Carrollton Plumbing Pro - Clogged Drain Clearing

Drain & Pipe Service

At Carrollton Plumbing Pro, we know how important a properly functioning pipe and drain system is to your safety and comfort. Here is a brief overview of these critical home systems. In Carrollton, TX, a house’s pipes and drains are mostly hidden in walls and floors which make repairs more difficult. For most people in the Dallas area, water is supplied by a local municipality or utility company. The water arrives purified to meet safety standards for drinking. It also should be of sufficient pressure so all showers, taps, and appliances can run efficiently. In most areas, wastewater exits the house and goes to a municipal sewage treatment facility where it is treated and made pure again. There are two separate plumbing systems in every house.

Supply System in Carrollton

Copper is the most common material for supply pipe; it resists corrosion, so water runs freely and pipes don’t leak for many decades. In an older home, you may find galvanized steel pipe, which tends to clog with minerals and rust over time and can develop leaks. Nowadays, many homes have plastic supply pipe, most commonly, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), which installs quickly and is expected to last virtually forever.

Water arrives via a main supply pipe, which is typically 1 inch in diameter or larger. In most cases, the pipe runs through at least one main shutoff valve, located outside the house buried in the yard near the house or just inside the crawl space.

The main supply line usually runs to the water heater, where it divides into cold and hot water pipes. From there, supply pipes almost always travel in pairs, hot and cold. Pipes from the water heater are typically 3/4 inch but may be 1/2 inch. Horizontal pairs run to below walls and then vertical pairs, called risers, run up to the various rooms. In newer homes, there are separate lines running from the water heater to each room, so water use in one area does not affect use in another area. In an older home, a single line may loop throughout the house, meaning, for instance, that if someone flushes a toilet downstairs the cold water supplying a shower upstairs will have lessened pressure, causing the shower water to suddenly become hot.

Carrollton Drain, Waste and Vent (DWV) System

carrollton drain and pipe repair service Carrollton homes at least one main stack, a vertical pipe that runs from above the roof down to the main sewer line. The house’s various toilets, faucets, tubs, and appliances have horizontal pipes that run into the main stack. Horizontal pipes must be sloped so water cannot settle in them.

Venting is a sometimes complicated matter, but the principle is straightforward: Like that little air hole in a gas can, a vent pipe allows air to come behind the drain water so it flows smoothly. Without venting, drain water can gurgle, much like water coming out of an upturned thin-necked bottle. Local and national codes have very specific requirements for vent pipes.

Each fixture has a trap, which is usually shaped like a sideways P and so is called a P trap. The curved portion of the trap holds water in such a way that noxious gases cannot back up into the house. A toilet has a built-in trap.

Now that you have a quick overview of your pipe and drain systems, you can see just how complex they can be when problems occur. While many people decide to do their own plumbing, Carrollton Plumbing Pro will help you explore the various advantages and disadvantages of your piping options for your plumbing job.

How to Determine Where the Stoppage Has Occured

Here’s a simple test to determine where your stoppage has occurred: when using a fixture, if the water does not drain the blockage is most likely at the fixture. When using a fixture, if water or sewage backs up to another fixture, a mainline stoppage has occurred.

Slab Leaks

With the shifting Texas soil, inevitably comes slab leaks. The leaks are concealed in the concrete that supports our homes and pools. Carrollton Plumbing Pro is happy to assist you in the event of an unfortunate slab leak. Some common symptoms of a Carrollton slab leak include:

Mildew or excessive moisture under carpets
Buckled wood flooring
Sound of running water
Crack in walls
High water bills

In addition to water supply line leaks, another type is a sewer line leak. These leaks are not as easily detected as fresh water leaks as described above. Your sewer lines are normally 2 or more feet below the surface making detection more difficult. Unfortunately, the first sign of this leak is often foundation damage.

Cracked or Crushed Sewer Drain Line Repair

A visual inspection is important to check the structural reliability of your damaged pipes. Although, replacement is still the best option for longevity, using drain lining is cost effective, time saving and there is no need for excavation. The method is beneficial if the pipes were built under concrete or installed under your house. It is also beneficial in smaller houses where big equipments cannot be used. The procedure is simple and with less interference in the homeowner's side. It is suitable for commercial and residential use. If you are having sewer line problems, call the Carrollton plumbing experts to evaluate your options today.

Our mission at Carrollton Plumbing Pro is to build long term relationships with our Dallas area customers. We want to provide you with the highest quality of workmanship at a fair and reasonable price.

If you want the job done right by a Carrollton plumbing professional, call Carrollton Plumbing Pro today at 972-546-2990.

Frequently Asked Carrollton Plumbing Questions

Q: What should I look for if I think I have a natural gas line leak?

A: The most telling sign of a natural gas line leak is a rotten egg smell. The odorant is added to the natural gas so that it can be detected in case there is a leak. Here are a few tips, if you detect a minor odor inside or outside your home:

Use a flashlight to check pilot lights to see if they are lit.
Never use matches or candles to look for gas leaks.
Do not turn electrical switches on or off if you suspect a gas leak.
Contact your natural gas utility company immediately to report the problem.
Do not smoke or use any open flames.

Q: Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaners?

A: What is your first instinct when you see a slow drain or a clogged toilet? You grab the plunger and a bottle of liquid drain cleaner. In some cases, this may not be the right thing to do. Liquid drain cleaners can actually cause additional damage to your plumbing system. The harsh chemicals found in these cleaners can, in fact, eat away at pipes, causing major plumbing problems. Plus, most liquid drain cleaners won’t clear solid material and may only compound your problem with abrasive chemicals sitting in pipes and on fixtures.

Q: What are some things I can do to prevent my water lines from freezing in the winter?

A: Before the cold freezing weather sets in, make sure that all the garden hoses outside your home are disconnected. Failing to do so can cause not only the hose but also the hose bib to which it is connected, to freeze and be damaged. Water pipes which are exposed to freezing temperatures or drafts should be covered with insulation. Whenever possible, it is best to drain systems not being used in severely cold weather. Small water pipes will freeze quicker than will waste or sewer pipes. Also, never leave a garage door open in severely cold weather, if there is plumbing in the garage. The cold and draft can freeze water lines in minutes. Pipes located in unheated basements or garages should be insulated with a commercial covering. Underground pipes are typically laid below the frost line to prevent freezing.

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CARROLLTON PLUMBING SERVICE - TEXAS