Why You Should Schedule Water Leak Inspection Service Right Now

Weilhammer Plumbing Company Will Find Any Leaks FAST!

Do you own a home, business, or any plumbed structure for that matter? Are you confident that your property is free of any water leaks or water damage? If not, now is the time to have your home inspected for water leaks before any disasters or damages can sneak up on you this Spring and Summer. Fortunately, water leak inspection services are offered through Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. by master plumber and owner, Mark Weilhammer himself!

The Importance of Bi-Annual Water Leak Inspections

One of the most critical preventative maintenance services you can choose to safeguard your indoor comfort and quality of life is to have your property inspected for signs of water leaks or water damages. Catching a water leak early on, or before it can even happen, will save you thousands of dollars in renovations and repairs, as well as time and stress.

Signs of a Water Leak:

⇢ Hot Spots on Floors
⇢ Pools of Water Around Appliances
⇢ Cracks in Walls/Flooring
⇢ Increased Utility Bills
⇢ Hot Spots on Floors
⇢ Pools of Water Around Appliances
⇢ Cracks in Walls/Flooring
⇢ Increased Utility Bills

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. is your neighborhood master plumbing company that provides economically-priced plumbing services for both residential and commercial properties throughout Indianapolis and the surrounding Central Indiana areas. You can rest assure that your plumbing needs are met with the highest level of professionalism and integrity, including your budget, your safety, and your comfort.

Why Choose Us?

At Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc., our state licensed (#106214) and insured master plumbers offer the most comprehensive and trusted water leak inspection services in town. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, and his team of licensed plumbers are equipped with the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to implement any plumbing repair efficiently and effectively, regardless of size or scope. Not only do we locate and identify water leak vulnerabilities, but we can also repair them at the most competitive and economical prices around!

Are you ready to schedule your water leak inspection? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing services for water leaks in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve both residential and commercial clients all throughout the central parts of the state.

You Might Also Like:

Common Types of Plumbing Leaks and How to Spot Them
Do I Need My Plumbing Inspected?
Important Plumbing Questions New Homeowners Should Ask

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Common Types of Plumbing Leaks and How to Spot Them

Even the smallest plumbing leak is an issue that requires immediate attention and remediation. After all, almost all major leaks start out as a small leak; and by catching a leak early on in its formation, you can avoid a massive and costly renovation. Continue below to learn the most common types of plumbing leaks and how to detect them before they become a bigger problem.

Indianapolis IN Water Leak Detection Services
Indianapolis IN Water Leak Detection Services 317-784-1870

Annual Leak Detection Services

Leaks, whether small or large, are usually harder to detect unless you are actively looking for the signs. For this reason, it is wise to enlist the services of a licensed Indianapolis IN plumbing company for annual leak detection services. Although it is still important for you to learn the signs of common plumbing leaks and keep your eye out for them at all times, professional leak detection and repair services use innovative methodologies and state-of-the-art technologies that make the diagnostics process faster, more accurate, and less invasive. This saves you time, stress, and most importantly, money. That’s because the faster you can find the leaks, the faster they can get repaired and the better protected your property is against future plumbing failures.

Common Leaks to Watch Out For in Your Plumbing:

Slab Leaks

Perhaps one of the most commonly seen plumbing leaks among industry professionals are slab leaks. Slab leaks occur when the water pipes or sewer lines beneath the property’s foundation suffer damage, such as cracks or fractures. Not only one of the most common, but slab leaks are also among the most destructive since they can cause massive damage to an edifice’s foundation, and can quickly turn into a larger leak if unresolved. Signs of slab leaks include warped floorboards, reduced water pressure, or a sudden increase in water bills.

Sewer Line Leaks

Sewer line leaks are less common than the other types of leaks because they are usually caused by construction work, excavation, or natural disasters like earthquakes. However, sewer line leaks can also be caused by tree roots growing into the pipes. They are serious, as they are a bio-hazard, and can cause an extreme amount of damage if ignored. A professional sewer line repair service can resolve this type of leak without having to dig up your entire lawn.

Water Line and Yard Leaks

Also known as “phantom leaks”, water line and yard leaks are among the most difficult to detect because they develop slowly. Common areas for these to occur are underground in your lawn, or inside walls. They tend to form in areas you cannot see without intervention. The most common sign of a water line or yard leak is a rising water bill that seems to be increasing for no reason.

Gas Leaks

Gas leaks are by far the most dangerous and pressing plumbing leak. Detecting gas odors in or around the property is usually the first sign of a nearby gas leak. If you suspect you have a gas leak anywhere within your property, turn your gas off and contact a professional service for gas leak detection and repair, right away.

Do you think you might have a plumbing leak? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional water leak detection services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are state-licensed master plumbers who serve both residential and commercial clients.

You Should Also Read:

Important Warnings Regarding Residential Slab Leaks
Tips for Detecting Toilet Leaks
4 Unconventional Ways to Detect a Plumbing Leak at Home

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Will Heavy Snow Affect My Home Plumbing?

This time of year, Indiana is known to get unanticipated snow fall. In fact, Hoosiers can be hit with a snowstorm all the way to May! So, waking up this morning to steady snow should be no surprise, whether you read the weather report for the week or not. When it comes to managing your property during times of snow, it is common to be concerned about the systems that are most affected by colder climate and precipitation. Your home’s plumbing is one such system, and a vital one to upkeep, nonetheless.

If you are wondering what you can do to keep your home’s plumbing protecting during times of heavy snow, it helps to understand how snow can affect it in the first place. Continue reading to do just that!

Indianapolis Plumbing Services
Indianapolis Plumbing Services 317-784-1870

Gutters and Drains

Your gutters, downspouts, and drains are all subject to damage during heavy snow. They can break from too much weight, crack from freeze-thaw cycles, or clog from organic debris and ice. It is important to keep up with snow fall as it’s happening by clearing these areas of dirt, trash, solid matter, and ice. This will reduce clogs, as well as, prevent water damage to roofing, siding, and the foundation.

Foundation

Once the snow begins to melt, your home’s foundation can be affected by the increase in standing water. The excessive amounts of water will seep into the soil around the home’s foundation. If your foundation is not in the best condition, water can seep inside, into the basement or lower floors of the home. You must have your home’s foundation repaired or enhanced to prevent slab leaks.

Sump Pump

Large snow buildup around your home may also affect the operation of your sump pump. Be sure to inspect the sump pump check valve after a heavy snowfall to ensure that it is properly fitted. If you notice that the pump is running too frequently, it could be an indication of a bad check valve. It is important to have a bad check valve replaced because it prevents pumped water from returning back into the line.

Plumbing Pipes

When a home gets too cold during snowfall, plumbing pipes can freeze, which can result in damaging freeze-thaw cycles, and eventually, busted pipes. Not only is this an invasive plumbing repair, it is a tedious and costly one as well. You can prevent this from happening by keeping your house warm enough during the winter.

Indianapolis Plumbing Services You Can Trust

Call Weilhammer Plumbing at 317-784-1870 for prompt and professional Indianapolis plumbing repair service at an affordable price. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to answer your questions about plumbing repair, replacement, installation, maintenance, and more. We offer free advice and estimates as well.

The Dangers of In-Home Flooding

When a house floods indoors, the immediate and obvious threat is structural damage. But what many homeowners do not realize is that floodwater poses a much longer list of hazards; ones that threaten both your health and safety. Continue reading to learn why indoor floodwaters are dangerous and how to safely manage an indoor flood if it happens to you.

Indianapolis Emergency Plumbing Company 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Emergency Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Indoor Floodwater Hazards

An indoor flood is a messy and dangerous situation. Not only is your house going to suffer a serious amount of damage, floodwaters will pose several other hazards, all of which can affect both people and pets. The top four most threatening risks of floodwater include injury, electrocution, drowning, and contamination.

Injury – Floodwaters can pose several accidents, namely slips and falls, but also, several others. As a result, orthopedic injuries, muscle strains and tears, and even concussions can take place. For this reason, it is important to avoid flooded areas of your home until they are under the control of professionals.

Electrocution – If your home is not completely disconnected from the town’s power grid, including generators, making even the slightest form of contact with floodwater that covers electrical outlets can cause serious electrocutions. Never under any circumstances enter a flooded basement until a licensed professional has confirmed your home is not connected to any electrical power suppliers.

Drowning – Drowning is an extreme and devastating threat posed by floodwaters. In most moderate cases, such as residential indoor flooding, pets are mostly at risk of drowning. However, infants, children, and elderly individuals are also highly susceptible to drowning accidents when an indoor flood occurs.

Contamination – Contamination is a commonly overlooked threat of indoor flooding. Mold, bacteria, and other organisms that develop as a result of standing water can pose serious health implications for both people and pets. Most often, mold outbreaks cause or worsen upper respiratory conditions, especially in those with weakened or suppressed immune systems.

The Meaning of Floodwater Colors

The color of floodwater can tell you the extent of threat they pose. Clean floodwater is deemed safe and not an immediate threat to your health. Common examples of clean floodwater include appliances, toilet tanks, melted snow, and rain. These are the types of floodwaters that are generally safe to clean up yourself; however, clean floodwater can turn into grey waters in as little as 2 days.

Grey floodwaters, also known as sullage, are considered wastewater, and therefore, a much higher threat than clean floodwater. Although grey floodwaters do not contain fecal waste, they do contain a long list of other hazardous, illness-causing contaminants. Furthermore, they can quickly develop into the most dangerous and destructive floodwaters in just 48 hours.

Known as blackwater, this type of floodwater generally happens on a larger scale, such as the result of a hurricane. However, they often develop in residential homes if unaddressed for a period of time. Black floodwaters contain bacteria and pathogens that will cause illness. They also will destroy anything they come into contact with, including carpets, flooring, drywall, upholstery, and furniture.

What to Do if Your House Floods

The first thing you should do if you discover a burst pipe or flooding incident in your home is TURN OFF THE MAIN WATER SHUTOFF VALVE. This will disconnect your water supply and stop the floodwaters from increasing.

Once you have cut off your water supply, your next step should be to do your best to mitigate the water. Use towels, wet vacs, bowls, buckets, and anything else you have on hand to get as much water out of your house as possible. IMPORTANT: Do not do this step if there is risk of electrocution. Only try to clean up flooding if you discover it right away. Higher floodwaters can pose risk of electrocution.

Your last step is to contact a licensed Indianapolis plumber for emergency plumbing service. They will drain your floodwater, and then repair the plumbing issue that caused the flood to happen.

Emergency Plumbing Service You Can Trust

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

How to Check if Your Plumbing is Ready for Winter

There are several ways the winter ice, snow, and climate can negatively affect your home’s plumbing systems. If you do not take certain measures to protect your plumbing from winter mayhem, you might be faced with some hefty repair and renovations costs come spring. After all, it is difficult to assess plumbing damages while the ground is covered in snow and ice. In most cases, homeowners are not aware of any issues until the snow melts and the damages are revealed.

Don’t let this happen to you this year or next! Instead, learn how to properly check and prepare your property’s plumbing to ensure it is ready for winter.

Indianapolis Plumbing Services 317-784-1870
Indianapolis Plumbing Services 317-784-1870

Interior Water Shut Off Valve

Every year, as soon as temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it is wise to turn your inside water shut off valve to vertical to stop the outside drains from letting water flow through your pipes all winter. If you do not do this, water will continue to flow throughout the season, and thus pose the risk of frozen or burst plumbing pipes. It is important to flush out any leftover water in your irrigation lines and plumbing pipes once you are done using them for the season; otherwise, they can freeze up and lead to massive plumbing repairs and problems, overtime.

Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

After you have secured your interior water valve in a safe position for the season, implement an inspection of your outdoor faucets and spigots. Outdoor spigots, like irrigation lines, are more prone to collecting excess water. As a result, this excess water can freeze, and cause a water pressure to build up and damage pipes. See our blog, “Top 3 Ways to Prevent Frozen Outdoor Faucets” to learn how to get started. Accordingly, it is wise to organize and hang up all of your outdoor garden hoses. Water can also freeze within hoses, which can lead to rupturing come spring.

Gutters and Downspouts

Another consideration that is commonly overlooked as an area-of-focus for winter home maintenance preparation are gutter systems. Gutters can fill up with garbage and debris, which in turn collect and retain more water, and eventually freeze and thaw. All of this is bad for your house as it can cause cracking, warping, and water leaks. It is important to clean out your gutters and your downspouts before the winter season takes full effect. Otherwise, you may face several costly and invasive plumbing repairs once springtime is here.

Indianapolis Plumbing Inspections and Repairs

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to give you free plumbing advice. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services; 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.

How Your Water Meter Can Confirm Plumbing Leaks

Did you know that your water meter can detect leaks in your home’s plumbing? It’s true! Continue reading to learn how to read a water meter for water leaks, and who to call for trusted Indianapolis water leak repair at an affordable price.

Water Leak Inspection Service
Water Leak Inspection Service 317-784-1870

Water Meter Basics

Your water meter is a device set up and regulated by the city that measures and records the amount of water your home uses in a given time period, all for the purpose of billing. It is generally located on the outside of your home, typically near your gas and electricity meter, which are used in the same way by the city. Although your utility company is in charge of supervising and tending to your water meter, it is helpful to learn how to read it yourself, and even more helpful to check it every so often to ensure your residence is leak-free.

Here is how to check a water meter for plumbing leaks:

Step 1: Turn Off Your Water
Find your main water shut-off valve and close it so that your home does not have any running water activity while you check your readings.

Step 2: Check the Flow Indicator
The flow indicator is a small rotating wheel that detects water movement and flow. Open the cover of the water meter to find it.

Step 3: Detect Movement or No Movement
Is the flow indicator wheel moving? If so, you might have a water leak somewhere in your property. If it’s not moving, your home is likely leak-free.

No Flow Indicator?

If there is not a flow indicator on your water meter, simply grab a pen and paper, write down the numbers that you see on the meter and the number on the hand of the larger rotary dial. Wait one hour and then check the numbers again for any changes. If you see changes, you could have a leak. Either way, regardless of your findings, you need to call a licensed plumber for help.

But Take a Plumber’s Word For It

Although a water meter can indicate a plumbing leak, sometimes, it is actually due to a faulty water meter. For this reason, it is vital that you contact an Indianapolis plumber for help diagnosing a water leak. Water leaks can lead to a vast amount of costly damage and destruction, so never wait around to take action. Read our blog, “Important Warnings Regarding Residential Slab Leaks” to understand the importance of routine water leak inspections and maintenance.

Indianapolis Plumbing Service and Repair

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to give you free plumbing advice. Our highly trained and licensed plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services; 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.

How to Eliminate Musty Basement Smell

Indianapolis Slab Leak Inspections 317-784-1870

Indianapolis Slab Leak Inspections 317-784-1870

A stale, musty basement is not a comfortable place to hang out. Most homeowners just turn them into storage space for all their unforgettables, or simply avoid them at all costs. Sadly, this situation puts quite a damper on the total square footage of a home, and ultimately, the property’s resale value. However, the problem with a musty basement is not just about comfort and capitals, it is also about health and safety.

You see, the most common culprit behind a must-like smell is mold, which is something to be concerned about. It is important to treat and stop a mold outbreak in your basement as soon as you discover its presence. This will help protect you and your loved ones from dangerous health implications caused by mold spore inhalation.

But mold remediation is not the only step to getting rid of musty basement smells; you will also need to resolve the underlying issues that caused the mold to grow in the first place! Continue reading to learn some helpful tips on what can do to eliminate musty odors in your basement.

Mold and Mildew Smell Bad

The reason why basements develop a musty smell is due to water vapor becoming trapped in the room as a result of improper or poor ventilation. Mold and mildew require a wet, dark environment to grow, and a basement with poor air flow and ventilation makes for perfect conditions. Issues like water leaks will increase the rate of mold and mildew development, and worsen the conditions.

Moldy Odor Removal Tips

Your first step to eliminating or reducing basement mold odors is to have your home inspected for ventilation issues. Air circulation is vital in your home because it allows air to vent outdoors, while also bringing fresh air back inside. Your basement needs to be properly ventilated in order to reduce the dampness and moisture levels inside. You can purchase a moisture meter to measure the level of moisture in your basement. This can help you determine if it is a ventilation issue or a water leak gone unnoticed.

Once your ventilation is in order, you will need to have your home’s plumbing inspected for slab leaks and pipe damages. These are common causes behind musty basement environments and mold growth. See our article, “What Makes Slab Leaks Dangerous?” to learn why you should take one very seriously. The most common causes for slab leaks include corroded or deteriorated copper piping, inadequate insulation fittings and installation, friction beneath the ground, and kinked, cut, or clogged plumbing line. These would have to be repaired before you can enjoy a mold-free basement.

You will also benefit from reading our blog, “Avoid Basement Water Damage By Monitoring These Areas” to learn which areas of your basement you should pay attention to after heavy rain and more. Contact a licensed master plumber for professional water and slab leak inspection services. Not only can they investigate for slab leaks, pipe leaks, and signs of water damage, they can also provide comprehensive plumbing repairs.

Indianapolis Water Leak Detection

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for prompt and professional Indianapolis slab leak detection and repair you can afford. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, provides residential and commercial plumbing services, including 24 hour emergency plumbing repair. Our team of licensed and insured plumbers deliver safe and effective plumbing repair at an affordable price. Request a free estimate, today.

Important Warnings Regarding Residential Slab Leaks

Slab leaks create serious problems for homeowners. A slab leak is water leakage from pipes in your plumbing system. These pipes are located under the concrete foundation of a home, which is where the complications come from. When a slab leak is discovered, it is important to take action right away by contacting a professional plumbing repair company for immediate emergency service.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about slab leaks, including which signs to look out for and what to do if you suspect a water leak in your plumbing system.

Indianapolis Slab Leak Repair 317-784-1870

Indianapolis Slab Leak Repair 317-784-1870

Underground Plumbing Pipes

Plumbing contractors favor underground piping systems for a number of reasons. For one, it is less expensive and easier to connect the main line to the in-home fixtures when you use an underground approach. This is because there is no need for drilling, extra materials, and fastening various pipes to the interior walls.

Another reason has to do with insulation. Under the ground, the piping is shielded from high and low temperatures, making it naturally insulated from extreme weather conditions. So no extra insulation is required. These are just a few reasons why plumbing contractors prefer to install home plumbing systems under the concrete slabs of the house. Although there are many advantages to installing underground plumbing pipes, there are also some downfalls, in particular, slab leaks.

Slab Leak Repair

Slab leaks are very hard to detect because they are underground and out of site. When a slab leak actually occurs, most cases require the floor to be excavated in order to reach the water leak. This is why slab leak repair is costly and complex. Slab leaks are easier to repair when they are discovered early on. Less water accumulation and saturation under your floors is faster and easier to restore. Long term leakage can result in major excavation and restorations.

If you hear the sound on flowing, running, or dripping water anywhere within your walls or basement, then you may have a slab leak. Also, an unusually high water bill is another sign of water leakage. If you see saturated wet areas of your yard, basement, or other areas of the home, it could mean a slab leak as well. In this case, you would need to contact a licensed Indianapolis master plumber for professional detection and repair services.

Indianapolis Slab Leak Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for trusted Indianapolis slab leak repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed master plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services at the most competitive prices in town, including water leak detection and repair. Request a free estimate, today.

Avoid Basement Water Damage By Monitoring These Areas

Most homeowners worry about water damage in their basement. After all, water damage is one of the most destructive types of damage a home can experience; furthermore, water damage is tedious, intrusive, and costly to repair. Even though most homeowners’ insurance policies will cover the cost of water damage in your basement, it is something you want to prevent at all costs. So how can you tell if you are accumulating water in your home? All you have to do is keep an eye out for certain red flags.

Continue reading to learn which areas of your basement you should pay attention to after heavy rain and precipitation in order to stay on top of water damages and repairs.

Indianapolis Water Leak Plumbers 317-784-1870

Indianapolis Water Leak Plumbers 317-784-1870

Drain Pipes

Water and drain pipes in your basement can sometimes look as if they are sweating. This is called pipe condensation. When this situation occurs, you could face possible mold, mildew, and corrosion issues. To avoid this problem or to resolve it completely, install reliable insulation on all your pipes.

Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling systems are not always located in the basement; however, in older homes, it is common to find them there. If your HVAC system is in your basement, be sure to maintenance and service it regularly. This includes checking the drain pans and clearing out any obstruction to ensure consistent water flow. Cleaning and replacing furnace and air conditioning filters is imperative to a smooth operating system and superior performance. All these things combined can prevent water back flow and water accumulation in your basement.

Interior Water Damage

Interior water damage includes moisture on walls and ceilings. If you notice that walls are moist or dripping with water, this could be a sign of water damage or concern in your home. Anytime a ceiling looks wet or discolored, there is a chance it is being caused by water accumulation or miss-flow. This is a huge red flag and should be looked into immediately. The longer a water leak goes untended, the worse the damage will be.

Slab Leaks

Slab leaks are serious issues that require immediate repair. In fact, they happen to be one of the riskiest plumbing problems for a property. The longer a slab leak goes unresolved, the more destruction can occur to the rest of your plumbing, including the property’s foundation as a whole. The most common signs of a slab leak include increased utility bills, floor and wall cracks, or mold growth. If you notice these signs, it is time to contact a professional Indianapolis plumbing company for slab leak detection and repair services.

If you discover a water leak in your basement, or any other area of your property, contact a state licensed Indianapolis plumber immediately. It is important to act fast before a leak can turn into a flood, which can then turn to tedious and costly renovations.

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair Pros

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for prompt and professional Indianapolis water leak detection and repair you can afford. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, provides residential and commercial plumbing services, including 24 hour emergency plumbing repair. Our team of licensed and insured plumbers deliver safe and effective plumbing repair at an affordable price. Request a free estimate, today.

The 5 Rules to Avoiding Plumbing Disasters

Whether the sink, toilet, tub, or drain, when you take on a DIY home plumbing job, it can go from “manageable” to full-on “disaster” in a matter of minutes. Many homeowners will start a plumbing project, but quickly end up over their heads in tools, parts, blueprints, sludge, and water. So it is important to protect yourself from plumbing catastrophes like this with proper knowledge, practice, and assistance. Continue reading to learn the top five rules to avoiding do-it-yourself plumbing mishaps and regrets.

Avoid Direct Copper-to-Steel Connections

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

When replacing parts of your plumbing pipe, avoid connecting copper pipes and galvanized steel pipes directly. And a thin layer of thread sealant or Teflon tape won’t cut it either. Steel plumbing pipe can begin to corrode as soon as the connection to copper is made tight. Instead, use a fitting device called a dielectric union to connect copper plumbing pipes to galvanized steel plumbing pipes. It is essentially a metal collar that uses isolation brushings, one half steel and the other half copper. That way, each part is kept separate.

Know the Proper Plumbing Code for Big Projects

There are rules to home plumbing and construction, namely codes. These codes are very complex, with meticulous and detailed rules that dictate how, what, and where you can do plumbing work. For instance, you must know how far you can place certain fixtures from a drain waste vent-line according to its pipe diameter and other specifications. These details are important to know if you want to ensure the safety and integrity of your residence and all its utility systems. Purchase a copy of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and a book called Code Check before attempting any major DIY construction projects.

Know the Exact Location of Your Plumbing Pipes

Before taking a hammer or drill to your drywall, it is important to make sure you know what you are drilling or hammering into. A common mistake homeowners make is rupturing copper or plastic supply or drains inside walls. Purchase a stud sensor to check your walls before any sort of demolition. This device will detect both pipes and electrical wiring.

Always Perform a Water Leak Test Before Finishing Up

At the conclusion of your plumbing project, it is important to always check for water leaks before sealing everything back up. If installing new valve components, you’ll want to check that it opens and closes, and also run hot and cold water through it to see that it drains properly. In fact, you’ll want to check drains and faucets like this. You can purchase a leak detector detergent at a hardware or home improvement store to check for gas line leaks as well.

Never Over-Tighten Plumbing Connections and Components

Since you cannot always trust the fit or quality of all plumbing components, you may be tempted to over-tighten connections to ensure a good fit. But this is not only in-effective, it is detrimental to your plumbing components. A simple half-turn past the tension point is all you need to properly tighten and close up all your connections. Things like brass copper gas fittings are more susceptible to wrench damage than steel plumbing pipes, but in all cases, proper tension should be used.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company

Weilhammer Plumbing Company Indianapolis Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing advice and plumbing service in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is eager to help you find affordable and effective solutions to your plumbing problems. Our licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers provide a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-784-1870 to speak with a licensed Indianapolis plumber, today.