Your plumbing system is responsible for distributing potable water throughout your home. For this system to work correctly, you need to have a properly functioning water line. The team at Apollo Drain & Rooter is here for all of your water line needs in Portland, Vancouver, and beyond.
If you have a leak in your water line, you are going to be wasting a considerable amount of water regardless of the size of that leak. This is because your water line is not like an appliance that leaks only when in use. Your water line will leak constantly. This is why it’s important that you’re able to spot the signals that you’re in need of water line repairs, such as:
If you have any reason at all to even suspect that your water line is leaking, let us know. We want to ensure that your water line repairs are completed promptly, and exceptionally well. So long as you remember to dial our number, there’ll be no doubt about it.
Not having water in your home can be an inconvenience. If you need a water line replacement, it’s in your best interest to go ahead and get the job out of the way. There are a few instances in which you may need to schedule a water line replacement.
If you have a catastrophic failure with your water line, such as a freezing and bursting situation in the winter, then replacing it may be your only option. If you need water line repairs, but it looks like the pipe is not really worth salvaging, or if it’s made of subpar materials, a replacement may make the most sense as well.
At Apollo Drain & Rooter, we use only the best of materials when it comes to repairing, installing or constructing your home or business’s water line. We prefer to either use professional grade Pex Pipe, or Copper. Pex pipe is flexible, cheaper than copper, easy to install, and is resistant to corrosion and leaking, making it the ideal choice for your home or business water line needs. Copper can also be used to provide a stable, solution to your plumbing needs, though the material cost is more expensive, and the piping is less flexible, so it is harder to install. We do not use any galvanized or CPVC piping when it comes to your water line.
When you work with the team at Apollo Drain and Rooter, you’re working with the best in the business. It doesn’t matter if you need a brand new water line installed in a brand new property, or if you need emergency repairs completed on the water line in your existing plumbing system. Our plumbers are here, day or night, to make sure the job is a complete success.
You probably have a leak somewhere. If you haven’t noticed any standing water, stained ceilings or drywall, or soggy spots, start by checking your toilets. Put a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank and wait 15 minutes (do not flush while you’re waiting!). If you see color in your tank, it is leaking and the ball and/or flapper need to be replaced. If you can’t find your leak, give us a call and we’ll figure out where all that water is going.
We recommend a septic inspection at least once every three or four years. That way, you can catch problems before they become major issues. If your septic tank gets too full, you can end up with unwanted solids, like paper, flowing into your drain field. These will eventually block the pipes there, which can be very expensive to repair.
If your garbage disposal smells, there’s likely a buildup of food debris inside it. This debris can stick to the walls and refuse to drain. Get rid of the odor by placing ice cubes or citrus peels in it and running it for 30 seconds. Keep it running and squirt a generous helping of liquid dishwasher detergent into it. Finally, run cold water down the disposal for at least 30 seconds to wash any loosened debris away. If this doesn’t make your kitchen smell better, call us for further help.
Avoid frozen pipes this winter by taking a few easy steps. Turn off your outside faucets and remove any hoses that are connected in them, allowing any water still in the pipes to drain out. Further waterproof your pipes with a kit or supplies from your local hardware store. Follow directions on the supplies to wrap and insulate your pipes this winter. If you have a sprinkler system, get it drained and blown out before the ground freezes.
That white substance is mineral buildup and it may indicate that you have hard water. To remove it, pour a cup of vinegar into a bag. Tie the bag tightly around the faucet, so the mineral deposits are soaking in the vinegar. Leave it on overnight. In the morning, use a brush to scrape away the mineral deposits. If you can remove your sink aerators or your shower head, do so and simply soak them in vinegar overnight.
You may need to experiment to find out where you want to set the temperature on your hot water heater so you have enough hot water for your family’s needs but can save as much money as possible. Most people find that 120 degrees is the best setting for them. In fact, this is the standard that manufacturers use when they preset water heaters at the factory. If you can’t set yours to a particular temperature, start somewhere in the middle and work up or down from there.