Your home’s plumbing is mostly hidden from view so it’s easy to forget about. That is, until something goes wrong. Here are some ways to prevent plumbing issues from becoming disasters.
This might seem obvious but in the chaos of everyday life, it’s easy to push it down the priorities list. Run water in each sink to see how quickly it drains and if there are any changes. Pay attention to the length of time you can run a hot shower before the water gets too cold. Look in the cabinets under sinks for evidence of leakage.
Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, but the rainy spring weather isn’t ready to let go just yet. There is a lot of rain in the forecast this week and we are all crossing our fingers, hoping that the weather improves before the big holiday weekend. Unfortunately, along with the heavy rain falls, the temperature and humidity levels are also on the rise this week. One thing is clear as we head into Memorial Day weekend; the weather is not on our side. Don’t panic just yet! Here are some steps you can take to help prevent the extreme weather from ruining your holiday weekend.
Sump pumps are designed to help prevent basement flooding, especially during periods of constant and heavy rainfall. The protection offered by sump pumps is especially important in finished basements with recreation rooms, home offices, bedrooms or rooms storing electronics or valuables. Like all other vital equipment in your home, your sump pump needs regular maintenance to ensure everything is functioning properly and so you can avoid a major disaster. We’ll be happy to inspect and evaluate your sump pump needs, to give you peace of mind.
2. Battling the Humidity
With the heat rising and the rain falling, dealing with humidity this week is not going to be pleasant. To help you get through this muggy week, try out a few of these easy humidity-busting tricks.
Turn on your exhaust fans when bathing, doing laundry or cooking.
Cover pots as much as possible when cooking.
Use portable fans to improve airflow in stuffy rooms.
Take cooler and shorter showers.
Make sure all windows and doors are shut tight and that air isn’t able to leak through them.
Turn on your air conditioning to improve air flow and lower your home’s temperature.
Many people have been holding off on turning on their air conditioners, but the weather this week may mean it’s finally time to flip on that AC. The temperatures will be in the 80’s and the rain and humidity will mean that your windows will need to be closed. You’ll likely need to turn on your air conditioner for some much-needed relief but will your AC be up for the challenge? Air conditioning units require yearly maintenance and inspections to keep them running properly. Call on our expert technicians here at Team Tiger to make sure that your AC can handle the heat.
4. Keep the Power On
Power outages are always a real concern during stormy weather. Having a Whole-Home Standby Generator installed will help you keep the lights on and your AC running during even the most severe weather. A generator is not only useful during stormy spring and summer weather, but it can also come in handy during the winter months if a blizzard blows in. Like your sump pump and AC, generators require yearly maintenance. So if you already have a generator for your home, make sure to have one of our Certified Electricians come out and ensure everything is running properly and safely this season.
Happy Memorial Day!
If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:
It’s been a very wet couple of days, how’s your sump pump holding up? If you are like a lot of people in the area, you are about to find yourself standing knee-deep in dirty rainwater. Basement flooding is an expensive and stressful side effect from all this rain we’ve been getting. This is especially true if you have a finished basement since mold can flourish in wet insulation.
The key to avoiding all of the havoc and high cost, which accompanies the hassle of a flooded basement, is to make sure your sump pump is prepared to keep up. Your poor sump pump has been working overtime and it’s time you gave it a little TLC. Most basement floods are the result of a sump pump that failed or just couldn’t handle the amount of water it was meant to pump out. Just because your sump pump hasn’t failed you so far, doesn’t mean you’re not in for a huge, messy surprise.
You can help prevent a basement flood from happening to you this summer by following the four simple steps on this checklist, meant to keep your sump pump from giving up on you:
Sump Pump Checklist
Screen: All sump pumps have a screen that allows water to flow through. When this screen becomes clogged, water will no longer flow through. If the water can’t flow through the screen fast enough, it will back up and overflow, causing a flood. Checking to make sure your sump pump screen is not becoming clogged will ensure that water can continue to flow freely.
Switch: The switch on your sump pump could be damaged or become stuck. If this happens, the switch may fail or function improperly, causing flooding issues. Checking your switch on a regular basis will clear away any debris that may become stuck to the switch and cause it to be damaged. Make sure that the switch is not being shoved against the side of the basin, helping to ensure it doesn’t become stuck.
Circuit Breaker: If the circuit breaker your sump pump is connected to trips during a rain storm, your basement could flood very quickly. Prevent this from happening by making sure that your sump pump is connected to its own breaker. Don’t overload the circuit breaker with other large appliances and make sure you ground your circuit breaker with a fault interrupter.
Sump Pit: If the pump impeller or the discharge tube in the sump pit becomes clogged, major flooding can occur. While checking the screen, check the sump pit for mud or debris, which might cause a clog.
Still Need Help?
Taking the time to check these four items off of your sump pump checklist will really save you a lot of time and money down the road. If you’ve completed this checklist and you’re still concerned about the state of your sump pump, you may consider adding a backup. Do you have a sump pump that runs regularly or is the potential for large amounts of rain to fall in your area? Installing a backup will help keep your basement dry.
If you need help to keep your plumbing in working order, we can work with you to prevent any issues from happening. Give us a call at (877) 552-2326 or Schedule A Service with one of our plumbers!
It’s likely that at some point, you’ll have to call our plumbers in: whether it’s for a leaky faucet, pipe replacement or a new bathroom in your basement. However, you can reduce likelihood of major damage. Here are some ways to reduce the number of visits from plumbers and the severity of your repairs:
Never hang anything from your pipes
The weight can break them and cause a flood. Even if you think it’s something small and light, there’s no guarantee that the pipe can withstand it. You also introduce the risk of the item snagging on a passerby and rupturing the pipe.
Use a strainer to keep hair and other items from clogging pipes
It might seem easy to let hair and food disappear down the drain but at some point, the accumulated effect will cause it to back up your drainage system. Check drains regularly and remove any items that may have slipped past your strainers.
Be careful what you flush down the toilet
Even items labelled “flushable” like flushable baby wipes can cause a problem. Your best option is to stick to waste and toilet paper. Everything else should be discarded in the garbage.
Avoid abrasive cleaners that can corrode your pipes
If you’re not sure what material your drain and sewage pipes are made from, have a professional take a look. Harsh cleaners can destroy piping, sometimes so slowly you don’t even know it’s happening until it’s too late.
Turn off and drain your outdoor faucets before winter arrives
Avoid burst pipes by draining outdoor pipes that can freeze when the temperature falls. These taps have a drain valve that you open to empty the water inside the pipe. Ensure you do it before the cold weather sets in and not after the first freezing night.
Don’t wait until a leak is severe before calling a plumber
It’s easy to procrastinate when you see the first few drips, but a small leak is much easier (and cheaper) to fix than a flooded house. Not to mention the money you’ll save on your water bill.
Know the location of your main shutoff valve
Knowing this is not only beneficial for the plumber when he arrives, but can reduce damage if you turn off the main supply as soon as a major leak happens. Take the time to show everyone where it is to reduce the potential for a huge, costly disaster.
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If you need help to keep your plumbing in working order, we can work with you to prevent any issues from happening. Give us a call at (877) 552-2326 or Schedule A Service with one of our plumbers!
According to the US Department of Agriculture, tree roots cause more than 50% of all sewer blockages, costing money for both the root removal and pipe repair. Continue reading to learn more about this issue, what to do about it, and how to prevent it.
Sizing a water heater isn’t always an easy calculation. There are many factors involved and, depending on your needs, you might have several options available to you. But getting it wrong has consequences. Too small and you’ll have to settle for cold showers. Too large and you waste energy heating water that isn’t being used. We can help you decide what water heater size is best for you and your home.
Continue below to see the things you should consider when selecting your next water heater.
Did I forget to shut the garage door? Was my package delivered? Is my home secure? Homeownership comes with all kinds of questions, concerns and responsibilities. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were a little easier? Be aware with a smart home from Tiger Home Awareness.
Tiger Home Awareness and Automation Solutions will take away many of the worries that come with owning your home. Imagine how much easier it would be to control lights and lock doors with an app on your phone? Or the peace of mind that would accompany the ability to keep an eye on children, elderly relatives or pets when you are not home. How much more secure would your home be if you could monitor and even interact with people who visit your home with a two-way camera?
Be In Control Anywhere, Anytime
First, you will have control of your home’s automation through an app that you can easily install on your Smartphone.
Next, conveniently located cameras and sensors will allow you to monitor suspicious activity on your property and the coming and goings of visitors.
Furthermore, you can customize alerts that are sent to your phone, which makes it easier to stay up to date on the happenings in your home.
And, easily keep an eye on children or elderly relatives while you are away from home.
In addition, go hands-free by utilizing voice command features.
Finally, save money by increasing your home’s energy efficiency. You can save 10%-30% on your energy bills each month with a Smart Thermostat alone!
Special Product Highlights and Benefits:
Tiger Home Awareness Product Line
Video Doorbell
Speak to anyone visiting your home with two-way communication on demand.
Intelligent sound and motion detectors will alert you to suspicious activity or unwanted visitors.
Receive 30-second video clips to your phone immediately if an alarm is triggered.
Up to seven-day video, storage plans are available. Plus there is a built-in SD card for added backup storage capabilities.
Summer is a time for fun in the sun. Nothing brings the fun to a screeching halt like a sewage backup. Here is what you need to know about sewage backups during the summertime. What Can Cause a Summer Sewage Backup? There are a couple reasons why a sewage backup might occur during the warmer months. Summer storms are a common culprit, for example. When it rains too much or too fast for the sewage system to handle, water can build up and get into the system. If the water continues to build up, it can fill it until sewage enters your home.
Another issue that can cause a backup is a system blockage. This can happen when the wrong things are tossed down the drain in your home.
What Are the Effects of a Backup? Of course, there is the mess that comes with a sewage backup. This factor alone is extremely unpleasant, but there are other more serious concerns to consider as well. Sewage is unsanitary and can pose health concerns for one. Additionally, having a large amount of water entering your home can lead to damage to your foundation or rotting of your interior walls. Not to mention the fire and other hazards caused if this water reaches any electrical components.
So How Can You Avoid a Summer Sewage Backup? Obviously, when it comes to weather, you can’t control when or how strong of a summer storm will hit. The good news is that you can take these steps, to help lessen your risk of a sewage backup.
1. First and foremost, never put anything down a drain that can clog or damage the pipes. This includes greasy or stringy foods, chicken bones, coffee grounds, etc. 2. Do your best to keep your yard clear of debris that may block drains and cause backups in the main city system during a strong storm. 3. Stay up to date on your home’s sanitary system and plumbing maintenance. This can help prevent backups and provide you with early detection of damage to your system.
Have a Safe and Fun Summer!
If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:
Burst pipes are typically a concern in the winter, due to freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, your pipes are not safe just because it is summer. Here are some reasons your pipes can burst during the warmer months and what you can do to stop it from happening!
Older Pipes Pipes will degrade and deteriorate over time, like most things. Metal pipes are especially susceptible to corrosion, while plastic pipes break down naturally over time. When the pipes in your home age, they slowly lose their ability to handle the pressures they are constantly subjected to. As your pipes deteriorate, they become more and more likely to burst. Your best defense against aging pipes is to replace them before they fail you.
Pipe Erosion and Corrosion When your pipes erode or corrode, they create weak spots in your piping. These weak spots are vulnerable and more likely to leak and burst because they can no longer withstand the water pressure. Stay ahead of erosion and corrosion by having your pipes inspected annually.
Also, keep in mind that hot water has the potential of causing the soil around your outdoor pipes to move, which can damage and even break the pipes. This is especially true when the weather is dryer. While this typically is a larger concern for water mains found in the street, the pipes leading up to your home is also vulnerable. If you are concerned about your outdoor pipes, you can have one of our expert plumbers come to your home and assess your risks.
Clogged Pipes A burst pipe is just one of the concerns caused by a clogged pipe. If your water happens to have a high mineral content, you may have extra reasons to be concerned. Over time, mineral deposits will build up in your pipes. This build up reduces the area in your pipes, restricting water flow and increasing pressure. In cases when the pressure exceeds the pipe’s threshold, it can cause the pipe to burst. If you happen to live in an area where the water has a higher mineral count, also known as hard water, having a water softener installed by one of our expert plumbers is an effective method to protect your pipes. Water softeners are designed to remove most of the minerals in your water and help prevent your pipes from clogging.
Poorly Installed Pipes Unfortunately, not every plumber has as high standards as we do and poorly installed pipes are at a greater risk of failure, leaks and bursting. Whether they are improperly soldered, poorly insulated or inadequately supported, if your pipes were not installed correctly, you could be in for some unpleasant surprises. If you have any concerns about how your pipes were installed, call us at (866) 844-3770, to have your plumbing system inspected by a true plumbing professional.
If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:
to make sure your sump pump is prepared to keep up. Your poor sump pump has been working overtime and it’s time you gave it a little TLC. Most basement floods are the result of a sump pump that failed or just couldn’t handle the amount of water it was meant to pump out. Just because your sump pump hasn’t failed you so far, doesn’t mean you’re not in for a huge, messy surprise.
e warmer months. Summer storms are a common culprit, for example. When it rains too much or too fast for the sewage system to handle, water can build up and get into the system. If the water continues to build up, it can fill it until sewage enters your home. 
our pipes, restricting water flow and increasing pressure. In cases when the pressure exceeds the pipe’s threshold, it can cause the pipe to burst. If you happen to live in an area where the water has a higher mineral count, also known as hard water, having a water softener installed by one of our expert plumbers is an effective method to protect your pipes. Water softeners are designed to remove most of the minerals in your water and help prevent your pipes from clogging.