Ask the Plumber - Handy Tips and FAQ's
Remodeling Your Kitchen or Bathroom on a Budget
If you are considering remodeling your kitchen or bathroom but are concerned with the cost involved we can help. In today’s economy many homeowners are considering remodeling vs. purchasing a new home. Change is good and can be very affordable. Don’t let your budget get in the way. We can work with just about any budget.
We understand the time and effort you spend making your house a home and upgrades can add that extra touch. At Gary’s Quality Plumbing we will walk you through your remodeling project to completion. Our qualified plumbers know how to upgrade the look of your home without making a huge dent in your wall or your wallet.
The Foundation of a Serious Problem
It looks like cooler temperatures and some rainfall are in our forecast. This is a huge relief for those of us in the Dallas area. However, many homeowners are discovering the damage that the extreme heat has already done to their foundations.
A shift in foundation can cause serious problems including gas, sewer, and water leaks. If pipes are not properly protected during installation they can be in weakened state from being exposed to the elements. Over time the metal of the pipe will be eaten away by rust and corrosion causing the pipe to snap when the foundation shifts. Read more
Is Your Water Heater up to Code?
Plumbing codes exist for a reason. Most codes are in place to protect homeowners from dangerous situations such as fire, explosions, and catastrophic leaks. Water heater installations must follow guidelines and be permitted and inspected. Read more
Plumbing Myths
Truth or Myth? – As with anything involving popular opinion and professional know how inconsistencies exist.
Many times a person might think they know how to handle a situation based on what they have been told and not by personal experience. We will address three common myths in this article: Read more
Nothing Beats a Straight Flush
Everybody has had at least one – a dinosaur of a toilet. It sometimes seems like flushing the equivalent of Niagara Falls every time you hit the lever in order to clear the bowl. These commodes work on an average of four to six gallons per flush. This is way too much water to be wasting and can get quite costly. Read morePlumbers (Plumbing Doctors) and Medical Doctors (Body Doctors)
I was just thinking……The plumber protects the health of the nation. He is educated, works as an apprentice for five years, goes on to be a Journeyman after passing a state-mandated test, and can eventually become a Master Plumber after more time, study and testing.Check Your Water Bill!
Just because you don’t see or hear water running does not mean there is not a leak. Often the first sign of a leak is the increase in water usage on your water bill. When you suspect a leak Gary’s Quality Plumbing is prepared to locate the source and repair it promptly, saving you time, property damage and money..
Evidence of a Plumbing Leak in Your Yard
Most people don’t think about having a plumbing leak in their yard until it is happening to them. Typically a homeowner will see evidence that soil is being eroded in a puddle, developing somewhere between their main water supply and the main valve assembly for their sprinkler system. Read moreDo You Have Low Water Pressure?
Many things can cause low water pressure:- A hole or crack in your water piping
- Debris in the pipe or aerator
- A new fixture with a low-flow restrictor
- Inadequate or damaged service piping between the street and the home
Understanding A/C Condensate Lines
If you’ve ever held a glass of ice water in your hand in a room temperature area you will notice that water collects on the outside of the glass. This is condensation.
In an air conditioning unit the same phenomena occurs. Condensated water collects inside an A/C unit. This water needs to drain out of the unit. Underneath where the condensation occurs there is a pan into which the condensate drains. This is the primary pan and will be piped via a pitched PVC pipe into the drainage system of the home. One way this is done is by using a tee fitting on the drain line under the bathroom or a “hole-in-the-head” fitting behind a bath tub drain.
In case that drain line ever backs up or doesn’t drain for some reason there is a secondary drip pan underneath the primary. This is piped separately to the exterior of the home allowing the homeowner to see if there is a wet spot under the eave and know if something needs to be addressed. It is piped out to be visible.
As a homeowner you should occasionally walk around the perimeter of your home so you can locate the pipes and know where they are. The A/C condensate drain pipe will be:
- Sticking out of the eave a couple of inches directly down so it will drip onto the ground below.
- Out of the wall (In this case there will be a 90 degree ell pointing down with a short length of pipe so that it drips lower.)
When you do your routine walk-around outside of your home and notice any condensation contact us. We will come out and make sure your primary drain pipe is cleared so that your secondary drain pipe won’t be dripping water into your yard, or worse, through your ceiling.
The older the system is, the more common it is to see these lines backed up. Over time all kinds of muck accumulates and has to be blown out. If you notice wet spots in your ceiling they really need to be checked out before they get worse. Call us today, 972-424-6479.
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