Althoff Home Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

3 Home Plumbing Projects That Require a Professional

Tuesday, September 26th, 2023

There are some times when you have plumbing problems in your home and you can make a DIY repair. But there are other times that plumbing problems really call for a professional. In fact, some plumbing problems are a big enough deal that we actually have to pull permits to complete the job.

If you need a plumber in Hinsdale, IL, you’re in the right place. Even if you don’t know what exactly is wrong with your plumbing system, you can give us a call and we can help you troubleshoot. You can also keep reading to learn more about the three common plumbing problems we see that require the help of a plumbing professional.

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How Video Pipe Inspection Speeds Up Plumbing Repair

Monday, July 17th, 2023

If you have plumbing problems that are deep in your system or hard to identify, a video pipe inspection may be just what you need. It’s a great way to take the guesswork out of plumbing repairs, especially when it comes to problems that are out of sight. 

If you think that you have a plumbing problem that would benefit from a video pipe inspection in Barrington, IL, give our team a call. You can keep reading to learn more about when we use video pipe inspections and how they help us with plumbing repairs. We are here to help with all of your plumbing needs and want to get the job done as efficiently and effectively as possible.

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What Happens When You Don’t Clean Your Sewer Pipes

Monday, May 8th, 2023

Your home has sewer pipes whether they connect to a septic tank in your yard for your local sewage system. You may not give these lines much thought, but it is very important to have them cleaned once in a while. If you don’t, you may be spending a lot of time and money on repairs in the future.

And that doesn’t even include the headache of cleanup that comes along with sewer pipes filled with gunk and grime. If you want to schedule a sewer cleaning in Algonquin, IL, our team is here to help. You can keep reading to learn more about why this service is so important for your home’s plumbing and your family’s well-being. 

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Why Chemicals Are No Substitute for Professional Drain Cleaning

Monday, January 16th, 2023

When you have a clogged drain, it is very tempting to run to the nearest hardware store and grab an over-the-counter drain cleaner to pour into your sink or tub drain. This is a bad idea because it is only a temporary fix and has the possibility of doing more damage than good.

If you need drain cleaning in Hinsdale, IL, it’s important to call a team of plumbing professionals. You don’t just want to put a bandage on a plumbing problem; you want to fix it completely so that you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Keep reading to learn why chemicals like over-the-counter drain cleaners are no substitute for professional drain cleaning.

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Signs You May Have a Plumbing Leak

Monday, August 1st, 2022
faucet-with-water-coming-out

Leaks are probably pretty high on your list of things you don’t want to have happen. While some household problems have easy fixes, sometimes plumbing leaks don’t. This is because leaks cause a ripple effect of damage to surrounding areas. Plumbing leaks can start out so small that you don’t even notice them until they’re a big problem that requires immediate attention.

But you can avoid squishy puddles under your carpet and dark spots on your ceiling by paying attention to signs of a plumbing leak. Watch for these five signs of a leak, and then give us a call for plumbing in Crystal Lake, IL to stay ahead of water damage caused by plumbing leaks.

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What a Water Softener Does for You

Monday, May 23rd, 2022

Spring is in the air and you’ve probably started doing all the cleaning and planning that this season typically calls for. It’s out with the old and in with the new. You’re putting away your heavier layers, fishing out your lighter ones, and cleaning those hard to reach spots around your home. On top of that, you’re probably planning your summer vacations and finalizing the details. As long as you’re in this spirit, it’s also important to consider the details of your home as well. This includes things like your water softener. 

If you’re ready to get yourself a water softener that’s going to do all the work you need it to in your home, then we suggest choosing one of our plumbers in McHenry, IL. We’re knowledgeable and always ready to serve you. 

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Don’t Forget Your Plumbing When You’re Spring Cleaning

Monday, March 14th, 2022

Spring is just around the corner. We know that you’re getting prepared for the cold to thaw and the warm weather to arrive. You’re probably excited about it too. If this is something you’re thinking about, then we suggest making sure you’re looking into your home’s plumbing as well. It can be easy to focus on getting all the grime out of the nooks and crannies. This mindset should apply to your pipes and plumbing as well. 

If you need great plumbing, then make sure that you can rely on our plumbers in Crystal Lake, IL. We know our stuff and we make sure that we pay it forward. This is why you should rely on team members like ours. We’re going to help you get the perfect plumbing this spring. 

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These Are 5 Emergency Plumbing Issues

Monday, December 20th, 2021

The most common plumbing issue that we see surrounding plumbing is trying to figure out if an issue is urgent or not. Most problems that you see can feel like emergencies because so many plumbing issues surrounding running water. Everything seems urgent when you’re battling against the problem of water damage. If you’re looking for emergency plumbing in Hinsdale, IL, our team of professionals can help you with your emergency plumbing service. 

We want to help you with all of your home’s plumbing. This isn’t something you should do without the help of a professional. We’re ready to help you with all your plumbing jobs and make sure that the work is great. 

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The Benefit of Video Pipe Inspections

Monday, October 11th, 2021

Are you dealing with plumbing problems in your home? This is something that we know is no walk in the park. Plumbing problems can become such a big issue because they’re so insidious. It’s not every day that you’re looking into your pipes. Instead, it’s as if your plumbing problems can sneak up on you because you can’t see into your plumbing system. 

We want to help you work around problems like this. Imagine if you could take a look inside your pipe with a video camera. Would this be an easy and simple way to get past these issues? This isn’t just a fantasy solution. It’s something that we can actually do with the technology we have. Let’s discuss the world of video pipe inspections below. 

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Why Is My Garbage Disposal Not Working?

Tuesday, January 26th, 2021

A broken garbage disposal can be a major headache. It can completely disrupt your usual dishes routine and lead to clogs in your drain. Luckily, if you’re having issues with your garbage disposal, there are ways you can fix it.

Potential Issues With Your Garbage Disposal and How to Fix Them

There are several problems you could be having with your garbage disposal. Here are a few of the most common problems that occur with garbage disposals and what you can do to fix them.

Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn On

One of the most common problems that homeowners face with their garbage disposal is that it won’t turn on when they flip the switch. The good news is that this is often a simple repair process.

If your garbage disposal won’t turn on, there could a problem with your power supply. If you think this is the case, locate the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and press it.

If that doesn’t work, check your circuit breaker to see if the switch that supplies power to the unit has been switched off. If neither of these options works, then you may need to get your plumbing repaired by a professional.

Humming Noise or Slow Drainage

If your garbage disposal is humming but is not grinding any food waste, or your sink is becoming flooded with water and debris, there may be a jam within your garbage disposal.

Due to the amount of food, waste, and debris that gets shoved into a garbage disposal, this problem is also fairly common. Luckily, this is another traditionally easy repair that often involves removing an object that has been wedged into the disposal.

First, turn the disposal all the way off so that you can safely inspect the blades. Yes, this means turning off the power to your disposal. You don’t want to risk losing any fingers!

Then, take a flashlight and take a look around the interior of the garbage disposal. Once you have identified the foreign object causing the jam, use a pair of pliers to remove the item.

Afterward, run water down the disposal to remove any excess debris that might still be caught. Then, run the garbage disposal.

Garbage Disposal Leaks

Over time, the vibration from the garbage disposal can loosen its connection, causing water to leak from your sink drain and into the base of the cabinet below. In most instances, the cause of the leak is due to the flange that attaches the disposal to the bottom of the unit.

To fix the leak, turn off the power to the garbage disposal and remove it from its mounting flange. Next, loosen the bolts and push the flange above the sink surface. Apply a new plumber bead between the flange and the sink.

Afterward, reattach the flange, bolts, and disposal and reconnect the power to ensure your disposal is working correctly. If the leak continues, you may need to call a plumber to have the garbage disposal replaced.

Contact Althoff Industries for Emergency Plumbing Services

Although the garbage disposal may seem like an uncomplicated piece of machinery, it often causes problems for homeowners. If you have tried everything mentioned above and are still having issues, it may be time to call a professional.

Severe plumbing problems shouldn’t wait, which is why it’s critical that you have an emergency plumbing service on call, no matter what time of day it is.

At Althoff Industries, we provide our Chicago, Illinois customers with around-the-clock emergency plumbing repair services. We make sure that you never have to worry about the plumbing in your home.

Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or new plumbing installed in your home, we provide licensed and specialized plumbing services to our neighbors in Northwest Chicago.

Take a look at our emergency plumbing services!

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