Ken's Plumbing | Blog

Tackling plumbing problems is an inherent aspect of homeownership. Whether it's a clogged drain, a leaky faucet, or a sluggish toilet, these issues, although common, can still be frustrating and disruptive. 

If you asked homeowners about their “most dreaded plumbing nightmare,” leaks would likely top the list. Dealing with a leak means fixing or replacing a faulty hose or pump and addressing the “collateral damage,” aka mold, wall, or flooring damage. 

“This is the last thing I need before we go on our annual vacation,” a client told me last week, upset after dealing with a burst frozen water pipe.

Yes, a plumbing emergency can strike at any time, often at the worst times. Nonetheless, plumbing emergencies are always stressful situations that leave homeowners feeling frustrated and anxious about what to do next.

Discover the essential steps to troubleshoot your sump pump effectively and keep your basement dry. Follow this comprehensive guide to address any issues and ensure your sump pump is in optimal working condition.

Pipes are a nutrient oasis for tree roots. Why? They contain oxygen, nutrients, and water, things the roots naturally seek. Vapor from the pipes escapes to the outside soil and the roots grow toward the moisture in the pipe. If it can, the root will find a crack or small hole in the pipe and then grow—which widens the hole in the pipe and makes things worse.

Once inside, the root will continue to grow which then acts as a collector of toilet paper and waste, causing blocks to the line. Eventually, the clog will completely block the flow and make a big mess as well as a costly fix.

Fortunately, there are four ways to help prevent these problems before they start. Here are tips for how to protect your plumbing from tree roots:

Our shower habits causing damage to our plumbing is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you turn the knob to get the shower going, but the way we get ready every morning can have a big effect on our plumbing system. So, what are those things we do that can cause unwanted trouble? Here is a list of bad shower habits that can ruin your plumbing:

As spring approaches, it's time to think about a little more than just cleaning. The season is also a good time to assess and maintain your plumbing system. Regular maintenance can help to decrease the chances of serious problems with your system and prevent costly damage and a visit from a professional. Here is your spring plumbing maintenance checklist:

No doubt that we love our pets! They are part of the family, and like any family member, sometimes they can be a little bit of a handful. They can chew on a favorite toy or shoe, or they can scratch our floors and furniture. Although our furry friends don’t mean it, they can also cause a few issues with our plumbing if we are not aware. This happens because the effect they have on our system is not readily apparent. In order to keep our pipes and pets happy, we put together a list of tips to pet-proof your plumbing.

Ice dams are a common winter phenomenon that causes damage to your home when the combination of warm air leaking from poor ventilation in your attic melts snow on your roof which then leaks and refreezes on your eaves. The ice dam can be even more dangerous if your gutter system is clogged. It is important to understand what ice dams are and learn how to prevent them because unchecked they can cause serious damage to your roof, gutters, interior drywall as well as paint and insulation on any exposed surface.

In short, yes.  Even in dry weather it is important to stay on top of any possible plumbing issues, but when the weather gets wet, it’s even more important to understand how rain, especially heavy rain, can affect your plumbing. This is the first step to avoiding and correcting issues as they arise—even preventing basement or crawl space flooding. Here are some ways that rain can affect your plumbing.