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Posts Tagged ‘water lines’

Plumbing projects best left to the pros

Friday, July 31st, 2009

As ABC reports, one in five people who tackle DIY projects end up having to call a professional to fix the problem after they’ve started. While there are certainly some projects you CAN do yourself, here’s a look at some plumbing problems you’ll want to leave to the pros.

Gas lines
A lot of cities require a licensed professional to work on gas lines by code because of the inherent danger in working with gas. Another reason to call an expert for gas line help is the threading of the pipe and the fitting of the joints, things that take expensive equipment that you can rely on a plumber to have.

Mainlines (Water and Sewer)
Mainline repairs also require special equipment. While you can rent a sewer snake relatively cheaply, but this won’t fix big problems. A licensed plumber can detect the problem and suggest a solution.

Clogged toilet
Sure, many toilet clogs can be easily done away with by plunging. But when the plunger’s just not cutting it, you may be dealing with a main drain or system blockage. Another sign of this is if all your drains are slow, not just one. If this is the case, give us a call.

Leaky faucets
Some faucets are so old the parts aren’t available anymore, and old faucets are often very difficult to remove. Conversely, some faucets are so new it’s hard to find advice on how to fix them.

Water heaters
When these complicated systems break down, the problem could be anywhere from electrical to the need for a new part. A plumbing expert will be able to get to the root of the problem.

Check for leaky water lines and pipes

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Checking your water meter is an important way to prevent paying high water bills for leaky water lines and pipes. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to check your meter:

First up, where is it? Water meters are typically located by the curb at the front of your property, often in a direct line with the main outside faucet. They are usually housed in a concrete box set into the ground and labeled “Water.”

Now that you’ve found it, how do you read it? Look at the numbers displayed prominently either above or below the words “cubic feet.” This is your meter reading – it represents all the water that has passed through the meter since it was installed.

To understand whether your pipes are leaking, try this sometime when you’ll be out for a few hours: before you leave, turn off all appliances that use water (both inside and outside of the building). Record the meter reading. When you return, if the number has changed, you’ve got a leak. If the sweeping dial that resembles a clock hand is still moving after you’ve turned your water off, it can also signify a leak.

If you do discover a problem, call Progressive Plumbing and Piping for a free consultation.