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If you have a whole-house water softener, you need to keep up with regular maintenance in order for the unit to work at its best. After all, a water softener cleans all the water that enters your home, which can be a tall order. Aside from the maintenance steps that you complete as a homeowner, our team can help with professional maintenance and even a water softener salt subscription in Mundelein.
Just give our team a call to schedule your service. We can talk to you about how many gallons per month you use and how often you need to refill the salt. You can also keep reading to learn more about some of the other maintenance steps you can complete for your whole-house water softener.
Sewer backups can be a major problem. In addition to being inconvenient, they can also allow germs and bacteria into your home and create a mess that’s a lot to clean up. But sewer backups are preventable when you take the right steps in advance.
We’re highlighting some tips and tricks for preventing a sewer backup from ever happening in the first place. If you suspect a sewer backup, you need to schedule sewer cleaning in Crystal Lake, give our team a call. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn our steps for protecting your home from a sewer backup.
There are some minor plumbing problems that you can fix on your own. Other plumbing problems require expert help, but aren’t necessarily an emergency. Then there are times when plumbing problems are serious enough to require service ASAP. But how do you know when that is?
We are highlighting some of the ways that you know whether a plumbing problem is an emergency or not. When you need a plumber in Hinsdale, IL for an emergency, our team is ready to help. You can keep reading to learn more about common plumbing emergencies and how you can address the problems yourself until we can arrive at your home.
We know that you have a lot of choices when it comes to HVAC and plumbing professionals in the area. But there are a few reasons that you might want to choose our team when you need ejector pump repair in Crystal Lake, IL. You can keep reading to learn more about the service difference that you experience with Althoff as we walk you through the steps we take during a service appointment.
No matter what your needs are, our team is here to help. Whether you want to give us a call for questions or need to schedule maintenance, repairs and even new installations. We can do it all, and when you partner with us, you’ll know that the job is done right the first time.
As a homeowner, you should be completing your own inspections of HVAC systems, appliances yes, even your plumbing. You may not be an expert in any of these fields, but you can identify when something is unusual or out of place and then give us a call to check it out.
But what should you look out for when you inspect the plumbing around your home? We compiled a checklist to help you know where to look and what to look for when you complete your own plumbing inspection in Crystal Lake, IL. Remember: if you’re a White Glove Club member with us, an annual plumbing inspection is included with your membership.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Natural gas is a relatively safe, effective, and convenient source of energy. However, if the natural gas line in your property is not correctly installed or maintained, a natural gas leak can become a health risk and a source of danger in your home. Additionally, gas leaks also have explosive potential thanks to the extremely flammable nature of the gas vapors.
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Signs You Might Have a Gas Leak
Natural gas is used in households for different heating needs. When properly installed and maintained, natural gas is a reliable and stable utility. However, regular wear and tear or improper use of gas appliances can lead to a gas leak.
Gas leakage can occur in several locations. Some leaks are easy to find, but not all of them are as immediately apparent. Whether at home or a place of business, it is necessary to know the signs, symptoms and procedures associated with gas leakage. Here are some of the most common warning signs of a gas leak.
Rotten Egg Smell
The most common sign of a natural gas leak is the scent of rotten eggs. For safety reasons, a substance called mercaptan is added to natural gas lines by utility companies. Mercaptan is harmless, but it has an odor that compares to that of rotten eggs. If you smell the scent of rotten eggs in your home, then you might have a natural gas leak.
Bubbling in Standing Water
One of the quickest ways to determine whether or not you have a gas leak is to conduct a bubble test. If you see bubbles formed in any wet areas around your home, you may have an underground gas leak.
Hissing Sound
A hissing sound that escapes from nearby gas lines is one of the first indications of a significant gas leak. If you hear the sound of air leaking out of a nearby pipe, you should call a gas company or another professional and leave the area immediately.
Dead Plants
If there is a leak in the gas line of your home, dead or dying plants can warn you of the problem. When a natural gas leak occurs, it displaces the oxygen required for the plants to survive. If you find dead plants in your home or yard, you might have a natural gas leak.
Why It’s Important to Fix a Gas Leak
A skilled plumber can easily find the source of a natural gas leak and fix it safely. However, uncontrolled gas leaks can pose a risk to nearby individuals. In addition to physical conditions, natural gas is flammable, so it is advised that you stop using electrical appliances or lights immediately.
While natural gas is non-toxic, prolonged exposure to its products can cause a noticeable decline in health. As natural gas keeps leaking into your home, it can impair your sense of smell and cause breathing problems, headaches and nausea.
What to Do if You Find a Gas Leak
If you think you suspect a gas leak has occurred in your home, make sure to open all your windows, turn off the pilot light or water heater, and leave the house as quickly as possible. Next, once signs of a natural gas leak have been found and you are safely away from your home, you will want to call your local gas company or contact local emergency plumbing services.
Wait until you and your loved ones have completely evacuated your home before making any emergency calls. Electronic devices produce static electricity that can potentially ignite the extremely flammable natural gas that has leaked into the air.
Contact Althoff Industries to Fix Your Gas Leak!
If you smell gas or have another reason to suspect that you may have a gas leak in your home, make sure that you call Althoff Industries. Our team of highly-experienced professionals want to make sure that your home is a safe and comfortable place for you and your loved ones to live.
We offer expert, licensed plumbing services in the northwest Chicago area and can assist with any gas leak issues your home may have. In addition, we offer 24-hour emergency services and can be reached at our emergency hotline (815) 455-7000.
