Don’t forget plumbing checklist!

February 25, 2022/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal, Water Heaters/by raleigh plumbers

Home plumbing checklist! When you are in the market to buy a new or old home, there are countless things to check and clean. One essential thing is the plumbing system. While part of this is covered by the seller and done before you take occupancy, there may still be things that need your attention when you start using it.

Check for Leaks

Checking for leaks or water damage is one of the most crucial things the seller usually looks at. Leakage in sinks and showers, but something that often slips through the cracks is slow-draining sinks and fixtures. If these haven't been replaced, make sure to deal with them as soon as possible because leaks may cause serious damage to your home if left unattended for too long.

Check Water Quality

There's not much point in getting a new home if the water quality is terrible. It's usually listed somewhere on the deed, but it never hurts to ask about it. A water softener can be installed on every tap in your home for around $100, and you may find them at most hardware or plumbing store.

Check Water Pressure

If it isn't already, make sure the place you're buying has decent water pressure. Water pressure usually isn't an issue for most people, but if you like to take long showers, it might be more of a problem than you expect, and while some things can be done about it (like installing a water tower), they aren't cheap or easy solutions.

Check Local Water Regulations

This won't matter much unless you're planning on doing some major renovations to your home, but it's good to know before you buy. Most municipalities will require any plumber working in their jurisdiction to be licensed. So, this means that if you hire an independent contractor (recommended for all plumbing work), they'll need to go through the local licensing process, which can take up to three months.

Keep Utilities Separate

If the house doesn't already have separate utilities (gas and water bills), make sure they are installed as soon as possible. Not only does this help keep track of your expenses, but it also makes repairs much more accessible since everything isn't connected.

Check Quality of Pipes

While not necessarily dangerous, old galvanized steel piping should be replaced whenever possible. Galvanized steel is a good and inexpensive material, but it erodes very quickly in water at high temperatures and can lead to leaks and breakages.

According to many sources, PVC piping is the most accessible replacement if you need upgrades because it has over 100 years. Ensure that local codes have approved everything before making any changes and that a permit has been acquired if necessary.

Check the Sewer Line

The sewer line should be inspected every couple of years to make sure it isn't cracked, collapsed, or damaged in any way by tree roots. Tree roots can be one of the most severe causes of damage to piping, which is why many areas have decided to prevent them from entering their systems by banning trees (or at least big ones) from being planted near where pipes lie. Suppose you're buying a house with an existing tree. In that case, you might want to consider removing it even if it doesn't seem like there's much risk involved since having to replace your system later on, is not only inconvenient but very expensive as well.

Check for Signs of Damage

A big part of a plumbing checklist is looking for past damager. So, even if everything appears to be in perfect working order and there are no signs of damage at home, you still want to ensure that everything looks as it should. Look for discoloration and peeling paint which can indicate aging pipes and rusting joints. If there is any, they will need to be replaced before long, or they'll soon become a problem.

Check out the article on Realtor.com What does a home inspector Look for?

Check the Floor Drains

The floor usually drains last forever, but if something has gone wrong with them, then it's best if you know about it right away, so you don't have to deal with flooding later on. Floor drains are most commonly used for washing machines, sinks, and dishwashers, but sometimes the lines connecting them back up main lines enter your home, then call a professional right away. You don't want anything catastrophic happening before you know about it.

Inspect Floors

It never hurts for new homeowners to look under their homes from time to time and cause them to flood after use or when water pressure increases (like during a storm). Installing an overflow kit on your drains ($20 or less at any hardware store) is very easy and quick, and it could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Check for Signs of Leaks

Leaks can be a huge annoyance, especially if they go unnoticed for too long. They can lead to severe water damage, which will make your home less desirable to others and can even lead to rot in flooring and other materials if gone unchecked. If you see any signs of dampness or discoloration near where pipes are entering, don't hesitate to call a plumber.

It's also wise to turn off your house's main shutoff valve (usually near the water meter) whenever there is a chance of it being frozen during the winter months. If this happens, turning off your home's supply can be as simple as flicking a switch from inside.

Floating Manifold Problems

Many homes have a "floating" water heater manifold. That means that the individual supply lines from each fixture are connected to it, so they all share one shutoff. If only two of those connections were made instead of three, there might be a problem.

For example, if both washers and showers tap into this shared manifold but only one is hooked up via supply line, the water heater won't get any hot unless someone is using both appliances at once or unless someone turns on every faucet in the house (since cold connections cause them to draw heat instead).

You'll need to call your plumber, who will run an additional line between fixtures to solve this issue. It's not something most homeowners can do themselves.

Inspecting "floating" or wall-hung manifolds has been compared to feeling around in the dark because there isn't any visible sign of damage. However, if enough metal fatigue accumulates, it could cause a leak, quickly leading to rot and rust. So, be sure to keep a check on any signs of corrosion and have them replaced as soon as possible.

Washing Machine Hoses

One of the most common household repairs seen everywhere is replacing washing machine hoses. Washing machine hoses are typically designed to only last around five years. When new, these hoses should be nice and rigid, but after time they begin to get soft and "squishy." Furthermore, if ignored for too long, their inner lining can become brittle, which will lead to splitting when water pressure suddenly increases or when somebody moves an appliance that it's connected to. Such a hose could leak quickly, so older homeowners may want to inspect them more often than newer homeowners.

To accomplish this, you'll need a plumber whose couple of other warning signs are bulging in the middle of the hose or small leaks around the ends where it attaches to appliances or fixtures. If any of this happens, replace the hose as soon as possible. Washing machines and water heaters typically work harder when somebody is washing their clothes or taking a shower, so if your home's pressure suddenly drops, it might indicate that the old hose has started to fail.

Flush Out Your Water Heater

Water heaters are built with small tubes inside them that help distribute hot water to appliances all over your home. These tubes are prone to mineral buildup over time, even though newer models have much better insulation, which slows this process down. The only way to clean these hot water heating elements is by draining the tank completely, flushing out all of the sediments, then refilling with fresh water.

To accomplish this, you'll need a plumber who can safely shut off your home's main shutoff, drain the water heater and hook up a hose to the bottom of it. Afterward, flushing will begin and should take anywhere from one to two hours.

One warning sign that it's time for an element flush is when the water coming out of your hot faucets starts to look brown or grey. Clothes washed in such water will come out dingy because they'll get covered in sediment as well. You may also be able to hear sediment flowing through the pipes, which could indicate that it's entering your washing machine (this causes gray residue on fabrics).

If any of this sounds too familiar, it might be time to call a trusted plumber. This job shouldn't cost more than a few hundred dollars since you can do most of the work yourself, so it's worthwhile, especially if you have low water pressure or your water heater is older than ten years.

New help with your plumbing checklist? Call Poole's Pluming to learn all of your options, or learn more at: www.poolesplumbing.com

10 Fun Facts About Plumbing

January 27, 2022/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

Leaking Faucets and Pipes Pay Off

Leaking faucets may add up to a lot of wasted water in many areas, where the price per gallon is higher than in other places.

It's a Dirty Job, But Someone Has to do it.

There are an estimated 240,000 residential plumbing repair or renovation companies in the United States. One of the most common calls to plumbers is clogged drains and toilets. However, no one area causes more problems than anywhere else in the house, with issues being roughly evenly distributed throughout.

10 Fun Facts about Plumbing

The first known use of drainage pipes was from the Minoan civilization over 3,000 years ago. They created a closed system of water channels under their palaces to carry wastewater and snowmelt far away from the buildings. They were designed and built by hand from ceramic (clay) pipes and consisted of a central "street" and smaller intersecting private drains that fed into it. The first plumber known by name was likely to design this system: Exekias, an Athenian potter by trade.

When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go

In a single day, a typical toilet is flushed about 30 times. The average American uses approximately 80 to 100 gallons of water every day. If you're average, those 100 gallons are used by taking a shower (~20 gallons per minute), doing the dishes (up to 2.5 gallons per load), flushing the toilet (1.6-gallon flush), and running the faucet (~2.5 gallons per minute). That means that a leaky toilet, which can waste up to 200 gallons per day, or a dripping faucet, which wastes about 2.5 gallons per day, would be responsible for 3% of your daily water usage. If you replaced just those appliances with high-efficiency models, you might save more than 450,000 gallons of water in one year alone or image enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

It's the Water Silly

The water used for each flush in a modern low-volume toilet is 1.5 gallons or less. This means that you could flush about 50 times in one day and use only 7 gallons of water to accomplish it. A traditional toilet can use anywhere from 3 to 5 gallons per flush. If you were to replace just the low-volume toilets in your house with older models, you could save more than 20,000 gallons of water in a year.

Two's Company, Three's a Crowd

On average, Americans use nearly 70 gallons of water per day at home for all purposes. Outdoors, we use about 50% more. However, most people are unaware that they're using over twice as much water outside the home than inside! The two biggest culprits are lawn and garden watering, accounting for roughly one-third of all outdoor water use. If you replaced just one-quarter of your grass with native vegetation, you might reduce your outdoor water usage by up to 30%.

It's Not Just the Big Guys

For all you DIYers, your toilet is probably not one of the biggest water wasters in your home. The showerhead typically accounts for about 2/3 of a household's entire hot water usage! If everyone installed low-flow showerheads, we could save more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water each year.

Water: It Does a Body Good

Of all the water used in the home, the most significant percentage (about 40%) goes towards outdoor irrigation.

So, outdoor irrigation can account for as much as half of all residential water use, which is particularly alarming given that nearly 70% of outdoor water use comes from evaporation. Not only does watering lawns with potable drinking water waste a valuable resource, but the amount of electricity required to pump and treat that water releases about 1.5 million tons of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere every year.

It's Not Your Imagination: The Water Pressure is Low

Low water pressure isn't just annoying, and it's also incredibly wasteful. The average faucet flows at about 2 gallons per minute, which means that if your shower head has low water pressure and you take a 10-minute shower, you've wasted almost 20 gallons of water!

"It's a Dry Heat" is a Lie

While many people assume that its hot weather leads to increased water consumption, studies have shown that it is the opposite. Hot climates lead to increased air conditioning usage, accounting for 50% of all households' indoor water consumption! The good news is that you could save about 2,000 gallons of water per year by installing a programmable thermostat. The even better information is that by simply turning down your air conditioning a few degrees, you could reduce your usage by 10-20%!

Common Winter Plumbing Issues in North Carolina

January 25, 2022/in Drain Cleaning, Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

Do pipes clog more in winter?

We'll cover some of the more common winter plumbing issues in North Carolina. When it comes time to do some winterizing around the house, many people focus on their yard and outdoor activities. But what many homeowners don't realize is that the winter months can cause severe damage to the inside of your home as well.

In particular, those who live in areas that experience freezing temperatures will need to be careful about how they approach their plumbing.

So, one of the most common issues in the winter months is damage to sewer lines, mainly due to the ice build-up around them. As it turns out, when water is exposed to freezing temperatures for an extended period, it forms crystals that expand over time. However, this usually doesn't cause too much trouble when they're too small to see.

But if they're large enough and form near a sewage line, these crystals can grow big enough to cause serious damage. They eventually puncture the sides of sewer lines, creating cracks that allow water – and all the icky stuff it carries with it – to flow back into your home, causing significant problems in the process.

So, we find that one of the best ways to prevent this is by heating your plumbing. If you've got a crawlspace, make sure the temperature of the ground in it stays above freezing during the winter months. If you've got any exposed pipes or outdoor faucets, make sure they are appropriately insulated against the cold weather as well.

Cracks

If low temperatures have caused issues in the past, you might also consider using insulation designed to reduce this kind of damage.

Of course, if your plumbing is already damaged, you're not out of luck. So, if the crack is smaller than an eighth of an inch, it can be fixed with epoxy resin. This fix has been around for more than a decade and is typically very successful.

However, if the crack is too large, the only real fix is to replace the entire sewer line – which can cost thousands of dollars – or have it repaired with a sleeve. This process involves removing the damaged portion of the pipe and inserting a new one in its place.

Frozen Pipes

Another common plumbing issue in the winter months is frozen pipes. This means the water is turned off throughout your home, but it can also lead to severe problems that your insurance probably won't cover.

Burst Pipes

The most severe of these is burst pipes. If water freezes and expands inside a line beyond its capacity, it will crack and break. The problem is that water can continue to drip out of this crack for several hours before you notice the damage.

By then, the pipe has already split in half, and much of your home's interior has likely been flooded with ice-cold water. You should call a trusted plumber right away to assess this situation's situation.

In most situations, the plumber will be able to fix the pipe and restore your home's plumbing to normal functionality in a short amount of time. But if it's genuinely damaged beyond repair, you'll need to call a restoration company and get ready for some significant work.

Depending on the extent of the damage, it can take 24 hours or more to dry out most flooded areas completely. And in some cases, you may need to replace floorboards, counters, and cabinets throughout your home before getting everything back in working order.

All told, this type of issue can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars in repairs, which is why it's so important to look for signs of trouble before it gets out of hand.

Most often, this may come in the form of condensation on windows and walls near where your home's plumbing system is located, so if you notice any of these signs, make sure to turn off water valves throughout your home (or known areas with exposed pipes) right away.

With everything turned off, go around and take a look at the ceilings and walls in your home for any signs of water damage. If you see any noticeable moisture on these surfaces, there's likely something wrong with your plumbing system that needs to be fixed right away.

Of course, frozen pipes are only one of several problems winter brings. If you've got drain clogs in your kitchen or bathroom, for instance, chances are they'll only get worse during colder months of the year.

The reason is simple: Drain cleaners lose their effectiveness when temperatures drop below freezing. Thus, if you want to keep them functional throughout winter, make sure you only use them on drains that are completely thawed and free of ice or snow.

Clogs, and clogged pipes

However, if you've got clogs in your sump pump, don't wait until they get worse – fix them right away. Left unrepaired, these clogs can cause the water around the outside of your home to freeze and expand. If enough pressure builds up behind this "frost heave," it can eventually cause the foundation to crack and leave your house needing significant repairs.

Many homeowners take this winter threat for granted, but it's a genuine possibility that can easily be avoided by simply clearing any debris from your sump pump's drainage system.

Another option for keeping clogs at bay is to connect a sump pump to a sewer line, which will give it a secondary way of getting rid of excess water. Of course, this is only necessary if you have an abnormally high level of moisture in your basement or crawlspace throughout the winter months.

Prevention

For most homeowners, the best thing is to keep drains and sewers relatively straightforward. This will ensure the water has a clear path down and out of your home, which may help protect both you and your home from the financial consequences that excess moisture brings.

In most cases, this means having a reliable schedule for getting rid of standing water in places where basements or crawlspaces tend to collect it. In some cases, this may involve bringing in a professional to give things a thorough cleaning.

For instance, most home restoration companies recommend cleaning basements and crawlspaces once every three months over the winter months. By ensuring your foundation stays relatively free of excess moisture, you can significantly reduce the risk of any problems that come with excessive water damage in these areas. If you're not sure where to begin when cleaning your crawlspace or basement, however, don't hesitate to check with a professional restoration company in your area. They'll be more than happy to inspect your space and give you advice on how best to keep things in good condition throughout the winter.

And remember: If you notice any signs of water damage, immediately shut off your plumbing system at the beginning of winter. This will prevent any problems from growing worse as you switch to using things like fireplaces and alternative heating systems during colder months of the year.

For far too many homeowners, winter means a lot more work – but that doesn't have to be the case. If you take the proper precautions now, you can save yourself a lot of trouble down the road. For more information, call Poole's Plumbing Services, the best plumbing service in Raleigh and the Triangle!

To contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Protect your home from frozen pipes in winter

January 13, 2022/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

Winter is Coming Are Your Pipes Ready?

We know that the gorgeous months of October and November turn into the frosty cold months of winter, and even here in the moderate temperate of North Carolina, there is still a chance of a plumbing hazard.

Avoid Frozen Pipes Burst Guidelines:

Thawing and avoiding frozen pipes is easy when you remember these simple guidelines:

If it is not windy outside, the best time to thaw frozen pipes (especially at outdoor faucets) is during the day while temperatures are warmer.
Thaw any frozen pipes that may not be completely exposed to the elements (e.g., basement), and if you own a sump pump, turn it off before thawing or draining outdoor lines in case they burst or explode!
Do not use a propane torch to thaw pipes! Use a hairdryer instead.
Drain and open any outdoor faucets to allow water pressure to build up when the pipe is thawed to avoid refreezing. This will prevent further damage until you can contact an experienced Raleigh plumber.
If there is any remaining water, do not use it for drinking or cooking purposes.
Contact Poole's Plumbing Services for 24-hour plumbing service in Raleigh to stop any leak quickly and adequately.

Why Frozen Pipes Burst Behind Walls

The easiest and safest method with these pipes is to turn your thermostat up and wait for them to thaw.
If immediate attention is required, carefully cut a hole in the wall near the pipe. Then utilize any of the above methods listed for thawing an exposed pipe.

*Call your plumber if you observe any of the following:

Any puddling, pooling, or bubbling of water around the faucet.
A drop in water pressure. This can indicate a frozen pipe is thawing and refreezing again, which could cause damage to your home's piping system.
The sound of running or dripping water from an outdoor faucet – this may indicate a frozen pipe thawed too quickly, which could lead to other plumbing problems.
Ice in the bathtub or shower that is not from the faucet. This may be caused by a frozen pipe behind a wall or under a floor that will require professional attention to fix before refreezing occurs and causes even more damage to your plumbing system.

We recommend that Raleigh residents consider installing an anti-freeze backflow device in their homes to avoid future frozen pipes.

When you need more information on how to avoid frozen pipes in your Raleigh home or business, call Poole's Plumbing Services, the best plumbing service in Raleigh and the Triangle!

Frozen Pipe Prevention, Stop Frozen Pipe Damage Before It Happens

Winter is approaching, and temperatures begin to drop; homeowners in the cold\moderate climate of Raleigh, North Carolina, need to be vigilant about keeping their home's plumbing system from freezing up. While this may sound simple enough, sometimes an unforeseen cold spell can cause even the warmest homes' pipes. To avoid iced-over outdoor faucets and broken water mains due to frozen pipes, homeowners can take proactive steps towards preventing frozen pipes in Raleigh.

Suppose the interior temperature of your home drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In that case, you need to be aware that exterior faucets (especially at outdoor hose bibs) are especially vulnerable to freezing due to lower temperatures and moisture in the air. This can cause pressure build-up inside the pipe, leading to a complete pipe freeze, burst pipe, or other potentially serious plumbing problems.

If you have an anti-freeze backflow device in Raleigh, this is the best solution for frozen waterlines.

The anti-freeze backflow device will protect your home's exterior faucets from freezing up during cold weather by diverting water from interior cold-water lines to exterior faucets through a small tube system. This will keep the outdoor faucet line from freezing and prevent any harm to your home's pipes.

Another proactive measure that homeowners in Raleigh and surrounding areas can take is icing down their home's exterior faucets each night before going to bed, especially if it has been raining or snowing, as this will allow water to drain from the exterior faucet's cold-water lines, preventing temperature variations that could lead to a frozen pipe.

Running cold water out of your home's interior hard water lines before bed every night is another effective method for avoiding freezing pipes in Raleigh homes.

Conclusion:

If your home does experience a frozen pipe, it is vital to act quickly to minimize water damage. First, shut off the primary incoming water source into your home (typically an exterior faucet or valve at the base of a water meter). Then call your plumber for help!

For more information on how to avoid frozen pipes in your Raleigh home or business, call Poole's Plumbing Services, the best plumbing service in Raleigh and the Triangle!

To contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Holiday Plumbing Tips, After the holidays, do this and avoid disaster

December 15, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal, Water Heaters/by raleigh plumbers

It's that time of year, time for plumbing tips. Gifts are wrapped, everyone is traveling everywhere, and it's time for holiday parties! But with all the travel and entertaining comes added stress on your home's plumbing system. So, to help you get through the season without any issues or emergency calls to a plumber, we will go over some tips on how to refresh your plumbing after the holidays. Travel and entertaining come with added stress to your plumbing system. Here are some useful holiday plumbing tips you may not have thought of.

Holiday Plumbing Tips

Holiday Travel

The weeks leading up to Christmas include:

Lots of people wash their hands at restaurants.
Shaking off sneezes in crowded places.
Preparing meals in kitchens frequented by others who may be sick (and spreading germs via pots/pans/knives, etc.).
Touching germ-ridden surfaces in homes that have been exposed to who knows what.

All of this adds up to a higher risk of catching something from the places you go into every day using your plumbing system.

Solutions:

Germs are big this time of year, so if you or someone else in your family does get sick during the holidays, remember that germs are everywhere - not just on holiday parties' bathroom sinks. Be sure to wash hands thoroughly before preparing meals (and after handling raw meat) and before eating. Also, be sure to wash countertops with hot soapy water if they've come in contact with any unwashed dishes or other surface contaminants, including pets who may carry around their share of bacteria. Keep an eye out for toilet germs as well, particularly after using public restrooms or others' homes. Sanitize surfaces with a solution of 10% bleach and 90% water to stop any transfer of cold/flu viruses onto surfaces that may be unsafe to touch (i.e., kitchen counters).

FYI Holiday Plumbing Tips:

On average, an individual touches their face about 300 times per day. Making it easy for cold/flu viruses to become transmitted from hands to nose, mouth, etc. Make sure you are washing your hands often throughout the holiday season!

Toilet Seat Covers

Who wants to worry about shared toilet seats? Well, toilet seat covers are here! They are inexpensive and disposable, so they are ideal for covering up those germs we mentioned previously. You can find these at most drugstores or grocery stores as well as online.

Flushable Moist Wipes

Flushable moist wipes are great to have on hand during the holiday season because they take up little room, are easy to travel with, and clean those toilet germs from your bottom easily! The best part? You flush them away after use, no mess!

Be Careful With Trees

Although having a fully decorated tree in the house is a staple of festive holidays, it should be noted that trees can form cracks where bugs can hide out. These holes should be tightly sealed before bringing the tree inside. And make sure you dispose of any life or cut holiday greenery in a separate garbage bag to avoid bugs from spreading.

Holiday Parties and Your Plumbing!

Large holiday parties can put extra stress on your plumbing system, so it's best to prepare for the worst before they happen. This means not letting the water temperature in your home fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (use a lower setting if you have trouble remembering). Also, be sure only to run the dishwasher and washing machine when fully loaded and laundry is finished to refresh your plumbing system. Lastly, don't use any appliances that may clog up drains, such as the garbage disposal or anything with grease (like turkey fat).

Before You Go Out for New Year's Eve

One of the best plumbing tips is, don't forget about flushing out all those pipes! Draining the water from your pipes helps prevent damage if they freeze and burst during the cold winter months.

To drain your home's pipes:

Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow them to air dry. (this also prevents mold)

Turn on all faucets and let them drip until they no longer produce a noticeable flow of water.

Run an empty pot or pan (preferably metal with no cracks/handles) until it makes a loud banging noise, as this means the pipes are free of leftover tap water.

New Year's Resolutions for Your Plumbing System.

Now that you're refreshed after this year's holidays, why not take some time to restore your plumbing system itself? The most efficient and most effortless thing you can accomplish and help you avoid costly issues in the future is to call and schedule inspections with a plumber once per year. During these inspections, the plumber will flush out any excess debris in the drains and also check for any leaks or damage that you can't see. Depending on what they find, you may be advised to replace some of your older fixtures (for example, if your water heater is older than six years, etc.)

*With the most beautiful time of year behind you, remember to make that New Year's resolution to schedule an inspection of your home's plumbing system.

To contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers, visit poolesplumbing.com.

How to Hide Plumbing for the Holidays

December 7, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

Holiday Festive Plumbing

Holiday Plumbing Tips don't always have to be an issue. Plumbing decorations can add to your holiday decor in many ways - with easy-to-do crafts, disguising unsightly fixtures, or sprucing up hard to decorate areas of your home. Decorations like the ones shown above will make great additions for outdoor plumbing this holiday season. You can also do indoor bathroom decorations at home, and it's an inexpensive way to make your guests feel welcome.

Here is still more inspiration for those seemingly never-ending places that could use a little holiday cheer! So, no matter what room in the house needs a little something extra, you'll find some ideas here that will work perfectly for you!

Nothing will spoil your bathroom.

The first trick is to look for a place where it would be easy to add a hook or a shelf. The area around the toilet is prime real estate for adding little shelves or even a paper towel holder. Some places might surprise you; for example, the back of your showerhead can often support a little decoration or even a toothbrush holder. Of course, you should aim to make these decorations clear and elegant; nothing ruins the mood like a bathroom that looks like an overzealous junior high student decorating it.

Once you find a space where it's easy to hang something, the next question is, "what?"

There are many different ideas for toilet paper holders that are shaped like trees or reindeer. Alternatively, you can use a tree or reindeer-shaped soap dish. Fortunately, there are many options just waiting for you to discover them -- even in your recycling bin.

If you want to make your decorations out of something non-traditional, it can be as simple as using a permanent marker and paper. The best places to make decorations like this are:

Around the edges of your mirror (be careful not to damage the mirror)
On the back of your toilet tank
Inside your medicine cabinet
On the tiles surrounding your tub or shower

These are good spots for this type of decoration because they're not easily seen by anyone who's not in the bathroom -- and they're also unlikely to be destroyed by mishandling.

How cool is that?

There are probably a few fixtures or overflow plates you could do without. However, they will be easily solved with these ideas below from (Pinterest).

Stick a fake plant in them and make it look like the greenery is spilling out of the plumbing fixture! Clean, organic, and a super simple way to give your room's hard surfaces some life. You can even use pretty rocks as filler instead of dirt if that suits your fancy better.

Joy to The World!

Enjoying running water during the holidays is part tradition and part practicality: emotions run high this time of year, and it's nice to have something soothing going while everyone is getting ready. But what if your faucet is ugly and you don't want to replace it? You can always put a decorative cover like this one on top to make it look prettier!

16 Outdoor decorative water faucet covers ideas - Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com › kilamassey › outdoor-deco

Here's another idea for making those outdoor faucets festive without having to spend too much money. Hang some lights around the edges, add some beads along with the spout, and decorate with whatever holiday figures tickle your fancy, and there you have it! A quick DIY project that looks chic with minimal effort.

How about adding something stylish but straightforward to kitchen faucets instead? This way, they won't be draining away money which can now go towards buying Holiday food.

Toilet plunger holders are already pretty cheap, but they don't have to be with these step-by-step instructions for this project.

Toilet plunger and roll snowman. Super cute handmade gift!https://www.pinterest.com › ... › Gifts › Gag Gifts

What about making your Bathroom more pleasant during the long winter months? You can decorate with holiday-themed TP rolls like these:

70 Cardboard/toilet paper tube Christmas Ornaments ideashttps://www.pinterest.com › WhyILoveXMAS › cardboard

Or stick a few pinecones and twigs in an empty tissue box and display them on a shelf or table corner:

These ideas are great if you're using your bathrooms, but what about those hard-to-clean areas that everyone seems to forget about?

How about old curtain rods decorated with fun Christmas ornaments and tinsel.

Or how about hanging some craft toilets from the ceiling with ropes and filling their bowls with fake snow? Yes, I said, turning toilets! It's classic for a reason.

Conclusion:

Finally, the essential part of decorating a bathroom is making sure that the decoration itself doesn't ruin the mood you're trying to create.

So, it may be very tempting to use your old Christmas-themed towels, but this can quickly become tragic if you leave them in the Bathroom when guests are over. It's better to go with a non-Christmas theme or find a way to incorporate the holiday without ruining the mood. Our bathroom should be a relaxing place for you and your guests, so have fun and be festive! And just because it's plumbing doesn't mean it cannot be enjoyed.

To contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Three DIY Plumbing Fixes and Three Times to Call the Plumber

November 10, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal, Water Heaters/by raleigh plumbers

When we get hit with a surprise plumbing issue, it can make for a stressful situation. However, if we can analyze and identify a problem in some cases, it may not be all that bad. That being said, in these cases, there is a chance that by doing a little homework, you may be able to rectify some issues yourself. But, there are also times you could analyze a plumbing problem, and it is something best left for the experts at Poole’s Plumbing. Thus, below, we will walk through three different DIY Plumbing Fixes that you can take on yourself at home. Likewise, we will walk through three situations where you will want to give a call to the pros at Poole’s.

When first noticing a plumbing issue, whether big or small, you want to address it immediately. Once you have figured out your problem, you could save yourself some time and money if there is an easy solution. But, not everyone is exactly a “handyman,” so you want to be sure if you’re going to do an at-home fix that you are not making things worse. Basically, if you can fix it, great! However, if you are not sure, you are better off calling us here at Poole’s Plumbing. There is never a need to try and make DIY Plumbing Fixes out of an issue you are unsure of. That could turn a minor issue into a plumbing disaster.

Can You Tackle DIY Plumbing Fixes? How Handy are You?

As we were just explaining, even if the issue you discover appears to fall under the DIY Plumbing fixes category, it may not be as easy as you think. Now, for those of you who are at least somewhat handy, it could be no problem at all to you. But, by trying to save a buck, one could easily wind up doing just the opposite. So, remember the most crucial factor in deciding whether to call the plumber or not can all depend on your comfort and skill level with plumbing issues. For example, if you built your own home and installed all pipes yourself, chances are you can take on minor plumbing issues. Likewise, if a wrench is an unfamiliar object, it’s probably a good idea to just make that call.

Three DIY Plumbing Fixes You Should Be Able to Do

Now, keep in mind what was just said above. There is never a point in time where if uncomfortable with fixing a plumbing issue, the best bet isn’t to just call a plumber. Always better to be safe than sorry. But, even if you have no experience, you will be able to pull off these types of DIY Plumbing Fixes in some cases. A little common sense and patience can go a long way towards a fix. The three potential plumbing issues that follow are ones that, if you simply take your time with, should be reasonably simple DIY Plumbing Fixes.

Clogged Drain

Identifying that a drain is clogged is one fairly easy thing to troubleshoot. Once you notice a sink or shower is backed up and clogged, it can usually be popped clear quickly. First, you can try just using a plunger. If, for some reason, the plunger does not work, then of our easy DIY Plumbing Fixes is to run a plumbing snake into the drain simply. Now, another reason for trying this easy fix is that it’s pretty hard once a drain is clogged to make things worse. Even if you can’t clear it through, then you just make the call to Poole’s Plumbing.

Leaky Faucet

The second of our DIY Plumbing Fixes is a slightly trickier job. This does require some plumbing tools usually. But if you should be ok if you simply remember to shut off the water supply before starting this job and follow directions, this can be a doable job for you. But, just as with the clogged drain, if you give it a try and can’t seem to get it, do not make the issue worse; just give us a call.

Maladjusted Sink Stopper

This is the third of our DIY Plumbing Fixes. It is another relatively easy task if approached right. The only tool you should need is a pair of pliers. This, much like noted about the clogged drains, is one that you are limited in any damage you could do even in attempting this fix. This is because the repair is actually in the drain and not the pipes that supply your water. So, if comfortable, this and the first two are DIY Plumbing Fixes you should be safe to try.

When It’s Time to Make the Call…Just Make the Call

Sure, there is a certain satisfaction in getting a job done yourself. We get that, and its jobs like the DIY Plumbing Fixes above are ones you can usually get that satisfaction from. But, despite that “good feeling,” you never want to take a chance on plumbing. For one, it can lead to a mess and turn a minor issue into a disaster. Second, although it can cause damage or a mess, you can also turn a quick, inexpensive fix into a costly mistake.

Below are three times when you identify an issue; you are best to pick up the phone and make a call to us at Poole’s Plumbing. We have been the most trusted name in plumbing across the Raleigh and Triangle area for over two decades. Our professionals are happy to come out and get to the bottom of any plumbing issues you may have.

Leaking Pipes

When you discover a leaky pipe or pipes, this is never falling under the category of DIY Plumbing Fixes. In actuality, leaky pipes can cause a whole lot more damage than a leaking faucet can. For one, if you let it go too long, it could burst. However, if it is left alone to that point, you are looking at a huge mess and even severe damage. Also, this becomes a costly problem if allowed to go unattended.

Water Heater Issues

Even if you consider yourself somewhat handy, this is another problem you do not want to add to your possible DIY plumbing fixes. A water heater is a far more complicated piece of machinery than you may think. So regardless of the water heater issue, whether leaks, constant running, standing water, don’t try and address it yourself. Poole’s Plumbing is the number one authority on all things water heaters in the Triangle area and is waiting for just a call away. We can also tell you whether a fix or a new water heater is your most economically sound solution.

Sewer Line Issues

The third of our recommendations to steer clear on making them DIY Plumbing fixes is sewer line issues. Just leave this one to us, the professionals. Just as stated on water heaters, these are almost always complicated and need to be appropriately addressed and immediately the first time. Common signs to look for in detecting a sewer line problem are sulfur smells coming from drains. Also, a slow drain, mold growing around plumbing appliances, pools of water in the yard, or an overflowing toilet are signs to look for. If you smell or see any of these signs, give us a call.

Whether You Can Fix It or Not, Don’t Delay With Plumbing Issues

Plumbing issues are never something to take your time with after detection. In almost every possible case, the issue will only worsen by not addressing it as soon as possible. If it’s an easy fix or one of the above DIY Plumbing Fixes, or if you need to call us here at Poole’s Plumbing, there is no shame whatsoever. Trust us when we say you’ll be happier you made the call initially than dealing with the consequences when you don’t.

For any of your plumbing issues or for our contact information, visit poolesplumbing.com.

How to prepare your home for the holidays

October 21, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

It's that time of year again; gorgeous fall foliage and the days are getting colder, and a chill is in the air. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so your thoughts have probably turned to family, traditions, and all things pumpkin.

While you're thinking about how much fun it will be to have everyone over for a big feast and family fun, you might want to consider some Thanksgiving plumbing tips. Even with all the festivities, there is still a chance that something could go wrong in the bathroom, so now that you're thinking about holiday plumbing, take some time to consider now how to prepare your home for holiday guests.

Here are five tips on how to keep your home safe from Thanksgiving plumbing disasters:

1) Periodically check your drains for any blockages, especially around your garbage disposal. Many homeowners will clean this area out before guests arrive then forget about it until the following year.

2) Clear out ALL water from your lower-level sinks, or at least turn them off if they are not in use. Do the same thing for drains that aren't connected to a sink but may be connected to other drain traps such as clothes washing machines, and you might also want to think ahead to some preventative measures that will help keep any disasters from happening. Those little ones can be easy to overlook - but if they occur when the house is full of guests, their larger-than-life consequences can be even harder to forget.

3) Make sure your home's structure can handle the extra guests. You don't want to have to worry about the people you're hosting as well as potential structural problems, so make sure things are in good shape. Make sure you also have rules about acceptable toilet paper use, especially if there are children in the home.

4) Turn off water supply valves for toilets, sinks, and other non-essential water usages before the company comes over. These valves will be challenging to access if they are buried behind drywall or some other material. It is best not to risk it - turn them off ahead of time. If you need to use them while guests are there, leave on only what you anticipate needing.

5) Turn your thermostat up a little bit before everyone arrives at your house. A lovely, warm home will make everyone feel more comfortable, but remember to turn the heat down again after they leave!

Just a Few Extra Tips for Holiday Home Safety

1) If you plan to cook, now is a good time to do those little spring-cleaning tasks that will help prevent holiday disasters such as cutting fingers or fires. Your stove and oven should already be clean after last week's turkey day but take some time to check and make sure all burners and knobs work correctly and fix any potential problems before preparing food. Also, be sure to clean out your refrigerator, so it's nice and neat when everyone shows up. You don't want all that holiday cheer to be covered in peels and mold!

2) If you put up holiday decorations, take some time now to clean them separately. This will prevent holiday mishaps where someone pulls a string of holiday lights down on their way into the kitchen or knocks over a delicate holiday figurine and breaks it.

3) The oven should already be cleared out by now, but if it isn't, make sure you check for orphaned holiday cooking utensils before turning it on again. Of course, everyone wants that delicious Thanksgiving turkey, but no one wants to burn their house down trying to get it! That's why we've got these holiday oven safety tips!

4) Wiring and holiday lights can be a holiday safety hazard. If you aren't sure, hire a professional to ensure the holiday lighting on your house is up to code. This will prevent holiday disasters such as fires or electrical malfunctions. Don't wait until guests arrive at your home to go over holiday electrical safety tips - do it now!

In addition, if you have teenagers or younger kids, be sure that they understand any holiday safety rules that may apply in your household. While some homes require things like four feet on the floor when walking downstairs, others don't allow decorations of any kind on the stairway railing, except for garland, wrapped once around for flair and nothing more. Make sure holiday safety rules are communicated to guests, too, so everyone knows what's expected.

Finally, holiday guests can be a holiday safety hazard if you allow them to use ladders or climb on top of objects such as refrigerators. If anyone is going to do this sort of thing, it may surprise some people, but holiday decorating does sometimes involve climbing ladders! - make sure they know how to do it safely, and make sure any holiday decorations are firmly affixed before putting the ladder in place.

We hope these holiday home safety tips were helpful and that your holiday will be happy, safe, and filled with holiday cheer!

To contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Fall 2021 plumbing maintenance checklist what you need to know

October 14, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Seasonal, Water Heaters/by raleigh plumbers

It is the beautiful season of fall, which means that leaves will soon begin to change to the vibrant colors of red, gold, and yellow and fall with a crunch onto the sidewalks. Pumpkin Spice and Carmel corn feel the air, and it also likely means that it's starting to get cold outside. So, if you're in one of those non-tropical climates like most Americans, and if your pipes aren't wrapped up for winter, then they're going to have a hard time warming up when the temperatures drop.

Here is a plumbing maintenance checklist of things to prepare for this fall so you can ensure your home is working correctly. Also, make sure to shut down the outdoor faucets and use lubricant on your water meter.

Commence with a plumbing inspection of outdoor faucets. Ensure to check for leakages from pipe joints that may have been affected by freezing temperatures during previous winters.
Check for damage to outdoor hoses alongside the exterior faucet and replace as needed if any leaks are noticed, or you can't turn off the water supply completely.
Clean dirt and debris from around your home's water meter using a garden hose before applying the anti-freezing solution, so it doesn't seep into the meter itself. If after doing this there is still some moisture present, remove the lid to expose inside of meter box and let drain out
Check Hoses for Cracks or Leaks If your hose is old, has cracks, leaks, or abrasions, it's crucial to replace it. If you wait until winter, you'll be stuck with no water until the leak is fixed.
Drain Water from Outdoor Faucet Drain outdoor faucets of any water that might freeze and cause pipes to break inside the house. Make sure the screens on the outside faucets are clean.
Insulate Pipes in Crawl Spaces and Attics

Most crawl spaces have exposed pipes that can freeze and burst if not appropriately insulated. Attic insulation can slow down heat loss as well as keep frozen pipes from causing damage next season

Turn off the outdoor water faucet.
Make sure sump pumps are draining away from your home.
Inspect for any leaks coming through the basement walls.
Weak spots often show themselves this time of year due to moisture freezing and thawing in insulation or cracks that can be patched up very quickly with a fresh concrete sealant.
Ensure that all outdoor hoses are disconnected, especially if they're on a sprinkler system. Those things will keep dripping even after you've turned them off, which means water is just sitting there waiting to freeze up your valves and pipes come wintertime. The best thing to do is store those hoses inside or disconnect them so water won't sit there inside the hose.
Be sure to drain outside hose bibs and make sure window well covers are securely in place.
Turn off the main shutoff valve

Winterizing your home's plumbing system can save you time, money, and headache when it comes to thawing the pipes come springtime. According to national averages, the average cost for a pipe repair or faucet fixture ranges between $300 and $700. Taking these small steps will help ensure your home is prepped for the colder months; if you are unsure of all the steps, then that's what the professionals are for.

Water Heater Maintenance.

Check the water meter.
Inspect the water heater for leaks, corrosion, and loose connections.
Drain water heater if water will not be used over the winter months.
Keep gas water heaters at least three feet away from operating pilot lights or other potential ignition sources. Do not use flammable liquids to thaw frozen water lines.
If water lines freeze, remove the faucet aerator and drain water from hose bibs. When water thaws, open all faucets to flush the system.
Keep the water pump covered with insulation if possible.

Ensure the water meter is properly lagged as water meters are often located on exterior walls of homes.

Eliminating frozen or burst pipes can help homeowners save time and money by preventing water damage to floors, ceilings, and walls during the winter months. However, it's essential not to take these precautions too far because there could be severe legal and personal safety implications associated with doing so:

Do not disconnect your home's water supply or any other gas piping unless you know what you're doing; call a professional.
Do not use water to thaw frozen pipes
Do not drain water from the water supply or gas supply piping. If you do, the water pressure will be affected, and this can cause a leak to go undetected until one of these incidents occurs:
A pipe leaks and floods your home with water.
A pipe breaks and releases gas into your home with possible explosion hazards.
A-line that may have been disconnected from the water supply is connected back incorrectly, leading to water damage to floors, ceilings, and walls as well as potential mold problems down the road.
Frozen water lines burst, causing damage inside and outside your walls, so remember to watch for any changes in temperature near water lines.
The water supply line coming out of the water meter is disconnected, which can lead to reduced water pressure or no water, especially when the water system is under stress (i.e., first thing in the morning before everyone gets up to use water).
A gas supply line that has frozen/burst will release un-combusted fuel into your home, where it settles on the floor and then collects in low areas meaning you could be walking around with an explosive hazard under your feet!

So, there you have it - plumbers take on winterizing your house's plumbing system. Good luck and stay safe and cozy this winter.

To contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Keep Your Shower Drain Unclogged with These Four Simple Gadgets

August 12, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

Of course, it is always a helpful skill to understand and know how to unclog a shower drain. We have all been to that point, where the buildup has got so bad that the water level is just rising and rising as we try to take a rinse. As noted, being able to pop that drain clean, even though at times gross, can certainly be a big help in these spots. But, what if there was some way, or in this case ways, to keep your Shower Drain Unclogged and not have the worry of popping it clear? What if with very minimal investment and by just remembering a few things before you stepped into the shower you could stop this issue from occurring altogether? Well, in this post, we will show you how this is possible with the usage of four simple gadgets that can change the way you shower.

Now, we cannot guarantee that you will never again have any type of clog or backup in your shower drain, obviously. Also, we realize that at times due to time constraints and other circumstances, we can all hurry and forget. It's going to happen, we realize this. However, we think once you've read through these items below, that you'll wholeheartedly agree it will not take much for you to keep that Shower Drain Unclogged.

Four Gadgets to Keep That Shower Drain Unclogged

In addition to you being excited about keeping that Shower Drain Unclogged, we also think you will be pleasantly surprised with how simple these items are that can help with the fix. Below are the four "magic" items to get you on the way to a faster flowing drain!

1) A Drain Screen

Well, this one should come as no big surprise. It's even got the name of what we are fixing right in its title. But no matter how obvious a choice this would be to keep your Shower Drain Unclogged...you just have to use it. A drain screen can be picked up for purchase for next to nothing and especially for those households with members sporting long hair, they can go a long way towards helping.

This simple, screen like item just gets set over the shower drain when you go in and turn on the water. That's all. Sure, it's a little gross to pick up and empty into the trash after each usage. But it is certainly far less appalling than the buildup of months and months of the same residue being left behind to the point that it clogs...right?

2) Hair Brush

Another real innovative and new product we have here...am I right? Hey, if it helps and it works, it doesn't necessarily always need to be some pricey, new innovative gadget. We are looking here to keep that Shower Drain Unclogged, and most households do have a hair brush, so let's go with it!

Even if you don't have a hair brush, like the drain screen above, you can get one for a minimal investment. But, getting to how the brush can help keep the Shower Drain Unclogged, it's even simpler than using the screen if you can believe that. You see, and many may not think of this, but when you get in the shower and shampoo, then rinse, the condition then rinse, the hair that we find causing these type clogs basically is from what you lose in doing that.

Thus, before you get in the shower, take your brush and give a thorough brushing back of your hair. Yes, you will lose some in the brush and need to put that in the trash. However, instead of the hair that normally would go into the drain starting to accumulate, it is in the trash instead.

3) Shower Caddy

A lot of people already have one of these, but if you don't, once again, a shower caddy can be easily located for purchase and is very inexpensive. Now, we don't know for sure what you place on this "in-shower shelf-like item." But, contrary to what our first two gadget descriptions have you. thinking, hair is not the only thing making you not keep that Shower Drain Unclogged.

In actuality, equally as much of an issue with clogged shower drains as hair, is soap. Solid pieces, or when the bar has dropped and gets soaked and some slides into the drain both can cause a problem. So, in addition to your shampoo, razors, shaving items, and whatever else goes on your caddy, be sure to have a spot for the soap. This way, you can help to be certain this is not going to cause anymore clogs.

4) Outdoor Pet Shower/Rinse Off

Ok, now we are not saying you need to get into major construction here. This is not a call to build some type of luxurious "pet spa." What we are saying is that you give your dog or other pets a bath. This is essential and we would never say to not clean your animal. So, if you do have extra money to somewhere outdoors install a small "pet shower," that is great, and can help immensely in keeping your Shower Drain Unclogged.

For those without the extra funds for a small shower install, we understand. So, when warmer months are upon us, using a kiddie swimming pool that is near, a hose can work in the same way. This way, there is no chance that the fur and hair from the animal can get inside the shower drain. Whether you have a small shower installed or use the kiddie pool method, it's tougher to bathe the animals in an outdoor setting in the cold of winter, regardless.

So, when the temperatures drop, and bathing your pet indoors is a must, just lay a washcloth over your drain before pulling the plug. Yes, the water will take longer to drain, but this traps all the hair and fur off the animal. It also allows it to wind up in the trash instead of the drain.

Keeping Your Shower Drain Unclogged is All Up to You

With usage of these very simple items and tips, and just a little thought prior to jumping in the shower, ou can significantly raise the chances of keeping the Shower Drain Unclogged. Once you get into the swing of things and used to checking on each of these four items, they will become equally as much a part of your shower as the shampoo and hot water.

For any information or to contact, Raleigh's most trusted plumber for over two decades, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Most-Common-Plumbing-Issues-pooles-plumbing

Most Common Plumbing Issues: Four More to Look Out For

June 10, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal, Water Heaters/by raleigh plumbers

In our last post, we began a look at eight of the Most Common Plumbing Issues facing homeowners on an everyday basis. We gave a run-through of four of the eight and in this post will look at the remaining issues. Likewise, we will give you some help in regard to what to look for to find the source of these plumbing problems before they become plumbing disasters.

I the previous blog post, we looked at pipes, drains, toilets, and faucets. These are all very common units that we see and notice regularly. The "final four" of our Moist Common Plumbing Issues, though, are not necessarily in locations that we are looking at as often. Thus, your trusted friends at Poole's Plumbing will run you through these items in great detail. Knowing exactly where to find them and what to look for will not only be helpful, but more than likely will also prove to save you big in the long run.

The Most Common Plumbing Issues: Hoses, Pumps, Pressure, and Heaters

The remaining four of our Most Common Plumbing Issues as we note above, are not all in plain everyday sight. But, whether in the basement, outside the house or wherever each of these is located, we remind you the same as we did in the last post. That is to contact the pros at Poole's Plumbing if you recognize any of them to avoid a bigger than necessary situation.

1) Leaky Hose Bibb

The hose bibb can be found outside the home, as its use is to bring water in from outside to distribute throughout the home. Once again, not a place you necessarily see every day, but given the function, I think you can see how a leak here could be disastrous if unattended.

This is one of the Most Common Plumbing Issues that people deal with in the spring and summer months. The leakage occurs after a long, cold winter, as many hose bibbs are not insulated for freezing temperatures. Our advice, in this case, is to invest in some frost-proof hose bibbs. While not always a guarantee, the more insulated hoses can give you peace of mind that this issue is resolved.

2) Sump Pump Failure

The sump pump, for those not in the know, is located in the basement of your home. Its main function is to pump seepage water from the basement to avoid a flood. That being said, you can see given its function why this is a very important fix among our Most Common Plumbing Issues.

When there is a sump pump failure, there can be several places to look for the problem. Usually, the source of the failure can be found among the issues listed below.

An overwhelming amount of water following a heavy rain
Improper installation
Clogged discharge pipes
A switch or switches that are stuck
Aging, if you're pump is 10 years old or older this may be the source of the failure

3) Low Water Pressure

Now, this is a spot on our Most Common Plumbing Issues list that you definitely know if you've been a victim of. No one likes low water pressure. It is always an inconvenience, but it also can lead to serious damage as well if not addressed.

Many times when you have low water pressure the issue is, unfortunately, a result of a larger plumbing problem. Bullet pointed below is a list of four of the most probable causes if you have low water pressure.

A cracked or blocked sewer line or lines
Clogged drains or sewer
Pipe corrosion
Hidden water leaks in your home.

4) Water Heater Problems

Luckily for you, the fourth and final entry of our Most Common Plumbing Issues is water heater problems. No, you aren't lucky to have the problems. You are however lucky that Poole's Plumbing is the number one water heater experts in the Raleigh and surrounding area.

Now, we all know hot water is a necessity for so many reasons in our homes. Thus, when you suddenly are faced with water heater problems it can truly become a crisis. There are several sources though, that we can recommend you check to find where the problem is with your heating unit. These are listed below.

Corrosion or sediment build up in systems
Loose or broken electrical connections
Improper initial installation of your water heater
Heating element failures
The wrong size or type of system to support a home's needs

The Most Common Plumbing Issues Can Prove a Real Mess

Between our first blog entry on the Most Common Plumbing Issues, and these four areas discussed today, we have tried to explain where you can look to find the source of each problem. However, in most cases, these issues are not advisable to try and fix on your own.

That being said, anytime you are faced with one of the Most Common Plumbing Issues we have walked through or any others, Poole's Plumbing is here to help. The number one name in Raleigh plumbers for over two decades, Poole's is happy to advise and follow up and fix any and all of your plumbing problems.

To see the previous blog post with the first four Most Common Plumbing Issues, visit the link here. Likewise to contact Poole's Plumbing for any issues, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Why is No Cold Water Coming from the Shower?

May 16, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

This post is somewhat of a reversal from a plumbing question that seems to be asked more often but is very similar. Often times you see a plumbing blog discuss to do if there is no hot water coming into the shower. Not so much, however, do you see articles the other. way around. This is in spite of the fact that both can cause serious inconvenience. On the contrary, in this piece, we will examine what to do in the case there is No Cold Water coming out of your shower.

Now, of course it is terrible when you would go to take a shower and the water is ice cold. But, roles reversed, it is equally as bad to have No Cold Water at all, and scalding, hot water only. The cause of this is usually due to a valve located in a cartridge, that is actually fairly easily fixed. Below, we will look at all possible causes, and discuss how to fix the issue at home.

There is No Cold Water in the Shower? Why?

Upon discovering that you have No Cold Water coming from the shower, it is time for a bit of troubleshooting. To do this, simply check your faucets throughout the house. If these also have No Cold Water we can begin to identify the problem. First, check the valves wherever your main water supply is. There is the possibility that a valve was somehow shut off by accident. If this is the case, you are in luck. Problem solved. However, if there is No Cold Water and there are no valves shut off, give us a call and the pros from Poole's Plumbing will have to take a look

Now, if the other faucets all do have cold water, a pressure-balancing valve is probably your issue.

What is the Pressure-Balancing Valve and Why Would it Fail?

The pressure-balancing valves in your shower regulate both the water pressure and the ratio of cold and hot water from the showerhead. These cartridges over time can see corrosion and mineral buildup, which will eventually ruin the cartridge.

To replace a failing pressure-balancing valve is not a very hard task. Actually, removing the old cartridge is the most difficult part of getting your No Cold Water issue solved.

Replace that Cartridge and Get cold water back!

Step one of the replacement process is to purchase a new cartridge. The easiest method here is to remove the old one and bring it with you to a hardware store. To remove, it is easiest to use a cartridge puller. Speaking of tools, bullet-pointed below is a list of six tools that will make this a much easier task. Likewise, these tools will be the beginning of the end of having No Cold Water.

Tools Needed for Shower Cartridge Removal

Cartridge Puller or tap with matching 4-6 in. bolt
Flathead and Phillips screwdriver
Allen wrenches/Hex keys
Needle-nose pliers
Silicone or Plumber's Grease
Locking pliers

10 Steps to Saying Goodbye to No Cold Water

In actuality, this is 10 steps to replace your broken shower cartridge. But that being said, once fixed you will be back in business on the cold and hot side of the faucet.

Follow these ten steps in order and you're well on the way to cold water in the shower once again.

1) Turn off the water supply to the shower.

2) Place a towel on top of the drain so no screws are lost or fall in

3) Remove the faucet handle and any metal covers or trim plates

4) Remember to take a picture of the inside of the faucet body. This is to have for reference when we go to reassembly.

5) Back inside the faucet body, remove other parts

6) Any dirt or mineral deposits are to be dissolved with a commercial cleaner

7) Using the needle-nose pliers, pull the retainer clip out of the faucet body.

8) Remove the cartridge using the "puller" that you purchased.

9) Use plumber's grease or silicone, and paying close attention to the orientation, reinstall your new cartridge.

10) Likewise, reinstall the valve stem, retainer clip, and faucet parts. (Remember the photos you took! Aren't you glad we had you take them!)

Oh, wait, one last thing once all is reassembled. Turn on the water supply and enjoy balancing out that hot water and say goodbye to having No Cold Water.

No Cold Water? No More!!!

Ok, we realize this is a pretty ambitious "do-it-yourself" project. So, if these steps and this type of work is some you are not confident in doing yourself, it’s understandable. Feel free to contact us at poolesplumbing.com and the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbing will be happy to be at your service!

What is a Sump Pump? How Do I Know if I Need One?

February 18, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

Well, it sounds important...right? It rhymes, that's undeniable. But seriously, many people I am sure are not fully aware of the answer to the question asked in the title of this post. What is a Sump Pump? Once you find out, equally as important of a second question is the following. How do I know if I need one?

To ask the question, What is a Sump Pump should not make anyone feel less intelligent or knowing than anyone else. Maybe you heard a neighbor discussing how it saved them from a flood? That alone should stoke one's curiosity enough to ask exactly what this pump is and whether or not you need one.

What is a Sump Pump?

Ok, whether you know or not, we are going to tell you. A sump pump is a submersible device that gets installed in a pit dug at the lowest area in your home. Thus, the sump pump is usually found in a crawl space or the basement. The main function of a sump pump is to prevent your basement from a flood.

How Exactly Does it Work?

Ok, now that we all know for sure, What is a Sump Pump, let's move on to its actual function. Most of the time in actuality, the sump pump does nothing. Well, it is on standby actually, as if there are no heavy rains or deep water, then there is no function for the sump pump to perform.

However, when heavy precipitation does occur, the soil around one's home becomes soaked and saturated. The groundwater in these type situations funnels then toward the pit which was dug for your pump. Once this starts filling with water, the sump pumps float switch is activated, and it turns on.

Once working, the pump drains to either a dry well, a detention pond, or a storm drain. In doing this it works to prevent the groundwater from rising to the level of the floor in your basement. So, basically, the sump pump is a little extra bit of flood insurance.

What is a Sump Pump Benefits?

Now we for sure know what a sump pump is. We also are versed on what its function is and how it works. Obviously, as noted, it can help keep your basement from flooding. But when laid out in a list, there are actually quite a few benefits. They are listed below.

Stop your basement from flooding
Safeguard any appliances in the basement from corrosion (washer, dryer, spare freezer, etc.)
Protect any paint and other wall coverings
Reduce the growth of fungus, mold, and mildew
Improve air quality
Protect and keep the foundation of your home intact
Keep your basement dry and comfortable year-round
Meet a requirement of many homeowner's insurance coverage in case of a basement flood
Help protect against termites and other insects
You can worry less about bad weather

So...Do I Need One?

Ok, not to be repetitive here, but let's re-trace our steps. We have a definition. It is clear what the purpose and function of a sump pump are. We even know how it works and what the many possible benefits are. Boy, we sure have come a long way since asking What is a Sump Pump?

However, while all of these things are pretty clear and straightforward, some locations need this type of device more than others. That being said, we would recommend having a sump pump if any of the things on the list below are true.

You live somewhere with heavy snow or rainfall
Your home sets on a flood-prone or poorly draining plot of land
You have had flooding and/or water issues in the past.
You have a finished basement

We hope in this post you have become more familiar with the sump pump. Hey, maybe you read through and it is not something that you need at all. But, if you learned from all we discussed in this article that you do need this installed, you're in luck. Just give a call to the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers for the past two decades, Poole's Plumbing. To contact us, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Identifying the Backup and How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink

February 11, 2021/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

What is the best way to Unclog a Bathroom Sink? This is an often-asked question and the answer is not as simple as you might think.

To begin with and before we get to how we Unclog a Bathroom Sink, we must identify what exactly is clogging it. Depending on the source of this blockage, there are different ways to go about freeing the backup. We do need to know this before we can begin unclogging, though. So, let's begin by looking at the four items most often found responsible for a clog.

What is Causing the Clog?

As we note above, there are four common answers to what is clogging your bathroom drain, usually. Here we will look at each of these and discuss the best way to Unclog a Bathroom Sink in each of these instances.

Clumps of Hair- We have all seen this before. Hair will enter the sink drain and get caught or clumped inside fairly regularly. To Unclog a Bathroom Sink that hair is the cause, find an item like tweezers or a "zip-it" tool to pull from the drain. If that does not work, you must look at disassembling the whole drain, pulling the hair and reassembling after.
Damaged Pipes- The rusting or corroding of your pipes can be the cause of a slow drain or an eventual clog. If this is the problem, you should 1) replace the pipes as soon as possible. Likewise, 2) you can try snaking them to clear through and make things run faster.
Soap Scum- Much like the clumped hair, soap scum is a "clog maker" that most people are familiar with. This is a very common "clogger" of drains. To Unclog a Bathroom Sink which is due to soap scum build up try first to pour boiling water through the drain. baking soda and vinegar will also usually work to Unclog a Bathroom Sink. If neither of these work, use a plunger and warm water.
Obstruction in P-Trap- The P-Trap is the curved pipe that connects your bathroom sink to the pipe that goes into your wall. Small items can easily fall into the drain and get stuck in this pipe, causing clogging. To Unclog a Bathroom Sink in this case, you just clean out the P-Trap.

What if I tried all these and could not Unclog a Bathroom Sink?

So, you have tried each of the suggested methods to Unclog a Bathroom Sink. Now, if none of them worked, it’s time to contact a pro. Luckily for you, Poole's Plumbing is the most trusted name in all areas of plumbing across the Raleigh area. Unclogging is no problem to our great staff, and we'd be happy to help you. To contact us at Poole's for this or any plumbing needs, visit poolesplumbing.com.

winter-plumbing-preparation-pooles-plumbing

Winter Plumbing Preparation: Be Ready to Avoid Getting Stuck in the Cold

December 17, 2020/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

As we have noticed here locally over the past two months, as the seasons change, we can at times see some unpredictable weather. This could be said basically in the weeks and months surrounding the change of each season. In regard to how your home plumbing system is affected or any changes or preparation needed to be ready for a new season, the transition from Fall to Winter sees the most drastic measures needing to be taken. Now, that is not to make you worry, as the actual preparation is not difficult. However, the problems start when you are not on top of your Winter Plumbing Preparation. As you will see below, just taking some preventative measures can be the difference in some big savings.

As we just noted, to be on top of your Winter Plumbing Preparation does not take a plumber, per see. There are not many mechanical tasks to prepare and have you worry-free when it comes to any surprise plumbing issues this winter. But there are quite a few areas that you want to monitor. Whether indoors or outdoors, faucets or pipes, in this piece, we will walk through simple ways that you can with minimal effort have your home "winterized."

Winter Plumbing Preparation: What are We Preparing For?

Well, the above subheading does raise a valid inquiry. So, for those of you maybe not familiar with Winter Plumbing Preparation, we will explain. Basically, the winter months see a big drop in temperature. At points during the winter, temperatures will go below freezing. This can be a plumbing issue, as your pipes could freeze. Likewise, with snow, ice, or sludge on the ground or in the air, outdoor plumbing items could get clogged or damaged as well.

Below, we will start our helpful hints for Winter Plumbing Preparation. In this series of articles, we will cover burst pipes, indoor plumbing, and outdoor faucets and plumbing as well. Hopefully, by the time you've finished reading these posts, you will be able to keep an eye on a few areas that even with temperatures dropping you can feel warm inside, knowing your plumbing system is ready for the cold.

What Causes Pipes to Burst in Winter?

Well, the cold. That's the simple answer. But to go in detail, when temperatures drop below freezing, water freezes. When water freezes, it expands. When this water is contained inside pipes, this puts an incredible amount of pressure on your pipes. Whether the pipes are plastic or metal, if forced to expand too far, these pipes will crack.

Most at risk and most in need of your Winter Plumbing Preparation are the pipes that run along a home's exterior walls. This is because these pipes tend to have little insulation. Likewise, pipes that are in an unheated area like a basement, attic, or kitchen cupboard are at greater risk as well. The pipes that are most "at-risk" for freezing, cracking or bursting are any located outdoors. Hose bibbs, pool supply lines, sprinkler system lines all are ones to be given attention during your Winter Plumbing Preparation.

Winter Plumbing Preparation for Indoor Plumbing

To start, we will take a look at some helpful hints for Winter Plumbing Preparation inside the house. Below are six reminders that could wind up saving you not only from a mess but also in repair costs.

Add additional insulation to basements, attics, and crawl spaces. This helps to raise and keep temperatures higher in these usually less insulated areas.
If going out of town for an extended period of time or not going to be at your house, set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees
Repair any broken windows or door seals to help keep temperatures regulated inside the house
Keep your garage door closed
Open kitchen and bathroom faucets to let them drip during extremely cold temperatures. This helps to keep the water moving and doesn't allow for it to freeze.
Remove all outdoor hoses from the spigot. Hoses can often time hold water inside them even after the water has been shut off. If the water in the hose is left to freeze it will expand and could cause damage to the spigot.

Outdoor Preparation is Next!

In our upcoming second post on Winter Plumbing Preparation, we will take things outdoors. Much like we did in this piece with indoor preparation, we will give you some helpful pointers and remind you of all the areas outdoors that you will want to be sure your Winter Plumbing Preparation is in order.

For information or to contact the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbing, Poole's Plumbing, go to poolesplumbing.com.

5 Fall Plumbing Tips to Avoid

September 24, 2020/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal, Water Heaters/by raleigh plumbers

Many people who live in North Carolina would put enjoying four distinct and separate seasons as one of the perks of living in the Tar Heel State. No question, the changing of temperatures and weather experienced is certainly unique to each season in NC. However, with the difference in precipitation, and the switch from warm to cold temperatures, some household preparations must be made as the seasons change. By following the five Fall Plumbing Tips provided below, you can do your part to see that plumbing issues will not be a concern.

Looking at our Fall Plumbing Tips, these will help prepare both inside and outside of your home. We all know, that with the seasons changing can come unpredictable conditions. Thus, by doing each of these simple tasks and staying alert to give them a check periodically, you could be saving yourself both financially, and from an unnecessary mess!

Five Fall Plumbing Tips to Get You Ready for Season's Change

Drain, Unhook, and Put Away the Hoses!

Of course, with dropping temperatures comes less and less lawn and yard maintenance. Thus, the first of our Fall Plumbing Tips will be putting away an item used almost exclusively in Spring and Summer, the garden hose.

Obviously, when the summer winds down, you will want to keep your hose for another year, so proper removal and storage is recommended. Likewise, you will want to make sure the hose is fully drained and then placed somewhere that it will not freeze as the Fall and Winter's colder temperatures arrive.

If detached and allowed to freeze, the hose could expand and break. Even worse though in the case you hadn't removed it from the outside faucet, the freezing process can lead to a much bigger problem. So, let's remove, drain, and store properly before we move on with Fall Plumbing Tips.

Turning Things Off: Possibly the Most Important (and Easy) Entry of the Fall Plumbing Tips

A common thread you may start to notice here is how important it is to avoid anything from freezing at all costs. Nothing good in the way of plumbing is going to come from a water source, supply, pipe, etc. becoming frozen.

Your inside water supply and hose bibb are both main areas to be certain are shut off properly. In the case of the hose bibb, the first step is our above entry on the Fall Plumbing Tips. That being, remove the hoses. Next, check thoroughly all outdoor faucets for possible leaks.

When sure there is no leakage, this is when we move to the inside water supply. Shut this down, and then return to the outside faucet, turn it on and drain any remaining water. Lastly, for extra protection, consider a hose bib cover or even a "frost-proof" hose bibb to be sure and eliminate any chances of a "freeze up."

Staying on top of Your Sewer System

Whether most realize it or not, all three months, fall, winter, and spring can each have ill effects on a sewer system. A variety of issues can occur that are directly related to the colder temperatures and then eventually thawing out after the cold.

If you have ever experienced any sewer system issues, this is potentially a bi and costly enough issue that you may want to consult one of our specialists at Poole's Plumbing actually. A discussion or visit from us to look at preventive maintenance or even an inspection could eventually save you big time in the long run.

Properly Maintaining Your Water Heater

This is a part of our Fall Plumbing Tips, obviously, however, it also is a good idea to follow up on this year-round. Simple at-home maintenance and remembering to check for proper functionality can help you get the most from your water heater.

Water heaters normally tend to have anywhere from an 8-12-year lifespan. However, if you keep up on regularly flushing the unit this will both increase its efficiency and save you some money on bills as well heading into the Fall.

Last, But Certainly Not Least for Fall Plumbing Tips: Inspect Your Sump Pump

Usually found in your basement, the sump pump basically functions as a way to send water away from your home and to a place where it is no longer a problem. Thus, you can see how this is such an important entry among our Fall Plumbing Tips.

Given the amount of precipitation we expect to see with the changing of the season each year, simply keeping watch that the sump pump is working correctly should seem a no brainer. If for some reason while monitoring, you notice it is not working, a call to your friends at Poole's Plumbing can help you get the unit back working. Consequently, all you really need to do here is watch and in the case of a problem call immediately. Either way, with a little effort, this is a disaster you can avoid and a costly one at that.

The most trusted name in Raleigh are plumbers, Poole's Plumbing understands that even if you follow our Five Fall Plumbing Tips, you still may have an issue. Likewise, you may simply want the peace of mind that a pro took a look at everything and you have no worry of becoming soaked or broke due to your plumbing this Fall. To contact us, visit poolesplumbing.com

Traditional-Water-Heater-Pooles Plumbing

Should you go Tankless? Or Opt for the Traditional Water Heaters?

May 14, 2020/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Seasonal, Water Heaters/by raleigh plumbers

Should you go Tankless? Or opt for the Traditional Water Heaters? The Raleigh water heater specialists at Poole’s Plumbing specialize in installation and servicing of your water heater....tank or no tank! With a wide selection of both models, can help educate you on that choice.

Continuing in our series on water heaters, we will walk through benefits, drawbacks, and other considerations when making the decision on a Traditional Water Heaters or Tankless. We will look at and list these out for each style water heater, in easy to read bullet points below:

Traditional-Water-Heaters-Pooles-Plumbing

Regardless of which works best for you, making the proper choice in water heaters can be one that helps you save money.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Water Heaters (Tank)

Pros:

Lower initial cost - A traditional water heater installation can be half as much as a tankless water heater.
Easy and inexpensive to replace - Fewer installation complications means less possibility of a problem.

Cons:

Higher utility bill - Traditional units heat and reheat water at a pre-set temperature. Your water needs and water do not factor into this. This will increase your utility bill, especially during the winter months.
Bigger and harder to place - They occupy more room and can’t be placed outside.
Can run out of hot water - Have you ever been the last in line to get the shower after the rest of the family? If in a hurry...it's gonna be a cold one. This problem can be avoided by purchasing a larger tank.
Shorter life - On average, traditional units last between 10-15 years. This means there’s more turnover and therefore you have to buy a traditional heater about twice as often as a tankless one.

Traditional-Water-Heaters-Hot-Water-Pooles Plumbing

Up to two to three gallons of hot water is accessible "on demand" with a tankless unit.

Pros and cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Pros:

Saves money in the long run - According to energy.gov, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, tankless water heaters can be 24-34 percent more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.”
Doesn't take up much space - They are small and can be more easily installed in more places. In some cases, tankless units can even be installed outside on a wall.
Longer Life - On average, a tankless model will last 20-plus years. In some cases, this is almost double the life of a traditional unit.
Hot Water on Demand - Provides two to three gallons of hot water per minute on demand.

Cons:

Higher Cost of Installation - Both the units and installation cost considerably more than the traditional units for the initial purchase and install.
"Retrofitting" - Replacing a traditional water heater with a tankless system is known as "retrofitting." This is a bit more complicated than simply replacing a traditional with a traditional unit, or a tankless with a new tankless model. Thus, this will also factor into the installation cost increasing even further.

Tankless-Water-Heater-Pooles-Raleigh-Plumber

The tankless units are more compact and take up lesss space.

Other Considerations:

Water heating accounts for about 20 percent of your home energy budget.
A whole-house electric model costs $500-$700.
A whole-house gas model costs $1,000-$2,000.
Electric models are generally cheaper to install than gas.
Natural gas is currently less expensive but expected to surpass electricity in price in the coming years.
A standard bathtub holds about 35 gallons, soaking tubs hold between 45-80 gallons.

The Decision is Yours

The decision to "go tankless," or to "go traditional," when it comes to your selection in a water heater is all yours, but hopefully with some of the pros and cons here provided by us, your trusted Raleigh professional plumbers at Poole's Plumbing, your decision can be one a bit more educated and as always, we would be happy to assist not only in the installation but also in giving any final advice on last minute questions you may have when it comes replacement time.

For more information on and from the most trusted name in Raleigh water heater installation and repair, Poole's Plumbing, visit. poolesplumbing.com.

Flushing Away the Issue: How to Stop a Running Toilet

April 9, 2020/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

In this our next series of helpful "at-home" plumbing tips, we will address how to deal with various toilet issues. In many cases, simple monitoring and staying on top of toilet maintenance can help to avoid any major problems. For our first article in the series, we will go through a series of steps to help you Stop a Running Toilet.

When addressing how to Stop a Running Toilet, there are several points and parts of the toilet that you will want to look at. In doing this troubleshooting, you can find the source of this annoyance and get on fixing it before it turns costly. Luckily, not only is finding the source of the problem somewhat easy but in most cases, the fix is a simple one too.

The problem with your running toilet may just be that the flapper chain is too short or too long.

What Exactly Does it Mean When My "Toilet is Running?"

Before troubleshooting, it makes sense that you are sure you know what is going on in the case your "toilet is running." While you may know this, it certainly does not hurt to review.

To start, after you flush your toilet, water fills into the tank. As this happens, the water lifts a float that will shut the water off after it reaches the proper level. Likewise, there is a lever that will open the toilet's flapper, causing the actual flush. The flapper then falls back into place when the water level goes down. This process can be interrupted, causing the toilet to keep running for several different reasons that leave the bowl unfilled following a flush and in some cases still running.

As noted above, typically one of four factors are going to play into how you can Stop a Running Toilet. With a thorough check for each, the issue can be narrowed down to reveal the problem.

Common Possible Problem Areas to Address to Stop a Running Toilet

Flapper Seal or Flush Valve
Flapper Chain
Leaky Fill Valve
Old or Corroded Toilet Handle

Start with the Seal and Valve to Stop a Running Toilet

Troubleshooting your toilet's fill valve and its parts may result in you being able to Stop a Running Toilet.

The first area to check in the instance of a running toilet is the flapper seal or flush valve. For older model toilets, there is a chain and flapper seal. On the contrary, for newer units, there is a flush valve. These three parts in one as compared to what is seen with the older models. These three parts are the flapper seal, overflow valve, and the actual flushing mechanism.

Whether you have a brand new toilet or the same one for years, the seal eventually can become old and warped. When a seal is compromised, the water flow from the tank to the bowl becomes prohibited. The universally known way to check if you need to replace a flapper seal or flush valve is one involving food coloring.

Yes, food coloring...Anyhow, you simply put a few drops of your food coloring into the water in your toilet's tank. Then, after waiting a few minutes, simply check the toilet bowl. If upon checking, you see the water has become colored in the bowl without flushing, this means you will need to replace the flapper seal or flush valve to Stop a Running Toilet.

The "Too Long...or Too Short" of it. Checking the Flapper Chain

The next point that we want to check, to Stop a Running Toilet is the flapper chain. Like our check on the seal and valve, there are a few things to look for here. First, when your toilet was initially installed, the chain may have simply been too long or short. This would cause the flapper seal in some way to not close properly.

If your chain is too short, the seal will not shut and will allow water to run continuously. Consequently, if the chain is too long, it could also get in the way of the seal closing and prevent it from forming a watertight seal. Again to restate, this can be an easy fix for you. All you need to do to Stop a Running Toilet, in this case, is adjust the chain to proper functioning length.

Give Your Handle a Lift to Check for a Leak

The third possibility that may need to be addressed to Stop a Running Toilet is a leak in your fill valve. As with our earlier discussed issues, this could cause your toilet to run continuously.

To see if this is the issue, first, flush your toilet. Once you've flushed, lift the toilet's flush arm while the tank is still refilling. This will stop the water flow if all is working correctly. If the water does keep flowing and starts pouring into the overflow valve, then this is your problem. To Stop a Running Toilet in this case, you will need to replace the fill valve, as this shows it leaks.

Whether You Loosen or Replace, a Sticky Handle Needs Fixing

If a toilet handle is tight, loosening may work, but a corroded handle must be replaced.

The last part that we will troubleshoot to Stop a Running Toilet is the toilet handle. When checking the handle, again begin with a regular flush. If upon flushing, you notice the handle staying down instead of moving back into place, we have an issue.

The issue with your toilet handle, in this case, is that it is either old, corroded, or just stiff. Regardless, any of those three scenarios call for a fix, as the entire time a handle is in that down position, the toilet is running. To Stop a Running Toilet by fixing the handle, first, try loosening it. If it no longer sticks after flushing, you're good to go. If loosening does not help, you will need to take a closer look and simply replace any parts that have become corroded.

Done Troubleshooting and Still Didn't Stop a Running Toilet...Give Us a Call

If you have completed an "at home" walk through each of these possibilities and not found the problem, give us a call! The number one name in Raleigh area plumbers, Poole's Plumbing will come out, diagnose and fix the issue. Once and for all, one way or another we will help you Stop a Running Toilet! For more plumbing tips or to contact Poole's Plumbing about taking care of your plumbing needs, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Indoor-Spring-Plumbing-Tips-Poole's Plumbing

“Check to Avoid a Wreck”: Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips from Poole’s Plumbing

March 19, 2020/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

Following the first post from this series, in this article, we will offer Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips. Just as with the outdoor checklist from the first offering of this series, these are things you can easily do yourself. However, despite being simple tasks, they can be the difference in major damage and wreckage due to a plumbing mishap if not monitored.

A clogged drain can lead to much worse problems when unattended too.

To many, plumbing can seem a somewhat intimidating thing to personally stay on top of. Thus, many feel when discussing plumbing and weather change they are not equipped to do their own upkeep. However, with these Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips, anyone can monitor their situation and thus avoid unnecessary issues.

Major Checking Points for Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips to Avoid Plumbing Disasters Inside Your Home as Winter Changes to Spring

Faucets
Drains
Shower Heads
Toilets
Water Supply Valve

Keeping it Unclogged: Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips for Inside Faucets and Drains

Ok, to start, this would seem one that everyone would already be aware of, right? Well, surprisingly, not everyone acts on things that are right under their noses in everyday life. One such item would be the first we touch on in our Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips. This would be checking all faucets.

Whether in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room or wherever you have a faucet, this is one is easy to upkeep. Simply look and be aware of your daily use of faucets that there are no leaks. Regularly checking for leaks and monitoring usage will help you conserve water. Likewise, it gives you the peace of mind that your faucets in no way are leaking and thus causing bigger problems.

In the same vein, just keeping a watch over all inside drains can be another way to avoid plumbing issues. As we all know, items like soap, hair, toothpaste caps, etc. can wind up causing a clog in our drains. One blockage can eventually lead to more serious blockages, that can spell disaster. Keeping an eye out as we suggest in these Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips can make all the difference in avoiding clogged drains. Similarly, the use of filters on all your inside drains can also prevent buildup that can lead to a costly clog.

A clean shower head can save money and conserve on wasteful usage.

A "Wrap" Can Keep Shower Heads Clean and No Deposits Will Be Seen

Much as the case is with faucets and drains, moving to the bathroom, showerheads are another easily clogged item. Our Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips continue with an easy at-home method of being sure your shower head is free and clear of clogs. A clean showerhead, like a faucet, can keep you assured of one less area that could lead to a larger plumbing issue in time.

The simple at-home method to keep your showerhead clean only takes 24 hours, with very little effort needed. This do-it-yourself solution among our Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips begins with a zip-lock baggie. First, remove your showerhead and place it in the baggie. Then fill the baggie with white vinegar and use a rubber band to tightly secure the baggie around the showerhead. Lastly, allow the showerhead to soak in the vinegar-filled baggie for 24 hours. This process breaks down mineral deposits and leaves the showerhead clean and clog-free.

Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips for 'Toilet Testing': Wiggling and Settling to Be Sure

Staying right in the bathroom for the next portion of our Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips, we look at the toilet. Once again, these simple at-home methods we suggest are to be sure your toilet has no cracks or leaks, which obviously could lead to larger issues. For our first "test" you can conduct, we give you the "flush test." This begins with, you guessed it, flushing your toilet. If after you've flushed, the water flow does not seem to stop, wiggle or shake the handle. This should stop the water flow. However, if you needed to wiggle the handle, this is a red flag that something is wrong. Luckily, the "flush test's" resulting in a wiggle is an inexpensive fix. Basically, it means you need to replace certain parts in the toilet's tank. Following the instructions can then lead you to which parts you need to replace, but any and all of those parts are a minuscule investment compared to the costs you would face if this went unattended to.

Another obvious issue to look for with your toilet is any cracks. With a cracked toilet comes leaks, which not only can cause water damage but also can prove costly financially. A proven way to check for any leaks is the tried and true food color test. Follow the simple steps below to use this test to check for leaks.

Simple Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips to Check for Leaky or Cracked Toilet

Remove the lid from on top of your toilets' tank
Add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank
Let the food coloring settle in the tank for 30 minutes
When this time is up, observe the water in the toilet bowl
If the water in the bowl has changed colors when you check after 30 minutes, there is a leak.

Indoor-Spring-Plumbing-Tips-Sticky-Valve-Pooles-Plumbing

Know the location of your main shut off valve and check it regularly to avoid possible plumbing situations.

Awareness of a Sticky Valve to Avoid a Sticky Situation

The final of our Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips starts with you either knowing where or locating where your water supply valve is. Regardless of what season or the temperature, you should know where this is located regardless. Assuming you do know where the valve is another easy 'DIY' solution is to check the valve regularly.

The valve check is to be certain that it is not sticking. Just turn the valve on and off several times to do this check, so you are sure it is functioning smoothly. A stuck valve may seem a small problem at first, but if ignored can lead to serious issues eventually.

This concludes our Indoor Spring Plumbing Tips from the experts at Poole's Plumbing. To go back and see our outdoor plumbing tips for the upcoming season, visit the blog/news section at poolesplumbing.com.

Outdoor-Spring-Plumbing-Tips-Pooles-Plumbing

Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips: Disaster Can be Avoided Outside Your Home

March 12, 2020/in Miscellaneous Plumbing, Plumbing Tips and Tricks, Seasonal/by raleigh plumbers

As the season begins to change here in North Carolina, we see the cold of Winter begin to change to a warmer Spring climate. With winter's freezing temperatures being thawed by the air becoming warmer, many possible plumbing disasters could occur. Fear not, however! Your friends at Raleigh's number one name in plumbing, Poole's Plumbing, are here with their Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips to remind and help you of items that can avoid these possible disasters and save you big in the long run!

Major Checking Points for Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips to Avoid Clogs, Backups, or Leaks Outside Your Home as Winter Changes to Spring

Gutters
Downspouts
Drains
Hoses
Hose Bibs
Vents
Plumbing Pipes
Sump Pump

Outdoor-Spring-Plumbing-Tips-Clogged-Downspouts

Keep an eye on your downspouts to be sure the do not get clogged or restricted by debris.

Drains, Gutters, and Downspouts: Keep Them Clear, Have No Fear

On top of the temperature change, another unavoidable weather trend as Winter turns to Spring is an increase in rainfall. Thus, with more rainfall comes the need to avoid any type of flooding. The first of our Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips is to have you be sure your outside drains, gutters, and downspouts are completely clear and free of any debris.

Items to check for that can pile up and cause a blockage in these areas are leaves, sticks, bird nests, or a host of other things. Any or all of these items can easily accumulate during the wintery winds and precipitation without you realizing it. In addition to the areas pointed out above, be certain to check all outside vents or pipes, too. Thus, upon the "winter thaw," it is best to heed this first of our Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips. This way, not only are these areas free and clear but so is your conscience knowing you need not worry about backup or flooding in these areas.

A frozen up hose bib can lead to disastrous results if not addressed early and properly.

Check for a Leak, Give Hoses and Hose Bib a Peek

Our next Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips will take you to another area that is easy to look over since you likely haven't used a hose all winter. That's right, we move next to your outdoor hoses and hose bibs. As just mentioned, you don't normally use a hose in the colder months, however, if you had the hose connected all Winter, you need to check.

When tacking these next Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips, start by looking at the hose bib. Look initially at the faucet to be certain there are no leaks. Leaks can definitely be a problem especially if the hose was never disconnected prior to the cold temperatures of winter. This happens and is a fairly common problem as if hooked up all winter it can lead to your water supply-pipe freezing over. If this occurs it can lead to expansion of said pipe and thus, cracking or bursting. If in your checking, you see this to be the case, immediately call Poole's Plumbing. This way, one of our expert plumbers can analyze and if needed replace the pipe before major water damage occurs.

Outdoor-Plumbing-Tips-Pooles-Plumbing-Sump Pump-Pit

Testing to be sure your sump pump if functioning properly should be a top priority when the cold weather begins heating up.

The Sump Pit: What is it? What Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips Can Help to Keep Things "Pumping?"

All maintenance and Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips to this point are very important and can avoid messy and costly problems. That being said, possibly the most important and top priority should be your sump pump. First off for those unfamiliar with the sump pump or sump pit, the pit is a hole, with a gravel base dug into the lowest point of your basement. When water comes into the sump pit, the pump's sensor activates it, turning it on, and moving the water away from your home.

With the thawing and melting that will surely happen during the season change, your sump pump will be getting quite a "workout." Thus, you must check to be sure it is working correctly. To follow this, which is next among our Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips, first fill a few buckets with water. Then, pour the buckets into the sump pit. This should start up the pump with in a few seconds and the water should flow away from the house. However, if the pump does not start or you notice it not working properly, this could become a major issue. Again, if you do see the sump pump not starting, call the experts at Poole's Plumbing. They can diagnose the problem in person and avoid the pump completely burning out. This will help you avoid the need for a far more vcostly repair.

From the Outside to Indoors in Our Next Post

Taking just a little time to go around the outside of the house to check on these items could be the difference between having or not having major plumbing issues. Not following these easy Outdoor Spring Plumbing Tips can lead to serious water damage, and serious damage to your wallet.

In our next post, the second in this two-part series, we move from outdoors to the inside of the home. Much like these Spring Outdoor Plumbing Tips, next post's indoor suggestions can help you avoid damage and also help avoid unnecessary costly problems. To contract or for more on all the services Poole's Plumbing can help you with visit poolesplumbing.com.