Around this time of year,awhen were getting ready to wind down our summers andaprepare forafall, the toll that summer overuse might have had on your plumbing may be starting to show.

There are severalaways to tell if you have a problem in your septic system. The first and most apparent signais if you have sewage backing up into your house. This indicates some kind of blockage between your house and the leach field.

Another way of telling if your septic system is in trouble is if you smell sewage outside your house. If this occurs, along with damp or soggy soil, or even visible ponds, you may have a serious fault in your system that is preventing it from draining properly. Youashould definitelyaconsideracalling professionals before the problem getsaanyaworse.

There are a few courses of action available to you if you believe there's a blockage in the system. Firstly, you can try Septic shock treatments, which are powerful, fast-acting and usually very affordable. However there is no guarantee, depending what your problem actuallyais, that shock treatment will work. You can also hireaan experienced plumber to provide a maintenance regimen to repair and reverse the damage.

The third option,awhich may want to give thought to if your system is close to or more than thirty years old,ais a totalareplacement. Although expensive and temporarily inconvenient, older systems will probably end up costing you more in repairs and having the replacement done now while the weather is still niceais better than theapotential unpleasantness of having to deal with it in the dead of winter.

If you need an experiencedaplumber in Fairfax VA, call John C. Flood. Our localatechnicians are available to deal with all your Alexandria, VA, Washington D.C., and Gaithersburg, MDaplumbing needs.

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Plumbing leaks rank among the most common problems faced by homeowners. Pipes are designed to last a long time, but age and pressure take their toll, and you never know when a leak might spring up. Trained plumbers can correct the problem very quickly in most cases, and you should always let someone with the proper licensing and experience handle plumbing issues of this nature. But the plumber can?t fix the problem unless you realize there?s a problem to be dealt with, and when it comes to plumbing leaks, that can be harder than it seems.

Your plumbing system is quite large and extensive, with pipes running throughout the entire home. Most of these pipes are hidden in the crawlspaces of your walls or under your floorboards. It?s one thing to spot a leak under the sink or somewhere in plain sight, but many leaks take place out of sight, where it could be weeks or even months before you spot them.

This is a problem for a number of reasons. Dripping or running water can cause a huge amount of damage to surrounding components in your home, such as drywall, flooring and electrical wiring. And because it?s hidden, it can become quite extensive before signs of the damage make themselves known. Furthermore, you?re still paying for all the water you lose to the leak, resulting in unnecessarily high monthly water bills.

Because of that, you can save yourself a great deal of money and worry by spotting the signs of a hidden plumbing leak sooner rather than later. Some common examples of things to watch out for can include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Odd noises. This can include anything out of the ordinary, and will usually occur in a location in the home that you don?t recognize. Groans, hums and shudders aren?t unusual, but you should especially look out for sounds of running water or dripping water, which are the sure indicators of a leak.
• Soft spots. Moisture from leaking pipes can damage nearby drywall, which will result in soft spots in your walls or floor.
• Low water pressure. The leak may reduce the flow of water from affected outlets, causing the water to emerge in a trickle.
• Mildew or mold. Even in cases where leaking water doesn?t damage your home, it can still foster the growth of mold or mildew. A musty, moldy smell may accompany them, alerting you to the problem even if you can?t see the mold
• Discoloration.aLeaks can lead to discolored paint or flooring. Cracks or bubbling in paint are also common.
• Cracked cement. In cases where the leaky pipe runs under a cement porch or similar construct, you might see cracks developing in the surface.

The minute you spot these signs, turn off water to the affected portion of the plumbing (use the main shut-off valve for the whole house if you aren?t sure), and call in a trained plumber to get the situation treated the right way.

Chlorine is commonly used in tap water to kill bacteria, but trace amounts can remain in your water supply. This video covers a few of the health concerns of chlorinated water and what you can do mitigate its effects.

Abacus Plumbing ? Water Quality

Even if you don?t ingest chlorinated tap water, it can still be hazardous to your skin during bathing or showering. Chlorine absorption can lead to dry, brittle hair and itchy, flaky skin. Additionally, the chlorine can react with other organic substances in the water supply and potentially create dangerous chemicals.

With a home water filtration system from Abacus Plumbing & Air Conditioning of Houston, you can protect your family?s health without changing your daily lifestyle. To schedule plumbing installation or repair services for your Houston home, call (713) 812-7070 today.

There?s almost nothing worse than having a toilet in your home that you can?t use. Even if it?s a simple clogged or running toilet requiring toilet flange or flapper repair, one thing is certain ? toilet repair is something that can?t wait!

At Len the Plumber, we know how important it is to have clogged or running toilets repaired right away. All of our expert Baltimore plumbers are toilet repair pros and we?re available to take care of your toilet repair and replacement needs 7 days a week!

If you need toilet repair, don?t wait! Fill out the form to the right or pick up the phone and call us today ? we?ll have your clogged or running toilets fixed up in no time.

All Your Toilet Repair Needs Covered

At Len the Plumber, we?ve seen it all when it comes to clogged and running toilets. We?ve all felt that horrible sinking feeling that comes when you flush the toilet and it doesn?t stop running ? and of course the panic when the water rises to the top of the bowl! That?s why we offer fast, full service toilet repair and replacement throughout the Baltimore area, 7 days a week. Call us today if you need:

• Clogged toilet repair
• Running toilet repair
• Leaking toilet repair
• Toilet flush valve repair
• Toilet flange repair
• Toilet flapper repair
• Toilet gasket replacement

A clogged or running toilet can really put your life on hold ? especially if that toilet is in the master bathroom or in a guest bathroom. Don?t hang an ?Out of Order? sign on your door ? if you need toilet repair in Maryland, call the pros at Len the Plumber!