Category: Plumbing & Appliances

The point of an overflow drain is clear whenever you accidentally leave the bathtub faucet running. These openings in your tub or sink are safeguards against flooding, serving a simple but essential purpose of keeping water from damaging your flooring, cabinets, and other parts of your home. Why Overflow Drains Matter Overflow drains are additional openings near the rim of a sink or bathtub that redirect excess water before it spills over the edge of a sink or tub. The purpose of overflow drains is to act as a backup to the main drain, overflow drains protect your home from water damage — without it, water can spill over the rim and damage flooring, cabinets, and walls. What Is an Overflow Drain? An overflow drain is a built-in secondary drain that diverts water away safely if the sink basin or tub fills beyond a certain point, such as when the main drain is closed or blocked. The overflow drain works by routing water through a passage from the upper wall of the sink or tub to the fixture’s main drain line or P-trap. Where you’ll commonly find overflow drains Overflow drains are commonly located just below the upper rim of

How do plumbers detect a hidden water leak? While living in Boise comes with a low cost of living, the last thing you want is unresolved and potentially costly plumbing issues. Leaks can go unnoticed, resulting in high water bills, structural damage, and other issues, and it can be tough to find a leaking pipe or connection yourself unless you know exactly what to look for.  Our expert team at Express Plumbing, Heating, and Air can efficiently pinpoint and repair leaks. Check out the common equipment and methods we use to find leaks, whether underground, behind drywall, or under floorboards. How Plumbers Detect Hidden Water Leaks Plumbers can detect hidden water leaks using several different professional water leak detection methods, including thermal imaging cameras, acoustic tools, moisture sensors, pipe cameras, and pressure testing. Using one or more of these methods, your plumber will pinpoint the source of a water leak, making it much easier and faster to repair. Professional Leak Detection Methods Explained How do professionals detect water leaks? To explain, let’s look at the most common tools plumbers use to find leaks. Thermal imaging cameras Thermal imaging cameras, or heat scanners, can detect hidden leaks in hot water pipes

P-traps are fundamental components in every home’s plumbing system. In this plumbing P-trap guide, you’ll learn what these curved pipes do, why they’re necessary, and how to maintain them properly. At Express Plumbing Heating & Air, our service area covers Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, and other surrounding areas in Idaho. Whether you need help with your P-traps or any other part of your plumbing system, we’re here to help.  Understanding P-Traps in Plumbing Starting with a basic understanding of P-traps will help you appreciate their role in keeping your home safe and comfortable. What is a P-trap in plumbing? A P-trap in plumbing is a curved section of pipe installed beneath sinks, tubs, floor drains, and other similar fixtures. Named for its distinctive “P” shape, this pipe segment is a water seal between your home and the public sewer system. P-traps are mandatory in residential and commercial plumbing across the United States.  How does a P-trap work? When water flows down your drain, like from your shower or dishwasher, a small amount remains in the curved portion of the P-trap. This creates a water seal that blocks toxic sewer gases from rising through the drain and entering your home.  Vents allow

Bathroom waterproofing can protect your home from an overabundance of moisture. It can seem like a challenge since water is essential to the function of your bathroom. However, there are several easy ways to protect against water damage. Not everyone knows them, but we’ll look at some of the best-kept secrets to increasing the longevity of tubs, floors, and even your bathroom plumbing. Why Bathroom Waterproofing Matters The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms. A lot of water is also used here. A lack of waterproofing can lead to mold growth, health hazards, and structural damage. Bathroom leaks are all too common. Did you know there were ways to stop water from penetrating walls and floors, seeping through tiles and grout, and causing thousands of dollars in damage? Let’s see how you can prevent mold from flourishing and water from causing wood rot and damage to walls, floors, and building materials. Key Areas to Waterproof in Your Bathroom Before you begin your bathroom waterproofing project, you need to know which areas to work on:  Floors: An untreated bathroom floor can expand, warp, or shift if exposed to persistent dampness. Waterproofing doesn’t only apply to the shower floor.

From gurgling or overflowing toilets to multiple slow drains, numerous signs indicate a clogged sewer line. Plumbers address sewer line concerns by accessing the sewer line cleanout, a direct access point to your system that allows them to reach clogs under your home’s foundation or underground near the municipal sewer line. Understanding how a sewer line works and how to locate your sewer line cleanout point may help minimize or prevent future plumbing problems. What is a Sewer Line Cleanout? A sewer line cleanout is a pipe that functions as an access point for your home’s sewer system, primarily for sewer line cleaning, unclogging, and maintenance. By providing direct access to the sewer line, cleanouts allow your plumber to clear clogs without invasive procedures. They can also use the cleanout to troubleshoot for other plumbing problems, such as slow-draining fixtures, low water pressure, and leaks. Cleanouts are usually made of white or black ABS plastic and are generally available in 3, 4, or 6-inch diameters. Older homes may have brass or cast iron drain cleanouts instead. While brass or copper drainage lines are rare, it’s important to know the different types you may encounter as you search for and identify

After a relaxing afternoon exploring the wonders of Craters of the Moon, the last thing you want to deal with is a plumbing issue. Plumbing can confuse many homeowners due to the unusual terminology professional plumbers use. The experts at Express Plumbing, Heating, & Air can explain the meaning of these terms to help you make a well-informed decision. One thing that often confuses our customers is something called a wet vent. What is a wet vent, and how does it work are common questions. Learn more about this plumbing topic and why you might need to have this specific type of vent installed. What Is a Wet Vent? A wet vent carries air and water for multiple plumbing fixtures, including sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, and more. Wet vents are typically installed in Boise area bathrooms if homeowners have limited space and a lot of plumbing demand. A shared vent connects each fixture to a single shared stack for easy operation. Using the right plumbing vent for your system is vital to ensure everything runs smoothly. Proper venting allows water to flow through your pipes easily while allowing air to escape. If you don’t have the right venting, air may

When you return from a trip to the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains, the last thing you want to deal with is a plumbing problem in your Boise area home. Clogged or blocked pipes and drains can cause many issues, including major leaks and potential property damage. The team at Express Plumbing, Heating, & Air offers a range of services, including hydro jetting, to keep your pipes and sewer clear. Learn more about the ultimate drain and sewer cleaning solution and why your pipes will thank you.  What Is Hydro Jetting? Hydro jetting is an effective, eco-friendly drain-cleaning solution that uses pressurized water to break up blockages and clogs. This unique method clears slow-moving and clogged drains and sewage lines with a special hydro jetting machine. The machine uses a motor with a tank of water attached to a long hose, which produces a blast of water at an extremely high pressure of up to 4000 psi. This powerful jet of water removes hard, stubborn blockages and mineral deposits in pipes in minutes.  The professional plumbers at Express will inspect your pipes and/or sewer to locate and find the source of the blockage. Hydro jetting is safe for your pipes unless damage