Do you have any of these pipe types in your home?

When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure that the pipes in your home are of the best quality available. At Mister Greenway, our plumbers will provide you with top quality service for whatever plumbing work you need done. If you’re noticing signs of wear, flaking, rust, or leaks with your pipes, it’s best to have them replaced to prevent potential damage to your home. Replumbing may seem like a hassle, but with the correct pipes you won’t have to worry about any plumbing issues in the future.
Here are 3 pipes that you should stop using in your home:

#1 Pipe Type To Change: Lead Pipes

If you have an older home, it’s possible that some of your pipes are still made of lead. Until the 1930s, lead was one of the main materials used for home plumbing pipes. Most lead pipes were used to connect your municipality’s water supply lines to your home. Medical professionals now associate lead as being toxic to your health, so it’s extremely important to get any lead pipes replaced.

#2 Pipe Type To Change: Polybutylene Pipes

Replacing lead pipes in the 70s and up to the mid-90s, polybutylene pipes have been used in the southern, midwest, and northwest of the United States. Polybutylene pipes have been found to react poorly with chlorine, which can damage them over time. If you are aware of polybutylene pipes in your home, our plumbing experts at Greenway Plumbing can have them replaced for an affordable price.

#3 Pipe Type To Change: Orangeburg Pipes

Bituminous fiber pipes, commonly known as Orangeburg pipes, are used for drainage and sewage purposes in most homes. Since these pipes are found underneath your home, they are susceptible to water and tree root damage. Replacing them will ensure that you won’t have any plumbing or sewage problems in the future. 

What Types Of Pipes Do I Have In My Home?

When checking any pipes in your home, you’ll want to look for any wear, flaking, rusting, or brown or black coloring to the pipes. These are the typical signs that your pipe quality is starting to deteriorate. It is also important that you monitor your water quality as well. Changes in the color, taste, or smell can also be signs that you need to replace your pipes. Replacing bad pipes before they leak or cause damage to your home is very important. A trained plumber can better assess your plumbing to determine if you’re in need of new pipes.
If you or someone you know have lead, polybutylene, or orangeburg pipes in your home, it is recommended that the pipes are removed and replaced. Mister Greenway provides top-quality plumbing services and can handle any of your plumbing needs. Redoing your old pipes will ensure that your plumbing system is up to standard and that your home is protected from any plumbing issues. If you have questions about plumbing pipes or would like one of our plumbers to assess your current pipes, please contact us at mistergreenway.com.

Why do pipes freeze?

Pipes freeze when water expands due to the formation of ice during freezing temperatures. This expansion leads to blockages which cause water pressure to build up.

How can I keep my pipes from freezing?

The reality is that even well-insulated pipes can become exposed to cold air through tiny cracks and crevices, and even the most diligent of homeowners can find themselves without running water due to frozen and busted pipes. There are, however, a few ways to help prevent your pipes from freezing, and it’s worth your while to take some time preparing for the winter months to do everything you can to protect them. Trust us – it’s far less expensive to invest in extra insulation and a routine plumbing inspection than to pay for the cost of repairs for broken pipes and plumbing systems!

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Let Faucets Drip

You’ve probably heard this one before, but allowing faucets to drip really can prevent pipes from bursting, and it’s one of the easiest and most affordable solutions for doing so. Allowing faucets to drip slowly doesn’t raise energy costs to an alarming rate, but it does allow water to move continuously through your plumbing system to prevent water pressure from building up during blockages caused by ice formation and water expansion.

Keep the Heat On

Keeping the heat on 24/7 may not be an option for you, but if possible, allow your home to remain heated in order to prevent pipes from being exposed to below freezing temperatures without any heat protection.

READ MORE: Energy Efficient Holiday Decor

Check for Damage

If you live in the northern regions of the United States, your home likely has pipes inside the house to help prevent cold weather damage, but pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and in outside walls are still at risk of freezing and becoming blocked, which can lead to damage. Before the cold weather sets in each year, and periodically over the winter, check to ensure pipes are not damaged and that no holes or cracks are allowing cold air to seep into those areas where pipes can become exposed to below freezing temperatures. Pay special attention to areas where telephone, cable, and satellite wires enter and exit your home and around your eaves and roof.

I NEED A PLUMBER TO MAKE SURE MY PIPES AREN’T DAMAGED

Add Extra Insulation

Pipes that are well insulated from cold temperatures with durable, long-lasting insulation or those that have added insulation and protection during winter months are far less likely to burst. If your home is undergoing any amount of redesign or renovations, consider adding extra insulation to your pipes to prevent them from bursting, and if necessary, purchase pipe insulating materials from your local home improvement or hardware store to help protect your pipes from below freezing temperatures during the winter months.

READ MORE: 5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Heating System

Move to Hawaii

If all else fails, and the cold weather and freezing temperatures are just too much for you and your plumbing system, there’s always Hawaii. For those of us who have to stay in the Mid-South, having a plumbing expert on call can help prevent unwanted disasters caused by busted pipes.

When should I call a plumber?

If you suspect your pipes may be damaged or frozen, call a plumber immediately. A professional plumber has the tools and equipment necessary to inspect pipes with a small camera that can indicate exactly if and where pipe damage may be located.

If you have an emergency, give us a call at 901-245-5710, and our experienced, friendly technicians will be at your door as soon as possible. Stay warm this winter!

GREENWAY PLUMBING SERVICES

Why Does My Garbage Disposal Smell?

The most common reason garbage disposals smell is that food or waste has not been properly disposed of. When food particles and waste are left in the disposal and are unable to drain properly, this will inevitably lead to foul odors. Some of the ways to prevent this include:

• Running warm water when the disposal is on
• Running the disposal for at least 30 seconds

What Does it Mean if Your Garbage Disposal Smells Like:

The way your garbage disposal smells can be an indicator of whether or not the problem is simply food that has not been properly disposed and drained or if a more serious problem is to blame.

Rotten Food

When your disposal smells like rotten food, then it’s likely because rotten food is to blame. When you don’t run your disposal for long enough, or when warm water is not running while the disposal is running to help move waste through your plumbing system, food and leftovers can accumulate in just beneath your sink or in your pipes, leading to clogged drains and unpleasant smells. Regularly cleaning your disposal should eliminate the foul odors.

Sewage

If your garbage disposal smells like sewage, it’s time to call the plumber. While temporary fixes may mask the smell, if your disposal smells like sewage, then there’s a good chance there’s a leak that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Mold or Mildew

If your garbage disposal smells like mold or mildew, it’s likely caused by mold or mildew accumulating in your sink and drain. This is most often caused by placing food in the drain and not running the disposal or not running the disposal long enough to properly dispose of waste. Using a mixture of vinegar, warm water, and baking soda can eliminate the mold.

What Not to Put in the Garbage Disposal

One of the most common causes of foul smells from garbage disposals are disposing of foods that should never be put in the garbage disposal in the first place. These foods can cause a buildup of waste, which can cause clogged drains and more serious issues that are much harder to fix than foul smells. To keep your garbage disposal running smoothly and efficiently, avoid disposing of these foods in your kitchen and opt for the garbage can or a compost pile instead.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds should never be poured down the sink, since they can clump and harden along the sides of your pipes and plumbing system. High efficiency drain cleaners can eliminate the problem, and coffee grounds can be repurposed as fertilizer or in compost mixtures. Coffee grounds can also be used to create more acidic environments for plants and flowers that thrive in these locations, such as:

• Azaleas
• Beans
• Begonias
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Daffodils
• Dogwood
• Gardenias
• Hydrangeas
• Irises
• Magnolia Trees
• Marigolds
• Parsley
• Peppers
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Sweet Potatoes
• Egg Shells

Egg shells are horrible for kitchen sinks, as the yolks can cause the shells to stick to the sides of pipes, which can cause clogs and drainage problems, not to mention the rotten egg smell. Egg shells are better served as fertilizer for your garden, where the calcium helps balance the acidity of the soil. If you have acidic soil and wish to make it more habitable for plants and flowers that thrive in alkaline soil, egg shells can also be beneficial.

Potato Peels + Banana Peels

Potato peels and banana peels can wreak havoc on garbage disposal systems and drains. Often, potato skins and banana peels are not able to be broken down by the garbage disposal, and this can result in clogs and foul smells. Again, adding these items to your compost pile is the easiest and most environmentally-friendly way to dispose of these leftovers.

Bleach

You may have considered using bleach to clean your garbage disposal system of leftover waste and materials, but bleach can actually cause more damage to your disposal by making grease and other sludge harder, and therefore less likely to move through your drain properly. Bleach can also affect the amount of bacteria in your septic tank, which are actually beneficial for breaking down food waste and particles, which can prevent backups, clogs, and unpleasant smells.

How to Clean the Garbage Disposal

There are a couple of simple ways to keep your garbage disposal in tip top shape. Whether your disposal is older and functioning less efficiently or brand new and not exhibiting signs of wear and tear at all, it’s always a good idea to periodically “clean” your disposal system with the following methods at least once per month.

Garbage Disposal Cleaning Pods

Many grocery stores and large retailers sell garbage disposal cleaning pods that both mask unpleasant odors and help unclog your drain to help prevent the backup of food waste that can lead to strong smells and broken disposal systems. Simply drop a pod or two down the sink, turn on the water, and turn on the disposal, and the cleaning pods will go to work. A package of 5-10 pods typically retails for less than $5.

Ice Cubes for Garbage Disposal Systems

You may have heard ice can help clean your garbage disposal, and it’s true. Ice can help sharpen the blades on your garbage disposal system to help make food disposal more efficient. The problem with both cleaning pods and ice is that while providing a temporary solution to help maintain the life of your disposal system, they won’t fix serious problems, so if you’re noticing frequent odors, or if your system has become less efficient at disposing of waste, call a professional home service today.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaning Solution

A mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and warm water is a natural, non-toxic cleaner that can help eliminate odors and break down leftover food particles in your garbage disposal and drains. Simply allow the mixture to sit for at least ten minutes, and then run both the garbage disposal and warm water to drain the remnants.

Citrus Peels for Odor Elimination

Running lemon and orange peels through your disposal can freshen up your drain and help control stinky smells. A small amount of citrus-scented dish soap placed in the drain while the disposal is running along with warm water can also do the trick.

How Do I Fix a Broken Garbage Disposal?

If your garbage disposal is broken, not working as efficiently as it once was, or if it makes strange humming or whirring noises, we strongly recommend calling a professional Memphis plumber. Because garbage disposal systems use both sharp blades and electricity to function, we strongly advise not attempting to disconnect, reconnect, or repair a broken garbage disposal without the help of a professional.

Those scenes in scary movies aren’t just a possibility – it’s very possible to cause serious damage to yourself or others when working with electricity and sharp objects. Give the experts a call so you don’t have to worry about the dangers of working on your garbage disposal system yourself. Our customer service representatives are standing by and able to assist you seven days a week. Call today or schedule an appointment online.

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When should I call a plumber?

If you want our honest opinion, there are very few instances in which you shouldn’t call a plumber when it comes to working with pipes and plumbing, and chances are you’d rather not get your hands dirty when the task involves dirty sewage and clogged drains. In addition to unpleasant smells, plumbers have to deal with a variety of issues that are best left to the experts. Here are few of the instances in which you’re better off giving the pros a call.

Broken, Blocked, or Busted Pipes

If you believe the water or sewage lines in and around your home are broken, busted, frozen, or blocked, always consult a professional. The last thing you want to worry about when working on home renovations and repairs is having to explain to the insurance company and the city just how exactly you flooded your home and yard. because the water lines in your home are connected to pipes that move water and sewage throughout your neighborhood and city, damaged or broken pipes can affect not only your home and yard, but also those of neighbors and nearby residents.

Greenway technicians have the ability to inspect pipes with cameras that can pinpoint the exact location of a blockage or a breakage. We’ll replace and repair any blocked or broken sewer or water lines in both residential and commercial areas throughout Memphis and Nashville.

Installations and Renovations

If you’re renovating a kitchen or bathroom, or if you’re installing a new sink, toilet, shower, bathtub, water heater, or garbage disposal system in a new or existing home, give a professional plumber a call. In addition to ensuring the correct pipes and lines are connected, a professional plumber can ensure water is properly turned on and off before and after a job.

In addition to working with water lines that are connected to city pipes, plumbers often have to work with electricity when installing and connecting new appliances and fixtures, and there’s probably no need to explain what can happen when you attempt to work with electricity without a professional.

If You Smell Sewage

If you smell sewage in your home or yard, call a plumber immediately. This could be a sign of broken or damaged sewage lines, and delaying a call could be the difference between a small problem and a major catastrophe.

Concerned about a plumbing issue or installation project? Give our team a call. Our professional technicians operate throughout Memphis and Nashville and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re a homeowner or commercial representative, we can provide a variety of plumbing repair and installation services at an affordable price.

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