So what does this mean to local residents to have lime-scale in the water supply?

What Exactly Is Hard Water      

Hard water is water with high dissolved mineral content that often includes magnesium and calcium. Since the terrain in Tennessee has quite a bit of limestone, our plumbing systems carry hard water.

Harmful Effects of Hard Water

There are a number of impacts of having hard water you may not have considered. Hard water is known to cause plumbing issues and other challenges for local residents.

Here are some of the top reasons people prefer to have softer water:

• Consuming too much magnesium and calcium can have ill effects on health.
• Hard water can cause noticeable damage to your plumbing pipes due to increased levels of minerals. These hard water minerals can cause build up on appliances and plumbing fixtures, as well as clog your pipes.
• More detergent is required to do laundry and dishes. The minerals reduce the suds and cleaning power of the detergents, resulting in an additional expense.
• More soap is needed for baths and showers for the exact same reason.

How to Make Water Softer

There is really only one way to get your plumbing to produce softer water. Treat your water by purchasing and installing a water softener. Your local plumber can easily handle this task for you. There are all types of softeners.

Factors to consider in Purchasing a Softener

There are a number of water softeners on the market. You can even purchase one from Amazon and have it delivered to your door in 1-2 days or less. Below are some factors to consider in purchasing a water softener:

Size Needed for the Home – Consider how much water your family uses along with the size of your home and the how much softening needs to be done (based on how hard your water is)

How Long You Need the Softener to Last – Softeners vary in quality. Like most appliances, the higher the quality, the higher the price in most cases. The average softener lasts 10 to 15 years.

The Need for Continual Soft Water – Similar to how a tankless water heater offers continual hot water, some softeners offer continual softening. If this is a requirement for your family, that option exists. A more economical option is to purchase a lower end valve which works on a timer.

Installation Expense – It is definitely worth the research to determine the installation costs for the unit. Most plumbers can install any brand unit. Rates vary and will generally be more if your home is not pre-plumbed.

Fix It All Plumbing is committed to providing you and your family with expert plumbing services at fair rates. Our plumbers are glad to answer any questions or help resolve issues.

Call or text us at (615) 568-5051

Your Master Plumber,

Kevin Sipes

The post Nashville Hard Water first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Diagnosing Rotten Sewer Drain Line

The homeowner called the plumbers Fix It All about a foul smell coming from their basement. The home was off Nolensville Road close to Southern Hills Hospital in Nashville 37211.

The plumbing team at Fix It All Plumbing ran a smoke test and quickly diagnosed the issue. Smoke had arisen through a crack in the concrete. The plumbers determined the cast iron drain pipe underneath was rotten. Next the plumbing team had to break open the concrete and run a new line to the main sewer line.

Repairing Rotten Cast Iron Sewer Drain Pipe

The plumbing portion of the job required 5 hours. The work to bust open the concrete to access the drain line, and then restore all the concrete required 5 days. The only work the Fix It All Plumbing team did not do was replace the carpet and repaint the area. Insurance covered 90% of the job. The only portions not covered were the plumbing diagnosis and installation of the new pipe.

Insurance paid for all expenses involved except the new pipe installation.

The plumbers at Fix It All Plumbing are committed to providing homeowners and businesses with premium plumbing services at fair rates. We are glad to help you with any plumbing questions or issues. Call or text us at 615-568-5051.

The post Nashville Plumbing Broken Sewer Line Repair 37211 first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Preventing a Bathtub Clog

Prevention of the hair clog is always the best approach to avoid the issue completely. Consider buying an effective drain cap or cover to ensure nothing other than water is able to slip down it. If you have a family with thick curly long hair, you will benefit from a drain cover. With something in place to catch the stray hairs, you won’t have to worry about having to pull out accumulations of organic debris that are simply too large to make their way through your plumbing system in any expedient fashion.

Common Substances that Clog Bathroom Drains

Another important thing to note is that hair is only one substance that can cause slow moving drains in the bathroom. There are a number of small-sized items that can get lodged in this portion of your plumbing system if it is not properly blocked off by an acceptable drain catch plate. For instance, if your children like showering or bathing with small-sized toys, then you should make sure that these are always too large to slip down in this space. Be sure to check toys for small detachable parts. Another common culprit is food. Yes, children and adults both eat in the bathroom.

As a general rule, If the object is a choking hazard, it is also a bathroom drain hazard.

The tops to shampoos and conditions or even various portions of personal razors or shavers are among some of the other things that can get lodged into this space. If you do not have a drain cap currently in place, make sure that this isn’t your problem. If you have a relatively large, hard obstruction in this area, it is best to call a plumber.

Best Way to Remove Hair from a Shower Drain

For soft, organic materials such as hair or food crumbs, reach down into the drain area and see if you can remove the clog yourself. You might try using something relatively narrow to scoop this up, such as a slightly bent wire hanger. Do not, however, attempt to force this deeply down into the plumbing system, as you may do more harm than good. You also want to avoid forcing any blockage or debris deeper into the plumbing system.

There may be a drain cap that is built into the unit. Try unscrewing this by twisting it counter-clockwise. Once it’s off, you should be able to peer fully down into the drain. You can also use a flashlight to get a better look at how the blockage is positioned.

If a clog cannot be removed by hand or with a relatively short and narrow tool, use a simple drain snake to clear the blockage. Again, however, this is only a good idea when dealing with soft, organic debris rather than hard toys or plastic personal hygiene implements. Harder items will only get forced deeper into the plumbing system when a drain snake is used.

Once the area has been cleared, go ahead and clean and freshen your drains. You can do this with a combination of white vinegar and baking soda. The chemical reaction that occurs when these two things are mixed is strong enough to power away soap scum and other build-ups that can contribute to problems with a slow-moving drain. You should avoid, however, the use of store-bought, chemical drain cleaners given that these are highly corrosive and can actually eat through your pipes. When all else fails, go ahead and call a reputable, local plumber in to get the job done right.

Fix It All Plumbing has served the Nashville community for decades ensuring your plumbing is working properly and that you have clean water. Our plumbers are committed to providing you with premium unclogging services at fair rates. We are glad to help you with any questions or issues.

Call or text us at (615) 568-5051

Your Nashville Plumber,

Kevin Sipes

The post How To Unclog a Bathtub Drain Full Of Hair in the Bathroom first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

It’s that time of year again! We are coming up on National Hug a Plumber Day on April, 25^th.  If you are wondering what date it falls on each year it is the last Wednesday of the month. Are you wondering what National Plumber Day is and how it started? Perhaps you’ve never heard of this holiday. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Have you ever had the desire to hug your plumber? That’s what we have been hoping.

The history of plumbing dates back to 3000 to 4000 BC when the first pipes carrying water were constructed to transport water along the Indus River (India). Approximately 2500 BC the Egyptians started using copper pipes to carry water for use in bathrooms, irrigation, and sewer systems. Yes, restrooms were found in Egyptian tombs for use after death.

The National Hug a Plumber Day history is somewhat of a mystery. It likely started in the United Kingdom. As Americans, we have embraced the day to show appreciation for plumbers who ensure we have consistent access to running water for baths and showers, kitchen use, lawn watering, laundry and so much more. Not only do we count on having immediate access to water in our homes, we trust that it is clean. There are many reasons to thank our plumbers and one of the best ways is to give them a hug whether it is National Hug a Plumber Day or not.

If you are wondering if there are other days plumbers are recognized throughout the year, check out World Plumbing Day, an international day to celebrate plumbers, falling on March 11th, each year.

Benefits of Hugging Your Plumber

There is actual benefit that has been scientifically proven behind the power of a hug. In fact, a study performed shows that a 10 second hug a day can improve your all around health including fighting infections, boosting you immune system, easing depression, fighting fatigue, reducing stress and lowering your risk of heart disease.

When you hug, your body releases a hormone called oxytocin. When this is released, it causes you to feel happy and connected to others. Oxytocin has often been called the “love hormone” because of the emotions one feels when it is released. This hormone alone is responsible for helping lower the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure due to the calming effect it has. Oxytocin can also relieve pain, according to Max Planck Institute for Medical Research.

Hugging is beneficial in many ways, and starts at a young age. In fact, infants who are hugged frequently grow up to be less stressed than other adults who were not frequently hugged during infancy. Studies also show that a hug can help reduce fear. Even if it is an inanimate object, like a teddy bear, hugging can keep one calm. This could explain why children like to sleep with their stuffed animals tucked closely beside.

While the holiday is called National Hug a Plumber Day, we think you should take that opportunity and enjoy hugs from everyone, plumbers and non-plumbers alike.

The post National Hug a Plumber Day first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

5 Ways to Prevent Flooding Before it Happens

1. Find out how water works its way around your house:

Does the slope of your house push water away or pull it towards the house? You can determine this by watching the water patterns during any average rainstorm; it does not have to be flood level rains to figure this out.

If the gradient pulls water towards your home, see what you can do to level it out and push it away. If there is flooding from public access that affects your property, call your local service department to determine what can be done and if they have any suggestions.

2. Keep you gutters clean:

One way that rain can enter and damage your home is through gutters and gutter systems that are done routinely checked and cleaned. Leaves and other debris in your gutter system can cause them to become full and can cause blockages when they are needed. These blockages do not allow water through, causing the water to settle wherever it can. Fox News suggests that you clean out your gutters twice a year: once in the fall and once in the spring.

3. Make your roof as efficient as possible:

When replacing and old roof or installing a new one, consider a rubber roof underlayment. This is a waterproof layer between the shingles and your bare roof. It can provide much needed extra protection in times of flooding.

4. Catalog all of your possessions:

In the event that your house has flood damage, it’s important to know what all has been damaged. Taking measure to catalog your possessions will make things easier for insurance purposes when it comes to reimbursement. Take pictures, videos and write down things of value in your house. When floods hit, it may become difficult to remember all of your possessions and their value on the spot.

3. Have a certified plumber do the work for you:

As tempting as it may be to try a DIY repair on your home’s pluming issues, it is much better in the long run to pay for a certified plumber to come do the repairs for you. This insures that plumbing will work properly and that in the event of a flood, your home’s plumbing will not add to the issue.

Fix It All Plumbing is committed to providing you with premium plumbing services at fair rates. We are glad to help you with any plumbing questions or issues.

Call or text us at (615)568-5051

Your Nashville Plumber,

Kevin Sipes

The post 5 Ways You Can Prevent Flooding Before it Happens first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

How to Repair a Slow Draining Disposal

First of all, do not pour toxic drain cleaner chemicals into a garbage disposal. It will not work, and will probably harm the disposal. You will have to clear the clog manually.

Climb under the sink and remove the discharge pipe from the disposal. It is connected to the disposal with bolts that can easily be removed with a wrench. Once they are removed you can pull out the discharge pipe and the drain trap. Check for clogs inside the pipe and the trap.

If these are clear, the clog is deeper in the pipes. For this, you will need a sink auger or a small drain snake. These are available at any home repair or hardware store, and are handy to have around, especially if you find lots of hair in your drains.

Extend the auger cable inside the discharge pipe until you feel the clog. Once you feel it, pull out about a foot of cable and tighten the set screw. Then, start winding the auger with slow and gentle pressure. If you feel the cable go through the clog, retract the cable, and hook up the drain trap to the discharge pipe again.

Once everything is replaced, pour a bit of water through the disposal and check for leaks under the sink. Tighten the pipes until there are no more leaks. Then, and only then, pour boiling water through the drain to completely clear the clog.

If these steps do not help your sink drains run free and clear, it will be time to give our plumbers a call in the Nashville area at 615-568-5051. Our friendly plumbing technicians will be happy to come out and get your drains in tip-top shape.

The post Repairing Your Garbage Disposal When It Stops Working, Part Two first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

4 Steps to Repair Your Garbage Disposal

1. Make sure the disposal is plugged in (if not hardwired).
2. Check the circuit breaker.
3. Press the “Reset” button (located on the bottom of the unit).
4. Turn off power to the disposal at the breaker box and replace the switch. (Double and triple check that the power is turned off before messing with any electrical wires!)

Is your disposal making any sound when you try to run it?

If the disposal still does not work, and is not making a sound, it is time to get a new disposal. But if it is making a humming noise and not grinding up food, the problem could be a stuck flywheel.

When you bought your disposal, it came with a small offset wrench. If you have misplaced this wrench, you can get a new one at a home supply store. Then do the following:

3 Additional Repair Steps to Fix Your Disposal

Never, EVER, stick your hand into the disposal – even if you are sure the electricity is turned off!

1. Turn off power to the disposal at the breaker box.
2. Climb under the disposal and insert the offset wrench into the hole in the center of the bottom of the disposal.
3. Turn the wrench clockwise until you feel the flywheel turn freely.

Your local plumber is the one to call to repair your garbage disposal if you are unable or simply don’t have the time to fix it. In Nashville call or text Kevin Sipes, Master Plumber at Fix It All Plumbing.

615-568-5051

Next month, I will talk about what to do if your disposal is working, but is draining slowly.

The post What to Do when the Garbage Disposal Stops Working first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

• The object is lost down the toilet bowl.
• The toilet is now clogged.

Some of the most common items flushed down the toilet are cloth diaper wipes, rags, glasses, car keys, bars of soap, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, cell phones, action figures. and toys. Locally, we have even seen Nashville Predator pucks intentionally flushed after a losing game. Cell phones are one of the most popular items of value to fall in the toilet. Unless they have a waterproof cover on them, they are rarely salvageable. Do try retrieving them quickly if they have not been flushed, turning off, removing battery, and placing in a bowl of dry rice to dry them out. If they have been flushed, it is a lost cause, unless of course, they were in a waterproof case or pouch. It is usually toddlers who actually flush them. We have had customers call us about their eye or sunglasses going down as well as spoons, sponges, forks, I phones, Androids, chargers, pocket knives, and toilet roll holders.

How to Retrieve Objects Flushed Down the Toilet

If you want to retrieve the object that got flushed down, place the plunger in the bottom of the toilet and gently push until the air is completely out of the bowl of the plunger. Then, jerk the plunger up with a quick motion. The causes the vacuum to suck the water back into the toilet where you can reach it. (It goes without saying that you should be wearing gloves.) Repeat the gentle down, quick pull action until you see the object. Sometimes items are lodged in and stuck. In these cases, you may have to repeat several times.

If you do not care to retrieve the object (say, excess toilet paper, sponges, or waste), you would reverse the motion. Seat the plunger in the bottom of the toilet and push down quickly. Gently pull up and repeat until the clog is cleared.

Finally, have a serious talk with your children about how toys do not enjoy being flushed. Similarly, the fish and aquatic creatures do not enjoy having plastic, metal, or glass being flushed into the water supply. The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are excretions and flushable toilet paper. Let our plumbers take care of your flushed objects and have more time to play and teach your toddlers. We have snakes and other tools that allow us to get to the item quickly and efficiently.

Fix It All Plumbing is committed to providing you with premium plumbing services at fair rates in the Nashville area. Our plumbers are glad to help you with any plumbing questions or issues.

Call or text us at (615) 568-5051

Your Nashville Plumber,

Kevin Sipes

The post How to Retrieve Something Flushed Down Toilet first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

All of us have one main line that comes into the house with fresh water, Then we have another one that takes our used water to the sewer. A clog in your supply line means you will have low water pressure. A clog in the sewer line causes backups in all of your sinks and toilets.

If your shower and bathroom sink are backed up, but your toilet flushes just fine, the clog will be in one of the smaller lines that branch off from the main line. Before you call us, check out all of your drains to see if you can locate the part that is clogged.

The number one cause of sewer line drains is tree roots – particularly in older houses. Sometimes we will have to dig up the sewer line and saw off the tree root, or replace the sewer line around the major roots. Not taking care of this right away can lead to some major damage to your house and your landscaping.

If you suspect you have a major clog, give us a call. We will dispatch one of our expert technicians to diagnose your problem and get your drains running free again.

The post Gurgling Pipes first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

It is no secret that large chains often offer lower prices and greater selection of products than your local mom-and-pop stores. But at what cost? With local companies, you get personalized service and you get to know people that actually live in your neighborhood, and whose children attend school with yours. You can walk into a local store, and they will remember your name and most likely what you bought the last time you were in. And, you will recognize the staff as people you see around town or go to church with. You feel more a part of the community as you get to know your neighbors.

With Fix It All, you get great service the first time, because we employ only top-notch plumbers. But also, we know that you are going to run into us again – at school functions, at Little League games, and around town. We want you to have a smile on your face when you greet us. We want you to call us back when you have a problem, because we will know your home and how your plumbing works. We will remember what we did last time, and will continue to offer you quick and cost-effective solutions. And we really like getting to know you as our neighbor.

Best of all, we offer competitive pricing to the larger chains, along with convenient appointments, and great service. We look forward to earning your trust. See you soon!

The post Fix-It-All Plumbing Sponsors Mt. Juliet Movie Night first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.