Dreaming of a White Christmas.

Here in Seattle, which is not exactly noted for its excessive snowfall, just what are the chances that we will have a white Christmas?  With all due respect to the late Bing Crosby…they are not very good.  The most recent snowfall on Christmas Day was in 2008 when just under a half-inch of the white stuff fell in the Seattle area.

However, just the year before, there was nearly an inch of snow on December 25^th.  What’s the record, you say?  Well, for those of you who remember 1909 (By the way, I would like to meet you) the Seattle Metro had a measurable one and four-fifths inches of snow fall on Christmas Day.  Imagine those new “horseless carriages” trying to negotiate that!

Whatever 2018 may bring rest comfortably that the very next day Shawn Allen one of Seattle’s top plumbers will be on the job fixing what ails your toilet, your shower, your sink, or your sewage system.  From plumber Shawn Allen of www.plumbersnohomish.com to all of the Seattle area Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Getting to the Root of the Problem.

It is a good lesson in life and in plumbing.  Video inspection by a licensed, trained, professional plumber may be exactly what is needed to discover what is causing water to back-up in your home.  Roots from fallen or overgrown trees can and will intrude on your plumbing.  They are often the cause of damaged or misaligned pipes.

Proper sewer line inspection includes –

1.  A complete look at the damaged lines beneath your property.

2.  The point where a repair is needed is more easily found.

3.  It’s always safety first when using video.

4.  It shows that the new pipe is working efficiently.

All of this is done by our Snohomish and Seattle area plumbing professional Shawn Allen.  Shawn has been around for decades and as the technology has improved he has stayed on the cutting edge.  If your home has clogged pipes call Shawn right away to come out to your home for a video inspection.  That phone number is (425) 367-4744. 

What is a Grinder Pump?

You may be familiar with it…possibly not.  A grinder pump is a conveyance device for wastewater.  Water from such appliances as dishwashers, toilets, bathtubs, etc. flows through the home’s pipes into the grinder pump’s holding tank.  Once a certain level of water is reached the pump engages and grinds the waste sending it to the main sewer system or septic tank.

Obviously, this is where things can go wrong and leave you, the homeowner with a real mess!  Grinder pumps can be installed in the basement or in the yard.  If they are installed in the yard, the holding tank must be buried deep enough that the pump and sewage pipes are below any possible frost line.  Grinder pumps are either semi-positive displacement or centrifugal.

Knowing the ins and outs of a grinder pump is probably insignificant for a Seattle area homeowner.  What is essential is knowing whom to call to fix yours.  That man is Shawn Allen, a Snohomish, WA plumbing professional who knows his way around sump pumps, grinder pumps, etc.  If you are having trouble with your pump call Shawn at (425) 367-4744.

Make Way…There’s a Backflow Problem.

That can bring a household to a screeching halt!  There are two main causes of backflow in plumbing – back pressure and back siphonage.  Back pressure is defined as water being forced to flow in the opposite direction.  Back siphonage might be more complicated.  It occurs when the pressure in the water supply becomes smaller than the pressure in the plumbing system.

The most important thing is how is it prevented?  Here are some tips –

1.  Have a hose bib backflow preventer

2.  Have a vacuum breaker that constantly monitors water pressure in the system

3.  Something called a barometric loop shaped like an inverted U

Now, what about fixing the problem if it occurs.  That’s easy!  Call backflow expert Shawn Allen.  Shawn is the owner of Allen Plumbing here in Snohomish and he serves all of the Seattle area’s plumbing needs.  Visit www.plumbersnohomish.com for a list of all services, then give Shawn a call for whichever one you need at (425) 367-4744.