Top 3 Plumbing Tips for Sewer Maintenance

Posted on November 27, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

Last week, we discussed the top three ways you can prevent your outdoor faucets and spigots from freezing over this winter. This week, we want to focus our attention on sewer line maintenance. Many homeowners are unaware that their certain precautions they can take to ensure their sewer systems remain functional and efficient all year long. Proper sewer line maintenance should be a top priority for all homeowners considering no one wants to get stuck dealing with the sewer overflow or backup.

Continue reading to learn the top three recommended plumbing tips for residential and commercial sewer maintenance.

Indianapolis Plumbing Service and Repair 317-784-1870

Risks of Sewer Overflows and Backups

In the case of a sewer overflow or backup, not only is the situation incredibly tedious and costly to resolve, it can pose several health and safety risks to people and pets. For this reason, it is important to make sure your sewer line system is always operating optimally and efficiently. Below are the top three tips you can use to enhance your sewer line maintenance plan. It is also recommended to talk to a professional Indianapolis plumber for answers to your sewer line repair and service questions.

Have Your Drains Cleaned Routinely

It is important to have your drains professionally cleaned on a routine basis. Not only can this help prevent issues of sewer lines, it can prevent several other plumbing breakdowns and implications. This saves you both time and money in repairs and inconvenience. In between professional cleanings, you can also clean your drains on your own. See our blog, “Unclog Any Drain With These 4 Simple Steps” to learn more. It is recommended to have your drains professionally cleaned at least once a year; but for homes with four or more occupants, it is better to have your drains cleaned twice a year.

Choose Your Landscaping Wisely

Many homeowners are unaware that several different types of tree and shrub species can be invasive enough to damage your underground utilities and plumbing, including your sewer lines. Trees such as Willows have heavy and aggressive root systems that can sometimes enter underground plumbing pipes and sewer lines. Even tree species that are not known to have invasive root systems can do damage. So before remodeling your landscaping, consider how it might affect your property’s underground plumbing systems.

Pay Attention to Sewer Line Clean-Outs

You know those plastic white tubes with caps sticking out of the ground on your property? These are your clean-outs, and they provide direct access to your sewer lines. Without proper routine maintenance and cleaning, they’ll eventually begin to produce a stinky gas smell, which is something incredibly off-putting for anyone who cares about their quality of comfort around their home. Every few months, give your clean-outs a check, and be sure they are filled with water. If one of the caps is a little loose, be sure to get it tightly secured again.

Indianapolis Sewer Line Plumbing Services

Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for home plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. Our state-licensed Indianapolis master plumbers have been in the plumbing business for over 100 years because we have earned the trust of thousands of Hoosiers all across the city as a result of our professional service and outstanding results. Request a free estimate or advice, today.

Top 3 Ways to Prevent Frozen Outdoor Faucets

Posted on November 21, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

Indiana has already experienced the first snowfall of the season, which means it is prime time to complete the remainder of our outdoor home improvement and maintenance tasks for the winter. One of the most vulnerable plumbing components found outside are your faucets, as they are highly susceptible to freezing since they host water. Fortunately, there are three incredibly effective and proven strategies that will prevent your outdoor spigots from freezing up in cold climates.

Continue reading to learn all three, as well as, what you can do if your outdoor faucets ever do freeze over this winter.

Indianapolis Plumbing Services 317-784-1870 — Indianapolis Plumbing Service and Repair 317-784-1870

Winter Outdoor Faucet Protection

The top three ways to protect your outdoor faucets from freezing over in winter weather are to cover them up, turn off the water that runs directly to the spigot, and install freeze-resistant hose bib spigots. You can choose the use one of these methods, or a combination of them, to find the best winter plumbing maintenance solution for your property.

❶ Main Water Shut Off

Your first option for preventing outdoor frozen faucets in winter is to simply cut off the water supply line that runs to the particular faucet, however, this is not always possible unless the property has multiple main water shut offs. In most homes, there is only one main water shut off for all water lines, so in most cases, you cannot choose this option if there are occupants within the home. For some buildings, such as apartment buildings, there might be multiple main water shut offs, in which case, it could be possible to pick and choose which faucets to turn off.

❷ Spigot Covers

Spigot covers are one of the most common and widely used methods of protecting outdoor plumbing and faucets from freezing temperatures in the winter. Stay away from outdated and ineffective methods your Granddad might encourage, such as using newspaper, old towels, and garbage bags. Instead, shop around for some foam-insulated nylon hose bib covers at your local home improvement or garden store. We recommend the Duck Brand spigot covers.

❸ Frost-Proof Spigots

If you really want a long-term, “set it and forget it” type of approach, you might consider installing brand new, frost-proof, freeze-resistant hose bib spigots. These can be found at your local home improvement store, and range in price from $9 to $35, depending on the brand. We recommend ZORO SELECT® Anti-Siphon, Frost Proof Sillcock, available at Home Depot.

Outdoor Plumbing Service in Indianapolis

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed outdoor plumbing services in Indianapolis at an affordable price. We offer a wide range of standard and master plumber services for both residential and commercial properties. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances like water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more. Request a free estimate, today.

New Homeowner Plumbing Advice

Posted on November 14, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

If you are preparing to move into a new house, whether several years old or new construction, there are plenty of important considerations you need to make regarding your plumbing systems. This includes your standard plumbing pipes, lines, and fixtures, as well as all water-related appliances, such as water heaters, water softeners, dishwashers, washing machines, and more.

To get started on the right foot, continue reading to learn the top plumbing tips for new home owners.

Indianapolis Plumbing Service and Repair 317-784-1870

Get Inspected

Although it is best to get your plumbing systems inspected before you move in, it is still vital to move forward with a comprehensive inspection even if you are already living in your new house. An inspection is one of the most important tasks to follow through with because it will serve to locate minor problems or needs early on, which prevents costly, invasive plumbing disasters down the line. It can also help set up your home for optimal plumbing efficiency.

Find Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve

During your plumbing inspection, your contractor will show you where your home’s main water shut-off valve is located. This will be incredibly important to you if you ever experience a plumbing emergency or water leak, or simply need to leave out of town for a trip. Be sure to learn how to move and operate your valve during your inspection.

Have Your Drains Cleaned

Although this is not as important for new construction homes, professional drain cleaning is a must for anyone moving into a house that was previously occupied. You would be astonished to learn what plumbers find in pipes and fixtures during a drain cleaning project. Things like feminine hygiene products, paper towels, dental floss, hair accessories, and even small toys are common.

These things can cause major blockages and inefficient performance, all of which costs you money. Once you have your drains cleaned professionally, be sure to maintain their condition with routine, DIY drain cleaning. Read our blog, “Why You Need to Stop Using OTC Drainage Cleaner” to learn important safety information about cleaning your drains at home.

Winterize Your Outdoor Plumbing

If you are moving into your new house right before the winter, take the initiative to winterize your outdoor plumbing. It is recommended to cover outdoor exposed plumbing pipes, and detach all garden hoses from their spigots. This will help prevent frozen pipes, which can ultimately lead to burst pipes in the spring. See our blog, “Tips for Winter Plumbing Maintenance” for more help.

Keep a Trusted Indianapolis Plumber on Speed Dial

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need licensed Indianapolis plumbing services at an affordable price. We offer a wide range of standard and master plumber services for both residential and commercial properties. We also offer free estimates, free advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances like water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more. Request a free estimate, today.