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When to Call for Professional Emergency Plumbing Services

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:06:16 GMT

If you live in Pompano Beach, FL, and find yourself facing a plumbing emergency, knowing when to reach out to reliable emergency plumbing services is crucial. Moody Plumbing, Inc. understands the stress that sudden plumbing issues can cause homeowners and tenants, which is why acting promptly can save you from costly damage and extensive repairs. This article guides you through identifying urgent plumbing problems, what professional services entail, and why timely intervention is important for your home’s safety and comfort.

What Constitutes a Plumbing Emergency?

Sometimes, a leaky faucet is a mere inconvenience, but other times, plumbing problems escalate quickly, leading to major water damage or unsanitary conditions. Emergency plumbing services address critical issues that demand immediate attention. Here are some common scenarios that typically signal a plumbing emergency:

• Burst Pipes: A sudden pipe burst can flood your home within minutes, causing extensive water damage and structural risks.

• Sewage Backup: Raw sewage in your plumbing or drains is a serious health hazard that requires urgent professional cleanup and repair.

• No Water Supply: If your entire water supply unexpectedly stops, it might indicate a major line break or valve failure.

• Overflowing Toilets: Continuous overflow can flood bathrooms and adjoining rooms, risking damage beyond plumbing.

• Gas or Water Leaks: A pungent gas smell or visible leaks require fast intervention to avoid health risks and property damage.

Recognizing these signs early and calling plumbing services can prevent minor issues from becoming disasters.

Why Choose Professional Emergency Plumbing Services?

While DIY fixes can be tempting, plumbing systems are complex and can contain hidden risks. Certified and experienced plumbing contractors bring the expertise, tools, and technology to diagnose and repair issues safely and efficiently.

Here’s why professional help is essential:

• Expert Assessment: Professionals begin with a thorough inspection to identify the root cause of the problem, ensuring that the repair addresses the issue completely.

• Advanced Tools and Technology: From leak detection equipment to high-pressure water jetting, experts use specialized tools to pinpoint and resolve issues swiftly.

• Safety and Compliance: Certified plumbers understand municipal codes and safety standards to ensure repairs comply with regulations, protecting you from future penalties or hazards.

• Efficient Water Damage Restoration: In severe cases, emergency plumbing services coordinate water extraction, drying, dehumidification, and restoration, helping your home recover promptly.

• Quality Assurance: Professional services include post-repair inspections and guarantees that give homeowners peace of mind.

Step-by-Step Process During an Emergency Plumbing Call

Understanding what to expect can ease the anxiety that comes with plumbing emergencies. Most emergency plumbing service providers, including those in Pompano Beach, follow a systematic approach:

• Immediate Contact: When you call, service teams prioritize your location to provide rapid assistance.

• Initial Diagnosis: Upon arrival, technicians evaluate the situation, assess damage, and communicate potential solutions and costs.

• Water Extraction and Leak Control: If water damage is present, professionals stop leaks and extract standing water using pumps.

• Drying and Dehumidification: Specialized equipment dries affected areas to prevent mold growth and further damage.

• Repairs and Restoration: The plumbing system is repaired or replaced as necessary. Additional home restoration may be arranged if required.

• Final Inspection and Cleanup: After repairs, technicians clean the workspace and perform final safety and quality checks.

• Follow-Up Communication: Some reputable plumbing contractors offer follow-up visits or advice to monitor repairs and prevent recurring issues.

When Should You Not Delay Calling Plumbing Services?

Certain issues require immediate action, and waiting can exponentially increase damage and repair costs. You should call emergency plumbing services without hesitation if you notice:

• Rapid water accumulation flooding your floors or walls.

• Water leaking near electrical outlets or appliances.

• Signs of contaminated water or sewage leaks.

• Unusual gas odors near plumbing fixtures.

• Non-functional plumbing in freezing weather, risking pipe bursts.

Prompt intervention from trained experts ensures safety for your household and neighbors.

How to Choose the Right Emergency Plumbing Service

When searching for reliable plumbing services, consider these criteria:

• 24/7 Availability: Plumbing emergencies don’t follow business hours; choose plumbers offering round-the-clock service.

• Local Experience: Contractors familiar with Pompano Beach’s building codes and climate nuances provide better-informed solutions.

• Licensed and Insured: Verify credentials for protection against faulty work or accidents.

• Customer Reviews: Online testimonials and ratings help assess service quality and reliability.

• Transparent Pricing: An upfront estimate prevents surprises after work completion.

Protecting Your Home: Preventive Measures

After an emergency plumbing visit, homeowners can minimize future risks by:

• Regularly inspecting pipes and fixtures for leaks.

• Knowing the location of your main water shut-off valve.

• Avoiding chemical drain cleaners that damage pipes.

• Scheduling routine maintenance with licensed plumbing contractors.

Ready for Any Plumbing Emergency?

Don’t wait until a plumbing problem turns into a catastrophe. Whether it’s a burst pipe flooding your home or a sewage backup endangering your health, professional emergency plumbing services are your best defense against costly damage. Trusted experts bring the necessary skills, tools, and rapid response to restore your plumbing safely and efficiently. If you experience any signs of an urgent plumbing issue, contact Moody Plumbing, Inc. immediately to protect your home and peace of mind.

Find Emergency Plumbing Services in Pompano Beach, FL

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:26:06 GMT

When it comes to maintaining the functionality of any property, plumbing issues can occur unexpectedly and often at the most inconvenient times. For business owners in Pompano Beach, FL, having immediate access to reliable emergency plumbing services is not just a convenience; it is a necessity. Unlike residential plumbing problems, which may be inconvenient but manageable, commercial plumbing issues can have significant financial and operational consequences. A burst pipe, clogged drain, or malfunctioning water heater in a commercial setting can halt daily operations, damage valuable equipment, and disrupt customer services, leading to potential revenue losses. Additionally, commercial properties often feature complex plumbing systems, including high-capacity water heaters, multiple restrooms, and intricate drainage networks, which require a level of expertise beyond standard home repairs. Experienced plumbing contractors bring the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to diagnose problems accurately, implement long-term solutions, and ensure compliance with local plumbing codes. Understanding the differences between residential and commercial plumbing needs is essential for property managers, facility supervisors, and business owners seeking to protect their investment and maintain uninterrupted operations.

Protect Your Business With Expert Commercial Plumbing Solutions

Commercial properties face plumbing challenges far beyond what a typical home might encounter. From high-capacity water heaters that support constant hot water for restaurants and gyms to complex drainage systems designed to handle heavy usage in office buildings, every component must be carefully designed and maintained. Even minor issues can quickly escalate, causing disruptions that affect both employees and customers. That’s why having access to professional emergency plumbing services is essential for businesses. Skilled technicians understand the intricacies of commercial systems and can respond quickly to prevent costly downtime, ensure safety, and maintain smooth operations. Properly maintained commercial plumbing not only protects infrastructure but also safeguards your reputation by ensuring facilities remain fully functional when customers or staff need them most.

Key aspects of commercial plumbing include the following:

High-Capacity Water Heaters: Designed to provide continuous hot water for kitchens, gyms, and hotels.
Complex Drainage Systems: Engineered to handle heavy wastewater loads without backups.
Specialized Fixtures and Equipment: Tailored to the demands of commercial kitchens, bathrooms, and industrial spaces.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensures all systems meet local plumbing codes and safety regulations.
Preventative Maintenance: Regular inspections and upkeep to avoid emergency plumbing situations.

Keeping Your Business Running With Prompt Plumbing Solutions

Local businesses rely on efficient plumbing to maintain smooth operations, and timely service can make all the difference. Prompt attention to plumbing issues ensures minimal disruption, helping businesses avoid costly downtime and maintain customer satisfaction. Professional technicians can quickly assess problems, implement effective solutions, and prevent small issues from escalating into major emergencies. By offering reliable emergency plumbing services, skilled plumbers help businesses stay operational during critical moments, from unexpected leaks to clogged drains.

Key ways prompt commercial plumbing support benefits businesses include the following:

Rapid Response: Emergency technicians arrive quickly to diagnose and fix issues, preventing temporary shutdowns that could halt operations or affect revenue.
Customer Satisfaction: Maintaining fully functional restrooms, kitchens, and facilities ensures that clients, guests, and employees experience a seamless, professional environment.
Preventive Measures: Experienced plumbers identify weak points or potential failures in the system during service visits, reducing the likelihood of recurring problems or costly future repairs.
Operational Continuity: Efficient plumbing services allow businesses to continue daily operations without delays, ensuring that workflow, appointments, and customer services remain uninterrupted.
Cost Efficiency: Immediate attention to leaks, clogs, or faulty equipment prevents extensive water damage, structural issues, and equipment replacement costs, saving the business money in the long run.
Compliance and Safety: Professionals ensure that all plumbing systems meet local codes and safety standards, protecting the business from fines or health hazards.

Why 24/7 Emergency Plumbing Services Are Essential for Commercial Properties

In commercial properties, even a small plumbing issue can quickly escalate into a major problem, resulting in significant financial losses and operational disruptions. A burst pipe during peak business hours, a malfunctioning water heater, or a backed-up drainage system can halt daily operations, damage property, and impact customer satisfaction. That’s why having access to reliable emergency plumbing services around the clock is critical. Businesses cannot afford to wait until the next business day for repairs; immediate response prevents extensive damage, protects valuable equipment, and ensures that operations resume as quickly as possible. By relying on 24/7 professional plumbing support, commercial property owners safeguard their revenue, maintain customer trust, and minimize downtime during unexpected plumbing emergencies.

Key benefits of 24/7 commercial emergency plumbing include:

Immediate Response: Professionals are available at any hour to address sudden leaks, water line breaks, or drainage issues.
Revenue Protection: Quick resolution prevents business interruptions that could result in thousands of dollars in lost income.
Property and Equipment Safety: Fast action limits water damage to flooring, electrical systems, and valuable equipment.
Customer Confidence: Maintaining fully operational facilities even during emergencies reinforces trust and reliability.
Long-Term Cost Savings: Addressing problems immediately reduces the need for extensive repairs or replacements later.

Don’t let plumbing issues disrupt your operations or cost your business valuable revenue. Contact us today for expert emergency plumbing services and ensure your commercial property stays fully functional no matter the hour.

5 Reasons You Need To Have An Outdoor Sink Installed This Summer

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 15:12:32 GMT

If you spend a good portion of the summer outside in your backyard, now's the perfect time to have an outdoor sink installed. Outdoor sinks are the perfect addition, especially if you're concerned about the health and well-being of your family. Here are just five of the reasons you need to have your plumber install a backyard sink before the summer is over.

1. Gives Your Kids Access to Fresh Water Outside

During the summer, kids spend most of their time outside. While they're outside, they usually grab a drink of water from the nearest garden hose. Unfortunately, when kids use the garden hose as a watering station, they're at an increased risk for illnesses, such as Legionnaires' disease or Pontiac fever.

In addition to exposure to diseases, they're also at risk for exposure to harmful chemicals. That's because water from garden hoses contains bacteria, chemicals, and other toxic materials that pose a health risk for your kids. Some of those chemicals include cadmium, lead, phthalates, and BPA. To provide your kids with access to fresh water while they're outside, install an outdoor sink in your backyard.

2. Take the Risk Out of Warm Weather Water Activities

If your kids are like most, they enjoy water balloon fights and other water activities that require a faucet. They probably run inside to use the kitchen faucet, which leaves you with a watery mess inside the kitchen and bathrooms. Unfortunately, water on the floor is the leading cause of slip and fall accidents inside the home.

One way to keep the watery mess outside and prevent serious injuries is to provide additional access to water right from the yard. Not only can your kids fill their water balloons up at the outdoor sink, they can wash their hands before they eat their lunch at the picnic table.

3. Keep the Maintenance Clean Ups Out of the Kitchen

Now that summer is here, you have a lot of maintenance to take care of outside, including home, yard, and car maintenance. If you normally go in the house to wash up, you should know that any chemicals that your hands come in contact with go inside with you.

That means that when you splash water at the sink, you deposit droplets of harsh chemicals on your counters, as well as on the back splash. Not only that but if you work on your car or in the garden, you also leave grease and mud on your counters. With an outdoor sink, all that messy cleanup stays outside.

4. Wash Your Dog Without the Bathroom Mess

If you suffer from pet allergies, you need to wash your dog about once a week. Unfortunately, bath time can make a serious mess of your bathroom. You can try to wash your dog with a garden hose, but that can lead to possible burns for your dog if the water has heated up inside the hose and you don’t think to run it long enough to get the hot water out.

One of the benefits of an outdoor sink is that you can keep your dog clean without making a mess of your bathroom.

5. Improve Your Outdoor Kitchen Setup

If you've constructed an outdoor kitchen, you need the addition of an outdoor sink, especially if you plan to do most of your meal preparation outside this summer. An outdoor sink allows you to prepare your meals and cleanup afterwards without the need to run back and forth from your home.

This also allows you to be safer. Similarly to the water balloons, you’re less likely to slip on any spilled water while walking between areas.

If you want to have an outdoor sink installed in your backyard this summer, and you live in the Coral Springs, FL., area, contact us at Moody Plumbing Inc.

Hydro Jetting Might Be Right for You

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 15:02:50 GMT

Every day, you send a variety of items down your drains. From toilet paper to pieces of food, a variety of debris has the opportunity to clog your drains. As time passes, more debris makes its way down the pipes, and eventually, the result is a large clog that overloads your plumbing system. If you think your pipes might benefit from hydro jetting, read on.

What Is Hydro Jetting?

Hydro jetting is an excellent option to combat clogged pipes. You can think of hydro jetting as most similar to pressure washing, except that the process occurs inside your plumbing. Your plumber can adjust the water pressure to clear any type of blockage in your pipes. Gravity helps perform the rest of the work.

If your plumber believes your pipes would benefit from hydro jetting, they will first perform a video inspection of your pipes. The goal of this inspection is to find any damage to your pipes and determine if the plumber needs to take additional action.

Clogged pipes often indicate something else is wrong. The problem could be a matter beyond having a large amount of grease, hair, or other debris in the pipes. The problem could also be broken pipes or a backed up sewer. Regardless, plumbers need to take a look at all the possible options.

Why Should You Choose Hydro Jetting Over Chemical Cleaners?

One of the first options people turn to is chemical cleaner. While many people continue to use chemical cleaners to break up clogs in their pipes, the cleaners are actually quite corrosive. You may be better off using a solution of baking soda and vinegar together.

Hydro jetting is much more effective than other options, including homemade cleaners. The water pressure is strong enough to remove even the biggest clogs, and you won't corrode your pipes. If your pipes are not as strong as the plumber would like them to be, the plumber may have to use a lower pressure setting.

What Other Benefits Does Hydro Jetting Offer?

One of the biggest benefits of hydro jetting is that plumbers do not have to dig up your yard to get to your pipes. The process is non-invasive and over quickly if your pipes do not require replacement or repair.

Hydro jetting also eases some other problems. For example, the process eliminates scale that builds up over the pipes. Hydro jetting also eliminates tree roots that have grown into the pipes and created blockages you might not even realize exist.

After the treatment session, your plumber will employ the use of video cameras again to ensure the debris and clogs were cleared out as much as possible. The great thing about this is that you can rest assured knowing hydro jetting was effective and efficient so you are left with plumbing that actually works.

Hydro jetting is also appropriate for commercial settings, so you can count on a professional to clear out clogs no matter what kind of building you own or operate. Not only does the process unblock debris, but it also cleans the pipes thoroughly to leave your property’s pipes completely clean.

What Should You Do Next?

The first thing you should do if you have a blocked pipe is to call your plumber. The plumber will examine your pipes and let you know if hydro jetting is the best possible option for your home or if you need more extensive work.

Moody Plumbing, Inc. , offers hydro jetting services to homeowners like you who are struggling with clogged pipes. If you think something is wrong with your pipes, give us a call. We can clear out the blockage in no time.

What Shouldn't Go Into the Toilet?

Fri, 31 May 2019 14:53:42 GMT

Not all drains are the same. While your kitchen sink's garbage disposal can handle the heavy-duty mess of leftover spaghetti, your toilet can't. Even though some toilet no-no's are obvious (such as food and your child's toys), others aren't as well known. Take a look at some everyday objects you should never attempt to flush.

Cotton Swabs

Cotton swabs are a bathroom staple. But that doesn't mean you should toss them in the nearby toilet after use. Don't let the word cotton in the name fool you. While the cotton toilet paper you flush daily breaks down, reducing the risk of clogs, cotton swaps won't. These can clog your toilet, causing serious plumbing problems.

Dental Floss

Like cotton swabs, dental floss is another bathroom must-have that's easy to toss into the toilet. But also, like cotton swabs, floss can wreak havoc on your home's plumbing. Most types of dental floss aren't biodegradable. This means it can stick in your pipes or cause environmental issues down the line.

While a single strand of floss isn't likely to cause a major backup, when combined with toilet paper, wipes, or anything else in your home's or community's sewage system, it can create a serious clog. Floss won't necessarily stay flat or in a line/string shape. When wet, it can wrap itself into a ball, causing plumbing problems.

Instead of flushing your floss, throw it in the trash. If you already have a floss-related plumbing issue, a professional plumber can help to find and remove the blockage or make the necessary repairs.

Prescription and Non-Prescription Medications

Disposing of medications isn't always easy. But keeping unused or expired medications around your home isn't a safe option. Along with hoarding your past pills, throwing them in the trash isn't an alternative to explore either. That leads many people to dispose of them in another place pills shouldn't go — the toilet.

Why shouldn't use flush pills? Along with potentially clogging your plumbing, medications (both prescription and over the counter pills) can end up in the environment. Flushed water travels to wastewater treatment plants. Even though these plants clean the water before releasing it into the environment, many treatment facilities aren't made to handle medications.

Instead of clogging your toilet or potentially adding to environmental injury, always dispose of medications correctly. Seal the pills in the original container and bring them to a medication take-back event or station. Events and pill return sites vary by community. Contact your local municipal waste company or community government office for details on area alternatives for safe disposal.

Cat Litter

Your cat's bathroom is not the same as yours. When wet, litter expands and (depending on the product) can clump together. Hardened balls of cat litter can easily clog your pipes, resulting in a toilet that won't work or a serious backup.

Some brands claim to make flushable litter. While these types of litter might go down the drain, in large quantities they also have the potential to cause clogs. Don't take a chance with your home's plumbing system. Even though throwing your cat's litter in the garbage may seem unsanitary, it's better than overflowing your toilet.

Cigarette Butts

Leftover cigarette butts cause problems for your home's plumbing system. Using the toilet bowl's water to extinguish cigarettes is never an acceptable form of disposal. Similar to flushed medications, cigarette butts can also leach into the water supply — causing a safety situation for people, animals, and the environment.

Did you accidentally flush something you shouldn't have? Do you need a plumber's expertise to remove the clog? Contact Moody Plumbing Inc. for more information.

Toilet Troubles? 3 Things to Do When Your Toilet Won't Flush

Wed, 01 May 2019 14:44:09 GMT

Of all the seats in your home, the toilet is probably the one that you can't live without. Few things are worse than realizing that your toilet will not flush. A malfunctioning toilet can interfere with the removal of waste from your home. This can create a serious inconvenience and leave your family exposed to harmful biological waste.

Before you panic at the first sign of a failed flush, try one of the following easy fixes to get your toilet working properly once again.

1. Clear Any Clogs

The most common reason why a toilet won't flush is because the drain line is clogged.

Clogs can occur for many reasons. Hard water can leave mineral deposits that build up on the interior wall of your pipes. These deposits restrict the flow of water and waste. Foreign objects can also become trapped in the drain line and prevent your toilet from flushing properly.

You can try using a flange plunger to dislodge the clog. A flange plunger is equipped with a cup that will help you create a tight seal over the drainage hole in your toilet's bowl. Use forceful up and down movements to push air through the drain. If you are unable to clear the clog on your own, you will need a plumber to clean the drain line.

2. Check the Flapper

Another reason your toilet might be failing to flush is a worn flapper. The flapper is located inside the tank of your toilet. When you depress the handle of your toilet, you are actually lifting the flapper away from the drainage hole in the tank.

A proper seal is required between the flapper and the drainage hole for a toilet to flush efficiently. Over time, the rubber cup of the flapper can become warped. Lift the lid of your tank and visually inspect the flapper for any signs of warping, cracks, or other damage. Replace the damaged flapper to restore your toilet's flushing capabilities.

3. Evaluate the Overflow Tube

he overflow tube plays a central role in the efficiency of your toilet's flush. The water that is in the tank empties into the bowl when you depress the handle. This water helps get the flushing process started, but more water is needed to complete the flush. The tank begins to refill as soon as it is emptied, which happens quickly once you flush.

Some of the water that begins to refill the tank is directed into the overflow tube. From here, the water is emptied directly into your toilet bowl. This provides the additional water necessary to complete each flush cycle properly.

Overflow tubes are usually made from a hard plastic material. This type of plastic can begin to deteriorate if you have hard water. The overflow tube can also crack and begin to leak. If you see evidence of damage when evaluating your overflow tube, this tube will need to be replaced quickly to ensure you can efficiently flush your toilet in the future.

No homeowner wants to deal with toilet troubles. A toilet that will not flush properly can be a real nuisance. Fortunately, these problems are usually easy to fix. You can try using a plunger, replacing the flapper, or installing a new overflow tube to correct the problem.

If these fixes don't work, an experienced plumber can do more in-depth troubleshooting to identify the source of your toilet troubles. Contact Moody Plumbing, Inc., if you are experiencing problems with your toilet. We can help you keep your plumbing system in working condition and ensure that your toilet will flush reliably in the future.

Why Is Your Shower Cold?

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:22:39 GMT

Do your hot showers fall short? Chances are your water heater is at fault. If the water runs cold minutes into your shower, take a look at the most common causes of this plumbing problem and what you can do about it.

Size Mismatch

Choosing the just-right hot water heater for your home depends on several factors — one of which is size. A size mismatch can result in plumbing problems, such as premature hot water failure.

What size water heater do you need? You should consider a few things when choosing the correct size. These include:

The type of water heater . There's no one-size-fits-all sizing equation for hot water heaters across the board. Tankless (on-demand), traditional storage tank, and other types of water heaters all require special sizing instructions.
The average number of gallons per use . How many gallons of water do you (or your household members) use per shower, for dishwashing, for clothes washing, or for washing hands? The more gallons used per day, the larger the size you'll need.
The times used per hour . How often do you use hot water? The more times per hour, the larger your daily use becomes.

The math needed to fully compute hot water needs and size is challenging for anyone without experience — especially when determining the complex needs for a tankless model. If you don't have the expertise to properly size a new hot water heater, rely on the plumber's advice. A professional plumber can evaluate your needs and help you to make the right decision.

Age Issues

The older a water heater gets, the less effective it is. Wear and tear over the years may reduce how quickly (and for how long) it heats your water. If you have an older storage tank hot water heater, consider:

The overall age . Most tank type water heaters have a lifespan of 10 years, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. The older your appliance is in general, the more trouble you’ll have with your heater.
Repairs needed . If you've skipped making repairs because the water heater is older or you're considering buying a new model, damage to the tank or any of the heater's components can cause premature failure.
Total use . Age, combined with excessive use, can cause issues before the water heater reaches its maximum lifespan potential.

While age is a major factor in the inability for this type of plumbing appliance to make or sustain hot water, it certainly isn't the only reason.

3 Plumbing Problems Florida Homeowners Need to Worry About

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 14:16:32 GMT

Living in Florida has its advantages — the sun, the heat, and the beach are all benefits of living in the sunshine state. Unfortunately, some of these advantages can negatively affect your plumbing.

Experiencing one or more of these plumbing problems does not have to be physically, emotionally, or financially overwhelming, though. This guide will help you learn a few common plumbing problems in Florida and how your contractor can help.

1. Scaling

The FAS, or Florida aquifer system, is the state's main source of groundwater. In certain parts of Florida, such as the Panhandle and South Florida, the aquifer is deeper. As water moves through these parts of the aquifer, it picks up sediments and minerals.

Water moves from the aquifer and into your home's plumbing, but water is not the only thing moving through your pipes — the different sediments and minerals will also flow through and build up inside your pipes.

These minerals cause scale buildup inside your pipes, which can lead to a variety of problems. The presence of this scale buildup can reduce water flow through your pipes and cause clogs. Heavy buildup of these minerals can wear down your pipes, as well, causing costly leaks.

While you cannot change your water source, installing a water softener can help remove some of the minerals before they affect your pipes and fixtures.

2. Corrosion

Pipes in any part of the country may corrode. However, Florida homeowners should be especially concerned about corrosion in their plumbing system.

Sediment and minerals are not the only thing found in your home's water supply. Recent studies have shown many hazardous contaminants may be found in your water supply, especially since South Florida's drinking water is drawn from groundwater.

The chlorination process is effective at removing some of the contaminants in most cases. However, even small amounts of chlorine in the water supply can lead to other problems.

Chlorine can quickly eat away at the interior of your pipes and plumbing fixtures, causing them to rust and corrode. This corrosion can cause leaks, which may lead to extensive water damage and costly repairs.

Most people feel they are safe from corrosion because they have copper plumbing, but that is not entirely true. If your local water supply has a lower pH level, a chemical reaction can occur, increasing the risk of corrosion even though copper pipes are meant to last as long as the house.

In most cases, replacing a section or all of your pipes will be necessary if the corrosion is significant. This will reduce the risk of further damage and overwhelming leaks, but you should also have a professional test your water quality.

3. Pests

Florida is surrounded by water and several creatures that thrive in this hot, humid, and wet state. Because they are so prominent in the area, frogs, snakes, lizards, and even alligators are common unwanted house guests.

Many of these amphibians and reptiles are small and flexible enough to move from the local water source up through pipes and into various areas of your home. It is not uncommon for a homeowner to find a lizard in their home or a frog in their toilet or shower.

Although frightening, having a frog, snake, or lizard in your pipes can also be dangerous to your plumbing system. These unwelcome creatures reduce the flow of water and waste in and out of your home, affecting the efficiency and function of your plumbing system.

If you constantly deal with frogs and other unwanted creatures in your home's plumbing, consider having your main drain line inspected with a scope. This will help plumbers determine if there is damage or openings allowing the pests in through the plumbing.

For more information on preventing plumbing issues in your Florida home, contact Moody Plumbing, Inc., today.

5 Plumbing Features for Kid-Friendly Bathrooms

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 14:10:30 GMT

If you plan to remodel your home to make the space more kid-friendly, don't forget about the bathroom. Most bathrooms are designed with adults in mind. Unfortunately, those adult-sized bathrooms make things difficult for little hands and bodies. Here are five crucial features that will make your new bathroom easier for your child to use.

1. Child-Sized Toilet and Urinal

Young children can't always use the adult-sized toilets. Not only do young children have a difficult time climbing onto the taller toilets, but the flushing mechanisms can be hard for their little hands to grasp. Potty chairs are a common way for children to learn how to use the toilet, but they're not the most efficient. That's because there's a different feel and sound to an actual toilet.

As an added safety feature, kid-friendly toilets also come equipped with self-closing lids that ensures a secure fit after each use. To help establish independence and to make potty training easier, install a kid-friendly toilet in your child's bathroom. If there are little boys in your family, don't forget to include a kid-sized wall-mounted urinal as well.

2. Easy Access Bathtub

Toilets aren't the only fixture in the bathroom that kids have a hard time with. Bathtubs can also pose a serious problem for young children. This is particularly true where standard-sized bathtubs are concerned. The taller sides can make access difficult for younger children. That's where easy access bathtubs come in handy.

Shallower tubs make bath time easier for children because they're able to climb in and out of the tub with ease. Adding safety grips to the sides ensure that your child can have a secure grip, even when their little hands are wet. The smaller size will provide your child with an added sense of independence, as well.

3. Hands-Free Faucets

Faucets aren't always easy for little hands to maneuver. Even with a step stool, young children can have a hard time turning the water on and off. That's why you need to install hands-free faucets in your child's new bathroom.

The hands-free design allows your child to turn the water on and off for themselves, which makes personal hygiene easier for them. Adding a faucet extender will ensure that your child won't need to stretch for access to the flow of water.

4. Water Heater

When you design your child's bathroom, take steps to prevent burns. Most burns associated with hot water occur in the bathroom. Your child should never have access to water that is hotter than 38 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately, when your child is learning to use the bathroom on their own, you might not always be there to prevent burns.

That's why you need to equip your child's bathroom with a separate water heater. The separate water heater will allow you to set the temperature to a setting that is safe for your child. That way, no matter how far they turn the hot water faucet, they'll always be protected from scalds. If you prefer to forego the separate water heater, you can install anti-scald devices on the sink and bathtub.

5. Textured Flooring

Bathroom floors are another area that can pose serious safety risks for young children. Slip and fall accidents are a real concern where young children are concerned. To make the bathroom a safer place for your young child, include textured flooring in your design plans. The textured design will ensure that your child has sure footing, even when the floor is wet.

If you have plans to remodel your home, use the tips provided here to design a safe bathroom for your young child. For other helpful tips on how to design a kid-friendly bathroom, contact us at Moody Plumbing Inc. We're here for all your plumbing needs.

Care for Your Plumbing With Things Around the House

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:01:16 GMT

You need to stay on top of your home's entire plumbing system and give it the attention you should. You don’t have to be a professional plumber to maintain your system; you can use products you already have around the house to take care of certain issues. However, for plumbing problems out of your control, you want to make sure to have us come out instead of trying to take on more than you are capable of and making matters worse.

Here are some home products you can use for plumbing maintenance and smaller issues.

Clearing Minor Drain Clogs

Minor clogs in sink drains can often be freed up with a couple products most people already have in their cupboards: white vinegar and baking soda. First, scoop as much water as you can out of the sink so you expose the drain. Then, put about a half a cup of the baking soda down the drain followed by about a cup of white vinegar.

The vinegar and baking soda will react with each other inside the drain, and you will see a thick froth from the reaction come out of the drain. This chemical reaction loosens up the clog so it will move through the pipes. If the clog isn't all the way gone after one dose, repeat the process. Then, turn the water on and you should see the water move freely down the drain again.

Clearing Grease Clogs

Grease clogs can be difficult to remove, and baking soda and vinegar may not be enough. If you have a feeling you are dealing with a clog due to grease in the drain, then you want to try a different method that uses hot water and liquid dish soap to free the clog.

Bring a pot of water to a boil, then turn the burner off and put a couple squirts of liquid dish soap in the pot of water. Then, slowly and carefully pour the hot solution down the drain. The hot water and dish soap should turn the grease to liquid and flush it through the system to free up the clog.

You do want to give the water just a minute to get below boiling temperature before you pour it down the drain so you don't cause problems for your PVC pipes due to the extreme temperature.

Clearing Bathtub Drain Clogs

Some bathtubs are designed with a grate a couple of inches down in the drain of the tub. If hair has caused a clog, you can straighten a metal coat hanger and use pliers to make a small hook on one end. Then, you can stick the hook down past the grate and scoop out the hair.

Once you have freed the clog, you can implement preventative measures so this problem won’t happen again. For example, you can purchase a bathtub strainer that catches the hair and prevents the hair from going into the drain. You just empty the strainer into the trash and put the strainer back in place when you see hair in it.

Clearing a Stubborn Toilet Clog

When you have a clogged toilet, you can generally get the clog out with your plunger. For those more stubborn clogs, you can follow a helpful tip to loosen the clog up faster and more efficiently.

Take a bucket of hot water and pour the hot water into the toilet bowl slowly before plunging. Let the hot water set for a few minutes prior to using the plunger. The hot water helps break up the cause of the clog, such as excessive amounts of toilet paper.

Cleaning Your Aerators

Your faucets have aerators on the ends of them. Aerators are screens that help to control the flow of water. After time, calcium can build up on the aerators and cause them to slow the flow of water or to start squirting the water out in weird, uneven directions.

You can remove the aerators by twisting off the tip of the faucet and popping the aerator out. Put white vinegar in a bowl and drop the aerator into the vinegar to remove the calcium. You can also use a toothbrush to scrub the aerator. Once clean, put the aerator back in place and turn the water on. You should find the water comes out much better.

These plumbing solutions should be easy, and you can accomplish them with simple tools found around your home. But if you have more serious plumbing issues, your best bet is to contact the professionals. Call us at Moody Plumbing, Inc. today. We’re happy to help.

The 411 on a Water Hammer

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:50:38 GMT

As a homeowner, you will most likely hear many different noises over time in your home. From creaking in the floors and moving air through your attic to the various sounds your appliances make, these noises are all common and extremely normal from time to time.

Unfortunately, a loud banging noise coming from your plumbing may be a cause for concern. Known as a water hammer, this loud bang is most common in older homes, but it can occur in new homes as well. Even though it affects many homeowners, most people are not familiar with the causes and treatment options for water hammers.

This guide and your plumber will help you address a water hammer in your own home.

Water Hammers

Firstly, you need to understand an actual hammer is not inside your water lines. The name refers to what sounds like a hammer banging on your pipes.

In reality, the noise actually stems from pressure in the pipes that occurs when water turns on or off suddenly. This pressure leads to the pipes moving and banging against the walls and other pipes.

You can compare a water hammer to a type of shock, which a variety of issues may cause.

A hydraulic shock is the most common type of water hammer. Caused by the sudden halt of water flowing, the hydraulic shock may occur when you turn off a faucet or close a water valve.

A water hammer may also stem from a thermal shock, which occurs when a sudden change in temperature occurs inside your pipes. This temperature change can increase the flow of water through your plumbing lines and cause the banging associated with the water hammer.

A clog within your plumbing lines may also cause the pipes to bang. Or if the pipes don't secure properly to your home's framing, the pipes will lack support to hold them in place when water moves through your plumbing lines. Both clogs and improper support can also cause the water hammer problem.

Professional Treatment

While the banging noise is annoying, a water hammer can also be very dangerous. If too much pressure builds up inside the pipes, the pipes may expand and crack, leading to water leaks and costly water damage.

An inspection by your plumber can help determine the cause of the water hammer issue before designing a plan to stop the noise while preventing future damage to your plumbing system and home.

In most cases, plumbers will drain the water lines first. Since clogs and excess air may cause a water hammer, flushing the pipes out may solve the problem.

Installing a surge arrester is also a common treatment for a water hammer. Arresters act as shock absorbers, reducing the amount of pressure inside the pipes, which prevent the water hammer. The arresters go directly into the water line and effectively absorb the shock in the pipes.

A pressure regulator may also be necessary if the water pressure in your pipes measures over 55 psi. Install the pressure regulator where the main water supply comes into the home. The regulator maintains the proper water pressure in your water lines, reducing the risk of a noisy water hammer and plumbing leaks.

Finally, if your water hammer stems from improperly secured pipes, your plumbing contractor can help. Pipe strapping can secure plumbing lines to your home's framing and reduce any possible movement while water runs through your pipes.

For assistance diagnosing and treating a water hammer or other plumbing problem, contact Moody Plumbing, Inc., today. We are happy to answer your questions and provide you with a free estimate.

3 Exciting Trends in the World of Residential Plumbing

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 13:44:59 GMT

If you're like most people, plumbing probably doesn't strike you as the most exciting or trend-setting industry. Admittedly, plumbing has remained much the same for many decades — at least on a mechanical level. Plumbers primarily concern themselves with ensuring a consistent and leak-proof flow of water through your home.

Yet, in other ways, the world of plumbing continues to evolve and grow, often in exciting ways. Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook plumbing advancements that can make their lives easier and more convenient. If you would like to learn more about today's plumbing options, keep reading. This article outlines three exciting trends to be aware of.

1. Touchless Faucets

Although few people realize it, faucet handles attract germs like few other places in a home. A bathroom faucet handle contains roughly 6,267 bacteria per square inch. Kitchen faucets more than double this number. A toilet seat, by contrast, contains a surprisingly lower amount of bacteria — around 295 per square inch.

Touchless faucet technology offers an effective way to avoid coming into contact with these germy surfaces. As you probably know, touchless faucets have been around for many years in commercial settings, from restaurants to airports. Yet only more recently have residential models hit the market.

Touchless faucets use electronic motion sensors that respond to a simple wave of the hand. The simplest touchless faucets use a single sensor to turn water on and off. While useful for simple tasks, such faucets don't allow to control water temperature. Instead, residential fixtures often still contain a traditional faucet handle for dialing in specific temperatures.

More advanced models of touchless faucets allow a greater degree of control. In fact, certain brands utilize as many as five different proximity sensors. These sensors allow you to access 13 different functions, all with a wave of the hand.

2. Foot-Control Faucets

Even a touchless faucet still requires you to use your hand — even if just to wave it in front of a sensor. Foot-control faucets, by contrast, allow you to do away with your hands entirely. Instead, you control water flow by manipulating a special pressure plate with your foot. Some models even allow you to use your knee to turn the water on and off.

The position of the faucet's traditional handles control the temperature and flow rate of the water. Many people prefer leaving the cold lever on, as this fulfills the widest range of functions.

Operating a faucet with your foot cuts down on contact with germy faucet handles. Foot-control faucets also prove highly convenient in the kitchen and can help to cut down on water use. Instead of turning on the faucet and letting the water run while you reach for a pot to fill, you can grab the pot first and turn on the water with your foot.

3. Dual-Flush Toilets

Toilets rank among the most significant contributors to a home's water use. For this reason, more and more homeowners choose to invest in water-saving toilets. Dual-flush toilets offer some of the most effective results when it comes to reducing your monthly water bill. These toilets have two buttons, one for liquid and one for solid waste.

Dual-flush toilets allow you to drastically lower the amount of water flowing through your toilet. Studies have estimated that a dual-flush toilet consumes approximately 4.8 gallons of water each day. By contrast, the old toilets found in many homes use as much as 3.5 gallons of water every time you flush.

Developments in technology continue to drive the world of plumbing into exciting new territory. For more information about how you can benefit from today's plumbing trends, please contact the plumbing experts at Moody Plumbing Inc.

Why You Shouldn't Pour Cooking Grease Down Your Kitchen Sink

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 13:36:16 GMT

When you're in the kitchen and are looking for a way to deal with the grease left in your pan, you may be tempted to just pour it down the sink drain. You might think that it's not a big deal to do this every now and then, especially if it's not a lot of grease. You might have even heard that it's fine to pour grease down your kitchen sink as long as you run the hot water afterward.

Regardless of what you might have heard or done in the past without any obvious problems, this isn't something you should do. Here's why.

1. It Can Cause Serious Plumbing Issues

The first and most important reason why you shouldn't pour grease down your kitchen sink drain is because it can cause some serious plumbing problems that you'd probably rather avoid. First, you have to worry about it clogging up your sink drain itself. If you've ever had trouble getting the water to go down the kitchen sink after pouring grease down it, this is probably what you were dealing with. The grease can clump up and clog the sink drain, causing water to drain slowly or not at all.

If your sink seems to be draining fine, then you might think you’ve avoided the risk. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case because grease can accumulate further in the pipes.

A clog might not happen right away, but other things that go down your sink — such as food particles or more cooking grease — can get caught up with this grease. As a result, a clog may develop later, and the clog might be tough to access because it could be deep in your pipes.

Lastly, if you have a septic tank, you should know that your septic tank can be damaged by cooking grease. The grease can affect the balance of chemicals in your septic system and can cause clogs, leading to backups and other problems with your septic tank.

2. It Can Contribute to Odors

No one wants to have a smelly kitchen. After all, this area of the home is where you’re supposed to have an appetite! It's no secret that cooking grease often does not have the best smell. If you pour it down your sink drain, your sink — and therefore your entire kitchen — will smell like cooking grease.

The best way to prevent this odor is to avoid putting cooking grease down your sink drain in the first place. Instead, you can use an old coffee can or a container that is designed just for storing grease. Choose a container that has a tight-sealing lid to block out odors. Just don't pour the grease in when it's still hot unless you use a container that is designed for hot liquids.

3. You Can Reuse It

Lastly, if you're someone who likes to reuse things as much as you can, you should know that grease can often be reused. If you pouring it down the sink each time that you use it, you probably waste a lot.

Bacon grease and grease from other cooked meats can impart a great flavor in future foods. Even regular cooking oil and grease that has been used for things like frying French fries can be used a couple more times before it's thrown away.

For best results, use a cheesecloth and a strainer to drain out any food particles before storing grease. Also, make sure that you throw it out when it gets too old, such as when it develops a rancid smell or when it looks foamy or cloudy.

By reusing grease, you can impart great flavors in some of your foods, and you can save money at the same time.

Dealing with grease is a common problem for any home cook. Pouring it down the sink might seem like a fast solution, but it's not a good one. If you've poured grease down your sink and are dealing with a clog, or if you need help with any of your other plumbing needs, contact us at Moody Plumbing, Inc., to find out how we can help.

3 Ways a Bidet Improves Your Bathroom

Sun, 19 Aug 2018 20:46:51 GMT

Very few American bathrooms feature a bidet, and many Americans have never heard of this bathroom fixture. Bidets are featured prominently in restrooms throughout Europe, Latin America, and Asia. These unique bathroom fixtures utilize a stream of fresh water to cleanse you after you use the restroom.

If you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom at home, then you should consider the benefits that a bidet can offer. With the installation of a bidet, you will be able to improve your bathroom's aesthetic look, enjoy better health, help preserve the environment, and save more money. This guide discusses these benefits in more detail.

1. Better Health

Water is one of the most effective ways to cleanse the body. Americans are conditioned from childhood to use toilet paper after going to the restroom. A bidet can seem strange and foreign, and some people might think that a bidet cannot clean as effectively as toilet paper. However, in reality, bidets can offer you better health by giving you a more thorough and complete cleanse after you use the restroom.

Individuals who suffer from hemorrhoids, Crohn's disease, or anal fissures can especially benefit from a bidet. If you have one of these conditions, then you should install a bidet so you can minimize the pain and discomfort that comes from using toilet paper. The water generated by a bidet will eliminate any contaminants that might exacerbate your symptoms.

2. Environmental Preservation

Consumers often forget the fact that toilet paper is a form of paper. Paper is made from trees. Many trees are cut down to produce the 7.4 billion rolls of toilet paper consumed by Americans each year.

Even recycled toilet paper can have a negative impact on the environment since paper products must be deinked before they can be pulped and processed into toilet paper rolls. The de-inking process requires the use of chlorine and other chemicals that can release toxic compounds into the environment.

A bidet can significantly reduce your reliance on toilet paper. The pressurized stream of water produced by a bidet is powerful enough to provide a thorough cleanse so that you don't need to use toilet paper. In other words, a bidet in your bathroom helps you become more environmentally friendly by decreasing the need for toilet paper.

3. Financial Savings

You might be hesitant to add a bidet to your bathroom due to the perceived cost of installation. Although a bidet can be a little more expensive than a traditional toilet, these fixtures pay for themselves within a short period of time. For example, reducing your reliance on toilet paper can eliminate this expense from your household budget.

Another cost-saving benefit that you can enjoy when reducing your toilet paper consumption is the avoidance of clogged toilets or other plumbing issues. When no toilet paper is being flushed down your toilet, the potential for flood-inducing clogs is greatly reduced. You can use the money you would have spent on emergency plumbing services on other household expenses instead.

A bidet might seem like a luxury that you can't afford, but adding a bidet to your bathroom could unlock a lot of benefits. Modern bidets come with a variety of features, including heated seats, heated water mechanisms, and blow dry features.

If you are considering a bidet to increase the usefulness and eco-friendliness of your bathroom, then contact our team at Moody Plumbing Inc. Our experts can help you select the bidet that is best suited to meet your family's needs. Call us today to learn more about bidets and the benefits this feature offers. We'll answer all your questions and we'll do all we can to help you.

How to Make Your Toilet's Water Tank More Efficient

Sun, 08 Jul 2018 18:43:45 GMT

Many homeowners across the country are starting to see the benefits of reducing the water use and water waste of their plumbing fixtures. It's easy to install a low-flow aerator for your faucet and a low-flow valve for your showerhead, but the options are a little more complex when it comes to toilets.

Whether you've recently installed a bidet and would like to offset the water usage it requires or whether you're just tightening up water usage across the board, use the three ways mentioned in this guide to make your toilet's water tank more efficient.

Install a Water Saving Fill Valve

Water saving fill valves save water that would otherwise be wasted during the refill stage after flushing. An experienced plumber can install a fill value for you relatively quickly and easily, and this upgrade can allow you to save water without the expense of installing a dual-flush toilet.

The water saving fill valve fixes a somewhat wasteful habit of older standard toilets. When you flush a toilet with this feature, water starts to flow in through the fill valve. The water goes to two places: the bowl and the tank. The bowl fills up faster, but when it's full, the excess water goes down the drain until the tank is full as well.

This means that a standard fill valve can often waste a gallon of water per flush. Water saving fill valves have calibration capabilities that allow you to change the fill rate of the bowl in relation to the fill rate of the tank. You can calibrate it so that they finish filling at the same time, reducing waste.

Make the Tank Fill Capacity Smaller

You may have heard the folk remedy of putting a brick into your tank. However, plumbers do not recommend using a brick, since these can eventually deteriorate in water and damage the interior of your toilet. However, you can use a two-liter bottle if there's room in the tank. To do this, simply fill the bottle with water and stand it in the tank to reduce the space available for water.

You should test the toilet's flushing power after making this adjustment and then readjust (by using a smaller bottle, for example) if necessary. This way you'll ensure that your toilet will have enough water to flush with. If the tank doesn't have enough water, then it will flush incompletely, thus requiring additional flushes and potentially wasting even more water than before.

Adjust the Tank Fill Line Down

The float in the tank dictates how full the tank fills after each flush. If you think your toilet is still using more water than it needs, then you can adjust the position of this float downwards. This lowers the tank fill line, thereby reducing the amount of water drawn into the tank after flushing.

If you're not confident in your ability to adjust these parts correctly, then you can discuss it with your plumber, who can show you how to do it and how to tell if you've done it right.

Replace Your Toilet With a Water Sense Model

If you decide that you won't be satisfied until your toilet uses as little water as possible or that the above options sound too complex, then a more efficiently designed model is worth the price.

After all, a standard toilet isn't designed to flush well on very little water, so you can only reduce its usage to a certain point before you start experiencing malfunctions. A Water Sense model (certified efficient by the EPA) is designed with low water usage in mind, and won't malfunction as it reduces your water wastage.

Whether you're looking to replace, retrofit, or simply adjust your toilet, these four methods can help. If you'd like further advice or guidance on water efficiency, then get in touch with our team at Moody Plumbing Inc. today.

3 Bathroom Plumbing Problems That Lead to Mold

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 18:38:13 GMT

Your bathroom is a hotspot for mold due to all the humidity from showering and handwashing. Damp towels and bath mats also add to the problem. If you don't use your exhaust fan or crack a window occasionally, then mold can begin to grow.

A common place for mold is in the grooves around your tub and shower since these areas hold on to water. However, mold can grow anywhere in your bathroom, and sometimes, it can be prevented by keeping up with plumbing repairs.

This guide lists three plumbing problems that increase the risk of mold in your bathroom and what you should do to fix them.

1. Drain Leaking Under the Bathroom Sink

If you have an enclosed vanity under your sink that hides the drain, then a leak could go on for a long time before you discover it. Another problem is a loose connection in the trap that creates a small leak every time you use the sink.

Since water only leaks when you use the sink, there's not a constant flow to create a huge puddle that you notice. Instead, the wood in the vanity or the floor underneath will soak up the water and stay damp. This leads to wood rot under the sink and an increase in the humidity in the room.

If you rarely look inside the vanity, or if it is full of grooming supplies or jugs of laundry detergent, then you may not notice what's going on. The mold may grow inside the vanity or on the wall behind it. While some mildew in your bathroom can be expected from time to time, if you smell the mildew frequently, then you should suspect mold is growing somewhere unseen.

You might be able to fix the problem by tightening the trap connection, but if the problem is caused by a hole in the drain, then you'll want a plumber to fix the problem before the floor and wall have extensive mold and water damage.

2. Water Dripping From a Faucet or Shower

Dripping faucets are annoying plumbing problems because they waste water and the noise can be bothersome too. Although the drips fall in your sink or shower and don't cause water damage, they can still raise the humidity in the room and encourage mold to grow.

When the humidity is high, mold can grow anywhere, such as the ceiling and walls. If the dripping shower gets the back of the shower enclosure wet, then mold can even grow between the walls. When that happens, you may need professional mold removal along with plumbing repairs.

You should have dripping faucets repaired as soon as you can. One side benefit of keeping humidity under control in your bathroom is that it also helps prevent roaches and other humidity-loving bugs from invading the space.

3. Water Leaking From the Toilet

Your toilet can spring leaks too. This happens for a variety of reasons and it may cause the wall behind the toilet to start growing mold. Identify the source of the leak if you can. It might be a water supply line, a crack in the porcelain, or a bad toilet seal on the floor.

Condensation on the side of the tank can also cause problems with high humidity. If water is leaking from a tiny crack, then you'll probably need to have a new toilet put in. If the problem is condensation, then your plumber might suggest adding a valve in the supply line that allows hot water to mix in.

This reduces the temperature difference that leads to condensation on the tank. If you notice there are slight puddles of water around the toilet , then have a plumber take a look. If the floor under your toilet stays damp, then it can mold or rot and will need to be replaced.

By keeping your bathroom plumbing in good shape, you'll avoid some major problems with mold, water damage, and pests. If you need work on your faucets or toilet, then schedule an appointment with Moody Plumbing, Inc. We'll install new fixtures, repair broken pipes, or do whatever is needed to keep your bathroom dry.

3 Common Signs of a Damaged Sewer Pipe

Thu, 10 May 2018 18:31:31 GMT

The sewer pipe lies at the heart of a home's plumbing system. This central pipe funnels wastewater safely out of your home and into your municipal water system. Many older sewer pipes were made out of cast iron. As these cast iron pipes age, they develop cracks and corroded rust spots that can drastically impact your home's water systems.

Sewer pipes may suffer damage from numerous other causes as well. Invasive tree roots can exert enough pressure to crack sewer pipes. Ground heaving or earthquakes may also crack or damage the structure of a sewer pipe. A heavy truck driven or parked in the wrong spot could also crack a sewer pipe.

Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to recognize the tell-tale signs that something may be wrong with their sewer pipe. This oversight causes the problem to reach critical proportions, requiring expensive, and often messy, repairs. If you would like to improve your plumbing troubleshooting skills, read on. This article will discuss three frequent signs of a damaged sewer pipe.

1. Soggy Lawn

When something happens to one of the supply lines leading into your home, the problem tends to be quite obvious. Supply line damage will almost always manifest as a noticeable problem with the water flow inside of your home. But diagnosing a damaged sewer pipe can be tricky because these pipes lead away from your home.

A damaged sewer line allows wastewater to escape into the ground around your home. Most sewer lines travel across the front lawn, meeting up with municipal waste pipes located underneath the street. As more and more wastewater spills out of the damaged pipe, it causes the soil in your front lawn to develop wet, soggy, or sunken patches.

If you have noticed that your lawn has mysteriously become waterlogged, it's important that you seek professional help as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problem will continue to grow worse every time you flush the toilet.

2. Foul Water in Basement

The water escaping from a cracked sewer line can end up in other places besides your yard. If the damaged portion of pipe is close enough to your house, wastewater may even make its way into your basement. A cracked foundation will easily allow this water to penetrate your home.

Even homeowners with structurally sound foundations may experience water accumulation, thanks to hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure occurs when enough water builds up on the outside of your foundation that its pressure pushes it right through the pores of a concrete wall. If a cracked sewer line is at fault, you will likely also notice that the water in your basement has an unspeakably foul odor.

3. Rodent Infestation

A sudden influx of rats in your home is absolutely the most alarming sign of a damaged sewer line. Rats can easily burrow down through the soil of your lawn to reach a breached sewer pipe. From there, they follow the pipe toward your house, often getting underneath the foundation and coming up into your basement through relatively tiny cracks - or even swimming all the way up into your toilet.

The threat posed by such rodents is fairly self-explanatory. While baiting the rats with poison may help to manage the problem, it won't eliminate the source. If your home has never had a history of rodent infestation but you've suddenly noticed such vermin in your home, you should have your sewer line inspected.

A trained professional can easily survey for damage using long, flexible cameras threaded down into your pipes. For more information about having your home's sewer line inspected, contact the plumbing professionals at Moody Plumbing, Inc.

3 Common Household Items You Need to Stop Flushing

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 18:27:43 GMT

Most homeowners are surprised by how often they may be misusing their toilets. While the majority of flushing is necessary for removing human waste, the toilet is often used to dispose of items that can be dangerous to the entire plumbing and septic system. Improper disposal is one of the reasons toilets often clog, which is a common problem homeowners face.

In fact, clogged toilets are so common, plungers are a staple in most households. These tools are usually effective for removing clogs quickly, but preventing the clogs in the first place is a smarter solution. Using this guide and your plumber's help , you will learn the dangers of flushing these common household items.

1. Flushable Wipes

Whether used for removing makeup, cleansing yourself after using the bathroom, or wiping down toilets and countertops, flushable wipes should not actually be flushed. Even if they are labeled safe to flush, avoid placing them in your toilet because they will most likely cause a clog.

While an excessive amount can lead to a clog, toilet paper is safe to flush because it breaks down faster, so there is less risk of serious plumbing and septic issues. The materials used in the pre-moistened cleansing and cleaning wipes are not the same as traditional toilet paper and they take longer to break down.

Over time, these wipes will build up inside your toilet drain, increasing the risk of a clog. Eventually, the buildup will start affecting the septic lines, leading to a backed-up system that causes flooding and costly repairs.

It is also important to note that these wipes contain harsh chemicals and bacteria that can harm the environment. After flushing these wipes, the chemicals and bacteria will move through your plumbing and septic system, affecting the sewer systems and local waterways.

When possible, avoid using flushable wipes. If you must use them, then dispose of the wipes in your trash can instead of flushing them.

2. Cat Litter

Cat litter is another common item that many people flush down their toilets. Even though this may seem like the easiest way to dispose of your cat's waste, cat litter is not capable of breaking down inside your plumbing and septic lines.

In most cases, the litter is comprised of clay, which clumps together when it makes contact with water. The clumps of wet clay will sit inside your toilet drain and septic lines for extended periods of time without dissolving, causing severe clogs that can harm your toilet and septic tank.

To clean up your cat's waste in a simple and safe manner, scoop the litter into a plastic bag and dispose of it in your trash can.

3. Prophylactics

Prophylactics, or condoms, are another common item many people flush down their toilets because it seems like the most convenient option for disposal.

Unfortunately, flushing condoms is also one of the most dangerous things you can do to your plumbing and septic system.

The latex used to make condoms is designed to prevent bodily fluids from escaping, so the material is a lot stronger than you may think. Latex will not break down inside your toilet or while moving through the drains and plumbing lines.

Constantly flushing condoms down your toilet will most likely cause a buildup of latex in your pipes and septic tank, which may lead to clogs and a failing septic system.

The safest way to dispose of a condom is to wrap it in a few pieces of toilet paper before placing it into your trash bin.

Proper understanding and ongoing maintenance will reduce the risk of clogs while prolonging the lifespan of your toilet and septic system. To learn more about your toilet and plumbing system, contact Moody Plumbing, Inc. today.

Why Does the Water From Your Faucets Leave Stains on Plumbing?

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 18:23:50 GMT

Brown stains that remain on your plumbing components after the water from the faucets have dried are composed of various mineral and metal deposits. These contaminants are delivered into your home through your water supply lines.

The deposits may originate in the local water supply itself or may leach into the water from deteriorating supply pipes. The cure for removing the contaminants will, therefore, differ according to the source of the problem.

How Can You Determine the Source(s) of the Contamination?

You must first discover the source of the problem before seeking a cure. This means that your water supply source must be tested and your plumbing evaluated in order to determine the necessary course of action.

Your Water Supply

The water that enters your home may be contaminated by mineral deposits before it reaches the supply lines. This is equally true whether a local municipality or a personal well supplies the water.

Your water should be tested by a professional evaluation service to determine its mineral content if it is sourced from a private well. Water delivered by a local government agency will test the water at their facility, with results available to customers upon request.

Your Plumbing Supply Pipes

Contamination of your water supply through pipe deterioration is usually found only in older galvanized steel pipe. Although the galvanizing process adds a rust-inhibiting coating to the surfaces of the pipe, the inner surface faces a constant exposure to pressurized water.

This exposure wears away the coating and begins to corrode the inner surface of the pipe. Corrosion begins to build along the inner surface of the pipes, narrowing the pipes' internal diameter.

This creates additional pressure inside the pipes, which causes the accumulated corrosion to break away and enter the water supply.

How Can Mineral Deposits Be Removed From Your Local Water Supply?

Minerals such as magnesium and calcium are collected as your water supply source flows underground. This natural process becomes a problem in areas with rich deposits of these materials.

Accumulations of calcium and magnesium will interfere with the internal machinations of plumbing components and produce staining and scale on the exterior surfaces of sinks, showers, and toilets.

The primary method of removing these troublesome minerals is through the installation of a water softening system.

Water Softening Systems

These systems remove these minerals through the process of replacing calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions through ion exchange. This is accomplished through bonding positively charged calcium and magnesium ions to negatively charged resin beads as the water enters a storage tank designed for this purpose.

The tank then floods with salt water, which contains positively charged sodium ions. The overabundance of sodium ions overwhelms the normally superior positive charge of the calcium and magnesium ions, releasing and replacing them on the resin beads.

The calcium and magnesium ions are then flushed out of the system, and the saltwater tank replenished.

How Can Contamination by Deteriorating Steel Pipes Be Corrected?

Replacement of older steel pipes is the only remedy for contamination of your water supply through corrosion. You can usually accomplish this through the installation of supply pipes composed of other materials that are more resistant to corrosion. Alternatives include copper, CPVC, and PEX pipe.

Copper

Copper pipe is the most expensive option, but also the most durable. It can last for decades before requiring replacement and is resistant to corrosion. Copper can survive house fires and physical trauma, unlike some less expensive options.

CPVC

CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) is a rigid plastic pipe. Immune to corrosion, it is much less costly and labor intensive than copper. Unlike copper, it is vulnerable to fire and physical trauma.

PEX

PEX pipe is a reinforced flexible type of plastic pipe. It shares many of the advantages of CPVC pipe, with an even greater ease of installation. It also shares the vulnerabilities of CPVC pipe.

If you live in the Coral Springs, Florida area, and you're tired of stained shower walls and toilets, contact Moody Plumbing, Inc. We'll do whatever it takes to get your water to the pristine condition that you need and deserve.

How To Replace The Sacrificial Anode Inside Your Hot Water Heater

Sun, 11 Feb 2018 18:19:20 GMT

You can maximize the lifespan of your hot water heater by replacing the sacrificial anode. The purpose of the sacrificial anode is to corrode instead of your hot water heater. Most parts inside your home aren't designed to disappear as time goes on, but that's exactly what the sacrificial anode is supposed to do.

The good news is replacing the sacrificial anode is an easy job for the average do-it-yourselfer. Below is a step-by-step procedure for removing the old part and replacing it with a new anode.

1. Turn Off the Hot Water Heater

Before you begin removing the sacrificial anode, you will need to disconnect the electrical or gas supply to the hot water heater. Never attempt to work on a water heater that is in service, or you may find yourself with a nasty burn.

First, turn off the hot water heater at its thermostat, then turn off the electrical power at the main circuit breaker panel, if the unit is powered by electricity. If your hot water heater is powered by natural gas, turn off the burner and pilot light at the thermostat, then turn the shut-off valve on the gas supply line to its 'off' position.

Finally, turn off the cold water supply valve located at the top of the hot water heater. The cold water supply valve will usually be painted blue to differentiate it from the hot water outlet.

2. Drain the Hot Water Heater

After the hot water heater has been completely disconnected, the next step is to drain the water inside the unit. This step will also provide the added benefit of removing sediment that has collected at the bottom of the tank.

To drain the hot water heater, attach a garden hose to the drain valve located near the bottom of the unit. You only need to hand-tighten the connection.

Once the hose has been connected, open the drain valve slowly to release the water from the tank. Be sure the opposite end of the hose is routed to a safe location such as a storm sewer or a five-gallon bucket. Do not empty the tank into your toilet or other drains, as the sediment may cause a clog.

3. Remove the Sacrificial Anode

After the hot water heater has been drained, you are ready to remove the sacrificial anode. In most water heaters, the sacrificial anode is located at the top of the unit and looks like a large bolt head. Find a matching socket and use a ratchet to loosen the sacrificial anode from the hot water heater.

Depending on how old the hot water heater is and how long the anode has been in place, you may need to apply a little muscle to loosen the part. Continue to unscrew and lift out the anode entirely from the hot water heater. You will probably notice the anode is pitted and may even partially be gone due to corrosion.

4. Install the New Anode

Once you have removed the old sacrificial anode, briefly inspect the water heater threads to ensure they are relatively clean. You can use paper towels or even an old toothbrush to clean debris.

Next, wrap the threads of the new anode with PTFE tape to create a watertight seal. Carefully lower the anode into the water heater and hand-tighten it, being careful not to cross-thread the anode and water heater threads.

After the anode has been hand-tightened, use your socket and ratchet to tighten the connection.

5. Restore Service to the Hot Water Heater

The last step in the process is to restore your hot water heater to service. Turn off the drain valve, disconnect the garden hose, and turn on the cold water supply valve at the top of the hot water heater. This will start filling the tank. After a few minutes, you can turn on the electricity or gas supply to the hot water heater. The final step is to turn on the hot water heater itself at the thermostat.

If you have questions about hot water heaters, be sure to contact Moody Plumbing Inc. for help. They are ready to assist with any plumbing need you may have.

What You Should Know About Backflow And How To Prevent It From Occurring

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 18:14:13 GMT

Backflow is of the hidden dangers of a plumbing system and poses a serious risk to human health. Backflow is possible in any environment, including industrial, commercial, and residential settings. It can even affect your home and its occupants.

As a result, you should address potential backflow hazards and take measures to prevent them from causing harm. Below is more information about backflow, including why it occurs and how you can prevent it.

What Is Backflow?

When everything is working as it should in your home's plumbing system, water flows out of the supply line and into fixtures, through hoses, and in any other direction you choose.

Normally, the water pressure on the supply side of your home is higher than the receiving side. In a backflow situation, however, water pressure is higher on the receiving side; this can happen for any number of reasons, including the loss of water supply due to a break in a city main or municipal pumping station failure.

Why Is Backflow Bad?

Backflow is dangerous because of the contamination threat posed to potable water systems. When backflow happens, water and contaminants enter the supply side of the system and are widely distributed.

Contaminants can include a variety of potentially harmful substances, such as microorganisms, toxins, and airborne materials. When they flow freely through the potable water system inside your home, as a result of backflow, you can get exposure to disease or injury-causing substances by simply turning on the tap.

How Is Backflow Prevented?

There are several strategies in use to combat backflow and prevent it from occurring. The specific approach used depends on what type of device or fixture is affected and will be implemented by a plumbing professional. Here are the ways you can prevent backflow:

Air Gap

A simple means of preventing backflow is by implementing an air gap between the supply side and receiving side of a water line. The air gap breaks the vacuum that forms when a backflow situation occurs and keeps water from moving backward.

Some fixtures in your home that rely on air gaps to prevent backflow include toilets, washing machines, and automatic dishwashers. Air gaps are effective, but they can fail if the air gap becomes flooded at any point.

Atmospheric Vacuum Breaker

An atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB) is a backflow prevention device that works by introducing an air gap when you reduce the supply line pressure. If water pressure in the supply line falls, a special valve (poppet valve) opens automatically and air immediately enters the body of the valve.

An AVB operates well in situations where a continuous air gap isn't desirable but provides an air gap when needed to prevent backflow. The main disadvantage of AVBs is their inability to keep airborne contaminants out of the water system.

Check Valve

A check valve is another type of backflow prevention device that operates by allowing water to flow in only a single direction. Any pressure from the other direction will cause the valve to close immediately.

Check valves are enclosed inside the water supply line which makes them invulnerable to outside air contaminants. However, a single check valve can fail if jammed and may permit some contaminants to pass due to the time it takes for a closure to occur. That's why check valves are often paired to provide an extra measure of protection in the event of backflow.

If you have any questions about backflow prevention, take a moment to contact Moody Plumbing, Inc. for assistance. Don't take chances that your home's occupants aren't sufficiently protected in the event of a backflow incident.

How to Prevent Clogged Drains

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 18:09:13 GMT

Clogged drains are one of the most common problems that can affect your plumbing system, and they are also one of the most disruptive. A drain that no longer drains can cause all sorts of problems within your home, including water damage, burst pipes, and mold growth, all of which can be expensive and complicated to fix.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do to proactively reduce the risk of drains becoming clogged in the future, ensuring that worse issues don't manifest themselves.

Use a Hair Catcher

The material that is perhaps the worst culprit when it comes to drain clogs is hair. Shower and tub drains can be easily filled with balls of hair that will resist physical breaking by drain snakes and will not be easily broken apart by chemical drain cleaners either, requiring physical removal by deconstructing your plumbing in extreme cases.

In order to prevent hair from entering your drains, you should install a hair catcher, available at most hardware and grocery stores, in your drain. You can simply remove and clean this catcher as it collects hair over time, keeping your drains clear.

The same principle goes for lint that drains out of your washing machine: installing a hair catcher to collect lint and other debris can help keep your basement drains clear. Don't Dump Grease

In the kitchen, human hair may not be a prime culprit of clogged drains, but cooking grease and oils are a major concern. These materials are liquid when hot but will congeal into a gel when they cool down. Cooled grease or oil can harden within your plumbing and create physical blockages that prevent water from flowing past.

Since grease won't be caught by hair collectors or any other type of drain blocker, you'll have to make a concerted effort to pour cooking grease and oils into cans or jars, which you can then throw away. As a short-term measure, you can run hot water down your drain to melt away small amounts of built-up grease (though not an entire blockage).

In a similar vein, you should avoid putting items down your drain that could pose a threat to the health of your plumbing. Such items include floss, bathroom products, large pieces of food waste, and similar items, which should simply be thrown out.

Flush Your Drains

While using a small amount of water is good for the environment and your water bills each month, sometimes it is necessary to flush out your drains to remove any stuck-on material that may contribute to a clog in the near future.

To rinse your drains and pipes properly, you should pour a cup of vinegar down the drain and allow it to sit for up to an hour. This sitting time allows the vinegar to penetrate any organic waste that may be stuck on the sides of your pipes. Then you should run the hot water for several minutes to flush away the loosened material and clear your drains out.

Alternatively, you can purchase commercial drain cleaners, which can remove built-up debris within your drains: while chemical cleaners can cause damage to your pipes, you can make use of bacterial cleaners that will eat away at blockages just as well. Let the cleaner sit for the recommended amount of time before rinsing it out with hot water.

For any questions that you might have about your home's plumbing, please feel free to contact us at Moody Plumbing, Inc. Our team of highly trained contractors will be more than happy to help you with any plumbing related issues that you may be having to get your home back to normal again.

4 Types of Faucet Valves and What You Should Know About Them

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 18:03:43 GMT

At first glance, all faucets seem to work the same way: turn a handle or two, and water flows forth. However, the inner workings of faucets vary greatly from model to model. There are actually four primary types of faucet valves - the areas inside faucets where hot and cold water are mixed and the flow rate is regulated.

Each type of faucet valve functions in a different way to achieve the same purpose - the delivery of water at a desired rate and temperature. Below is more information about these valve types and what you should know about their operation and maintenance.

1. Compression Valve

As the oldest type of faucet valve in use, compression valves are both simple and inexpensive. A compression valve consists of a screw stem that raises and lowers as it is turned and a rubber compression washer at the bottom of the stem.

When the valve handle is turned counterclockwise, the stem is raised, and the rubber washer is lifted out of the concave water inlet. This permits water to enter the faucet body. Likewise, as the stem is lowered, the washer is pressed into a concave inlet, and the flow of water is blocked.

The chief advantage of compression valves is their low cost, which makes fixtures containing these valves less expensive than other types. However, compression valves are more prone to leaking than other types of valves. The rubber washer can become deformed after repeated use, and it can also crack and fall apart.

As a result, leaks will develop once the washer is no longer able to seal the inlet. This will require the replacement of the washer to restore the valve's watertight integrity. Fortunately, the low cost of parts and the relative ease of repair makes faucets with compression valves a viable option for most homeowners.

2. Ball Valve

Another common type of valve found in faucets is the ball valve. Ball valves are used in single-handle faucets and are also relatively inexpensive. The primary component of a ball valve is a steel ball that contains a network of grooves and holes. These grooves and holes align with the hot and cold water inlets. Then, adjusting the ball with the faucet handle controls water temperature and flow rate.

The downside of ball valves is their relative complexity. They contain numerous small parts, including springs, O-rings and washers. Leaks will eventually develop as these parts wear out. In addition, mineral deposits and tiny debris in the water can cause problems inside the faucet, which may require cleaning or replacement of affected components.

3. Cartridge Valve

Cartridge valves are in widespread use in faucets, and they offer excellent performance at a reasonable cost. The key component in a cartridge faucet is a small cylinder made of plastic or brass. Inside the cylinder, a network of channels direct water flow rates and also control temperature.

An O-ring seals the bottom of the cartridge to prevent leakage from around its edges.

Cartridge valve faucets possess several advantages when compared to ball valve faucets. For example, cartridge valves can be used in a singlehandle configuration like ball valve faucets, or they may be paired inside two-handled faucets.

In addition, cartridge valve faucets are designed for replacement simplicity because they contain few parts. In fact, fixing a leaky faucet simply requires replacing the worn-out cartridge with a new one.

4. Ceramic Disc Valve

The newest type of faucet valve is the ceramic disc valve. This innovative valve design incorporates two rotating discs made from ceramic. The discs contain channels that align when rotated, which allows water to flow and control over temperature settings. Ceramic disc valves are inherently sturdy, highly reliable and rarely in need of repairs.

The disadvantage of ceramic disc valve faucets is the premium price you pay for the technology and precision manufacturing. However, ceramic disc valve faucets are almost leak-proof, and their long life spans will usually pay back the initial investment in the long run.

If you have questions about faucet valves, be sure to contact Moody Plumbing Inc. for help. Our team of service professionals is waiting to assist you with new fixture installations and plumbing repairs.

What Causes A Toilet To Flush On Its Own?

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 17:59:25 GMT

Probably every homeowner at one time or another has encountered a situation wherein the toilet seems to run for no good reason. Sometimes, toilets even flush on their own, a problem commonly called "ghost flushing." Knowing why this happens and how you can stop this problem from occurring can help you take care of your home, conserve water and reduce your water bills.

Why Toilets Run Between Flushes

Toilets consist of two parts: the tank and the bowl. When the toilet is flushed, water in the tank flows into the bowl and washes the contents of the bowl down the drain. When the toilet isn't being flushed, a seal (called a "flapper") prevents the water in the tank from leaking into the bowl.

Over time, the flapper can develop cracks or a layer of algae that prevents the flapper from forming a tight seal. Ghost flushing and random running can happen when enough water leaks out of the tank and into the bowl. When the water level in the toilet is low enough, the toilet "flushes," the tank refills with water and the process starts over again.

Some toilets ghost flush on a regular basis. Other toilets ghost flush rarely. The length of time that passes between ghost flushes will depend on the severity of the leak.

What You Can Do

Homeowners who decide that their toilet has a leak can usually fix the problem by repairing or replacing the parts in the toilet tank. To begin, turn off the water supply to the toilet and then flush the toilet to empty the water from the bowl.

Since algae on the flapper can sometimes cause water to leak from the tank to the bowl, start by removing the flapper in the bottom of the tank and cleaning off the algae.

If this doesn't stop the leak, check to be sure that the chain inside the toilet tank isn't so long that it could become trapped underneath the flapper. If the chain is long enough, cut it so that it can no longer get in the way.

If neither of these problems are causing the leak, then it may be time to replace the entire toilet tank assembly. Universal toilet tank pieces can be purchased from home improvement centers and hardware stores.

When it's time to install the toilet tank assembly, read the manufacturer's instructions before beginning your project. Each tank assembly may have slightly different instructions, so this part is important even if you've replaced toilet tank parts in the past.

Other Signs Your Toilet Has A Leak

If your toilet has a leak, ghost flushing will only be one of the signs. Some of the other signs that your toilet has a leak includes:

The water in the bowl seems to ripple even when the toilet hasn't been flushed.
A hissing noise can be heard in the toilet.

You can also check to see if your toilet has a leak by putting food dye in the tank of the toilet and waiting about 15 or 20 minutes. If the toilet has a leak, the water in the bowl will eventually change the same color as the water in the tank.

Work With a Reputable Plumber

If you've replaced the contents of your toilet tank and you find that your toilet is still leaking, it's probably time to call a plumber. Working with a reputable plumber in your area can help you fix your toilet and save water. At Moody Plumbing in Coral Springs, we can answer your questions about ghost flushing, toilet leaks and other plumbing problems. To make an appointment or to discuss your plumbing with an expert, contact us today at 954-972-1079 .

Aging In Place? 3 Ways To Make Your Bathroom Safer And Easier

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 17:49:48 GMT

Did you know that each year roughly 235,000 individuals require emergency room visits due to bathroom-related injuries? Statistics show that nearly 14 percent of those visits require at least an overnight stay in the hospital. These types of injuries can happen while you take a bath or a shower, but they can also happen while you are on the toilet.

As we age, our mobility, strength and agility all decrease. Therefore, it makes sense that there will be an increased risk of injury. Due to the fact that the bathroom is a cramped space and that there are wet surfaces, older adults are at increased risk of injury in the bathroom.

Because of the increased risk, if you plan to try to maintain as much of your independence as possible as an aging adult, you need to make your bathroom as safe as possible. In order to do this, you need to consider upgrading the space. Below are some changes that can help you live at home as an aging yet independent adult.

Upgrade #1: Grab Bars

Grab bars are an essential bathroom upgrade for any individual that is getting older and intends to live on their own. These should be installed next to the toilet, next to the bathtub, and in the shower to help you remain steady on your feet. If you feel like you are getting off balance or need help getting up, you can grab hold of the bar and pull yourself up.

You can even purchase grab bars that function as the grab bar as well as serve as other fixtures, such as towel racks, toilet paper holders and shelves. You may want to consider dual-purpose options to minimize the clutter in your space.

Upgrade #2: Chair-Height Toilet

As people get older, they may find it a true chore to sit and stand. And, the older individuals get, the more often they may need to go relieve themselves. For those who have stiff joints, it helps to have a toilet that is taller so that they don't have to feel as if they are falling to the ground.

A chair-height, or comfort-height, toilet will allow seniors to raise and lower their body without putting a lot of effort into the movement and will keep you from dreading going to the bathroom from here on out. Alternatively, instead of replacing the toilet, you can purchase a plastic toilet seat that is several inches thick and thus raises the height of the toilet. However, a thick toilet could move around and make you feel unsafe.

Upgrade #3: Walk-in Tub or Curbless Shower

While you may not want to admit it, your mobility probably isn't what it used to be. Therefore, you need to consider upgrading your bathing options. You do have a couple of things to consider, though. If you prefer taking baths, you may want to opt for a walk-in tub. These are taller than regular tubs, and you will simply sit down, swing your legs inside, close the door and fill the tub up with water. You will have to drain the water completely before you get out, though.

Now, if you prefer showers, you will want to consider a curbless shower. With this type of shower, there is no step for you to lift your legs over — no type of barrier at all. Instead, you simply open the door and walk right into the shower. You should make sure that the door is wide enough that you can get inside the shower with your walker or wheelchair in the event that you need to use one at some point.

Since you may not be able to stand the entire time while in the shower, don't forget to think about purchasing a shower chair or having a bench installed inside the shower so you can sit down and rest when your legs get tired.

If you are interested in upgrading your bathroom so that it is easier and safer to use as you age, contact Moody Plumbing, Inc. We are happy to discuss with you what your bathroom needs and install the necessary plumbing features so that you can age in place.

4 Signs It's Time to Replace or Upgrade Your Water Heater

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 17:37:13 GMT

Your water heater has always been there for you whenever you needed a nice, hot bath or to wash another load of laundry. However, you might have noticed lately that your water heater isn't performing as well as it did in the past, or maybe it's simply not meeting your family's needs.

Here are four clear indications that it is time to either replace your current water heater or upgrade to a newer, more energy-efficient model.

Strange Noises Coming From Your Water Heater

From the occasional clicking sound to an intermittent hum, your water heater will make a variety of noises that are no cause for alarm. However, there are other noises that could signal your water heater is in serious need of repair or replacement.

For example, if you hear a popping or crackling noise, it is probably caused by a build-up of sediment. If you have hard water, the minerals that are present will eventually build up and create a large layer of scum that sinks to the bottom of the water heater. This sludge rests on top of the heating element, and when the unit begins to heat the water, the minerals spread out and hit the sides of the tank.

If left unattended, the continued build-up of sediment will ruin the heating element. If you have an older unit, it's not worth replacing the heating element. Instead, you should consider replacing it with a newer model.

A Bizarre Metallic Taste and Smell

After time and repeated exposure to heat and water, the interior of your metallic water heater can begin to rust. Unfortunately, the rust can begin to flake, and the flakes will find their way into your water. This unpleasant taste and odor can be a sign your water heater needs replacing.

However, if you have galvanized pipes, it's important to ensure they are not the culprit. Galvanized pipes can begin to rust over time, so make sure this isn't the issue before you replace your water heater. The best way to accomplish this is to hire a professional to examine your pipes.

If the plumber determines the water heater is rusting, it is vital to have it replaced immediately. In addition to polluting your water, the weakened, rusted metal can eventually form a hole, thus causing more serious problems.

Is Your Water Heater Leaking?

In addition to the holes that are caused by rust, there are other reasons why your water heater could be leaking. For example, when the heating element kicks on, your metal tank will naturally expand. If there are any imperfections in the metal, the tank might leak. As the metal cools, the leaks will stop.

However, once again, before you assume your water heater is destined for the recycling truck, it's best to call a plumber to determine why the tank is leaking. The issue might be something as simple as a worn or loose fitting. If the problem is imperfections in the tank's metal, or if there is a large rust spot that is beginning to leak, it's best to replace the water heater.

Your Water Heater's Age

Finally, did you know that the average water heater will last anywhere from 8 to 12 years? If you do not properly maintain your water heater, or if you have a large family that puts a tremendous strain on the unit, the heater could fail even sooner.

Consider replacing your older model with a newer, more energy-efficient water heater. In addition to saving you money, a newer water heater will help ensure that everyone in your home can take a warm shower in the morning.

From pools of water beneath the tank to the water heater's age, there are several reasons why you should consider replacing your water heater. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to contact the professionals at Moody Plumbing, Inc .

Why You Should Consider a Tankless Water Heater

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 17:24:44 GMT

Your hot water heater is an appliance that needs replacement at some point, with gas models lasting six to 12 years. Know that you are not forced to replace a hot water heater with the exact same kind that was there before, and that this is an opportunity to put in the hot water heater that you want. Here are some reasons why you should replace your hot water heater with a tankless model.

The Number of People in Your Household

You must consider the number of people living in your home when determining if a tankless hot water heater is a good idea. If you have a larger household and frequently run out of hot water in the morning with everyone showering, a tankless model will be best. That is because a traditional tank model can only produce so much hot water at once. When the tank runs out, there will be a period when the tank isn't able to keep up with the demand.

A tankless hot water heater will be able to heat the water on demand. You'll never run out of hot water when you have multiple people showering in a row every morning.

The Number of Bathrooms

The number of bathrooms you have will determine if it is best to get a tankless hot water heater, even if you have a big household. Tankless models are good at producing hot water on demand, but they can only produce so much for simultaneous demand. If you have three bathrooms in your home and everyone needs to shower at the same time each morning, you may find that a tankless model will not keep up with demand. A larger, traditional hot water heater will work better because it stores the water until it is ready to use. A tankless hot water heater works great when you have a home with only one or two bathrooms. The appliance will easily be able to keep up with your hot water demands each morning.

The Location

In some homes, the water heater is located in a basement or garage so that it is out of the way. Other homes do not have many options for where the water heater goes, which can mean it’s installed in a closet. A large hot water heater will take up a lot of space in a closet, which is valuable storage space. Switching to a tankless hot water heater will allow you to reclaim your closet for actual storage. A tankless hot water heater can do that because the unit is quite small and can be wall mounted so that it is out of the way.

In addition, some homeowners take the opportunity to move their hot water heater to a new location. This is often done when finishing a basement. The hot water heater can be moved to a place that is out of the way, such as in a small mechanical room with other appliances. There is no need to worry about having nearby access to your chimney for the tankless model to ventilate to the outside because tankless hot water heaters can be vented with a power vent. It allows a tankless model to be vented almost anywhere in your home.

The Energy Savings

Going green may be your biggest concern when selecting a new hot water heater. Tankless models are known to be much more energy-efficient because a traditional unit is wasting energy to keep a tank full of water hot for on-demand use. Tankless models can be as much as 34% more energy-efficient in households that are using 41 gallons of water each day. This can lead to big savings on your energy bills and is more environmentally friendly.

Reach out to Moody Plumbing Inc. for more information on tankless hot water heaters.