Plumbing Problems in Older Homes: What to Watch For

Most people only schedule plumbing services when they have an emergency, like a clogged drain line, pipe leak, or other issue that negatively impacts the peace and function of their homes. However, many homeowners in Tucson, AZ, don't realize that scheduling preventative plumbing services can save them money in the long term and prevent the need for costly services and repairs over time. Preventative Plumbing in Tucson, AZ: Save Money with Routine Inspections Your home plumbing service system is intricate; it comprises many different pipes, connections, pieces, and drains. Without routine maintenance, any one of these aspects can malfunction, creating a serious inconvenience that disrupts your life, increases your stress levels, and requires costly repairs. When you schedule routine maintenance, you can mitigate plumbing emergencies and enjoy all the benefits of an efficient plumbing system. At these appointments, an expert plumber will evaluate the various aspects of your plumbing system to ensure its overall efficiency and longevity. Sewer Line and Septic System Maintenance Sewer line maintenance is a type of preventative maintenance that can keep your sewer line working efficiently. During this service, plumbers can evaluate your sewer line, detect any potential issues like foul odors, strange sounds, or slow drains, and make the necessary repairs to prevent complete system malfunction. The plumbers can also maintain your septic system and evaluate all components to ensure it is processing waste efficiently and not experiencing any type of backup. Sump Pump Maintenance Another important aspect of preventative maintenance for plumbing systems is sump pump maintenance. When you schedule routine service for your sump pump, the plumbers will evaluate its components and provide the right services to keep it in optimal condition to efficiently accommodate any excess water during storms and prevent home flooding. Drain Maintenance Your drains experience a significant amount of use on a daily basis, which is why routine maintenance is so important. Even a minor drain clog that isn't yet affecting your plumbing system can easily turn into one that does. With routine drain maintenance, plumbers can remove existing clogs to prevent them from backing up the entire system, detect and address any underlying issues, and prevent costly plumbing repairs. They can also ensure that any backflow doesn't contaminate your clean water supply and test the purity of your water to protect your family's overall health. Pipe Maintenance Plumbers can also complete routine pipe maintenance and evaluate the state of your pipes to ensure there's no corrosion and promote optimal function year-round. If they detect any issues, they can bring them to your attention early on so that you can make the necessary repairs or pipe replacements to ensure your family's health and optimal pipe function. Routine maintenance is an investment in your home and your plumbing system. Our team can help you keep your plumbing system in optimal working order year-round with specific services tailored to your needs and system. We'll make recommendations you can trust and provide you with the highest quality service. Contact Economy Plumbing Service LLC in Tucson, AZ, to learn more about our services and schedule your next maintenance appointment.

A major pipe burst can flood your Tucson, AZ home in minutes. Stay calm, act fast, and call an emergency plumber once you've stopped the flow. How to Deal With a Major Pipe Burst, Fast Protect Your Family If you've got small children or pets nearby, get them out of the affected area right away. Either the water itself or an electrical issue could endanger them, and they won't know how to stay out of your way or keep themselves safe. Shut Off the Water Head straight to your home's main shutoff valve: don't worry about assessing the damage or grabbing any belongings yet. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops. In most homes this valve is in the basement near the water heater, by the front foundation wall, or where the main line enters from the street. Turn Off the Electricity If the burst is near any outlets, lights, or appliances, turn off power to those areas at your breaker box. Only do this if you can reach the panel safely without stepping in deep water. If it feels risky, leave it alone and wait for help. Drain Remaining Water from the Pipes With the main water supply off, open all the cold-water faucets in the house and flush the toilets once. This relieves pressure and empties the lines so there's less water to keep spraying from the burst spot. Leave the faucets open until the flow slows to a drip. Document Everything Before Cleanup Get photos and videos of the damage right after you've stopped the water. You'll want evidence of the burst pipe, your wet floors, any affected walls and furniture, and damage to any belongings. You will need this for your insurance claim later, and the insurance companies will need proof that the damage came from this burst pipe rather than something else. Move Belongings and Contain the Water Lift rugs and move electronics, furniture, and important papers out of the wet zone. If the water is spreading, roll up towels or use plastic sheeting to block doorways and keep it from reaching other rooms. Work fast but safely. Don't carry heavy, soaked items if they're too heavy for you, and focus on irreplaceable items first, like photos, electronics, and documents. Call a Tucson, AZ Emergency Plumber Don't wait if water is involved, because every minute you lose is another minute for mold to grow or a new problem to develop.  A good emergency plumber can isolate the problem, make a temporary repair if it's after hours, and plan for a permanent fix as soon as possible while coordinating with a restoration team. Start Removing Standing Water While you wait for the plumber, use mops, towels, a wet/dry vacuum, or buckets to get water off the floor. The faster you remove it, the less it soaks into subfloors or walls. Open the windows and run fans to improve airflow if the weather allows. Your aim is getting the area as dry as possible. You've got this. Act fast, and call us at Economy Plumbing Service, LLC at 520-885-3510 for the best emergency plumbing service in Tucson.

We rely on our gas lines in Tucson to heat our homes, give us instant hot water, power our stoves, and more. Keeping your gas line safe is a serious responsibility, because the dangers of a problem in the gas line can be deadly. Here's some warning signs to look out for. Warning Signs That Gas Lines in Tucson Are in Trouble Emergency Signs Some warning signs are emergencies, and you cannot ignore them. Call your gas provider or emergency services and leave the area immediately if: You smell a sulfurous odor in or immediately around your house People in the house are suddenly and inexplicably experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath If gas is escaping into the house, it can cause you and your family serious physical harm. The gas, as you breathe it, begins to displace the oxygen in your blood. You gradually asphyxiate or suffocate if you are exposed to too much for too long. Non-Emergency There are other warning signs that are less immediately serious, but you need to pay attention to them, regardless, as they could quickly turn serious: Corrosion Always inspect your pipes regularly, and if you see rust or other corrosion on them, be sure to call a qualified contractor right away. There may also be an issue if you notice flaking or bubbling of paint near your gas lines or a lot of dampness and residue around the fittings. A professional can seal joints and even replace a bad section of pipe if needed. Hissing If you hear hissing near a gas appliance or a meter, it likely means that gas is escaping. Even a little bit of a leak can increase your bills, of course, and indoors, it can create a very dangerous condition. Contact a professional contractor right away to take a look. If it's a single appliance, turn off the gas to that appliance. Bigger Bills If your habits haven't really changed, but the cost of your gas bill keeps going up, try turning off all your gas appliances and writing down the meter reading. Then, wait for an hour or two and check the meter again. If it has gone up, you have a leak. Low Pressure If the flame on your stove or in your furnace doesn't have the power it should have, then you could have a leak somewhere in the line leading to that appliance, or there could be a blockage. There also could be a faulty regulator in the appliance itself or corrosion in the piping. If several appliances seem to be affected, then the issue could be farther down the line and could be either your responsibility or something that your utility company needs to deal with. A contractor can investigate the situation and help you figure out what's going on. If you're noticing any issues with your gas line, schedule an appointment with us at Economy Plumbing Service LLC in Tucson or call us 24/7 at 520-885-3510. We also serve Vail, Rita Ranch, Oro Valley, and Green Valley.