Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

Monday, January 1st, 2024

We’ve all been there–your plumbing system starts to leak water, or your sink just abruptly stops working. It’s a tale as old as time and it’s existed ever since people invented the idea of plumbing systems.

Even in ancient Rome, people relied on aqueducts using gravity to bring freshwater to the many colossal buildings of the capitol. But every now and then there were problems like leaks and contaminants, just like there are today.

But with the gift of the internet, we have access to guides like these that can help you get through a plumbing emergency step by step. Our 24-hour emergency plumbers in Cedar Rapids can get your home back up and running in no time, as long as you follow these instructions and work with us. We’ve seen problems like these every year, and our team specializes in providing rapid care for customers who need it.

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When Not to Use Flexible Pipes

Monday, September 11th, 2023

We’ve all seen the aisle at the hardware store, full of different plumbing materials. There are rigid copper pipes, PVC pipes, PEX pipes, and the list continues–but there’s one thing to be mentioned that is not like the others, and that’s flexible plumbing lines. These are the wire mesh pipes that can bend and form different shapes in your Cedar Rapids plumbing.

Flexible plumbing lines are usually what you’ll see under your sink or connecting your toilet to the water line. They’re perfect for these situations because they can bend into the exact configuration that might fit your bathroom toilet or kitchen sink, without needing to break apart your wall, floor, or other more sensitive and expensive parts of your house.

But don’t be fooled by the convenience and affordability of flexible plumbing lines, they’re not intended to be used for everything.

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Why Go With Copper Plumbing?

Monday, September 4th, 2023

There are all sorts of different plumbing materials available today, from PVC to copper. But in the history of plumbing appliances, they’ve been constructed of hundreds of different types of materials. Human history is a bit of a “trial and error” experience, with people using different materials for their plumbing systems, only to find out later that they’re not very good at the job.

For instance, lead is a perfect example of what should not be used as a plumbing material. Water that flows through lead pipes can pick up some of the runoff and cause lead poisoning in anyone who drinks from that water source. Many other plumbing materials like galvanized steel and copper don’t have this problem, but there are still some preferences today towards materials like copper.

So, let’s talk about plumbing in Cedar Rapids, IA and why copper is the gold-standard material to use.

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3 Essential Plumbing Upgrades

Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

It’s time to start living in the 21st century! Seriously, you’d be surprised at some of the amazing plumbing upgrades that people have access to nowadays.

Some of them, like water filtration systems in Cedar Falls, IA, are going to be easily installed and set up by a professional. Others, like a bidet or a high-efficiency toilet, are going to save you money but also change the way you live your life.

In truth, a plumbing upgrade can be for more than just convenience. It can help shift your lifestyle to one that’s more sustainable, enjoyable, and efficient.

Today, let’s look at three great plumbing upgrades for your home and we’ll examine how they work. For each and every one of these, it can be helpful to have a plumbing professional on hand for any repairs, installations, or even the regular maintenance of these systems. Our team is always here to help you when you need it!

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What Can Cause a Burst Pipe?

Monday, October 17th, 2022
burst-copper-pipe

Homeowners often have understandable questions about their plumbing, especially when they hear scary phrases like “burst pipes.” We have a bit of good news though. There is really only one thing that can cause a pipe to burst, and it’s completely preventable. What’s that?

Frozen pipes!

When the temperatures dip below freezing for too long, it can cause the water flowing through your pipes or resting in your pipes to freeze. As the ice thaws, it creates a negative pressure inside the pipes, and this leads to them bursting. We are here to provide quality repairs when this does happen, but as you read on, you’ll see tips we’ve provided to help you avoid this problem.

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4 Common Plumbing Issues in Older Homes

Monday, August 8th, 2022
family-standing-in-front-of-older-home

Buying a “new” home is very exciting. But what if the home that’s “new” to you was actually built decades ago? While we don’t think it’s haunted or anything, there is still a very good chance you could be dealing with some structural repairs when you move in. It may impact your home’s wiring, HVAC efficiency, and plumbing.

Plumbing is especially important here. The material that was previously used for plumbing pipes corrodes faster than what is used today, which can pose a problem.

Fortunately, you have our team on your side, ready to help. We’re here for any and all of your plumbing needs. Read on as we uncover some of the common plumbing problems owners of older homes run into.

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Going Pro: When to Call for Help

Monday, September 16th, 2019

plumber-tightening-pipeSometimes, it’s quite obvious when you need the assistance of a professional plumber. Burst pipes sending water all throughout your kitchen? A toilet that won’t flush? A clogged up kitchen drain that you can’t clear with a sink plunger? These are all reasons to call a plumber.

But what about the more subtle plumbing issues? Some are quite sneaky—particularly when the problems start off small. The trick is to learn how to catch them early when they’re still small, so they are easier for a plumber to fix and won’t cause damage to your home in the meantime. Keep reading for some quieter signs you have a plumbing problem that needs professionals with extensive experience with plumbing in Hudson, IA.

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Why The Drain Cleaning Method You Choose Makes a Difference

Monday, July 8th, 2019

plumber-unclogging-drain-in-bathtubIf there’s anything you should know about drain cleaning, it’s that this service is absolutely necessary to keep your drain and sewer system in decent condition. It’s a good idea to schedule drain cleaning as part of maintenance for your plumbing in Waterloo, IA at least once a year! This keeps clogs from forming, removes blockages that may already be present, and generally keeps everything flowing smoothly.

If there’s anything else you should know about drain cleaning, it’s that store-bought, liquid “drain cleaners” aren’t the answer, despite their name. Unfortunately, though they may be temporarily effective at relieving certain types of clogs, the reason they are such is because of the corrosive chemicals in them—chemicals that will slowly eat away at your pipes and lead to repair needs or possibly even repiping.

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Signs It’s Time to Call a Plumbing Pro

Monday, June 10th, 2019

plumber-working-on-p-trap-of-sinkWithout the right expertise, or at least without the right equipment, it can be very difficult to detect a leak. Most of your plumbing system is hidden from view, after all, and the issues that usually afflict it are subtle to start out.

This is just part of the reason we recommend scheduling preventive plumbing maintenance at least once a year. However, it’s also a wise idea to familiarize yourself with the warning signs that your plumbing in Denver, IA is having problems. On the rare chance that a problem does occur in between maintenance sessions, you’ll be able to detect it quickly so you can have it repaired before it becomes a huge catastrophe. Keep reading to learn some of the symptoms that it is, in fact, time to call in a plumbing pro.

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When Should You Call a Professional Plumber?

Monday, April 29th, 2019

woman-wiping-up-water-from-burst-pipe-with-spongeThere are certain home improvement jobs that you can do on your own, but we don’t necessarily encourage DIY-plumbing repairs, unless it’s just a “quick fix” until you can get a professional plumber in to take a look.

The fact is, plumbing jobs aren’t easy. They require licensed professionals to handle most jobs more difficult than replacing a washer in a faucet or tightening a connection. When you need professional plumbing in Cedar Falls, IA, we’re the team to turn to. You should call one of our professional plumbers when you want:

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