The Truth About Slab Leaks
May 17, 2013 | 
Author One of the costliest mistakes a homeowner can make is to underestimate the power of water. Even a small water leak can cause immense damage to your home and property if it is not attended to quickly. Unfortunately, slab leaks can be the most difficult types of leaks to detect, and a lot of damage can be done well before you realize that anything is wrong.
If you suspect that you have a leak and need a Coppell plumber, call Reeves Family Plumbing right away. Our top-rated, professional technicians are trained to pinpoint the source of your leak and correct the problem quickly.
Undetected Water Leaks are Detrimental to Your Home
Even the smallest of slab leaks can cause total home destruction.
The truth about slab leaks is not pretty. A leak no larger than a tiny pinhole is large enough to spill several thousand gallons of water under your home each month. That means that untreated leaks can lead to thousands of dollars in property damage and wasted water in a short amount of time.
Common problems that may result from water leaks in the slab include the following:
- Damage to your home’s foundation
- Very high water bills
- Wet or ruined flooring
- Mold that gains a foothold in your home and compromises your family’s health
- Unpleasant mildew or sewer odors in your home
When to Call a Plumber for Help
For a homeowner, dealing with even one of the above issues is unsettling and expensive. However, when you have a leak in your slab that has been undetected for some time, you may suddenly find yourself faced with handling every item on the list simultaneously.
If you have only just begun to suspect that you have a leak, don’t delay. When you first notice a wet spot on your floor or realize that your water bill has suddenly tripled, call us for emergency plumbing repair before the problem grows. If you do find yourself overwhelmed by the enormity of a water problem, our leak detection experts at Reeves Family Plumbing know how to isolate the leak and fix it before further damage can occur.
When you need help with an emergency plumbing repair, call us at 972-247-3763.
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What’s Really in Your Drinking Water
There are few things more important to the health of your family than the quality of the water that comes out of your household taps. As water travels through streams, lakes, and reservoirs on its way to your home, it absorbs and dissolves both benign minerals and harmful substances like radioactive contaminants, metals, and bacteria. Water can also pick up pollutants resulting from human activity, such as arsenic, chlorine, and volatile organic chemicals.
At Reeves Family Plumbing, we share your concern about what’s really in your drinking water. We’re pleased to provide affordable solutions that help improve your home’s water quality.
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Water Quality
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not directly monitor the quality of water in Carrollton and the surrounding communities. Instead, the EPA requires local utilities to provide their customers with annual water quality reports, known as CCRs (consumer confidence reports). A recent CCR lists the following contaminants as potentially present in water in the Dallas area:
- Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants
- Herbicides and pesticides from agricultural operations and residential use
- Radioactive contaminants resulting from fossil fuel production
- By-products from petroleum production and industrial processes like volatile organic and synthetic chemicals
Making Water Safe to Drink
Water filtration systems are proven solutions for improving the quality of the water that your family drinks and bathes in every day. From simple faucet-mounted filters and under-the-sink filters in the kitchen to a whole-house water filtration plumbing installation, a broad selection of filtration products ensures the right choice for your home. Your local Carrollton plumber from Reeves Family Plumbing can help guide you towards the optimal choice.
Clean water is critical for your family’s health. Removing contaminants from the water improves the color, taste, and odor of the water as well. Food tastes better. Dishes are easier to clean. Clothes look and smell fresh. Filtered water also reduces harmful buildup on your home’s pipes, faucets, and fixtures, extending the service life or your plumbing system.
Not sure what’s in your water? Call call Reeves Family Plumbing today at 972-247-3763 and ask about a water quality test for your home.
Why You Shouldn’t Trust Over-the-Counter Drain Cleaners
A backed up drain is a nuisance no matter when or where it occurs. All sorts of things can cause a clog in a drain, from an accumulation of grease or soap to a child curiously (and accidentally) dropping a toy down. While there are many chemical drain cleaners available in stores, these items contain hazardous chemicals that can harm your eyes, skin, and lungs as well as your home’s plumbing.
Our expert plumbers at Reeves Family Plumbing explain why you shouldn’t trust over-the-counter drain cleaners to tackle clogs in your home’s plumbing below.
Bodily Injury
Using an over-the-counter chemical drain cleaner can result in bodily injury in several ways:
- The liquid is prone to splashing, especially if a plunger is used on the clog at the same time as the chemicals.
- The splashing chemicals can get into your eyes and cause eye damage.
- Splashes of the chemicals onto any part of your skin can result in burns.
- Breathing in the fumes of these cleaners could irritate your nasal passages, throat, and lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Pipe Damage
The chemicals in store-bought drain cleaners are caustic and can cause damage to plastic plumbing materials. The chemicals can eat away at the pipes, resulting in a leaky pipe that has to be replaced through a costly plumbing repair service.
Dangerous Chemical Reactions
Mixing two or more types of drain cleaner solutions or mixing drain cleaning liquid with bleach could result in a hazardous situation. The chemicals could react, resulting the creation of toxic gas or even an explosion.
Alternative Solutions
For regular drain maintenance, a natural solution of baking soda and vinegar is effective at ridding drains of debris. Consumer- and professional-grade drain augers or snakes are also natural and safe ways to get rid of clogged drains.
Trust the Experts
As your local Coppell plumber, we offer natural drain cleaning solutions that protect your safety and your home’s plumbing system. Our team of experts works diligently to resolve all types of plumbing problems. When your home needs a drain unclogged or any other type of plumbing repair service, call our staff at Reeves Family Plumbing at 972-247-3763.
Popular Kitchen Sink Styles in North Texas
In North Texas, the most dramatic change in kitchen design in recent years is the growing popularity of the transitional style, a style that incorporates a seamless blend of contemporary and traditional furnishings. At Reeves Family Plumbing, we’ve noted that the ongoing popularity of the transitional decorative style is evident when it comes to choosing a kitchen sink as well. Whether it’s an apron sink with an exposed front panel or a functional two-bowl undermount sink, the style trend in kitchen sink styles is to choose streamlined designs crafted with traditional sensibility.
Practical Considerations
When choosing a kitchen sink, it’s important to take the material and style of your kitchen countertops into consideration. For example, natural stone and solid surface countertops allow for undermount sink installations, creating a clean, unobstructed line that complements the transitional decorative style.
The layout of your kitchen countertops and kitchen will influence your choice of sink as well. For small-sized kitchens, for example, a corner sink can be a stylish space-saving option. On the other hand, a large double bowl sink is ideal for busy family-size kitchens.
Kitchen Sink Style Options
Kitchen remodeling offer opportunities to imprint your own personal taste and style into the heart of your home. As the most-used fixture in the room, the kitchen sink that you choose goes a long ways towards determining the overall style of the space. Kitchen sinks crafted in modern materials and lines can help an outdated kitchen transition into a more contemporary style.
The rising popularity of the transitional style offers a fresh interpretation of farmhouse and apron sinks. With a deep basin and an exposed front, today’s farmhouse sinks offer all of the functionality of their old-fashioned counterparts in a sleek and contemporary design. Apron sinks are available in traditional cast iron as well as in easy-care ceramic and stainless steel.
When you’re looking for a Coppell plumber for your kitchen remodeling project, Reeves Family Plumbing is your go-to resource for helpful information as well as reliable and quality plumbing installations. To learn more about stylish options for kitchen sinks, call us today at 972-247-3763.
When Is a Plumbing Problem an Emergency?
At Reeves Family Plumbing, we are trained to spot and treat any plumbing emergency as soon as it happens. Unfortunately, our clients don’t always know when they need to contact us and when they can handle their own repairs. As a result, what could have been a relatively minor and inexpensive issue often turns into a complicated and expensive problem that requires major repairs.
Learning a few common warning signs can help you understand when it’s time to call a professional Carrollton plumber instead of waiting to see if the problem will get worse or trying to handle it on your own. Use the following guide to help you spot emergency plumbing problems.
Your drywall or flooring is moldy or damp.
If you notice damp areas on your floors or walls, you might have a leak that is not visible to the naked eye. Leaks can get worse and damage your home’s structure over time, so it’s very important to fix them as soon as possible.
Because repairing some leaks requires removing a part of your wall or floor, it’s always best to hire a professional plumbing repair service for any problems that you can’t isolate on your own.
Your water pressure is abnormally low.
Low water pressure can be a sign that there is a serious problem with your pipe system. While it can mean your drains are clogged, low water pressure is also associated with corroded and broken pipes that can lead to flooding and other serious problems.
Most homeowners don’t view low water pressure as a serious problem requiring an immediate fix, but at the heart of this issue could be something larger. It’s best to call a plumber to inspect the issue instead of just accepting your low water pressure for what it is.
Your toilet won’t stop running.
While a running toilet is not technically a serious emergency, it can have a huge impact on your water bill. In some cases, running toilets can eventually overflow or stop working altogether. It’s best to fix this problem yourself or to call a professional as soon as possible to stop the damage to your water bill.
Your drains are not working the way they should.
Clogged drains can lead to broken pipes and appliances, but they are typically an easy and inexpensive fix if you address them quickly by contacting plumbing repair professionals. Beware of over-the-counter drain cleaners, which often do more harm than good.
Although most people don’t think of small leaks and clogged drains as serious plumbing problems, it’s important to remember that every plumbing emergency starts with a small and seemingly insignificant issue. If you experience any of the above problems, call our professional Reeves Family Plumbing team at 972-247-3763 to get expert advice and schedule an appointment.
How Homeowners Can Save Money on Their Water Bills
If you are a homeowner, you’re probably well aware of how quickly water bills can add up. If you’re getting tired of paying so much money for your water bills each month, you may be wondering what steps you can take to save money. Luckily, cutting down on the cost of your water bill is a lot easier than you might think and does not have to be a time consuming or laborious process.
Use the following tips for saving money on your next water bill, courtesy of Reeves Family Plumbing.
There are plenty of simple steps that you can take to save on your water bills.
- Inspect your home for any obvious leaks or dripping pipes. These are very common on sink faucets but are very simple to fix.
- Take shorter showers. Consider timing yourself in the shower and trying to keep it to under 10-15 minutes.
- Only run the dishwasher when it’s entirely full. The same goes for using a washing machine; try to wait to use it until it is full to capacity. This way, you can get the most out of the water that is required to wash a load of laundry or a rack of dishes.
- Invest in a tankless water heater. They provide hot water on demand and eliminate the need to stand and wait for the water from your tap to warm up, saving thousands of gallons each month.
Sometimes, doing all of the above can still result in high water bills. If this is the case, a water leak may be the culprit of your high bill. Our Coppell plumbers are adept at detecting leaks of all sizes and can easily discover the problem plaguing your plumbing system. Call Reeves Family Plumbing at 972-247-3763 for immediate plumbing repair.
Creative Ideas for Bathroom Remodeling Projects
Many people do not realize it, but the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in a home. This is true not only in terms of its functional importance, but also in terms of the amount of value that it can either add to or detract from your home. If you feel as though one of the bathrooms in your home is currently outdated, you may soon want to consider the option of remodeling. In doing so, you will want to have the best remodeling and plumbing team on your side. Consider hiring Reeves Family Plumbing for the job.
Great Remodeling Ideas
Our Coppell plumbers have plenty of experience in the plumbing and remodeling industry and can transform your outdated bathroom into something modern and beautiful. But what if you still need ideas when it comes to specific remodeling ideas? Let us help!
Why not consider the option of installing new sinks in your existing bathroom? This can be a great way to transform its appearance without necessarily having to spend a lot of money in the process. Not to mention, you can have a professional Coppell plumber take care of all of the installation, which can often be a difficult project to take on without the help of a professional.
Another bathroom remodeling idea is replacing the countertops and cabinets in your existing bathroom. This is a great way to transform the overall look and feel while also giving yourself more storage space in the process.
Call a Plumber Today
There are all kinds of remodeling ideas that you can consider for your own bathroom, much more than listed here. For more ideas or for help through your next remodeling project, call Reeves Family Plumbing at 972-247-3763 for more information.
Conventional or Tankless: Which Should You Choose?
It used to be that when a homeowner needed a new water heater, he could only make a choice on gas versus electric and the size of the tank. Now, homeowners can select a conventional tank water heater or a tankless water heater as well as other features. At Reeves Family Plumbing, we install both types of water heaters for our residential customers.
Conventional water heaters use gas or electricity to constantly maintain a supply of heated water. They are easy to repair and maintain and cost about one-third the price of a tankless heating system. The water in the tank can also serve as an emergency supply for a family’s needs during a water or public health emergency.
Tankless heaters are referred to as on demand water heaters because they heat water nearly instantaneously as soon as the hot water spigot is turned on. Coils wrapped around the water pipes heat the water as it is sent to the faucet where it is needed. The supply of hot water delivered by a tankless heating system is virtually limitless. Homeowners do not have to wait and wait for the water to get hot, which results in less wasted water.
In addition, a tankless system can fit into a smaller space since no large storage tank is needed. These systems also do not consume energy in maintaining a supply of heated water, which can reduce operating costs. However, tankless systems are more expensive to install.
When you need a professional plumber in Coppell, our team at Reeves Family Plumbing is here for you. We offer expert advice and the best in class water heating systems so that you can enjoy the comfort and convenience of plenty of hot water for all of your needs.
For more assistance in selecting a new water heater or to schedule your water heater installation, call us today at 972-247-3763.
Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
Few people think about taking care of their garbage disposal, but following a few simple rules can make it possible to avoid a costly plumbing repair. Fortunately, we here at Reeves Family Plumbing think about garbage disposal systems a lot. Follow these tips to conduct proper garbage disposal maintenance this year.
Start by making a resolution to run your disposal at least once a day. Allowing large quantities of food to build up can make it hard for the motor to turn. This can cause the disposal to burn out quickly.
On the same note, think about what you are putting down your disposal. While many modern garbage disposals can handle a large amount of food, they have issues with things that are particularly large or hard. To avoid problems, never put anything down your sink that isn’t food. A good rule of thumb is that if your teeth can’t bite through it, your disposal can’t either. Also avoid cramming food waste into the disposal.
Next, take a few simple steps every month to take care of your disposal. About once a month clean your sink thoroughly and run the disposal for a full minute to make sure that there are no food particles in the blade system. Then, place about five ice cubes into the sink. With the water running, have the garbage disposal chew up the ice cubes. This will clean and sharpen the blades. If you notice any bad odors coming from the garbage disposal, pour about one quarter cup of lemon juice over the ice cubes (or use frozen lemon juice). This will deodorize your entire garbage disposal system.
Garbage disposal issues can still come up even when you follow these rules. Over the years, the professionals at Reeves Family Plumbing have seen just about everything. If you need help with your garbage disposal system, give your friendly and helpful Coppell plumber a call at 214-989-4906.
How To Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter
Frozen pipes are one of the worst things that can happen in a home during the cold of winter. Not only does a frozen pipe disrupt the home’s plumbing system, it can also cause water damage to the items in your home. One of the best ways to prevent frozen pipes is to perform a few maintenance steps before cold weather strikes. At Reeves Family Plumbing, we want to help you prevent disaster before it strikes, but we are also here to quickly repair your pipes and plumbing if they do happen to freeze.
Preventing frozen pipes isn’t difficult and a bit of prevention could save you thousands of dollars in damages. Here are some things you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing:
- Never turn off your heat completely. Even if you are just going away for a long weekend, make sure to keep your thermostat on. A brief cold snap could spell trouble for your pipes if your house is unheated.
- Open the doors of cabinets under sinks and other areas where pipes are exposed. This allows warm air from your house to circulate over these pipes.
- Drain water from any pipes that aren’t regularly in use during the winter. For example, outside sprinkler systems and hoses should be completely empty of water so that they don’t freeze over.
- Insulate or wrap all exposed pipes, especially those in cold areas like the attic or basement.
- Check all of your pipes for leaks and repair them if necessary. Pipe leaks can let cold air into the pipes and facilitate a freeze.
If your pipes do freeze, it’s important to contact a plumber right away to assess and fix the damage. We at Reeves Family Plumbing are your local Coppell pipe repair company, and we stand by our work. For any pipe or plumbing problem, give us a call today at 972-247-3763.