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Resource Center Tips - Like
all things mechanical your homes plumbing and drain cleaning systems
occasionally require attention to assure they are reliable and
dependable. Your plumbing system along with your drain system should
undergo routine checks, maintenance and cleaning. To help insure
that you're never left with water or drain cleaning issues The
Drainman offers annual Service Contracts with true "24 hour
emergency" radio dispatched service to our customers. Take a moment
to browse through our tips section to learn more about your homes
plumbing and drain systems along with how to maintain them.
Customer Testimonials - The Drainman has been serving the
Central Indiana residents, businesses, local, state and federal
governments for over three decades. Take a moment to browse through
our testimonial section and see what our customers have to say about
our employees and service.
Plumbing Tips
General tips to assure your homes Plumbing is functioning
correctly
Water flowing properly
To help
establish as to whether your homes water is flowing properly. Turn
the water on in the bathtub and kitchen sink and look to see if
there is a noticeable reduction in the waters volume. If so the
piping in the home may be full of calcium and mineral deposits and
may require replacing. Basement Leaks
If your home has a basement you should check any exposed piping
for signs of leaking. In the darker areas make certain you use a
flashlight and look closely at any pipes located near woodwork.
Sewer Line Cleanout
Locate the houses main sewer line cleanout and make certain that
it is accessible. Locating the Main Water Valve
In case of an emergency or another need you should know where your
homes main water valve shutoff is located. The valve will be
either one or two valves located near the main water line and
should be able to be turned off by hand. There may be an outside
box often times called a 'buffalo box" where the main water to the
house can be turned off. Often times this box is near the street
at your properties edge. It may need the help of a Drainman
Technician to turn the main water line off from the box. The box
generally requires a special key in order to be shut off properly.
Standing Water in the Yard
Look over your homes yard and make certain there is no standing
water that might have been caused by a broken or leaking pipe.
Free standing water in a yard may also be from a leaking or broken
sewer pipe and could contain waste from your home. Standing water
such as this is not healthy for adults, children and pets.
Unwanted Odors
Take some time and pour a gallon of water into those drains that
are not often used to making certain the trap is filled helping to
prevent unwanted odors and gas into your home. For those drains
that drain slowly you should have your Drainman Technician clear
the drains to ensure that they carry water away efficiently in
case you have a flood. Checking your Sump Pump
Should your house have a sump pump, be certain that it is
functioning correct by pouring several buckets of water into the
pump. Your sump pump should turn on quickly and shut off without
any problems. Checking for Slow Leaks
Should you suspect a slow leak one way to check is by taking a
reading of your homes water meter before you go to bed. Once you
awake the next morning before turning on any of the faucets read
the meter again. If the meter is different from the previous
nights reading you may have a slow leak. Your trained Drainman
technician can help diagnose and fix the leak.
Living in a Flood range Area
If you live in a flood range area you should consider installing
flood alarms. The Drainman represents leading manufactures and
will insure your flood alarm is installed correctly.
Check all Downspouts and Yard Drains
Make certain all of your yard drains and downspouts are free of
leaves and debris. You should do this periodically throughout the
year debris can build-up whether it is fall, summer, spring or
winter. Noise from Pipes
A good way to stop water hammer noises caused by water pipes is by
installing "pipe shock absorbers". Septic Tank Inspection
If your home has a septic tank you should have your septic tank
inspected and pumped every three to five years to help prevent
expensive replacement of the septic filter field.
Gas Hot Water Heater Maintenance Tips - Part 1
*Note Safety is our Primary Concern, although the tips you will
find in our tips section are meant to help maintain the Plumbing
and Drain equipment throughout your home, you should always refer
to your owners manual or if you are uncomfortable following or
initiating some of these tips call your Drainman Plumbing Service
Professional or inquire about an annual maintenance contract to
maintain the appliances and fixtures in your home.
Sediment in Water
Every few months you may wish to take a
bucket and draw off the water from the spigot located at the
bottom front of most gas and electric water heaters. Simply place
the bucket below the spigot, open the spigot and let the water run
until clear. This will help remove any sediment located in the
water heater tank and help to extend the life of the water heater
tank. Inspecting the Flue Assembly
For safety precautions we
recommend that you check the flue assembly located at the top of
your gas water heater twice a year. You need to check to make
certain that the water heater flue assembly is properly aligned
and that all the joints are sealed. To do this, simply place your
hand near the draft diverter at the top of the water heater (make
certain that your pilot light located at the bottom of your water
heater is lit). If you feel air flowing out, there very well could
be an obstruction that should be removed. If you feel there is an
obstruction you should contact your Drainman Plumbing technician.
Cleaning the Burner Ports on a Gas Water Heater
Every year or
two most manufactures recommend that you shut off the gas, remove
the access panel and clean the burner ports using stiff wire or a
needle. Note: Should you ever smell gas, immediately leave your
home and contact the local gas company or fire department. Things you should check for if you are receiving no hot water
includes:
- Problem - Unlit pilot light - If your Pilot Light is not
lit - Solution - Carefully remove the panel and relight the water
heaters Pilot Light.
- Problem - Pilot light won't keep burning - Solution - You should make
certain that the gas controls on your water heater are completely
turned on.
- Problem - Your Water Heater has a Clogged Burner - Solution - Call
your Drainman Plumbing technician for professional service.
- Problem - The gas on the gas water heater is not coming
out - Solution - Call the local gas company.
Your Gas Water Heater is very noisy.
The problem could be that
you have sediment that has built up in the water heaters tank. You
should check to make certain that there is no sediment built up in
your water heaters tank. Solution - Drain the water heaters tank,
make certain that you turn off the gas and follow the instructions
listed above under (Sediment in Water).
Gas Hot Water Heater Maintenance Tips - Part 2
The water my Gas Water Heater is producing is too hot.
- It could be that the thermostat is set incorrectly - Solution:
Locate the thermostat at the bottom of the water heater and make
certain that the setting is set correctly. You should refer to
your gas water heater for the manufactures recommended setting.
- You feel you might have a defective thermostat - Solution: if you
are uncertain if the thermostat is working properly or you feel
that the thermostat is broken, you should contact your Drainman
Plumbing Service Technician. The exhaust vent is at the top of the
gas water heater is blocked - Solution: if the vent is blocked clear
the blockage. Note: If you smell gas - Contact the Gas Company
Immediately!
Your Gas Water Heater is leaking water.
- You notice a leak in your water heater's drain-cock - Solution: See
if you can't close it tightly, if not contact your Drainman
Plumbing Technician for replacement.
- You notice that the safety valve is leaking - Solution: You should
first check the water temperature, if the water temperature is too
hot the thermostat may be malfunctioning or it might be broken.
The safety valve could be damaged or broken. If either the
thermostat or the safety valve is damaged or broken they you
should contact your Drainman Plumbing technician and have the
components replaced.
- The water pipe leading into or out of your gas water heater is
slowly leaking water - Solution: Unfortunately this is a job for a
professional plumber. Contact your Drainman Plumbing technician
for assistance.
Purchasing a maintenance service contract with The Drainman saves
you on expensive repairs and offers peace of mind regarding your
Plumbing or Drain systems. Our Plumbing and Drain Cleaning
contracts are designed to protect you against costly Plumbing and
Drain emergencies. *Our Service Contract customers receive special
attention, priority service and discounts on Plumbing and Drain
Cleaning requests. |
