Design Comfort Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

“Help! My Pipes Froze—Now What?”

Monday, December 24th, 2018

Icicles hanging from a brown pipe. Frozen water and metal surface, winter time concept. selective focus shallow depth of field photoThe weather is getting progressively colder and drier, leaving many homeowners to scramble to make their HVAC maintenance calls if they haven’t already, or ensuring their indoor air quality equipment is in good shape to get the through the season. But as temperatures drop, be sure you don’t forget one other very important system in your home—the plumbing system.

We recommend that if you haven’t already, you take precautions now to help prevent pipe freeze. This can include disconnecting outside homes and faucets, insulating your host bibs, and checking to ensure any exposed pipes in your home are insulated—this includes indoor pipes that are under your bathroom and kitchen sinks! If you’re looking for more tips on how to best prepare your home for winter temperatures, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for professional Salt Lake City plumbing services.

In the meantime, what do you do if you’re reading this post and your pipes already froze?

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Be a Hero to Your Drains: Toss That Chemical Solution

Monday, December 10th, 2018

Plumber unclogging a tub drain with an electric auger.First, let’s get one thing straight. A professional plumber is going to clear your drains more successfully than you can. We understand that clogs happen and that they’re annoying when they do. However, when homeowners try to handle clogs in their homes, they reach for a store-bought drain cleaner, which is not going to do them any favors.

In fact, they can end up causing more trouble! It is always better to contact a professional plumber for blockages. Design Comfort offers Salt Lake City drain cleaning, so you’ll never have to use a store-bought cleaner.

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Tap-tap-tap: Where is That Plumbing Leak Coming From?

Monday, November 12th, 2018

Pouring water in the kitchenWhether it’s a “tap-tap-tap” you hear, a slow drip, or a quiet rush of water even though no plumbing appliances are running, you know it means you probably have a leak—one of the most annoying problems for homeowners to face. After all, even a “minor” leak such as a dripping faucet can waste gallons of water over time. Small leaks trick you into thinking they really aren’t a big deal—until the costs on your water bill start to add up.

Bigger leaks waste even more water, of course, but can also do extensive damage to your property. Leaks that start behind walls or beneath floors and above ceilings, can develop without you even noticing them right away. Since so much of your plumbing system is hidden from sight, and since leaks really can form anywhere within your plumbing system, it’s essential that you learn how to spot them. And once you do, the next step will be to call a professional Salt Lake City plumber. In the meantime, we’ve given you some pertinent signs to watch out for, below, which indicate it’s time for you to go ahead and call that pro.

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Can Store Bought Drain Cleaners Hurt Your Pipes?

Monday, July 23rd, 2018

water-drain-in-stainless-sinkThe short answer to this is “yes,” but we’re sure you’d like to understand why.

After all, when you find that one of your drains in your home has clogged up, it’s only natural that you reach for the chemical drain cleaner beneath your sink. But we really have to discourage this—it’s actually the worst thing you can do when it comes to thlong-termrm health of your drains and pipes. Sure, it will solve the issue in the short term, but it only magnifies the problem.

Keep reading to learn why chemical store bought drain clears are not your solution, and why you should call for professional Salt Lake City drain cleaning instead.

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These Three Things are Threatening Your Plumbing System

Monday, July 9th, 2018

surprised-woman-in-glassesWhat system or function do you take most for granted in your home?

Chances are, your plumbing system did not come to mind, and yet, many homeowners expect their plumbing systems to function with full efficiency and effectiveness year-after-year without worrying about how to care for that said plumbing system. In fact, we’d wager that most people don’t think about their plumbing systems at all, until something goes wrong.

The thing is, even if you have your plumbing system routinely maintained by a professional plumber in Salt Lake City and you keep an eye on your water usage, your plumbing system won’t last forever—eventually you’ll need pipe repairs which can turn into pipe replacement. There are things that you can do now, however, to help protect your plumbing system and potentially even help it last longer as a result (ultimately saving you money). It starts by knowing what threats your pipes face.

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Why You Need a Sump Pump

Monday, May 14th, 2018

A sump pump installed in a basement of a home with a water powered backup system.We are right smack in the middle of what is historically the rainiest month of the year in our area, which is a good reminder that when we have heavy downpours, we also have a risk for flooding. This is especially true for homes that have basements—which is most of the homes in our area!

If you have areas of your home that are prone to flooding, it’s a good idea to protect them by having a sump pump system installed by a professional plumber in Salt Lake City. Otherwise, you could find yourself paying a lot of money for water damage restoration. Keep reading to learn more about these systems and how one will benefit you if you don’t already have it in place.

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Can Plumbing Emergencies Be Prevented?

Monday, April 16th, 2018

hand gripping p-trap pipe underneath sinkHave you ever been in a situation where you’ve needed to call an emergency plumber in Salt Lake City? Chances are, the timing and the money you spent were both pretty inconvenient. But, could that emergency have been prevented? It’s not possible to avoid any and all plumbing problems you might ever run into, but plumbing maintenance will significantly help you reduce your risk!

In addition to scheduling maintenance, however, it’s important to be aware of signs that you have a small plumbing problem before it does turn into a much bigger, emergency situation. This can be hard, since most of your plumbing system is likely hidden from view, and the problems that generally impact it are subtle to start out with.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the following warning signs that your plumbing system is struggling. The sooner you notice the signs, the sooner you can call us and potentially even avoid an emergency.

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Have You Checked Your Sump Pump Lately?

Monday, February 5th, 2018

A sump pump installed in a basement of a home with a water powered backup system.You may be wondering why we ask. After all, you haven’t had any severe rains lately, right? Why would be so concerned about your basement flooding this time of year? Well, as the weather warms and the snow subsequently melts, many home and businesses face an increased risk of water flooding into their basements and crawlspaces.

Besides, weather is just as predictable as, well, the weather—meaning it’s not predictable at all! Storms can happen at any time, and even unexpected plumbing accidents can cause water to gush down into the lower parts of your home. In other words, you need a line of defense, and that defense system—your sump pump—better be in good shape!

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So, Your Pipes Froze, Now What?

Monday, December 25th, 2017

frozen pipeThis past fall, we discussed the importance of preventing frozen pipes. This is an unfortunately common problem during this time of the year, as temperatures drop below freezing outside and effect any outdoor plumbing you may have, in addition to indoor plumbing that’s hidden behind walls and beneath floors—which describes the majority of your plumbing system!

Regardless of whether or not you took preventive measures, you may have still ended up with frozen pipes. So, what do you do about it? Your first instinct is likely to try to thaw them on your own—perhaps with a hairdryer or some type of heavy duty garage equipment you have, like a blow torch. Resist this temptation! You can do more harm than good, damaging your pipes and increasing the likelihood of injury.

For safe and effective plumbing repair in Salt Lake City, UT, reach out to our team. Here’s what you can expect, when you do.

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Don’t Let Frozen Pipes Surprise You This Winter!

Monday, November 13th, 2017

Icicles hanging from a brown pipe. Frozen water and metal surface, winter time concept. selective focus shallow depth of field photoThis time of the year is known for chilly temps, falling snow, and—unfortunately—frozen pipes. And this can actually cause a good deal of damage if not addressed properly. This is because as the water in the pipes freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the walls of the pipes, increasing the likelihood of burst pipes.

Dealing with leaks or ruptured plumbing is very likely the last thing you want to deal with this winter. In order to protect your pipes from such a hassle, there are a few steps you can take. Keep reading to learn more, and then contact our team for reliable Salt Lake City, UT plumbing services, whether you end up with damaged plumbing or you’d just like more information about preventive plumbing care.

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