Drain Repair: Professional vs. DIY

When faced with a clogged drain, there is the strong temptation to use the tools, equipment, and products to address the issue yourself. While there are many qualified plumbers Oakland CA residents trust with their pluming needs, many take it upon themselves to perform clogged drain repair on their own.

However, is doing drain repair on your own really the best method to use, especially if your drains have experienced frequent clogs before?

DIY Repair

Your hardware store that stocks plumbing supplies will have plenty of the basic tools, equipment, pipes, and drain cleaning products at your disposal. This means that you can address many types of clogs quickly so they can be cleaned out with minimal expenditure.

The main advantage of clearing out a clogged drain is that you can do it for a fraction of the cost assuming the products you purchase work. You can also perform minor repairs where the drain or garbage disposal is easily accessible. You can even get guidance from your local hardware store about what types of minor repairs can be made.

However, if the clog is caused by something a consumer product cannot clear, the repair needed too difficult to perform, or simply not accessible, then you will need a plumber to perform the right services.

Professional Drain Repair

Plumbers are fully trained and experienced in handing all types of plumbing issues that range from simply clogs to replacing the drain line going out from your home. They can identify the problem quickly and deal with it effectively, providing a warranty for their services once complete.

It is true that calling a plumber to remove a simple clog is more expensive, having them perform annual maintenance services is also inexpensive and prevents many clogs from occurring. This means that for one small fee, you can keep the drain pipes in your home properly cleaned which considerably reduces the chances of clogging.

While is Better?

Apart from the cost of minor issues such as the removal of clogs caused by a temporary buildup of debris, grease, or hair, the professional plumbing service provides you with many advantages that doing it yourself simply cannot match. As a further indication of their benefits, they can spot potential issues early and address them whereas you may not notice until it becomes an expensive repair.

For major issues, such as compromised drain pipe, using a professional service offers considerable advantages that result in a repair that is longer lasting and less expensive compared to doing the work on your own. Unless you are a skilled plumber in your own right, a professional plumber or plumbing service offers what you need without having to do the work on your own.

In the end, there are substantial benefits to using a professional clogged drain repair service for your home. By utilizing the knowledge, experience, tools, and equipment that the best plumbers Oakland CA bring, you can have your drain repaired quickly, completely, and have it backed with a warranty. For drains in need of more than occasional clog removal courtesy of consumer drain cleaning products, your trust plumber is the best call.

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Read More Interesting Articles:

• The 5 Most Common Residential Clogged Drain Issues
• Installation Process for Water Heaters

10 Most Common Plumbing Issues in the Spring

When it comes to residential plumbing issues, it is true that there are far more of them in the spring as opposed to other times of the year. When spring arrives, it is smart to have the number of the best plumbing contractor San Francisco residents can trust.

Here are the 10 most common plumbing issues that people in San Francisco face with the arrival of spring and the warmer temperatures.

Leaking Pipes

Pipes that may have been weakened by freezing in the winter will start to come apart with the warmer temperatures. This is arguably the leading plumbing issue of San Francisco residents during the spring.

Leaking Water Heater

The stress of the temperature change can wear on a water heater which is why leaks may often occur during the spring. Check your water heater when the temperature warms up to see if there are any leaks.

Leaking Toilet

The floor of the bathroom will often change in temperature with the arrival of spring which means that the connection of your toilet to the floor may be compromised.

Slow Drain

Drains are arguably the most affected during the spring because the pipes are subject to different stresses. A slow drain indicating a buildup of material is one of the most common issues.

Stopped up Drain

While most drains are stopped up by material on the inside, growing tree roots in the spring can penetrate the pipe from the outside and cause it to stop up. This can be very serious as the pipe itself may have to be replaced.

Drainage Pipe Damage

The warming of the soil may cause a shift which damages the drain pipe. This is most noticeable if you have greener grass or standing water over the pipe area. This type of damage may be correctable with a new inner sleeve to the pipe itself.

Washer Replacement on Faucets

As the temperature changes, the washers in the faucets will also be affected. This may mean a leaky faucet which can easily be fixed with a washer replacement.

Water Heater Temperature Set Too High

It’s common for the water heater temperature to be raised in the winter which in turn means it’s now too hot for the spring. Increased water temperature means more wear and tear on the water heater itself which can lead to a number of issues.

Stoppers Failing to Work

Arguably the easiest plumbing issue to fix the stoppers often will lose elasticity in changing temperature conditions. You can replace the stopper yourself or have a plumber do it while inspecting the pipe.

Buildup of Mold and Mildew

Although usually not directly affecting the pipes or drains, the buildup of mold and mildew under leaking pipes can cause considerable damage to the home and affect the health of those living inside.

In the end, having the best plumbing contractor San Francisco residents can trust will make all the difference when it comes to having any damage to your pipes corrected. You may want to have the residential plumbing experts come by to inspect your pipes and drains to ensure that they are intact and free of issues before the need for repair arises.

 

 

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Albion Plumbing Residential Water Heater Installation Services | Call Now (510) 261-3339

When it comes to quality residential water heater installation service in Oakland, CA, there’s one name whom you can trust – Albion Plumbing & Rooter, Inc. For over 60 years, they’ve been providing high quality general plumbing services that include water heater installation and repair that meet the standards of today’s plumbing industry.

So, whenever you have water heater problems at home that you aren’t able to manage wherever in the Oakland or San Francisco, or even in Lafayette, CA area you know now who to call to.

Call to schedule your appointment today. Please refer to the contact info below:

Contact Info:

Albion Plumbing & Rooter, Inc.
Main line: (510) 652-2185
Emergency Plumbing Hot-line: (510) 261-3339
Website: www.AlbionPlumbing.com

Free Download: Water Heater Installation and Maintenance Tips

Signs of Broken Sewer Pipe

When it comes to your sewer pipe, it is arguably one of the most neglected aspects of your home, office or facility until it is in need of repair. The good news is that sewer repair San Francisco residents and business owners need is readily available from reputable companies that offer low, competitive prices for their services.

Of course, you will need to be able to identify the signs that your sewer line may be broken so that you can call the plumbing contractor San Francisco business owners and residents have relied upon for many years of service.

Unexplained Pool of Water

The most obvious sign of a sewer line in need of repair is an unexplained pool of water above the surface of the line itself. This is created when the sewer line cracks or breaks and the water seeps into the surrounding soil. Because it has nowhere else to go, it will often get pushed up to the surface where you will not only see it, but smell the water as well.

Slow Draining

A stopped-up sewer line will back up while one that is slow to drain may indicate a damaged or broken sewer line. This often occurs when tree roots manage to force their way into a cracked sewer line and grow amid the nutrients in the water. If the draining of the water is noticeably slower and consumer drain opening products have been unable to speed up the process, you may have a cracked or broken sewer pipe.

Decreased Water Pressure

Another sign of a broken line is a noticeable drop in water pressure for no explainable reason over the course of at least a couple of day. When this happens, you’ll want to inspect the lawn and your home, office or facility first to see if there are signs of a break.

Lush Grass over the Sewer Line

Another indication that your sewer pipe may be broken is if you spot lush grass over the line that did not exist before. If the water underneath has not pushed its way to the surface, it may be supplying the roots of the grass underneath with enough nutrients for it to be greener, thicker and more lush.

Unexplained Hike in Your Water Bill

If your water bill goes up for no explainable reason, then you might have a break in the line. This is the time to inspect your lawn and home where the pipes are located and look for any signs that the pipe may be broken. Also, you can call a plumber who can inspect the lines in case you do not spot any signs yourself.

Of course, contacting a reputable plumbing contractor San Francisco residents can trust is a good idea for annual inspects of your sewer line to ensure that it remains intact. A cracked or broken sewer line is an open invitation to tree roots and other invaders that can quickly stop up the drain. This means higher cost for sewer repair San Francisco business owners and residents may be able to avoid if they can have the problem spotted in the early stages.

Five Tips to Water Heater Installation and Maintenance for San Francisco Residents

When it comes to the installation, care and maintenance of your water heater, San Francisco residents will need to know a few things about the installation and maintenance process. Although large and bulky, water heaters are relatively easy to install. However, you can use the services of a plumbing contractor San Francisco residents trust for proper water heater installation.

What follows are five simple tips about the proper installation and maintenance of your water heater. By following these tips, you can make the installation process smoother and get more out of your water heater over the long run so that it runs more efficiently.

Water Heaters Need to Be Replaced Every 10 to 12 Years

Unless the company from which the water heater was manufactured says otherwise, you will need to replace it around every decade. This is because the continued heat and moisture will wear on the heater until it starts to break down. While some water heaters will last longer, you should be thinking about getting a new one every 10 to 12 years.

Install the Same Type of Water Heater as the Previous One

Basically, you have the choice of using a gas or electric water heater, so the best one is what matches the previous water heater in your residence. Gas heaters are arguably more efficient, but if your residence is not connected to a gas line that may be a big extra expense to have the gas hooked up. However, you may reduce the size of the water heater if there are fewer people in your home which can save you money each month. Get the right size water heater for your residence that matches the number of people who live in the home for maximum efficiency.

Inspect your Water Heater Once a Month

An inspection consists of taking a few seconds to look over your water heater to check the connections and the floor for any signs of moisture. Quite often, major issues with your water heater start off as little leaks that may be fixed quickly and inexpensively rather than waiting for the damage to accumulate as the water builds up inside the walls of your residence.

Use the Vacation Mode

Many modern water heaters come with a Vacation setting which you can use when you leave the home for an extended period of time. By putting it into this setting, the water heater will go into a standby mode that will greatly reduce the electricity or gas it uses. Over a one or two week period, this can save you a considerable amount of money on your utility bill.

Drain It Twice Each Year

Over time, your water heater will accumulate sediments that will interfere with how efficiently it heats the water. By draining your water heater twice each year, you’ll remove a considerable amount of sediment build-up and improve the overall efficiency of your heater as well.

In order to ensure that your water heater installation goes smoothly, contact the trusted plumbing contractor San Francisco residents use for all of their plumbing needs.