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When plumbing issues emerge many people try to fix it themselves instead of calling a plumber. While you can fix small plumbing problems by yourself, stay aware of times when you need a professional plumber.

Dangerous plumbing problems arise for many reasons, requiring the expertise of a professional. Keep your family and your home safe by hiring a professional for risky plumbing situations.

Call a professional for these plumbing issues:

1. Lack of Hot Water: Lack of hot water or inconsistent water temperatures usually signal a failed water heater. Because water heaters use gas and electrical systems, it’s important to use a professional plumber to ensure your safety.
2. Low Water Pressure: Low water pressure often signals a clogged drain. However, if you unclog and the water pressure is still low, a more serious issue may be occurring such as an eroded waterline or a fractured pipe. To avoid further damage, consider contacting a professional plumber.
3. Water Damage: Signs of water damage in your home — stains, mold or pools of water —  demand a call to a plumber immediately. The effects of water damage are dangerous for your home and your health.
4. Frozen Pipes: If your pipes are frozen, you should call a plumber immediately. When thawed, frozen pipes are likely to crack or even burst. Try to prevent frozen pipes, but if they become frozen, call a plumber.
5. Remodeling: Installing appliances and fixtures requires the expertise of a plumber. Trying to install fixtures without a plumber may result in extra repairs or even re-installations, ultimately costing you more money.

Know which plumbing issues require a professional plumber. Calling a plumber during these times gives you confidence in the safety of you and your home.

For more information on the 5 times to call a plumber from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service, please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.

Hate spending so much of your hard-earned money on water, gas or energy bills? Ever wonder if there’s a better and easier way to save? Many homeowners overlook these simple plumbing tips they can do throughout their home to save money on bills each month.

Save money with these helpful plumbing tips and tricks:

• Check for leaks. Often leaking faucets are an easy fix and checking on them regularly saves on future bills. Other plumbing leaks lead to puddles of water or build up of condensation in specific areas. Bacteria and mold begin to form in these places. Routinely checking for leaks prevents future costly bills.
• Update your faucets. Your home’s faucets do more than simply enhance the look of your sink. They adjust the amount of water passing through. Newer eco-friendly faucets help control how much water is being used, ultimately reducing water flow and the price of your water bill.
• Upgrade your water heater. Lower your utility bills by replacing your homes water heater. Outdated models result in high electric and gas bills. On-demand water heaters save you money by providing water that is heated right away, eliminating the need for stored warm water.
• Inspect your toilet. Check for leaks and proper flushing and flow of water. Toilet leaks are often hidden unless you know what to look for. Your toilet may need repair if you find yourself pushing down hard or jiggling the handle. If your toilet is outdated, consider replacing it with an eco-friendly one that conserves water.
• Clean your drains and gutters regularly. Snaking your drains regularly keeps them working at full function, saving you money on unnecessary repairs. Cleaning your gutters keeps them working and free of problem-causing pests.

Consider having a professional plumber inspect your plumbing for any issues or leaks that could be fixed to improve performance and reduce future risks.

For more information on money saving plumbing tips from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service, please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.

Although the environment, climate change and sustainability dominate the news, very few people stop to consider how their plumbing system affects the world they live in. Many old plumbing systems use resources like energy and water at an alarming rate. Eco-friendly plumbing reduces the amount of resources used in a simple and easy way.

Change these things in your plumbing system to benefit the environment:

• Repair drips and leaks. Doing this helps save water. Household leaks waste thousands of gallons of water per year. You can also save water by placing jars of stones in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water needed per flush and turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth. 

• Install low flow fixtures. Using high efficiency products, like eco-friendly toilets, washers and dryers can dramatically reduce your water consumption. Installing retrofit aerators on faucets and low flow shower heads can also help reduce the flow of water. 

• Upgrade water heating systems. An efficient water heater saves water and energy. Circulation pumps minimize the time it takes for hot water to reach the faucet, reducing energy and water use. 

• Go green. Switching to green plumbing means installing a plumbing system that completely minimizes water consumption, reduces utility bills and minimizes chemical effects. Installing green plumbing involves the use of insulated hot water pipes and solar water heaters. It is important to choose pipes that are well insulated to prevent heat and energy loss and protect against freezing. Green plumbing allows water to be used to its fullest extent.

For more information on why eco-friendly plumbing from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service, please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.

No one wants foul odors in their home, especially when they come from the partially clogged drains in your kitchen. A smelly house not only makes things unpleasant, but the smell only gets worse unless it is dealt with properly. The trick to eliminating the odor remains simple — find the source and remove it!

Many signs exist when you notice an odorous drain. Small odors can be fixed easily, but acting fast is key. Large issues often require professional assistance from a licensed plumber.

There are several reasons your drain may produce strange odors, including:

1. Dry p-trap. The p-trap is the curved section of the drainpipe under the sink. This captures water to form a plug against sewer gases coming back up the pipe. This proves to be a common problem in sinks that don’t get used very often. Guest bathrooms tend to have this issue.

2. Venting problems. Venting pipes are there to prevent sewer gases from entering your home. These pipes get clogged from debris, animal nests, snow and more, and force sewer gases down and up through the drains. This causes smells no one wants.

3. Sewer line issues. If you find that the odor is coming from multiple sinks, the trouble may be more than just a clogged drain. There might be a break or block in a sewer line carrying waste water. The odor is potentially accompanied by clogs and bubbling sounds.

4. Biofilm. We all know that many different substances go down our drains; hair, body oils, shampoo, soaps, water, and many more. These substances create biofilm and as it accumulates it begins releasing an odor.

5. Trapped food. We all know that food gets a little smelly after a while. If your drain becomes blocked or is running slow, there may be food trapped in there. The issue with trapped food is that it decomposes within the pipework producing an odor.
   

For more information on the drain odors from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service, please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.

As a homeowner, you rarely think about your sump pump — but you definitely depend on it functioning properly when you need it. Many homeowners install a sump pump as a precautionary measure against flooding from a storm or a burst pipe. Of course, it remains important to keep the sump pump in tip top shape to ensure that it works when you need it most.

Maintaining your sump pump requires just a few simple steps:  

1. Ensure the sump basin lid is properly sealed. It’s not uncommon for the lid to become loose. When it does so, this can expose your home to excess moisture and mustiness. Most sump pumps are located in the basement of homes. If your lid is loose or falls off, this leaves the opportunity for items such as toys, clothes, dryer lint and many other common items to fall into the sump basin causing an obstruction or clog.
2. Run tests. Testing your pump to ensure that it is working properly is very important. Add a few gallons of water to your pit to see if the unit is functioning properly. If the float rises too high and doesn’t turn on or activate the pump, you should unplug the unit and check for debris in the unit and pit. If the pump operates properly, it’s time to check the discharge pipe. If flow is reduced check for blockages. Disconnecting the pipe from the pump and running high-pressure water or a snake through it may be your next step.
3. Tie cords to prevent tangling. One very common occurrence is for the pump cords to get caught up on the float switch. Although this is very common, it’s also very preventable. By using wire or zip ties to bind the cords together, you can keep them from getting tangled. Another great option would be tying them up against the discharge line to tighten the slack and keep the cords from bunching up.
4. Always have a backup. Investing in a battery-operated backup pump not only is a good thing to have, but also a necessity. Backup pumps can run in any situation. For example, power outages, primary pump failure, or even when your main pump can’t keep up. Having a backup could never hurt. It’s always good to be prepared in case you are in a bind.

For more information on maintaining your sump pump from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service, please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.

Drain systems play a crucial role in keeping your home clean and safe.

Drainage issues not only wreak havoc in your home, they also cause dangerous health issues when things fail to function properly. These issues start small but have potential to escalate and turn into serious problems. Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service wants you to be aware of the warning signs so you can predict or completely avoid any possible drain issues.

Listed below are five warning signs that you potentially need a drain repair:

1. Slow drain. If your drain begins draining slowly this may lead to problems. This typically indicates a possible obstruction, clogged drains or a septic tank not filtering wastewater fast enough. When the sewer line from your home becomes clogged, it causes a backup in the drains throughout the house.

2. Bad odors. No one wants a smelly drain. If the drains in your home emit unpleasant odors, your drain may need a repair. This usually means that the waste is not being properly removed and disposed of correctly. This causes sewer gases up through the p-traps in the sinks — creating a strong and unpleasant odor.

3. Wastewater leaking. If you find wet spots in your home or large pools in your yard, there might be a drainage issue. If the sewer line or septic tank line springs a leak, the wastewater will begin to rise to the surface and create damp pools.

4. Water stains in the basement. This indicates that sewage is starting to backup due to poor drainage. If you begin to see these you may want to take action.

5. Increase in your water bill. If your water bill begins to increase consistently this could indicate a constant leak. There are one of two things to consider when the water bill spikes; you need a waterline repair or there is a hidden leak in your home.

To avoid serious problems, watch out for these signs. Recognizing the signs and acting quickly helps you to avoid a more serious issue down the road.

For more information on the drain repair from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.

Sometimes traditional methods of unclogging pipes fail to fix the problem. If the clogs in your pipes prove too hard to break up easily, our professional plumbers suggest using more powerful methods, such as hydro jetting. Increasing in popularity with plumbers for its effective results, hydro jetting helps unclog more and more pipes each year. So, what makes hydro jetting so effective?

Hydro jetting cleans clogged and slow sewage lines. By shooting a strong blast of water at high pressure, blockages and build up quickly break apart, freeing the water line. Hydro jetting typically uses around 4,000 psi, making it more powerful than most unclogging techniques.

Hydro Jetting Removes What?

A lot of things clog pipes. Some of the objects clogging water lines require more work than others. The most notorious offender – tree roots – find their way into sewer lines. Hydro jetting fractures the invasive roots that normal methods struggle to break apart. Hair clogs cause initiate disgust when unclogging, but hydro jetting corrodes the hair without even requiring to touch or look at the unsightly mess. Hydro jetting also removes sand, silt and scale build up.

The advanced cleaning of hydro jetting makes it a popular option for commercial buildings and restaurants. A clogged pipe halts business, and effectively removing the clogs brings business back to normal. Routinely using hydro jetting in restaurants helps remove food build up and grease.

Since hydro jetting only shoots pressurized water, the process provides a safe, environmentally friendly cleanup. With no chemicals in the water, the pipes and water system remain secure to health hazards. The process also keeps your pipes healthy and clear, particularly against sand and silt build up.

For more information on hydro jetting from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service, please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.

Michigan winters can be rough on your pipes and cause unknown plumbing damage to your home. Begin the season worry free by checking up on a few important things within your home’s plumbing system with this easy and helpful spring plumbing checklist.

Inspect all of your appliances that connect to plumbing throughout your home, such as all sinks, water heaters, showers, toilets, and washing machines. Make sure they work correctly and the water pressure is normal. Listen to each appliance run, any unusual sounds or an appliance with low water pressure may mean a leak or broken pipe.

Blocked and clogged drains cause water and additional waste to backup resulting in possible floods. For precaution clean your drains routinely to eliminate any waste buildup and further plumbing problems. Pay extra attention for hidden blockages as these are hard to detect.

Search for any general leaks from pipes in your home. Damp areas or puddles warn a pipe with a leak or blockage. Signs of a leaking pipe also include stains, mildew, warping, or peeling. Pay particular attention to rooms that are not occupied often, such as basements or crawl spaces. Broken pipes typically arise after a cold winter.

Check your sprinkler systems throughout your property to assure that everything works normal. Irregular water pressure or water flow may result from issues within your system involving a leak or broken pipe.

When opening up your pool look around for cracks, leaks, rips, or any damage to the outer seals. Water seeps through these types of damages and causes further, more expensive damage. Aside from the outside portion of the pool, check the pump for any issues. If the pipes supplying the pump are damaged in any way it refrains the pool from receiving the correct amount of water needed.

If you are unsure of an issue or think there is possible pipe damage within your home, consider contacting a professional plumber for advice on how to help.

For more information on what to check out on your plumbing system from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service, please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.

During the winter in colder climates, frozen water lines pose one of the largest and most costly problems to homes and businesses. Water represents a key component in how a building functions — when a key water line becomes frozen, it cripples the plumbing and septic systems of a building. Even worse, a burst water line causes flooding and property damage. Winterizing the water lines of a property prevents costly repairs and replacements to your home or office.

Water freezing in water lines causes a number of issues. First and foremost, the flow of water becomes blocked, potentially preventing fixtures such as showers, faucets and toilets from working properly. Water also expands when frozen, so the frozen water in a water line increases pressure in the pipe, increasing the chance the water line bursts. Frozen water lines commonly occur in vacant homes and buildings due to a reduced water flow from lack of use.

Fortunately, tools and tips exist to help you keep your water lines from freezing. When leaving a building vacant for long periods of time, draining the water out of the pipes offers the best solution.

The steps below explain how to drain your water lines:

• Note the locations of water lines, valves and taps, and decide how you winterize each item. Marking these items off as you go keeps you from missing anything.
• Open all drain valves and taps. This avoids creating a vacuum between the valve or tap and water, which prevents water from staying in the pipes.
• Use air compressors to blow standing water out of the pipes.
• Drain your water heater by opening its drain valve. Attach a garden hose if necessary.
• Drain out the water left in the holding tank, and add antifreeze to the jet pump case
• Flush toilets to remove as much water as possible; add antifreeze to protect remainder.
• Add some antifreeze to each drain trap in sinks and tubs.

When you expect to use the building frequently, insulating the building and pipes allows you to access water and prevent frozen water lines simultaneously.

The steps below explain how to insulate your water lines:

• Search for cracks on the exterior and interior of the property. Seal the cracks you find with caulk or spray foam to prevent cold air from entering the building.
• Use insulation sleeves to keep cold air away from pipes.
• Keep a heat source running to protect against the cold.
• Block all vents leading outside
• Check the crawl space for proper insulation.

For more information about winterizing your water lines, contact us here or call us at 800.937.5667.

We all toss items down the drain and watch them magically disappear without a second thought as to where they go. However, many of the things we send down our pipes clog drains and contaminate the water in our lakes, rivers and oceans.

Drains easily handle the disposal of water and small particles of food and organic matter. Drains often react negatively when introduced to items such as hair, bones, grease, metal, plastics and any non-biodegradable items larger than a ping pong ball. So, what common household garbage do most people dump down the drain?

Coffee grounds win the contest as the biggest offender. Everyone loves their morning cup of joe, but many mistakenly toss their grounds in the sink instead of the trash. Coffee grounds and tea leaves cause severe blockage problems in pipes.

Disposal of Grease, Fats and Oils

Grease, fats and oils follow close behind in second place as  perhaps the most damaging substance to be wrongfully dumped in our sewer systems. These slimy substances do not mix with water, and their buildups cause costly and hazardous sewer overflows. To properly dispose grease, fats and oils, chill them in your fridge or freezer until they become solid.. Then, pitch them in a sealed bottle, and throw the container away.

A few more things that create problems with drains and sewers are the little plastic produce stickers found on many fruits and vegetables, paper towels, cat litter (even flushable litter), eggshells, medication, facial tissue and flushable wipes. The word ‘flushable’ does not mean that it should go down the drain. Flushable wipes do not disintegrate like toilet paper, and cause problems clogging sewers every year.

So next time you plan to dump something down the drain, take a second to consider what damage it may cause once it’s in your drain and sewer system. If unsure, throw it in the trash.

For more information on what not to put down your drain from the experts at Rapid Plumbing & Drain Service, please contact us here or call us directly at 800.937.5667.