Licensed Plumber in DFW Recommends Plumbing Upgrades When Renovating a Home

Licensed Plumber in DFW Recommends Plumbing Upgrades When Renovating a Home

Are you making home renovations or upgrades? Our licensed plumbers in the DFW area highly recommend upgrading your plumbing while you’re at it! Follow our suggestions and feel free to contact us if you have any other questions:

First, select a licensed plumber for your job. You want your plumbing projects completed to the highest standards by skilled professionals. Cathedral Plumbing is a trusted and recommended DFW plumbing company that provides the expertise and quality assurance needed to get the job done right. We can make plumbing repairs or install new plumbing such as dedicated plumbing lines for pools or spas, and new fixtures like sinks, tubs, toilets, showers, garbage disposals, and more.

The most common plumbing renovations are in kitchens and bathrooms. Because these rooms are the most used areas with plumbing, it’s best to invest in high-quality fixtures. And of course, we always recommend upgrading to a tankless water heater; they are energy efficient, can help lower utility bills, provide a steady flow of hot water, and are built to last for many years. We highly recommend tankless water heaters over standard water heaters. Last, we suggest having your foundation plumbing lines inspected. Maintaining foundation plumbing will prevent major slab leaks, and improve the overall value of your home.

We believe that high-quality plumbing and expert installation will help clients get the most out of their homes and benefit from long-term savings. We want our customers to feel confident knowing their plumbing equipment and installation is of the highest quality. Our licensed plumbers in DFW will treat your home as though it’s our home and we provide a 100% work guarantee to give you peace of mind. Thank you for considering Cathedral Plumbing for all of your plumbing needs!

What Causes Slab Leaks in DFW

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

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.

How to Pet Proof Your Plumbing

How to Pet Proof Your Plumbing

We may love our pets, but your drains definitely don’t love the excess of fur! Pet proofing your household and plumbing can keep your pet safe while preventing major plumbing damage. Pets can add an extra strain to a variety of household plumbing fixtures. Here are a few tips to help pet proof your plumbing:

Bath Time

Rinse those dirty pets off outside before coming in for bath time. The outside pre-rinse will help remove mud and matted fur that can result in a clogged drain. Once in the tub, use a stopper or strainer to catch additional fur and dirt from going down the drain. These simple steps during bath time will go a long way in preventing slow and clogged drains from muddy fur build up.

Avoid the Toilet Watering Hole

Animals are notorious for drinking out of the toilet, and it may be funny to watch, but… toilets can be home to lots of germs and bacteria, and cleaning chemicals can leave residue in the bowl. We don’t want our furry friends sick and at the vet just because they were thirsty! Make sure they have access to fresh water and prevent them from drinking the toilet water by keeping the lids closed. Another important note is to NEVER dispose of cat litter down the toilet. Cat litter can cause clogged toilets and back up the bathroom plumbing.

Pet Proofing Your Home

Both pets and household residents can benefit from proactively maintaining safety habits around the house. Take note of these preventative measures:

  • Cover exposed pipes and wires around the house so pets don’t bite or chew on them.
  • Keep harmful chemicals, such as cleaners or pesticides, out of reach of both pets and children.
  • Make sure your dog isn’t digging holes in the backyard that could damage water or sewer lines.

These tips can help assure that your pets and plumbing are safe from accidents, and prevent a curious pet from suddenly requiring veterinary attention.

If your beloved pet has caused a major plumbing issue or you need assistance with pet proofing your home, contact our professional plumbing company. We can help you and your pet remain comfortable and enjoy what really matters – your time together!

4 Tricks to Avoid Holiday Plumbing Emergencies

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.

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

Robert Maner RMP-41287