Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘low water pressure’

5 Plumbing Problems That Should Be Left to the Professionals

Wednesday, July 8th, 2020

5 Plumbing Problems That Should Be Left to the Professionals

5 plumbing problems for professionals - Turek's Plumbing

In these difficult times, you might be tempted to tackle every repair job that is needed in your home so that you can minimize the contact that your family has with non-family members. However, it isn’t always advisable to take matters in your own hands, especially when the problem has to do with the plumbing system. Here are some plumbing problems that we at Tureks Plumbing Services believe you should leave to the pros.

A Drop in Water Pressure

Seeing the water pressure in your home plummet can be extremely annoying and inconvenient. You should never rush to resolve this situation by yourself. For starters, water pressure lowers for a wide variety of reasons, and not many homeowners have the skills or tools to pinpoint the exact fault behind the loss of water pressure.

It is therefore advisable for you to contact a plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin so that he or she can get to the root of the problem and then implement the appropriate remedial measures.

No Hot Water

The water heater is a vital appliance in every home. The loss of hot water can throw your plans in disarray as you will be unable to do anything that requires hot water. These activities include running the dishwasher, taking a hot shower or even doing the laundry.

Our friends at McQuillan Bros, an HVAC and plumbing company in St. Paul say that you should never attempt to fix a water heater problem by yourself. This precaution is necessary because the water heater is intricately linked to the electrical or gas system as well as the water supply. Tinkering with such a complex system may be catastrophic, such as triggering water damage when you accidentally damage a water line. You are therefore better off contacting a plumbing company in Appleton Wisconsin so that an experienced professional can check the heater and resolve any issues preventing it from doing its work.

Pipe Leaks

Leaking pipes are another plumbing problem that should best be left to the professionals. This is because many times, where a leak manifests may not necessarily be the point at which the pipe is damaged.

Secondly, it can be hard to access the damaged section of the pipe since the affected pipe may be buried in a wall, ceiling or floor. Only the experienced hands and tools of a plumber in Appleton Wisconsin can safely and quickly ascertain the source of a pipe leak. Once the source is identified, it is easy for the plumber to disassemble the wall, floor or ceiling in order to fix the damage without causing additional damage to your property. Reassembly is also easy for plumbers since they have handled similar plumbing problems hundreds of times.

Blocked Plumbing Pipes

Many homeowners are tempted to buy a plumbing snake or a commercial drain cleaner when a pipe is blocked in their homes. While these solutions seem appropriate enough, they are fraught with a lot of risks.

For example, the harsh chemicals in the commercial drain cleaner could damage the plumbing pipes while the snake can also perforate a pipe if it isn’t used properly. 

The best course of action is to get in touch with a plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin so that the skilled professional can diagnose the problem and then use the most appropriate professional tools to resolve the blockage.

Frozen Pipes

The cold weather brings its own challenges to your hard working plumbing system. For example, frozen pipes are a common problem that we at Turek’s Plumbing Services get called to address by homeowners in Appleton Wisconsin.

When a pipe freezes, you may think that the remedy is as simple as applying heat to the frozen section of the pipe. This isn’t usually the right course of action to take, especially when the affected pipes were made from plastic.

Contact a Fox Valley plumbing company and let their skilled Appleton plumbers check the pipes and select the best remedy to resolve the problem before it escalates (the pipe could burst and spew water into your home, for example).

At Tureks Plumbing Services, we are aware that plumbing accidents can occur at any time of the day or night, and such accidents can cause a lot of damage. If you are searching for an Appleton Wisconsin plumbing company that you can trust with plumbing services, contact us and we will make sure that the plumbing system gets back quickly to its best when a defect develops. Make that call today!

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Why You Might Have Low Water Pressure

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020

low water pressure - tureks plumbing servicesLow water pressure is one of the most frustrating things a homeowner can experience. It slows you down and prevents you from carrying out your chores with the efficiency you are used to. Additionally, low water pressure can affect other aspects of your home, such as water heaters that require the water pressure to work.

Low water pressure can be caused by a number of things. Identifying the problem and fixing it will allow you to enjoy your water and avoid any frustration. Here are some of the reasons contributing to your low water pressure in your home. 

Faulty Fixtures 

Fixtures such as your shower head and faucets could be faulty due to old age. Old fixtures are likely to clog due to rust or dirt. This will affect how much water flows through them. Determine which of your fixtures if faulty by testing them one by one. 

Also, make sure that you check the screen and aerator for each faucet to determine whether they are clean and clear. A clogged screen or aerator could be what is causing the fixture to act up. You can easily solve this by replacing or cleaning the fixtures to attain normal flow. 

Corrosion and Debris 

Your pipes will get old with time. For example, pipes made of galvanized steel are likely to rust. The rust accumulates and starts to collect debris over time. This lowers the water pressure. 

Corrosion and the accumulation of debris take place gradually, so you might not notice it immediately. Your plumber in Appleton will be in a better position to determine the level of rust and debris in your pipes and fix it. 

Faulty Pressure Regulator 

A pressure regulator is a bell-shaped control valve used to reduce pressure in plumbing. This reduces the amount of damage caused by high water pressure on your pipes. The pressure regulator can fail and allow the increase or decrease in water pressure. In this case, your pressure regulator will start to inhibit the pressure of the water. 

You can tell whether your pressure regulator is working properly by trying to adjust it. Any defects will affect all fixtures. Your plumber will test your regulator by connecting a water pressure gauge to the spigot that is closest to the regulator or water main and check the psi readings. A reading of below 52-75 psi means that your regulator could be failing and has to be replaced. 

Faulty Water Valve 

Your plumbing system contains two valves that control the flow of water inside your home. Both valves are found close to the meter, one on each side of the meter. Your city’s water employees can close and open the valve on the street side of the meter. 

You might experience low water pressure if either of the valves is not properly opened. It helps to check both valves, especially if your plumbing system had some work done on it. Remember not to apply too much pressure on the valve when opening it. 

One of the best ways to handle low water pressure is to involve a plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin. If you are looking for trained and qualified plumbers for your plumbing issues, look no further than Tureks Plumbing. We are dedicated to giving you value for your money. Tureks Plumbing provides 24/7 emergency plumbing services. So, just contact us and we’ll be on our way!

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What Causes Water Pressure to Decrease?

Wednesday, November 21st, 2018

what causes water pressure to decrease

What Causes Water Pressure to Decrease?

Low water pressure can be frustrating as it has an effect on your daily life. From use in the kitchen to the shower, low water pressure can make a task as simple as washing the dishes a nightmare.

So what causes water pressure to decrease? We have 6 common reasons why most homes face water pressure issues.

Water pressure issue #1: Issue with the water valve

Two valves control most homes water flow. If you face water pressure issues, you want to check these valves first. They are usually near the water meter. The valve that is positioned on the street side is the city’s, you may not have access to this since it belongs to the city. The other valve, which is on the side of your home, controls the water in your home.

You want to make sure both the valves are completely open. They control the water flow into your home so if it is not completely open then chances are you will have low water pressure. When operating the valve, you need to be gentle with it. Don’t apply too much force, which can cause damage.

If access to the city valve is cut off then you can contact the city office and see if they can send someone down to open it for you.

Water pressure issue #2: Fault in the fixtures

The faucets and showers in your home are used daily. With time they start to wear and tear. Faulty fixtures are one of the most common reasons for low water pressure. Once they get old the fixtures easy clog up with limestone, dirt, and even rust. All of which results in lower water pressure.

The best way to test whether it is a certain fixture is to run water through it at the same time with another. If you notice a difference in the pressure of the two then you know that one is faulty. Before running the test, just be sure to clean the aerator of the fixture so no dirt is stuck in it, which also results in lower pressure. When you’ve determined a fixture to be faulty, you can clean it out to clearing out the clog or have it replaced.

Water pressure issue #3: A damaged pressure regulator

The pressure regulator does exactly as it names states, it regulates water pressure in the plumbing. It is important that the regulator stays in shape otherwise you will either get no pressure or too much of it.

Fixing a regular isn’t hard; you just need to replace it. You can do it on your own or seek help from an Appleton plumber.

Water pressure issue #4: Clog in the water pipes

If your fixtures and valve have been cleared after inspection then the reason behind low water pressure could be clogged pipes. Clogged pipes aren’t easy to deal with and is better if left to a professional. You can consult a plumber to help figure out how the clog can be resolved. This can only be done after they inspect the pipes and determine where the clog is.

Water pressure issue #5: Plumbing problem

Corrosion in the plumbing can happen in older homes. If you are having trouble diagnosing the problem then chances are the plumbing is corroded. This may require a complete overhaul of the plumbing, which is obviously a project you cannot take up on your own. An Appleton plumber can help you with the project they can assess the corrosion and determine what the proper step maybe.

Water pressure issue #6: Main supply line has issues

If your home has been cleared from the above issues then chances are there is an issue with the main supply line. The line doesn’t supply your home with enough water, which has resulted in lower pressure. A plumber in Appleton, WI can help you assess this problem and help you take the right step to have it resolved.

There are numerous different factors that cause water pressure to decrease The hard part for most homeowners may just be identifying what the problem is. Before you take any drastic steps on your own be sure to get an expert to help out with the assessment and tell you the right course of action to take. Otherwise, you may end up causing more problems.

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