It’s No Wonder Some Plumber’s Pants Sag!

July 11, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Plumbing Installation 

Plumbing is a professional trade and it is vital that your Oklahoma City plumber has the correct tools of the plumbing trade to be able to do a variety of different jobs, from plumbing installations to maintenance work. Ideally they should use tools that are manufactured specifically for the trade.  When assembling a plumbing tool kit, plumbers will consider all their needs from spades and shovels for digging trenches, leveling tools including spirit levels and dumpy levels, to specialized video inspection equipment for checking drains. Here we are going to look at some of the more common, but specific plumbing tools.

Tools for clamping and tightening
Plumbers need a selection of metal spanners and wrenches that they can use to clamp pipe work and tighten and undo nuts and bolts. There are various types including open-ended spanners, ring spanners, socket spanners, box spanners (or basin spanners) and invaluable shifting spanners that are adjustable. They also use various pliers and vices, including a vice-grip, which is a particularly useful multi-purpose tool that has an adjustable jaw. Pipe wrenches, which are manufactured in different sizes, are often called monkey wrenches (or a bobbejaan spanner) in South Africa, because its side view looks a bit like a monkey or baboon. Metal clamps of various sorts are also commonly included in a professional Oklahoma City plumber’s toolkit.

Tools for bending
Plumbers need special tools and machines to be able to bend mild steel and copper pipe. Copper may be bent using a bending spring, with hand or scissor-type benders, or with stand-type benders manufactured specifically for bending hollow copper pipe, which is a relatively soft metal. Small diameter mild steel pipes may also be bent with stand-type benders that are attached to a workbench. Large mild steel pipe will have to be bent using a more powerful hydraulic bending machine.

Tools for cutting
There are many different cutting tools that can be used to cut pipes and other plumbing materials. However it is essential for your Oklahoma City plumber to use the correct tools for the job at hand. For example, hand-held pipe cutters are intended for cutting copper pipe and for deburring the inside of the pipe after cutting. Hacksaws are commonly used for cutting plastic pipe and thin mild steel or even copper pipe. However, more sturdy cut-off machines (which look like circular wood saws) are normally used for thicker pipe and other metal. Many plumbers also use old fashioned tin snips to cut thin sheet metal.

Tools for making thread in pipes
While some pipes are welded or soldered together, other types are joined with special connectors. When plumbers work with galvanized mild steel pipes, they normally cut a thread into the pipe so they can screw two pieces of pipe together. They use hand thread taps as well as special machines to do this.

Tools for clearing and cleaning drains
There are various specialized plumbing tools that plumbers use to both clear and clean drains. The most common are powerful jetting machines that come with various nozzles and heads. They can be used to get rid of sand, grease and even the roots of trees growing inside drains. They also use jetting machines to descale pipes and to clean sewers, which are on municipal or public Oklahoma City property.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S_Burton

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City sewer line contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

What CAN’T An Oklahoma City Plumber Do?

July 9, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: LP Gas 

When you hear the title “plumber” you normally think about that guy plunging your toilet and clanking around under your sink with the low pants right? Well your Oklahoma City plumber is actually much more than that. Plumbing is a hard respectable job that can do wonders for your house in the big picture of tasks and functions you didn’t even realize were there.

A plumber first of all, does not wear the low rise pants. They arrive at your Oklahoma City home in professional attire with all of their special tools to get the job done right. They are very clean and appropriate to come into your home leaving it in perfect condition.

They are trained, experienced and skilled professional people that make house calls on repairing, maintaining and constructing things having to do with your water line. More than just someone that comes and unclogs the toilet, shower and sink and repairs leaky faucets, they can work with your water, gas and sewage pipes that run into your Oklahoma City home. They specialize in the installation and repair of pipes that go in and out of your house. The pipes are all referred to as “plumbing.”

Plumbers start out usually as apprentices with senior qualified plumbers before going out on their own jobs. Sometimes plumbers will have to take licensing exams depending on the area before starting their own business. This allows you to relax knowing that they are familiar and confident with health and safety codes since poorly installed plumbing can have serious consequences for everyone involved.

The word is actually derived from the Latin word “plumbum” which means “lead.” All pipes and joints were originally made from lead and plumbers were literally lead workers in addition to pipe-layers. Lead piping of course has been banned most everywhere in the world now because of health issues related to lead. The plumbing profession still keeps the same name though of course.

A plumber is part of the construction crew when building any new Oklahoma City structure. He determines where the pipes should be laid and actually installs them too. He can connect the internal plumbing to external fixtures like sinks, showers, washing machines and toilets. A plumber can also handle gas lines used for heating and cooking too. Some Oklahoma City plumbers also have certification in heating and cooling systems too. It saves you time and brings them more business.

Plumbers reputations have improved over the years and are gaining more respect as time goes on and their companies grow expand and improve. Without plumbing and

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Middleton

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City Natural Gas Line contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Honey, Is That You - or Do We Have a Plumbing Problem?

July 5, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Plumbing 

Plumbing system odors are annoying to say the least, but the worst part is that these are usually a sign of a bigger problem lurking within your plumbing system. If you have any strange odors in your Oklahoma City home emanating for your plumbing fixtures or if you just think that they are, call your Oklahoma City plumber right away to come to your home and diagnose your problem. There are actually several causes of odors that result from your plumbing system, so let us look at some of the most common and what the root problem might be in each case.

First, would be a buildup of food in your disposal. If your smells are coming from your kitchen sink, this might require cleaning. In addition to the accumulation of food itself, the process of chopping your food into tiny little bits could leave behind bacteria that can accumulate and cause a foul smell. You can try to run hot water and fragrant dishwashing liquid down the disposal to see if you can get rid of the small by yourself. Should this fail, you may need an Oklahoma City plumber to help clean the unit.

A crack in the drainpipe of your Oklahoma City home is one of the most serious causes of home odors. The sewer gasses that escape into your home through the crack can smell like rotten eggs. This is a very unpleasant smell and a problem that should be repaired swiftly. Do not delay, call a plumber immediately. If the smell if persistent and does not abate from time to time and return, the problem is more than likely to be inside your home. If the smell is occasional, meaning that it will abate and then come back from time to time, then the crack is probably below the ground level. It will probably take a camera inspection to locate the exact spot where the crack exists in such a scenario.

Another possible cause of home plumbing odors is a blockage to your vent pipe. This is the pipe that extends through your roof and allows plumbing system gasses to escape into the air. Should this become blocked, via leaves or even something as unusual as a bird basing his next on your pipe, the impediment to the proper air flow through your plumbing system could result in causing the trap seals to some plumbing fixtures to function improperly. This in turn would cause gasses to escape through the improperly sealed fixtures and into your Oklahoma City home.

So there you have a few of the common reasons for odors that come from your plumbing system. There are others, and your Oklahoma City plumber can help you to understand them upon inspecting your home. It is not recommended that you attempt to pinpoint and repair these types of problems yourself. While there are many types of plumbing repairs that a person skilled with a few basic tools can undertake successfully, these types of repairs can be complex and you might need the assistance of a professional licensed Oklahoma City plumbing contractor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lonnie_Rakestraw

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

If Your Plumbing is Louder Than Your Kids…

July 2, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: plumbing services 

To diagnose noisy plumbing in your Oklahoma City home, it is important to determine first whether the unwanted sounds occur on the system’s inlet side-in other words, when water is turned on-or on the drain side. Noises on the inlet side of plumbing have varied causes: excessive water pressure, worn valve and faucet parts, improperly connected pumps or other appliances, incorrectly placed pipe fasteners, and plumbing runs containing too many tight bends or other restrictions. Noises on the drain side usually stem from poor location or, as with some inlet side noise, a layout containing tight bends.

Hissing

Hissing noise that occurs when a faucet is opened slightly generally signals excessive water pressure. Consult your Oklahoma City water company if you suspect this problem; they will be able to tell you the water pressure in your area and they can install a pressure reducing valve on the incoming water supply pipe if necessary.

Thudding

Thudding noises, often accompanied by shuddering pipes, when a faucet or appliance valve is turned off is a condition called water hammer. The noise and vibration are caused by the reverberating wave of pressure in the water, which suddenly has no place to go. Sometimes opening a valve that discharges water quickly into a section of piping containing a restriction, elbow, or tee fitting can produce the same condition.

Water hammer can usually be cured by installing fittings called air chambers or shock absorbers in the plumbing to which the problem valves or faucets are connected. These devices allow the shock wave created by the halted flow of water to dissipate in the air they contain, which (unlike water) is compressible.

Older Oklahoma City plumbing systems may have short vertical sections of capped pipe behind walls on faucet runs for the same purpose; these can eventually fill with water, reducing or destroying their effectiveness. The cure is to drain the water system completely by shutting off the main water supply valve and opening all faucets. Then open the main supply valve and close the faucets one at a time, starting with the faucet nearest the valve and ending with the one farthest away.

Chattering or Screeching

Intense chattering or screeching that occurs when a valve or faucet is turned on, and that usually disappears when the fitting is opened fully, signals loose or defective internal parts. The solution is to replace the valve or faucet with a new one.

Pumps and appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers can transfer motor noise to pipes if they are improperly connected. Link such items to plumbing with plastic or rubber hoses (never rigid pipe-to isolate them.)

Other Inlet Side Noises

Creaking, squeaking, scratching, snapping, and tapping usually are caused by the expansion or contraction of pipes, generally copper ones supplying hot water. The sounds occur as the pipes slide against loose fasteners or strike the nearby framing of your Oklahoma City home. You can often pinpoint the location of the problem if the pipes are exposed; just follow the sound when the pipes are making noise. Most likely you will discover a loose pipe hanger or an area where pipes lie so close to floor joists or other framing pieces that they clatter against them. Attaching foam pipe insulation around the pipes at the point of contact should remedy the problem. Be sure straps and hangers are secure and provide adequate support.

Where possible, pipe fasteners should be attached to massive structural elements such as foundation walls instead of to framing; doing so lessens the transmission of vibrations from plumbing to surfaces that can amplify and transfer them. If attaching fasteners to framing is unavoidable, wrap pipes with insulation or other resilient material where they contact fasteners, and sandwich the ends of new fasteners between rubber washers when installing them.

Correcting plumbing runs that suffer from flow-restricting tight or numerous bends is a last resort that should be undertaken only after consulting a skilled Oklahoma City plumbing contractor. Unfortunately, this situation is fairly common in older Oklahoma City homes that may not have been built with indoor plumbing or that have seen several remodels, especially by amateurs.

Drainpipe Noise

On the drain side of plumbing, the chief goals are to eliminate surfaces that can be struck by falling or rushing water and to insulate pipes to contain unavoidable sounds.

In new construction, bathtubs, shower stalls, toilets, and wall-mounted sinks and basins should be set on or against resilient underlayments to reduce the transmission of sound through them. Water-saving toilets and faucets are less noisy than conventional models; install them instead of older types even if Oklahoma City codes still permit using older fixtures.

Drainpipes that do not run vertically to the basement or that branch into horizontal pipe runs supported at floor joists or other framing present particularly troublesome noise problems. Such pipes are large enough to radiate considerable vibration; they also carry significant amounts of water, which makes the situation worse. In new construction, specify cast-iron soil pipes (the large pipes that drain toilets) if you can afford them. Their massiveness contains much of the noise made by water passing through them.

Also, avoid routing drainpipes in walls shared with bedrooms and rooms where people gather. Walls containing drainpipes should be soundproofed as was described earlier, using double panels of sound-insulating fiberboard and wallboard. Pipes themselves can be wrapped with special fiberglass insulation made for the purpose; such pipes have an impervious vinyl skin (sometimes containing lead). Results are not always satisfactory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simone_Piette

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing company, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Don’t Sweat Sweaty Pipes

June 4, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: plumbing services 

Do you have puddles of water on your basement floor due to sweating pipes? If you are inconvenienced (to say the least) by this situation, take heart because you are not alone with this problem. Sweating pipes in the basement is a very common predicament experienced by most Oklahoma City homeowners.

The truth is, pipe sweating is just an indication of extreme dampness or humidity in your basement. Even when there are no leaks in your basement, large amounts of water vapor can enter it, and, eager to become water again, latches on to any cold surface around. You guessed it right…water pipes are the easiest targets. Your cold water pipes need to “sweat out” or condense the moisture out of your damp basement.

But enough of the lecture, and on with the solutions. What steps can you take to stop sweating pipes in the basement? Here are five common solutions to your problem:

1. Use a dehumidifier. Continuously running a dehumidifier in your basement will can help a lot in lowering the humidity of your basement. The less humid your basement, the less likely your pipes will sweat. Removing the excess dampness in your Oklahoma City basement can also get rid of the unhealthy air, allowing you and your family to breathe in better air.

2. Use foam insulation. By wrapping your cold pipes, you get right to heart of the matter by not letting moisture reach them in the first place! Oklahoma City home improvement stores carry foam-pipe insulation that can easily slip right over your pipes. This material is available in various lengths and can be easily cut with a pair of scissors. You don’t even need to wrap all fifty meters or so of pipe in your house. Just do it for those easy-to-reach pipes and you will see a significant improvement.

3. Get rid of all leaks in the basement. Like I previously mentioned, even without leaks, moisture can get in. Just imagine how the situation can worsen if you do have cracks or openings in your basement. For minor leaks, waterproofing compounds will do, while hydraulic cement is best for actively leaking areas. Make sure also that all plumbing problems within the house are taken care of, even if it is necessary to call your Oklahoma City plumber to do so. Dampness can come from both outside and inside the house.

4. Check your house’s foundations and exterior walls. If you have a problem in your house’s foundations on top of having cracks in your basement walls, this will compound your moisture problems. For instance, an ineffective gutter system or the lack of one, can let all the water pool at your Oklahoma Cityhome’s foundations right outside your basement! Make sure rainwater is directed away from your house, not towards it.

If the ground around is sloped towards the foundations of your house, that could be also another cause of moisture problem in your basement.

5. Apply waterproofing compound on walls and floors. To further prevent any unwanted moisture from coming inside your basement, you can use waterproofing compound on walls and floors even before any leaks are detected. Choose a high quality waterproofing that will effectively stop any water from coming in the basement, and not just one that will protect from surface moisture as a sealer does. Also, use a waterproofer that is suitable for sealing walls under water pressure.

Keep in mind that if you do just any one or two of these steps, the improvements can be felt already. Used together, the effects can be tremendous.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Travis_Van_Slooten

A Blog About Clogs in Oklahoma City

May 29, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Drain Cleaning 

Clogged drains are a common Oklahoma City home plumbing issue, occurring when hair, waste, or food products-depending on the use of the drain-get stuck in the pipe, stopping water or waste from draining. You can deal with some clogs on your own, but for serious issues, you may need to call in a professional Oklahoma City plumber.

One day, your shower, toilet, or kitchen sink is working just fine. The next, you take a shower, use the restroom, or wash the dishes and you’re left with dirty water that just won’t drain - or worse, is overflowing from the basin. What happened? Most likely, the drain is clogged with solid material-hair in the shower, waste and paper in the toilet, or food in the kitchen sink. Clogs start small but can get nasty fast, especially if you don’t deal with them in a timely fashion. There are a number of DIY fixes for minor drain clogs, but if you’ve exhausted your options or the problem is severe, you’ll need to call a professional  Oklahoma City plumber.

DIY Fixes

You can attack a clogged drain head-on using a standard plunger. Fill the basin with enough water to cover the plunger head, and then place the plunger over the affected drain so that it creates a seal. Pump the plunger up and down rapidly, forcing water in and out of the drain, and then pop it off to break the seal. Repeat, if necessary. This should loosen and flush away minor clogs. If plunging several times fails to loosen the blockage, purchase a chemical drain opener and use it as directed on the package. Be aware, however, that the caustic agents in chemical drain openers can actually harm some fixtures. If a plunger and a full container of drain opener don’t do the trick, it might be time to bring in an expert.

What the Pros Do

Professional Oklahoma City plumbers have an array of tools in their arsenal to fight clogs. One of the most basic is the drain snake, also known as a drain auger. Plumbers spiral this long, flexible cable down into the pipe until it reaches the clog, displacing it. A more modern piece of plumbing technology is the hydro-jet, which is designed to blast through and eradicate pipe blockages. While a drain snake is generally effective on basic clogs, hydro-jetting can get rid of years of accumulated sludge inside your pipes.

Preventative Measures

Most Oklahoma City plumbing systems will need occasional maintenance and professional drain cleaning, but you can take steps to decrease the frequency of clogged drains. In the kitchen, avoid pouring cooking grease down the drain, as it can accumulate and harden inside the pipe. If you have a garbage disposal, always flush it with water to keep food from sticking to the pipe. In the bathroom sink and shower, use drain stoppers or strainers to keep hair and other materials from going down the drain. Only flush items down the toilet that are labeled “flushable.” Anything else may clog the plumbing. And finally, always address minor clogs before they become complete blockages. When you notice your water draining more slowly than usual, especially if it gets a little worse each day, it’s time to take action.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Penny_Q_Jones

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing company, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Old Greywater, Keep on Rolling!

April 18, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Plumbing 

Are you tired of costly septic system maintenance?

Are you looking for ways to economize your Oklahoma City household budget, better protect the environment and reduce septic system load? A greywater system is your answer. This is cutting-edge technology designed to safely recycle water from inside your Oklahoma City home for reuse outside the home, taking pressure off septic systems. Read on to learn how greywater saves you money and water.

No more worrying about the need to increase or replace stressed septic systems. No more burnt landscaping because of drought-inspired water restrictions. Greywater is simple-to-use and provides ample water to keep the garden thriving and the maintenance man away.

How does it work?

Simple – the greywater system is easily installed by your licensed Oklahoma City plumber. The small, inoffensive unit resembles a recycling container and recycles the water from your washing machine, bath and shower for outdoor irrigation use. The unit serves as a filtration system and does not store any water, so its capacity is unlimited.

How do I save money?

Easy. Every time you do a load of laundry, you’re also irrigating your garden. Plus, you cut the amount of water being deposited into septic systems: greywater will reduce the amount in half during the spring and summer months.
A family of four can reduce their water consumption by up to 40,000 gallons annually while protecting their septic systems. Greywater is used by many families to complement their septic systems. With greywater, you have the benefits of a larger septic without the cost. You can easily find affordable greywater systems.

Seems Like a Good Deal. What about maintenance?

Minimal maintenance of most greywater systems is required. Generally, greywater filters need to be cleaned every six months … a short, simple task. Some systems require maintenance every two months.

Is it safe?

Absolutely. Greywater is defined as water from showers, baths and washing machines. The greywater system filters out lint and debris. Soap levels are retained in the greywater as they add nutrients to the soil. All that is needed to safely reuse the recycled greywater from your washing machine is to switch to a detergent with low or no phosphorus. That’s it. Black water, which originates from kitchen sinks, dishwashers and toilets, is never used with the greywater system.

 

Article Source: http://www.elocalplumbers.com/blog/protect-septic-system-grey-water-5498

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumber, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Look! I Did It Myself!

April 11, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Plumbing Repairs 

Are you the type of homeowner who thinks he can fix anything and everything? Do you make it a habit of repairing any plumbing mishaps in your Oklahoma City home?

If so, and you don’t know what you are doing, you may end up causing thousands of dollars in damage before you know what hit you.

Hopefully, this will make you think twice before grabbing your wrench next time!

Of course, there are some plumbing jobs that you can try on your own without any risk. For instance, a leaky faucet is a small job that you may want to tackle before you call in your professional Oklahoma City plumber.

If you know what you are doing you will probably be able to stop the leak, and avoid paying a professional for their services. This is not something you can make worse, in most cases.

But what about more extensive plumbing projects? These are tasks such as running new piping through your walls or replacing an entire bathtub.

Oklahoma City plumbers know exactly how to handle these large jobs. You, on the other hand, are probably less experienced and will be moving forward without all the knowledge that you need.

If you make a mistake during a large do-it-yourself plumbing project it may end up costing you more than you ever imagined. What would happen if the new piping burst? Or if there is a leak underneath that new tub you installed?

Soon enough the water would begin to cause major damage to the walls, flooring, and other areas of your Oklahoma City home.

This does not mean that you should always hire an Oklahoma City plumber. If you are confident you can handle a task without the slightest problem, go for it. But any job that is too big should be passed onto a professional plumber instead.

Article Source: http://www.elocalplumbers.com/blog/diy-plumbing-mistakes-1000s-damage-606

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

Conserve H2O, Save $$ With Dual Flush

April 2, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Plumbing Installation 

Dual flush toilets are exactly what they claim to be: toilets that give you the option to choose from two different flushes. Why? Because, to put it plainly, it doesn’t take as much water to send number one packing as it does to get rid of number two. By purchasing a toilet with both a low and high volume flush, you’ll cut the water your toilet uses by more than half, not only saving you a bundle of money over the course of the toilet’s lifetime, but doing some good from an environmental standpoint as well.

How Much Difference Can Two Separate Flushes Make?
The answer to this question is shocking. Studies of dual flush toilets show that using a dual flush system as opposed to a conventional one can reduce water consumption by up to 67%. In fact, the water savings are so substantial that several nations, such as water starved Australia, have passed laws requiring that all new toilets installed are of this variety. There are even municipalities in the United States, all from areas where drought is a major concern, where similar statutes have been passed in an effort to conserve dwindling water resources.

Growing Industry
Dual flush toilets are only just catching on in the United States and the rest of North America. The double flush idea is relatively new technology to start with (these toilets first hit the international market little more than a decade ago), and these innovative bathroom fixtures haven’t been so easy to turn up in the U.S. until recently. However, a growing concern about the state of our environment, coupled with the widespread occurrences of drought that have plagued many areas of the United States, have prompted a slew of companies to dive into the business, making these pioneering toilets fairly easy to track down for the wise Oklahoma City homeowner looking to save money and natural resources.

 

Cutting Edge Designs
The other plus of dual flush toilets is their innovative design and appearance. Because they are a relatively new product, and because this soon to be booming market is a highly competitive one, companies are scrambling to make them as comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to use as possible. They come in a variety of cutting edge styles, including different styles of flushing mechanisms. Newer models with two buttons, one for each flush, are highly recommended over the push/pull models, mostly because they cut down on inadvertent “misflushes,” or choosing the high volume flush when it isn’t needed. Sounds crazy, but if you’re making a midnight trip to the bathroom or still groggy early in the morning, you don’t want to have stand there and contemplate whether to push or pull the handle in order to do right by your pocketbook and the environment.

Tricky Plumbing
The only drawback of these toilets is the plumbing required to facilitate a dual flush system. It’s much more complicated than your average toilet installation and over the head of your average do-it-yourselfer. When you choose to have a dual flush toilet installed in your Oklahoma City home, it’s best to contact your professional Oklahoma City plumber in order to ensure that your new water and money saving toilet operates exactly the way it’s supposed to and is problem free for years to come.

Read more: http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Dual-Flush-Toilets.13585.html?oids=33c1c268&link_id=4693#ixzz1qts842Fu

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing installation contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

A French Drain May be the Just the Reme′de

March 21, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Plumbing Installation 

Excess water in your Oklahoma City yard can be a pain. Having your basement flood every time you get a heavy rain can be even worse. Inadequate yard draining can keep you from your chores, from enjoying your lawn, or it can even wear away your Oklahoma City home’s foundation, causing structural damage. These problems may seem ubiquitous and largely unsolvable, but the reality is a simple landscape installation can dry out your lawn and protect your foundation. A French drain is a simple trench drain that siphons water away from the more important and heavily used areas of your yard. It’s a home improvement gem in that it’s a simple, economical installation that can reap huge benefits.

Why This is Happening to You
What can be particularly frustrating is when your yard is overrun with water while your neighbor’s yard is just fine. There are several contributing factors to inadequate drainage and some of them may apply to your yard but not your neighbor’s. The two biggest factors are your lawn’s soil content and its lack of contour. When water enters your lawn it sinks into the soil and displaces the air, pushing it up. Heavy, compacted clay may contain a significantly less amount of air to displace, causing water to crest above the surface of your lawn much more easily.

The ability of water to move around your Oklahoma City lawn also greatly increases its ability to effectively drain. If your neighbor’s lawn is above yours his or her rain water can be feeding into your lawn. Meanwhile, if you have a mostly level lawn, that water is just going to sit there. When these two factors are working together, they are simply waiting for the next heavy rain to turn your lawn into a swamp.

Hiring a Contractor
The installation of a French drain is a little more complicated than digging a ditch and laying down pipe, but not much. You need to make sure you have a consistent slope for the drain to work. You need to make sure you lay down washed gravel underneath and above the pipe.

The complicated part of a French drain isn’t the installation work; it’s the knowledge of where to dig the ditch to make sure the drain is effective. To dry out your Oklahoma City lawn, for example, you should start at the highest point of your lawn and run the trench down to the lowest point. However, this type of trench drain won’t protect your foundation. A linear drain that acts like a moat may need to be installed around your foundation. Depending on how level your lawn is, a series of trenches may need to be dug to effectively drain your lawn.

Ideally, your trench drain should extend to a lightly used area of your lawn that has a more sand-based soil. Your situation may make this impractical. Plus, if your drain extends anywhere close to a neighbor’s property, you should consult your Oklahoma City plumber before you simply run all your water off into your neighbor’s lawn.
Read more: http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.French-Drains.14336.html#ixzz1plRHATZ

 

If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.

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