5 Most Common Longview, TX Plumbing questions

Posted by on Feb 25, 2021 in Plumber Longview TX | 0 comments Plumbing can be a difficult thing to deal with. You probably have many questions, whether there’s a problem in your house already or you’re trying to educate yourself on preventative measures. However, solving any plumbing task as fast as possible can save you time and money. No matter the reason, this is the perfect place for you to start! We are going to discuss the 5 most common plumbing questions there are and the answers to them. 5 Common Plumbing Questions Why does my drain get clogged? Drains in the kitchen get clogged for multiple reasons. Pouring grease or oil is one of the main issues that block a drain. The substance hardens in the pipes and makes it more difficult or impossible for other things to pass through. Dumping food down the sink can clog it as well if the pieces are too big or your disposal isn’t very effective. In the bathrooms, oil from soap and shampoo can have the same effect as oil in the kitchen. Too much hair in a drain will cause clogs as well. Why does the toilet keep running? The most common reason a toilet keeps running is that the flap in the tank’s bottom isn’t sealing shut. Even though water might be entering the tank, some of it is still escaping through the unsealed flap. Jiggling the handle usually solves this problem because it readjusts the rubber flap so that it seals properly. Why do we run out of hot water so quickly? There are multiple reasons the hot water keeps running out, depending on your water heater’s age and type. One reason is that one of the two heating elements in a water heater has gone out. If the top element goes out, only the water in the bottom is hot. If the bottom element goes out, the water in the top is the only portion that’s heated. Another reason is the reset button has been tripped, which has caused the water heater to stop working. Typically, something is wrong is your heater resets. Is there a difference between hard and soft water? Yes, and the difference can be damaging to your home and your body. If you have discovered issues such as excessive soap consumption, pipe scaling, damaged clothing from laundry, faucet and fixture deterioration, skin problems, or undesirable taste or smell from your water, you have hard water...
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What to Look for When Picking a Longview, TX Plumber

Posted by on Feb 8, 2021 in Commercial Plumbing Longview TX, Plumber Longview TX, Plumbers Longview TX | 0 comments Choosing the right plumber for a job is a critical decision. Your plumbing system is a critical component of your home, so you must choose someone who will do the job right and not make it worse! Here are a few things to look out for when deciding on a Longview, TX plumber. How to Find the Best Longview, TX Plumber Insurance The first thing you should do when looking at commercial plumbing options is, find out if they have insurance. Insurance will protect not only you and your home but also the plumber if an injury or damage to your house occurs.  Read Reviews Besides looking at the plumbing company’s website, doing your own research and looking at online reviews can help select a residential plumber. It will help you decide who you trust to be in your home and work on your system. Amount of Time in Business Plumbing is a tough business, so the bad ones usually don’t last very long. If the plumbers you are looking at have been in business or working for a long time, they’re probably doing something right and would be a good option for you.  References A good plumber will have plenty of references for you to contact about their work. If someone is hesitant to give you a list of references to call, they most likely won’t be worth your time or money.  Licensure It is imperative that whoever you’re considering should be licensed in the profession. Some states don’t require licensing, so in that case, you should look into any formal complaints filed against the business.  If you need a Longview, TX plumber, you’ve just found the right one! We have been serving the people of Longview for over 13 years! Bird Dog Plumbing will take care of any plumbing issue you’ve got, so give us a call...
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Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Posted by on Jan 19, 2021 in Plumber Longview TX | 0 comments Water heaters can last a long time, but they will last even longer with the proper maintenance. However, some people forget these kinds of things and end up having to replace their water heaters. You can hire a Longview, TX plumbing professional like Bird Dog Plumbing or do it yourself! The decision is up to you. We recommend a professional, but here are some water heater maintenance tips to help you if you choose to do it yourself.  The water heater maintenance tips you see here apply for propane, electric, and natural gas heaters. Be sure to check that you don’t need a permit to replace your water heater. Also, have a plumber or electrical inspector check your work afterward for safety.  The Parts and Breakdown There is a surplus of tools and equipment involved with replacing a water heater. A few are a cold water shutoff valve, an overflow pipe, and insulation. A full list of what you’ll need, including these items, can be found below: Flue pipeColdwater shutoff valveDraft diverterTemperature and pressure relief valveOverflow pipeHot water outletAnti Corrosion Anode RodDip tubeElementsInsulationDrain valveThermostat or control valveBurnerThermocoupleGas supply valve When should you get a new water heater? Leaking is the lead indicator that your water heater has bit the dust and needs replacing. Leaks often appear as slow dripping or a trail of rusty water. The rusty water means the steel tank has rusted through and is beyond the point of no return. Another problem, like little or no hot water, signifies an issue in water heaters that can be fixed. Be ready for a water heater replacement if you find a drip. You should not wait until the leak gets worse. Safety Tips  You should keep plastic at least 6 inches away from the vent and tank because there is a potential buildup of heat. Be very cautious when doing a project like this because you will be working with natural gas, propane, or electricity. If you don’t feel entirely comfortable doing the work yourself, you should contact a professional like Bird Dog Plumbing. Making Your Work Faster and Easier The following are a few tips that will make your DIY replacement a faster and more manageable project.  You should measure the height of your current water heater and buy one that is the same height. This way, you won’t have to change the length of any gas...
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Gas Leak Detection 101

Posted by on Dec 28, 2020 in Plumber Longview TX | 0 comments Natural gas provides heat in many forms to a home. These include heating a stove, using the dryer, or hot water. However, gas leaks can be dangerous to your home if the system is not installed correctly or maintained well. A gas leak can lead to health issues, as well as the vapors being highly flammable. Here is everything you need to know about gas leaks from the experts at Bird Dog Plumbing. Signs of a Gas Leak The first thing you should do if you suspect a gas leak is turn off the gas meter and call your gas company or authorities. One of the first signs you’d notice in a gas leak is a sulfuric smell in your home. Gas is naturally odorless, so professionals add this scent to alert you if there is a leak. Some other signs include a whistling sound, bubbles, dust, or cloudiness in standing water, visible damage to a gas line connection, or house plants that are suddenly dying.  Some health concerns that could indicate gas and carbon monoxide exposure are breathing difficulties, chest pains, dizziness, headaches, eye or throat irritation, nausea, reduced appetite, mood changes, ringing in your ears, or nosebleeds.  Checking for a Gas Leak Listen for a Whistling Sound  If you know where the gas line is, listen to see if it might be emitting a whistling or hissing sound. A whistling sound doesn’t guarantee there is or is not a leak, but it’s a start. Check the Stove  Your stove should be giving off blue flames when it’s lit. If there are red or orange flames, there is probably a leak, and you should immediately turn off the flame and call an expert like your gas company, the authorities, and a plumber.  Try Soapy Water This might sound too easy, but by mixing soap with water and applying it where you suspect a leak, bubbles forming will tell you that gas is escaping. Use Gas Leak Detectors A detector is the most surefire way to know if you have a leak in your home. There are many out there, but you can pick the right one for your home with just a little research. There are also carbon monoxide detectors for this kind of issue as well.  Routine maintenance and proper ventilation are the best ways to prevent gas leaks in your home. Call Bird Dog Plumbing in...
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How to Avoid Holiday Plumbing Problems

Posted by on Dec 23, 2020 in Plumber Longview TX | 0 comments The holidays are coming up fast! We know how fun it can be to have your friends and family over to celebrate the holidays. But this time of year brings plenty of potential plumbing problems along with it! You don’t want a plumbing issue to ruin your Christmas eve, do you? Here are five ways to avoid holiday plumbing problems this year.  Use the Trashcan Do your best to throw all leftovers in the trash. Don’t dump them in the sink! You will end up clogging your disposal, making it impossible to clean up when Christmas dinner is over.  Spread out Shower Time If you are hosting guests this holiday season, your water heater will have to work extra hard. However, your water heater can still catch up if you wait about 10-15 minutes in between each one. Never Pour Grease Down the Drain Always dispose of grease in the trash, put it in a jar, or pour it outside. The oil will build up and harden, causing your drain to clog if you pour it down the sink. This is even more important since you’ll likely be cooking large meals, which means more leftover grease.  Wait to use the Dishwasher Avoid using the dishwasher at the same time you run the disposal. What you pour down the drain could back up into the dishwasher if you run these things simultaneously.  Pre-Holiday Inspection One of the best ways to avoid holiday plumbing problems is by getting it inspected beforehand. Your plumber can evaluate your systems and repair them if needed before the guests arrive.  Call Bird Dog Plumbing if you need an inspection or repairs done during the holiday season! We’re prepared to help you make the holidays a fun, and loving time of year with minimal issues in Longview, TX. Happy holidays from Bird Dog...
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How to Avoid Inviting a Plumber for Thanksgiving

Posted by on Nov 26, 2020 in Plumber Longview TX | 0 comments Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We hope all of our customers have a fantastic Thanksgiving with their families! All the food that usually ends up going down the drain cause lots of plumbing issues that can ruin your holiday. Luckily, Bird Dog Plumbing is here to ensure that your Thanksgiving goes off without a hitch! Here are a few tips to help prevent any Thanksgiving plumbing problems that would lead to you inviting a Longview, TX plumber over for Thanksgiving! Common Thanksgiving Plumbing Problems Leftovers Leftovers down the drain are a no-go! With all of the guests you will have over, there’s bound to be extra leftovers. Keep all of those leftovers from going down the drain; otherwise, you are sure to get a clog. It is better to discard them in the trash or compost. If you still choose to put them down your drain, feed them in gradually. One thing you absolutely should NEVER put down the drain is cooking oils and fat. These will sit in the drain, solidify, and lead to a blockage. It would be best to use a paper towel to wipe away the oils and fats before cleaning the pan in the sink.  Use the Disposal Effectively Before you start washing food off your dishes, turn on the water and the disposal. This allows a constant stream of water to run through the sink. The water will prevent food from getting stuck in the disposal and rinses it as you wash your dishes. Keep the water running a little while after you turn off the disposal as well to avoid food sitting where it’s not supposed to. Wait to shower If you are housing guests this holiday, ask them to wait 10 minutes between each shower. Hair often gets stuck in the drain, and this helps the hair move through the drawing system without more taking its place. The best way to keep hair from piling up and clogging the system is a drain strainer. It will keep most of the hair from even getting in the drain.  Don’t DIY it Thanksgiving is not the time to try your hand at plumbing! With lots of guests and many things happening, you don’t need to make a plumbing problem worse too. Your best bet if you happen to have a problem is to call an expert. The Bird Dog Plumbing experts in Longview, TX are...
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