Plumbing

Your plumbing system is quite complex. From water-using appliances to water supply lines and drainage lines, there are many components that may malfunction from time to time. Learn about some of the most expensive plumbing problems and how to avoid them.

Main Line Backups

One costly plumbing problem you may deal with is a backup of your sewage system. When this happens, raw sewage enters your fixtures, showers, and even your sinks. This sewage is not only damaging to your fixtures but also it can be toxic to your health.

One of the best ways to avoid this situation is to get routine drain cleaning services. We recommend hydro jetting to clear out any debris that’s buildup inside your drain and sewer lines. By removing this debris, we can greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a backup of your sewer line.

Water Heater Bursts

One of the most dangerous plumbing problems you may experience is the bursting of your hot water heater. This can happen when the pressure inside your water heater gets too high and is unable to escape into the expansion tank. Minerals build up on the surface of your expansion valve and prevent the free flow of pressure out of the tank.

When your water heater explodes, it can create a massive amount of damage to your home. One of the best ways to avoid this unfortunate situation is to get routine water heater service. By having one of our professionals come out once a year and flush your water heater and test all of the valves, you can be alerted if there’s an issue with the expansion valve before it turns into a major malfunction.

Burst Pipes

Another serious plumbing problem you may deal with is burst pipes. Anytime your piping is exposed to freezing temperatures, the water inside can turn into ice. When this happens, the water expands as it transitions into ice, which pushes out on the piping. When the line thaws back out, any crack the ice made will allow water to spew out. It doesn’t take very long for water to create an extensive amount of damage to your home.

The best way to prevent this issue is to be proactive with the piping in your home. Always leave the heat on to keep your home’s interior temperature above freezing, even when you’re not at home. Any exposed piping in your garage should get heat cables or extra insulation to prevent freezing. Contact us for pipe repair solutions!

Sewer Line Replacement

Sewer line issues can be the most expensive because they typically require excavation due to their location under your home. Issues like tree root intrusion can exacerbate problems with your sewer line, like cracking. Eventually, when raw sewage finds a way to leak out of your sewer line, it can contaminate the groundwater. This is very dangerous and requires prompt repair service.

One of the best ways to postpone a sewer line replacement is to take good care of your existing sewer line. Aim to get routine sewer cleaning and inspections. This will allow you to identify problems with your line, so you can repair them before they get any worse. In addition, these services can remove tree roots to prevent further intrusion into the line.

Slab Leaks

One of the biggest frustrations homeowners have is slab leaks. These occur when water lines running underneath your home leak due to issues like ground shifting. Unfortunately, the only way to repair these issues is to tear up the existing concrete to access the water lines. If slab leaks are ignored, they can cause an extensive amount of damage underneath your home that could possibly ruin its structural integrity. It’s common to miss slab leaks until they’re extremely bad because you’re not able to see them.

One of the best ways to help avoid extensive damage is to get routine plumbing inspections. Having one of our professionals come out to your home and assess your water lines with services like pressure testing will help to detect any potential leaks while they’re small. This will allow us to fix them promptly instead of letting them get worse and cause a lot of expensive damage.

Hidden Plumbing Leaks

One thing you may not think causes expensive repair problems is hidden plumbing leaks. Because they’re typically smaller, they may not be as obvious as a burst pipeline. However, their inconspicuous nature allows them to go unhindered for months or even years at a time. This allows a lot of water to run out of the piping and drive up your household water bill.

Additionally, when water infiltrates the building materials of your home, it can start to degrade them. Everything from your drywall to the studs behind it can rot out and decrease the structural integrity of your home. Even worse, water hidden in these enclosed environments will encourage mold and mildew growth.

Both of these materials are toxic to your health and require professional removal for your utmost safety. Hidden plumbing leaks increase your water bill, can require mold remediation services, and even require structural repairs to your home if left unaddressed too long. One of the best ways to avoid dealing with these issues is to get a routine plumbing inspection.

We recommend an inspection every year so that our plumbers can easily inspect all the water lines throughout your home to detect any leaks. Additionally, it’s important to pay attention to some of the most common signs of a hidden leak. These include things like a rising water bill, damp floors or walls, bubbling paint, and even spongy feeling floors.

Plumbing Care Tips for Homeowners

The most effective way to prevent major plumbing issues at your home is to take good care of your plumbing system. One of the simplest things you can do is be mindful of what you put down your drains. Fat, greases, and oils are notorious for creating a slimy material that attracts other items, eventually forming a clog in your plumbing system. Choose another disposal method, like discarding in the trash, for these materials to prevent them from going down your drain line.

Other key items to avoid putting down your drains include flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, eggshells, coffee grounds, and fruit rinds. Being proactive by using a drain strainer can be effective at preventing these unwanted items from reaching your drain lines. Avoid using any harsh chemicals on your drains if you do experience a problem. These chemical drain cleaners can actually deteriorate your piping, leading to even more issues.

If you start to experience more frequent plumbing issues, like a toilet that constantly clogs, it’s best to enlist our professional assistance. Frequent clogs are a common indicator of a deeper issue in your plumbing system. It’s never a good idea to let plumbing issues go, as they’ll just lead to more damage over time.

Reliable Plumbing Repair Service

Kennon Heating, Air & Plumbing offers reliable plumbing repair service for the Cumming, GA community. We can assist with all your plumbing installation, replacement, and inspection needs.

Call our friendly office staff today to schedule your next service appointment with one of our highly knowledgeable plumbers.

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