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Do you have basic plumbing skills?

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Do you have basic plumbing skills? Can you tell if the plumbing in your home needs work? Would you like to learn ways to make plumbing improvements yourself?

If you have decided to learn more about how to better maintain your home’s plumbing, read on for some ideas. The advice in this article will show you how to streamline your own plumbing.

Call Us At (847) 624-3872

Because pipes have a tendency to freeze in the winter months, it’s a good idea to insulate pipes that are in colder spaces. Think about crawl spaces, basement bathrooms, outside water sources, etc.

Insulation can be wrapped around pipes, and is available at any hardware store. Proper insulation will save your pipes from any damage, and as an added bonus, your hot water will stay a lot hotter as it travels from the water heater.

When attempting to tighten a pipe, you should know that over-tightening the pipe is bad news. Only tighten until leaks are stopped, because going further can damage threads, and maybe cause pipe cracks.

Call Us At (847) 624-3872

Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail.

Although it could cost a good deal of money to pump out your septic tank, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.

Property owners have the option of installing flood alarms to alert them of flooding danger. Flood alarms work on the same principle as smoke alarms.

They run on batteries and will have an alarm go off when they touch water. Flood alarms can alert you to leaks or potential floods.

Now that you have the advice in hand, you can get going on taking care of your own plumbing needs. These new ideas may help yield positive results in your work. If they do not work, keep trying until you get pleasant results!

Call Us At (847) 624-3872

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Don’t Buy A Sewage Pump Or Battery Back Up System In Elgin, Il Until You Watch This Video

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Call Us At (847) 624-3872

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Happy Plumbing New Year!

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Call Us At (847) 624-3872

The New Year is here again.

Some of us are we are thinking about our New Year’s resolutions. The usual promises to eat better and shed some pounds. Well how about saving some money this year with some plumbing resolutions as well?

All home owners know maintaining good care of your investment will pay off in a multitude of ways specifically in regards to your home or business’s plumbing.

It’s sometimes easy to forget that the plumbing works all day. This makes it susceptible to problems. Don’t call the plumber if you don’t have to in the New Year!

elgin-iL-plumbing-services

Add a few plumbing resolutions to your list and don’t worry about your plumbing in 2019.

Your garbage disposal is not a garbage can – Though it does say the word garbage, trust us, all garbage is not for your garbage disposal. Promise yourself to properly dispose of food waste in the New Year. It will save you a few hundred dollars in the end. 

Take Charge – A lot of times a minor leak or clogged pipe or drain can turn into a real pain. Pay very close attention to all things that don’t seem right, loud sounds, water that doesn’t get hot or stays too hot, water squirting or a change in the color of your faucet water.

These small hazards will not stay small. They often end up being expensive emergency calls.

Get new appliances if possible – Are some of your appliances 7, 10 or even 15 years old? 

Appliances at the end of their shelf lives can cause more problems then they are worth.  Invest now and save later.  A busted water heater can turn into a flood real fast in a hurry. 

Having a good functioning water system means fewer chances of issues that will cause emergency hazards in the future.

TIP: Consider ENERGY STAR labelled products as they will be more energy efficient, saving you some cash on your total energy bill. 

Talk To A Professional Like Us– If you have any questions or concerns about your home or business’s plumbing system, having an expert like Fox Valley Plumbing & Backflow in Elgin Illinois to come for an inspection to make sure everything is running properly and efficiently will give you a peace of mind.

In 2019 and for years to come whenever you have a plumbing problem you cannot or don’t want to solve yourself,  Call 847-624-3872 and we’ll take if from there. 

Happy New Year… 

Call Us At (847) 624-3872

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What’s Causing Your Leaking Pipes? Elgin, IL

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Call Us At (847) 624-3872

What Causes a Pipe to Leak?
When pipes corrode, they leak and cause many unwanted problems to your home.

High Water Pressure:
High water pressure can cause wear and tear on your pipes. Water running through your pipes at high speeds can cause your pipes to burst or leak.

Tree Roots:
Roots of trees, bushes and big shrubs growing in through the connection points of the pipes can cause obstructions that are tough to deal with as a homeowner.

The long thin roots form masses that can grow into tight balls and then grow until they fill the pipes in every direction causing them to leak.

Keeping your home drains free of roots and obstructions is a worthwhile endeavor. Tree roots can apply a lot of pressure to the system as they grow. They can even crush pipes rendering them useless.

Power rodding can save you the hassle and expense of such repairs. To date, power rodding remains one of the best ways to deal with this invasive and irritating problem.

Broken Water Line or Leaking Pipe in Elgin IllinoisTemperature Changes:
Winter in Elgin and most of Illinois, brings snow, ice and plummeting temperatures that can wreak havoc on plumbing. A ruptured water line can cause extensive, costly damage and disrupt your life or business.

Make sure you winterize your property outdoors, draining pools and irrigation systems and hoses, insulating and covering outdoor faucets and securing doors and windows in garages and outbuildings with water supplies.

Foundation Shifts:
Small shifts in your home’s foundation as it settles over time can create your water lines to move, causing them to disconnect or rupture.

Call Us At (847) 624-3872

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Schaumburg, Il – Do you have basic plumbing skills?

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Call Us At (847) 624-3872

Can you tell if the plumbing in your home needs work?

Would you like to learn ways to make plumbing improvements yourself? If you want to learn more about how to better maintain your home’s plumbing, read on for some ideas. The advice in this article will show you how to streamline your own plumbing.

Because pipes have a tendency to freeze in the winter months, it’s a good idea to insulate pipes that are in colder spaces. Think about crawl spaces, basement bathrooms, outside water sources, etc. Insulation can be wrapped around pipes, and is available at any hardware store. Proper insulation will save your pipes from any damage, and as an added bonus, your hot water will stay a lot hotter as it travels from the water heater.

When attempting to tighten a pipe, you should know that over-tightening the pipe is bad news. Only tighten until leaks are stopped, because going further can damage threads, and maybe cause pipe cracks.

Barrington illinois_emergencyplumber copy

Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail. Although it could cost a good deal of money to pump out your septic tank, it will cost a lot more to have a backflow emergency, having to clean sewage backup, or having to fix or replace a septic tank.

Property owners have the option of installing flood alarms to alert them of flooding danger. Flood alarms work on the same principle as smoke alarms. They run on batteries and will have an alarm go off when they touch water. Flood alarms can alert you to leaks or potential floods.

Now that you have the advice in hand, you can get going on taking care of your own plumbing needs. These new ideas may help yield positive results in your work. If they do not work, keep trying until you get pleasant results!

Talk To A Pipes & Drain Specialist Today

Call Us At (847) 624-3872

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Elgin, Il – Get Those Pipes Working Again With These Tips

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Call Us At (847) 624-3872

Drain and Pipes Maintenance Tips

Take a few minutes to read these helpful maintenance tips in the article below. You’ll be glad you took the time to learn more knowledge about plumbing in case any issues arise.

You have an easy repair if you hear hammering and squeaking noises coming from your pipes. You must anchor exposed pipes to get rid of the noises. You may want to call a plumber to help with pipes that require you to cut a hole in a wall, ceiling or floor.

The Powerful Use Of Baking Soda & White Vinegar
A cup of baking soda followed with a cup of white vinegar each month will keep your drain running smoothly. Cover the drain and wait for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to happen in your pipes.

Wait for at least 10 to 15 minutes before you pour boiling water down the drain. This method should clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.

Use Lots Of Cold Water
To keep your garbage disposal working at its best, use lots of cold water when it’s on. The cold water helps keep the blades nice and sharp and will allow for a much smoother disposal.

When you use hot water, any grease that is in the garbage disposal will melt and be more prone to stopping up your drain.

fox valley plumbing kitchen garbage disposal install

A Water Hose That Has Been Improperly Installed
If you have water leaking into the dishwasher, luckily it’s an easy fix. The hose that runs from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher is not installed properly, and can be corrected quickly. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink must go downhill, and then uphill, to prevent water mixing from the two devices.

Knowing some basics about general plumbing will help save you a bunch of money!

fox valley plumbing dishwasher water hose

Talk To A Pipes & Drain Specialist Today

Call Us At (847) 624-3872

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Elgin, Il – Plumber Uses A Drain Camera To Find Your Lost Valuables

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Watch This Before You Hire A Plumber To Find Your Valuables

Call Us At (847) 624-3872

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Barrington, Illinois – Does Your Home Have A Good Sump Pump System?

The April rains are our friends but the flooding, leaks, mold, and other plumbing hazards they can cause will put a poop on your party. The good news is with a little preparation you can avoid all the mess that goes along with a flooding home…

Beat The Storm

Be Sure Your Home Has A Good Sump Pump System: Does your area get hit with tons of water? If you live in Illinois, the answer is yes. It’s time to ponder a sump pump system. Sump pumps redirect water from your home to the outside. If your basement sits below the water table and is a continual flood hazard it would be a good idea to get a backup support sump pump system during a big storm. Large volumes of water will rush into your basement if you do not have the correct system in place.

Remove Clutter: Make sure storm gutters and drains cleared of all debris. It’s a good practice to routinely inspect your water flow stays free. This will ensure your pipes remain free of debris to prevent blocked pipes.

Call Us Today (847) 624-3872

After A Bad Storm

Watch for Mildew: Mildew is caused when moisture accumulates in dark places where not a lot of air flows. Not only can it destroy things, but it can seriously cause issues with your health (and possibly could affect the resale value of your home).

Mildew Can Be Recognized by:

  • Visible mold (generally, black texture)
  • Stinky smell
  • Peeling drywall
  • Breathing issues

 

Mildew isn’t just limited to basements. Check for moisture or smells in your floors and walls. Slow pipe leaks as well as steady leaks can go without being noticed for a long time. This is what leads to treacherous Mildew growth. Also over time it can cause critical issues to your home’s foundation.

Run the Tap Water: Run your shower & sink faucets. If you notice a slow down in the water pressure, it might mean that you have a busted pipe or leak of some kind caused by heavy rains. Be sure you keep an eye out for dirt, debris, or generally funny colored water. This could signify damaged or corroded pipes.

Watch for Blocks: Pipes can become backed up after rainstorms due to debris deposited into storm drains and downpipes during storms. This type of clog is best left to the pros — not corrosive cleaners.

Call a Pro: If you’re unsure how to detect or repair plumbing damage caused by storms, it’s best to call the pros. Fox Valley Plumbing & Backflow’s professional plumbers have the expertise and tools needed to replace sensitive plumbing components like sump pump sensors, pipes, and fittings.

At the first sign of storm damage, call Fox Valley Plumbing & Backflow to keep your plumbing flowing…

Call Us Today (847) 624-3872
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Safe & Proven Drain Cleaning‎ – Schaumburg, Illinios

Is your tub or sink draining slower than usual, or won’t drain at all?

Need Drain Cleaning Services You Can Trust? Call (847) 624-3872
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Schaumburg, Illinois – What To Do When A Water Main Breaks

water main break in Schaumburg, Illinois

What To Do When A Water Main Breaks

A few months back, thanks to some sub par work completed by a “contractor”, some City folks were privileged to an surprising site: a city main blasting H20 five stories into the air.

Water main leaks & breaks are certainly nothing new in the older neighborhoods. In newer areas these things are a little less likely.

After A water mason breaks sludge, silt, rust and debris start to show up in a homeowner’s water lines.

After this happens, homeowners are often clueless on what to do, especially when they can’t find outward signs of plumbing damage in their homes.

#1 Flood out the pipes Immediately After a water main break

The easiest way to flood a home’s plumbing lines is to open a large faucet or tap while all other taps remain closed. The bathroom usually has the largest faucets. These are ideal for this task.

Turn on the cold water valve in the tub. Pay attention for a hissing and spitting sound. This a sign that air is still in the line.

Flush the water until it is clear, and no additional air bubbles are released.

The restroom’s tap provides the ideal situation for tackling water main problems. The tub’s faucet is bigger than those that serve the sinks. It can discharge debris particles in the water line without getting backed up.

Trash and other mess stops up the lines in smaller faucets and can cause problems that require costly repairs. Debris can get caught in water lines connected to toilets and sinks. In rare cases appliances, boilers and even water heaters.

Every now and then, a piece of debris is the system is large enough to close off a water supply pipe completely.

If you have no water at all, contact the city’s water and sewer services to see whether they’ve turned off the water to your home as part of a repair process. If they verify the water is on, contact a plumber to help you find and free up the clog.

Call Us Today (847) 624-3872

#2 Double check your insurance for water main break coverage

It’s equally important to mention that your city won’t pay to repair damage to a your home’s plumbing system, even if the damage occurred as a direct result of the water main break.

Homeowners must be prepared to repair the damages and replace appliances themselves. Often, most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover “clean water” damage unless you have it specified in the policy.

Check your policy for this coverage now, and take necessary action if your policy won’t pay for water main break damage.
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Call Us Today (847) 624-3872

#3 Install a water main filtration system

One of the single best ways to keep foreign debris out of your plumbing system is to install a water main filtration system. This addition will help reduce sediment, sand and rust that comes from the municipal water supply.

By keeping these contaminants out of your home’s plumbing, you can improve the water quality in your home and reduce the incidence of damage caused by these free-floating hazards.

If you would like more information about a water main filtration system for your home, please contact Fox Valley Plumbing BackFlow Services we’d be happy to recommend and install a whole-house filtration system that will help keep your home’s water fresh and your plumbing and appliances safe from accidental damage.

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Call Us Today (847) 624-3872
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