• Never Panic

Panicking may seem like the natural response to a plumbing emergency, especially if it is a messy one. However, it is important to remember that screaming and acting without any direction will not solve any problems. If one stays calm, he or she can easily identify the problem and seek out the best course of action.

• Turn Off Water as Soon as Possible

Usually, a plumbing emergency involves a burst or broken pipe or faucet, causing water to spray or leak everywhere. The best thing to do in these situations is to locate the nearest shut-off valve. Roto-Rooter Minneapolis explains that in sink-related emergencies this valve is typically located under the sink. Using pliers or bare hands, carefully tighten the valve until the water is shut off, so that less mess is created.

• Unplug Appliances

Since electricity is conducted through water it is very important to make sure that any appliances or electrical outlets near the damage are turned off. This will prevent risk of electrocution, as well as prevent damage to your home’s electrical system.

• Clean Up Water

Using either spare towels, a shop vac or a mop, it is important to get as much of the excess water removed from the area. This action will minimize or eliminate any risk of water damage that can lead to costly repairs.

Roto-Rooter Minneapolis Takes on Emergencies With Confidence

In regular plumbing situations, such as minor repairs or reconstruction, property owners have the benefit of time to receive estimates and advice from plumbing professionals, such as those at Roto-Rooter Minneapolis. However, in plumbing emergencies, people do not have time to conduct research and will want to call a trusted plumbing service as quickly as possible—that trusted service is Roto-Rooter Minneapolis. Roto-Rooter Minneapolis is dedicated to resolving plumbing emergencies in the most reliable and cost-effective manner, in order to benefit the customer. As part of this commitment, representatives are standing by at all hours of theday to receive any calls regarding plumbing emergencies. You’ll never hear an answering machine on the other end of a call made to Roto-Rooter Minneapolis. Even in the middle of the night, a live person will take your call and put you at ease while scheduling a licensed, insured plumbing professional to arrive at your home as quickly as possible to solve your plumbing or drain problem.

What is a Septic Tank?

Septic tanks may look like mysterious eyesores underground near the home—but they serve a useful purpose. Simply put, septic tanks break down and separate human waste that comes from a household that is not connected to a municipal sewer system. Septic tanks contain natural“good” bacteria, which helps to process waste. While the tank does a lot of the work, homeowners must have them pumped out on a regular basis when they become full. For most homes, this is necessary every two or three years but more often if there are several occupants in the house.

Tips for Maintaining a Septic Tank

Those who have septic tanks will find that life with a broken or full one can prove rather messy and inconvenient. Here are a few tips from the trusted professionals at Roto-Rooter Minneapolis to help sustain these vital plumbing components:

• Do Not Flush Unnecessary Waste

Residents that rely on a septic system must avoid putting things into the system that the septic tank cannot handle. By controlling what goes into the septic tank, homeowners can save themselves a great deal of frustration. Septic tanks are designed to break down organic matter and toilet paper—anything else should not go into the tank. Instead, simply throw away items such as sanitary pads, paper towels, cotton swabs and cotton balls.

• Keep Control on the Liquid

Septic tanks run optimally when they are presented with a nice balance of fluids and solids. If there is too much liquid—water—present in the system, it can overflow the tank and force matter to spill over into the yard. By practicing normal conservation methods, such as taking shorter showers and only washing full laundry loads, people can prevent this embarrassing mess from occurring.

Roto-Rooter Minneapolis Provides Septic Tank Care

According to the professionals at Roto-Rooter Minneapolis, it is imperative to have septic tanks cleaned on a regular basis. Roto-Rooter Minneapolis can provide assistance to pump and haul away septic tank waste to the proper location, following all environmental laws and disposal rules that are in place. In addition to regular maintenance, Roto-Rooter Minneapolis offers septic tank repair services to make sure that any emergencies are swiftly avoided.

Common Plumbing Problems Found in Older Homes

• Small Vent Pipes

Vent pipes are essential parts of a home’s indoor plumbing, as they are responsible for removing sewage gas from the home—often through a roof vent. When vent pipes are small or become compromised, it is expected that an array of problems can surface. For instance, homeowners may notice slow drainage among many other drain problems. Since smaller vent pipes are common in older homes, it is important to have these inspected, treated, cleaned or replaced to make sure that everything continues to run smoothly.

• Natural Age

Roto-Rooter Minneapolis professionals know that in life, years eventually bring old age and deterioration. This fact of life is certainly true for homes, especially if they experience wear and tear throughout the years without proper attention and maintenance. When new homeowners are lucky enough to come across an available historic home, chances are they are receiving the property from an owner who passed away or left due to old age. Since homeowners typically fail to properly maintain homes in their older years, these homes must face full inspection to make sure there are no plumbing areas that are compromised. In order to help homeowners protect their investments, these plumbing professionals can provide regular inspections that includes leak detection and analysis of overall plumbing systems.

Roto-Rooter Minneapolis Cautions Against Lead and Galvanized Pipes

According to the licensed and certified plumbing technicians at Roto-Rooter Minneapolis, galvanized pipes are commonly found in older homes. Before the 1970s many builders utilized galvanized pipes rather than using copper and plastic materials, as professionals rely on today. Much older homes had entire runs of lead pipes or just short joiner pipes linking iron pipes to plumbing fixtures. Roto-Rooter Minneapolis explains that lead and galvanized pipes should be replaced as soon as possible, because lead pipes can lead to dangerous health issues and galvanized pipes are prone to rusting after the galvanizing wears away from the iron pipes. Such pipes will gradually rust from the inside out growing narrower each year until water flow is drastically restricted or there is a complete pipe failure. While seeking out pipe replacement from Roto-Rooter Minneapolis may seem like an unwelcome cost, the damage and inconvenience this action will prevent is well worth the investment. New copper water supply pipes are naturally resistant to rust and oxidation and will serve reliably for decades to come. New plastic pipes such as PEX are a less expensive alternative that is almost as reliable and trouble-free as copper pipes.