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Plumbing Service Is An Essential Component of Public Health | Jacksonville, FL

Plumbing-Service-Is-An-Essential-Component-of-Public-Health-_-Jacksonville,-FL
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Clean water is an absolutely essential aspect of health. We expect to see clean water flowing from our faucets and fixtures every time we turn on the tap. This is usually what happens, but a steady supply of clean water doesn’t happen automatically. Public infrastructure and plumbing systems inside individual residences have to function properly to keep providing the clean, fresh water we rely on.

Backflow

Backflow is an issue that plumbing service deals with more often than you might think. The used, dirty water from toilets, sinks, washing machines, and other appliances is supposed to be carried away by drain pipes and diverted into the sewer system. Fresh, clean water enters the house through a separate set of pipes. This is a very important aspect of plumbing service. Problems in this system may lead to unsafe water that could make your family sick.

Back siphonage is a common backflow issue. It occurs when drops in pressure forces water to flow backward. A water main break is a potential cause of back-siphonage. Your garden hose is more likely than any other aspect of your home’s plumbing to cause a back-siphonage issue. A problem can let water used in the garden flow back into the home’s clean water supply. Back-pressure is caused by increased water pressure. Potential causes of back-pressure include clogs, boiler pressure fluctuations, and pump malfunctions.

Backflow preventers are vital components that prevent contamination of clean water in your home’s plumbing system. However, many people are completely unaware of these devices and can’t identify them. This is a very good reason to employ professional plumbing services.

An air gap, or AG, and reduced pressure valve assembly, or RPZ, are the two main types of backflow preventers. RPZ preventers are designed with valves that open only when water flows forward. Air gap preventers create air gaps between the water supply and fixtures or components meant to receive flowing water.

Backflow testing is a relatively simple plumbing service. It includes an inspection of your home’s plumbing infrastructure to investigate potential flow-related issues and examine preventers. A plumber may open and close valves to make sure they’re working correctly and check valves to look for leaks or improper gauge movements. Backflow testing is extremely important because it’s a safety measure that can help prevent illness. All sorts of pathogens can be carried in dirty water, such as dysentery, salmonella, and typhoid. We don’t hear about some of these illnesses very often in Jacksonville, FL, because we have clean water and excellent plumbing that keeps us safe.

Septic Tanks

Some homes in Jacksonville, FL, aren’t connected to public sewer systems. They have septic tanks instead. While there are many benefits to having a septic system, it’s also a big responsibility for homeowners. A septic tank that’s too full can create plumbing problems no one wants to deal with. Watch for signs that it’s time to call a plumbing service to have your septic tank pumped.

Keep track of septic tank maintenance, including pumping. Mark dates on your calendar to remind you when the next appointment should be. If you haven’t been keeping track and can’t remember the last time your tank was pumped, it’s probably overdue and should be done immediately.

An overflowing septic tank can produce pooling water in your yard above the tank. Although an overflowing tank is a common cause of pooling water, the drainage system in your yard is important too. Offensive odors with or without pooling water are also a bad sign. Septic tanks should be contained systems, so you shouldn’t be able to smell the bacteria breaking down waste. An odor means waste is escaping from the tank. Leaking wastewater can contaminate the home’s clean water supply, so don’t hesitate to obtain plumbing services to address septic tank problems.

Sump Pumps

Some homes rely on sump pumps to keep their homes clean and dry. Sump pumps are frequently located in basements and crawl spaces to remove water from heavy rainfall that overwhelms drainage systems. Basements without adequate waterproofing are especially vulnerable.

Households with basements usually place sump pumps at the lowest point. Placement is important to catch groundwater that flows inside. Make a checklist and schedule to track sump pump maintenance and keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear. A pump failure during severe weather can leave your home unprotected and vulnerable to water damage. Flooding can also contaminate clean water in certain situations. Your local plumbing service can provide maintenance and even help you replace or install a sump pump.

A malfunctioning sump pump may run continuously when there is no water to remove. The pump shouldn’t run if the pit is dry. This means something is wrong, and the constant overwork leads to your pump wearing out prematurely. The problem may be a faulty switch or a broken valve. Sump pumps and drainage systems should work together, so the problem could be incorrect installation or clogged drainage. In some cases, the pump is actually reacting to constant low-level flooding that homeowners aren’t aware of. A plumbing service can help you pin down and fix the cause of sump pump woes.

Sump pumps without lids are open to dirt and debris that may clog moving parts and jam switches. Consult professional plumbing services to fix the pump then invest in a new airtight lid to reduce the risk of similar problems in the future. Noisy pumps can also be a sign of problems. All sump pumps make some amount of noise during operation, but pay attention to unusually loud or startling sounds such as thuds, rattling, gurgling or grinding noises. These sounds may indicate a problem with the motor.

Give Bert Norman’s Plumbing a call to schedule an appointment for routine maintenance or to address a specific plumbing issue. These licensed and highly trained professional plumbers have been helping customers in Jacksonville, FL, with their plumbing needs since 1985.

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