Frozen Water Pipes Can Be Avoided

Business and homeowners in Maplewood and North Saint Paul, Stillwater Mn. That are in need of professional plumbers for a wide range of plumbing services can count on  Paul Vadnais Plumbing.

Outdoor frozen pipes

Now that the weather has started to turn for the worse frozen pipes can become a big headache and create lot’s of damage for home and business owners. Fortunately there are several steps that you can take before a disaster strikes! 

 If have not already brought in your outdoor fixtures get them inside before the real cold weather hits.

Freezing temperatures can be problematic for all of your outdoor fixtures that use water. This includes things like garden hoses, bird baths and fountains. Although most of these items are not going to create huge issues a connected garden hose can cause damage to an outdoor spigot and that can indeed effect your homes foundation. Also if the line connected to the spigot ruptures it can leak back into a basement and it may be a while before you notice it.

Contrary to most of our tips on our blogs letting pipes thatmay be exposed to freezing temps could in fact benefit from a slow drip. A slow drip may keep water moving this movement will keep the water from standing still in the pipe. Standing water is a lot more likely to freeze. Just like a lake vs a river.

However you still don’t want to have a steady stream flowing as that may cause issues of it’s own just a slow steady drip can make the difference.

Insulate Pipes.

Insulation Kits for Plumbing Piepes

This is the easiest and least expensive thing you can try. Depending on how exposed the pipes are insulation can usually deter any freezing. Of course if for some reason you have pipes outside or running thru a totally exposed area that gets no heat flow more extensive insulating may be called for. Simply cut pieces of foam pipe sleeves to the right length, run your finger along the slit to open it up, then slip it over the exposed water supply pipes beneath sinks (along outside walls) and pipes in

exposed places like garages, crawl spaces and attics. These insulators are typically $2 - $5 per 6 ft length depending on the material they are made from. Also these plumbing pipe insulation pieces can be found at any home improvement or hardware store. A professional plumber can help to determine which type of pipe insulation and where best to place it to keep your pipes from freezing.

Turn up the Thermostat.

We all try to save money on our heating bills in the winter. Adding just a degree or two may help you prevent your pipes from over exposure to cold and potentialfreezing. If you have pipes under a sink on an exposed wall we have found that keeping the cupboard doors open can allow a little more heat to circulate and prevent pipes from freezing.

Install a Heating Cable

Though this may add a little to your electric bill they typically run at a very low rate and all in all should not deter you from using this method in an area that you are having trouble circulating enough air the keep you pipes from freezing and bursting.

As you can see there are many different methods a plumber can recommend to keep your pipes from bursting in the coming cold season. Contact a professional plumber with lots of experience in these situations. Paul Vadnais Plumbing has over 25 yearsof experience keeping frozen pipes thawed.

Paul Vadnais Plumbing

St Paul Mn Plumbers

651-429-8908

www.paulvadnais-plumbing.com

Plumbers, Plumbing Companies, Maplewood Mn Plumbing Companies, North Saint Paul Mn Plumbing Companies, Oakdale Mn Plumbing Companies, Water Heaters installed, Frozen Pipes, Leaky Pipes, Dishwashers Installed, 

Plumbing Questions Professional Plumbers Deal Withe Everyday

Some frequently asked plumbing questions

Why is flushing my toilet so noisy? How do you avoid frozen pipes? What’s the difference between hard water and soft? Our toilets keep backing up. Could this be caused by tree roots in the sewer line?

Plumbing

Water isn't going into our dishwasher. What is the problem? My refrigerator does not receive water to make ice what is the problem? As professional plumbers we hear questions like this everyday.

These are just a few of the questions we get called on a daily basis. In some cases it is easy to give an over the phone reason and solution to a plumbing problem but it is always better and more professional to travel to the home or business and have a look at the problem so we can give a proper diagnosis.

With over 20 years of plumbing experience we can say at Paul Vadnais Plumbing we have seen pretty much everything, but we are always surprised at how many new plumbing issues can arise on a daily basis.

Let's take a look at some typical plumbing questions we field on a regular basis.

1. Why is my toilet flushing loudly and continuing to run?
If the water rushing into the tank is particularly loud, it may be that water is spraying straight down the overflow pipe resonating on the bottom of the overflow pipe. Try to Turn the water supply off.  Reassemble the fill valve by locking the top cap in place.  To lock, place the cap on the top of the shaft lining up the lever above the refill tube port.  Press the cap down while turning it and the lever clockwise 1/8th of an inch.

2.Water expands as it freezes. This is what can cause plumbing pipes to split or burst in the coldest months of winter. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes.

3. What’s the difference between hard water and soft?  Water hardness and softness has nothing to do with its touch and feel. It is more about chemical compounds dissolved in it. They are both safe for human consumption. The most common technique to determine the hardness of water is by looking at sud formation with soap. There is less lather formation when soap is used with hard water compared to soft water.

4. Why do my toilets keep backing up? A common cause of a backed up toilet is the use of too much toilet paper at a single time. Small toys are often flushed down the toilet by kids, leading to clogged sewerage pipes and a backed up toilet. Clogged leach lines too can cause the toilet to back up. Leach lines are used to take water out of the septic tank and filter it into the ground.

Clogged Toilets

5. Water isn't going into our dishwasher. A malfunctioning float could cause the dishwasher to not fill with water. The float is located at the bottom of the dishwasher tub and acts as a safety device that prevents the dishwasher from over filling with water. The float switch sits below the float, beneath the dishwasher tub. When the float switch is triggered by the float, power to the water inlet valve is interrupted and it stops the flow of water into the dishwasher.

6.  My refrigerator does not receive water to make ice. Check the refrigerator’s filter. When there is no filter, or it is clogged, the ice maker does not get water. Check your refrigerator’s water supply valve for leaks, If there is no moisture on or around the valve, then there are no leaks

These are just a few of the most basic plumbing issues we here at Paul Vadnais Plumbing get called on daily. If you have on of these issues or any number of the many plumbing issues that can arise in a home or business plumbing system call a professional. Paul Vadnais Plumbing. Licensed dependable professional plumbers.

There are a couple of different places where a toilet could be backed up: inside the toilet drain or at the main sewer line for your house.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_12004077_toilet-keeps-backing-up-flushing.html

There are a couple of different places where a toilet could be backed up: inside the toilet drain or at the main sewer line for your house.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_12004077_toilet-keeps-backing-up-flushing.html

There are a couple of different places where a toilet could be backed up: inside the toilet drain or at the main sewer line for your house.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_12004077_toilet-keeps-backing-up-flushing.html

Paul Vadnais Plumbing
308 Sargent Ave
St Paul, Mn 
651-429-8908
www.paulvadnais-plumbing.com

Plumbers, Plumbing Companies, Clogged Drains, Clogged Toilets, Drain Cleaning, Plumbers Maplewood Mn, Plumbers North Saint Paul Mn, Plumbers Oakdale Mn, Plumbers Stillwater Mn. Plumbers Hugo Mn.

Need a Plumber in Maplewood Mn?

Kitchen and Bathroom Plumbers

Remember that time your wife was working in the kitchen with her brand new Christmas present on her finger? Remember that blood curling scream you heard coming from the kitchen sink area? remember when you thought oh god it's gone down the sink! All my savings and now that diamond ring is on it's way to the big septic tank, to be forever lost in a mass of Kleenex, toilet paper and lord only knows what else? 

We ll all is not lost. The first step to take is to shut off the water. This will keep keep any debris from being forced further down the drain. Now look under the sink, What you will find underneath the sink as you open the cabinet doors is what is most commonly known as a P-Trap. A P-trap is a plumbing fixture that has several purposes. It traps debris that has drained from the sink and prevents it from forming a clog deep within the plumbing system. Another function of the P-Trap is to prevent the sewage gases from drifting from the drain pipe into your home or building.

One other nice thing about having this plumbing pipe integrated into your kitchen drain system is it can be a first line of defense against forever loosing expensive or other prized items in everyday kitchen mishaps.

Let's look at some steps you can take to retrieve any item's that may have lost in this way.

Now before you attempt this understand item's do get stuck and sometimes not fully flushed thru the plumbing drain system. This can be anything from food scraps to hair or other items that if you are squemish may a bit of a turn off. For the most part it is not a very messy job, some household rubber gloves would be plenty to handle this task.

This job also for the most part does not require any tools. If your item has gone beyond this trap then you are definitely going to need a professional plumber to get into your plumbing system inmore detail.

View of a typical P-Trap System

Okay so first thing is to locate the water shutoff valves under the sink. Once you are sure these are off you can place a bucket or pan under the p-trap. You won't see much water in the process but it's best to be prepared.

Now you can begin to unscrew the plastic coupling that attaches the drain pipe from the p trap. This should come off fairly easy by turning the coupling counter clockwise. If this is not moving you may need a chanel locks to get some leverage.

Once you get these loose you should easily be able to remove the trap and peer inside to see if you can find your lost item

If your item is not in the trap area you may want to take a flashlight and try and look into the drain pipe section that continues on into the wall. Be careful if you are trying to stick an object such as a pencil or wire of some type you may force your item further into the system. If you can not see the itm or feel it in the drain pipe it very well may have traveled further into the plumbing drain system.

At this point it may bebest to contact a professional plumber immediatley.

Professional plumbers can determine where the natural points in your system may create a point where an item such as an earring or ring could possiblyget hung up or caught up in your stystem.

In most cases although it may take some doing, items can pretty much be retrieved from a plumbing system whether it's a Business or residential Plumbing System.

Need a Plumber in Maplewood Mn? Contact Paul Vadnais Plumbing. We solve Plumbing Problems.

Paul Vadnais Plumbing
St Paul, Maplewood, NSP, Stillwater and more
Professional Licensed Plumbers
651-429-8908
www.paulvadnais-plumbing.com

Plumbers Maplewood Mn, Plumbers Stillwater Mn, Plumbers North Saint Paul Mn, Plumbers Oakdale Mn, Hot Water Heaters, Leaky Pipes, Sinks, Tubs, Toilets, Plumbing Remodel or New Construction

Plumbers are in high demand during the holiday seasons.

Complete Plumbing Solutions

Your home and business host many family, friends and customers. That means extra stress on a homes plumbing systems. You love to host guests but eventually the kitchen system can be overloaded the bathrooms can turn on you. There are extra demands put on shower systems as well as hot water heaters and drains. These are just a few of the basic systems that can fail after or during your guests stays you need a professional plumber on standby a plumber you can count on.

Lets look at some of these systems and see what can go wrong when you need them the most.

Clogged Drains Unclogged Fast

Kitchen Sinks: Lets face it everyone like to gather in the  kitchen today's kitchens are designed for entertaining. The sink is the center of food prep, and cleaning up the mess. Peeling veggies in the sink is a drain clogs The remedy can be anything as easy as a plunger and difficult as dassassembling the drain pipes and utilizing a plumbers snake to get that drain flowing again .
typical activity. These peels can accumulate and create clogs due to the fibrous nature of most vegetables as hard as you may ty there is going to be a lot bits and pieces that will make it past the drain trap. These items are a typical cause for

Garbage Disposals: A garbage disposal can handle the small tasks really well, But there are objects that can find their way into the disposal and case the blades to seize up. This will result in a back up of unwanted garbage. It is at no time a good idea to stick your hand in there. Before you attempt to clean out a clogged disposal disconnect the power. This is usually found under the sink. In most cass it is recommended  to contact a plumber. You plumber can utilize special tools or remove the disposal altogether to remedy the situation.

Hot Water Heaters: Everyone likes a hot shower in the morning. If you have several guests your water heater will be working overtime trying to keep up the supply of hot water. An old system can become overloaded and fail. Cold showers are no fun. This will also disrupt other systems like dishwashers and laundry machines.There a couple items that can fail in a Hot Water Heater it can  be the elements that heat the water, the ignitor that keeps the pilot flame lit and heating, or the entire tank itself. We see tanks spring leaks creating a pool in your home if you can; get to the water shutoff valve fast enough.

Bathroom, Kitchen Plumbers

Bathroom Drains: As you may imagine bathroom drains are subject to clogging quite easily. Hair and soap create a sticky mucky gluey material that is very hard to get shower drains unclogged without professional plumbing assistance. Shower drains are more difficult to access thus making a quick fix more difficult.

Toilets. Not much to cover here the excess use on a homes toilet system can be the end of the line. Keep a plunger handy but if your nephew throws a toy soldier hairbrush or wash rag in there you and your guests are in for a long holiday. A Professional Plumber can remove the  seat and get in there with a camera to see what the obstruction is and remedy the situation with the proper tools.

These are just a few basic problems that plumbers see during the holidays. Plumbing issues can run from very basic to downright difficult. Knowing when to contact your local professional plumber to get the job done right is very important to a continuous plumbing system

One more thing these problems are  not just for homes. Many businesses see an increase in demands on their plumbing systems. Restaurant Plumbing Systems, Convenience Store Plumbing Systems and even restaurant Plumbing Systems take a lot of extra demand and should be monitored to reduce the risk of  system failure.

A few tips to decrease that potential problem.

Keep an eye on drains if they start to slow  down try and utilize your plunger. If you get to them early enough you can reverse any damage.

Keep an eye on the kids. Children are notorious for playing in water and flushing items down drains. Keeping flush able items away from the little guests in your home can reduce the chancesof this happening.

A professional plumber in your area like Paul Vadnais Plumbing, can help your home or business get tru the holiday season with minimal disruptions to your homes guests or your businesses customers.

Paul Vadnais Plumbing
307 Sargent Avenue
Saint Paul, Mn 55090
651-429-8908
www.paulvadnais-plumbing.com

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Plumbers for Businesses or Residences

If you live in Maplewood Mn and you are in need of a Professional Plumber contact, Paul Vadnais Plumbing. When you search online there are many different ways to find the Plumber you need to service your Residential or Commercial Plumbing needs. 

Paul Vadnais Plumbing

If your home  has low water pressure or perhaps you suspect you have a blockage in a main drainage line Paul Vadnais Plumbng can be the professionals you can count on.

Businesses face the same Plumbing concerns as Homeowners. If you own your own business and have an Building that you rent or own you can from time to time come across plumbing issues.

From Lack of water pressure, no hot water, leaky pipes and bad drainange your commercial or business building needs the same services as a Homeowner. Businesses in Maplewood or North Saint Paul, Stillwater Mn are always trying to keep up with the ever aging plumbing fittings, piping and basic plumbing fixtures that are needed daily to keep water flowing.

Sinks - Aerators

Nobody really thinks about where water comes from or where it goes once you have used for it's intended purpose. You simply turn on a faucet and expect the water to stream out. But what happens if it just trickles out or doesn't come out at all.  A break in a main line can temporarily reduce your water pressure. A more faucets. There are typically a stack of screens within these that can get clogged or rusty. Of course there can be any number of issues these are the most basic places to start.
common cause of this problem is a build-up of deposits or sediment on faucet aerators. For a main water supply leak a pressure test is a great place to start to identify leaks. In the case if a clogged aerator they are the unscrew-able ends on the

Sometimes you just need a professional plumber. Luckily in Maplewood, Mn you can count on Paul Vadnais Plumbing for your complete plumbing needs. Let's look at a few other times you may require a professional Plumbing Company.

Twin Cities Top Plumber

Almost every homeowner or renter has a few essential tools on hand to cope with minor plumbing emergencies. Many times, a clogged toilet or slow drain may need a little elbow grease and a plunger to work as intended. If you’re handy around the house, you can generally tackle a small repair such as changing out a worn washer or replacing a drain cover. However, bigger plumbing repair jobs need professional attention. 

 

 When to Call a Professional Plumber

Some issues are too dangerous or complicated to tackle alone. Hire a certified Bradenton, FL plumber for the following tasks for your safety and the integrity of your home:

• installation of new pipes, sinks or tubs
• water heater problems
• new construction that requires building permits
• septic tank leaks
• sewer line breaks or leaks

A professional Plumber in Maplewood Mn. should be licensed by the state, have proper Insurance and be able to offer a wide range of Plumbing Products and Supplies.

Paul Vadnais Plumbing is a 4th generation Plumbing Company that is committed to providing Homeowners and Businesses in the Maplewood Mn, North Saint Paul Mn, Oakdale, Stillwater Mn area. Our trucks are staffed with licensed professionals and all the supplies we need to repair a Plumbing or Well problem. Don't wait until it's too late callus today!

Paul Vadnais Plumbing
307 Sargent Ave
St Paul, Mn 55090
651-429-8908
www.paulvadnais-plumbing.com

Hot Water Heaters, Boilers, Sinks, Tubs, Hot Tubs, Dishwashers, Leaky Pipes, Toilets, Wells, Back Check Valves, Sewer Lines, Sewer Inspection, Leaky Faucets 

Water Pressure from Well or Municipal Water Systems

Maplewood Mn. residents can count on Paul Vadnais Plumbing for all of their Residential and Commercial Plumbing needs. If your home or business is suffering from low water pressure or leaky pipes you need a Plumber with experience to diagnose and repair your plumbing issue fast.

There are many different reasons a homeowner or business owner in the Maplewood Mn. area. Leaky pipes, slow drains, no hot water?, or maybe you are in the process of installing new fixtures in a bathroom or kitchen. Having a professional plumbing company providing quality solutions to your needs will give you piece of mind at the end of the day that the job is being done right.

 

One benefit of utilizing a professional plumber for your water supply needs is having access to the latest and greatest parts and supplies. Plumbing has come a long way since the days of the Romans however the principles remain the same. You need a strong and steady supply to service your home or business daily water needs and you will need a clean system to drain dirty or used water away from your property.

Your watersupply is going to depend a lot based on where that water is coming from. If your main water supply is coming from a well or if you are being supplied by a city water system can have a huge impact for instance on water pressure.

Water pressure from a well can be interrupted by dirty or clogged lines or a poorly performing pump that may be outdated and in need of repair or replacement.

WELL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS: If your water is provided by a private well and the pressure or flow seem to vary or start and stop then troubleshooting may include checking,

       Has someone partially shut off the main or some other water supply valve?

           Is there water in the well? If so, how much water is in the well? Is the well being pumped "dry"

          Are the well pump controls turning on the pump properly?

          Is the well pump actually running?

These are just a few basic places to start to analyze issues related to well water pressure there are

many more to consider but these are the basics and a great place for any Professional Plumber to begin troubleshooting your water pressure issues.

There a few less moving parts if your water supply is coming from a city or municipal water systems if you have a low water pressure issue on this type of system it is more likely to be caused by a clogged supply line or a leak. Sometimes leaks can be detectable visually, (if you see a leaky pipe). Or sometimes they can be a little harder to identify. For instance a leak may be originating underground or in an enclosed area that is not easily accessible.

In either case hiring a professional plumber can reduce the risk of damage caused by a low water pressure issue in your home or business.

In summary if you have a well water supply system or a city or municipal system maintaining a consistent flow of water to supply your plumbing system is very important. 

Contact: Paul Vadnais Plumbing, Licensed Well and Plumbing Company. 4th Generation Plumbers for your Home or Business

Paul Vadnais Plumbing 

Saint Paul and Surrounding Suburbs

651-429-8908

www.paulvadnais-plumbing.com

Plumbers, Plumbing Companies, Plumbers Maplewood Mn, Plumbers Stillwater Mn, Plumbers North Saint Paul Mn, Plumbers Oakdale Mn

Plumbers in Maplewood Mn make your water systems flow uninterrupted

If you live in the Maplewood, Oakdale, North Saint Paul Mn area we have the plumbing expertise to fix bad plumbing or replace new plumbing fixtures.

Paul Vadnais Plumbing is a 4th generation plumbing company we are licensed by the state of Mn. and we are proud to offer a wide range of Plumbing Services.If you have a plumbing issue you can count on us to provide professional affordable plumbing and well services.

Professional Plumbers

Homeowners have a lot of choices out there when it comes to hire a local professional plumber. When you are choosing a plumbing contractor to work with the first thing that comes to mind is trust. If a plumbing system goes bad you can be looking at ten's of thousands of dollars and perhaps even having to relocate while repairs to your home or business is being completed.

If you are looking to hire a plumbing contractor whether it's for a repair or a complete  remodel of your plumbing system you have to remember you will be getting all sorts of bids or pricing on the work you need to have  done. Of course there are independent plumbers you can find on line like craigslist  or maybe you have a neighbor or cousin that has done some "plumbing on the side". This may seem appealing but be cautious. Will they be available after the job is completed and a problem arises? are they certified by the state and up to date on local codes? These are very important thing's to consider.

If a plumber shows up to do an estimate are they driving a professional vehicle or do they appear together and knowledgeable about the plumbing issues you are facing. Does the plumber you are talking to have access to a wide range of fixtures for you to choose from or do they get all their supplies from a local building center.

Although maybe not the most important question but very relevant would be the type of payments do they accept.A professional plumber should accept credit cards as well as checks and cash. It is becoming more likely a home or business owner will want to pay with a credit cards to earn rewards point or miles.

In any case as we mentioned there are a lot of ways to find a reliable plumber in the Maplewood, Oakdale, North Saint Paul Mn areas. When you are choosing a plumbing contractor choose one you can trust like Paul Vadnais Plumbing. 4th Generation Mn Licensed Plumbing Company

Paul Vadnais Plumbing
St Paul, Mpls Plumbers
651-429-8908
www.paulvadnais-plumbing.com

Plumbers, Plumbing Companies, Plumbers Maplewood Mn, Plumbers North Saint Paul Mn, Plumbers Oakdale Mn, Plumbers Stillwater Mn