WHAT EXACTLY IS HARD WATER? Hard water is defined as water that has a higher than average mineral content. As rain water collects and is absorbed by the ground, it percolates through layers of limestone, picking up residual minerals on the way to the bay. These mineral particles do not completely break down in water, making their way into your Tampa plumbing system. The first sign of hard water in your home will be the film that is often mistaken for “soap scum”, but is actually mineral residue. This mineral residue is difficult to remove without some form of chemical intervention, but is ac...

If something starts to smell a bit off in your bathroom, it’s easy to get concerned and to be unsure how to solve the problem. Cass Plumbing of Tampa Bay is here to help! There are 3 main reasons why you could have a sewer smell in your bathroom or home: 1. Sewer Backed Up in Your Drain It is possible that sewer could be backed up in your shower drain. To check that this is not the case, use a flashlight and shine it down into the drain of your shower. You can also run the water to make sure that everything is draining as it should be. 2. Your P Trap is Dried Up In the bottom of your...

You may not realize it, but your water heater is one of the hardest-working appliances in your Tampa home. After all, it must keep water hot and ready to use 24/7. It’s easy to forget this because your water heater works silently in the basement, garage, or utility closet. If you’ve noticed your water heater popping or making other strange sounds lately, you might be concerned—and rightly so! Here are some common water heater noises and what they might mean. WATER HEATER POPPING SOUNDS Do you hear loud popping, cracking, clanking, or other similar noises coming from your water heater? M...

Pipes are a nutrient honey pot for tree roots. Why is this? Pipes contain oxygen, nutrients, and water, things the roots naturally love. Vapor from the pipes escapes to the outside soil and the roots grow toward the moisture in the pipe. If it can, the root will find a crack or small hole in the pipe and then grow—which widens the hole in the pipe and makes things worse. Once inside, the root will continue to grow which then acts as a collector of toilet paper and waste, causing blocks to the line. Eventually, the clog will completely block the flow and make a big mess as well as a cost...

Spring Plumbing Tips to Prepare Tampa Home Spring is right around the corner, so you’re probably getting ready to start your spring cleaning! If so, don’t forget about your pipes! Your plumbing system is one of the most important parts of your Tampa home, so you need to be sure that it’s working properly at all times. Whether you experienced any trouble during the winter season or not, spring can be just as damaging and unpredictable. In order to keep your plumbing prepared for the transition of the season, there are a few things you can do. Get Your Plumbing Ready Check for lea...

With the year 2020 in full swing, it's time to be on the lookout for potential plumbing disasters that might happen if they are not addressed properly. Let your family enjoy this new decade and keep them away from the real threats arise in an emergency plumbing situation. If you or your family notice any of these 7 red flags within your home, it’s time to contact the Tampa plumbing professionals at Cass Plumbing before the plumbing situation becomes dire! 1. MOLD IS GROWING If you start to notice mold growth along your walls or near your plumbing, this means you most likely have a leak...

Old houses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater & Brandon are charming, but they come with unique sets of problems that new built homes don’t have. One of those issues is plumbing. Old houses in the Tampa Bay region often have certain types of plumbing constructed from metals like galvanized steel, that we no longer use when installing a plumbing system. Galvanized Steel Pipes Between the 1930s and the 1980s, most contractors and plumbers built homes with galvanized steel pipes. Later, professionals discovered that galvanized steel rusted and corroded relatively easil...

Becoming a new homeowner in Tampa is an exciting time, but it can also feel stressful. Let Cass Plumbing help relieve some of that stress with this new home plumbing inspection guide. Identifying problems in your plumbing now can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches down the road. Water Heater It’s important to take a look at your water heater when buying a new home. Look for any signs of corrosion, be sure to ask about the heater’s age, and verify the last time it was serviced. If the heater is older than 15 years, you’ll want to get a new one installed soon. Sewer Line Be sur...

The 2020 New Year in Tampa is a positive time. Here at Cass Plumbing we’re inspired by the idea of a fresh start and what the year may bring. So many of us resolve to save money or get our bodies in shape – but what about also getting your plumbing in shape this year? We’ve come up with 5 plumbing resolutions that we think everyone should try over the course of the new year! We would like to encourage you throughout the new year to follow these and other plumbing maintenance resolutions you may come up with, for the benefit of yourself, your family, your neighbors, and our Tampa environment...