Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Orlando’

What You Need to Know about Slab Leaks

Monday, February 3rd, 2014

Any kind of leak in your plumbing presents a problem that requires immediate, skilled repairs. But some leaks are worse than others. One of the most potentially troublesome pipe leaks are slab leaks. The damage possibilities from slab leaks can affect your home’s structure and foundation and may cut off your water main or sewer line.

Call for slab leak repair specialists, such as those at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., the moment you encounter a problem. Our plumbers are on call for 24-hour emergency plumbing repair in Orlando, FL, so you have no reason to delay.

But wait… what exactly are slab leaks, and why are they such a problem? And how can you detect them? We’ll answer these questions below.

What is a “slab leak”?

A large section of your home’s plumbing—sewer line and water mains—runs through concrete flooring. When a leak occurs in the pressurized water pipes inside concrete, it is known in the plumbing industry as a slab leak.

Why are slab leaks such a problem?

Where most leaks will take time to start affecting the building material around them, slab leaks will immediately begin to cause cracking and damage to concrete. Instead of a slow spread of further leaks and damage, slab leaks will affect the piping quickly, threatening to break whole pipes, leading to the loss of your water line or sewer line. The concrete cracking can cause expensive structural damage to your home’s foundation as well.

How do I know I have a slab leak?

There are a few signs, some of which apply to any leak: loss of water pressure, increases in water bills. Some specific signs to look for: unexplained mold growth or water on the floor in places that are otherwise dry; the sound of running water when no faucets are open; cracks developing over concrete.

How are slab leaks fixed?

Professional plumbers must first locate the location of the leak using listening equipment. After that, a plumber will discuss with you the possible methods for sealing the leak, which could involve direct access using jack hammering, but much more likely your plumber will use a non-invasive process if possible.

Who should I call to fix slab leaks?

Not all plumbers have extensive experience with slab leak repair, so make sure you choose your contractor carefully. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. has done many years of work on slab leak detection and repair. Call us today for plumbing repair in Orlando, FL.

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Ways to Prevent Sewer Problems

Monday, January 27th, 2014

Few hassles with your home’s plumbing are more potentially damaging than issues with the removal of sewage. The drains in your house all lead to a single sewer line that transports wastewater to the central sewer system that runs down the street. Damage to this pipe can cause sewage backup that will damage your home’s basement and/or foundations, create blocked sinks and toilets, and send noxious smells into your living spaces.

A plumber can fix your sewer troubles, but you can take steps to prevent these problems from occurring in the first place. If you need help with your Orlando, FL sewer problems, or if you want assistance with keeping your drains and sewer line as healthy as possible, contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today.

3 tips for keeping away sewer repairs

  1. Avoid pouring “FOG” down your drains: What is “FOG”? It stands for “Fat, Oil, and Grease.” These three items are one of the major threats to sewer lines and drainpipes. People often think they aren’t harmful in liquid form and pour them doing kitchen drains or disposals. But each of these liquids will turn solid when they dry, forming a waxy thick substance will clog up entire sewage systems, creating blockage that no simple plunger can remove. Put “FOG” in another receptacle and remove it to the trash instead of putting it down your drains.
  2. Replace outdated sewer line piping: If you have an older home, you may have galvanized steel pipes for your sewer line. Steel is a durable metal, but it is also inflexible, and therefore more likely to break when put under pressure, and it suffers from corrosion over time. It is a good idea to replace old steel pipes with other materials, such as copper and PEX and CPVC. This will give your plumbing a much longer life.
  3. Schedule regular drain maintenance: If you arrange for a visit from a professional plumber once a year to check up on your drains and sewage system, you will have potential problems taken care off before they develop into actual problems. You should also consider thorough drain cleaning along with video inspections that will keep your drainage open and flowing.

However, you cannot avoid all problems with sewers, so if you find yourself up against an emergency, you can contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. 24 hours a day for the repairs for your Orlando, FL sewer that will fix the problem. If your plumbing currently seems to be working well, make sure you keep it that way with regular maintenance from our experience plumbers.

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How to Reduce Your Water Usage with Your Bathroom Remodel

Monday, January 6th, 2014

If you’ve thought about remodeling your bathroom, perhaps you haven’t considered that this is an ideal time to also find ways to cut down on your water usage. At Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., we take pride in our work with plumbing and bathroom remodeling in Orlando, FL. Call us to make your remodeling into a water-savings project as well.

Methods to reduce water usage during a remodel

  • Install low flow fixtures and faucets: Faucets with the WaterSense label can reduce a sink’s water use by up to 30%, with no noticeable reduction in their effectiveness. During your remodel, you can have all the faucets, including the showerhead, replaces with WaterSense certified products, which can add up to a tremendous savings on your water bills—all without you noticing much of a difference.
  • Replace your old toilet with a low-flow model: Chances are high that if you plan a full redesign of your bathroom, you’ll want to have the old toilet ripped out and a new model put in. Low-flow toilets were once inefficient, but the current “gravity assist” models are tremendous improvements, and according to a number of top water conservations they can save you as much as $100 annually in utility costs.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. has both remodeling and plumbing specialists on staff, so you can rest assured you are getting the best service possible. You’ll also have the assurance we’ll work diligently so you get the remodel you want with the plumbing benefits that go with it. Call us today to start planning your bathroom remodel in Orlando, FL.

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The Best Options for Cleaning Your Drain

Monday, December 30th, 2013

Every homeowner can expect to experience a drain clog or a slow drain now and then; the pipes and drains in your home can’t handle everything that goes down them, so eventually you will have to deal with getting a drain unblocked. However, if drain clogging starts to happen to you frequently, then you may need to call in a professional drain cleaning service instead of fixing it on your own.

Scheduling regular drain cleaning will not only help you avoid clogs in the future, it will also lead to smoothly running plumbing and lower water pressure. With the right maintenance from an experienced company like Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., you can get rid of those unpleasant drain clogs.

Here are some options for cleaning your drain:

  • Not chemical drain cleaners: This first one is a negative. Most people are quick to reach for a bottle of commercial drain cleaner when they want to clean out clogged drains. However, these caustic chemicals can harm both your drains and you. They leave behind toxic fumes and harm the environment because the residue inside the bottles gets into landfills. These inexpensive cleaners seem like an easy way out, but you will only create far worse problems in the future.
  • Motorized drain snakes: Drain snakes are commercially available in manual models, but you should only rely on trained technicians who use powered drain snakes. A drain snake works like a long, flexible corkscrew that maneuvers down into your drain pipes, drills into clogs, and then clears them away.
  • Hydro-jetting: Hydro jets are powered devices that blast hot, high pressure water down into drains to scrub away grease, oil, and other deposits that can pollute the inside of drainpipes. The strength and heat of the water is effective at removing most drain clogging without damaging the inside of the pipes.  Because of the potential danger of high-pressure water, only trained plumbers should perform hydro-jetting.
  • Video pipe inspections: Sometimes it is difficult to know where a drain needs targeted cleaning. In these cases, professionals with video pipe cameras on long flexible cables can find the trouble without needing to open up pipes or remove floorboards, wall sections, or fixtures. Using this technology, plumbers can find fast solutions to your drain cleaning problems.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. offers a customized maintenance plan to our customers that adapts to your needs and budget. Get on the road to a cleaner, more efficient, and more durable plumbing system with Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.

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How a Plumber Pinpoints a Leak

Monday, December 23rd, 2013

If you’re a plumber in Orlando, you have to handle your share of leaks. They’re easily the most common plumbing problem in Central Florida, and if they’re not addressed, they can cause some serious damage to your home. Large leaks are fairly easy to detect – you simply look for the puddles – and can be spotted before you call in a plumbing service. Other methods are more subtle, however, and usually require professional skills. Here’s a quick list of how a plumber pinpoints a leak.

  • Leak detection equipment. Most plumbers use some form of leak detector, which utilizes one of a variety of means to pinpoint a leak. Some are acoustic, listening to micro-shifts in sound to spot the leak. Others use lengths of tape wrapped around the pipe to detect moisture, or sensors running along the length of the pipe to spot the leak. Whatever the technology, it becomes an invaluable tool in the plumber’s arsenal: able to detect leaks fairly quickly and save considerable time in the bargain.
  • Food coloring. Food coloring is a quick and easy trick to detect the location of leaks in toilets. The plumber simply drips a few drops into the tank and follows where they go. Unfortunately, this method is much less effective with other forms of plumbing, though it can still be used in some cases.
  • Careful examination. In some cases, a trained eye is still the best tool. Plumbers know how to look for telltale signs like discolored metal indicating rust or corrosion. Rotted wood near the leak, water stains on the ceiling or floor and key problem locations such as seals or fittings are also good indicators of the source of a leak. Laymen can spot such signs too, but professionals have more experience in the subject and know what signs to look for.

Knowing how a plumber pinpoints a leak isn’t the same as pinpointing a leak yourself. Trust a professional to do the job right and make sure your leaky pipe gets fixed properly the first time. If you’re looking for a plumber in Orlando, turn to the experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. We’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction and our trained staff won’t rest until your problem is solved.

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Ask a Plumber: What Causes This White Buildup?

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

Here’s a common question we hear from our customers: “What causes this white buildup I see on my faucets, drains, and other fixtures?” They usually follow up with: “Is it serious? Can I do anything about it aside from scrubbing it away?”

We will answer these questions in this post—it’s a bit more detailed than you might imagine—and tell you the best way to remedy the problem.

When you need a plumber in Orlando, FL, call on a company that has proudly served Central Florida since 1975: Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. We offer 24-hour emergency service for your convenience.

Answer: Hard Water

That white buildup that often encrusts the surfaces of your fixtures is calcite residue from hard water. You may have heard about hard water before without properly understanding what it means. Hard water generally refers to any water with a high mineral content. Specifically, it means water with large amounts of calcium-containing minerals such as gypsum. The magnesium mineral dolomite, which also contains calcium, is another common mineral suspended in hard water.

Usually, these minerals pose no threat to your heath: hard water may not taste as good as “soft water,” but it is rarely dangerous. However, it can cause trouble for your plumbing and any appliance hooked to it.

The visible white buildup is calcification from the minerals in hard water. Aside from looking ugly, this calcite will start to coat the inside of your pipes, which will restrict water flow and start to raise the pressure within the plumbing until it erupts into leaking. The calcification will also infiltrate your hot water heater (or boiler, if you use one) and leave limescale alone the inside of the tank, which can seriously impair it. Hard water will also damage components in your dishwasher and laundry.

What can I do about hard water?

Hard water comes to you through the municipal water system, so the best way to combat it is through a whole-house water treatment system attached to the main line. Water softeners will filter out the excess minerals from hard water and rebalance the water with sodium. Installing a water softener of this size requires the work of professional plumbers.

Do not ignore the evidence of hard water in your home: it might be causing damage to your plumbing out of your sight. Hire experienced plumbers like those at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. to test your water and then offer solutions to the problem. We have experience with many types of water treatment systems, and we will know the best way to fix your troubles with hard water. Hire an Orlando, FL, plumber from Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today.

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3 Reasons People Opt for Bathroom Remodeling

Monday, November 25th, 2013

Is it time to remodel your bathroom? And we don’t mean a cosmetic remodeling: new cabinets, shower curtains, drapes, and towel holders. We mean a full remodeling of your bathroom’s plumbing, water heater, sink, faucets, shower fixtures, etc. It sounds like an immense task—and it does involve a great amount of precision labor—but you will find it much easier with a professional remodeling company handling the bulk of the work. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. can guide you through the process, step by step, starting with fixture and faucet selection. Contact us today to start your Orlando, FL bathroom remodeling.

Here are three reasons people decide to have a full bathroom remodel done:

  1. Greater water efficiency: Low-flow water faucets and sinks can provide tremendous savings on water bills. According to studies by the EPA, low-flow faucets can reduce a sink’s water flow by 30% or more, going from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5 gallons per minute. The average family can save 700 gallons of water per year, which is equal to the water used in 40 showers. The lower water flow will also reduce the stress on water heaters. You can also have a low-flow toilet installed to increase the savings.
  2. Upgrade outdated, worn down plumbing: For people living in an older house, the plumbing in the bathroom might be made from outdated material that is coming near the end of its service life. A full repiping of old corroded pipes will give less trouble from leaking and provide an extended life for all the plumbing.
  3. Change the layout: Altering the layout of the bathroom allows the installation of a new shower or bathtub. It can also supply more space.

When you make the choice to remodel your bathroom, you need to speak to a professional remodeler to discuss your priorities. This way, the remodeler will know where to focus his or her efforts. Are you primarily interested in water savings? Do you want to benefit from a new water jet bathtub? The professional will weigh all these considerations and come up with a design that fits your needs.

At Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., we go to great lengths to work with you coming up with a design for your bathroom remodel that will live up to the high standards you set. We will involve you in the process at every step, so you will see that we’re creating the bathroom you always wanted.

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What Can Damage a Drain?

Monday, November 18th, 2013

The drains in your plumbing do an immense amount of work for you each day, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. If you take good care of them, your drains should last for many years without the need to replace them. However, there are a number of ways drains can suffer damage that you should watch out for. Some you can prevent through a few basic steps, others will require the assistance of a plumber.

To help keep your drain in Orlando, FL undamaged, contact the professionals at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. We’ve compiled a list of the causes of drain damage that we see the most often to help guide you in keeping your drains healthy:

Oil, grease, and fat

This is the most common error people make regarding their kitchen sinks and disposals: pouring liquid oil, grease, or fat down the drain. They may seem harmless, but when these liquids cool, they congeal into thick solids. Even if they do not cause blockage, they will start to line the inside of your drainpipes and restrict water flow.

Garbage and debris

Do not think of your drains as if they were trash cans and toss things down in them that can lead to blockage and damage. Keep food particles in the disposal (or the trash) and avoid letting paper products wash down the drainpipes.

Hard water

If your municipal water supply has too many minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, suspended in it (“hard water”), it will lead to calcite deposits along your drainpipes. This will also start to restrict water flow, and will look unattractive on your fixtures. You may need to have a professional install a whole-house water softener to alleviate this issue.

Chemical drain cleaners

They’re sold as way to “clean” your plumbing, but few things can cause as extensive damage to your drain as a bottle of acidic cleaning chemicals getting poured down it. The caustic action of these cleaners is terrible for the interior of your pipes—and it isn’t good for your health, either. Rely on a plunger or the work of a plumber to assist you with clearing out clogs.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. offers 24-hour emergency service to help you with damages to your drains. If you’ve got a slow drain, leaks, or a complete clog, get on the phone immediately with one of our trained technicians and we’ll put our expertise to work on the problem. We also have regular drain maintenance that will clean your drainpipes once a year and check for potential problems.

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3 Vital Components of Your Water Heater

Monday, November 4th, 2013

Your water heater is one of those silent household appliances that many of us take for granted. It tirelessly does its job day in and day out: providing hot water for cooking and bathing without any work on our part. Only when problems arise do we think about it and the job it does. In order to function effectively, water heaters require a number of smaller components to work as they should. Here are 3 vital components of your water heater in Orlando, FL:

  • Dip tube. The dip tube allows cool water to enter the heater tank without diluting the hot water that’s already there. It sends the cold water to the bottom of the tank to be heated, leaving hot water at the top of the tank ready for your to turn on the faucet.
  • Anode rod. The anode rod is usually made of steel, with magnesium or aluminum wrapped around it. It serves to retard corrosion inside the water heater tank, keeping the walls of your tank intact and reducing rust and similar corrosive elements. Anode rods slowly disintegrate over time, which means they periodically need to be replaced.
  • Pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is just what it sounds like: a device intended to release pressure inside the tank if it ever gets too high. This is a key safety component in the water heater. Without it, your heater runs to risk of exploding if the pressure gets too high.

In terms of water heaters, Orlando FL residents know better than to monkey with an unqualified repair service. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. knows how to address problems with these 3 vital components of your water heater, and with any other heating problems you may be experiencing. Give us a call today to talk about your options; you’ll be glad you did!

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Plumbing Question: What Is a Mixing Valve?

Monday, October 28th, 2013

You use running water in your home every day. When you reach for the knobs or handle that controls the flow of water into a sink, shower, or bathtub, you have the option to get cold or hot water, or a blend of both. You probably know the exact combination of the two that’s the most pleasant for you. But did you know that there’s a hidden mechanism in your plumbing to make certain that you don’t get an unpleasant surprise of extremely hot water every time you turn on a faucet? It’s called the mixing valve, and without it your daily supply of water could become dangerous.

The term “mixing valve” has the general application of meaning any device in plumbing that controls the mix of hot and cold water to provide a comfortable temperature. In most cases, a mixing valve isn’t designed simply to provide comfort; it serves as a safety mechanism that will keep you from accidental scalding due to high temperatures.

The danger of scalding water from your plumbing exists because water in a home needs to be stored at high temperatures to prevent bacterial growth. Without the regulation of a mixing valve, this water might flow from your showerhead, bath faucet, or sink and cause you injury. A central thermostatic mixing valve works automatically to prevent this from occurring. The valve’s thermostat is preset so that it will close a plunger and stop the supply of hot water if the cold water pressure experiences a sudden drop. As long as the mixing valve is working correctly, you won’t have to fear getting extremely hot water when you turn a faucet handle.

Central mixing valves operate without the user having to do anything. There are some manual mixing valves that can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms. However, these do not provide the same guarantee against very hot water that a central mixing valve does, so your home should still have a thermostatic mixing valve installed to prevent accidental scalding.

Because a mixing valve is important for protecting you and your family—whether showering, cleaning dishes, or washing your hands—you need to take good care of your plumbing. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) offers excellent maintenance plans; an annual visit from one of our experts in plumbing in Orlando, FL will alleviate your worries. Contact us today.

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