Yearly Archives: 2020

How long does a water softener last for?

A water softener can last anywhere from 10-15 years yet will require periodic maintenance and service in order to last a longer amount of time. 

How long does it take to get soft water after installing a water softener?

After getting a water softener installed you’ll have softened water upon use yet you’ll start to have scale removed from your pipes in two weeks.

Will a water softener clean my pipes?

A water softener will work to eliminate the hard water scale from inside your pipes and appliances as it works to reduce the amount of magnesium and calcium in water which plays an active hand in pipe corrosion and clogs. Additionally, softened water will work towards getting rid of the soap scum left behind when cleaning with hard water.

What should I look for when buying a water softener?

If you’re in the market for a water softener first determine what the appropriate size will be for your property. You can do this by multiplying the number of people in your home by the gallons of water they use each day. (A helpful point of reference is that usually 80 gallons per person is used each day on average.) Multiply that number by the grains of hardness in your water to see how many grains will need to be removed each day.

Do water softeners need maintenance?

A water softener will require maintenance periodically such as adding the right type of water softener salt into the system as needed. As most water softeners are fully automatic and provided they are properly sized with your home, they can operate for years with minimal maintenance. See what needs to be done with your particular system specifications by speaking with a professional about these details upon installation.

Is it bad to let your water softener run out of salt?

If you forget to top off your water softener the softening resin will stay saturated which will bring the ion exchange to an abrupt halt and allow hard water minerals into your pipes, fixtures, and appliances once more. In order to avoid this make sure to periodically refill your brine tank with salt. 

Should my water softener recharge every night?

Regular regenerations with your water softener are recommended as it will keep the resin bed active. Regeneration should be done every two to three days yet with highly efficient water softeners you’ll see regenerations every day or even multiple times a day.

Get in Touch With an Expert About a Water Softener For Your Property

When you’re looking to have a water softener for your property it’s best to get set up with a professional who will best be able to match the right kind of system with the specifications and needs of your property. A water softener installation will be easy to maintain and you can discuss instructions of care with your installer. Ensure that your pipes, appliances, and fixtures are being taken care of with softened water running through them. Get better water quality today with the addition of a water softener system. 

If you’re interested in a water softener in Dallas, TX call Tribeca Plumbing, Inc. at (214) 402-5454 for a great system!

What Does Rough-In Mean for a Toilet Installation?

Are you wondering what a rough-in toilet installation entails? Please review the following bullet points to learn more.

• To begin with, the measures for the area must be correct. Make sure that the toilet will fit the space. In order to do this, measure the rough-in size. This is the distance between the wall behind the toilet and the center of the drainpipe or the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor.
• This measurement should be done before the old toilet is removed. 
• You will measure the wall behind the toilet to the center of one of the closet bolts. These are bolts that hold the toilet down. 
• If your toilet has four bolts, then you can measure it to the center of one of the rear ones. Next, you will measure from the center of the mounting holes to the back of the new toilet you’re considering. You will compare these two measurements. If the base of the new toilet is smaller than the distance between the rear bolt holes and the wall, the new toilet should fit.

Do All Toilets Fit the Same?

Are you wondering whether all toilets fit the same? Actually, most toilets will have a twelve-inch rough-in. If you have a toilet with a ten or fourteen-inch rough-in, you should know that these toilets are a little less common. Because these toilets are less common, you won’t have as much of a toilet selection to choose from than if you have a twelve-inch rough-in. Nonetheless, a reputable plumber will be able to install your need toilet regardless of the dimensions of the rough-in.

How Long Does it Take to Install a New Toilet?

If you are scheduling a new toilet installation? If so, it will be important for you to understand how long the process will take so that you can schedule accordingly. According to leading plumbing experts in the industry, it takes between one to four hours for a proper toilet installation. This time range depends on the difficulty of the toilet installation.

Can an Elongated Toilet Replace a Round Toilet?

Technically speaking, an elongated toilet seat will fit on a round toilet, nut the fit and the comfort of the toilet overall will be compromised. This is because an elongated toilet seat will potentially overhand a round toilet seat. This would be fine except the rim of the toilet will be visible within the opening of the toilet seat.

With regard to an actual toilet installation, an elongated toilet will not usually fit in the same space as a round-front toilet. If the plumbing fixture is specially designed, it could work, however.

What is Toilet Installation?

The best person to consult concerning your new toilet installation is a certified and insured plumber or plumbing company. Plumbers are individuals who are specially trained and have the right tools and experience to manifest a superb toilet installation.

What is 3 Bolt Toilet Installation?

Are you looking for more information pertaining to 3 bolt toilet installations? There is a proper way to tighten toilet bolts. This means that if you tighten the bolts too much, you can pull the closest bolt out through the flange which could potentially break the flange or the porcelain. That is why it is important to secure a plumber for such plumbing installations because if anything were to go wrong, a plumber would know how to solve the plumbing conundrum.

Toilet Install

If you are searching for toilet installation services, it will be important to be discerning with how you go about selecting your plumbing company or plumber. Please be sure to ask a friend or neighbor for a referral or search the internet for a plumbing company with good reviews that ranks highly.

Are you in need of a new toilet installation in Dallas, TX? If so, we can help. Please reach out to us at (214) 402-5454 to set up an appointment today.

With no type of water leak detection equipment, the following are signs of a potential water leak:  

• Exceedingly exorbitant water bill
• Musty odor with mildew or mold growth
• Running water sounds when there is no water running
• Ceilings, floors, or walls sagging, water-stained
• Floor has warm spots

If you are experiencing any of these things, call a plumber that is a leak detection company, and have them come inspect your home. Not all plumbers can do leak detection and plumbing, just as not all plumbers service commercial property.

Because this can get expensive after you find the leak, you want a plumber that does both leak detection and repair. Otherwise, a leak detection company arrives, finds the leak and will either have a plumber they are connected with do the repair, or you must find your own plumber.

Is there a device to detect water leaks?

The second most homeowner insurance claim is water damage, with an average cost of $10,000 or more to re-mediate the damage and problem.  Therefore, early detection is so important and why insurance companies encourage the purchase and use of leak detection equipment and water sensors.

There are several leak detection units available today, and they have proven themselves in helping to minimize water damage in homes all over the country.  While this equipment is small, the sensors are mighty, keeping homes free from water damage.  Before you purchase one, we offer recommendations of what to look for in a water leak detection system:

• Automatic Water Shut-Off: It would seem that any leak detection system would have automatic water shut-off, but they don’t. Without this feature, the system will alert you there is a water leak detected, but the water keeps leaking. This will make the unit more expensive to purchase, but the money it will save in the long run could be greater. 
• Freezing Temperature Monitoring: Again, to us, this seems like it should be the standard part of a leak detection system, but it isn’t on all of them. If your home is in the norther part of the country where temperatures get below freezing for several days and nights at a time, this feature will warn you that your pipes are freezing. This allows you time to take action to keep the water flowing in the pipes before it freezes. 
• Mobile App: A water leak detection system will not do you much good if you’re not home. You need to know when there is a water leak, when you’re sitting in the living room or when you’re across the country on business. 

What could cause a water leak?

Here are eight potential water leaks that leak detection installed in your home can stop from causing any damage:

1. Seals Broken: There are seals with every appliance that uses water. After some time, those seals dry out or wear out and a leak will begin. When your appliances were installed, the contractor put seals around all water connectors. 
2. Lines Clogged: When drains become clogged, it can cause busted pipes or overflowing drains. This can be in a bathroom, the kitchen at the water heater, and in your HVAC system.
3. Corroded Lines: Plumbing lines become corroded over time and after long enough, that corrosion eats away at the pipes, even creating holes.
4. Pipe Joints Damaged: Joint connections are the weakest part of plumbing. Over time, the seals in those joint and the pipe joints deteriorate and leak.
5. Excessive Water Pressure: If you are experiencing frequent water pipe breaks, check the water pressure at the meter. You can turn it down without affecting the pressure in the house but enough to stop water leak detection.
6. Tree Roots:  Tree roots are the most common culprit when a plumber performs water leak detection.
7. Loose Connectors: As the ground shifts, houses will shift, and water hoses and water pipes will shift, sometimes coming loose from appliances. This is typical with the washing machine because of the agitating and spinning cycles vibrate the machine and work the connections loose.
8. Rapid Change In Temperature: When the temperature makes rapid and/or unexpected extreme changes, the pipes will contract and expand and contract until they crack. 

Just how common are water leaks?  Water leak detection is frequently found in home from plumbing fittings and fixtures and the water pipes. On average, a home loses up to seventeen gallons of water daily from water leaks. Call (214) 402-5454 today for your leak detection needs in Dallas, TX.

Are blocked drains covered by house insurance?

Most insurance policies will cover damage to underground pipes if the damage was sudden or due to inclement weather. Anything that is due to negligence is typically the responsibility of the homeowner. 

Who is responsible for a blocked drain?

WIth lateral drains and sewers that are connected to a public network, the property owner will be responsible for getting drain cleaning settled be that with by themself or with a plumbing company that they hire. There is a chance that with these types of drains your water company will be in charge of maintaining them so contact your local water company just in case to see if they are supposed to clear it.

How much does it cost to clean out a drain?

The cost of drain cleaning will vary depending on the severity of the clog and where it’s located. Expect to have costs range around a hundred or two dollars. 

What do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Plumbers have different tools that are used for drain cleaning depending on the severity of the clog and how far deep into the line it is. For common plumbing problems, you’ll more likely see a plumbers snake making its way through lines. For particularly thick build-up or even with tree root infiltration hydro jetting will be used. This involves the use of a high pressurized hose that can snake through plumbing lines and blast away obstructions in its path. These are safe on pipes as adjustments in water pressure are made yet if pipes have cracks in them already or are already old consider that a replacement of materials will be more necessary. 

How do you unblock a sink past the U bend?

You can use a plumbing snake for drain cleaning by carefully pushing the snake down the drain and twisting it to get around the U bend. When the obstruction is met pull, twist, and push the snake until the blockage goes away. Then use water to wash the blockage away.

What household products unclog drains?

There are a variety of tools that can be used to unclog drains with drain cleaning. You may be able to concoct homemade mixtures or even use such tools as a drain snake or even a bent wire hanger. Some can use a wet-dry vacuum while others may choose to pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down drain lines. Others may even use caustic soda or salt and baking soda. There are products out there that the supermarket may offer to clear drains yet these products contain chemicals that would ultimately wear piping materials prematurely and cause damages in the long run.

What is a good homemade drain cleaner?

A homemade drain cleaning remedy can include a half cup of baking soda with a fourth cup of salt which will be poured down the drain after pouring hot water primarily through it. Follow that up with another cup of vinegar that’s heated and once the foaming and bubbling occur you may cover the drain with a plug. Let it sit for 15 minutes and drain away the loosened scum with hot water afterward.

Why do my drains keep blocking?

With indoor blocks, there could be heavy materials or objects that are being drained which cause blockages. That’s why it’s best to keep in mind what should and shouldn’t be used with the garbage disposal in kitchen sinks or flushed down toilets in the bathroom. Grease, oils, sanitary products, wipes, fruit pits, and similar items can cause build-up or obstruction over time. In order for difficulties with drain cleaning being avoided make sure to pay attention to where you dispose of waste.

Rely on the Help of a Professional Plumber

When you need to have drain cleaning done with your property it’s important to get professional assistance when necessary. Get in touch with your local plumbing professionals when you require assistance that is more in-depth. Ultimately, the tools and training that a plumber has will allow for overall conditions during repairs to be safe. They’ll be able to work with varying pipe materials and scenarios without causing pipe damages. Have your plumbing lines cleared out safely with a professional plumbing company when you’re in need of drain cleaning today.

When you’re in need of assistance with drain cleaning in Dallas, TX call (214) 402-5454 with Tribeca Plumbing, Inc.!

Is trenchless sewer repair cheaper?

Plumbers face damaged drains and sewer lines frequently, and if the ground has been ignored over time, it makes the job more difficult. So, when a pipe system bursts, it is a major disruption to businesses, homes, sometimes a large part of a city or a whole town. 

In the past, this would mean that thing was about to get messy and ugly as trenches were dug and the earth was turned over. Mud and sludge and water ever where, oh my!   Today, though, there is the technology of trenchless sewer repair, a dramatic change for drain and pipe repairs. Installing new drains, clearing clogs, repairing, or replacing sewer lines has become much easier and faster. 

How much better has this trenchless sewer repair technology made a plumber’s life? Look at the pros versus the cons: 

The Pros 

• Better quality – the equipment used today is a state-of-the-art, and the materials used to repair those broken sewer pipes are better quality. This gives the property owner a durable pipe system resistant to cracks, corroding, rusting or simply falling part from the invasion of tree roots 
• Time Efficient -this may be the biggest winning point for everyone.
• Trenchless sewer repair can be in less time than the traditional method. This is less time on the clock for the contractor, which means less expense on your budget. 
• Cheaper – in addition to this costing the property owner less, property owners can save almost 75% by the plumber using trenchless sewer repair to line the sewer pipes instead of having to replace the old with new. Again, less labor on the clock and less materials needed.
• Versatility – trenchless sewer repair is good with many pipes, and the plumbing contractor can either repair the damaged pipe by lining it or do a total replacement.  Before, a plumber would have to be careful if they weren’t sure what kind of pipe was underground: cast iron, clay, concrete, etc. 
• Environmentally Friendly – not only is trenchless sewer repair friendly on the budget, but it is environmentally friendly way to repair sewer lines too. 
• No More Digging – The trenchless sewer repair process means no more digging up the earth, ruining your landscaping because it uses the existing pipes. 
• Durability – with the trenchless sewer repair, the newer pipes that are epoxy resin lined are used which have a life expectancy of 50 years. This is an efficient and non-invasive way to repair sewer pipes. 

The One Con 

There is one downside to the trenchless sewer repair. Sometimes rehabilitating a pipe system is too late. The damage to the sewer line is irreversible and/or too corroded. This requires the job be done the traditional method. 

Can you line a sewer pipe?

Absolutely! With the technology that trenchless sewer repair has brought to the plumbing industry, no longer do your floors need to be dug up and wall torn out. Pipe Lining is minimally invasive and cost effective to rehabilitate existing drain or sewer pipes. 

Pipe lining is done by taking a damaged pipe and having an epoxy saturated felt tube inserted inside it. It is then inflated and allowed to cure. After it has cured, it is like a brand-new pipe inside the damaged old pipe. Environmentally friendly and less messy than the traditional way.  

How long does pipe relining last? 

Many assume it that relining a damaged pipe with trenchless sewer repair technology would mean the second pipe would be less durable than replacing with all new pipes. The reality of relined pipes is they are stronger than the original and have a lifespan of 50 years, making them the longer lasting solution when compared to the traditional method of replacing with new pipes will probably need replacing again in half that time, or less. 

Can tree roots break PVC pipes?

The goal of tree roots is to find water for the tree, and they will keep spreading and growing outward until they do, especially in drought-prone areas. Tree roots following moisture vapors that escape from small cracks or holes in water pipes and penetrate those openings to get to that moisture and any nutrients are inside. 

Clay pipes are easier damaged than concrete or PVC piping because it is a softer material. PVC has proven to be the better choice because there are less joints and the joint there are in PVC are tighter, thus less chance of leaks.

If you have existing trees, usually an older house, you will probably experience pipe damage by tree roots and if you’re lucky, the technology of trenchless sewer repair will be possible for your home. If you have a newer home, or you’re planting trees to an existing property, they recommend it to plant them in a carefully considered location so as the roots grow, they won’t be able to reach pipes.