Is Your Toilet Running? Well, You’d Better Go Catch It With These Tips!

 

You know that noise that you hear every time after you flush the toilet? You know, that slight hissing sound? It usually goes away on its own after about 20 or 30 seconds, and the bathroom is once more silent.

But what happens if it DOESN’T stop?

No, there’s no need to panic. Your toilet isn’t broken or isn’t gearing up to explode. It just simply means that it’s running, and you need to try to fix it!

Why? Well, besides being an obnoxious nuisance, a running toilet can cost you water loss and more dough on your water bill! So if you want to put a stop to excess water and money leaving your home, don your thinking cap and start investigating!

Usually in the case of a running toilet, the culprit can be the ball cork or the inlet valve. And while that may sound intimidating to some of you out there, if you know the basic workings of your toilet, you can easily solve the issue of your running toilet.

To begin identifying the problem, remove the toilet tank lid (be sure you have plastic gloves on!). Check the ball cock, which is a metal or plastic ball in the tank. It is the device that floats and causes the water to stop running. If it isn’t floating, then you may have a problem on your hands!

Next, reach for the bottom of the tank and put some pressure on the edges of the tank flap. The flap is a rubber cone – typically red or black – and it is fitted into tank holes. Check for the sound of running water in the bowl when you do this. If no water is flowing into the toilet bowl, the flap might have become deformed. In that case, you will need to replace it.

Now’s the time to get down to work! If you want to fix your toilet but aren’t sure how to proceed, we advise calling us here at Tiger Plumbing at 1-866-TIGER70. If you still want to proceed, then simply follow the following steps:

1. Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet to drain any water present.

2. If you need to replace the ball cock diaphragm, you will need to snap off the cover of the ball cock. Remove the four screws that hold the top plate of the ball cock with a screwdriver. The float control arm will need to be removed as well.

3. Remove the diaphragm.

4. Check for any rust or pieces of gravel that might have attached to the diaphragm (by the way, you will need to replace the diaphragm). Turn the water supply on and flush the valve. You should do this to ensure its proper functioning for the future.

5. Change the top plate and fasten the new plate with screws.

As a quick reminder, be sure to check out your toilet flapper in case of any leaks. A faulty flapper is usually associated with a potential leak. The water shouldn’t rise over the overflow pipe. If it does rise over the pipe, you will need to change the fill valve.

Additionally, a faulty guide rod or chain is the first thing to keep your eyes peeled for. A bent rod can easily cause leakage, and valve seats and stoppers shouldn’t have any corrosion.

If you have any running toilet issues and would like the experts to solve your bathroom woes, then be sure to call Tiger Plumbing Services at 1-866-TIGER70! Call us or check us out at our website at www.tigerplumbingservices.com to see what we can do for you!

Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Valve Is To Help Avoid Catastrophe!

Your worst nightmare has finally been made real.

You walk into your home after a long, grueling day at the office, and you pick up the peculiar sound of rushing water. But no one else is home…

Racing into the basement you find that your pipes have burst, and water is rushing out of the pipes at an insane speed!

That’s when you have to find you’re main water shutoff valve. Except… well… you don’t even know where it is or what it looks like, let alone how to shut off the water!

Knowing where your main water shutoff valve and how to operate it can help you save thousands of dollars in damage, especially when your pipes burst!

First off, you need to know what a main shutoff valve IS. After water passes through the three city-installed valves, the water comes to what is called the main shutoff valve in your home. This valve is usually located in your basement or on an outside wall in a utility area of your house. The main shutoff valve’s function is to allow a full flow of water through the pipe when it’s open. Turning off this valve will cut off the water supply to the ENTIRE house.

Now that you know what a main shutoff valve is and what it does, you need to know what to do with it once you find it!

The main shutoff valve in your home probably has one of two designs:

Gate Valve: Gate valves are very reliable and last for years to come, but they do become difficult to turn if you don’t turn them for years! If you haven’t closed the main shutoff valve since you moved into your home, it’s best to just do it now. After all, you should try it out to see if it works NOW rather than wait for your pipes to burst and your standing knee-deep in water!

Ball valve: Houses that have plastic or copper main water pipes leading into the house may have a full-flow ball valve. This valve opens when the handle is aligned with the pipe. To close it, you’ll need to turn the handle ¼ turn clockwise so that it’s perpendicular to the pipe.

As soon as you’ve located your main shutoff valve, be sure that everyone in the household knows where it’s located and knows how to turn it off. Keep in mind that turning the handle clockwise closes the valve! Helpful hint: If you need to have a cheat sheet to remind you which way to turn the control to shut it off, use a label with a simple reminder such as “Right off” with an arrow pointing right!

Having a yearly inspection of your main shutoff valve is also a very smart idea to do to make sure that your valve turns smoothly in case an emergency occurs. We can inspect your valves to make sure that they are in good working condition and even show you how to turn the water off to your home in case of emergency!

Don’t wait until disaster strikes! Call us here at Tiger Plumbing Services at 1-866-TIGER70 or check out our website at www.tigerplumbingservices.com

Prepare Yourself, Your Home, and Your Sump Pump For Spring!

 

March is finally here, and you know what that means? That’s right – spring is on its way to the northern hemisphere!

Finally, we once more get to enjoy longer days, more beautiful weather, and the luxury of putting away our winter coats and gloves in exchange for light jackets and maybe even sandals and shorts!

But beware – spring has a darker side that we all must remember. With those famous spring showers, damaging flood rains can abound and ravage the area (remember the devastating flood rains from last year?).

Maybe your lawn is prone to flooding from time to time, but you definitely don’t want your basement to be prone to floods! Even as little as one inch of water can take several hours to thoroughly clean up, and it can potentially cause thousands of dollars in damaged carpets, rugs, and furniture, depending on what’s in your basement. Not only that, but flooding damage can also cause you plumbing problems, damage your foundation, and rot any wood in the home, bringing down the value of your home.

Don’t let this frighten you, though. One of the best things you can do to protect your basement from flooding is installing your last line of defense against flooding – a sump pump.

Flooding in the basement occurs when water buildup in your yard’s soil finds its way into your basement. Before the water level reaches the basement floor level, your sump pump will pump out the water from the lowest section of the basement. The rising groundwater level will then be diverted into the sump hole, and when the water reaches what’s called “the critical level,” your sump pump will then begin to pump it out through a pipe that leads outside, taking the water away from the foundation of your house.

Before you think you could survive without a sump pump, consider this. While gutters and drains are essential to homeowners, water collected on the roof of the home and drained by the gutters can still cause flooding if that water isn’t carried far enough away from the home. Having a working sump pump in your basement can save you thousands of dollars in the long run!

Sump pumps are even more essential since the Federal Clean Water Act no longer allows builders in many locations to drain rainwater from gutters into the sewage system.

Got a sump pump in your basement already? Good! Now are you sure that it’s working properly? If you’re not sure, it’s imperative to check NOW before it’s too late! Here’s how to check out your sump pump!

1.     Remove the cover of the sump pump, and SLOWLY pour water into the sump tank.

2.     Watch for the “float” to rise and trigger the pump. Once the pump is engaged and working, the water level will lower quickly, and the float will then shut off the pump.

This is what’s called a “normal sump cycle,” and you definitely want your sump pump to be doing that.

If you find that your sump pump is working incorrectly (or not at all), don’t fret. Most problems that occur with sump pumps deal with the float. If your pump won’t start, the float might be hanging on something that’s inside the tank. If you simply reposition the pump, your problem should be solved. If that doesn’t work, your float may need to be replaced.

Don’t have a sump pump? No problem! A variety of pumps is available, including water powered and battery powered back up models for use in areas that are prone to power outages! We here at Tiger Plumbing can help in evaluating your needs and selecting the right sump pump for your home.

If you’re ready to get a sump pump or are currently having problems with your sump pump, pick up the phone and call us today at 1-866-TIGER70! Visit our website to see what we can do to serve you! Don’t be caught unprepared for the spring season; get your sump pumps checked out today!

Tiger Plumbing – THE Most Reliable Plumbing Service Around!

It’s a fact – customers want reliable service, especially if there’s an emergency. If your pipes break all of a sudden and your house is slowly flooding, who wants to wait for help? No one!

And what’s worse – what if the service provider you called is late to your home or FORGOT the appointment?

With Tiger Plumbing Services, you don’t have to worry about our dropping the ball and forgetting about you. It will never happen!

What’s our secret to success? One word – Wintac. We have been using this program for a long time in our companies, and we can attest that Wintac is one of the easiest user-friendly things that we’ve ever worked with!

Simply stated, Wintac is an all-in-one business automation software that allows service companies like us to be much more organized and super efficient. It’s also the #1 software used successfully by HVAC, plumbing, electrical companies, and other service companies everywhere!

What does this mean for you, our customer? It means that we will always be aware of our schedule. We will be able to immediately answer if someone can come out to your residence on a certain date or not. We can also document how much time our employees spend at your and other customers’ homes during the week. And, of course, it means that we will NEVER forget our appointments.

If you have troubles with your pipes or feel it’s time for a check-up, don’t delay! Call us here at Tiger Plumbing at 1-866-TIGER70! You can also visit our website at www.tigerplumbingservices.com. Let us help you solve your home issues and get you back to your life again!

Why Are Tree Roots So In Love With Your Sewer Pipes?

 

It’s February, and Valentine’s Day is here! That means that love is in the air! Love apparently is also in the ground, too, because when you go down in the basement, you are greeted with a horrifying sight. Water. Standing water near the drain.

As you bail out the water, you may think, “Why me? Why has my basement flooded? It was just a little rainstorm!”

Well, the answer to your questions is simple. Your trees’ roots just can’t keep away from those attractive sewer pipes of yours!

But don’t fret – this is a very common problem. As you may know, roots from any plant thrive on water and are determined to find it wherever they can, especially when there’s a lack of precipitation in your area. That only means one thing – those roots are gunning for your sewer pipes!

And what tree root WOULDN’T love sewer pipes? They offer all that a tree root could ever need and want – nutrients, oxygen, and of course, water! So beware – roots can do far-reaching damage to your sewer pipes if you let them!

So how do those sneaky tree roots find your precious sewer pipes? Trees have an extensive root system, especially the older trees, and those roots are a conductor for the tree’s nutrition, so they are always seeking out food. If you have pipes that are leaking (and by leaking, we mean pipes that have fissures or loose or damaged joints or cracks), then the water flow through the damaged pipes will produce a vapor that will escape through the warmer soil surrounding the pipe. Roots will take note and grow toward that source of vapor.

Here’s the scary part – if you leave those roots to their own devices, they will continue to grow inside your pipes. Eventually, they’ll block and break your sewer pipes, and as they grow, they will catch any form of matter they come in contact with. That includes things like hair, tissue paper, and grease.

Are you scared yet? No need to be! You can prevent those pesky roots from entering and damaging your sewer pipes! Here’s what you can do:

*Be aware of the location of your sewer pipes and cleanout. That’s half the battle!

*Don’t plant any trees, shrubs, or anything with large root systems near your pipes. A good rule of thumb to abide by is to plant your trees at least 10 feet away from the pipes and cleanout.

*Be sure to schedule regular maintenance to have your sewer pipes checked out. This sort of situation requires constant, thorough maintenance to function at a high level. If you fail to keep up regular maintenance and cleaning, you could have expensive repairs and a big mess on your hands.

Are you having trouble with your tree roots and sewer pipes? It’s not too late! Call us here at Tiger Plumbing at 1-866-TIGER70, and we’ll get you set on the right track.

Little Leaks Can Cause Big Problems!

 

Christmas has come and gone, and so has the holiday shopping season! You’ve sworn to not spend another penny for the next few months. You’re about ready to stock up on ramen noodles and pasta when you look at your water bill…

Thank goodness you were sitting down when you were looking at your bill because the price has drastically jumped and, oddly enough, for no good reason! Before you panic, take a look around your house. In fact, take a listen around your house, too.

Have you found any leaks in your home?

While individual drops of water won’t seem very wasteful at first glance, consider how much all those little drops of water can turn into. Wasted drops can easily turn into wasted gallons, which can also result into a lot of your money going down the drain.

Consider this: If you experience, say, 259,200 drops of wasted water from your leaky faucets per day, that equals 64 liters of wasted water (that is, 17 gallons) PER DAY. That will wind up turning into 6,248 gallons of water lost per year. That means that you’ll have wasted 124 baths each year! And don’t even think about the hundreds of dollars you’re losing per month. You can kiss those Christmas presents for your family good-bye this year!  (Oh, and just for fun, check out this cool water-waste calculator to see how much water you could be wasting right now.)

Another cost to consider is the damage that any leaks may do to your home. Water running down the drain is pennies wasted; however, water leaking onto your floor or into the walls may cause thousands of dollars in damage repairs. There’s no doubt about it – those leaks need to be fixed, STAT!

In fact, did you know that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, an average American home wastes more than roughly 10,000 gallons of water every year? And guess what caused all the waste? That’s right – dripping faucets, dripping toilets, and other leaks around the house!

For the most part, leaks are easy to fix and can save you hundreds of dollars in wasted water.

If you want to fix your leaky faucet, be sure to first and foremost turn off the water under the sink or faucet and close the sink drain. You can cover the drain with a rag if need be. Before you get to fixing your leak, be sure to tape the jaws of your wrench with a layer of duct tape so you won’t scratch your fixture and figure out where you want to place your tools and parts. Before getting to the actual fixing, use distilled white vinegar and a soft scouring pad for removing any mineral deposits on the faucet parts.

When it comes to actually fixing your leaks, well, it gets a bit trickier. Depending on which type of faucet you’re tackling, you might have to go about repairing it in a different manner. There are only four types of faucets: compression-type, ball-type, cartridge, and ceramic-disk. Information on how to fix these types of faucets can be found nearly anywhere and can be done with relative ease.

And of course, while leaky faucets are usually easy to detect, a leak in your toilet might prove harder to find. A fun and effective test to run is to drop a little dye or food coloring into your toilet tank to see if it’s leaking water. If the color runs into the bowl without being flushed, you have a leak.

If you have any leaks and have questions or would rather trust the professionals with your water worries, call us at 1-866-TIGER70 or visit our website at www.tigerplumbingservices.com. You’ll not only be helping yourself out in the wallet, but you will also be helping the environment out!

Have the Wet Bandits Struck Again? Or Have Your Frozen Pipes Finally Burst?

Everyone at some point in his or her life has seen Home Alone, that Christmas movie in which 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin) is left home alone while his family is in France, left to outsmart the antics of antagonists Harry and Marv – “The Wet Bandits.” These thieves, who’d rob vacant Chicago homes, would leave their “signature” after finishing the job – clogged-up sink basins, which would run freely with water until the owners would come back and discover that their home was practically turned into a swimming pool.

Unfortunately, in this time of year, it can be really easy for your home to do the same. While we may wish for an indoor swimming pool, this isn’t the best way to get one! Burst pipes can be very costly to you and your home. Only 1/8^th of an inch of a crack in a pipe can gush up to 250 gallons of water each day! This can cause flooding in your home, serious structural damage, and a huge, immediate potential mold! And besides, no one wants to bail water out in the dead of winter!

Luckily, you can prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting! All you have to do is pay extra special attention to your pipes this winter season.

It’s important to remember that pipes freeze for a combination of these three central reasons:

1.)  There are sharp drops in the temperature.

2.)  The pipes are poorly insulated.

3.)  Your thermostat is set too low.

 

Knowing the reasons pipes freeze, you can intercede for your pipes by doing the following:

Before the cold comes –

1.) Make sure that the pipes in your home’s attic and crawl spaces are insulated. The pipes that are the most susceptible to freezing are the ones that are exposed. The more insulation you use on your pipes, the better off they’ll be!

2.) Wrap your pipes with heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables. Even self-sealing, closed-cell polyethylene sleeves, which are available from home-supply stores, will do the job.

3.) Finally, seal all air leaks near the pipes’ locations. Look around your electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes for any unexplainable breezes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. Remember – even a teeny tiny hole can cause your pipes to freeze in severe cold!

Also, don’t forget to disconnect those garden hoses if you haven’t done so yet!

Mercury Falling – Preventing Frozen Pipes in Extreme Weather Conditions

When the weather turns mean and the cold wind howls wildly at your door, you can still do a few things to protect your pipes, let alone your home.

1.) Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. A trickle of hot and cold water can actually keep your pipes from freezing!

2.) If you’re the kind who likes to turn the heat down at night while you sleep, listen up! Set your thermostat at same temperature during the day and night. Further drops in the temperature, which tend to occur during the night hours, can freeze your pipes if the thermostat is lowered!

3.) Open the cabinet doors so that heat can warm the exposed pipes under your sinks and the appliances near the walls.

Before You Leave

How great would it be to up and leave for Florida, Hawaii, or an exotic Caribbean island in the midst of winter? Well, maybe you’re one of the lucky people who plan to do so sometime this season. If so, you MUST make sure your pipes are protected against freezing, otherwise you’ll be greeted by a wet surprise when you return home!

1.) Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

2.) If possible, ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s warm enough to prevent pipes from freezing, especially if the weather proves to be particularly nasty.

3.) Shut off and drain your water system.

IF YOUR PIPES FREEZE:

Sometimes, our preventive measures aren’t enough to ensure safety for our pipes. If you turn on your faucets and find that nothing is coming out, then your pipes are more than likely frozen. Don’t panic, though – there are ways to fix your pipes before they burst!

*If you turn on faucet and nothing comes out, leave them turned on and call us!

*Don’t use electrical appliances in standing water! You can easily get electrocuted.

*Don’t try to thaw a pipe with a torch – it could cause a fire hazard.

*Rubbing pipes with warm damp rags could slowly thaw the lines.

*If you don’t have water for an extended period of time, turn off the gas to your hot water heater!

*If your pipes have burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve and leave the water faucets on.

Remember, frozen pipes, let alone burst pipes, are a big problem and should be fixed immediately. Be sure to call the experts here at Tiger Plumbing at 1-866-TIGER70, or visit us at our website at www.tigerplumbingservices.com!

Having Pipe Dreams? Snap Back to Reality With These 9 Plumbing Myths!

As children we eagerly pick up our parents’ advice, especially about the facets of life the typical person may not fully understand – cars, heating and cooling systems, and yes, even plumbing. Some of the advice passed down through the generations is sound, but other pieces of advice are oversimplified or just plain wrong. Check out the following nine myths about plumbing to see if you find yourself doing these things in your home!

Myth #1: Using common store-bought drain products will safely unclog and maintain the kitchen and bath sink drains.

Fact: Seriously, just say “No!” to Drano! Drain products sold over the counter are actually harmful to pipes! This is due in part because these products are manufactured with acid type chemicals that eat away at the interior surface of pipes, which make them brittle and sometimes can even burn a hole through the interior of the pipes. In fact, pipes can become so brittle that the next time a plumber uses a metal drain cable, the pipe can instantly crack under the house, which makes for a very expensive repair! And sadly, these products don’t even come close to opening the clog!

Myth #2: Picking up that single hair from the sink won’t help in preventing a clogged drain.

Fact: Actually, that one long hair does a lot to slow or stop up your drain. Be sure to pick up every single hair in your sink basin so you can prevent slow drainage or a clog.

Myth #3: Plungers are useless!

Fact: A plunger is actually one of the best things you can invest in for your bathroom. Consider it as your own personal plumber hiding in the corner behind your toilet! A good plunger, much like a good plumber, can save you hundreds of dollars in toilet clogs. The thicker and softer tissues and toilet paper that we use today can clog toilets more easily, and using a good plunger to push it through is the best way to keep costs down and efficiency up!

Myth #4: If I do everything myself, I’ll save tons of money!

Fact: With all the DIY shows on home network shows these days, it’s easy to assume that fixing up your home yourself is simple and cost-effective. The reality, unfortunately, is that homeowners who try to do it themselves always seem to end up making the problem worse than what it was. That means more headaches for you, the homeowner, and also more money going down the drain (no pun intended) to fix the damages. Before you try to fix anything yourself, be sure to call us first – you’ll save yourself, time, money, and aspirin!

Myth #5: There’s nothing I can do to stop my drains, pipes, toilets, and sewer from occasionally backing up, so I’ll only worry if I have a problem!

Fact: Did you know that up to 15% of the value of your property is tied into your plumbing system? That includes all the pipes, faucets, and fixtures that provide life-giving water for drinking, bathing, and cleaning whenever you want or need it. You should protect your investment with proper plumbing maintenance. Even if there are occasional back-ups, be sure to take precautionary measures to ensure your plumbing is in tip-top shape!

Myth #6: Putting lemon in the disposal to make it smell fresh is a great idea.

Fact: Sure, you might succeed in momentarily creating a fresh aroma, but the citric acid from lemons corrodes the metal inside your disposal. Instead, use ice to polish your disposal up inside; it may be noisy, but it works, and it won’t tear up your disposal.

Myth #7: “In tank” cleaners will keep your toilet sparkling and smelling great!

Fact: The fact of the matter is these products bleach smelly build-up white but don’t get rid of it. Eventually, the build-up will ruin your toilet. Vinegar is a better alternative – it removes smelly build-up that can damage the flow of your toilet for a fraction of the cost. And besides, a nice, healthy scrubbing never hurt anyone (or any toilet)!

Myth #8: Running water while using the garbage disposal will help things run smoothly.

Fact: This is something we’ve all done (or still do!). Oddly enough, though, running the water with the garbage disposal doesn’t help if the blockage has already happened before the water shows up! The better solution is to fill the sink basin with a 4 to 1 ratio of water to waste so that the waste is separated and flows easily down the drain.

Myth #9: As long as everything is going down the drain, everything is working just fine.

Fact: Even if you can’t see it, certain foods like pasta and rice will bloat in pipes and cause clogs. Without the right amount of water to rinse it down, waste builds up in the pipes and makes drainage inefficient. Prevent blockage and clogging problems by using your sinks, toilets, and showers correctly! Make sure to fill basins with water before draining, and place a hair screen in the drain to reduce blockage in your shower.

Remember – when in doubt, call us out! We’d be more than happy to look at whatever problem or concern you may have. Give us a call at 1-866-TIGER70 or visit our website. Let us save you more money in the long run with our professional plumbing proficiency!

“It’s A-Me, Mario!” – When You Can Play Plumber in Real Life Vs. When You Need a Professional

Halloween is just around the corner, but just because you’re dressing like Mario or Luigi from Super Mario Bros. doesn’t quite mean that you are a real plumber (unless, of course, if that happens to really be your profession!). There are some things you can fix yourself at home, but there are also some things that you can fix by setting down your wrench, stepping back, picking up the phone and calling us here at Tiger Plumbing!

So when DON’T you need to call us? You can grab your tools and get to work yourself for these following piping problems:

Running Toilet: Hey, is your toilet running? Well, you’d better go catch it! Just kidding – toilets can’t move! A running toilet is one of the most frequent issues that occur in the home. If your toilet is running, the problem can be solved by replacing a faulty flapper or ball assembly in the toilet’s tank. Some cases, though, will require you to clean mineral deposits from the tank itself. If you’re determined to do it yourself, try using boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar to clean it.

Backed-Up Toilet The only thing worse than clogging a toilet is clogging someone else’s toilet. As a quick note – if you flush once and the water rises dangerously high, DO NOT flush again! Instead, you should quickly remove the tank lid and push the tank ball down to close the flush valve.

You’re pretty much okay to fix a backed-up toilet if only the toilet and/or the sink back up as the blockage is relatively close to the site. You can do this by using a plunger or to dislodge anything that may be trapped in the toilet bowl drain (make sure there is about a gallon of water in the bowl before you do anything – no more, no less!). For major clogs, though, you’ll probably want to use a closet auger, which is specifically designed for toilets.

Please note, though, that if you have drains elsewhere in your house backing up, it’s best to call us as that denotes that there is probably a problem somewhere in the sewer line!

Noisy Pipes Banging, hammering, high-pitched squeaking – your water pipes can make so many different sounds that you may start believing that your house is haunted. The trick to solving this problem is to identify the specific sounds and where they’re coming from.

Pipes are usually anchored with metal or plastic straps every 6 to 8 feet for horizontal runs, or 8 to 10 feet for vertical. If you hear banging pipes, that usually means your pipes are loose. You can fix this problem by adding more straps to anchor the pipe. Cushion the pipes from the straps with a rubber blanket.

If your pipes are squeaking, the solution is the same as fixing a banging pipe. Remember, only hot water pipes squeak.

If you hear water hammer in your pipes, all you need to do is turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, then open all your faucets to drain the entire system. Close the faucets and turn on the water again. This should solve the problem.

Flooding Several different situations can cause flooding, including seepage from cracked pipes, a corroded water heater, or an overflowing faucet or toilet. In any instance, you should take immediate steps to shut off the water. If necessary, contact us to identify and repair your problem!

So when DO you need to call us? Pick up the phone and call us pronto if you see one (or more) of the following issues with your piping:

If you’re thinking about remodeling your bathroom, moving any existing plumbing, replacing your tub, or replacing your shower valve, give us a call! Those are super heavy-duty jobs that only professionals should handle. If you find that you have big issues such as main line stoppage, any problems with your water heater, severe clogged drains, or sump pump problems, let us handle it all for you. And of course, if gas lines are involved, please give us a call, no matter what. Gas lines should be handled by professionals only.

If you’re reading this and have a plumbing issue, big or small, pick up the phone right now and call us here at Tiger Plumbing at 1-866-TIGER70. We’ll take care of any and all plumbing issues for you!

Nine Essential Tips for Preparing Your Plumbing For the Autumn and Winter Months

Fall is just around the corner here in the Metro St. Louis area, and people everywhere can be seen decorating their homes with autumn leaves, pumpkins, and wreathes made of fake berries and leaves. What some people tend to forget to do for their homes for the fall is to check their plumbing before winter sets in.

Do you usually focus on the outer beauty of your home and neglect the inner beauty? Never fear! Here are nine essential tips to help you in preparing your pipes for the imminent wild winter weather:

Safeguard Those Pipes! What’s the easiest way to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting? Why, vigilance, of course! Be sure that your pipes (and even the wall cavities in which they reside) are well insulated. If you’re not sure if your pipes are well insulated or not, give us a call, and we’ll inspect your pipes for you!

Leaky Faucet? Fix it!  If there were an opportune time to fix any and all leaky faucets in your home, now is the time! You’ll want to check those pipes out before the temperatures dip into the low, bone-chilling, slightly-above-freezing level. Check out all faucets in the kitchen, bathroom(s), and any utility room locations. If they’re leaking, tap into your inner handyman to fix it! If you’re not able to or don’t know a family member who can help, we here at Tiger Plumbing would be more than happy to lend a hand or two!

Drain Your Hot Water Heater: This is especially necessary if you happen to live in an area that uses hard water. When your hot water heater isn’t drained enough, extra amounts of sediments could build up in the tank, and rust could begin to develop in the tank. Fall is the PERFECT time to drain your hot water heater! If you find that your hot water heater is too old or is rusting, you should probably consider getting a new one. You don’t want to go throughout winter taking cold showers!

Disconnect Outside Water Hoses:  Remember when you used to go outside to fill up the kids’ pool or wash your prized car in the summertime, thanks to your trusty outdoor water hose? Well, now’s the time to disconnect your beloved water hose and put it away until springtime. If you leave your outdoor hose connected to the faucet, the water that’s still left in the hose can freeze and expand during the fall and winter months, which can cause your faucets and the connecting pipes inside your home to freeze and, ultimately, freeze. Not only will you be hindered from your future summer outdoor activities in the coming year, but you will also have to foot a hefty repair bill if you neglect to disconnect the hose!

Your Outdoor Faucets Matter, Too! While you’re caring for your indoor faucets and piping, don’t forget about your outdoor faucets! Make sure they aren’t dripping or leaking; if they are and aren’t fixed, this could lead to some nasty accidents in the future, especially when the temperature goes below the freezing point.

Close and Drain Shut-Off Valves Leading Outside: If your house is furnished with interior shut-off valves leading to any outside faucets, be sure to close them and drain the water from the outside lines. If the water remains in the lines and freezes, it could cause a good amount of damage and could cost you a pretty penny to repair.

Inspect and Clean Sump Pump and Pit: Before you feel the autumnal chill in the air (or, at the very latest, see snowflakes!), it would be very wise to inspect and clean your sump pump and the pit in which it’s situated. When your sump pump is exposed to extreme cold, it can freeze, which in turn prevents the pump from operating. Without a properly working sump pump, water can enter your basement and can easily cause flooding, especially when precipitation is high.

Got Outdoor Pipes? Wrap ‘Em Up! Do you have any pipes that are not within an insulated area? Wrap them in heat tape before the weather grows cold so they will operate properly and be less prone to freezing or bursting. Uninsulated garages and beneath mobile homes are good examples of places where pipes can be without being insulated.

When In Doubt… call us out! We here at Tiger Plumbing would be happy to help inspect or repair any pipe problems you may have.

Remember, inner beauty is just as important, if not more so, than the exterior beauty – and this applies to your home!  Call us here at Tiger Plumbing at 1-866-TIGER70 for all of your pluming needs!