Plumbing in the desert is very different from home piping in wetter climates, and homeowners need to be aware of the differences in repairs or an emergency. This article will discuss important facts Las Vegas homeowners should consider for their plumbing, warning signs a system is in need of maintenance, emergency tips, and plumbing tools every homeowner should own. Plumbing doesn’t need to be a challenging subject to understand when homeowners are armed with the proper information. The following are some important plumbing facts for Las Vegas homeowners.
Plumbing in Las Vegas
Las Vegas may be best known for its casinos and nightlife. Still, the city is actually a desert community that gets most of its water from Lake Mead, which receives much-needed precipitation during the winter months. Plumbing in homes relies on gravity to carry water down into drains that lead to many different parts of the home’s system. Plumbing typically has few problems due to dry weather conditions because there is little moisture left in the air after it evaporates.
Plumbers recommend homeowners check under sinks daily for any leaks or drips; this is where some homeowners struggle with plumbing issues simply because they overlooked an issue until it became worse than it should have been. A homeowner can avoid time-consuming and costly repairs by checking their piping regularly. Plumbing problems associated with homes in the desert include bacterial growth from standing water as well as mineral deposits, which result from hard water.
Important Plumbing Facts Homeowners Should Know
Plumbing cannot be maintained like a car; it has to be serviced and repaired at regular intervals, or issues can develop that make repairs more challenging. Plumbing problems should never be ignored, as homeowners need to know that most plumbers in Las Vegas are available for plumbing emergencies 24/7, 365 days a year. If an issue goes unattended, it could result in extensive damage to the entire system and cause water leaks, leading to flooding inside homes.
Some additional plumbing facts include:
– Your home’s pipes are most likely made from copper, steel, or PEX plastic. Plumbing made from copper is typically installed in homes that are older than 100 years old, and it is also the most expensive to install. Plumbers recommend PEX piping as a more cost-effective option for homeowners.
– Plumbing should be inspected at least twice a year by an expert to ensure nothing has developed that could lead to problems down the line. The inspection process should include inspecting all visible parts of a system as well as drains and cleaning out any debris or dirt found in those locations.
– Plumbing is a hands-on profession, so it is important for homeowners to understand that a plumber can only offer advice and teach homeowners how to maintain their systems. Plumbers cannot be expected to perform every maintenance task on a system; this responsibility falls to the homeowner.
Plumbing Warning Signs to Watch Out For
Homeowners in Las Vegas should always keep track of water usage to know how much they are using, start looking for signs that someone has used too much (i.e., if the toilet is flushed continually), and be sure there are no leaks when they leave their home unattended for an extended period of time. Plumbing warning signs include:
– Brown or rust-colored water is often a sign that iron deposits have begun to build up inside piping systems. If this issue goes unattended, it can cause extensive damage to a system and lead to serious flooding issues causing significant repairs. Plumbers recommend homeowners use a filter on showers and sinks so brownish water doesn’t go unnoticed.
– Plumbing filters can help alleviate the mineral deposits caused by hard water in Las Vegas. Plumbing systems are typically made from metal, which can corrode when calcium or magnesium is present in greater amounts than what can be absorbed by the piping. Plumbers recommend installing an inline filter on the hot and cold water lines leading to a home’s refrigerator to alleviate this issue.
– Plumbing issues that cause repeated blockages are often caused by grease build-up in kitchen sink drains. To avoid build-up, homeowners should dispose of waste materials that contain grease in sealed containers rather than flushing them down the drain. Plumbing tools every homeowner should own
Las Vegas plumbers suggest getting to know your home’s system well enough, so you have an understanding of where everything is located inside your property; this includes knowing where the main water shut-off valve is located. Plumbing tools that will help homeowners maintain their systems include:
– Plumber’s snake for unclogging drains and pipes that have become blocked by debris or sediment.
– Plumbers wrench for use in tightening screws on a range of different plumbing fixtures, including nuts, bolts, and couplings.
– Plumbers putty to fix small leaks around sinks and faucets as well as sealing connections between different sections of piping. Plumbing issues can be difficult to resolve, so it is important to address them immediately before they cause extensive damage inside a home.
– Plumbing inside your home relies on pipe fittings and valves to provide a safe way for water to travel from an outside source into homes. Plumbers recommend homeowners purchase their own supplies, including PVC primer and cement, Teflon tape, socket wrenches, adjustable wrenches, crosscut saws, chisels, clay-lined drill bits, tubing cutters, hacksaws with a fine blade, safety goggles, and gloves to use while working with piping that is under pressure.
– Plumbing systems rely upon pipes built from metal that corrode when they come into contact with minerals present in hard water. Plumbers suggest installing a filter in line on the hot and cold water lines for a refrigerator to help alleviate this problem.
Tips for an Emergency Situation
When a problem arises and water begins to gush from a pipe, it is important for homeowners to turn off the main water supply leading into their homes. Plumbing experts recommend turning off the water at the meter (located on or near ground level outside of homes), if possible, before reaching the shut-off valve in order to minimize the damage done by flooding.
Grease blockages often cause plumbing issues that cause backups in drains, so plumbers recommend disposing of all grease materials in sealed containers. If there are sewage backups in Las Vegas, homeowners should avoid entering any rooms where this has occurred until an expert arrives to clean up the mess.
If you are dealing with an emergency like a sewer backup, you should not only turn off the water but also make a point to avoid entering any rooms where sewage has spilled. Plumbing experts recommend taking a few minutes to disinfect areas affected by spillage by spraying them down with a bleach solution made from mixing one part household bleach and three parts water together.
Plumbers in Las Vegas can help homeowners determine what kinds of tools they will need for their plumbing projects and whether or not they require the assistance of an emergency plumber Las Vegas residents can contact if their home experiences significant damage while plumbing problems go unattended.
Las Vegas Plumbers recommend making a point to carefully watch over your home’s plumbing for signs of damage that could turn into more severe problems that exacerbate existing ones. Plumbing issues can cause extensive damages inside homes, so it is crucial to take care of them as soon as they arise before things escalate out of control.
If you need help selecting a plumbing company or need assistance with a plumbing issue, reach out to our team of experts. We are local to the Las Vegas area and can help homeowners find a trustworthy plumber or provide assistance with any plumbing needs.