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Common Plumbing Questions

At Bearden Plumbing Solutions, we have the answers to your most common plumbing questions. Whether you’ve just purchased a home and need to know the warning signs for plumbing problems, or you know you’re battling a pipe issue and want to make the best repair move, our answers offer insight into what you should do next. Our team serves Adairsville and the surrounding communities in Gordon and Bartow counties.

The Bearden Plumbing Solutions team is here to guide you through the basics of plumbing and provide easy-to-understand answers to your pressing questions. As industry leaders serving as professional plumbers, we want to provide helpful tips that you can use in your own home or business. We’ll cover everything from when to replace the bathroom fixtures to the benefits of professional drain cleaning. The professional technicians with Bearden Plumbing Solutions are here to help.

As a new homeowner, what are some of the most common plumbing issues I should expect?

Plumbing issues come in all shapes and sizes, and they certainly never choose a good time. Below is a list of the most common plumbing problems you may experience with your residential or commercial pipe system.

Clogged toilet
Clogged bath or shower drain
Faulty water heater
Jammed garbage disposal
Leaky faucets
Leaky pipes
Low water pressure
Running toilet
Sewage smell in home
Sewer system backup
Slow draining sink

Can I fix a leaking toilet without a plumber?

Depending on the reason for the leak, you may be able to repair a malfunctioning toilet without calling the professionals. If water is coming from the base, try tightening the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. If that doesn’t help, you’ll need to remove the toilet from the floor and replace the wax rings that sit under the bolts. If the toilet is leaking from the tank, ensure that you have no cracks and that the hose is secured to the base of the toilet. Depending on the age of your toilet, it may be time to replace it, which our team at Bearden Plumbing Solutions will happily do for you.

Do I need a new toilet?

It may be time to replace your toilet if you constantly battle recurring clogs. A few signs that it’s time to upgrade the stool include:

Why shouldn’t I unclog my drains without a plumber?

Home and business owners often turn to liquid drain cleaners or other diy remedies not realizing the damage that these methods can cause to their plumbing system. Store-bought drain cleaners are never a completely viable solution to your recurring plumbing problems. Your drains are an essential part of your property that should be taken care of with precision and accuracy. Using at-home methods of drain cleaning involve unnecessary guesswork that only temporarily mask your plumbing problems instead of solving them all together. DIY methods of drain cleaning like snaking your drain with a wire hanger and pouring harsh chemicals down your drain never come without consequence. These solutions only reach surface blockages and not deeper ones within your pipe that could be causing the actual problems. In addition, chemical drain cleaners use toxic ingredients that create a slime and sludge within your pipes that speed up the pipe corrosion process, causing more damage in the long run. Instead of trying to fix your plumbing problems on your own, call the trusted plumbers at Bearden Plumbing Solutions.

Is there a way to clean my plumbing system?

While there are ways to prevent your pipes from accumulating buildup, a thorough cleaning of your plumbing system is best left to the pros. Hydro jetting is a chemical-free way to rid your pipes of clogs, debris, and invasive tree roots.

To avoid major drain clogs and sewer line backups:

Avoid certain foods in garbage disposal (coffee grounds, bones, grease, fruit peels)
Run cold water when using the garbage disposal
Utilize a drain strainer if you don’t have a garbage disposal
Don’t pour grease or oil down the drain
Run hot water to clear grease residue after washing dishes
Clear drain stoppers in tub and shower
Don’t use the toilet as a trash can - waste and toilet tissue only
Have septic tank pumped every two to three years

What is drain cleaning?

Cleaning your drain with hydro jetting is an environmentally friendly way to ensure your pipes and drains are clear of years of debris and buildup. By forcing water through your pipes at nearly 4000 psi, the Bearden Plumbing Solutions team can remove buildup, debris, and tree roots. The water is sprayed at an extremely high pressure and flushes away the debris, allowing water and waste to flow through your plumbing freely. Hydro jetting drain cleaning can be used on any pipe material.

How do I know my plumbing pipe material?

The age of your home is typically the best indicator of the type of pipe material that runs throughout your walls and underground. Use these pipe material basics as your guide:

Copper: These bronze-colored pipes were frequently used for plumbing systems in houses built from the 1970s into the early 2000s. As they age, copper pipes will slowly fade to a deep rust or brown color. Copper pipes last about 50+ years.
Galvanized steel: Leading up to the 1970s, plumbing systems were often built from galvanized steel pipes. The material was used less when builders discovered it only lasted for about 40 years.
PB (polybutylene): These pipes are flexible and usually marked with “PB2110.” PB pipes are typically gray, black or blue.
PVC (polyvinyl-chloride): These white plastic pipes are most commonly seen under your kitchen or bathroom sinks used as drain pipes.
PEX (cross-linked polyethylene): Plastic tubing that is usually white, red, or blue and used to indicate hot and cold lines. Plumbers use this type of material because of its flexibility.
Cast iron: This pipe has a black finish and was used in homes through the mid-1960s.

What is a sump pump?

A sump pump is installed in a sump, or pit, in your basement. As its name implies, the system is used to pump stormwater away from your property and direct it toward a storm drain. The pump helps prevent flooding and keeps your home dry. More than half of homeowners report moisture problems with their basement. A properly working sump pump can help avoid flooding, mildew smell, or other water damage. Groundwater can find its way into your basement, easily causing expensive water damage. Sump pump repair is necessary if your system doesn’t properly carry water away from your basement.

Can my damaged sump pump be repaired the same day?

Whether your sump pump is running too much or has completely lost power, the plumbers at Bearden Plumbing Solutions offer multiple options for sump pump repair, including same-day services. Our technicians will complete a thorough inspection to determine the problem and offer viable solutions that make the needed repair the first time.

Is it time for a new water heater?

Routine maintenance will help extend the life of your water heater, but the typical unit lasts 8 to 12 years. If you have a traditional tank, draining the water heater once yearly will help rid the unit of sediment and minerals that can settle at the bottom. Call a water heater repair company if your unit shows signs of trouble but isn’t advanced in age. A simple repair or draining could restore the unit to optimum performance.

What’s the best temperature for a hot water heater?

The EPA recommends a water heater temperature setting between 120 and 140 degrees, but several factors will play into the exact temperature of your family’s unit. If your home typically has many different water sources running at once, you may position the temperature closer to 140. If the temperature is set too high, however, you’ll waste energy and risk scalding burns with water usage. For homes with only one or two residents, 120 degrees should suffice. It’s important to not go below the 120 setting, as bacteria can grow in water that is too cool, threatening your family’s health.

How can I tell if tree roots are invading my plumbing?

A spike in your monthly water bill and a change in water pressure are two main causes of a leak, which can be caused by invasive tree roots. If left untreated, tree roots climbing into your plumbing can cause extensive damage. The fastest way to determine if your plumbing problems are caused by tree roots is through a sewer camera inspection. The Bearden Plumbing Solutions team will feed a high-definition camera through your pipes to locate the root problem.

Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipe damage?

If the burst pipe damage was not preventable, most home insurance companies will cover the expense of the damage. There are steps you can take to avoid broken pipes or leaking appliances:

How do I prevent pipes from freezing?

Prevent frozen pipes by following these pipe insulation steps:

Run a heating cable along the pipes before covering with insulation. The cable will keep the pipes at a constant temperature.
Inspect the outside of your home looking for visible cracks near the foundation or basement. Use spray foam or caulking to fill cracks.
Shut off the water valves to your outdoor faucets. Allow excess water to drain then cover the faucets with an insulated dome to prevent freezing.
Allow the warm air in your home to reach the pipes beneath your sinks by opening the cabinet doors.
Have your HVAC system checked annually to prevent your heating system from crashing during the winter months. The freezing temperatures can quickly affect your pipes.
Allow a small, slow drip to come from your faucets. Running the water even a minimal amount will help prevent frozen pipes.

What causes low water pressure?

Low water pressure in pipes can cause daily activities like washing dishes and showering to become prolonged chores. The problem causes more water waste and a higher utility bill because each activity calls for you to leave the water running longer. Low water pressure isn’t an uncommon problem, but it can be caused by several different issues. The Bearden Plumbing Solutions team will inspect the most common reasons for the dip in water pressure and fully explain how we can resolve your issue. The most common causes of low water pressure include:

Clogged pipe: A clogged water pipe can contribute to low water pressure. Attempting to unclog a water line yourself could lead to water contamination in your home. Hire a professional plumber to handle the job.
Faulty pressure regulator: Every faucet in your home will be affected if the pressure regulator attached to the pipes outside your home fails. Our team can test the regulator to see if it is the problem.
Mineral buildup: Over time, your pipes, faucet nozzles, and shower heads will be affected by mineral buildup. If the change in your water pressure happened gradually rather than all at once, having the buildup professionally removed could solve the issue.
Old pipes: Old iron pipes are especially susceptible to corrosion and can inhibit the flow of water. These pipes corrode from the inside out, so it would be impossible for you to identify this as the problem without a camera inspection from a plumber.

Should I schedule a professional pipe inspection?

Having your pipes professionally inspected should be a part of your annual plumbing maintenance. Scheduling a camera inspection is the best way to determine what is happening inside your plumbing system if you suspect something isn’t working properly. A thorough inspection will reveal common plumbing problems, like why your drains release slowly, why the water pressure is low, and what makes the garbage disposal constantly smell like sewage. A high-resolution camera is used during the inspection process and can help detect and prevent future plumbing issues.

Work With Your Leading Plumbing Professionals

Bearden Plumbing Solutions is a team of professional plumbers that take the time to thoroughly inspect your issue before suggesting a repair option. We’ll answer your questions and concerns to ensure you’re making an educated decision. For all of your home and residential plumbing needs, contact our reliable staff to schedule your appointment today.

Schedule service with one or our trained plumbers, send us a message with your request or call our office (404) 416-4079