Well-functioning plumbing systems are essential to preserving the comfort and cleanliness of all homes in New Castle, Delaware, and the surrounding communities. Unfortunately, numerous things can and do go wrong with residential and commercial plumbing systems, from clogs and leaks to a decrease in water pressure. That’s why we’ve compiled this overall plumbing FAQ to help you become a more informed consumer and learn when to call in the experts at Maichle’s for assistance.
Some easy ways to save money on your monthly water bills are:
If you have taken most of these money-saving measures and still have higher-than-average water bills, despite your monthly water usage remaining consistent, a plumbing leak is a likely culprit. You should call the Maichle’s team to conduct a thorough inspection and evaluation of your pipes.
Normally, your plumbing system does its work quietly, which is why unexpected plumbing noises can be so alarming. In some cases, these odd sounds indicate severe plumbing issues. Here are some of the most common noises your pipes can make, and what they might be trying to tell you.
At Maichle’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we recommend drain cleaning as a preventive measure to keep your home sanitary and your water flow at full function. Periodic drain cleaning helps keep costly issues like unexpected clogs from becoming a large-scale problem. It also gives you greater peace of mind that a sewer emergency won’t disrupt your life.
If you have an older home, your plumbing pipes may be susceptible to collapse, or weakened from many years of corrosion. Your pipes could even have lead in them, which exposes you and your family to potential health problems. To discern what your pipes are made of, as well as what shape they’re in, call Maichle’s to schedule a minimally invasive sewer video camera inspection. We can detect any potential signs that your pipes are in a fragile condition and give you an estimate on how long you can expect them to last before you will need to get them replaced.
When your home’s drainage and venting system is working properly, you should not notice any bad smells from sewer gas. However, if you can smell that telltale unpleasant odor, it is a sure sign you have a problem somewhere in your pipes, and you need to call for repairs as soon as possible. Exposure to these sewer odors, even in small amounts, can be extremely hazardous to you and your family, including pets. The clog, crack or corrosion that is causing the noxious smells to plague your property won’t go away without professional plumbing repairs.
Many plumbing problems are easy to spot, but because leaks often start off small, they can sometimes sneak by undetected for years. Leaks can also hide behind walls, under floors and even in your ceiling, making them even more challenging to find and resolve. Here are some ways to tell if you have a leak.
If you notice any of these issues occurring, give the experienced team at Maichle’s a call to get a handle on it for you. Leaks don’t solve themselves, and the longer you delay in getting them fixed, the more drastic the problem will become, eventually causing more damage that will cost you correspondingly more money to address.
Even if you are a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, plumbing repairs are one area where we don’t suggest trying to go it alone. In many cases, DIY drain cleaning methods are ineffective, and in the worst-case scenario, they can exacerbate the problem even further. Commercially available drain cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can harm your health and cause further corrosion in your pipes, while drain snakes are often not long enough to reach clogs that have formed deep within your property’s pipe network. If you need drain cleaning in Delaware, Pennsylvania or Maryland, it’s best to call the friendly team at Maichle’s to get to the bottom of the issue with our specialized tools and techniques.
A sewer camera inspection is the most technologically advanced way to discover any problems hidden within your pipes. It is also an excellent way to detect any minor issues that may become more severe in the future, such as a small accumulation on the walls of your pipes that is just beginning to form the basis of a clog. Here are some examples of circumstances in which a sewer camera inspection will be beneficial.
Usually, a drop in water pressure is a sign of a problem somewhere within your plumbing system. This change often happens over time. If only one plumbing fixture has low water pressure, it’s likely you can fix the problem by replacing that fixture or repairing the pipes that run to it. However, if you have been experiencing low water pressure throughout your entire home, that indicates a systemic issue. The most severe and potentially costly reason for low water pressure occurs when old galvanized steel water pipes have become corroded to the point that they are dramatically reducing the amount of water that can flow to and from your home. As these pipes age, the buildup of corrosion and scale gradually restricts the diameter of the pipe, and you will need to call a trained team to repair and rehabilitate the damage.
At Maichle’s, we advise against do-it-yourself toilet clog repairs such as plunging. Plunging a clogged toilet can break the seal, causing leaks and further damage. The best course of action is to call us to dispatch a trained technician to your property to prevent a toilet backup that could jeopardize your health. Without the experience and knowledge to clear the clog effectively, you could end up costing yourself more money than if you had made the right call and hired a professional to begin with.
To ensure you are getting the most for your money and repairs that get done right the first time, you should make sure the company you are working with is reputable and able to provide the services you need. It’s worth your time to do your homework. Here are some things to check for.
Maichle’s is a locally owned company offering sewer repairs, fixture installation and overall plumbing maintenance, and we put our 35 years of experience into everything we do. Whether you need to schedule routine service for a minor issue, or are experiencing a plumbing crisis that necessitates emergency repairs, you can count on us every time. We are passionate about providing outstanding service to all our customers, and we offer high-quality solutions that ensure your satisfaction.