Archives: Press Releases

Three Signs You May Have a Hidden Water Leak

What Homeowners Should Know About Hidden Leaks

Water leaks can be a huge problem in homes, causing water damage and expensive repairs. In many cases, homeowners won’t even know they have a water leak until it’s too late. Detecting a hidden water leak is essential to preventing any major problems down the road. Here’s a list of common signs that water leaks are present. 

Running Water Soundsrunning water sounds

There are a few things homeowners can do to check for leaks. One of the easiest ways to check for leaks is to listen for running water sounds. If running water is heard even when all the taps are turned off, there’s likely a broken water line. A leaky water pipe often makes a hissing or dripping sound. If a homeowner hears these sounds coming from the walls, floors, or ceilings, it’s time to call a plumber.

Sometimes leaks may be slow enough that the sound is too quiet to hear. When that’s the case, mold and mildew can signify a hidden water leak in the home. If there are any signs of mold or mildew, it’s important to take action immediately. Mold can cause serious health problems, so don’t want to wait to address the issue.

swampy spots

 

Swampy Spots in the Yard

Another great way to find a hidden water leak is by looking in the yard. Underground leaks can cause a pooling of water in an area of the yard. The swampy spot should not be taken as a sign of a leak if it has just rained or the sprinklers were recently on. Otherwise, the spot could be due to a hidden leak.

Leaks can also be identified by examining growth patterns in an area of the yard. If there are noticeable differences in growth patterns, such as some areas growing quicker than others, it could mean there’s been saturation in those parts due to leaking underground pipes. The area will likely be lush and grow much faster than the rest of the lawn. However, if the leak is more serious and the soil is too saturated, it could also kill off the turfgrass. 

Lower Water Pressure and Higher Water Bills

If a homeowner has noticed lower-than-usual pressure when flushing the toilet, washing hands, or taking a shower, then there might be at least one hidden water leak. When water leaks are present, the effect is similar to when more than one faucet or appliance in the home is using water; the pressure drops.  

The water bill may also be noticeably higher due to the continuous flow of water from a water leak. The EPA estimates billions of gallons of water per year are wasted on small leaks that leak less than one gallon per minute. By getting small leaks repaired quickly, homeowners can lower their water bills and help the environment by saving water. 

If a homeowner is experiencing any of these signs, the home likely has a water leak. If this is the case, it’s important to take action right away and repair the leak. Water leaks can cause serious damage to a home, so it’s important to get them repaired as soon as possible.

About Platinum Plumbing

The highly-rated Platinum Plumbing provides its neighbors in the Bloomington-Normal area with trusted service. They offer upfront, no-hassle pricing, easy financing options, and tailored solutions. Call them today for plumbing services by experienced, fully licensed plumbers in Normal, IL.

Distribution Links +

Green Plumbing Tips To Try This St. Patrick’s Day

Three Eco-Friendly Habits That Can Save Both Water and Money 

Since 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has advocated for “green” technology––including water-saving appliances. In addition to adapting some eco-friendly personal habits, the organization recommends investing in eco-friendly appliances and refraining from flushing certain things down the toilet. 

It also recommends replacing old, poorly-functioning appliances with “WaterSense” products. These toilets, faucets, and other appliances function well above government standards, saving hundreds of gallons of water each year. Continue reading to learn more. 

Get Water-Saving Appliances 

The EPA notes that the bathroom uses more water than any other part of the home––nearly 30 percent of a home’s water usage, but there are countless ways to conserve water. The best way is to install water-saving appliances. 

Many states offer rebates, meaning that after one installs a low-flow toilet (or another appliance), they can get money back to help with installation costs. The EPA even has a search engine to see what rebates can be applied. 

Some examples of water-saving appliances include: 

  • Appliances with the WaterSense label 
  • Tankless water heaters
  • High-efficiency faucets
  • EnergyStar appliances

While not an appliance, homeowners can also cut down on water consumption by insulating their pipes. This way, homeowners can reduce the likelihood of frozen pipes, which can burst and waste gallons of water. 

Adapt Eco-Friendly Plumbing Habits 

save

Installing eco-friendly appliances isn’t the only thing a homeowner can do. To maximize water efficiency, one should combine these appliances with water-saving habits. Turning off the faucet when brushing one’s teeth can even add up over time. 

The EPA lists some water-saving habits, such as: 

  • Taking showers every other day: Unless one works a labor-intensive job, there is no reason to bathe every day. 
  • Relying on the dishwasher: Washing dishes by hand isn’t just time-consuming; in the end, it uses more water than using a modern-day dishwasher. Homeowners can take their water-saving habits further by installing an EnergyStar dishwasher. 
  • Only washing full loads of clothes: It’s just wasteful to run a load of laundry to get one shirt clean. Homeowners should fill up their washing machines to the maximum, rather than using them several times a week for a few articles of clothing. 

Think Twice Before Flushing 

toiletToilets have one job: to eliminate human waste. If something isn’t human waste or toilet paper, it doesn’t belong in the toilet. Anyone who flushes menstruation products, paper towels, and Q-tips down the toilet risks clogging the system. This reduces a toilet’s efficiency, and over time, it can lead to clogs and burst pipes. 

When using the toilet, one should avoid: 

  • Using drain cleaner to eliminate clogs (this can wear away at the home’s pipes)
  • Using too much toilet paper 
  • Avoid pouring grease or oil down the drain
  • Refraining from using the toilet as a garbage disposal 

One should also close the lid prior to flushing. This prevents the spread of bacteria and water droplets from exiting the system. 

About Platinum Plumbing 

The highly-rated Platinum Plumbing has experienced, fully licensed technicians and offers guaranteed upfront pricing. Call the professionals today for service in Bloomington and Normal, IL.

Distribution Links +

Check Out the First Black Female To Become a Master Plumber

Meet the African-American Plumbing Pioneer- Adrienne Bennett

Many people see plumbing as a male’s work. More and more, women in the industry are changing that perception. Adrienne Bennett is one of the trailblazers of the industry. She became the first black woman to become a master plumber, shattering several glass ceilings along the way.

Throughout her career, Bennett believed in herself and maintained a passion for excelling. She did not stop at becoming the first black female master plumber; she also became a CEO.

The Story of a Black Master Plumber

adrienne bennettAdrienne Bennett is the fourth of eight siblings who love to put together the Apollo spacecraft module. She was taught to always do a good job at a young age and ensure she finished whatever she started. This ideology and her interest in how things work made her take a bold step in the positive direction. She enrolled in an entry-level training program with an engineering firm in Detroit.

There, she had a revolutionary encounter with a worker. This encounter made her discard the idea of attending college to become a mechanical Engineer. She did some odd jobs for a few years working as an advocate for people on public assistance programs. The 1976 election rally for Jimmy Carter allowed her to meet Gus Dowels from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit.

Dowels were out to recruit minority women, as he was working with a federally-sponsored apprenticeship program for skilled trades. The young Bennett took the admission test into the five-year apprenticeship program with the Plumbers’ Union, Local 98, at 22years. She met backlash, bullying, and hostility from her male peers as she started excelling and earning praise from their instructors.

Her Past and Present Positions

With determination and hard work, Adrienne worked her way through different ranks of the plumbing industry. As a woman plumber, she has held several jobs ranging from an apprentice to journeyman plumber and then to master plumber. She also worked as a project manager, plumbing inspector, and code enforcement officer for the City of Detroit for a decade.

Adrienne Bennett, an Independent Contractor

team of contractorsWith the various experience and knowledge gathered from these positions, Adrienne thought of taking the next step in her career. Irrespective of the challenges and barriers, she decided to become an independent contractor.

At the age of 30, the master plumber opened a company in Detroit, Benkari LLC, with her son-A.K Bennett. She became the first black female master plumber and CEO in the United States, running an independent contracting business.

About Platinum Plumbing Inc.

Platinum Plumbing Inc. is a 5-star rated residential plumbing company in Bloomington, IL, with licensed technicians. They offer high-quality plumbing services regardless of whether the job is small or big with competitive pricing. Their services range from maintenance, installation, repairs, and replacements.

Distribution Links +

Spot the Three Signs of a Frozen Pipe

These Three Things Indicate a Frozen Pipe 

Consumer Reports notes that winter is brutal on homes’ plumbing systems. With once-flowing water no longer coming out of faucets, homeowners may notice foul odors coming from sinks and drains. Each of these things indicates a frozen pipe. 

Without consulting a frozen pipe repair company, one can find themselves in dire financial straits. When water freezes, it expands, potentially causing serious damage. Consumer Reports notes that a burst pipe can cause up to $5,000 in damage. 

By recognizing and properly addressing these signs, homeowners can keep their homes safe from damage this holiday season. 

Little or No Water Comes Out of the Faucets

faucetFrozen pipes mean ice. When ice accumulates inside a pipe, this prevents water from flowing through. As mentioned, it also puts extreme pressure on the pipes themselves, increasing the likelihood of burst pipes and extreme damage. 

If a homeowner suspects that a pipe has frozen, they should: 

  • Turn off the home’s water supply: They don’t want to risk more water building up and freezing inside the plumbing system. 
  • Wrap the pipes in cloth: This increases the pipe’s warmth and lets the ice inside thaw gradually. 
  • Aim a low-powered hairdryer at the pipe: This increases the pipes’ internal temperature, like insulating the pipes. Homeowners shouldn’t use high settings since this can warp the pipes themselves. 

A burst pipe repair company can provide more information about how to remedy a broken pipe. 

Frost on Frozen Pipes Needs Prompt Action

pipe Exterior pipes, like those that connect hoses and sprinklers, are extremely prone to freezing. If there’s frost on these pipes, that almost guarantees a frozen pipe. When temperatures dip below 40 degrees, homeowners should: 

  • Remove all hoses: If water inside the hose builds up, this can create pressure and back up into the plumbing system. 
  • Insulate exterior pipes: Homeowners can use fabric, plastic, and rubber to insulate their pipes. They may also consult a frozen water line repair company to do this for them. 
  • Limit outdoor water usage: It’s tempting to hose down a snowy driveway. However, this can cause more home than good, as this can create icy clogs and blockages. 

Foul or Stale Smells Mean Frozen Pipes 

Frozen pipes mean frozen water. In turn, this prevents residue from draining into the neighborhood sewer main. In addition to calling a burst pipe repair service, homeowners should: 

  • Pour hot water down the drain: This will break down any ice that’s built up inside the pipes. 
  • Turn off the water supply and run the faucet: Homeowners want to eliminate any still water that hasn’t frozen yet. The longer water remains in the pipes, the more likely it will freeze. 
  • Refrain from using a clogged drain: As noted, foul odors coming from the drain mean a blockage. Homeowners don’t want to do the dishes or use the garbage disposal while dealing with a frozen pipe. This will only add to the clog, increase the risk of frozen water lines, and worsen the smell. 

About Platinum Plumbing 

Platinum Plumbing has years of experience servicing its local community. These professionals manage frozen sewer lines, offer frozen pipe repair and a host of other services. Interested parties can connect with them to learn more.

Distribution Links +

Don’t Wait Until a Kitchen Plumbing Mishap to Be Thankful for Garbage Disposals!

Thanksgiving is the Busy Season for Kitchen Sink Plumbing

On the first Thanksgiving, pilgrims were thankful for a safe voyage and the bounty of food offered to them in the New World. Since then, the observance of a Thanksgiving holiday has grown so that people are inclined to be thankful for many more things. One of the things that Pilgrims didn’t even know to be thankful for was a garbage disposal. Cleaning up after the first Thanksgiving feast was probably easier than it is today because modern-day celebrations must keep in mind the needs of the kitchen plumbing and make the necessary accommodations, like making sure the garbage disposal is ready for the big day. 

This year, stay thankful for all things, including the garbage disposal. Check the disposal before the big meal to make sure it can keep up and schedule garbage disposal installation or repair if necessary. This quick guide from local plumbers can help!

drain Clogged Drain Prevention

The Pilgrims didn’t have sinks to protect, but modern-day Pilgrims need all the help they can get to make Thanksgiving go smoothly. One of the things that can disrupt festivities is a clogged sink, and the garbage disposal is the only thing that stands in the way. Garbage disposals are powerful appliances that grind up food waste and allow it to pass through the piping in a sink drain more easily. 

When food isn’t ground up before being flushed into plumbing, it can cling to the sides of the pipes and slowly build up. The resulting clogs can be notoriously difficult to remove and result in a kitchen sink that won’t drain. Simply by having a working garbage disposal, this possibility can be eliminated entirely, and homeowners can focus on celebrating instead. 

Practice Gratitude With These Maintenance Tips

Even if the garbage disposal is working fine, there are a few good things that homeowners can do to ensure that it will stay working for years to come. By implementing a few good practices, homeowners can have continued confidence in their garbage disposal. Some ideas to help it along are: 

  • Throw Out the Grease: Grease should never be discarded down the drain, even with a garbage disposal.
  • Toss Eggshells in the Trash: An old myth exists that asserts eggshells sharpen the disposal’s blades. This is false. Additionally, the membrane inside the eggshell can tangle around the blades and throw them off balance.
  • Always Run the Water: When flushing food scraps down the sink, always run water with them to keep things moving.
  • Throw Vegetable Skins in the Trash: Onion and potato skins don’t grind well and can still cause clogs even after running through the disposal. 

Signs Garbage Disposal Repair is Necessarygarbage disposal

Even with meticulous maintenance and good practices, garbage disposals can still develop problems. When a disposal is having trouble, most of the time, the signs are obvious. Some of the signs the garbage disposal needs attention are:
  • Even louder grinding noises than usual
  • A soft humming instead of normal grinding
  • No power at all
  • Needing to reset the overload numerous times

Scheduling repairs as soon as deficiencies are noted can prevent holiday disasters. Be sure to ask for help as soon as possible. 

About Platinum Plumbing

Platinum Plumbing lends its experience to customers in Bloomington. With 5-star service, they aim to exceed their customers’ expectations at every turn. Their customers enjoy their fast service and flat-rate pricing. Call now for plumbing service.

Distribution Links +

Why Now Is the Time for Water Heater Maintenance!

Why Now Is the Time for Water Heater Maintenance!

Water Heater Maintenance Keeps Cold Showers at Bay!

The crisp, beautiful weather of Autumn is in the air! There’s no better way to start a day than with a hot shower. So, don’t let the surprise of a broken water heater ruin the morning ritual. Instead, prevent hot water woes with an annual water heater check-up.  

3 Reasons Never To Skip Water Heater Maintenanceplumber

Water heater maintenance does more than just keep the shower water hot. Check out these three reasons why water heater maintenance is a must-have for every unit.
  • Promotes Efficiency and Performance: Over time, water heaters develop a layer of sediment in the tank. This sediment reduces the heater’s ability to warm water efficiently. The result? It takes forever to get a hot shower. A well-maintained water heater works faster than a neglected one, keeping up with the demands of a busy home.
  • Improves Longevity: Think of water heater maintenance as an annual doctor’s visit for the water heater. Regular heater maintenance guarantees the parts and pieces of the heater get the TLC they need to stay in working order, preventing wear and tear in the unit. In addition, water and electric bills reduce as regular maintenance keeps the unit in working order, thanks to preventative care of annual maintenance.
  • Enhances Safety: Sediment that develops in water heater tanks poses a danger to the unit and the household. As sediment builds up, pressure grows in the unit when water boils beneath the deposits. Without regular removal and care, this sediment can explode, causing damage to the home and any nearby occupants.

3 Things To Expect During Water Heater Maintenance Appointments

During an annual water heater appointment, a technician will generally do the following:

  • Anode Rod Inspection: Every water heater has an anode rod. The rod draws corrosive materials like magnesium away from the water heater and to the rod to preserve the heater’s integrity. Unfortunately, over time, the anode rod corrodes away as it’s designed to do. When this happens, a new anode rod needs installing. During maintenance, the technician will check the anode rode for corrosion and complete any replacements required. 
  • Sediment Flush: Hard water exists in millions of American homes. It produces sediment that collects in water heater tanks. To prevent damage to the heater, the plumbing technician will flush the tank and remove the sediment during maintenance.
  • Pressure Inspection: Water heaters need to have a controlled amount of pressure in the tank or risk explosions. Therefore, the technician verifies that the pressure valve works properly during an annual inspection to prevent any surprise explosions. 

3 Warning Signs of Water Heater Troublewater heater

When water heaters start to fail, they’ll give off some warning signs. If these three signs occur in the home, never ignore them; call a water heater expert right away to inspect the unit.

  • Leaking: Does the water heater have a leak at its base or around the plumbing? The unit may have corroded or had a pressure problem. More likely than not, a leak requires at least a minor repair somewhere in the unit. In extreme cases, a leak points to a damaged and dangerous water heater that needs immediate replacing.
  • Unreliable Hot Water: If it’s impossible to wash dishes or take a shower because hot water comes and goes without warning, call a plumber to inspect the water heater. A part likely needs replacing in the unit to bring back reliable hot water in the home.
  • Strange Noises: If banging, hissing, or cracking sounds are coming from the water heater, something is amiss. Often, the sounds are a sign of excessive sediment trapping water beneath it, leading to boiling water and high pressure in the tank. In some cases, strange noises are a sign of damaged parts that need replacing. In either case, it’s essential to have an expert investigate to prevent the possible explosion of the unit.

With proper care and annual maintenance, a water heater can enjoy a long life, and the house can enjoy reliable hot water. 

About Platinum Plumbing

Plumbing emergencies don’t wait for a convenient moment to happen. The team at Platinum Plumbing knows how stressful a busted pipe or flooding toilet can be, which is why they stand ready to help their Normal, IL community 24/7. Call today for reliable water heater repair!

Distribution Links +