Emergency Plumbing - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

Sue White Jan 30, 2023Jan 16, 2024

Plumbing Tips – Are Burst Pipes Covered By Homeowner’s Insurance?

A homeowners insurance policy often covers accidental water damage that results from an unexpected plumbing issue, such as a burst pipe. A homeowner’s insurance policy typically covers the cost of cleaning, repairing, or replacing wood flooring, drywall, or furniture damaged by water from a burst pipe. If you ignore a leak or other long-standing problem, your claim may not be covered.

Does home insurance cover frozen pipes?

Your homeowner’s policy typically covers water damage and cleaning costs due to a burst pipe. Your claim may not be covered if you turn off your heat while you are away from your home for a few days. This could have caused the pipes to freeze when outside temperatures dropped. You can prevent a freeze-related catastrophe by taking smart steps to protect and maintain your pipes. When you are away from home, replace the thermostat’s battery. Set your thermostat to a minimum temperature of 55 degrees. Consider asking a friend or relative to inspect your home and ensure that the heat is working properly if you are away for a long time. Winterize your home if you plan to be away for the winter. This involves draining all of your home’s plumbing system and shutting off the water supply.

Is Homeowners Insurance able to cover water line breaks?

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover water line damage unless the line has suffered severe, sudden damage. Plumbing repairs and cleanup may be covered if you accidentally damage the water line that runs from your meter. Your regular coverage doesn’t cover water damage caused by age, regular wear and tear, poor installation, shifting soil, pests, or tree roots invading your property.

Your city or town will fix a water main break. However, you are often responsible for the repair or replacement of the water main supply lines that connect to your home. Your municipality and your insurance company should be contacted if your home is damaged by a public water main break.

What coverage do you need for broken pipes?

Water damage can often be covered under dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, and/or loss-of-use coverage. Talk to your agent to ensure water damage is covered under each component of your home insurance policy.

Insurance for your home

A home insurance policy should include dwelling coverage. It can pay for the repair or reconstruction of your home’s physical structure in the event of a fire, water damage, severe weather, vandalism, or other covered loss. Your dwelling coverage limits will be determined based on the cost of rebuilding your house. It is a good idea, especially after any improvements, to check with your agent about the replacement cost of your home. Even small improvements can have an impact on the cost of rebuilding your home.

Property coverage

Personal property coverage covers your belongings such as furniture, clothing, and electronics in the event that they are damaged at your home, apartment, or anywhere else in the world. If accidental water damage occurs due to a burst pipe, this covers professional cleaning and replacement of personal belongings. Many policies cover personal property at actual cash value, not replacement cost. You might be able to increase your policy by adding full replacement cost coverage.

Loss of use coverage

Additional living expenses insurance, also known as loss of use, helps you pay for additional housing and living expenses in the event that your house is temporarily uninhabitable due to a covered event. If your home has been damaged by a burst pipe, you may be eligible for this coverage to cover expenses such as lodging and pet boarding while your home is being repaired or rebuilt.

What water damage is not covered by homeowner’s insurance?

Your homeowner’s policy may not cover water damage if it is:

Backed-up sewage
Sump pump failure
Flooding

You can purchase additional insurance policies to protect yourself from flooding, backup, and sump pump failure. Plumbing maintenance falls under the homeowner’s responsibility.

In the event of a plumbing emergency, remember to keep calm. Do what you can to mitigate the damage and call Blue Ribbon Plumbing right away!

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Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

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

Sue White Jan 25, 2023Jan 16, 2024

How To Deal With A Plumbing Emergency

You should have information about what to do in case of a plumbing emergency. Plumbers are more likely to be needed in areas with high water pressure and high flooding risk. Plumbers are often called upon to fix a leaking faucet, or clogged toilet, or replace the water heater. These issues can be fixed by scheduling repairs or waiting for an appointment. It is a plumbing emergency if water is gushing from a pipe. Water can quickly cause damage to your flooring, walls, or furniture. It is important to be prepared for an emergency. Learn how to handle major plumbing issues so that you minimize damage and can get the repairs done quickly.

What to do in a Plumbing Emergency

Turn off the water supply

Turn off the water supply, regardless of whether there is a leak in the faucet, toilet, or pipe. This will prevent any additional water from spewing out of control. Find the leak and turn off the shutoff valve that’s probably close by. The water supply to most toilets is from the wall behind them. To stop water from flowing, look for a small handle shaped like a football.

Get in touch with an emergency plumber in Myrtle Beach

After you have turned off the water supply to your home, contact a plumber. Plumbing problems can be common and most professional plumbers provide emergency services. You can search online for a local plumber or consult a phone directory to locate one in your area. You can give them a call to explain your problem. You might get further instructions from them before they arrive.

Assess Electrical Appliances and Outlets

Check to make sure there is no standing water in your home. If the water reaches an outlet, it can cause an electrical shock. To avoid electrical hazards in cases of severe flooding, you should turn off the main circuit breaker. However, you should never go into water that could be electrically charged.

Remove Excessive Water

While you wait for your plumber to arrive, soak up any excess water that is safe to touch. This will not only help to minimize water damage but it will also make your plumber’s job easier. To absorb the water, use buckets, sponges, or towels. To stop water from escaping from a pipe that is leaking, wrap towels or rags around it. Then, tell your plumber about any leaks.

Keep Calm

This is the most difficult step. It’s natural to panic in a crisis. However, panic doesn’t help and can make things worse. Find out where the main shutoff valve is, and which plumber you should call in an emergency. There are ways to cover plumbing repairs as long as you have homeowner’s insurance.

Do not be caught off guard by a plumbing emergency

Unprepared for a plumbing emergency? Knowing the steps you should take will help you stay calm and be able to solve your plumbing issues. It is important to know who to call in an emergency. Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC is a reliable plumber that provides 24-hour emergency service.

You never know when you’ll come home to a plumbing emergency. It’s best to know who to call at these times. Remember to stay calm and call Blue Ribbon Plumbing right away!

Like our Facebook page for more great info about plumbing services.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

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

Sue White Jan 2, 2023Jan 16, 2024

HOMEOWNERS GUIDE TO BATHROOM PLUMBING MAINTENANCE

Bathrooms are one of the busiest rooms inside a home, thus it needs to be well-maintained. If not, homeowners may need an emergency plumber at the most inopportune time. Everything inside the bathroom, from the toilet to the shower, the sink to the drain pipes, should undergo plumbing maintenance to keep them running effectively.

Bathroom Plumbing Basics

Faucet

Keep your faucet running efficiently by repairing leaky faucets right away. This prevents further damage to your faucet and its parts. Plus, a leaking faucet wastes thousands of gallons of water each year.

Faucet aerators should also be cleaned to maintain normal water pressure. Usually, low water pressure is caused by lime accumulation and sediment obstructing the little openings inside the aerator.

Guide to cleaning faucet aerators:

Thoroughly loosen the aerator from the faucet by turning it counterclockwise.
Remove the aerator or spray head.
Sediment removal can be removed by using a cloth immersed in vinegar.
Screw the aerator back onto the faucet.

Shower

Over time, showerheads develop unequal spraying because the holes end up being obstructed with mineral deposits from the water, according to plumbing contractors.

Guide to cleaning showerheads:

Loosen the swivel ball nut. For this process, an adjustable wrench or channel-type pliers is needed.
Loosen the collar nut from the showerhead.
Outlet and inlet holes of the showerhead should be cleaned carefully utilizing a thin wire.
Flush the head with water.
Put the showerhead back together.
Immerse the showerhead in vinegar to get rid of mineral deposits. Particularly, put one cup of vinegar in a plastic bag and put it over the shower head. Let stand overnight. In the early morning, get rid of the bag and rub out the mineral deposits with a moist fabric.

Toilet

This is where most bathroom leaks originate. Examine the toilet‘s tank water level to ensure that water is not overflowing. Follow these actions to fix the issue:.

In case of water overflow, change the fill valve till the water stops around one inch below the top of the overflow tube. Look for a water level mark stamped on the side of the tank.
Check the flush valve system by putting a couple of drops of food coloring into the tank.
Inspect the bowl after 15 minutes. If the water in the toilet bowl has actually altered color, the ball or flapper is dripping and requires to be changed.

Guide to maintaining toilets:

Do not flush facial tissue, cotton balls, cosmetics pads, hygienic items, or diapers as they can block the lines. Keep a garbage container in each restroom and toss these products away.
Every week, run warm water down the drain to keep it free-flowing.
Repair tubs and showers with strainers that capture hair and soap chips. Tidy the strainers routinely.
Prevent putting things down the sink or toilet that do not belong there.

Contact an expert now. When you require support unclogging a toilet or drain, Blue Ribbon Plumbing can be at your house immediately and do the job effectively.

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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

Sue White Dec 1, 2022Jan 16, 2024

HOW TO HANDLE A PLUMBING EMERGENCY

If you are a homeowner, chances are you will need plumbing services at some point. But do you know what you need to do during a plumbing emergency? Listed below are a few tips to help you handle the situation and prevent any further damages to your property while waiting for a plumbing emergency contractor.

Shut It Off!

If you discover a plumbing concern or a leak, the first thing you need to do is turn off the water so you can stop further damage. Even the smallest leak can cost you thousands of dollars worth of structural damage if you ignore it. If the leak is found in the faucet, toilet, or other fixtures, be sure to shut off the water that runs to the fixture. In case you can’t locate the source of the water, or perhaps you’ve tried to shut it off but it still didn’t stop the water, your next course of action is to turn off the main water supply to your house and it is usually located close to your water meter.

Evaluate The Damage

Try to evaluate the extent of the damage before contacting a Myrtle Beach emergency plumber. Whatever information you’ll be able to give the plumber over the phone will provide him a good idea of what the problem is. It will also be easier for the plumber to fix the issue quickly and correctly.

Contact The Water Company

Never assume that you will be responsible for the repair without getting in touch with the water company. In case you have problems with the main sewer, the main water line, or a blocked sewer, the water company may be able to provide a plumber in Myrtle Beach who can assist you with your plumbing emergency.

Contact A Plumbing Emergency Contractor

It is crucial that you call a plumber that offers a 24-hour emergency plumbing service. Don’t forget to give the plumber as much information as you can regarding your plumbing emergency, the affected fixtures, the extent of the problem, and what you have done so far to address the issue.

You also have to ask the plumber how much he or she charges for the service call and how much will the plumbing repair cost. Keep in mind that not all plumbers can give a quote without seeing the actual problem. However, they may be able to provide you with a general idea of the likely costs associated with specific repairs.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing for all your emergency plumbing needs. Our team is ready to help 24/7.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about 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

Sue White Nov 4, 2022Jan 16, 2024

QUALITIES OF A GOOD EMERGENCY PLUMBER

We all know that in most cases, plumbing emergencies do not always happen at the most opportune time. Some encounter problems with their kitchen sink at a time when they are preparing for a dinner party at home. There are also instances when homeowners are in a hurry to leave their place for some essential appointment but then, their bathroom pipes break. If you are among those few who have the luxury of time, then you can try to fix it yourself provided that you have the skills. But, in most cases, you will require an emergency plumber to handle your plumbing problems. However, choosing a reliable plumber contractor is no easy task. You need to know the qualities of a good plumber to make sure that you hire the best one for the job.

Trustworthy – your house will be exposed to the plumber that you are going to hire. Your home is a place where you keep all of your important stuff and valuable items. Because of this, you need to be able to hire an emergency plumber who is trustworthy. Even if you are not in your house when he carries out his work, all of your personal belongings should remain untouched and intact.

Reliable – You have to know if you can count on your emergency plumber at any time of the day. You should also figure out how soon the plumbing contractor can get to your house after you requested their service. Plumbing emergencies can happen anytime and that is why you need to hire a plumbing company that is reliable enough to handle your requests immediately and at any given time, either early in the morning or late in the evening.

Preparedness – A good emergency plumber needs to be prepared to address all potential causes that may have triggered the plumbing issue. In most cases, the residential or commercial property owner usually cannot properly describe their plumbing problem over the phone so the emergency plumber in Myrtle Beach must be able to anticipate every possibility. He must be equipped with the needed plumbing equipment to make sure that they can do the job correctly and efficiently the first time around.

Highly Skilled – Don’t be afraid to ask questions because it is hard to evaluate the plumber’s skills simply by looking at their appearance. Ask if he is licensed, where he trained, how long he has been offering his service, and if he can provide referrals. Take time to check his company background. Ask him to show some proof of qualifications before work begins.

Punctuality – This is one of the most important qualities of a good plumber. The emergency plumber should be punctual because if not, waiting too long for him to arrive so your plumbing pipes can be fixed could mean more damage to your property. The emergency plumber in Myrtle Beach should respect your time and value you as a client. He should make it a point to get to your place as soon as he can.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC if you are in need of a reliable emergency 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

Sue White Oct 17, 2022Jan 17, 2024

What is a Plumbing Emergency?

The plumbing system in your home may not be visible or apparent. You should not ignore a problem until it is obvious. You don’t really pay attention to your plumbing system until there’s a problem. During a plumbing emergency, you need to call an expert.

Problems such as a clogged toilet or sink drain can lead to serious consequences. These tips will help you decide if your plumbing is an emergency or if you have options.

Signs Of A Plumbing Emergency

Is there a way to stop the flow of water?

Shutting off the water supply to a leaky toilet or sink can immediately stop it from leaking and enable you to schedule an appointment with a professional plumbing contractor in Myrtle Beach.

Is The Leak A Flood or A Trickle?

To catch any drips, grab a bucket. Call a plumber and have the professional fix the leak.

Is there a health problem?

Water is essential, especially for those with compromised health.

These situations can be considered emergencies if water access is restricted by a problem with the plumbing or a malfunctioning heater.

Broken toilets or clogged sinks can be annoying. You can mark them as “out of order” until you have a plumber inspect the problem.

Do you have a burst pipe?

A burst pipe could cause major flooding and water damage to your home.

If you cannot stop the water supply to the burst pipe, or if the water supply needs to be shut off to the whole house, you should call an emergency plumber.

Are you smelling gas from your water heaters?

If you smell gas, it is important to deal with it right away.

Water heaters can explode if the water pressure drops too low or the relief valve becomes damaged. Seek professional assistance.

Is your hot water heater leaking?

Turn off your power supply and the water supply to the water heater.

Drain the tank and then call a professional plumbing contractor like Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC to schedule a repair appointment.

Are your toilets backed up at the same time?

A blocked main sewer line can lead to multiple backups at the toilet. Raw sewage can be forced to move back to your home if it is not treated.

This is a serious emergency and should be addressed immediately.

Do you have a malfunctioning sump pump?

You can program sump pumps to automatically turn on when there is too much water. If they aren’t maintained correctly, they can fail.

Except in extreme flooding, this is considered an emergency situation. To perform maintenance tasks, you can turn the pump off.

Do you hear a lot of banging or knocking coming from your plumbing system?

Pipes and plumbing can make odd sounds that could scare you but are not an emergency. Nevertheless, it’s best to call an expert.

Knowing the difference between a plumbing problem and a plumbing emergency can be very helpful. Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC will help you decide if you should address the issue immediately or if you can schedule a more convenient service call.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC now if you need help in fixing your plumbing problems.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about 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

Sue White Aug 30, 2022Jan 16, 2024

When to Call An Emergency Plumber?

It 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.