You could save yourself from many expensive plumbing issues just by sticking to certain basics. Unfortunately, most homeowners fail to pay heed to these basics and end up running into huge plumbing bills. Here are five important plumbing mistakes that you should avoid.

1. Ignoring Minor Plumbing Issues

Whenever there should be a minor plumbing issue, give it the attention that it requires. At times, you will be able to fix the issue yourself in just few minutes but at other times, you may have to call a professional plumbing company. Delaying your call to the plumber will only aggravate things leading to unnecessary expenses.

2. Trying To Cut Corners While Hiring Plumbers

Whenever you should hire a plumbing company make sure that you are calling a professional service provider. Do not try to cut corners by calling unqualified plumbers. One of the reasons why people go for such service providers is because they think that they could save a few bucks. However, this could prove to be most expensive mistake that you could make. Imagine losing your insurance and getting into liability issue just because you wanted to save a few dollars. Before you summon any plumber, check their credentials and their license.

3. Failing To Take Winter Precautions

Plumbing companies get more business during and just after the winter. Why? It is simply because homeowners totally ignore the winter precautions that they are supposed to be taking. If you are not sure what are the plumbing precautions that you should be taking during winter you could talk to your local plumbing company to get tips and recommendations. It is also not a bad idea to call your plumber to inspect the entire plumbing system before every winter. If there are no issues, you will be spending only for the visit and if there were any issues, you would have attended to it in a timely fashion before the winter starts and thereby saved your plumbing system from expensive damages.

4. Excessive And Wrong Use Of Drain Cleaners

You need to keep your drains clean but at the same time, if you use excessive drain cleaners then your pipelines will be corroded as drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals to breakdown the dirt and the blockage. You need to be therefore cautious in selecting the right drain cleaners and use them correctly.

5. Choosing Wrong Fittings

In case, you are venturing into your own DIY plumbing repairs, make certain that you are choosing the right fittings. Wrong choice of fittings and size mismatches could result in leakages, which again could prove to be expensive. Rather than running into such issues, it is better that you contact your local plumber who could take care of your plumbing needs.

If you review the above listed most common plumbing mistakes, they could be categorized into two categories namely carelessness and cost cutting efforts. As far as the cost cutting efforts are concerned, you could save a great deal of money by carefully reviewing and selecting the right plumbing companies that offer their services at reasonable fee.

Contact Pathmaker Plumbing for professional plumbing services in Charlotte, NC.

September 14, 2015

Life could become complicated if something should go wrong with your water heater, especially during the winter. One of the mistakes that most homeowners make when it comes to water heater repair is that they try to postpone their call to a plumber as long as possible thinking that the problem will disappear on its own. However, this does not happen even on your luckiest day. If there is an issue with your new tankless water heaters installation or with the operations of your equipment then you need to call your plumber at the earliest possible time.

Sometimes homeowners give into the temptation and try to handle their own water heater repairs. Is it a good idea to attempt DIY water heater repairs? Before we could answer this question, first we should try to understand why people attempt DIY water heater repairs. Firstly, it could be to save some money and secondly to get the issue fixed faster without having to wait for the local plumber to visit you. Does your attempt to resolve the water heater replacement or repair issue really help the situation and help you achieve the intended goals? Unless you are a qualified technician, the odds are that your attempt is only likely to make things worse. Rather than saving money, you could end up spending more money on rectifying the issue. Added to that, you will also be delaying the whole process of getting your water heater fixed when you aggravate the issue.

Therefore, it is best to find a reliable plumber in your area, establish long-term association with the plumbing company so that whenever there should be a problem, you could get their quick service. Regardless of whether it is a minor repair, replacement or new installation, it is important to call a certified technician. When you try to repair your water heater yourself, you could break a component or you could damage the insulation or the entire water line. It is not safe to attempt a DIY repair. Moreover, you could also be ending up with liability issues and problems with the insurance companies when something goes wrong. In case of mishaps, you cannot make valid insurance claims if you do not use a licensed plumber.

You need to be mindful of all these risks before you attempt any DIY efforts on water heater repair, replacement or installation. Try to screen your local plumbers, identify the most reputed and competitively priced plumber so that you could call them up as soon as you notice that something is not alright with your water heater. Giving timely attention to water heater repairs will save you from unnecessary hassles and it will also help you keep the bills low.

Do not wait for things to go wrong to shortlist your preferred water heater installation or repair company because during such times, you will be under great pressure and you will not have time to review multiple service providers and to pick the best service provider.

Learn more about water heater repair at Pathmaker Plumbing  or call (704) 733-7507.

August 13, 2015

The best way to avoid significant plumbing issues is to attend to maintenance and small problems before they grow into something more. Pathmaker Plumbing is dedicated to serving the Charlotte, NC area with professional residential plumbing services that increase the life of your plumbing system with innovative and affordable solutions.  We take care of your plumbing problems as soon as possible to save you the expense and stress of major plumbing work.

When you notice a leak or clog, Pathmaker Plumbing will provide a full inspection and repair to ensure that damage is minimized and your water service is restored. There are several symptoms of plumbing problems that may not seem important but should be analyzed to ensure that a failure hasn’t occurred. Contact Pathmaker Plumbing if you notice:

• Slow leaking around faucets
• Leaking from your toilet tank
• Water around the base of your toilet
• Leaking under your sink
• Slow, ineffective flushing
• Slow draining
• Bad smells from drains
• Water or sewage backed up in yard

Any of these may not seem like a problem on their own, but damage to your pipes could be more severe than you realize. By locating these leaks and clogs before they become more serious, Pathmaker Plumbing can save you money and reduce the time your household spends waiting for repairs to be made. Any time something with your plumbing simply doesn’t seem to be working quite right, call Pathmaker for honest service you can count on.

Professional Plumbing Inspections

Pathmaker Plumbing can determine the source of your plumbing problems using state-of-the-art technology and tools that enable non-invasive diagnosis of your issues. Camera pipe inspections enable us to locate areas where pipes have shifted, broken, or become pierced by roots without digging or causing any collateral damage. With this ability to pinpoint problem areas, we can fix leaks and clogs quickly and minimize the time and budget required for repairs.

It is essential to use a licensed professional plumber when you need plumbing repairs. Our work is guaranteed and insured to give you peace of mind. Pathmaker Plumbing wants each of our Charlotte, NC area clients to be thrilled with our work. We understand that few home repairs are as immediate needs as when a bathroom or laundry room is out of order. We strive for quick response and complete customer satisfaction.

Professional Installations

At Pathmaker Plumbing, we don’t just repair plumbing systems, we also can install vial equipment in your home. If you are ready for a new garbage disposal, water heater, dishwasher, toilet, sink, or water softener, call us today. We can replace an old, ineffective unit with equipment that is effective and energy efficient. Even if you do not already have equipment in place, we can create the necessary connections and electric supply to install the garbage disposal that you have been dreaming of. With professional installation, you know that your fixtures will work properly, without leaks or problems that can go hand in hand with do-it-yourself installations. Save your time for more important tasks and leave installation to the professionals at Pathmaker Plumbing.

When you need help NOW

It can be scary to find your basement full of water or realize that nothing is draining. That is why Pathmaker Plumbing offers 24 hour emergency response service. The promptness of drying water damage can mean a difference of thousands of dollars when it comes to water damage. We want you comfortable in your home with as little stress and expense as possible, so we get there as fast as we can.

We have experts on staff to quickly solve your plumbing emergencies. Call us if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Burst pipe
• Clogged drain
• Leaking water heater
• Sewage backup
• Overflowing sink, toilet, or tub

We use high tech solutions to ensure your problem is resolved as soon as possible.

Tips for avoiding plumbing problems

Proper maintenance and use of your home’s plumbing system is essential to avoiding serious problems with your plumbing. Follow these tips for trouble free plumbing

1. Have repairs made promptly. Don’t let little problems become big ones.
2. Have your septic tank regularly inspected and emptied.
3. Take care of leaks and clogs as soon as you notice them.
4. Have all fixtures professionally installed.
5. Do not dispose of large waste down your drains.
6. Turn off water when you are away from home for an extended period.
7. Periodically inspect beneath sinks and around visible pipes for leaks.
8. Do not set water pressure too high.
9. Keep the entrance of drains clean.
10. Replace leaky fixtures.

Contact Pathmaker Plumbing

We are happy to assist you with plumbing system maintenance, fixture installation, pipe inspections, and repairs. Contact us to schedule your professional plumbing service today. Pathmaker Plumbing proudly serves Charlotte, Ballantyne, Pineville, Matthews, Weddington, Waxhaw and surrounding areas.

July 20, 2015

Winter is just round the corner and it could prove to be an expensive time of the year when it comes to residential plumbing. You certainly would not want to channel your holiday budget into plumbing expenses. You could save a lot of money on your plumbing repair and plumbing maintenance by taking certain precautionary measures. Here are five important winter plumbing maintenance tips that will help you prevent unnecessary plumbing expenses this winter.

#1 Find a reliable local plumbing contractor for an inspection of your plumbing system.

Many a times homeowners think that calling a plumber for pre-winter inspection as waste of money. However, those who get a plumber for such inspections regularly know how it could save the day for them. Fixing minor plumbing issues prior to winter is important. What might seem to be a minor crack or leakage could prove to be a massive disaster if not taken care in a timely fashion especially during the winter. Therefore, never underestimate the importance of pre-winter plumbing inspection.

#2 Detach the garden hoses from the outdoor faucets.

It is important to detach the garden hoses from the faucets and the connected valves should be shut off. You should also remember to drain the hoses and if you forget, the water remaining in the hosepipe will freeze and it will damage the hose.

#3 Keep your drains clean.

Regular cleaning of your drain pipes is very important. You do not want to clogged pipes and the associated nightmares during winter. If you should notice signs of water clog in your drain pipes or bathtubs do not wait for too long before you call your plumber. Identifying the clogs at the initial stages will keep the plumbing bills low.

#4 Check your insulations.

One of the areas that requires your attention is the insulation of the pipes that carry water. As long as the pipeline that carries water is buried under the ground the water in the pipe retains temperatures that are above the freezing point. However, the pipeline that is above the ground level is exposed to very low temperatures. If the insulation is not effective it will not only affect the efficiency of your heating system but it could lead to further issues such as freezing of the water in the exposed areas and cut off of water supply to the entire house.

#5 Do not postpone any minor plumbing repairs to be made.

If you need to undertake any minor plumbing repairs which you have been postponing all along then you should not postpone it any longer. Get all your plumbing issues fixed before winter however small you might think they are. You just need to make sure that you are calling a credible plumbing contractor in your area to take care of your plumbing issues. It is always best to establish long term association with your local plumber so that they have a better understanding of your home’s plumbing system, which will in turn help them in offering you with faster and effective solutions.