What are the Advantages of Installing a Sump Pump?

Posted on November 20, 2014 by weilhammerplumbing

Aquanot II Sump Pumps 317-784-1870

If you own a home with a basement, you should strongly consider purchasing and installing a top-quality sump pump. This is especially true for home’s located in known flood zones, built on low terrains, or regions with high precipitation. Basements can flood, and water damages will cause hundreds or even thousands of dollars-worth of damages and losses. If you want to safeguard your belongings and prevent devastating basement or crawl space floods, think about buying a sump pump.

Continue reading to learn about all the benefits of owning and installing a sump pump.

Sump Pumps

Basements and other areas of a property that are below ground-level can become flooded with water from heavy rainfall, clogged or poorly-maintained gutters, and large amounts of melting precipitation. Once a home is flooded, it is almost impossible to stop damages from occurring. When a home is built, especially in newer homes, manufacturers drill in a sump pit. This is basically a small dip in the basement floor that collects any flooded or excess water that may enter the premises.

Zoeller Sump Pumps 317-784-1870

Sump pits are important for homes with basements that are below the local water table or retain poor foundation drainage systems. These pits must be drained and emptied regularly to prevent overflow. Within the pit is a float, or buoyant tool that notifies when a pit is too full. Once this float reaches a certain level, the sump pump turns on and relieves the excess water. Many sump pump systems have an automated timer that initiates these tasks for a certain amount of time, at regular intervals.

Sump pumps typically connect to a large drainage pipe that carries water out of the pit, to another location far from the home, like a dry well or public drain. A check valve within this drainage pipe prevents water from backflow and returning to the pit. Older homes might drain water to a nearby sewer, but this practice is no longer permitted due to overcapacity.

Back-up sump pumps are important in the case of a power outage. These systems are battery-powered and will operate even when your electricity is turned off. Sump pumps and back-up pumps are extremely lucrative and beneficial investments for all homes. They can prevent a considerable amount of damages and losses, and insure against flooding and drainage problems. Contact a local Indianapolis sump pump repair contractor or plumber for accurate industry advice and assistance.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 to learn more about sump pump installation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, and his team of highly trained and licensed plumbers, have decades of experience repairing, installing, selling, and servicing all make and model sump pumps and backup systems. We offer free estimates, emergency services, free plumbing advice, and much more. Call 317-784-1870 and speak with a licensed master plumber in Indianapolis about sump pump repair and installation, today.

Learn How to Prevent Plumbing Emergencies!

Posted on November 13, 2014 by weilhammerplumbing

Emergency Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Basement floods, water leaks, burst pipes, oh my! These are just a few plumbing emergencies that can happen to homeowner and property managers at any moment, unexpectedly. No one wants to come home from a relaxing vacation only to discover that their basement is now a swimming pool; and property owners certainly want to avoid dealing with busted plumbing pipes while guests are shopping inside their facility! There are some plumbing emergencies that are just unforeseeable, but there are others that can be prevented with a little knowledge
and preventative maintenance.

Continue reading to learn how to prevent plumbing emergencies to the best of your ability!

Do Not Wait to Call a Plumber for Emergencies

One of the biggest mistakes property owners make is neglecting to call a plumber for maintenance and small repairs, before a plumbing emergency occurs. Do not wait until you have a plumbing emergency on your hands; instead, have a licensed plumbing contractor provide routine maintenance and inspections, and implement smaller repairs as needed. This way, you can prevent a large, costly plumbing disaster down the line. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can potentially save thousands of dollars in renovations, repairs, and re-piping with some simple plumbing preventative maintenance.

Preventative maintenance can stop clogged pipes and drains, water leaks, overflows, water heater issues, and more. While these services are inexpensive and fairly simple to execute, larger plumbing repairs are costly and time-consuming. And also remember that larger plumbing repairs and renovations usually have to extend to the weekend or after business hours, making the job even more expensive. Paying for routine maintenance and small repairs not only saves you money, but it protects your plumbing system from requiring major or frequent repairs overtime.

Here are some helpful Do-It-Yourself tips for plumbing preventative maintenance:

Complete a Full-Property Inspection for Water Leaks, Large and Small. Check under sinks, pipes, water heater, water softener, faucets, showers, baths, drains, and other areas that transport water.

Keep an Eye on the Septic Tank. Look for overflows, mechanical malfunctions, and water leaks after heavy rain or storms. Install a battery-powered backup sump pump for emergencies.

Test Your Water Pressure. Check your shower heads, faucets, and other water spouts for reduced water pressure. This is a sign of possible sediment buildup or a faulty water line, which can clog pipes, cause complications with water heaters, and more. Flush and clear water heater sediment multiple times a year for optimal protection and performance.

Adjust Water Heater Temperatures. Move the temperature setting on your hot water heater between 115 and 120 degrees. This prevents scalding accidents and can save money on monthly energy costs.

Locate Your Water Shut-Off Valve. Knowing where your water shut off valve is important for major water leak emergencies or burst pipes. You can stop an overflow in its tracks by simply shutting off the main water supply to your home or property. These are usually located in the basement or near the outdoor hose spout.

Contact a Professional and Licensed Indianapolis Master Plumber. They will provide reputable assistance with plumbing preventative maintenance and emergency plumbing repairs. They retain the proper tools, equipment, training, and knowledge to combat a plumbing emergency and provide solutions for burst pipes, malfunctioning septic tanks, broken water heaters, water leaks, and much more.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Call 317-784-1870 to speak with a state-licensed master plumber in Indianapolis, Indiana regarding plumbing repair or maintenance in Indiana. Owner, Mark Weilhammer, is a seasoned plumbing contractor that can offer the most honest and accurate plumbing advice and assistance. Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. provides several plumbing services and repairs for residential and commercial properties. We also offer free estimates, DIY advice, free plumbing information, parts and appliances for sale, and much more. Call 317-784-1870 for the most accurate and professional plumbing repair services in Indianapolis, IN today.

Information About Plumbing Slab Leaks

Posted on November 5, 2014 by weilhammerplumbing

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Beneath most homes is solid concrete foundation. Within these foundations are the property’s interior plumbing systems and piping. Slab leaks occur when these pipes leak. There are several signs, symptoms, and causes of plumbing slab leaks; and most often, it requires a licensed master plumber or professional plumbing contractor, to properly diagnose and repair the problem. Continue reading to learn more about slab leaks, and who to call for honest and affordable plumbing repairs and diagnostics
in your local neighborhood.

Underground Piping Systems

Many modern homes are built with underground plumbing. Building contractors prefer to install interior plumbing works for several reasons, most having to do with money and labor. For one, it costs much less to simply install underground plumbing, and then have the pipes connect to the main line that leads to all the home’s fixtures and appliances. Not only does this save money, it saves time and labor too. No need for drilling or strapping pipes to the wall, and very little material is needed. Also, protection doesn’t need to be installed to cover the pipes because they are naturally insulated from harsh climates and weather.

When pipes and plumbing are built above ground, they have to have insulation around them to prevent frozen or cracked pipes in the winter, and losing cold water capacity in the summer. These reasons and more are why construction contractors and builders choose to install plumbing pipes underground; but because of this, pipes are out of sight, so not much is known about slab leaks and other plumbing mishaps that can occur beneath a home’s flooring.

Signs and Symptoms of Slab Leaks

Slab leaks are a major threat to a property. Because the signs are extremely subtle, discovering a slab leak can be difficult; and often times, as a result, slab leaks go unnoticed and cause extensive and expensive damages. As for homeowners, it is important to know what the common slab leak signs and symptoms are, in order to catch a water leak problem before it becomes a costly and tedious repair. Here are the most common signs of a slab leak:

• Increased Utility Bills, Particularly Water
• Noisy Plumbing Fixtures, Like the Sound of Running Water
• Cold Spot on the Floor
• Hot Spot on the Floor
• Soppy Wet Areas or Puddles in the Yard
• Wet Areas Inside the Home (i.e. wet walls, flooring, ceiling, etc.)
• The Sound of Running Water Coming from the Floor

Slab leaks are troublesome plumbing problems that require the astute knowledge and capacity of an Indianapolis slab leak repair contractor or licensed master plumber. Plumbing slab leaks can occur as a result of countless circumstances and sources, but the most common causes for slab leaks include the following and more:

• Corroded or Deteriorated Copper Piping
• Inadequate Insulation Fittings and Installation
• Friction Beneath the Ground
• Kinked, Cut, or Clogged Plumbing Line

When it comes to slab leak repair, there are many options available for all incomes and budgets. If pipes are corroded, however, all piping would need to be removed and replaced. This can be costly, but a reputable plumbing company may be able to work with your budget. For all other underground slab leaks, comprehensive diagnostics and pipe repair are the most effective solutions.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for details about slab leak repair and underground copper re-piping services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is a state licensed plumbing contractor with more than 50 years of experience in the plumbing repair industry. We strongly believe in integrity, honesty, and quality service, and have remained dedicated to these values since the start of our family owned and operated plumbing company in 1901. We offer a wide range of services for both residential and commercial properties at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-784-1870 for licensed plumbing repair and re-piping services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties today.