Our Services

Professional Plumbing Services Offered by Nowthen Plumbing

Residential & Commercial Plumbing Repair

The best time to fix a plumbing problem is right now. Plumbing problems do not go away or fix themselves. They can quickly escalate in scale and cost if ignored or left untouched. Do not let it get this far. Call an experienced plumbing professional to take care of your issues in a timely and effective manner.

At Nowthen Plumbing, we provide full plumbing repair services to residences and commercial buildings across the Twin Cities metro area:

 

Battery Backup Sump Pumps

Here is some basic information about having a battery backed up sump pump:

Most sump pumps run off of your home’s electricity, which is convenient most of the time but in a really nasty storm can be the exact opposite. If your home’s power gets knocked out for any reason, so will your sump pump’s power, which is exactly why having a separate battery powered back-up sump pump that doesn’t rely on your home electricity is so crucial.

Most battery back-up sump pumps are designed to be extremely convenient. The general idea behind them is pretty simple:

Power goes out and your main sump pump stops working

Battery back-up sump pump senses that the main sump pump has shut off

Battery back-up sump pump starts working

Different types of battery sump pumps come with different useful features as well. Some types will turn on whenever your main sump pump fails, even if the power hasn’t gone out. Some will set off an alarm when the main sump pump shuts off and (if you’re worried about battery life) some will set off an alarm when their battery power is low and needs to be replaced soon.

If you would like help installing a sump pump with a battery back-up or have any questions about please give us a call here at Nowthen Plumbing. If needed we will send a professional out to your house.

Here are some past news articles on Sump Pumps.

Sump Pumps: Part One

Sump Pumps: Part Two

Disposal Install and Repair

Garbage disposals are a very common feature in most homes today. We are here to help you with all your disposal needs – whether that be installing a new one or repairing you current model.

Garbage disposals come in a variety of shapes, sizes and power today. So if you are in need of a new one we can help you choose an appropriate model for your kitchen.

Also from a previous blog post here are two ways to clean your garbage disposal:

1. Pour a half cup of baking soda down the disposal followed by one to one and a half cups of white vinegar. Let this work together for a few minutes, and then pour a half gallon of hot or boiling water down the drain.

2. Mix in a large container or bowl one gallon of water and one tablespoon of bleach. Pour this down your drain, and then thoroughly rinse your drain with cold water for a few minutes.

Drain Cleaning

Drain cleaning is a pretty popular plumbing service that we offer here at Nowthen Plumbing. If you are having any type of problem with your drains or just prefer continual maintenance give us a call and we will send a plumber out. We also offer main line camera inspections. Our plumbers are experienced, therefore they will get the job done for you right the first time!

Kitchen drains are the most used drain in the house, and therefore one of the easiest to clog. Sink clogs are usually caused by the wrong foods being dumped down the drain in the wrong manner. Liquid fats like excess bacon grease and cooking oil are often poured in the sink then washed down with warm dishwater. The water cools as it travels down the pipes towards the main sewers, leaving congealed fat deposits along the way.  Eventually these fat deposits form layer upon layer of grease with other bits of food and waste sticking to them until the pipe becomes impassable.
Another common area of clogs are shower or bathtub drains, usually caused by a buildup of debris, including hair and cosmetic products.
No matter what kind of clog you have, or how it was caused, give us a call here at Nowthen Plumbing if you need assistance unclogging a drain in your home.

Faucet Repair / Replacement

Do you have a faucet that needs repairing, or do you want to talk about options for new fixtures? We perform all types of faucet repair and replacement. We can also help guide you as you compare all of your faucet options, as we have seen them all!

Gas Piping

We can run gas lines for your dryer, range, garage heater and outdoor gas grill, plus other specialty gas lines.

Leaky Pipes

We fix leaky pipes all of the time! Below is some information on knowing when to call a professional plumber to fix your leaky pipes.

Although most minor leaks can be attempted on your own first, if a leak keeps recurring in the same place it’s probably time to call in professional reinforcements, there may be a bigger problem that you simply can’t see because you don’t know where to look. Additionally, any plumbing issue that involves city gas or water pipes must be done by a licensed professional. Messing around down there without knowing exactly what you’re doing can end up causing a lot of problems that will be a lot bigger than the one you started out with.

Radon Mitigation Services

The simplest way to reduce your risk of high radon levels is to increase the ventilation of your home. One method includes installing piping and ventilation systems that suction radon from the soil surrounding your house and redirect it back into the open air where it is more easily diluted. This is called a radon mitigation system. Contact Nowthen Plumbing if you need a system installed.

Information About Radon

Radon is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that occurs naturally as the decay of radium. Because of its radioactive nature radon is considered to be a health hazard and is thought to be the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke. Radon most frequently occurs in confined areas like basements and attics and can affect nearly any home so it is important to know the basics of radon detection and mitigation.

Testing for radon in your home can be relatively simple. Short-term radon test kits are available on many stores and are very inexpensive, sometimes even free. To use the kit simply hang up the collector piece in the lowest livable floor in your house for 2-7 days then send the piece into a laboratory to be tested (kits include a laboratory mailing address). Because radon levels can fluctuate depending on weather and construction conditions, it is also a good idea to have a professional do a test.

If you do detect radon in your home, don’t panic immediately. Perform a second test to make sure the initial detection was correct, and if levels are still above normal, contact Nowthen Plumbing to figure out your next steps.

Sump Pumps / Sewage Ejector Pumps

Sump Pumps

For all of your Sump Pump needs we are here to help! Call us and we will send a professional out to help you.

The average home sump pump drains water year-round and lasts around 10 years. It isn’t until a big storm hits, however, that most people discover their pump isn’t functioning properly–and by that time it’s usually too late. A pump fail in a nasty storm can allow hundreds of gallons of water into your basement within minutes and lead to thousands of dollars worth of damages. But with a little information and a few extra dollars now, you can avoid this kind of catastrophe later.

1) The most important part of a sump pump is also the number one cause of major pump failures. Simply put, the switch tells the pump when to start and when to stop. If the switch fails, the pump fails, and that can turn a minor malfunction into a major issue. Luckily, avoiding this problem is nearly as simple as the problem itself. By purchasing a sump pump with a dual float switch or attaching a dual float switch to your existing pump you’ll add a secondary switch that takes over if the primary switch fails and will help to prevent any water from leaking into your basement.

2) As we all know, large storms can frequently cause the power to go out or circuits to trip. In the event that the power does go out in the middle of a hard rain it is imperative that you have a battery powered backup pump to continue draining when the primary pump fails. The battery powered sump pump is generally connected to a controlling device that alerts the backup when the power goes out and kicks it into action to take over for the primary sump pump.

3) No matter how many backups you have, it’s always important that you get your pump checked every six months and replace it every ten years. Checking your pump is simple, and replacing the common electrical device is a lot cheaper than replacing property that has been damaged after faulty pump led to a flooded basement.

Sewage Ejector Pumps

Another service we offer that many people don’t know about is —sewage ejector pump maintenance. Though we could talk for days about the fine details of the sewage ejector pump system , many people probably have never even heard the term before. So for now, we’ll just run through the basics for you.

First off, what is a sewage ejector pump?

When a bathroom is located at a depth lower than the home’s sewer line, a sewage ejector pumps (also sometimes called a sewage grinder pump) is installed to forcefully pump the sewage to the proper elevation. Sometimes in homes where the bathroom is not below the sewer line but is just about even with it, the sewage still may not flow fast enough on its own and will also require a sewage ejector pump.

Second, what does it do?

In the most basic terms, the sewage ejector pump elevates sewage to the level of the main sewer line and ejects it into the correct pipes at the correct speeds.

Finally, how do I get one?

If you think you may need to install a sewage ejector pump in your home or believe that your existing pump needs maintenance, give us a call.

Toilet Repair / Replacement

Have you decided that it is time for a new toilet, or are doing a little remodeling and want to replace it with an upgraded version? No matter what your reason we can help! We will review your different toilet options and brands to help you make an informed decision. You can either choose to go with a standard toilet or the new low-flow toilets.

Here is some information on low-flow toilets.
The average person flushes the toilet six times a day. The average low-flow toilet uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush versus older technology toilets which used up to 7 gallons per flush. Water conservation like this not only helps the environment, but it can also help your wallet as well by consistently lowering your water bill each month. Though low-flow toilets can cost a bit more to install initially, the economic benefits over time are quickly making low-flow toilets an industry standard.

Despite their many obvious advantages, low-flow toilets are not known for their power and can sometimes fail to flush a particularly large bundle. Though we here at Nowthen plumbing are happy to drive from Anoka to Andover and back again to help you with a clog, we know that you’d rather just avoid the situation altogether to begin with. New technology is making it possible to get powerful flushing and water conservation all in one.

Truth-in-Housing Inspection Repairs

Truth-in-Housing is an ordinance enforced by certain cities in Minnesota to provide accurate information on the condition of a property for sale. When a seller decides to sell their home in these specific cities they must have a truth-in-housing inspection (also sometimes known as time-of-sale evaluation or point-of-purchase inspection) done by a qualified city or city approved inspector. Any items that come up on the inspection must be taken care of by the seller before the buyer closes on the property, unless otherwise negotiated. The reason for truth-in-housing is to keep up the quality of the homes in the city. The truth-in-sales housing inspection requirements vary by city, so to learn more about your city requirements please contact them directly.

We here are Nowthen Plumbing have made many Truth-in-Housing plumbing repairs over the years. So if you are in need of a plumber to make repairs to your home quickly and efficiently please give us a call.

Water Heater Repair / Replacement

Nowthen Plumbing proudly installs A.O. Smith brand water heaters in residential and commercial applications. The company has been in business for nearly 80 years. They deliver long-lasting, reliable service with features our customers value. Parts are readily available locally so if they should need service it can be performed quickly.

Information about Hot Water Heaters

Here are a few ways to tell when it is time to repair your hot water heater:

1. Age. It is wise to look at how long your hot water heater has been working. The life expectancy of a gas hot water heater is approximately 8 – 12 years, while the life expectancy of an electric model is 10 – 15 years. Lastly, tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of about 20 years.

2. Flooded area around the water heater. At the end of the water heaters life you will find a growing puddle of water around it. This is a pretty clear sign that it is time to replace it.

3. Water is not as hot or you run out of hot water quickly. You will notice that your hot water is not lasting as long as it used to when the hot water heater was functioning correctly.

The first thing we will discuss is how much hot water you use on a daily basis, especially during those peak hours. Next we will look at what type of hot water heater fits your needs. Most often it is best to stick with what you have installed already.

Although we are very quick at installing new hot water heaters it is wise not to wait until the last minute to replace it, unless you don’t mind cold water of course.
If you have small children in your home it is no mystery that they like to play with levers, buttons and turn everything on and off. One way that children are burned each year is by water that is too hot. If they reach up and turn the hot water on while taking a bath or playing in the bathtub they could be seriously burned – it only takes a few seconds.

Adjusting Hot Water Heater Temperatures for Children in Your Home
It is suggested that you turn the temperature on your hot water heater down to 120 degrees to lessen your chances of burns. It takes only a few seconds for a child to get a third degree burn when the temperature is set any higher than that. To learn how to adjust your hot water heater consult your owner’s manual or ask us for help the next time we are out at your house.

Tankless Water Heaters

One of the latest advances in water heater technology is the tankless water heater. They are appealing for several reasons:

1. They heat water only as it’s being used.

2. They save space by mounting on the wall, taking up much less space than a model with a tank.

3. They conserve energy by heating water only when it’s called for and not on standby.

As with all A.O. Smith water heaters the built in safety features mean you don’t have to give your water heater a second thought, once it’s installed professionally by Nowthen Plumbing!

Water Treatment (Water Softeners and Filters)

Most people that have hard water in their homes choose to install a water softener or water filtration system. For information on your different water softener options, the cost of water softeners, and preferred brands give us a call. We will discuss your needs and give you suggestions. Once you make a decision on the water treatment system you want, our team of trained professionals will come out to your home and install everything for you. We will also answer any questions that you have.

Don’t see your plumbing issue listed here? Don’t worry! This is just a sampling of the many services we provide. If in doubt, just pick up the phone and call us today.
You can reach us at 763-753-5216.

Additional Residential & Commercial Plumbing Services

We perform plumbing remodeling and new construction services for homeowners, remodelers and builders throughout the Twin Cities metro area:

Our extensive experience and focused knowledge in the unique needs of and differences between residential plumbing and commercial plumbing. We put this to knowledge and experience to work on every project, emphasizing structural integrity, sound workmanship and efficiency in completion.

Plumbing Brands Used

Throughout our years we have come to know the most reputable and reliable brands in the industry:

  • American Standard
  • A.O. Smith
  • Bradford White
  • Delta
  • Grohe
  • Jacuzzi

  • Kohler
  • Moen
  • Newport Brass
  • Northstar
  • Rheem
  • TOTO

Call Nowthen Plumbing for Fast Response Times and Fair Prices

Reach out to our professional plumbing company in the Twin Cities metro for fast service at the right price. We can help you quickly identify the issue and solution, provide you with an accurate estimate, and then take care of business.

If you need service immediately, pick up the phone and call us at 763-753-5216. You can also contact our Elk River plumbers online to submit a residential plumbing service request.