Author Archives: All About Plumbing

Why air conditioner is important

Technician Measuring Power for Air Conditioner

AC Units and Your Home

With summer in full swing here in North Carolina, the last thing any homeowner wants is a faulty AC system. Regular maintenance can help prevent failures, but sometimes there are outside sources that can prevent your system from operating normally. When that happens, you need options for keeping your home cool. You can easily go out and purchase a fan, but what about single indoor units or even a window air conditioner? For that, you need a reliable HVAC company to turn to. All About Plumbing & Septic has several years of experience with air conditioner repair and maintenance. More than that, we have experience with the top brands that manufacture all kinds of AC units and systems. For more questions about an air conditioner in Hendersonville, Mills River and Asheville, NC, give us a call. We’re available right now at 828-778-2425.

An Energy Efficient Air Conditioner Unit

What is the Best Air Conditioner Brand?

There is a lot of speculation about which is the best AC brand and type for homes. You may be debating between a central air unit or a window AC unit. Or you may just be debating between an air conditioner or fan. When it comes to comparison, the central air conditioner will seem like way too much money, but there are several things to remember.

A central AC unit is a long-term investment. While it may be expensive initially, there are many energy efficient options that can help save you money in the long run. A window AC unit, or even an air conditioner inside unit, is great for how inexpensive it is and how well it can cool one room at a time. But those units are often short term solutions and aren’t always designed to be used for long periods of time. That is specifically true of window units. 

Air conditioner units, like a central AC system, are ultimately meant to cool entire homes. The window units are meant to cool individual rooms. Fans are meant to help circulate air preventing cool air from settling. What you need will be dependant on what you can afford and what your home truly needs. When your air conditioner is not working, a fan or a window unit may be a perfectly reasonable short term solution. But your central AC system will need to be repaired or replaced. So what are the best AC units?

Types of AC Brands

As many homeowners know, there are several brands and air conditioner options on the market. That many options can make it difficult to narrow down which the best for your home and your needs. There are, of course, window air conditioner units as well as options like an air conditioner with dehumidifier properties, if that is something you need. 

  • Carrier
  • Maytag
  • Rheem
  • Trane
  • Lennox
  • Goodman
  • York
  • Westinghouse

These are a few of the top brands that manufacture several kinds of air conditioner units. You may be drawn to a brand like Maytag because of how long it has been on the market, but brands like Carrier and Rheem are often the most recommended by HVAC companies. These brands provide a variety of necessary options with quality products that are proven to be lasting and durable. What’s important with AC systems is to have quality ventilation throughout your home. That also includes your soffit and fascia. Without proper ventilation, your AC system actually won’t be able to operate efficiently which can hike up your energy bills. Make sure you are scheduling regular soffit and fascia repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I choose an air conditioner?
    • Determine the square footage of the space you want cooled by multiplying the length by the width. That will tell you the size unit you’ll need. It’s also helpful to know the BTU (British Thermal Unit) which will tell you how much heat the unit can remove from the room.
  • Is it cheaper to run a window air conditioner or central air?
    • Window units will always be cheaper, but they are also only meant to be a short term option. Central air units are comparatively more expensive, but that is not taking into consideration the longevity of a central unit versus a window unit. Long term, central air will usually end up being cheaper. 
  • Which uses more electricity window unit or central air?
    • Again, central air units are going to use more energy, but they are also designed to cool larger spaces like entire homes. Window units will consume and use less energy, but they are also only designed to cool solitary spaces, like single rooms. 
  • How long do AC units last?
    • The industry standard life-span for an air conditioner is about 10-15 years. That being said, if it is properly maintained, your AC unit could last 20+ years. Newer AC units have longer life-spans, but that is dependent on regular maintenance and upkeep.
Inside Air Conditioner System

Contact All About Plumbing & Septic for More Information!

Rely on All About Plumbing & Septic for all your AC needs. When you need help with an air conditioner in Hendersonville, Mills River and Asheville, NC, call us. Reach out at 828-778-2425 to get started today. 

How Can You Tell if You Have a Gas Leak in Your House?

Burners Running on a Stove

A Dangerous Threat Against Your Home

Natural gas plays an essential role in the lives of American homeowners. It fuels our cooking appliances, powers our hot water heaters, and energizes our furnaces during the cold winter months. Many people forget about the toxic, lethal nature of this substance. When the gas lines spring a leak, it puts your family and home at risk.

Today, we’re going to talk about leaks and gas line repair in house. By the end, you should have a firm understanding of how to respond in the event of leak. Let’s get started!

What Happens With a Gas Leak?

Gas leaks may pop up as the result of long-term pipe or hose degradation. Some homeowners accidentally create their own leaks when they tinker with their gas appliances. Whatever the cause, the results can be disastrous! In the United States, these leaks produce household fires and explosions. Natural gas leaks and subsequent carbon monoxide creation also cause a handful of deaths every year.

Thankfully, most homeowners know the signs of a potential gas leak and quickly call for help. We’ll discuss how you can identify leaks in your gas line and appliances.

Warning Signs

What are the Symptoms of a Gas Leak?

There are a number of signs homeowners may notice in the event of a leak. Most revolve around the physical symptoms of gas exposure, including those listed below. You may also notice that your gas appliances aren’t getting enough fuel to run effectively.

Physical Symptoms Produced by a Gas Leak

  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Feelings of heaviness and weakness
  • Growing headaches
  • Sudden nausea
  • Smelling rotten eggs or sulfur

With the exception of that last one, all the above symptoms resemble those of a flu virus. Symptoms progressively worsen with prolonged exposure. Because methane (the primary ingredient in natural gas) is an asphyxiant, inhaling the concentrated gas eventually causes a person to pass out. Without help, isolated people die every year.

Thankfully, this is a relatively rare story among homeowners in the US. That’s because utility companies add an extra, smelly ingredient into the mix: Mercaptan. This imbues the normally odorless natural gas with a sulfuric (eggy) scent that warns homeowners of a leak.

Reaction Plan

What Do You Do if You Suspect a Gas Leak?

The first thing you need to do is warn everyone else in your home about the leak. Don’t use any electric appliances, as concentrated natural gas may be ignited by any electrical sparks. Turn off all gas appliances in your home and call your gas company as soon as possible.

You’ll also need to arrange testing and potential repairs for your gas line. This isn’t something you can delay. For other issues, say roofing damage, you could wait for a highly-rated High Point, NC residential roofing company to drive all the way out to your home. For gas leaks however, you’ll want immediate assistance from someone local.

Repair Professionals

Do Plumbers Repair Gas Lines?

Yes! Homeowners should always have their gas line repair and installation handled by a seasoned professional. Many plumbers are qualified to handle your gas line repair, though you will need to confirm the leak before repairs can start (obviously). That’s another reason to call your plumber as soon as possible.

How Do Plumbers Check for Gas Leaks?

Plumbers utilize specially equipment for sniffing out leaks. They isolate the leak to the individual fitting or degraded piping. After turning off the gas, they can replace the damaged piping. Finally, they test your system to make sure it’s functioning correctly.

Who is Responsible for Gas line Repair?

Ownership of the gas system is separated by a crucial boundary: the meter. On the street side of your meter, the utilities company is responsible for repairs and maintenance. On the home side of the meter (including the underground line), your family assumes gas line repair responsibility. That’s one more reason to never go poking around in the yard without consulting your utilities company!

Many families mistakenly assume that management of the gas line falls to the gas company. They receive quite the shock if they have to replace their gas line, a project that can run in the thousands. Thankfully, most gas line problems occur due to loose fittings and connections, which are relatively cheaper to fix.

A Plumber Examines a Pipe Part Prior to Gas Line Repair or Installation

Find Your Gas Line Repair!

Remember, fixing a leak is serious business. For the safety of your family and home, make sure you call a plumber who is certified to handle gas line repair in Hendersonville, Mills River and Asheville, NC. Our seasoned professionals at All About Plumbing & Septic would be happy to help you resolve this scary situation. To arrange your plumbing services in Asheville, NC or a nearby city, call our friendly staff at 828-778-2425! We can’t wait to serve you.

How SEO Improved All About Plumbing’s Web Presence

You may think a keyword like septic service mills river nc is inconsequential for plumbing websites, but you’re mistaken. With thousands of similar keywords combined, lead generation becomes more accessible and more potent. As a plumber in Hendersonville, NC, improving our web presence became a priority in January 2019. it was at that point we invested in plumbing SEO to improve our rankings.

SEO is not a magic bullet, but it has improved our web presence substantially over the last several years. Since last year, Google Search Console Data verifies our organic growth, increasing by 84.2105% for monthly clicks. We now receive over 400 clicks within each 28-day interval. We’ve seen increased call volume as a result and a better overall online presence. 

Organic Growth

Ranking for Long-Tail Keywords

One of the significant SEO factors that helped us is service pages and long-tail keywords. We categorize these concepts together since it is in-depth service pages that allow us to rank for long-tail keywords. You see, every plumber wants to rank for general keyword terms like a plumber in location. However, the fundamental separating factors come from secondary services like emergency plumbing, slab leak repair, and septic tank cleaning. Additionally, ranking for long-tail terms gives you a greater chance of ranking for your primary terms as well.

Location is Everything

As a local plumbing company, SEO value comes from local clicks. A click from someone in New York City won’t help us in North Carolina, so our website gets optimized for local search. Of course, ranking in the local map pack is a big reason why we generate local clicks. We know that Google’s local algorithm considers proximity, relevance, and prominence. We achieve all three by developing reviews for our Google My Business listing and creating high-quality content on our primary website (our GMB links to the website). 

SEO is an Ongong Process

SEO is not a plug-and-play proposition. Instead, SEO requires consistent tasks and maintenance. For example, Google’s standards evolve with each algorithm update. Google now expects websites to load faster than ever before, which is why technical SEO remains critical. Similarly, Google better understands keywords and user intent so that websites must present the best possible content at all times. At All About Plumbing, we stay on top of the latest SEO trends to remain in the best-ranking positions. 

From SEO to Conversions

Ranking for keywords alone won’t help our plumbing company. It is only when conversions take place that SEO proves worthwhile to our business. That’s why our website features calls to action to help consumers get in contact with us. Ultimately, we do SEO to help the customer find our services. Our #1 priority is always the customer and providing the best plumbing services possible. We can do that at our best when consumers easily find us through Google Search, something we can thank search engine optimization for this year. 

Is It Worth Installing a Water Softener?

Hand pouring a glass of water from tap, blue background.

Know More About Your Water Systems!

A water softener is often mistaken as a water purifier for most people. However, it is not. A water softener installation may not be the right choice for you depending on several factors. It’s important to know what type of water is being distributed in your municipality and what health risks are being imposed to you before making the best decision. Ultimately, anything is better than hard water. In fact, hard water can stain your tubs, cause your skin to be dry and hair to be brittle. The high mineral content in it is actually more readily absorbed through your skin in the shower than by drinking it. That’s why when you are considering a water softener installation consider other places of installation besides your faucets. For other areas in your home, it may even be better to consider Water filtration as an alternate route of water purification.  Although water softeners are a viable option, oftentimes they can be specific to only certain types of contaminants or minerals. However, if you have hard water in your water systems, a water softener is still a viable option as it will protect the occupants from your home from long term exposure to more dangerous minerals. Ultimately, it’s up to you to see what is lurking through your water supply in order to make  the right chose on water purification.

Benefits of a Water Softener

  • Exchanges hard minerals for softer ones
  • Prevents scale build up
  • Easy cleaning of sinks due to reduced soap curd
  • Easy installation
  • Easy maintenance
  • Cleaner & shiner silverware
  • Softer skin, nails, and hair

Benefits of Water Softener Versus Water Filter

Water softeners can get rid of minerals such as Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium, and Limescale and prevent scale build up. However, essentially these minerals are just exchanged for sodium or salt and other impurities are not blocked as is seen in the case of filters. However, a water filter can get rid of those impurities as well as others and ultimately cost about the same price. Through the processes of ion-exchange, micron-filtration, catalytic conversion, reverse osmosis, absorption and oxidation your water can be purified from the smallest particles to the biggest. Filters are the more versatile option that can get rid of both natural to man-made heavy metals or chemicals. Depending on your home, consider your options before making an informed decision.

Is it Safe to Drink Water From a Water Softener?

Water from a water softener is fine to drink over hard water but if you’re someone who is supposed to be on a low sodium diet than it may not be right for you. It may be best to install a filter if ultimately you prefer other contaminants to be removed from your systems.

Water Softener Installation How To

Most water softeners can be placed as an attachment to the mouth of your faucet and don’t require too many tools in setting them up. After connecting certain parts most instructions tell you to make sure your water faucet if turned off and to hook up the device to the mouth. Afterward, you simply turn or hit a few controls to activate the mechanism.

Does a Water Softener Ruin a Water Heater?

Water heaters are built to be very long lasting and normally last for about 10 years. However, as most are made of metal and heat water on a regular basis they will naturally  corrode over time. The solution made to remedy this has been to place anodes inside the heater and these need to be replaced every 6 years. With softened water, you can expect the corrosion to go much more quickly due to the sodium that replaces the minerals in the water. It’s important to check on your water heater regularly as corrosion can cause leaks, rusting and buildup to occur on your unit.

How Much Does it Cost to Have a Water Softener Installed?

Water softener installation costs are dependent on the kit that was chosen as well as the materials that will be required upon installation such as a flux, solders, and brushes. A DIY cost can be about $500 or more and professional water softener installation prices can cost from $800-$3000 depending on how many places you will install the unit, upgraded control options and the size of your home. Installations can cost a fraction of High Point, NC roof installation if you choose cost-effective options.

Women faded in background with focus on her hand holding a glass of water.

Which Water Softener is the Best?

  • Pentair 5600sxt-48k-10 Water Softener (overall)
  • Fleck 5600SXT Iron Pro 2 Water Softener (water with iron)
  • ABCwaters Built Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener (best salt based)
  • Pelican Water Salt-Free Water Softener (best salt free)

Is Getting a Water Softener Worth it?

If it’s about the same price as a filter it may be better to get Water filtration in order to increase health benefits.

Is a Water Softener Really Necessary?

If you have hard water it’s necessary to at least get a water softener if not anything else in order to protect you from health risks due to exposure and regular intake of contaminated water.

If you’d like water softener installation in Hendersonville, Mills River and Asheville, NC call 828-778-2425 with All About Plumbing & Septic!

Hot Water Heaters Part 1: Traditional Water Heaters

Working On Water Heater

If You Have Questions About The Pros And Cons, Give Us a Call.

Do you need a hot water heater? Chances are, traditional hot water heaters with standard plumbing is right for you. Here are some tips to help you decide, as well as what to look for in plumbing services. (Tankless water heaters will be covered in another article.) Once you have decided if traditional heaters are for you, then you’ll need to enlist the aid of an affordable plumbing service, because installing water heaters is not usually something you would want to do yourself.

Pros

Convenience – Traditional water heaters preheat and store the hot water, which is available any time someone showers or washes dishes or laundry. They automatically refill and reheat water.

Simplicity – They have a much lower installation cost than tankless heaters, and because installation is easy (therefore easy to replace), there’s not much can go wrong if you are a DIY fan.

Cons

Limited hot water – Traditional tanks usually hold 30-50 gallons of water, which might not be enough for your needs any particular day. If you’ve ever jumped in the shower after a teenage daughter, only to discover she used all the hot water, you know what we mean.

Higher utility expense – Despite cheaper installation cost, traditional water heaters have a higher utility cost over the lifetime of the tank because it heats and maintains that temperature (reheats the water as needed) whether or not you use the water. It eventually adds up.

Shorter lifespan – Most of these tanks last maybe 15 years. That’s about half as long as tankless heaters.

Picking a Plumber

If a traditional water heater seems right for you and your family, the next step is to find an affordable plumbing service. Any plumber can handle standard plumbing issues like this, and should obviously be licensed, so consider amenities like same day service and emergency service. All About Plumbing & Septic of Hendersonville, Mills River and Asheville, NC is such a company. We offer $50 coupons on our website for hot water services and carry all types of traditional, gas, electric, oil and tankless heaters in stock. We believe in going the extra mile for our customers, which is why there is a technician on call 24/7. Check out our website for more information or call us at 828-778-2425.

Hot Water Heaters Part 2: Tankless Water Heaters

Man Working On Water Heater

Water Heaters Need To Be Maintained Regularly To Continue Working Correctly.

When it is time to replace your water heater, tankless water heaters are an upgrade worth giving serious consideration. They have great benefits and are a fast-growing favorite these days. We’ve included some pros and cons to help you make this decision, as well as tidbits about picking the right plumber.

Pros

Unlimited hot water – Running out of hot water is a nuisance. Unlike traditional water heaters, tankless units don’t store a limited amount of hot water. Instead, they heat the water as you use it. They typically heat two or three gallons of water per minute, and on demand. If you often run out of hot water with a traditional water heater, this is a better solution.

Save money – If you typically use less than 41 gallons of hot water daily, tankless heaters can save you as much as 34% in energy bills, or about $100/yr. Tankless units don’t use as much energy because they don’t have to maintain water temperatures even if you aren’t using hot water, a definite advantage over traditional ones. Tankless water heaters also have a much longer lifespan over traditional water heaters, about twice as long. This saves you money in the long run.

Save space – Tankless water heaters are small and take up mere inches on a wall instead of an entire closet.

Cons

Wrench On Water Heater

Is Your Water Heater Working Properly? Give Us a Call!

Initially, more expensive – Tankless units are a more expensive to install, so if you are living on a tight budget, this could be an issue. It depends on the model, of course. If you are replacing a traditional water heater with a tankless one, there will be additional retrofitting expenses because the tankless system is more complicated.

Plumber Tips

If you frequently run out of hot water, a tankless water heating system is probably your best bet. Any reputable (and licensed) plumbing service can handle that, but don’t overlook the extras that say the company will go the extra mile for you, such as being able to talk to a real person instead of a machine or answering service when you call.

All About Plumbing and Septic, of Asheville, NC, cares about you, which is why we offer same day and emergency service and want to help you save money with a $25 coupon on our website for first-time clients. Give us a call today for more information. Chances are, if you call during the day, you’ll almost always get an owner! Here’s our number, 828-778-2425, give us a ring, today!

Learning How to Avert Major Plumbing Issues

Kitchen Sink

Learn The Tricks To Avoid Any Major Problems With Your Plumbing.

Plumbing has been with us since way back in the Roman times, but much has changed between then and now. Today’s modern homes come equipped with luxurious hot and cold water throughout. Plumbing is great when it works, but when it fails, the house can turn into a horrible, soggy mess. The best thing to do is to be on the lookout for plumbing issues ahead of time so that you don’t have a bad situation on your hands.

Keeping an Eye Out for Trouble

Savvy homeowners are good at finding ways to deal with small plumbing issues before they become big plumbing problems. Help your plumbing remain dry and happy with these ideas:

  • Watch out for trouble. With plumbing, always remember that little leakages can quickly become big plumbing problems. Look out for any sign of an impending plumbing failure: damp cabinets, rocking toilets, leaking faucets, or leaking fridges all are serious issues that need to be quickly addressed.
  • Quickly repair problems. You don’t want ignore a dripping faucet. Why? Because a dripping faucet is extra moisture that puts wear on sink components. This extra moisture can quickly cause the growth of mold and mildew. Watch out for these types of issues to keep the home dry.
  • Find your home’s primary shut-off valve. Imagine a worst-case scenario where you’ve got water pouring down your stairs in the basement from a damaged pipeline…and you don’t know where your water shut-off valve is. This is why you should find your shut-off valve before you have an emergency.
  • Know your appliances. Make sure you know how to turn off water going to sinks, toilets, washing machines, and the fridge’s ice maker. Knowing this is crucial for addressing leaks and other situations that could suddenly arise.
  • Find your drain valve. Search for your home’s primary sewer valve. This is a valve that gives access to a clogged sewer line. Knowing the valve’s location is helpful when toilets are overflowing.
  • Use your tools: With just a few tools and a little knowledge, most of us can learn how to handle small plumbing problems. You just need to add a pipeline wrench, a plunger, and a sewage system snake to your tool kit. These tools will allow you to take care of small problems like blocked drain pipes, blocked toilets, stuck valves, and dripping faucets.

Be Ready for Cold Snaps

In the dead of cold winter nights, freezing pipes can create serious emergencies. Why? When water freezes, it expands pipes, which can cause pipelines to crack. When the area warms up, the pipelines burst and water goes everywhere. Frozen water expands, cracking pipelines; when the area defrosts, water bursts through the cracks, potentially flooding your house. Don’t let this happen to you! Try these suggestions:

  • Use insulation to prevent frozen pipes. What you can do is insulate exposed pipes in a crawl space or basement with specialized, easy-to-install plastic insulation. This special insulation is a peel-and-stick solution that can be purchased at your local Lowe’s or Home Depot, peeled off, and stuck right on the pipes.
  • Winterize your house. Before the onset of winter, disconnect your outside houses and apply insulating caps to outdoor fixtures. A frozen exterior spigot can damage interior pipes.
  • Snap into action during a cold snap. As soon as the cold front moves in, snap into action and open cabinets beneath sinks and bathroom fixtures, set up radiator heaters in your garage, and open up taps to a bare trickle (keeps water flowing and prevents a frozen blockage). Warmer household air will help prevent the pipes inside from freezing.
  • Don’t panic if pipes freeze. The first thing you need to do is shut off your water supply to your house (using your water shut-off valve). Then, open a faucet near the blocked area to vent vapors from the frozen water. If you think your hot water pipes are frozen, go ahead and turn off the hot water heater. Use a hair dryer to warm the frozen pipe, starting at the end of the pipe nearest to the tap. You’ll know the pipe has begun to thaw when water begins to trickle from the open faucet. When the flow is restored, check the plumbing carefully for cracks or leaks.

How to Maintain Your Water Conditioning Systems

In areas that have hard-water areas, water softeners are great because they condition water to remove unwanted minerals. The thing about softened water is that it extends the life of appliances, uses less soap, and prevents mineral buildup in pipes.

Keep your water conditioning system running with good maintenance. Many models have a salt-exchange method that requires a steady supply of salt nuggets. Check the manufacturer’s requirement and use the salt recommended by them. Keep an eye on the brine tank to make sure that the salt levels are high enough over the water line. If you see a crust of salt that forms over the top of the brine tank, break it up by poking the crust with a broomstick or adding hot water to the tank.

After being used for a while, water softeners will need to recharge: The unit will flush collection areas of accumulated mineral particles pulled from hard water. If your unit requires manual recharging, stick carefully to the manufacturer’s recommended time intervals. If your unit offers an automatic regeneration scheduling, use it — you’ll have soft water automatically.

Reducing Water Usage in Your Household

These days, being a sustainable household means conserving water. Try these suggestions to lower water use at your house:

  • Use the dishwasher. Hand-washing dishes actually wastes a lot of water. Automatic dishwashers use less hot water and energy than washing by hand. Also, most modern dishwashers are designed to remove food and grease without you having to pre-wash or pre-rinse the dishes.
  • Use low-flow toilets. Replace older toilets with newer low-flow toilets, which use less water.
  • Take short showers. Keep your showers short to save water and money. Also, you can install a low-flow showerhead. These shower heads use about 50 percent less water than older models.

Signs of Poorly Vented Plumbing Drain Lines

Pay Attention to the Signs

Man Leaning Against Van

We Are Here To Help With All Your Plumbing Needs.

Have you ever been in your bathroom and seen air bubbles rising through your toilet bowl? Have you noticed the water rising and falling randomly? If these things are occurring when you aren’t flushing the toilet, you likely have a clogged toilet. Also called an “improperly vented toilet,” this type of thing occurs when you’ve got an appliance like a washing machine nearby and your toilet isn’t getting enough air.

How Pipes Work

Pay Attention to the Signs of Poorly Vented Plumbing Drain Lines All pipes need to “breathe.” Most drain pipes use the principal of gravity to send water down drain lines. As wastewater moves through your pipes, the pipe’s air pressure fluctuates. For this reason, most pipes have vertical vents that let air into the pipe that they can “breathe.” When pipes breathe, they let air in so it can water and flow and work property.

If this sounds a bit confusing, think for a moment about pouring water from a can with only one opening. Whenever you pour liquid this can, you’ll notice that the water doesn’t flow evenly. However, if you add a second opening to this can, water will more easily flow out of the can when you pour it out. The principle same is true when we talk about plumbing. As water goes down a drain, air is needed to equalize the pressure in the drain line.

Sign’s of Poorly Vented Drain Lines

Do you know if you have a poorly vented drain line? Here are 5 signs to look out for:

Methane Odor – If you smell a strong methane odor coming from your drain or toilet, this usually means that you’ve got poorly vented drain lines. In a normal properly functioning plumbing system, a seal prevents outside harmful gases from entering your house. When you’ve got poorly vented drain lines, your pipes become empty and start drying out. This allows the seal to be broken and harmful gases to start to enter your home. Always call a plumber if you smell a harmful odor like Methane near your toilets.

Bubbling Toilet – If you see bubbles in your toilet happening at any other time then when you’re flushing, you’ve likely got a situation where a blocked vent is creating pressure in your pipes and forcing air up the pipes into your toilet bowl.

An Empty Toilet – If your toilet bowl doesn’t automatically refill with clean water when you flush it, this means that there isn’t any water in the pipes or the reserve behind your toilet. Pipes require air pressure to keep water in this reserve. A poorly vented drain line doesn’t have air pressure, so water flows down the pipes away from your toilet.

Gurgling Toilet – If you hear noise coming from your pipes after you flush, you’ve probably got poorly ventured drain lines. In this case, the gurgling sound happens when water can’t go down the pipe easily because of less air in the pipes.

Slow Drains – A slow drain either happens from a clog or a plugged vent. If your pipes don’t have the right ventilation to push water down the pipes, it will drain slowly or not drain at all.

The Solution

Plumbing

Keep Your Pipes Clear With Help From Our Professionals.

Since pipes need to breathe, any type of drain line that is poorly vented can be a serious problem and affect your plumbing. This type of situation isn’t any easy “DIY” fix because the solution means removing walls to examine your drain system. Regardless of the cause, a poorly vented drain line can cause a multitude of problems. Unless you know what you’re doing, it’s much better to call a professional plumber to fix the job at 828-778-2425.

When Should I Pump My Septic Tank?

Video Transcription

How often should you pump your septic tank? Should you pump your tank at all? If you ask around, you’re bound to get some bad advice. The fact is, knowing when to pump your septic tank is one of the most confusing parts of owning a septic system. In today’s video, we’re going to learn how to use a special tool that’s going to show us when it’s time to pump your tank. Not only will this allow you to take proper care of your system, but it’s going to save you money over time. All that today on Stuart On Septics.

How a Septic Tank Works

Before we learn how to use a core sampler, let’s first lean how a septic tank works. Okay, let me give you some background as I draw a cross sectional view of the septic tank. Since we all prepare different foods, take various medications, and use a variety of cleaners, each septic tank is basically its own chemistry project. The amount of waste water we generate, our personal habits, and products we use, all affect the workings of our septic tank and how often we need to have that tank pumped out. Remember, the longevity of your septic system is directly linked to proper maintenance and the amount and strength of waste water you put into your system. Tanks are usually made out of concrete and are about eight feet long by four feet wide, and three to five feet deep. On this drawing, the inlet is on the left and the outlet is on the right. The inlet flow is baffled by a plastic tee. The outlet is usually a few inches lower than the inlet. This means that the tank’s normal level is even with that outlet pipe.

The Job of Septic Tank

The job of the septic tank is to separate the waste water into three separate layers, trapping the solids and greases inside the tank, and only allowing the liquid effluent to leave the tank. This settling is down both through biological activities and retention. If your tank doesn’t settle out into these three layers, there’s something not right and your tank is not working as it should. Let’s look at the layers. The scum layer is the top layer, shown here in brown, and is made up of fats, oils, and greases. The yellow middle section is the liquid effluent. The tank’s outlet tee is designed to allow this water, and this water only, to exit the tank and move onto the absorption field. The sludge layer accumulates on the bottom of the tank and is shown here in blank.

When Septic Tanks Should Be Pumped

The tank should be pumped when the sludge plus the scum layer equal 25 to 33% of the liquid depth of the tank. Never pumping your tank, allows the sludge and the scum to build up to unhealthy levels. Excessive sludge buildup will render the septic tank useless and allow all waste water to bypass the tank, going out into your field system and wreaking havoc. Have all your sludge and scum removed when it’s time. In fact, be sure to verify that your pumper has done a thorough job when they pump your tank. Don’t allow them to leave six inches of sludge in the bottom. A good pumper will back flush into the tank to help put the sludge into suspension so they can effectively pump it out.

The Core Sampler

This is the core sampler. As you see, it comes in this fancy PVC case that looks like a giant ear cleaner. So this is the core sampler. It’s eight feet tall. At one end you have this cute little ball here. You’ve got the tube is clear, and then at the bottom you’ve got a little stopper. What that stopper does, what you do is you, we’re going to put this down into the bottom of your tank. When it hits the bottom, we’re going to pull this shut, so it does that. It makes that exact sound. It makes a bop sound. It closes the end of this. When it does that, what we’re going to do is we will wrap it around this boat looking thing. What would you call that? I think it’s something they use on a boat, so I’ll call it a boat thing. Then, we can look at the contents of the tank. Let’s do that.

I’m going to pull this lid off. Pull out the internal lid. I have to make grunting sounds when I do that because it’s such hard work. Here’s the open end. We’re going to put it down into the tank. I’m just going to push it down in there, slowly and straight down until I get to the bottom. Oh, there’s the bottom. Then, I’m going to take this and while holding it down on the bottom gently, I’m going to pull on the rope, and it made a thud sound, which means that the end of the tube was engaged. I’m going to wrap it around the boat thing, right here. Then, as I pull it out, look what we have. We have a cross-sectional view of the contents of the septic tank. The first thing that you notice is that our water level is here, so this is the water depth of the tank. This is how deep the tank is. We’ve got one, two, three, almost three and half feet of water depth. Now, down here we’ve got the sludge. You see the sludge goes to almost two feet.

How Often to Pump Your Septic Tank

The rule of thumb with sludge is, you want to pump your septic tank when your sludge layer is 25 to 33% of the depth of your tank. So this tank, has almost two-thirds sludge, so it needs to be pumped quite badly. Another scenario would be, say if you had four feet of water and the sludge was at a foot, you’d be right at the edge of needing to have that tank pumped. Maybe you could wait a little while longer till it was about a third or you could go ahead and have it pumped. But if you have four feet of water and you only have six inches of sludge, then you don’t need to have it pumped. Even if it’s been five, six, seven years, you don’t need to have that tank pumped. That’s where you’re going to save money because the core sampler tells you exactly when you need to have the tank pumped. This tank needs to be pumped.

Then, we loosen the end here, we’re on the boat thingy, and the contents fall right back into the tank. That’s how the core sampler works. If you’d like to purchase one, feel free to give me a call or send me an email.

Final Precautions

Hi, I wanted to mention a few things before we go. One, make sure that you wear rubber gloves. If you’re getting into your septic tank or if you’re doing core sampling, septic water, as you have probably guessed, is kind of nasty. It’s not something you want to get on your hands. You also might want to have some alcohol-based hand sanitizer on hand, just in case. You know, the fact is, pumping your septic tank is expensive, but it’s also a necessity. Having your local septic pumper on a regular schedule and have them come out and pump your tank every year or two, might be convenient for them and it might be profitable for them, but it might not be necessary. Using a core sampler forgoes the guesswork and lets you know exactly when it’s time to pump your tank. You can purchase a core sampler online at septicdesign.com, or by contacting me directly at the number below. Thanks again for watching. We’ll see you the next video.

How to Fix a Clogged Toilet

 

Open Toilet

Keep Your Toilet Free From Clogs!

You flush your toilet, and the water rises. You try again, and it goes even harder. You know better than to try a third time and risk overflowing the toilet. A clogged toilet is a pain, but it’s certainly easy to remedy. Here’s how to fix a clogged toilet.

 

Don’t flush

Toilets don’t unclog by repeated flushing. Doing so will just make things worse. Until you actually are making demonstrable progress with your unclogging efforts, you should not touch the flusher.

Determine the cause

You don’t properly appreciate a toilet until it stops working. A clog doesn’t happen for no reason. They happen when a toilet is forced to take in more than it can handle or items that were never meant to be flushed. You obviously shouldn’t flush a pen or a toy down the toilet. But you also shouldn’t flush things like paper towels or diapers. Additionally, using too much toilet paper can clog your toilet fast. It’s not too difficult to fix, but it’s much easier to avoid a clog in the first place by flushing with more discretion.

Plunge away

If you don’t have a plunger, go get one right now. It doesn’t matter whether or not your toilet is clogged. You need to have to have a plunger (or failing that, a toilet snake) to get rid of clogs as quickly as possible. When you retrieve your plunger, get it loose with some high-temperature water.

Get it deep into your toilet and plunge with purpose. Use a consistent rhythm that’s strong but also loose enough to make sure that your plunger is able to move. As you continue, you should see and hear your toilet cooperating. The water should start to recede. When you feel ready, you can flush. If it flushes smoothly, you’re good to go. Should the water rise or not do anything, you might need to plunge more.

Avoid future clogs

It’s not difficult to not clog a toilet. Just make sure you don’t flush anything that doesn’t belong. You can easily find a list of things that shouldn’t be flushed. Print it out and put it up to inform your family and guests.

If your toilet won’t unclog after repeated effort, it’s time to find professional help. The team at All About Plumbing & Septic will be more than happy to help you with unclogging your toilet and any other plumbing problems you might be having with your pipes and drains. Please give us a call today at 828-778-2425 so we can schedule a visit.