Danger! Danger!: Replace those Old Pipes before you replace a lot more.

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

“Danger, Will Robinson! Danger, Will Robinson!”

That is the famous cry of ‘Robby, the Robot’ as he warned the young Will Robinson of danger in an episode of “Lost in Space”.  (The show was actually before my time but I have seen it a few times on lazy Saturday afternoons.)

It’s a cry that’s appropriate for this blog. Only, I would change it to: “Danger, old pipes! Danger, old pipes!” OK, it’s not quite as catchy as the other one but it is actual fact not science fiction. If your pipes are old and haven’t been maintained or repaired, they could cause some serious damage.

new pipeOld pipes freeze, leak and burst causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. You might leave for work in the morning with your house intact and then return home in the evening to your bottom floor flooded with sewage or your top floor carpeting drenched.

Pipes are like any other item in your house, they need to be checked on occasionally. You may find them in bad shape or good shape. Regardless, I have a few ideas for you about those hidden but oh-so-important pipes that assist all of your plumbing in doing its job.

First, you need to find out a few items about your pipes:

  1. When was your house built? If your home was built in 1959 or earlier, you may need to replace your pipes.
  2. Were they replaced or repaired by the previous owners? (If you are fortunate to have records of such maintenance, check to see if the pipes have been serviced.)
  3. Are there any exposed pipes? If so, what is their condition?
  4. Do you have galvanized pipes? These are pre-WWII pipes which can develop pinholes. They also rot and petrify. Before long, they are as hard as Mount Rushmore and leaking water like Niagra Falls.
  5. Is it Orangeburg Pipe? This underground pipe is cheap, flimsy and rots. It’s like having tar-paper for pipes. Very bad stuff.

Then, once you have answered those questions you may want to examine your pipes on your own or have a licensed plumber do it for you. Here a few signs of old and deteriorating pipes:

  1. drain pipes that are rusting on the top of the pipe (not on the bottom)
  2. valves that are broken or don’t work at all as water can’t be shut off or it has to be shut off using the outside valve
  3. faucets that are so old that you can’t find parts for it (definite red flag)

Your licensed plumber will then do the following:

  1. look at the condition of your pipes (cuts, rotting, breaks, holes, etc.)
  2. examine the valves and check on their age
  3. check drain lines
  4. check on the ages of the faucets (as best that they can be determined)

Then, it’s not quite so complicated after that. If your pipes are a mess and no matter of repairs could adequately resolve the issue,  then your licensed plumber would:

  1. Replace the old pipes with PVC pipes which may last a lifetime, or,
  2. Old pipes are easy to replace with PEX (Call your licensed plumber. PEX has taken the place of copper.)

Something very important to keep in mind: Your plumber has to size the new drain lines.   If they are undersized then your pipes will not drain correctly.

Old pipes are easy to replace but your belongings, especially the sentimental ones, are not. Call a licensed master plumber at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing today at (610) 342-5842. We’ll examine your pipes and eliminate that danger.

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Take the Pressure Off: Check those Pressure-Reducing Valves

Posted on March 19, 2013 by

So often life’s problems are caused by what we can’t see.

From clogged arteries to a tire nail, whether we see them or not, eventually they could cause severe damage. However, if we discover them in time, they can be resolved with medication or repair and life can go on.

firehoseIn my industry, it’s what you can’t see that can be so damaging. From leaks in dark corners to separations in underground pipes, these unseen hazards can remain undiscovered for years until the water heater explodes or the basement drains spout waste.

One of the reasons I write this blog is to fly a red flag (it has a wrench and a plunger on it) to warn you about potential hazards so you can do something about it. Yes, we plumbers want your business but we (the ethical ones) also want to save you money.

Today I’m planting that “red flag” next to your pressure-reducing valve. It’s usually located near your main water shut-off.

The pressure-reducing valve has two main functions:

  1. It reduces the water pressure from the water entering your lines from a city water service after the meter. It could be extremely high and could causing potential problems to your plumbing fixtures.  
  2. It regulates the pressure throughout the home from 60 psi to 80 psi.

If your water-pressure valve is old or needs adjustment, you will probably see these signs:

  1. toilets constantly running
  2. shower faucet and shower head dripping
  3. water heater release valve dripping
  4. banging pipes

When this occurs, your pressure valve will need to be adjusted or replaced.

Recently, a commercial customer’s restaurant had the “mother of all restauranteur nightmares” when his patrons discovered that when they tried flushing the commodes in his establishment, they refused to flush.  So, the bathrooms began to stink up with clogged commodes…well, you get the picture.

He called me at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing. I ran over, installed a new  pressure-reducing valve replacing the one that was around since Ben Franklin was a baby and flushed the commodes. Problem solved and the patrons returned. Restaurant business saved.

Another customer called me about quite the opposite: Water was blasting out of her faucets like Philly’s Ladder Company 30 responding to a three-alarm fire. It was over 100 psi and splattering all over the place.

When I arrived, I found that the pressure-reducing valve was very old and no longer even functioning. I replaced it with a new pressure-reducing valve and holding her hands under the faucets was safe again.

Adjusting most pressure-reducing valves, however, is a rarity. Most are too old and no longer reducing any water pressure. You find out, unfortunately, when you, like my customer, turn on the faucet and your hands are almost blown off.

The best step to take is to call a licensed plumber to check it. We check the water pressure from your faucets and shower heads. (Sometimes heavy water pressure or dipping faucets are incorrectly diagnosed as the faucet needing a new washer.) Then, run a test on it and check the psi.

Then, based on the test, appearance or age, we can tell if it just needs adjustment or replacement. It’s really that simple.

So, just like clogged arteries or tire nails, old or maladjusted water pressure-reducing valves can be hazardous or cause more damage unless they’re caught early. When you notice the signs, call a licensed plumber with American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing at (610) 342-6852. We serve Phoenixville, Evansburg, Plymouth Valley, Ambler, Exton and the surrounding counties. Check out our website at www.americandraincleaningandplumbing.com and take the pressure off!

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Puddles, Rust and Leaks: It May be Time to Replace your Water Heater

Posted on February 28, 2013 by

Would you put a new patch on an old, beaten-up and ripped pair of blue jeans?

Would you paint a rickety, old AMC Pacer but not repair the slipping transmission and bad rotors?

Finally, would you keep a decade-old water heater that is leaking and barely running?

waterheaterUnfortunately, even though most sane people would throw the ripped jeans away and tow the dead car to the junkyard, they will keep the musty, dusty water heater until it breaks down, or worse, could burst and possibly cause thousands of dollars in water damage.  There’s a simple way to avoid that and keep your water heated without any delay. (I mean who really wants to take a cold shower? I didn’t think so.)

First, let’s talk about your water heater. There are two types of water heaters: 

  1. Electric: It operates using a thermostat. When the water is heated, the thermostat shuts it down and cools. When the hot water valve is turned back on, the thermostat calls for more hot water and heats the water back up.
  2. Gas: There is a thermocouple that goes into the the gas valve. It will heat the water up to the set temperature and then it shuts off. It cools off and then reheats when it is turned on again.

A typical water heater lasts for about ten to twelve (10-12) years. After that time, it begins to break down and needs to be replaced.

You can examine your water heater and see the tell-tale signs of deterioration:

  1. The gas valve no longer works.
  2. The pilot light doesn’t stay lit.
  3. There are puddles of water at the base of the heater.
  4. There is water constantly dripping at the bottom of the heater.
  5. There is a rust ring at the bottom.

When you see any of the above, it’s time to replace your water heater.  It’s ten-year life is coming to an end and, just like the junk car and the holey jeans, you need to ditch this tin can quick.

Why quickly? Well, the continued use of a deteriorating water heater could be disastrous. I have received calls from frantic and bewildered customers telling me that their water heater just exploded. Yes, you heard me right. It exploded like the villain’s car in a James Bond movie.  It was ugly and cost them thousands of dollars in home repairs, not to mention a new water heater.

So, pick up the flashlight and open the closet door or walk downstairs to your basement, wipe away the layer of dust and check the manufacturer’s date on your water heater. There are several ways to find the date:

  1. You’ll see a date on the top part near the manufacturer’s name and disclaimer.
  2. If it’s not on there, call the manufacturer, whose number should be on it, and give them serial number which can be easily found at the top of the heater.
  3. If none of those work, call us at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing and we can figure it out.

I prefer Rheem or Bradford White water heaters. They are quality products and carry a six (6) year warranty.  Most plumbers can replace your water heater in about five (5) hours or less.

Bottom line: Water heaters, like blue jeans and AMC Pacers, don’t last forever. Examine yours today and replace it (if needed) before you have to replace everything around it, too.

Call a licensed plumber at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing (610) 342-6852 or check out our website at www.americandraincleaningandplumbing.com and have us take a look at your water heater today. We serve Phoenixville, Royersford, Ardmore, Flourtown, Schwenksville and the surrounding counties.

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The Plumber is ‘In’: Why You Should Have a “Plumbing System Checkup” (and soon)

Posted on February 22, 2013 by

doctorholdingxrayWe’ve all been told that no matter how healthy you may be, you should still see your doctor at least once every year or two for a checkup.

After all, that nagging cough or those persistent headaches could turn out to  be something serious. However, if you treat it early enough you may be able to save yourself a lot of pain and money. A little preventative maintenance for our health is a good practice to have.

Well, the same goes for the plumbing system in your home or business. A leak here or a crack there may just be annoying but, over time,  could end up costing you big time. If only you had called your friendly neighborhood plumber, that persistent leak would have been repaired and the gusher of money flowing from your checking account to pay for all of the ensuing repairs would have been averted.

Just look around and you will see that your residence or storefront has a lot of potential hazards:

  1. Water heater: It could burst. The thermostat may not be functioning properly. The exhaust flue may be blocked.
  2. Toilet(s): The wax ring is broken. The toilet is running on and off. The flapper inside the tank has eroded and is causing it to run. Small hairline cracks around the outside of the toilet. The line is clogged. Leaks between the toilet bowl and the tank. The flush may be weak or inconsistent.
  3. Faucets:  Steady and slow drip. The water pressure is either too weak or too strong.
  4. Sewer line: It’s blocked or clogged.
  5. Main plumbing line: It’s clogged with tree roots, dead animals, pools of water and other debris.

As you can see, any one of these, by itself, could turn into a major problem. You let it go and it could deteriorate into a major malfunction needing a major repair.

Even worse, a combination of these plumbing issues could be a huge financial setback for the home or business owner.  No one wants to drop thousands of dollars of repairs on something that can easily be avoided with a little prevention.

That’s why you should call your licensed plumber and have them do a “Plumbing Checkup”.   This checkup, which should be quite thorough and detailed, includes the following:

  1. Bathroom: Check the faucet, toilet and bathtub and look for leaks, cracks, stains and other leak-related issues. Has the wax ring around the toilet been replaced in the last three (3) years?  Also, check the drains to see if they’re clogged.
  2. Water heater: Check thermostat and flue.
  3. Plumbing system: Check the water pressure. Test it several times and see if it is consistent.
  4. Pipes: Check the copper piping for corrosion. Also, check all pipes for cracks and blockage.
  5. Main lines: See if they are clogged or broken.
  6. Sewer line: Check to see if erosion is occurring.

Once the licensed plumber has completed their checkup, they can recommend any repairs or replacements. Some may be basic repairs you might even be able to do yourself while others may be complicated and require the deft hands and experience of a plumbing professional.

Whether simple or complicated, a little preventative maintenance of your plumbing system, just like your physical health, is a smart thing to do.  So, call “Doctor Plumber” and have your system examined closely so you can have a clean bill of plumbing health.

Call a licensed plumber at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing (610) 342-6852 or check out our website at www.americandraincleaningandplumbing.com and have us give your plumbing a thorough checkup. We serve Phoenixville, Blue Bell, Frazer, Skippack, Boyertown, Gilbertsville and the surrounding counties.

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Too Good to be True: “Bait and Switch” is alive and well in Phonenixville, Pennsylvania

Posted on January 30, 2013 by

“Bait and switch”.

It’s an old method of doing business and it has a long, long history-all the way back to the Garden of Eden, in fact. Eat the fruit, Eve, and you’ll know everything. You shall not surely die.

Well, we know how that one turned out.

We’ve all experienced it. Someone promises you a dream that quickly turns out to be a nightmare.

That dream “bait” could be wrapped in a “special price” and the nightmare could end in a “switch” costing you hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars.

fishhookIt’s a scary scenario.

But, let me tell you, it’s one that occurs all too often in the Phoenixville (Pennsylvania) area. A local plumbing company “baits” you with a “special offer” for drain cleaning. While they’re cleaning it, unexpected plumbing issues are “discovered” and the drain line has to be “replaced” along with other costly add-ons.

Before you know it, the “switch” has occurred and you’re left with a huge bill and a new plumbing line and other services that you never wanted or needed. Even if the company went so far as to “replace” the supposedly bad drain line you still may end up paying for services that were never even rendered.

The “special price” has gradually ballooned into a gigantic repair leaving the customer with a depleted bank account and wondering “What just happened here?”

I’m telling you that no matter who you hire to do your plumbing, that it doesn’t have to be this way.

Ask yourself this question: Do you really believe that a licensed plumber will spend several hours working on your drain line for only $99 and not find something else to ‘repair’? I can guarantee that they will find much more that supposedly “needs to be done” to your drain line and plumbing that will bust whatever budget you had planned for it.

Long before the subject of a new drain line ever comes up, all available options need to be  explored.  Any plumber worth their salt should do the following first:

  1. clear the line of of roots and all other debris
  2. camera the line and look for sags, bellies, and brakes or separations in the line
  3. after problem is located discuss options with customer

Once the plumber has completed the above actions, then a new line may have to be installed. But, that is such a radical and expensive repair that it should only, I repeat only, be a last resort for any reputable licensed plumber.

Look, economic times are still tough. No licensed plumber should ever sell you something you don’t need just to increase their volume. It’s unethical and as they used to say when I was a kid: It’s highway robbery. Don’t get baited into expensive repairs with some cheap special up front. Get only the plumbing repairs that you really need, no matter who may be doing it.

After all there’s nothing “special” about being robbed.

Call a licensed plumber at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing (610) 342-6852 or check out our website at www.americandraincleaningandplumbing.com and have us take a thorough look at your lines. ADCP serves Phoenixville, Soudertown, Bridgeport, Harleysville, Spring City and the surrounding counties.

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Don’t get hosed this winter: Turn off those hose bibs!

Posted on January 24, 2013 by

Is your outdoor plumbing ready for another rough Northeastern winter?

outdoorspigotA good place to start is somewhere you wouldn’t normally think about: your outdoor faucets. Will you be using them during the winter months? I’m sure most of you would say “no” without hesitation. You won’t be washing your car, house, deck or driveway and you surely won’t be watering your lawn, either.

In fact, as most of us Pennsylvanians know, you may not even see your lawn, deck or driveway as snow and ice will be covering them from late December all the way to mid-April. They will be the last thing on your mind other than scraping snow off of them.

You’ve got to be ready. My first piece of advice: turn off the hose bibs and replace them, if needed.

Your hose bibs are located on your outside walls. You connect your water hose to it before turning on the faucet. Water can freeze inside the bibs, stretching your pipes and causing them to burst.

So, to avoid several hundred dollars worth of water damage and a visit from your insurance claim rep, I recommend that you take the following steps to prevent unnecessary expenses from your pipe bursting:

  1. Turn off your hose bibs and let them drain.  You do that by turning the handle and rotating the stem attached to it. Let the water drain until it’s barely dripping. You definitely want to do this if you are not using them during the winter months.
  2. Install a frost-proof hose bib. It has a stem on a rod. On the end of the rod is a washer which sits on the inside and moves in a circular motion. The washer shuts off the water flow inside the building where it’s warm and prevents it from freezing. (Before doing this procedure, you’ll want to shut the valve off and let water inside the hose bib  run out.)

Unfortunately, I’ve seen many hose bibs that have reached the point of no return because the inside valve to a hose bib that was neither shut off nor drained. This ultimately resulted in a burst hose bib and pipe causing a major leak which rendered them useless. If the valve is not shut off and the hose bib has not drained out for the winter it will  burst. You can count on it.

You can prevent that from occurring simply by calling a licensed plumber from American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing who can replace your old hose bibs with one of the following versions:

  1. Loose key: Homeowner uses a key to turn it off and can give the key to anyone to turn it back on and off
  2. Frost-free: As I mentioned earlier, it’s installed on your outside faucet.
  3. Non Frost-free: Turn off the water and open the hose bib.
  4. Boiler drain: Another type of hose bib that is found on your water heater. It’s removed with a pipe wrench.

So, call a licensed plumber at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing  at (610) 342-6852 FREE   or check out our website at www.americandraincleaningandplumbing.com and let us winterize or replace your hose bibs. Then, when spring arrives, turn them on and let the water flow!

American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing serves Phoenixville, Bryn Athyn, King of Prussia, West Norriton, Bryn Mawr and the surrounding counties.

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Not all Sump Pumps are created equal: Water back-up v. Battery back-up

Posted on December 4, 2012 by

Lincoln versus Douglass.

Eagles versus Giants.

Water back-up Sump Pump versus Battery backup Sump Pump.

flooding OK, the last one may not rank with the first two (except with us plumbing types) but when it comes to pumping water out of your cellar or basement, you’ll want to read this blog real closely.

Just as a refresher, your sump pump removes water that collects in your basement or cellar. It is installed in the lowest part of your basement. Water enters your home through your drains or through ground water from heavy rains or melting snow.

The pump pulls water out of the basement or cellar and into the yard. It  prevents flooding and water damage in your home.

Now, when that massive storm or electrical blackout inevitably comes, your sump pump needs to have a backup to keep the sump basin from overflowing in your basement and causing serious water damage. There are two types of backups for a sump pump:

  1. Water: The water backup runs strictly off of water power. Meaning, when your sump pump shuts down water flows through it causing  pressure to reduce. That reduced pressure forces the water into a sump crock where it combines with city water and then flows out of the discharge line. Your water backup will run as long as you have city water. If you don’t have city water, and this is very important to remember, your sump pump backup will stop pumping. It can pump over six (6) gallons per minute.
  2. Battery: This is an auxiliary backup using a rechargeable 12-volt marine or car battery. It can pump out water for eight hours (before shutting off) following the loss of power. It is much more powerful than a water backup as it pumps over twenty-one (21) gallons per minute.

Of course, while the backup is doing the job of pumping the potable water out, you are trying to get the main sump pump running again so that the backup can be shut off. It is never meant to be the main sump pump, however, only a “Plan B” for your main pump.

I like water back-ups but you may want to consider a battery backup for these reasons:

  1. It doesn’t depend on electricity. You can depend on it anytime during the year.
  2. It pumps more water out per minute (see above).
  3. It’s affordable and easy to maintain. The battery will have to be replaced over time, of course, but that should take a few years with normal usage.
  4. Peace of mind. I have a battery backup installed in my home and when Hurricane Sandy came barreling through, I had no worries. The battery backup was ready. (Thankfully, I didn’t need it as we dodged the bullet here in the Phoenixville, Pennsylvania area.)

So, call a licensed plumber at American Drain Cleaning and Plumbing (610) 342-6852 or check out our website at www.americandraincleaningandplumbing.com and have us take a look at your sump pump and its backup system. The snowstorms are coming. Be ready.

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