Douglas Cooling & Heating Blog : Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

If you have a garbage disposal humming in the kitchen of your Birmingham home, something is not quite right. This hum isn’t quite like the unit’s regular operating noise, so it clues you in to the presence of a problem that can lead to damage and an expensive repair.

The licensed Birmingham plumbers of Douglas Cooling & Heating explain what causes a garbage disposal to hum and how to fix it. If troubleshooting does not work, give us a call to schedule service, as we are happy to assist you with any plumbing issue you face!

Why Is My Garbage Disposal Humming?

A humming garbage disposal is likely caused by an object in the drain that has jammed the blades. When the blades are jammed, they are unable to rotate. If the garbage disposal is turned on while an object has blocked the blades from spinning, its use has the potential to burn out the unit’s motor. With a bad motor, you’re probably looking at garbage disposal replacement rather than a repair.

Several things have the potential to jam up your unit’s blades and cause a humming sound. Pieces of food that have collected in the unit may clog it up, or kitchen debris like bones that shouldn’t be in garbage disposals at all. a foreign object, such as a kitchen utensil, are common culprits that cause a jammed garbage disposal.

How to Unclog Your Garbage Disposal

Luckily, as long as garbage disposal humming sound is addressed right away, this problem isn’t too complicated to solve on your own. The solution is often as simple as removing the object from the unit. Due to the nature of the equipment and the sharp blades within, you need to be sure you do so in a safe manner. Our licensed plumbers outline the steps to follow to remove objects stuck down in your garbage disposal.

• Turn off the power to your disposal. Turning it off at the wall switch is not enough – cut power to the unit at your home’s electrical panel.
• At the bottom of your garbage disposal, there is a small hex-shaped hole. Using the hex wrench, which is also called an Allen wrench, included with your unit, insert the Allen wrench into the hole. 
• Turn the wrench clockwise. Doing so turns the disposal’s flywheel, which helps to break up the material jamming the blades.
• Once you feel the resistance release and are able to turn the flywheel with ease, the jam has been eliminated. Use a pair of tongs or pliers to reach into the garbage disposal from the drain to pull out the offending object. And remember, never put your hands down the drain.
• Make sure to pull out the Allen wrench and turn the power back on by resetting the circuit breaker at your home’s electrical panel. 
• Turn on the disposal at the wall switch. If it runs, flush it with hot water for about a minute to clear out any debris left down in the unit.

Call Douglas for Plumbing Help!

If your garbage disposal hums when you flip the switch but can’t fix the jam or don’t know the cause, call your plumber for assistance. Douglas Cooling & Heating helps homeowners throughout Birmingham with plumbing repairs for garbage disposals as well as other components of a home’s plumbing system. Contact us today to schedule a service call.

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If you’re new to homeownership, or if you’ve had a run of good luck, you may be unfamiliar with many of the plumbing services commonly used by homeowners. Recently, Douglas Cooling & Heating, a heating and cooling company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, brought plumbing services to their many heating and cooling clients.

Owner Blake Sanders says, “from conversations with customers, we knew there was a need. We’re thrilled to offer plumbing services so we may comprehensively serve the Birmingham community.” Now when Birmingham residents need a plumber, they can Call Douglas! Let’s review some of the most requested plumbing services.

Common Plumbing Services for Birmingham Homes

Water Heater Services

Need to replace a traditional storage tank water heater? Interested in upgrading to a modern tankless water heater? Either way, we’ve got you covered. If you’re curious about tankless water heaters, they’re more energy-efficient than the traditional storage model.

Simply, they heat water on demand. There’s no utility cost to constantly heat a large tank of water. Also, because there’s no tank, your tankless water heater produces nearly an infinite amount of hot water.

How many times have you had a couple of family members take showers in a row and left you with no hot water because the tank was empty? With a tankless water heater, that’s unlikely to happen. A regular tankless model adequately serves an average household.

Larger homes opt to get a larger model or to install multiple units, such as one upstairs for laundry and bathing, and one downstairs for kitchen and other uses.

Leak Repairs

Whether it’s a leaky faucet or pipe, we can put a stop to it. Did you know Alabama is one of 12 states to collectively account for more than 50 percent of the total water withdrawals in the U.S.?

It may not seem like much, but a drip per minute in an average home wastes more than 100 gallons in a year. Repairs for a leaky faucet or pipe are one of the most common plumbing services we provide. Don’t put it off – schedule an appointment today. It will start to show up in your water bill!

Drain Cleaning

This term is often misunderstood. Drain cleaning is often confused with drain clearing. Drain clearing clears your main drain. If you have low water pressure in your home, you may have an obstruction between your home’s plumbing system and the main line which travels to the street or another municipal outlet.

To clear drains, the tools and methods used depends on the type of clog and its severity, as well as the location of the clog within your plumbing system. Clearing penetrates the obstruction to improve water pressure and flow. Drain cleaning, on the other hand, is more comprehensive. We may use one of several tools, including hydo jetting to fully flush the pipes clean.

If you have blockages causing drains to back up or drain slowly, you may need drain cleaning over clearing. Our team of plumbing services pros will carefully evaluate your situation with special tools, such as a camera, to fully assess the problem.

Hydro jetting

Hydro jetting is a specific process we use to clean out the inside of your plumbing drain lines and also break up blockages. The process uses a high-pressure water stream which detaches debris from the interior walls of your pipes. This offers effective removal for materials that have built up over time and are affecting drainage quality.

What does hydro jetting remove?

• Mineral scale
• Grease
• Undissolved food
• Tree roots

Specialized equipment is used to blast water through your drain lines and remove buildup. The waste removed from your pipes naturally flows out of your home to the common sewer system or septic tank.

Sewer Line Services

Your home’s sewer lines can be impacted in a number of ways which result in poor drainage and backup across the entire house. Homeowners notice that sewer line issues are different than other blockages that just affect certain drainpipes of the home – a sewer line blockage causes poor drainage and backup throughout all drains, whereas other blockages typically cause drainage issues or backup in one fixture or area.

Often these issues are caused by tree roots that have penetrated the drainpipe, or damage to the drainpipe caused by age and the resulting blockages. To assess sewer line issues, our licensed plumbers utilize camera inspection equipment to see down into your lines and determine the exact cause of the issue at hand before developing a plan to correct it. Once the source is found, our plumbers use a combination of expert plumbing services at their disposal, which often includes hydro jetting and other drain cleaning methods discussed above and sewer line repairs.

Plumbing Fixture Repair and Installation

Want to update your bathroom or kitchen? Plumbing services include swapping out old, dated or inefficient plumbing fixtures with new ones. Get more use from your kitchen sink with a spray attachment central faucet.

Enjoy baths or showers more with handheld sprayers or “rain shower” shower heads. We can help you save money and water here too. Ask us about water-efficiency in plumbing fixtures, such as aerators or low-flow toilets.

Water Quality

Want to improve water quality in your new home? We install products like a water softener or a whole-home water filtration system. Water quality systems remove mineral deposits and contaminants from the incoming water supply to provide your taps with cleaner water. Enjoy fewer spots on your dishes, cleaner laundry and a cleaner you! Filtered water tastes better and makes your skin and hair feel better too.

Plumbing Maintenance

Beyond the installation and repair of your home’s plumbing system and its fixtures, we also offer plumbing services that help you maintain them! Plumbing maintenance is a crucial component of homeownership – you want these components to last as long as expected, and to be in good shape to prevent the risk of water damage.

Our plumbing maintenance solutions help you care for your entire plumbing system as well as specific components. If you have a tank style water heater, for example, did you know that yearly maintenance is a must? Maintenance services for your plumbing system help improve its performance to deliver better comfort, energy and water efficiency, lower costs, higher value, and more protection for your new home.

Plumbing Services from Douglas Cooling & Heating

Next time you need assistance with your plumbing system, whether it’s toilets, faucets, water heaters or water quality, call Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our plumbing services team is eager to show you the same commitment to customer service our heating and air customers enjoy. If you live in the Birmingham area, such as Bessemer, Homewood, Hoover, Pelham or Helena, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for your plumbing needs.

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Common plumbing problems weigh on every homeowner’s mind. When should you deal with plumbing yourself? Is it time to call a plumber? The professionals at Douglas Cooling & Heating, located in Birmingham, Alabama, are here to help. Tell the difference between at-home fixes and common plumbing problems requiring a professional with our help.

Common Plumbing Problems Which Require a Professional

Professional help with plumbing is needed more often than you think. A number of different plumbing problems must be fixed with the expertise of a plumber. These are a few issues to seek help from a plumber to fix.

Clogged drains

Everyone gets a clog now and again. Homeowners often tackle the issue themselves first, but these efforts do not always restore proper drainage. If all your at-home methods—plungers or drain snakes—don’t fix the clog, call a professional. Additionally, if you experience clogs on a regular basis, the problem most likely stems from a complete clog far down in your drain. At-home methods can’t fix these clogs.

A plumber uses professional methods to safely remove blockages and restore proper drainage in your home. A drain auger or drain snake may be used to bust up tough clogs and remove them. Hydro jetting is a process that uses high-pressure water sent through your drainpipes to not only break up blockages, but to clear the interior of your pipes from debris buildup.

Sewer line clogs

The sewer line that allows waste to flow out of your home to the municipal sewer or your septic tank can experience problems. Clogs in the sewer line are more severe in terms of common plumbing problems. Unlike a clog in a drain line, they cause problems all over the home, not just in one room or fixture. The signs of a sewer line clog include backup from your drains, gurgling noises from drains, water backup in showers or bathtubs when toilets are flushed, and bubbling from toilet water or faucets.

Sewer line clogs can be caused by a number of reasons:

• Flushing improper items
• Tree root penetrations
• Debris entering the line through a busted pipe

This is one of those major plumbing problems you need professional help to fix. A plumber uses camera inspection equipment to look into your home’s sewer line and find the source of the issue and determine the appropriate fix. A drain snake, auger, and/or hydro jetting may be used to break through tree roots to clear the line before a repair is made. This inspection also determines if your pipes have broken due to age and allowed outside materials to settle in the line and stop drainage – in this case, your sewer line needs to be replaced.

Leaky pipes

Similar to clogged drains, leaky pipes are temporarily fixed with at-home remedies; however, these fixes need a professional to be correctly treated. Your leaky pipe seems like an easy fix, but it points to larger issues. The cause may be old pipes and connections that have started to wear out, or an issue such as improper water pressure is potentially damaging your pipes.

Use leak tape before your plumber visits to keep leakage contained. Then, call a professional. They fix the underlying problem instead of the surface-level issue. Water damage causes expensive damage that you want to avoid – the average water damage insurance claim results in losses over $10,000!

Low water pressure

Though it’s one of the most general plumbing problems, many believe this issue doesn’t need attention. Too often, homeowners pass it off as a comfort issue and skip further investigation. Your comfort matters, and these issues need to be looked into by a professional not only to improve your satisfaction with your plumbing system, but to address the cause to avoid future issues.

Most of the time, low water pressure stems from build-up of minerals on faucets and shower heads. In homes supplied by wells, pressure tank malfunctions often result in low water pressure. Pressure problems tend to be apparent in the shower, where we notice them the most, but they potentially affect your entire home.

If a quick clean of faucets doesn’t remedy your water pressure, get in touch with a plumber. A deeper issue, like a pipe leak or breach, could be the culprit. In that case, call a plumber to assess the problem.

Installation

Even for DIY masters, plumbing installation requires professional help. Attempt to install plumbing on your own and face potential hazards later on. Improper plumbing installation puts your home at serious risk of leaks, which not only raise your water bill – they lead to expensive water damage.

Professionals are trained to install plumbing systems and fixtures, so call them when you want a new set of pipes, sink, or tub. Leave the job to a professional and ensure it is done right to protect your home and the integrity of your new fixtures.

Septic tank leaks

Finally, septic tank leaks need professional assistance. No one wants to tread through septic tanks, especially if you don’t know how to fix the problem. You need a professional for any septic tank problems you have. A backup of sewage into drains indoors, slow draining, the odor of rotten eggs, and lush spots on your lawn over your septic tanks are signs you need help.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

The best strategy to avoid emergency plumbing repairs employs regular visits from a professional. Here are some benefits to regular plumbing maintenance.

• Always clean- First, your faucets and pipes benefit from regular cleaning. You clean your pipes externally, but plumbers go deeper. All parts, inside and out, must be cleaned for the best performance.
• Proactive not reactive- Maintenance allows your plumber to come across small problems before they become big ones. Common plumbing problems are solved quickly, but large issues take time—and rack up expenses. Get professional help to alleviate the need for emergency calls to your plumber. Even a small  water leak can create big, expensive problems so it’s best to get those check-ups!
• Ensured safety- Last, plumbers check potentially dangerous problems during annual checks. For example, water heaters need to be checked for problems because any damage leads to gas leaks, fires and possibly explosions.

While these are extreme examples, they are possible and should be taken seriously. Regular maintenance ensures your water heater runs smoothly.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to Solve Your General Plumbing Problems

At the end of the day, professional help from plumbers guarantees your water flows as it should. While at-home fixes temporarily fix your difficult plumbing problems, they do not treat underlying issues.

This is why you must call an expert. Luckily, Douglas Cooling & Heating is here to help the residents of Birmingham, Alabama. For professional, reliable service, call us today and schedule a maintenance visit.

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While many Alabama homeowners think freezing weather issues don’t affect us in the South, homes in the Birmingham area are at risk for frozen pipes in the winter. Don’t leave your home vulnerable to this easy to avoid issue – learn how to prevent frozen pipes and take action in the fall. If you do experience frozen pipes this winter, our licensed plumbers share what to do to help you avoid disaster.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Top strategies for how to keep your home’s pipes from freezing are:

1. Insulate pipes
2. Take action when temperatures drop
3. Keep your home warm

Insulate Your Pipes

Water pipes often run through areas of our homes that are exposed to colder temperatures – basements, crawl spaces, attics, etc. Pipes in these areas are at a greater risk of freezing, but insulation helps limit exposure to colder temperatures. 

How to prevent frozen pipes with insulation is a one- or two-part strategy – insulate the pipes or insulate the pipes and increase insulation in the area. Pipe sleeves, which look sort of like a foam pool noodle, are designed to fit around the pipe’s exterior and help it retain heat. Heat tape which is UL listed is another product that may be applied to pipes to help insulate. These products are available at your local home improvement store and for the most part are easy to install on pipes that are exposed. Your plumber is able to assist you with solutions to insulate pipes in harder to access areas of the home.

Help the area exposed pipes run through retain more warmth when you increase insulation levels. Adding extra insulation to your crawl space, basement, or attic helps the area retain heat in the winter so temperatures do not drop as low.

Steps to Take When Temperatures Drop

When outdoor temperatures are expected to reach freezing, there are steps to take in the home that work with how to prevent frozen pipes. 

• If you have water lines that run through the home’s garage, keep your overhead garage door and other access doors closed to help the area keep its heat inside and prevent exposure to cold outdoor temperatures.
• Open lower kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors below your sink. This allows warm air from inside your home to keep the pipes warmer – it’s an especially important strategy if your sinks are on exterior walls. Be sure to remove any harmful chemicals or items before you open the doors if you have small children or pets in the home.
• Allow a small stream of cold water to run through faucets served by pipes exposed to cold temperatures. Even a trickle of water moving through the pipes helps to prevent freezing.

Maintain Warmth in the Home

Lowering temperatures in the home while away or overnight are popular strategies for energy savings, but could put your pipes at risk of freezing. Keep a constant temperature in the home during periods of freezing weather. It’s better to lose the few dollars you’d save on your heating bill than risk major damage to your home and plumbing.

If you are out of town during periods of freezing temperatures, do not turn your heating system off! Keep heat actively moving through the house to help keep pipes from freezing. Keep your thermostat set at 55 degrees or higher whenever away from home.

What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze

Even when you know how to prevent frozen pipes, there is always a chance that a freeze could happen. Look for the location of the freeze – you want to verify that the pipes have not been damaged by freezing water before you take other action. Thawing frozen pipes that have busted causes serious water leaks. If you have a burst pipe, turn the water off at the main shutoff valve and call your plumber.

If a pipe has frozen but is still intact, these are the steps you need to take:

1. Turn on the faucet. This allows the melted ice to flow through the pipe and allows moving water to help you thaw them.
2. Apply heat to the frozen pipe. Use an electric heating pad and wrap it around the pipe, a hair dryer to target heat along the frozen section, or safely place a space heater nearby. Never use a blowtorch or gas heater!
3. Once you receive full water pressure through the faucet, stop applying heat to the pipe.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to Repair Your Plumbing System

Make sure your pipes don’t freeze this winter with the help of Douglas Cooling & Heating, a Douglas Cooling & Heating Company. We identify problem zones and take preventive measures to help you avoid frozen water lines at home. Should you experience a frozen pipe, act fast to prevent damage! Call us right away to schedule service. For prevention or plumbing service, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today.

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Birmingham homeowners with traditional tank style water heaters need to know how to drain a water heater. This is an important step in water heater maintenance. Our plumbing professionals give you step by step instructions on how to complete this task yourself, as well as share some times you should call a professional and hold off on draining your tank.

How to Drain a Water Heater Tank

Tank water heaters need to be drained about every six months following these steps:

1. Turn off electricity or gas to your unit.
2. Close the unit’s cold water supply valve (this is the valve that sends cool water into the tank).
3. Attach a garden hose to the water heater drain valve, located near the bottom of the tank.
4. Run the garden hose outdoors or into a bathtub for water drainage.
5. Once the hose is secured and routed outdoors or to a drain, open the drain valve.
6. Open the pressure relief valve at the top of the unit.
7. Give the water heater time to let all water drain.
8. Once your water heater tank is empty, reopen the cold water valve and let it run a few minutes to flush out leftover sediment.
9. Close the drain valve and pressure relief valve, then detach your garden hose and drain it.
10. Restore power or relight your water heater’s pilot light to start the system.

Why Drain Your Water Heater Tank?

A tank style water heater sees a great volume of water moving through its tank over a years’ time. Even in homes with softened water, this water still carries some minerals and sediment into the water heater – if you have hard water, your water heater is affected by greater volumes of these contaminants.

As water is stored in the tank, sediment and minerals fall to the bottom where they collect. They build and build over the course of a year as water passes through, which causes problems for your tank. Sediment buildup causes several issues including:

• Corrosion of the tank, leading to leaks big and small
• Less hot water supply
• Popping noises from air trapped in the sediment
• Difficulty heating water
• Higher utility bills

When Not to Drain Your Water Heater Tank

While how to drain a water heater typically isn’t a basic home maintenance task, there are some scenarios where you do not want to do this. The first scenario is simply if you are not comfortable performing this maintenance task. In this situation, it’s always a smart choice to leave water heater maintenance to a professional – you don’t want to risk damage to your water heater or water damage to your home.

Next, don’t drain your water heater if you’ve never done so before! If your water heater has been in operation for several years yet you have never drained the tank, this isn’t a home maintenance task you want to suddenly start doing. 

Sediment buildup in the water heater tank often causes hot spots along the metal at the bottom, which causes the metal to break down. If your tank is full of sediment, the sediment may have actually plugged these tiny leaks over the years. If you suddenly drain the water heater and remove this sediment, you are likely to end up with a leaking unit.

Get Water Heater Help from Douglas Cooling & Heating

For help with your Birmingham water heater’s maintenance needs, turn to Douglas Cooling & Heating, a Douglas Cooling & Heating Company. Our licensed plumbers perform thorough maintenance to help your water heater’s performance and longevity improve. Schedule your service appointment today!

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The hose bib is your outdoor water spigot, where you connect a hose or other equipment for outside chores and activities so in the winter, a frozen hose bib creates a major risk of water damage. Learn how to thaw your hose bib and what to do to prevent water damage inside your home. 

Problems Caused by a Frozen Hose Bib

A frozen hose bib poses a major threat of water damage to your home. When water freezes inside the hose bib piping, the pipe could burst, which causes a water leak inside or underneath your home. 

In many cases, homeowners don’t realize there’s a problem until the following spring. We’ve visited homes where the owners used the outdoor hose to fill a pool or powerwash, only to discover water was flowing indoors from the leaky pipe from over the winter. 

Water damage is often expensive to repair. It’s important to work with experts to avoid or remove mold growth. People lose time dealing with it as well as often irreplaceable sentimental items. Avoid a major flood in your crawlspace, basement, or living spaces with these tips. 

Despite our mild winters, Birmingham frequently sees below-freezing temperatures. For example, here is a chart from CurrentResults.com, with temperatures recorded at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

Birmingham’s lowest temperatures in recent years

How to Thaw a Frozen Hose Bib

If your hose bib freezes, it is critical for you to take immediate action to thaw it. Follow these steps to thaw your frozen hose bib:

1. Open the hose bib spigot (turn the handle in the direction that allows water to flow). When the hose bib is frozen, there is no water flow, but you want to leave the spigot open for thawing.
2. Use old towels or rags and wrap them around the hose bib’s base, behind the spout.
3. Pour boiling water slowly over the cloth to saturate.
4. Continue to add boiling water to the cloth, and periodically check the spout to see if water trickles out.
5. Keep the hose bib faucet open until water freely flows.

If you have a hair dryer or heat gun available, use these to apply heat to the piping and help thaw your frozen hose bib.

Need a Plumber? Click Here to Schedule

How to Prevent a Frozen Hose Bib

An ounce of prevention helps Birmingham area homeowners avoid the problem of a frozen hose bib over the winter, and the major issues that come with it. Winterize your hose bib each fall or install a frost-free model to reduce the risk altogether.

Here’s How to Winterize a Hose Bib

Follow these steps to winterize your hose bib in the fall:

1. Disconnect the garden hose – drain and store it until the spring.
2. Turn off the water valve on the pipe that supplies the hose bib.
3. Open the hose bib spout and allow any water within to drain out.
4. Leave the hose bib faucet open throughout the winter to avoid pressure buildup caused by freezing water inside the pipes.
5. Cut a piece of Styrofoam piping insulation and apply it to the exposed pipe between the exterior of your home and the spigot on the hose bib. Apply insulation tape to secure the piece.
6. Caulk any openings on the exterior of the home where the piping penetrates the wall.

Do Frost-Free Hose Bibs Work?

Frost-free hose bibs are upgraded plumbing components and help homeowners avoid the frozen hose bib problems like water damage. These hose bib models angle downward outside to promote draining and extend farther into the home to prevent freezing. As the water valve is located farther into the home, it is exposed to warmer temperatures to stop freezing and keep the pipe warm.

Caring for a frost-free hose bib is much simpler than prevention needed to stop freezing in a regular hose bib. Simply disconnect the garden hose from your frost-free hose bib each fall!

Hose Bib Help from Douglas Cooling & Heating, a Douglas Cooling & Heating Company

If you experience a frozen hose bib or want to take action to get ahead of this common winter plumbing problem, call Douglas Cooling & Heating, a Douglas Cooling & Heating Company, for help! Our licensed plumbers install frost-free hose bibs to replace your old model and enhance home protection. If your hose bib freezes, call us for help if you are unable to thaw it. 

Even if you are able to thaw the hose bib yourself, you want a plumber to take a look for damage and remedy any issues caused. 

As always, if you need assistance with heating and cooling issues, our parent company, Douglas Cooling & Heating is ready to assist you. Our HVAC technicians are NATE-certified, we’re a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer and have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. When you need help with plumbing or HVAC, Call Douglas!

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Sump pump smells are a plumbing issue many Birmingham, AL residents experience from time to time. There are several issues that cause sump pump smells. Learn what causes them and what do to when a foul odor from the sump pump invades your space.

Dryness Causes Sump Pump Smells

Sometimes during dry periods of the year, water in your home’s sump pump pit evaporates. As the water evaporates from the pit, it releases odorous gases, which you smell in the home. 

The solution to this problem is an easy DIY task. Mix one cup of bleach into a gallon of water and pour it down into the sump pit. You want the drains and pipes within the pit to be covered with water. Add a little more if necessary to bring water back up to the proper level.

Stagnant Water Leads to Sump Pump Smells

Dry seasons sometimes cause sump pump smells in other ways, even when the pit has not run dry. During a dry period, it’s common for the water within the sump pit to stagnate. When this happens, your sump pit often breeds smelly bacteria, mold, mildew, and more.

Thankfully, you can also solve this odor issue with the addition of a diluted bleach solution. The addition of bleach to the sump pit helps homeowners control odors through the dry season until there is enough moisture to keep water flowing through the pit. 

Dirty Sump Pits Form Odors

A lack of sump pump maintenance leads to a dirty sump pit, which produces foul odors you smell inside your home. Your sump pit needs maintenance once or twice per year to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime as well as the growth of bacteria.

If your sump pit is dirty and smelly, it’s time to clean it. Wear gloves and long sleeves before you start this project for your protection. Follow these steps:

• Cut power to the sump pump.
• Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove all standing water down in the sump pit.
• Use a hose to rinse the edges and bottom of the pit as well as the equipment within it. 
• If buildup is not thoroughly rinsed away by the hose, use a scrub brush or scraper to remove it from the sides of the pit.
• Once clean, refill the sump pit with the appropriate amount of water and restore power to the sump pump.

Which Sump Pump Smells are Red Flags

Occasionally, sump pump smells indicate a much more serious problem, such as sewage infiltration. Broken sewer lines allow the groundwater surrounding homes to saturate with sewage. As this contaminated ground water seeps into the sump pit, the odors start. 

Sump pump smells due to sewer line breaks aren’t always constant in the beginning. You may notice a whiff of the foul odor from your sump pit every now and then. Eventually, it becomes a steady odor.

Sewage smells from your sump pit are also one of the early warning signs of a sewer line break, a serious plumbing issue. If you notice this funky smell, call your plumber immediately for a sewer line inspection. He or she diagnoses the problem and the repairs needed for safety and functionality.

Stop Sump Pump Smells with Help from Douglas Cooling & Heating – a Douglas Cooling & Heating Company!

When the cause of sump pump smells is not easy to diagnose or the smells do not resolve with bleach solution, it’s time to call a skilled and licensed plumber for help. Douglas Cooling & Heating, a Douglas Cooling & Heating Company, helps Birmingham area homeowners care for their sump pumps and pits. 

We perform the maintenance and repair services you need to stop the smells and keep your pump and pit in good condition throughout the year. 

Our licensed plumbers also service, repair, and install water heaters, including tankless water heaters. They also repair leaky pipes, faucets, and toilets. Call us today to schedule plumbing services!

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Does your Birmingham, AL area home need new plumbing pipes? Many homeowners are unsure when pipe replacements are needed. The right answer for your household depends on the type of piping, the material of your current pipes, their age, and their condition. 

In this blog, we’ll cover the types of plumbing found in most homes, how long plumbing pipes last and common problems that require new pipe installation.

Plumbing Pipe Replacement by Type and Material

Birmingham homes have two types of plumbing pipes: supply pipes and drain lines. Supply pipes bring clean water into your home for use; drain lines carry wastewater out of your home. Brass, copper, and galvanized steel are common in supply pipes, while cast iron and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) are used for drain lines.

At different points throughout history, certain materials were preferred for use in new plumbing pipes. The age of your home and if pipes have been replaced before often dictate the type of pipe construction material. Your plumber assesses pipe material as well as condition to determine if you need to replace pipes.

Normal lifespans for plumbing pipe material types

• Cast iron lasts 75 to 100 years.
• Brass lasts 40 to 45 years.
• Copper lasts 50 or more years.
• Galvanized steel lasts 20 to 50 years.
• PVC pipes have an indefinite lifespan.

If your home’s plumbing pipes have reached the expected lifespan per their material type, it is time to upgrade to new plumbing pipes. Additionally, you want to install new plumbing pipes if your home is currently equipped with pipes made from the following materials:

Polybutylene

Between the 1970s and 1990s, builders installed polybutylene pipes in homes. North American building codes no longer recognize this type of piping because it does not stand up to typical water treatment chemicals. Polybutylene pipes are not repairable.

Galvanized iron

Galvanized iron pipes were installed prior to 1960. This steel pipe has a protective zinc coating, which has been shown to erode and increase leak risk as well as diminish water quality.

Signs of Pipe Damage Which Require New Plumbing Pipes

If your Birmingham home has relatively new plumbing pipes or your older pipes have not reached their expected lifespan, pipe damage is a potential issue that warrants the installation of new plumbing pipes. Signs indicating pipe damage and a failing plumbing system include:

• Cracks in pipes
• Corrosion on or within pipes
• Pipe leaks
• Low water pressure
• Poor water quality
• Wet areas around water-using appliances or sinks
• Water stains
• Warped floorboards
• Damp crawl spaces
• Mold growing in crawl spaces
• Gurgling noises from pipes
• Rumbling noises near the main water supply line
• Foul odors from drain pipes
• High water bills with no other explanation

Plumbing inspections reveal more

Some of these issues are easily noticed by homeowners, while some are not. Solution: request a professional plumbing inspection. An inspection surveys your home’s supply and drain plumbing pipes, evaluates their condition and determines the cause of any problems. 

With this information, your plumber makes a professional recommendation for the installation of new plumbing pipes or repairs. If everything’s fine, you have a good baseline for the future. A plumbing inspection is also a great idea before you purchase a home or plan to flip one. 

A general home inspection generally doesn’t cover plumbing in this detail and you could purchase a home that needs new plumbing pipes unknowingly.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for “New Plumbing Pipes and Sewer Services Near Me”

If you think your Birmingham, AL area home may need a licensed plumber, call Douglas Cooling & Heating for professional assistance. We inspect your piping to determine material and condition, and help you find an affordable and trusted solution for plumbing pipe replacement. 

Don’t forget, our licensed plumbers are ready to tackle any of your plumbing problems. Our local plumbers assist homeowners with water heaters, garbage disposals, leak detection, fixture installation, dripping faucets, running toilets, slow drains, clogged sewer pipes and more. Contact us today to schedule a visit with a licensed plumber from Douglas Cooling & Heating.

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When your Birmingham water heater does not deliver the hot water your household demands, you need easy water heater troubleshooting. Before you call a plumber for water heater repair, try these water heater troubleshooting tips from Douglas Cooling & Heating first. 

In this blog, we’ll cover common water heater problems and troubleshooting suggestions. Whether you have a tank or tankless water heater, we’ve got you covered! If, on the other hand, you’re ready to skip immediately to resolution, make an appointment now online. 

Tank and more recently, tankless water heaters, are common in Birmingham homes. These two types of hot water heaters operate differently and therefore experience unique issues. 

Tank Water Heater Troubleshooting Tips

Water Leaks

• For leaks coming from the top of the unit, check the cold water inlet and hot water outlet pipes. Make sure they are tightly connected to the tank.
• For leaks coming from the bottom of the unit, check the drain valve and ensure it is tightly closed. Turn it clockwise.
• Bottom leaks may also stem from a leaking T & P valve, which allows water to release from the tank to correct excessive pressure within. Check the water heater thermostat and make sure its set temperature is not too high – keep it at 120 degrees for best efficiency and safety. If this does not resolve the leak, the T & P valve needs to be replaced.

Definition: A T & P valve, is a Temperature and Pressure relief valve. Because water expands when it’s heated, the T & P valve monitors the change inside the water heater during the heating process. It’s a safety feature and kicks in around 210 degrees Fahrenheit or a pressure of 150 psig, or pounds force per square inch gauge. 

No Hot Water

• Ensure the unit has power. Check the circuit breaker for a tripped circuit or blown fuse dedicated to the hot water heater.
• Check the thermostat limit/reset switch. This may trip if the water in the tank is too hot. Lower the temperature and reset.

Water Too Hot/Too Cold

• Thermostat issues are often to blame for water that is too hot or too cold. Make adjustments to the thermostat to troubleshoot the issue. You may find it necessary to turn up the temperature of hot water over the winter months. Just remember to turn it back down once the weather warms up.

Tankless Water Heater Troubleshooting Tips

Tankless water heater models produce error codes and help homeowners pinpoint the system issue. Below, we cover common error codes and how to troubleshoot them.

No Ignition Error Code

• Check your gas supply if your unit is gas-powered. Make sure gas valves are completely open and gas is coming into the home. Empty propane tanks are a common cause of no ignition in propane-powered homes.
• Check the water valves to ensure they are fully open. The system is unable to ignite if the water supply is closed.

Flame Failure Error Code

• Ensure gas is coming into the unit (if gas-powered). Check the gas valve is completely open, the propane tank is not empty (if applicable), and there is gas supply to the home.
• Check the tankless water heater’s vents. Make sure they’re not blocked because a blockage has the potential to stop the flame.

Air Supply/Exhaust Blockage Code

• Check for vent obstructions that block the air supply or exhaust vent piping.
• Inspect the vent pipes for proper connection to the tankless unit. Make sure none are loose, and that there are no holes in the pipes.

Preventive Maintenance for Water Heaters

Preventive maintenance goes a long way toward water heater troubleshooting. This essential plumbing service ensures all components are correctly installed, tightened, and operational. Maintenance also cleans sediment from the unit to prevent damage to the system. Plumbers inspect and adjust water temperatures to ensure temperature demands are met while keeping your family safe.

Schedule water heater preventive maintenance annually to ensure your tank or tankless water heater is in good condition. Regular maintenance also helps extend the service life of your unit and helps your family save the expense of early water heater replacement.

Douglas Plumbing Solves Your Water Heater Problems!

For water heater help in the Birmingham, AL area, turn to Douglas Plumbing for quick and reliable repair service. When water heater troubleshooting doesn’t work, trust our team for an accurate diagnosis of your system issues as well as comprehensive solutions to prevent reoccurrence. 

Our licensed plumbers also assist homeowners with plumbing problems like a noisy toilet, slow drains, faucet or fixture installation, garbage disposal replacements, leaky pipes or sewer line clogs. 

We also provide emergency plumbing service if you have a water leak, burst pipes, backed up drains and other urgent issues. Call Douglas Plumbing today to schedule water heater repair or any plumbing assistance. 

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Why does my shower drain smell? If you’re one of the Birmingham homeowners whose nose has asked this question recently, Douglas Cooling & Heating is here to help. Learn the causes of shower drain odors as well as the solutions to stop them. When do-it-yourself solutions don’t eliminate the smell, contact your trusted, local plumber for professional solutions to stop the stench and protect your plumbing system.

Why Does My Shower Drain Smell?

Shower drain odors have a few common causes:

• Mold growth in the drain
• Clogs and debris in the drain
• Sewer gasses escaping the drain

These causes produce different odors emanating from a shower drain. Identifying the scent of the odor helps homeowners pinpoint its cause.

Why Does My Shower Drain Smell Musty?

A musty smell rising from a shower drain is produced by mold growth. Underneath the shower drain cover, mold is able to grow. This is due to cellulose materials from the hair, body oils, and soap scum sticking in bathroom drains as wastewater flows out the drain pipe. Along with the moisture from the water, this creates an environment for mold growth in the drain system.

Why Do I Have a Sewer Smell Coming From My Drain?

If the drain smells like sewage or sewer gas, a sewage odor can indicate various plumbing system issues.

Biofilm Growth

A rotten egg smell is often caused by biofilm buildup. Biofilm is a sticky, slimy layer of bacteria that forms on surfaces over time, and it can be found in many places in our homes, including our showers. When biofilm begins to accumulate in your shower drain, it can lead to an unpleasant odor that can be hard to eliminate. The bacteria in the biofilm produce waste products that cause a distinctive smell, and the longer the biofilm is left untreated, the stronger the sewage odor will become. This is because biofilm is hard to remove and can continue to grow if not addressed properly.

Blocked Vent Pipe Allows Sewage Gasses to Back Up

Plumbing vents play an essential role in maintaining an efficient and healthy plumbing system. These vent pipes are designed to help regulate and control air pressure, thus preventing dangerous and toxic gasses from building up inside the drain line. When a vent pipe becomes blocked or clogged, it can cause a range of issues, such as unpleasant odors and a sewer smell coming from your shower drain. This occurrence is often due to sewage gasses building up in the pipeline, which can cause a foul odor that can be quite unpleasant.

Dry P-Trap Causes Sewage Gasses to Escape

A P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that is part of your drain line. Water is constantly flowing through the P-trap, thereby providing an almost permanent seal that blocks any gas from entering your home. Thanks to the unique structure of a P-trap, the curved section of the pipe helps in retaining a small amount of water between uses. This water serves as a barrier and acts as a cushion, blocking any such materials that might return through the drain. Without the P-trap, there would be no barrier, and sewer gasses would continuously enter your home, creating unhealthy and unpleasant sewer odors.

If you’re experiencing an unpleasant sewer smell emanating from your shower drain, there’s a high chance that it’s due to a P-trap that’s dry. Frequent gaps between shower usage can cause the water to evaporate, leaving an opening for the sewer gasses to seep into your home. Not only is this sewer gas odor repulsive, but inhaling sewer gas can potentially lead to health risks, making it all the more essential to address the issue.

A Clogged Shower Drain Leads to Sewage Smell

A sewage smell can also be an indicator of a drain clog. Clogged drains can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as the buildup of hair and soap scum, which causes a blockage in the drainage pipes. This blockage prevents water from properly flowing out of your shower drain, which in turn leads to stagnant water accumulating in the pipes, forming a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. A clogged drain not only results in an unpleasant odor but can also pose a risk to your health, particularly if you have a weakened immune system.

Leaking Drain Pipes Can Cause a Sewage Smell

If you’ve been struggling with a sewer smell emanating from your shower, the root cause might be damaged drain pipes. These pipes carry wastewater from your shower to your main sewer line and onto the municipal sewer system or septic tank. As they age, they can crack, rust, or develop leaks.

If this happens, wastewater won’t flow properly to the sewer line or septic tank. Instead, it can seep out into the surrounding area, including the flooring beneath your shower. Beyond the unpleasant smell, leaking wastewater can cause extensive damage and even pose a health risk. A foul odor is typically the first and most noticeable sign of damaged pipes, but you should also look out for discoloration or warping in nearby flooring or walls.

DIY Solutions to Get Rid of the Smell in Your Bathroom

Try the following DIY solutions to eliminate foul shower drain smells.

Manually Clean Drain

After each shower, clear the drain cover of hair and soap scum buildup. Pull as much of this material out of the drain as possible. Use a drain cleaning tool like a drain snake to reach deeper below the drain opening. 

Treat Drains for Mold Growth

Prevent mold growth and a musty shower drain odors –  treat your drains using this process:

1. Remove the drain strainer and clean it.
2. Use an old toothbrush or drain brush to scrub the drain and sprinkle one cup baking soda down the drain. 
3. Next, add one cup of white vinegar, slowly pouring it into the drain. 
4. Cover the drain and allow the baking soda and vinegar solution to fizz and soak, working to kill mold and other odor-causing bacteria. 
5. Flush with hot water after about 10 minutes.

Fix a Dry P-Trap

When a P-trap goes dry, sewage odor often results. Look down your drain – do you see water? If not, the P-trap is dry. Remedy a dry P-trap with the following process:

1. Pour up to two cups of water into the drain.
2. Wait one hour.
3. Look into the drain to see if water remains – if not, time to call a plumber for P-trap repair.
4. If the shower isn’t regularly used, also add four ounces of mineral oil to the water to prevent evaporation.

Clear a Blocked Vent Pipe

During extreme temperatures, plumbing vents on the roof may become blocked by snow and ice, causing sewer odor backup in your shower drain. Safely clear the roof of snow and ice. If plumbing vents have iced up, locate the vent in the home’s attic and use a hairdryer at the vent’s roof exit to melt the blockage.

Let a Professional Plumber Help with Your Smelly Drains

When the above DIY solutions don’t offer relief, the professional plumber technicians at Douglas Cooling & Heating have advanced solutions to eliminate foul shower drain smells. Depending on the source of your shower drain smell, the following solutions provide relief:

• Drain cleaning: Our professional drain cleaning methods clear tough bathroom plumbing clogs that homeowners cannot fully access.
• Pipe repair: If leaking pipes are causing your shower to smell like sewage, we can fix your damaged drain lines to stop leaks and bad odors.
• P-trap repair or replacement: A cracked P-trap doesn’t hold the water necessary to do its job. We will make repairs or replace the P-trap components so water stays in, which also prevents leaks and water damage beneath the shower drain.
• Plumbing vent inspection: Our team will inspect plumbing vents for blockages and damage that cause sewer odor backup in your drains. We identify the issue and make the appropriate repairs.

Douglas Cooling & Heating Rids Your Bathroom of Drain Odors

If you smell sewage or a sewer gas smell from the drain in your shower, do not let the problem go unresolved. If the above DIY solutions haven’t helped, call Douglas Cooling & Heating for professional drain cleaning and plumbing services to rid your shower and bathtub drains of clogs and other issues causing the sewage smell.

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