Plumbing problems come in all types from simple clogs to serious leaks, and dealing with them can often be difficult. Thankfully, a plumbing contractor in Pottstown, PA can help. The first step is determining the exact cause of the issue. If this is a fault in the sewer system, then a clog may have developed somewhere in the drain lines. This usually occurs in the P-traps, those ‘U’ or ‘S’ shaped pipes found close to the actual drains, although some toilets clog pretty easily as well. If this is not the issue, then the blockage may be somewhere in the main sewer line which is a more expensive and difficult repair.
Locating leaks can be a bit harder, especially when those problems are hidden inside the walls. In situations like these, the plumbing contractor in Pottstown, PA will use special acoustic tools to listen inside the walls. This works because the fresh water supply is under constant pressure and can force the liquid through the tiniest of spaces making unique sounds. Using an acoustical tool allows the plumber to determine exact locations by the intensity of the sound. Sometimes, the problem may be a small leak that is difficult to find. If the plumbing contractor cannot locate a problem inside the walls, then it may be beneath the foundation. This happens when certain contractors lay parts of the plumbing before placing the foundation itself.
One of the more useful functions that a plumbing contractor can perform is the installation or repair of the water heating system. Consider the case of a faulty electric water heater: the most common reason for this is a damaged element. However, there are other failures that can cause the unit to shut down that the typical homeowner may not be able to figure out. One of them is a shorted element. This type of failure is either a blowout where a portion of a faulty element is shorting across and allowing a minimal connection, or mineral deposits laying across the element. Either way, the end result is a continuous circuit that allows the unit to continue heating even after the thermostat shuts off. If the water reaches a certain temperature, the unit trips a safety switch and won’t turn back on until that switch is reset.
