If you’re a homeowner who’s experiencing plumbing issues, you need a reliable company that can provide a reliable fix in a fast, efficient, and friendly manner. Mike’s Plumbing, Electrical & AC has been serving the plumbing needs of the RGV for more than 40 years. Our trained technicians can help with your plumbing needs, whether it’s an everyday clogged drain or a new sewer line installation.
Did You Know?
Mike’s Plumbing Electrical & HVAC is the only certified ePIPE specialist in the Rio Grande Valley!
A Leaking toilet can leak up to 200 gallons a day.
A faucet that leaks 1 drop per second is equal to 8 gallons of water per day which is equal to 3000 gallons per year. Imagine how much money you can save on your water bill by calling Mike’s! Call 956-686-1353 today!
- Firstly, careful with what goes down your drain: cooking grease, hair, coffee grounds, soap scum, these are just a few common causes of a clogged drain.
- Second, use strainers when possible.
- Third, use a natural drain cleaner such as BioOne. Chemical drain cleaners can corrode some pipes—and sometimes they don’t even remove the whole clog.
- Next, maintain sewer lines. Call Mike’s to help snake your main sewer on an annual or semi-annual basis.
- Finally, maintain your septic tank. Get your tank pumped every 3-5 years and regularly treat it with a natural product such as BioOne. View their website here.
Generally this means the toilet Wax Ring is not sealed to the toilet or the floor. If the wax ring is not sealed, upon flushing, air and water will push between the floor and the bottom of the toilet, instead of down the pipe. This can also cause the mysterious black ring around the toilet, which can be waste, bacteria or mold. The toilet must be removed and the wax ring must be fixed.
These annoying sounds can be caused by a number of reasons.
- Water hammer: As water flows through pipes and the valve is shut off quickly, water stops abruptly in the pipes. If the pipe is near wood, it will bang against it. This can be due to loose pipes in your walls, damaged Air Chambers, high water pressure.
- Misaligned faucet washer: Adjusting the washer or replacing it should eliminate the noise. If you do this repair yourself, remember to turn off the water supply to the sink before starting the job.
- Scale buildup: If you live in an older home with iron or galvanized water supply pipes, it’s possible your pipes have scale buildup. The remedy for severe buildup is to re-pipe or minimally invasive ePIPE.
- Insulate pipes: Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
- Use heat tape or heat cables: Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Only use products approved by an independent testing organization, e.g. Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturer’s installation and operation instructions.
- Seal leaks: Locate and thoroughly seal leaks that allow cold air inside. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. Mighty Mike can use Infrared technology to located leaks and missing insulation. Learn more here.
- Secure outdoor hoses, valves and faucets: Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing.
- Let water drip: A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. If allowed by your water provider, let warm water drip overnight when temperatures are cold, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
- Adjust the thermostat: Keeping your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night reduces the risk of frozen pipes. During extreme cold, this also helps reduce the strain on the furnace.
- Open cabinet doors: This allows heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
Pipes do not always burst when frozen. There are a few things to keep in mind:
- Call a plumber: If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, call a plumber.
- Avoid use of appliances near water: Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water.
- Avoid applying flames to thaw pipes: Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard.
- Use a hair dryer as a possible heat source (with caution): If your pipes did not burst, you may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hair dryer — please, make sure you are not in standing water. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
- Shut off the water supply: If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Be sure to leave the water faucets turned on.