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Author Sue White Posted on

Plumbing Tip: Reasons Why Toilets Leak At The Base

Is there any water around your toilet’s base? This is a bad sign. This is a sign that your toilet has a leak, most likely at the base. Don’t let your bathroom turn into an indoor swimming pool! Instead, grab your trusted plumbing tools and get to work fixing the leak.

Plumbing Tips

Loose Tee Bolts

Are you familiar with plastic caps that are placed around the toilet’s base? These caps cover the tee bolts that hold your toilet in its place. If these bolts become loose or damaged, toilet leaks can occur. Start by repositioning your toilet so that it is level and centered. Next, tighten the bolts. You can return to the store if the bolts are not tightening properly or continue spinning freely.

Damaged Wax Ring

Although you’ve checked the condition of your tee bolts, and tightened them, your toilet still leaks at the base. Most likely, the wax ring is to blame. It will need to be replaced.

Go to the Shop – Get a wax ring for your toilet. Take a photo of your toilet’s base to show the pro at the store so they can help you locate a replacement.

Prep the Toilet: Turn off the water supply to your toilet by turning the water valve behind the toilet off. To get rid of as much sitting water as possible, flush the toilet. You can then remove the nut that holds the fill valve in place. Then, use a small bucket to collect any water left. Finally, drain any remaining water from the toilet’s base by dipping it in for a few seconds.

Take out the Toilet & Old Wax Ring – Unscrew the water supply line to the toilet. Also, remove the tee bolts and floor tiles. Now the toilet can be lifted from its original position. Place the toilet on its side, and start removing the wax ring. Before installing the new wax rings, make sure to remove all dried-on wax residue and any leftover residue.

Install the New Wax ring – Place your newly purchased wax ring over the flange. Make sure the tee bolts are in place. Place the new wax ring on your toilet and reposition it in its original position.

Install Your Toilet – Place the toilet in the correct position. Then, use your body weight to press the wax ring into the toilet to make a new seal. Make sure the toilet is properly leveled and centered before you tighten the tee bolts. Turn the valve on and reconnect the water line. To check for water leaks, inspect the toilet carefully.

Leakage in the toilet can lead to mold growth and increase water bills. It is important to fix any leak immediately. To ensure that your toilet repairs are done correctly, call your local plumber in Myrtle Beach.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC and let us help you with all your plumbing problems.

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Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733

Home – Myrtle Beach Plumber

 

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

Backflow Testing And Repairs
Author Sue White Posted on

Facts About Backflow Testing and Repair

It would be so disgusting to discover that the water from the sink contains traces of chemicals, human waste, and gases. It is devastating to discover that water that was once safe for drinking is now a threat to the health and well-being of all those living in the house. When this happens, you need an expert offering backflow testing and repair services.

This is the essence of a plumbing backflow. Now, drinking water may not be as clean. It is important to use backflow testing and repair in Myrtle Beach to avoid the health hazards associated with drinking contaminated water.

This article will inform homeowners about the health hazards associated with a backflow. This article will help homeowners learn how to prevent a backflow and what to do in the event of one.

Backflow Testing and Repair Tips

A plumbing backflow situation can pose health risks

It is important to be aware of the dangers associated with a backflow and how it can occur before you dive into what they mean for your health. Backflow is when fluid reverses its flow direction. This is because plumbing systems are interconnected, and contaminated water can flow back to the house. This is one of the many health hazards of a backflow.

Backflow from the city water supply can cause problems as additional chemicals and waste can leach into the water.

Backflow testing that is not done can expose you to many health risks, including the following:

  • Drinking water can be contaminated by chemicals and waste.
  • When you wash your hands or take a shower, chemicals in the water can cause skin to burn.
  • Potential fire hazards can be created by propane gas and other gases entering the water mains.
  • Water supply can be contaminated by bacteria and germs that can spread diseases.

How to Prevent Backflow

A change in pressure is the most common cause of backflow. Backflow is when the downstream pressure of non potable water (not safe to drink) exceeds the pressure at the main water source. A plumber in Myrtle Beach will inspect the relief and gate valves of the plumbing system to determine if there is backflow.

To check for irregularities or changes in water flow, they will close the water valves. Backflow prevention devices can be installed for homeowners if they suspect that there has been backflow. The device is installed on the home’s water pipes, and it forces water to flow in only one direction.

What to do if Backflow occurs

The bathroom and kitchen are the most vulnerable to backflow. These rooms have a lot of plumbing devices, including faucets, showerheads and garbage disposals.

They are therefore susceptible to backflow because they have many cross-connections that transport water. Backflow can be prevented by homeowners turning off water to their homes immediately.

Backflow is a serious plumbing emergency. A professional in plumbing in Myrtle Beach should be called immediately to test the water supply and find a solution.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC now and let us take care of all your plumbing problems.

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Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733

Home – Myrtle Beach Plumber

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

plumbing emergency
Author Sue White Posted on

When to Call An Emergency Plumber?

plumbing emergencyIt can be difficult to tell if a leak is a serious emergency or something that can wait until normal business hours. You may react instinctively and rush to the phone, rather than calmly assessing the situation. Let’s not lose our cool. These are some questions that you should ask before calling an emergency plumber near to you. This will help you avoid overpaying and allow you to get back to sleep.

1. Are You Requiring to Use the Affected Plumbing Now?

An emergency call is necessary for a flooding basement. But what about a clogged toilet or sink? They might be able to wait until the morning to schedule a plumber appointment. If this happens, let your family know that they will not be using the fixture again until further notice. To avoid forgetfulness at night, tape a note to the wall or completely block the room.

2. Is it possible to turn the fixture off?

It’s not considered a plumbing emergency if you can fix the leakage at the sink. The shut-off valve is located under the sink or behind your toilet. For larger problems, you might need to shut off the main water supply to your house. You will find the main shutoff valve near the water meters on the street side of your house.

You might be able stop the leak for a few hours if the leak is less severe than a trickle.

3. What’s the weather like?

The weather can play a significant role in whether you require plumbing services immediately. It’s dangerous to not have water at your disposal if it is a hot summer day. Call a plumber in Myrtle Beach if the temperature outside drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and your water heater struggles to turn on.

4. Is it possible to do more damage if the problem is left unattended?

To stop a slow leak, you could use buckets to collect water and stuff rags into the pipes. Your leak becomes more serious if one bucket doesn’t suffice to get you through the night. A significant leakage can cause damage to your floor, ceiling, walls, and adjoining walls. It’s time for you to call 911 if the water flow isn’t stopped or the water can cause significant damage.

5. Is it Your Responsibility to Fix the Problem

Sometimes, you may not be able to fix the emergency even if it was urgent. Your water company might offer to send a plumber to fix a problem with your main water line, the sewer main or a blocked sewer. Before calling your plumber in Myrtle Beach, you might try them. You might get city employees to fix problems with your city water supply. City employees may fix problems with city water supplies for free, unless you have to pay for repairs to the main water line.

Common Plumbing Emergencies

Broken pipes: Turn off the water supply to a pipe that is spraying water. Move furniture out of the area.

Leakage or failure of a water heater: Call for assistance if the tank is making strange or unusual sounds, leaking, or making a foul-smelling odor. Water heater failures can cause expensive damage quickly.

Other major leaks include Toilet overflows, washing machine hoses and gas line leaks.

Sewer system backups. If you notice a bubbling toilet or water in your shower after flushing the toilet, it could be a sign of sewer system backups. Sewer gases can seep into a basement if it smells like rotten eggs.

What happens if you call an emergency plumber?

It’s a stressful situation. Keep calm and try to mitigate the emergency plumbing situation. Look for the shutoff valve on the fixture. Next, assess the situation and call a trusted professional emergency plumber in Myrtle Beach if necessary.

Professional plumbing repairs can still be expensive. This is especially true if you don’t have a reliable plumbing company on-call. If time permits, call three companies to get an estimate. This will help you determine a fair price.

Even in an emergency, it is important to ask questions. Before you agree to emergency plumbing service, tell the company about the problem and request a cost estimate. This includes the cost of regular service as well as any additional fees for night- or weekend calls.

While the cost of a plumbing problem might go up once the contractor has assessed the issue, it is important to be cautious of companies that refuse to provide an estimate over the telephone, even if you have provided sufficient details.

What is the Average Cost of an Emergency Plumber?

For a holiday, weekend or late-night plumbing repair, expect to pay less than a half hour. For emergency visits, companies might charge a flat fee between $100 and $350. These fees could be added to the usual $70-$400 hourly rate.

The plumbing contractor might be able to manage the problem in the evening and then return with the parts needed later. You might be charged an additional visit and the hourly rate. These details should be discussed with you when selecting a contractor.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC now if you need the help of a professional plumber.

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Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733

Home – Myrtle Beach Plumber

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

drain cleaning
Author Sue White Posted on

DRAIN CLEANING GUIDE HOMEOWNERS NEED TO KNOW

drain cleaningAside from filthy gutter on your roof or weeds in the garden, the next most typical problem in a home is clogged drains. Most homeowners will try to solve this problem on their own. Nevertheless, while it’s definitely possible, it is necessary to understand that you might, in fact, do more damage to your pipes without you knowing it. In this blog, we will share with you some tips to help with your drain cleaning problem.

Drain Cleaning Tips

All you need might be regular tools you have at home

Plumbing professionals have a large choice of the most recent cutting-edge tools at their disposal. However, a typical homeowner may only need tools regularly available at home. If you have a toilet plunger, you can use it to unblock a persistent clogged shower or tub drain. Also, if the blockage is shallow, another drain cleaning solution is using a long screwdriver to solve the problem. But if you do not have these tools, you can buy a little drain snake or auger from your local home improvement store.

Using chemical drain cleaners is dangerous

While you have seen countless TV commercials claiming their chemical liquid drain cleaner works, maybe too good to be true. What chemical drain cleaners do is gnaw at the obstruction, ultimately triggering it to remove and flush away. Nevertheless, what most homeowners do not know is that these chemicals wear away anything they come in contact with, even your pipelines. If at all possible, plumbers recommend avoiding using it or you might end up with a bigger drain cleaning problem

Try flushing the clogged drain with hot water

Think it or not, a great flush with hot water can, in fact, meltdown a few of the sticky compounds that are stuck in your pipeline. The very first thing you need to attempt is to run the hottest water possible from your faucet and down the drain to clear the obstruction the natural method. Most often, homeowners are surprised at how this instantly works. But homeowners should understand that this step will not totally solve their clogged drain issue. It is still recommended to call Blue Ribbon Plumbing to solve this issue. However the easy Do It Yourself technique of running hot water down the drain might resolve the issue quicker and easier than you thought possible.

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Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing if you need residential and commercial plumbing services.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733

Home – Myrtle Beach Plumber

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

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