Plumbing

Frozen Pipes

Common plumbing problems homeowners experience during the winter involve frozen pipes. Most frozen water pipes occur in areas where the pipes are not properly insulated, such as the garage, crawl spaces and non-insulated outside walls. This can cost thousands of dollars in damage if not caught in time. Fortunately, your 1-Tom-Plumber team is ready to assist in frozen pipe emergencies.

How do you know if you have this problem?

One of the most effective ways to determine if you have frozen pipes is to turn on the hot and cold water at the sink and note the water flow. If there is little or no water flowing from the tap, chances are the pipes are frozen. If you suspect this, shut off the main water valve to reduce pressure on the pipes, then give us a call immediately.

What can we do to help?

Using an electric pipe thawing machine is one of the ways we can quickly and safely repair frozen pipes and get them working like new again. With these machines, only a thin layer of ice inside the pipe needs to be melted in order to allow sufficient water flow to resume. Depending on the amount of pipe that’s frozen, it can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes to get everything thawed out. For homes with older copper pipes, it may take as much as one hour before all is clear.

Not only will we help you repair frozen pipes, but we’ll show you ways to prevent the problem from happening again.

For example, here are some ideas for pipes that regularly freeze over:

•     Make sure the heat is no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit
•     Open all cabinet doors under sinks in your bathroom and kitchen to allow heat to reach the pipes inside
•     Let a small trickle of water drip from your faucets to keep the lines open
•     Insulate all exposed pipes, or wrap them in heat tape

By following these tips, you can avoid the mess and inconvenience of frozen pipes. If you do find yourself with a burst pipe due to freezing temperatures, call us right away and we will dispatch a plumber to your property ASAP.

Garbage Disposal

Flipping a switch in your kitchen and discovering that your garbage disposal isn’t working can put a damper on your kitchen cleanup efforts. Before you buy a replacement, keep in mind that your garbage disposal can be repaired in many cases.

Several common problems can prevent disposals from working properly. Rust, build-up, and hard objects can easily jam a propeller, which prevents the disposal from grinding food scraps. A worn blade can contribute to inefficient food disposal. Improper or corroded motor wiring can cause disposer failure and can even cause electric shock hazards.

When you call us for service on your garbage disposal, you can have faith that our expert plumbers are trained to fix virtually any type of issue!

We can help you with any of the following issues with your garbage disposal:

• Ineffective garbage disposal
• Garbage disposal not turning off
• Strange noises from the garbage disposal
• Garbage disposal emitting an unpleasant smell
• Sink not draining effectively or at all
• Garbage disposal leaking water

Sewer Lines

A sewer line, also called a main line, is the line that carries sewage away from your home and out to the treatment plant in your city to be treated properly.

Common problems that we see with sewer lines are:

• Cracks
• Tree Root Intrusion
• Punctures
• Corrosion
• Misaligned Pipe Sections
• Grease Buildup
• Leaks

Problems in the line can only be found through a camera inspection. Camera inspections allow our technicians to use the cable with an LED light and camera attached to the end of it and run it through the line until the issue is visible.

Allowing a professional to handle an issue with your sewer line is best. Whether it is cabling or hydro-jetting the line, or even a complete pipe repair, we can do it all. Give us a call!

Sinks & Faucets

It’s common to use the faucets in your home daily. Therefore, faucets can become worn out just from normal use. Other common aspects we see are corrosion on the faucet along with mineral buildup inside the faucet.

Here are signs that you need a faucet replacement:

• Leaks
• Low water pressure
• Rust or corrosion
• Worn out faucet

You can install a new faucet yourself, but if you are weary of your ability to do so, it’s best to hire a professional to make sure it is installed properly.

In other words, give us a call and we’d be happy to help. You can even choose the style of sink or faucet that you like best. It’ll give your space a whole new look.

Toilets

One of the most frequent issues in toilets is clogs or backups. This can happen when other material besides waste or toilet paper is being flushed down the toilet.

Other issues that can happen with your toilet include:

• Leaks
• Constant running water
• Crack in the toilet tank
• Weak flush
• Wobbling
• Filling up slowly

If you are noticing any of these issues arise with your toilet, it’s best to address them as soon as you catch them so you can avoid any further damage or issues in the future. We can help you with any type of toilet issue that you may have! Just give us a call.

Water Heaters

Water heaters play a critical part in every home’s plumbing system. A water heater provides us with the hot water we need in our homes for tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing.

There are many common issues that take place with water heaters.

Let’s go over some of the most common that we see:

• No hot water
• Not enough hot water
• Leaks
• Unusual noises
• High energy bills
• Discolored water

It’s important to address water heater issues as soon as you notice them, especially if it’s forcing you to be without hot water in your home. Luckily, we can take care of that for you!

Give us a call, we’re 1-Tom-Plumber, the name is the phone number!

Water Lines

The water lines in your home allow you to have access to clean water. There are many different types of pipe that can be used within your home’s plumbing system.

While access to clean water is important for your home, it is also important to make sure that when problems arise with your pipes, you’re taking the necessary precautions to make sure that the issue gets resolved.

Some of the most common issues we see with water lines are:

• Low water pressure
• Leaks
• Old or worn out pipes
• Burst pipes due to freezing temperatures
• Corrosion
• Mineral buildup

It’s best to contact a professional plumber to address the issues that you find with your water lines. Fortunately, you can count on us! With 24/7 availability, we can be out to address the issue the same day.

Showers

Our team of expert plumbers is ready to tackle any shower-related issues, from repairing leaks to installing new shower heads. If your shower drain is clogged or you're dealing with low water pressure, we’ll get things back in working order quickly and efficiently. While we focus on repairs and replacements, you can count on us to restore your shower to perfect condition without any hassle.

• Shower head installation and replacement
• Fixing low water pressure issues
• Leak detection and repair
• Clearing clogged shower drains
• Shower valve repair and replacement

Backflow Testing & Repair

A backflow prevention device is what keeps contaminated water from flowing backward into your clean drinking water supply. These devices are required on many Austin homes and businesses to protect the public water system.

Common issues we see with backflow prevention systems include:

• Failed annual testing

• Worn internal seals

• Broken springs or valves

• Debris or sediment buildup

• Leaking or dripping assemblies

• Outdated or non-compliant devices

• Improper installation

The only way to know if your device is working properly is through a certified backflow test. Our licensed technicians use professional testing gauges to measure pressure, check valve performance, and verify that your system meets Austin Water Utility regulations.

If your backflow device fails its test, a professional should handle the repair. Whether it’s replacing faulty components, clearing out debris, or installing a new compliant assembly, we can do it all. Click here to read more!

Advanced Leak Detection

A plumbing leak can occur anywhere in your home — under the slab, behind your walls, in ceilings, or even underground between the meter and your house. Leak detection is the process of locating these hidden leaks without damaging your property.

Common signs that you may have a hidden leak include:

• Sudden increases in your water bill

• Damp or warm spots on floors

• Mold or mildew smells

• Wall or ceiling discoloration

• Low water pressure

• Constant running water noises

• Wet patches in your yard

Because these leaks are concealed, they can’t be found by simple guesswork. Our Austin leak detection specialists use advanced tools like camera inspections, acoustic listening devices, and line tracing to pinpoint the exact location of the problem.

Allowing a professional to locate your leak is the fastest and least invasive way to stop water damage before it becomes serious. Whether the solution requires a small repair, a slab leak reroute, or a full pipe replacement, we can take care of it. Click here to read more!