Design Comfort Blog: Posts Tagged ‘plumbing services’

3 Common Summer Plumbing Problems

Monday, July 17th, 2023

group-of-people-eating-outside-under-lights

Summer is the ideal season for outdoor activities we don’t get to enjoy as much during other times of the year. Barbecues, camping trips, and hiking in the great outdoors are some things we enjoy here in Salt Lake City.

Summer also tends to be a season when all of this extra fun tends to be not-so-fun for your plumbing system. The extra demands that summer takes on plumbing can lead to the need for plumbing services. 

There’s nothing worse than having your summer plans interrupted by a plumbing issue such as a clogged kitchen sink or a slow-draining shower. Let’s review some common summer activities that can lead to plumbing problems and how to avoid them. 

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These are the Biggest Threats to Your Plumbing System

Monday, June 24th, 2019

plumber-using-wrench-to-fix-plumbingNo matter what time of the year it is, there is one system in our homes we use to stay comfortable—our plumbing system. Between your water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, and toilets, could you even imagine going without your plumbing system for a day?

This is why we stress how important it is for homeowners to take good care of their plumbing systems. It’s easy to forget. After all most of your pipes are hidden behind walls, beneath flooring, and in cabinets under sinks. But yearly maintenance from a trusted and reputable plumber will help ensure the entire system performs well and doesn’t suddenly fail on you throughout the years.

Of course, it’s up to you, as well, to avoid some of the biggest threats to your plumbing system. These include:

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“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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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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What are Pinhole Leaks?

Friday, February 20th, 2015

The average life expectancy of a copper plumbing system is up to a century. That’s long enough that you probably won’t ever have to worry about replacing your home’s plumbing.

However, the longevity of copper pipes does not mean that they are invincible. There are still a few unique and serious problems that can affect copper plumbing systems, and you should be aware of how they work. Let’s take a look at one of the most serious problems that can afflict copper pipes: pinhole leaks.

What Causes Pinhole Leaks?

Pinhole leaks are the result of a special kind of corrosion known as “pitted corrosion.” Pitted corrosion is odd in a few different ways. For one thing, it almost exclusively affects copper pipes in plumbing systems. For another, it is always focused on a very small area of the pipe, and progresses from the outside inward. This allows the corrosion to eat through the pipe faster. Finally, despite years of research studies, no one has yet been able to determine why pitted corrosion occurs so often in copper pipes. When the corrosion finally does open a hole in the pipe, it is often very small. This is why these leaks are called “pinhole” leaks.

The Dangers of Pinhole Leaks

So, why are pinhole leaks so dangerous? The main reason is because they are extremely difficult to detect. Pinhole leaks are so small that they don’t cause any of the usual symptoms that warns homeowners of a plumbing problem. There’s no loss in water pressure, or discoloration from rust in the water. Instead, the pinhole leak just releases one or two drops at a time, too little to be noticed.

The problem with being so difficult to notice is that pinhole leaks have time to deal a lot of water damage to the surrounding area. Most plumbing pipes are located in the walls, surrounded by studs and insulation. If the pinhole leak goes unnoticed for a long enough period of time, it can rot away the insulation and even weaken the studs. By the time you notice the damage to the wall, there’s not much to be done but replace the whole section.

The best way to stop pinhole leaks from causing so much damage is to have a professional plumber inspect your plumbing at least once a year. If you haven’t had your home’s plumbing examined in a while, call Design Comfort. We provide plumbing services throughout West Valley.

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What Is a P-Trap?

Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

When you open the cabinet underneath the bathroom sink to put away a cleaning product or fresh towels, you may have to reposition a few things in order to make it fit, as a curved piece of pipe underneath the sink is in the way. This same type of fitting sits underneath your kitchen sink; in fact, it’s underneath every drain in your home. If you were to examine the plumbing system of your home, a curved section of pipe is under every tub, sink, and outdoor drain, a part known as a trap. And the most common type of trap is the P-trap, named for its “P” shape.

For more information about your plumbing system and to receive comprehensive plumbing services in Sandy, call our skilled team of certified plumbers today.

The Purpose of the P-Trap

Plumbing traps have been around since 1775, but the first P-trap was used by Thomas Crapper in 1880. The sole purpose of a plumbing trap is to fill up with water and prevent sewer gases from entering the home. The noxious fumes from sewage are effectively blocked as long as there is a small amount of water in the bend. The original “S” shape would clog and back up frequently, so a U-bend was more appropriate in most cases. The addition of a straight pipe made for a sideways “P,” which is how the new pipe got its name.

Trouble with the P-Trap

The P-trap may eventually run into some trouble, including the occasional leak or clog. But the good news is that the P-trap under your sink is exposed, which makes repairing a leak a lot easier. Furthermore, any clogs are right near the surface, so your plumber won’t have to use any heavy equipment to remove the blockage. And if you lose a piece of jewelry at the P-trap, it’s not too hard for a plumber to fish it out.

Finally, if you do happen to smell something foul from the drains despite the presence of a P-trap, there may be a quick fix. If you’ve been on vacation and the drain has not been used, it might have dried out. Simply turn on the water and see if that helps. If not, try pouring vinegar and baking soda down the drain, and if all else fails, call an expert.

Call the friendly people at Design Comfort for information, advice, and exceptional plumbing services in Sandy.

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