Water heaters in your home may make noises that indicate a problem requiring immediate repair or maintenance. In our experience, water heaters often produce a low rumbling noise due to a large quantity of sediment in the tank, especially in older units. This sediment buildup can decrease the amount of hot water available in your home. To address this, it's recommended to troubleshoot and attempt to remove the minerals and sediment from your current water heater before seeking professional help. One method is to connect a hose to the valve at the bottom of the water heater to allow the trapped water, minerals, and sediment to drain from the tank. It's advised to discharge the water for about five minutes. If the rumbling noise persists after draining the tank, we recommend calling our plumbing service in Downers Grove, IL. Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc offers water heater repair, replacement, and installation services in several areas of Illinois, including Downers Grove, Darien, Burr Ridge, Lisle, Naperville, Oak Brook, and Wheaton. To schedule an appointment, you may call (630) 968-0783 or book online.

As your home's plumbing system ages, it's common for plumbing leaks to occur in various areas. For instance, we have noticed that older sinks in homes are prone to leaks, which can develop at almost any plumbing joint. Keep an eye on different areas of your sink, such as the slip joints, sink rims, supply line connections, and shutoff valves for common plumbing leaks.

Another area susceptible to plumbing leaks is the tile in your shower or bathtub. As the grout on your tile ages, it becomes a less effective barrier to water and steam. Moisture can then penetrate the grout in your bathroom and seep into the drywall. Common signs of tile leaks include damaged tiles, falling tiles, and wall framing damage.

Lastly, damp spots or water stains are clear indicators of pipe leaks in walls or ceilings. If you notice moisture on your walls or ceilings, we recommend contacting a plumbing specialist to examine your pipes. Ignoring this issue could lead to potential damage to the drywall in your home. Call a plumbing specialist at (630) 968-0783 or schedule a service appointment online.

Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc offers plumbing repair in Downers Grove, IL. We offer solutions for issues such as pipe leaks and more. We provide leak detection and repair services in areas such as Downers Grove, Darien, Westmont, Woodridge, Naperville, and Lisle.

In our experience, drain clogs are a frequent plumbing issue in homes due to improper disposal of food and materials. They commonly occur in areas such as kitchens, bathtubs, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Kitchen sink drain clogs are caused by items such as food, fats from meat, hand soap, and cooking grease. Conversely, clogged bathroom sinks are caused by materials such as shampoo, soap, hair gel, hair, and toothpaste. If you notice a clogged drain in your home, we recommend using a plumbing snake to clear your pipes and plumbing system. We've found that the average plumbing snake is 50 feet long and is designed with flexible metal. You can insert the auger inside the drain and plumbing system and use the handle to operate the plumbing snake. The drain snake will travel deep into your pipe to eliminate the source of the clog. You can call our team when you need a professional plumbing service in Downers Grove, IL. Reach out to us at (630) 968-0783 or request an appointment to have a professional clean your drains. We offer drain cleaning services in Downers Grove, Illinois, and other areas.

Don't ignore a leaking faucet as we've found that it can lead to a significant increase in your water bill. In our experience, even a small drip can waste hundreds of gallons of water each year. It's best to contact a professional plumber to fix the leak promptly. Old faucets are often corroded and damaged, making it difficult to find replacement parts. If your faucet is damaged and leaking, it's advisable to replace it. You can reach Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc at (630) 968-0783 or fill out an online form if you're in need of plumbing repair in Downers Grove, IL. We offer fixture installation services in Downers Grove, Burr Ridge, Plainfield, Clarendon Hills, Lisle, and Naperville, Illinois.

A plumbing snake is a tool that homeowners use to clear moderate to severe clogs in kitchen, bathroom, bathtub, and laundry room drains. It's an excellent tool to use before calling a professional plumber for power rodding and drain cleaning. To avoid leaks or damage to your plumbing pipes, it's important to use a plumbing snake properly. A plumbing snake is a metal cable designed with extendable materials to reach deep into your pipes. It includes an auger or spring at the end and features a handle for a reliable grip. In our experience, the average snake is 50 feet long and is operated by hand with a rotatable handle or crank to remove items like hair, objects, fats, and food.

To unclog your drain, insert the auger into the drain or pipe and uncoil the snake using the rotating handle. The auger will travel through your plumbing system until it reaches the objects causing the clog. If you need assistance with a clogged drain, Stephens Plumbing offers power rodding and drain cleaning services for homes in Downers Grove and other areas of Illinois. You can contact us by phone at (630) 968-0783 or schedule an appointment online.

Before using a plumbing snake, Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc recommends removing the p-trap on your plumbing system. The p-trap is the curved pipe that connects your sink to the household plumbing system. After removing the p-trap, examine and clear it. If there's nothing in the p-trap, then you will need to use the plumbing snake to fix the clog. Contact Stephens Plumbing by phone at (630) 968-0783 or submit a service request online for assistance with unclogging your drain. A professional plumber from our team will offer you an exceptional plumbing service in Downers Grove, IL.

If you are experiencing issues with your aging showerhead, such as corrosion or broken parts, it may be time to install a new one in your master or guest bathrooms. Before replacing the showerhead, consider whether you will be keeping the old shower arm. The shower arm is the curved pipe on the shower wall that connects the showerhead to the plumbing system in your home. If the shower arm matches the finish of the new showerhead, it's best to keep it. However, if the shower arm is corroded, it's easy to replace it with a new one. Remember that shower arms are usually not sold with showerheads, so you will need to purchase one separately.

- Shower Arm Installation:

Before installing a new shower arm, it's important to use thread seal tape to wrap the threads on the fixture. We recommend that you wrap the threads two or three times for optimal operation. To install the shower arm, screw the pipe into the fitting in the wall. Then, use plumbing putty to seal the opening in the wall, and place the shower flange over the shower arm and on the putty. Ensure that you clean any excess putty.

- Showerhead Installation:

After installing the shower arm, select a new showerhead for your bathroom. The installation steps will depend on the type of showerhead you purchase. If you have a showerhead designed to be installed directly on the shower arm, apply thread seal tape to the threads on the base of the arm and rotate the showerhead into place. Use a wrench to avoid damaging the showerhead, and if using pliers, use a protective barrier to protect the finish.

For handheld shower fixtures, seal tape may be optional at the shower arm base. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for the full list of installation steps. If you need assistance with showerhead and fixture installation, contact a professional plumber for help with your project.

If you need help with installing a new shower, Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc offers fixture installation services in Downers Grove, Illinois, and other areas. When you're in need of a professional plumbing service in Downers Grove, IL, you can contact us by phone at (630) 968-0783 or online for assistance.

When remodeling your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, you may need to buy a new sink to match the decor of your new cabinets, furniture, or accessories. Before installing a new sink, it's important to get precise measurements of your countertop opening to ensure the fixture and plumbing fit properly.

It's recommended to measure all four sides of your sink before you start shopping. It's also important to measure the depth of your current sink before choosing a new one. We've noticed over the years that a sink with a greater depth may require you to lower the drain line connected to the wall, which can be costly.

Before removing the old kitchen or bathroom sink, turn off the hot and cold water in your home to prevent water damage. It's also recommended to cut the power to the garbage disposal. Next, disconnect the old sink from the drain connections and remove the plumbing clamps. Carefully remove the garbage disposal to avoid damage. Then, remove the old caulk surrounding the sink before taking it out of the hole.

To install the new sink, drop it into the hole on your countertop and make sure it matches the measurements. Make sure to remove all old caulk before beginning the installation process. Install the faucet and its parts in the sink before installing it on the counter. Then, add caulk to the surrounding open area, lift the sink into the countertop opening, and install the sink clips.

Finally, connect the water pipes, drain pipes, and garbage disposal to complete the installation. Test your new kitchen or bathroom sink configuration by turning on the warm and cold water to check for leaks.

If you need assistance with installing a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room sink, you can contact our team at Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc by calling (630) 968-0783 or booking an appointment for plumbing installation. In addition to installation services, we also provide plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, and a water heater service in Downers Grove, IL.

It's crucial to prepare your home's plumbing for winter to prevent water leaks, pipe bursts, and damage to your property. When the temperature drops below freezing, the water in your pipes can freeze and expand, leading to increased pressure in your plumbing system. This increased pressure can cause common issues such as water leaks and pipe bursts.

The first step in winterizing your home's plumbing system is to shut off the water supply and the electric or gas water heater. After that, open the drain valves and taps throughout your home to ensure that there's no water left in the pipes. You'll need an air compressor to remove any remaining water from the pipes. Release the drain valve of the water heater to empty the tank, and then add antifreeze to the jet pump case to prevent freezing water.

To determine which parts of your water pipes are susceptible to freezing, conduct an audit of your water pipes. Check for pipes located outside walls and any uninsulated lines. Once you've identified the vulnerable pipes, it's time to install pipe insulation. Wrap foam pipe insulation around the water line or slip it over the pipe, making sure there are no gaps between the pipe and the insulation. We recommend that you use caulk to seal medium to large cracks in the outdoor areas of your property to prevent cold air from entering.

Another helpful way to prevent frozen pipes is to let the water on your faucet drip into the sink. This will promote continuous water movement in the pipes.

To get help with winterizing your home's plumbing, you can contact a professional plumber at Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc by calling (630) 968-0783 or booking a plumbing appointment. We offer essential services such as plumbing repair, water heater, and HVAC service in Downers Grove, IL.

Before installing a new toilet, you will need to measure the distance from the wall to the bolts of the old unit. According to Business Calculator, most toilets have a waste pipe that is 12 inches from the bathroom wall. It’s important to record these measurements to ensure the new toilet fits properly.

Once you have the new toilet, the first step is to place it on top of the bolts on the ground, making sure to align the holes on the toilet with the bolts. It’s a good idea to use a second pair of nuts and washers to keep the bolts in place. After ensuring the toilet is properly aligned and positioned, lift it off and add a wax ring.

Check for any wobbling to prevent damage to the wax seal or leaks. If there is wobbling, tighten the nuts on the toilet. Once the toilet is securely in place, apply caulk around the base. Then, proceed to install the water connections. After completing this step, check for any leaks and tighten specific areas if necessary. Test the toilet by flushing it a few times to ensure there are no leaks.

Finally, once the toilet has been tested, trim the bolts. If you encounter any difficulties during the installation process, you can always reach out to a plumber at Stephens Plumbing & Heating Inc for expert plumbing service in Downers Grove, IL.