On a national level, research shows the average homeowner will call a plumber once every three years; here in Philadelphia that number is a little higher. One of the things that we often get asked is “What’s the most common plumbing problem that you see in Philadelphia?” Our answer often surprises people when we say… “Neglect.” Most of the common reasons people call a master plumber are due to residents not taking care of small problems why they still are small. By overlooking the warning signs of a larger problem -the standard appointment often turns into an emergency visit.
Taking a look back at many of the service calls that we perform in the Philadelphia area; we have compiled a list of the 3 most common reasons that people call a master plumber.
Running Toilet
At the top of the list is a constantly running toilet. This is one of those problems that can creep up on residents in Philadelphia, then before you know it; the water is seemingly running all the time. (Wasting hundreds of gallons of water) There are many reasons for a toilet running, but the reasons we find to be most common are:
- Hard water deposit buildup in the components keeping them from properly sealing.
- A resident will add detergents or chemicals to the water to help clean the toilet. (the famous blue water) This may keep your toilet sparkling clean but, these chemicals over a period of time can cause a deterioration of the seals; even making the rubber itself turn into a gelatinous substance that loses its integrity and shape.
- Mis-adjusted handle chain. The toilet handle is not a lawn mower pull cord… So when someone slams down on the flush handle it can cause the chain to separate or get tangled causing the flapper valve not to seat. While it is a quick fix for your plumber its still a service charge to come out and take care of it.
Clogged Drains
Chemical drain cleaners, unfortunately can’t fix every clogged drain. When the “self help” methods don’t work… we get the call. However, most of the clogged drains that we come across in Philadelphia are because something, other than water, went in them (which they weren’t designed for). Grease, hair, beauty products, bits of food, plastic and chemicals all can create a build-up that retail level cleaners just are not aggressive enough to dissolve.
Proper use of the drains can make for trouble free use. Avoid pouring anything down the drain that is thicker than water. Foreign debris (anything other than liquid) should not be placed or washed into the drain. Depending on how the plumbing in your Philadelphia home was routed, it typically goes through 2 to 4 – 90° turns before it exits the home; giving the drains plenty of opportunity to develop a clog beyond the reach of drain cleaning chemicals.
Water Heater Repairs
Water heaters are the silent helper in your Philadelphia home, usually installed outside of the visible common areas of your home, it’s easy to forget about the water heater until it fails. With most water heaters having an average of 10 years of useful life, we have received numerous service calls from Philadelphia residents where the water heater was 15 years or older.
Here are some warning signs that your water heater may need to be replaced:
- Age: The life span of a water heater is 8 to 12 years. Occasionally you can see them last longer but will generally have reduced efficiency.
- Rust in the water: Because most hot water heater tanks in Philadelphia are made out of steel; if you begin to notice small pieces of debris or a rust color to your water you need to replace your hot water heater.
- A popping noise when the water heater comes on (gas units): This occurs when large amounts of sediment has built up on the bottom of the tank from interior deterioration. This is a sign that water heater should be replaced soon.
- A visible leak: While some water heater leaks can be repaired by a master plumber, if the leak is coming from a seam or out of an area that is inaccessible; it will probably need to be replaced.
- Visible signs of rust and corrosion: When you can see heavy rust build up around the connections or base of the water heater, its smart to go ahead and replace the water heater. While surface rust does not affect the functioning of the water heater at first; it can quickly develop into a leak. Often times premature rust can develop when a water heater is installed in Philadelphia homes to sit directly on a concrete floor exposing it to moisture, a properly installed water heater will be placed on a stand of sorts (depending on the available space) to help prolong this concern.
- The hot water is lukewarm or cold: There are several components of a water heater that would cause it to not function properly including the heating element. However, if any of the other conditions are present in conjunction with it not functioning properly, then the water heater should be replaced.
Master Plumber Serving Philadelphia
iFixdit, LLC is your local Philadelphia registered master plumber that can take care of all of your plumbing needs. iFixdit, LLC is a fully licensed, bonded and insured plumbing service providing protection for our company as well as giving you peace of mind. Every plumbing repair, maintenance or installation will have a licensed master plumber on the property to work and supervise. This not only helps us ensure the quality of our service but also make sure that we get your plumbing problem fixed the first time.
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