So, you’ve taken all the precautions you can think of in order to prevent your pipes from freezing, but alas, you’ve found yourself with a problem. You turn on the faucet in the bathroom or kitchen and … nothing. Not a drop comes out.

What to do now? For starters, don’t panic. It’s time to get to work because your frozen pipes need to be addressed immediately in order to avoid damage. Here’s some helpful advice on how to thaw a frozen pipe in your business:

The first thing you need to do is figure out exactly what pipe is frozen and where the problem area is. This is often easier said than done, particularly if you have a large business. Start with the most likely culprits … unfinished basements and attics are usually a good place to begin your search.

Once you locate your frozen pipe you need to apply heat utilizing one of the following methods:

• A hand-held hair dryer is often the fastest and easiest way to thaw a frozen pipe. Just move the hot hair up and down the frozen area of the pipe evenly and consistently.
• Place a space heater near the frozen pipe no closer than 3 feet and allow the hot hair to heat the pipe. Be sure your heater is no closer than the recommended safe distance to avoid potential fire.
• Apply heat tape (which can usually be purchased at any hardware store) to the frozen part of the pipe. Just wrap it evenly and plug it in to begin heating. Don’t forget to remove the heat tape when your thaw job is complete. Heat tape is NOT meant to be kept on your pipes all the time and doing so can cause a fire.

And remember, you should NEVER attempt to thaw your pipes using an open flame. Doing so can have a disastrous outcome, resulting in a life-threatening fire.

If you have questions or concerns about a frozen pipe in your business, Action Plumbing is here to help. Contact us anytime to talk with one of our experts. Our professional plumbing services are available anytime, day or night to give you assistance you need, when you need it.

Efficiency is key when it comes to ensuring your plumbing job is done right. With the many technological advances we’ve had over recent years, there’s no doubt that one of the most beneficial was the introduction of plumbing cameras into the plumbers arsenal of professional tools.

Before plumbing cameras, it was impossible to see exactly what was happening inside your pipes without removing them or digging them up. This type of diagnosis can be extremely expensive, which is why so many plumbing problems have been ignored or simply treated ineffectively with a sewer pipe.

Today plumbing cameras give us the flexibility and maneuverability of a plumbing snake along with the major benefit of actually being able to see what’s going on inside your pipe. This makes locating problems like leaks and clogs easier than ever before.

Although cameras aren’t used for every job, in many instances they can help to keep down costs and eliminate the guesswork that typically came along with performing many similar jobs in the past. It’s the best way to diagnose an issue and ensure that a problem has been solved by performing the proper repair job.

There are many instances when a plumbing camera is the right choice for you needs, some of which include:

– When you’re unsure about the extent of damage you’re facing or what’s causing the problem in the first place.
– When you’re doing a remodel and you don’t have the blueprints needed for a plumbing update that includes sink, tub, or toilet installations.
– When you can’t find a leak using traditional methods.
– When you’ve lost an important item down the drain.
– When you’re buying a building and you want to be 100% certain that there are no plumbing issue.

Don’t forget that unknown issues are often the reason the small plumbing jobs turn into big plumbing jobs, and although a plumbing camera won’t scale down the amount of work to be completed, it will ensure that your plumber is accurately diagnosing any issues and performing the best repair work possible.

If you would like to find out more about the benefits of plumbing cameras or about how our professionals utilize the most modern technologies available to get your job done right the first time, contact one of our representatives today.

Although it’s extremely important to keep your gutters clear of debris throughout the entire year, it can be especially challenging during the winter months when Mother Nature strikes the hardest. Clogged gutters can easily trap water that will inevitably freeze, leaving you with a potential hazard sometimes referred to as an ice dam.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam often occurs along the edge of your roofline or in your gutters depending on the orientation, style, and pitch of your roof. The culprit is often melting snow that refreezes, clogging your gutters and preventing water from draining properly. When this happens, water can easily get backed up, causing havoc with your shingles and eventually leaking into your business.

How to Recognize an Ice Dam

One of the best ways to check for an ice dam is to take a close look at the ceilings of your exterior walls and attic. If you notice moisture or water stains, there’s a good possibility you may have an ice dam.

Inspect any icicle formations you may have around your business’s exterior to discover whether they are trapping any water. Icicles can often lead to additional problems blockage problems and potential dangers for those walking below.

Prevention Tips

Be sure to clean your gutters regularly, even during the winter months whenever it’s possible.
On mild winter days, inspect your gutters and the areas around your business for any signs that an ice dam may be forming.
Safely remove icicle formations and remember … never stand directly underneath an icicle when inspecting your gutters, cleaning, or performing icicle removal.

Lastly, one of the best ice dam prevention strategies is to hire a professional to handle your routine gutter cleanings to ensure you always have a clean gutter system. For more information on our professional gutter cleaning services, contact an Action Plumbing representative.

Bitter cold temperatures may already be here, but it’s not too late to take the necessary steps to avoid frozen pipes and other costly plumbing issues. Whether you rent or own your own business, there are a few things to consider in order to protect your property from unnecessary damage.

Of course, not all frozen pipes result in catastrophe, but it is common for expanding ice to break pipes that are vulnerable, and this often results in damaging leaks or flooding. So, how do you these kinds of problems? The answer is simple … you can avoid frozen pipes by planning ahead using a few of the following tips:

Locate Your Pipes

In order to ensure your pipes are protected you need to know exactly where they’re located. While a pipe may be well insulated in one area of your business, there’s a good possibility that it’s exposed to freezing temperatures in another. If you’re unsure about how your plumbing system is laid out, Action Plumbing can work with you to complete an audit of your plumbing system.

Insulate

Once you have a better idea of where your at-risk pipes can be found, you need to make sure they are protected with insulation. While newspaper can sometimes be adequate for pipes found in a cold basement, others at greater risk should be insulated with foam tube or heated tape.

Let It Run

If the temperatures have already plummeted and you’re concerned, allowing the water to run even slightly can prevent pipes from freezing. Although it’s true you’ll be wasting water, it’s better than facing the alternative.

Let in the Heat

On particularly cold nights it’s a good idea to open the cabinets or drawers under your sink. This will allow the heat from your business to enter in order to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Find the Main Shut-Off

If you are faced with damaged or leaking pipes, it’s important that you know how to shut off the main water supply in order to prevent serious flooding. And remember, Action Plumbing is available 24 hrs a day 7 days a week in the event you have an emergency and need assistance.

Whether you’ve just climbed up a ladder to start working on those Christmas lights or you’re admiring the handiwork of that one neighbor who always manages to get his lights up before you’ve even thought about it, chances are you’ve noticed a few (or more) of those pesky leaves poking out of the gutters. Not only are those clogs unsightly, but they can lead to some serious damage that can take a sizeable chunk out of your holiday budget.

Cleaning your gutters may seem like a pain, but it’s well worth it in the long run. You’d be surprised to find out what’s really hiding in there, including common (and not-so-common) things like:

• Leaves
• Twigs
• Rocks
• Plastic bags
• Nests
• Other Miscellaneous garbage

Most people are concerned about a hard rain, but clogged gutters actually allow the water to pool, creating the potential for serious water damage. The first thing at risk is your roof, affecting your roofline, shingles, and fascia. And if you’ve ever had to pay for a roof repair in the past, you already know how costly it can be.

When it does pour, these clogged drains quickly overflow, flooding the areas right next to your business’s foundation. Repeated instances of such flooding can carve out trenches in the ground and cause damage to your foundation, which inevitably leads to basement flooding.

The good news is … it doesn’t take a lot to maintain your gutters. With just two regular cleanings a year you can keep the extra debris to a minimum. The bad news is … cleaning your gutters can be a messy, dangerous job, especially for those who aren’t comfortable with heights or unable to climb tall ladders. This is why so many people hire a professional to come in and get the job done.

If you’d like to find out how Action Plumbing can assist you with your regularly scheduled gutter cleanings, reach out to a one of our representatives today. We’re here to help you keep your plumbing on track anytime of year!