Carney All Seasons Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Should I Be Concerned About Hard Water?

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Do you have an off-white buildup of gunk around your faucets or sink drains? Does your water taste like it has high mineral content? If so, you may have hard water in your home. Hard water affects the majority of homes in America, and if you have it in your home, your plumbing may be at risk of damage. While hard water is not typically hazardous to your health, it is can affect the extensive network of piping that runs through your home. In this post, we’d like to examine in more detail what hard water is and whether you should be concerned about it. If you’re in need of a water treatment system in Chalfont, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

First, let’s explain what hard water actually is. Hard water is so called because of its high mineral content. As the water moves through the ground before it is picked up by your water supply source, it can pick up various types of minerals, as well as contaminants. As a good solvent, water is quick to pick up impurities from various other materials. Hard water is mainly caused by high levels of calcium and magnesium in addition to other trace minerals. The higher level of minerals dissolved in the water, the “harder” it becomes.

While hard water in and of itself is not often considered to be a health hazard, it can negatively impact your plumbing. As hard water moves through your piping, it leaves behind mineral deposits called “scale” and these deposits often have a white or green color. As they build up inside your pipes, they actually begin to restrict the flow of water. The rate at which your piping is affected is determined by the level of mineral content. But the consequences of hard water can be dire. It can result in whole house repiping if it’s not caught early.

Fortunately, there are numerous water treatment systems available for installation that can eliminate the hardness of your water, from water softeners, reverse osmosis, and various types of filtration. For a more information about water treatment systems in Chalfont, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

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What is Hydro Jetting and How Does it Work?

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Keeping your wastewater disposal system working well throughout the year is critical. While we often take our plumbing for granted, it’s actually quite a complicated system that relies on certain hydrodynamic principles so that you can take hot showers, flush the toilet as much as you want, and clean your laundry. We want to emphasize the importance of drain cleaning in this post. For every bit of grease, hair, food scrap, and non-organic matter that made it into your drainpipes, you risk substantial accumulations within the interior of your pipes that can begin to create plumbing problems. Hydro-jetting is an simple solution to such problems. For all of your New Hope, PA drain cleaning needs, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today!

So, what is hydro-jetting? As its name suggests, it uses a pressurized stream of water to clean your drainpipes. The process is relatively straightforward, but the equipment is specially designed for this task. The compressor, hose, and nozzle work cooperatively to produce an effective stream of pressurized water that can quickly break up sludge, grease, and other debris that can cause partial blockages and even total clogs. While equipment varies, the compressor is calibrated to provide up to 4000 psi (pounds per square inch) at a flow rate of up to 18 gpm (gallons per minute). Hydro-jetting is therefore both thorough and incredibly fast, compared to other methods of drain cleaning.

The nozzle at the end of the hose is designed to clean at 360° so that the entire interior surface of the drainpipe is thoroughly cleaned. The hose is typically insert at the “cleanout,” which is an access point designed for professional service needs. The hose works against gravitational pressure so that any dislodged debris can then run down the cleaned section of piping. Hydro-jetting is so powerful, it can often remove mineral deposits, but it does so safely, without the use of chemicals that can damage your plumbing as well as the environment.

For comprehensive New Hope, PA drain cleaning services, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today! 

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When to Schedule Sewer Repair

Monday, April 29th, 2013

We often take the features of our modern plumbing for granted until they present a problem to our daily life. While our sewer systems are meant to last, having been constructed out of durable materials, over time they endure a lot of wear and tear, and may eventually need professional repair. Let’s look at some reasons to schedule sewer repair. Call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today if you think your sewer line may be in need of professional attention.

So, when should you schedule sewer repair for your Doylestown, PA home?

  • Leak: If you notice wet spots in your yard, or a foul odor wafting through your property, then your sewer line may be leaking into the ground. There are numerous causes for sewer leaks. If your wastewater system is old, then it may have collapsed to old age, or it may have become damaged because of shifting soil density and erosion, possibly from a nearby construction project. Alternatively, a tree root may have exerted enough force on the pipe’s exterior to penetrate it.
  • Clog: Clogs can occur suddenly, perhaps due to a non-organic object getting stuck in your drainage system, or by the slow accumulation of years of transporting wastewater. If you think you have a deep clog within your sewer, and the drains throughout your home are not flushing water, then your may need to have you sewer line inspected. Video camera inspection is the best way to see what’s going on underground.
  • Slow drain: Don’t settle for slow drainage out of your home. It might be caused by hard water, which tends to leaves mineral deposits within your pipes. Over time, these can accumulate and create a hardened lining that restricts the flow of wastewater. Routine drain cleaning is a great way to avoid slow drains and clogs.

If you have any doubts about your sewer line, then don’t hesitate to call a professional. When you need sewer repair in Doylestown, PA, call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling!

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Drain Cleaning Tools of the Trade

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

When you think of drain cleaning, you may have an image of pouring harsh chemicals down your shower drain to clear hair and soap. While you’ve got the “clearing” aspect right, professional drain cleaning avoids the use of harsh chemicals that can damage your plumbing. Instead, we use a variety of tools and equipment to make sure that your drainpipes and sewer line operate well. In this post, we’d like to review our tools of the trade so that you know exactly what goes on during the process. For more information about our Lansdale, PA drain cleaning services, call the experts at Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

  • Drain rooter: A drain rooter is a kind of motorized snake with a rotating head. It moves within your drainpipes to remove tough and resilient accumulations of organic debris, including roots that have penetrated your sewer line. When a simple manual augur won’t do the trick, a rooter can handle even difficult blockages with ease.
  • Hydro-jetting: Hydro-jet drain cleaning is a very effective way to clean your drains thoroughly and without risk of damage. A hose with a special nozzle contains highly pressurized water that moves through your piping. The nozzle can move 360° so that it covers the entire interior in a single pass. The pressure of the hose is about 3000 psi, but may be as high as 4000 psi in certain applications. This easily breaks up sludge and grime, emulsifies grease, and even disintegrates mineral deposits.
  • Video camera inspection: While not technically a part of drain cleaning, we include it here nonetheless, because video camera inspection is the best way to diagnose problematic sections of your sewerage system. 

Professional drain cleaning is a great way to make sure that your home plumbing continues to operate effectively. To schedule a Lansdale, PA drain cleaning service, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today! 

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Common Reasons to Call a Plumber

Monday, April 15th, 2013

While most homeowners can appreciate the value of a good plumber, it is not always obvious to our clients when they should call us. Is the job too small for a pro? Am I just being finicky with this leak? These are common concerns, and while we appreciate the sentiment, even seemingly minor plumbing problems can often develop into major problems. Leaks, clogs, and other issues do not simply go away—they tend only to worsen with time, as they damage the surrounding materials and surfaces. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of common reasons to call a plumber. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. For more information, or to schedule a plumber in Lansdale, PA, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!

  • Clog: Because of the relatively small diameter of plumbing pipes, it does not often take much to cause a clog. It’s imperative to ensure that you monitor what goes down your drainpipe. No grease, fats, oils, hair, non-organic waste, and no toys. While a plunger may assist the intrepid DIY homeowner, serious clogs require the skills and expertise of a pro.
  • Leak: Your plumbing is an engineered set of piping, joints, connections, valves, and appliances that distribute and remove water from your home. Keeping in mind all the various twists, turns, and directions that your plumbing undergoes, it’s no wonder that it will develop leaks at some point during its life. For the most part, leaks are simply part of general wear and tear, and can be professionally repaired in a straightforward manner. But when they’re left to linger, or when they occur frequently, they can indicate serious problems.
  • Poor water quality: If you’re concerned about the quality of your home water supply, whether it comes from a well or a municipal source, you should have your water tested by a professional plumber. A system analysis and consultation can help you figure out what water treatment option is best for you so that you can enjoy fresh, great-tasting water in your home.

These are just a few reasons to call a plumber in Lansdale, PA. When you need excellent service, call Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling! 

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