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Cast iron pipe is historically known for its use as a pressure pipe for transmission of water, gas and sewage. This type of pipe has also been used for water drainage during the 19th and 20th centuries. It is made up of a cast iron tube and was commonly used uncoated. Later, it was discovered that coatings and linings reduced corrosion and improved hydraulics. During the 1970s and 1980s, most manufacturing plants began transitioning to ductile iron pipe, which is a direct development of cast iron. Today little cast iron pipe is manufactured.

In the 17th century, the very first cast iron water pipes were made. These pipes were made and installed to distribute water throughout the gardens of the Château de Versailles. How old these pipes are makes them considerably historically valuable. Even after undergoing extensive refurbishment in 2008, 80%of the original pipes still remain today.

Cast iron was used as a replacement for the original elm pipelines that were laid in the ground earlier, as cast iron proved to be a far more beneficial material for the manufacturing of water pipes. These water pipelines were made up of individually cast sections of cast iron. These sections were often referred to as “sticks” and were joined together by a bell and spigot joint. A bell is when the end of a pipe stick is flared out. This can also be termed a “socket” and is there to enable the spigot (or smaller) end of the next stick to be inserted and create a joint. Gaps in these joints were sealed with oakum (a preparation of tarred fibre used in shipbuilding for caulking,) to prevent any water from leaking out. A molten lead joint was then run around the socket to ensure that the oakum seal would remain in place.

Throughout the years, there have been three main methods for manufacturing cast iron pipes:

 The very first cast iron pipes were produced in horizontal moulds, the core of which was supported by iron rods that would eventually become part of the pipe. Horizontal casting would usually result in an uneven distribution of metal around the pipe circumference. This was due to slag that would collect at the crown of the pipe which would create a much weaker section.

 The very first occurrence of a pipe being cast vertically in a pit was in 1845. This worked out so well, that by the end of the century all pipe was being manufactured by this method. The aspect that made this a superior means of manufacturing is that all the slag would collect at the top of the casting, and could be removed simply by cutting off the end of the pipe. While this became the best method for casting, there was still an issue of pipes suffering from off center bores. This would result in one side of the pipe being thicker than the opposite side which was caused by the core of the mould being placed off center.

 After it was invented by Dimitri Sensaud deLavaud in 1918, a lot of cast iron pipe manufacturing shifted to the dramatically different technique of centrifugal casting. In this casting method, a rotating mold is continuously spun while molten metal is poured inside of it. This allows the metal to be thrown towards the inside of the mold wall where it solidifies after cooling. Modern pipe production continues to use this method of casting.

While the first occurrence of standardised cast iron pipes was in 1917 Britain, these pipes are still commonly used today. If you have any questions about what your sewer pipes are made of, feel free to give Harts Services a call at 253-345-7222 to request a service, and we will set up a camera scope that will answer any questions you may have. Our Tacoma plumbing company is here to answer your questions and meet your needs.

Cast Iron Sewer Pipes

Every family has their at-home solutions that have been passed down from generation to generation. While some of these solutions are completely valid, you should not believe everything you hear! Especially when it comes to plumbing, there are certain myths that are extremely common, and tend to cause more problems than resolutions. Below are three of the most common plumbing myths that you should know are not true!

Running Water While Using The Garbage Disposal Will Keep It From Clogging.

Many people believe that as long as they run the water while they are using their garbage disposal they can put just about anything down there. This could not be further from the truth. Some things just do not belong in a garbage disposal no matter how much water you run. Hard or thick food items absolutely should not be put down a garbage disposal no matter what the circumstances. In fact, you should really try to put as little as possible down there to avoid clogging or expensive damages. If you must put thick foods down a garbage disposal, you should break them apart with water first to make sure nothing gets stuck on its way down.

2. As Long As Things Are Going Down The Drain, It Is Not Getting Clogged.

Just because your garbage disposal is operating is not an indication that your sink is not at risk of clogs. One of the earliest signs that your sink is at risk of clogs is a slow moving garbage disposal. Another early warning sign is waste fragments that remain on the discharge pipe. If you happen to notice either of these things while running your disposal, even if the water seems to be draining correctly, your sink is developing a clog. It is recommended that you stop using the garbage disposal right away until you are able to get the clog cleared.

3. Plumbing Fixtures Require Minimal To No Maintenance.

Of all the plumbing myths, this one is the most dangerous of all. This is because Tacoma homeowners who believe this myth may run into serious problems later down the line. Any and all pipes have the potential to be obstructed by clogs, wayward tree roots, or shifting home foundations. It is also recommended that you get regular camera scopes of your sewer line to check for potential obstructions. All of these issues, if not caught in time, could lead to extremely expensive repairs later down the line such as sewer line, or pipe replacement. It is also recommended that you regularly maintain the fixtures in your home such as sinks, faucets, and tubs to prevent serious drain clogs.

In summary, you shouldn’t believe everything you hear. If you’re looking for good, honest advice and services, look no further than our Tacoma sewer & drain repair experts. Give us a call at 253-345-7222 and we will have one of our consultants out to you in no time!

3 Plumbing Myths Busted by Our Tacoma Plumbers!

When plumbing issues arise in your Tacoma home, you want to make sure you are making the correct decision for you and your family when it comes to getting those problems solved. Doing a little research before hiring a company can make you confident that you are making the correct decision for your family, and your wallet. Always remember that it is okay to ask questions to any plumber you choose! After all, you are inviting them to your home and want to make sure they will do the correct work for the correct price! Below are five major factors to consider when choosing a Tacoma plumbing company.

It is a fact that every state requires plumbers to be licensed and bonded. Because plumbing is directly tied to the health of a home’s occupants, a plumber must attend many hours of school and training to ensure that all waste drains, toilets, and fixtures are installed properly. If not properly installed, these things could pose serious health risks. It is good practice to check the Tacoma licensure requirements as well. That way you know whomever you are hiring has the proper training to help protect the health of you and your family.

2. Are You Choosing a Plumber With Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is also something you should keep in mind when choosing a plumber. If you feel the need, don’t be afraid to ask your plumber for proof of liability insurance. It’s always good to know that you are covered if something goes wrong. Even the most professional companies make mistakes sometimes, and you want to be secure knowing those mistakes won’t come back to make trouble for you or your family.

Does Your Tacoma Plumber Offer Workers Compensation?

Plumbing work involves the use of sharp tools, and dangerous equipment. If someone were to get injured while doing work on your property, you want to make sure the company is responsible for that and not you. While workers compensation is a requirement in most states, that does not mean every company has it. In fact, many of the smaller companies do not. This is something that most people do not keep in mind while hiring a plumber, but it’s an extremely important factor. Don’t be afraid to ask about workers compensation!

Customer service is a huge factor to keep in mind when choosing a Tacoma plumber. How readily does your plumber respond to your calls, e-mails, and service requests? Usually when you really NEED a plumber, you are experiencing some type of emergency. You need a plumber you can count on to respond to your cries for help right away! Here at Harts we use several different communication mediums, and are available and ready to respond to your needs 24/7!

Is Your Tacoma Plumber Financially Stable?

We all know how important financial stability can be in our own lives, and it is no different when it comes to owning a business. Choosing to do business with a company that values their financial stability, presents themselves professionally and does quality work backed by a warranty, can be the best decision you make! Sometimes pricing that sounds too good to be true, is too good, more often than not. There are absolutely ways to cut-down the cost of plumbing, as long as you don’t sacrifice quality at the same time. A business that does low quality work and does not offer a warranty, may not be around when you have future issues or need them to follow-up on their job. Finding the right balance of working with a stable, professional company who does quality work with a sense of value is the ultimate combination to look for!

We take pride in our work, customer service, and warranty here at Harts Services. In fact, we carry the best warranty in Washington state!! If you have questions about any of our practices when it comes to any one of the five things listed above, feel free to give us a call at 253-345-7222, or click the “request appointment” button here on the site and we will be happy to answer any and all of your questions!

What to Consider When Choosing a Tacoma Plumber

Whether you realize it or not, if you live or own a business in Tacoma you more than likely have a side sewer. A side sewer is a means of carrying wastewater from one’s toilets to the city main. From there it will be transferred to a wastewater treatment plant, and purified for future use. With a job this important, it’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure all side sewers are regularly maintained and kept in working order.

Here in the city of Tacoma, every resident is responsible for their own side sewer, all the way from the building to the city main. Older side sewer pipes within the city may be made up of clay or concrete, which are subject to cracking, shifting or root intrusions. This in turn leads to leakage or blockages in the pipes. For this reason it is extremely important that you know and understand what your pipes are made of, and how they can be repaired. The best first step you can take when concerned about your sewer pipes is scheduling a camera inspection. This will allow a professional to tell you exactly what kind of material your pipes are made of, as well as if there are any compromised areas you should be concerned about. Side sewer and pipe repairs can be extremely costly. This is why it is best practice to have an inspection done before any unfortunate issues arise concerning blockages, backups, or any other type of pipe problems.

Sometimes it literally pays to know what you’ve got going on under your property. Most homes in Tacoma built before 1970 use some form of one of the following:

Homes that were built after that time tend to have more modern pipe systems made up of far more durable PVC piping. If you’re not sure what your side sewer is make of, you may be able to find out by contacting the city and checking for permit records linked to your property. This can be done by visiting www.govme.org and clicking permit/ site history, or by calling Environmental Services at 253-591-5588. You can also use those resources to find the location of your side sewer if you are not able to access building plans, or contact the previous owner. It is worth noting that the city tends to have more information about homes built after 1950, and only carries records of work done with permits.

If all else fails and you are not able to find any info about the make or location of your side sewer, we are 100% able to find that information for you with a simple camera inspection. If you happen to find yourself in a situation where your side sewer is backing up or blocked, we are available for emergency services 7 days a week. You can contact us any time at 253-345-7222.

Intro to Tacoma Side Sewers

Anything you need to keep water flowing through your home or business facility, our plumbing company can handle it! Why do any of the dirty work yourself when there are skilled, experienced sewer pipe experts right in your backyard? Our company provides sewer pipe repair, maintenance, and installation, as well as 

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Customer service and answered the phone was pleasant and helpful. Person who came on site to discuss the work was thorough, gave great advice, and made suggestions for future planning.

Hart's Services got here about 3 hours after calling them. Very courteous and helpful with going over my options for all of my plumbing needs. They are getting our emergency repair work completed for a reasonable rate.

Very friendly, very knowledgeable. Made replacing my whole sewer line as painless as possible.

Quality Plumbing Services in the Tacoma Area

At Harts Services, our #1 priority is your utmost satisfaction. We won’t just show up at your location and provide easy fixes that will eventually come undone, causing you more aggravation and costing you more money. Our plumbers provide lasting results at affordable prices, holding themselves to the highest standard for excellence in every job they undertake. We also offer peace of mind inspections, maintenance plans, and customer education to ensure complete peace of mind today and in the future.

When Others Say They Can't, We Say We Can!

Harts has amazing customer service and responded promptly to our plumbing emergency! Chris has been to our home in the past and is very knowledgeable and professional. Harts is a great local company to work with.

I was so happy to finally get my faucets outside my house fixed. Anytime I turned them on they dripped, dripped, dripped. Now I have frost free hose bibs and no drips! Thanks Harts!

Harts Services is a very professional company. We called because our sewer was backing up into our home and they had someone at our house within the hour.

Fast service, excellent follow-up, and Tim who performed the service was excellent and easy to work with. Will definitely use again if needed.

Thank you Chris McAlister from Harts Services. The service was professional, quick but thorough. Thank you

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