Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

How Plumbers Use Snakes for Drain Cleaning

Monday, February 17th, 2014

The drain snake, also called a drain auger, is one of a plumber’s best friends. These devices, based on simple principles, are powerful at clearing out some of the toughest clogs that can afflict drains. The only tool more effective at eliminating heavy drainpipe clogs is the hydro-jetter, a more complex machine that blasts out high pressure water to clear away clogs.

If you cannot clear a drain clog on your own with a plunger, then you need to call up a professional plumber to address the problem with a drain snake. Don’t reach for liquid cleaners: they are acidic and can cause damage to the interior lining of your pipes. Let the experienced plumbers at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling take care of your drain cleaning in Doylestown, PA.

How the Drain Snake Works

Drain snakes come in two basic types: manual and powered. The only difference between the two is the power source; otherwise they use the same mechanics to remove clogs.

The drain snake is made up of a long coil of metal wires that attaches to a crank on one end. The wires are flexible and can easily “snake” down the curved pipes of drains. A plumber runs the end of the drain snake down into the clogged drainpipe until it contacts the plug. The plumber then turns the crank (either by hand or with the motor), and the coil of wires screws into the clog. The action is similar to a corkscrew going into the cork of a wine bottle. Once the coil is imbedded into the clog, the plumber can either pull it back up through the drain to remove it, or move the wires around to break up the clog so it will wash down the drain.

Some drain snakes have multiple attachments for different kind of clogs. A plumber can determine which type will work best, as well as deciding if the job requires a motorized auger rather than a manual auger.

Call For Professional Drain Cleaning Service

Manual drain snakes are available in some hardware stores as well as online. (Motorized models are also available, but are usually too expensive for consumer use.) However, we don’t advise that you attempt to use a drain snake without training because you can potentially damage the pipe interior. Let a skilled plumber do the job, and it will be over fast with no problems.

A drain snake is only part of effective drain cleaning in Doylestown, PA. For comprehensive cleaning of all the build-up in your drains, call Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We offer complete drain cleaning services that will restore your plumbing to like-new condition.

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Look for These Warnings You Need Water Heater Repair

Friday, February 7th, 2014

Running hot water isn’t something people are willing to negotiate. Like indoor plumbing and electricity, it’s an essential for daily life, keeping you clean and helping with cooking and washing. If your water heater begins to show signs that it requires professional attention, you need to act on the knowledge fast and call a technician for repairs. We’ll list some of the warnings you may receive that your water heater is failing.

Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling is “The Plumber That Other Plumbers Recommend.” We’ve served Bucks and Montgomery Counties with excellent plumbing services since 1976. Give us a call when you notice any of these signs that indicate it’s time for water heater repair in New Hope, PA.

  • A drop in hot water levels: If you notice that you’re receiving less hot water during the day than you are accustomed to (such as the hot water stopping early during your morning shower), don’t shrug it off as a temporary issue that will fix itself. This is often a sign of a disruption in the power source for the heater, whether electric or gas, and a professional will need to look into the cause and find a way to fix it.
  • A heating bill increase: If your water heater is working ineffectively because of a malfunction, it will draw a larger amount of power to provide you with the same level of hot water. A sudden increase in your power bills that you can’t account for because of a problem with your HVAC system may stem from a broken heater.
  • Rust-colored water from the taps: Rusty water is a common sight if you turn on a faucet after it hasn’t been used for a few weeks. But if you spot this same reddish-brown coloration in your hot water during normal use, then rust has started to infiltrate the hot water tank. This needs to be investigated right away before the corrosion damages the tank enough that it needs replacement.
  • Leaks: If you notice water pools around the water heater’s tank, you definitely have a problem. Any leaking from a water heater is a serious concern that needs attention right away.

You can avoid a “cold water surprise” during a morning shower if you have repairs on your water heater done as soon as possible. With Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling, we always have actual people answering our phones 24-hours a day to send technicians when you need them. There’s no reason to delay your water heater repair in New Hope, PA!

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What Causes Bad Smells from Your Drains

Monday, January 20th, 2014

Having bad odors enter your home is unpleasant and potentially embarrassing. If you detect a sewer-like odor emanating from your drains, it’s something you will want eliminated as soon as possible. Sometimes the fix is simple. At other times, it will require calling for plumbers to resolve the trouble.

Here are some reasons for those bad drain odors. For any assistance you need with plumbing in Wayne, PA, contact Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We offer same-day service, satisfaction guaranteed.

Reasons for bad-smelling drains

  • Dry p-trap: This is the simplest problem, and easy to fix. If you only notice a sewage smell coming from one of your drains, the trouble might be a dry p-trap. The p-trap is the curved section of the drainpipe underneath the sink. It is responsible for capturing water to form a plug against sewer gases coming back up the pipe. If the bad-smelling sink is one that hasn’t been used in a while (for example, in an unused guest bedroom), this is probably the reason for the smell. The solution is to pour water down the sink to restore the plug against the sewer gas. Try to regularly run water down sinks that don’t see much use.
  • Sewer line issues: If the odors are coming up from sinks all around the house, the trouble might be a break or block in the sewer line that carries wastewater out to the municipal sewer system. The odors will probably be accompanied by clogs and gurgling sounds from the drains. This is a major repair issue that needs professionals to take care of right away, since it can lead to sewage flooding into your home’s basement or foundations.
  • Venting problems: Along with the p-trap, your plumbing probably has another method of preventing sewer gas from entering your house: venting pipes. These pipes remove back-flowing sewer gases and run them up to the roof of the house. They can become clogged from debris, animal nests, and snow, and this will force the sewer gases back down and up through your drains. Don’t try to clear the roof yourself; call for assistance.

A dry p-trap is an easy fix, but sewer line breaks and blocked vents are work for professionals. If you can’t stop the problems with your drains using simple methods, you will need to call for expert plumbing in Wayne, PA. Turn to Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling, “The Plumber that Other Plumbers Recommend.” We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured so you know you are getting quality service.

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What Are My Options for a Water Treatment System?

Monday, January 13th, 2014

Whole-house water treatment systems are an excellent way to get fresh, clean water without the worries about the contaminants that can filter in from the municipal water supply. Instead of spending money on bottled water or ineffective local filters, you can treat all the water entering your home at one time. You will not just get water that’s healthier to drink, you’ll get water that’s better for your appliances and fixtures.

There are many different options available for your whole-home water treatment system. We’ll go over some that Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers. If you are thinking of installing a water treatment system in Doylestown, PA, contact us and we’ll help you find the right one.

Water treatment system options

  • Water softeners: If the problem that afflicts your water supply is hard water—water with high levels of minerals such as magnesium and calcium suspended in it—then you will want to have a water softener installed. Hard water isn’t usually harmful to drink, but it can create serious problems in plumbing because of mineral deposits, and it can damage appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines. A water softener balances the chemicals in your water to add salt to soften it and eliminate the trouble of hard water.
  • Reverse osmosis systems: These units remove many small particles out of water that standard filters won’t catch. They work by creating two separate sections of water with different pressure levels, which forces the water through a semi-permeable membrane that filters out small contaminants. Reverse osmosis is especially helpful for water with high salinization levels.
  • Acid neutralizers: Acidic water is bad news all around, but there are special acid neutralizers that can eliminate this threat to you and your pipes. They won’t add excess minerals to your water if they receive a proper professional installation.
  • UV water disinfecting systems: The use of ultraviolet radiation is a safe and powerful way to eliminate bacteria, viruses, mold, e. coli, and other biological contaminants that can enter into your water and have a negative effect on your health. These systems do not introduce other chemicals into your water such as chlorine.

Have water testing done today

The first step you should take when you are thinking about having a water treatment system installed is to schedule water testing. Contact Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling to perform this service, which will discover what issues in your water require treatment. Using this information, we can help you select the water treatment system that will provide you with the cleanest, safest water possible. Make us your first call for a water treatment system in Doylestown, PA.

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A Brief Guide to Some Essential Plumbing Components

Friday, December 13th, 2013

The more water-using appliances we have in our houses, the more we need to rely on the experience of professional plumbers to handle maintenance and repairs. When you need assistance with your plumbing in Villanova, PA, don’t rely on amateurs or a few on-line “how-to-guides”: look to the expert plumbers at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

Here are some of the basic components of your plumbing, from the large (water main) to the small (p-trap). If you encounter trouble with any of these, such as leaks or clogging, you need to contact a plumber immediately.

Water Main

This is the line the runs from the municipal water supply into your home and delivers fresh water to you. It must be kept in good repair or you risk contamination of your water supply or the possible loss of all your running water.

Sewer Main

This is opposite component to the water main. The sewer line runs the waste water from your home out to the municipal sewer system. Damage to this line can result in sewage flooding into your home, as well as smaller but still troublesome issues such as sinks backing up and pest infestations.

Copper / PEX pipes

Pipes are, of course, essential for home plumbing. However, the material from which modern pipes are constructed is key to how well they perform their function. Pipes used to be constructed from galvanized steel, which is strong but inflexible and prone to corrosion with age. Today, PEX and copper are the most popular material for pipes. Copper is durable but less costly than steel, resists corrosion, and won’t crack and crumble from age. PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) is a synthetic material that is more flexible than rigid plastic or steel, won’t corrode, and is resistant to limescale and chlorine.

P-traps

You probably see the p-traps of your sinks more often than any other part of the piping of your home: they are the curved pipe right below the drains. P-traps are responsible for maintaining a barrier of water in the piping near the drains, and this water serves as a plug to prevent sewer odors from escaping through the septic system and into your home. P-traps can often become clogged with debris and food particles and require cleaning.

There are many more components that make up the plumbing in your home. It takes years of training to know and understand them all. This is why it’s important that when plumbing issues start in your home that you call up a trusted professional plumber for repairs. Make sure you contact knowledgeable plumbers when you need help. Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers same day service and a satisfaction guarantee: make us your first call for Villanova, PA plumbing service.

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Why Is My Hot Water Discolored?

Monday, December 9th, 2013

Turning on a sink faucet and discovering the water is colored a rusty brown is something you might expect if you have returned from a long vacation and no one has turned on the water in a few weeks. In less than a minute, this discoloration will go away. But what if this happens to your hot water during a regular day? Does it mean that the hot water heater has developed a malfunction and needs repairs or replacement?

A malfunctioning water heater is one possibility. We’ll go over some other reasons, and whether they mean you’ll need repairs for your heater or plumbing. Whatever the cause for the trouble, you can call on Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling to fix it. When it comes to water heater repair in New Hope, PA, we are “the plumber that other plumbers recommend.”

Reasons for hot water discoloration

  • Corrosion in galvanized iron plumbing: The problem might indeed be rust, the same as when you turn on faucets after a long absence. If you have older plumbing, this is often the cause. (Plastic and copper tubing do not encounter this issue.) You may consider repiping.
  • Disturbances in the municipal water system: The trouble may come from the city’s water supply and have nothing to do with your home at all. Try running cold water from another tap in the house. If it comes out discolored as well, then it is likely a municipal issue—and you’ll know your water heater is not at fault.
  • Sediment in the water heater: Now we come to issues inside the water heater. Sediment can build up in the heater’s tank (usually because of breaks in the underground pipes) and enter the water, causing discoloration. You will need to have a professional flush the tank to remove the sediment, and you should enroll in regular maintenance to prevent it from re-occurring.
  • An aging water heater: If your heater is approaching the end of its manufacturer’s expected lifespan, discoloration is usually a final sign before it breaks down completely. Corrosion and dirt infiltration are starting to override the water heater. You should have it replaced as soon as possible.

Call in the experts

If you can’t solve the problem with discolored water on your own, look to Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling for quality hot water repair in New Hope, PA. We provide a 2-year labor warranty along with a 6-year tank and part warranty through the manufacturer. Schedule an appointment with us today for an honest assessment of your water heater’s situation and an expert opinion on what you can do. We offer free estimates.

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How Professional Drain Cleaning Protects Your System

Monday, November 18th, 2013

Sooner or later, enough food, hair or other particles builds up in your pipes enough to cause a back-up in your sink, requiring a good Hatfield, PA plumber to fix. In some cases, you may be tempted to try cleaning the drain yourself, using either a cleanser or a snake bought from the store. In all but the most benign cases, this is a mistake. Professional plumbers can do the job much more safely and effectively than a store-bought method. Here’s how professional drain cleaning protects your system.

The key lies in a professional plumber’s experience and the variety of resources he has at his disposal. Store-bought solutions, whether chemical cleansers or snakes, tend to be one-size-fits all approaches. They don’t differentiate between the kinds of materials that make up the clog. Hardened grease, for instance, has a much different consistency than toothpaste and hair. Applying a general solution to each clog runs the risk of not working, while possibly causing damage to your pipes in the process.

A professional on the other hand, can apply different chemicals, and/or has access to much more flexible equipment than the average layman. For instance, a professional plumber’s snake often comes with interchangeable heads, letting the plumber tailor it to fit a specific clog. That lets him break up the clog without scratching or damaging the pipes in the process. In the event a pipe needs to be removed or replaced, the plumber knows how to do that as well: conducting the operation quickly and efficiently, while ensuring that the pipe doesn’t spring a leak at the fittings or cause some other problem.

If you’re having problems with a slow drain, call upon Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to help. We can explain how drain cleaning works, and implement the right solution to fix your particular needs. Don’t waste time and money adopting quick-fix solutions bought off the shelf. Call us today to set up an appointment, and make sure your drains are cleaned properly.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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