Plumbing Questions Answered

How Long Do Plumbing Repairs Usually Take?

Plumbing repair timeframes vary based on the job complexity. Here are typical timeframes for common plumbing services:

Simple Repairs (1–2 Hours):

• ✔ Faucet repair or replacement
• ✔ Toilet repair (flapper, fill valve, etc.)
• ✔ Unclogging simple drains
• ✔ Minor leak repairs
• ✔ Garbage disposal replacement

Moderate Jobs (2–4 Hours):

• ✔ Toilet replacement
• ✔ Sink installation
• ✔ Water heater replacement (tank)
• ✔ Clearing moderate drain blockages
• ✔ Replacing shut-off valves

Complex Projects (4+ Hours or Multiple Days):

• ✔ Sewer line repair or replacement
• ✔ Whole-house repiping
• ✔ Tankless water heater installation
• ✔ Bathroom remodeling plumbing
• ✔ Main water line replacement

Our technicians provide time estimates before beginning work and keep you updated on progress. For larger jobs that may take multiple days, we ensure your home has functional water service at the end of each workday whenever possible. We respect your time by arriving within scheduled windows, working efficiently, and cleaning up thoroughly after completing repairs.

What Is Your Response Time for Plumbing Emergencies?

For plumbing emergencies, our response times typically range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on:

• ✔ Your location: Response is fastest within our core service areas of Marietta, Kennesaw, and surrounding communities.
• ✔ Time of day: During business hours, our response is typically faster as we have more technicians available.
• ✔ Emergency severity: Active flooding, sewage backups, and no water situations receive highest priority.
• ✔ Current call volume: During widespread issues (like freeze events), response times may be longer.

When you call our emergency line at (770) 627-4421, we'll:

• ✔ Ask key questions to assess the urgency of your situation
• ✔ Provide an honest estimate of arrival time
• ✔ Give instruction on immediate steps you can take (like shutting off water)
• ✔ Send text updates on the technician's arrival time

We provide emergency service for urgent situations that can't wait. Unlike some companies that claim "emergency service" but simply take a message for the next day, we have technicians ready to respond to true emergencies when needed. 

A&G Plumbing & Drain has been serving the Metro Atlanta area since 2006. For Over 19 years, we've built our reputation on honest, reliable service and quality workmanship. As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in our long-standing commitment to the communities we serve.

Our years of experience in the industry have allowed us to develop expertise in handling all types of plumbing issues, both common and complex.

Where Does A&G Plumbing & Drain Provide Service?

A&G Plumbing & Drain proudly serves the entire Metro Atlanta area including: Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Smyrna, Vinings, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Buckhead, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and surrounding areas. We're strategically located to provide prompt service throughout the region.

For a complete list of our service areas, please visit our Areas We Serve page or contact us to confirm we service your specific location.

What’s Involved in Repiping a House?

Repiping a house involves replacing some or all of the water supply lines in your home. This major plumbing project typically includes:

• ✔ Initial assessment: Evaluating your current plumbing system, identifying problem areas, and creating a customized plan.
• ✔ Material selection: Choosing appropriate pipe materials (typically copper, PEX, or CPVC) based on your needs and budget.
• ✔ Preparation: Protecting your home's floors, furniture, and valuables from dust and debris.
• ✔ Access creation: Making strategic openings in walls and ceilings to access pipes while minimizing damage.
• ✔ Pipe installation: Removing old pipes and installing new ones throughout the home.
• ✔ Testing: Checking for leaks and proper water pressure before closing access points.
• ✔ Patch work: Repairing openings in walls and ceilings (basic patching is typically included, but finishing work may be extra).
• ✔ Final inspection: Ensuring all fixtures have proper water flow and everything meets code requirements.

Depending on your home's size, a complete repipe typically takes 2–5 days. While this is a disruptive project, we strive to maintain water service at the end of each workday. Repiping is recommended for homes with lead or galvanized steel pipes, frequent leaks, rusty water, or severely corroded pipes that cause persistent low water pressure or water quality issues.

Why Are My Pipes Making Noise?

Noisy pipes can be annoying and may indicate underlying plumbing issues. Different sounds point to different problems:

• ✔ Banging or hammering: Usually water hammer, caused by the sudden stopping of water flow, often when a valve closes quickly.
• ✔ Whistling: Typically indicates water moving through a restricted area, like a partially closed valve or mineral buildup.
• ✔ Rattling: Pipes may not be properly secured and are moving when water flows through them.
• ✔ Ticking or tapping: Often caused by thermal expansion as hot water pipes heat up and cool down.
• ✔ Humming: Usually related to water pressure that's too high, especially common with washing machine valves.
• ✔ Gurgling: Often indicates drain venting issues, allowing air to bubble back through the water.

For water hammer (banging), installing water hammer arrestors can solve the problem. For loose pipes, adding additional pipe straps or cushioned clamps can prevent movement. High-pressure issues may require a pressure regulator. While some pipe noises are merely annoying, others can signal problems that could lead to leaks or pipe damage if not addressed.

What Causes Sewage Backups and What Should You Do?

Sewage backups are serious plumbing emergencies that require immediate attention. The most common causes include:

• ✔ Main sewer line blockage: The most common cause, often due to tree roots, grease buildup, or foreign objects.
• ✔ Collapsed or broken sewer pipe: Older pipes, especially clay or cast iron, can crack, collapse, or disintegrate over time.
• ✔ City sewer main issues: Problems with the municipal sewer system can cause backups into homes.
• ✔ Heavy rainfall: In some areas, heavy rains can overwhelm the sewer system, causing backups.
• ✔ Septic system failure: For homes with septic tanks, an overflowing or failing tank can cause backups.

If you experience sewage backing up into toilets, tubs, or floor drains, take these immediate steps:

• ✔ Stop using all water in your home
• ✔ Turn off water to your home if possible
• ✔ Avoid contact with the sewage, which contains harmful bacteria
• ✔ Call us for emergency service at (770) 627-4421

After resolving the immediate backup, we recommend a camera inspection to identify the root cause and prevent future occurrences. For homes prone to backups, we can install backflow prevention devices to protect against sewage intrusion.

What Is Hydro-Jetting and When Do You Need It?

Hydro-jetting is an advanced drain cleaning method that uses highly pressurized water (typically 3,500–4,000 PSI) to thoroughly clean the interior of pipes. Unlike traditional drain snakes that merely punch holes through blockages, hydro-jetting completely removes:

• ✔ Grease and fat buildup
• ✔ Mineral scale
• ✔ Tree roots
• ✔ Sludge and debris
• ✔ Biofilm (bacteria colonies)

You might need hydro-jetting if:

• ✔ You have recurring clogs despite regular drain cleaning
• ✔ Multiple fixtures in your home are draining slowly
• ✔ Your drains emit foul odors that persist after conventional cleaning
• ✔ You haven't had your sewer line professionally cleaned in several years
• ✔ A camera inspection reveals significant buildup along pipe walls
• ✔ You have older cast iron or clay pipes that have developed scale buildup

Hydro-jetting is highly effective but should be performed by professionals, as the high water pressure can damage compromised pipes. Our technicians first perform a video inspection to ensure your pipes can withstand the procedure, then use specialized nozzles designed for your specific plumbing system to safely restore your pipes to near-new condition.

What Causes Slow Draining Sinks?

Slow draining sinks are typically caused by:

• ✔ Hair buildup: In bathroom sinks and showers, hair is the most common cause of blockages, combining with soap scum to form stubborn clogs.
• ✔ Soap scum accumulation: Soap combines with minerals in water to create a sticky residue that gradually narrows drain pipes.
• ✔ Grease and food particles: In kitchen sinks, cooking oils, fats, and food waste can solidify and stick to pipe walls, restricting water flow.
• ✔ Foreign objects: Items accidentally washed down drains (jewelry, small toys, excessive toilet paper) can cause partial blockages.
• ✔ Mineral buildup: In areas with hard water, mineral deposits can accumulate inside pipes, gradually reducing their internal diameter.
• ✔ Tree root intrusion: For slow drainage affecting multiple fixtures, tree roots may have infiltrated your sewer line.
• ✔ Improper drain slope: Plumbing drains require proper downward slope; if incorrectly installed, gravity won't effectively move water.

Regular maintenance can prevent most clogs, but for persistent slow drains, our professional drain cleaning services can restore proper flow. We use methods ranging from cable machines (snakes) to high-pressure hydro-jetting depending on the severity and cause of the clog.

How to Safely Unclog a Drain

For safe and effective drain unclogging, follow these steps in order of increasing intensity:

• ✔ Boiling water: For simple clogs, pour boiling water down the drain in 2–3 stages, allowing time between pours. (Not recommended for PVC pipes or porcelain sinks.)
• ✔ Baking soda and vinegar:
  • Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain
  • Follow with ½ cup white vinegar
  • Cover the drain for 30 minutes
  • Flush with hot water
• ✔ Plunger: Create a tight seal and use quick, forceful plunges to dislodge the clog. Fill the sink with enough water to cover the plunger's cup.
• ✔ Drain snake/auger: Feed the snake into the drain until you reach the clog, then rotate to break it up or pull it out.
• ✔ Remove and clean P-trap: For sink drains, place a bucket beneath the curved pipe (P-trap), unscrew the connectors, and clean out the trap. Reattach securely.

What to avoid:

• ✔ Chemical drain cleaners can damage pipes, harm the environment, and create health hazards.
• ✔ Using excessive force with tools can crack pipes or fixtures.
• ✔ Mixing different chemical cleaners can create toxic gases.

If these methods don't work, or if you're uncomfortable performing them, our professionals can clear your drains safely using specialized equipment without risking damage to your plumbing system. For recurring clogs, we can perform video inspection to identify underlying issues.