Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumber’

Common Reasons for Sewer Line Repair

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

Some of the most troublesome news a homeowner can hear from a plumber is that the sewer line is in need of repair. Unfortunately, this is something that can happen in nearly any home, especially one with older pipes. Make sure you get regular maintenance and drain cleaning so that an unexpected sewage leak or backup does not catch you off guard. When you do run into trouble with your sewer line in Bethesda, our experts can help you out with professional sewer line services. Here are some of the most common reasons we’re called in for sewer line repair.

Clogs

A drain clog may only seem like an inconvenience, slowing the drainage in one or more sinks or showers. But as the problem worsens, sewage can actually back up into your home. Schedule drain cleaning regularly and at the first sign of slow drains if you’d like to prevent such issues from happening to you.

Tree Roots

One of the most surprising reasons for a burst sewer line is tree roots. Roots grow towards a source of water and the sewer line makes an ideal target. Roots can wrap around the pipe and eventually pierce right through. This could lead to leaking or a drainage backup. You need professionals with special equipment to properly determine whether a tree root has infiltrated your drains and what should be done to resolve the issue.

Outdated Pipes

There may come a time when your pipes are simply over the hill. After a certain age, pipes are subject to corrosion, particularly galvanized steel pipes. Galvanized steel pipes were the norm before the 1970s, as the zinc coating was meant to protect the steel from rust and, ultimately, corrosion. Unfortunately, this zinc layer could wear away, leading to corrosion (leaking) anyway. If your pipes have corroded, sewer line replacement is often the only option.

Sewer line repair and replacement does not have to be such a hassle when you enlist the help of our professionals. Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing will walk you through the process. We’re committed to getting the job done with quality customer service, so call us when you are in need of a plumber in Bethesda.

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Signs You Need Well Pump Repairs

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Many, many years ago, homeowners would have to use buckets and rope to collect water from the wells outside of their homes. Of course those days are long over, but when your well pump is not working properly or is not working at all, you may long for this simple solution. Fortunately, you can call a plumber in Bethesda at Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing for quality well pump repair whenever there is no water coming into your home. Here are a few more signs that indicate the need for immediate well pump repair.

  • Low Water Pressure: Low or no water pressure could indicate trouble with the faucets or pipes in your home, but your well pump is also a probable culprit, particularly if the trouble persists in every area of the home. Municipal water supplies stay pressurized so that water can flow into homes with ease. While a well is a less expensive way to acquire water, it requires a working well pump to supply adequate pressure in order to reach the home. Low water pressure may mean there is a problem with the motor or an electrical issue.
  • Intermittent Water: You may only receive water in intermittent bursts, which can also indicate a problem with the motor. However, sometimes this simply means the components of your pump are worn down and replacement may be the best option. A plumber will make sure you get the correctly sized replacement for efficiency and longevity.
  • Noises: Finally, strange noises can indicate problems with the pump, even if you don’t notice much of a change with the water pressure. There are a number of possibilities for unusual noises, depending on the type of system you own, either a submersible pump or a jet pump. There may be a clogged nozzle or a hole in the pipe, among other issues. It’s best to call a technician to ensure you’re not at risk of losing water pressure entirely.

If you rely on well water, you can save a lot on utilities, but this requires maintenance and occasional repairs to keep it working as it should. Call Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing when you decide it’s time to see a plumber in Bethesda for well pump repair.

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The U-Shaped Pipe Under Your Sink: What It’s Really For

Friday, April 18th, 2014

How often have you thought about the shape of the plumbing under your sink, such as that unusual U-shaped bend in the drainpipe before it enters the wall? Perhaps only a few times, such as when you open the cabinets under a bathroom or kitchen sink to retrieve cleaners or a roll of paper towels. That U-shaped pipe is one of those parts of a house’s plumbing that performs an important task, but which you don’t need to pay attention to…until something goes wrong with it.

Whatever your woes with your plumbing, you can count on the skill and expertise of Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to solve it. We’ll send a plumber in Gaithersburg, MD to your home and have your plumbing restored quickly. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

That U-shape is called the P-trap

You may think of the bend in the pipe under the sink as a “U,” put plumbers call it a P-trap. (Tilt your head and look at it from the side, and then you’ll see the “P” shape.) This simple construction placed into a drainpipe is a clever way to prevent sewage gas from the decomposing wastewater farther down the pipe from escaping up through your drains and into your home. Gravity traps an amount of water inside the bend after it goes down the drain, and this liquid plug serves as a block against sewer gas.

A common reason that people begin to detect sewer odors in their homes is because of dried P-traps. If a sink doesn’t receive frequent use—such as one in a guest bathroom—the water in the P-trap will evaporate, allowing sewer gas to escape up the drain. To fix this, run water down the sink for a few minutes to restore the plug.

P-traps can become problems for your drains as well: they will start to accumulate hair, soap scum, and grease, fat, and oil, over time, and this may eventually cause a sink clog. Sometimes a plunger will clear this, but thicker organic clogs will require the help of a plumber with a mechanical drain snake or hydro-jetting equipment. In some cases, a plumber must detach the P-trap from the drainpipe to clean it.

Take good care of the P-trap: avoid pouring liquid grease, oil, or fat down your drains, and place drain caps over bathroom and shower sinks to prevent too much hair and soap scum from getting through. If clogs do occur, never hesitate to contact a professional plumber in Gaithersburg, MD to clear up the trouble. (But don’t reach for the liquid drain cleaners! They are toxic and acidic.) Call up Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to have a professional plumbing service provide you with all the help your home plumbing needs.

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