Myrtle Beach plumber

Tips To Prevent Frozen Pipes

Myrtle Beach plumberThe pipes of your plumbing system are susceptible to freezing and bursting when temperatures drop. According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, property damages and costly water damage during the chilly weather are commonly caused by burst pipes.

The pipes located in unheated areas inside the house like the basement, attic, and garage are mostly at risk. However, even those that run through exterior walls can also freeze. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep your pipes in good condition throughout winter.

Pipe insulation per linear foot cost less than an aspirin, which you would need if you don’t take care of your plumbing system. The American Red Cross and the IBHS both provided some simple tips to help you prevent frozen pipes and how to deal with them in case they do.

Beat The Freeze

When the temperature begins to drop outdoors, you need to take measures inside your house to keep your water running and the pipes warm. A study performed by the University of Illinois’ Building Research Council discovered that the temperature alert threshold is at 20° F, especially if your pipes are not insulated and run through uninsulated space as well. Although some of the recommendations provided here may not be in line with the way you use your water and heat, the extra cost will be minimal compared to how much you have to pay for the repairs of your plumbing system.

Close your garage doors and keep it that way especially if there are water lines running through it. It is also best to keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to let warmer air flow around the plumbing. In case you have kids, be sure to take away harmful cleaners and potentially dangerous household chemicals out of their reach.

You should allow the cold water to drip from the faucet that is served by exposed pipes because it can prevent the pipe from freezing. You should also keep the thermostat settings constant during the day and night. This means even if it is cold outside, it is not advisable to lower the temperature to cut costs on your heating bill. If you are looking for a long-term solution, you have to consider adding insulation to the basement, attic and crawl space. These areas will have higher temperatures if properly insulated. Don’t forget to seal openings at sill plates and around windows and doors to prevent drafts.

Thaw Frozen Pipes

If only a trickle comes out after you turn the faucet on, you can bet that you have a frozen pipe. If so, be very careful when you thaw them out because if there is already a burst pipe, then water is flowing at a certain spot in your house. In case there is a broken pipe, switch off the water at the main shutoff valve. It is usually located at the spot where the main line water enters the house or at the water meter. In case you still notice running water even if there are no signs of burst pipes, do the steps provided below. If you think you have a more complicated plumbing issue, you have to call a Myrtle Beach plumber right away.

Turn the faucet on – when you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug starts to melt, the water should flow through without a problem. Running water, even if it is cold, through the pipe, will help melt the ice that may have built up inside it.

Apply heat to the affected part of the pipe – you can do this using an electrical heating pad that is wrapped around the pipe. You can also use an electric hair dryer or even a portable space heater. You can likewise wrap pipes using towels that have been soaked in hot water. Never use a blowtorch, charcoal stove, propane or kerosene heater, or any equipment that has an open flame. The high heat will not only damage the pipes but also start a home fire.

Apply heat until you restore full water pressure – inspect all of the other faucets in your house to determine if there are any other frozen pipes. In case one pipe is frozen, other pipes might freeze as well.

Call a licensed plumber – if you were not able to find the frozen area if the affected area is not accessible, or you cannot thaw the pipe, then you better call a plumber right away.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC if your pipes are frozen and you need help in fixing them.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

plumbing

Common Holiday Plumbing Problems and How To Fix Them

plumbingThe holidays are almost here and while we are excited to invite family and friends over to your home, it is a fact that there are different things that can damper on a celebration such as an overflowing toilet. Plumbing issues are real and they can be really inconvenient. So what should you do if one of your guests tells you that the bathtub will not drain? Do not panic. There are some things you can do to solve your plumbing concerns without the help of a plumber. Listed below are some of the best solutions to the most common holiday plumbing issues.

Toilet Keeps On Running

You start noticing that it takes a while before your bowl gets to fill and that begins to happen once the toilet becomes heavy to use. After some time, nothing won’t work so what should you do?

According to expert Myrtle Beach plumbers, there are two simple solutions to this common plumbing issues, which is adjusting the float and closing the flapper. When you close the flapper, you have to remove the top off the toilet tank’s bank. You will see a little arm with a chain that is linked to the flapper. In case the flapper is stuck open, you can expect the toilet to keep on running. You need to inspect and see if the chain is hung up or kinked. If so, you can try threading the chain using a plastic straw. There is also a possibility that the flapper is misaligned. You can let the flapper stay on the opening with just a simple adjustment and this will create the appropriate seal.

Let us discuss the float. It is a plastic piece that looks like a balloon and it floats on the water that’s inside in your toilet tank. In case the problem is related to the float, you can fix these using the following tips.

First of all, you have to make sure that the float is on the right level. In case it is too high, it will let water to go through the flapper. You also need to be sure that the float is not rubbing against something. In case it does, it might be able to work correctly. You also need to inspect the fill tube. In case it is filling the toilet over the float, the water pressure could stop the float from floating. Lastly, the float must be in good condition. If you need to replace some parts, you can always run to the nearest hardware store or perhaps call a plumber for an immediate fix.

Toilet Won’t Flush

Check if the water is running but nothing is happening. If so, then the problem might be the flapper. Perhaps it is not correctly seated because of a problem with the chain. You can jiggle the handle a few times or if necessary, try to reach inside the tank and then adjust the flapper up until you obtain a clean flush. If there is no water running, there is something you can do. Fill the plastic wastebasket with water. Pour the contents into the toilet in a single quick pour, which can make the toilet flush.

Defective Garbage Disposal

Check your garbage disposal and check if you are hearing weird noises. It is an electrical issue if there is no noise. If there is power, press the reset button and check if your garbage disposal works again. If not then you have to inspect the circuit breaker and reset it if necessary. If that is not the problem that you might have to change the switch which will need the help of a professional electrician.

Bathtub Won’t Drain

A bathtub drain that does not drain is either clogged with too much soap, hair, or some kind of gunk. The first thing you need to do is clean the strainer or stopper. If this does not work, you can use a drain stick to help you remove the clog. Sometimes, a toilet plunger also works.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC if you need help fixing your plumbing problems at home.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor