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In the world of plumbing, cast iron pipe repair has been a staple since long before the 1970s. While it may not seem like ancient history, it’s important to realize that these pipes are now reaching the ripe age of 50 years and older. Designed to last between 50 and 100 years, the cast iron drain pipes in homes constructed in the 1920s and 1930s are well beyond their expected lifespan. As a homeowner, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs that indicate the need for cast iron pipe repair. 

In this blog, we will explore these signs, understand why corrosion occurs, and provide guidance on when to seek professional help.

Signs You Need Cast Iron Pipe Repair

  • Leaks: Cracks or damage caused by corrosive materials, such as sulfuric acid or drain cleaners, can lead to leaks in your cast iron pipes. To check for leaks, inspect any exposed pipe sections and look for dripping or signs of leakage.
  • Strange Lawn Signs: Leaking sewage acts as a fertilizer, resulting in an unusually lush and vibrant green lawn. If you notice puddles of water or sewage waste in your yard, it’s a clear indication that a pipe is cracked and leaking. Keep an eye out for sinking soil, fertile patches of grass, and strange bumps or ditches caused by soil erosion due to leaking pipes.
  • Foundation Cracks: Leaking pipes can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation, causing cracks to appear. If you observe such foundation damage, it’s crucial to contact a plumber and a foundation repair specialist promptly to address the issue before it worsens.
  • Sewer Odor: A properly functioning sewer system should be airtight, so if you can detect the distinct smell of sewage, it could be a sign of a cracked sewer pipe. Prolonged exposure to sewer gas can have adverse health effects, underscoring the importance of addressing the issue promptly.
  • Backups: Slow draining, recurrent clogs, and sewage backups are clear indications of failing cast iron pipes. These issues can disrupt your daily life and should be addressed without delay to prevent further damage and inconvenience.
  • Mold: A cracked drain pipe within your walls or floors can create a moist environment, increasing humidity and providing the perfect conditions for mold growth. If you notice the presence of mold or detect a musty odor, it’s crucial to have your pipes inspected and repaired to maintain a healthy living environment.
  • Rodents or Insects: Even the smallest cracks in your pipes can serve as entry points for unwelcome pests such as rodents and insects. Cockroaches, palmetto bugs, flies, and other pests can find their way into your home through these openings. While pest control measures may eliminate the current invaders, the problem will persist unless the underlying pipe issues are resolved.

Why Does Cast Iron Pipe Corrosion Occur?

Corrosion of cast iron pipes can occur due to various factors, particularly when they are buried underground. One common cause is external corrosion, resulting from the materials present in the surrounding soil. Soil often contains high levels of acidity and toxins that contribute to the rusting of cast iron pipes. While external rust may not immediately raise concerns, it can serve as an indication of more significant problems within the internal piping system.

On the other hand, internal corrosion occurs within the pipes themselves and is primarily caused by the acidity of the sewage flowing through them. The waste running through the pipes generates hydrogen sulfide gas, which oxidizes and forms sulfuric acid. Unfortunately, sulfuric acid is highly corrosive to cast iron. It’s worth noting that certain household drain cleaners contain sulfuric acid, which can accelerate pipe corrosion. Therefore, it is advisable to check the ingredients of any drain cleaners you use to avoid exacerbating the corrosion issue.

More: Professional Drain Cleaning Service: Is It Really Worth It?

When to Call a Plumber

While some minor plumbing issues can be tackled on your own, when it comes to cast iron pipe repair, it’s best to enlist the help of a professional emergency plumber. If you notice any of the signs mentioned earlier or suspect problems with your cast iron drain pipes, it’s crucial to reach out to a reputable plumbing service in your area. By entrusting the job to experts, you can ensure that the repairs are done correctly and efficiently, saving you time, effort, and potential further damage. If you reside in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, Buckeye, or any surrounding areas in Arizona, Custom Plumbing of Arizona is the premier choice for all your drain cleaning and cast iron pipe repair needs. With our team of skilled plumbers and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Custom Plumbing is dedicated to restoring the functionality of your plumbing system. To schedule an appointment or seek professional advice, contact Custom Plumbing today at 602-866-2665.

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Want to avoid your home resembling a construction zone? Need to fix a slab leak without jackhammering your foundation? We hear you! The idea of jackhammering your precious foundation can be enough to make any homeowner cringe. But fear not! We’re here to share some ingenious methods to fix a slab leak without jackhammering. Yes, you read that right! In this blog, we’ll guide you through some creative solutions that will save your foundation from the wrath of a jackhammer while still addressing that pesky slab leak. 

3 Methods to Fix Slab Leak Without Jackhammering: How to Fix a Slab Leak When You Don’t Want to Tear Up Your Foundation

  • Re-Routing

Re-piping or re-routing is an effective method to fix a slab leak when only a small number of pipes need replacement. Then, the plumber will install new pipes to create a leak-free system. However, if the lines are under your floors or inside your walls, it will require demolition, which means you might have to leave your home while the work is completed.

Fixing a slab leak without jackhammering may take several days to complete, depending on the efficiency of the contractor and the extent of the work needed. But it’s a great option for those who want a reliable and long-lasting solution to their slab leak problem.

More: How Common Are Slab Leaks? For Arizonans, It Doesn’t Look Good

  • Tunneling

Tunneling is a popular option for homeowners who want to preserve their expensive flooring. The repair crew will dig tunnels underneath your home to access the broken pipe. They will ensure the structural integrity of your house is not affected during the process. Once the necessary repairs are done, they will return the removed soil.

One of the best things about tunneling is that you can stay home during the repair process. This method is also less messy than other methods, and it’s an excellent option for those who want a non-invasive approach to fixing their slab leak.

  • Trenchless Slab Leak Repair

If you’re looking for the most non-destructive method to fix a slab leak, trenchless plumbing repair is the way to go. The contractor will only need to create access holes to perform the repair, and it’s not as costly as the traditional methods.

The slab repair specialists will seal the broken pipe with epoxy pipe liners. First, they will do a camera inspection to determine the extent of the damage. Then, if trenchless repair is viable, they will clean the pipe, place the epoxy pipe liner, inflate it, and then let it cure. This entire process can be completed in just a few hours.

In addition to epoxy pipe liners, they can use pipe splitting to replace badly damaged water lines. This method involves inserting new pipes slightly larger than the existing ones.

Contact Custom Plumbing of Arizona Today to Get Started

Fixing a slab leak without jackhammering is a challenging task, but it can be done with the right approach and expertise. That’s why you need to contact Custom Plumbing of Arizona as soon as possible. We’re a trusted 24-hour plumbing company in Arizona, specializing in fixing slab leaks without resorting to the dreaded jackhammer. In addition, we’re always available to provide emergency services, ensuring that your slab leak gets fixed quickly and efficiently.

We understand the importance of keeping your building safe and reliable for the people and communities that rely on it. With over fifteen years of experience under our belts, you can count on us to handle your slab leak with expertise and care. So, if you’re dealing with a slab leak and want to avoid the hassle of jackhammering your foundation, don’t wait another minute. Give us a call at 602-866-2665 before it’s too late.

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Ah, home sweet home. The place where you can kick off your shoes, relax, and forget about the outside world. But what happens if you ignore a slab leak? Well, let’s just say it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Picture this: a tiny drip somewhere beneath your concrete foundation that you choose to ignore, thinking it’s just a minor nuisance. But that unassuming little leak can quickly transform into a costly disaster, wreaking havoc on your beloved abode. 

 

In this blog, we will delve into the five expensive outcomes that can arise from neglecting a slab leak, so you can avoid the headache and financial woes that come with turning a blind eye to plumbing problems.

What Happens If You Ignore A Slab Leak?

A slab leak is a term used to describe a leak in the water pipes that are located beneath the concrete slab foundation of your home. These leaks can occur for a number of reasons, such as damage to the pipes, soil shifting, or even poor installation. Regardless of the cause, ignoring a slab leak can lead to some serious damage.

Slab Leak Damage: 5 Ways a Slab Leak Can Ruin Your Home

Foundation Damage

Your home’s foundation is like the rock-solid backbone that holds everything together. Ignoring a slab leak can spell disaster for this crucial structure. As water seeps into the ground beneath your foundation, it causes the soil to shift and erode, compromising the stability of your home. Over time, this can lead to cracks in the foundation, uneven floors, and even structural collapse. Repairing foundation damage is a daunting and expensive task, so it’s essential to address slab leaks promptly to avoid such costly consequences.

Yard and Landscaping Damage

A beautiful yard can be the pride and joy of any homeowner, but a slab leak can turn that oasis into a soggy mess. As water continues to leak from the foundation, it saturates the soil, leading to the death of your carefully nurtured plants and the deterioration of your beloved landscaping. Moreover, the excess moisture can cause soil erosion, sinkholes, and the upheaval of pathways or driveways. Repairing these damages can take a significant toll on your wallet and your green thumb.

Foul Odors

If you’ve ever smelled a musty odor in a damp basement, you know how unpleasant it can be. A slab leak provides the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, releasing foul odors permeating your home. Not only is this smell nauseating, but it can also pose health risks to you and your family. Mold spores can trigger allergies and respiratory problems, making your living environment uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. In addition, ignoring a slab leak allows these unwelcome guests to multiply and thrive, leading to costly mold remediation expenses down the line.

Flooring Damage

The floors in your home are a significant investment, and they’re meant to be enjoyed, not ruined by a hidden leak. When water seeps through your slab, it can wreak havoc on various types of flooring. Hardwood floors can warp and become discolored, while carpets can become waterlogged and develop mold. Even tile and vinyl flooring aren’t immune to the damaging effects of prolonged exposure to moisture. Replacing damaged flooring is costly and can significantly dent your bank account.

Mold Growth

Mold is a persistent enemy that thrives in moist environments. If a slab leak goes unaddressed, it creates the perfect conditions for mold growth. Mold can spread quickly, invading not only your floors but also your walls, ceilings, and even your furniture. Removing mold and restoring your home’s air quality can be an expensive and time-consuming process. It’s far better to tackle the source of the problem head-on rather than deal with the consequences of mold infestation.

What Should I Do If I Think I Have A Slab Leak?

What happens if you ignore a slab leak? Don’t wait to find out the hard way. Don’t let your home turn into a soggy submarine! 

Our expert emergency plumbers are ready to dive in and rescue you from the depths of plumbing despair. Contact us by dialing 602-866-2665. We offer round-the-clock emergency services because we know that slab leaks don’t adhere to regular office hours.

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As the old saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” But what happens when something that’s been out of sight for a while suddenly becomes all too visible? Unfortunately, that’s the unfortunate reality for many homeowners when they discover a broken sewer line. Suddenly, what was once buried beneath their yards and streets is exposed and in dire need of repair. 

It’s a messy, smelly, and inconvenient problem that requires immediate attention. But with the right expertise and equipment, a broken sewer line can be fixed, and your home can be restored to its former glory. So let’s roll up our sleeves and take a closer look at what it takes to fix a broken sewer line.

Can a Broken Sewer Line Cause a Sinkhole?

Sinkholes can develop naturally when the rock beneath the earth’s surface erodes due to water, causing the earth above to collapse into the void below. But did you know those man-made plumbing problems can also cause sinkholes? For example, if you see a depression or trench in your front lawn, there’s a chance that your sewer line is running directly below it. This is because a poorly sealed sewer line can cause erosion over time, leading to the formation of a sinkhole.

And let me tell you, sinkholes are no laughing matter! They can be dangerous for both people and property. For example, cars can be damaged if they drive over a sinkhole, and people can turn an ankle or worse if they unknowingly walk into one.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the responsibility for repairs falls on the homeowner, and the repairs can cost thousands of dollars.

The Age of Your Home Is a Factor

Over time, homes age just like fine wine. However, when it comes to the age of your abode, certain factors need to be taken into account, especially when it comes to plumbing. Fortunately, modern homes built after 1980 have been constructed with updated building codes requiring sewer lines to be gasketed and sealed, eliminating the need for the infamous jute rope wrap used to cover sewer joints before being embedded in concrete. This rope material was notorious for deteriorating underground, causing sewer lines to develop problematic leaks.

Sinkholes are one of the more noticeable effects of water seepage into the surrounding soil and rock, and these are more likely to occur in homes built before 1980. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that newer homes are immune to this problem. Despite all the precautionary measures taken during construction, leaks can still occur due to root intrusion, earthquakes, serious clogs, or corrosion.

If you start noticing any new depressions in your yard, it may be an indication of a more severe problem, and you should consider calling in the experts from Custom Plumbing of Arizona for main line repair.

Signs Your Broken Sewer Line Is Causing a Sinkhole

As a homeowner, it’s important to be alert to any signs that your home might need plumbing attention. And when it comes to sewer leaks, there are often subtle indicators that something’s amiss, well before sinkholes or other major issues appear. Here are the most common signs that you may have a sewer leak to look out for:

  • The unmistakable scent of sewage emanating from your drains, no matter what you do, to try and get rid of it.
  • Multiple drains that are slow or backed up, or all of them having problems at once, which could be a sign of a blockage in your pipes.
  • Frequent clogs that need to be cleared regularly, indicating that something’s not flowing properly.
  • Certain areas of your lawn look greener than others as if they’re getting extra water and nutrients.
  • Wet or smelly patches in your yard could be caused by excess water and human waste.
  • An influx of rodents may be coming in through cracks in your pipes.
  • Cracks appearing on your exterior walls due to soil shifting under your foundation, which could signal a serious problem with your sewer line.

What Happens If I Don’t Fix My Broken Sewer Line?

Dealing with unexpected repairs is never fun, but when it comes to a broken sewer line, ignoring it can lead to some serious consequences. Unfortunately, those cracks in your sewer line won’t magically go away – in fact, they’re likely to get worse over time, causing even bigger issues down the line.

One of the biggest risks of a leaky sewer line is damage to your home’s foundation. If the ground around your house becomes destabilized, you could end up with major structural problems that are costly to fix. Plus, if a clog in your main line causes the leak, you risk raw sewage backing up into your home, which is a mess no one wants to deal with.

To avoid these issues, it’s important to stay on top of your plumbing system’s maintenance and catch any potential problems before they become major headaches. That’s where we come in – The Drain Whisperers at Custom Plumbing of Arizona are available 24/7 to help keep your plumbing in top shape. Contact us today at 602-866-2665 to get the help you need.

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Are flushable wipes really flushable? This is a question that many of us have asked ourselves while standing in the bathroom with a fresh pack of wet wipes in our hands. Let’s be real: using wet wipes to clean up after using the toilet has become a popular trend. They’re marketed as “flushable” and “septic-safe,” which means it’s perfectly fine to flush them down the toilet, right? Wrong! In this blog, we’re going to explore whether or not flushable wipes are actually flushable, and why they can cause serious damage to your home’s plumbing.

So, Are Flushable Wipes Actually Flushable? 

Oh, flushable wipes claim to be sewer-friendly and septic-safe, giving us the illusion that we can flush them down the toilet without a second thought. But are they really flushable? Spoiler alert: not exactly. 

Despite what the label on the packaging may tell you, flushable wipes take longer to break down than good old-fashioned toilet paper. This means that these seemingly harmless wipes increase the risk of clogged pipes and blockages, which could result in some hefty plumbing bills. So, flushable wipes can potentially leave your bank account drained (pun intended).

And, if you think that flushing them down the toilet is the end of the story, you’re in for a surprise. These sneaky wipes can team up with other items in your sewer line, such as thick toilet paper, cotton swabs, paper towels, dental floss, sanitary pads, and toilet cleaning pads. Together, they can create a monster of a blockage known as “ragging” that can wreak havoc on your plumbing. So, you might want to think twice before you flush that wipe next time.

But don’t just take our word for it. Even though manufacturers may claim that flushable wipes are safe to flush, the evidence suggests that they can increase the risk of clogged sewer lines and require more frequent septic tank pumping. And let’s face it; nobody wants to deal with a sewer backup or sewage spill in their home. It’s a messy and costly situation to clean up.

How Flushable Wipes Can Damage Your Home’s Plumbing

The accumulation of wipes in the sewer line between the house and tank can cause a blockage, leading to backups and even flooding in your home. Additionally, wipes can build up at the inlet of the septic tank, reducing its ability to remove solids from the water discharging to your leach area. This can ultimately lead to the failure of your entire septic system, resulting in expensive repairs and replacement bills.

The issue with flushable wipes goes beyond just clogging pipes and septic tanks. In fact, flushing any chemicals, wipes, or other items into your septic tank can cause the waste-eating bacteria to die, leading to the breakdown of the entire system. This means that regular septic tank inspections and pumping become even more important when using wipes, as the bacteria in your system will need to be replenished more frequently.

I Have a Septic System. Are Flushable Wipes Septic Safe?

Plumbing and septic tank service companies are in agreement on this one – flushable wipes are not so flushable after all. Despite what the packaging may say, these pesky wipes don’t dissolve in septic tanks and can cause serious damage in the long run. It’s like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off in your pipes.

One plumbing company even said that flushing wipes down the toilet are one of the worst things you can do to your home’s plumbing. Yikes, that’s like inviting a pack of angry raccoons to your backyard BBQ. Trust us; you don’t want to deal with that mess.

Sure, the manufacturers will tell you that these wipes are safe to flush, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Flushing them can increase the risk of clogged sewer lines and require the pumping of septic tanks more often. And let’s be honest; nobody wants to pay for more frequent septic tank pumping. That’s like paying for a gym membership you never use – a waste of money and resources.

So, what’s the solution? Stick to good old-fashioned toilet paper, folks. It may not be as fancy as those flushable wipes, but it gets the job done without causing any damage to your septic system. 

What to Do If “Flushable” Wipes Clog Your Plumbing

Are flushable wipes really flushable? Don’t take the packaging at face value – those seemingly harmless wipes can cause serious plumbing issues. If you’re experiencing frequent clogs in your home, it’s time to call in the experts. Our 24-hour emergency plumber at Custom Plumbing of Arizona is always on standby, ready to tackle any size clog. So don’t let the problem linger any longer – call us at 602-866-2665 to schedule an appointment and end those stubborn clogs for good!

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