Lou’s Plumbing & Heating

06/19/2026

Ask Uncle Lou: Question of the Day

Be honest… do you know where your main water shutoff valve is?

If a pipe bursts, a toilet supply line leaks, or a water heater decides to retire early, that shutoff valve is the difference between a small mess and your basement auditioning for a lake house.

Uncle Lou says: finding your main shutoff during an emergency is like looking for your glasses while you’re already wearing them — frustrating, avoidable, and usually happening at the worst possible time.

Drop your answer in the comments:

Yes — I know exactly where it is
No — I should probably find it
I have no idea what that even looks like

Lou’s Plumbing & Heating
First Call — Only Call

06/19/2026

Uncle Lou’s Daily Tip: Shower & Tub Cartridges

A shower cartridge is kind of like the bouncer at the front door of your water supply. Its job is to decide how much water gets in, how hot it is, and when the party is over.

But when that cartridge wears out, the bouncer quits doing his job. Suddenly the handle says “off,” but the water says, “I’m not leaving.”

If your shower or tub keeps dripping, won’t shut off, has weak pressure, or the temperature is acting goofy, the cartridge may be worn out.

It might seem like a small part, but ignoring it can waste water and turn a simple repair into a bigger headache.

Lou’s Plumbing & Heating can help get your shower back under control.

First Call. Only Call.

Call now to connect with business.

06/19/2026

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05/26/2026

Uncle Lou’s Daily Tip: Know Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve

Every homeowner should know where the main water shut-off valve is located in their home.

That one valve can be the difference between a small plumbing issue and a flooded basement.

If a pipe breaks, a water heater fails, a supply line bursts, or a fixture starts leaking badly, the first thing you need to do is shut the water off to the home. But here’s the problem: a lot of older shut-off valves don’t work when you actually need them.

Over time, main shut-off valves can become:

Stuck
Corroded
Leaky
Partially closing but not fully shutting water off
So old they break when someone tries to turn them

If your main water shut-off valve is hard to turn, dripping, crusted over, or you’re not sure it actually works, it may be time to have it replaced before an emergency happens.

A good shut-off valve gives you control when something goes wrong.

Uncle Lou’s advice: Find your main shut-off, make sure everyone in the house knows where it is, and have it checked if it looks old or questionable.

No job is too big or too small.

Lou’s Plumbing & Heating
First Call. Only Call.

05/18/2026

Uncle Lou’s Plumbing Tip of the Day: Check Your Sump Pump Before You Need It

Uncle Lou always said, “A sump pump is like a good umbrella — you don’t think about it much until the storm shows up.”

Moral of the story: the best time to check your sump pump is before the rain starts falling and the water starts rising.

Your sump pump is one of those quiet pieces of equipment that protects your home in the background. When it is working, you barely notice it. But when it fails, the damage can happen fast — wet carpet, damaged flooring, soaked drywall, ruined storage, mold concerns, and a basement full of stress.

A good sump pump check should include making sure the pump turns on properly, the float moves freely, the pit is clear of debris, the discharge line is open, the check valve is working, and the pump is actually moving water away from the home.

If your pump is old, noisy, running constantly, not turning on, or you simply have not looked at it in a while, now is a good time to have it checked.

At Lou’s Plumbing & Heating, we can inspect your sump pump, test operation, check the discharge setup, and let you know if anything needs attention.

Don’t wait for a heavy rain to find out your sump pump is not ready.

Lou’s Plumbing & Heating
First Call. Only Call.

05/12/2026

Small repair. Big difference.

Today’s plumbing reminder: a faucet or shower cartridge may seem like a small part, but when it starts to fail, it can create bigger problems than most people expect.

A worn cartridge can cause dripping, leaking, poor temperature control, low water pressure, water hammer, or trouble shutting the water off completely. In some cases, it can also put extra stress on the valve body or allow water to leak where you cannot see it right away.

Changing a cartridge is usually not a major repair, but ignoring one can turn a simple fix into damaged fixtures, wasted water, stained surfaces, or a much more expensive repair later.

At Lou’s Plumbing & Heating, we believe the small jobs matter just as much as the big ones. Whether it is a cartridge replacement, a leaking faucet, a running toilet, a water heater, a drain issue, or a larger remodel project, we are happy to help.

No job is too big or too small for Lou’s Plumbing & Heating.

Lou’s Plumbing & Heating
First Call. Only Call.

05/11/2026

Another clean gas line addition completed by Lou’s Plumbing & Heating.

This customer needed additional gas access on the rooftop for multiple appliances/equipment connections, so we installed a properly supported gas line extension with an exterior manifold and individual shutoff valves for each connection point.

Gas work is not the place to guess, shortcut, or “make it work.” Every connection matters. Every support matters. Every shutoff matters. Whether it is a rooftop appliance, garage heater, outdoor kitchen, fireplace, water heater, or future gas appliance, the line needs to be installed safely, cleanly, and with long-term serviceability in mind.

We take the time to think through access, support, shutoff locations, future service, and a clean finished installation.

Need a gas line added or extended?

Lou’s Plumbing & Heating
First Call, Only Call

05/11/2026

Today we’re helping one of our clients move their laundry from the basement up into the kitchen for easier access and everyday convenience.

They’ve chosen a ventless stackable washer/dryer unit that operates on 110V, which makes the relocation more flexible. Our scope includes running new hot and cold water lines, installing a new laundry drain and vent, and routing the plumbing from the existing system across the hall and up into the kitchen area.

It’s a great example of how thoughtful plumbing changes can make a home more functional without requiring a major addition or full remodel.

05/10/2026

Clearing tree roots from a sewer line in Tea, SD.

Older shade trees are beautiful, but when they’re planted near foundations and sewer lines, their roots can eventually create serious drain problems. Slow drains, repeat backups, gurgling fixtures, or sewer odors can all be signs that roots have found their way into the line.

At Lou’s Plumbing & Heating, we believe sewer and drain work should start with a real diagnosis — not a sales script.

Too many big home service companies are backed by private equity money, shareholders, and growth targets that turn every service call into a sales opportunity. That is not how we do business.

When something goes wrong in your home, you should be able to trust that the person standing in front of you is there to solve the problem — not to meet a quota, push an upsell, or protect investor profits.

Keep it local. Keep it honest. Keep it small-town.

Lou’s Plumbing & Heating
First Call. Only Call.