Carney All Seasons Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

3 Tips for a Successful Bathroom Remodeling Project

Friday, November 15th, 2013

Bathroom remodeling can be a great way to improve your Hatfield, PA home. It lets you get rid of an ugly or unwieldy bathroom space in favor of something newer, fresher and hopefully easier to get around in. It allows you to move sinks and even bathtubs to more convenient spaces, while adding amenities like venting fans and improving the overall flow. If done properly, it can also improve the resale value of your home, though you need to plan carefully and hire the right contractor for that to happen. Here are 3 tips for a successful bathroom remodeling project: applicable no matter what your individual circumstances are.

Measure your space carefully. This includes not only the raw square footage, but the amount of existing counter space, the dimensions of alcoves and cubby holes, and the like. An expert should also note the placement of plumbing lines in and out of the bathroom, which will have an impact on where individual components can be placed. The square footage defines the parameters of the project and you want to know exactly how much space you have to play with.
Determine what features you want and prioritize them. When remodeling your bathroom, it’s tempting to develop a “Christmas list” of all the features you want. That probably isn’t feasible in the space you have available. Instead, draw up a specific list and rank them in order of importance. The contractor can go over the list with you and determine how much of it is possible given the space and budget involved.
Don’t forget wiring. In addition to plumbing, you want to make sure you have enough electricity to power your devices in the bathroom. If you currently use multi-plugs or other devices that stretch your electrical load to the breaking point, you should consider adding more outlets to handle things better. A remodel is the perfect time to do that.

For other tips for a successful bathroom remodeling project, talk to Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooler for help. Contact us today if you are interested in our Hatfield, PA bathroom remodeling services!

Tags: Bathroom Remodeling, Plumbing
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What to Do if Your Hot Water Heater Runs Cold

Monday, November 11th, 2013

It’s one of the more unpleasant surprises you can encounter in the morning: no hot water from your shower. Of course, losing your hot water any time of the day is a major inconvenience that limits your ability to cook, clean, and do laundry. When your hot water heater malfunctions and leaves you with cold water coming from the faucets, you need to have the problem fixed as soon as possible.

The best option for you when this happens is to call in professional technicians to find out what’s wrong and get the proper repairs done. Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling when you need help with your hot water heater in New Hope, PA. We have the experience and certification that makes us a trustworthy name when it comes to plumbing repairs.

The reason you should get professionals on the job is that you won’t know where to look to find what has caused the problem. A number of different issues can occur with your hot water heater that will cause it to lose its ability to warm up your water, and it requires a skilled technician to diagnose what is actually wrong—and then figure out the best method to repair it.

One of the best ways to deal with a loss of hot water is to find ways to prevent it from happening in the first place. Watch for signs that trouble might be brewing in the heater, such as intermittent changes in running water temperature or bizarre noises like rumbling coming from the water tank. If you detect leaks anywhere around the water tank or the pipes coming from it, get on the phone right away to a professional.

But the best way to avoid a cold water surprise one morning is to schedule regular maintenance for your water heater. We recommend an annual maintenance visit to inspect the system and perform any tune-ups necessary to keep to operating smoothly.

To protect your supply of hot water, contact Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling the moment you think you need a repair. We’ll make sure your New Hope, PA home’s hot water heater gets back to giving you the hot water you need.

Tags: New Hope, Plumbing, Water Heater
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What Causes a Toilet to Run?

Monday, October 28th, 2013

A constantly running toilet is one of the most frequent plumbing problems we encounter in our work. People often ask us what causes a toilet to run and what they can do about it. There isn’t one simple answer to this question; a number of issues can occur in the tank of your toilet that will make it continually run water after it has last been used.

There are two things about a running toilet that you should know upfront: First, don’t panic—a running toilet is rarely a cause for flooding in your home. Second, you need to get it taken care of as soon as possible because of the enormous waste of water it causes. A running toilet can use 2 gallons of water a minute, so imagine the amount of water that will go to waste if it stays running for a few hours.

A plumber will then go down a list of the reasons for that nonstop running. The plumber will lift off the lid from the tank (very carefully, because lids are expensive to replace should they break) and point out the various places where the trouble might lie:

The flapper: This seal on the bottom of the tank can become loose from age deterioration. Since it’s supposed to stop water from flowing out of the tank, it will need to be replaced to create a watertight seal.
The chain: The chain to the flapper can be tangled or too tight, in which case the flapper won’t be able to close.
The ballcock: This valve device, usually near the handle on the tank, controls the flow of water. When the float (see below) rises high enough, the ballcock will shut off the flow. A malfunctioning ballcock won’t prevent the water from continuing to run.
The float: This balloon-like object rests on the top of the water, and when it rises high enough, it will cause the ballcock to close off the flow. If the float breaks, it can’t measure the water level.

Hopefully, this advice will help you get to the bottom of what’s happened. If you find yourself confused or worried about your running toilet, don’t hesitate to contact a Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling professional. Our plumbers can fix most running toilet problems in a short time, so you won’t have money going down the drain.

We’re available with same-day service when you need plumbing assistance. Feel free to ask one of Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling’s plumbers in Blue Bell, PA anything: we wouldn’t offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee if we weren’t confident in our answers!

Tags: Blue Bell, Plumbing, Toilet
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Plumber Tip: Why Your Toilet Keeps Running

Friday, October 18th, 2013

You know the scenario: you’re sitting peacefully in a room of your house, reading a book, watching television, or sorting laundry… and then you realize the sound of the toilet running has been going on for a while. Much longer than it should considering when it was last used. That can’t be right. But what’s causing it? And is it an emergency?

Fortunately, a toilet that keeps running isn’t normally a sign to panic. Often, it’s a small glitch that’s easy to take care of. And if it’s something you can’t fix on your own, it’s usually an issue that a professional plumber can repair fast and without much difficulty. But you should get a run-on-toilet taken care of as soon as you can, because even if the malfunction isn’t threatening your plumbing or on the verge of causing flooding, it is wasting water—using up to 2 gallons a minute! If you’re looking for a Lansdale, PA plumber to handle a problem like this, contact Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling right away—and get the proper repair done right away!

When you notice the problem start, remove the lid of the toilet tank and watch the internal mechanisms at work when you pull the handle. (Please, please be careful with the lid—replacements can be expensive, far more than any of the interior components.) This should help you identify where the problem lies. The flush valve might be sticky. Perhaps the tankball is damaged and incorrectly gauging the level of the water. The ballcock might not be closing properly. The chain to the flapper could be too tight. If you’re familiar with the basic operations inside a toilet tank, you should be able to see if anything is working incorrectly.

Sometimes you can do a quick adjustment by hand (don’t worry, the water in the tank is clean) to fix a misplaced chain. However, if you’re not sure what to do, don’t fiddle around in there too much and risk causing a problem that might lead to overflow. A professional plumber can diagnose the trouble in only moments and will know what parts will need replacement or repair.

Because a running toilet can rapidly cause your water bills to mount—imagine wasting a 120 gallons in just an hour!—getting a plumber to analyze and fix the trouble with a few replacement parts is a worthwhile investment. Don’t just let the toilet continue to run and think it’s no big deal. Get a Lansdale, PA plumber on the job. Contact us at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling: same day service, satisfaction guaranteed!

Tags: Lansdale, Plumbing, Toilet
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Plumber’s Guide: Common Shower Problems

Monday, October 14th, 2013

Your daily shower is a routine you can’t miss. If you’ve got trouble with the plumbing in your shower, whether in the drain, showerhead, or faucet, you need to get it repaired as soon as possible. In this post, we’ll share with you some of the most common shower problems that plumbers deal with. This will help you prevent some of these issues and recognize how best to get them fixed.

If you find your shower suffering from any of these problems, then all you need to do is contact Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling and we’ll solve it for you.

Hair and soap scum clogs: By far the most frequent trouble people encounter with showers are drains that are slow or completely clogged. The main cause of this is a collection of hair and soap scum in the p-trap (the u-shaped curved pipe below the drain). Sometimes a plunger can clear the drain, but be cautious about trying to use liquid cleaner or a drain snake to fix the problem, since both can cause damage to the pipes. An obstinate shower clog will need a professional plumber. But you can help prevent these clogs with a drain cover that will prevent excess hair from getting down into the p-trap.
Reduced water flow: If the water from the showerhead isn’t coming out at the pressure you expect, there may be a problem with the faucet. The best fix for this is to get a high-flow faucet installed: ask a plumber about having this done. However, the problem may be in the pipes, such as silt and dirt that has gotten in through a break. Only a trained plumber has the tools and knowledge to remedy this.
Faucet leaks: Like any faucet, the one in your shower can start to develop problems like leaks. If you experience extensive leaking from the shower faucet, it may need new rings, seals, or gaskets. Unless you are trained to take apart and repair a faucet, don’t attempt to do this on your own because of the risk of causing further damage.

We know that shower problems can be extremely frustrating; getting professional assistance as soon as possible will ease your mind. At Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling, we back the work we do—whether on a shower or any other part of the plumbing in your home—with a satisfaction guarantee. Contact us today when you need a plumber in Doylestown, PA.

Tags: Doylestown, Plumbing
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Why a Professional Plumber Should Clean Your Drains

Monday, July 22nd, 2013

The drains in your home get a ton of use every single day disposing of your home’s waste water. All that use can really take its toll and cause problems to develop with your drains. Getting regular drain cleaning is one of the best ways for you to be able to potentially avoid many kinds of plumbing issues. When you need a plumber in New Hope, PA, make sure that you call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We offer complete drain cleaning services and we wanted to share a little bit about why you should always have a professional clean your drains.

Speed – When you call a professional plumber in New Hope, PA for drain cleaning, they will be able to get in and out of your home as quickly as possible. We have the tools to clear your drains quickly without damaging your pipes. We also have video camera pipe inspection which allows us to identify any issues inside your pipes.
Safety – It is usually not advisable for homeowners to put chemical drain cleaners down their drains. This is because your drains can actually experience quite a bit of damage from the chemicals, and using a drain snake incorrectly can also cause problems. When you call a plumber in New Hope, PA to do the job, we can use other techniques such as hydro-jetting, which uses pressurized water to clear the inside of your pipes.
Quality – Without the proper training and knowledge, non-professionals run the risk of their drains not getting as clean as possible. This can cause them to just build up with clogs again quickly and require more cleaning. When you call a professional for all your drain cleaning services, they will have the tools and equipment to get the job done as effectively as possible.

If you need a plumber in New Hope, PA, just call the friendly technicians at Carney Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling.

Tags: Drain Cleaning, New Hope, Plumber
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How Do I Know My Drain Cleaning Worked?

Monday, July 8th, 2013

Getting drain cleaning in your home is one of the best ways to potentially improve the function of your home’s plumbing system. But how do you know that all the work that your plumber did was actually successful? At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we offer fast and professional drain cleaning and we wanted to put together a few of the ways that you can tell if your drain cleaning helped your plumbing.

Video camera pipe inspection – Probably the best to see the effect of your drain cleaning service is for your plumber to show you with a video camera. Many plumbers offer video camera pipe inspection services that will allow you to see how clean your pipes are. Video camera inspection technology uses a small camera attached to a long cord that feeds the image onto a screen. Your plumber can run the camera deep into the pipes of your home to see if the drain cleaning service got rid of any potential clogs.
Drain effectiveness – Another great way to know how successful your drain cleaning service was is to just test the drains. If any of your drains were clogged or slow before then they should start to work more efficiently after the drain cleaning.

In addition to getting rid of slow drains, there are a lot of benefits to scheduling drain cleaning, including fewer leaks and longer lasting pipes. If you’re interested in scheduling drain cleaning for your home, just call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today.

Tags: Drain Cleaning, Plumbing
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How to Plan for Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Scheduling a bathroom remodel is a great way to bring new life into your home. Too often, though, homeowners know that they want a new bathroom but have not taken the time to really think about what they want to change. When you discuss your options with a Lansdale, PA bathroom remodeling professional at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, you will get the information and advice you need to ensure that your new bathroom will suit your style preferences and personal needs perfectly. Contact us today to learn more!

The most important thing to remember prior to your bathroom remodeling project is that you must have a strong idea of what your bathroom needs to satisfy your expectations. There are a lot of factors to consider, including any new tiling, shower and tub enclosures, toilet and sink fixtures, whirlpool and spa installations and even heated towel racks. The first step in any bathroom remodeling project is to think about what you want to achieve with the project. Once you have this general idea, though, you really need to discuss your options more specifically with a qualified professional to ensure the most comprehensive service possible.

Are their older or disabled residents living in your home? You may want to consider the installation of grab bars and seats in your shower or tub area. Are environmental concerns at the top of your priority list? Discuss low-flow toilet options to help cut down on the amount of water you consume. You’ve probably given a lot of thought to the style of shower you’d like, but what about the shower head, knobs and other accents? Your bathroom should not emphasize function alone. Feel at home in your bathroom by giving every facet of your remodel the attention and professional consideration necessary.

Contact Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today to learn more about how you can make your Lansdale, PA bathroom remodeling project a complete success. We can help you make all the right decisions about how best to improve your bathroom. Call now to get started.

Tags: Bathroom Remodeling, King of Prussia, Lansdale, New Hope, Plumbing
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What to Keep Out of Your Drains

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Our plumbing systems are often so integrated into our homes as to be unrecognizable. We think of our sink drains and showers in the same way we think of our floors and kitchen cabinets. However, your wastewater disposal system needs to be used carefully. Putting just anything down the drain can lead to untimely blockages and even backflow. At Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we want to help you minimize your repair needs and eliminate unnecessary service calls. That said, we’re available whenever you need us. Give us a call today for excellent New Hope, PA drain cleaning services.

Here are some things you shouldn’t put down your drains:

Hair: There’s probably no way to eliminate hair from going down your drains, but you can significantly reduce the presence of hair in your drains by using a hair stopper. These inexpensive devices fit over the shower drain, and they collect hair that would otherwise go down the drain. Hair is one of those organic materials that quickly becomes problematic within the drain.
Grease: Grease is another problematic substance that shouldn’t go down your drains. Although liquid when hot, grease turns into a sticky paste when cold, and can prove particularly resilient once it attaches itself to the interior of your drainpipes. Collect your cooking grease, oils, and fats into a container and throw them away.
Food scraps: Scraps of food may eventually break down within your drainpipes, but they can also create significant blockages that can hamper the flow of wastewater. This can also result in foul odors.
Foreign objects: Nothing but wastewater should go down your drainpipes. Be careful with small objects around your drains, especially jewelry and toys. Not only might it become damaged or lost after falling down the drain, you may end up causing a major clog.

Professional New Hope, PA drain cleaning is the best way to prevent the accumulation of debris in your plumbing system. Call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today.

Tags: Drain Cleaning, Hatfield, New Hope, Plumbing, Plumbing Repair, Plumsteadville
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Sewer Repair versus Replacement

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

Are your clogs backed up? Do you have wet spots in the yard? Every homeowner relies heavily upon the integrity of the pipes beneath your property that supply and remove water. But of all the issues that can occur with your plumbing system, few homeowners want to hear the phrase “sewer replacement” in their lifetime. It can be a big job, but it’s also a necessary one, so you can ensure that you get rid of wastewater effectively. But it can be difficult to determine whether your sewer needs repair or replacement. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today for comprehensive Ambler, PA sewer repair and replacement services.

The sewer line joins the drainpipes in your home to a wastewater disposal system, typically either a septic tank or a municipal sewer. Because your wastewater system is not pressurized, it depends upon gravity to do its work, and this is why your sewer is pitched at a certain angle to facilitate removal. Considering all the use and abuse it gets, it’s no wonder that it might develop problems. Let’s take a look at a few so that you can identify them should they arise.

Tree root penetration: As tree roots travel underground, they exert incredible amounts of force. If a particularly large root comes up against the surface of the pipe, it may crack it over time, which can lead to leaks and other issues. Depending on the severity of the issue, your sewer may need to be repaired or replaced.
Collapsed pipe: If your sewer line collapses, then it needs to be replaced. While there are various reasons it may have occurred, it may have just given out under the weight of the earth above it. This can occur in old piping. Alternatively, if there is any soil erosion nearby, the weight of the earth can shift, causing the pipe to move.

The most important thing you can do for any drain and sewer problems is to call a professional plumber for consultation sewer repair and replacement in Ambler, PA. Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help, so give us a call today!

Tags: Sewer Repair, Sewer Replacement
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