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 When you own your own home, sometimes it gets hard 

to keep those drains clear




Many believe drain cleaning to be easy and something a simple chemical can take care of.  However, drain clogs may not always be as easy  to solve as you may think. Many times, liquid drain cleaner does not work and can even cause greater problems.  Valley Plumbing has all of the tools to solve your drain problems and we guarantee our work.

Outside drain lines also have a chance of being clogged.  Not by grease or anything like that, but by tree roots. This may sound a little crazy but is something that happens quite often. Tree roots can grow into the outside sewer pipes causing blockages and even separations.

Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning can best determine the cause and offers a way of showing each customer what is going on in the main sewer lines.  We have the ability to camera your lines and can show you on a TV screen exactly what your pipe looks like.

If tree roots are causing the blockage, an electric snake unit will be needed to clear the roots. Many times tree roots can separate your pipes and may require replacement of sections.

So if you have a clog that will not drain or continues to come back, your best bet is to contact Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning.




There are projects that require both excavation and plumbing


There are many large projects that can include the need of excavation.  Some of those are: septic system, putting in sewer, water, and gas lines to your location, or repairing underground leaks due to damage. 

Excavations that involve plumbers also include the removal or repair of septic tanks.  Many repairs for septic tanks can include unclogging septic tanks and replacing old clogged leach fields.  Each of these situations is an extensive operation and requires a team of qualified plumbers with excavating abilities and experience.  
It is important to use a professional plumber who understands the procedures necessary so they can ensure that your home is safe.  Using a licensed plumber provides a warranty on all work provided insuring the work will be done right.

Water Heaters


Make sure to check the date on your water heater to avoid the large mess that a water heater can provide when going bad. The best way to make sure your water heater doesn't cause a problem is to know its age.  The way you can know the age of the water heater is by looking at the serial number.  The first four numbers are the month and year.  Any water heater over 10 years old should be looked at by a plumber to determine what condition the tank is in. If you can see visual signs such as a rusty tank, then you are headed for problems.  If you look at the picture above you can see that the water heater was made in December of 1991.

Hose Bibbs

Since the summer is almost over, it’s time to take a look at those Hose Bibbs around the house. Leaking Hose Bibbs are an issue that generally isn't noticed until the summer time. If your Hose Bibbs or Frost Free Hose bibs are leaking or dripping, then let us take a look. We can easily re-build the hose faucet and replace some old parts. If the leak goes on long enough, not only does it waste money, but can actually wear out the metal parts inside, making replacement the only option for repair. If you’ve had this problem before, it may simply be time to replace the entire faucet. Either way, Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning would like to help you operate and maintain your system more efficiently. 


Leak Detection

Finding water leaks can save you water, which means saving money on water and sewer bills. Follow these easy steps to determine if you have a leak in a domestic.

Step 1. Turn all water-using appliances off so that no water is being used. This means turning off all water inside and outside the house including showers, sinks, washing machines and any appliance that uses water 

Step 2. Take the lid off the meter box and lift the protective cover. 

Watch the meter. Your meter will have a triangular red or silver and black round disc that is commonly called a “leak indicator.”

If the hand is not moving, note the position of the hand and wait 10 minutes. Check the meter again, if it has moved, you have a slow leak - go to step 3. If not, you do not have a leak.

Step. 3. Locate the main shut-off valve to the house. This is usually located close to the meter box. 

Step 4. Turn off the valve.

 Step 5. Turn on a faucet inside the house to test.

If water still flows from the faucet after several seconds, the shut off valve is not working.

If no water flows through the faucet, the shut off valve is working. Return to the meter.

Step 6. Check if the meter’s leak indicators hand is moving.

If the leak indicator or dial hand is still moving, water is flowing between the meter and the shut-off valve. That means you have a leak between the meter and the customer-side shut-off valve.

If it is not moving, then you have a leak between the customer-side shut-off valve and possibly somewhere in the house. Check toilets, washing machines, faucets, etc., for any leak.

Step 7. To check a toilet for a leak : Listen to the toilet and watch the mechanism that fills the tank and see if it ever shuts off.  If it does, start with one fixture at a time and turn each one on.  If the meter starts to move then you know which fixture is causing the problem.
 
Frozen Pipes, Utah? How to prevent them!
 

Are you ready for a cold Utah winter? Winters here can be unpredictable, even without El Nino and La Nina effects. Don’t get caught off-guard this season, and have to endure the expensive problems that frozen pipes can cause.

Take these tips from Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning to avoid problems this winter:
 
 Wrap pipes and valves in unheated areas with heat tape or cover with pipe-insulating material. Find these materials at your local hardware store, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t have the time or ability for this job, which can sometimes mean accessing difficult-to-reach areas under your house, then it’s better to call Valley Plumbing first rather than call them during a freeze to come thaw and replace pipes and then insulate your plumbing.
 
When you know a cold spell is coming, turn off your irrigation system and drain water from the lines. Water left in the system can freeze and break pipes. Disconnect garden hoses from your house and cover taps with insulated covers.
 
 Know where your main water valve is. When you have a problem, turning the main valve off may stop water from flooding your home. You can usually find this valve near your water meter, near the street in front of the home, or in your basement or the room where utilities are located.
 

If your home is going to be vacant for an extended period in the winter, consider turning the main valve off and hiring a plumbing company to drain your pipes. That way, if there is power outage or heating problem there will not be any water in the pipes to freeze

 

Spring Time

It is that time of year again.  We have to look at doing some spring cleaning along with some spring checks.  Here are a few tips on things to look for to avoid having plumbing and drain problems.

  • Check faucets for drips or leaks. Make repairs to save water.
  • Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent hair, soap and debris from clogging the drain lines.
  • Check toilets for hidden leaks. Add six drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
  • Inspect tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
  • Exercise water supply valves under sinks and toilets to prevent them from sticking.
  • Make sure toilets flush properly. If the handle must be held down for a thorough flush or jiggled to stop the water from running you may need to replace worn tank parts. They're inexpensive and you'll notice a lower water bill.

  • Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
  • Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.
  • Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.
  • Check dishwasher, washing machine and ice maker supply hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace hoses showing signs of weakness or older than ten years. Use stainless steel hoses wherever possible. They are more reliable and less prone to bursting than other types.

  • Pour a gallon of water into infrequently used drains (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked to ensure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
  • Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.
  • Inspect for slow leaks in your home by taking a reading on your water meter before bedtime. The next morning, without using any water overnight, take another reading. If the reading has changed you have a leak that should be repaired.