Finding a clogged drain in your bathroom or kitchen is an unpleasant and unwelcome experience for any homeowner. When this happens, many homeowners dig out the bottles of chemical drain cleaners or even get out a tool such as an auger to dispel the clog. But sometimes, these could be the wrong action.

Learn about common mistakes in DIY drain cleaning and how you can avoid making the same mistakes in your home:

• Inserting the drain auger too fast. Shoving the auger into the pipe too quickly could result in pushing the clog further down the pipe, rather than busting the clog.
• Leaving the drain trap on when trying to auger. Take an extra few minutes and remove the trap.
• Not trying the branching pipe when using the auger. Sometimes the clog is in the branching pipe, and failing to auger this pipe could leave the clog within the plumbing.
• Mixing chemicals. Combining different types of chemical cleaners could result in the development of toxic gases or even an explosion.
• Using a chemical cleaner and then plunging the drain. Working a plunger through the chemical could splash the chemicals into your face and skin, resulting in injuries to your eyes and the rest of your body.
• Failing to read the labels on drain cleaners. Not all cleaners can be used on all types of pipes. Use the wrong cleaner and your pipes could be permanently damaged, resulting in a major leak and significant damage.

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast, our Indian River plumbers handle all types of drain problems. From backups to replacements, our plumbers get the job done effectively and efficiently. For more information about our Indian River drain cleaning services, call us today at 866-236-1776.

One common but serious plumbing problem that homeowners might suddenly find themselves dealing with are slab leaks. Water leaking under your home’s foundation may not seem like an urgent matter, but if not fixed quickly, a slab leak can compromise your foundation and cause major damage to your home. Our highly skilled plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast are experts in slab leak detection and repair and will work quickly and efficiently to fix the problem and allow your household to return to its normal routine.

5 Steps to Repairing a Slab Leak

1. The first thing your North Palm Beach plumber will do is locate the leak. Our specialized tools and training will allow us to pinpoint its precise location, which will result in less damage to the surrounding floor and slab during the repair process.
2. Next, the smallest possible area of flooring will be removed.
3. Now it’s necessary to drill a hole through the four-inch concrete slab to reach the source of the leak. Only as much concrete will be removed as is necessary to make the slab leak repair.
4. After shutting off the main water valve, our plumber will remove the damaged section of copper or PVC pipe and replace it with a matching piece. Before closing the hole in the slab, the pipe will be observed for a few days to ensure that the leak no longer exists.
5. Finally, the slab and flooring is restored. Fresh concrete is mixed and poured into the opening in the slab where it must cure for a few days. Once it has, the flooring removed for the repair can be replaced.

The Importance of Timely Repairs

Slab leaks may be the result of shoddy workmanship during your home’s original construction or pipe corrosion or a foundation that has shifted over time. Onset is usually gradual, so damage to your home’s slab, floors, and landscaping along with the growth of mold may already be quite extensive by the time you notice the problem.

For expert advice on how to prevent the need for additional costly repairs, contact the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast at 866-236-1776 the moment you suspect that you have a slab leak.

Gas leaks present a serious danger of poisoning, serious injury, fire, and explosion. Understanding the causes of gas leaks allow for prompt gas leak repairs to be made. Our St. Lucie plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast explain what can cause a gas leak and the signs of leaks that homeowners should watch out for when it comes to natural gas.

Aging Appliances

As appliances such as gas clothes dryers, water heating tanks, and ovens age, the seals around the gas pipes can wear out and crack, allowing gas to seep into the air. Leaving the gas turned on when the pilot is not lit can also result in a gas leak. This may happen due to user error or accidentally extinguishing the pilot light.

Worn Pipes

The pipes that deliver natural gas are buried underneath the ground. Over time, these pipes can corrode or break, resulting in a gas leak inside of the home. Because of the high volume of gas in these pipes, a single spark could ignite an explosion.

Lack of Ventilation

Gas appliances and furnaces require that the waste products of combustion be ventilated to the outdoors. This is typically done through a vent or a chimney with the use of a motor or fan to propel the gases out. Using a space heater inside the home without proper ventilation can also result in leaking gas. A crack or obstruction in the ventilation system can allow carbon monoxide and other gases to seep back into the home.

Because carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless substance, it is difficult to detect. It causes people to feel tired, experience flu-like symptoms such as nausea, and undergo a general feeling of malaise to the point where people can fall asleep and never wake back up.

Call Ben Franklin in an Emergency

Detection and repair of gas leaks requires vigilance and expertise. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast, we offer emergency gas leak repair throughout the St. Lucie area. For more information about gas leak detection or for repair service, call us today at 866-236-1776.

The truth is that no one can really ever rule out a plumbing emergency. However, you can rest assured knowing Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast will be there for you if one does occur. Our highly trained experts will come to your home or business immediately and assess the situation. Our team has already helped so many people during plumbing emergencies, and we will be able to help you too.

When an Emergency Happens

The quicker you call us, the less damage your home or business will incur. We will get the water shut off quickly. It is extremely important to get the electric shut off as well. Any flooding could mix with running electricity and cause a real life-threatening emergency.

After we’ve made sure the premises is safe, we will begin getting the water out of your property. It’s important to get it all cleaned up to prevent mold in the future. Our diagnosis will also let us know what the problem was, and then we will fix it before we ever leave the premises. We offer quick action and great work when you contact us to be your St. Lucie plumber.

Our Other Services

Besides offering emergency plumbing repair, we also offer other plumbing services. We have teams available that can reroute your piping, clean out your pipes, and do any type of interior or exterior plumbing job. We also have the ability to check for gas leaks throughout your home, and it is a great service that we offer anytime. These gas leaks can cause explosive damage and illness.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast is there for all of your plumbing and home needs. Call us at 866-236-1776 to schedule an appointment.