Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing Repair’

May 7th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Many homeowners may not realize that they can handle some minor toilet problems on their own. Whether your toilet is overflowing or running more than it should, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue without immediately calling a Willow Grove plumber. Knowing the basic parts of a toilet and how they work together is a helpful place to start.

Here’s a homeowner-friendly guide to the main parts of a toilet:

Willow Grove Plumbing Tip - Parts of a Toilet

Tank: Pictured above (inspectapedia.com), the tank sits on the back of the toilet. It holds the water supply used to flush the bowl, along with many of the components involved in common toilet problems.

Bowl: The bowl holds wastewater and uses water released from the tank to flush waste into the drain.

Flush Handle: The flush handle is the part most homeowners are familiar with, but it helps to understand what happens when you use it. The handle connects to the trip lever, which lifts the flapper and allows water from the tank to enter the bowl.

Trip Lever: The trip lever is an important part to understand when dealing with a running toilet. It connects the flush handle to the flapper. When you flush, the lever lifts the flapper, sometimes called a flapper valve, and releases water from the tank into the bowl to help move wastewater down the sewer drain. If the toilet is running, lifting the trip lever can help lower the water level in the tank.

Float Ball: The float ball helps control the water level in the tank. After you flush, the ball drops as the water level goes down. It rises again as the tank refills from the main water supply. Once the tank reaches the proper water level, the toilet stops running.

Overflow Tube: The overflow tube helps prevent the tank from overflowing if the toilet continues to run. It directs excess water into the drain. If you are unable to shut off the main water valve behind the toilet, you may sometimes be able to remove the rubber water supply tube from the overflow tube to help prevent an overflow.

Flapper Valve: The flapper valve is an important part to know when dealing with an overflowing toilet or a backup. A backup can sometimes be caused by a drain clog. The flapper connects to the flush handle through a chain and the trip lever. When the flapper is closed, water stays in the tank. Flushing lifts the flapper so water can move into the bowl with enough force to carry waste down the drain.

If your toilet is overflowing, pressing the flapper down by hand can stop additional water from entering the bowl. Some homeowners may hesitate to reach into the tank because they associate that water with the water in the bowl. The water in the toilet tank comes directly from the main water supply line, which connects to the stop valve.

Stop Valve: Also called the toilet supply valve, the stop valve controls the fresh water supply entering the tank. It is usually located behind the toilet near the floor. Turning it off is another way to help stop an overflowing toilet because the tank cannot continue filling once the water supply is shut off. The stop valve connects to the supply tube, which connects to the refill system.

Supply Tube: Although the supply tube and refill tube are connected, they are different parts. Their names are sometimes used interchangeably, but the important distinction is that the supply tube carries water from the main line to the toilet’s refill system.

Refill Tube: After a flush, the refill tube helps restore water to the toilet. As the tank refills, the float rises. Once the water reaches the proper level, the flow of water stops.

Trap: The trap helps prevent backflow and strong odors from the main sewage line. If you notice a sewage odor in your bathroom, especially near the toilet, there could be a problem with the seal or trap. Troubleshooting this part of the toilet usually requires a plumber unless you are familiar with toilet installation.

Wax Ring: The wax ring creates a seal between the toilet and the sewage line. A faulty wax ring can contribute to odors or leaking around the base of the toilet. If you are unsure about a leaking toilet or notice strong sewer odors, it is a good idea to call a plumber, since the issue could involve the main sewer line.

Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling iif you have questions about these components or would like help troubleshooting with one of our Willow Grove plumbers. We’re here to help you understand what’s happening and determine the right next step for your home.

Tags: Bathroom Plumbing, King of Prussia, Lansdale, Plumbing, Plumbing Repair, Toliets, Willow Grove
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April 30th, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Water leaks are one of the most destructive and frustrating problems in many Lansdale homes. Undetected water leaks can rot wood, destroy drywall, and cause mold to grow in unseen spaces of your home. Spending the time and money to find and fix water leaks before they cause significant damage is one of the most cost-effective actions a homeowner can take.

Sinks

Cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks are a good place to start. Look for signs of water damage or build up. Mold and mildew are telltale signs of water leaks. Touch the pipes, particularly the areas where they enter the faucet. Run the hot and cold water faucets for a few minutes and repeat the inspection. Finally, fill the sink with water, let it stand a few minutes and open the drain. Now check the drain pipe and the joints that connect it to the sink for leaks.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers can’t easily be checked for leaks without pulling them out from beneath the counter. But you can inspect the water lines that connect the dishwasher to the kitchen sink. For some units, you may be able to shine a flashlight beneath the dishwasher to look for puddles.

Toilets

Toilets can leak from the water supply pipes filling the tank and from the seal between the toilet and the waste pipe in the floor. Flush the toilet several times and carefully look for any signs of leaks in the joints of the water supply pipe and the floor around the base of the toilet. Lift the lid off the tank and flush the toilet. When the tank refills, the water should completely shut off. If the flush valve or water control unit is old, corroded, or loose, the water will continue to run. Running water cools the water delivery pipe to the toilet and the tank, which will cause them to collect condensation in humid weather. The condensation will drip and eventually cause water damage to the floor behind the toilet. Bottom line – don’t ignore a running toilet. Have the water control and flush valve fixed or replaced.

Tubs and Showers

Inspect the caulking around the tub or shower. Old, cracked, or missing caulking can allow water to leak into the wall. Water dripping from a leaky faucet or shower head will go down the drain and not cause any damage, but the faucet may also be leaking water behind the tub or shower.

Hot Water Heaters

Finally, inspect the hot water heater for leaks, and the boiler if the house has hot water heating. The first place to look is the floor around the appliance, but also look at the joints where the water pipes connect.

If you need any help with leak detection or any other problems with your Lansdale plumbing, give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call!

Tags: Hatfield, Lansdale, Leak Detection, Line Lexington, Plumbing, Plumbing Repair
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March 21st, 2012 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

You probably don’t pay much attention to the caulking around your New Hope plumbing. It is one of those things that is always there, working kind of behind the scenes, that you never seem to notice until something goes wrong.

The think about caulking, though, is that something can go wrong with it rather quickly. Because of the high frequency of use of tubs and sinks, the caulk that seals the space between the fixture and the wall can deteriorate and crack over time. This can cause gaps in the caulk or cause the fixture to come loose from the wall.

When this cracking and erosion happens, water from your bath, shower head or faucet can seep in between the fixture and the wall, potentially causing water damage and fostering colonies of mildew and mold.

Cracked caulk is inevitable with daily use, so you don’t need to worry about preventing it. Instead, learn how to properly fix the situation with a fresh caulk job:

Scrape away all the old caulk from around the fixture using a utility knife or putty knife. Take care to remove all the old caulk while also avoiding scratching porcelain fixtures.

With all the caulk gone, clean out the joint thoroughly. This will remove any last traces of caulk, as well as any other dirt or buildup. If you notice mildew or mold, use a chlorine bleach solution to clean the joint before recaulking.

Once the joint is dry, recaulk it using a bead of caulk that is just slightly wider than the joint. This ensures an adequate seal. Wipe any excess away with a rag.

Allow the caulk to dry thoroughly before using the sink or tub. Read the instructions on the caulk for an estimated drying time.

Take note that it is very important to thoroughly remove all the old caulk and clean everywhere along the fixture joint before applying the new caulk. Otherwise, the new caulk will not adhere properly and potentially damaging dirt may get sealed into the joint.

If you followed all the steps carefully, you should have a fresh seal of caulk that will last you another several years! If you need any help with your plumbing fixtures, give Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling a call today!

Tags: Conshohocken, Hatboro, New Hope, Plumbing, Plumbing Repair, Warrington
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November 7th, 2011 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Everyone needs water in Abington. It keeps us clean, provides us with a clean drinking source and helps us cook food and wash clothes. So, when a problem occurs with the water line, it can be disruptive to every aspect of everyday life. Here are some common water line problems and solutions you can implement to solve them as fast as possible:

Burst Pipe – The biggest problem you can have is a burst pipe. This is a major problem and one that needs to be solved immediately. If your pipe bursts or starts to leak, turn off the main water supply immediately and call an emergency plumber. You’ll want to have it patched as soon as possible to return normal water service to your home.
Noisy Pipes – Noise in the pipes is a slightly less disastrous problem but it can lead to bigger problems down the road if not dealt with. Usually, it is due to air in the pipes which can create a loud banging sound. If your pipes are vibrating or banging, the easiest solution is to turn off the water supply and drain your pipes completely, then fill them back up to remove the air build up.
Water Pressure – Low water pressure can be due to a number of problems, from a small leak somewhere to an issue in the incoming water supply. If you notice water pressure dropping in your home, call a professional to inspect the problem and offer potential solutions.
Sediment in the Pipes – If suddenly you are seeing excess sediment, rust, or other debris in your water it is probably from an aging pipe. While this doesn’t necessarily signal that your pipe is about to burst, it can be a sign of potential problems in the future. Build up from hard water or erosion can both be major problems if not fixed right away.

Water line problems can range from small nuisances to major disasters that threaten your entire home, but they should all be treated with equal import. If something happens to your water line, don’t waste time trying to track down a solution. Turn off the water supply and call a professional right away.

Tags: Abington, Jamison, Perkasie, Plumbing Repair, Water Line Repair
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September 28th, 2011 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

It is never fun to wander down into the basement of your Buckingham home only to find that your floor drain has backed up. This is not a situation that will take care of itself and you want to get it under control as quickly as possible. While there are certainly plenty of things you can do to try and unclog a floor drain on your own, there are quite a few potentially complicating factors to consider as well.

First of all, you should make sure that no one in the house turns on any running water for anything until the drain has been unclogged. The floor drain in your basement is usually the last stop on the line for all of the water used in your house, and so any running water anywhere above will only cause more water to back up in the basement. Of course, if you cannot use any running water anywhere else in your house, it is even more imperative that you are able to unclog the floor drain quickly.

If you happen to have a snake on hand, this may be the best option to try first. However, it can be a bit difficult to get the snake to make the sharp turn typical of these types of drains not long after the pipe descends below the floor. That is not to say that it cannot be done, but you should be aware that you need to make sure the snake turns the corner before it will be useful to you at all.

If you do not have a snake of your own, you may still be able to take care of the blockage without calling in a professional plumber. But first you have to find it. Depending on the layout of your drainage system, this may be easier said than done. You can also make a pretty big mess if you open up various sections of pipe looking for the blockage, so be aware and make sure you have something in place to catch the runoff and debris that may come out of the pipes when you open them.

You may also run into trouble if the blockage is actually outside of your house in the larger sewer line that runs to the street. Unclogging a drain with this type of problem is generally a job for a professional and there is very little you will be able to do on your own.

Tags: Buckingham, King of Prussia, Montgomery County, Plumbing Repair, Plymouth Meeting
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September 26th, 2011 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Let’s face it – technology is the answer for everything, from Souderton to Maple Glen. If it’s mechanical, it has been affected by technology. The world of plumbing is no exception. Technology now makes it possible for people to look inside the piping in their home – to get the “inside story” on why a pipe is blocked up or why water is flowing too slowly. A trained expert can use video pipe inspection technology to quickly diagnose a problem in order to find a solution.

So what types of technology are available today? Before we get to that, remember that technology is fluent. By the time you read this blog there may be something new to make this material outdated. The best way to keep up with the latest technology of video pipe inspection is to talk to your local plumbing professionals and check out updates on the Web.

The technology you will see in your home can be viewed live or via digital recording. The camera and its scope can grab a birds-eye view of the pipe without the need to unscrew fittings and elbows and without having to make a mess of things.

Plumbers making a service call who use video inspection will usually show homeowners some live pictures from inside their pipes or use a digital reproduction in their sales presentation. In either case, the camera doesn’t lie and repairs are quickly supported by video evidence.

Here are some of the components involved in the technology of video pipe inspection. First and foremost is the camera itself, which usually will have high definition image display, recording, and playback capabilities. Images can be stored on flash cards for downloading onto other computers or to the Web. The lens of the camera is mounted into the head of the scope, which could be made of fiber optic or fiberglass material. The scope or “snake” comes in a variety of lengths. Images from the camera can viewed on monitors of various sizes in color or black-and-white.

Other options may include audio capabilities for a plumbing professional to record what the camera sees and explain the problems and solutions to homeowners via voiceover technology.

According to one plumber who utilizes this type of technology, video pipe inspection provides “an assessment of pipe’s structural integrity, detection of blockages, breaks or defects, still image/video footage for client use, and first-time mapping or updates.”

If you want to utilize the latest technology to diagnose pluming problems in your home, call your local plumbing professional and ask for a video pipe inspection.

Tags: Maple Glen, Montgomery County, Plumbing Repair, Quakertown, Souderton, Video Pipe Inspection
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September 16th, 2011 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Lime deposits are what cause that white, chalky, filmy residue that you see on faucets, shower heads and tiles in your Abington home. Aside from being unsightly, lime deposits can also cause damage over time. Lime builds up inside the plumbing of your home, slowly degrading your pipes. Below are some tips to get rid of lime in common trouble spots.

Pipes

Lime most often builds up in pipes that carry hot water, since the water heater dissolves the lime in the water. The lime is then deposited on the inside of the pipes when it cools. Here are some steps to clear out the troublesome lime from those pipes:

Turn off your water heater and drain it so it is about half full.
Remove the pressure valve, being careful to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pour solvent into the heater through the open valve. There are commercial products available specifically designed to break up lime deposits, but white vinegar can be used as a cheaper and greener alternative.
Replace the pressure valve, turn the heater back on and allow it to fill all the way.
Turn on hot water faucets throughout the house. Let the water run until it runs clear or doesn’t smell of vinegar, depending on which solvent you used.

Kettles & Coffeemakers

Mineral deposits in a kettle or coffeemaker can cause your morning beverages to taste bitter. To clean them out, try these techniques:

Put 2 tablespoons of water softener in your kettle and fill it with water. Bring to a boil and rinse thoroughly. Alternatively, you can use a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water, then let it sit overnight after boiling.
Fill your coffeemaker’s reservoir with water plus 2 tablespoons of water softener. Or, fill it entirely with white vinegar. Either way, run it through once that way, then a few more times with pure water to rinse.

For more obvious deposits, like faucets and tiles, usually a combination of hot water and either lime remover or white vinegar will do the trick. You can get more instruction on removing lime scale at HowToCleanStuff.net.

Those are the tried-and-true methods for making your pipes last by keeping lime at bay. Some plumbers will swear to you that putting magnets on your pipes will prevent lime from building up. Data to support that is inconclusive at best, although it can’t hurt to try.

Tags: Abington, Ambler, New Britain, Plumbing Maintnenace, Plumbing Repair
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September 12th, 2011 | Written By Chris Long | Reviewed By Kevin Carney

Ever fill up a bathroom bowl or kitchen sink in your Warminster home with water and then wait forever for the water to drain? A clogged drain can take forever to free up and is often the source of frustration and a loss of precious time as you get ready for work or play.

The solutions to fixing a slow drain can be very simple or complex, requiring a little patience or expertise to a major service or repair bill. Let’s hope the solution is the former and not the latter. And here are some suggestions.

If your bathroom sink is draining slowly, remove the stopper and inspect it for any “cling-ons” – namely hair. One of the most common clogs can be hair wrapped around the shaft of the stopper. Remove the hair, replace the stopper, run some hot water and check to see how quickly the water drains down. If that simple fix doesn’t work, dig a little deeper.

Hair can be tangled in the flange or the horizontal rod and clip, further down the pipe. You may need to dig out the hair or debris with a long object like a screwdriver or wire hanger. Don’t bring out the “big guns” like a snake or auger if something simpler will do the trick.

Once the debris is cleared, you may even want to use a small hand plunger to force air down the pipe and remove any other residual debris that may be slowing down the water flow. These steps should clear up the problem. A liquid or granulated drainer cleaner may also break up the clog. Running hot water can do the trick, too.

If these solutions don’t work, a slow drain could be the result of a more serious problem. At that point you may want to use a snake on the problem or call a professional plumber to fix it.

If your kitchen sink drains slowly, the problem could be a build-up of food or grease in the pipes. Once again, using a plunger or chemical drain cleaner may solve the problem. But don’t discount the fact that something may be blocking the pipes, like a piece of bone or a child’s small toy (if you have a mischievous toddler). A visual check of the problem might be the simple solution to the slow drain “mystery.”

If you are at your wit’s end and the water drainage continues to be a problem, call a professional plumber. They may even be able to walk you through a cleaning process over the phone.

Tags: Chalfont, Plumbing Repair, Sellersville, Warminster
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Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing Repair’

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