FAQ: Sump Pump Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have some questions about sump pumps? You have come to the right place! At Gander Plumbing, we are experts in sump pumps for Rochester and the surrounding areas and are here to answer your questions about them. And, if you are having any trouble with your sump pump, do not hesitate to give us a call! We offer sump pump repair, replacement and more!

 Q: How does a sump pump work?
A: A sump pump is an electric motor that turns an impeller to move water within the basin. As the impeller pushes water away, more will flow into fill the void near the impeller. This then forces water to move out through the pipe in the basin and as it leaves through the pipe, a valve blocks the water from returning, leaving it only route to escape.

Q: What is a sump pump used for?
A: Sump pumps are used where basement flooding happens regularly and to solve dampness where the water table is above the foundation of a home. A sump pump is there to collect water in a basin and push it away from your home. The collected water can be returned to a dry well or the city’s storm drains. What matters is that the water is being direct away from your home and not right back into the flow that’s entering your home.

Q: Will my home’s old sump pump work?
A: Older homes used to tie the sump pump directly into a city’s sewer system. This kind of system can overburden the sewer system so it is no longer compliant with city codes. If you see this at your own home, it is important to call a plumber well versed in sump pumps, like those at Gander Plumbing, to redirect the line.

Q: Should I have my sump pump tested or inspected?
A: It is important to test your sump pump regularly. When you need it to operate, you won’t have time to spend on fixing it. Once water moves into your basement it is there to stay unless you act fast, and even an inch of water can cause a lot of damage.

And, these are just some of the questions we’ve received from people about their sump pump. Still have more questions? To learn more about your sump pump in Rochester or if you need sump pump repair or replacement, contact the experts at Gander Plumbing at 507-282-7540, or you can contact us to Schedule an Appointment.

Knowing the Signs: How Your Toilet Tells You it Needs Repair

At Gander Plumbing, we provide expert plumbing repair for Byron and one of our specialties is toilet repair. When it comes to an unruly toilet, we know the signs to look out for. And, we know how to get it back working order with preventative or emergency plumbing repair you can depend on.

For years local area residents have depended on us when it comes to issues with their toilet and other types of plumbing repair. Need toilet or plumbing repair fast? We offer same-day appointments and emergency service so no matter what type of plumbing repair you need, you won’t have to wait long to get it.

When it comes to the toilet, we offer a variety of repairs. And, we’d like to discuss a few of the most common types of toilet problems that we see and what can be done about it.

One of the most common plumbing repair issue we see is the clogged toilet. There are a few different tools that can be used for stubborn clogs besides your standard toilet plunger. But if you are not sure of how to do this properly, call us for help.

Does your toilet ever flush twice or start to refill on its own? The cause of this type of toilet problem is usually a very slow leak from the tank into the bowl. Generally, all this type of toilet repair entails is putting in a new flapper or flapper seat. Call us for plumbing repair and we will drain the bowl and tank, check and clean the flapper seat and then replace the flapper or flapper seat if worn out or damaged.

Do you hear a funny hissing sound coming from your toilet? If so, water is probably trickling from the tank through the supply line. Our plumbing repair service will check the float, the refill tube and the ballcock or inlet-valve assembly. If the float is not sticking and does not need to be adjusted and if the refill tube is not inserted too far into the overflow tube, then the ballcock assembly probably needs to be replaced.

Does your toilet take quite a long time for your toilet to finish flushing? This usually means that the holes underneath the rim of the bowl are clogged. This type of plumbing repair can be a do it yourself project if you are comfortable doing so, but if not, give us a call and we can unclog these holes so the toilet bowl does not take as long to empty.

Are you interested in receiving professional plumbing repair in Byron or any of the surrounding areas? Call Gander Plumbing at 507-282-7540 or contact us to Schedule an Appointment.

Plumbing with your Kitchen Remodeling

Christmas is just around the corner! This time of year, most people are using their kitchens more than usual, making big family meals and goodies to share with others. If you find yourself cramped by your kitchen’s size or frustrated with the lack of functionality, it may be time to consider kitchen remodeling. Whether you decide to do a full remodel or just want to upgrade to newer appliances, we can assist with the plumbing! For kitchen remodeling in Rochester MN, you can count on Gander Plumbing!

The major components of a kitchen renovation include countertops, cabinets and flooring. However, for the kitchen to function properly, it needs adequate plumbing. The kitchen sink, dishwasher and ice maker in the refrigerator all need to be installed properly with the plumbing system for proper functionality and efficiency. It is vital to make sure your plumbing is in order before continuing with the more aesthetic parts of your kitchen remodeling. Here are some thing to consider.

Choose the Sink First
You should always choose your sink before you decide on a countertop and cabinets. The pipes may not fit if the plumbing is not set up properly for the specific sink you want. This can often lead to extra work for your plumber and possible modifications to your cabinets. So, decide on the sink you want first then check with your plumber and cabinet installer to make sure it will work with the existing piping.

Know your Layout
Be sure to think through the entire layout of your new kitchen. If you are doing a full remodel that involves moving the location of your sink or other appliances, keep in mind that it will require some rerouting of plumbing and electricity. This can be done, but it does require extra work and clear communication with your contractor and plumber to be sure the proper changes are made before other projects get under way.

Update Current Plumbing
You are already making improvements to the overall look of your kitchen, so why not upgrade the hidden components as well? By replacing old iron piping with PVC, you will protect your new kitchen from water leaks and protect your family from corroded pipes. Updating the pipe material also makes rerouting and future maintenance easier for you and your plumber.

Add More Plumbing
While updating your kitchen, you may want to add additional fixtures, such as a garbage disposal or dishwasher. If this is the case, be sure to visit with your plumber so they can modify the plumbing to meet those additional needs.

Go with Energy Efficiency
Most likely you will want to update your kitchen appliances while remodeling, so keep energy efficiency in mind. Energy efficient appliances will save you money in the long run, helping you make back some of the money you spent on your renovation!

When you are ready for kitchen remodeling in your Rochester MN home, contact Gander Plumbing. You can call us at 507-282-7540 or Schedule an Appointment. 

Crystal Clear Savings: How a Water Softener Can Help Save Money

Did you know that a water softener in your Rochester MN home could help you save money? Both in the short and long term, water softeners are the best way to alleviate hard water problems in your home, and they offer plenty of advantages. You may already be aware that a water softener can help your hair and skin, prevent mineral build-up on your glassware and even eliminate scaling on your fixtures. But the experts here at Gander Plumbing have come up with a few of their favorite financial benefits when it comes to installing a water softener. Explore a few of them below and then give us a call to learn more about their many benefits!

Soap Usage

The cost of soaps, shampoos and lotions can add up over time. Soft water can make it possible to use less of these items so that you don’t need to purchase them as frequently. Studies actually show a major reduction in soap usage with soft water.

Do you often use products to make your dishes shine and reduce white spots? In soft water, these products are no longer needed, adding to your cost savings.

Plumbing Damage

Installing a water softener may be one of the best ways to extend the life of your plumbing. How? Mineral deposits from hard water can collect in your pipes, appliances, fixtures and faucets. It can even leave hard to clean build up in sinks and toilets. Having softer water eliminates these problems and ensures your plumbing lasts as long as possible. And, healthy piping and appliances means you are less likely to require expensive repairs or replacements.

Laundry

Hard water contains minerals that inhibit the ability of detergents to clean properly. This means that you will need to use larger amounts of detergent to get your clothes clean. A water softener allows you to use less detergent, saving you money over time.

Are you a fabric softener user? Soft water can virtually eliminate the need for fabric softeners and your towels, sheets and clothing will feel great and smell great too!

The minerals found in hard water can be rough on your clothing and cause them to look dull and dingy. Soft water is much more gentle on your clothing, helping you save money by extending the life of your clothing.

And these are just a few of the great benefits to having a water softener installed in your Rochester MN home! For more information, call Gander Plumbing at 507-282-7540 or you can contact us to Schedule an Appointment.

How to Find a Professional Plumber for a Job Well Done

A believer in DIY plumbing? There are rare occasions when you can fix a leak on your own. But it often requires replacing the faucet, dismantling it, switching out bad or old parts and putting it all back together again then hoping for the best. Hiring a professional plumber like Gander Plumbing can eliminate this guess work, get your leak or other plumbing issue fixed the right way in the shortest amount of time possible. In many instances you likely will need the help of plumbing contractors, who can certainly handle the faucet itself in the case of a repair or replacement. Frequently the issue lies beyond the faucet itself and a good plumber will come in and be able to pinpoint where the problem exists. 

When it comes to your plumbing, what may seem like a small inconvenience can end up increasing your water bill as gallons and gallons of water runs down the drain. Did you know that household leaks can waste more than one trillion gallons annually nationwide? A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. Having your household’s water leaks addressed can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills.

Without a doubt, the plumbing system and the leaks that come along with it are amongst some of the most important issues that must be addressed in the home. When your system is working correctly, fresh water is brought in and used water is drained out. As a plumber in Stewartville and other local towns, Gander Plumbing provides affordable, reliable, professional and trustworthy service to all of our customers.

A plumber needs to be reliable, always arriving as promised and ready to tackle whatever the job at hand is. If a pipe bursts in your basement in the middle of the night, a plumber like those working for Gander Plumbing will arrive as promised. Just knowing that there is a reliable plumber nearby who will respond promptly when called upon offers peace of mind when you are experiencing an emergency plumbing issue.

Interested in learning more about our plumber in Stewartville and get the leak fixed? Call Gander Plumbing at 507-282-7540 to set up a free estimate or Schedule an Appointment. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Choosing the Right Plumber

The plumbing system within your home is arguably the most important system within it. It brings fresh water in, sends used water out—the latter applying to your sewage. As a plumber operating in Pine Island and other local towns, Gander Plumbing provides affordable, reliable, professional and trustworthy service to all customers. As such, we would like to share a few tips on what you should be looking for when debating the right plumber for your home or business.

Your plumber of choice should be reliable, arriving as promised, ready to tackle whatever the job at hand is. If it is four in the morning and a pipe has burst in your basement, a plumber like Gander Plumbing will arrive as promised. Just knowing that there is a reliable plumber nearby who will respond promptly when called upon offers peace of mind when you are troubled over an emergency plumbing problem!

A good plumber should also be knowledgeable on the subtleties of their vocation. Answering the bevy of questions you no doubt have as well as knowledge of the most recent advances in plumbing and plumbing systems should be requisite in the plumber who comes to your home. In reality, a lot of old plumbing systems still exist out in the world and a plumber needs to have insight into their functionality as well. More homeowners can be helped with this level of knowledge so that they can truly tackle any plumbing situation encountered.

Your reliable plumber makes completely sure that you are satisfied with the plumbing services provided. If you are unhappy over the job done, any good plumber and company that they work for will want to hear about it. We want to do right by any customer that hires us to remedy plumbing issues.

Always look for a fully licensed, bonded and insured plumber, like Gander Plumbing. Any reputable plumbing entity will have all of the sought after licenses, insurance and other paperwork necessary to operate legally. Anything comes up, all parties are fully covered.

Word-of-mouth recommendations are an excellent way to find a plumber, especially if you are new to an area and do not know of business reputations yet. You can ask your neighbors and colleagues, or you can check a variety of online review sites. This is a great way to see what other people are saying about their services.

Are you interested in hiring a plumber in Pine Island and surrounding areas? Call Gander Plumbing at 507-282-7540, or you can contact us to Schedule an Appointment.

Get and Keep That Sump Pump Running Right

Your basement is all aflood and your sump pump is not handling it well. After all, a Stewartville area sump pump is no stranger to water in the lower level. Your home could be sitting on a high water table. If so, chances are you run into water in the basement virtually every time it rains. With this water comes frequent replacement of sump pumps—they are counted upon to do quite a bit of work. We at Gander Plumbing have seen this on a regular basis. As such, we would like to share some tips with you on how you can try to ensure that your sump pump lasts a while—the bonus being a dry lower level!

Sump Pump Efficiency Tips:

1. Take a long peek inside of that sump pump area. Clean the pit; remove any dirt, sand, gravel and other debris to allow for highest pit efficiency, prolonging the life of your sump pump. Clear the discharge line opening of any obstructions so that water can be pumped through it.
2. Always have a back-up battery in place to ensure that your sump pump works through a power outage. If a power outage lasts for an extended period of time, or if you run into frequently occurring power outages, the back-up battery will keep things running. You have multiple options here, marine-grade being strong enough to last half a day. A different type of battery uses water pressure from your water lines to force flood water out of your sump pit.
3. Pour buckets of water into your sump pump to test it. Dump the water directly into the sump pit, which should turn on the sump pump. The sump pump now being on, it should move the water from the pit, shutting itself off within seconds. Ensure that the float and the check valve move freely.
4. Sump pumps all eventually meet their maker. Both electronic and mechanized, the moving parts wear down and need replacement at some point. No general timeframe exists on the lastability of a sump pump—its life dependent upon how much it is used. Check it fairly often to ensure it is in working order.
5. Know a good plumber and reach out to them if sump pump issues appear too daunting. If you find yourself standing in the middle of a flooded lower level, you do not want to have to call around for a best option.

Are you interested in learning more about potential issues with your sump pump in Stewartville and surrounding areas? Call Gander Plumbing at 507-282-7540, or you can contact us to Schedule an Appointment.