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Connecticut Plumber Explains Why Hot Water May Not Be Coming Out of the Shower

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Hot water is a crucial component of any shower, and when it stops flowing, it can be a major inconvenience. There are several potential causes for this problem, and it’s important to understand them in order to get your hot water back as soon as possible. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common reasons why hot water may not be coming out of your shower, as well as what you can do to fix the issue.

Connecticut Plumber Shares Insight On Potential Causes

One of the most common causes of hot water not coming out of the shower is a malfunctioning water heater. Your water heater is responsible for heating the water that flows through your pipes, and if it’s not working properly, the water that comes out of your shower will be cold. This can be caused by a variety of issues, such as a broken thermostat, a clogged burner, or a malfunctioning heating element. In most cases, a professional Connecticut plumber will be able to diagnose and repair the problem.

Another common cause of hot water not coming out of the shower is a clogged or broken shower head. If your shower head is clogged with mineral buildup, the water flow will be restricted, and the water that comes out will be colder. Additionally, if the showerhead is broken, water may not flow through it at all. If you suspect that your shower head is the problem, you can try cleaning it or replacing it.

A third cause of hot water not coming out of the shower is a problem with the plumbing. If the pipes that supply hot water to your shower are clogged or broken, the water flow will be restricted, and the water that comes out will be colder. In some cases, the problem may be due to a leak in the pipes, which can cause water to escape before it reaches the showerhead. A plumber will be able to diagnose and fix any issues with the plumbing.

Finally, it is also possible that the problem is with the water supply from the city. It could be an issue with the water being too cold coming from the source, this can be verified by checking the water temperature at different points in your home. If this is the case, it will require the help of the local water department to fix the issue.

Contact a Trusted Plumber Today

If you’re experiencing a lack of hot water coming out of your shower, it’s important to understand that there are several potential causes. By understanding the possible reasons, you can take the necessary steps to get your hot water back as soon as possible. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing hot water issues contact our licensed, professional Connecticut plumber today by calling (860) 863-8189. We’re here to help!

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Best Plumber in Connecticut Sheds Light On Why Service Prices Have Increased

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Due to the drastic increase in inflation over the past year, COVID shutting down our economy for an extended period of time, the change in the country’s leadership, and much more, we’ve noticed as consumers that our dollar won’t go as far in today’s society compared to just a few years ago. 

Not only has a gallon of milk at the grocery store increased in price, but so has the cost of PVC pipes, valves, fuel, and other material a plumber needs to service various repairs and projects. Be sure to do your research about costs and what to look for when hiring a reliable plumber before selecting a contractor. Below, we’ll dive into one of the leading challenges in the industry and a common reason why costs continue to increase – skilled labor employment rates.

Best Plumber in Connecticut Shares Industry Stats

Not only do we face challenges in today’s economy with the rise in material costs, but we also are continuing to battle the skilled labor industry employment rates, which affect the increase in service price. See the images below for notable statistics.

*Data from November 2022 BLS Employment Situation report.
Image Source: https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/america-works-data-center

For the plumbing industry, we fall under “professional and business services” so we hover around a 3% quit rate. Therefore, making it even more challenging to find a reliable, licensed plumber as a consumer – and as an employer in the plumbing industry. Meaning, our currently employed, licensed plumbers are in high demand for repairs/projects. To keep our team from getting overwhelmed, we have to keep prices competitive and fair with the increased demand. We also have to keep in mind the rise in material cost as mentioned above, and below.

Rise in Cost for Plumbing Material 

A few months ago, in September of this year (2022), Spectrum News interviewed a plumbing company asking about how the increased cost of materials has affected their business. They noted that copper and PVC piping material are two staples in the plumbing industry, as well as cast-iron pipes, although they’re slowly being replaced as years pass.

The Co-President Mike Wallenstein said in his interview:

PVC pipe has gone up about 75% and the fittings about 83% for PVC fittings. We’ve seen cast-iron pipe go up about 83%.

https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2022/09/07/pipe-costs-increasing-for-plumbers

And trust us plumbers, we feel the effects across the industry. Of course, we’re all hoping for the economy to turn around in the near future but we could be waiting some time for prices to fall again. Know your budget, research your potential plumber, research the plumbing industry, and simply be prepared for costs that could come along with any plumbing request.

Do Your Research Before Hiring a Licensed Plumber

Moonlight Plumbing, the best plumber in Connecticut, wanted to shed light on the realities of today’s economy and plumbing industry. We want to be sure you’re hiring the best plumber for the job you’re looking to tackle. Read more about things to look for, outside of costs, when choosing the best plumber for any project/repair. If you have plumbing questions or needs, contact our team of experts at (860) 863-8189. We’re always happy to help!

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Sewer and Drain Tips :: Plumbing Basics

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Sewer and Drain Cleaning

You’ve come to the right place, we can help! Whether you’re looking for guidance on a routine cleaning schedule, have a strange odor coming from your sewer drains, or a drain has started making weird noises, we have tips to help clean and unclog any pesky pipes.

Routine Cleaning

To avoid sewer or drainage problems in the first place, we strongly recommend cleaning your lines often with an enzyme cleaner. These cleaners are found at most hardware stores and serve many different purposes, but any high-grade cleaner will work.

Once you’ve purchased an enzyme cleaner, you’ll want to follow the cleaner’s instructions and dump it into your basement drain. If your basement drain is unavailable, find a large drain to dump it into. Enzyme cleaners work over time, so be sure to let it soak and have time to break down bacteria.

Make Sure You Have a Snake

If you’re already experiencing a clog, you will need to try something more than a cleaner. Any minor clog is typically fixed with a tool called a snake. They’re long, and easy to shove down a drain and pull out or move blockages. You want to avoid breaking the line. If you can’t get through a blockage – don’t force the snake, it’s probably a bigger clog than you think and it’s time to call a professional.

Homemade Cleaning Solution

To break down grease and grime, you can use baking soda mixed with vinegar as a solvent. You’ll want to use one part baking soda and one part vinegar for the mixture. When these two products are mixed together, they have a chemical reaction where it foams and breaks down any grease build up. We recommend this option for any sink drain issues, but can be an option for backed up drains anywhere in your home.

Flushing Your Pipes

This option is only viable if you are not dealing with a clog as it requires water to run through your system. All you need to do is mix a bit of the drain cleaner into the toilet water and flush. Note, drain cleaner is different from enzyme cleaner in that it uses chemicals to break down the bacteria. Therefore, you don’t want to use this on your pipes too often as it could cause wear and deterioration on your pipes. This will help the cleaner to run through and coat pipes to help avoid clogs.

*Again, do not try this option if a clog already exists.

Need a Plumbing Professional?

Any of these options are great to catch a clog in its early stages or prevent future clogs. Often, though, we catch them once the damage is already done and you’ll likely need an expert to assess the situation.

Call our team anytime to check out your sewer and drainage issues. You can reach out to us by emailing moonlightplumbingllc@gmail.com or calling (860) 863-8189. We look forward to helping you!

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What You Need to Know About Replacing Your Existing Cast Iron Drain Pipes

residential drainage

If your house was built 50-100 years ago, you’re probably looking at replacing your cast iron drain pipes. They’ve likely started to leak, discolor your water, or caused some sort of plumbing issue in your home. Now, the big debate. Do you repair the damage done or replace the pipes altogether? Our experts at Moonlight Plumbing are here to help guide you through your decision making process and help fix your residential drainage issues.

Common Issues That Arise with Cast Iron Pipes

Cast iron pipes were designed to last for long periods of time. In fact, they were created to last 80 to 100 years, outlasting many of us. The caveat is you have to properly maintain them to make them last so long. Even if they are properly maintained, there’s no avoiding natural disasters like tree roots interfering with the underground plumbing systems. Most certainly, though, if not properly cared for, deterioration of cast iron pipes will happen at a very rapid rate. There’s truly no telling WHEN your pipes will go bad. But our experts can say, with confidence, they WILL go bad. If your home has cast iron pipes, consider investing in PVC pipes to save your house from the following problems:

  1. Discolored Water and/or Odors Around Your Home
  2. Mold in the Walls
  3. Slow Drains
  4. Cracks
  5. Sewage Puddles
  6. Lawn or Driveway Indentations
  7. Pest Infestations
  8. And More!
  • residential plumbing
  • residential plumber

Why You Should Not Repair Cast Iron Pipes, Rather Replace Them

We’ve all heard the saying “We won this battle, but not the war.” The same logic can be applied to cast iron pipe repairs. The fix may work temporarily, but after a short time there will be many other issues that arise. If you have to do a repair to the pipes, in general, that means their usage and time has nearly come to an end. The small, less expensive repairs will end up costing quite a bit and you will eventually need to replace the pipes. Thus, making all the time, effort and money put into the many small repairs a waste.

To make the full replacement cost less of a burden, you can always look into splitting up the replacement into phases. Meaning, replace a section of the pipes month one then do another section at month six. This is not always a feasible option as it varies depending on the house and piping. It also depends on if the contractor is able/willing to do this. It doesn’t hurt to ask, though!

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Conclusion: Call One of Our Experts for Your Residential Drainage Issues

At Moonlight Plumbing, our experts have handled various cast iron pipe repairs and replacements. We want to help guide you through your decision when it comes to any residential drainage issues. Contact our team today to further discuss your options and see how we may be able to help

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Four Plumbing Cleaning Tips and Tricks from Your Residential Plumber

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Has the pandemic had you looking around for your next home project? It may not be as exciting as a new build or a paint refresh, but as a residential plumber that sees it all, I bet your plumbing could use some TLC. Think of it as getting a head start on spring cleaning! 

With entire families having spent so much time at home the past several months, everyone’s plumbing has been working on overdrive and would benefit from a good cleaning. Fortunately, our residential plumber knows a handful of simple and effective ways you can clean your plumbing fixtures without many tools.

1. Clean Those Drains

While the drains in your home may be functioning just fine at the moment, consider giving them a quick clean. Gunk and grime will pile up over time leaving you with a clogged drain if you do not clean regularly. Cleaning out your sink, tub and shower drains every so often will also prevent future clogs. 

What you need: white vinegar, baking soda, hot water

  • Pour ½ a cup of baking soda down your drain 
  • Pour ½ a cup of white vinegar and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes 
  • Boil water 
  • After 15 minutes, pour one cup of your hot water down each drain
  • Repeat if necessary
  • spring cleaning on your plumbing
  • residential plumbing cleaning

2. Clear Your Traps

If you didn’t know, the “trap” is the curved pipe beneath your sink connecting the drain pipe to the sewer pipe. The purpose of this pipe is to hold some flushed water. This sitting water creates a seal in the pipe that prevents smelly sewer gases from coming back up. The unfortunate part of this curve is that it can also retain other items you flush. A regular trap cleaning can prevent clogs.

What you need: rubber gloves, bucket, wrench, scrub brush and soap

  • Put on rubber gloves
  • Place a bucket beneath the trap
  • Loosen slip nuts using a wrench (you can also try by hand) 
  • Remove the trap and pour everything inside into the bucket 
  • Scrub out your trap with soap and water
  • Replace the trap and tighten the slip nuts. 
  • Run the sink to ensure water is flowing correctly

3. Clean Shower Heads

Showerhead nozzles get clogged overtime with scale build-up from water minerals and the usual grime. When your home uses hard water, you’ll find this happening more often. To get the most out of your shower, use this quick cleaning method.

What you need: white vinegar, baking soda, gallon size plastic bag, rubber band 

  • Pour ⅓ cup of white vinegar into plastic bag
  • Put ⅓ cup of baking soda into plastic bag
  • Shake the bag and tie it around the nozzle with the showerhead submerged

You can also try removing your showerhead and scrubbing the nozzles from the inside. You’ll need to remove the filter, so clean that out while you’re in there!

4. Clean Grout Mold

Dark and humid environments are the perfect place for mold spores to spread. This means showers can be one of the biggest culprits that carry mold in your home. Take a look at your grout lines and see if there are dark spots between the tiles. Over time, if this mold grows, it can spread to other parts of your bathroom and eventually affect your health. 

What you need: white vinegar, spray bottle, coarse scrub brush, toothbrush, caulk

  • Ventilate your bathroom 
  • Put white vinegar into a spray bottle
  • Spray the solution onto mold and scrub with brush
  • Use a toothbrush for hard to clean grout lines
  • Caulk any missing or worn out grout lines once you are finished cleaning.
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  • residential plumber

Need Assistance? Contact Our Residential Plumber Today!

Take it from this residential plumber that your energy is never wasted on a quick cleaning. However, if you do not have the time or motivation to clean your plumbing, we are here to help. Moonlight plumbing covers Mystic and Stonington, CT, and we are open and ready when you are. Whether you need a plumbing cleaning, fixture repair or replacement, we can handle any job no matter how big or small. Contact us today!

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Water Heater Plumber Provides Insight On Hot Water Heater Temperature Setting

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Nearly 20% of your energy bill is calculated from your water heater. Our water heater plumber says that setting your water heater temperature too high/too low can do more harm than good. For example, if your water heater temperature is too high, you’re paying for that extra cost. On the contrary, if your water heater is too low you may experience an inconvenience with lack of hot water. Also, with lower water temperatures, you’re at greater risk for growing bacteria in your tank.

The EPA recommends a temperature of 120˚F for a water heater. It typically avoids insufficient hot water supply, is energy-efficient for billing purposes, and is a comfortable temperature for family members of all ages. But, there are a few reasons why you may want to set your heater above or below the recommended amount.

Reasons For Straying From the Recommended Temperature Setting

  • If you have a dishwasher that doesn’t preheat water, you may want to set the water heater to 140˚F.
  • If children or Elderly are in the facility, you may want to keep it lower due to burning concerns.
  • Individuals with suppressed immune systems or respiratory disease should keep the hot water at 140˚F.
  • Individuals living alone may want to keep it lower to try to save money since demand for water is less.
  • In general, every 10˚F you turn it down, you can save an average of 3-5% on your energy bill.
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  • water heater plumber
  • water heater plumber

Other Notes About Water Temperature Setting

  • Need to know what your current water temperature setting is set to? It can be found by looking at the dial on the water heater. Or, if you don’t have a dial, you can take a temperature reading from any faucet. If you do a measurement from the faucet, be sure to let the water run for a few minutes to get the most accurate reading.
  • If you’re unsure on the temperature your water heater should be set, start at 120˚F change by intervals of 5-10˚F. You know you found the perfect temperature when…
    • You get enough hot water to shower, wash dishes, do laundry, etc without running out.
    • Children or other family members are not at risk of injury/burns.
    • It’s comfortable to cleanse with but is still at a respectable temperature to be wary of the energy bill.
  • If you decide you need to lower your water heater temperature, but are worried about bacteria growth, you could install a hot water tank booster. This will store the water at 140˚F, but will mix with cooler water before reaching the faucet. Thus, you get water about 120˚F by the time it is pouring into your hands and you can rest assured that bacteria isn’t infecting your water heater.

Water Heater Plumber Near You

Find a water heater plumber near you. In our previous blog we shared the different types of water heaters we offer at Moonlight Plumbing. Talk with one of our professionals today to see which water heater is best suited for your home/facility. Also discuss what temperature to which your water heater should be set. Anyway we can help, we’re here for you!

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Connecticut Plumber Suggests Getting Away From Fossil Fuels and Into Renewable Energy

Many of us see eliminating oil heat from our house as a daunting task. A lot of us see the larger upfront cost and don’t really understand the benefits of paying for this upgrade. You’re not alone thinking the costs won’t outweigh the benefits. But, our Connecticut plumber wants to help clarify why you should be weary of using oil to heat your water/home and look into investing in a more renewable energy source. And, when/if you’re ready to make the switch we know just who to call!

Connecticut Plumber Shares the Oil Facts

If our planet doesn’t reduce its carbon footprint by 50% in the next two decades, we’ll all experience serious consequences. This means many of us need to stop using oil in our homes. Oil is used for three main reasons in our home: to heat water, living space, or the chimney. One of the biggest issues with using oil to heat your home is the “standby” losses that occur with your boiler. Typically, about a quarter of your heat is wasted by escaping through your chimney or into your basement!

There are countless other downfalls of using oil as your main heat source. Here are just a few of the “big factors” we’d like to share. Typically, oil has higher fuel cost because \ heating oil is more expensive than heating natural gas. Also, oil requires a lot of maintenance. Dirt and soot often get mixed in the oil and build up causing issues. So, more times than one would like, there are repair men sent to the house to help clean out the build up. Finally, in general, oil heat is just inconvenient. It doesn’t have the pipeline infrastructure so you have to store the oil in a tank and refill regularly.

Solutions We Offer at Moonlight Plumbing

If you’re looking to replace/upgrade your system, we have a couple options at Moonlight Plumbing that may suit your needs.

  • Option #1: Tankless Water Heaters
    • Saves Money – it prevents the system from heating water that won’t be used.
    • Efficient – It only uses energy to heat the water on an as-needed basis.
    • Longevity – You’ll be less likely to replace your water heater.
    • No Limit to Hot Water – It heats water on demand so there’s never a chance of running out.
  • Option #2: Conventional Water Heaters
    • There are two subcategories when selecting this option; natural gas or electric.
    • Option A – Natural Gas Heaters:
      • Cheaper Than Oil – there’s more stable supply and demand for gas making it cheaper than oil.
      • Requires Little Maintenance – gas burns cleaner than oil resulting in less build up of dirt or other particles. Therefore, less repairs/cleaning necessary.
      • Gas is Nontoxic – it won’t contaminate soil or groundwater if it leaks.
    • Option B – Electric Heaters:
      • Safe and Reliable – most have no moving parts which means there’s less chance of breaking down. Thus, resulting in longer life span as well.
      • Affordable and Efficient – it’s the cheapest option of heating a home because of stable supply and demand for a long period of time now.
        • They can also be wired room to room so if a room is not in use, you won’t need to heat it saving you money
      • Environmentally Friendly – doesn’t require the burning of anything so it will not emit pollutants into the atmosphere. It also eliminates the risk of gas leaks.
  • connecticut plumber
  • connecticut plumber

Let Us Help You Find a Better Solution

While there is no right or wrong way to heat your house, our Connecticut plumber believes there is a worse and better solution. Finding the right solution to heat your home so it’s affordable, reliable, and efficient is important. If you’re ready to help stop pollution, save money in the long term, and upgrade your home by switching your oil heater to natural gas or electric, call one of our experts today. Or, if you have questions or need more information reach out on our website, too! We look forward to helping you find a better way to heat your home.

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Tips for Finding the Right Plumber

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It’s inevitable that a majority of us will need to call a plumber at some point in our lives. Whether your plumbing breaks because of an accident, the daily wear and tear, or one of the many other reasons it’s bound to happen. And, whatever the reason, you’ll most likely be calling an expert for help. But, how do you know if you’re choosing a reliable plumber? How do you know if the pricing is fair? Many of us have never done this before, what makes a plumber a good plumber? These are all important and great questions to have answers to before making that initial call. We’re here to provide some answers and helpful tips on how to choose the right plumber for the job.

Our Plumber Suggests to Check These Things

  • Check Qualifications

    • You want to ensure they have a license. Licenses are a REQUIREMENT for all practicing plumbers.
    • Also ensure they have insurance in case of disasters. You don’t want them to get hurt in your home and try to hold you responsible.
    • Before scheduling a visit, ask if they do background checks on employees. After all, the plumber will be entering your home, place of business, etc. and you shouldn’t have to worry about the broken plumbing and the plumber fixing it.

  • How Professional Are They?

    • Yes, they are just “plumbers” but plumbers represent a business. Don’t work with a plumber who doesn’t treat you with kindness and respect!
    • Ensure they are dressed appropriately for the job. Showing up in sweatpants and a ripped up t-shirt isn’t what we call “professional”.
    • Don’t forget, professionalism also includes scheduling and invoicing. Arriving to appointments, scheduled phone calls, etc. should be on time and well organized in general.

  • Are they prepared for emergencies?

    • A professional plumber should never put you off, tell you to wait, or act like your emergency is unimportant. He/she should also not panic and should help you feel more at ease about the situation after just a short phone call.
    • They should have 24/7 availability for all urgent needs. A good plumber knows that you don’t ask for your kitchen to flood at a certain time, but you need it to be stopped ASAP!
    • And, last but not least, they should obviously have the appropriate equipment to handle the urgent situation.
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  • plumber
  • plumber

  • Pricing

    • A plumber has expertise in his/her field so prices can be higher than some expect. But, ensure they are not too high to a point where they are likely taking advantage of the situation. Also, take caution of plumbers who seem “cheap”. There could be a reason for this. For example, using low quality products for the repair or they may be inexperienced. Just be aware when getting estimates.
    • Also, be weary of plumbers who provide an estimate over the phone without ever seeing the situation in person. How do they know how much it costs if they haven’t seen what they’re fixing? We don’t know how they do it!
    • While it is expected that initial estimates will not match the total to the penny, they should be close. An experienced plumber understands we all have a budget and saying one price and charging another isn’t right or fair. But, also understand things may come about during the repair. A professional will discuss any options with you prior to acting on them if they suspect additional charges.

  • Look at Reviews

    • A reliable, trustworthy plumber won’t, and doesn’t need to, hide their customer’s feedback. While no ones perfect, an average of ratings can give a good impression of the type of service you will receive.
    • At the end of the day, the work speaks for itself. Trust the reviews! See what customers have to say about us on Google, HomeAdvisor, or on our website.

  • Find a Local Plumber

    • Typically, plumbing issues are an urgent matter so finding someone who can come ASAP is important. If you hire a non-local it could take quite some travel time, fitting in their schedule can be more difficult, and overall is typically a longer process from start to finish.
    • Also, if there are further pressing issues, you want to be able to call the plumber familiar with the situation to take another look. It’s definitely more difficult to get the exact same plumber out to your house when the business is a large corporation.
    • This may be stereotypical, but typically local plumbers have more respect for the town and the people in it. Also, unlike the big corporate plumbers, local plumbers are less focused on the money and more concerned with the service. All in all, TRUST LOCAL!
    • Moonlight is the number one local plumber in Mystic, CT. But, don’t take our word for it. We let our work speak for itself and let our customers speak for the work. Read the reviews above to find out why we are the number one local plumber in Mystic.

See If We’re a Good Fit

Take this information and use it to choose the right plumber for the job. At the end of the day, you want a plumber who can fix the issue(s), but you also want to be treated with respect and feel assured your plumbing is in good hands. Talk to one of our plumbers today to see if we’re a good fit to help you!

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Commercial Contracting Tip: What You Need to Know About Sewer Inspections, Repairs, and Maintenance

commercial contracting

If you go back to your grandparents era, you would see that sewer repairs were quite a headache. Thanks to ever-advancing technology, these repairs and inspections have become much easier to execute today. But, sewer repairs/maintenance can quickly become costly or cause much bigger issues with your piping. Especially, if you own a commercial property space. Understanding how to properly maintain your underground sewer for your commercial contracting properties can help to avoid costly repairs. We’re here to give you the inside scoop on sewer inspections, repairs, and maintenance so you know what to expect and how to properly care for your commercial property’s underground sewer.

Commercial Contracting – How We Complete Sewer Repairs

  • Just a few, short years ago we would have to do extravagant work if a sewer needed repairs. Typically, involving huge excavations, a dug up yard or street, and a mess overall.
  • Professionals often suggest a common repair called “pipe relining”. This process involves a high pressure hydro jet to help clean out a pipe. Then, he/she will insert the new pipe to line up against the old one in hopes that it hardens. This will prevent leakage in the pipes and help keep trees from rooting into them.
  • Another common repair is called a Resin injection. An expert will often do this when there are a few minor cracks in the piping. Professionals will dig to reveal the cracked pipe and proceed to fill cracks with resin which will eventually harden sealing the cracks.
  • Often, though, these repairs can get expensive fast at commercial properties. So, to avoid having to do repairs on your sewer, always do inspections and regular maintenance to your pipes.

How We Do Sewer Inspections

  • Your first sewer inspection should take place before buying a commercial property. This way you can avoid buying a property with sewer problems – what a headache!
  • Inspections are done by professionals with the proper knowledge and equipment to get a proper evaluation.
  • The expert will do the sewer inspection using a camera. The camera goes down into the piping and can help us see, at the surface, if there are clogs, cracks, root intrusions, or other areas of concern.

Commercial Contracting: Maintenance Tips and Tricks to Avoid Costly Repairs

  • Plant trees away from sewer lines on your commercial property (this will potentially avoid roots getting into the sewer pipes in later years).
  • Keep trees watered during drought. One reason roots get so long is because they are searching for water. Longer roots means greater chance of interference with pipes.
  • Know signs of sewer backup.
    • If multiple drains become slow on the commercial property at once, you have an issue!
    • Or, if water is running from one fixture to the next (instead of flushing down the drain).
    • Also, there’s likely a backup if you hear gurgling noises when water is flushed down pipes.
  • Always avoid putting any items down the drain that are not meant to be in pipes (hair, grease, etc) to help prevent clogging. Use proper tools to unclog drains from the store or contact a professional for extensive clogs.
commercial contracting

Need Sewer Help?

It’s important to keep up with sewer inspections and do routine maintenance, especially in commercial space, to avoid costly repairs. Understanding how sewers work, how to maintain them, and how to avoid repairs in general will help save you money and a headache. We hope the provided information is helpful from our commercial contracting team. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing sewage issues, contact our professionals today for expert help and guidance.

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Moonlight Plumbing Shares Out of Town Checklist

moonlight plumbing

If you’re going to be away from the house for a few days, a week, or even longer you’ll want to do a few things to your plumbing before you leave. Our plumbers at Moonlight Plumbing wanted to share a few, simple plumbing obligations that can help save money. It can even, potentially, save you from water mess caused by a leaky or broken pipe while you’re away.

Imagine it, you leave the house to go see family for a week. The best “vacation” we can get during quarantine. You really enjoy catching up with everyone and getting out of the house. You’re feeling relaxed for maybe the first time in a while. But, when you return home there’s a puddle of water on the kitchen floor. Your head starts spinning on where to start to clean up the mess. Before you arrive at a solution, you’re panicked at what broke and how much is it going to cost to fix it? Well, we want to provide you and your family with a helpful plumbing checklist to potentially avoid messes like this. You can use our list below to help check your plumbing is all set before you leave the house.

moonlight plumbing

Moonlight Plumbing Before You Leave Checklist

Turn off the main water supply

  • No one is going to be home and using the water, so no one will be missing it. Save yourself the potential headache from a water pipe breaking and leaking while you’re not home!

Clean the garbage disposal

  • Probably one of the smelliest places in our house. Ensuring your disposal doesn’t have food sitting in it while you’re away will help minimize the smell. You should run a disposal frequently anyway, but especially do it right before you leave for a period of time.

Clean the toilets

  • Another smelly spot in our homes. Flushing the toilets frequently helps to eliminate/minimize odors. But, if no one flushes it for a week it can get quite the odor if not appropriately cleaned before leaving. 

Check the sump pump

  • If there is a major flood in your basement due to a broken pipe, heavy rainfall, etc. you want to ensure your sump pump is going to help get the water out. You can test your pump by pouring a bucket of water into it and waiting for it to kick on. If it does, you’re all set. If not, give us a call.

Inspect and turn off water heater

  • If you’re turning off your main water supply, you certainly don’t need hot water. If you have a tank-based water heater, you can simply turn off the valve. This will also help save money because the water will no longer continue to cycle to keep warm while you’re away. You can actually drain the water out of your system and inspect for leaks before leaving as well. To be sure you do these maintenance preparations correctly, contact one of our professionals.

Shut off automatic ice maker

  • This is one a lot of people don’t think about. Your ice maker will continue to run and cost you money even though no one is using the ice.

Ensure outdoor sprinklers work properly (if you have them)

  • If you have an automatic sprinkler system, check that it’s set to run at the correct times each day. Also, double check that it’s following the proper schedule. The last thing you need is dead grass from the sprinklers not running, or a flooded yard from them never shutting off!

Leave washer and dishwasher doors open

  • Final little piece of information is to keep the washer and dishwasher doors open. This will help prevent a musty/old food smell, as well as mold. While unpleasant if you forget this, just be sure to run them empty when you get home. Try using a cleaner when you run it to get the pipes clear again and help the smell go away.
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Returning Home

Remember, once you return home, to turn on the water heater, main water supply, sprinklers, ice maker, etc. You’ll want to flush the toilets and run the garbage disposal again. You’ll want to do this as soon as possible because regular flushing and rinsing helps prevent odors in these appliances. But, if you forget to do any of these things before leaving for vacation, and you find yourself in a messy situation – call our professionals at Moonlight Plumbing! Unfortunately, we’ve seen countless flooded rooms, broken/leaky pipes, and faulty appliances in general. But because of this, we know how to properly clean up and repair the mess the first time around. We’re here if you need us!

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