When Does DIY Become CAP?

We need to explain that one.  It means when does a do it yourself job become one where you should Call A Plumber?  Sometimes it can be a fine line and in some Northwest Suburban households the owners should not be “messing” with the plumbing at all!  We want to delineate some of the differences between DIY and CAP.

You should call a plumber when –

1.  Leaky or dripping faucets just won’t stop.

2.  The hot water goes south.

3.  All of a sudden the water pressure is noticeably lower.

4.  The drains have stopped flowing to the point of backing up.

Everything is variable, of course, but when you want to have the job done right the first time you call on the services of Elgin area plumber Tom’s Plumbing.  People in the growing Northwest area of Chicagoland have been doing it for years.  Visit tomsplumbingservice.com online for all  the various plumbing services then call (847) 697-6444.

Memories of Floods Past.

It was not that long ago…August 22, 2014.  Do you remember that day?  St. Charles got five and a half inches of rain in just over 24 hours.  If you think that the Northwest Suburbs can’t flood in August, you would be dangerously mistaken!  Was it a surprise?  Sure it was, but Chicagoland weather is anything but predictable.

During a storm, excess water must be pumped away from your home.  That task is efficiently handled by a hard-working sump pump.  It’s one that has been maintained and is ready for use at a moment’s notice.  If you are not sure about the health of your sump pump you should have it inspected BEFORE an emergency.

Tom’s Plumbing Inc. has been repairing and installing sump pumps in homes and businesses around Elgin, St. Charles, Bartlett, etc. for more than 30 years.  If your sump pump is more than 6 years old, then seriously consider replacing it.  At least let the plumbing pros from Tom’s inspect it.  Call for an appointment at (847) 697-6444.

Let’s Take a Closer Look.

When it comes to clogged drain lines they are nothing but headaches that can turn out to be major problems in your home.  You do not have the ability and certainly not the equipment to properly troubleshoot the problem.  There are so many different culprits such as tree roots, grease build-up, or even kids flushing things down the toilet while they’re home this summer.

It is vitally important that you hire a licensed and bonded plumber in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland so that you are assured of having the job done right the first time.  If you try to save a few bucks it could end up costing you thousands!  What you need is someone to clear out the blockage and repair or replace it…guaranteed.

The answer to your clogged drain and other plumbing problems around Elgin, Bartlett, Streamwood, and this entire area is Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  Mike Curce heads up a team of true plumbing professionals whom you can trust every time.  If you have a clogged drain or any other plumbing problem just give them a call at (847) 697-6444.

When Do You Call a Plumber?

It is tantamount to knowing when to call a doctor, a dentist, or an auto mechanic.  We all would like to think that plumbing problems will go away on their own, but the plain and simple fact is when certain events occur in your home or office you can’t afford to wait any longer.  Let the plumbing professionals do their job!

Here are some sure signs that it is time to call a plumber –

1.  You are tired of that drip, drip, drip.  There are many different solutions.

2.  The water pressure is noticeably lower than it was.

3.  Where did the hot water go?

4.  The drains continue to back up in the sink, or shower, or toilet.

Come on now, you did NOT go to school for this!  If every plumbing job in your home becomes a DIY job you could be headed for a bad conclusion.  Call the Northwest Suburbs ultimate plumbing professionals.  We are the team representing Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  Hesitation could create chaos in your home or office.  Call (847) 697-6444.

Don’t Ignore a Backed-Up Drain.

Okay, we have nearly made it through this ridiculous winter weather.  It does not mean you can exhale when it comes to your plumbing.  We are all human, and we may ignore plumbing problems when they are in their infancy.  The danger in that is, one day you look down and your basement or laundry room is an indoor swamp!

Just because you think you may be out of the “plumbing emergency woods” now that spring is right around the corner, ask yourself…when was the last time I had my hoses checked?  How about the shut-off valves?  Did they get frozen over the winter?  The laundry room especially is the greatest ignored area of your home, probably.

Why not call Tom’s Plumbing Inc.?  They will come out to your Elgin area home and inspect all of the water lines…both hot and cold.  There is nothing more satisfying than peace of mind.  By the way, since we are already there, have the water heater checked.  We are Tom’s Plumbing Inc. serving the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland for decades.  Call (847) 697-6444.

Is it Getting Colder in there?

Whether it is your home, or your employees are complaining it may be getting colder INSIDE as it stays cold outside.  That should NOT be the case!  Are you having thermostat issues in your home or office?  The idea here is to avoid an emergency.  Please get your boilers and radiators checked before it advances to that point.

Some things to look for –

1.  Any leaks around your boiler

2.  The pilot light won’t ignite or stay lit.

3.  The thermostat is not working as well as it did.

4.  Low water level in your boilers.

5.  Noise, that will tell you a great deal.

The answer, before an emergency arises in your home or office is to call a pro.  The Northwest Suburban team of boiler repair and troubleshooting professionals are at Tom’s Plumbing Inc. serving Elgin and the surrounding area.  Winter has long way to go.  Why not stay comfortable?  Call Mike and his team today at (847) 697-6444.

Plumbing Scams are Prevalent.

Especially among our senior citizen population in Chicagoland, people will try to take advantage of an opportunity to prey on the uninformed.  It comes in many fashions…get rich schemes, retirement investments, IRS prank calls (have you gotten one of those?), etc.  Even plumbing scams are rampant…especially in the winter.

We want you to be aware of –

1.      Leading questions to determine if you live alone

2.      Telling you that your plumbing problems are worse than they really are

3.      Attempting to sell unnecessary sewer repairs

Please read the page entitled “Avoid Scams” on the website www.tomsplumbingservice.com.  It is a real eye-opener!  We at Tom’s Plumbing want you to be knowledgeable about problems that may occur with your plumbing.  We hope that these tidbits of information will help.  When you truly need an honest and reliable plumber in the Elgin area call us at (847) 697-6444.

The Importance of Being Winterized.

Any homeowner will tell you the importance of keeping your plumbing working through the winter, but sometimes the elements have a mind of their own. Burst pipes, wet floors, and damaged walls are all possible in the winter months and are much more common during the cold winter freeze in Chicagoland.

Please remember to keep your faucets running with a slight drip.  Temperatures are usually at their coldest in the last half of January.  Make sure that your drains and gutters are free of ice and debris.  Do not allow an outdoor faucet or hose to remain unattended which may cause it to crack under the pressure of freezing water.

Most importantly, have a professional plumbing company double check your piping and plumbing system to be absolutely sure that it is ready for what is to come.  Your repiping professionals at Tom’s Plumbing Inc. is always the right answer.  Don’t wait for an emergency.  Schedule a check-up from Mike and his crew at Tom’s Plumbing Inc. serving the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago by calling (847) 697-6444.

It’s Not Always about the Why but the When.

This axiom may apply to many things, but one of them is when to call a plumber.  So many of us try a DIY solution or “wait out the problem” hoping it will heal itself.  Many times, both decisions are not prudent.  If you try to fix a plumbing problem yourself you are likely to make it worse and, believe me, it is not going away on its own!

How about a few tips on WHEN to call a plumber –

1.  One or more of your faucets continues to drip, drip, drip.

2.  All of a sudden, the hot water isn’t so hot.

3.  The water pressure decreases.

4.  Drains become clogged and backed-up

It is probably time to contact a professional to troubleshoot these and other problems.  Tom’s Plumbing Service is your professional plumbing choice in the Northwest Suburbs.  Mike and his team at Tom’s Plumbing have been serving the Elgin area for decades.  Don’t hesitate, give Tammy a call to schedule an appointment at (847) 697-6444.

Keep that Drain Flowing During the Holidays.

You are in charge!  You see, that line running from your house to the city sewer line is YOUR responsibility as a home-owner.  If the drain clogs, a professional is needed to get it flowing freely again.  A variety of issues may be at play such as things that were flushed down the toilet to tree roots or cracked pipes.

We want you to be aware of a couple of obvious things that you can do to avoid a clogged drain.  Never, ever pour grease down the drain.  It is very tempting to do so during your holiday cooking.  Also, don’t use household drain cleaners.  Those substances can and WILL cause damage to pipes.

Fear not…you are not alone!  Tom’s Plumbing Inc. is your drain cleaning expert in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland.  The professionals at Tom’s Plumbing will have your drains flowing freely again in no time.  At the very first sign of a clogged drain in the Elgin area call on Tom’s plumbing at (847) 697-6444.

Ole’ Man Winter is Coming!

If you have lived in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago for more than a year you already know what to expect over the next several months.  Winter will hit and hit hard.  Maybe you and your family are prepared for the harsh seasonal change, but what about your plumbing and your pipes in general?

Here are some signs that it is time to replace the piping in your home –

1.  Do you see any yellow or brown sediment in your water when you fill up a bucket?

2.  Do you see frequent leakage around pipes?

3.  Are the walls in your home discoloring?

4.  Do you have an older home with lead pipes?

5.  Is the water flow slowing down?

All of these and more, are signs that your home needs to be repiped.  It’s November and there is no waiting for tomorrow!  It is time to call Northwest Chicago’s repiping professionals at Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  The pros at Tom’s have kept Elgin area pipes flowing freely for decades.  Schedule an appointment today at (847) 697-6444.

What’s in your Shower Water?

Do you ever think about that?  You know not to drink contaminated water, but do you think it is okay to shower in it?  The truth is, showering with bad water can be as bad as consuming it.  Unfiltered shower water can contain an array of chemicals like chlorine, not to mention bacteria and fungus from the shower head.  Yech!!!

Here are some reasons why you should use a shower filter –

1.  Absorbing much less chlorine…do some research on why too much chlorine is bad

2.  Keep harmful chemicals out of the air into your bathroom

3.  Protect your skin from irritation

4.  Reduce your family’s cancer risk from those bad chemicals

That last one is reason enough to strongly consider a new water treatment system for all of the showers in your home.  Tom’s Plumbing Inc. will install a reverse osmosis system or Charger water softener in your Elgin area home.  Tom’s Plumbing serves all of your water treatment needs in the Northwest Suburbs.  Call them today at (847) 697-6444.

Trouble in the Bathroom.

That phrase could take on a number of connotations.  The truth is, bathrooms are frequently used and under-appreciated.  Your day begins and ends in the bathroom.  When a component of that room malfunctions you and your family suffer a set-back.  Maybe it is the toilet, or perhaps the sink, even the tub or shower.  You don’t appreciate your bathroom until something goes wrong.

Unless you are a trained, experienced plumber you may not know if the problem is minor or major.  Then again, maybe there is no problem whatsoever and you are just wanting to remodel that important area of your home to make it as convenient and modern as you can afford.  Once again, a plumbing professional is a necessity.

If you are building, remodeling, or repairing your bathroom please call Tom’s Plumbing Inc.  Tom’s is Elgin’s premier bathroom repair and remodeling professional in the Northwest suburbs.  This is a great time of year to have the pros at Tom’s Plumbing come to your home for an estimate.  Give Mike Curce and his team a call today at (847) 697-6444.

Oh Snap…It Seemed to Happen Overnight.

One day it was 85 degrees then, suddenly it was 40 degrees.  That is how quickly things can change around Chicagoland.  Autumn is just about here followed by a long, grueling winter.  What is the status of your boiler and radiator?  I will bet you haven’t given it much, if any thought since last April.

Soon, that thermostat in your home will have to answer the bell.  Will your castle be properly heated in the months to come?  Do you have all of the hot water that you need?  Look for leaks around your boiler.  Check the water level.  When the radiator is running is it making noises?  Maybe the pilot light will not ignite.

Winter in the Northwest Suburbs is simply too brutal to be toyed with.  You really should call Tom’s Plumbing.  Mike Curce and his team are Elgin’s boiler and radiator repair experts.  They will troubleshoot any problems and beat the big freeze-out!  Do it now…you know we have had sub-freezing nights in October.  Call Tom’s Plumbing Inc. at (847) 697-6444.

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.   

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.