Common Plumbing Dilemmas

From a leaky faucet to a broken sump pump, you never know when a plumbing problem will occur. At L.D. Smith Plumbing, we've seen it all. We have compiled a list of some of the most common plumbing dilemmas and what might be the cause. Lance recently visited Life.Style. Live! to share a few of these dilemmas. Watch the video below.

Why is water backing up?

It could be a recurring clog, sewer line damage, hair or tree roots. It depends on the line.

Why is my water heater leaking?

This could be caused by a cracked or corroded water heater tank, loose or faulty fittings and pipe connections. These problems could occur due to age of the water heater, high water pressure or thermal expansion.

Why do we run out of hot water so fast?
There could be several reasons for this, including mechanical failure. Another reason could be your current storage tank water heater isn’t big enough to handle the needs in your home and you might need a larger water heater. There also may be sediment clogging the tank reducing the flow of water.

Is it safe to use popular drain cleaners to treat a clog?

Lance does not believe chemical drain cleaners are ever safe to use because these products not only damage metallic piping or equipment but can be harmful to the skin if there is contact or if inhaled. The best recommendation is to call a plumber to assess the problem as drain cleaners could be hiding a larger issue

I just purchased an older home. What should I know about my plumbing?

If the plumbing is all original, make sure a qualified professional inspects it. The primary concerns Lance has about plumbing in older homes are: The age of the water service and sewer line, and the age and condition of the water lines and drainage within the home.

I have multiple slow-draining sinks in my home. Is one clog the cause? It depends if all sinks are connected to the same line, but most likely not.

Plumbing problem? Request an appointment with the experts at L.D. Smith Plumbing in Indianapolis.

Tips for clogged drains

Why are clogged drains such a big problem? Lance Smith, owner of L.D. Smith Plumbing, details solutions for clogged drains and some of the strange items he has encountered when unclogging customer drains.

Check out his latest interview on Life.Style.Live! Lance, along with plumber Wes, also demonstrate how they unclog a toilet.

If you have a clogged drain, schedule an appointment with L.D. Smith Plumbing for a FREE inspection to locate the clog and recommendations to treat it with no obligation to use our services.

WATCH: Lance shares fall plumbing tips on Indy Style

As you prepare for pumpkin picking, leaf raking, and all things fall, add a quick plumbing check to your to-do list. Lance Smith, owner of L.D. Smith Plumbing, visited the TV show Indy Style to share plumbing a few plumbing tips for fall. Fall is a great time to check your pipes, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures to ensure your home is ready to handle the cold weather ahead.

Check your water heater
If it’s older than 10 years old, now is the time to consider a replacement to guarantee warm
water. For energy savings, set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees.

Disconnect outdoor water hose
This prevents freezing pipes and damage to your plumbing in the winter months.

Schedule major sewer line or drain repairs
No one wants to replace sewer pipes in winter. It’s no fun. Temperatures affect your sewer
pipes. Even if you have a small crack in your pipe right now, freezing temperatures can create a
bigger problem if not treated such as a flooded home or blockage. If there are any concerns
about sewer line, schedule an inspection to find leaks or cracks and treat those issues to ensure
your pipes are winter-ready.

Make it easy to access your water shut-off valve
This is very important for homeowners, especially if you have winter vacation plans. The shut-off
valve turns off water flow to your home preventing significant damage to your home in case
there is a hard freeze or flooding while you are away. Make sure you know the exact location of
your shut-off valve and have a plan for how to access it if there is heavy snow.

Check all pipes
Inspect all pipes in your home to make sure they are in a conditioned area and crawl space
vents are closed. Also, make sure no siding or insulation has been removed or damaged that
would allow cold air in.

Keep your plumbing operating efficiently year-round with our Plumbing Protection Plan for $89 annually. Learn more.

Tips to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly

The holiday season is here. That means dinners and gatherings with lots of food that might end up in the garbage disposal. Before you start to prep the turkey and side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner, check out the video above to hear what Lance has to say about foods to keep away from your garbage disposal. He also dispels a few myths about maintenance.

What's that sewer smell in the basement? Lance explains.

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It's not uncommon to walk in your basement and inhale a sewer smell. Homeowners often panic and call us thinking there's a need for a sewer line replacement or repair. Lance Smith, the owner of L.D. Smith Plumbing, solves this mystery. The problem could be in your P-Trap, which prevents gases from entering the home. If faucets and toilets in the basement have not been used for a long period of time, the P-Trap becomes dry, causing a sewer smell. Check out Lance's video to learn how to solve this common problem and reduce the sewer smell.

If you believe the sewer smell is part of a larger problem in your home, contact us immediately to schedule an appointment with one of our plumbers. Learn more about our services here.