Posts made in December 2018

plumber riverside ca

Why Is My Toilet Gurgling?

When your toilet starts gurgling, there is some cause for concern. While it may seem like an insignificant problem, it is a sign that your plumbing is not functioning correctly. Your toilet may be gurgling for a variety of reasons:

Reverse Suction

When the toilet’s P-trap is pulled out of the bowl and into the plumbing system, it is referred to as reverse suction. This could be due to improper venting. Venting prevents other appliances to create backflow, which pulls air out of the toilet. This is what causes the gurgling sound. It is also possible that your vent is clogged. Leaves and other debris can build up in your vents over time, so it is important to clean these out.

Clogs

Air escaping a clogged pipe is another source of toilet gurgles. Clogs can occur in any part of the sewer line – including your septic system. Your clog can be caused by objects flushed down the toilet, sediment, minerals, or even plant roots.

Faulty Tank Equipment

If you are hearing a gurgling noise coming from your toilet, faulty tank equipment may be to blame. The float, flapper, and full system can become worn over time, causing them to malfunction.

When your toilet is gurgling, you should call a plumber in Riverside, CA, immediately. The technicians at Professional Plumbing, Inc. can solve any issue with your toilet when you call us at 951-394-7477.

plumber fixing garbage disposal clog

What to Do When Your Garbage Disposal Clogs

Garbage disposals are a great tool to have in the kitchen, but they can clog if you are not careful. While garbage disposals are designed to handle most food waste, you can sometimes encounter problems when the waste reaches the trap pipe. Not turning the water on high enough to flush the disposal while it is in use, and grinding things like egg shells, coffee grounds, potato peels, and banana peels are common causes of clogs.

Fixing a Garbage Disposal Clog

When your garbage disposal clogs, the problem is usually found in the P or S-shaped pipe located just after the disposal pipe. Here is a guide to unclogging the disposal:

  1. Place a bucket beneath the pipe and use channel pliers to disconnect the slip-nut fillings. Remove the trap and be careful of the water that will likely spill out.
  2. Next, check the pipe you removed for clocks. The sharp bend in the pipe is the most common place to discover a clog. Use a scrub brush to remove the clog.
  3. Reassembly the drain pipe and then run water through your disposal for a few minutes to clear loose debris from the system.

What if My Drain is Still Clogged?

If you did not find a clog in the removed section of pipe, it is likely in the drain arm. In this case, you will need a sink auger. If you cannot solve the issue by removing the drain pipe, call our team to repair your garbage disposal in Riverside, CA. The experienced technicians at Professional Plumbing, Inc. are ready to assist you with any plumbing issue.

How to Detect a Slab Leak Under a Concrete Floor

The pipes under your house may wear out, causing them to leak. The damage from these leaks is slow and insidious – hard to detect at first. Slab leaks can cause extremely high water bills and other expensive problems. Here are common signs that you are dealing with a slab leak:

Looking for Damage

  • The first thing you will notice is a major spike in your water bill. You may be dealing with leaky pipes if you see a huge spike from one month to the next, or if you see increases in your water bill without increasing your water usage.
  • Occasionally spikes can be caused by leaky appliances as well. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it moves from the tank to the bowl in ten minutes, you have a toilet leak, which may be the cause of the spike. Check all water-based appliances for leaks.
  • The next thing to check for is wet spots on your floors. Pools of water and warped wood floors point to water build-up beneath the concrete slab. You may also notice mold or mildew smells.
  • Foundation cracks can be a big sign that you are dealing with a slab leak.
  • Check for warm or hot spots on the floor, which may indicate a leaking pipe.
  • If any of your fixtures lose water pressure, it could be because the pipes supplying the water are broken.

If you suspect you have a leak, call our plumbers for efficient slab leak repair in Riverside, CA, and the surrounding areas.

gas burners on a stove

What to Do if You Suspect a Gas Leak

Natural gas leaks are hazardous and can result in fire, explosion, and asphyxiation. If you suspect you have a gas leak, you need to act fast.

Signs of a Gas Leak

If you have a natural gas leak in your home, you may smell rotten eggs or hear a hissing or blowing smell. If the gas leak is outside of your home, you may notice dead or discolored vegetation in a specific area or dust blowing out of a hole in the ground.

What to Do

If you suspect a small leak, open all of your doors and windows and make sure the burners on your stove are off. Check to see if your pilot light is lit. Once you have done this, call your utility company and follow any instructions they give you.

If the smell of gas is very strong, you may have a large leak. Do not attempt to shut off your appliances. Leave your house and avoid using any mechanical or electrical devices. If your car is in your garage or near your home, do not attempt to start it. Once everyone is safely outside, call your utility company.

The technicians at Professional Plumbing, Inc. can perform gas line repair in Corona, CA, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to request a quote.