Plumbing Issues Archives | A Whole New Level of Service: Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Slab Leak Repair & More in Carrollton, TX

Flipping a Home? Top Plumbing Issues to Look Out For:

If you’re “flipping” a house, you’ll want to pay special attention to the preservation and repair needs of the plumbing systems. If plumbing wasn’t taken care of over the years, you may have a lot of problems and unanticipated costs when renovating. Keep an eye out for these top plumbing issues when flipping a home:

Old Pipe Materials

First things first, you’ll want a licensed plumber to inspect your pipes and make sure they aren’t outdated or leaking. If you have an older home that has old lead pipes, a replacement will be necessary. Galvanized and plastic pipes are also likely to have wear-and-tear and possibilities for leaks or breaks. Investing in updated pipe materials will help improve the overall value of your house.

Pipe Bellies

The pipes underneath your house may have shifted from the gradual movement and shifting of the house over time. A pipe belly can happen if the pipes begin to slowly slope downward and create a “belly”. This can affect your flow of water and create a pool below your house from leaks.

Failing Sewer Lines

Sewage leaks and damage may not be found until you smell a foul odor, or notice a leak. Failing sewer lines can be due to tree root damage, pipe failure, or lines shifting. Leak detection by our licensed Dallas Fort Worth plumbers can help discover the source and repair failing sewer lines.

Outdated Fixtures and Connections

Replacing outdated fixtures and inspecting connections assures that your home can flip for a higher value and attract interested buyers. Making sure there’s no restricted water flow, that fixtures are updated and in working order and that the home has been recently inspected, will all be important factors to show possible home buyers.

Bad Repairs

If you aren’t sure how to fix a plumbing issue, it’s best to call a licensed plumber in Dallas Fort Worth to inspect and repair those problems. For a crucial part of the home that we rely on so heavily, you’ll want a history of good repairs and inspections to flip your home successfully.

What Causes Slab Leaks in DFW

Slab leaks can cause water damage to your home and foundation, increase your water bills, and create mold and mildew problems. We previously mentioned plumbing issues and slab leaks can cause problems with your home foundation, and now we’re here to dive into what kind of issues may be causing those slab leaks in the first place..

Poor Installation

Unfortunately, poor workmanship during initial plumbing installation could be a possible cause for slab leaks. A small dent or bent pipe could become a large leak over time, and if it goes unnoticed, it could cause a slab leak and major plumbing problems.

Outside Pressure

Soil erosion, ground shifts, and tree roots can cause external pressures that damage pipes. Over time, the movement of the ground around the pipes might lead them to break or leak. If the pipes were poorly installed or are suffering additional damages, then even minor outside pressures can cause major pipe bursts.

Corrosion and Abrasion

Things like temperature changes, water quality, and water hardness/softness can affect pipes. Many of these instances are naturally-occurring or out of our control, as plumbing may contract and expand in different temperatures and may corrode/wear down from abrasive water. You can take steps to prevent corrosion by installing high-quality pipes, scheduling regular maintenance, and testing your water to help maintain a neutral and less corrosive quality.

Time

Eventually, time wins in the end. A Slab leak repair may be inevitable on older homes or during major renovations. The majority of slab leaks occur in older homes where pipes have not been maintained well. It’s best to keep an eye on your home’s slab conditions and call on professional plumbing maintenance for repairs and upkeep.

Cathedral Plumbing offers professional slab leak detection for Allen, Carrollton, and surrounding DFW Metroplex homes. We have more information about our slab leak repair services here.

Your Top Fort Worth Plumbing Company Explains the Most Common Reasons for Clogged Drains

Don’t let a clogged drain stop your whole week! Clogs can build up over time and grow from a slow drain to a LARGE problem. A drainage issue can happen unexpectedly and cause big plumbing issues in your house. Luckily, your top Fort Worth plumbing company is here to dive into some of the most common reasons for clogged drains – and how we can help!

Bathroom Clogs:

The most common clog in the bathroom area is most likely caused by build-up from our hair over time. You might be able to do some DIY drain cleaning to help minor clogs, but you’ll want to contact professionals if your problem is more serious.

Another cause of clogs can be due to excessive paper and hygiene products being flushed down the toilet. This can cause sewer back-ups that can be a nightmare to deal with. Avoid flushing items like baby wipes, feminine products, or excessive amounts of toilet paper, as it can require extensive cleaning and removal if they clog up your system. We highly recommend only flushing toilet paper down the drain and tossing all other products in the trash.

Kitchen Clogs:

A common reason for a clogged kitchen sink is food waste stuck in the drain or disposal. Scrape large food pieces into your garbage or compost bins before washing dishes in the kitchen sink. Grease build up can also be a plumbing problem you want to avoid. Remember to NEVER dispose of cooking grease down the drain – it can congeal and create hardened blockages in your pipes. You should dispose of grease in the trash, or save it for reuse in future cooking recipes.

Other Issues:

Some clogs may be outside of our control. For example, tree roots may grow around pipes and cause leaks/clogs. Scale buildup from mineral deposits in the water running through our pipes may also lead to clogged plumbing lines. These types of issues may require a professional line repair and cleaning. Luckily, that’s something we can help with!

Cathedral is your top plumbing company in the Fort Worth area, and we’re happy to assist you with any minor or major drain clogs.

4 Tricks to Avoid Holiday Plumbing Emergencies

The last thing you want this season is a surprising plumbing issue, especially during a holiday party. ‘Tis the season for joy – as well as stress. When something goes wrong around the house during the holidays, it can really stretch us thin. Follow these 4 easy tricks to avoid holiday plumbing emergencies:

Be nice to your kitchen sink

The kitchen sink is where most clogs happen in the home. Don’t treat your disposal to just anything! Even though it may seem tough, garbage disposals can become clogged from large chunks of food, hard items, or tons of waste added at once. Throw away bones, seeds, and pits, and slowly scrape softer, smaller, acceptable food items into the garbage disposal a little bit at a time. And never pour grease into the sink! Lard from the grease will stick to pipes, hardening and narrowing them. Be sure to take care of your kitchen sink to help prevent plumbing problems from occurring.

Prepare your bathroom for guests

Additional houseguests can strain your house’s plumbing in a lot of ways. An Increase in food waste and bathroom usage from guests that are unfamiliar with the system can add an unexpected plumbing disaster on your plate. Make sure to keep a wastebasket in the bathroom to prevent unwanted items from being flushed. Clogs may be inevitable, so keep a plunger nearby to tackle them when they happen. Notify guests of any low-flow toilets or special fixtures in the bathrooms – a quick note about something quirky in your bathroom can save you a huge headache!

Be careful what you put in the toilet

“Flushable” wipes and other products may be sold to us as safe to use in the bathrooms, however, they could lead to plumbing problems down the line. Not all wipes break down in the water, and many hygiene products can cause clogs and problems for residents and municipalities. Better to be safe than sorry and avoid flushing any of these sorts of products at all. You may also want to avoid drop-in toilet bowl cleaners; corrosive chemicals can leach into the water and damage the pipes. These products may provide some convenience, but they can damage home plumbing, which requires the help of a plumber to fix.

Protect your pipes

Outside pipes may need winterizing to protect them from freezing nights, and indoor pipes should be insulated unless they are in temperature-controlled rooms. Insulating pipes with foam insulation, or even towels or blankets can help prevent freeze damage. Sealing gaps in rooms can help temperature control the area and keep pipes at a steady temperature. Keeping a drip of water running through your pipes can help keep water flowing through the pipes and prevent freezing.

Protecting and caring for your pipes will help prevent major plumbing problems during the holidays, and year-round.

How Can Plumbing Issues Cause Problems with My Foundation

Slab leaks and plumbing issues that affect your foundation are never ideal. These leaks can cause major damage to your home, floors, and furniture, and drastically increase your water bill on top of it! Leaks can lead to mold and mildew, which can cause health problems for those living in the house, not to mention the headache of trying to manage it all! Identifying the problem and contacting our experts as quickly as possible will help prevent long-term damage and give you peace of mind. Learning about leak detection and how plumbing issues can cause foundation problems will help you know what to look for and prevent costly damages.

Most plumbing pipes in your home are embedded in your foundation. Your foundation is often a large concrete slab that acts as an intermediary between the ground and your home. Plumbing and sewage systems are often installed first, then the foundation is poured around these systems.

The majority of slab leaks occur in older homes where the pipes have aged and corroded, resulting in small leaks that create big problems. Older home foundations can also shift and settle due to weather. Shrinking or swelling soil around the foundation can cause pipes to bend or break.

Check out our “Silent Signs Your Home May Have Plumbing Issues” advice. You may be able to identify plumbing issues that involve slab leaks. Be on the lookout for: bad odors from the floors and walls, spiking water utility bills, low water pressure, puddles on the floor, hard to find sources of dripping or flowing water, abnormal floor coloring and temperature, and mold or cracks around your foundation.

If you notice these signs, contact us for a professional evaluation and the best course of action for your plumbing repairs.

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
929 East 41st St Austin, TX 78751
Phone: (512) 936-5200

Robert Maner RMP-41287