Emergency Plumbing Repair For Routt and Grand County Colorado
At Grand Lake Plumbing, we’ve see it all! From frozen pipes, clogged drains, and dripping faucets to toilets that run on forever, water heaters that don’t heat, and garbage disposals that have a mind of their own! Here are just a few of the plumbing repair services we offer to keep you and your home happy!
Frozen Pipes – Preventing & Treating Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are common occurrence during sub-zero weather in Colorado. If you’ve had frozen pipes in the past, pay close attention to this. Insulation is an obvious benefit, but won’t keep pipes from freezing if they are exposed to the elements.
It’s important to keep a heat source close by. In a bathroom with pipes enclosed in vanities or cabinets, leave the doors open during frigid weather so the heat from the room can flow in and around the pipes. At Grand Lake Plumbing we sell pipe wrappings imbedded with electrical coils to provide a source of heat. This is a good way to keep pipes from freezing, but if you forget to plug in the device with the approach of a cold front or if there’s an electrical power interruption – as often occurs during severe weather pipe wrapping will not protect pipes from freezing. It pays to be diligent!
If a pipe does freeze, try defrosting it by using a hair dryer. For safety, be sure the dryer is grounded, and never hold the pipe while operating an electrical appliance. To prevent the pipe from bursting, turn off the water supply to that line. Don’t turn off the main household supply, just the valve leading to the frozen line. If you’re not sure how to do this give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you out.
Clogged Drains
Many of these calls could be avoided by taking greater care in what you put down drains – especially the drain in the kitchen sink. This is the most used and most clogged drain in all homes. To prevent drains from clogging we recommended regular treatment with Bio-Clean, a biological drain cleaner which you can purchase at Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating.
Dripping Faucets
This is an annoyance most homeowners have to deal with as the washers in the faucets wear out with use. You can extend the life of your faucet washers by not turning them off with too much force. Consider replacing your older faucets with those that feature washer-less valve cartridges. Since the valve mechanism is contained in one cartridge, these faucets are easier to repair and replace. Cartridges are generally more durable and won’t leak because they do not deteriorate with friction or age as rubber washers do.
Leaking Pipes
In extreme cases, these can cause expensive damage to floors, ceiling, walls and belongings. To stop a small leak from turning into a big one, take a look at your pipes periodically to check for rust or white lime deposits that may indicate a leak is starting.
Leaking Water Heaters
Most often when you have a leak, it’s time to replace your water heater. Usually leaks indicate rusting through at the bottom of the storage tank, for which there is no good repair. By the time this happens, the water heater is usually so old you’d benefit by replacing it with a more energy-efficient model.
No Heat
When you furnace or boiler stops operating, it can make for a long, cold winter night. An ounce of prevention here is worth of ton of cure. It’s important to make sure your heating system is functioning properly before the first cold snap hits. Have Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating perform a thorough examination and cleaning in late summer or early fall every year. This will make sure your heating system is operating at peak efficiency, prevent unexpected breakdowns and you’ll have peace of mind knowing it is operating safely as we check for malfunctions that may lead to dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning.
Running & Leaking Toilets
Running and leaking toilets are a major annoyance and they are an expensive waste of water. Leaky toilets can cost you upwards of $100 a year on your water bills. If you hear a low humming noise, or if the toilet continues to run into the bowl after the toilet is flushed, it indicates that some part of the mechanism is not operating correctly. You may need to replace the entire mechanism.
Leaking toilets can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day and lead to frozen sewers. Stop by Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating to pick up Toilet Tank Leak Detecting Tablets. The two-non-toxic blue dye tablets in the kit, give you a quick, easy way to check for leaks.
New Faucet Installation
Many homeowners replace faucets not only when they break down, but for decorative reasons as well. This is one of the most common reasons for a service call. A few people buy a faucet from a home center and then call Grand Lake Plumbing & Heating to do the installation. We are happy to do this, but for peace of mind, we recommend you have us supply and install all parts. You will receive our 1-year warranty on all work; you receive competitive pricing and our superior customer service!
Malfunctioning Food Waste Disposer
This can be a messy headache for homeowners. Here are several tips to keep your unit in good working order. First, always use cold water when grinding to move the waste all the way down the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold water and can be flushed through the system. Hot water should not be used because it can dissolve fats and grease, and they’ll accumulate in the drain line.
Almost all-biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposers. Never grind clam or oyster shells, cornhusks or other materials with high fiber content. Under no circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials through a disposer. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum foil, which are some of the items service technicians commonly find in clogged or broken disposers.
