plumbing advise Archives - Craig Johnson Plumbing

February 19 2025

Sump Pump

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A sump pump is a plumbing device installed in a basement or crawl space to help prevent flooding by removing excess water. It works by pumping water that accumulates in a sump put, typically located at the lowest point of the area, to a safe location outside of the home.

Sump pump activates when water levels in the sump put rise, usually due to heavy rain, ground water seepage and snow melt

With all of this rain, it’s important to make sure that your sump pump is doing it’s job!

It’s important to ensure the discharge pipe is directed far enough away from the foundation to prevent water from flowing back towards the house. Regular maintenance such as cleaning the sump pit and testing the pump is key to keeping it functioning properly.

If you’re having any issues with water flooding or need help ensuring that your sump is working properly, give us a call!

January 8 2025

Flame Color Matters

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For those of you who have a gas stove weather its natural gas or liquid propane, it’s important to know the correct flame color.

A gas flame should burn blue. This means that the combustion process is working as it should and oxygen is reacting with the gas in a safe way. Occasionally, there may be a little yellow in the flame tip, but as long as it’s mainly blue, we are good!

Have you ever heard a popping sound when lighting your stove? This could indicate that there is some debris present in combustion process, and this can cause the flame to have some yellow and orange color. Once the debris has burned off, your flame should return back to blue.

When the flame is continuously burning yellow and orange it means there is an issue, and the combustion is not safe. If this is happening with your stove, make sure to call Craig Johnson Plumbing and we will come help before a serious issue occurs.

November 14 2024

Water Heaters during the cold weather

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Did you realize that with the colder weather water heaters generally work harder because of the incoming water being colder which requires the water heater to use more energy to reach desired temperature.

To make sure you maintain hot water through the winter and the holidays it’s important to stay up to date on maintenance.

Flushing and maintaining your water heater are recommended to be done every year. This is done on both, tankless and traditional tank water heaters. While we are flushing the water heater, we are also making sure that everything is working properly.

Insulating your water heater could help minimize heat loss.

Water heaters last on average 10-12 years. If your water heater is on the older side, has started leaking either at the top or the bottom, or is no longer providing hot water it may indicate that it’s time for a replacement. Tankless water heaters are more efficient as they are on demand heaters.

If you are experiencing any issues, please give us a call and we will troubleshoot any issues that you are having. There is nothing more inconvenient than running out of hot water on a cold day, so don’t wait!

August 15 2023

Why you should never pour grease down the drains

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Everyone loves a good breakfast; however, your drains do not agree!

Yikes! This is How Your Grease Drain Looks Like If You Don’t Fix It | by Sarah Lavinski | DIY ...

A lot of people say, “it’s okay if you use hot water.” Don’t let them fool you. After a while the grease collects in your drains and gets into the sewer lines which doesn’t just create a kitchen clog, but it can create a clog throughout your home. If this does happen, the best thing to do is pay your local plumber to come out and clear the line. If it doesn’t get resolved damage can be caused in your sewer lines which can create a larger problem.

Our best advice to dispose grease is:

Let the grease dry and dispose into a container or throw away. If there is excess grease still on the pan, you can use a paper towel to scrape it off and throw away.

January 24 2023

Storm Drains

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Wasn’t that last rainstorm crazy!

Now that it has passed – this is the time to get your storm drains cleared before the next storm!

A storm drain is also known as a storm sewer which is a drainage system designed to drain excess rain or surface water from surfaces like roofs, sidewalks, parking lots and streets through undergrounds pipes into streams or rivers. Unlike sewer lines, storms drains drain the water without it being treated in a sewage treatment plant.

In most homes, homeowners use gutters to collect rainwater from their house and use gutter downspouts to drain out the water.

gutter guard

It is important to keep these drains clear and flowing especially before a storm because if they are full of debris there will be a clog and the water will not be able to drain throroughly which can cause a variety of other issues within the home.

December 6 2022

Preventing Frozen Pipes

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Tis the season for freezing weather! During this time of the year frozen pipes are going to become the biggest emergency this time of year and Craig Johnson Plumbing is here to help during these emergencies or to even just examine your pipes before they freeze to make sure they’re in good condition.

What Causes Pipes to Freeze?

If there is standing water in your pipes during the times when temperatures drop the water will then expand and freeze. It could then cause pressure on the pipes causing them to burst.

If you plan on leaving for the holidays and / or go on vacation during this cold weather, we recommend you turn off your water before leaving to prevent this issue when you’re out of town.

How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing

Again, if you plan on leaving your home for a few days, remember to shut off your main water supply. This will ensure that you will not have any standing water in your pipes for them freeze while you’re gone.

INSULATION. Insulating your pipes will protect them as well helping them from freezing. If you are unsure if your pipes are insulated, please call us and we can help you!