Plumbing

Commercial Services

Our commercial department consists of qualified designers, supervisors, project managers, and ample field crews. We do commercial design and build work, including both new construction and renovation projects.

One Year Plumbing Service Agreements

Wouldn't it be nice to have someone check all of your plumbing needs? That is just what our Plumbing Service Agreement is designed to do. If an unexpected problem were to come up during the year you will receive:

1. Priority service, as a service agreement customer
2. 15% discount on all labor and materials necessary to make the repair (not applicable on re-pipes or home remodeling)
3. An annual plumbing system check up

And by the way, don't worry about scheduling. We will call you each year to schedule a convenient time that works with your busy schedule.

plumbing@ruddcontracting.com

Maintainence Tips

An ounce of prevention will go a long way toward keeping your home’s plumbing in top working order—and you’ll avoid costly repairs!

Faucets and Sinks

• Even small drips can waste thousands of gallons of water, as much as 150 gallons a day! Be sure to check under sinks for moisture or small leaks. Always repair leaky faucets immediately in order to avoid paying for wasted water and costly water damage to fixtures and pipes.
• Remove and clean your faucet aerators annually to ensure an even flow of water.
• Make sure overflow holes on tubs and vanity are clear and open to prevent water damage to floors and ceilings.

Water Heater

• Before doing any maintenance on your water heater yourself, be sure to shut off the power, and read your owner's manual.
• At least once every three months, drain water from the tank. Over time, sediment builds at the bottom of the heater which can hamper your heater’s performance. By draining a gallon or so, you are removing the sediment and the possibility of a lagging heater.
• You should also periodically inspect your water heater burner. The flame under the heater should appear blue with yellow tips. If it’s mostly yellow, or if the area around it is sooty, your flue may be clogged. This is a potentially dangerous situation, so contact a professional to have it checked.
• At least once every two years, have your water heater inspected by a service technician. He or she will also check the drain valve for signs of leakage, and the anode rods for corrosion

Toilets

• Toilet leaks can be wasteful and expensive. At least once a year, check your toilet for leaks by adding a small amount of red food coloring to the tank, and then check the toilet bowl later. If the toilet bowl water is colored red, water is seeping through from the tank. If it is leaking, you should replace the tank ball.

Clogs

• To help prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips, and clean the strainer regularly.
• Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink. Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes and create clogs.
• Avoid using caustic liquid drain openers (like Drano or Liquid Plumber) on a drain that is completely clogged. The caustic ingredients are trapped in your pipes, and it can severely damage them. If you can’t snake the drain yourself, contact a professional to do so.

Garbage Disposal

You can extend the life of your garbage disposal by:

• Using plenty of cold water when running it
• Making sure you avoid overloading it
• Never disposing of things like bones or corn husks
• Never using a caustic drain opener.