Have you ever heard a weird noise coming from your car while you were driving down the highway and thought, “Oh man I hope it’s not serious?” You already have a lot on your mind… the workweek is pushing your blood pressure and no matter where you’re headed, you’re already late. You just turn your radio up a little louder, pretend this isn’t happening, tune out, and hope for the best.

Unfortunately ignoring a problem like this is actually dangerous. It is “classic procrastinating a confrontation with a small issue because you don’t want to take the time to deal with it now.” Just because you don’t think it’s important, doesn’t mean it won’t backfire on you like a banana in a tailpipe. Remember Beverly Hills Cop?

This goes for almost anything, but since we’re talking pipes this is especially important when considering your household plumbing. Sure your house might be a little old but it was built well. Unfortunately, even the best of quality needs a checkup every once and a while. Don’t waste time or ignore potential problems… they could turn into massive issues quickly.

Here are 8 signs your pipes and plumbing system may be old or at risk of something bigger:

1. LEAKS – Moisture in unsuspecting areas of your home can indicate that one of your pipes could have a leak. If you find an accumulation of mildew or mold in an area that should be dry, you could have a tiny hairline fracture in your pipe causing that area to rot.
2. WATER PRESSURE – Leaks, depending on how severe, can cause your water pressure to lower. However, a leak isn’t always the reason for this decrease. Pipes coated with zinc can wear away and cause a build-up of calcium deposits. A clog like this on the inside of the pipe can also cause the pressure to weaken.
3. DISCOLORED WATER – It’s possible that if you have discolored water coming out of your tap that you could have a rust problem. Rust can be hard to wash off your clothes, skin, and dishes. This will also affect the quality of your drinking water. If you notice this or visibly see flecks of metal floating in your water your should call a plumber immediately, especially if you have an older home.
4. UNPLEASANT ODORS – A musty smell in a certain area could mean your sewer line is damaged. If you experience that rotten eggs smell (which could also be thought of as a dumpster aroma combined with humid gym locker room stench – but it’s open to interpretation) this could also be a blocked drain vent that’s allowing sewer gas to back up in your pipes.
5. SLOW DRAINING – If there is a blockage in your pipes, there could again be a potential build-up of mineral debris collecting. A good rule is “when in doubt, call a plumber.”
6. STAINS – Visible stains on walls or ceiling can indicate that you may have a leak. If the leak has been present for a while, potential bubbling or molding could take place on the drywall in your home.
7. TUBE CORROSION – If there is a high acid content eating away at your pipes they could be corroding. This goes beyond the simplicity of patching a leak on a strong pipe. If you find flaking in your water you could have a corrosion problem. Sometimes the best way to tell is by running the water in your bathtub to see if it’s brown which is a sign of corrosion.
8. ODD SOUNDS – Remember that weird sound in your car? Don’t ignore it! Sounds in your plumbing can indicate there is air stuck in your pipes or something is wrong with your bleed off system (plumbing valves used to automatically release trapped air from a heating system).

Beware: If there are combinations of smaller issues such as air stuck in your pipe and a clog that’s been building up for a while, you risk has just exponentially increased, i.e. your pipes run the risk of bursting.

DON’T WASTE TIME

We don’t mean to scare you. Sometimes these issues don’t end up being that bad but it’s always a good idea to catch a problem in the early stages to avoid an expensive one later on.

If you don’t see any of these warning signs but notice your water bills increasing or your appliances using more energy you may also want to look into the health of your plumbing system.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO

First, don’t just turn your music up louder in the shower and rinse off in rust water. Yikes!
Make sure to monitor your home’s plumbing system:

• Check your water hot and cold water pipes and fittings.
• Inspect your sanitary plumbing and draining pipes that collect and release sewage and stormwater.
• Observe your mechanical systems where your water supply is either heated or cooled.
• Keep an eye on your roofing systems where drainpipes, gutters and rainwater gathers.

It’s important to know what types of pipes your building has and the lifespans of those materials so you can know what to expect. A lot of this information can be found from a structural report. If you don’t have a report you can obtain one from your city council. If your house was built before the 1960s you should get your water tested.

GET ACCURATE

Hearing a weird noise, finding a leak, or even a weird smell doesn’t mean you are on the brink of disaster, but it’s always best to take precaution.

Accurate has some of the best plumbers and home service specialists around, all trained professionally and state-approved. Accurate can assess your issue, point you in the right direction, and/or fix it for you.

To support home-owners in routinely inspecting the health of their home systems, we created The Accurate Advantage Plan. Each year, you receive comprehensive checkups on your plumbing, electric, heating, and air systems for less than $10/month. This is the best way to become aware of potential threats before they become a giant banana in your tailpipe. You can see our plan here.

If you have any concerns about your home or want to schedule your next service appointment, please call 800-947-1747 to speak to one of our Customer Service Representatives.

Let’s get one thing straight. Your toilet is not a black hole. What you choose to flush down does not dissipate out of the space-time continuum. What you flush goes directly through your pipes and eventually to another location, unless what you’re flushing doesn’t make it that far.

Depending on the age of your home’s pipes and plumbing system, you may or may not already have a potential risk of clogging or leaks. You need to mindful of what you flush down your drains. It’s to ensure the longevity of your home’s plumbing, for the benefit of the environment, and because a plumber isn’t an astronaut.

We’ve put together a short list of “risky” items which could likely hurt your plumbing over time. These are the things you should never allow in your plumbing system. Because unlike a black hole, you may see them again, and yes… we know it’s gross.

1.  Tissues/Paper Towels 

Paper Towels and Tissues are meant to absorb various messes and sometimes emotions. Unfortunately, they do not dissolve as easily as toilet paper over time. Flushing these down your toilet on a regular basis can not only clog your toilet and cause a mess in your septic tank, but it could actually affect the water at your local treatment facility.

2. Disposable Diapers

It’s not the baby droppings, it’s one of these diapers going down the drain that could actually get you into a situation only a professional can get you out of. Disposable Diapers are actually pretty common when clogs arise because people don’t realize how harmful they can be to your pipes. Toilets don’t get rid of them easily. Remember when Winnie the Pooh got stuck in that Treehole?  You’re not going to get out of this with a jar of Honey.

3. Tampons/Maxi Pads

It may seem convenient and quick. Yes, sometimes you’re at somebody else’s apartment and it’s embarrassing to throw hygiene products away in the wastebasket. However, Tampons and other feminine hygiene products actually have the ability to create deep clogs and can be very difficult to get out. You should try to avoid flushing these whenever you can.

4. Condoms

Being safe is a good thing. That’s responsible. But putting latex and lubricants in your plumbing system is irresponsible. Latex and lubricants from condoms are actually bad for the interior of your pipes and if you flush them on a regular basis it could cause problems later on or possibly even cause immediate clogging.

5. Kitty Litter

It might even say ‘flushable,’ but don’t. Cat litter reacts poorly to your sewer system and can actually end up staying in your pipes for a long time. Kitty litter does not dissolve easily. If your neighbor is watching your Cat while you are in the Bahamas because you won the Accurate Cruise Vacation Giveaway, make sure they don’t take the easy way out by flushing the litter. There are other methods of poop-scooping that don’t have to involve putting your plumbing system at risk.

6. Cotton/Swabs

Cotton Balls, Q-Tips, Swabs and anything else made of cotton should not be flushed. Cotton absorbs water as well as Sponge Bob Square Pants, and it doesn’t break down easily either. Cotton in your pipes could cause major problems over time. Don’t put Sponge Bob in your toilet either, he doesn’t deserve it.

7. Dental Floss

It may be a small item but it can bundle up and wrap around other objects in your pipes, causing a bigger problem. The next thing you know it’s like a lobster net full of Cotton, Kitty Litter, and Disposable Diapers (we hope you’re not flushing one, let alone multiple items on this list).

8. Hair

If you are cleaning out your sink or tub and think, “hey this is easy,” think again. You are basically transporting a potential clog from one drain to another. Just throw your hair away in the trash and be glad you have hair.

9. Medications 

This is for the benefit of the environment. Pills and other meds may not clog pipes but they definitely could infuse toxins into the sewer system. Sewers are not equipped to break down prescription drugs all the time so it’s always possible pharmaceuticals could find their way back into yours or somebody else’s water supply.

10. Pets

If Puffcorn the Hamster has seen his last days of chewing seeds on the exercise wheel or Moby Nick the Goldfish has come up for the last breath of air, pay their respects indeed. But don’t put them down the drain. They’re not going to be sent out to sea. They’ll be stuck in your pipes. Pets (as well as Cat feces) can actually contain parasites that can affect the health of sea animals too. There are plenty of better burial options.

What if you have a clog?

Obviously, if you clog your toilet it’s not the end of the world, but you should call a professional in Glendora to assess the situation right away before the problem gets worse. Accurate plumbers won’t judge you for what’s stuck in your drain. We just want to help you solve the problem, so please give us call.

4 Key Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

You may have heard of tankless water heaters but are you aware of the benefits they provide? The benefits of tankless extend far beyond longer showers – they will lower your water heating bill, ensure demand is always met, and free up space. Here are some key benefits of making the switch.

1. Saves Energy and Money – Tankless heaters only consume electricity when there is a need for hot water. Storage tanks, however, continuously use energy to keep a reserve of hot water. This is wasted money when no one is in the house. Over the years, a tankless water heater will actually save enough to cover its original cost.
2. Always Provides Hot Water – Never take another cold shower again. This is especially helpful for large families or when you have company. As long as there is a demand for hot water, the tankless water heater will provide it… you are no longer limited to the size of your storage tank.
3. Creates More Space – Traditional storage water heaters can be massive and take up a ton of space. Because of their lightweight size, they can be wall-mounted or stored in a utility closet. And they do not need to be located where your old water heater was. You could save more than 12-15 square feet of space.
4. Extends Life of Unit – Tankless water heaters were created to allow individual part replacement.
   This way if you are having an issue, instead of replacing the entire unit, individual pieces can be replaced to extend the life of the unit.

If you have any questions or are ready to upgrade to a tankless water heater in your home, please call 800-947-1747 to speak to one of our Customer Service Representatives.