Know What Causes a Toilet to Overflow in Your Home

Toilets rarely act up, but when they do, they can cause plenty of headaches. A toilet overflowing is one of the toilet problems that can turn into a huge plumbing disaster. Knowing what causes a toilet to overflow helps you prevent it and makes it easier for you or a professional to fix it. So what causes a toilet to overflow? Here are the possible reasons.

Clogged Pipes

A clog in the toilet or nearby pipes will prevent water from draining when you flush the toilet. When water can't leave your home due to a clog, it will overflow from the bowl. The use of excessive toilet paper is the most common cause of such clogs. You can fix simple clogs with a plunger. Call in a professional if you're unable to remove a clog.

Blocked Vent Pipe

If your toilet clogs up frequently, a blocked vent pipe may be the culprit. A plumbing vent allows external air into your plumbing system to replace the air pumped down the drain with every flush. When debris causes a clog in the vent pipe, your toilet won't flush properly and may overflow. You may also notice bad smells or bubbling sounds after flushing the toilet. Fixing this issue usually requires the expertise of a plumber.

Improperly Adjusted Float

A filler float that's too high will cause water to overflow from the toilet tank. You can adjust the mechanism in the tank to control the float's level, solving this problem.

Sewer Issues

If you shut off the main water supply and your toilet continues overflowing, you have a clogged sewer line, and that could be what causes a toilet to overflow. You'll need to call a plumber immediately. If you use a septic tank, you'll need to have a plumber flush out the system.

Now that you have a good idea of what causes a toilet to overflow, make sure you always call a plumbing professional in case of a complicated clog or a recurring overflow. For any plumbing problems in the Broken Arrow area, contact the certified and experienced plumbers at Air Assurance.

Ways to Pinpoint Water Heater Problems

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If you own your house long enough, you’ll probably face water heater problems at some point. The mean average service life of a residential water heater is about 10 years, so the odds are most homeowners will experience water heater symptoms that require either professional plumbing expertise to repair or install a new replacement unit. Look for these signs of water heater problems, then contact a qualified plumber as soon as possible.

No Hot Water

In a gas-fired heater, check to see if the pilot light is lit. If it’s not, follow manufacturer’s instructions to relight it. If it goes out again, contact a plumber. If the water heater is electric, check the unit’s power switch as well as your main electrical panel. A tripped circuit breaker usually indicates a specific cause, so contact your plumber if the heater’s circuit breaker trips repeatedly.

Water Not Hot Enough

Check the water heater thermostat setting. It should be no higher than 120 degrees. If the thermostat is correct but water temperature remains low, suspect a deteriorated dip tube that allows cold water to flow into the upper part of the tank. Your plumber may be able to replace that part alone.

Discolored Hot Water

Rusty hot water may indicate internal tank corrosion, a sign the heater is approaching the end of its service life and requires replacement. Muddy-colored water may be a sign of mineral sediment inside the tank which can be resolved by flushing the tank.

Popping or Bubbling Sounds

Another indication of sediment accumulation that causes uneven heating and produces bubbles inside the tank. Ask your plumber about the problem. If sediment hasn’t yet hardened, it may be removed from the tank by flushing.

Water Leakage

Evidence of water leakage around the heater may be the result of a leaky temperature and pressure relief valve–an easy component replacement for a qualified plumber—or a corroded tank, which means immediate replacement of the heater.

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For professional advice about water heater problems and qualified plumbing service to solve them, contact Air Assurance in Broken Arrow.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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Is Your Home's Plumbing Ready for an Upgrade?

Generally, a home's plumbing system doesn't get much attention until age-related issues start to crop up. To prevent the headaches, stress and high cost of extensive and unexpected water damage, it's important to know the warning signs that can tell you a home plumbing upgrade is due.

Key Indicators of Future Plumbing Problems

If you recognize any of these telltale signs that plumbing issues are headed your way in the near future, it's wise to investigate your upgrade options now:

• Galvanized pipes: Your galvanized pipes can appear in excellent condition since the outside is treated to resist corrosion. If you've been having frequent water line blockages and experiencing reduced flow at the faucets, your pipes may be in a serious state of decay on the inside, which isn't treated.

• Mixed pipe materials: If a previous owner had some of the original galvanized pipes in your home replaced with copper and the installation wasn't done properly, your plumbing system is a ticking time bomb. Galvanized steel and copper aren't compatible, and if dielectric unions weren't used to separate the two metals, the resulting chemical reaction speeds up the rate of corrosion.

• Plumbing system age. The materials used in older residential plumbing systems have an average life span of about 60 years. If your home is around that age and you're not certain if the plumbing was updated in the recent past, it's wise to schedule an inspection and talk to a licensed plumber about an upgrade before problems develop.

• Evidence of deterioration: To catch problems early, it's important to perform a periodic check of all accessible pipes in your home. Look for dried or fresh stains from water leaks around the pipes and dimpling, flaking or discoloration on the metal. Take a close look at the color of your water too. If it's yellowish-brown, it likely contains rust from corroding pipes. Other signs that point to decay are an increasing number of plumbing leaks and clogs that need repair.

To learn whether you're in need of a home plumbing upgrade, contact the Broken Arrow plumbing pros at Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “valdis torms/Shutterstock”

Steps to Take When Fixing a Leaking Water Heater

If you’ve spotted a leaking water heater or water pooling around it, you should take action right away. Leaks don’t necessarily doom your water heater to the recycle bin, but determining if the leak is repairable or if your water heater should be replaced is paramount. Here are some steps to take when identifying and fixing a leaking water heater.

Fixing a Leaking Water Heater

Any water leak in the home is an important matter to address quickly. Fixing a leaking water heater as soon as the leak is spotted can prevent water and mold damage. It may be a safety factor in some instances.

• Temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve: The T&P relief valve prevents your water heater from rupturing or exploding in the event too much pressure builds up in your water heater. Fixing a leaky T&P relief valve is a job for a plumbing professional. Do not attempt to cap or plug one yourself.

• Gaskets: Electric water heaters contain one or two heating elements. These heating elements are threaded into your water heater and sealed with gaskets. If water is leaking from failing gaskets, your entire water heater needs to be drained for the repair.

• Thermostats: The thermostat of a gas-fired water heater is threaded into the tank. Removing and repairing a leaky thermostat is an intricate job best left to a professional.

• Piping: Leaks may also occur at the water heater’s inlet and outlet pipes due to corrosion caused by the chemical reaction of steel connections and copper pipes. To repair the leak or prevent further corrosion, replace the short sections of corroded galvanized pipe with dielectric nipples (i.e. plastic-lined pipe).

• Storage tank: There is one leak that's irreparable. If you see reddish-brown water pooling or running from beneath your water heater, your tank may be rusted and corroded from the inside out. If this is the case, replace the water heater at your earliest convenience.

To learn more about fixing a leaking water heater in your Broken Arrow home, or to schedule an evaluation, please contact Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “studio BM/Shutterstock”

Protect Your Home and Find Water Leaks Before It's Too Late

Finding a water leak in your home might seem difficult, but with a little instruction, you will be able to find most leaks and stop them before they cause expensive damage.Start searching for leaks by checking your water meter. The water meter has the information you need to determine whether or not there's a leak in your home. Write down the numbers you see and make sure all of the water is shut off in your home to sinks, hoses, water softeners and washing machines. Then go look at the numbers again. If your meter still reads that water is circulating through your home, shut your water valve off on your main water supply. From there, turn on sinks or other sources of water to determine if water is still circulating through them (even if the main valve for water is off) and then check your meter once again.At that point, you can determine if you need professionals such as Air Assurance to correct your problem. And remember, freezing weather can cause pipes to crack. and once they thaw, cause serious leak damage to your home. Be sure to ask your expert for more information about how to protect your pipes from freezing this winter.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “bikeriderlondon/Shutterstock”