How to Detect a Slab Leak

You may have heard friends discussing a slab leak that’s occurred in their house but not understood what it is. This is perhaps one of the most serious plumbing issues you can have. Slab leaks are common in those parts of the country that suffer earthquakes, but they can happen anywhere, even in Florida. The slab of your home is actually the concrete foundation that your house sits on. Beneath this surface is a network of copper pipes. These pipes can fail over time in hot or cold water lines, or in drain lines from any household appliance that requires water or draining.

Slab leaks utilize a specific leak detection process. Even if your house is new, it can still benefit from leak detection so that you can quickly have damage fixed.

Why Is a Slab Leak a Concern?

A slab leak affects the copper water lines that run beneath the concrete foundation of your house. When leaks occur above ground, in the walls or the ceilings of your home, they are known as pinhole leaks. Both types of leaks can be caused by long-term corrosion of copper pipes. Leaks can damage the structure of your home over time. While anything can be repaired, failing to fix slab leaks in a timely manner can be extremely expensive. If you fail to detect slab leaks over time, your foundation can collapse.

Where Do Slab Leaks Cause Problems?

Slab leak detection devices will check on the pressure side or the drainage side of your house’s foundation. If the leak is discovered on the pressure side of your drains, then it can be fixed before it causes a lot of damage. When leaks are on the drainage side they can be considerably harder to detect. Since they’re trickier to spot, the untrained person may miss them. These leaks can happen for years, even without any external indicators.

Why Do Slab Leaks Occur?

Besides the regular corrosion of pipes, some of the damage may have been caused during installation in your home. They may also have been incorrectly installed, which can cause issues when the entire house is sitting on them.

Over time, the ground and the foundation can shift. This places pressure on your pipes. If they’re high quality, then they can withstand a lot of pressure. If pipes don’t have enough room for expansion, then they can rub against each other, or the gravel or concrete, and wear down over time.

What Is the Best Preventative?

These types of leaks are not visible. Often they can develop and worsen over time. Besides the potential for foundation collapse, termites can move into your house, or molds can develop and damage your house.

To prevent damage to your foundation, which can lead to your house collapsing, it’s important to hire plumbers who have experience with leak detection. Whether you suspect you have a slab leak in your home, or your house is over thirty years old, please book a slab leak detection visit with us today.

Best Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades to Improve Your Home’s Value

Best Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades to Improve Your Home’s Value

There are no guarantees in the real estate market. That house down the street may sell quickly, while yours remains unsold. Renovations and home improvements are the best way to increase the value of your home. But if you want your house on the market soon, then you likely only have time for a few bathroom improvements or kitchen upgrades. Just what should you do first so that your house is desirable for the new home buyer?

Best Bathroom Improvements

A WaterSense toilet model can help families to save money on water consumption, and they are also good for the environment. These toilets also look sleek and attractive, and will freshen up an older bathroom.

Having the sink and cabinet replaced will give your bathroom a modern look. Replacing the mirror and lighting will also help. Take a look at your bathtub to see if it’ll fit with your new sink and toilet. Often all that’s needed is a good scrubbing and cleaning of the tiles, particularly if the tub color is already your basic white to match sink and toilet.

Best Kitchen Upgrades

Eco-friendly appliances are trendy today. Not only are they best for the environment, but their lower water and energy consumption can save you money. Your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater are the big water consumers, while your washing machine, dryer, fridge, dishwasher, stove, and fans are going to be concerns for energy costs.

You may not have time to do a full kitchen gutting. Instead of removing the cabinets, you can have their doors refinished, and install new hardware.

New kitchen sink faucets and sprayers will be the quickest way to update your counter space.

The look of the kitchen can also be updated quickly with a brand new light. If your kitchen has old fluorescent lighting, this should be removed. Newer and more eco-friendly lighting is available in LED lighting fixtures.

Piping Replacement

If you have grey or blue poly pipes in your home, they can be at risk for leaks. This can send a red flag to new home buyers who don’t want to deal with this expense. If you’re planning on doing more extensive remodelling in your bathroom or kitchen, you may wish to have your plumber replace these pipes during the process.

Plumbing upgrades can substantially increase the value of your home. It’s also important to fix any leaks and do repairs. Plumbing issues are usually the number one concern that a new home buyer has, as water can significantly damage the structure of a home if leaks aren’t dealt with quickly.

Bathroom improvements and kitchen upgrades are going to be the best ways to increase the value of your home. Most of the other rooms will only need a good carpet cleaning and some fresh paint on the walls. Be sure to tackle any smaller repairs too. If you need plumbing repairs, then please give Matt’s Plumbing Services a call to book an appointment today.

The Most Common Water Heater Failures and When to call a professional

A regular service of the water heater will vastly lengthen it’s life. In addition, it ensures safe and quiet work. Safety is in the first place when it comes to water heaters, so you should think of it on time. Regular service of the water heater ensures timely identification of potential damages and their removal.

How do we know that a water heater service is required?

1. When in the bathroom is hot, with the water heater as only heat source – emergency plumber service is required

• You need to turn off the water heater immediately, call the Tampa water heater repair plumber and move away from the bathroom. In such situations, the water heater acts like a bomb and can explode!

2. When turning on, the water heater does not work.

• The problem is with the current installation of the apartment, house, bathroom or water heater electronics;
• A detailed analysis of the water heater by Tampa water heater repair plumbers is required.

3. The water heater poorly heats the water.

• The heater element is at its end;
• The heater element is of poor quality;
• A large quantity of limescale has been accumulated in the water heater cabin.

4. Water boiling inside the water heater

• Shut down the water heater immediately and call Tampa water heater repair plumber!

5. The sparking is seen from and around the water heater

• Shut down the water heater and call the plumber immediately.

6. The water heater quickly heats the water and quickly spend it
7. If the water pipes are oxidized or are visibly old – cracking of these tubes and the rapid flooding of the apartment/house is possible
8. The cracking in the water heater is heard

What does a regular water heater service include?

• Checking the safety valve
• Thermostat check
• Checking the heater element and replace it if necessary
• Cleaning the water heater from the limescale

What is the recommended time for the water heater service?

The service of the water heater should be performed once in six months (recommendation), or once per year.

How long does the water heater service take?

The intervention of our Tampa water heater repair service takes 40 minutes or a little longer depending on whether the water supply valve and other valves can be closed.

How to remove limescale from water heaters

Is your water heater in the apartment is relatively new, but still heating water poorly? Is hot water spent faster than it should be? Or do you hear cracking and buzzing coming from the water heater? All these things imply you have limestone in the water heater. If you experience any of these issues, you should have a professional at Matt’s Plumbing Services take a look.

Common problem for water heater’s failures

Presence of scale and sediment inside the water heater tank are due to the hardness of water. If proper maintenance is not done on the water heater, you could be looking at a costly repair in your future. Limescale can cause all types of issues and could put you and your home at risk.

How is limescale formed?

The limescale in the water heater is formed when heating very hard water. At the time of formation, the limescale connects to the heating element. Over time, the limescale became so accumulated that it affects the heating element’s efficiency. Additionally, if the scale is large, the working life of the heater element is drastically reduced. If there are noticeable changes on the water heater element, it would be a good idea to have it replaced..

How it affects water heater’s work?

People usually don’t know that there is a problem or do not pay attention to the signs that clearly emphasize that there is a problem with the water heater until its too late. Some of these signs may be that; the water heater heats water more slowly, the capacity of water has decreased compared to earlier, and the length of time it takes to heat water has changed considerably. By changing the water heater heating speed (longer period of heating time than before), the water heater consumes more power to heat the same or smaller amount of water (sometimes the warming time of the water heater is doubled). This is turn, creates colder showers and higher electricity bills.

What can we do?

In order to preserve a high degree of functionality and economy, our quality plumbers will clean the inside of your water heater to prevent the buildup of limescale for the period of 6 – 9 months, which falls within the domain of regular maintenance. It’ll preserve the capacity of the water heater, and increase the efficiency and economics of its work.

When you need assistance, Matt’s Plumbing Services is here to perform a full cleaning of your water heater. We understand how to properly diagnose limescale related issues and correct the issues so that they do not happen for the next 6 to 9 months.

Cleaning Clogged Drains in your Bathroom

When there is a problem with drains in the bathroom it is necessary to clean drains and sewage pipes that are connected to the main pipe. There are various reasons for clogging of drains in the bathroom. Some of the reasons are the accumulation of detergent residues, toothpaste, soaps, and hair adhering to the walls of the drainage pipes. Children’s toys, fabrics, wet wipes, plastic bags and other objects can lead to blockage of sewers in the bathroom. In all these situations, our Tampa drain cleaning service can help you.

Signs of clogging in the bathroom

It should not be ignored when the wastewater in the sink, shower or bath run out slowly or the water returns to the toilet, as these may be the first signs of sewage congestion. In order to avoid the consequences for health and property, it is necessary as soon as possible to call our Tampa drain cleaning masters and unclog the drains in the bathroom.

When you notice the first sign of partial or complete sewage clogging, call our Tampa drain cleaning team of experts and our plumbers will solve any problem in a good and professional way.

Our plumbers can offer advice and information about products that can help in the prevention of clogging in the future.

High quality and quick cleaning of drains in the bathroom

A very important thing is the quality service of the drain unclogging in the bathroom. If one part of the sewage system is being unclogged in the bathroom, the functionality of the sanitary objects where was a problem can be improved, but it is possible that the blockage will occur on the other part of the sewage network. The drainage of other sanitary objects can be significantly affected if one of the drains in the bathroom does not work.

Call for cleaning of drains in the bathroom before the damage occurs

Failure to solve the problem of unclogging the entire sewage system in the bathroom can cause big damage. There may happen floods and leaks due to pressure in the pipes. The wastewater that is leaked is the ideal place for multiplying a large number of microorganisms on the walls and air.

There is no reason for you to think about possible damage or to worry about the fact that the clogging in the bathroom will happen often and cause major problems. In a safe and timely manner, Tampa drain cleaning experts can return the sewage of the bathroom to the proper condition.

How to Clean and Unclog Main Drain Pipes

It’s frustrating when water going down the drain slower than you are used to. This is usually a result of a buildup of grease, hair, various crumbs, and similar impurities. It’s disgusting. You may try to remedy the problem in various ways. With hot water, baking soda, various chemicals, and nothing helps. You just spent time and money. If your drains are not draining properly, consider seeking help from our drain cleaning professionals in Tampa to remove the blockage.

Various Methods For Unclogging and Clearing Pipes

Matt’s Plumbing Services has all the necessary skills, experience and willingness to repair all of your drain problems. To perform high quality and efficient pipe cleaning, we use the most modern equipment and practices. We are aware that blockage of pipes and drains can cause a severe problem for home and business owners. We can diagnose basic problems for free, and then we can quickly and effectively correct the problem.

We also do professional CCTV drain inspection to make sure your pipes are clean. Our Tampa drain cleaning service is available for clients Monday through Saturday.

Type of drain cleaning services provided by our company:

–    Machine cleaning of pipes (unclogging the sinks, toilet bowls, bathtubs…)

–    Unclogging of sewer lines under high water pressure.

–    Professional CCTV drain inspection to make sure your pipes are clean.

Our experience

Our team has been cleaning drains in the Tampa Bay area for many years. We’ll make sure that you get the best service for all your drain problems.

Our service also offers homeowners and companies peace of mind knowing that their pipe are flowing as intended. No need to wait for congestion to occur, sign up for a managed contract with Matt’s Plumbing to keep your drains clear. Let us take care of everything and regularly maintain the sewage system. Depending on your requirements, we can put together a option for ongoing service to stop problems before they start.

If you need any type of plumbing services or you have a sewage problem, don’t worry. We are here for you when you need help. Don’t waste your time or money. Call us and see for yourself why we are the best in Tampa.

Benefits of Hiring Plumber Services for Water Heater Repair

Your water heater doesn’t want to work, and you suffer from the lack of hot water? It’s not a big problem, you just need to contact Tampa Bay’s recommended water heater repair professionals! Our masters have years of experience and are ready at any time to be onsite to fix your water heater in the shortest possible time.

No need to panic and run out to a service center as soon as possible to repair the water heater – just call our Tampa water heater repair professionals! Matt’s Plumbing Service has been in business for many years providing quality, urgent repair of any brand’s water heaters. In addition, our prices are more affordable than most of our competitors.

All that is required is to call us or leave a request for a call to a specialist on our website.

The basic malfunctions of water heaters

• Incorrect installation of the water heater
• Voltage drops
• Corrosion
• Neglect in preventive work (magnesium anode haven’t replaced on time).

As practice shows, even if all of these factors are corrected, a long service life of the water heater still hasn’t guaranteed. There is a so-called factory defect, which can be removed under the manufacturer’s warranty. In addition, each part has its own limited service life, after which it’s necessary to be replaced by a highly skilled craftsman.

Reasons to choose our services

• All faults are eliminated in your home, without transporting the water heater to the Tampa water heater repair workshop.
• Tampa water heater repair masters come to you immediately after the call, or at a time convenient for you.
• The specialist is prepared with the spare parts needed for most repairs.
• The work is performed only by qualified licensed masters.
• After work, our master plumber will clean up everything and leave no traces of repair.

Steps in our work

1. You leave an application on the website or by phone.
2. The plumber comes onsite to assess the issues.
3. Our team will carry out diagnostics and detects any malfunctions.
4. Performs repair at your home, without transportation to the workshop
5. The water heater is repaired or replaced in a timely manner
6. You’ll receive a professional service as well as any bill for service

Why Should I Use Drain Cleaning Services?

Why Should You Opt For Professional Water Heater Repair in Tampa Bay?

Do you live in Tampa Bay and you’re currently dealing with some water heater issues? Whether you like it or not, your water heater problems can end up being very problematic, so it’s important to work with someone that will be able to help. With a reliable team of Tampa Bay water heater repair experts, you will have no problem solving the issue fast and easy. And you can also get some amazing benefits too, as you can see below.

You get to pay less on water heating bills

When a water heater malfunctions, it will usually end up consuming more energy and water. It may not seem a problem at first, but this does get quite problematic in the long run, so you have to keep that in mind. That’s why water heater repair in Tampa Bay is a very good idea. This service will analyze the water heater, identify the issues and that’s it. The results can be very impressive, and you never have to worry about any potential problems either. It’s a win-win for everyone, and the outcome can definitely be more than amazing in the end.

A consistent water heating performance

Let’s face it when the water heater malfunctions you can end up with either very good or very bad performance from the unit. This lack of consistency can be problematic, especially when you want your water to have a specific temperature. That’s why you need to work with a professional as soon as you identify this type of problem. It will help you a lot, and it certainly brings in front a lot of help, which is exactly what you may need.

Peace of mind

If your water heater malfunctions, then it may be very hard to actually leave your home at times. That’s why you need to repair it fast, so you can have a peace of mind and enjoy this experience in any way you see fit. It helps you avoid any major problems in the long term, and the outcome can be quite astonishing for sure. So yes, use this approach, and you will not be disappointed in the end.

No more surprises

The simple fact that water heater issues can ruin your day might be a scary prospect. But let’s face it, you can avoid issues like that simply by opting for services like Tampa Bay water heater repair. All you have to do is to invest in these services right now, and the results can be astonishing.

You should immediately contact us as soon as you identify any water heater issues. The results can be more than ok this way since you can continue your day to day life and plans without any problem. It’s an astonishing opportunity and one that does bring in front some tremendous benefits in the long term. Since we have high-quality services and affordable pricing, you won’t have a problem getting the results you want even on a small budget. So, get in touch and you will not be disappointed!

How can you fix a leaking water heater?

Fix Your Leaking Water Heater

There’s no denying that dealing with water heater problems can be extremely challenging. But you can try to solve the issue on your own if you can, the idea is to have the right commitment and tools to get the job done. So, if you want to fix a leaking water heater, here you have some quick tips to take into consideration.

Stop the water supply

This way the water heater won’t have any water supplying it, and you will find that the entire process will be a lot faster and more comprehensive. If you have an electric water heater, then try to shut off its electrical power. You will have to cut the gas from the gas based water heater if you have that type of unit, so try to keep that in mind.

Drain the water out of the water heater tank

You have to do this to ensure that you operate adequately. You can drain the water by opening the valve found right at the bottom of the tank. If needed, you can attach a garden hose to the drain valve. This will make it easy to drain without dealing with any mess, so try to keep that in mind if possible, as it will certainly be worth it.

Disconnect the gas line

You have to ensure that you disconnect from the gas line. The idea here is to ensure that every connection like gas or electricity is removed. It will help you quite a lot here, and the results will be pretty impressive in the end. Remember that the water heater might be a bit heavy, so the idea is to use a dolly if you want to remove it properly.

Repair the heater

If you have the expertise and tools needed to complete something like this, you can go ahead and perform the repair right away. The idea is to opt either fold welding or any other solutions that can work for you. That being said, replacing the water heater is a very good idea. Most of the time this will be the best option, and it does work well actually. You have to keep that in mind, so do try and give it a shot.

Connect the water heater

Once you finished the repairs or replacement, you have to turn on the power and gas after reconnecting the heater. Make sure that you begin refilling the water tank so you can get the best results and you will also see if there are any other leaks too. That being said, a good idea here is to make sure that you check the pilot light for the gas water heater. Also, put the thermostat at the selected temperature so you can get the best possible experience here.

While you can use these tips to replace a leaking water heater, you should consider working with a team of experts. Matt’s Plumbing Services is here to make sure that you can easily eliminate any water heater problems fast and easy. All repairs are performed by a team of experts with a lot of experience in the industry. Contact us now, and you will be very impressed with the value and efficiency offered by our repairs!