Is Your Plumbing Repair an Emergency or Can it Wait?

Posted on April 29, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

During this unique and challenging time, you often find yourself asking whether or not something is essential. From work and grocery store trips, to shopping, healthcare, expenses, and more, there are many facets of life where this question can be beneficial. But when it comes to plumbing repairs, the same back-and-forth contemplation can overcome you. You are anxious to know if your plumbing issue an emergency, or if it can wait until regular business hours to be repaired?

Continue reading to learn which questions to ask yourself in order to determine how serous your plumbing repairs needs are at this time.

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Plumbing Repair Questions to Ask Yourself

To determine whether or not you have a plumbing emergency on your hands, ask yourself these important questions:

► Do You Need the Affected Plumbing System Right Away?

Perhaps you only have one toilet or shower in your home. In this case, you likely have a plumbing repair that requires immediate attention. Otherwise, you might be checking into a hotel for access to working plumbing system! In another example, you might have a water leak. In this case, you would not want to waste any time having it repaired since water leaks tend to worsen very quickly, and lead to some of the costliest structural damages.

In contrast, if you have multiple bathrooms and only one toilet breaks down, or you have a minor leak under the sink that can be controlled by shutting off your main water valve, you can wait until the plumbing office opens the next morning to have it repaired.

► Can You Shut Off Your Water?

Most water leaks can be controlled by simply shutting off the main water valve. Not sure where yours is? Generally, you will find it in the utility room, or near the water softener and water heater. Most often, this valve can be adjusted manually, but sometimes, older valves are more stubborn, and might require a set of pliers or a wrench. If you cannot control the plumbing issue by turning off your main water supply, or you simply cannot get it to turn, you have a plumbing emergency on your hands.

► Will Letting the Plumbing Repair Sit Cause More Damage?

In some cases, a minor plumbing repair can quickly worsen, and therefore, lead to a large amount of costly structural damage. So, if your current plumbing issue is one that will get worse if you let it sit overnight, such as a water or pipe leak, you have a legitimate emergency plumbing repair need. If waiting until morning to contact a local plumber has no negative effect on the issue, you are not dealing with a plumbing emergency.

For more advice on confirming a plumbing emergency, see our blog, “What is a Plumbing Emergency?” to review several more examples.

Emergency Plumbing Service You Can Trust

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need emergency plumbing repair 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.

Why Won’t My Sump Pump Turn Off After it Rains a Lot?

Posted on April 23, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

It is still April, and the forecast is showing a lot of rain ahead. So, if you notice that your sump pump seems to run continuously after your area experiences a heavy rainfall, you might be a little concerned right about now. Many often think their sump pump is malfunctioning when this happens. But the truth is, there is a very good reason why a sump pump does this.

Continue reading to find out what you need to know about sump pumps and heavy rains.

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What Your Sump Pump Does

It is okay if you are not entirely sure what your sump pump does, exactly. You are not alone. Many homeowners simply rely on the assumption that their sump pump is operating properly and at full efficiency. However, when you really learn how these units work, you can better diagnose issues when they occur. It can also help you put your mind at ease when your sump pump begins to demonstrate some unfamiliar behaviors, such as the constant running you hear after a heavy rain. See our blog, “What You Need to Know About Your Sump Pump” to get this type of knowledge.

Effects of Heavy Rainfalls

After a heavy storm or long period of steady rainfall, the ground is full with a lot more water than normal. Since sump pumps activate when the pit fills with water to a certain level, the pump will continue to activate itself and pump water out, so long as the ground is still saturated with water from a heavy rain. Basically, it takes longer for large amounts of water to drain from the soul in the ground, which in turn, causes sump pumps to continue working until the water inside the pit is below the trigger line.

Some areas have more permeable soil conditions, so their sump pumps are not overwhelmed with this type of onset of groundwater after a rain. So, if this is something you experience often, it could have something to do with the soil conditions and geography of your area.

Sump Pump Inspection and Maintenance

Your sump pump is a mechanical device, which means it vitally requires regular maintenance and care. In order to ensure your sump pump is working properly and efficiently, have it inspected and serviced by a professional plumber once a year. In addition to professional sump pump service, you also need to keep in mind that if your sump pump is not the proper size or capacity for your particular property, you will need to address that issues as soon as possible, or risk flooding issues eventually. Talk to your trusted plumber for sump pump advice and installation.

Got Sump Pump Problems?

When your sump pump needs service, you need a state-licensed master plumber. Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional master plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services, including sump pump repair and replacement. We even sell top-of-the-line Aquanot ll® Battery Backup Sump Pumps and Zoeller sump pumps below market price! Request a free estimate, today.

Plumbing Tips That Will Keep Your House Dry During Rainy Season

Posted on April 16, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

Although we love springtime, the rain that comes along with it can be quite a drag to endure. But so long as the wetness of this year’s rainy season stays outside, the persistent precipitation is not much of a threat. On the other hand, if your home’s plumbing system is not up to par, you might be faced with some invasive rainfall that can lead to water leaks, pipe bursts, or worse, whole-house flooding.

So, before the next storm hits your town, continue reading to learn exactly how to ensure your home is protected through rainy season with these vital plumbing tips!

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Tend to Plumbing Repairs ASAP

As soon as you know that your plumbing needs a repair, regardless of how minor it may seem, always address it right away. Do not procrastinate on any needed plumbing repairs because they will only worsen as the days go by. Furthermore, your plumbing system is all connected, which means one small defect somewhere can trigger other malfunctions in other areas of your home. Whether your water heater needs flushed, or you found a small water leak in the outside spigot, contact a licensed plumber as soon as possible, before the problem can get worse, and therefore, more expensive.

Water Supply Lines and Valves

One of the top causes of water damage and flooding is defective or old water supply lines and valves. How long has it been since your plumbing water lines have been inspected and replaced? If it has been longer than 1 year since you have had a full-property plumbing inspection, it is time to have one done right now. Your water supply lines and valves could be deteriorated, damaged, or rusted, all of which significantly affects the rest of your plumbing system. Has it been longer than 8 years since your water lines have been replaced? If so, even with annual inspections, it may now be time to have those water lines replaced to ensure optimal efficiency and function.

Do-it-Yourself Installation and Repairs

During rainy season, you do not want to take on any plumbing repair projects yourself, no matter how confident you are about your ability to get it done up to code. Whether it is installing a new appliance or replacing a cracked pipe underneath the bathroom sink, you do not want to risk making any mistakes that can lead to massive flooding or plumbing damage. Always enlist the services of a licensed plumber who is entirely familiar with such codes and processes.

Plumbing Service in Indianapolis You Can Trust

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for licensed plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and state-licensed master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to give you free advice, anytime. We provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services, including slab leak inspections and repairs, trenchless pipe repair, pipe replacement, and even services to improve water quality. And as a family owned and operated company since 1901, you can trust us to deliver outstanding workmanship and customer support. Request a free estimate, today.

Recommended Green Plumbing That Will Reduce Energy Usage

Posted on April 9, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

There are plenty of ways to support the health and preservation of our environment, but only a few ways that helps save you money at the same time. Green plumbing not only reduces your energy consumption at home, it can also reduce monthly utility bills, appliance repair and replacement costs, and much more.

Continue reading for some effective green plumbing applications that can help you achieve a higher level of energy efficiency, while also providing budget security.

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Why Green Plumbing is a Good Choice

Not only can you feel good about helping the environment and saving some cash by switching to greener plumbing options, you can feel good knowing that you are doing your part to support a better world for your children. Below are some of the top-recommended green plumbing applications you should consider incorporating into your home, whether planning a new construction project, opting for a full-service remodel, or interested in making little changes over time.

Insulated Pipes

When plumbing pipes are not adequately insulated, a home can experience a significant amount of heat loss, which ultimately costs money. By insulated your plumbing pipes, you can instantly stop heat loss, and therefore, retain your conditioned air longer. This reduces the need to continue running your furnace or central heater, which costs a lot of money. Furthermore, properly insulated pipes protect against standby energy loss from your water heater tank.

Solar Water Heating

There are several different kinds of solar heating options, all of which share similar properties and principles, but vary in ranges of efficiency. Solar heating heats a home by using solar energy derived from the sun and sunlight. Solar panels trap the solar energy and then transfers the heat to a central boiler. The boiler then heats the water and distributes it to the areas of the home upon request. All of this water is heated by the sun! If sunlight is low, or its dark outside, then the original boiler is used instead. Systems usually last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, but some have been reported lasting for more than forty!

Low Volume Restrictors

Low volume restrictors, also known as “flow” or “water” restrictors, are small, disk-shaped barriers that can be installed on certain plumbing fixtures, namely faucets and showerheads, to reduce the amount of water flow for the purpose of conserving water and energy. They are installed in various configurations, and come in numerous brands, makes, and models. Commonly, they are either added as a whole unit to replace a standard flow-directing screen on a plumbing fixture, or built in as a part of the fixture.

Water Softening

Water softeners, or conditioners, are imperative to water quality, as well as, plumbing efficiency. They eliminate hard minerals in water that damage and corrode plumbing systems with limescale buildup, rust, and more. They also improve the feel and function of water, saving you money on things like shampoo, soap, and even water since you won’t need to spend too much time trying to rinse off in the shower. Hard minerals can also negatively affect laundry, and a softener can protect your clothing and extend their life, thus reduces shopping costs.

Whole House Water Filtration

By installing activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis system, you can significantly reduce the level of contaminants in your home’s drinking water. Not only does this save money by protecting your plumbing systems, such as your water heater, pipes, and softener, it also makes your tap water taste better, which reduces bottled water costs.

The Indianapolis Plumbing Service to Trust

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed plumbing service 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.