Myrtle Beach Plumbing contractor - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

Sue White Jul 5, 2023Jan 16, 2024

Things to Check in a Home’s Plumbing Before Buying

When buying a new home, it’s important to pay attention to the plumbing. Although it may not be the most exciting aspect, it’s crucial to ensure that certain features are in good condition. This will help you avoid expensive repairs and the need for emergency plumbing services.

Key Plumbing Features To Check

The Main Sewer:

The main sewer line connects your home’s plumbing system to the city or county sewer line. If this line gets clogged or damaged, it can cause serious problems in your home.

During a plumbing inspection, a sewer camera inspection is typically conducted to check for issues. It’s essential to make sure the main sewer line is in good condition before purchasing a home. If significant problems are found, you may consider repairing or replacing them to prevent future complications, especially if you plan to sell the house.

Hot Water Heaters:

Water heaters typically last around ten years, depending on factors such as water quality, usage, maintenance, and proper installation. If the water heater is also used to heat the water in entire home, its lifespan may be shorter.

Check the age of the water heaters and ensure they meet the necessary codes. It’s also important to verify that the size of the water heater is appropriate for your household’s hot water needs. Additionally, inspect the water heater for any signs of damage or overflowing pans, as leaks can cause significant damage if left unnoticed.

Leaky Toilets:

Leaking toilets can cause inconvenience and potential damage. Look for signs of leaks, such as discoloration, warping around the toilet’s base, or softness in the floor surrounding the toilet. If you notice a leak, it’s best to call a plumber for repairs rather than attempting to seal it yourself.

Sink and Faucet Issues:

Pay attention to any problems with faucets, such as slow or continuous dripping, slow drainage in sinks, showers, or tubs, quick depletion of hot water, or discolored water. These issues indicate the need for a professional plumbing inspection and potential repairs, even if you’re not planning to sell the property.

Water Pressure Problems:

Sudden changes in water pressure, extremely low or high pressure, and other related issues should be discussed during a plumbing inspection. These problems can be signs of leaks, damaged water heaters, clogged pipes, or broken pipes behind the walls. Low water pressure may indicate a damaged water heater or other issues, while high water pressure can stress the plumbing system and lead to burst pipes.

Types of Pipes:

Different homes have a variety of types plumbing systems, each with their own advantages and vulnerabilities. It’s important to inform your plumber or plumbing inspector about the types of pipes installed in your home. This knowledge helps them assess potential problems and is particularly important if you plan to sell the house in the future.

Winterization:

If you live in an area with cold winters, it’s crucial to protect your pipes and plumbing system from freezing temperatures. Myrtle Beach can experience weather cold enough to freeze pipes in the winter. During a plumbing inspection, check the insulation of the pipes, look for cracks near the foundation, and ensure crawl spaces are sealed off. Proper winterization prevents costly plumbing repairs and safeguards your property from the cold.

By considering these plumbing features before buying a new home, you can avoid unexpected expenses and ensure that the plumbing system is in good condition. Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC now.

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Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733

Home – Myrtle Beach Plumber

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

Sue White Oct 28, 2022Jan 16, 2024

10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Call A Plumber

plumber There are many plumbing problems that can occur. They can range from minor and easily fixed to more serious and expensive. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish the difference. Sometimes, you might not be aware that there is a problem. These 10 signs are indicators that you may have a plumbing problem in your home and need to call a plumber.

Low water pressure

Low water pressure can ruin what should be an enjoyable shower experience. But it is more than a nuisance. Low water pressure could indicate that your pipes are blocked. Call a Myrtle Beach plumber if your water pressure drops suddenly.

Slow Drainage

Every sink and shower will eventually experience slow drainage due to soap scum or hair buildup. However, if pipes throughout your house are slow to drain you may have a main sewer line clog. If you suspect that your sewer line is clogged, it’s a plumbing emergency.

Brown Spots on the Ceiling

Brown spots on the ceiling may not be just unattractive. They could also indicate that water is leaking from above. Before you fix the ceiling, make sure you find the source of the leak.

Rattling pipes

Your pipes should not make any noise other than the sound of water rushing. If you hear a rattling sound coming from your pipes after shutting off a valve it might be a “water hammer.” It occurs when water flows suddenly stop or change direction. This can cause a shock wave and cause pipes to rattle. High water pressure, or in older homes, flooded air chambers within your plumbing system, could be possible causes. Poorly secured pipes can also cause rattling sounds.

Foul smells emanating from the Drain

There are many bacteria in bathrooms and kitchens, which can cause some strange smells. A persistent foul odor emanating from the drains could indicate a blockage or break in the sewer line.

Higher water bills

A rising water bill, even if you can’t account for extra water use, is usually an indication that your plumbing system is leaking. Call a residential plumber if you notice an unexpected, unrelated increase in your water bills.

Bathroom Wallpaper and Paint Peeling

Are you noticing peeling, cracking, or blistering wallpaper or paint in your bathroom lately? It could indicate a leak. Before you begin to patch it up, call a plumber to inspect the area and, if necessary, remove it.

A Gurgling Toilet

If you haven’t flushed the toilet in a while, it should be quite quiet. However, if your toilet starts to gurgle, this could be a sign that something is wrong. A blocked vent stack, or a blocked sewer line could be the cause of a gurgling bathroom.

Mold Growth on Walls and Cabinets

Mold growth in your home is not a good sign. However, if mold appears on cabinets or walls in a bathroom, it’s time to look for a leaky pipe. Mold thrives in moist areas, so if you find mold in a room, it’s important to get rid of the source.

Toilets Consistently Clogged

Everybody has to deal with a blocked toilet from time to time. However, if you feel like you are constantly using the plunger to open the drain, it could indicate a more serious problem, especially if other fixtures are backing up. This could be an indication that your sewer is clogged or that your septic system is backed up.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC now if you need a reliable plumber within Myrtle Beach.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about plumbing services.

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

blueribbonplumb Oct 5, 2018Jan 16, 2024

What Happens To Your Plumbing System After A Flood

The damage brought about by flooding is not always obvious. Almost, if not all, parts of a house will be greatly affected by massive flooding and that includes your plumbing system. Flooding can cause different kinds of costly and even hazardous problems in your plumbing system. If ever you think that your plumbing system has been profoundly affected by the most recent flood, be sure to contact a professional plumbing contractor right away.

Shifting Ground

Heavy rainfall can lead to flooding if it falls too fast and the ground cannot soak all of the rainwater up. Once this takes place, the soil becomes overly saturated or waterlogged. A soil that is waterlogged is much softer compared to when it is dry. It can lead to shifting underground, sinking into gaps or openings, or drops debris and rocks, which it may have been holding up. A waterlogged soil is unable to support the weight of the pipes buried underneath. It may also press against it until the pipes rupture. Monitor the condition of your lawn after a flood. In case you notice indications of sewer line break and your lawn appears to be wet all the time, it is time to call a Myrtle Beach plumbing contractor.

Pressure Build Up

Plumbing systems are designed to take on more water than it would normally need to, however, flooding is not normal. If too much water goes into the drain too quickly, your plumbing system will struggle to process all of it. So, your water pipes might wind up trying to push water into the sewer line or pipe under more pressure than they would normally see or that they were designed to withstand.

Needless to say that any kind of damage can decrease the useful lifespan of your pipes and may lead to problems. However, flooding damage can cause bigger issues. Whenever too much pressure goes through your pipes, they will be placed under too much strain and eventually burst. Burst pipes are extremely common especially during flooding and heavy rainfall. If you have noticed leaks, your plumbing system may not be able to efficiently process too much water.

Debris Clogs

According to the experts at Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC Among the greatest hazards that flooding poses is the debris water can take and bring, usually at fast speeds. If you consider flooding debris, you might be thinking about large things like roofs floating downstream. Small debris can also cause major problems, especially on your plumbing.

When an area becomes flooded, the water will pick up everything including grease, plastic, dirt, waste, and garbage. Many different kinds of things are not supposed to go down the drains. They could become lodged in the pipes or they may build up on the inner pipe walls. Clogs that are made up of debris can seriously affect your plumbing system’s capability to process water swiftly and efficiently. It may even develop into a chokepoint that places certain parts of your pipes under great pressure.

Drain Overflow

Your plumbing system can overflow because of flooding. During a flood, plenty of water gets into several drain pipes and it runs out of places to go. The rushing water that flooding brings has more force compared to regular water. It can force typical water out of its way. Whenever rushing water pushes regular water in the plumbing system, it pushes to the direction with the least resistance, which is through the drain pipes. If you are hearing gurgling sounds in your drains during a flood, it might be the sound of displaced water that is moving back up the pipes. In case sufficient water goes into a plumbing system quickly, displaced water may come out of the pipes and into your home.