Ask a Plumbing Expert

Having a licensed plumber ensures that the person you hire to perform a repair or service has the necessary knowledge and skills to properly perform the job. A plumber is a highly skilled craftsman who can advise you on the best steps to take when a plumbing issue needs repairing, diagnose possible issues, repair water-related problems, and even help you prevent future complications.

Hidden water leaks can be hard to spot but if you suspect there is a leak, it needs to be found as soon as possible before it causes extensive damage. Signs of hidden issues include the sound of running water when everything is turned off, higher water bills, wet spots in the walls, floor, or ceiling, and pools of water in your yard that didn’t occur before.

Leaks can bring with them many other problems and the sooner they are fixed, the fewer risks you run. A leaking pipe can waste large amounts of water leading to higher water bills. The leaked water can also cause permanent damage to your belongings in the areas surrounding the leakage and if the water has enough time to saturate into the walls, floor, or ceiling, it can cause water damage. Increased moisture from leaking pipes can also lead to mold growth and mold damage.

There are several ways to prevent leaking pipes. One way to reduce stress on pipes is to install a water softener. Hard water minerals can cause corrosion and buildup inside of pipes. Too much buildup can affect water flow and require costly and time-consuming repairs. Take the time every once and a while to inspect your pipes. If rust or lime is depositing on them, this may indicate a leak is starting. If this is happening, contact Tebbe Plumbing to address the problem. By performing an occasional inspection you could stop a small problem before it turns into a large one. Leaking pipes can damage floors and belongings and become much more costly than if the problem was detected early. 

A plumbing code is a set of rules and regulations imposed by cities, counties, and states that outlines the best and newest methods to be used in plumbing installations. Plumbing in private and public buildings is a part of the community water and sewage system, so provisions must be abided in order to protect the public health and safety.

Any kind of plumbing repairs needed should be addressed immediately. Even the smallest of issues can turn into a big problem if ignored. Delaying the repair of a minor issue, such as a leaky faucet, can end up costing you more in repairs, leaving you with higher water bills, and causing significant damage to other fixtures and to the integrity of your home or building.

Hard water contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals, while soft water contains little to no extra elements. In its pure form, water is naturally soft. However, as it is absorbed through the ground and passes through rocks such as limestone, it picks up hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium. Soft water can occur naturally or be produced through water treatment.

The best way to prolong the life of your plumbing fixtures and extend the life of your water heater is to install a water softener or water conditioner in your home. These systems are designed to stop scale build-up, protect pipes and fixtures and make all appliances that use water more efficiently.

How long a water heater lasts depends on how well it is maintained, the water quality in your area, proper installation, and amount of use. When you buy a water heater, it’s always good to look at all of the information that comes with it. That way, you will know what to expect. If you install your new water heater properly and maintain it, you can expect great results. For example, if your less expensive water heater is guaranteed to last for six years, with proper maintenance; it will probably last for eight.

It’s always better to buy a better water heater. This is because it works twenty-four hours every day for the whole year! So when you buy a water heater that is guaranteed to last for ten years it will probably last for twelve. Considering that the average family has a forty-gallon water tank and uses quite a bit of hot water, it’s worth it to get the better hot water tank and have one of our Certified Tebbe Plumbers professionally install it.

Worn out washers or other internal mechanism issues are likely the reason for your faucet dripping. If your faucet drips, contact Tebbe Plumbing for efficient repair. Our plumbers can rebuild or replace the worn out parts as necessary and it is usually a fast and inexpensive job.

If your toilet is constantly running, the sound it makes is the least of your problems. A running toilet means water is being wasted, which could easily spike up your water bills. The problem is likely in the flush valve mechanism and it may need replacing. One of our expert plumbers can diagnose the problem and have your issue fixed in no time.

Usually drains are clogged because people are not careful of what they put in them, especially in the kitchen. Other drains, like in the bathroom, get clogged because of the oil residue from soaps, shampoos, and hair. It is recommended that you are conscious of what you put down your drains and treat them regularly with a drain cleaner such as Bio-Clean.

This can be huge problem for homeowners. Here are some tips to keep your disposal in good working order.

First, always run cold water when grinding to move the waste all the way down the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water and can be flushed through the system. Hot water should not be used because it can dissolve fats and grease, which may then accumulate in the drain line.

Almost all-biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposers. However, they should not be used to grind clam or oyster shells, cornhusks or other material with high fiber content. Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a disposer. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil, which are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposers.

Maintenance is easy. Grinding small bones and eggshells actually helps clean the disposer by scraping away stubborn deposits or citric acid and pulp. Grinding a little ice is another way to clean deposits and get rid of odors. For the most part, though, disposers are self-cleaning.

Food debris is responsible for the foul odors that can occur in the garbage disposal. To eliminate odors, run ice cubes and lemon or orange peels in the disposal for 30 seconds. Keep the disposal running and pour in some dish detergent. Afterward, run cold water for 30 seconds to rinse what is left, away. If the odors still persist, contact us at Tebbe Plumbing.

No. A garbage disposal that is used properly will not clog your pipes. However, the key to making sure that your garbage disposal doesn’t clog your pipes requires proper installation and then usage that is compliant with your particular model. Before you install any kind of garbage disposal, you have to make sure that the drainage pipes are clear in the first place.

This is why a Certified Tebbe Plumber should install your garbage disposal. They can check for preexisting clogs and also clear them out. Remember, a garbage disposal is supposed to be a convenience, not a nuisance.

Water backing up into the garbage disposal and then the sink is generally caused by food that is left in the disposal. If you leave food particles in the disposal and then forget about them without grinding them up and then sending them through the drain pipes with a good amount of cold water, these food particles will clog up your drainage system.
Since the dishwasher and the garbage disposal share the same drainage pipes, you will have plumbing problems in the kitchen if you do not make sure that food particles from the disposal are cleared before using the dishwasher.

This is why a Certified Tebbe Plumber should install your garbage disposal. They can check for preexisting clogs and also clear them out. Remember, a garbage disposal is supposed to be a convenience, not a nuisance.