Has Your Plumbing Become a Horror?

Break Through the Cobwebs and Prepare Your System for Winter

Certain things are meant to be scary: horror movies and haunted houses just to name a few. One thing that shouldn’t be scary? Your plumbing. But this is exactly what happens when homeowners ignore the telltale signs that something is wrong.

You’ve already taken steps to prevent heating repair in Oak Park, IL, or wherever you call home in the Chicago North Shore area. Have you given your plumbing the same level of attention? We’re going to share how you can make your plumbing less spooky and more efficient.

Time to Pipe Up About Your Pipes

After a long day, you can’t wait to unwind at home. You’re right in the middle of your favorite television show when, all of a sudden, a loud noise startles you. It isn’t long before you realize the noise is coming from inside the walls. But there’s no need to worry—your house isn’t haunted. It just has banging pipes!

Banging pipes, also known as water hammer, happens when a faucet or other water-using appliance suddenly shuts off the flow of water. When the water is turned off, the stream of water slams into the valve at up to eight times the normal water pressure. This is why you hear what sounds like a banging hammer inside your pipes. Over time, water hammer damages your pipes and can cause them to leak.

Luckily, there is something you can do to fix the problem. Check out this video for the answer. And if the problem persists, pipe up and call the plumbing experts at American Vintage Home. We’ll be happy to take a closer look at your system and get your pipes working properly (and quietly!)

Burst pipes are another problem to avoid at all costs. Pipes in unheated areas (such as your crawlspace or basement) are especially prone to bursting. This will not only wreak havoc on your plumbing, but it will also cause flooding damage in your home—especially if you aren’t home when the pipes burst. Homeowners sometimes go on vacation without realizing their pipes are about to burst. It isn’t until they come home to a flooded home—or an ice rink—that they realize what kind of shape their pipes were in.

One of the best things you can do is make sure pipes in unheated areas are properly insulated. If you don’t know how to do this, our plumbers can assist you and get your pipes ready for winter.

Basements That Beat a Haunted House

Bugs belong in scary movies—not your basement. And if your basement has a foul odor to it, this can indicate a sewage or drainage problem. The buildup of waste materials can leak through your plumbing when there’s a clog or a crack.

It’s tempting to ignore the problem and hope it will disappear on its own. But the longer you wait to have your plumbing inspected, the more likely you are to pay a hefty price for the necessary repair or replacement.

Our plumbers have spent years improving sewage and drainage systems in older homes. If you don’t know what the smell is—but you know it doesn’t smell right—call us as soon as possible. We’ll get to the root of the problem and make your basement a comfortable space once again.

You Found WHAT Down the Drain?

We’ve been in business a long time. But we’re still amazed at some of the things we find down homeowners’ drains. Through the years, our plumbers have seen:

• Cash
• Medical syringes
• Toys
• Dentures
• Wigs
• Phones
• Diamonds

Mistakes happen. But being mindful of what goes down your drains can make a big difference in how they perform. Offering complete drain & sewer services, our plumbers will get your system working properly in no time. And if you’re not sure what’s causing the blockage, our video camera inspections will provide all the answers.

Break the Spell With American Vintage Home

When your plumbing is possessed, it takes a professional to break the spell. During the cold season, we do more than provide furnace repair in Oak Park, IL, and throughout the Chicago North Shore area. We also help homeowners protect their plumbing from the harsh winter elements.

To make your plumbing horror-free just in time for Halloween, schedule an appointment online today. To learn more about our plumbing and sewer services or to speak with a representative, call American Vintage Home at (847) 999-4595 or connect with us online.