Category: Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ

How often should a wax ring be replaced on a toilet? It’s a simple question, but don’t be fooled. Things can get complicated. Here’s what to know.

Every toilet in your home has a wax ring connecting it to your plumbing, which creates a waterproof seal to keep what goes down to the sewer from seeping out the sides. This piece of equipment usually lasts as long as the toilet, about 30 years. However, if it dries out and starts to crumble, you could be at risk for a messy leak.

At that point, it’s time to install a new one.

Installing a New Wax Ring

You should be able to find a replacement at any hardware store. Before beginning, you will need to have the proper tools nearby:

  • A putty knife
  • A bucket and towels in case of a leak
  • A wet/dry vacuum
  • A wrench that fits the hardware of your toilet

Here’s how to replace your toilet’s wax ring.

  1. Disconnect the water supply.

To disconnect the water supply to your toilet, turn the water lines leading from the wall to your toilet to the “off” position. After doing that, flush the toilet to get as much water out as possible. You may want to have a wet/dry vacuum handy to remove any water that remains in the tank and bowl. Otherwise, you will need to use a towel. Once all the water is out, disconnect the water supply line from the bottom of the tank.

  1. Remove the toilet.

Next, remove the toilet. Take off the caps covering the bolts at the base of the toilet, then unscrew the bolts using an appropriate wrench. You should now be able to rock the toilet loose from the old wax ring. Once it is free, lift the toilet and set it out of the way.

 

  1. Scrape off the old wax ring.

Using a putty knife, start scraping away the wax on the flange, the pipe that connects to the toilet, as well as the bottom of the toilet. If the flange looks damaged, you should call a plumber before continuing, as the new wax ring may not seal properly.

  1. Install the new wax ring.

Make sure you follow the instructions on the packaging of your new wax ring and proceed to install it. Once you have it in place, gently put the toilet back where it was, aligning the bolt holes on the toilet with the bolts in the floor.

Once the toilet is in place, close the lid and sit down to use your weight to finish the seal. Gently move your weight around to ensure a complete seal. The toilet should be flush with the floor when finished.

Need help with your toilet? Custom Plumbing of Arizona is here to help.

Not sure how often should a wax ring be replaced? That’s not a problem! Get in touch with us today, and we will send a plumbing expert to your home as soon as possible.

Posted on Author adminCategories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZTags Leave a comment on How Often Should a Wax Ring Be Replaced on Your Toilet?

Curious about how to get rid of biofilm in pipes at home? This guide will walk you through the process.

Have you seen it? That slimy goo around your shower drain might seem like nothing more than a gross annoyance. After all, sometimes drains and plumbing fixtures just get…nasty. Right?

If you want to know the truth, though, if you let that slippery substance go for too long, it could end up being hazardous to your health. Why? That stuff is known as biofilm, and it’s not as innocuous as you might think.

How to get rid of biofilm in pipes: What is biofilm?

Biofilm is a collection of organic substances, composed of many types of bacteria and their waste products. Aside from posing a risk of clogging your pipes if you neglect the problem too long, biofilm is also known to carry the pathogens responsible for ear infections, Legionnaire’s disease, salmonella, E. coli, and so many more awful ailments.

The best way to avoid getting sick from biofilm is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

How to Prevent Biofilm

Biofilm forms naturally anywhere there is stagnant moisture. While there are ways to remove it once it has formed, it is often easier to prevent it from forming in the first place. To prevent it from invading your plumbing fixtures and pipes, keep the areas around your drains and near your fixtures dry. After using them, be sure to dry them off to keep the nasty stuff from building up.

If you already have a biofilm problem, not to worry! There are ways to remove it.

How to Get Rid of Biofilm in Pipes

Remove Hair and Debris Blockages

Biofilm loves to form in hard-to-reach places. Perhaps one of the most secretive places for organic buildup to find a home is hair and debris inside your drains. If you have ever pulled a half-foot of hair from your shower drain, you know exactly what it looks like. Once you remove these blockages, however, much of the biofilm comes with it.

Clean the Areas Near Your Drains

Biofilm also loves to congregate on surfaces that surround your sinks and drains. The reason for this? These spaces are often left wet and receive their fair share of bacteria from things like teeth brushing and shower run-off. If you want to stop biofilm from forming inside your pipes and causing a blockage, stop it at its source by cleaning the spaces that lead to your drains.

Clean after Cooking

The kitchen sink is especially prone to biofilm buildup because of the food waste that finds its way there. If you want to learn how to get rid of biofilm in pipes, the first thing you need to know is to stop leaving your dishes for later. Just do the dishes right after you finish eating, and your problem could go away.

Want to learn how to get rid of biofilm in pipes? Custom Plumbing of Arizona is here to help.

Now that you understand the danger that biofilm can pose to your health, it’s time to start cleaning. Need help with a troublesome drain? At Custom Plumbing, we specialize in drain cleaning and other plumbing services. Get in touch with us today to schedule a home visit.

Posted on Author adminCategories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ, Blog, Residential Plumbing ServicesLeave a comment on Health Hazard: How to Get Rid of Biofilm in Pipes

These plumbing tips could help you avoid a disaster this holiday season. Need an expert in a pinch? Contact Custom Plumbing of Arizona today!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so why would you want to spend any of it dealing with plumbing issues? Unfortunately, with all the holidays throw at us, many people experience plumbing emergencies during the festive season.

Want to reduce your chances of a holiday leak emergency this year? Here are some plumbing tips you should know.

Give Those Pipes a Rest

With COVID-19, this year you might not have extra guests in your home. If you do, it’s critical to take it easy on your home’s plumbing as much as possible. Aside from making sure that shower drains are free of excess hair and debris, you should inform your guests to wait a little between showers. Fifteen minutes is not too long to wait to avoid a clogged drain.

Give those drains some time to do what they do best, and you’ll be golden.

Know What You Can and Cannot Flush

If you have family over for the holidays, make sure that everyone knows what they can and cannot flush down the toilet. Toilet paper and human waste are fine to go down the drain. The rest should be thrown in the garbage.

Even if those disinfecting wipes or sanitary products say they can be flushed, it’s better safe than sorry. We know it can be awkward to have this kind of conversation with family. We suggest posting a discreet sign above the toilet so that no one misses it.

Be Kind to Your Kitchen Sink

Around the holidays, families tend to bond over delicious food—food that you don’t cook year-round. Some of the most popular dishes are full of fat, oil, and starch, all of which can wreak havoc on the plumbing in your home.

Here’s one of the most useful plumbing tips we can give you. When you put stuff down the drain that should be thrown in the garbage, out-of-sight-out-of-mind doesn’t always last for long.

Thinking of dumping that pan of hot grease down the kitchen sink? Think again! As soon as that stuff hits your cool pipes, it’s going to solidify and gunk up the works.

Think your garbage disposal can handle those fibrous vegetable scraps? Nope! Don’t tempt fate.

When in doubt, throw it out!

Get Your Plumbing Inspected before the Holidays

Whether you have guests in your home this winter or not, your plumbing will experience more use because you and your immediate family will be home more. One of the best ways to ensure that your plumbing is ready for added usage is to schedule a drain inspection and cleaning.

Got a problem drain that just doesn’t seem to be working right? We’ll take care of it.

Got a Holiday Emergency That Plumbing Tips Won’t Help? We Can Handle It!

There is perhaps no worse time to have a plumbing emergency than during the holiday season. Got a problem you can’t fix yourself? Custom Plumbing of Arizona is here to help!

Posted on Author Vince VinceCategories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ, Blog, Residential Plumbing ServicesTags

Have you ever wondered do I need a water softener? If so, this article is for you.

Hard water is a common menace to many homes’ plumbing in Arizona. The only solution to this problem is to install a water softener.

But how do you know if you need a water softener? It can be difficult to tell, but if you notice either of these signs, you can bet that you need to counteract a hard water problem.

You Notice Limescale Buildup

What do we mean by hard water? What makes water “hard”? It’s the minerals that the water running through your home contains. Two minerals that create hard water are calcium and magnesium. When these minerals come into contact with a hard surface, they often get left behind as deposits. While it can be a slow process, over time these deposits build up into what is known as limescale.

Limescale is not only unappealing to look at, it can also cause damage you your pipes and fixtures that gets more difficult to fix over time.

If you notice a white substance on any surfaces that frequently come into contact with your tap water, such as sinks and faucets, you have a hard water problem.

You Notice Your Water Pressure Is Poor

Unfortunately, limescale doesn’t only build up on the surfaces in your home that often get wet. It can also build up inside your pipes. As limescale collects on the inside of your pipes and your water fixtures, it can restrict the flow of water, which leads to poor water pressure.

And is there anything worse than poor water pressure when you go to take a shower or wash the dishes?

One of the most common areas that you can see limescale building up inside your pipes is your shower. Take a look at your showerhead the next time you use your shower. Is there a white substance on it? Has your water pressure decreased over the years? If the answer to either of these is yes, you probably have a hard water problem in your plumbing.

But you don’t have to live with it. It is an easy fix for those who are in the know.

Do I Need a Water Softener? The Answer Is a Phone Call Away

Unfortunately, hard water doesn’t just go away. You have to install a water softener if you want to avoid nasty limescale buildup and poor water pressure. If you notice any of the above signs in your home’s plumbing, it’s time to call in an expert.

Not sure whether your home needs a water softener? Let us help you figure it out on our next trip to your house! To set up an appointment, contact us, or call 602-883-2761. One of our expert plumbers will come to your home and help you decide whether a water softener is right for you.

Posted on Author Vince VinceCategories Blog, Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ, Residential Plumbing Services, Water TreatmentTags

If your home was built before the 70s and you have not done significant work on the plumbing since then, it might be time to consider repiping your house. When should repiping a house top your home improvement list? That’s a question for an expert plumber, but to get you started, here are seven signs that you need new plumbing.

7 Signs Your Home Needs Repiping

Pipes have changed a lot over the years, from the materials manufacturers use to make them to their durability and even safety. For instance, before the 1920s, many homes’ pipes were made of lead, which we know today to be extremely harmful to our health if it leeches into the water supply. Even if your home’s plumbing is not made of lead, however, it could be time to replace it before major problems develop.

Repiping a house is a fairly straightforward process. When a plumber replaces your plumbing they will bypass the original pipes with new pipes. If you notice any of these seven signs, you should consider contacting a plumber to discuss your options:

  • Rusty water
  • Water or drains that have an unusual odor
  • Frequent leaks
  • A drop in temperature from hot to cold when the toilet is flushed
  • Unreliable water temperature
  • Unreliable water pressure
  • Water takes a long time to heat up

To keep your home’s plumbing in good shape, it’s important to keep an eye out for any of these symptoms. Be sure to record the first sign you see and let your plumber know during their next visit.

When Repiping a House, What Materials Should You Use?

When you repipe your home, you will have a few different options for materials. Most modern homes use copper, PVC, or both for their plumbing.

Copper is a good option because it is a versatile material and it is durable. In addition to these benefits, it is also recyclable and naturally bacteria resistant. However, there is a tradeoff—because of its versatility, durability, and other benefits, it is also an expensive option. When many homeowners see the price they will need to pay to install copper pipes exclusively, they decide to go a different route.

The alternative is polyvinyl chloride pipes, or PVC. Because of their affordability, PVC pipes are an extremely attractive option for many homeowners. PVC pipes are durable like copper, but they also do not corrode. One important note to mention, however, is that PVC pipes do not do well with hot water. In fact, PVC becomes toxic when heated, so be sure that any water lines that carry hot water use chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipes, also known as CPVC.

Is Repiping a House on Your To-Do List? Call Custom Plumbing of Arizona Today

Get in touch with the expert plumbers at Custom Plumbing now to learn what your options are for repiping your home. Contact us, or call 602-883-2761.

Posted on Author Vince VinceCategories Blog, Emergency Plumber, Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ, Repiping, Residential Plumbing ServicesTags