Pipe Gripes - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Poll: Has Your Basement Ever Flooded?

 Many states, such as Kentucky and Ohio, get a lot of rain. The combination of heavy precipitation with older homes is a surefire recipe for flooded basements – although floods can occur in newer homes, too.

Most basement floods are attributable to clogged or compromised gutter systems, cracks in the foundation, or broken/overworked sump pumps.

We are interested in hearing from our readers about this issue. Have you ever had to deal with a flooded basement? Take our poll and, if you like, leave a comment to share your ideas for dealing with or preventing basement floods.

Poll: Has your basement ever flooded?

YES

NO

 

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Pipe Gripes is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

 

(Photo By: Lynette)

Maintaining Your Sump Pump

Sump pumps help prevent your basement from flooding by collecting and removing excess groundwater that might otherwise enter your home through cracks in the foundation. Sump pumps are also important for fighting mold and mildew that thrive in moist, dark places.

If you live in a low-lying area that gets a lot of precipitation, it’s important to have sump pump and to do regular sump pump maintenance to make sure your pump continues to function at peak performance.

Sump pump maintenance recommendations vary depending on make and model, so read the manufacturer’s instructions for your sump pump and follow them as closely as possible.

At the very least, you should maintain your sump pump once annually, while the most diligent sump pump owners will perform maintenance every couple of months. In most cases, cleaning and testing your sump pump every three-to-four months will ensure that the system stays in proper working order.

Vinegar is a good cleaning agent for sump pumps, as it is non-toxic and effective. In addition to running a vinegar solution through your pump every three or four months, you will want to fill your pump from time to time to make sure that it’s working and draining properly. Check the float switch as well. If it is not working, then it will not trigger the pump to bail out excess water.

Besides keeping your primary sump pump clean and functional, it’s also a good idea to install a back-up sump pump, which will help alleviate the burden on the primary sump during an overflow, power outage, or maintenance downtime. Maintain and switch out the batteries of your backup pump at least once a year.

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Pipe Gripes is written and published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

(Photo By kplawver)

The “Dark Ages” of Plumbing

Most would agree that reliable, modern plumbing systems are essential for a high standard of living. However, for much of human history, such conveniences did not exist. And during some eras, such as medieval times, plumbing technology even took a backwards step – let’s hope this doesn’t happen again!

Imagine being a European city-dweller during the Middle Ages, or even during the Renaissance or at the beginning of the industrial age. In 18^th century London, for example, residents would commonly empty their chamber pots right onto the street, pouring their contents from their front windows, oftentimes without even checking first for unsuspecting pedestrians! Interestingly, the Romans had invented sewers to collect rainwater and sewage well over a thousand years earlier.

Even further back in time and in another part of the world, the ancient Egyptians had used sand-filled toilets in their homes. The Indus Valley civilization (3300 to 1300 BCE) even had toilets that flushed with water!

While it’s not entirely clear why Europe regressed from the plumbing innovations of their predecessors and remained in the “Dark Ages” of human waste removal systems for so many centuries, the first incarnation of the modern flush toilet finally arrived in 1596. Sir John Harrington’s flushing lavatory with a cistern marked the first major advance in plumbing since the fall of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, the toilet didn’t catch on until Alexander Cumming was granted a patent for the flushing lavatory almost two centuries later.

So the next time you have a plumbing problem, just remember that you’re lucky to live in the era of modern plumbing. It could be a lot worse!

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Pipe Gripes is written and published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Preventing and Treating Septic Tank Clogs

If you have a septic tank and notice a persistent bad odor hanging around the house, odds are that your tank needs a little TLC. Follow these tips to keep your septic tank functioning properly and to deal with clogs.

Preventing septic tank clogs

• Make sure that there are enough air vents and that they are of the right size.
• Don’t put grease or solid materials down the drain.
• Cover bathroom and kitchen drains with filters to prevent hair, grease and other items from entering your plumbing system.

Tips for a clogged septic tank

• Use a snake or water jet to clear the main drain pipe. Unless you have the appropriate tools, you may need the assistance of a plumber to do this.
• Investigate the tank’s inlets and outlets, checking for blockages caused by scum buildup or solid objects.
• Check the septic tank’s distribution box (located between the tank and the percolators) for any blockage.
• Discontinue water use and call an expert if your septic tank is frozen. If you continue to use water with a frozen septic tank, sewage will start to back up through all of your home’s drains.

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Pipe Gripes is written and published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

5 Ways to Prevent Home Plumbing Problems

Home plumbing issues – ranging from leaky faucets and clogged drains to burst pipes and septic tank backups – can be both inconvenient and expensive. Take the following precautions to avoid common pipe problems.

1. Install drain screens in shower and sink drains to avoid debris like hair, grease, soap and food from clogging your drains and causing them to back up.
2. Check and maintain the most overworked drains in your home: the one in the kitchen sink and the shower/bathtub drains. Problems are most likely to occur in these drains, so you need to make sure they remain clear at all times.
3. Do you have a leaky pipe or faucet? Better fix that before it turns into a bigger problem. Cut off the main water supply and call a plumber to assess your system.
4. Not sure if you have leaky pipes? Take a look at the areas where pipes are installed or joined. If you see moisture on the walls or surrounding areas, you have a leak.
5. Take a little bit of time every few months to investigate your home plumbing system for problems. Doing just a little bit of preventative maintenance, like clearing a slow-draining shower drain, can prevent a minor problem from spiraling out of control.

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Pipe Gripes is written and published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling