PPC Professional Plumbers & Contractors

Check Your Sump Pump in the Spring

Nancy — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:54:20 +0000

Spring is when we set our clocks forward, and in the autumn, we set them back. This perfectly coincides with when you should check your home before the rainy season and snow season. Now is the time to test your sump pump. Clean out any debris and make sure the float mechanism is working. Make sure the check valve isn’t worn out and see that the sump pump is turning on and off by pouring water into the pit. While you are at it, check for any leaks in your plumbing. You should always check your sump in the spring to make sure it’s in proper working order to avoid unexpected basement flooding.

Plumbing Tips When Weather Temps Dive Below Zero

Nancy — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:08:21 +0000

Winter is here. Milwaukee’s Professional Plumbers & Contractors (PPC), have a few tips to avoid frozen pipes and drains.

1. Water Pipes that Run Along an Outside Wall. Bathroom vanities often have water pipes that run along an outside wall to the home. To prevent pipes from freezing in the event of a prolonged winter deep freeze, open the vanity doors to let the room air mix with the cold air along the outside wall. You can also also use a blow dryer to warm up the wall, however don’t use a torch.

2. Frozen Pipes. Opening a faucet so that there is a tiny steady drip can keep pipes from freezing, however if the pipe remains frozen for a prolonged length of time (one day or longer), call a plumber. Frozen pipes can burst and cause leakage.

3. Frozen Drains. There are chemicals available through local plumbers or area hardware stores that will clear and thaw frozen drains. Again, if the drain remains frozen for one day or longer, call a plumber. This can also result in frozen pipes that burst and cause leakage.

4. Inadequate Flushing Toilets. When toilets flush poorly or pipes drain slowly, it may be a sign that there is a blocked vent pipe on the roof. You need to get on the roof to clear any excessive snow in and around the main vent pipe.

Got more questions? You’ll find plumbing professionals all in one place in our contractor search directory.

Aztec Plumbing

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:23:46 +0000

Applied Mechanical

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:22:55 +0000

Bedrock Sewer & Water

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:20:34 +0000

Engeldinger Plumbing, Inc.

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:17:20 +0000

Process Piping

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:48:04 +0000

AC Plumbing

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:45:56 +0000

Andersen Plumbing

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:42:53 +0000

A Plumbers’ Guide to a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday

Nancy — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:04:38 +0000

Halloween may be over, but the biggest nightmare for plumbers is just starting….Thanksgiving. This is the time when plumbers receive the most emergency calls for clogged drains and toilets primarily induced by paper happy guests and stuffing too much food down the garbage disposal. Milwaukee Professional Plumbing Contractors have a rescue plan to bail out homeowners before they make the decision to throw the wrong foods down the disposal. A simple guide to what and how much food is garbage disposal friendly.
First, more than a handful of food down the drain is too much for most disposals to handle. Always run water when using the disposal and keep the water running a few seconds after you turn the disposal off to clear the pipes.
Grease is better off poured into a tin can rather than down the drain. It will congeal and solidify inside drainpipes. Throw any grease away after it solidifies in the tin can.
Throw turkey skin, bones and fibrous vegetables in the trash.
If you’re expecting a lot of guests, make sure you have a large enough wastebasket in the bathroom, particularly if your guests have babies that use disposable diapers. Keep paper towels and heavy napkins out of the bathroom and stock the lavatory with clean towels and lightweight napkins to keep your toilet from becoming a dispose-all. You may also want to keep a plunger nearby.
Following these simple guidelines will keep the holidays merry and thankfully even plumbers will be able to spend more time with their own families.