How to Maintain your Plumbing Throughout a Longview Winter

Winter can wreak havoc on your pipes if you aren’t careful… but you can help protect your home from the elements. What can you do to prevent plumbing horrors this winter? Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water overflow or even freezing issues. Keep it heated. Your home should not be so cold that the temperature is near freezing. Check on your water heater. This is the most important component to keep safe this winter. Insulate your pipes. Avoid the effects of the elements with an extra layer of protection. For the best plumbers in Longview, Texas, let Bird Dog Plumbing help you! For plumbing inquiries, call 903-225-2272 or visit https://birddogplumbingllc.com/. Plumbers Longview TXBird Dog Plumbing LLC2206 Balsam StLongview, Texas...
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Frozen Pipe Solutions from Your Reliable Longview Plumber

It’s a wintry day, and your faucets aren’t working. Chances are your pipes are frozen. This situation can be dire, mainly if your pipes burst. If you find yourself in these circumstances, the following steps will help to reduce the potential of needing expensive repairs to solve the problem. Turn On Your Faucets Check every faucet in your home and check to see whether the water is running through them. Keep all of the problem faucets open to reduce the water pressure leading to them. Frozen water inside a pipe will expand. This expansion can force the pipeline to burst. When the pipes begin to thaw, the force of the running water will help in the melting any ice within them. When the water is running freely, turn the faucet to a slow drip, particularly if the pipes are running through exterior walls of your home. This extra step will prevent them from re-freezing. Warm Your Interior Space Increase the air temperature in the rooms where the pipes are frozen. Open all of the cupboard doors to allow the warm air to circulate around the pipes. Be careful to keep any electric heaters away from the pipes to prevent the potential for electrocution. Warm Your Pipes Touch the pipes in question to look for any particular frozen areas. If necessary use a hair dryer to warm your pipes. Be careful using an electric device around water. Heat the entire pipe, evenly moving the heat from the dryer around the plumbing. Do not use any heating devices that have a flame as these could damage your plumbing or cause a fire. Check for Plumbing Leaks Once the water in your pipes has thawed and begun to flow freely, check for any leaks in your plumbing. If you find a leak, shut off the main valve and contact your plumber. You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Take photographs of the damage to your home. Frozen Pipe Prevention The best way to keep your pipes from freezing is to maintain a consistent interior air temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If you leave your home for any length of time during the cold months, consider installing a smart thermostat that you can manage while you are away. If that is not possible, have a friend or family member check on your home while you are gone. Ensure that you have...
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How to Know When to Finally Call a Professional Plumber

Recognizing when to call a plumber is a crucial aspect of home maintenance and can save you from costly and extensive repairs down the line. While it can be tempting to delay addressing plumbing issues, doing so can lead to more significant problems and increased damage. Here are some key indicators of when it’s time to seek professional plumbing assistance: 1. Significant Leaks: If you notice a substantial water leak in your home, it’s imperative to call a plumber immediately. Leaks can cause extensive water damage to your property, compromising its structural integrity and leading to costly repairs. In severe cases, leaks can even necessitate sewer line maintenance, making timely intervention critical. 2. Frozen Pipes: When your pipes freeze, it’s more than just a minor inconvenience. Delaying action on frozen pipes can result in the need for a complete interior overhaul, which can be a substantial expense. The longer you postpone addressing frozen pipes, the more damage and expenses you’ll likely incur. It’s crucial to act swiftly to thaw the pipes and prevent further damage. 3. Unpleasant Odors: If you detect foul or unusual odors in your home, it’s a sign that something is amiss with your plumbing system. These odors could be indicative of a hidden leak or a clog that is causing water to stagnate. In such cases, the presence of excess moisture can lead to the growth of harmful molds, posing health risks. A plumber can investigate the source of the odor, address the underlying issue, and ensure your home’s air quality remains safe and pleasant. 4. Slow Drainage: When your sinks, showers, or toilets start draining slowly or are frequently clogged, it’s a sign that you may have a plumbing issue. Ignoring this problem can lead to blockages and backups, causing further inconvenience and potential damage. A plumber can identify the cause of the slow drainage and implement the necessary repairs to restore your plumbing system’s efficiency. 5. Decreased Water Pressure: A sudden and significant drop in water pressure in your home is cause for concern. It can be due to a variety of issues, such as pipe corrosion or blockages. A plumber can assess the situation and resolve the problem to restore your water pressure to its normal level. In conclusion, addressing plumbing issues promptly is crucial to prevent further damage and costly repairs. Major leaks, frozen pipes, unpleasant odors, slow drainage, and decreased...
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How to Solve those Summertime Leaking Pipes in Longview, Texas

Summer should be a time of play, not of plumbing. By taking a little action now, you can save your time and energy for having fun and relaxing. What situations can you help to prevent? Clogged pipes. When coming inside, brush off any extra sand or gravel. Pets should be groomed regularly as well to reduce animal hair shedding. Broken garbage disposal. Compost or throw your food away, especially fibrous foods that get stuck in disposals. Damaged sprinklers. Make sure to mow around sprinklers and keep pets away. Surprise damage. Before traveling or in case of emergency, always have on call a plumber you know and trust. For professionals to help you with leaking pipes in Longview, Texas, let Bird Dog Plumbing keep your house in top shape! Call today at 903-225-2272.   Bird Dog Plumbing | Leaking Pipes Longview TX...
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Best Tips to Fix a Clogged Drain in Your Shower or Bath

A variety of factors can cause a clogged drain, with the most common being soap residue and hair accumulation. While a clogged drain may seem like an enormous plumbing problem to solve, you can take care of it yourself by following a few simple steps. Boiling Water First, check to see if your clogged drain is in a metal or PVC pipe. If it’s a metal pipe, go ahead with this solution. For a PVC pipe, move on to the other solutions below. You can quickly remove the clog in your drain using boiled water. Be careful while pouring the boiling water to prevent any burns. Fill your kettle with water and allow it to boil for one minute. Unplug your kettle (if it’s an electric kettle) and slowly pour the hot water directly into your clogged drain. A slow pour will enable the hot water to break up the clog. Baking Soda and Vinegar This solution uses the chemical reaction of combining baking soda and vinegar to remove the clog from your drain. Put a third of a cup of baking soda into a container. Add a third of a cup of vinegar to the baking soda. Once the mixture begins to make a fizzing sound pour it into the drain. Allow the mixture to sit in the pipe for about an hour. Finally, turn on the hot water faucet and allow the tap to run for a minute or so to flush the clog out of the drain. Snakes You won’t need a real snake for this solution, but rather a snake tool that can make its way to the clogged area of your drain. You can create a snake tool using a wire coat hanger or purchase one from your local hardware store. Begin by using a screwdriver to remove the cover of the shower drain. Next put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands from anything you may pull out of the drain. Force the snake tool down into the drain to remove any accumulated hair and soap residue. Pull the snake tool back out of the drain. If necessary follow up this solution with boiling water or the baking soda vinegar mixture depending on the type of plumbing you have in your shower. Finally, replace the shower drain cover. If you are experiencing clogged drain issues in Longview TX, contact Bird Dog Plumbing at...
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