Adding A Guest Bathroom

November 30th, 2012 Posted in Bathroom Repairs
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Many homes, especially older ones, are shy on the amount of bathrooms they have. As a family grows, there always seems to be less bathrooms then the need. Since bathrooms are a very private area and an area that gets messy often, it is nice to have an extra bathroom or powder room that is just for guests. Adding a small half bath or powder room can give you that extra bathroom you need and also add to the value of your home.

Finding Space

It can be hard to imagine where you can fit an extra bathroom when you are looking at an existing space. However, since a powder room is small with only a sink and toilet needed, the area can be fairly small. The minimum space needed can be as little as 18 square feet. The easiest and less expensive option is to have it adjoining a wall that has plumbing and electricity all ready. But that is not necessary. Some ideas to look for:

  •  Kitchen. If there is a space off the kitchen, it may be less expensive in plumbing and electrician costs.
  • Closets. Trading a closet for an extra bathroom is always an option.
  • Porches. Enclosing part of a porch can make space for a bathroom.
  • Corners. Many homes have large rooms that can spare the corner space to add that additional bath.

Once you find a place, have a licensed plumber come in and inspect what will be need to add the plumbing. If the area will take extensive work to add water, they may have a solution that can make it easier that you have not thought of. Once the project is a go, you can start shopping for your fixtures and in no time, you will have the extra bathroom you have always wanted!

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Adding An Outdoor Shower

November 30th, 2012 Posted in Faucet Repairs
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Having an outside shower is an amazing experience. It is refreshing and relaxing, as well as a very useful fixture. There are several reasons to consider adding an outdoor shower to your home, some that are practical and some that are just for your own pleasure.

Hot Tub And Pool Owners

Chlorine and other chemicals in pools and hot tubs need to be washed off after you use them. Instead of your family tracking through the house to the bathroom to shower, it is much nicer and convenient to have an outside shower for them to rinse off in.

 Dog Owners

Washing your dog in a bathtub or shower can create a big mess.  A cleaner and more convenient solution is to use an outside shower instead. This is easier on the dog, saves strain on your back and has much less clean up. No wet paw prints throughout your house!

 Pure Enjoyment

What better way to cool off on a hot day then to jump into a refreshing shower outdoors? Having an outside shower to splash off the days heat or just to relax in under the sky can be a wonderful experience.

 Be Creative

Outside showers can be as simple as adding faucets, a showerhead, and drain in the open or even use a portable shower device. However, the ideal outside shower is an enclosed area with privacy and atmosphere. You can use plants, cedar planks or screens to create a private area. Add shelving and other amenities to store your shower essentials.

Once you have an outside shower, you will wonder how you ever lived without one. It is an addition to your home that is both luxurious and very useful.

 

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Proper Garbage Disposal Usage

November 30th, 2012 Posted in Garbage Disposals
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Garbage disposals get a work out in most homes. Although they are meant to grind up food so it can be safely disposed of through your waste system, often they are not used properly or used to dispose of foods they cannot handle. Clogs and damage to the unit can happen, resulting in repair or replacement of the device.

Preventing Clogs

The most common issue with garbage disposals is clogs. This usually happens for two reasons. Either the wrong foods are being put into the disposal or there is not enough water added to flush the system. Some easy ways to avoid clogs are:

No peels. Potato and banana peels often are behind many clogs. These peels can create a mushy, stringy paste that can clog the disposal. Do not put these peels in your disposal, throw them in the garbage or into your compost pile.

Coffee grounds. Probably one of the most common issues are coffee grounds. These granules stick inside the pipes and can quickly cause a clog. If there are grounds in the bottom of a cup or pot, wipe it out and throw the grounds away.

Egg shells. These have a similar effect to coffee grounds. The hard, small pieces get hung up in slug in your pipes and can easily clog the drain.

Flushing. Your disposal needs water to flush the food debris through. Run water while grinding and then for about 30 seconds afterwards to flush out debris.

If your disposal is not used properly, it will most likely end up burning itself out or become clogged. If this happens, a plumber can remove the clog, or if needed, repair or replace the unit.

 

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Save Water, Energy And Money With Efficient Appliances

November 30th, 2012 Posted in Tankless Water Heaters
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Almost all appliances and water equipment now come in energy and water saving models. Not only are these newer appliances better for the environment and a green choice; they can also be good for your pocket book. When replacing old appliances and equipment within your home, consider the benefits of switching to these more efficient devices.

  • Washers. New low energy and water washers use new technology to get larger loads clean. Instead of filling the washers with water like their predecessors, they spin and flip the clothes through a stream of water instead of soaking them. This can save up to 20% in energy and 35% in water costs.
  • Dishwashers. Older dishwasher can waste up to 10 gallons every load. New efficient models use new innovations to get dishes cleaner using less water and energy. Improved filters, sensors and jets make these new models work smarter, focusing their energy on getting the off the grime without wasting water.
  • Tankless water heaters. One of the biggest savers in energy and water are the new tankless water heaters. These models take up less space and can even be mounted outside. They do not have a tank, so water is only heated when it’s needed, saving energy and water all year round. When you are ready to replace your old heater, a professional plumber can install your new tankless heater.

Although most people cannot afford to go out and replace all their appliances at once, replacing your older equipment as they wear out with these efficient models is a smart choice. They will save money in the long run and be less wasteful.

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Trenchless Water Pipe Repair And Replacement

November 30th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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There are new methods that can be used for replacing or repairing sewer and water pipes that are underground. Instead of tearing up your yard, these new techniques can use the old pipes or lines without having to pull them up. This can save your landscaping, sidewalks and driveways from being ruined; making it more cost efficient in the long run and less disruptive.

Pipe Relining

One option is relining the old pipes, either through a pull-in-place method or an inversion method. Both insert new lining into the old broken pipes, either by pulling it through and filling it with epoxy or rolled out and inflated with water, air or steam until cured. Either way, this means the broken pipes do not need to be removed, so no digging. The liner dries inside the old pipes, basically creating a new pipe inside the old one.

Pipe Replacement

Another way to replace old or broken pipes underground without tearing up the lawn or driveway is to use the existing lines to install the new pipes. This method pulls the new pipes through the old pipes from the house to the main, using the existing path to install the new pipe. These systems basically break up the old pipe as they go, so even if a larger pipe is installed then the old one, this method still can be used.

These new trenchless sewer line replacement techniques are not only easier on your yard and property; they also are less expensive and take less time to complete. There is less mess and these methods save your root system that is in your yard. Many repairs or installations can be done in as little as one day.

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What’s Missing in Kitchen Sinks: The Overflow

November 22nd, 2012 Posted in Uncategorized
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For those who have traveled outside of the United States, they may notice that other countries have overflows in their kitchen sinks just like in the bathtub and bathroom sink.  So, why don’t we have them?

We Don’t Need Them

The simple truth is that it isn’t required by regulation or code so most manufacturers just don’t make them.  Having an overflow can cause a sanitation hazard as food gets trapped inside.  This could become a serious issue and require continual calls to a plumber to fix.  While European designers have addressed the issue by making it easier to get to the overflow to clean, American manufacturers have chosen not to have them at all.

The Purpose of An Overflow

The overflow is there to prevent a disaster on the floor if you forget to shut off the water.  In a tub, you can walk away while it is filling and an overflow prevents a mess for when you return.  These accidents just don’t happen that often in a kitchen sink.

European designers have been making their sinks that way for years and probably have just continued on because it is tradition.  Homeowners may expect to see an overflow in their kitchen sinks and manufacturers have just continued to make them.  In America, it is more of a case of “you can’t miss what you never had.”

If you need to update or install a new kitchen sink, you can work with your local plumber to determine the right design for you.  They can help you locate a kitchen sink that meets codes and fits in with your design.

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The Pros and Cons of Stainless Steel Sinks

November 22nd, 2012 Posted in Kitchen Sinks
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Stainless steel has achieved the reputation of being a high-end material in kitchen appliances.  Many remodels involve adding a stainless steel sink as part of the new look.  As elegant and stylish as it may appear, stainless steel is not for everyone.  Here are the pros and cons of upgrading your sink.

The Good

One of the best features of a stainless steel sink is that it goes with any décor or color of appliances.  You don’t have to upgrade everything in your kitchen when you change out the sink.  It is also easy to clean and affordable.  Other benefits:

  • Doesn’t chip
  • Heat resistant
  • Doesn’t stain
  • Doesn’t tarnish

The Bad

While it sounds almost perfect, stainless steel is not right for everyone.  Here are a few reasons you might not want to get one.

  • It scratches
  • It can look dull over time
  • It can be noisy when you wash dishes
  • The finish can wear off
  • Can dent, especially the thinner choices
  • Seams can be difficult to clean

First, weigh these qualities to decide if a stainless steel sink is the right choice for you.  Then ask yourself a few questions to help you select the right one.  You’ll have to determine if you want a single or double bowl, what kind of mount you want, or if you want one that is built into your countertop.  You will also have to select the depth that suits your needs.  Then you can contact your plumber to have handle the kitchen sink installation so you can begin to enjoy the new addition to your kitchen.

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The Latest in Bathroom Vanity Designs

November 22nd, 2012 Posted in Bathroom Remodeling
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The bathroom vanity is often the focal point of a bathroom and sets the theme for the entire room.  Here are some suggestions for design ideas if you are planning a bathroom remodeling to update your bathroom from practical to pizazz.

Since single vanities use less material in them, you can afford to be a little fancier with the design for the price.  Light marble countertop on a dark wood body adds a look of sophistication to a room.  You can also repurpose an old wooden table as a vanity with a sink set in the table and the faucet and handles placed in the wall to conserve sink space.  You would have to work with your plumber to relocate the pipes but it can give the bathroom a trendy look with practicality.

You can also attach the entire vanity to the wall in a floating design as opposed to just the faucet.  This can open up a small room and provide an unusual look.  If you’re not afraid to sacrifice storage in your bathroom, you can also choose a pedestal sink or single countertop with no vanity underneath.  This makes the room feel bigger, but you lose additional storage.

Color is also important when selecting your new vanity.  If you have a small bathroom, avoid dark colors or bold patterns that can seem busy.  Instead opt for light tones or neutral colors to open up the room.

When you select the vanity that is perfect for your bathroom, contact your local plumber to help you get it installed.  They can address any plumbing changes required while helping you update the look of your bathroom.

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How to Diagnose a Running Toilet

November 22nd, 2012 Posted in Toilets
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A toilet that runs all of the time can end up being costly for your water bill.  If you have a toilet that runs constantly, you can do a few checks to determine the cause before calling a plumber.  Here are some tricks to help you find out what the problem is so that you can purchase the right parts for toilet repair.

One of the first issues to check is if the flapper is not sealing properly.  The flapper is a partially flat rubber lid that covers the water valve to shut off the flow.  The flapper can lose its seal so that it does not close all of the way.  To find out if this is the problem, use a stick to press down on the flapper.  If the water stops, then the flapper needs to be replaced.

Also, look at the float, which is a large round ball attached to a long arm that rises with the level of water.  Once it gets to a certain position, it triggers the shut-off valve to stop the running water.  If the float does not reach that level, the water will continue to run.  Check the arm to make sure it isn’t bent or corroded to keep it from rising and make sure the ball is not filling with water.

You will need to check the chain that lifts the flapper to empty the tank and drops to let it fill.  If the chain is too short, it will not allow the flapper to close correctly.  A chain that’s too long can get caught under the flapper and cause the toilet to run constantly.

Once the problem is diagnosed, you can call your plumber and let them know the problem so they can bring the correct parts and make the repairs quickly.

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Why You Should Consider a Dual Flush Toilet

November 22nd, 2012 Posted in Toilets
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You may have seen them in public bathrooms or even at someone’s house, but dual flow toilets are still a fairly new sensation.  They are catching on quickly because of the amount of water savings they bring.  They are already quite popular in Europe and other countries, and now the US is getting on board.

Dual flush toilets have two separate mechanisms for flushing.  The first is a half flush used for urine while the full flush gets rid of solid waste and uses more water.  The benefit of using this type of toilet is that it conserves water, which is why it is so popular in countries where water is in short supply.

To choose a dual flow toilet, you will want to check its performance rating, called the Maximum Performance Testing or MaP.  This tells you how well the toilet cleans the bowl with a flush.  You will also want to find one that meets the High Efficiency Toilet standard for the best savings in both water and money.

As with any other toilet, you need to try out different options to find the right height and size to be comfortable.  The popular standard for dual flush toilets on height is the same as regular toilets at 17-19 inches.  Even the shape of the seat can make a difference on your selection whether you prefer the round bowl of elongated for saving space.

Once you select the dual flow toilet you like, you will want to contact your local plumber to install it for you.  Your plumber can do a professional installation and you will be saving water and money in no time.

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