Monday, September 23, 2013

Go Beast Mode on Your Seattle Plumbing Problems

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch says “Stop Freakin...Call Beacon!” Check out the video here:



Give us a call at (206) 452-4363 to schedule an appointment with our master plumbers today!


Simple Mistakes That Can Result in a Plumbing Emergency

While some plumbing problems are unavoidable, other plumbing emergencies are a result of operator error. To help avoid a plumbing emergency in your home, it is important to be aware of how to properly use and maintain the primary components of your plumbing system. By learning about some of the most common plumbing mistakes, you can avoid an embarrassing call to your plumber. Here is a look at some simple mistakes that can seriously damage your plumbing.






















Placing Inappropriate Items in the Garbage Disposal
 
Your kitchen garbage disposal is equipped to handle a variety of food waste. However, not all food waste should be placed in your disposal. Items such as bones, starchy foods, and stringy foods can jam up your system and cause a serious clog. To keep your garbage disposal in good condition, only dispose of soft items that can be easily processed.

Over-Tightening a Faucet Handle

If your faucet has a continuous drip, excessively tightening the handle will not repair the leak. In fact, over-tightening your faucet handle can strip or break the handle, causing more damage than the leak itself. When your faucet begins to leak, call your plumber to provide you with professional repairs right away.

Flushing Household Items down the Toilet

A toilet is designed to dispose of bathroom waste and toilet paper. Household items such as toys can cause a serious plumbing emergency when they are flushed down the toilet. Once a toy becomes trapped in the toilet system, it may be necessary to take out the entire toilet to remove the item.

If you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, do not hesitate to call Beacon Plumbing, Heating, & Mechanical. Our master plumbers offer a full range of emergency plumbing services, including sewer line repairs and water heater repairs. To make a plumbing appointment for your home in the Seattle area, give us a call at (206) 452-4363.


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Common Sewer Line Issues






























Your home is connected to the city sewer system through a sewer line. Occasionally, your home’s sewer line can experience issues that range from minor inconveniences to major problems. Sewer backups are a common sewer line issue, and can be caused by blockages or by damage to the sewer line pipe. Sometimes, a sewer line can also be damaged by the root system of trees planted in the backyard of a home. In addition to backups, you may also experience bad odors coming from your sewer line. At the first sign of a sewer line issue, be sure to call your plumber right away.

When your sewer line is in need of service, you can trust the master plumbers at Beacon Plumbing, Heating, & Mechanical. With service centers throughout the Seattle, Kent, Auburn, and Tacoma areas, we are conveniently located to provide you with emergency plumbing services. Contact us today by calling (206) 452-4363 to schedule a plumbing appointment for your home.


Monday, September 9, 2013

What to Do When You Smell Sewer Gas In Your Home

When you experience a home sewer emergency, it is important to respond to the situation quickly and calmly while you contact your plumbing professional. In some cases, a backed-up sewer line or other sewer issue can cause sewer gas to enter the living spaces of your home. To help you prepare for the event of a home sewer emergency, here are some steps to take when you smell sewer gas in your home.
























Locate the Source

When you smell sewer gas in your home, you should first locate the source of the odor. Sewer gas may be entering your home through one or several drains. Using your senses, try to find the drain where the odor is the strongest. By pinpointing the location of the sewer issue, you will be better prepared to fix the problem.
 
Eliminate the Problem

Before you call your plumber, you can try to eliminate the problem on your own. Once you have determined which drain is the source of the odor, you can pour a cup of bleach down the drain to neutralize the smell. You can also look to see if hair or any other items have caused a blockage in your drain.
 
Call a Professional

Sewer gas smells that are very strong or that last for a longer period of time should be dealt with by a professional plumber. Your plumber will be able to precisely locate the source of your sewer smell. By contacting a professional, you will be able to ensure that the sewer smell is not caused by a major problem, such as cracked or leaking pipes.

At Beacon Plumbing, Heating, & Mechanical, we offer 24 hour emergency plumbing services. If you are experiencing a sewer backup or another type of emergency, our knowledgeable technicians will provide you with prompt, friendly, and efficient service. Call us at (206) 452-4363 to make a plumbing appointment in the Seattle area.


What Can You Put Down Your Garbage Disposal?



Your garbage disposal can clog or back up if you put the wrong types of items down the drain. To keep your garbage disposal in great working order, make sure to only put soft, easily processed food items such as fruits, vegetables, and soft grains down your garbage disposal. For more information about how to care for your garbage disposal, watch this video from Howcast.

If your garbage disposal is clogged, Beacon Plumbing, Heating, & Mechanical will be there to help. We offer a full range of plumbing services, including around the clock emergency plumbing appointments. Call our Seattle location at (206) 452-4363 to schedule an appointment with our master plumbers today!


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

How a Septic System Works

If you live in a rural or suburban community, it’s likely that your home is connected to a septic system. For those homeowners who use septic systems for their wastewater disposal needs, it will be helpful to understand how these amazing systems work to properly treat and dispose of what goes down your drain. To highlight the importance of routine septic system maintenance, here is a closer look at how a septic system works.




























Septic Tank
All of the water from your home’s toilets, sinks, and other faucets flows through the pipes and into your septic tank. The septic tank is typically placed at the back of a property, and is surrounded by a drainage field. Once inside the septic tank, the components of the wastewater are separated for easier storage.

Scum and Sludge Layers
As the wastewater sits inside the septic tank, it begins to separate into a scum layer and a sludge layer. Solid items sink to the bottom and form the sludge layer. Other matter floats to the top, creating the scum layer. In between the two layers, water sits until it is displaced by new wastewater. Any gases are released by a component called a P-trap.

Septic System Maintenance
Over time, the sludge layer in your septic tank will build up. During a septic system maintenance procedure, your plumber will pump out the sludge layer, leaving room for more wastewater to enter. Routine septic maintenance will ensure that your system is in proper working condition for many years to come.

When your septic system is in need of maintenance, contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating, & Mechanical. Our highly experienced plumbers offer expert septic system maintenance and repair services. To schedule your septic system service with our plumbing professionals in the Seattle area, give us a call today at (206) 452-4363. For more information, click on the link to visit our website.


How to Properly Dispose of Cooking Grease





























You cook up a great fried chicken dinner—now what are you going to do with that leftover cooking grease? Any plumber will tell you that the worst thing you can do is to put it down your garbage disposal. Even though your grease looks like a liquid after you finish cooking, it will turn into a solid when it cools in your drain and cause a major clog. Grease can also eat away at your pipes.

What are you supposed to do with your cooking grease? The best thing to do is get a container that can be covered and pour the grease into it. You can reuse the container several times and throw it away when it gets full. An old coffee can will do the trick, as will a soda bottle. Be sure to allow the grease to cool before you pour it into the container, or it could melt.

If grease does end up down your drain, Beacon Plumbing, Heating, & Mechanical can help. We’re available round-the-clock for any and all plumbing emergencies. When you need us, call (206) 452-4363.