Have you heard of this plumbing term before? It’s a plumbing problem that can result in serious plumbing issues if it’s not addressed in a timely manner. In this post, we talk more about what water hammer is and how to stop it.

First, let us start off by saying that it’s not uncommon for one’s home plumbing to make sounds when the water’s flowing through the pipes. Sometimes these sounds are loud and distressing because they make a banging sound. We call this sound water hammer.

What Is Water Hammer?

Water hammer happens when fluid in the pipes is forced to change directions quickly due to a pressure surge. The momentum gained creates a shockwave which causes pipes to bang and shake. The reason we call this water hammer is that the water rushing back into the pipes and valves sounds like hammering.

Now, not all water hammer issues are bad. Sometimes the problem’s related to high water pressure. This is something that most homeowners can fix by checking the water pressure using a water pressure gauge that is available from hardware stores, plumbing supply stores, and home improvement stores. The water can be adjusted using a pressure regulating device installed on the main line coming into the home.

When Is Water Hammer Harmful to My Plumbing?

Homeowners should address water hammer because when it happens often is will wear away at the valves and pipe joints. Eventually, this can cause leaky pipes and burst pipes. The sooner one addresses water hammer issues, the better.

How to Stop Water Hammer

Fortunately, water hammer has a few effective solutions. Here are some of the ways our plumbers in Cypress address water hammer issues.

• Securing pipes: When pipes are loose, it doesn’t take much for water hammer problems to cause shaking and banging. The easiest and least expensive ways to address water hammer are to secure loose pipes with plastic hangers to keep the pipes in place. It’s also recommended to wrap parts of the pipe with pipe insulation. Insulation will absorb shock. Securing pipes work best for mild cases of water hammer.
• Install an air chamber: Giving water an alternate route for water to rebound after the water suddenly stops is highly effective. One way to do this is to install an air chamber. A professional plumber can help you install this retrofit easily and put an end to noisy water hammer.
• Install mechanical shock arrestors: This is the best solution for homes that have severe water hammer issues. These devices stop and absorb shockwaves. The arrestors are installed around plumbing choices and consist of a spring and air bladder.

At Cypress Discount Plumbing & Drain, we want to remind you that leaving small problems alone doesn’t make the problem go away. It only prolongs the inevitable and leads to serious plumbing issues. To take care of water hammer in your home, contact us today for fast and effective plumbing service in Cypress, CA.

Does your kitchen have a garbage disposal? If so, we don’t have to tell you how this appliance makes it easy to clean up after a meal. It also keeps food odors from permeating your home. So, when your disposal isn’t working it can be quite upsetting. If you’re in this predicament, here are the top 3 reasons why your disposal has gone on strike.

Something Is Caught in the Blades

When you turn your garbage disposal on is it making a rattling sound? Is it humming for no particular reason?

You may have something caught in the blades creating a jam. If you hear a rattling sound and the blades are moving, it’s likely that something hard fell into the disposal and is being batted around. Turn off the disposal right away. You don’t want to risk the object getting wedged in between the blades. Objects like spoons, lids, pop-tops from cans, and other kitchen trash can sometimes fall into the disposal unknown to you. With the power turned off, use your fingers or a pair of tongs to remove the object.

If the blades aren’t spinning, it could be that food particles or another object has jammed the blades. Very carefully use a flat-head screwdriver to try to remove whatever is causing the jam. Didn’t find anything? Keep reading because the problem may be something else.

Damaged Motor

When your disposal hums and you can’t find any indication that something is caught in the blades, you may have a bad motor. Another sign of a bad motor is when the unit is turn on and completely unresponsive. Because garbage disposals are relatively inexpensive to purchase (you can get a good one for under $200) it doesn’t make sense to hire a plumber to make a repair. In fact, an honest plumber will tell you to cut your losses and buy a new disposal.

Leaky Units

Is water leaking from the garbage disposal and causing a mess under your kitchen sink? There are a couple reasons this may be happening. The disposal may have come loose and simply needs to have the bolts tightened. Other reasons for leaks can be a broken drain pipe or damaged seal. These are easy fixes that can be done quickly and inexpensively. A faulty flange may also be causing seepage. In this instance, you’re better off calling a plumber to investigate. A broken flange isn’t worth the cost to repair and more likely than not you’ll be better off asking your plumbing for new garbage disposal installation.

Keep Your Garbage Disposal Working Better for Longer

The average garbage disposal will last between 5-10 years. You can get closer to the 10-year mark by being careful about what you put in the garbage disposal and paying attention to signs of disrepair. If you need garbage disposal repair or installation services, call Cypress Discount Plumbing and Drain. Our licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers in Cypress, CA, are just a phone call away 24/7.

When you need plumbing repair in Cypress, you might be given options about the types of pipes used for the repair. Most of the time, your plumber will already have pipes in mind that will work best for the job. However, it’s nice to have a little knowledge about the types of pipes used in the plumbing industry.

Below are four types of pipes our plumbers at Cypress Discount Plumbing and Rooter use for residential projects.

PEX

This pipe material is also referred to as cross-linked polyethylene tubing, but we call it PEX for short. PEX is a flexible plastic pipe available in sizes from .25 inches – 1 inch. It’s a popular pipe material in the industry because it’s easy to install. It’s flexibility makes it easy to curve the material around corners and it can be bent to bypass structural obstacles. A huge benefit of PEX is that it means your pipes need fewer transition fittings, elbows, and joints.

PEX is a durable, flexible, and long-lasting pipe material that cost-effective for budget conscious homeowners.

Rigid Copper

It’s name says it all. Rigid copper pipes are the toughest pipes. They’re constructed from top-grade metals and can withstand very high water pressure. What many people find surprising is that it’s also quite flexible. Climates that get very cold in the winter do well with rigid copper piping because the material won’t break when water freezes inside of it.

Another benefit of rigid copper piping is its resistant to rust and decay. Homeowners don’t have to worry about water contamination due to corrosive pipes with this piping option.

Galvanized Steel or Cast Iron

Galvanized steel and cast iron are low-cost options for residential plumbing. This piping is used most often when plumbers install sewers and commercial drainage systems because of its affordability.

It’s important to mention that plumbers don’t exactly like cast iron because it’s difficult to install, and it’s the best product for residential systems. Eventually, cast iron decays and this can cause sewer problems for homeowners.

Galvanized steel is a better alternative to cast iron, but it’s hard for plumbers to work with. It’s harder and heavier than most pipes, which makes it difficult to cut and install.

PVC

PVC is short for polyvinyl chloride. This plastic tubing comes in large sizes up to 3-4 inches wide. Homeowners who want better drainage at their homes may choose to install these larger pipes for increased flow rates.

Like rigid copper, PVC can withstand high water pressure. Its flexibility also makes it easy to install.
Our plumbers also like this piping material will last for years without any problems.

Call Us to Discuss Pipe Replacement Options

Do you need pipe replacement in Cypress, CA? Call us today and schedule a consultation to speak with one of our plumbers about your options.

Homeowners have a responsibility to manage the upkeep of their gas or electric hot water heater. Yet, many of these appliances are neglected and go unnoticed until the hot water goes out. Here are three things that homeowners can do now to ensure that they have access to hot water and don’t find themselves needing emergency hot water heater repair in Cypress.

Know the Age of Your Water Heater

If you built your home or installed a new water heater, you already have an idea of its age. Homeowners that purchase pre-owned homes, though, may not have this information because the home is old enough that it could have had many water heaters installed over the years. If you’re purchasing a home, don’t forget to find out when the water heater was installed. Most well-maintained gas and electric hot water heaters can last between 10 – 20 years. Knowing the age of your water heater will give you an idea of when you may need to consider replacement.

Know the Signs of Water Heater Repair

It’s important that homeowners can recognize symptoms that signal the need for water heater repair. Here are some things to pay attention to:

• Rumbling or knocking sounds
• Leaks around the base of the tank
• Rust in the water
• Failure to heat

These signs may indicate mechanical failure, sediment buildup, or another issue that a Cypress plumber should address immediately.

Learn How to Use the Water Heater Efficiently

Efficient water heater usage can extend the life of the appliance, reduce your energy costs, and prevent emergency water heater repair service. Here are a couple of things you can do to improve efficiency:

• Keep the thermostat set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit
• Drain a quarter of the tank several times a year
• Check the anode rod and pressure relief valve

Call a a Plumber for Gas or Electric Hot Water Heater Repair in Cypress, CA

Some of these things you can do yourself, while other times you should consider hiring a licensed plumber to perform preventive maintenance service on your gas or electric hot water heater. We also service tankless water heaters and alternative heating sources. At Cypress Discount Plumbing and Drain, we offer affordable water heater repair service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To schedule an appointment with a plumber near you, call us today and learn more about our 90 minute response times and 100% customer satisfaction policy.

Years ago, finding the source of a clog deeply embedded in secondary water pipes or a sewer line was a source of frustration. It was also quite costly. These days drain cleaning and repair is a whole new ballgame. Thanks to new technology like the hydro jet and drain inspection camera equipment, it’s easier to find and fix any sort of drainage issues or pipe repair.

Inexpensive, Local Drain Cleaning Company Near You

Cypress Discount Plumbing and Drain is all about saving you money. We do this by using techniques to find problems that don’t require a lot of labor or time. One of the easiest ways we achieve this goal is by training our plumbers to use drain inspection camera equipment. You may have heard about this revolutionary piece of equipment from your friends or neighbors, yet you may still be baffled by how it works. Let us take a moment to give you a quick tutorial.

To begin, a certified drain cleaning plumber will come to your home to perform an assessment of your drains. Maybe you’ve been experiencing slow drainage. Perhaps you’ve noticed that your toilets bubble when you drain the bathtub. Whatever the problem, your local Cypress plumber will use video camera technology to peek inside your home’s pipes to see what’s going on.

The camera is securely attached to a long, thin, flexible rod that will be guided through the pipe. As the rod is released farther into the pipe, you and the technician will watch the live-feed from the camera. You may be amazed at what you see! Not only can the camera find the source of the clog, it can also identify cracks, misaligned pipes, and other possible causes of pipe failure.

Once the problem has been identified, you and your licensed plumber will discuss options such as hydro jet drain cleaning and pipe repair.

Call Your 24 Hour Plumber Today!

Don’t put off finding a solution to your drainage issues. Call us today to learn more about how drain inspection technology can help you fix your plumbing problems quickly and inexpensively.

A sewer line clog can put a serious cramp in your style – and your wallet. It can be even more expensive if you are you new to the Cypress area and have no idea where to get help. Our technicians can come to your home and assess your problem. When it comes to sewer line cleaning, our company can help. Call Cypress Discount Plumbing and Drain any time to get things back the way they should be.

Your Sewer Line Might Be Clogged If:

• Your drains are slow in your house
• There is a foul smell coming from your drains
• You have stagnate water or sewage in your tub
• You have water backing up in your shower or tub after toilet the flushes

Sewer line cleaning and other plumbing issues can be expensive if you go to an inexperienced company. In many cases, they know you are new to the area and will hit you in your wallet, leaving you in shock. You could end up spending unnecessary money. Don’t risk putting your home’s well-being in the wrong hands.

There are many things you can do to prevent clogs and poor water flow in your home.

You Can Keep Sewer Lines Running Smoothly By:

• Watching out for tree root growth
• Never pouring grease down drains
• Avoiding the use of chemical drain products
• Having your sewer line snaked out once annually
• Performing routine checks of drains

When you’re new to the Cypress area, you need an established local company to make sure you get the best service.

We have 24-hour plumbing service in an effort to always be available to assist you. We are one of the top-rated companies in the area.

The best way to get your plumbing working properly is to call Cypress Discount Plumbing and Drain. We service the Cypress area and are the go-to plumbing specialists for every situation.

Contact us now! The sooner you call, the faster we can help you.