From historic brick homes in neighborhoods like Tower Grove and Shaw to charming properties throughout the surrounding area, older homes are part of what gives St. Louis its historic character. The downside is that much of the plumbing hidden behind the walls may be just as old as the home itself. Our team at Performance Plumbing helps St. Louis homeowners solve simple to complicated plumbing problems that show up in aging homes. Knowing what to watch for can help you catch issues as early as possible, avoid costly water damage, and plan for upgrades.
Performance Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumber’
The Most Common Plumbing Problems in Older St. Louis Homes
Monday, July 27th, 2026What Is a Sewer Camera Inspection and When Do You Need One?
Tuesday, July 14th, 2026Plumbing problems are frustrating enough, but sewer issues can cause major disruptions, stress, and expose your home to harmful sewage backups. Sewer problems can start small with a clog that keeps coming back, no matter how many times you clear it. Sometimes sewer problems can start with tree root intrusion you don’t notice until it’s already causing issues. Guessing what’s really going on with your plumbing and sewer line can quickly turn into wasted time and money.
Our team at Performance Plumbing offers sewer camera inspections to get a closer look inside your plumbing lines and identify problems as accurately as possible. This diagnostic tool is especially valuable for persistent plumbing problems or when you’re considering buying a property. Here’s what to know about camera inspections and why you need one.
Best Plumbing Upgrades for Increasing Home Value
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026Whether you’re preparing to sell your home or simply planning future improvements, strategic plumbing upgrades deliver everyday benefits and long-term value. Homebuyers increasingly pay attention to kitchens, bathrooms, water quality, and energy efficiency when comparing homes. The right plumbing improvements can make your property more attractive while improving comfort and functionality for your family right now. Our team at Performance Plumbing is here to help homeowners throughout St. Louis choose upgrades that deliver practical value rather than simply following trends. Here’s how to get started.
Hard Water: The Problem and the Solution
Monday, April 11th, 2022
When you imagine all the things that might go wrong with a plumbing system, hard water is probably not one o your concerns, right? After all, things like a clogged toilet, a leaky faucet, or a burst pipe—those things are emergencies… “hard water” doesn’t even make a “top 10” list of worst plumbing problems to have.
But what many homeowners don’t realize is that hard water can be a bigger deal than they really give credit to. Below, we’ve dived into the problem of hard water, as well as what the solution is. Read on to learn more!
The Factors That Cause Toilet Troubles
Monday, October 12th, 2020
One of the most common calls we get in regards to toilet plumbing is about a toilet that won’t stop running. It sounds like a bad joke, but unfortunately, it’s actually a reality for many homeowners throughout the country. Fortunately, though, it’s not a serious problem. Not for our plumbers, anyway.
But it’s definitely an issue you want to take care of right away. Not only is it a nuisance to listen to that running toilet, but this problem also wastes water.
Read on as we dive into your toilet—dive into what’s causing your toilet problems, that is!
Do You Detect a Plumbing Leak?
Monday, June 10th, 2019
::drip, drip, drip::
This is the sound of a rather obvious plumbing leak, probably coming from somewhere like your kitchen or bathroom sink. In the middle of the night, when you’re trying to sleep—but all you can concentrate on is that noise.
This is one of those cases where you clearly know you have a plumbing leak. There is no detection needed. You can call a plumber and ideally have it repaired right away as it’s likely a loose valve failing to shut off the water flow.
Not all plumbing leaks are so… “visible,” though. Given that the majority of your plumbing system is hidden behind walls or beneath the slab of your home’s foundation, you could actually be suffering from plumbing leaks you don’t even know about until it’s too late and you have an emergency on your hands.
How Hard Water Impacts Your Plumbing and Quality of Life
Monday, May 27th, 2019
You’ve likely heard of hard water before, but do you know what it is?
This is what occurs when there is a high level of minerals in your tap water—namely magnesium, calcium, and potentially iron as well. These minerals are not unhealthy to ingest, so that’s not a concern. However, they can definitely have a negative impact on your plumbing, and subsequently your quality of life!
With the right plumber in St. Charles, MO, we can assess your water treatment needs, whether it is installing a water softener or determining what other problems might exist with proper water quality testing. Since today we’re focusing on hard water, we’ve outlined below some of the signs you should watch out for that indicate your home is suffering from this issue.
Store Bought Drain Cleaners Will Ruin your Plumbing
Monday, April 1st, 2019
We wish this was an April Fool’s Day joke, but the fact is, it’s true. Using store-bought drain cleaners will slowly but surely ruin your plumbing.
We get it, when you go to the store in search of an affordable solution for your clogged drains, it’s easy to grab a jug of chemical liquid drain cleaner and call it a day. After all, these are targeted to homeowners and renters looking to quickly clear up their drains that have slowed or stopped. This is particularly true in bathrooms, where drains are often clogged up with hair. Any professional plumber, however, will advise you against this.
Keep reading to learn more about these drain cleaning “solutions” and why they aren’t solutions at all.
Heed These Signs You Need a New Water Heater
Monday, March 18th, 2019
You know what would be great? If all the appliances and equipment we use in our homes to maintain and improve comfort lasted forever, with no need for repair or replacement. Unfortunately, this is just not the case, and your water heater definitely isn’t an exception to the rule. This system goes through a lot of wear and tear, especially when you consider just how much use it gets each and every day to help you clean, bathe, wash clothes and dishes, and more. If you’re unsure whether to repair or upgrade, review these water heater replacement tips.
What are the signs you need a new water heater?
Several warning signs indicate it may be time for a replacement instead of another water heater service. Common signs homeowners should watch for include:
- Water heater is over 8 to 12 years old
- Rust-colored or discolored hot water
- Rumbling or banging noises from the tank
- Water leaks around the base of the unit
- Inconsistent or insufficient hot water
If these problems occur frequently, professional water heater services can inspect the system and determine whether repair or full replacement is the better solution.
What Are Common Signs You Need a New Water Heater?
- Checking the unit’s age, capacity, and manufacturer label to compare expected lifespan
- Inspecting visible parts for rust, corrosion, leaks, or worn connections
- Confirming whether your current system is gas, electric, tankless, or hybrid before choosing a replacement
- Measuring the installation area and access points to avoid fit or clearance issues
- Reviewing venting, plumbing hookups, and code requirements that may affect replacement
- Preventing bigger breakdowns, water damage, and unnecessary replacement costs
You need your water heater to work flawlessly every day, all year long. This is why it’s important to keep up on maintenance and repairs. But when are repairs just not enough anymore? At what point do you admit you need a new water heater? We could tell you “when it has reached 20 years old” and leave it at that. But this will really depend on how well cared for your water heater is, what the manufacturer’s expected lifespan is for the system, and the type of hot water heater you have, depending on your home’s needs. Read on to learn some signs that it is, in fact, time to replace your tank water heater, and homeowners should find the model age/label and inspect visible parts when evaluating whether replacement is needed, especially since many homes use a 40-50 gallon hot water tank, while conventional gas or electric tank models are standard for higher-demand households.
A tankless water heater can be a space-saving new one that delivers endless hot water, while a hybrid model uses ambient heat for efficiency. Swapping in a same-type unit can be relatively easy, while tight access, venting changes, or fuel-source changes can make the job hard.
When you purchase a replacement, choosing a new tank of similar size and setup usually keeps the installation simpler and is usually the most cost-effective installation path.
Is It Time to Schedule a Drain Cleaning?
Monday, March 4th, 2019
The drain and sewer system connected to your home is one of the most important components of your plumbing system. If the drain system isn’t maintained as it should be, it can cause serious problems for the entire plumbing system. Fortunately, it’s actually pretty easy to keep your drain system in good shape.
All it takes is scheduling drain cleaning service on a routine basis—once a year—as a part of your overall plumbing maintenance. Still though, it may end up that you need drain cleaning between maintenance appointments, and therefore it’s important to know the signs you should watch for if this is the case.