Company: Scott Plumbing

Toilet bowl with water and a plunger, featuring bubbles, illustrating common plumbing maintenance by Scott Plumbing.

A Homeowners Guide to Avoiding Clogged Toilets

Common Problems with Toilet Clogging

Toilets are a very common fixture in most homes. They get a lot of use but also cause major inconvenience when something goes wrong. It’s a hassle nobody wants to deal with, yet it happens. Toilet clogs are a part of life, but we need to note them when they are persistent or lead to bigger issues. Here, explore ways to help reduce the possibility of a clogged toilet and give the sewer pipes a break, too. 

Flush Carefully

toilet paper One of the best things a homeowner can do is learn better flushing habits and educate everyone in the home on better flushing habits, too. For example, avoid flushing these items: 

  • Wipes (including flushable wipes)
  • Diapers
  • Tissues
  • Paper towels
  • Hygiene products
  • Dental floss

These things can lead to buildup in the toilet because they are not designed to be flushed and do not properly degrade in the system as toilet paper does. Using any of these will likely do more than cause a toilet clog. At some point, it will likely lead to a clogged sewer line. 

Instead, teach the household how to properly dispose of these items and keep a trash can in the bathroom for easy disposal. 

Too Much Toilet Paper? 

toilet papaer Another common issue is using too much toilet paper for the flushing capability. While toilet paper is necessary, avoid flushing too much at once. Large wads will not dissolve as quickly as they should, which can cause a blockage or partial blockage in the sewer line. 

Here are a few helpful tips for toilet paper usage: 

  • Use smaller amounts and avoid overly large wads
  • Try thinner or biodegradable toilet paper that breaks down better
  • If more toilet paper is required, try multiple flushes in between toilet paper use

These little things might not seem like a big deal, but they will help substantially. Once again, this leads back to changing habits and informing the household. Some people simply don’t realize they are using too much or that they should add some extra flushes. 

Being aware of the potential of a clog and adjusting habits to account for toilet paper use will reduce problems.  

Protect the Sewer Line

Consistent toilet clog issues can lead to a clogged sewer line. While everyone in the home should follow these tips, proper habits are also important to protect the sewer pipes. Even proactive maintenance can help keep lines clear. 

Check out these tips: 

  • Install drain screens to catch hair or other debris
  • Don’t pour oil or grease down the drain
  • Hire regular drain cleaning and plumbing maintenance
  • Call a plumber when issues do occur

If drains seem slow or there is a persistent clogged toilet, call a plumber to help resolve the issue.

About Scott Plumbing 

Scott Plumbing is a local, family-owned plumbing company with award-winning service. They use trusted and certified technicians who are always on time and never leave a mess after they finish their work. Contact Scott Plumbing for plumbing services in Huntsville, AL.

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Adjustable wrench and plumbing components on a wooden surface, showcasing tools for maintenance by Scott Plumbing.

Make a New Years Resolution Not to Forget Plumbing Maintenance

What Steps Are Involved with Plumbing Maintenance, and What Benefits Does It Provide?

Homeowners often understand the importance of maintaining their HVAC and electrical systems, roof, paint, and gutters. Unfortunately, many fail to understand that they must maintain their plumbing system. That’s unfortunate, as many potential plumbing system problems—including some that can be very expensive to repair—can be discovered and addressed early. However, this means the homeowner must have the system inspected and maintained regularly. 

Read on to learn some of the benefits of having a home’s plumbing system maintained regularly and the steps a plumber will take when doing so. 

Key Benefits Regular Plumbing Maintenance Provides

save money The most important benefit of regular plumbing maintenance is that it helps keep a home’s plumbing system operating smoothly and as it should. It also allows homeowners to address small issues, which can often be fixed at a low cost before they become big, expensive problems. 

For example, the plumber conducting the maintenance will often be able to spot leaks and similar problems early. Because leaks are serious problems that may lead to floods or foster mold development, they must be addressed promptly – something that’s easier to accomplish if regular plumbing maintenance is conducted. 

Regular plumbing maintenance also helps homeowners save money in several ways. Water heaters, for example, become less efficient when not properly maintained. This can lead to increased power bills, as the water heater has to work harder to heat water. And in addition to the other problems leaks can cause, they can also cause skyrocketing water bills. 

Regular maintenance also helps prolong the plumbing system’s lifespan and ensures it’ll continue to work well for years. 

What Does a Professional Plumber Do When Maintaining a Plumbing System?  

The exact steps a plumber takes while performing plumbing maintenance services will vary depending on the specifics of the home’s plumbing system. However, most maintenance plans involve a few key steps. 

The plumber will generally begin by visually inspecting the entire system, including the pipes, faucets, drains, and water heater. During this process, the plumber will look for leaks, signs of corrosion, or any impending problems. The plumber will then pay special attention to the home’s drains, a common source of plumbing issues. This may involve an inspection and, if problems are noticed, cleaning the drains. 

The plumber will also likely check the home's water pressure and inspect the sewer lines, potentially using a special camera. The plumber may also point out places where the home does not comply with plumbing codes and provide general maintenance advice. 

Water Heater Maintenance: An Important Part of Plumbing Maintenance

water heater A plumber often pays special attention to a home’s water heater while performing routine maintenance. This is important because water heater maintenance can help prevent problems before they start and ensure that the heater operates correctly. In addition to simply ensuring that the heater provides properly heated water, it will help reduce the high power bills that may occur in homes with inefficient water heaters.  

About Scott Plumbing

The trusted technicians at Scott Plumbing provide homeowners with straightforward pricing, award-winning service, and a complete satisfaction guarantee. And because they’re always on time and often available for same-day service, they’re the preferred choice for homeowners needing routine maintenance, plumbing replacement, or emergency plumbing repair. Call them today for plumbing service in Huntsville, AL.

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Tips To Avoid Holiday Plumbing Problems

How To Prevent Plumbing Issues This Holiday Season

The holidays are busy with cooking, hosting, and celebrating, leaving little room for unexpected mishaps—especially plumbing problems. Fortunately, with some preparation, homeowners can prevent most plumbing issues and ensure their festivities go off without a hitch. Here are a few tips from local plumbing professionals to help keep the season merry and bright.

Prevent Holiday Drain Clogs

clogA few things can disrupt holiday plans, such as a clogged drain or an overworked toilet. Whether it’s a sink that won’t drain during meal prep or a toilet that struggles to flush for guests, clogs are unwelcome guests.

The good news is that most clogs are preventable with proper care:

  • Dispose of grease properly: Pour it into a container and throw it in the trash instead of down the drain.
  • Mind food scraps: Cut vegetables and toss peels in the garbage instead of using the garbage disposal.
  • Provide wastebaskets: Ensure toilets have nearby wastebaskets for hygiene products and wipes.
  • Lower toilet lids: Prevent items from accidentally falling in.
  • Flush toilets regularly: Check for strong flushing and address any issues early.
    If homeowners notice slow-draining sinks or unusual gurgling sounds, it is best to schedule a professional drain cleaning before the holidays to avoid surprises.

Invest in Plumbing Maintenance

Even with excellent drain habits, scheduling professional plumbing maintenance is the best way to prevent emergencies. Regular drain cleaning ensures wastewater flows freely and keeps clogs at bay.

Professional plumbers use tools like drain snakes and hydro-jetting to clear blockages and keep the plumbing system operating efficiently. Experts recommend annual drain cleaning, so scheduling this service during the holiday season can become a helpful tradition to ensure a trouble-free home.

Don’t Forget About the Water Heater

water heater The water heater is critical during the holidays, providing hot water for showers, dishwashing, and cooking. With increased demand, a poorly maintained water heater can falter at the worst time.

Annual water heater maintenance ensures the unit can handle the extra workload. During a service visit, plumbers will:

  • Flush the tank to remove sediment buildup
  • Inspect the burner or heating elements
  • Check electrical connections and safety devices
  • Test the anode rod for wear

These steps improve the water heater’s efficiency, speed up recovery time, and lower utility bills. Adding water heater maintenance to the holiday prep list ensures comfort for everyone during the busiest time of year.

Overall, plumbing issues don’t have to be a concern during the holiday season. With some preemptive maintenance and assistance from a local plumbing company, homeowners can enjoy a stress-free experience even when their plumbing system takes on extra use from all those house guests.

About Scott Plumbing

For over 10 years, Scott Plumbing has been the company that Huntsville, AL, homeowners rely on for their plumbing needs. With every service call, you can expect trustworthy technicians who offer personalized advice, upfront pricing before starting work, and long-lasting solutions. Contact them today to ensure your home’s plumbing is ready for those holiday demands. 

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Why Homeowners Should Switch to Tankless Water Heaters

Reasons to Go Tankless

Now and then, something revolutionizes the way people do something. With new options available, people would be quick to switch, but often, there is some hesitance to try something new. When it comes to heating water in the home, there is a better way than with a conventional water tank. Tankless water heaters are better in every way, yet most people are reluctant to try them. 

Here is a guide from local plumbers to help homeowners understand the benefits of upgrading to tankless water heaters. 

Save Money With Better Energy Efficiency

save money Tankless water heaters answer a problem that most homeowners don’t even know they have. Rising energy bills are a problem for everyone. However, most homeowners don’t realize that a significant portion of monthly energy bills goes directly to heating water in an inefficient water heater. Even if the water heater is rated for high efficiency, the technology itself is outdated and costly. 

The biggest source of waste with a water tank is heating water on standby. Water tanks do an okay job of heating incoming water to the desired temperature, but the temperature begins to drop after they sit idle for a while. The water heater will have to cycle on again to reheat the water, and when this cycle continues daily, it can add up on monthly bills. Tankless water heaters skip the waste and perform more efficiently because they only heat water when needed. This results in savings on monthly bills of up to 30%. 

Endless Hot Water Supply and Space Savings

hot water A problem homeowners are aware of when relying on a water tank for hot water is the finite supply. Everyone has had the unfortunate experience of running out of hot water just before their shower is done, and this is an inherent flaw of water tanks. To avoid the water running cold, homeowners should invest in tankless water heaters. They provide endless hot water for as long as families need it. 

One downside of conventional water heaters is that their tanks occupy a lot of space. In most homes, water tanks are allocated to a cramped closet, basement, or garage, occupying precious storage space. Tankless water heaters are much smaller and mounted on the wall so homeowners can reclaim storage space. 

Improved Life Expectancy

Water tanks don’t last forever. They only last about ten years before needing major repairs or failing altogether. Most often, the place where they fail is within the tank. The tank is lined with special materials to protect it, but after so many years in service, it will start to leak, and there is no way to repair it. 

If this problem occurs, the best solution is to upgrade to a tankless water heater that doesn’t rely on its greatest vulnerability. By ditching the tank, homeowners can expect a tankless water heater to last around 20 years. 

About Scott Plumbing

Scott Plumbing is a family-owned business with an A+ rating. Trusted technicians are always on time for plumbing repairs, such as water heater installation. Call today for tankless water heater services in Huntsville, AL.

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How to Find Property Leaks

What Are Invisible Leaks?

Plumbing leaks aren’t always obvious. While water damage on the ceiling is easily visible, pipes can crack in multiple areas of the property. The plumbing system is already compromised if there is a small leak behind the wall or a cracked pipe underground. 

A Sudden Spike in the Water Bill

billsLarge cracks from significantly damaged pipes cause the water bill to increase dramatically over the course of one month. This is usually a noticeable surprise that can cost hundreds of extra dollars. If the pipes are not immediately fixed, flooding inside the home can occur. Although this can happen in any household, small leaks are more common.

A small leak causes the water bill to rise more gradually. If homeowners are unaware of their monthly expenses, they may not even notice the increase. Unfortunately, small leaks can still cause major damage. If the crack is not repaired, water will damage the plumbing system.

A slow faucet leak can equal 30 gallons of water daily, which is expensive and wasteful. As the leak worsens, water damage can cost thousands of dollars from moisture warping the floors and walls. A trained plumber should examine the issue when any water leak is noticed.

Water Leak Detection for Beginners

Even if the leak isn’t visible, it can still be detected using other senses. Reduced water pressure is one sign because the speed of water flow through the pipes changes when there is a crack in the plumbing system. As a result, less water reaches the shower nozzle as some of it escapes into the crack.

If the leak is large enough, a faint dripping or gushing noise may be present. This can be heard when standing near the damaged pipe. Sometimes, this means the leak is somewhere behind a wall, while other times, it can be heard below the kitchen or bathroom sink. If there is a loud crash or banging noise after flushing, homeowners must call a plumber before this worsens. 

Moldy smells mean water damage has already occurred. If there is a leak, the smell is usually strongest in the bathroom or basement. Mold is not only expensive to remove, but it can cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions. If the leak is inside the walls or ceiling, water will need to be professionally removed for the safety of the household. Water leak repair services have the equipment necessary to remove toxins safely. 

Professional leak detection involves using a small device that can identify cracks inside the piping. Licensed plumbers usually use them to find damage deep within the plumbing. For underground leaks, a detector helps prove the problem. 

How to Tell for Sure

water meterUsing a water meter to find hidden leaks is one of the most effective methods. A water meter tests the flow of water to see if there are any changes in the plumbing system. Although homeowners cannot see the actual leak, they can see whether the water has been altered by any cracks. 

Before locating the water meter, homeowners will need to turn off all water fixtures in the home. This includes the dishwasher and washing machine. The leak detector is usually found in a gray metal box at the very edge of the property. 

Water meters measure the flow of water in cubic feet. If the meter is older, it will have a dial with an asterisk inside. If the asterisk is turning, this means there is a leak. Newer water meters have a digital display. If the flow rate is zero, a leaking pipe is unlikely. A trained technician will know how to interpret flow rate so that leak repair can be handled correctly.  

About Scott Plumbing

Scott Plumbing was voted by Nextdoor as a Neighborhood Favorite in Huntsville, AL. They achieved this accolade by providing homeowners with fast and friendly service while providing long-term plumbing solutions for homeowners everywhere. For expert water leak detection services, call Scott Plumbing today. 

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