The Sump Pump has the important task of making sure basements are kept dry by directing water away from these spaces. It operates by being inside of a pit that fills with water, which when filled, is sensed by a pressure sensor. As water enters the pump, a float arm is moved, telling the pump to actively move water out of the home. When not properly maintained, there can be multiple things wrong with the activation and pumping mechanism of the sump pump. For starters, a defective sensor won’t be able to detect the water flowing into the area, and therefore unable to activate the pump. A defective check valve (which ensures that the water being pumped out does not flow back into the pit) will also result in inefficient pumping or water not being pumped out at all. Therefore, it is highly important to properly maintain your sump pump, especially if you live in area that is a lot of rainfall.

Check for Debris
Often debris such as mud or stone can clog the inlet screen, preventing water from properly flowing through the pump. Annually or even once every six months, homeowners should visually inspect the pump and remove any accumulating debris both in the pump or in the pit. 

Ensure the Pump is Connected to a Power Supply
This one is self explanatory-- there is no use for a clean pump if it is does not have a power source by which to operate. Always ensure that the dedicated outlet for your sump pump is working.

Test Your Sump Pump Annually
To test to see whether the your pump is actively transporting water out of your home, pour some water into the sump pump to ensure that the internal float can be effortlessly moved. If you notice that the float is not moving or is having a difficult time in responding to the water, there may be debris blocking the float’s path or may need minor adjusting. If the float is working correctly, the check valve may be the problem, in which case it is best to have it replaced, a process that should take no more than an hour by a plumber. 
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Anything Else?
The sump pump most often will not be used. However, in times of torrential downpour, it is important that the pump is working as efficiently as possible. Maintaining your pump does not require much time or money, and will definitely be worth the effort to prevent over flooded basements and water damage.

We want to throw a quick shout out to our friends over at McCoy's Plumbing (http://www.mccoysplumbing.com).  These guys are THE Water Heater Repair experts in Tyler, TX.  If you live down there, definitely check them out.

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Minor errors in one’s plumbing system can be fixed without the need for a plumber, so how do you know when you need a plumber? Loose bolts on a pipe, minor clogs in the sink, or uncalibrated thermometers on one’s water heater can be fixed quickly and with very minimal time or money. However, there may be a time when something more drastic occurs such as a pipe burst, a sewer line leak, or a water heater completely not working. In such instances, it is best to contact a professional to tackle the situation-- it will most likely save your home from incurring more damages and save you money in the long run.  Therefore, here are few common instances when it is necessary to hire a reliable plumber.

Clogged Sewer Lines
If you begin to smell foul odor or notice sewage backups, it is most likely due to a clog. Allowing sewer lines to be clogged presents a huge health risk to the entire community and bring property values down. A professional can actively pump the sewer lines, helping to break away any debris or accumulation of waste products and thereby restoring the flow of sewage through the pipes. They can also help in preventing tree root growths by installing physical barriers near your septic pipes or providing chemical agents that kill tree roots before they can cause any damage. 

Changes in Color or Taste of Water
This can be due to corroded or rusted pipes, leading to high metal content in your home’s water. Corrosion of pipes ultimately leads to a decreased efficiency of all appliances in your home and can lead to leaks or bursts. Depending on the size of the job, it is advised to have a plumber inspect  and replace you pipes. 

Broken Water Heater
It is extremely difficult to replace a water heater without any professional help. If you notice that hot water is not flowing to any of your appliances or faucets in your home, first check to make sure the thermometer for your heater is set to the correct temperature. Changing this temperature could very well resolve the problem. However, if the problem persists, it may be due to an internal failure, which warrants either a replacement or a clearing of sediments built up inside the heater which requires calling a water heater repair technician. 

Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes can be dangerous as leaving them unresolved can lead to a burst and thousands of dollars in property damage. It is always best to keep your heating on as to prevent this from occurring. However, if you do notice frozen pipes, it is advised to turn on heating as quickly as possible to thaw the pipes, after which a plumber should still be called in to determine if damage has occurred. If a pipe does burst, turn off the main water valve and contact a plumber immediately.

Main Water Valve Does Not Work
A proper functioning main water valve is essential to helping reduce damages if a disaster does happen. However, if this valve is not operating correctly, it is best to contact a plumber to ensure it is fixed.

Anything Else?
A reliable, efficient plumber can do a lot to help ease the headaches of having to deal with your home’s plumbing system, especially if disaster does strike. Plumbers should also be called in every few years to give a thorough inspection of your home’s plumbing to spot potential problems or damage before they get out of hand.  If you haven't yet found a reliable plumbing company, call the plumber Springfield MO trusts - SW Missouri Plumbing!

Hot water is an important part of any household and so it important to consider a water heater replacement if it is not working properly.. However, with the high magnitude of importance that the water heater has, years of use will potentially lead to a degradation in functionality and efficiency. A normal water heater has an average lifespan of eight to ten years (which can differ depending on how frequently homeowners inspect the machine and the quality of the initial installation). However, eventually this natural decline in lifespan and performance due to an accumulation of mineral and corrosion of metal can very well lead to a non-functioning water heater. The question is: how do you know when it's gone beyond a simple water heater repair job and you need to replace a water heater? It is important to keep an eye out for the following signs in determining when the right time for a replacement is. 

Noises Coming From the Heater
Sedimentation of mineral naturally occurs under the hot conditions present in a water heater. However, loud banging or sounds similar to that are signs that the sediments are impeding proper flow and making your heater less efficient by requiring even more heat to properly warm up the water that is passing through. Build up of sediment can eventually lead to leaks, which then ultimately requires a replacement of the entire system. However, if you contact professionals to flush out the system annually, thereby removing accumulating sediments, it can prevent future leaks, improve overall functionality and energy usage, and reduce the chance of having to replace the heater prematurely. 

If Hot Water is Not Being Produced
An obvious sign that something is wrong is when hot water is not available. However, before deciding that a replacement is needed, first make sure that the thermostat is set to the correct temperature; uncalibrated thermostats are a simple problem to fix and do not require a complete replacement of the heating system.  Another issue can be if the heating element or burner fails to operate, Luckily for homeowners, these problems can be fixed for about $150.
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What are Steps I can take to Prevent Damages?
A major cause of intense sediment build up is the passage of what is called “hard-water.” Hard water simply refers to water that has an extremely high mineral content and should be controlled to prevent scaling within the heater. To handle this situation, there are multiple things homeowners can do:

1. Flushing the system to remove any small mineral buildups
2. Softening the water by using a water-softening system that actively removes ions that make the water hard. 
3. Lowering the temperature of the heater

Final Thoughts?
Water heater replacements can cost anywhere between $500 to $1000, which if necessary should be done to prevent any further damage or waste of electricity. Knowing when to replace a water heater is important however. Many problems can be fixed without professional help or can be prevented with annual checkups, but if leaks begin forming, it is imperative to take action as quickly as possible.

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