Category: Seattle

Energy Efficient Upgrades and Incentives Available Before Winter

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Technician from Hunt's Services writing maintenance details on an AC unit, showcasing professional HVAC repair and inspection services.

As winter gets near, now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Making a few energy efficiency upgrades will keep your home or business warm, lower your utility bills, and reduce your carbon footprint.

Energy efficiency is all about making changes to minimize heat loss and energy waste, and simple upgrades can have a considerable impact. Here are some energy-efficient solutions that benefit you and the environment.

Home Energy Assessments

Completing a home energy audit is the first step in creating a more energy-efficient home. This process thoroughly evaluates your home’s energy use, as it identifies areas where you’re wasting energy and provides recommendations for improving efficiency.

During the assessment, a professional will inspect your home to find energy leaks, such as drafts around windows and doors, and evaluate your HVAC system’s overall performance. They’ll also check the quality of your insulation to ensure your home is retaining heat properly.

Getting an energy audit before winter gives you a clear plan on which energy efficiency upgrades will make the most impact. Tacoma Power is currently giving out free home energy assessments to homeowners who qualify for the Home Energy and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program, which covers the cost of energy upgrades for low-income households.

Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit

The IRS is providing a tax credit up to $3,200 if you make qualified energy efficient improvements to your home after Jan. 1, 2023.  The credit equals 30% of certain qualified expenses and you have until 2032 to claim the credit for making your energy efficient home improvements.

Energy efficient home improvements include:

  • Qualified energy efficiency improvements installed during the year
  • Residential energy property expenses
  • Home energy audits

There are limits on the allowable annual credit and on the amount of credit for certain types of qualified expenses. The credit is allowed for qualifying property placed in service on or after Jan. 1, 2023, and before Jan. 1, 2033.

The maximum credit you can claim each year is:

  • $1,200 for energy property costs and certain energy efficient home improvements, with limits on doors ($250 per door and $500 total), windows ($600) and home energy audits ($150)
  • $2,000 per year for qualified heat pumps, biomass stoves or biomass boilers

The credit has no lifetime dollar limit. You can claim the maximum annual credit every year that you make eligible improvements until 2033.

Heat Pump Installations

A heat pump is an energy-efficient system that heats and cools your home through a heat transferring process. In the winter, it pulls heat from the outside air and moves it indoors to warm your space. It reverses the process in the summer, acting like an air conditioner by moving heat out of your home.

Heat pumps use less energy than HVAC systems or boilers because they don’t rely on burning fuel. They’re far more energy-efficient, reducing your utility bills and carbon footprint. While the upfront cost may be higher than conventional systems, the long-term savings in energy costs make it a worthwhile investment.

Hunt’s Services has you covered with professional and affordable heat pump installation services. We offer both ducted and ductless heat pumps, such as mini-split ductless heat pumps, so you can decide what works best for your home or business heating and cooling. But even better yet, you can schedule an appointment with one of our Comfort Specialists for a free assessment of your current HVAC systems to help determine the best options for your needs.

For instance you don’t always need to replace your existing heating and cooling systems, we can repair any deficiencies in your current systems or upgrade only a portion of your systems, such as condenser, thermostat, duct work, or blower in the case of furnace repairs.

Heat pumps are ideal for year-round comfort, heating your home in the winter and cooling it in summer. If your household makes less than 60% of the area median income, you might qualify for the HEAR Program, where Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) will pay 100% of the costs associated with buying and installing a new electric heat pump or heat pump water heater.

Even if you don’t qualify as a low-income household, Tacoma Power is offering rebates of $1,000 to $2,000 on the purchase and installation of a heat pump. Some families will qualify for a 0% interest deferred loan and a rebate of up to $7,000 on a heat pump installation, as well.

Improve Insulation to Prevent Heat Loss

Insulation improves your home’s energy efficiency because it traps heat inside during the winter, helping maintain a consistent indoor temperature. Without proper insulation, heat escapes through walls, attics, windows, and doors, forcing your heating system to work harder, leading to higher energy bills.

Upgrading insulation in the attic, exterior walls, and around your windows and doors can reduce heat loss. Common insulation materials include fiberglass, spray foam, and cellulose, each offering different levels of effectiveness depending on your needs and budget.

Pierce County’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is helping residents outside of Tacoma city limits reduce their energy costs by providing weatherization services like improving insulation to minimize heat loss.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats make it easy to set specific heating schedules for your home, automatically adjusting the temperature based on your daily routine. This feature means you can program it to heat your home when you’re there and lower the temperature when you’re away or asleep, maximizing energy savings.

For even greater control, you might also consider a smart thermostat, which offers remote access via your smartphone and provides energy monitoring features. This minor upgrade can lead to substantial savings on your energy bills while enhancing your comfort.

Energy-Saving Incentives in Tacoma Seattle Area

It’s a good idea to look into the rebates and incentives Tacoma Power and the Pierce County Weatherization Assistance Program have to offer because they can save you significant money this winter and well into the future.

You’ll also need a participating contractor to handle the job, and Hunt’s Services fit the bill. Call us at 253-533-7500 to learn more and complete your energy efficiency upgrades before winter turns cold. Contact Hunt’s services by phone, email:  info@huntsservices.com or by using our contact form.

Why Sewer Lines Fail in Seattle Tacoma

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Your sewer line is an essential part of your plumbing system because it’s responsible for removing water waste from your home. You’ll quickly notice if your sewer pipe isn’t functioning as it should because you’ll run into issues flushing your toilets, draining your sinks, or running your washing machine. Hunt’s Services is standing by in the Seattle and Tacoma areas to assist with all of your sewer system needs.

So what causes these sewer line problems in the first place? The reality is that numerous things can go wrong with your sewer system, and in some cases, there isn’t much you can do to prevent the issues from occurring in the first place.

What you can do is be proactive when you realize that your sewer line isn’t functioning at its full capacity by getting Hunt’s Services on the job.

Our team of licensed, certified technicians have seen every plumbing problem imaginable in King County and Pierce County so that we can get to the bottom of your issue quickly and efficiently.

Give us a call at 253-533-7500 to start the process right away. From there, you won’t have to worry about your sewer system anymore because Hunt’s will take care of it.

Here are some common sewer line problems in the Tacoma and Seattle areas.

1) Tree Roots

One sewer line problem that we see with regularity in Seattle and Tacoma involves tree roots damaging the pipes in search of water. These roots extend for substantial distances underground, looking for moisture to keep the tree alive. Eventually, the roots can wrap around your sewer line and break through at the joints, causing your drains to slow.

As the roots continue to grow, they weaken the pipe’s joints even further, and wastewater can begin escaping into your yard. Eventually, the entire pipe will collapse, leaving you with a significant cleanup in your yard, and a pipe that needs a complete replacement.

Tree roots are a problematic issue to prevent because the plant doesn’t necessarily have to be on your property to cause problems in your yard. What you can do, however, is make sure the trees on your property have enough water, especially in a period with little rain.

When planting new trees in your yard, make sure you avoid water-loving species like silver maples and weeping willows. Trees that require more water tend to cause more problems with sewer lines. You should also be aware of the location of your sewer pipe and avoid planting new trees close to it.

2) Shifting Ground

Another common sewer line issue in Western Washington is pipe failure because of shifting ground. Your pipes are supported by the soil under your landscaping, and when tectonic activity occurs, the ground can shift.

Even a slight shift puts added pressure on your pipes and can lead to a complete failure over time, complete with wastewater leaking into your yard.

While you can’t prevent the ground from shifting, you can have your pipe repaired as soon as you notice an issue to, hopefully, prevent significant damage from being done to your property.

3) Orangeburg Pipe

Depending on the age of your home, you could run into plumbing problems based on the materials used in your sewer line. Before 1972, homes in this area would use Orangeburg pipe, which is made from wood pulp and asphalt. While these pipes are incredibly lightweight, the material is brittle and prone to breaking because it absorbs moisture.

If you believe that you have Orangeburg pipes in your home, the best thing you can do is have them replaced with PVC. That way, you won’t have to worry as much about breaks and will experience fewer plumbing issues in the future, as well.

Warning Signs of Sewer Problems

There are some warning signs to watch for that can help you call for the plumbing help you need before your property is extensively damaged.

  • Slow drains – When you notice that your drains are taking longer to empty than usual, it means that something is blocking your pipes. If only one drain is slow, there could be an isolated problem with that particular fixture. Multiple slow drains, on the other hand, could mean that you have a clog or break in your Seattle sewer line.
  • Clogged drains – If nothing is draining from your fixtures at all, you likely have a significant clog. There are a variety of underlying reasons for clogged drains, as anything from putting grease into your sink to having a broken sewer line could make it difficult for your pipes to drain. Hunt’s offers drain cleaning services, getting your system back on track quickly.
  • Sewer waste backing up into your home – Have you noticed waste coming back into your fixtures after you flush your toilet or drain your sinks? If so, you likely have a problem with your sewer line that you’ll want to address sooner rather than later. Hunt’s Services offers trenchless sewer repair options, including pipe bursting, which is a non-invasive pipe repair method.
  • Frequent service calls – When you find yourself making constant service calls, you likely have a severe plumbing problem that should be addressed. Hunt’s
    Services will conduct a camera inspection, which allows us to see inside your pipes and identify why you’re experiencing issues.

Call Hunt’s Services Today

If you believe you’re in need of plumbing assistance, give Hunt’s Services a call at 253-533-7500. Our team of certified plumbers is standing by to handle all of your sewer and pipe lining needs, so don’t hesitate to contact us.

We offer discounts to seniors and veterans, and can even deal with your septic to sewer conversion, if necessary.

For more information on our plumbing services, check out our Sewer Repair YouTube video.

7 Spring Cleaning Plumbing Tips For Your Home

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Happy Spring Cleaning!

The birds are singing, the leaves are appearing on trees, and it’s a time when many people are thinking about spring cleaning. If you’re opening up your windows for some fresh springtime air and cleaning up your home for the spring, don’t forget your plumbing!

Just like other parts of your home, your plumbing needs to be cleaned too! When you clean up your plumbing, you’ll save money and enjoy worry-free, problem-free water for this season and many more to come.

Here are some tips to help you know what to clean when it comes to your home’s plumbing:

Toilet Bowl Cleaning Tips

Clean out the bowl as you normally would, and also clean out the inside of the tank. Avoid using harsh chemicals. It doesn’t hurt to give your toilet a plunge or consider pouring a small bucket of water into the bowl from about waist level to “power flush” your toilet. Remind your family not to put trash in the toilet: never flush paper towels, tissue, diapers, or tampons. These things do not break up correctly and can clog your pipes. Additionally, use the minimum amount of toilet paper required to clean up after you are done.

If your toilet is leaking because of worn-out parts or the need for adjustments to your valves, floats, or gasket, give Hunt’s Services a call to make sure your toilets are in good working order. We will replace the parts and make adjustments so that you aren’t wasting water or end up with water damage to your house.

Bathroom Sink Overflow

Ensure that your sink’s overflow holes are clear. Overflow holes are used in case the sink starts to overfill, which may not seem like a big problem–until it is. Fill your sink to test the overflow holes and clear any overflow holes that are clogged. Drain pipes can also get clogged over time and require a good cleaning or flush to remove the blockage. Check your stopper to see if it is the cause of the blockage by removing and examining it from your sink.

Check below your sink to see if there are any leaks either from the sink or from the drain pipes. If you have a leak that you can’t fix yourself or a clog that won’t go away, give us a call so we can insure that leaks and clogs don’t cause you headaches any longer.

Bathtub Drains

To keep things flowing smoothly through the drain of your bathtub, each month you should feed it baking soda—one cup’s worth, with a cup of vinegar to chase it. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. Wait for a little while, and then pour boiling water down the drain. This method clears out soap scum buildup and accumulated hair that gets caught in the pipes. Avoid slow bathtub drains by using a drain straining device to collect hair that would normally clog the pipes. This inexpensive device, when cleaned regularly, will prevent a lot of problems.

Perhaps even more so than a bathroom sink, your bathtub can get clogged with hair. As a part of your plumbing Spring Cleaning, remove the stopper from your tub. Most stoppers are removed by unscrewing the stopper from the drain hole. Get a piece of stiff wire, make a hook at the end, and fish out the gunk and hair that are usually just below the drain.

Kitchen Sink Clogs

Your kitchen sink drain takes in a lot of debris, including grease and fat, which can clog the drain and slow drainage. Pour boiling water down your kitchen sink drain to proactively clear the build-up. Consider using a drain straining device here too.

Garbage Disposal

Don’t use your hands to clean your garbage disposal. You can actually use lemon rinds or dish soap to do it! Lemon juice can help loosen and clean any build-up in your disposal and drain. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice in your disposal and let it sit for a while to do its work. Afterward, place small chunks of lemon with the rind and run your garbage disposal which helps clean the blades. And when you use your garbage disposal, avoid pouring grease or fat into it because that can clog up the machine and your pipes, especially when the grease or fat cools off.

Dishwasher

Your dishwasher works hard to remove the debris from your dishes and utensils to keep them clean and sanitary. Consequently, the leftover food particles can build up and clog your dishwasher drain. It is a good idea to remove the cover from your drain at the bottom of your dishwasher and check for and remove any debris that is stuck in your drain.

Also check your dishwasher for leaks. Leaks can occur in any of your water and drain connections in your dishwasher. If you have an air gap that empties into your kitchen drain or sink, take the cap off and clean any debris that has accumulated from your dishwasher.

Water Heater

Take a look at your water heater. Is it producing enough hot water for you? Are there leaks or visible cracks? Be proactive; don’t wait for your water heater to break before you do something about it.

When was the last time you had your water heater flushed? We generally recommend flushing your water heater so it is free of debris and sediment at least once a year. Springtime is a good time to get your water heater ready for the upcoming year. Flushing your water heater will increase the life span of your water heater and reduce your energy bills.

Summary

Spring is here and for many people that means it’s time to do a big spring cleaning. When you do, don’t forget your pipes because they are crucial to helping you keep your family comfortable and clean and quenched all year long!

Top 5 Reasons To Have Your Ducts Cleaned

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Top 5 Reasons To Have Your Ducts Cleaned Regularly

As we move into the coldest months of the year, your furnace will be running more often and, therefore, you’ll want to make note of the air in your home. Have you considered having a professional duct cleaning?

Does your home have a strange smell? Are you noticing dust and other allergens in every room in your house? Do you feel like you’re spending too much money on your energy bills?

All of these problems are symptoms of ducts that are overdue for a thorough cleaning.

Your ducts are responsible for delivering air to every room in your home after it has gone through your furnace or air conditioner. As a result, all of the air that you breathe in your home interacts with these ducts throughout most of the year, so if they are full of dust, mold, and other debris, you’ll end up with these particles in your lungs.

The good news is that our Tacoma duct cleaning this winter can ensure that the air you breathe is completely clean, reducing health problems and saving you money in the process. While you are getting your ducts cleans, let us also take a look at your dryer vents and ducts to make sure they are clean because clogged dryer vents are the number one cause of home fires.

1) Save Money on Bills

The cleaner your ducts, the lower your monthly heating and cooling bills will be. The reason is simple, as the buildup in your ducts means your system has to work hard to push air through your vents. When your ducts are clean, however, the air moves more efficiently and uses less energy in the process. Getting your ducts cleaned even once per year makes a difference in this regard and will ensure that you don’t end up with too much dust or other debris blocking your airflow. You can save even more money if you have an energy efficient heat pump or furnace installed

2) Reduce Issues with Allergies and Asthma

If you’ve noticed a fair amount of dust in the air at your home, you should have your ducts cleaned right away. This statement is particularly true if anyone in your household has asthma or allergies because having dust pushed out through your vents can trigger attacks and make life pretty miserable. The last thing you want is for something entirely preventable to cause problems with your family’s breathing this winter but luckily, a duct cleaning can greatly improve your indoor air quality.

3) Give Your Home a Fresh Start

When you move into a new home, having the ducts cleaned is essential because you never know how the previous tenants treated the property. Did they smoke inside the house? Did they have pets? Was there water damage? All of these things lead to debris in the vents, and if you don’t have them cleaned, you’ll be stuck breathing the particles in. It’s also a good idea to brush your ducts in Bellevue or Puyallup whenever you conduct renovations because drywall dust, paint, or, in some cases, asbestos, can fall into the vents when they aren’t properly sealed. From there, these harmful pollutants are blown all over the house. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially if you don’t know how previous homeowners treated the place or if the ducts have ever received a cleaning before.

4) Breathe Cleaner Air

Even if you don’t have allergies or asthma, breathing cleaner air is always a good thing. You could keep your house spotless, but dust will still make its way into the vents and, therefore, into the air every time the furnace or air conditioner runs. The good news is that through a duct cleaning, you can have much of this dust removed from your home before it has the chance to be blown into the air, helping ensure that the air you breathe is as clean as possible. You’ll notice a distinct difference once the job is done because the air in your home will smell cleaner and fresher. And since you can’t open this windows as much in the winter here in Seattle, having clean air coming through your vents is essential.

5) Improve the Lifespan of Your HVAC System

Maintaining an HVAC system gets expensive as the unit ages because there are so many problems that you can run into. By cleaning your vents, however, you help the unit to work at a more manageable pace and prevent debris from getting into your system. Keeping your ducts clean also means you won’t have to replace your furnace filter as often, and even though these filters are a minor expense, every little bit matters. Keeping debris out of your ducts can improve the overall lifespan of your system by preventing it from overworking when moving air throughout your home.

Keeping up with your furnace maintenance will also save you money in the long run and improve the lifespan of your heating and cooling unit. When you schedule a furnace inspection or maintenance call to your home or business, ask one of HVAC technicians to take a look at your filters and ducts. Furnace maintenance is a good tie to also have your ducts cleaned.

Who to Trust?

When searching for a duct cleaning company, you’ll have a few different options. Flyers often come in the mail advertising duct cleaning for a rate of well under $100, but the truth is that these companies might not use the best equipment and, often, won’t provide adequate bang for your buck. Its a good idea to avoid duct cleaning scams that sound too good to be true.

Reputable companies, such as Hunt’s Services, use a hybrid system where we not only have a negative pressure vacuum to suck out dirt and debris but also a brush to physically scrub the inside of your vents. This method ensures that no debris is left behind.

Remember, when it comes to your ducts, the quality of the job done is of the utmost importance.

5 Common Air Conditioner Repairs

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After the wettest winter on record and a long, cold spring, Western Washington is experiencing some of the driest weather in its history this summer and residents are looking for any way possible to keep comfortable. In fact, the dry streak is approaching the all-time high of 51 straight days without rain, which was set in 1951, leaving people in Greater Seattle and Tacoma with very little relief. While at the same time the National Weather Service is predicting continuing dry and hot weather in the foreseeable future.

Combine the dry weather with the scorching temperatures that area officials expect in the coming days, and it is easy to see why it is an absolute necessity to have your air conditioner functioning at its full capacity. Have an expert look at your air conditioning unit before these incredibly high temperatures hit to ensure that you can keep your indoor air quality optimal this summer.

If you notice that your heating and air conditioning isn’t working as it should, give Hunt’s Services a call at 253-533-7500 to have one of our technicians have a look and fix the problem.

Some symptoms of an HVAC or air conditioner repair include:

1) No Cold Air

Perhaps the most alarming symptom of an air conditioning problem is finding that you don’t have any cold air coming out of your vents. When you run into this issue, you will have turned the unit on, only to find warm air coming out of the vents, much like you had turned on your furnace.

This situation certainly isn’t ideal, but the good news is that it is usually a simple problem for a professional to fix. The likely cause is a refrigerant leak, as this refrigerant is what cools the air before the unit pushes it through the vents. When refrigerant levels dip below a certain level, the unit won’t have the ability to do its job any longer, causing your house to heat up.

Luckily, a heating and cooling technician can fix this leak and replace the refrigerant, so you won’t have to worry about it being a long term issue this summer in the Greater Seattle area.

2) Squeaking Noises

Keep an ear out when you turn your air conditioner on this summer because it could provide potential clues regarding a problem. For example, if you notice that your air conditioner is squeaking or squealing, the fan belt could be the culprit. What the noise is doing is letting you know that you have a problem and that you could end up with a service disruption.

This issue is easy for a technician to fix, as it involves removing the old belt and replacing it with a new one. A broken belt is also an issue that you can catch ahead of time if you put yourself on a maintenance schedule. The gist of this plan is that you will have a professional inspect your air conditioner every year to ensure that the fan belt and other components are in good shape.

3) Poor Air Flow

Check your air flow and make sure that it is at an acceptable level. You could run into an issue where the air coming out of your vents is cold, but there isn’t enough of it to cool the house the way you had envisioned when you purchased the air conditioner.

Poor air flow is a common problem that develops in air conditioners over the years and is usually the result of a dirty filter. Much like a furnace, your air conditioners requires its filters to be changed every six to 12 months, depending on how often you use it. A duct cleaning might also be necessary. Signing up for scheduled maintenance on your unit is a good way to make sure that your filters are always new, your ducts are clean, and that you have the proper air flow.

4) Not Cooling Enough

An air conditioner that seems to be cooling the home, but is not quite up to your standards, could require various repairs. For starters, the lines that carry the refrigerant between the different parts of your unit might not have the proper insulation. This problem often arises due to the insulation wearing out over the years, which means that the technician will have to put a new sleeve over them.

Even an air conditioner that is running at full capacity could have problems. A potential issue is that your air conditioner might not be large or powerful enough to cool your home during a heatwave. While heatwaves are not common in Puget Sound compared to our neighbors to the South, you might consider upgrading or even replacing your air conditioning unit if it has outlived its usefulness and reliability.

5) Turning On and Off

You might notice that your air conditioner switches on and off throughout the day, regardless of the weather outside. This issue is common in homes where the thermostat is in a less than optimal position, as external components could be influencing the temperature in that part of the house, causing the malfunction.

All you will have to do if you find yourself in this position is have your technician move your thermostat, as this should lead to your air conditioner or heat pumps performing at a higher level.

Beating the Heat

We could end up with temperatures in the triple digits this summer, and if this occurs, you’ll be glad that you had your air conditioner serviced ahead of time. Do your part by having your HVAC system or heat pump looked at by a professional, so that you can keep yourself comfortable this summer.

Should You Worry About Earthquakes in Seattle?

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The threat of a major earthquake striking Seattle has been in the news recently in part due to The New Yorker article on the subject, leaving many people worrying about when “the big one” will hit. The area is actually well overdue for a major earthquake and there is a 10 to 15 percent chance that a significant one of magnitude 9 or greater will occur in the Pacific Northwest in the next 50 years. Such a seismic event has the potential of destroying everything to the west of the I-5 between Seattle and Portland, leaving the entire area, and its 7 million inhabitants, in very rough shape. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network provides up to the minute record of seismic events that occur in Washington and Oregon.

What is rarely talked about in the news, however, are the over 300 smaller earthquakes that occur in the region annually. Many of these events are not even noticed by people in the area, as they are either located well below the surface or take place in sparsely populated parts of the state. Very few of these earthquakes reach 3.0 on the Richter scale, so the damage is minimal, as well.

A major earthquake would be the result of the Juan de Fuca plate and the North American tectonic plate correcting themselves once the pressure between them becomes too great. Currently, these two plates are pressing against each other with tremendous force and, eventually, they will have to spring back. Smaller earthquakes, while also caused by a shifting of the earth’s plates, don’t contain the same amount of pressure and, therefore, contain less force.

Why You Should Care About Minor Earthquakes

Although these small earthquakes are relatively minor events in the grand scheme of things, and occur thousands of times throughout the year in the United States alone, they can still do some damage around your home. For example, even a small shifting of the earth could damage the pipes in your yard, causing them to crack or break.

Your Seattle sewer and gas lines are of particular importance, as having them leak could not only do significant damage to your property, but it could also lead to health problems for you and your family. Every home in the area has these pipes and if a bunch of them were to break at once, the damage could become catastrophic. Luckily, if you do end up with a broken pipe, you have a number of different repair options at your disposal.

Having Your Pipes Repaired

Depending on the types of pipes that you have in your yard, they could be very susceptible to breakage during a minor earthquake. Older pipes that are made from clay are particularly brittle and could easily crack and break anytime the earth shifts. Plastic pipes can also be very brittle and should be checked out if you are made aware of a small earthquake occurring in your area.

In some situations, you can go ahead with a sewer pipe repair in Seattle when you run into this issue. In other situations, your only option might be a Seattle pipe replacement. It all depends on the level of damage and how susceptible these pipes will be to breaking again.

Looking at Your Sewer Lines

Your sewer line is another thing that you’ll want to keep an eye on after any sort of seismic activity. There are some warning signs that your sewer line in Seattle is broken that you can watch out for that will give you a better chance of catching the problem before it becomes serious.

For starters, keep an ear out for gurgling noises coming from your toilet or sewer water backing up into your toilet after you flush. You might also notice that your bathtub or sinks don’t drain properly or that a strange odor has suddenly appeared in your yard or basement.

If you run into this problem, you might need to have your Seattle sewer line replaced. Luckily, this is an easy job for a professional, as once the location of the leak is found, they can do the job without even digging up your yard.

Preparing Your Home For Seattle’s Rainy Season

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We know that it’s coming every year, yet, for some reason, we fail to prepare for it. The vast majority of Seattle’s precipitation falls between October and March, an average of 26.31 inches during these months annually, leaving many homes prone to flooded homes, yards, and particularly, basements.

The main issue occurs when a great deal of rain falls in a short period of time. For the most part, King County homes are equipped with basic flood prevention designs, since we get so much annual precipitation. Problems arise, however, when we have a storm that the system is unable to handle.

Luckily, by taking a few precautions before a significant storm hits, you can limit the damage that is done to your property should your area be hit particularly hard. As with anything in Seattle, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. That way, you won’t be stuck having to call in an emergency plumbing contractor when your basement starts to flood or having to completely redo your basement after it is turned into a swimming pool.

Check Your Home

Start by checking the various aspects of your home that are designed to prevent flooding in the first place. For example, your gutters have been installed with the purpose of helping water that lands on your roof to flow away from your home and into an area that is safer. If your gutters are clogged, however, this cannot occur. This is where many people get into trouble, as they end up with pools of water on their property that eventually make their way into the basement.

In areas with frequent precipitation, such as Seattle, you might want to have your gutters and downspouts running into a drain. If you do this, however, you’ll also want to have a plumber check your drains every year to ensure that they are not clogged and that they can handle the output that the drainage system is putting on them. A simple drain cleaning could prevent a great deal of damage in this situation because if this water is unable to run down your drains properly, it could lead to significant flooding.

In addition, you might consider having the walls in your basement sealed, especially if they are showing signs of seepage. Check for moisture on your basement walls and under the doors after every rainfall. If you find moisture, bring in a professional. This is a relatively simple procedure to have done on your home that could end up saving you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in repairs later on.

Install Sump Pumps

In many cases, your best bet will be to have a sump pump installed in your home. These pumps are usually placed in your basement or crawl space and are used to remove water from the area around your home. Sump pump systems collect water in a basin and come with a drainage method that diverts water from the home after it reaches a certain level.

Keep in mind that severe storms can overwhelm a sump pump system, which is why many homeowners have a couple of them installed in their homes. Get in touch with someone who offers these types of plumbing services in King County to figure out if installing sump pumps on your property would be beneficial.

Elevate Everything

You might want to start by taking anything that you don’t want to get wet off the ground in your basement. This can include things like washers, dryers, electric panels, and water heaters. You can use concrete blocks or treated wood to elevate these items, which can prevent water damage from occurring should your basement flood.

Are You Worried About Seattle’s Water Quality?

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Over the past few months, there have been numerous reports mentioning discolored water in various neighborhoods around West Seattle. While this is somewhat normal, as water discoloration can be caused by a few different things, the frequency with which it is occurring is alarming, especially for those who have had dark-colored water coming out of their taps.

The official statement from Seattle Public Utilities is that Myrtle Reservoir had been emptied in order to apply earthquake-resistant upgrades to it and that has led to some of this discoloration. In basic terms, sentiment has been stirred up because of these upgrades, leading to problems with the drinking water that has entered certain homes.

While citizens certainly don’t like having murky water come through their taps, and are unlikely to drink this water, the city would have you believe that it is still completely safe to drink.

Another concern is the drought conditions that have plagued King County this year. Because of the lack of rain, the city has been drawing water from the Cedar River Watershed, which is a different source than is normally used. Once again, the end result is that the water is a different color than it should be.

It will take a complete winter with a significant amount of snow to replenish the aquifer, so we could be dealing with these water problems for months to come. In addition, there is no guarantee that enough snow will fall to rectify the situation or that we won’t find ourselves in the exact same scenario next year.

Chlorine in the Water

One problem that commonly occurs when water quality issues arise is that the city will add more chlorine to the supply to ensure that it is safe to drink. The idea is that the chlorine kills the bacteria and, therefore, cleans the water. The issue is that this creates another health problem, since you will be ingesting chemicals every time you take a drink from the tap. Also, chlorine has a distinct taste that many people don’t like, further complicating the situation.

Is it Safe?

Of course, the most important thing to consider is whether or not the water is safe to use. The city maintains that this water is harmless, as it is being checked regularly for bacteria and other pollutants that could affect its quality.

At the same time, there is a reason for some concern, as the city clearly doesn’t have a clear grasp on the situation. While city officials have told people who run into water quality problems to call their Operations Response Center, this doesn’t immediately rectify the problem and could leave you without drinking water.

What to Do

Even if you haven’t run into problems with your water quality yet, it could happen in the near future. For this reason, a number of Seattle residents are investing in water filtration systems for their homes. Once these systems are installed, you will have an endless supply of clean, safe water for your family.

Having a filtration system installed can actually save you money in the long run because you won’t have to worry about buying bottled water every time there are water quality problems in the city.

Since the city is now covering its water problem up by adding more chlorine to the supply, a filtration system is even more beneficial. Having a system installed removed chlorine and other chemicals from your drinking water, leaving you with fresh, pure water.

Human beings aren’t meant to consume chemicals or bacteria found in our water. This is an issue that is common in many third world countries, but isn’t something that we would expect here. Luckily, we all have the option of installing a water filtration system in Seattle to ensure that waterborne illnesses don’t become an issue in our homes.

4 of the Most Common Plumbing Myths

Posted on | by sitemanagerwpmanagerio

Myths are a common thing in life, as we hear things daily that are treated as common knowledge but aren’t necessarily true. This applies to household plumbing, as there are probably a number of things that your friends or family have told you that are doing you more harm than good. These are some of the most common plumbing myths that we hear while plumbing in King and Pierce Counties.

1) Drainage Problems Are Easy to Spot

While some drain problems are easy to notice, such as your sink not draining or your toilet not flushing, others are a little more difficult. Every time a food particle goes down your drain, there is a chance that it will get stopped somewhere along the way. It is very likely that your sewer line has vulnerable areas where particles and grease will stop, slowly forming a clog.

These areas won’t cause a backup immediately, but will slowly grow over time. Eventually, this leads to a clogged drain that will force you to call an emergency plumber in Pierce County. You can prevent this, however, by scheduling regular maintenance on your drainage system. This maintenance schedule ensures that clogs are removed before they have a chance to leak back into your house.

2) Sewer Line Replacements Require a Trench to be Dug in the Yard

When you find out that you have a leak in your sewer line, you probably envision your yard being full of sewage and your Pierce County plumber having to excavate your property to fix the problem. While this is certainly possible, the more plausible scenario is that we will come in and complete a trenchless sewer replacement.

In many cases, we can simply install a new liner inside of your existing pipe or use a process called pipe bursting to instantaneously replace the existing line. All of this is done without digging up your yard, saving you a headache once the job has been completed.

3) Low Water Pressure is No Big Deal

Many households suffer from water pressure problems and have no idea why this is happening. For the most part, homeowners learn to deal with their low water pressure, not knowing that the problem can easily be fixed. If you have low water pressure in your home, it could be a sign that a major problem is present. In some cases, it is something simple, like your valves, aren’t opening all the way or your shower head is old and full of mineral deposits. In other situations, however, you could have a water leak somewhere on your property.

If your water pressure has suddenly dropped, you might want to give us a call to have a look at your pipes. Having one of our technicians come by to troubleshoot could save you a great deal of money should you have a broken pipe.

4) Clogs Don’t Require an Experienced Plumber

Crafty marketing has made many consumers believe that putting chemical drain cleaners into the pipes is all that is needed to remove a blockage. The truth is that these chemical cleaners corrode the pipes, leading to much larger problems in the future. If you have a small clog, try removing it with a solution of vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. If you have a larger clog, your best bet is to call a certified plumber to have it removed the right way.

Of course, not all plumbers in King and Pierce Counties are the same. At Hunt’s Services, all of our technicians have years of experience in this industry and have access to the newest technologies on the market. This allows us to deal with your plumbing problem quickly and efficiently, while protecting your pipes in the process. Give us a call at 253-533-7500 to book an appointment today.