When you don’t work in the plumbing field, it’s easy to believe just about anything you hear about how plumbing works or what problems you are likely to encounter with your system. Unfortunately, much of what you hear talked about with plumbing falls firmly into the category of a myth. This page will highlight some of those myths and explain how you should handle your plumbing system instead.

For professional help with Greensboro plumbing problems that will ignore the myths and get down to the truth, contact Berico right away for assistance.

 

A Slow Drain Will Eventually Fix Itself

Some homeowners seem to believe that simply leaving a slow drain alone over time will allow it to “clear itself,” and the problem will go away. Rarely is this going to be the case. The drain is slow because there is a clog in the pipe, and that clog will need to be cleared one way or another. Dealing with this issue as soon as possible is best to avoid more serious problems later on.

 

You Can Flush Anything Down the Toilet

This is most certainly not true. Just because something technically will fit down the toilet does not mean it should be flushed down the system. Serious problems like major clogs and damage to your pipes can occur when you flush anything other than toilet paper. Sticking with only toilet paper going down the toilet is a great way to protect the health of your overall system and prevent expensive repairs.

 

All Old Houses Have Bad Plumbing

In the Greensboro area, there are many beautiful old homes that have been in place for a century or longer. So, are all of these houses destined to deal with ongoing plumbing problems? Not at all. With proper maintenance and timely repair when something does go wrong, an older home can enjoy reliable plumbing performance with no end in sight.

 

Plumbing Fixtures Don’t Need Maintenance

You should always be wary when you hear that something doesn’t need any maintenance at all. That’s just not how life tends to work – even the best parts and systems wear out and require attention at one point or another. If you tend to your plumbing system just like you tend to anything else in or around your house, you’ll be rewarded in the long run.

 

Drain Cleaners Are a Great Solution

In some cases, a drain cleaner will actually be able to improve the performance of that drain – but you’ll be doing some lasting harm along the way. The chemicals that are used in drain cleaners can be very harmful and will erode your pipes over time. Instead, opt for mechanical methods of removing a clog, such as a plunger. If needed, get help from a professional plumber to make sure the work is done correctly.

The great thing about working with Berico is that you’ll be able to have all of your plumbing problems solved quickly and easily by one expert team. Whether it’s a running toilet, kitchen plumbing issues, or anything else, you’ll be in the right hands from the start. Get in touch now to learn more.

Modern plumbing systems are incredibly reliable. You probably don’t think much about how your system is working behind the scenes, so to speak, but for the most part, it just gets the job done, and you move on with your life. So, when something comes up that isn’t working as it should, it’s rather surprising, and you might not know what to do next.

 

To help you understand how plumbing works and what can go wrong, this page is going to discuss some of the most common problems that are likely to pop up in your home. Of course, simply understanding the problem is only half the battle, as it will still need to be solved so you can use your system properly once again. For that, the Greensboro plumbers at Berico are your best bet. For clogged drains, dripping faucets, and other plumbing issues, Berico is always the right call.

 

Clogged Drains Lead the Way

If you start to count them up, you might be surprised to find how many drains are actually in your home. They have a pretty simple job to do – take used water away and funnel it out to the sewer line– but they can’t get that job done if they are clogged up.

 

Sometimes, a clogged drain is the result of someone in the home. If you put something down the drain that shouldn’t be there, it can clog it up quickly and make it impossible for water to pass. In other cases, a clogged drain will be the result of buildup in the pipe over time that gradually narrows it to the point that it doesn’t work any longer.  Or another problem can arise when roots clog up the line.

 

Leaking Pipes Plague Older Buildings

Another common problem is leaking pipes, although this tends to be more of an issue in older homes as compared to new construction. The materials formerly used to manufacture pipes were prone to corrosion, and they could eventually fail as a result. Modern pipes are much less likely to leak thanks to their advanced materials, but nothing is perfect, and a leak is always a possibility.

 

It’s a good idea to pay attention to any signs of a leak in your pipes, such as a higher than usual water bill or odd stains on your walls or ceilings. Acting quickly is the best way to limit the damage that a leaking pipe can cause.

 

 

Are Your Toilets Constantly Running?

This is one of those problems that doesn’t seem like more than a minor annoyance until you take a look at your utility bill at the end of the month. A surprising amount of water can be wasted by a toilet that is just slightly running throughout the day and night. If you hear one or more of your toilets running when it isn’t being used, that’s an issue that should be attended to promptly.

 

It is commonly the flapper valve in your toilet tank that is to blame for the water running constantly. In many cases, just replacing that valve with a new one will be enough to rectify the situation.

 

Dripping Faucets Is a Frustrating Issue

When you turn the handle of your faucet into the “Off” position, you expect the water to stop flowing. But what happens when it doesn’t? This is a frustrating issue that, just like the running toilet, can waste a lot of water.

 

For those with some basic DIY skills, fixing such a problem is usually pretty straightforward. Replacing the washer or O-ring in the faucet will usually bring the dripping to a stop. If not, it might be time for either professional help or the installation of a new faucet.

 

Low Water Pressure is Often a Symptom

One common problem with a plumbing system is low water pressure, but this is usually a sign that something else is wrong, rather than being the problem itself. For example, if you have a leak in one of your pipes, some of the water pressure will be lost to that leak, and the force of the water coming out of your faucet or showerhead may be compromised.

 

As a starting point to get to the bottom of this problem, you can test all of the fixtures in the home to see if they are all affected or if the issue is isolated to one area. If the root cause of the low water pressure is a serious plumbing issue, you’ll want to get help from Berico right away to get back on track.

 

A Burst Pipe is a Plumbing Emergency

Some of the issues highlighted so far – dripping faucets and running toilets, for example – need to be fixed but don’t fall into the category of a plumbing emergency. It’s a different story when it comes to a burst pipe. This type of event needs to be taken care of as soon as possible to limit the damage. Start by turning off the main water supply to bring the flooding to a halt, and then get in touch with the pros.

 

Dealing with Sump Pump Failure

In a home that relies on a sump pump to avoid flooding issues, the failure of that pump is a serious problem. Unfortunately, this is the type of issue that is usually only noticed once the water is flooding the space, so a prompt response is important. Whether it’s a clogged line in the sump pump system, a power failure, or some other problem, it’s important to get it back in working order before flooding leads to major damage.

 

If you spot signs of leaking pipes in your home, or if the toilet keeps running and you don’t know why, it’s a good idea to act quickly. Rather than letting the problem get worse, call for plumbing repair from Berico immediately. Knowing that the expert team from Berico is on the job will put your mind at ease, and life will get back to normal in short order.