Common Plumbing Issues Archives

5 Signs That Your House Needs a Plumber

Plumbing problems can be costly but if you don’t address them, you can cause irreversible damage to your home. It’s important to pay attention to the signs, no matter how small they may seem in the beginning.

Sometimes you might not even know that there’s a problem. Therefore, it’s crucial to analyze the following hidden signs.

1. Low Water Pressure

There’s nothing more annoying than wanting to take a refreshing shower and it does not go according to plan. Low water pressure may be an indication that there’s something clogging up your pipes. A leaking pipe can block the flow of water which can make the water pressure feel as though someone is just pouring a water bottle over your head. Low water pressure throughout your home is a clear sign that you have a plumbing leak.

It’s important to figure out if your leaking pipe is confined to one area of your home or whether it’s affecting your entire plumbing system. If your water is leaking in more than one location, turn off all your taps and check your water meter. If the number of gallons has changed on your water meter, you might have a leak that needs to be repaired.

2. Slow Drainage

Your sink or shower can have a build-up of hair or soap-filled body products but when pipes throughout the house become slow to drain, you could have a clog in the main sewer line. If you’re trying to clear out the stubborn blockage you could cause more damage to your pipes. It’s important to call a professional plumber as soon as possible.

3. Damaged Wallpaper or Paint

If you start to notice cracking, peeling or blistering paint in your walls or ceiling this may be a sign of a plumbing leak. Drywall can start to have a bubble-like texture and eventually will fall apart. If your drywall gets damaged it will have to be torn out, patched, and painted. This can be a lengthy process if you don’t have the right resources. Improovy has you covered with everything from drywall repair to a full clean-up. This interior painting service will repair every surface, whether it’s caused by water damage or a drill.

4. Higher Water Bills

A climbing water bill is usually a clear sign that there is some major leaking going on in your plumbing system. If you can’t explain a sudden increase in your water bill, don’t hesitate to call a plumber to investigate potential leaks. High water bills are usually the first sign that your house needs to be examined by a professional. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

5. Mold or Mildew

Don’t forget to use your senses to analyze if your home needs a plumber. Mildew is a musty smell that can become increasingly pungent. It can grow in areas of your home that have a plumbing leak. It will usually develop within 48 hours of water exposure. However, sometimes they’re invisible to the human eye as they can be concealed within your floor due to a broken heating pipe. If you notice your tiles bulging, this could be a sign of a leak.

Another sign you might need a plumber is mold, which is a fast-spreading bacteria that feeds on the moisture of different structural materials. Mold can lead to health problems such as sore throat, coughing, headache, watery eyes, and sneezing. Contact a plumber immediately if you find mold in your home, as it could be a sign of a plumbing leak.

If you spot any of these 5 signs your home probably needs to be examined by a professional plumber in Chicago. Make sure your plumbing leak doesn’t become a plumbing disaster in the long run and contact the Scottish Plumber today.

5 Ways to Protect Your Home From Water Damage

It is estimated that homeowners spend in excess of $3,000 each year repairing the damage done by water. However, with proper planning and preparation, this cost can be completely avoided. As such, consider any of the following 5 tips for protecting your home from water damage.

1. Apply Step Flashing to the Roof

Upgrading the roof is a necessary step in making your home water-resistant. After all, the roof is one of the most common locations for leaks that can trickle into your home and create an entire trail of problems.

However, a new roof will not last long without the proper step flashing. If you are wondering what is step flashing roof, it is not the same type of liquid flashing applied to walls or windows. Step flashing for the roof is a piece of metal, bent at 90 degrees, that goes between the sidewall, dormer, or chimney. It is commonly made of aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper. Without step flashing, water can get under the roof shingles and rot the wood decking substructure, damage insulation, and leak through to drywall. As such, step flashing is a vital complementary repair when upgrading your roof.

2. Avoid Frozen Pipes and Ice Dams

Winter in the Chicago area results in a high incidence of frozen pipes and ice dams. Frozen pipes will cause cracks and leaks that become extremely damaging once thawing occurs, while ice dams cause a backup in gutters that leads to water leaking into the home.

To avoid both of these issues, it is important to contact professionals with the necessary tools and equipment to combat the ice. The Scottish Plumber has special steam-based systems for eliminating ice dams and pipe-thawing equipment that will prevent frozen pipes from bursting, ensuring that the cold of winter does not lead to water damage once thawing occurs.

3. Treat Your Siding

Siding is one area of the home that takes a lot of abuse from inclement weather and projectile impact. This can lead to cracks and fissures that allow moisture into the home.

When assessing the condition of your siding, look for large cracks and determine if the section needs to be replaced. If it appears manageable, try filling the gap with a silicone- or polyurethane-based sealant. Once all major breaches are accounted for, apply a moisture resistant exterior paint to fill in all small fissures and protect your siding from subsequent moisture damage.

4. Damp Proof the Foundation Walls

Protecting your foundation from water damage is essential, as any damage to below-grade areas of the home can be expensive–if not impossible–to repair (some figures show that water damage in the basement can cost up to $85,000 to remedy!). One of the most straightforward ways to protect your below-grade structures is by damp proofing your foundation walls. This typically involves spraying or rolling a water-resistant coating onto the surface. It helps prevent water from the soil from seeping into the foundation.

In some cases where there are large amounts of hydrostatic pressure, damp proofing the foundation may not be enough. More comprehensive waterproofing systems will be required. This involves adding a water-permeable membrane to the foundation walls that directs water down to a drainage mat or board. From there, the water is sent to underground pipes and drained away from the home’s foundation.

5. Add Drainage to Your Exterior Areas

There are several areas of your exterior that need proper landscape drains to prevent water damage.

First, all lawns and landscaping need to be sloped slightly away from your home so that water does not flow toward the building. In addition, ensure that the ground is properly aerated so that the soil can more easily absorb water and prevent situations of powerful runoff.

Next, make sure that the driveway has a good drainage system in place. Concrete driveways should be built with a slot drain to prevent water from glossing over the top and eroding the surrounding landscape. However, it is still possible for water to wash away the substrate of a concrete driveway, causing the surface to crack and buckle. Therefore, the best driveways for areas of high precipitation are gravel driveways that are held in place with permeable paver grids.

Finally, make sure that the pool and patio area of your home is equipped with a trench or grate drain to prevent standing water from building up and causing cracking or discoloration.

Stay Ahead of Water Damage With These 5 Tips

Water damage causes homeowners a sizable chunk of money every year. Fortunately, with the proper planning and execution, this can be rendered a completely unnecessary expense. With this in mind, applying step flashing to the roof, preventing frozen pipes and ice dams, treating your siding, damp proofing the foundation walls, and adding drainage to your exterior areas are 5 of the best ways to protect your home from water damage.

Todd Gillman is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.

Chicago Plumber Tip#31 – Top 5 Reasons for Low Water Pressure

1. Faucet aerators are blocked
A faucet aerator is the little strainer at the tip of most household faucets. Without an aerator, water flows out of the faucet as one large stream. An aerator spreads this stream into tiny droplets, helping to both save water and minimize splashing.

Aerators should be removed annually and checked for mineral deposits built up inside of the openings. You should be able to get these deposits off with just water and a brush, but if you can’t, soaking in vinegar should do the trick.

Another common symptom of a clogged aerator is an irregular spray pattern or a stray stream of water going off at an odd direction. If you see this happening, it’s time for a cleaning.

2. Valves not open all the way
Occasionally, one of the valves controlling the water supply to your home gets stuck in a slightly closed position and restricts the flow. This usually happens either at the meter valve or at the main valve. The meter valve is found in the meter box, while the main valve is located near the outside hose faucet. Make sure both are in the open position by turning in a counterclockwise direction.

Be careful when dealing with older valves. They may be brittle and have the potential to break. Old gate valves, which tend to get stuck or break at the most inopportune times, should be replaced with ball valves, which are much more reliable over time, and much easier to use.

3. Your old pipes are made of galvanized steel
Calcium and other mineral deposits love galvanized steel. So much, in fact, that they often stay behind, making a home inside of your pipes. Over time, the inside diameter of the pipe is reduced to a point where the water flow becomes restricted.

There is no easy solution. Once a pipe becomes blocked with sediment, the only way to repair the problem is to replace the pipe.

4. There is a hidden leak
A leak at any point in your water supply system can result in low pressure. If the leak is not visible, there is a way to check.

First, shut off all the faucets inside and outside of your home. Check the meter reading and write it down. Wait several hours, and check the meter again. If there is an increase in water usage, you probably have a leak.

At this point, you should call a plumber. An unattended leak can not only increase your water bill, it can also wreak havoc on your walls, ceilings, and floors.

5. Municipal water pressure is inadequate.
The water supply for many towns in the Chicago area is dependent on century-old infrastructure. So, while the ideal water pressure for the average home is between 40 and 60 psi, many municipalities deliver substantially less than that.

If the municipal pressure coming into your home is inadequate, the problem can be resolved by installing a booster pump. But first, you must make sure that this is what’s causing the problem. The Scottish Plumber can test the water pressure coming into your home using a special pressure gauge and tell you whether a booster pump is a good solution for your specific problem.

If you need help with any water pressure issue, call The Scottish Plumber at 888-622-2564, or visit our website at www.scottishplumber.com.

Elmhurst Plumber Tip #28: Attic Pipe Repair

At this time of year, Elmhurst plumbers and Elmhurst plumbing contractors have their work cut out for them. In this part of the country as temperatures continue to drop, the likelihood of your residential plumbing and commercial plumbing systems experiencing freezing and potential bursting increases. When pipes are exposed to cold air and then to moisture, the result can be frozen pipes which can eventually lead to bursting. The pipes that may run through your attic are typically more susceptible to freezing, and therefore, a thorough plumbing maintenance visit at this time of year should include attic pipe maintenance and inspection.

Attic pipe repair is a plumbing service that can really make winter easier to bear this year. Attic pipes are usually more exposed than pipes that run underground or near the foundation of your home, meaning cold air can reach them more easily that submersed piping. Cold air coupled with moisture is a recipe for attic pipe freezing, so rather than incur the expense of repairing those hard-to-reach attic pipes, we encourage you to contact an Elmhurst plumber or Elmhurst plumbing contractor for an attic pipe inspection visit.

The Scottish Plumber is proud to offer many residential plumbing and commercial plumbing services such as video camera pipe inspection, pipe relining, trenchless sewer replacement, plumbing fixture installation, sewer cleaning, drain cleaning, and sewer and drain maintenance, bathroom renovation assistance, toilet repairs, sink repairs, kitchen fixture repairs, bathroom fixture repairs, and much more. Call an Elmhurst plumber or Elmhurst plumbing contractor from The Scottish Plumber to learn more.

Downers Grove Plumber Tip #27: Winter Flood Prevention

The Downers Grove plumbers and Downers Grove plumbing contractors at the Scottish Plumber are devoted to helping you improve your winter flood prevention efforts. Winter flooding may seem uncommon, but consider how much snowfall we get each winter in this part of the country. On warmer days, this fallen snow can melt and produce a great deal of runoff, and that is where winter flood prevention becomes important. Runoff water can enter your basement just as easily as rainfall during the winter, so on warmer days you want o make sure that you already have in place those basement flooding prevention systems that will keep the foundation of your home safe and dry.

Having a working sump pump is one way to ensure that your basement will at least have a means of ameliorating a basement flooding situation. Same with a battery back up sump pump. The battery back up sump pump is what provides power to your sump pump in case of a power outage or power surge. Having these sump pump systems in place with routine sump pump maintenance (or sump pump installation if your basement does not have one) will reduce the risk of basement flooding damaging your home.

The Scottish Plumber’s team of Downers Grove plumbers and Downers Grove plumbing contractors are professionally trained to install, maintain, and replace pumps and battery backup systems which can help prevent winter flooding in your residential or commercial property. Simply pick up the phone and call us today to learn more about winter flood prevention tips.

Trenchless Sewer Repair – Des Plaines

Trenchless Sewer Repair is a term Des Plaines homeowners should learn. With many homes over 100 years old, and an abundance of clay piping, most residents will at one point or another experience some kind of problem with their sewer.

Trenchless Sewer Repair Saves Your Lawn and More

Sewer repair done using traditional methods is often a messy project. It usually involves excavation which means either digging in the yard or breaking up the basement floor. Often, the sewer is located under another object, such as a deck, a stoop, or a concrete walkway – and all of these things have to be removed in order to make the repair.

This is especially impactful in towns like Des Plaines where homeowners really put a lot of care into their yards. What’s worse, after the sewer has been repaired, the homeowner has to deal with the headaches and costs of restoration. This is where the Trenchless method comes in and completely saves the day.

Conventional sewer repair often requires a lot of digging as you can see in the photo above. It takes quite a bit of time and effort to restore your lawn to its original state.

How Does Trenchless Sewer Repair Work?

There are two types of Trenchless Sewer Repair Des Plaines customers can take advantage of:

Sewer Liner (also known as Trenchless Sewer Relining or Sewer Lining) – typically used to repair longer sections of pipe – usually 20 feet or longer. It can also be used in place of conventional sewer replacement.
Pipe Stent Trenchless Sewer Repair – typically used to repair shorter sections of pipe and for spot repairs.

With the Trenchless method, we’re able to install a new section of pipe inside of the damaged pipe using woven fiberglass and resins. The new pipe is stronger than any cast iron, clay, or PVC pipe (see video at bottom of page), and it’s smooth and seamless, which improves flow and ensures proper drainage.

Clay pipe, which is very common in Des Plaines, has a major weakness. It allows roots to penetrate through the connections between sections of pipe. Trenchless Sewer Repair completely seals off these connections wherever it’s installed and completely blocks the roots from entering the pipe.

Watch the Pipe Stent Trenchless Repair process in this short video

Trenchless Sewer Repair Saves You Money

Trenchless Sewer Repair is also less expensive than conventional repair and that’s BEFORE you take the costs of any kind of restoration into account. It also comes with a 50-year warranty, which is about 5 to 10 times longer than the typical warranty on conventional sewer repair or replacement.

The Scottish Plumber has some of the most experienced technicians in the industry when it comes to Trenchless. We have done hundreds of such repairs all over Chicagoland, many of them in Des Plaines, so homeowners can rest easy knowing that the job will be done quickly and properly by a well-trained and experienced professional.

In this short video, we test the strength of the Pipe Stent using a sledgehammer and some elbow grease.

For more information or to schedule a free estimate, use the red appointment form at the top of this page, give us a call at 888-451-6137, or contact us here.

Villa Park Plumber Tip #22: Repairing Leaking Pipe Joints

The Scottish Plumber is well known in the Chicagoland area for delivering excellent Chicago plumbing services, Villa Park plumbing services, Chicago plumbing repairs, and Villa Park plumbing repairs to our valued Chicagoland plumbing customers. The Villa Park plumbers and Chicago plumbers at The Scottish Plumber employ the newest plumbing technologies to fix leaking pipes, clean clogged drains, and protect your Villa Park basement from basement flooding.

Since 1970, PVC piping has been the dominant piping material, as an upgrade to clay or concrete pipes. PVC piping is a very common household plumbing material that is typically more durable and less susceptible to erosion than clay, concrete, or orangeburg piping. Although PVC certainly has greater structural integrity than most other piping materials, it can also leak. These leaks usually result from leaking PVC pipe joints, which are the junctures between distinct pieces of PVC piping. Over time, these PVC pipe joints can loosen, and eventually begin to leak. Leaking pipe repair is a job best left for a Villa Park plumber from The Scottish Plumber. Please contact us to learn more about how we repair leaking pipe joints.

Have you noticed a growing water stain on the ceiling of your basement? If so, please contact The Scottish Plumber today. A leak in the ceiling is not a minor plumbing issue. If left to worsen, the leaky basement ceiling could collapse, leading to worse problems and much more expensive repairs.

Chicago Plumber Tip #18: Prevent Summer Basement Floods

Late summer rainstorms can be a welcome respite from Chicagoland’s typically hot and humid weather. Many Chicagolanders will be fortunate to find themselves indoors, perched by a window, watching the rainstorm pass. Others might take the opportunity to cool off and play in the rain.

No matter how summer rains make you feel, they are an inevitable aspect of Chicago summers. They may reduce the humidity and cool us down for a while, but summer rains can also have adverse effects on your Chicagoland sewers and drains.

Basement flooding can occur when water enters your basement through cracks in the foundation. While it may seem like your basement is an open space waiting to be filled to the ceiling with incoming rainwater or runoff water, there is actually a handy device that works to alleviate basement floods in your Chicago or Villa Park home.

A Chicago sump pump or Villa Park sump pump is the device that pulls water away from the foundation of your home and channels it into the appropriate storm drain or storm sewer. Sump pumps can reduce considerably the risk of Chicago basement floods and Villa Park basement floods at this time of year.

If your basement is not equipped with a sump pump, please call a Chicago plumber or Chicago plumbing contractor at The Scottish Plumber so we can discuss sump pump installation. For our Villa Park plumbing customers and Chicago plumbing customers who already own basement sump pumps, please feel free to contact us for a sump pump inspection, sump pump maintenance, or battery back up sump pump installation.

5 Things You Can Do To Keep Your Sewer Clean

Don’t flush wipes, hygienic products, or paper towels down the toilet. If you do, it will eventually catch up with you and result in the sewer becoming slow or clogged.
Don’t plant trees or bushes near the sewer. Tree roots grow as long as the tree is tall and they love to feed on nutrient-dense sewage. If your sewer is close enough, they will find it.
Use a natural product like Bio-Clean to get rid of the sludge and grime that stick to the walls of the pipe and reduce the diameter of the pipe.
Occasionally call a plumber for maintenance sewer rodding or hydro-jetting. Keeping the sewer clean of sludge, debris, and roots on a preventive basis, can save you a lot of money in the long run. Not to mention not having to deal with a nasty backup.
Install a power-flush toilet that uses compressed air to increase the force of the flush and help push the waste into the city sewer more quickly.

How to Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment for sewer rodding simply fill out the easy appointment form above, or give us a call at 888-451-6137.

Chicago Plumber Tip #15: Hard Drain Blockages

The Scottish Plumber employs a wonderful team of Chicago plumbers and Villa Park plumbers whose main concern is to provide our Chicago plumbing customers and Villa Park plumbing customers outstanding customer service and a plumbing job well done.

Our highly qualified Chicago plumbers and Villa Park plumbers are licensed to perform a wide range of plumbing repairs, pipe repairs, and plumbing maintenance, including video pipe inspection, pipe bursting sewer pipe replacement, and sewer and drain cleaning.

The Villa Park plumbers and Chicago plumbers at The Scottish Plumber want you to know that, for the purposes of simplicity, there are two types of Chicago drain blockages. There are hard blockages and soft blockages, and both types of blockages can result in clogged drains, clogged sewers, overflowing toilets, or slow drains. For this Chicago plumber article, we will focus on hard drain blockages.

Hard drain blockages can appear in Chicago drains and Chicago sewers. Hard drain blockages include sewer roots, objects such as bath toys, and mineral buildup. They are so named because they are literally hard to the touch. If a Chicago plumber were to feed a drain snake down a toilet drain with a hard blockage, the drain snake would initially come up hard against the blockage.

Hard blockages, therefore, require more advanced plumbing solutions than a drain snake can provide. Our Chicago plumbers might try video pipe inspection to get a closer look at the blockage itself, at which time chemical drain cleaning or sewer rodding may be required.

We were recently featured in an article about home repairs on Porch where we provided some advice on when to try to clear the clog yourself and when to call us.