For most people, taking a shower is an essential daily activity – which makes the shower an essential plumbing fixture. We simply assume it will greet us with refreshing, cleansing streams of water at just the temperature and pressure we want whenever we push that little button or pull up the lever. Most of the time, it does. But as an ever-vigilant homeowner, you need to be prepared for the occasions when your shower doesn’t function as it should – and know how to prevent problems whenever possible. Common Shower Problems and Their Causes Clogs – This is a common problem for all drains, but s ..read more

Old, they say, is gold. Many people love vintage homes for their craftsmanship and intriguing architectural details. From arched doorways to crown moldings and glass-stained windows, older homes have many features that attract homebuyers. However, regardless of the charm they exude, older homes can come with a host of maintenance challenges. Plumbing is one such challenge. Even a general home inspection before you buy may not uncover every problem – or potential problem. Hiring a professional plumbing inspector is an investment that could save you from purchasing a “money pit” should extensive ..read more

Your home’s sewer line is out of sight and all too often out of mind – until trouble occurs, that is! Our state-certified master plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing know that homeowners especially dread any issue involving sewer pipes. That’s why we’re providing this guide to help you recognize the signs of problems before they become full-blown emergencies, as well as to educate you on the common causes of problems – some of which can be avoided! What Exactly is a Sewer Line? New (or relatively new) homeowners may not be clear on what a sewer line exactly is. Considering the name, many people ..read more

Your restaurant attracts customers because of its great food, not because of its great grease trap. Truth be told, you’d probably rather patrons not think about this decidedly unappetizing aspect of your establishment. However, if you don’t think about it, your grease trap could create conditions that wind up costing your restaurant its valuable reputation and customers! Sometimes referred to as a grease interceptor, a grease trap is a plumbing device designed to capture fats, oils and greases (FOG) before they enter the wastewater system. There are two main types of grease traps. Interior tra ..read more

Unless a plumbing problem is obvious – like a clogged toilet or leaking water heater – it tends to go unnoticed. This, of course, is not a good thing. Undetected plumbing issues lead to damage of whatever comes into contact with the resulting water leak – such as drywall, subflooring, flooring, foundation slabs, etc. Obviously, being able to recognize the early signs of trouble can help prevent more extensive damage and the expense involved in repairs. As we covered in our blog post – “Why Are My Pipes Leaking?” – corroding pipes are a common cause of leaks, as the inside of pipe walls may cor ..read more

The water heater is an essential appliance that does its important job faithfully, day after day, without much notice – until it’s no longer as dependable as it used to be. Yet determining the time when repair isn’t cost-effective or when to be proactive and replace it before your water heater conks out completely is easier said than done. Fortunately, there are telltale signs to look for and factor into your decision to buy a new unit. While our state-certified master plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing have extensive experience answering emergency calls about water heaters that suddenly expir ..read more

You’re a conscientious homeowner who keeps up with maintaining your plumbing. You clean the faucet aerators and shower heads to remove mineral deposits. You inspect tub and sink drains for debris and unclog if necessary. You clean the garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda. Yet a pipe begins leaking for seemingly no reason. As our colleagues at Mike Diamond frame the situation, “If you didn’t damage your pipe, then why should it start leaking all of a sudden? Are your pipes faulty? Is the leak a sign of something gone horribly wrong?” There are man ..read more

The popular disclaimer “Do not attempt this yourself” applies to many situations other than high-risk stunts – plumbing repairs and projects, for example. In fact, you’re more likely to try to replace a pipe than launch yourself over an open drawbridge on a skateboard. Although you won’t risk life or limb in the process, you could easily risk botching the job and making the situation worse by causing additional damage that winds up being much more expensive to fix than it would have been had you called a plumber in the first place. With all that said, there can be some confusion about what DIY ..read more

The toilet is the most heavily depended-upon plumbing fixture in the home. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the most essential fixture. Because its performance is usually so reliable, it’s easy to assume that your toilet will last forever. However, like everything else, toilets have a finite useful life – and it’s to your great advantage to recognize the warning signs that indicate it’s time for a new one in order to prevent a very unpleasant surprise. While our team of state-certified master plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing can handle any plumbing emergency (or plumergenci ..read more

Do you hear loud banging sounds coming from your plumbing pipes behind the wall when you turn the water faucet off – or when the water cycle ends in your washing machine or dishwasher? Or at random times? If you’ve been living with this situation for a while, you may be wondering if you need to do anything about it, or call a plumber. This annoying phenomenon has a name: water hammer. Cut to the chase, it does need attention. The good news is that repairing the cause(s) of water hammer is relatively easy in most cases. The bad news: Allowing water hammer to continue can eventually result in le ..read more