In a recent search of the internet we discovered some great information. Customers are looking for answers to their plumbing problems online and what they are finding is not what they want or need.

In a recent search on “You Tube” The most popular plumbing repair searches were, in order:

How to install a toilet
How to solder a pipe
How to repair a shower valve
How to repair a bathroom faucet
How to replace a kitchen faucet

Hundreds of thousands of people have searched for this information and been taken to a huge array of videos, blogs, and websites. Some of these sites are actually trying to sell you something, others have some bad information being put forth by less than qualified individuals, and a few actually have some legitimate information.

In today’s society there is an overwhelming need to “get it now”, and it seems that the time spent on watching, reading and learning about how to do these things is counter-intuitive to that goal—-it’s actually the opposite of “get it now”.

Our Professional staff

We understand the “Do It Yourself” attitude, and sometimes that is the way to go. But when it comes to plumbing, heating, or electrical don’t you think it is best to get a professional to do the job?  The argument against having a pro do the job is most often “Price”. But when you actually look at the time, energy, trips to the home store, the second or third attempts to “get it right”, all of the yelling, throwing of tools and headaches, not to mention the cuts scrapes or additional damage that can happen…….It quite often works out to be cheaper to hire a pro. Or, more importantly, it’s less “costly” to you, your family, and your home.

A real professional will come to your home at no cost and look at the job that you need done. He will tell what it is going to cost, and give you a few options as to color, style, repair, replace etc. Really, that’s no different than a doctor would do—Diagnose the issue and talk about the options for treatment. Then he is going to have all of the part and the ability to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and most important…..correctly.

The best part is: you save time, headaches, and quite possible your marriage! (just kidding…or am I?) A real pro will show you how everything works when he is done and educate you on any maintenance or service required in the future.

Oh, and did I mention the warranty? Most companies will guarantee their work and quite often schedule a no cost follow up visit to insure that the work is holding up as promised. Our company effectively guarantees whatever “fix” or installation you pay for, and if something is “off” in the days following the repair, we come back and make it right at NO CHARGE. If YOUR “fix” goes wrong, you have to re-diagnose the issue, pay for damage, and re-“fix” the issue YOURSELF. Tell me THAT’S not a good insurance plan.

With all the things that take up your precious time in today’s busy world, home repair should be at the bottom of your list. Most people only need a plumber once every 2 years, so if we look at the costs involved, it only makes sense to call a pro.

Cost of cable TV, phone and internet for 2 years: $2800.00
Cost of cell phone for 2 years:                                   $1400.00
Cost of typical plumber visit:                                    $600.00

Cost of your time with family or friends:                Priceless!

As summer winds down to its inevitable end, we start to to see the change of season. September and October brings cool mornings, the changing color of the leaves, football (can’t forget that) and we just getting back to school.

Now is the perfect time to check your heating system as well as hot water tank. As the weather turns colder, the demand on this kind of equipment increases significantly. More showers and more laundry as well as cooler water being piped into your home cause the hot water tank to work harder than ever. If it is more than a few years old, it should be checked so that you do not end up with no hot water, or worse yet…a leak.

Now there is never a good time for equipment to break down, but a little prevention now could save a huge headache later. The same goes for the furnace or boiler that supplies you heat. Annual service could spot potential problems that may cost less to repair now or avoid a shutdown in the coldest weather of the year.

Many people put reminders on their calendar to remind them to get these appliances serviced. Some people book standing appointments to get this done. Any way that you choose to set an appointment will work. Also, many companies have special offers at this time of year.

An efficient unit can save you money and a yearly tine up can assure you that the unit is operating at its best.

The “Green” movement has found a home in the efficiency business and the most dramatic changes have come in the form of water heaters and furnaces.
Ask your technician about 95% efficient units, rebates, and modern convenience features that make today’s equipment far superior to units installed a few short years ago. Today’s technology has advanced at such a rate that equipment purchased as recently as 5 years ago is getting outdated at an alarming pace.

Check out this site for more information as to how you can upgrade your heating system and save money.

http://www.greenheating.org/

Thanks for reading.  Stay warm and cozy, friends!

That’s right… Sewer season. Most sewers have some sort of problem. It is inherent to the nature of the system. Anytime that you bury a water line, or house drain there is a chance that something can go wrong with it.

Most likely you have never given any thought to sewer season. It’s not like there is an official day marked on the calendar. Most of us don’t get out the decorations and celebrate. But your plumber knows what time of year it is.

As the weather turns dryer, your plants and trees get thirstier. The root structure of a tree extends as far as the branches that you see above ground. These plants and trees need water. One way or another they are going to find it. What is the closest source of that life-giving water? It’s your sewer.

Over the years the earth settles and minor cracks are formed in your sewer line. When your favorite tree starts to get thirsty, it sends out roots in search of water and those roots will find their way into your sewer.

Most of the time those roots do not cause severe damage. We simply get the plumber to come to our house and with his big powerful drain machine, he is able to cut the roots and allow your sewer to drain freely. Now the downside…..Each time that the roots are cut, they come back stronger and larger. After years of simple maintenance the roots have ruined the sewer to a point where it must be dug up and repaired.Have you ever seen weeds growing through a concrete sidewalk or driveway? The same is happening to your sewer.

“What Can I Do?”, you ask. Good question. First, water your yard and give your trees and plants all the refreshment that they need. Once the sewer is compromised, you may want to try getting it cleaned out. But remember what I said earlier. It’s only a matter of time.

If you have had problems in the past, please consider getting a repair done while the weather is nicer. It seems that problems always present themselves at the worst times. (Is there ever really, a good time for a problem?) But in the summer months the repair will go faster and cost you less money, less mess, and less of a headache.

I get calls everyday wanting to know if there is such a thing as plumbing insurance. The short answer is, YES. You can insure anything that you want if you are willing to pay the premiums.

Now, for the more accurate answer: Most typical homeowner policies do not cover plumbing expenses.

When there is a plumbing emergency such as a leak in a pipe on the second story causing water to cascade through your kitchen light fixture, it has been my experience that insurance companies will cover the damage caused by the leak, but not the actual repair of the leak. Don’t ask me why that is, I don’t know. That is a question for your agent.

It is nice to know that once the episode is over and the leak is repaired, that your home will be fixed back to the pre-damage condition. You will most likely have to pay the deductible that you have established when you signed up for the insurance, but the rest of the repair cost is usually covered.

Now a different type of insurance has appeared in advertising. You may have received a flyer in the mail or seen these ads on the internet. Some companies are offering to provide insurance to help pay for the plumbers bill. These companies claim that for a moderate premium they will cover the expenses incurred if you have a plumbing problem with your sewer, or main water line or sometimes the inside plumbing.

If you choose to purchase this type of policy please read everything very carefully. Most plumbing companies will not accept this insurance as payment. Most often you are still required to pay the plumber and then seek re-imbursement from the insurance company. In addition, the rate that these companies pay is usually far less than what a plumber may charge. There may be a few good companies that will cover you just in case you have a problem, but my personal opinion is that they are not worth buying unless you know you have a problem and are planning to have some work done in the near future. If that is the case, they may save you a few dollars off the total cost. Just don’t expect them to cover all the costs—I have yet to see that happen in my 22+ years in the business.……I’m just sayin.

See the link below for the latest offering. This company sends their pre-selected companies to repair your problem. This may or may not be a good thing. It does, however, take away your choice of who to use for services in your home.

http://www.sunherald.com/2011/04/27/3059997/homeowners-in-washington-can-lower.html

Water plays an important role in our daily lives. Just about everything you touch, see or feel has some amount of water in it. We drink it, we swim in it, we wash with it we pour it on our plants. Mostly we are concerned with the water that is in our homes. The water that comes through our pipes for us to use, the water that goes down our drains, the water that sometimes ends up on our floors or leaks through our ceilings.

The recent events in Japan show us what we already know, but seldom think about… Water is also a very destructive force when uncontrolled. The tsunami wiped out miles of homes, business and property. The destructive power of water is relentless. Very few items on this earth can withstand exposure to water in large amounts or over a long period of time. This is also true about water that leaks in your home.

When you think about it, plumbing is a very well designed system of bringing water from miles away and dispensing it right where you need it (sink, bathtub, washing machine), and then collecting it and sending it miles away to be returned to the earth. If water escapes this confusing collection of twisting and turning pipes, it can find its way to places that can cause a lot of damage to your home.

Time after time we see damaged floors, walls, ceilings and belongings when we respond to service calls at our customer’s homes. Water damage is most likely the single largest cause for insurance claims in America. When water is allowed to soak into wood, plaster, carpet, etc. the damage starts right away. Unless the affected area is dried completely, the damage continues. Just because you cannot see the water does not mean that it is dry. Special equipment is required to determine if surfaces are wet and it is important to know how wet it is. Only then can the proper course of action be determined

Drying areas affected by water damage is an art and a science. Many factors are calculated and tracked to determine when your ceiling, basement or carpets are dry. Once dry, the damage stops. That is why it is important to act quickly when water damage is noticed. In most cases the damage can be stopped and the area restored with minimal expense. If left untreated, not only does the damage get worse, moist areas are prime for microbial growth. (Mold) Once mold gets started, the damage repair bill grows exponentially.

If you notice water under your sink, or a spot on the ceiling that was not there before, call a professional and get it taken care of right away. Time saved is Money saved! Be sure that the company you choose is a certified firm, and get the restoration process started as soon as possible. Water damage left untreated for as little as 48 hours can cause damage severe enough to require a tear out and rebuild of the affected area.

By the way… South West Plumbing is a certified water damage firm. Another reason why we are “The 1 To Call”.

We are approaching the single busiest day for plumbing systems in America. I bet you thought that the day after Thanksgiving might be that day. If you did, you would be close, but wrong. Around Thanksgiving Day is a busy time for plumbers, it seems that many people put way too much stuff down the disposer and plumbers are busy all day and all night unclogging drains.

What I am talking about, though, is halftime at the Super Bowl. Over 100 million toilets all flushing within minutes of each other has come to be a problem for many sewer districts and treatment plants across America.

All across this country people will be waiting for the gun to signal the end of the first half of the championship game. Then… ker-flush! Over 200 million gallons of water is released into the miles of underground pipes that flow to the treatment plants. That’s a tsunami wave big enough to wipe out any city in America.

I know that this is not a concern to most people. We flush, turn on faucets, take showers, run the washing machine and dishwasher, and miraculously everything just seems to work (plus, all the “yucky” water goes away without a problem. It is not until this process stops working that we become concerned.

Meanwhile, fixture manufacturers have been working on reducing the amount of water that we use for over 20 years. Toilets have gone from 5 gallons per flush to 3.5 gallons, to 1.6 gallons and now to 1.28 and as low as 1.1 gallons per flush. Faucets have gone from 7 gallons a minute to 2.5 gallons per minute and some bathroom sink faucets are as low as 1.25 gallons per minute. Washing machines, dishwashers and all appliances that use water have been manipulated and tweaked to use less water. The result is that we spend less money to treat the water and we are charged fewer taxes to build more treatment plants, etc.

Did you know that, of all the water in the world, only 3% is fresh water? Even more alarming is that, of all the fresh water, only 0.3% of it is available from rivers, lakes and streams. That means that less than 1 ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of the water on the planet is readily available to us humans for our running water systems. (Click on link to see a graph) http://www.reec.nsw.edu.au/k6/page/wa13.htm

The point is that the manufacturers of plumbing fixtures help conserve water and protect the earth by creating innovative products. Licensed plumbers help conserve water and protect the earth by receiving training on all of the water saving products available today, and by being ready to upgrade your home’s plumbing fixtures at a moment’s notice.

If you would like to find out how you can reduce your water usage and save money, you can feel free to give us a call. We can get a well-trained and licensed plumber to your home to help you get started.

Hope you enjoy this little bit of Christmas parody………

T‘was the month before Christmas and throughout the abode

Were rusty old faucets and an outdated commode.

The plans had been made to have guests come a’callin

But the plumbing was needin’ some quick overhaulin’.

I was frettin’ and stressin’ as I thought of the cost

My mind was a spinnin’, my spirit was lost.

The days, they flew by like the leaves in a gust,

I needed a plumber… But who could I trust?

The holiday cards began arriving by mail

The coupons and specials announcing each sale

As I leafed through the stacks that the postman had brought

A particular offer had the answer I sought.

A kind looking man with a smile and a wave

Beckoned me to look closer at the money I’d save.

An offer quite tempting for needed repairs

To the kitchen, and powder and bathroom upstairs.

With Evenings and Weekends at No Extra Charge

The savings he offered were really quite large.

I picked up the phone and made a request

“Don’t send just a plumber…send me the Best!”

Within minutes a red and white truck had appeared.

On the back was the man with the smile and the beard.

Before I could blink there was a knock at my door

The plumber, his helper and tools galore

They went right to work, looking here, looking there

And when they told me the cost, I’d have money to spare.

They completed their job with a smile and a wink,

Two toilet, a faucet and new kitchen sink.

They gave me their thanks and went on their way

“Many more customers waiting today!”

My house looked amazing, my guests felt at ease

Needless to say I’m especially pleased.

So if you need plumbing or heating repair

Call the guys at South West; Fast, Friendly and Fair.

As soon as a cold snap whips in from the north, we get swamped with call from customers with no heat.   Of course, we get to as many of these calls as we can, as fast as we can. But quite often people have to wait several hours for the technician to show up and that wait can sometimes be miserable.

The best solution is to get your heating system checked before you need it. But know that the cold weather is here, Maybe the tips below will help. This info comes from The Weather Channel. Not everyone can do everything listed below, but maybe 1 or 2 of these items may help keep you warm until help arrives.

When the Heat Goes Out……

By Matt Bamberg

An Alberta Clipper sweeping through the Northern Plains, a Nor’easter sliding up the east coast, or a Gulf of Mexico low pressure area that puts the Deep South under ice are the types of storms that keep power companies busy.

Weather conditions under these winter storms — ice, heavy snowfall or high winds — can snap power lines and take away the heat in your home.

Warming Wisdom

Here are a few words for the wise when your home’s heat dies:

• Light your fireplace; make sure you keep the flue open for ventilation.

• Keep cabinet doors open under sinks so that warmer air can flow around pipes.

• Hang a towel on the wall behind the sink.

• Close drapes and cover openings under doors with towels and/or blankets.

• Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers. Cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.

• Turn on faucets so that water drips constantly, especially when temperatures sink below 20°F with a strong wind howling outside.

• Close off rooms that don’t contain pipes.

• Using a gas stove or kerosene space heater for heat is not recommended, but if you must, crack windows on each side of the room to prevent build-up of carbon monoxide. Once your heater is operating, always keep the thermostat above 55.

Troubleshooting Broken-Down Heaters

When your heat goes off, it could be because of a general, regional outage or it could mean that something is wrong with your heating system. Chances are, you’ll know about a power outage but if you suspect the problem lies in your system, there are some trouble-shooting procedures to follow that might get your furnace up and running again.

Steam Heating System

• Turn off the unit.

• Check the water level in the boiler; add water slowly if low.

• Call a service person if you need to add water to the boiler often. There might be a leak.

Forced (Warm) Air Heating System

• Check the circuit breaker for the heating unit and reset if it’s switched off.

• Keep ventilation areas clear of furniture and any other items that might be blocking it.

• Clean the grills and change the air filter once a month. Newer metal filters last a year and can be hosed down with warm water to clean. Hot Water Systems

• Check to see that all temperature and pressure gauges are set to normal.

• Clear system of excess air.

Gas Furnace

Check to see if the pilot light is on. If not, do the following:

• Open the panel and set the control knob to pilot.

• Using a flashlight, find the pilot fixture and light it with a match.

• Turn the control to on.

• Set the thermostat on high to see if system is functional.

• Repeat this procedure, as necessary, by first turning the control off and starting again.

Ice Inside Your Pipes

If your heat’s out and theres no water pressure when you turn on faucet, you probably have ice clogging one of your pipes. When water freezes it expands about four percent, and may cause your pipes to crack. If there’s a leak, water will flood your house and basement soon after your heat gets turned on.

Try this quick fix:

• Turn on faucet nearest to the pipe with the suspected ice block.

• Follow the pipe to where it meets an outside wall.

• Find the part of the pipe that is exposed to cold air.

• Use a hairdryer to melt the ice. Move it up and down and about a foot above where you suspect the ice is clogging the pipe.

• Call a plumber to inspect the pipes.

(Provided by move.com)

Thanks for following the South West Plumbing Blog. Until next time…. Stay Warm!

Our techs were working day and night to get to all the people that had no heat or frozen pipes or flooded basements. It took us several days to catch up to the backlog of patient customers. But, we did get to everyone that was willing to wait.  And, we really enjoyed being able to help SO MANY customers in need.  We take pride in the importance of the work we do and how it impacts all of our everyday lives.

If we were not able to get to you and you had to call another company, we understand and apologize for the inconvenience. We still want to be the 1 to call for all your plumbing and heating needs so keep those magnets handy and call us first.

This recent weather episode reminds us that it is always a good idea to get preventative maintenance done in the off season. Get your furnace checked out in August or September. Have your basement drains checked in the summer. Think about which pipes might be susceptible to freezing and take the necessary precautions before the cold weather hits.

In the meantime remember that we will be out there working to keep all of our customers warm and dry throughout the cold and wet times.  Again, thanks and have a great Holiday Season!

– Dave Derring, www.southwestplumbing.biz

Every year we get hundreds of calls for broken water pipes. This time of year the cold weather sneaks up on us and before we know it, it’s 20 degrees and things start breaking. Now is the time to start thinking about insulating pipes, covering hose faucets, and winterizing vacation property or any property that might be vacant.

If you do suffer water damage from a freeze break, you’re probably covered. (check out the link below) http://www.insure.com/articles/homeinsurance/water.html

But most of the time a frozen pipe can be prevented for less than what you would pay for your deductible. Most plumbing companies can give you suggestions as to what needs to be done. Here are some great hints we found from the Star Local News in McKinney Texas. These ideas work anywhere that gets cold (Thank you to the Star Local News):

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Avoid home damage from frozen pipes

From Staff Reports Published: Saturday, November 6, 2010 1:43 AM CDT

With below freezing temperatures expected this weekend in McKinney, the Texas Department of Insurance released this message on how to prevent damage from frozen pipes:

A fast-moving cold front can cause temperatures to drop below freezing within hours and outdoor pipes, pipes in unheated areas, and pipes that run along un-insulated exterior walls can burst if the water in them freezes and expands. This can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through a house. Thousands of dollars of damage to walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture can be avoided by taking a few simple measures to protect your home.

Before the Freeze

• Protect faucets, outdoor pipes, and exposed pipes in unheated areas by wrapping them with rags, newspaper, trash bags, or plastic foam.

• Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure its lid is on tight.

• Cover any vents around your home’s foundation.

• Drain and store water hoses indoors.

• Protect outdoor electrical pumps.

• Drain swimming pool circulation systems or keep the pump motor running. (Run the pump motor only in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could damage it.)

• Drain water sprinkler supply lines.

• Open the cabinets under sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around the water pipes.

• Set your thermostat at a minimum temperature of 55 degrees, especially when you’re gone for the day or away for an extended period.

• Let indoor faucets drip; it isn’t necessary to run a stream of water.

• Make sure you know where your home’s shut-off valve is and how to turn it on and off.

• If you leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. Make sure you turn the faucets off before you turn the shut-off valve back on.

• If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility company for instructions on protecting your water heater. If Your Pipes Freeze

• If a pipe bursts and floods your home, turn the water off at the shut-off valve. Call a plumber for help if you can’t find the broken pipe or if it’s inaccessible. Don’t turn the water back on until the pipe has been repaired.

• If the pipe hasn’t burst, thaw it out with an electric heating pad, hair dryer, portable space heater, or towel soaked with hot water. Apply heat by slowly moving the heat source toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Never concentrate heat in one spot because cracking ice can shatter a pipe. Turn the faucet on and let it run until the pipe is thawed and water pressure returns to normal.

• Don’t use a blowtorch or other open-flame device. They are fire risks and carbon monoxide exposure risks. If You Have a Loss

• Contact your insurance agent or company promptly. Follow up as soon as possible with a written claim to protect your rights under Texas’ prompt-payment law.

• Review your coverage. Many homeowners and renters policies pay for property repair, and may also pay for debris removal and for additional living expenses if you have to move temporarily because of damage to your home. If you can’t find your policy, ask your agent or company for a copy.

• Homeowners policies may require you to make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage. Your policy covers the cost of these repairs. Keep all receipts and damaged property for the adjuster to inspect. If possible, take photos or videos of the damage before making repairs. Don’t make permanent repairs. An insurance company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before an adjuster inspects the damage.

• Most homeowners policies do not cover loss caused by freezing pipes while your house is unoccupied unless you used reasonable care to maintain heat in the building; shut off the water supply; and drain water from plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems.

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Call us if you have any questions or to schedule a call from our trained professionals. Thanks.

– Dave Derring,  www.southwestplumbing.biz