Do you need help with your plumbing system? Call Iron Mountain Plumbing today for speedy solutions.

All homeowners dread water damage, and for good reason. One broken pipe or damaged faucet can cause extensive damage to all kinds of fixtures and furnishings, including your floorboards, walls, ceilings, and landscaping. Thankfully, one sure way to prevent avoidable water damage is to be able to recognize and locate the types of shutoff valves around your property. 

Do you know what valve to turn off when there’s a leak or when you need to complete plumbing repairs? Iron Mountain Plumbing, the leading emergency plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, shares the diverse shutoff valve styles below and where you’re likely to find them.

#1 Ball Valve

Ball valves are a popular choice for regular shutoff valves across residential and commercial properties. Look for one of these valves in your home on your main water lines. You can quickly recognize it from the lever handle and the thicker middle section that holds the ball.

The ball valve’s mechanism is simple:

• The ball sits in the valve’s mid-section, which has a hole in the center. 
• When you turn the lever to open the valve, the ball will rotate with the water direction. 
• The opening allows water to flow through the valve. 
• When you close the valve, the ball rotates to block the hole (and water flow).

Ball valves are inexpensive and durable. Experts always recommend choosing an exact replica if you need a replacement ball valve. Standard port ball valves are smaller than the pipe diameter, while full port options are the same size, so choosing the wrong one may upset the water pressure balance.

#2 Three-Way Water Shutoff Valve

You will likely find these types of shutoff valves under a kitchen sink, as plumbers use them to connect multiple valves. A key differentiating characteristic of three-way valves is that they do not shut off the water flow completely. Instead, they block it in one direction, increasing the pressure in the other direction.

If you want to prevent water flow through this type of valve completely, you’re better off locating your main water valve.

#3 Gate Valve

Gate valves work like ball valves in principleturning the circular handle on top of the valve in either direction will raise or lower a metal gate inside the valve, controlling the water flow. You can also lower this gate just enough to reduce the water flow a little.

Like ball valves, gate valves are a common sight on main water pipes but are mostly used for industrial applications. Some plumbers install them in larger residential properties on the main water pipe or the pipe leading to a hot water boiler. Compared to the various shutoff valve options, gate valves hold up nicely for years, even with regular usage.

#4 Pressure-Reducing Valve

These types of water shutoff valves ensure better control over the pressure flowing through your plumbing system. They feature a spring and diaphragm, which you can adjust to reduce water pressure to your preferred limits.

You’ll likely have one of these if you receive water at high pressure from the municipal water supply. The valve helps prevent damage to your appliances and your home’s plumbing systems.

#5 Globe Valve

Globe valves are extremely useful when there’s a need for variable control over the water flow. You will likely find them controlling pipes that lead to water spigots. 

They look like ball valves from the outside, but the mechanism inside is a bit more complicated. For example, the valve has a baffle featuring a water flow port in the center, and its handle connects to a plunger. When you turn the handle, the plunger will go down to the water flow port or back away from it to close or open the valve.

#6 Check Valve

Check valves are specialty options that keep water flowing in only one direction. Plumbers may install these as a part of a backflow prevention system, such as for sprinklers or an outdoor faucet.

You can’t open or close check valves like other shutoff valve varieties because they don’t have any control bars or wheels. However, as long as the backflow prevention system is in good shape, you’ll never have to worry about the check valves around your property.

#7 Angled Fixture Shutoff Valve

These types of shutoff valves control water flow to individual plumbing fixtures, such as:

• Sinks
• Toilets
• Washing machines

The angle fixture shutoff valve is common and easily recognizable by its oval handle and ribbed edges. You’ll find the valve in connections where the water pipe comes out of the wall and needs to go up into the supply line for a fixture. The valves have different internal mechanisms, including a compression, ball, or gasket system.

#8 Straight Fixture Shutoff Valve

While similar to the angled fixture option, plumbers install straight fixture shutoff valves when the water pipe comes up from the floor and straight to the plumbing fixture.

Straight fixture shutoff valves typically feature a handle on top (the same as against the knob on the angled variants). However, the internal mechanism works the same in both valves.

#9 Stop-and-Waste Valve

These types of valves are a common fixture in irrigation lines, primarily for protecting sprinkler lines during the winter months. They have a metal composition and two openings built-in. One of the openings controls the water flow, while the other allows water to drain away from the line (so that it doesn’t freeze and burst the pipes).

Plumbers install these valves in the ground, well below the freeze line. You’ll need a special key to turn the valve on and off.

#10 Needle or Saddle Valves

These valves connect a water supply tube to appliances such as refrigerators and water filters. The regulations no longer permit them, so they will only remain in older properties. The valve clamps onto a water pipe, with a hollow needle digging into the pipe like a mosquito’s proboscis and a flexible supply tube (copper or plastic) that channels water to the appliance.

As you can tell from the configuration, these valve types are not durable. Therefore, building codes now require the use of standard fixture shutoff valves.

#11 Electric Diaphragm Valve

These types of valves control hydronic heating and sprinkler systems, with a solenoid that has its own control panel. Plumbers install brass electric diaphragm valves for hydronic systems and plastic options for sprinkler systems. Depending on the system configuration, the inlet and outlet ports may be parallel to each other or angled, and they are often the same size.

The inner mechanism of these valves is similar to what you’ll find in globe valves. The valve body features the following:

• Inlet and outlet ports (separated by a baffle)
• A bonnet featuring a rubber diaphragm
• A solenoid that raises and lowers a plunger to control water flow.

The rubber diaphragm is useful for controlling water pressure inside the valve.

#12 Butterfly Valve

A butterfly valve, which looks like the insect it is named after, has a rotating disc inside it, which features a valve stem and a thin fin or wing on either side. When you turn the control lever, the disk will rotate. The action allows partial or full restriction of water flow through the valve.

These valve shutoff options are more common in commercial spaces. Butterfly valves aren’t common in residential applications because plumbers use them for water pipes three inches in diameter or larger. Not many homes have plumbing pipes of those dimensions.

Is Shutoff Valve Repair and Replacement a DIY Job?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that you can’t typically repair shutoff valve systems. Once damage or age compromises the internal mechanism of the valve, it’s almost impossible to get it working again. You’ll need to replace parts or make major adjustments.

Experienced professionals can sometimes repair some types of valves. However, in most cases, installing a replacement is more cost-effective. You may not need professional help to replace some types of shutoff valves, such as:

• Fixture shutoff variants
• Ball valves
• Some gate and glove valves

However, it’s always safer to hand over these projects to a qualified plumber. It could save money and time and help you avoid damaging your plumbing system.

Get Expert Solutions to Your Shut Off Valve Problems in Hurricane, Utah

Can you identify the different types of shutoff valves around your property now? Don’t worry; you won’t have to go ahead and replace a broken valve if you have a professional nearby. If you want to prevent water damage, don’t hesitate to call a team like Iron Mountain Plumbing to replace all types of shutoff valves for plumbing systems, residential or commercial. 

If you understand your property’s different valves, you’ll know just what to do when a pipe is leaking under the floor and you don’t want to turn off the water mains to fix it. Then, you can call Iron Mountain Plumbing for further help in Hurricane, Utah, or the surrounding areas. Call 435-422-4667 today!

Do you need help unclogging your tub drain? Call Iron Mountain Plumbing today at 435-383-3813 for hassle-free solutions.

Few things are more frustrating than seeing standing water in your bathtub, which is a sign of a clog in your tub drain. In this scenario, it can be tempting to ignore the tub and opt for a shower instead, waiting for the water to drain out slowly over time.

However, it’s not the right choice.

You need to learn how to unclog a tub drain with standing water because, for starters, most drain clogs only worsen over time. You’ll need to solve the underlying problem, or you’ll come back one day to a full and smelly tub, even just 12 hours later.

Secondly, the stagnant water creates a favorable environment for bacteria, mosquitoes, moths, and other pests.

Are you ready to get rid of the clog in your tub? The skilled plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, explore your options in this blog post.

Common Causes of a Clogged Drain

Clogged tub drains are usually due to:

Accumulated Hair

Every time you take a bath and wash your hair, strands of hair will enter the water and go down into the drain.

Inside the drain, single strands will mix with other organic matter to create an insoluble ball of hair. As the size grows, so will the volume of standing water you see in the tub after each bath.

Soap Scum

Soap scum is a mixture of body oils, dead skin, soap talc, and more. You generate lots of it with each bath. The scum forms a thick film around the bathtub and pipes, helping trap even more organic material.

Hard Water

Can you see white or yellow flaky buildup around your bathroom fixtures? That’s one of the signs of hard water. The minerals in hard water (usually calcium and magnesium) form deposits that can narrow your drain line over time, reducing the rate of water flow away from your bathtub.

Regardless of the cause of the clogs, it’s possible to clear out your tub drain.

The Best Ways To Unclog a Tub Drain

If you’re looking for how to unclog a tub drain with standing water, you have multiple options available, with varying degrees of difficulty.

Note: The bulk of these require you to deal with the standing water first. So, you may need to wait for the tub to drain out slowly. Where that isn’t practical, use a small bucket to scoop out all the water.

Use Your Hand

Sometimes, the materials causing the clog in your tub may be visible and within reach. If you can see any clump of organic material around your tub drain, you can pull out as much of it as possible by hand.

Wear rubber gloves, and dispose of the dirt and debris you pull out properly. Dumping it in the sink will only lead to a clogged sink drain over time.

Pour Some Boiling Water Down the Drain

Boiling water can help break down any organic buildup clogging your drain. Fill a kettle or pot and heat it to boiling. Next, pour it slowly down the tub drain.

Wait 15 minutes and run the tub faucet to confirm there’s no water pooling. You may need to repeat the process a few times to see results.

Keep in mind that this option is best for homes with metal pipes. Boiling water may damage PVC pipes.

During the process, be careful to avoid mishandling the hot water to prevent burns. Additionally, do not bend directly over the drain to avoid inhaling dirty fumes.

Use Some Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar have a long history and homemade cleaning agents. They can come in handy when looking for how to unclog a tub drain with standing water.  

With the tub empty, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain. Next, pour one cup of vinegar down the drain. The resulting mix will give off a fizzing sound.

Plug the drain with a rag and wait 30 minutes to an hour before washing it off with hot water. Warm water will also work if you have PVC pipes. Run the tub faucet to see if your efforts yielded any results.

Use Chemical Drain Cleaners (With Caution!)

If you don’t have baking soda and vinegar at home, you can use store-bought drain-cleaning chemicals to tackle the clogs in your tub drain. These products work by causing a chemical reaction in the drain to break down all soap scum, hair, and debris.

However, every professional plumber will advise against frequent or indiscriminate use of these drain cleaners. Most of these products can damage your plumbing pipes, your sewer lines, and your septic system with regular usage.

Secondly, there’s always the risk of mistakenly combining these drain cleaners with common household chemicals like bleach, creating a deadly gas. Therefore, it’s best to avoid drain cleaners if you can.

Use a Plunger

You can clear out the clogs blocking your tub drain with a plunger. First, ensure there’s enough water in the tub to cover the bottom of the plunger. Next, rub some petroleum jelly around the base of the plunger to help you get an airtight seal when using the plunger.

Set the plunger directly over the drain and work for three to five minutes to eliminate the clog. Once you’re done, run the water again to see if the tub drain is clear. If it’s not, repeat the process a few more times until you get a free-flowing drain.

Use a Drain Snake

Drain snakes work well for clearing drain clogs because they can reach deeper into the drain line, but it will take you some time to figure out how to use one of these. Once you do, look for a drain snake that’s the perfect fit for your tub drain.

Insert the snake slowly down the drain to avoid damage. Stop once you detect resistance, and lock the snake in place. Next, rotate the handle until you feel the resistance ease up completely, and then pull out the snake to remove the debris.

Run the water to confirm that you’ve cleared the clog in the drain line. You should at least see improvement. In that case, you can repeat the process for better results.

If you don’t see any improvement, the clog extends beyond the reach of the drain snake.

Improvise With a Coat Hanger

If you can’t find a drain snake, you can create a makeshift alternative with a metal coat hanger. Get one of these and straighten it out with pliers. Make a hook on one end, small enough to get into the tub drain.

Slowly insert the hook end into the drain as far as possible. If you hit a clog, move the hook until it latches onto the debris, and then pull it out slowly. Repeat it as many times as possible until you’ve cleared the clog.

If you don’t have a metal hanger, you can convert any thin line of aluminum into a hook. Copper wire (intertwined for strength) may also work.

How To Prevent a Clogged Tub Drain

After you’ve succeeded in clearing out your clogged tub drain, you’ll want to take steps to prevent a repeat of the unsavory experience. Some of the things you can do include the following:

• Install a drain cover: Drain covers can catch hair and other such debris that can clog your drain. You can collect the trash after every bath, leaving your drain line clear.
• Ditch oily hygiene products: Certain hygiene products mix with soap scum, hair, and other organic debris to clog up drain lines.
• Consider water treatment: If your water is high in mineral contaminants, you need to discuss water treatment options with a qualified plumber. Softening your water will help prevent any further mineral buildup in your drain line.
• Flush your drain regularly: Tub drains don’t become clogged overnight. It takes weeks of debris buildup to get to the stage of having standing water in the tub. You can prevent this by maintaining a regular drain line flushing schedule using any of the home remedies covered here.

Call a Professional Plumber From Iron Mountain Plumbing for Your Clogged Tub Drain

Have you tried several of our recommendations with little positive results? It’s time to call in the big guns! At Iron Mountain Plumbing, we have the tools and experience to tackle all hard-to-reach clogs causing standing water in your bathtub.

We’ll arrive at your home on schedule with everything we need to get the water flowing through your tub drain quickly again.

We can also fix other plumbing problems you have. We don’t just know how to unclog a tub drain with standing water; we are also the team to call when a pipe is leaking under a floor or when you need to install the ideal water treatment solution.

Call Iron Mountain Plumbing in Cedar City, Utah, today at 435-383-3813 to book an appointment.

Like most people with a basement or crawlspace in their homes, you might be wondering, “Should there be water in my sump pump pit?” Sump pumps are essential for keeping water out of low-lying spaces, so finding water in the pit might seem counterproductive. Yet the answer might surprise you. 

Our skilled plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, often deal with sump pump issues and provide necessary device installations, repairs, and replacements. Below, we share everything you should know about sump pumps and whether you should worry about water in the pits. 

How Sump Pumps Work

Before answering, “Should there be water in my sump pump pit?” you should know what sump pumps are and how they work. Many properties deal with water seepage from groundwater or heavy rainfall. These devices are instrumental in saving properties from floods and water damage. 

A sump pump is part of a water damage prevention system for houses. It’s a device that goes into a pit or basin at the lowest point of a home, usually a crawlspace or under a basement floor’s main surface. The pump has several valves for detecting water level and pressure.  

As water seeps into the house from outside, it flows into the sump pump basin. When the water inside the pit reaches a certain level, a switch will activate the pump and turn it on. Sump pump switches come in many varieties, including the following:

• Pressure Switches: A pressure switch will detect water pressure inside the pump. Once the pressure gets to a certain point due to the water level increasing, it will make the sump pump turn on.
• Tethered Float Switches: A tethered float switch attaches to the sump pump and floats inside the pit. The switch will float until it reaches its highest point, then it’ll trigger an electrical signal to the pump to turn it on. Since the switch needs water to float, it’ll cause the pump to shut down as the pit empties. 
• Electronic Switches: Electronic switches don’t rely on floats to activate sump pumps. Instead, they sense water pressure to gauge how much water is inside the pit. 
• Diaphragm Switches: One of the most common sump pump switches is the diaphragm switch since it seldom sticks in the on or off position. As pressure increases inside the basin, it flips concave and reverses when the water level drops.
• Vertical Float Switches: This magnetic sump pump switch slides on a vertical rod inside the pump. The float switch will move upward as the water inside the basin rises. While the switch is up, the pump will work, and it’ll turn off when the float switch moves down. 

The sump pump’s impeller will push the water inside the pit into a discharge pipe to keep the excess moisture out of the house and away from its foundation. Most sump pumps use a battery or a hookup to the house’s electricity. The water that drains from the pump will flow into a specific area away from the house, like a local drain or dry well at least ten feet away from the property’s foundation. 

Sump Pump Pits and Water: How Much Water Is Too Much?

If you’re new to using sump pumps to keep your residence’s lowest level dry, seeing water inside the pump basin might seem unusual. Yet, the purpose of a sump pump isn’t to ensure the pit stays dry. It’s responsible for keeping the basement from flooding. 

It’s better to inquire about how much water is inside the pit, not whether the pit has water at all. Different water levels can indicate a problem with the sump pump. Here’s how to tell if something might be wrong. 

Sump Pump Pit Has Some Water

It’s perfectly normal for the pit to contain some water. At any point, it can collect moisture from groundwater seepage, snowmelt, or rain. If your sump pump works correctly, it will immediately activate and drain the water once its level reaches a specific height. 

Sump Pump Pit Has No Water

Seeing an empty sump pump could be a good thing. If the sump pump doesn’t have water, it means your property isn’t experiencing an issue that could result in basement flooding. 

Sump Pump Pit Constantly Dries Out

Even though a dry sump pump pit could mean your home isn’t at risk of flooding due to water seepage from outside, it’s not always good for the basin to constantly run dry. If you never see water inside the pit, it could indicate a drainage issue on your property.

Water that would otherwise flow into the sump pump basin could be going somewhere else on your property and cause water damage there. For example, if the water is leaking under or around your home’s foundation instead of going into the sump pump, it could cause cracks in the concrete slabs. Foundational cracks can weaken your home’s structural integrity. 

A frequently dry pit could also cause problems for the sump pump. The equipment has plastic and rubber parts that will dry out without regular exposure to moisture. If they dry out too much, they could degrade and cause the sump pump to fail by the time the pit fills with enough water.

Sump Pump Pit Is Always Full of Water

A sump pump pit that’s always full is seldom a good thing. If the basin always has water, it could mean that a clogged discharge line is preventing water from exiting the pit. It might be due to a low-functioning impeller or a clog. It’s also possible for water inside the discharge pipe to feed water from the pit back into the basin if the line has an obstruction. 

Another problem that could cause water to always be inside your sump pump pit is incorrect pit placement. The hole should be at the lowest point of the house below the water table. If it’s in an area where the water table is too high, the pit will collect more water than the sump pump can drain, which increases the risk of your basement flooding. 

Plumbing problems in and around your property can also fill your sump pump basin. A leak in the main water line, a problem with your yard’s sprinkler system, or a broken sewer pipe can oversaturate the soil. As a result, your sump pump pit will have more water to pump out. 

How To Avoid an Overflow From Your Sump Pump Pit

Though the answer to, “Should there be water in my sump pump pit?” is yes to an extent, you still want to take the necessary steps to avoid an overflow. A flooded pit can happen at any time, but the following tips will make it easier to prevent a costly catastrophe under your house:

• Remove Debris From the Sump Pump: It’s easy for dirt, paper, and other materials other than water to get inside the pit. If debris clogs the sump pump, it could cause an overflow, so keep the area clear. 
• Install a Backup Generator: Should your house lose power due to a storm or major electrical problem, the sump pump will stop working unless it has a secondary generator.
• Inspect Valve Positions: When installing sump pump valves, ensure the arrows on their surface don’t point toward the sump pump. The correct position is for the arrows to face away from the device.
• Use a Sump Pump Alarm: Sump pump alarms are a type of safety device that warns you if the water level inside the pump pit gets too high. 
• Maintain the Sump Pump’s Impeller: Most sump pumps have an impeller that helps move water inside the pit. The component won’t work correctly if it has a clog, so regular cleaning and debris removal is a must.

You should periodically inspect and clean your sump pump to ensure it’s removing water from its basin correctly. Testing your sump pump is also a good idea, especially if it always appears dry. 

To test your sump pump’s functionality, you can run water through it to trigger its float or electronic switch. If the pump activates and the water drains, the pump is functional. You might need help from a plumbing professional if your pit overflows or the sump pump doesn’t activate.

Turn to Iron Mountain Plumbing for Your Sump Pump Needs

No matter what your sump pump problem is, you should quickly contact plumbing professionals to solve it. That includes repairing a malfunctioning sump pump, digging a new pit, or replacing the system altogether. Otherwise, you increase your risk of having a basement flood, which can lead to mold and mildew, reduced indoor air quality, and property damage. 

At Iron Mountain Plumbing, our skilled, certified plumbers can address many concerns, whether you want to know if your sump pump is failing or learn the answer to, “Should there be water in my sump pump pit?” We’re one of the best plumbing companies in Hurricane, Utah, and each team member strives to find innovative solutions to all plumbing issues.

We value our customers’satisfaction and work hard to complete all jobs right the first time; call (435) 422-4667.

Is a stubborn, nasty clog ruining your week? Let Iron Mountain Plumbing find a professional fix! 

Slow-draining water and gurgling sounds prompt many homeowners to reach beneath their sink cabinets and fish for a drain snake. Although these plumbing tools are often readily available at most home improvement retailers, you should know a few things before purchasing and using one. For instance, can a drain snake break a pipe? 

When residents of St. George, UT, search for “drain services near me,” they trust our team at Iron Mountain Plumbing. We wanted to alert readers like you about the potential hazards of drain snake or auger use to prevent more severe plumbing problems. Read on to learn how to use a drain snake. 

How Do You Use Drain Snakes?

A drain snake is an elongated plastic strip or metal wire with prongs or coils that catch stubborn debris trapped in drains. These augers come in various sizes and lengths. Some even use electricity to power them throughout the operation. You can find them in home improvement or home goods stores for affordable prices. 

Drain snakes have grown in popularity amongst many property owners. They seem easy to use to the average person. Just push the length gently into a clogged drain. Then, carefully tug the drain snake out. 

While you pull the snake from the drain, the prongs or coils will catch slimy debris, like hair, food particles, and mold. Often, this tool will eliminate enough debris for water to flow freely in your tub, sink, or shower. Seems simple enough, right?

Unfortunately, improper drain snake usage runs rampant. Many plumbers receive calls from homeowners who accidentally break a pipe. Even worse, they sometimes risk their health while attempting this deceptively easy task. 

Can a Drain Snake Break a Pipe?

Yes, a drain snake can break a pipe. It can also wreak other forms of chaos and havoc within your household. One mistake during use can cause significant damage to the user or the plumbing network they want to fix.

But how can a drain snake break a pipe? You’ll learn more details about things that can go wrong with these augers below. 

Pipe Age and Damage

Most materials become more fragile as they age. Plumbing pipes are no exception. If you aren’t sure about your plumbing network’s age, you should learn more about the pipe installation date, material, and current wear and tear. 

Ensure your indoor plumbing hasn’t developed the following damage:

• Corrosion: When a section of pipe becomes corroded, its materials become more brittle than usual. Corrosion may look like rusty spots on metal pipes or sludgy, bubbled areas on PVC. 
• Mineralized buildup: Do you know whether you have a hard water source? If you do, your pipes and fixtures can develop mineral scale. An auger cannot safely remove the scale. The buildup might catch the prongs, leading to fractures from too much pressure. 
• Cracks and fractures: Resolved and unresolved cracks can worsen after contact with the auger. You might pull the pipe too hard if the prongs or wires hitch on a chipped area. 
• Weakened areas: Loose fittings or generally compromised pipes are no match for a drain snake wielded by unskilled hands. Before using this tool, verify that your exposed plumbing has no weaknesses. 

These points apply to your fixtures as well. Sinks and tubs can incur irreparable damage from incorrect auger usage. Contact a plumber for an all-point plumbing inspection to learn about your network’s overall health and stability.  

Using the Wrong-Size Snake

The average retailer carries only one type of drain snake: the long plastic strip with sharp prongs along the edges. Home improvement stores may have a variety in stock. Before purchasing one, you must ensure the product that fits the drain. 

There are four common auger assortments:

• Top snakes: You have probably seen these brightly colored strips of pronged plastic in the household cleaning aisle. 
• Toilet augers: This auger features a plastic handle with a long, tight coil attached. The coil has a ball of looser coils at the tip. 
• Mini-rooters: This small, electricity-powered machine contains a spool of tightly wound coil. Plumbers typically use them to clean large, in-floor drains. 
• Drain machines: These tools look like larger versions of mini-rooters. They handle heavy-duty drains, such as those found in commercial buildings.

Do you know which type of auger to use for your clog? Many homeowners own a top snake or two. However, these augers only work for small drains in residential sinks and tubs. They won’t help much with toilets or floor drains in showers. Toilet augers and drain machines, though, require professional skills to safely and effectively operate. Although the seemingly innocuous top snake seems easy to use, you can still make concerning mistakes. 

Using Too Much Force

When you use a top snake, you’ll slowly feed it into the clogged drain until the entire length disappears. Then, you’ll pull it up slowly. Often, the debris caught on the prongs resists your pull. The prongs themselves can also get hung on the drain fixture. 

This resistance prompts some homeowners to yank the snake upward. While you need to use a bit of force to free the snake and debris, you shouldn’t pull too hard. Using too much force could damage the connected pipe or the drain components. 

Exposure To Dirty Water

Drainage networks contain black or gray water. This type of water often contains contaminants, such as:

• Mold
• Viruses and bacteria
• Decaying food particles
• Sewage
• Other decomposing waste

When you have a clogged drain, you might also have a potential sanitary sewage overflow on your hands. Using a drain snake without personal protection equipment leads to exposure to illness-inducing water contaminants. You could fall sick or otherwise compromise your immune system after working with a drain snake.  

Incurring Injuries

Even the most basic form of drain auger can severely injure you. The sharp prongs along the plastic strip can catch on clothing and skin. If a prong snags your arm, neck, or face as you tug it out of the drain, it may puncture your skin like a fish hook. 

If you pull with enough force, you might end up with a severe open wound, potential infections, and severe scarring. You might even need to pay an impromptu visit to the emergency room, where a physician will stitch your wound and prescribe antibiotics. 

Preventing Mishaps With Drain Snakes

Most plumbing companies recommend leaving auger usage to the professionals, especially if you need to use large, powerful machines. However, many homeowners insist on using the long, plastic snakes at the very least. Therefore, you might find the following prevention tips helpful. 

Choose the Correct Plumbing Tools

Remember that top snakes can only help with minor clogs in small, residential drains. Don’t rely on them for toilets, floor drains, and other large or commercial drainage systems. If you suspect a blockage in your toilet or a bigger, more complex drain, schedule professional services. 

Toilets are portals to dangerous sewage and other contaminants. Large drains don’t always have the same shape as a small sink or tub drains. Attempting to unclog these fixtures could threaten your health or your plumbing system.

Never Yank the Snake!

You might feel tempted to pull the drain snake as hard as you can when it hits a snag. Do not do this. Try gently maneuvering the tool until it becomes less resistant to your efforts.

If you cannot remove the snake or pull any debris from the drain, call a professional plumber for help. You might have a more concerning problem beyond small blockages to handle. Forcing the snake out of its position might damage a pipe or fitting. 

Know When To Contact a Plumber

Sometimes, the tools you have at home are no match for sizable plumbing problems. While many homeowners use DIY methods to avoid a bill from the plumbing company, they can often save money, time, and effort by requesting professional assistance in the first place. Your initial service bill will almost always cost less than a service bill following an unskilled repair attempt. 

Keep the following in mind before using a drain snake at home:

• Know your plumbing’s age and condition before using a drain snake. 
• If you must use an auger, only use a top snake for minor clogs in small drains. 
• Contact a plumber if any other fixture needs clog removal to avoid injury or exposure to contaminants. 
• Do not use excessive force when a drain snake resists your tugging efforts. Always call a plumber to assess and resolve the issue. 

Let Iron Mountain Plumbing Navigate Your Drainage Issues Instead

Can a drain snake break a pipe? Sometimes, it can. It can also cause other significant issues.

Having second thoughts about using one? Call 435-334-5617 for service from Iron Mountain Plumbing instead. Our licensed plumbers know the causes of a kitchen sink clog and can quickly resolve these pesky issues without damaging your indoor plumbing.

If you need help identifying an underground water leak, contact the plumbing experts at Iron Mountain Plumbing. Call (435) 422-4667 today!

Identifying pipe leaks early is essential to prevent extensive water damage and preserve your piping system’s structural integrity. However, spotting underground pipe leaks isn’t always easy. That’s why our team at Iron Mountain Plumbing is here to explain how to tell if a pipe is leaking under the floor.

Iron Mountain Plumbing is your premier destination for professional plumbing and leak detection services. For experienced plumbers in Hurricane, Utah, look no further than our team.

Eight Signs of an Underground Pipe Leak

Many plumbing pipes run underneath your property and transport waste and blackwater into Hurricane’s sewer system. Unfortunately, sometimes, these pipes crack and corrode, creating vexing hidden water leaks that can wreak havoc on your property incredibly quickly. Many homeowners don’t notice underground pipe leaks until it’s too late, resulting in significant water damage that requires a small fortune to repair.

Although identifying underground pipe leaks is often challenging, it isn’t impossible once you understand the telltale signs. Continue on to learn how to tell if a pipe is leaking under the floor.

1. Check the Water Meter

Water meters measure the volume of water running through your home’s piping system. Checking your property’s water meter can help you uncover potential leaks and determine their severity.

First, assess your water meter before turning off your home’s water supply and plumbing appliances. You can shut off your water supply via the main shutoff valve. 

After turning off your home’s water, recheck the water meter to see if anything changed. If the meter changes, you likely have a fast-flowing leak and must contact a professional plumber immediately.

If the water meter doesn’t change immediately, wait about 30 minutes and reassess the meter. Water meters often need time to detect slow-flowing leaks and won’t display immediate changes. 

If the water meter changes after thirty minutes, you potentially have a slow-flowing leak.

2. Reduced Water Pressure

Pipe leaks often reduce your home’s water pressure. However, unlike above-ground pipe leaks that only affect one fixture, underground leaks affect each one. If you notice a sudden decrease in water pressure on every one of your plumbing fixtures, contact an experienced plumbing company for immediate service.

3. High Water Bills

Leaky pipes waste countless gallons of water over time, causing your monthly water bills to soar sky-high. Your payments will continue to increase and leave your property severely water-damaged. 

It’s best to contact a professional plumbing service for a pipe leak inspection as soon as you notice an increase in your water bills. Many companies offer video inspections that will uncover the leak, allowing the plumbers to resolve it before it worsens. This will make your water bills more affordable while protecting your property from water damage and other issues.

4. You Hear Running Water or Similar Sounds

Many leaks make unusual sounds that leave many homeowners scratching their heads. Some sound like running water, while others replicate spraying noises. If you hear any of the following and none of your plumbing fixtures and appliances are running, you might have an underground pipe leak:

• Hissing
• Whistling
• Dripping
• Spraying

5. Foul-Smelling Odors

Pipe and sewer line leaks often emit foul-smelling odors that can overtake your property incredibly quickly. They typically smell like waste, must, or mold, making living in your home nearly unbearable. Some mold spores are incredibly dangerous and can lead to severe health problems if inhaled. 

If you suspect a pipe leak and notice unpleasant smells in or around your home, consider contacting a plumber.

6. Sudden Floor Stains

Many underground pipe leaks cause significant floor damage over time. They create unsightly stains and discoloration in carpeting, warp hardwood floors, and crack exterior concrete walkways. The damage will worsen the longer you put off repairing the leak.

Always contact a professional plumber as soon as you notice floor damage your family didn’t cause. Although stained carpeting and warped flooring can occur for numerous reasons, it’s often a telltale sign of underground pipe leaks.

7. Lawn Flooding

Sometimes, underground pipe leaks can flood your lawn with water or raw sewage. Flooding can cause severe property damage and create a serious health hazard if it contains waste and blackwater. It can also leave your property smelling like a sewer while leaving it susceptible to other issues.

You must contact a professional plumbing service to repair the leak and prevent further flooding. Professional plumbers will also explain how to safely restore your property and remove any sewage before it impacts your family’s health.

8. Foundation Cracks

Many slab and underground pipe leaks allow water to seep into your home’s foundation and crack its structure. Although foundation cracks might not seem significant, they can weaken your home’s structural integrity and spread to your walls and floors. 

Although foundation cracks can form for numerous reasons, if they develop around the same time as other leak indications, contact a plumber and schedule a pipe inspection. 

Understanding your piping system’s layout will also help you determine if a leaky pipe created foundation cracks. If you have a schematic showing your home’s piping system, examine it to see if the cracks developed along the pipes’ route. If the cracks formed close to the pipes, you likely have an underground leak.

Our team has extensive underground pipe repair experience and will restore your plumbing system’s performance at a price that fits your budget.

Contact Iron Mountain Plumbing for Unmatched Plumber Services in Hurricane, Utah

If you want to learn how to tell if a pipe is leaking under the floor, contact Iron Mountain Plumbing. Our plumbers can handle even the most laborious plumbing projects while providing the highest quality customer service every step of the way.

From pipe leak repair to fixture replacement services, our plumbers do it all. Give our team a call at (435) 422-4667 or reach out to us online and book your appointment in Hurricane, Utah, today!