Atlanta Plumbing Installation

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When problems arise, installing new plumbing is usually the best way to go.

Among the problems that Atlanta homeowners face, the most serious and often the most urgent are usually those that involve the plumbing. Left untreated, they can cause extensive damage to your home and in some cases to your family as well. It is a good idea, therefore, to keep a close eye on how your plumbing system is operating and to have a licensed plumber check in any cases where you suspect problems might lie. In most cases, detecting and solving plumbing problems before they occur is the best approach. Regular updates and often installations of newer plumbing systems are always good ideas.

Here's a look at some of the common plumbing problems Atlanta homeowners face and what to do about them.

Plumbing Installation

As our lifestyles change over the years, we often need to change our plumbing installations. A bath tub, for example, might be suitable for young children and some adults prefer a bath tub to a shower. But as we age, a bath tub becomes difficult to use, particularly when it comes to getting in or out. At that time, we prefer to take a shower. And the shower should preferably be one with safety features, such as handrails and a non-slip floor.

Should you decide that your bathroom no longer fits your needs, or that you simply would like to modernize your older bathroom, call your licensed plumber. A plumber can not only perform a professional installation of the updated fixtures, but can also advise you on the latest styles and colors that are available, in addition to the quality of the fixtures and fittings you would like to install.

In most cases it makes sense to replace an old shower or bath tub with a new one rather than to try to adapt today's fittings to the old structure.

New Toilets

Inefficient toilets that fail to flush properly or do not fill up adequately can be repaired. But before too long you will likely find that they will fail again because they simply are using an old system that is gradually falling apart.

It makes sense, therefore, to replace an older toilet with one of today's newer toilets that use less water and are more efficient.

Stop the Drip, Drip, Drip

A licensed plumber can almost always repair an older faucet that is constantly dripping. But, rather than having an old faucet repaired, it might be time to consider replacing your faucets with new ones. Even just fitting new faucets or new sinks can turn an old looking bathroom into one that looks new for a fraction of the cost that an entire bathroom remodel would cost.

The same is true of the kitchen where new faucets and fittings can enhance the room's appearance.

Water Heaters

Water heaters do not last forever. Most have a lifespan from 12 to 15 years. As they age, they can cause problems. A problem that often arises is that the water is heated slowly or is not heated at all. Symptoms such as those might indicate that the heating elements have failed, but they also might mean there is a problem in the thermostat or even the electrical system. Or it could be that your water heater has simply outlived its useful life.

A licensed plumber will detect the problem and repair it. In many cases the plumber will recommend that you install a new water heater if it is nearing the end of its lifespan rather than apply a temporary fix.

When Old Ages Sets In

More severe problems can occur when a water heater becomes old, starts to rust or corrode and develops a leak. A sudden rupture and accompanying burst of water from the heater can flood an entire home in a short space of time. The water will spread to other rooms in the house, causing damage to flooring and carpeting. Personal items, such as photographs and papers, stored on or close to the floor in a nearby room might be severely damaged or even destroyed. For this reason, it is important that you have your water heater checked by a licensed plumber, particularly if it is nearing the end of its lifespan, before any serious problems occur.

As the water heater ages and potential leaks become more likely, a licensed plumber might recommend installing a new water heater. It will be money well spent. The damage caused by a major flood from a water heater will be way more costly than the amount you spend on installing a new one.

Plumbing Leaks

Water leaks range from minor, such as a dripping faucet, to major, such as a flooded room from a burst pipe.

An occurrence that happens far too often is for the hose that leads to a washing machine to deteriorate over years. Suddenly one day the pipe bursts, causing water to flood a room in minutes. Even when the faucet leading to the washing machine is switched off after only a short time, the water that fills the room can cause damage to the floor and to the surrounding walls. It can spill over into other rooms, too, damaging carpets and tiles.

If the homeowner is away and unable to take immediate remedial action, the water will continue to flood without stop and cause severe damage. And if you are living in an apartment on any floor except the first, the chances are good that the water will spill down through the flooring to the apartment below, enormously chasing up the costs of repair and restoration.

The answer is to have a licensed plumber check out the pipes that lead to your washing machine so that any erosion of the piping is caught in time and replaced with a newer more reliable one.

When Sprinkler Systems Fail

Another problem that can occur is that the head of a older sprinkler system in an apartment building might burst, causing gallons of water to rush from the pipe in the ceiling. Extensive damage can be caused before the water can be turned off, much of it to the apartments below, particularly if the homeowner is away, even for a short time.

Not only sudden breaks, but also leaks can occur from older sprinkler systems, discoloring paintwork and damaging fixtures.

As a result, it is good idea for you or your homeowners' association to call a licensed plumber to check out your sprinkler system on an annual basis to make sure that problems do not occur. In some cases, the time might have come to reinstall the entire sprinkler system.

Unseen problems

Dripping faucets and burst pipes are obvious causes of trouble. But many other plumbing problems are equally serious, yet are unseen until they have already caused considerable damage. It is common in older houses for fixtures to rust or corrode, or to break in an earthquake or even a minor tremor. Sometimes the homeowner is not aware of the leak because it is in a wall. Water slowly seeps onto the wall, causing mold and mildew to develop over time. Once you are aware of it, it might be too late to prevent extensive damage.

Mold and mildew can damage walls so much that they need to be replaced. Mold can emit odors and cause headaches and more severe health problems for those people who are allergic to mold.

If your house is older or if you suspect that water might be leaking in the walls, have all your house piping checked by a licensed plumber before more serious problems arise. A licensed plumber can detect where the water is leaking and take remedial action, which might involve installing new piping in some instances.

Underground Water Line Leaks

Most homeowners first realize they have an underground water leak when their water bill is higher than normal yet they have not used more water than usual. Not only is the high bill a reason in itself to remedy the leak, but, depending on where it is situated, the water can leak into the house's foundation and cause severe damage over time.

A licensed plumber will be able to detect the origin of the leak using advanced equipment that can pinpoint the exact place at which the leak is occurring. The leak can then be repaired efficiently and speedily.

In some cases, the plumber will recommend replacing the underground water line as, because of its age, it is likely to leak again. Doing so is advisable as over the long run it could possibly cost less to install new piping than having to call a plumber and repeatedly to have leaks repaired.

Polybutylene Piping

When homes were built in the United States between 1978 an 1995 polybutylene piping was often used because it was easy to install. Low cost and made from plastic resin, it was used as a substitute for copper piping. Now many of those pipes are degrading and leaking, in some cases potentially causing damage to the building structure itself.

As a result, many Atlanta homeowners are replacing their polybutylene, or poly, piping with copper or other piping. We suggest that if you are dissatisfied with your poly piping or are concerned that it could cause leaks in the future you consult a licensed plumber who can advise you on the various piping materials that are available and install the one that you prefer.

Sewer Lines

Blocked sewer lines leading out of the house can result in build-up of water in drains, toilets bubbling up, and the release of unpleasant odors. Often such blockages develop steadily over time. At first they are small and are easily ignored. Later, as they become worse, blockages leading from the kitchen or bathroom sinks can be treated with a drain cleaner. But in time more serious blockages do not respond to the drain cleaner and certainly can no longer be ignored.

A licensed plumber will be able to identify the source of the blockage and will have your sewer lines operating efficiently in a relatively short time. In some cases it will be preferable to replace the sewer lines with new piping, an installation that a licensed plumber can undertake for you.

Gas Leaks

Gas can leak from the pipes that bring it into your home. You can tell it is present from its distinctive odor — a bit like rotten eggs — which comes from an odorant that is added to the gas. The purpose of the odorant is to enable you to detect its presence. Natural gas itself has no odor.

Although the gas itself is not poisonous in relatively small amounts, it is explosive. After all, the very reason you have gas in your home is to burn it in a controlled way so it can provide heat. Gas that seeps into a house, therefore, can be ignited by the lighting of a match or anything else that causes a spark. Such a spark, in turn, can cause an explosion that could extensively damage your home and the people in it.

Should you smell gas in your home, and you have no idea where it is coming from, you should not hesitate to act. Your first action on smelling the presence of gas should be to avoid all sparks or flames in the vicinity of the gas. Then you should open all windows and doors to let the gas escape and introduce fresh air into the room. Having done that, leave the immediate vicinity of the gas odor.

Your next action should be to call your gas company or other local emergency agencies. Later, after the home is determined safe, you will probably need to call a local licensed Atlanta plumber who will be able to track down the source of the leak and repair it. It is important that you call a plumber who is certified and licensed to work on gas lines. The chances of explosion in a major gas leak are so great that you do not want to take any chances.

Prevent Gas Leaks

It is always a good idea to have your gas lines checked periodically in order to prevent a leak occurring. Depending on the age of your house and when the pipes were originally installed, rust and corrosion can set in and slowly let gas escape. Ask your local licensed plumber to check the system and to replace lines that are in danger of causing leaks before an accident can happen.

Another important preventive action is to call a licensed plumber when you install a new gas appliance, such as a gas stove or gas fireplace. Get it done right the first time and you can relax knowing it will all work correctly.

Presence of sewer gas smell, carbon monoxide and other gases.

Poorly fitted or inadequately vented natural gas appliances can cause the release of carbon monoxide into a house as they burn. This is a poisonous yet odorless gas that can cause flu-like symptoms or, when exposure is prolonged, can even result in damage to the brain or death.

Carbon monoxide detectors are available from hardware stores and should be fitted in any home.

If leakages are suspected, it is wise to call the proper local emergency authorities and or the gas company who can make sure your home is made safe then take steps to help you find out where the leakage is occurring. Often the gas company will shut off the gas and instruct the homeowner to call a licensed plumber to repair the leak if it is the homeowners responsibility.