Company: Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Safeguard a Home From Flooding With Sump Pump Installation

Sump Pumps: The First Line of Defense

Flooding can lead to significant water damage in a home and other problems like mold. It often results in costly repairs, loss of personal belongings, and other expenses to recover. One of the most effective ways to protect a home from water damage and unwanted flooding is through sump pump installation. This device is designed for basements and crawl spaces to help keep them dry and prevent unwanted water from causing major problems. 

The Sump Pump Advantage

save money Installing a sump pump is only one part of the equation. If the home already has a great sump pump, it is also important to regularly check the sump pump battery backup and perform sump pump maintenance to keep it running efficiently. 

The most obvious advantage of a sump pump is that it will remove excess water from the area. These are some benefits to be familiar with: 

The sump pump defends and protects a home where water is concerned, and these benefits are substantial. 

Exploring Sump Pump Choices

There are several different types of sump pumps available on the market. It is best to work with an experienced professional. They can assess the needs and location of the home, make recommendations, and ensure the homeowner is properly informed on care, maintenance, and expectations for the sump pump. 

  • Submersible Sump Pump: A submersible pump is submerged into a sump pump basin or pit to house the pump. These are the most powerful options on the market and are known for their efficiency. The added power also makes them more expensive, but they can handle larger volumes of water and operate quietly because of the added cost. 
  • Pedestal Sump Pump: A pedestal sump pump is not submerged; rather, a pedestal stand holds the motor above ground. The pump is connected to a pipe that goes down into the basin. Because the motor is not submerged, these typically have a longer lifespan and have been known to last for 25+ years. They are also easy to service. However, the motor placement does make them slightly less powerful, which could limit water flow handling. 

Consider a Secondary or Backup Sump Pump

dark at home It is always a good idea to consider a backup option. In some cases, a sump pump battery backup will be sufficient. In locations with a lot of rainfall or snow melt, installing a secondary sump pump that can act as a backup when the primary gets overloaded can also be advantageous. 

A backup or a secondary system can help protect the home from flooding. 

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service has been a trusted plumbing company for over 100 years. Established in 1920, it has grown steadily into the company it is today. The company proudly offers various services without surprises, hassles, messes, or further problems. Contact them today for sump pump services in Evansville, IN.

Crucial Heating Tips for Winter

How to Avoid a Burst Pipe

During the cold season, underground pipes are commonly frozen and cracked. Once a pipe burst has occurred, homeowners can expect a significant increase in their utility bills. However, simple maintenance can help avoid cold indoor temperatures and needless energy loss.

Keep the Heat On

One way to prevent pipes from freezing is to keep the heater running even if nobody is home to reduce the risk of leaky piping. Although it may seem more expensive initially, this ultimately saves homeowners money on future repairs and replacements.

Opening kitchen and bathroom cabinets is also recommended recommended. These storage spaces are often under the sink, where poorly insulated pipes are installed. Keeping the doors open allows hot air from the rest of the home to circulate. 

The thermostat must not be set above 70 to make a difference. As long as it is above 65 degrees, it will prevent indoor pipes from being damaged by temperature.  

DIY Pipe Insulation

sinkInsulating pipes is the most effective way to keep plumbing intact throughout the winter. The areas that specifically benefit from insulation include the attic, basement, and garage. These spaces tend to be isolated from indoor heat and freeze much more quickly than bedrooms or bathrooms. 

Multiple kinds of insulation are available, including rubber, fiberglass, and foil. Fiberglass is one of the quietest options and is typically used in areas with extremely cold or older houses with fragile plumbing systems.

Rubber insulation can be used for both indoor and outdoor pipes. It is an inexpensive material and can adapt well to sudden shifts in temperature. This is also an easy installation job for professionals and can take less time to complete. 

Foil and foam are used in homes with large attics, for they are known to reduce humidity. If the pipes become wet, this leads to corrosion, causing a much shorter lifespan. This type of insulation also cuts down on noisy vibrations. 

DIY pipe installation is not recommended because asbestos is often found in old insulation, and homeowners must be equipped with all the necessary tools. Secured wrapping is required to make insulation effective, and measurements must be taken beforehand. Trained plumbers can insulate pipes in approximately two hours, depending on the home. 

Disconnecting the Outside Water Supply

outdoor faucetDisconnecting the hose from outdoor faucets will eliminate any moisture that can freeze. In fact, many homeowners leave the outdoor water supply off all winter.  

It would also be best if homeowners shut off valves located in the basement. Turning the handle clockwise cuts off the water but does not remove any excess liquid. The leftover liquid will need to be drained from the faucet outside.

In addition to turning off the hose, homeowners are encouraged to keep their garage doors closed. Doing so provides additional insulation without spending any money.

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service 

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service installs home piping in Evansville, IN. With every service call, homeowners can expect personalized care and upfront pricing. Call today to schedule a plumbing service before winter in Evansville, IN.

Homeowner Safety Tips for Gas Leaks

How Do You Spot a Gas Leak?

For many homes, natural gas is a safe and reliable energy source that powers many of the most-used appliances in the home – from the kitchen range to the air conditioner system – as long as it’s working properly. While gas offers convenience to many homeowners, it can also be a severe safety risk should there be a leak. Unfortunately, natural gas is often known as a silent killer because it’s mostly odorless and nearly impossible to spot (compared to a water leak). So, how can homeowners protect themselves and their families?

In this article, plumbing experts discuss common gas leak symptoms and how to respond in an emergency. 

Why Are Gas Leaks Dangerous?

Gas leaks are mainly dangerous because of their physical health risks for anyone in the home. This can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory difficulties. Furthermore, since gas leaks are carbon monoxide poisoning, they can be lethal when inhaled for extended periods. Aside from the risk it poses to people’s health, it can also put the home in danger. If the gas leaks come into contact with a spark or flame, it can easily ignite, causing an explosion. 

A carbon monoxide monitor is the first line of defense for any home. These devices can help warn anyone in the home in emergencies, so ensure they are placed in areas with gas appliances, like the kitchen. 

Tips for Spotting a Gas Leak

bad smell While a carbon monoxide detector can help with early gas leak detection, it’s often the hidden signs that will help alert homeowners that a gas leak repair is needed. Some of the signals to look for include: 

  • Strange Odors: While natural gas doesn’t smell or taste, chemicals are usually mixed to help homeowners detect leaks. These often have a sulfuric odor like rotten eggs, making it easy to smell a problem.
  • Strange Noises: A gas line is naturally pressurized to help keep the gas flow consistent. If a strange hissing sound is coming from behind any appliance or anywhere in the home, it could warrant an inspection. 
  • Dead Plants & Grass: Natural gas poses a health risk to anyone in the home and can damage grass and houseplants, too. Be on the lookout for indoor plants that have wilted for no apparent reason or spots in the lawn that are overly brown, as this could indicate a gas line leak. 

Responding in a Dangerous Situation

home A gas leak is considered an emergency. While not every gas leak turns into an explosion, the chance is still there, so all homeowners should know how to respond. If any of the above symptoms have been spotted in the home, the first thing to do is immediately evacuate the home. It’s important not to touch anything, as even switching on a light may cause an electrical spark that could ignite the gas in the home.

Call an emergency plumber and the gas company once outside and safely away from the home. They’ll be able to shut off the flow of natural gas to the home and begin any necessary gas line repair. 

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Since 1920, Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service has been serving homeowners in Evansville, IN, and has become one of the most trusted companies in the area. They’re committed to honest service and quality workmanship, with technicians participating in ongoing training to ensure they provide you with the best service possible. Contact them today for expert gas line services and other solutions that earned them the Angie’s List Super Service Award! 

Caring for Sewer Lines to Avoid Clogs and Leaks

Electric trimmer with power cord near greenery for effective landscape maintenance by Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service.

How to Prevent Sewer Clogs and Leaks

A sewer has to work perfectly to keep families safe from biohazards and prevent nasty messes. A sewer will work fine for years until something goes wrong. When that happens, the family may be exposed to human waste or have to deal with a sewage backup resulting from a serious clog. Understanding what causes sewer clogs and leaks can help homeowners know how to prevent them and deal with them when they arise. Here are a few tips to help minimize the trouble that sewer lines can cause around the home. 

Signs of Clogs and How to Stop Them

toilet Sewer clogs can cause major headaches. When sewage isn’t able to flow away from the home, it can cause several problems. Luckily, most sewer clogs give some signs that they are forming to allow homeowners to take action before the worst-case scenario occurs. Some of these signs include: 

  • Sewer gasses leaking into the home 
  • Slow flushing
  • Slow, noisy draining
  • Water backing up into tubs
  • Sewage flowing out of floor drains 

If any of these signs are noticed, homeowners should call an expert immediately for sewer and drain cleaning to prevent a major backup. 

While dealing with a backup or foul odors in the home isn’t great, most people are empowered to know that most sewer clogs are preventable when everyone at home is practicing good plumbing habits. To prevent clogs, encourage people in the home to: 

  • Keep food waste out of the sewer and drains, especially grease and vegetable peels
  • Discard towels, hygiene products, and beauty products in the trash
  • Only flush waste and toilet tissue
  • Encourage multiple flushes so the toilet only has to deal with several small loads 

Dealing with Sewer Leaks

leak Sewer line leaks and freshwater piping leaks are similar because they involve water leaking out of pipes. However, the major difference with sewer leaks is that the water isn’t pressurized. Instead of spewing out noticeably, it can seep out so slowly that people won’t notice until the damage is extensive. Some of the signs to look out for if a homeowner suspects a sewer line leak are: 

  • Foul odors near the sewer main
  • Water seeping from around the slab
  • Lush vegetation on the lawn
  • Mold problems
  • Insect infestations, especially by moisture-loving species 

When these signs are noticed, plumbers can be called for sewer video inspection to pinpoint the leak so repairs can be done quickly and precisely. 

Professional Sewer Line Maintenance

The easiest way to prevent sewer clogs and leaks is to ensure they don’t happen. Spotting the signs can help, and changing habits can eliminate much of the risk, but professional plumbing maintenance is integral to preventing sewer problems. 

Most plumbers offer sewer line maintenance. During a visit, plumbers inspect visible piping, look for problems, and clean the drain and sewer line. By allowing a professional to monitor the pipes year after year, the chances of sewer problems plummet. 

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service has offered fast plumbing solutions for over 100 years. Their teams take pride in their ability to provide hassle-free scheduling and aim for the highest levels of communication to make jobs easier for the homeowner. Call today for sewer line repairs and replacement services in Evansville, IN.

Three Telltale Signs It's Time for Water Heater Replacement

Water Heater Repair or Replacement? How To Tell Which Is Needed

Since most homeowners aren’t professional plumbers, it can be hard for them to tell whether their water heater needs repair or if it’s time to replace the entire unit. This can be tricky because water heater replacement isn’t exactly cheap. But at a certain point, paying for repeated repairs costs more money than water heater replacement. Luckily, certain telltale signs can help homeowners determine when they should consider replacing the water heater instead of repairing it. Read on to learn about these three signs and how they can affect the home’s water heater!

There Are Signs of Corrosion

old water heater Corrosion is one of the most common reasons for water heater replacement. Although storage tank water heaters feature an anode rod designed to prevent the tank itself from rusting, there often comes a time when the anode rod just doesn’t cut it anymore. Of course, not replacing the anode rod (part of regular water heater maintenance) can speed up this corrosion process. Unfortunately, when the water heater tank starts to rust, it’s about time for a water heater replacement. 

However, most corrosion in tank water heaters happens on the inside first. If there’s corrosion visible on the outside, it’s a safe bet that the inside looks a lot worse. So, how can homeowners tell if the inside of the tank is rusting? The hot water tells the tale. The tank is most likely corroding if the hot water (and ONLY the hot water) has a brown or rusty tint. If both the hot and cold water are discolored, it could be an issue with the home’s plumbing. Likewise, if the hot water has a metallic smell, it’s a sign that the tank is rusting, and it’s time for a new water heater installation. 

The Unit Stops Heating Water

shower A lack of hot water is the most obvious sign that the water heater is malfunctioning. After all, that’s the appliance’s only job. But this can come in many forms. If it takes longer than normal to get hot water, or the faucet needs to be cranked up to get it warm, then it’s a sign that the water heater might be failing. The same can be said if the hot water runs cold quicker than usual. 

Sometimes, these issues can be attributed to a faulty thermostat, but the more likely cause is a failing water heater. Getting a professional plumber to look at the unit can help homeowners determine whether they need water heater repair or replacement. 

Frequent Repairs and the Water Heater’s Age

Like any other appliance, a water heater is only good for a finite time. Most tank water heaters last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. So, one way to determine if it’s time for a new water heater is to consider its age. However, if an old unit (over ten years old) seems to be working fine, there’s probably no need to replace it. If the unit is old and has frequent problems that require repairs, replacing the water heater before repairs get so costly they exceed the price of a new water heater installation. 

Newer and more efficient tankless water heaters last longer than their storage tank counterparts, lasting between 15 and 20 years. Homeowners looking for a new water heater should consult a professional plumbing company to see which type is right for them!

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service has proudly served Evansville, IN, for over 100 years! They offer upfront, no-surprises pricing, excellent workmanship, and honest recommendations. They also provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact them today for water heater replacement in Evansville, IN.