Local Plumbing Repair Blog

A slow drain may be easy to fix at home or a serious problem only the professionals can fix. Before you decide who should fix it, you must first figure out the problem’s source. Have you been dealing with slow drains in your house? Let’s identify what might be causing it. Then we can provide solutions to your drainage problem. What Causes A Slow Drain? Everyday uses commonly cause a slow drain, but not always. Over time, things can build up, narrowing the flow and causing your drain to empty slower and slower. Before you know it, you’re standing in an inch of water in the shower or looking at a soap-filled sink that refuses to drain. Common causes of drain buildup include: Hair Shaving cream and hair trimmings mixed Soap scum Toothpaste Food debris Grease Oil and fats Clothes fibers can also cause problems in your washing machine over time. So can putting items down the toilet that never should be there, like wet wipes, too much toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, cat litter, cotton swabs, and other bathroom products. How To DIY Fix Your Slow Drain There are a few simple things you can DIY at home to

Have you been wondering what it could take to install a natural gas line in your home and if it’s worth it? Natural gas is just another way to heat your home and run your appliances here in Maryland. While it has benefits, natural gas is not always the best solution for everyone. Benefits Of Installing A Natural Gas Line In Your Home Consider the benefits of installing a natural gas line in your home, which can run some, but not all, appliances. Natural Gas Is Cheaper Although not cheaper everywhere, natural gas is a more inexpensive resource than electricity in Maryland. And since you can choose your own supplier thanks to deregulation, you could save a chunk of money on your electricity bill by installing a gas line. Natural Gas Is Easy To Install Although installing natural gas lines in a home that doesn’t already have them isn’t a job for a novice, it’s easy for a professional. Americans have used natural gas for over 100 years, so many contractors know how to install a natural gas line in a Maryland home. Make sure you use a qualified professional for a gas line installation. Natural Gas Can Be Stored

Are you having toilet trouble? Are you unsure if it’s time to call a plumber? At Abend Plumbing & Heating, we’re no stranger to toilet problems. Here are some of the most common toilet issues people face and advice on whether you should call a plumber to fix them. If you prefer to leave the discovery and correction of your toilet trouble to a licensed professional, call Abend Plumbing and Heating now. We’ll take care of your plumbing problems, so you don’t have to. Toilet Won’t Stop Running If your toilet doesn’t stop running, you’ve probably tried jiggling the handle. This time-tested solution might work. The most common problem is the toilet chain. Take the lid off the toilet tank. Check to see if the flapper completely covers the hole in the bottom. If not, then your chain likely isn’t long enough. Remove the chain from the handle and reattach it to a different loop to make it longer. Another potential issue is a rubber diaphragm seal that won’t seat correctly. If lengthening the chain doesn’t work, call a licensed professional plumber. Slow Filling Tank If you’ve noticed your toilet takes a long time to refill, there could be a

Knowing the answer to “Where is my main water shutoff valve?” before a potential water disaster occurs is essential for renters and homeowners. Call Abend Plumbing & Heating in Baltimore, Maryland. We’re here to answer some common questions, so you’re prepared if you spring a leak in your home. What Is The Main Water Shutoff Valve? The main water valve is the pipe connecting your home’s water supply to the city water line. The shutoff valve is the fixture that controls the flow of water. No water comes into your home’s water pipes when it’s off. When the shutoff valve is on, water flows from the municipality’s public water supply into your home. You also have little water shutoff valves under your kitchen and bathroom sinks, toilets, and washing machines. After you’ve located the main water shutoff, you should be able to identify the smaller shutoff valves for your other fixtures quickly. Where Is Your Main Water Shutoff Valve? The main water shutoff valve will be located along the perimeter of your home and should be on the street-facing side of your home. The water main from the public water supply comes from under the street and branches off to

As a homeowner, one of the last things you want to experience is stepping off your stairs into a flooded basement. Rising waters from heavy rains can saturate the land, causing expensive structural damage to your home. One way to combat a flooded basement is with a sump pump. What is a Sump Pump? A sump pump removes water in your basement outside the home to prevent interior flooding. The system sits inside a pit or basin, which is typically a hole set into the basement floor. Valves attached to the pump detect high water levels or pressure that fill the basin. Once the water or pressure gets too high, the system pumps out excess water through a discharge line called an effluent. How Does it Work? A sump pump recognizes high water levels in the basin, which then pumps the water away from the home through the effluent. The switch will automatically trigger once the water gets too high, pumping the water through the discharge pipe and away from the foundation. Ideally, the drainage area will be 15 to 20 feet from the foundation, draining into a creek, pond, dry well, or neighborhood drain. You may need to attach

The two most common types of plastic pipes are ABS and PVC piping. What’s the difference, and which is better? Plastic pipes are preferred for home plumbing projects, especially when replacing old metal or cast iron pipes. They’re cheap, lightweight, and won’t corrode like metal or iron pipes. You also don’t have to worry about collecting condensation when cold water is flowing as you do with metal pipes. And when you’re running the hot water, plastic pipes keep it hot without affecting the piping. ABS vs. PVC Pipes Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes are the go-to solutions for plumbers. They both have similar costs, but some fundamental differences between the two types of plastic pipes may help you decide. Color and Composition It’s easy to tell ABS pipes from PVC pipes. ABS pipes are black, while PVC pipes are white. They’re both made of plastic, but one key difference is that they make ABS pipes with BPA, or Bisphenol-A. Many plastic manufacturers use BPA, especially to make food and water containers. Although there is no hard evidence that BPA is a risk to humans, some studies suggest it could cause potential hormonal or neurological effects

If you suspect sewer replacement is looming over your household, take a deep breath. How will you know you need a sewer replacement? There are indicators to look for, or you may have noticed several telltale signs. Don’t wait to correct sewer damage, or you could have many problems rear their ugly heads. Your best course of action is to give Abend Plumbing and Heating a call so you can have a professional technician evaluate your property. Signs that You Have a Sewer Leak There are many signs that you need a sewer replacement. Some are more subtle than others. Clogged drains or drains that are backing up sewage into your home are problems that are hard to ignore. You may just need the pipes cleaned. Having annual maintenance to keep your lines clear is something to put on your calendar. If you find you need the pipes cleared more often, there is a problem you need to address. Strange or unpleasant odors may indicate sewage backup. If your lawn has a sinkhole that was previously level, you might have a crack in the sewer line. The damage won’t fill in with dirt. It will just keep pulling more dirt

If you’re considering a whole-house Halo water filtration system, you’ve come to the right place. Abend Plumbing and Heating has the answers to all your questions. Do you have a refrigerator water filter on the dispenser for ice and water? When the red light indicates you need to replace the filter, how long does it take to remember? We have all looked at that light, meant to make a note to replace it, and forgot. It’s not the end of the world if you’re drinking municipal or well water. But having a whole house water filter is a game-changer. Never having to change a filter is a huge bonus. Halo Water Filtration for Your Whole House When considering water filtration, there are several approaches. Some people think you only need filtered water at the kitchen sink and in the refrigerator. While this is top of mind, consider the benefits of having a Halo water filtration system for the entire house. Sparkling water servicing your water heater will save on the build-up that can require maintenance to keep the water heater functioning properly. The same is true for the laundry machine. Most of us never give that a second thought. With

Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, provide hot water whenever you need it. They are more efficient than most storage-tank water heaters and take up less room than their storage-tank counterparts. But, tankless on-demand water heaters can be more expensive initially than storage tank water heaters. They are almost always mounted to the wall, requiring professional installation. Tankless water heaters only run on natural gas or propane. So, if your water heater runs on electric, you’ll have to convert or stick with a storage-tank water heater for now. Two of the best on-demand tankless water heaters brands are Navian and Rinnai. If you’re in the market for a new water heater, which should you choose? Here are the details on Navian vs. Rinnai on-demand water heaters. Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) The Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) is the metric that shows how efficient residential and commercial water heaters are. The higher the UEF, the more efficient the tankless water heater is. Both Navian and Rinnai have condensing and non-condensing tankless water heater models. Condensing on-demand water heaters are more energy-efficient than non-condensing water heaters. Rinnai offers a hybrid condensing model with an 80-gallon storage tank, which Navian does

You’re probably here because your drains are slow to empty, or you’re getting recurring clogs that leave standing water in your shower or sink. If you haven’t found a solution to your problem, hydro jetting may be the answer. Hydro jetting uses high-powered water to clear pipes and lines in your sewer or main water line. The high-pressured water comes out at up to 4,000 PSI and can be a safer way to remove pipe clogs than alternative methods. Hydro, or water, jetting can remove grease, oil, soap, sludge, mineral, and scale buildup in your pipe walls that commonly cause clogs and slow drainage. It’s high-powered enough to break up tree roots that could cause a blockage in your sewer pipes or water line. When is it the Right Solution? You can use hydro jetting in residential and commercial settings. Plumbers turn to this method when you are dealing with recurring drain clogs. If your sewer drain smells, it’s a good indicator that things aren’t flowing away from your home into the main sewer line. Water jetting is usually the best solution for this problem. Benefits of Hydro Jetting Unless your problem is a broken pipe, which must be repaired