Category: Plumbing

Many plumbing problems can cause unpleasant experiences for homeowners, and bad odors in your drain is an excellent example of one. Lots of people have experienced stinky drains at some point in their lives, and usually, the solution to the problem is very straightforward and easy: regular drain cleaning.

There are a variety of causes for pungent pipes, and the typical problem is that there’s something stuck in the plumbing system that shouldn’t be there. That’s where drain cleaning can help, which is why it’s such a critical chore to add to your regular cleaning schedule.

Sulfur Buildup in the Pipes

Most people are familiar with the potent smell of sulfur thanks to things like matches and fireworks, but if you’ve ever smelled a rotten egg odor emanating from your drains, then you’ll know this element is present in more than just explosives.

In fact, sulfur is a naturally occurring element that’s a by-product of hydrogen sulfide, a pungent gas that’s produced by certain bacteria. If these bacteria are present in your pipes, your water, or your soil, then it’s possible that sulfur will build up in your pipes, causing the classic rotten egg smell you may have experienced coming from your drains.

Contaminated Drains

Sulfur, however, isn’t the only thing that can generate nasty smells in your plumbing, and everyday things like soap, toothpaste, and even hair can build up in bathroom drains and create odors as they decompose.

In the kitchen, food scraps and grease can similarly become stuck to pipe walls, where they’ll start to rot and send their decaying food smells back up through your kitchen sink. Finally, because drains are damp and dark, they’re also ideal locations for mold growth, and this can leave pipes smelling old and musty.

On the plus side, plumbing smells that are caused by sulfur, food, mold, and other organic materials can easily be treated with drain cleaning and can be prevented in the future with regular cleaning.

Serious Plumbing Problems that Require Expert Attention

Although regular drain cleaning can help you manage pipe smells caused by things in the plumbing, there are some instances where bad plumbing odors indicate a more serious problem.

For one thing, if your house doesn’t have the proper venting, then sewer gasses that should be released through your roof may be staying in your house, and this is never pleasant.

Another problem that can lead to sewer smells in your home is a broken or damaged sewer line. And these two issues will have to be addressed and fixed by a professional and experienced Greensburg, PA plumber.

Even though there are many causes for smelly drains, there’s peace of mind to be had from knowing that most of the time, the problem can be rectified with thorough and regular drain cleaning. This is especially true when plumbing odors are caused by food, mold, bacteria, and other organic matter in your pipes.

Although certain plumbing smells need to be addressed by a professional, keeping your drains sparkling clean will eliminate most of the foul odors you might otherwise encounter from your pipes.

The thing with your plumbing system is that you probably don’t spend too much time thinking about it unless there is something wrong. However, when you get a clog or a water leak, it is really stressful and can take over your life at that moment.

It makes sense to take a little time on a regular basis to make sure that your plumbing is working smoothly and avoid headaches down the road. Our team of qualified plumbers here in Greensburg, PA have put together an easy-to-follow guide for you.

Drain Cleaning Benefits

Professional drain cleaning will help the water flow freely through your home. By cleaning drains out, you are getting rid of clog-producing residue.

Clogs can come from food falling in a sink during meal prep to a child using too much toilet paper to a lot of sediment or mineral content in your water.

Drain cleaning also makes your home more sanitary. No one wants to think about wastewater coming back into your home, but that is what can happen if you have a clog. Do yourself a favor and get your drains cleaned soon.

Get Your Water Pressure Balanced

If your water pressure is too high, your plumbing system is at risk for leaks and breakage.

Now, you could be on the hook for repairs, but also for cleaning up after water damage, which isn’t fun.

Check your water pressure every month or so. Keep it in the 45-60 psi range, which is deemed safe.

h2 Heading: Plumbing Code Compliance for Smooth Operations

When taking on plumbing repairs or projects, make sure that you are following the plumbing code for your area.

These standards are set to ensure a certain level of quality in plumbing work. If the plumbing isn’t up to code, you could be looking at serious damage to your home and property.

It’s all about safety and reliability. Additionally, you could end up being fined or even being liable if you are doing unpermitted work.

Hair Traps and Your Drains

If you’ve got multiple people sharing a bathroom, then there is a good chance that you’ve got hair gathering in your drains.

It doesn’t take long for this hair to ball together and clog your pipes. You don’t want to be standing in your shower when it starts to overflow.

Eliminate this risk by fitting your drain with a hair trap, which catches hair before it enters your plumbing system. Another must-do for your plumbing system is to inspect for plumbing leaks regularly. Stop big problems before they start!

There have been rumors floating around for some time now that have homeowners thinking they have to replace their air conditioners and heaters at the same time, but this simply isn’t the case.

That being said, there are many times when it makes sense to replace both together, but it’s not necessary, especially if you don’t have the budget for such an undertaking.

Today we’re going to explore the different reasons why people would choose to replace HVAC units at the same time and talk a little bit about the budget you might be looking at for the project.

Wondering Where to Start? Talk to a Greensburg, PA HVAC Specialist

Heating and air conditioning units have different lifespans, maintenance requirements, and common problems.

An HVAC specialist will have the skills and knowledge to evaluate the condition of your appliances and provide a recommendation about whether you need to replace both or just one.

The factors the technician will consider include the age of the units, the level of difficulty for installation, your budget, and more to provide an objective opinion about necessary upgrades.

Is Retirement on the Horizon? Consider Replacing Both Units Now

It makes sense to take care of certain large purchases now while you’re working and still have a steady source of income, as opposed to after retirement when you’re working with a fixed budget from your pension and retirement savings.

Plus, if you address the upgrades now for both units, then you can enter retirement carefree knowing that you won’t have to deal with replacing your furnace or air conditioner for at least another 15 years.

Consider the Age of Your Appliances Before Committing to a Decision

One of the most important factors to consider when replacing HVAC units is the age of the appliances. For one thing, furnaces have longer lifespans than air conditioners, so even if your A/C is nearing the end of its life doesn’t mean your furnace is.

An air conditioner will last between 15 and 20 years on average, but a furnace’s lifespan is more like 20 to 30 years. But if both units are old enough to be replaced, then it makes sense to upgrade to newer and more efficient units, and that way you’ll also save more on your energy bills.

Weighing the Costs of Two Units and Installation

A major consideration for most people when deliberating a dual replacement is the cost because upgrading both HVAC units will obviously cost more than just replacing one, the value of upgrading though is certainly rewarding.

However, in some circumstances, you can save money by replacing both units together versus one at a time, and this is true if you live outside the service area, or if your HVAC system is inaccessible and difficult to get at. In these situations, you’ll save money by having the technician make a single service call, or by having the technician manage an inaccessible area once instead of twice.

Although some homeowners think they have to replace air conditioners and furnaces at the same time, you can upgrade one without worrying about the other. Nonetheless, many homeowners find it more convenient to replace both units at the same time, particularly if they’re due for upgrades and if the budget allows, if retirement is coming up, or if installation issues might make it more expensive to replace them separately.

If you care about your home both as a place you live in and an investment that you want to protect and grow, then you take your plumbing system very seriously. You’re not going to get cheap, slapdash quality work done for it, that may mean a toilet breaks down later and you’ll have to leave your own home just to use the bathroom; you’ll get it done right with a trusted Greensburg plumber.

But that also means that, depending on the type of job you have in mind, you may need more than a professional on the job to get started. Sometimes you’ll need a plumbing permit as well. But what is this, and why—and when—would you need it? Let’s find out.

The Permit Is Protection

As you may have already deduced from the name, a plumbing permit is something that the city of Greensburg will issue to you granting you permission to start on a building code compliant plumbing job.

It means you will have notified them ahead of time by filling out and submitting an application for the work. What the plumbing permit does for you is provide both legal and financial protection by putting your work on record. This means that the plumbing you’ve done is now accessible in city records, is compliant with building code, and therefore still valid for protection under your home insurance.

If you don’t get a plumbing permit for work done, this may violate your insurance terms, and, worse yet, cause problems for you in the event of a home sale. A home inspector may realize that the new bathroom you added is not actually legal, and therefore may cause problems for new, potential homeowners.

When Do You Need It?

The plumbing permit is not a universal requirement.

If you’re just getting something repaired, for example, or upgrading an existing fixture such as replacing an old toilet with a new model or upgrading your kitchen sink, this is something that your Greensburg plumber can do with no issues at all.

You will need to get a plumbing permit if the scope of the job requires for installing something brand new, especially if no plumbing infrastructure existed in that area before.

So moving your washing machines upstairs, or renovating your home to add a brand new bathroom will definitely need a permit. These jobs fundamentally change the plumbing infrastructure of your home with new additions or alterations.

Paying The Fees

A plumbing permit is not free either, but the price you pay on it is going to depend a lot on the actual nature of the job itself. If you’re just getting a new water closet, with only two new fixtures, like a toilet, and sink that may cost you $45.

But if you’re replacing something like the water heater, that might be $30. It all depends on the scope of the job. Try to make sure that if you’re getting some major plumbing work done in Greensburg, PA it’s done properly. Get professional results with an experienced Greensburg plumber, and make sure you have the permit secured if the job is a big one.