The When and Why of Hiring a Plumber.

Eventually, nearly every home and business owner will need the expertise of a professional plumbing service.  When that day comes it would be comforting to know when exactly you need to make that call.  We would like to give you some tips on what to look for that would prompt you to call us.

1.  When any one or more of your faucets continues to drip, drip, drip.

2.  No hot water.  I don’t care if it is summer…you still need it.

3.  The water pressure has been reduced to a considerably slower pace.

4.  Clogged drains…you can see direct evidence of this the first time it happens.

No one likes to call a plumber, but absolutely NO ONE wants to wait too long to call one!  We hope these tips will help you make the right decision.  When it’s time, please think of us for all of your plumbing needs in the Northwest suburbs.  We are the Elgin area’s full service plumbing company Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  Give us a call at (847) 697-6444.

Where Were You 21 Years Ago?

That is a cryptic beginning to an interesting memory.  If you were a home owner in the Fox Valley on July 18, 1996 I will bet that you will remember.  In the storm center, 35,000 homes experienced flood damage in a matter of hours as our area experienced a record seventeen inches of rain in 24 hours!

This is not to say that a weather episode of this magnitude will happen again anytime soon.  It IS to say, that this is the time of year when sudden, violent, intense rain storms are likely to hit the Northwest Suburbs.  Now, ask yourself…are you prepared?  Even four or five inches of rain overnight could result in a flooded basement.

Is your sump pump working properly?  Is the battery fully charged?  How about the back-up battery?  Before the next heavy rain hits…and it will (ask those home-owners who weren’t prepared in ’96).  Call Tom’s Plumbing Inc. at (847) 697-6444.  Have them come to your home and double-check all of the components that will keep you high and dry this summer. 

It Sounds Like a Truck in Here.

This summer there is considerable hustle and bustle in your kitchen.  The kids are home and they are pouring heaven knows what into your kitchen’s garbage disposal.  The temptation is to just give up on your current garbage disposal unit when, in fact, many of them could be repaired, restoring peace and quiet to your kitchen.

One of the first things to look for if you are not hearing sounds would be a leak underneath your sink.  In many cases, the problem is not necessarily with the unit, but rather the way it was installed or the pipes leading to it.  So don’t just automatically blame Jimmy for throwing his cereal in there!

What is important is to troubleshoot the problem before it disrupts your entire home.  You need an expert plumber to do that.  In the Elgin area that company continues to be garbage disposal repair and replacement specialists Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  They know their way around kitchens and bathrooms in the Northwest Suburbs.  Keep this number handy (847) 697-6444.

Get to Know Your Plumber.

In many ways, it is as important to know and trust your plumber the same way you do with your family physician or auto mechanic.  Your plumber can cost or SAVE you thousands of dollars over time.  You better believe that is worth finding the right person and company to trust with all of your plumbing needs!

Let’s read some plumbing reviews.  It’s a “great ma and pop shop that does quality work at reasonable prices”.  “He installed a new water heater for me…did a great job.  I am very pleased”.  “They are the best plumbing company around.  They perform quality work…at very fair prices”.  “Tammy sent Mike out the same day”.

So, who are these two?  This Tammy and Mike?  They are the driving force behind Tom’s Plumbing Inc. of Elgin, IL.  Tom’s Plumbing has proven time and time again to be the Northwest suburb’s choice for every plumbing problem large or small.  The next time you need a plumber call Tammy and Mike at Tom’s Plumbing Inc. (847) 697-6444.   

Drip, Drip, Drip.

You have been putting it off for months.  You know that your water heater needs to be repaired or replaced, but you don’t want to face the reality.  Now that small drip has turned into a puddle.  Soon, it will be an all-out gusher if you continue to ignore the problem.  With summer on its way, it is time to address that leaky water heater.

What is the “shelf-life” of the average water heater?  Well, let’s put it this way, if it has been more than a decade since you had this one installed - then it is probably time.  In replacing a natural gas water heater or a propane one the steps are essentially the same.  Have you considered going tankless?  Not topless…TANKLESS!

These are decisions that should be made with the advice of a professional.  In the Elgin area, that has been, is, and will be Tom’s Plumbing Service.  Mike and his crew are the Northwest Suburban water heater repair and replacement experts.  Don’t wait another day.  Pick up the phone and call (847) 697-6444.

How does a Sewage Ejector Pump work?

We don’t expect you to devote a lot of time thinking about this, but if your sewage ejector pump malfunctions it will become foremost on your mind.  So, let’s get to know what exactly it is ahead of time.  Homes with finished basements need this essential device.  It quite simply picks up where gravity leaves off.

What it does is “lift” waste out of your home through the disposal pipes in your plumbing system.  If you are refinishing your basement in your Elgin area home this spring or summer you need to consult a professional to get the right ejector pump for the job.  The installation of the right pump insures that you won’t experience a sewage backup problem.

The very thought of that is a nightmare!  You need to contact the right plumbing company and have the job done correctly from the very beginning.  For those of us in the Northwest Suburbs around Elgin we can count on Elgin area sewage ejector pump installer Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  Enjoy your finished basement for years to come and give ‘em a call at (847) 697-6444.

Time for a Battery Check.

In the Spring we check our smoke alarm batteries.  We may have our car battery checked before summer driving begins.  But wait…when was the last time that you checked the battery back-up in your sump pump system?  It is not necessarily the first thing that you think of, and yet here we are in the heart of the season when it needs to function at its peak.

You definitely don’t want to find out the hard way that your sump pump did not work due to a power failure or because of excessive use.  When you have a battery back-up you will get several hours of additional protection in an emergency.  That might be just the ticket that will save your bacon (and your basement) this spring!

Make sure that you are 100% ready for any Chicagoland weather phenomenon.  Heaven knows what will hit us next.  Have your back-up battery system checked and replaced if needed right away.  In this area that part is easy.  Just call Elgin area sump pump repair and replacement experts Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  Give them a call today at (847) 697-6444.

Zoeller Sump Pumps.

This is not a topic to which we give much consideration, but during Chicagoland’s spring rains it may be one you have to address as a homeowner.  When you need a new sump pump you need it right now!  It would be nice to know ahead of time which is the right one for your castle.  Essentially, a sump pump is the heart of a basement waterproofing system.

Let us introduce you to the power and reliability of Zoeller.  Why do people prefer Zoeller?  Well, quite frankly this sump pump outperforms others in many different categories.  The strength of their build, the volume that they pump, their durability, the fact that they resist clogging better than the competition, etc.

The choice is clear!  When it’s time for a new sump pump you know exactly what you need.  Now, where do you find it?  In the Elgin IL. area the answer is clear.  It is Zoeller sump pump installer Tom’s plumbing Inc.  They are proud to be your area’s sump pump installation professionals.  Give them a call at (847) 697-6444.

What’s That Smell?

I will bet you have said that a time or two in your life.  When that smell comes from your home out of nowhere do not laugh it off.  It may be the first sign of a gas leak.  Time is of the essence.  The most sensible thing to do is call a professional to look for the exact source of the leak.  Trust this job to an experienced pro.

If the leak is emanating from inside the home then it is generally the home-owner’s responsibility to have the problem fixed.  Natural gas detectors can give you and your family great peace of mind.  It is vitally important to call an area plumbing expert to troubleshoot the leak and fix it once and for all.

Gas leaks are potentially deadly.  They must never be taken lightly.  The only rotten egg smell that you should ever experience would come from your refrigerator.  At the first sign of an unfamiliar odor of gas immediately call Elgin’s gas leak repair expert…Tom’s Plumbing Inc. at (847) 697-6444.

Have You Checked Your Bibb?

Unless you have little ones around the house what on earth are we talking about here?  No, not the ones that your babies have around their necks, but the ones outside of your home.  A HOSE bib or bibcock is a tap having a nozzle that is bent downward.  Most Chicagoland homes have them as they are used prominently in warmer weather.

So…we have made it (or just about, anyway) through another long winter.  Our World Champion Cubbies start playing next month!  However, you might discover the hard way that, against your plumber’s advice, your hose bibbs have been connected ALL winter without being used.  Guess what?  You could already have a leak and not even know until we get a proper spring thaw.

Let a professional plumber replace those old hose bibbs with new “frost proof” ones.  That way you will never come face to face with this problem again.  A burst pipe can be a disaster.  To help avoid this potential catastrophe call Elgin area plumbing expert Tom’s Plumbing Inc. at (847) 697-6444 right away.

Signs of Sewer Line Problems.

Ahhh Spring - the flowers begin to bloom in Chicagoland and the trees are sprouting their leaves.  While these are wonderful they may have a profound effect on your home’s sewer line.  The major “root” of sewer line problems is an overgrown tree root.  That is not meant to be funny…not when you are up to your knees in backed-up sewage!

I hope that you know this is not a DIY job.  Do not just apply liquid drain cleaner and walk away.  Listen for any gurgling noises - that is a bad sound around your home unless someone is using mouthwash in the bathroom.  If you walk outside and the grass is wet, but it hasn’t rained ask your dog, then assume that you may have a sewage problem.

All in all, your sewage system requires proper maintenance.  This time of year, in Chicagoland, the rains come early and often.  If you live in the Elgin area your plumbing problems always have a solution.  For many years the answer is Elgin, IL plumbing experts Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  At the first sign of sewer problems call Tom’s Plumbing Inc. at (847) 697-6444.

Check Your Sump Pump.

I am sure that you can think of a few thousand things that you would rather do as winter transitions into spring.  One of the most important for the future of your NW Suburban property is to check your sump pump.  If there is blockage or debris caused by winter’s ravages you need to have it serviced so that it is able to drain freely.

When spring rain hits with full force the excess water will create quite a work load for your pump.  Next stop…flooding!  Here is a great idea for 2017 if you haven’t done it already.  Have a battery back-up system installed by a professional.  That way, in the event of a storm the power outage will keep on keepin’ on.

The answer for Elgin area homeowners for decades has been Tom’s Plumbing.  We feature high-efficiency Zoeller brand sump pumps and battery back-up systems.  Google it and see for yourself.  The perfect combination for safety and peace of mind is a Zoeller sump pump with a battery back-up system installed by Elgin’s plumbing company Tom’s Plumbing.  Call (847) 697-6444 today.