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Author: itsjustplumbsmart

Hydro Jetting: A Powerful Solution for Tough Drain Clogs

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Dealing with clogged drains can be a headache for homeowners. Cleaning the awful build-up requires a lot of energy. And using a plunger or drain snake might not remove the clog altogether. However, hydro jetting can help eliminate these awful clogs that cause inconveniences in your home. 

Hydro jetting involves cleaning out tough drain clogs or slow-moving sewer lines using high-pressure water streams of up to 4,000 psi. The water flows through the plumbing system blasting out any debris or build-up that causes the clog. It removes various materials, including food residue, FOG(fats, oils, and grease), mineral scale, concrete, clay, and congealed baby wipes. It’s a powerful solution for tough drain clogs. 

Are you experiencing a clog and have tried using other methods to clean it out without success? Keep reading to learn more about the eight benefits of hydro jetting, a powerful solution for tough drain clogs. 

What Are the Benefits of Hydro Jetting?

While other solutions lack clog-clearing force, hydro jetting provides a high-pressure brute force that removes grease, hairs, mineral build-up, and other debris from your drain pipes, washing them down sewer lines. 

Hydro Jetting Is Efficient 

Contrary to other clog-cleaning methods, hydro jetting offers the most efficient way to clean clogs. The system has a hose and nozzle connected to a pump, providing a powerful stream of high-pressure water. 

Hydro jetting cleans your drain pipes’ debris, tree roots, grease, mineral build-up, and other blockages. 

Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly 

Hydro jetting is an environmentally friendly way of cleaning out clogs in your plumbing system. It utilizes only high-pressure water, unlike other drain clog-cleaning techniques that use toxic or harsh chemicals that can harm the environment. 

The high-pressure water is recycled, clean, and doesn’t contaminate streams, rivers, soil, or lakes. Also, hydro jetting helps maintain your home’s sanitation level because there are no chemicals in the high-pressure water. 

Completely Cleans and Unclogs Your Drain Pipes 

Over time, your drain pipes accumulate all kinds of sludge and debris that coat the inside of your pipes, such as soap scum, paper products, grease and fat, mineral deposits, and dirt and silt. 

Using a plunger or drain snake only eliminates minor blockages. But, it doesn’t clear away the nasty coating on the walls of your pipes, which can lead to new blockage. But, with hydro jetting, you can completely clean all these awful coatings and unclog your drain pipes. 

Prevents the Formation of Clogs 

Maintaining your pipes and drainage system can be challenging. While regular inspections are a great way to avoid clogs, hydro jetting prevents the formation of additional debris, residue, and chemicals in your plumbing system. 

Hydro jetting is convenient for you and saves you from unnecessary repair and maintenance costs. 

Eliminates Odors 

Living in a home that smells foul can be frustrating. Chemical exfoliants and preservatives damage your plumbing system and collect and solidify on your drain pipes, creating a pungent stink. 

However, hydro jetting can save your home from this awful smell. High-pressure water streams dissipate stuck-on debris and other clogs eliminating odors. 

Easy on Your Plumbing

Old plumbing techniques like underground digging and opening walls can severely damage the interior and exterior of your home. Plumbers now embrace hydro jetting to clean and remove clogs from drain pipes. 

Hydro jetting is safe and the most convenient way of cleaning your plumbing system since it doesn’t damage pipes. 

Cost-Friendly and Affordable 

Hydro jetting is the best option, unlike other old and expensive techniques of cleaning and maintaining drain pipes. It’s cost-friendly and affordable. Hydro jetting saves you time and energy you would have otherwise spent plunging debris from your pipes. With this technique, say goodbye to issues like repeated drain clogging, water and waste backups, and burst pipes, among other problems. 

It’s a Long-Lasting Solution to Drain Pipes 

Hydro jetting provides a long-lasting solution for drain cleaning. Unlike a plunger or drain snake, it clears out the entire plumbing system and ensures it’s in good working condition throughout the year. 

Where Can You Apply Hydro Jetting? 

Hydro jetting can clean tough drain clogs in residential and commercial properties. That includes the main sewer, laundry, kitchen, bathroom sink, shower, and storm drains. 

The plumbing system in commercial properties is often exposed to higher usage. Therefore, businesses come to a standstill when drains and sewer lines clog. But hydro jetting can help you keep the drain pipes in commercial buildings clean and in perfect working conditions. 

Can You Use Hydro Jetting to Clean All Drain Clogs? 

Hydro jetting can eliminate clogs in any piping material, whether PVC, cast iron, concrete, or steel. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water with high psi levels to clean clogs. Therefore, your plumber has to perform a camera inspection to determine if there are any weaknesses in your drain pipes. 

And, if there are weaknesses, your plumber will have to regulate the pressure to avoid causing more damage to sections in your plumbing system that are susceptible during hydro jetting. 

So, are you experiencing any of the following issues with your plumbing system? 

  • A reduction in water pressure 
  • Frequent clogs 
  • Slow moving drains 
  • Unpleasant odor from your drains 
  • Overflow in your toilets, or 
  • Strange noises from your plumbing system 

You need a plumbing expert to inspect and find the root cause of these problems. 

Remove Tough Drain Clogs with PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning 

Hydro jetting is often the safest way to remove tough drain clogs in your home. It allows for greater precision enabling plumbers to clear blockages without digging up your lawn and damaging your plumbing system. High-pressure water is strewn into drain pipes, clearing out all debris. Different hydro jetting systems with varying forces help you remove any clogs. 

Do you need hydro jetting services? PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning are ready to help! Our plumbing specialists have the skill to instantly and efficiently clear out tough clogs in your plumbing system. 

Don’t let tough drain clogs cause you unnecessary stress and inconveniences. Get in touch with PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air today. Call us at (480)654-8865 to schedule a service with one of our top-of-the-range hydro jetting specialists.

All You Need to Know About Sump Pumps

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If you are a homeowner, there is a good chance you’ve encountered the term sump pumps. For many homeowners, it is considered a wet basement lifesaver. You might not have understood the meaning of sump pumps but worry not, as you are lucky you are reading this. That said, you are about to learn everything about sump pumps.

What Is a Sump Pump?

A sump pump is often located in the lower part of a basement or crawling space. Its primary role is to collect water accumulating in the basement sump basin and pump it outdoors, preventing the basement from flooding. It prevents the house from flooding during adverse weather conditions and ensures the floor is always dry.

When there are storms, water seeps through the soil and finally into the house basement, which might cause dampness in the basement, posing a health risk. Utilizing sump pumps handles such problems.

A sump basin is part of the sump pump system where water is temporarily held as it enters the basement through flooding. There is a specific water level in the sump basin, and when it gets too high, a floating switch trigger turns on the sump pump. With the sump pump switched on, water is pumped out of the house foundation through a discharge pipe. The good thing with this sump pump is that it automatically switches off once the water levels drop to a safe level.

Types of Sump Pumps

There are four types of sump pumps: water-powered backup, pedestal, submersible and battery-powered backup. Below is an explanation of how they differ regarding operation and mechanical abilities.

Water-powered back up

The water-powered backup utilizes increased water pressure to clear water in your sump basin. This type of sump pump is advantageous and easy to use as it does not require much maintenance, such as battery replacement. It doesn’t require constant monitoring while working. However, using additional water increases water bills, making it controversial. For the above-said reason, this sump pump is not allowed in some cities.

Battery-operated backup

A battery backup sump pump is considered one of the best ways to secure your home from flood damage. A battery backup will always have you covered, even during storm drains when there is a power outage, and you need the sump pump working. 

During a storm, the main power supply is likely to go out, and so will the sump pump, but with a battery backup, there is no need to worry. The float switch is triggered when the water levels within the basin rise, sending the battery back up in action instantaneously. 

Submersible Sump Pump

A submersible pump comprises a motor and a pump in one unit. They are permanently submerged and enclosed inside a basin within the basement. The good thing about submersible sump pumps is that they are quieter and usually save space in the basement as they are entirely submerged in the water basin. 

However, they might not last as long as other sump pumps due to the effects of water submersion. Despite the disadvantage it’s associated with, homeowners still prefer using it during significant flooding concerns. Remember, most homeowners don’t need to keep servicing their pumps as it’s an investment that should serve them for a long time.

Pedestal sump pump

Unlike the submersible sump pump, a pedestal sump pump has the motor and pump in separate units. The motor is positioned on the pedestal above the basin and connected to a hose running to the basin where the pump is located. The pump will send water through the hose to the area you’ve designated for draining.

With the motor not submerged, this sump pump has a longer lifespan compared to other sump pumps. It’s also easier to access and perform maintenance operations than submerged motors. However, it consumes ample space and is louder compared to other pumps.

Things to Consider While Buying a Sump Pump

Here are some of the tips to keep in mind while looking for a sump pump to buy.

What Sump Pump Size Do I Need?

Choosing a sump pump with the correct horsepower and gallons per minute will save you a lot of money. Calculating the drainage area connected to the sump, the depth of the basement, and the depth of the underground water might assist you significantly in calculating the horsepower and gallons per minute requirements for a house. Additionally, it depends on how much water your crawl space or basement gets.

How to Choose a Horsepower

A 1/3 horsepower sump pump is standard for most homes with water problems, as it will get the job done properly. For a homeowner under a tight budget, you might consider getting a ¼ horsepower pump which will work well. For basements with heavier flooding, ½ horsepower is recommended, as it can remove approximately 3,000 gallons of water per hour. Often, most sump pumps will perform poorly since they lack the capacity to pump the amount of water retained in the house basement. This is the reason why it’s always important to look at the size of the basement and the water retained in the basin.

Consult Your Plumbing Expert Today

If you are considering investing in sump pumps, contact your expert today. At PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air, we offer technical advice on the best sump pump to fit your basement needs. We offer 24/7 plumbing and HVAC repair service, even during holidays, to better serve you. 

We’re family-owned, reliable, and affordable. Wherever you are in the valley, we have a plumbing and air conditioning technician nearby to provide you with a free estimate and expert same-day service. We service the entire Phoenix, AZ valley and surrounding areas. For immediate assistance, call (480) 654-8865 or fill out our contact form, and we’ll get in touch.

The Importance of Leak Detection for Your Home’s Plumbing

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As a homeowner or building owner, you must maintain the systems well. Your plumbing system is one of the essential systems in your building. It is responsible for getting you clean water, providing you with somewhere to take baths or showers, offering you a place to clean your dishes and get clean water for cooking, and much more. If your plumbing systems are suffering a leak, you are likely unable to use all of the functions of your home. It can also be dangerous to leave water damage and leaks unattended. A leaking pipe can lead to mold growth which can cause severe damage and illness. For the health and safety of everyone within the walls of your building, you must make leak detection services a top priority. Take a look at all of these reasons. It is vital to have a professional check your building for leak detection. 

Prevent Damage to the Building

If one of the pipes in your plumbing system has a leak or burst, and it goes undetected, it can cause significant damage to the structure of your building. Any wood in the structure of your building could swell and warp, compromising the entire structure. Water sitting too long or within the walls could accumulate mold and mildew. This is a significant health risk to everyone inhabiting the building. You need to ensure that you have a professional come out for regular leak detection to prevent these problems. Leaks that go unserviced can cause severe and irreparable damage to the structure of your building. Contact a professional at PlumbSmart to help you detect any potential weeks. And prevent severe damage by repairing problems at the source.

Keep Your Environment Clean

Your top priority should be keeping your environment clean and safe for everyone in the general vicinity. Leaking pipes can cause mold and mildew. Mold growth can cause serious illness to anyone exposed. If you allow water spots to spread in your ceilings, mold can grow, presenting a serious health risk to those in that environment. Keeping up with regular maintenance on your plumbing systems could prevent major illness. The last thing you want is for an unattended leak to be responsible for someone’s declining health. Reach out to a professional if you have a week or notice any signs of water damage to prevent anyone from suffering from mold poisoning.

Keep Plumbing Maintenance Cost Low

Regular maintenance on your plumbing systems can minimize maintenance costs in general. If you have someone out for a routine inspection, you are more likely to detect problems before they become too serious. The professional can tell you if a pipe looks as though it is getting too old or needs to be repaired or replaced. If you notice signs of water damage or a leak and wait too long to ask for help, your plumbing systems could need much more maintenance than if you had caught the problem early on. This could result in spending more money on a whole system replacement as opposed to just a repair. You must have a plumber out for regular inspections, so you can catch problems at the source before they cost you a fortune. 

Lower Your Utility Bills

If you’ve noticed a sudden increase in your utility bills, that can be a sign of a problem. If you’ve noticed a jump in the cost of your water bill, you might have a plumbing issue. Even small leaks like slow water dripping can significantly increase your utility bill’s cost over time. This could end up costing you a lot of money. Your water bill should be closely monitored for indications of a leak in your plumbing system. You must get potential plumbing issues checked on sooner rather than later. You should contact a plumber for leak detection services so they can determine whether or not you have a leak or a plumbing issue that can be easily fixed.

Keep Your Home or Business Functioning

The functionality of your home or business depends on your plumbing system. So many things rely on functioning plumbing systems to work properly. You need your plumbing systems to function appropriately to use your space effectively. Plumbing systems are responsible for your clean water, so you must prioritize functioning plumbing systems. Having a professional plumber for regular leak protection services will help keep all your plumbing systems functioning and in peak condition. You won’t regret taking preventative measures to preserve your building.

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons you should invest in plumbing services for leak detection. Your plumbing systems are vital to the functionality of your business. You need working plumbing systems to be able to access clean water for a variety of reasons. Your priorities should lie in keeping everyone in your establishment safe. Unattended leaks can lead to water damage and mold growth that could cause serious harm to anyone within the building. If you have no signs of water damage, contact a professional plumber as soon as possible at PlumbSmart. We have the technicians you need to be able to get your building back in working condition as soon as possible. Whether you need help with a potential leak or want a routine inspection for leak detection services, contact us today!

Benefits of Installing a Water Softener in Your Home

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As a homeowner, you’re likely interested in learning how to keep your home well maintained and every aspect functioning at the highest level. You also want to ensure you are as comfortable as possible, as you spend much of your time in your home. 

Water quality can significantly affect your health, as well as your home’s functionality and comfort level. One way to improve water quality is by installing a water softener. 

Hard water is classified as water that has a higher level of minerals like calcium and magnesium. And as most of us know, Arizona is notorious for its hard water.  Continue reading “Benefits of Installing a Water Softener in Your Home”

The Most Common AC Maintenance Mistakes

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Owning a home takes a lot of work. Regular maintenance is necessary if you want your house’s systems to function properly for as long as possible. Your air conditioning unit is no exception. You should ensure that you are taking care of your HVAC systems. The last thing you need is for something to go wrong because you need to check your filter sooner. You can do several different things to maintain your air conditioning unit. Many common mistakes involve neglecting to check on something or ignoring a sign that your unit might need to be serviced. Take a look at these six most common air conditioning maintenance mistakes so you can avoid them with your unit in the future, courtesy of PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air.

Ignoring Out-of-the-Ordinary Noises

If you hear noises that seem strange or out of the ordinary, they should not be ignored. It can be easy to go about your day and promise to pay attention to something later. However, with the business and the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, you will likely forget all about it the second you are not focused on the noise. A strange noise can indicate damage that needs to be addressed. You do not want to ignore a strange noise and find out later that it is something serious. It could lead to irreparable damage, causing you to need a whole unit replacement instead of a repair. If you hear strange noises, call a professional to check it out as soon as possible.

Forgetting to Clean Your Air Vents Regularly

Cleaning your air vents regularly is vital to the functionality of your air conditioning unit. Debris and dirt can get stuck in the air vents around your house. If you don’t clean them often enough, your air conditioner will send that dust through the air in your home. It can eventually lead to enough build-up to block the airflow into any room. If your vent is not blowing air like it used to, you probably need to clean it. Set a schedule for yourself to do this once a month or so. This will help to keep your air conditioning unit healthy.

Not Scheduling Regular Inspections

Regular inspections might not seem like a priority, especially if there is nothing wrong with your air conditioning unit. However, preventative care is one of the most important things you can do to keep your air conditioning systems in good working condition. Make sure you are regularly scheduling a technician to inspect your systems. Having a technician inspect your unit will inform you of any parts that look like they might be worn out or need to be replaced soon. Getting ahead of problems like this will help you avoid unexpected emergencies.

Not Checking Your Filters Often

Air filters are the least expensive part of your air conditioning system to replace, but ignoring them could be detrimental to your unit. It would be best if you replaced your air filters every few months and cleaned them thoroughly every few weeks. This might seem excessive and time-consuming, but air filters are responsible for filtering out all the debris in your air. They can get full and clogged, which will eventually mean they will not work at all. A clogged air filter will prevent unrestricted airflow into your home. Set a reminder to clean your air filters every few weeks and replace them every few months.

Waiting Too Long for Repairs

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make with their air conditioning units is waiting to have repairs addressed. A damaged part does not always mean that your unit is not functioning. You can still be getting cool air and need air conditioning repair. It can be easy to put repairs off until you have time, especially if you are busy daily. You don’t want to wait to get repairs on your unit. Putting off maintenance can lead to damage that is not repairable. Repairing various parts is far less expensive than replacing your entire unit. If you wait too long to repair whatever needs to be fixed in your unit, you could cost yourself thousands of dollars for a whole unit replacement.

Working Your Unit Too Much

Overworking your unit can be harmful. Setting your thermostat as low as possible in the hottest months can be tempting. You want to be comfortable in your home when it is too hot to be outside. However, setting your home’s temperature too low can stress your air conditioning unit. This will lead to unnecessary wear and tear, which will cause you to need repairs or replacements much sooner than you should. You can use other methods to help cool your home. Lower your blinds throughout the day to block the sun, or get fans to help circulate the air in your home. Avoid setting your thermostat too low, especially when it is the most tempting.

Final Thoughts

You should do everything you can to avoid these common AC maintenance mistakes. Neglecting the needs of your unit can be detrimental. You do not want to wait too long to service parts, neglect cleaning your vents, ignore strange noises, or overwork your unit. All of these things can lead to damage that could have been avoided. You can prolong the life of your air conditioning unit by taking proper care of it. Take preventative measures and call a technician with PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Cooling today so we can help you get your regular inspections started!

How We Can Help

For a limited time, we are offering our 1-Year HVAC Maintenance Agreement – or – 1-year Plumbing Maintenance Agreement at no charge. This is a $300 value and includes two semi-annual inspections of your home’s HVAC or Plumbing systems, and it’s absolutely free. You’ll also get 10% off repairs and priority service. It’s our way of introducing ourselves and letting you know we are here at your service, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

For more details on our 1- and 2-year maintenance plans, contact us or visit us online!

What Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber

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Whether you’re in the market for a whole-home repiping job or just need some minor water leak repairs, if you are in a situation that requires you to call a plumber, you are probably overwhelmed and could use some guidance. It can be overwhelming to find a plumber if you are already dealing with the repercussions of a broken pipe or a malfunctioning toilet. You can find the right plumber if you ask the right questions when you call around for a quote. You should always be careful to research to find the best technician for the job. You want someone reliable and affordable to service the needs of your home like PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air.

Are You Certified and Licensed?

You should double-check when you call for a quote from a plumber and ask if they are certified or licensed. You want to ensure that whoever you trust to work on the plumbing in your home is qualified to do so. The last thing you need is someone who is underqualified to work on your home. This could lead to mistakes that would not otherwise be made that cause further damage.

Can I Get a Quote Before Hiring a Plumber for the Job?

You should never hire the first professional you call. When you require someone like a plumber to work on your home, you should do your research and call multiple companies. Ask if you can get a quote for services before you hire them. Once you have gathered detailed quotes from different companies, you can compare and contrast them to figure out what you need to do.

Can You Provide a Detailed Report of the Fees?

Unfortunately, it is possible that some professionals might try to hide fees within their final bill. To avoid paying for something you were unaware of, you can ask for a detailed report of service costs. When you are calling to book a plumber’s services, you should ask if this is something they can provide you with before you pay them for their services. If they are honest and reliable, they should have no problem agreeing to these terms before you hire them for services.

Do You Have Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is an important thing to ask for when hiring a professional to come into your home. Liability insurance will help to cover costs if something goes wrong. This is a manual labor job, and something may go wrong that could harm your plumber or damage your home. Liability insurance will prevent you from having to pay for any damages. Only hire a plumber if they have liability insurance and workman’s comp.

What are Your Areas of Expertise?

Depending on your plumbing issue, you might need a plumber with specialized skills. When you call to hire a plumber, you can ask them what their area of expertise is. If they are more equipped to handle installation vs. repair, you need to know that before you hire them, especially if repair service is what you are looking for. When calling, ask plumbing companies for a quote to them if they have any specialized skills or areas of expertise.

Can You Provide References?

References are always a good way to verify the quality of a professional’s work. Ask every plumber you call for a quote if they have references. They should be able to give you the information of individuals who were satisfied with their work and can attest to their experience with this plumber. You can hire a plumber knowing how they conduct their work.

How Are Your Ratings and Reviews?

This is the first thing you should ask, and can easily done on your own with just a few clicks of the mouse. Do a quick search of their reviews through various online sources like Google, Facebook, and Yelp to see if they are highly rated and what their customers are saying. Glass Door is another online review source that shares what their employees have say about the company. You also want to pay attention to the total number of reviews they have. A five-star rating may look great, but if they only have one review it may not be an accurate indication of the quality, value and service they provide.

Do You Provide Warranties on Your Work?

A great question is whether or not they provide warranties on their work. Sometimes mistakes are made, and things go wrong after a plumber is finished with their work on your home. A warranty would guarantee that if something went wrong with your plumbing within a specific time frame, the plumber would come out to fix that issue for a reduced price or free of charge. A warranty guarantees quality work, and it is fair to ask a plumber if they offer warranties before you hire them for services.

How Many Years Have You Been in Business?

It is reasonable for you to want someone with enough experience to qualify for the job. If you hire someone with a good amount of experience, you can ask them how long they’ve been in business. You can usually find peace of mind knowing that a technician is reliable if they have years of experience.

If Your Plumber Notices a Separate Issue on the Job, Will They Repair It Right Away or Bring it to My Attention?

You can ask them if they plan to notify you of all issues they encounter while working on your home. If they find damage, they should fix it immediately or bring it to your attention before they proceed. If they work outside your original agreement, it could cost you more money.

Final Thoughts

Finding a plumber to take good care of your home can be daunting. You don’t want to worry about which plumbers are reliable and which aren’t when searching for the best technician for the job. You can ask several questions to help you find the most reliable plumber. Make sure you figure out who has the best price for service, ask for referrals, make sure they have insurance, and make sure they are licensed professionals before you hire them for your plumbing issues.

If you need residential or commercial plumbing and aren’t sure where to turn, or if you’ve already called a plumber and they’re giving you a price that seems too high, contact us at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air and we’ll tell you whether the price you’re being given is too high, and what you should be paying.

Even if you don’t use us, call us and we can tell you if you’re paying too much.