May 2022 - Bert Norman's Plumbing

A Plumber’s Guide To Your Home’s Plumbing System | Fernandina, FL

Posted on May 28, 2022May 30, 2022 by Justin Lucas

By understanding how your plumbing system works, you can save money and prevent plumbing disasters. Having a basic understanding of how your plumbing fixtures and appliances work together to provide an ample amount of water, drainage, and sewage will help you determine whether or not your plumbing system is in need of repair. If you recognize signs of malfunction or decay in your plumbing system, contact your nearest reputable plumber for urgent repair services. If you live in or around the Fernandina, FL, area, contact the staff at Bert Norman’s Plumbing for all of your plumbing system needs.

Plumbing System Basics

The plumbing system is a series of various fixtures and piping constructed to work together. Plumbing’s main functions are supplying clean water and ridding the home of organic waste. The plumbing system can be separated into two parts. The drainage system and the water supply system are what make up a complete plumbing system. Gravity and pressure are used to move water and drain. The operation of your plumbing system is at its best when all of the components are in good shape and are well maintained. When a plumbing system is neglected and malfunctions are left unaddressed the plumbing system will quickly crumble. To ensure a healthy plumbing system and prevent serious malfunctions from occurring, be sure to have a professional and reliable plumber maintain and repair your plumbing system when needed.

Various components make up your drainage and water supply system. Some important components include the water heater, water meter, sump pump, and septic tank. There are many other components that help the plumbing system operate. Exp[erts suggest having your plumbing system inspected and maintained at least once or twice a year as a preventive measure. If you live in or around the Fernandina, FL, area, and are in need of a professional plumber, contact the staff at Bert Norma’s Plumbing for an urgent plumbing service today.

Common & Serious Plumbing Malfunctions You Should Be on the Lookout For

As a property owner, it is essentially up to you to keep up with your appliances and maintenance needs. Knowing which plumbing malfunctions you should be aware of can help prevent further damages from occurring. Preventive maintenance services from a reliable and licensed plumber can actually reduce the number of malfunctions that occur in your plumbing system.

Leaks

There are many different types of leaks that can plague your property. Plumbing leaks should be addressed quickly to avoid serious property issues. You may be able to identify a plumbing leak, by the presence of uncontained water.

Water travels through pipes. Plumbing leaks typically occur due to a broken pipe or loose pipe joint. These leaks can go unnoticed for long amounts of time. By the time a pipe leak is recognized, it may be too late to avoid the damage. This is where regular maintenance comes into play. By having a professional plumber regularly check your plumbing system, you can avoid pipe leaks from going unnoticed for long periods.

Plumbing pipes are strategically placed in various areas of the home to address water supply and drainage needs. Pipes are sometimes in areas that aren’t normally frequented or are never looked at. If a leak occurs in an area like this, you will need to rely on senses other than sight to find it and contact a plumbing expert for urgent repair.

You may be able to detect leaks in the presence of mold. Mold needs moisture to form. An unseen leak is the perfect fuel source for mold to start accumulating. Another way you may be able to detect hard-to-see leaks is by sound. If a leak occurs, you may be able to hear it trickling out. In order to hear this sound, you will need to use water so the leak could be exposed. When you flush a toilet or use a faucet, listen closely to see If you can hear the trickling of water somewhere. It is normal to hear the whooshing of water speeding through your plumbing system, but a trickling is a specific sound that could indicate a leak is somewhere on your property. If you notice any signs of a possible leak on your property, contact your local and trustworthy plumber for urgent repair. If you live in or around the Fernandina area, contact the staff at Bert Norma’s Plumbing to schedule assistance today.

Clogs

Clogs are common malfunctions. It is likely that you have experienced one or two in your lifetime. Clogs can be alleviated with the help of a professional plumber. Although there are other ways to get rid of clogs, professional assistance is the safest and most effective way to rid your drains of any obstructions.

In fact, regular drain cleaning services can reduce the number of clogs your drains have each year. Over-the-counter drain cleaners such as Draino can actually be extremely damaging to the drainage system. These chemical drain cleaners are not always effective either. The result of constantly using a chemical drain cleaner to clean your drains could be more stubborn clogging, and weakened pipes. To avoid this, ensure you have a trusted, licensed plumbing professional periodically clean your drains.

Water Heater Malfunctions

The water heater is an extremely important appliance to own. This appliance allows people to use hot water at the turn of a nob. This is best for cleaning, cooking, and bathing purposes.

Water heaters are part of the water supply system. Due to its extremely important placement and function, this appliance needs to be maintained and inspected by a licensed plumber regularly. The better maintained this machine is, the fewer issues you will have with it.

If you recognize signs of water heater malfunction it is imperative you have it professionally repaired. Water heater malfunctions will affect other areas of your plumbing system and property. You may be able to recognize signs of water heater malfunction, by the way, your hot water acts. If there isn’t enough or none at all, chances are something is wrong with your water heating appliance.

If you live in or around the Fernandina, FL, area, and are in need of a professional plumber, contact the staff at Bert Norman’s Plumbing for all of your plumbing service needs.

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Plumbing Services For Your Septic System | Jacksonville, FL

Posted on May 21, 2022May 23, 2022 by Justin Lucas

Although somewhat rare, some Jacksonville, FL, commercial and residential properties feature septic systems. This means that these homeowners don’t incur the monthly sewer bills from the authorities and have total control over their home’s waste management. Because of the vital role they play in ensuring that your home is hygienic by storing the wastes and wastewater. This means that plumbing services are vital for managing these systems.

They get and break down waste constantly, meaning that homeowners having them at their homes don’t have the luxury of skipping on septic system maintenance. Hence, they must enlist the assistance of a professional plumber to regularly clean or repair the septic tank and other associated maintenance, as you’ll find out below.

Septic Tank Pumping

The leading plumbing service related to or associated with a septic system is tank pumping. Although the frequency of septic tank pumping depends on your household situation and the size of the tank, most of them need pumping every three years. As a rule of thumb, having your septic tank pumped more routinely than necessary is far much better rather than letting it go for long without the service. Homes having a garbage disposal unit, washing machines, or other appliances and factors that raise the solid waste amounts might require more regular pumping.

You can also find that it is the best time to treat your septic tank with additives during pumping. These additive products are vital in replacing the bacteria that break down the solid wastes in the septic tanks. You could easily assume that the bacteria won’t require any replenishing since they constantly multiply when breaking down the solid waste.

However, the septic system receives all kinds of waste and wastewater from your home. This includes laundry detergents, shampoo, soap, bleach, and cleaning products, among other disinfectants. All the substances above will kill the bacteria in the septic tank. The additives help in bringing bacteria back to an acceptable level.

Septic Tank Vents

There is a lot of pressure buildup in the septic tank due to decomposition. This means that any septic tank should always have a vent to release that pressure. The gasses that build up within the septic tank could have surprisingly destructive properties. The bacteria produce these gasses as they break down the solid wastes within the septic tank. When there isn’t a place where the gas can go to or flow out through, it forces its way through the weakest point of the septic system.

Are you unsure whether your septic tank has a vent? Do you suspect your septic tank’s vents are somehow clogged? Enlist the assistance of a local plumber in Jacksonville, FL. A majority of the vents on your septic tank are fitted near the leach field, ensuring that the trapped air from the tank can flow upwards to the surface. Your septic tank’s vent pipe likely appears as a white tube that sticks above the ground.

Locating the vent piping could also indicate the leech field area generally. Such knowledge is helpful in various cases since some people do not know or understand where the leach fields are positioned. This is common for those homeowners that bought their homes or weren’t there when their home’s septic system was fitted.

Although some homeowners might choose to have their septic vent pipes disguised, caution is needed. It is safe to landscape your yard having a leach field, though only if correctly done. Do not plant trees over/above your septic tank or disturb this leach field. Hence, it is a great idea to avoid the growth of shrubs or any other types of plants having an extensive root system on top of or near the tank.

Planting a bush or a tree above your septic system is an invitation for root intrusion. Additionally, it isn’t a good idea to cut the vent pipes. If cut too short, the vent septic vent pipes might not work correctly. Additionally, some municipal councils have laws and regulations dictating the type and length of the septic vent pipes. These laws might not allow you to alter the vent pipes. Remember, a short pipe has a higher chance of getting blocked by debris and dirt. Consult a plumbing service expert before any landscaping project over the septic system.

Septic Inspections

Regular plumbing service maintenance also includes the inspection of the septic system. Some local and state governments require that you have a septic system inspected in situations such as before selling or buying a home. The septic system isn’t cheap. Hence, they must be evaluated before any real estate transaction.

The other reason to have the septic system inspected is that switching from a septic system to a public or municipal sewer could be time-consuming and frustrating. This does not often happen, though some Jacksonville, FL homeowners switch to a municipal or public sewer service whenever their septic system requires significant repairs.

Some HOAs and municipalities might try forcing homeowners to switch to public sewers. However, those that have lived within the community before such requirements are not obligated to adhere to them. This could become a severe and complicated situation, so you must enlist the assistance of a reliable plumbing service expert. They will offer solid advice and help.

Pipelining and Clogs

Pipelining is a method of repairing your septic system and other damaged drainage pipes without destructive and expensive excavation. The plumbing service provider inserts the new pipes within the existing ones to reinforce their walls. The trenchless repair method usually is hassle-free compared to the traditional methods that require excavation, damaging your beautiful yard and lawns. You could also avert a major repair down the line by fixing minor leakages and cracks through pipelining.

Clogged drains and septic tanks could be the underlying issue whenever you notice that your toilets, showers, or sinks are slowly draining. A professional plumbing service provider will find any underlying issues and promptly repair them. They also have inspection cameras that can record footage from within the plumbing system and pinpoint the location of the problem.

Drain cleaning using hydro-jetting and drain snakes resolves the clogged drains while a full septic tank most likely requires to be pumped out. The tree roots might be the culprit of the slow drains too.

Reputable Plumber in Jacksonville

Do you need your septic system pumped or any other plumbing service? Our professional plumbing experts at Bert Norman’s Plumbing have got your back. They are professionally trained and equipped with modern tools to ensure that they complete any plumbing efficiently and effectively. Contact us today to have your septic system inspected and pumped or another plumbing service.

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Common Plumbing Issues That Only A Professional Plumber Can Fix | Callahan, FL

Posted on May 14, 2022May 15, 2022 by Justin Lucas

In many cases, it’s pretty clear when you have a plumbing blockage; the water won’t go down the drain. While that’s a very clear sign that something is stuck in the drain, that’s not the only sign of a blockage. Even though you might not know what’s stopped up in your drain, you know that the drain has to be cleared in order for your plumbing system to work properly. That’s where a licensed plumber from Bert Norman’s Plumbing can help. If you experience any of the following signs, we can send a plumbing professional to your Callahan, FL, home to clear your drain and, in many instances, even tell you what’s blocking it.

Slow Drain

A slow drain is a sign that there’s a problem. Slow drains are typically early warning signs of a pending clog. If your sink or tub is draining slowly, there’s likely a clog building. Most of the time, drain cleaning can easily solve this problem. Your plumber from Bert Norman’s Plumbing can quickly clear the line so that your drain flows quickly again.

However, sometimes a slow drain can indicate that there’s some pipe damage. That’s a more significant problem. If drain cleaning doesn’t solve the issue, your plumber can check the drain using an inline camera. If there’s pipe damage, you’ll want to repair it quickly because that can lead to serious leaks. Ruptured pipes can even attract pests. Once your drain is repaired, it should flow smoothly again.

Multiple Drains Are Draining Slowly

If you have several slow drains at the same time, it’s generally a sewer line problem. The sewer line is your home’s main wastewater line. All your home’s drains feed into it. If this line develops a clog, it will cause your drains to empty slowly and unless you fix the problem quickly, it can even cause them to back up with wastewater from your sinks, showers, and even your toilet. That’s a problem worth calling a plumbing professional sooner than later!

At the first sign of a sewer line issue, you should contact Bert Norman’s Plumbing so we can have an experienced plumber check it out. Often, the culprit of a slow sewer line clog is tree root infiltration. The seams of older plumbing pipes are often vulnerable to tree roots that are searching for nutrients and water–both of which are available in your sewer line. Once the roots enter–and it only takes a small opening–they’ll continue to grow and slow or stop the flow of wastewater.

Damage to your sewer line caused by tree roots or even burrowing animals can also result in a clog. If you have a damaged sewer line, you’re responsible for its repair. Municipalities do not repair the portion of sewer lines on private property. They maintain the municipal portion of the sewer system. Bert Norman’s Plumbing specializes in sewer line repairs. We can clear out the tree roots but if something has damaged the line, our plumber can perform the ideal fix.

The Toilet Bowl Fills When Other Water Is Running in the Bathroom

The fixtures in your bathroom connect at some point in the drain apparatus. If you notice that your bowl begins to fill with more water when you run the shower or sink, there’s a clog nearby. Since this issue is confined to the bathroom, the clog is probably close. Before you reach for a commercial drain cleaner, however, it’s better to contact a plumber from Bert Norman’s Plumbing to visit your Callahan, FL, home.

Commercial drain cleaners, though marketed as safe, are not actually good for your plumbing system at all. If there is pipe damage or the clog is severe, those chemicals will sit in your pipes. These are heat-generating chemicals–very powerful! They are not the sort of chemicals you want causing wear and tear to your valuable plumbing system. It’s safer and more effective to let a trained plumber use the right equipment to handle your drain-cleaning job.

Strange Sounds Are Coming from the Drains

Gurgling noises and other strange sounds can be indicators of a drain clog. You might, alternatively, hear hissing, banging, or even bubbling sounds. As clogs form in your pipes, air pockets often develop too. The air pockets are what causes those strange noises to occur. Think of these sounds as early warning sounds of a drain clog. Don’t wait for your sink or other drains to stop up or back up. When you hear these types of noises, it’s a good idea to call Bert Norman’s Plumbing for drain-cleaning service.

Bad Smells

Unpleasant odors that emanate from your drain are a sign that something is caught in the drain and that a clog could be forming. The odors can be embarrassing if you’re having company. Plus, these aren’t the types of smells you want anyone in your household to breathe in. A blocked sewer line or organic debris caught in your kitchen drain could be causing the odors to occur. While you might be tempted to mask the odors by running soapy water down the drain, if the odors persist, contact a plumber from Bert Norman’s Plumbing to have the drain cleaned.

Maintaining your drains with periodic cleaning is a great way to prevent clogs, but sometimes even with routine maintenance, a clog can occur. When it does, you can rely on Bert Norman’s Plumbing like so many other residents of Callahan, FL, do. Our company can send a trained plumber to your home to evaluate the problem and provide you with the right solution. Call us to schedule your routine drain cleaning or if you suspect that you have a drain clog. Remember, we also feature emergency plumbing services. If you have a backup situation, don’t hesitate to call us for immediate plumbing service.

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Plumber Tips: How To Maximize The Benefits Of Your Plumbing Service | Jacksonville, FL

Posted on May 7, 2022May 10, 2022 by Justin Lucas

Every homeowner in Jacksonville, FL, has to call a plumber at some point. You may benefit from establishing a good working relationship with your local plumber before you need urgent services. Regular maintenance also helps avoid many costly repairs. Prepare for regularly scheduled visits in advance to get the most value. Two-way communication with active interaction between both parties is much more productive than a few sentences on the phone.

It’s a good idea to know as much as possible about your home’s plumbing. Of course, a professional plumber knows more about plumbing issues in general, but plumbing professionals visit lots of homes and businesses. You can offer valuable information on the specific plumbing infrastructure in your home. It’s also much easier to identify problems if you know how the plumbing is supposed to work under normal circumstances. Basic information that every homeowner should know includes the location of the main water shutoff valve and shut-off valves for the toilet or other individual fixtures. Try to keep track of details such as the date of your last plumbing inspection and the age of your hot water heater. It doesn’t hurt to keep the purchase dates and maintenance schedules for all major appliances. Just write the information down in a small notebook or record it on an electronic file so you can produce the information quickly and easily.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions during a visit from your plumbing professional. Asking questions serves two purposes. It lets you gain information and gives your plumbing technician details and context that are very helpful for proactive maintenance or active repairs. Questions also help homeowners pinpoint problems and manage overall expectations. The internet is a valuable resource and it isn’t hard to find information on almost anything, but we always need to remember that people can say anything online. Make sure the websites you rely on are actually credible. Ask your plumber if you have any doubts about a particular website. You can also ask for recommendations.

Provide Accurate Details

Plumbing is closely linked to many daily activities that we handle in private. Showering and going to the bathroom are just two examples. Some people feel slightly uncomfortable with plumbers because it can feel like oversharing or inviting someone to dig through daily household life. Although gunk in our drains and pipes is related to our daily habits, plumbing professionals are used to these things. A professional plumber won’t see anything in your home that hasn’t already been seen in many other homes as well. Be honest about the daily habits for everyone in the household.

It’s very hard to assess any situation without accurate information, and plumbing is no different. For example, daily habits help estimate expected water use throughout the home. If the amount of water used each week or month seems too high, you may have a leak somewhere. Maintenance records for plumbing fixtures along with the estimated frequency of use can help estimate the fixture’s expected lifetime and schedule maintenance at appropriate intervals. Provide as much information as possible when calling for repairs. Explain to your plumber to your best ability what the problem is and provide the approximate date it was first noticed.

Natural Gas and Propane

It’s easy to forget that plumbers in Jacksonville, FL don’t just deal with water and pipes. They also handle the installation, repairs, and maintenance of natural gas-powered appliances. Although you should always call a professional if you suspect a problem with natural gas, there are some safety precautions that can be done immediately. Make sure every adult in the household knows where the gas shut-off valve is. Turn off the gas immediately at the first sign of a leak or other problem. Most homes have shut-off valves in the basement. Homes without basements may have valves in utility closets or a part of the home that doesn’t get much traffic. Evacuate everyone, people and pets, from the home and don’t re-enter the property until a professional says it’s safe.

Gas leaks are a serious issue that can be dangerous. Be aware of common causes of gas leaks so you can take steps to prevent them. Appliances powered by natural gas or propane, such as dryers, fireplaces, or water heaters, are connected to pipes that deliver fuel. These pipes tend to be much smaller and thinner than plumbing pipes. All connections between an appliance and supply line are sealed. Weak or degraded seals may allow gas to escape into your home. Ask your plumbing expert about combining plumbing maintenance and gas line inspections during the same appointments. If you notice that a seal is deteriorating between visits, treat it as a potential gas leak. It’s better to err on the side of safety than take risks.

Carbon Monoxide

Ventilation is the most important part of using gas-powered appliances. These appliances produce carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless gas. In other words, you won’t know about carbon dioxide unless you have a working carbon monoxide detector in the house. The problem may become obvious when people start getting sick, but that may be too late. Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous at night because the gas doesn’t have any qualities that would wake someone up.

Sadly, people can sleep right through carbon monoxide poisoning. It also harms pets. Most of us have heard about ‘canaries in coal mines.’ The birds were used as basic alarm systems for toxic gasses. Of course, there are much better ways to detect carbon monoxide now, but the gas does cause symptoms in cats, dogs and other pets before it triggers symptoms in humans. Our pets tend to be much smaller than we are, and many small animals have faster metabolisms. Contact a professional if you notice sudden symptoms in your pets such as dizziness, walking in circles, lethargy, and abnormal behaviors. Alarms are a much better choice because none of us want to harm our pets, and the advance warning from a sick animal may not help much. By the time the animal is showing symptoms, all the people in the house have been exposed to the gas too.

Call Bert Norman’s Plumbing to schedule a consultation for your plumbing and gas appliance needs. The professional plumbers have the appropriate equipment and expertise to provide high-quality services for homeowners and business owners throughout Jacksonville, FL. Bert Norman’s Plumbing prides itself on timely, courteous service that goes above and beyond customer expectations.

Month: May 2022

A Plumber’s Guide To Your Home’s Plumbing System | Fernandina, FL

Plumbing System Basics