Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Dec 07, 2009
Avoid Major Expenses by Calling A Plumber
It’s a wise homeowner who knows when a job is over his head and it’s time to call in the pros. Plumbing problems fall into the category of repairs many homeowners will attempt even though they lack the proper knowledge, required experience or necessary tools. Home repair books may walk you through simple repairs like replacing the snap-on flush valve inside your toilet tank, but more complex repairs usually require expert knowledge and experience to repair safely and effectively.
Delaying the call to your plumber while you fumble around trying to figure out where the problem is and how to fix it, particularly if your have a leak, allows additional damage to occur. Most water leaks happen inside interior walls or ceilings where you can’t see them. Considerable damage can occur before the problem becomes visible. By then, that annoying drip that echoes from the ceiling may have soaked, weakened and damaged wallboard, plaster, subflooring and support beams. Your minor repair has now turned into a major expense.
There are things you can do to prevent plumbing problems from occurring and we’ll talk about that sometime. But if you hear water dripping inside your walls, see a water stain developing on walls or ceiling or “bubbling” plaster, notice water collecting around the base of the toilet or tub, observe water spraying or dripping from a pipe or can’t turn off a dripping faucet, it’s time to call the plumber. Because water can run along pipes or interior structures for some length before dripping, it usually takes a professional plumber’s expert knowledge of plumbing systems to locate the source of a leak. Don’t risk expensive damage to your home. If you suspect a leak in your plumbing system, call the expert plumbers at Raymond’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
Is it time for you to call your local plumber? If you live in NorthEast Ohio give us a
call.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Nov 20, 2009
These days we’re all watching our budgets. No one wants an unnecessary repair bill; but as we mentioned in our last post, there are times when trying to repair it yourself can actually cost more. Plumbing is one of those home repair areas where homeowners often overestimate their skills. Delaying a call to the plumber can allow a small problem to become a big and much more expensive problem. There are a number of things, however, that homeowners can do to keep their plumbing system working efficiently and minimize the need for plumbing repairs.
Backups cause most plumbing emergencies. If your sink or tub drain backs up, grease or hair are the most likely culprits. Limit potential problems by preventing these materials from entering drains.
- In the kitchen, strain grease into an empty soup can or allow it to congeal before disposing of it in the trash.
- If grease does get poured down the drain, you can minimize potential damage by pouring a cup of vinegar, a squirt of liquid detergent and boiling water down the drain.
- In the bathroom, use mesh or plastic strainers from the hardware store to catch hair before it goes down the drain.
- Every few days, remove the tub/shower drain cap and pull loose hair out of the drain. Fringe the ends of a plastic straw and use it to hook loose hair.
- Once a month use a drain cleaning product to keep drains clean.
Toilet clogs are another source of emergency plumbing calls. Keep a plunger by each toilet, and plunge vigorously at the first sign of clogging. Never flush sanitary napkins, disposable diapers or disposable wipes down a toilet, even if the box labels them “flushable.” They aren’t. Keep objects away from toilet tanks and keep toilet lids closed to prevent inadvertently flushing toys or air fresheners. If you can’t remove the clog, it’s time to call Raymond Plumbing.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Nov 16, 2009
Don't Ignore the Drip of a Leaking Faucet!
Man, I hate that steady drip, drip, drip that makes it hard to fall asleep at night, but once you’re up and charging through another hectic day, a slow drip coming from a sink or bathroom may be easy to ignore. You may not even think about it again until night falls and you’re heading off to dreamland. But a leaking water faucet is something that demands immediate attention.
Even a slow leak can wind up costing you a bundle if you ignore it. For example, if your bathtub has developed a slow but steady drip, say 1 drop per second, you are wasting about 8 1/2 gallons of water a day. That’s a bit more than 259 gallons a month and a whopping 3,154 gallons a year. No matter what you pay for water, that’s expensive! And the cost goes up the longer you wait to call the plumber.
This Could Get Ugly!
If you have a faucet leak, wasted water might be the tip of the iceberg. Often leaks occur where they aren’t visually evident. If you’re lucky, you may hear dripping in a ceiling or behind a wall, but too often leaks are never discovered until damage becomes apparent. Bathtub or toilet seals can seep, water pipe fittings may weep, pinprick holes can develop in out-of-sight pipes, pipe bends under sinks or cabinet floors can corrode. You may never realize you have a plumbing problem until the wall plaster starts to blister or the bathroom floor rots through depositing your tub in the living room or termites invade your foundation drawn by the moisture caused by a leak in your crawl space. All true stories and just a sampling of the horror stories attributed to leaky pipes.
Bottom Line - Call Your Local Neighborhood Plumber
It never pays to put off calling a plumber when you have a leak. Repair costs are never as expensive as the cost of ignoring the problem and paying for extensive repairs. If you're in Lorain County, Ohio, give us a call. We can help you sleep better at night and rest easy during the day.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Find out how to unclog your sink drain in under 90 seconds with the experts at Raymond Plumbing.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jun 12, 2009
Your Plumber Should Wear a Belt: Advice on What to Know Before You Hire Them
Ever thought you should hire a plumber, but didn’t know where to start?
Well before you start calling Joe the Plumber, check out these helpful tips on what to consider before hiring your next plumber
- Get references. It’s obviously important to verify that the source you are considering is insured and licensed. But don’t stop there. Ask your friends, family members or use it as a conversation ice breaker at a social event.
- Does the company seem like a credible source? Are they plumbing experts at an established business with a long track record?
- It’s okay to compare rates, but remember that you usually get what you pay for. Getting the job done right the first time is always less expensive. Even Joe the Plumber knows how to add up the best value and least impact on his wallet.
- Does the company charge a flat or an hourly rate? Are they hiding charges for service fees? Do they provide free estimates? Will they give you a written estimate following the assessment of the potential job?
- It’s wise to develop a working relationship with your plumber before the plumbing emergency happens. The staff should be there to provide you with trouble-free service and installation, and they should wear belts around their pants.
- Make a list of all plumbing and overall comfort needs, like fixing faucets, drains and maintenance on heating and cooling systems. It’s like going to the grocery store – don’t you hate having to go back to the store later because you forgot something that wasn’t on your list?
- Finally, find a locally based business that will listen to your needs and care about your plumbing issues. With a local company you’re getting better service at quality rates and you’re supporting your community!
At Raymond, with over 50 years of service in our local community, we know the names of most streets and most likely have serviced homes in your neighborhood. We provide service from the west side of Cleveland to Lorain Huron, and parts of Erie County.
So remember, if you have additional questions or are in need of a professional plumbing, heating or cooling services, contact us.