but it describes a sound—a sound that resembles knocking, coming from inside your pipes. You may have heard it before and had no idea what the cause of the noise was.

Water hammer isn’t an emergency, but it is something to be concerned about in the sense that you want to have it addressed by a professional ASAP. To find out why it’s occurring and the problems it presents, keep reading!

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Do You Need Water Heater Repair?

Monday, December 9th, 2019

technician-servicing-water-heaterYour plumbing is something that’s easy to take for granted—after all most of this system is hidden from view and “out of sight, out of mind,” right? If there is any portion of your plumbing in Des Plaines, IL where this is most true, it’s your water heater. Though tank water heaters are pretty large, they’re usually tucked away in the corner of a garage or behind a door in a storage closet.

So, it’s easy to miss when it needs repair. Unfortunately, neglecting repair needs can lead to a complete water heater failure, and if there’s anything you don’t want to be without this winter—or really any part of the year—it’s hot water, right?

What is it, exactly, that you should watch out for with your water heater? Are there clear signs that a water heater is, in fact, in need of professional repairs? Certainly! Read on.

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