Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Replacing a Toilet

Replacing a Toilet

Replacing a toilet may seem like a daunting task. However, it can be done with a few basic tools and some careful attention to detail. Here are the general steps involved in changing a toilet:

  1. Gather the necessary tools: You will need a wrench, a screwdriver, a putty knife, and a new toilet.
  2. Turn off the water supply: Locate the valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply.
  3. Empty the toilet tank and bowl: Flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl.
  4. Remove the old toilet: Unscrew the nuts that hold the toilet to the floor and remove them. Carefully lift the toilet off the flange and remove the wax ring from the base of the toilet.
  5. Prepare the new toilet: Install the wax ring onto the base of the new toilet.
  6. Install the new toilet: Carefully lower the new toilet onto the flange, making sure that the bolts are aligned with the holes in the base of the toilet. Once the toilet is in place, screw the nuts back onto the bolts and tighten them.
  7. Connect the water supply: Attach the water supply hose to the toilet’s fill valve and turn the water supply valve back on.
  8. Test the new toilet: Flush the toilet and check for leaks.
  9. Finish up: Use a putty knife to remove any excess wax from the base of the toilet and caulk around the base of the toilet to seal it to the floor.

This is meant as a guide only. Remember to follow all safety precautions and manufacturer instructions when replacing a toilet. If you are unsure of any steps, it is always a good idea to consult with Superior Plumbing & Drain.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Drain Maintenance and Care

Drain Maintenance

Drain maintenance and care are key components to keeping your water flowing efficiently. Watching what we place down the drain is a good habit. Clogs cause additional problems and lead to failures in the pipes. Here are a few tips to help maintain clean and easy flowing drain pipes.

Baking Soda + Water

A handful of baking soda followed by hot water helps clean the drain. The baking soda acts as a non-abrasive cleanser and the water washed away the debris. This easy and effective method can be performed periodically for sinks and drains.

Baking Soda + Vinegar

Another easy remedy for small drain clogs is vinegar and baking soda. A little baking soda with a little vinegar provides a chemical reaction to help bust up clogs. Let the mixture sit in the drain for a few minutes before running hot water. Light clogs are cured with this method but heavier clogs may require a plumber.

No Grease Down the Drain

Drain maintenance and care actually starts here. Kitchen grease is easy to pour down the drain because it seemingly disappears but it builds up over time. Therefore, the grease trapped in the pipes leaves residue. This residue catches all the larger pieces of debris and fibers placed down the drain which causes a clog. We recommend keeping an empty plastic bottle in the kitchen to pour the grease. This helps when cleaning pots and pans by limiting the amount of grease and the amount down the drain.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

Our team of trained and experienced technicians are reliable and efficient. Whatever your residential plumbing need, we are here to serve. As a family owned and operated company, we are members of the community too. That’s why we treat every customer just like family. Call us at (702) 478-9643 for emergency service or a free plumbing estimate.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Water Heaters in Las Vegas

water heaters in Las Vegas

Hot water heaters in Las Vegas can fail due to the minerals in our water, also known as “hard water.” This hard water causes build-up inside water heaters and plumbing systems. Lack of maintenance and build-up, are the leading causes of a material failure. Plumbing failures are detected when water begins leaking from pipes or water heaters. An important step to keeping your water heater working is a regular inspection. Here are a few additional notes about water heaters in Las Vegas.

Water Heaters in Las Vegas

The main function of the water heater is to warm up water for use on dishes, in the bathtub and in the sink or shower. The water we use travels through a series of pipes before entering the home. Once it reaches our walls, water is diverted to the water heater for proper warming before use. The water heater, usually located in an outside water closet or the garage, is the large cylinder with pipes coming from the wall.

The water heater includes a few components that need regular checks including the tank, shut-off valve, thermostat, drain valve and anode rod.

Most water heaters fail when the inside of the tank rusts and the tank leaks. For this type of failure, the entire heater must be replaced. This is the most expensive because the pipes and the heater itself should also be replaced.

Regular maintenance of the water heater helps prolong the life of the unit. Draining the unit once per year is a great first step. This is easy to do as long as the drain has a hose bib connection. Consult the manual for more details.

The Anode Rod

A regular check of the anode rod should be done annually. The rod is suspended from the top of the unit and drops down into the water tank. The anode rod attracts minerals in the water to help remove minerals and keep the tank from rusting. This rod is designed to disintegrate after it reaches capacity. Most homeowners or renters don’t realize the rod should be replaced annually or every two years depending on use. Calling a licensed plumber helps identify these issues.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

We are locally owned and operated. As a result, we treat every customer like family. For help with your hot water heater in Las Vegas, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today at (702) 478-9643.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

When To Call A Plumber

When To Call A Plumber

Know when to call a plumber. Residential plumbing problems often require a plumber but we recommend that you troubleshoot them in advance. The most common residential plumbing problems are:

  • Clogged toilets
  • Clogged drains
  • Leaky faucets
  • Leaky pipes
  • Running toilets
  • Water heater leaks

Troubleshooting Plumbing Tips

Clogged toilets – A regular plunger is often the solution. Try this first.
Clogged drains – Kitchen drains have a garbage disposal. Check for larger debris and obstructions before using the garbage disposal. Bathroom drain clogs are cured by removing the drain stopper to clear the obstruction.
Leaky faucets – Check the faucet to ensure the handle works properly.
Running toilets –Remove the top of the tank to make sure the flap is all the way down. Also check the float position. The float gets stuck causing the toilet to run.

Free Estimate

Every plumbing issue ahs a solution but at what cost? At Superior, our technicians provide a written estimate with every job. We take time to assess the issue and quote the best price available.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

We are a family owned and operated business with a fleet of trucks serving Las Vegas. Know when to call a plumber by using a few of our tips. We’re serving Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Summerlin and Henderson. Call now to (702) 478-9643.

Superior Service & Quality. Superior Plumbing & Drain.

Categories Superior Plumbing & Drain

Summer Plumbing

summer plumbing

Summer plumbing in Las Vegas has many challenges. In addition to regular hard water challenges, the Las Vegas heat and additional summer use causes its own set of problems. We’re here to help identify potential issues before the become a major water issue. Our professional team is on call 24/7 and ready to serve when needed.

Disposals

As we use our kitchens to cook more vegetable son the grill and larger meals for our guests, the disposal gets more use. Be sure to remove large, fibrous items before turning it on. Larger items like corn husks and vegetable stems. When ground up, they don’t go all the way through the pipes. This leaves smaller pieces that cause odors and additional blockage.

Sprinklers

The harsh heat leads to busted pipes. For sprinklers in the yard, they are usually in the direct sunlight. While the pipes are underground, the water in the pipes is still hot which can cause the pipes to expand. The constant expansion and contraction of the pipes makes them weak. In time, this leads to a pipe failure and leaks or floods.

Superior Plumbing & Drain

As a family-owned company, our team treats every job like a family visit. We wear the proper foot protection to guard against floor scuffs and scrapes. We also come in a clean uniform to every job. It’s -our dedication to our customers that sets us apart from the competition. For an appointment for your summer plumbing, call our office at (702) 478-9643 and we’ll get you on the schedule.