The AlphaDrain Blog
Plain answers to the plumbing questions Charlotte homeowners ask.
How much does backflow testing cost in Charlotte, NC?
Backflow tests in Charlotte run from about $75 for a residential assembly to $210 for large commercial ones. See what drives the price and what $199 buys.
Read articleWhy is my water heater making a popping noise?
A popping or rumbling water heater usually means sediment in the tank. Learn when it is dangerous, how a flush works and when the noise means replacement.
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Charlotte backflow testing requirements: who must test and when
Charlotte requires backflow assemblies to be tested by an approved tester at installation and every year. See who is covered and what a missed test costs.
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How to spot polybutylene pipes in Charlotte homes and what to do
Polybutylene is a gray plastic water pipe installed from 1978 to the mid-1990s. Learn how to spot it in a Charlotte home, why it fails and what to do.
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Hydro jetting vs. snaking: which does your drain need?
A snake bores a path through a clog. Hydro jetting washes the whole pipe wall. See when each one is the right call and why a camera should come first.
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What to do in a plumbing emergency before the plumber arrives
Burst pipe, sewage backup, overflowing toilet or leaking water heater: the steps to take first, and how to find your main shutoff in a Charlotte home.
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Do Charlotte home buyers need a sewer camera inspection?
A home inspection does not look inside the buried sewer line. See when Charlotte buyers should add a camera inspection and how to use what it finds.
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Reverse osmosis vs. whole-house filter: which do you need?
Reverse osmosis treats drinking water at one tap. A whole-house filter treats every tap. Compare what each removes, the upkeep and which fits your home.
Read articleWhy Charlotte's tree roots and red clay are hard on sewer lines
Charlotte pairs a heavy tree canopy with dense Piedmont clay. See how both wear on buried sewer pipe, the warning signs, and what fixes the problem.
Read article7 signs of a hidden water leak (and how to check your meter)
Seven signs of a hidden water leak, a step-by-step water meter test to confirm it, where leaks hide in crawlspace homes and when to call a plumber.
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