ask a plumber Archives

Why Does My Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Ask a Plumber…

Posted on November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

St Paul Pipeworks recently installed an A. O. Smith Voltex Water Heater in a customer’s home. A Voltex is an electric water heater with a heat pump located inside of its tank. The customer’s home was using well water for their home water supply. About two days after the water heater was installed their hot […]

Do You Have Low Water Pressure? Ask A Plumber…

Posted on November 23, 2023November 29, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

What causes a drop in water pressure in your house? Low water pressure is a frequent problem in many houses. There are multiple things that can cause water pressure issues in your home. An experienced plumber knows exactly what to look for and how to treat the problem most efficiently. Pipe Material and Fittings Matters […]

Freezing Pipes: Keep Your Pipes Safe in Minnesota Winters

Posted on November 16, 2023November 16, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

Well, it’s that time of year again. Freezing temperatures are right around the corner, and the risk of freezing pipes will be on the rise. Each year, St Paul Pipeworks receives a call to a house where the metal water pipes have frozen in the house during the winter. These “freeze and break” situations occur […]

When To Replace A Concrete Laundry Tub: Ask A Plumber…

Posted on November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

St Paul Pipeworks plumbers are called often to replace outdated laundry tubs. The tubs are most commonly located in the basement of the home. Up until around 1960, these laundry tubs were made of concrete and were very substantial and heavy-duty. In those days, concrete laundry tubs were much less costly. Over many years though, […]

Gas Leaks: Do You Smell Gas In Your House? Ask a Plumber…

Posted on November 2, 2023November 3, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

What to do if you think you have a gas leak in your home. In the plumbing industry, we have a healthy respect for the dangers of gas leaks. If there is too much gas and a flame occurs, an explosion can happen. Detecting Gas Leaks There is a distinct odorant called Mercaptan added to […]

What’s the difference between an Apprentice, a Journeyman, and a Master Plumber?

Posted on October 26, 2023October 26, 2023 by Charlie Avoles

The plumbing industry and other construction trades use designations to determine the skill level of employees. Much like the designation titles that were used coming out of the Renaissance, the titles that we are familiar with today are Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master. Let’s explore the difference between these different classifications of plumbers. Apprentices are plumbers […]