Hard water is common in the Indianapolis area. It not only affects the performance of dishwashers and washing machines in your home, but causes buildup in water heaters. Check out this video from Lance Smith, owner of L.D. Smith Plumbing, as he shows sediment buildup in a water heater. In need of a water softener in Indianapolis? Contactus today to schedule an appointment or ask questions about your water softener.
The official start of summer is weeks away, but our plumbing experts are already busy meeting customer demand for popular seasonal projects. Here are our most requested plumbing appointments during the summer. Do any of these sound familiar in your home?
Extra outside faucets - This one is very popular for customers with gardens and landscaping projects who desire to have a faucet near their work area to avoid dragging a hose across the yard. Check out our deal on outside faucets here.
Drain cleaning and sewer line replacement - Tree roots get thirsty so they prey on the old underground drain lines when the weather warms up. Drain cleaning and sewer line replacement in Indianapolis is very common this time of year as customers call us about foul smells or clogged drains.
Remodel projects - Summer is the best time for major home projects and, often, remodeling work includes plumbing.
Gas lines - Summer means cookouts. We receive frequent calls during the season to install additional gas lines.
Irrigation systems - Customers call us to connect irrigation systems to city water.
Is a plumbing project on your to-list this summer? Contact us to schedule an appointment for an estimate.
We truly enjoyed supporting this year's Mutt Strut to support the Humane Society of Indianapolis. We were proud to be an event sponsor and participate as a vendor. We welcomed participants and their furry friends to our booth for giveaways and information about our L.D. Smith Plumbing.
Sophie, furry friend of Lance, owner of L.D. Smith Plumbing, was also there to greet the crowd. It's not too late to donate to support the great work Humane Society of Indianapolis does for animals in our community. Click here to donate.
We have made significant investments to provide the latest trenchless technology to our customers. This process causes less damage to your property.
L.D. Smith Plumbing is among only a few plumbing services in Indianapolis to offer this innovative technology, often saving customers thousands of dollars. Unlike conventional excavation that can cause major disruption to your yard, trenchless sewer repair enables us to dig a small trench near the end of the sewer line outside your home and a small hole inside your home.
As the cold weather brings below-zero temperatures, it's easy for pipes in your home to become frozen, if they are not protected properly. Pipes are most susceptible to freezing when temperatures reach 20 degrees and below. Here's what you should do if pipes in your home are frozen:
Immediately identify the location of the main shut-off valve for the water and if it is operational.
Once the water is shut off, try to raise the heat and put heat on the affected area.
As a homeowner, buying a new water heater is inevitable. And, like most large appliances in the home, water heaters break down without notice. Here are a few things to consider now before you need a new water heater. As always, feel free to contact Lance Smith, owner at L.D. Smith Plumbing, with any questions about replacing your water heater:
Size - Consider the size of your current water heater. Is it meeting your needs? Do you need a larger or smaller size? Read more here from our partners at Rheem about finding the perfect size water heater.
Type (tankless or storage tank) - Once you know the size you need, determine if you want a storage or tankless water heater. If you have gas in your home, would it make sense to go tankless if you have a larger water demand? According to studies, gas-fired tankless water heaters are big energy savers. Our licensed plumbers can provide more information about the best option for your home.
Equipment - Be sure your new water heater will have the proper equipment to protect it. Check the water pressure and consider having a thermal expansion tank installed to protect your new equipment from potential damage that may be caused by excessive water pressure or a thermal expansion condition.
Cost - Typically water heaters cost $1,300 on average. Many companies, such as L.D. Smith Plumbing, offer discounts on your purchase in addition to great financing options.
Some plumbing problems you simply cannot fix yourself, despite the number of how-to videos available online. If you encounter any of the following problems in your home and are in need of a plumber in Indianapolis, contact us immediately:
Gas smells - Not a good sign. Please call us immediately to determine the source of the odor and make the repair. Plumbers are responsible for repairing or replacing the gas distribution system from the meter.
The toiletisn't draining properly - If you hear a gurgling sound when your toilet is not in use or it remains on after flushing, it could indicate a drainage problem.
Sump pump not activating properly - If you don't hear the sound of your sump pump operating during heavy rain or wet conditions, or it doesn't shut off, it may have stopped functioning. For a quick check, take the lid off the sump pump to view the water level. Call us if the water is near the top of the pit. That's a clear indication you need to replace your current sump pump.
Strong odor in your basement or crawl space - It's a smell so strong that you can't ignore it. The smell of sewer in your home is definitely a sign that waste is backing up in your sewer line, a dangerous situation.
Abnormal water conditions - Hard water deposits, scaling, or even sediment in the water.
It's never too early for children to learn about careers -- especially the opportunities available in the plumbing industry! Lance, owner of L.D. Smith Plumbing and Mark, one of our expert plumbers, joined other service providers with Angie's List for Career Day at Washington Irving School 14. Students learned about the plumbing profession and experienced a few tools of the trade. Lance and Mark enjoyed sharing their work with sump pumps, water heaters, and pipes. And, the students had a great time, too!
Some plumbing problems you simply cannot fix yourself, despite the number of how-to videos available online. If you encounter any of the following problems in your home and are in need of a plumber in Indianapolis, 
It's the biggest feast of the year - Thanksgiving!
