Tag: Brookhaven

How to Tell If You Need to Ditch the Plunger and Call for Toilet Repair

Posted on | by The Plumbers Guild | 1 Comment on How to Tell If You Need to Ditch the Plunger and Call for Toilet Repair
Toilet in front of white wall.

How To Tell When Brookhaven Toilet Repair Is More Than A Quick DIY Job. 

No one wants to deal with toilet repair, but when you have an issue with one of the most frequently used seats in your home, it’s time to talk about it. Most homeowners have had to deal with a clogged toilet or two (or three, or four…), and most have a plunger they keep on standby for just such occasions. But there are times when a plunger can’t solve the problem, and you’ll need to call for backup. Here’s how to tell when you should ditch the plunger and call a plumber:

The Water Keeps Running And Running

A continuously running toilet is not just annoying – it’s a massive waste of water and can show up as a significant increase on your water bill. The most common reason for a running toilet is flapper issues. The flapper seals the hole in the bottom of the tank. There is a chain that hooks to the flapper. If the chain gets caught or is too short, the flapper won’t close all the way so the toilet will keep running. 

Another potential cause of running water in the tank is the ball cock. The ball floats as the tank fills which lets the valve close to stop the running water when the flush is complete. If the seal breaks between the float mount arm and the ball, the water will keep running. When this happens, it usually means the rubber diaphragm seal needs replacing. A plumber can easily fix either of these issues. 

The Tank Refills Ever So Slowly

Do you ever feel like you have to wait around to make sure the toilet stops running? And it seems like it takes forever and a day? A slow tank refill could be a sign of a broken flush valve, or there’s a leak where your flapper meets the tank. Occasionally the flapper itself will leak. Over time the rubber flapper can wear out and crack, allowing water to seep through. This can slow the filling of the tank. If you have a leak, you’ll need a new seal and potentially a new flapper. This is definitely a necessary repair, so you don’t flush your money down the toilet every month with your rising water bill. 

Water Near The Toilet Base

Water in the toilet is good, but water outside the toilet is very bad. You never want to see a leak in your house. Water can do extensive damage to your floor, sub-floor, and the ceiling below the leak, including damage to the flooring, the studs, and the drywall. It can even create a situation where mold growth occurs. 

If you see water around the base of your toilet, take action immediately. You can tell if it’s residual water from a spill or an actual leak by cleaning it up and leaving paper towels on the floor around the toilet. If the paper towels stay dry, it’s probably not a leak. If the towels are wet, there are a few things that could be the cause of the leak:

In these cases, a plumber can repair the issue. Sometimes, if the leak is severe enough, your plumber might recommend a toilet replacement. 

The Plumbers Guild For Brookhaven Toilet Repair

You can’t go without a toilet, and if your toilet is broken, you want it fixed as quickly as possible. Clogs happen, and most can be cleared with a plunger and some elbow grease, but if your toilet has other issues, you might need to call in a professional. An experienced plumber can assess the problem and complete the repair so you can rest easy knowing you aren’t wasting water, that your water bill isn’t going to be sky-high, and that you and your family aren’t going to have to live without one of your most important pieces of household equipment. 

Whether you have a clog you can’t clear, issues with the tank filling, or a leak anywhere in or around your toilet, you can count on experts at The Plumbers Guild to get your toilet back in business. Contact our friendly team of professional plumbers for all Brookhaven toilet repair jobs today. 

5 Most Common Types Of Residential Plumbing Problems

Posted on | by The Plumbers Guild | 1 Comment on 5 Most Common Types Of Residential Plumbing Problems
Girl in a yellow gloves talking to the phone beside a damaged sink pipe.

Brookhaven Residential Plumbing Problems Can Strike At Any Time. Be On The Lookout For These Warning Signs.

Some Brookhaven residential plumbing problems are more common than others. On average, homeowners hire a plumber once every three years, for either a minor fix or a major repair. Others may schedule annual maintenance to ensure their pipes flow freely. No matter how often you seek help, it’s important to recognize these potential warning signs of plumbing issues before they get out of hand. Here are the most common reasons for a service call:

Toilet Runs Nonstop

Think about the last time you flushed a toilet. How long did it take for it to stop running? Typically, this process should only last for about 45-60 seconds, depending on the model and efficiency level of the commode. But, if your toilet continues to run long after you’ve pulled the handle, you may have a bigger Brookhaven residential plumbing problem brewing.

A leak in the tank may cause a toilet to run around the clock. You may even hear your commode flush on its own during the middle of the night. In many instances, a plumber can resolve this problem by replacing the components inside the tank—like the flapper, chain, or float. Lucky for you, these repairs are relatively inexpensive, and once the plumber leaves, your toilet will run—or stop running—like new.

No Hot Water

A cold shower is one of the worst ways to wake up in the morning. While cold water can feel invigorating after a hot workout, it’s not pleasant during the fall or winter. Unfortunately, if the water heater goes out, you won’t be able to enjoy a steaming shower until you fix the Brookhaven residential plumbing problem.

Water heaters are expensive, and they only last for a limited amount of time. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it’s time to start saving up for a replacement. Even if your system is new, however, you can still experience problems. 

Hard water, for example, leaves behind sediment when it travels through the water heater. Sediment accumulation may reduce the amount of hot water your tank can hold, and it may even damage the heating element. Make sure you have a plumber flush the tank once a year to prevent this from happening.

A wrench and a broken faucet in the ground.

A Dripping Faucet

While a dripping faucet may seem like a simple nuisance, it can cost you a fortune in the long run. A leaking bathroom or kitchen sink is one of the top reasons for a high water bill. If your tap drips once every second, you’ll end up wasting about 8-9 gallons of water every single day. Do the math, and you’ll realize that equates to over 3,000 gallons per year!

In most instances, repairing a faucet is a simple task for a skilled plumber. They’ll first inspect the fixture to make sure the parts are in good condition. If the plumber notices a worn-out washer or warped O-ring, they will replace the part. But if the faucet is older, you may want to upgrade it to avoid more leaks down the road.

Clogged Drain

Does water pool around your feet in the shower? If so, you may have a clogged drain. Under perfect conditions, water should go down the drain in a matter of seconds. When it doesn’t, you need to locate and remove the blockage. A slow drain may not seem like a plumbing emergency, but if you don’t resolve the Brookhaven residential plumbing problem, it will only get worse.

The leading culprits of clogged drains are hair, soap scum, personal products, and foreign objects. Even if you try your best to keep these items out of the drain, you may not be able to stop them all. Avoid pouring commercial drain cleaner down your sink—it may eat away at your pipes. Instead, call out a plumber who can clear the pipes without damaging your plumbing system.

Jammed Garbage Disposal

Did you know that plumbers also handle broken garbage disposals? It makes sense when you think about it. After all, the garbage disposal chops up food particles before you rinse them down your kitchen sink. Thanks to this modern appliance, clogged drains are a thing of the past!

If you put too much food down the disposal, however, you may find yourself with a jammed unit. Never try to fix it by yourself, unless you want to lose a finger! It’s best to hire a plumber who can safely unclog your disposal. They can even install a new unit if you decide to upgrade to one with more power.

Got Brookhaven Residential Plumbing Problems? We Can Help.

Even if you try hard to keep miscellaneous items out of your drains, you may still experience plumbing woes at some point. With more than a decade of hands-on experience, the plumbing pros at The Plumbers Guild can handle any Brookhaven residential plumbing problem that may arise—no matter how big or small! As a fully licensed and insured company, you know your pipes are in good hands with us. We’ll get your drains cleared in no time at all! Get in touch with us to schedule your next residential plumbing repair.

The Top Reasons Why Faucet Leaks Should Be Repaired Immediately

Posted on | by The Plumbers Guild | 1 Comment on The Top Reasons Why Faucet Leaks Should Be Repaired Immediately
Over flowing water on a black faucet.

Are You Dealing With Some Brookhaven Faucet Leaks Inside Your Home?

These Brookhaven faucet leaks could be coming from assorted pipes throughout the home, such as the pipes underneath your sink, the pipes leading to your bathtub, or pipes that are located anywhere else inside of the home. Even if it is only a small amount of water, it is important to get these Brookhaven faucet leaks repaired immediately. If you do not get the repairs done quickly, you could end up dealing with more issues in the long run.

Your Water Bill Will Increase

If something is leaking inside of your home, your water bill is going to increase. It may not seem like that big of a deal because it is just a small amount of water coming from the pipes, but it adds up over time and it will end up costing you more than you probably want to spend when it is time for you to pay your water bill. There is no reason to waste more of your money when you can simply choose to have the leak fixed by plumbing professionals who can detect leaks, find out what is causing them, and then make the necessary repairs to put a stop to those Brookhaven faucet leaks.

You Will Unintentionally Waste A Lot Of Water

When you do not repair leaky faucets, you waste a lot of water. There is no point in wasting a natural resource when there are people who do not even have access to fresh and clean water. If you are not the kind of person who likes to waste resources, you need to have pipes inspected, repaired, or even replaced. You can avoid unintentionally wasting a lot of water inside of your home with working faucets.

The Leak Can Get Worse And Cause Massive Damage

Most leaks start off small, but they can eventually become much more problematic over time. In fact, a pipe that is leaking a few drops of water throughout the day could eventually bust open, causing water to flood your home. If water is flooding through areas of your home, you are going to end up dealing with some water damage and you will likely need to spend even more money on restoration services to get your home back into the condition it was in before the flooding occurred. Why deal with that kind of plumbing emergency when you can reach out to a professional, have your problem taken care of, and avoid a huge headache?

Got Brookhaven Faucet Leaks? Fix Them Now!

Whenever Brookhaven faucet leaks take place inside the home, take care of them to avoid even more issues in the future. When water is constantly dripping from a faucet, it is going to cause your water bill to increase. This wastes a lot of water that you could have used when bathing, washing dishes, or brushing your teeth. Aside from wasting water and money, Brookhaven faucet leaks can easily cause a lot of costly damage to your home.

Warning Signs That Your Water Heater Needs To Be Replaced

Posted on | by The Plumbers Guild | 1 Comment on Warning Signs That Your Water Heater Needs To Be Replaced
Rusty damaged pipe.

Does your Brookhaven Water Heater look like a rusty bucket?

Maybe it doesn’t look so bad, but it has been around since The Great Depression. In all seriousness, there are certain signs you need to be on the lookout for so that you know when it’s time to replace your old Brookhaven Water Heater.

The first thing you’re going to want to know is the age of your system. You may not know what year the water heater was installed, and in that case, you can take a look at the serial number. That will tell you what you need to know.

While you need to take into account other factors besides the age of your Brookhaven Water Heater, the 10 year rule does apply. After 10 years, the experts recommend that you consider replacing your traditional tank water heater, especially if there are other warning signs. However, water heating systems can last longer than 10 years.

A tankless system lasts about twice as long as a traditional water heater.

That being said, you can look at your options for replacement after you determine if you need to take action. What signs should you be on the lookout for besides the age of your water heating system?

Rusty water is always one of the signs that your Brookhaven Water Heater might need to be replaced. Yet you don’t want to jump to conclusions. The rusty water could be because of your pipes. A test can be performed, and then you will know. One thing about rust is that it can cause a water heater to eventually leak.

You’re not going to want to wait for it to start leaking before you purchase a replacement.

And if the water heater is leaking already, then you know it’s time to start picking out a new one. Older water heating systems and boilers also are known to make noise. If yours is making noise, then that’s just another reason why it might be time for a new system.

It could be that there is quite a lot of sediment built up inside the tank. This sediment can be damaging to your Brookhaven Water Heater, and it can also make it much less efficient. Once your old tank heating system is in this kind of shape, it goes downhill fast.

You are familiar with some of the major warning signs now. If any of this advice seems familiar to you regarding the water heater you have in your home, perhaps an upgrade is in order. Remember that you do have tankless systems as an option. They are a little more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

There are other individual warning signs that you might want to know. Start with the age of your Brookhaven Water Heater, and work your way from there. What problems have you noticed? If you’re not sure whether or not it needs to be replaced, the professionals can take a look. Maybe repairs are in order for now, but sooner or later, a replacement will be necessary.

How To Find A Reliable Local Plumber

Posted on | by The Plumbers Guild
A man in a stripe sleeve installing a faucet in the sink.

Plumbing is one of those things that most of us having in our homes that we take for granted and don’t usually give much thought to it until something goes wrong. If you find yourself in need of a local plumber it’s important for you to find a good and reliable one so that you are not inconvenienced more than you already were before calling the plumber and not having to pay another plumber to fix the first one’s mistakes. So, you may be wondering exactly how to find a reliable Brookhaven plumber in your area. Below are a few helpful tips that may help you.

Personal Recommendations

Ideally, you can get recommendations for plumbers from people that you know. These may be your friends or family members who can give you information about reliable plumbers in your area that they have used in the past.  This way not only will you possibly find good plumbers, but you will also know which plumbers to avoid in the future.

Online Research

Another option you have for finding a reliable Brookhaven plumber in your area is to look online. Use a search engine like Google and search for plumbers in your area. From the results page you should find a number of plumbers in your area that may wish to consider. Be sure to learn as much as possible about the plumbing company, such as what types of tasks they specialize in, their experience, and any reviews that you may find. Sometimes you can also find reviews on third-party websites, such as Yelp and Kudzu, and this information can be quite helpful in determining how trustworthy and reliable a Brookhaven plumbing company might be.

Compare a Couple Brookhaven Plumbers

Before making a final decision, it may be a good idea to have a couple of reliable plumbers in mind and to make comparisons. Contacting and hiring the first one you find isn’t always a good idea and you may find that you are paying more than you need to, or perhaps they may not offer as comprehensive a service as others might.

Ask Questions

When you call the prospective plumbing company to discuss your needs, it is best to be as specific as possible so the plumber is able to give you an accurate quote for the work. Depending on what you want the plumber to do for you, they may need to visit your home before giving you a final quote. Before hiring the plumbing company, be sure to get all of your questions about the job, the price and warranties answered before signing any contracts or handing over any money.

 A Reliable Brookhaven Plumber Will Have References

Finally, make sure to ask any plumbing companies that you are considering to provide you with references that you can check out. Be very specific and give a time frame, for example, don’t just say “can you give me some references that I can check out?”, but instead you might ask “Can I speak to any people that you’ve done work for in the last month so I seek their opinion on the quality of your work?”. By doing this you will eliminate that chance of the Brookhaven plumbing contractor simply searching out for those ex-customers he knows will give him/her the best references, even if the work was carried out 2-years ago. Hopefully, you will find these tips to be of use to you and by following this advice you should be able to find the plumbing services you need when you need them.