Plumbers In Longview, TX: How To Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

Posted by on Sep 17, 2015 in Plumber Longview TX | 0 comments The temperatures in East Texas haven’t dipped much yet but plumbers in Longview, TX know how quickly colder weather can swoop in and cause problems.  With your home’s plumbing, the number one problem is frozen pipes.  Though our temperatures don’t drop below freezing for long, frozen pipes can cause damage that you’ll be talking about – and paying for – long after winter is over. How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze? Though water freezes at 32℉, it takes a temperature of 20℉ or lower to cause your home’s pipes to freeze. The combination of a quick drop in temperature, poor insulation and a thermostat set too low can create a perfect storm of pipe damage.  In fact, an 1/8th of an inch crack in a pipe can spew 250 gallons of water a day, which can cause flooding, structural damage and mold growth. What you should do before it gets cold. ▪ Insulate the pipes in your crawlspace and in your attic.  These exposed pipes are more susceptible to freezing.  There are many options available for this purpose including foam insulating sleeves, heat tape and thermostatically-controlled heat cables.  Closely follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions when using these item to ensure safety and that you get the maximum benefit from them. ▪ Seal leaks around your home that let cold air in.  Check around access points for electrical wiring, dryer vents and utility pipes.  Use caulk and insulation around doors and windows. ▪ Disconnect all of your garden hoses.  Water in a hose or outside tap can freeze quickly, causing ice to form, which can lead to a buildup of pressure inside your pipes.  Once you’ve disconnected your hoses, make to use an insulated faucet jacket to cover each outside faucet. What you should do when the temperature drops. ▪ Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature day and night.  If you’re like most people, you tend to lower their thermostats at night for more comfortable sleeping.  If you don’t want to change that habit, keep a constant eye on the weather during the winter to see if freezing weather is expected.  You can keep the nighttime temperatures at daytime settings when you know a freeze is coming. ▪ Plumbers in Longview, TX will tell you that one of the most important things you can do when freezing weather is coming is to...
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Plumbers In Longview, TX: Don’t Live With Cold Showers!

Posted by on Sep 17, 2015 in Plumbers Longview TX | 0 comments Plumbers in Longview, TX know that taking an unexpectedly cold shower is no fun.  If you’ve been taking cold showers, you need help for your water heater.  At Bird Dog Plumbing, we specialize in repairing and replacing water heaters, so we can make sure that your cold showers will be a thing of the past.  As one of the best plumbers in Longview, TX, we can take care of all of your other home plumbing needs as well, and we even work on Saturdays at no extra charge.  Call us at Bird Dog Plumbing at (903) 225-2272 or visit us online at www.birddogplumbingllc.com. Plumbers Longview TXBird Dog Plumbing LLC2206 Balsam StLongview, Texas...
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Plumbers Longview TX: Plumbing Help Even on Weekends

Posted by on Sep 11, 2015 in Plumbers Longview TX | 0 comments Plumbing issues can arise at all the worst times and sometimes that means the middle of the night or the middle of the weekend. As one of the best plumbers in Longview TX, Bird Dog Plumbing takes our job seriously and we want to take care of your plumbing issues as quickly as possible so you can get back to your life. Saturdays are no extra cost so that is a big help when your weekend seems to be already suffering. Call us today for all your residential or commercial plumbing repairs in Longview, TX at 903-225-2272 or visit us online at www.birddogplumbingllc.com. Plumbers Longview TXBird Dog Plumbing LLC2206 Balsam StLongview, Texas...
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Plumbers in Longview, TX: 3 Projects You Should Never DIY

Posted by on Sep 11, 2015 in Plumbers Longview TX | 0 comments As a homeowner, it can sometimes be tempting to try maintenance projects and repairs yourself. You might think, “I can just watch a quick video,” or “How hard could it really be?” Possessing a basic understanding of home maintenance and a can-do attitude can save you a lot of money. When it comes to plumbing, though, the truth is that sometimes your plumbing project is bigger than your do-it-yourself skills. For the complicated jobs, it’s really better to contact professional plumbers in Longview, TX. How do you know when a project is too much for you? Here are a few plumbing repairs you should never attempt on your own. Rerouting Pipelines You may be in the middle of a renovation or pipe installation when you suddenly realize you’re going to have to reroute the piping throughout your entire house. Don’t assume you can tackle this project by yourself. This task is especially complicated in older houses where pipes may have accumulated mineral deposits and need to be replaced. If done incorrectly, you could throw off your water pressure or cause a pipe to burst. Water damage can be expensive to fix and the time it takes to repair could decimate your renovation timeline. Welding Projects Unless you are a trained welder, you should always avoid projects that require welding. Plumbers in Longview, TX are professionals and know how to manage welding projects safely without catching your home on fire. Likely you are not a professional welder and if copper piping is needed, be safe and get assistance. Anything to do with Sewage Sewer pipes make up a very important part of your home’s plumbing. The processes used to unclog and repair damage to your sewage piping can be very complex and they require delicate attention to detail. Furthermore, major problems might result in the need to reroute your sewer pipes. This is a huge project that will require special equipment and code adherence. It is imperative that you do not attempt to dig your own sewer pipe trenches. Without the proper tools and knowledge, it is likely you will cause more harm to your system which can result in more money spent to fix it. Don’t try to DIY your plumbing. Look for professional plumbers in Longview, TX. Contact Bird Dog Plumbing for all your issues, small or large, and we can help you resolve them. Visit our website or...
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Plumbers In Longview, TX: 4 Signs Of A Plumbing Problem

Posted by on Aug 28, 2015 in Commercial Plumbing Longview TX, Plumber Longview TX | 0 comments As plumbers in Longview, TX, we know how much easier life is with modern plumbing systems.  In fact anyone who’s ever had to use an outhouse (yes, they still exist) or a porta-potty appreciates what a miracle of modern engineering a toilet flush handle is.  But just because we don’t have to haul water into our homes in buckets from a well that’s half a mile away doesn’t mean that the convenient plumbing systems we have are infallible. Once again, as plumbers in Longview, TX, we see every day know how plumbing can break down and while those breakdowns are job security for us, they don’t have to be catastrophic problems for you if you pay attention to your plumbing.  Small issues can lead to bigger ones so if you watch for these signs of an early plumbing problem, you’ll save yourself time and money down the line: 1 – Higher-Than-Average Water Bills Everyone knows that leaks aren’t good but unless they’re standing in six inches of water, most people are happy to ignore them for as long as possible – until their water bills start to climb.  If you’ve noticed that your water bills have risen steadily, you should check in and around your home for water leaks.  Check under sinks, behind the refrigerator (if it has an icemaker), behind the washing machine and under outdoor spigots.  Also look for water stains on ceilings and at the base of your walls. 2 – The Sound Of Running Water If you know you don’t have any open faucets or that you’re not doing laundry but you still hear the sound of running water, you could have a problem.  In addition to higher water bills, this is also an indication that there’s a leak somewhere in your system.  If you can actually hear water running, there’s a good chance your leak is worse than just a few drops of water from a faucet.  Call a plumber right away before extensive damage is done to your home.  3 – Slow Drains Hair and food clogs can cause drains to occasionally run slowly; but persistently slow drains throughout your home could be a sign that you have a clogged pipe somewhere that is stopping water and waste from flowing away from your home.  There are a number of reasons that this could be happening – from corroded, older pipes to tree roots...
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