Expansion tanks are a protective measure that handles water thermal expansion. Whenever the pressure in the water rises uncontrollably, some of it escapes into the thermal expansion tanks. This protects the supply pipe joints and valves in your plumbing fixtures from damage. It also ensures that the water heater tank doesn’t explode. Fortunately, you can protect your expansion tanks and water heater by having a plumber near me in Bloomington, IL come for routine inspection and maintenance. But what are the common issues with a water heater thermal expansion that a professional plumber can resolve?

Common Thermal Expansion Tank Problems

Venting Water

If the expansion tank has served your home for a long time, it might start showing signs of wear and tear. This might result in the tank leaking water. Hence, you must closely monitor the thermal expansion tank to determine where the leak originates. A routine inspection by a plumber near me can make this process easier. Tightening the fitting if the leak is from the pipe at the top of the thermal expansion tank. Although you can use a wrench to tighten the pipe, you could over tighten it. For this reason, it is recommended that if you see the thermal expansion tank venting water, you call a plumber near me and have them properly tighten the pipe and apply some sealing to ensure that water doesn’t leak. They also will tell you whether it is time to replace the expansion tank.

Air Blockage

Your thermal expansion tank has been designed as an air handler for your hot water plumbing system. Although air is necessary for any plumbing system, it may be trapped, resulting in a hydronic airlock. This issue could result in water not flowing via the heater or pipes, meaning that you should have it checked by a plumber near me. If you notice no water in the radiator, that could be experiencing an airlock. An expansion tank should prevent the air block from arising at all. If you realize that you have a hydronic airlock, that shows that your thermal expansion tank is not normally functioning. A plumber near me in Bloomington, IL will inspect the system and help you determine whether you need a repair or to replace the tank.

Your Tank Needs to Be Recharged

Water heater thermal expansion tanks are of two types. The older versions are made from steel. These tanks normally combine water and air within to contain the excessive pressure from the water heater. Unfortunately, the water within may absorb some small quantities of air. Whenever such happens, the thermal expansion tanks can lose their pressure. Recharging is the solution to this water/air ratio problem. Whenever you notice such a problem, you should have a plumber near me recharge the expansion tank. Unfortunately, some homeowners choose to recharge the tank themselves. Adding more water than necessary will result in overcharge problems.

Condensation

The other sign that the expansion tank is faulty is condensation on its surface. Have you noticed an accumulation of condensation in the thermal expansion tank? That problem should be investigated further by a plumber near me. The condensation on the thermal expansion tank might result in rusting. It also might make the water start dripping over the electric wires, causing short circuits. If the condensation problems aren’t immediately addressed, there will be water puddles below the tank. Because determining the reason for condensation is difficult, a plumber should inspect the expansion tank.

Not Having Sufficient Air in Its Diaphragm Tank

Newer thermal expansion tanks use the rubber diaphragm system. This diaphragm is used for separating water and air. The expansion of the diaphragm doesn’t lose any pressure as the water absorbs the air. The most frequent issue with a diaphragm expansion tank is that the valve occasionally leaks air pressure. When this happens, the tank needs to have more air added to it. Simple steps must be taken to introduce air to the tank. All you need to do is use an air compressor or a bicycle tire pump to add air to the tank. The tank must then be pumped up to 12 PSI. The likelihood that the tank won’t maintain air pressure after being overfilled with water or after the repair is finished is very high. In that situation, the entire diaphragm needs to be replaced. A plumber near me in Bloomington, IL can inform you whether a minor repair will suffice or if you have to replace the entire diaphragm.

How Backflows Impact Thermal Expansion

If you install a backflow check valve or backflow preventer to your cold water line, the likelihood of thermal expansion will rise. Water flows unidirectionally from the supply unit via the meter to the outlets at your home tap, as is well known. Even though water flows in one direction, there are some situations where the flow direction is reversed. The reversal of water’s direction of flow is called backflow. It arises when there is a back-siphonage or a backflow condition in the water supply line.

The backflow prevention device helps prevent hot water from leaving the water heater through a pipe meant to carry cold water.

Backsiphonage is the unintended change in the water’s flow direction caused by the vacuum’s strong suction. A vacuum can occur when the distribution system is shut down, when the plumbing fails, or when the system loses pressure due to a large water withdrawal. When the pressure falls below atmospheric pressure, the pipe system experiences a vacuum, which leads to a back-siphonage. Backpressure can happen when a source pressure, like thermal expansion, creates much more pressure than the distribution system supplies. The extra pressure may push water backward and in the other direction. A plumber near me recommends that you don’t install a backflow preventer near the water heater.

We Can Help!

Does your water heater thermal expansion tank show signs of damage? Contact us at Covenant Plumbing for a resolution.

Do you need the services of a plumber in Normal, IL? Hire an established plumbing company because they have the right people and the right tools to get the job done. You don’t have to worry about plumbers cutting corners when you hire an established company in the area.

Reasons to Hire an Established Company

Below are the reasons why it’s important to work with certified and experienced plumbers to take care of repairs or installations. If you have questions, feel free to get in touch with us anytime. We’re always happy to assist you further.

Fully Insured

Plumbing repairs can be dangerous especially when it involves digging, which is why it’s important to hire a plumbing company with fully insured plumbers. Just in case there’s an accident, the insurance company can take care of the medical expenses. If you hire an unlicensed plumber and they get injured while doing repairs, you may have to shoulder all the medical expenses. You can avoid paying more money by making sure the plumber you hire has insurance and is licensed to do repairs. Also, they must adhere to all building codes to avoid problems down the road.

Another reason to hire insured plumbers is that they prioritize safety most of all. They are equipped with safety tools to ensure the task is properly carried out and they can prevent any accidents or damage to your property. Our plumbers at Covenant Plumbing are fully insured and highly trained to tackle any plumbing repairs. Get in touch with us anytime and we’ll quickly send a plumber to your location the soonest possible time.

Employs Licensed and Experienced Plumbers

No homeowner or business owner in Normal, IL would want to hire an inexperienced plumber to do repairs or major installations. The good thing is that an established plumbing company carefully selects plumbers to ensure they have the best team. For example, our plumbers at Covenant Plumbing aren’t just licensed, they have been doing plumbing repairs and installations for years. They’ve seen it all and there’s no plumbing problem we can’t fix, from leaky pipes to overflowing toilets or clogged drains, we have the tools we need to get the job done right the first time.

If you hire an inexperienced plumber, chances are they might make a mistake and you’ll end up hiring another plumber. This can even cost you more money, but if you hire us, rest assured that we can permanently resolve the problem on the same day.

Wide Range of Plumbing Services Available

It can be stressful to call one plumber to take care of repairs and another plumber for installations. One advantage of hiring an established company is that they offer many plumbing services. So there’s no need to keep calling different plumbers as that can be time-consuming. At Covenant Plumbing, we offer different plumbing services that will suit your needs. We specialize in professional drain cleaning and leak detection, plumbing remodeling, sewer repair and installation, piping and repiping, and repairing and installing plumbing fixtures. Feel free to get in touch with us for a list of all services we offer.

Proven Expertise

Although years in business don’t always guarantee that the plumbing company can always deliver on its promise, it’s an indication they are an expert in plumbing. Otherwise, they wouldn’t still be in business. Covenant Plumbing has been helping homeowners and businesses since 2006. We have been in the industry long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. Also, we provide extensive training to all our plumbers to ensure they can always deliver. Rest assured, we can help you properly diagnose a plumbing problem and provide you with cost-effective plumbing solutions.

Fully Equipped

It’s better to have basic plumbing tools including a plunger and drain snake to remove drain clogs, however, no homeowner wants to spend any more money buying more plumbing tools. You can prevent this by hiring an established plumbing company equipped with the right tools. Covenant Plumbing is fully equipped — if other issues come up during the service call, rest assured you won’t have to book another appointment with us. We’ll do our best to resolve the issue on the same day. There’s no need to purchase other equipment or tools when you hire us.

Professional Staff

Hire a plumbing company with professional and knowledgeable staff who can walk you through the process or a team who can answer all of your inquiries to the best of their knowledge. At Covenant Plumbing, we make sure everyone is polite and professional, from scheduling your appointment to answering all queries.

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

While it’s okay to do some minor plumbing repairs, never attempt to DIY repair major plumbing appliances or do major installations. Don’t hire an unlicensed plumber either. Hire an established plumbing company because they can give you a 100% satisfaction guarantee for your peace of mind.

You Save Money

The last thing you want is to hire another plumber because the previous person you hire didn’t get the job done right. You don’t have to worry about this if you hire an established plumbing company to take care of repairs or installations. Our plumbers at Covenant Plumbing go the extra mile to ensure the problem is resolved permanently. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you hired capable and highly skilled plumbers.

Contact Covenant Plumbing Today

Do you need a plumbing company in Normal, IL? Covenant Plumbing is here to help. We have been in the business for several years and our plumbers are fully committed to providing top-notch services on every appointment. We take care of any plumbing-related issue, from installing a water heater to repairing a sump pump and accurately locating a leak. We can also help professionally maintain your plumbing so that your appliances and fixtures stay in excellent shape. And if you need assistance in deciding which type of fixtures to install for your home, Covenant Plumbing can help as well. Contact us today for an appointment.

Often, a plumbing system leak is obvious. You might notice that a puddle has formed beneath your sink or on your floor. When plumbing leaks are obvious, you can take steps to contact a plumber near me in Bloomington, IL, to deal with the issue. However, as you may already know, many of the water pipes in your house are located behind walls or under flooring. What happens if one of these pipes suffers a leak? You might not notice for some time. However, there are often signs. Even hidden leaks may show signs that can alert you to a serious plumbing problem. If you have concerns about hidden leaks in your home, contact Covenant Plumbing. We offer a full spectrum of plumbing services, including leak detection and leak repair.

Sagging or Warped Flooring

If you notice that your floor has begun to sag or is warped, there’s a moisture problem. That moisture issue could be because of a hidden leak. Of course, the problem may also be due to water seeping inside from the outside. Moisture can cause floors to sag and warp. If your plumbing system runs in the area of the sagging floor, there may be a leak. The problem will not improve until the moisture problem is fixed. When you contact a plumber near me in Bloomington, IL, you can expect them to locate the leak and make the necessary repair.

Your Water Bill Has Increased

A hidden leak allows water to flow even when your fixtures are turned off. That water has a cost that will be reflected by your water bill. Of course, that cost is going to be magnified by the damage that the water does to your floors or walls. If your water bill has suddenly increased, take steps to investigate the cause. It could be a hidden leak. Look for other signs of leaks around your home. A plumber near me in Bloomington can help you determine if your water bill spikes are caused by a hidden leak.

Mold Spots

If mold spots appear on your wall, it might be a hidden leak. Plumber near me in Bloomington can help you find out. However, there could also be another cause. Mold growth relies on moisture. The mold could be caused by a roof leak. An overflowing toilet, even if it happened once, could cause a mold problem. A hidden leak will generally cause mold to grow quickly. The leak continues to feed the mold problem, which is why the mold spreads fast. Before remediating the mold problem, you’ll have to have the leak repaired.

You Smell Mildew or Must

If you smell an unpleasant odor, there’s a moisture problem. The sudden appearance of a musty odor can indicate the presence of a leak. A plumber near me in Bloomington will be able to pinpoint if you have a hidden leak. Mildew can occur because of other moisture problems too. However, Covenant Plumbing will be able to find out if your mildew and mold problem is caused by a leak.

Ceiling or Wall Discoloration

Water can cause other materials of your home to become discolored. If your ceiling is discolored or there are water spots that have formed, there’s a leak or other moisture problem you need to deal with quickly. Discoloration is only the first problem. Mold will likely develop next if it hasn’t already. The mold may be present behind the wall and yet to make its appearance. A plumber near me in Bloomington can assess the problem and help you locate the source of the moisture issue.

Reduced Water Pressure

If your water pressure is reduced, there’s a reason. Sometimes that reason is a leak. Any time you experience a water pressure interruption, you should contact a plumber near me in Bloomington. Covenant Plumbing can send a trained plumber to your home to investigate the problem.

How Do Plumbers Find Hidden Leaks?

Covenant Plumbing’s plumbers are skilled at leak detection. We can determine if you have a sneaky leak and where it’s located. When our plumber visits your Bloomington, IL, home, they’ll check your plumbing fixtures to ensure that there isn’t a leak associated with them or near them. Plumbers often use headphones and electronic hearing equipment to find hidden leaks. They can use acoustics to determine where your plumbing system’s leak is located. Our plumbers at Covenant Plumbing are skilled leak detectors. We’ll give you an accurate report of your plumbing system. Don’t attempt DIY leak detection or you could allow the issue to become worse. Let a plumber near me in Bloomington find your leak quickly and recommend the ideal fix.

Repairing Hidden Leaks

A hidden leak needs to be repaired right away. Unfortunately, when leaky pipes are located behind walls or under flooring, they must be accessed. When you contact Covenant Plumbing for leak repair, we’ll send a plumber to your location. We can recommend the best way to access pipes with the minimum of disruption. Even so, sometimes portions of wall, ceiling, or flooring must be cut away so that the plumber can replace or repair the broken pipe.

After we make the repair to the pipes, you can make the necessary repairs to your walls or other home features that were disrupted. The process of repairing hidden leaks isn’t always easy, but it’s essential in order to guard against further damage. While inspecting the leaking pipe, your plumber near me in Bloomington can view the other pipes in the vicinity to ensure that they’re in good condition. You may choose to replace other pipes nearby, especially if they’re suffering from corrosion.

Most people don’t think about their bathroom sink until there’s a problem. But understanding the most common sink issues can help you troubleshoot and fix issues before they become bigger. This article will look at the common bathroom sink problems you can face and how a plumber can help you. Most bathroom sink problems may seem easy to handle, but it is not advisable to fix them because if you don’t have the right tools and skills, you will worsen the issue. Instead, call a plumbing company in Normal, IL, to fix your bathroom sinks.

Bathroom Sink Issues You May Encounter

Slow Drain

A clogged or slow drain is another common problem many homeowners face. A slow drain can happen over time, especially if you have poor usage habits and don’t get your drain cleaned regularly. When you call an expert, they will do a video camera inspection to understand the plumbing better. They will recommend a drain cleaning service or something else to solve the slow drain.

If you are thinking of fixing the problem by pouring a drain cleaner down the drain, don’t try. Drain cleaners have toxic chemicals that can cause damage to the plumbing at the bathroom sink or the plumbing further down the line.

A plumber will first need to figure out what is causing the blockage to diagnose the problem. Mostly, blockages in the bathroom sink are caused by loose hair or beauty products. The clog can be removed using pliers or fingers if it is not severe. However, a mechanical auger will be needed to remove the blockage if it is severe.

The good thing about plumbers in Normal, IL, is that they will help you find the cause of the clog and come up with a permanent solution. Also, they can advise you on how to prevent it from happening in the future.

Leaking Faucets

A leaking faucet is another bathroom sink problem that requires the help of a professional. Although dripping faucets may look like a minor problem, the truth is they are increasing your water bills. Even if the dripping occurs 5 times a minute, that continuous dripping from the faucet will increase your water bill. So, call a plumbing company today to fix your dripping faucet.

For the professional to repair the faucet, they will first have to figure out what is causing the dripping. The leading causes of a dripping faucet include:

• An O-ring that is loose or worn out
• If the dripping is coming from the spout, it could be a corroded valve seat. To prevent the valve seat from corroding, have it cleaned regularly
• A worn-out cartridge. Find an expert who will do the replacement of the exact match
• Worn-out seals and washers occur when water sediments accumulate on them
• Loose packing nuts and rings in the steam crew

A professional can fix all these causes. A plumber can disassemble the faucet to have a better look. Disassembling a faucet is tricky, and you should leave it to experts.

Bad Smells

If you notice your bathroom sinks are producing bad smells, you should call a plumber immediately. If your bathroom drain was installed well, the common cause of the odors could be a microbial infection. The infection might have spread to the sink overflow passage causing foul odors. To develop an actionable plan, your plumbing company will need to do a thorough inspection.

You will have to get rid of the odors because they will worsen with time. Inhaling the odors every day is bad for your health. The recommended treatment is the use of a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Your plumber will pour the solution down the drain and let it rest an entire night. Also, different plumbing services will recommend additional solutions based on how they see their work.

To avoid foul odors in your bathroom sinks, hire a plumbing company regularly for drain cleaning services. Regular cleaning will eliminate the odors and make your bathroom enjoyable. Call a plumber today for regular drain cleaning services.

Weakened Sink Caulking

The other bathroom sink problem you can face is a weakened sink caulking. It could have a negative effect on the sink’s overall condition. You can fix this problem, but it needs a professional plumbing company for the best results. If the caulking is missing or broken, water from the sink can splash out and leak underneath the fixture. Water damage will worsen with time, leading to more problems. Depending on the damage, your plumber can recommend repairs or replacements. If the expert decides to do a replacement, make sure the old caulking is not left behind because it will affect the caulking you add.

Faulty Drain Stopper

A drain stopper is a knob that enables the drain to be opened and closed quickly. If the drain stopper is faulty, the drain might get stuck or on open or closed. Fixing the malfunctioning drain stopper on yourself will be tricky. To solve this problem, call a professional, and they will get the job done correctly.

The malfunctioning drain stopper can be caused by either a loose nut or ring. These parts can be tightened within minutes and have the stopper working again. If the parts are completely worn out, your expert will recommend a new drain stopper mechanism. They will have the new part installed for you, so don’t worry. Once the part is installed, you won’t have to deal with a faulty drain stopper anymore.

Why Is Covenant Plumbing Your Best Bet? 

If you don’t have the plumbing knowledge and specialized tools to deal with plumbing issues in your bathroom, avoid handling the problems yourself. Instead, call Covenant Plumbing today in Normal, IL. We have professional plumbers who will inspect your bathroom sinks and fix issues if there are any. Besides fixing your bathroom sinks, we do drain cleaning, appliance installation, unclogging toilets, repiping, repairing, or replacing leaky pipes. No matter the plumbing situation you are in, we will help you in the best way possible.

As you know, a clogged or broken sewer line will halt the function of your plumbing system. Without a sewer line repair, your home can suffer from sewage backup. A skilled plumber from Covenant Plumbing of Bloomington, IL, can evaluate your sewer line to determine if the problem is a clog or a broken pipe. If you’re experiencing a backup of your drains in your home, you could be experiencing a serious sewer line problem. Here are some things you can do:

What Is Your Sewer Line?

Your home connects to the municipal sewer via a line that runs from it to your home. All the wastewater that leaves your home travels through the sewer line to the main sewer. As the property owner, you are responsible for the line that runs from your home, across your property (underground), to the city sewer. If you have sewage backing up into your home or multiple drains seem slow or clogged, you should suspect a sewer line problem.

Try to Unclog the Drain

When you contact your plumber with a suspected sewer line issue, the first thing they’ll try to do is to unclog the drain. Sewer drain clogs are not uncommon. As with other drains in your home, they can become stopped up with food debris, grease, toilet paper, or other objects that get lodged in the pipe.

Typically, your plumbing service will arrive with a router or mechanical router that will push any lodged items through the line, clearing the pipe for use. Most of these clogs can be removed with a plumber‘s snake. Once the clog is clear, your plumbing system should function properly again.

What About Tree Roots?

A common problem that leads to clogged sewer lines is tree root infiltration. As underground pipes age and begin to suffer cracks and corrosion, tree roots–ever in search of water–can enter the pipe where they will continue to grow. The seams of sewer pipes tend to be the most vulnerable parts of the pipes to tree root infiltration. As the roots continue growing, they will begin to block the sewer line. You may or may not notice that your drains are beginning to run a bit more slowly.

As the roots continue to grow, they can clog the drain, stopping water, toilet paper, and anything else washed down your drains from making their way to the main city sewer. As the clog worsens, the sewage material can back up into your house. Until your plumber can clear the line, your plumbing system will be unusable.

The Clog Won’t Clear

Sometimes your plumber cannot clear the clog. That often indicates that part of the line has collapsed. An experienced plumbing professional can usually tell because their snake will appear to hit a wall. Some plumbing services may run an inline camera through the line to determine the exact nature of the problem and where it’s occurring. When the problem is a broken pipe and not a clog, you’ll need to fix the pipe or replace it.

Evaluate the Damage

Your Bloomington, IL, plumbing professional will investigate the pipe to determine the nature of the damage. Tree roots can cause the pipe to collapse, but so, too, can large clogs. Burrowing pests underground can even cause damage to your sewer line. After assessing the full scope of the damage to your pipes, your plumber can recommend the ideal fix.

Repair or Replace Your Sewer Line

If the damage to your pipe is minimal, your plumbing service might recommend a pipelining repair. To perform this repair, the plumbing professional will insert pipelining into the line. This lining is coated with epoxy. It will act as a liner within the pipe and seal to the pipe. Once the epoxy dries and cures, sealing the crack, the inflated portion of the liner can be removed. This fix should allow your plumbing system to work optimally again.

On the other hand, some sewer line problems are quite severe. In these situations, sections of pipe may need to be replaced, especially if the pipes are old and suffering from corrosion. Talk to your plumber about the trenchless repair. In this case, the repairs can be made through the line again. The old pipe is destroyed while a new pipe is inserted with a trenchless method.

Unfortunately, sometimes the only way to deal with extensive pipe damage is to dig up the property and perform a traditional sewer line replacement. A crew will dig up the old pipes and replace them with new ones. Although this is a costly and invasive method, it will solve the problem. After that, you shouldn’t have sewer line issues because of aging or corrosive pipes. If you sell your home, you can actually market the fact that the entire sewer line has been replaced. That’s definitely a job that new home buyers will be happy to avoid.

Covenant Plumbing serves Bloomington, IL, with a full range of plumbing services, including sewer line repairs and replacements. We can send an experienced plumbing professional to your home to assess your sewer line problem. If drain cleaning doesn’t solve the issue, we can recommend a solution that will. It’s important to contend with sewer line problems as soon as possible so you’re not left with a mess owing to backed-up drains.

Covenant Plumbing can also provide you with professional leak detection, pipe repair, drain cleaning, and other plumbing services. We are a licensed and insured company. Our plumbers stand by the quality of our workmanship and we always rely on quality parts and fixtures. If you have a plumbing problem such as a leak or drain clog, contact us to schedule a service call. Our prices are affordable and our plumbers are experienced and friendly.

Photo By Vladimir Gjorgiev at Shutterstock