Category: Plumbing Tips

If you have noticed a steady increase in your water bill, it may be time to do some investigating. Sometimes the reason is unexplainable, and your bill will level itself out over time. At other times, a change in your bill could mean a problem needs to be addressed. You may have noticed a huge jump in your water bill for many reasons, and we’re breaking them down for you!

Undetected Leaks

A higher water bill can regularly be attributed to a hidden leak in your home. Leaks can develop over time, starting out small and ineffective and becoming a significant issue. We advise checking your home for any unusual sounds, damp spots, or dripping from any faucets. An average leak can waste nearly 180 gallons of water per week. If you are suspicious of a leak in your home but can’t quite locate it, contact Eastern Plumbing. We can identify the source of the leak and solve the problem quickly, preventing any further damage to your home.

Inefficient Appliances

Older appliances can be another contributor to higher water bills. Unlike newer, energy-efficient appliances, older ones typically use more water. Upgrading your appliances could significantly impact your water bill and cut water usage by 20%. You could even potentially save nearly $400 every year when you upgrade. We would advise considering appliances like:

• low-flow toilets
• tankless water heaters
• smart irrigation systems
• high-efficiency washing machines
• any ENERGY-STARⓇ appliances

Water Usage

If you’ve determined that you don’t have a leak in your home, and your appliances are all new and energy-efficient, you may need to consider your family’s water usage. Frequent showers, daily loads of laundry, and consistent dishwasher cycles can all impact your monthly water usage. An average shower uses around 2.5 gallons per minute, and baths use even more. Shaving off a few minutes of your shower time could save hundreds of gallons of water every month. Other common habits that may increase water usage:

• running the dishwasher when it isn’t full
• leaving the faucet on while you brush your teeth
• using outdated appliances
• running the sink or shower until it is the ideal temperature

Faulty Water Heater

A faulty or malfunctioning water heater can also affect your water usage. If there is a leak or crack in the tank, then water is being wasted every second. Make sure to check the thermostat setting as well. If the temperature is set too high, you are likely paying to boil water that would be too hot to use. An inefficient water heater can be a huge water waste source and cause issues like low water pressure. Eastern Plumbing can regularly service your water heater, providing repairs or installations.

Eastern Plumbing is proud to provide plumbing services to eastern North Carolina 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are concerned about an increase in your water bill, our team of trained professionals can help. We can check your home for hidden leaks, recommend and install efficient appliances, and service or repair faulty water heaters. Call us at 252-758-7579 to schedule any plumbing services.

Too many homeowners plumbing may not appear to be that complicated and many will actually try to repair issues on their own. Others may try to find the cheapest “plumber” and could end up using someone without a proper license. Just remember, using someone to repair your plumbing that does not have the proper license could cost you more in the long run. Here are some reasons why you should call a licensed plumber for those plumbing projects.

Having the Proper Insurance

It can be quite easy to ask a friend who considers themselves a handyman to fix any plumbing issues you might have. However, accidents happen, and mistakes are easily made. If your friend gets hurt on the job, you could be liable to pay any medical bills or lost wages.

North Carolina requires plumbing liability and workers compensation insurance as part of the licensing process. This means if the plumber were to get injured while working at your house, the insurance company pays for injuries and damage, as well as any accidental damage to your property.

Hiring a plumber without a license means they may not have the proper insurance to cover damages, and this could leave you open to legal issues. For example, if they were to get injured on your property while performing a job, they may actually be able to sue you.

Also, if an unlicensed plumber causes damage to your property that will cost you out of pocket as well since most homeowner’s insurance providers will not cover damages as a result of negligence or an unlicensed individual carrying out the work.

Eastern Plumbing is insured and protected, so your property and our employees are covered.

Workmanship

When you hire a plumber with a license you have a reasonable expectation that a plumber will stand behind their work. Some appliances come with a factory warranty, and some may require a licensed professional to install them. Hiring the wrong person for the job could risk invalidating the warranty.

Licensed plumbers will normally offer a limited guarantee on workmanship. This means if something goes wrong with how they installed it, they will come back to your homa and make it right.

Eastern Plumbing has been in business for over 25 years, and we stand behind our work.

Experience and Peace of Mind

When it comes to your property and your plumbing, it is important to choose a company that is knowledgeable of new products, techniques, and technologies. Eastern Plumbing has been providing quality service for over 25 years. Our team has spent hundreds of hours training to deliver customers with the best plumbing practices to ensure services are provided correctly.

Eastern Plumbing is a licensed plumbing company, with a team that is educated and experienced to handle your plumbing problem with ease. It is important to hire a licensed plumber to ensure you are getting quality work from someone who is certified and skilled.

Call Eastern Plumbing

No matter where you live, always check on the licensing status of a plumber before hiring them. Eastern plumbing is fully licensed, and our team is available to perform a variety of services including installations, repairs, replacements, drain cleanings, inspections and more.

With so many things to worry about, leave your plumbing issues to us. We pride ourselves on providing prompt, quality work to all customers. Contact Eastern Plumbing for your residential and commercial service needs including repairs, replacements and emergency plumbing services, 252-758-7579.

The last thing anyone wants is for their hot water to go out in the winter. There is nothing worse than turning on your shower and waiting and waiting for it to heat up – just for it to stay frigid cold. Sometimes, there may be an easy fix that you can do yourself. Here are four reasons your shower may not be warming up.

1. Your anti-scold device is set too high.

Most showers have anti-scold devices that put a limit on how hot your shower will get. This prevents you from setting your shower too hot and burning yourself when you get in. If yours is set too low, it might cause your shower not to run hot water to protect you. This is an easy fix – simply take your handle off and turn the device slightly to a higher setting. Assess the water temperature and see if it will get warmer. If it does, problem solved!

2. Something may be wrong with your water heater.

A water heater is like every other appliance in your home – they need to be inspected and repaired every now and then. If your shower will not get hot, it may be time to take a look at your water heater. Check for leaks and the condition of your water heater. The issue may be that you need to tighten or replace the connections. Your water heater maintains the temperature to your shower, and depending on the age and maintenance, it may need to be repaired or replaced.

3. Your pipes could be the issue.

Many times, your pipes may be the reason you are having water issues. One issue could be your home’s pipes are corroded. This could lead to problems with your water heater and how hot your water gets, and possibly even water contamination. If this is the case, contact the experts at Eastern Plumbing today. Whatever the issue, we’ve got you covered!

4. The mixing valve could be bad.

Mixing valves are parts of the shower that control the water temperature and allow you to run hot and cold water at the same time. These valves can change the temperature of your shower and may require maintenance. This valve is complicated to find and repair, so give the professionals a call if you think the mixing valve, is the issue!

Checked all of these things out and still having trouble taking a hot shower? Give us a call! Eastern Plumbing has over 20 years of experience and our staff is knowledgeable and prepared to help you. Do not let a cold shower ruin your day, contact Eastern Plumbing at 252-758-7579.

What’s the difference between hard water and soft water, and does it really matter?

The difference between hard and soft water is the level of magnesium and calcium in the water supply. About 85% of US water is hard, but most businesses and homes use water softeners to strip away all the extra minerals.

Water hardness is based on the following scale:

• Soft Water: less than 17 parts per million of magnesium and calcium
• Slightly Hard Water: between 17 and 60 parts per million of magnesium and calcium
• Moderately Hard Water: between 60 and 120 parts per million of magnesium and calcium
• Hard Water: between 120 and 180 parts per million of magnesium and calcium
• Very Hard Water: more than 180 parts per million of magnesium and calcium

It’s important to understand that hard water isn’t contaminated, it just contains minerals. Minerals are needed for nutrients, and though too much of a certain mineral can be dangerous, it’s not likely that’ll happen from using hard water in your home. Some people do think that there’s a difference in taste between hard and soft water, with hard water tasting worse (even though minerals are supposed to improve water’s taste).

If you have an older plumbing system built between the 1940s and 1970s, hard water can be potentially damaging to your pipes. During this time period, pipes were made using galvanized steel, which causes magnesium and calcium to stick to the inside of the pipes and create build up. This can be a cause for concern, but a water softener will be beneficial in helping to ease this.

Neither water is necessarily “better” or “cleaner”, they’re just different. Softer water can feel more slippery because there aren’t minerals that are causing it to stick to your skin. Some people think it makes their shampoo or conditioner work better. However, all of this is personal preference.

If you have any questions about your water hardness or want to explore having softer water in your home, contact Eastern Plumbing at 252-758-7579.

When shopping for feminine products and wipes, you’ll probably notice that they’re marketing these products as flushable. In fact, most say, right on the packaging in big bold letters, that they are made to be flushed. Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. Flushing products like pads, wipes, tampons, or other things marketed to be “flushable” can cause some serious issues to your pipes and septic tank.

At Eastern Plumbing, over 25% of our calls are plumbing problems caused by feminine products and wipes being flushed. We say save yourself a service call and avoid the hassle all together by getting into the habit of NOT flushing these items down the toilet.

The most commonly flushed product is a tampon. These products grow up to ten times their original size when they get wet – making them the ultimate drain-clogger. And, if your plumbing is older, and if roots have begun to breech your pipes, or if it snags just right, a tampon can easily block your drains.

These “flushable” products such as wipes, pads, and tampons never break down. Never. Toilet paper is designed to break down in your sewage tank. Anything else is not. If something gets caught in your pipes on the way to your septic tank, it will never dissolve. They’ll stay in your plumbing system until you’re forced to call a plumber and have it all removed.

Once it gets to your septic tank, it still never dissolves. In fact, they can cause even more issues if they get into your septic system if they make it all the way down. They’ll take up space, displace the water and make it rise, causing solids to build up which in turn can block the distribution tubes. If this backs up enough, water from your septic tank can get pushed back into your home.

If you and your family have been flushing these products, now is a good time to stop. Start throwing them away instead – your plumbing will thank you. If you find yourself or someone else in the house “flushing” instead of “tossing” and you end up needing us, give us a call at 252-758-7579! Eastern Plumbing has been setting the standard in quality service for over 25 years!

In many parts of the country, and especially eastern North Carolina, as the temperatures start to rise and the days become hotter and more humid, you may notice condensation on your pipes. The combination of high temperatures and excessive moisture in the air causes pipe condensation, commonly known as “sweating pipes.”

Sweating pipes are caused by high humidity levels. When the air is saturated with moisture, it can cause water droplets to form on the outside of your water pipes. If you have water on your pipes, but it’s drying, you shouldn’t have any problems. However, if the humidity is really high, condensation can be so much that water can begin to pool on your floors or inside your cabinets. The cabinets under your sink are where real damage can occur. These dark, closed spaces get damp leading to mold and mildew.

Pipe condensation can be frustrating, but here are a few ways to fix your sweating pipes.

Check for Leaks

Leaks must be repaired to get control over the condensation on the pipes. Ceiling stains, wall stains, and floor damage are indications that there might be a hidden plumbing leak. If pipes are sweating even though no water has been running, a hidden plumbing leak may be the culprit. For this scenario, you will need to contact the professionals at Eastern Plumbing to help you identify the location of the leak.

Insulate Your Pipes.

The easiest way to prevent your pipes from sweating is to insulate them. Pipe insulation is a tube that you place over your pipes. The insulation prevents moist air from reaching the cooler surface.

Use a Dehumidifier.

Reducing the level of humidity in the home helps alleviate pipe condensation. A dehumidifier can be used to diminish the moisture in the air and will further help to eliminate pipe sweating.

Run the AC.

Your air conditioner has a de-humidifying effect that can fix this problem as long as the sweating pipe is somewhere in your house that is temperature controlled.

When to Call a Plumber

Most condensation on pipes can be alleviated by using the methods above. The location of the sweating pipes may require professional remediation. Older homes may have pipes situated near electrical systems, breaker panels, or electrical junction boxes and pipe sweating near these fixtures is hazardous.

The solution for troublesome condensation is relatively simple and inexpensive. If your pipes have been sweating, don’t procrastinate too long. Eliminate the excess moisture before it leads to serious damage. Contact Eastern Plumbing to help with your pipe condensation and get effective and permanent solutions.

At Eastern Plumbing, we are experts in all things plumbing related. Over the past 25 years, we have seen it all and picked up a lot of information along the way. Here are some facts and tips to help prevent your plumbing issues from draining your banking account.

Did you know?

• A running toilet can waste up to five gallons of water per minute. Talk about an increase in your water bill!

• Installing a low-flush toilet can save up to 18,000 gallons of water per year.

• The average US household consumes 38% of their water usage just by flushing the toilet.

• A faucet that drips just one time per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.

• In the US, an average family of four will go through approximately 400 gallons of water each day.

• You should set your water heater to no hotter than 120 degrees F to prevent scalding and save on your energy bills.

• 95% of the water that enters your home goes down the drain.

• The typical household wastes more than 9,000 gallons of water while waiting for hot water.

• And, up to 15% of your yearly water heating costs can be wasted heating those extra 9,000 gallons!

• A tankless water heater only heats water you use, which means they save you money.

• Showering uses less water than an average bath and installing low-flow showerheads can help you conserve water and save money.

• Insulating your pipes can help decrease heat loss which can also save you money.

• And, last but not least, we recommend having a plumber check your pipes at least once, if not twice per year.

At Eastern Plumbing, our plumbing knowledge goes beyond just obscure plumbing facts, we have the tools and experience you need to solve all of your plumbing problems. As a “locally owned, family-owned plumber,” Eastern Plumbing  has always been focused on taking your plumbing issues seriously. We treat your plumbing problems as if they are our own.

To schedule plumbing repairs in Pitt County and the surrounding areas, contact us online at easternplumbingonline.com or give us a call at (252) 758-7579.

You go to turn on your sink to do dishes, and the water that comes out is brown. What’s the problem? Is it contaminated? Is it safe?

There are many reasons your water may be brown – sediment, minerals, and rust can build up in the water and cause discoloration. If there’s construction nearby, the disturbance of the ground can shift deposits and cause your water to change color.

If this is the case, running the water and waiting it out should fix your problem. However, if your water doesn’t clear up, you should call a professional plumber to look at your pipes.

Often, when brown water is coming out of faucets in residential homes, it’s because of a recent pipe replacement or broken water pipes. The discoloration is caused by rust getting into the water pipes due to changes in the water pressure. These damaged pipes must be located before the leak grows, causing even more water waste. A plumber will be able to repair the pipes before there’s any further damage.

If you have well water or use a water supply that contains high amounts of minerals, this is probably what’s causing your discoloration. Brown water can also be caused by mineral build-ups in water lines. If you use a water softener, you may need to clean it out to remove the mineral deposits. If you don’t have a water softener, getting one can help prevent future discoloration.

Brown water isn’t usually dangerous, but that doesn’t mean you should drink it. Unless there are high concentration levels, iron is usually in your tap water and isn’t harmful, but rust can breed bacteria, leading to mold and mildew infestations, those you do NOT want to drink.

So how do you get rid of it? Start by running cold water from your taps for approximately 20 minutes. If that doesn’t work, you can contact your city’s water supplier and request they flush out the brown water via fire hydrant (have you ever seen them letting water out of a fire hydrant and wonder, “Huh, I wonder what they’re doing”?) If there’s still a problem, it’s time to call for professional help.

For help with discolored water or any other plumbing needs, call Eastern Plumbing at  252-758-7579.

You’ve asked, and we are answering! Here are the top 5 frequently asked questions that plumbers receive.

1. What do I do when my toilet overflows?

Don’t panic; there’s still time. Prevent the toilet from continuing to leak water by shutting off the water supply. There’s a valve located behind the toilet that will cut off access. Next, call your plumber and clean up the water.

2. Why was there a sudden spike in my water bill?

Did you have company over the weekend? Did you give the dogs a bath? Was there some other reason your water bill would have increased? If the answer is no, you may have a leak somewhere in your home.

3. What do you mean by “emergency plumbing”?

Any sort of plumbing issue that needs immediate attention is a plumbing emergency. Leaks and clogged drains aren’t normally considered emergencies, but a burst pipe is definitely one!

4. Are drain cleaning chemicals safe to use?

In short – no. They’re damaging to you, your pipes, and the environment. Check out our other blog post about when you shouldn’t use store-bought drain cleaners.

5. How long should I wait to call a plumber if there’s a problem?

As soon as possible. Waiting to call a plumber can only worsen the problem.

And because you read all the way through, here’s a bonus question!

6. Who should I call for plumbing needs in Eastern NC?

Eastern Plumbing of course! All of our employees are trained, certified, and act with professionalism. Our goal is to ensure your plumbing services are done promptly, and we pride ourselves on getting the job done right the first time. If you’re having plumbing issues, call Eastern Plumbing at  252-758-7579 or visit our website, easternplumbingonline.com.