If you can hear the clanking of creaking pipes why you lie awake at night, you’re likely willing to do anything possible to get that noise to stop. But as often with other things in life, the answer to your question can be discovered by figuring out why the pipes are making noise in the first place.

However, many people never really get to the bottom of their noisy pipes because they simply get used to hearing the sound repeatedly and are eventually able to drown it out. And although you may be getting some sleep, ignoring these sounds could be costly in the long run, especially if they are warning signs of any underlying plumbing issues.

Banging or Clanking

All that noise may just seem like a lot of racket, but it’s often an indication that your pipes are loose, which can be a relatively common occurrence, especially in older buildings. Some pipes also flex whenever the flow of water is halted, causing some unexpected rattling. The good news is, loose pipes are normally able to be fixed relatively easily with the help of an experienced plumber.

Tick-Tock

If you’ve got a tick-tock and it’s not from a clock, trying to track down where that noise is coming from can often be infuriating. Luckily, the ticking sound is usually just your water meter reverberating through your building’s pipes. This can often happen if you it’s located near your foundation, and especially likely if you’re hearing the noise while the water is on. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do to avoid it.

Drip-Drop

Dripping can be a clue to more serious concerns that may have otherwise alluded you. Although many times a drip is coming from something as simple to fix as a leaky faucet, other areas that should be inspected very closely include your water heaters, refrigerator, and especially the inside of your walls. It is imperative that you locate the cause of your leak and have it addressed by someone who knows how to fix it correctly so you can avoid any future damage.

Whether your pipes are dripping, ticking, or banging, it’s important to remember that these little annoyances can sometimes be warning signs which should not be ignored. If you’re asking yourself “why are my pipes making noise” or are unsure about whether or not your noisy pipes are the sign of something more serious, contact one of our Action Plumbing experts today.

There are typically two kinds of people in this world … the kind who have zero interest in the inner workings of their business’ plumbing systems and the kind who need to know every intricacy imaginable. For those of you who have little interest, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing in common myths perpetuated online about how your plumbing really works. Here are a few of the most common weird plumbing myths clarified to help you demystify the plumbing in your business.

Myth #1 Plungers Fix Everything

Sure, plungers can certainly come in handy, especially for everyday issues. However, using a plunger for a serious clog can actually make it worse! Know when it’s time to put down the plunger and call a professional.

Myth #2 Leaky Faucets Are Okay

Remember … leaky faucets = wasted water, and wasted water is bad. Period. Even the slightest drip can lead to a huge amount of water lost each year. So do your part, save some water (and some money) and get those leaky faucets fixed asap.

Myth #3 In the Southern Hemisphere Water Drains Clockwise

Sorry to say, but this all too common myth is completely false. The direction water circulates has nothing to do with where you live and everything to do with something called the Coriolis force and the actual structure of your plumbing.

Myth #4 Animals Can’t Swim Into Your Toilet

It’s actually not that uncommon for a creepy critter to navigate through your pipes and pop up in your toilet bowl. Some of the more adventurous are snakes and rats, so it’s always a good idea to keep your eyes open just in case.

Myth #5 It’s Okay to Flush Your Goldfish

So this is a tough one because you can flush a dead fish down the toilet, but a fish that’s alive is definitely a no-no. Why? Believe it or not, these fish can actually reproduce and grow to become oversized, freaky giants, causing havoc on the eco-system.

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.