Could You Live Without Your Shower?

December 11th, 2012 Posted in Bathroom Repairs
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Many people would answer a hearty ‘No!’ to that question. The shower has become the preferred means of bathing our bodies for most people. They are quicker than filling a tub with water and can be an invigorating way to start the day. In addition, the squeaky clean feeling you get after having rinsed off all the grime with the soap just can’t be compared to that of a bath. We take our showers very much for granted until we have to go without one for a few days, but you may not realize that showers have been a regular part of home bathing for a relatively short time.

Just think about all the cowboy movies you’ve seen. Did you ever see a cowboy take a shower? No. It was always a bath. It didn’t take long for this to change. As soon as indoor plumbing and running water became a standard in homes, people began finding ways to get their cleansing from overhead.

There were showerheads attached to clawfoot tubs and handheld shower attachments for your tub faucet. Although you’ll find multi-head showers in mansions from the early 1900’s, the shower or shower-tub combination didn’t become a common bathroom plumbing feature in most homes until the second half of the 20th century.

The next time you step into your nice warm shower, you might want to think about how nice it is to be living in a time and place where you can enjoy that little luxury that we so easily take for granted.

 

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What You Need to Know About Your Sump Pump

December 11th, 2012 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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If you are planning to build a home or already own a home, the subject of sump pumps should be of interest to you. A sump pump is an electrical pump that is generally located below the basement slab. Its purpose is to remove water that could potential damage your home. This could be ground water from flooding or water from an overflow of some type in your home. When the water reaches the sump pump, the pump automatically begins to operate and pump the water out of and away from the house. You might consider it your dry basement insurance policy.

Many people have sump pumps in their homes that have never been activated. They have not had any basement water problems. This does not mean, they never will. However, the fact that the pump has not been used is one of the best reasons to do a maintenance test. If and when the pump is needed, you want to make sure that it will perform like it is expected to.

If you know your sump pump is frequently used to alleviate water problems, that just means you should have your pump checked more frequently. You want to be secure in the knowledge that when the water reaches the pump it will be activated like it is supposed to. The worst way to find out your pump needs repair or replacement is by finding your basement flooded with water.

Having a working sump pump in your basement is a very inexpensive means of protecting your home and the equipment and items located in your lowest level.

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Plumbing Estimates on Foreclosure Properties

December 11th, 2012 Posted in Repair Costs
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The real estate market has been flooded with foreclosure properties. Often times, these properties can be purchased at a below market price. However, these properties also do not come with any homeowner guarantees. They are sold ‘as is.’

Unfortunately, one of the most frequent problem areas found in foreclosure properties is in the plumbing. Foreclosed properties often have not had proper maintenance from the previous owners, due to their economic situation. After the property is foreclosed on, the evicted owners are sometimes also destructive to the property before they leave. Issues with plumbing fixtures may be visible, but many other issues within the plumbing system may not be determined until you are able to turn on the power and water in the home.

In spite of the possibility of hidden issues, having a plumber inspect and provide an estimate on possible bathroom repairs or other plumbing repairs can be very helpful in determining the restoration costs that will be required for the property. A plumbing professional will be able to spot some signs of plumbing system problems that the average homeowner might overlook.

The costs involved in doing extensive plumbing repairs or renovations in an existing home can be much higher than doing the same work for a new home. Getting a rough estimate from one or more plumbers before you buy will give you a much more accurate financial picture regarding your investment in a foreclosure property.

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Hiring a Plumber You Can Trust

December 11th, 2012 Posted in Choosing a Reputable Plumber
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Whenever you hire a plumber to clear a clogged drain, install a new water heater, or any other plumbing job, you want to hire someone whom you can trust to do the job right and charge reasonable prices for their services. It really isn’t that difficult to establish the existence of these qualities for any plumber that you consider. The biggest mistake most homeowners make in hiring a plumber is not taking the time to follow a few basic steps before they make their decision.

1.      Licensed. Always ask for the plumber’s license number. A professional plumber will have their license number on their business cards and other forms of advertisement or company stationery. Be wary of anyone who does not have their license number readily available.

2.      Written estimates and contracts. A professional will always provide you with a written estimate and contract, especially if you request one. Even if you are receiving service work that will be billed on a time and material basis, a professional should be willing to provide the billing terms in a written proposal that states the rate per hour. For larger projects, a detailed estimate, which details all material, permits and labor to be included in the contract price, should be expected.

3.      References. A legitimate professional should be happy to provide you with the names and phone numbers of past customers who have had similar work performed. Ask for them, and take the time to contact them, before you hire any plumber. Ask the references specific questions about the project performed and the plumber’s reliability in completing the work on time and within budget.

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Top 5 Reasons Homeowners Hire a Plumber

December 11th, 2012 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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There are many plumbing repairs and installations that most homeowners are capable of doing on their own, but there are a few that should be or must be handled by a professional, licensed plumber. Here are the top 5 reasons why homeowners hire a licensed plumber.

  1. New Plumbing. If you’re building a new home or building an addition to a home that includes new plumbing, a licensed plumber will be required in most locations to gain the proper permits and ensure proper installation to local and state building codes.
  2. Changes to Existing Plumbing. Remodels that require re-routing or moving of existing plumbing lines and fixtures are also a top reason for hiring a professional plumber. Again, a licensed plumber will know whether permits are needed and what needs to be done to keep your plumbing installation within the code mandates.
  3. Water Heaters. When your water heater is no longer providing hot water, a call to the plumber is often in order. A licensed plumber can diagnose the problem and advise the homeowner on the pros and cons of repairs versus replacement of their current water heater. If replacement is the best option, the plumber can generally provide the water heater and install it, as well.
  4. Clogged Toilets. Most clogged toilets can be cleared with the help of a plunger, but when the clog is more stubborn or sewage is backing up into the house, a professional plumber is the one who gets called in to fix the problem.
  5. Plumbing Leaks. When water is founding pooling under the sink or in other areas under home plumbing, it is usually a wise decision to call in a licensed plumber to make sure the problem is properly corrected.

 

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Common Toilet Repair Issues

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Toilets
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We’re all thankful to have the benefit of indoor toilets rather than the outhouses and chamber pots of our grandparent’s generation. Unfortunately, our modern commodes are not without their problems. It’s no fun when a toilet no longer operates the way it is supposed to. Here are some of the most common toilet repair issues and their potential causes:

  • Won’t flush. When your toilet won’t flush at all, the problem is often either in the handle or the interior flushing mechanism in the water tank of the toilet. The handle of your toilet is connected to a mechanism, often a lever and chain, which lifts the ball cock and allows the water to flow out of the tank and into the bowl. If the handle has broken or the chain has become tangled, detached or broken, the ball cock won’t be lifted and the toilet won’t flush. Sometimes this is a simple DIY repair and other times it will require the purchase of new parts to repair the situation.
     
  • Clogged toilet. This is definitely the worst situation to encounter when it comes to toilet repair. Most times when your toilet bowl will not empty when it is flushed or empties very slowly, that is an indication of a clogged toilet. Your handy ‘plumber’s helper’ or toilet plunger is always the first resort and often all that is needed to dislodge the clog and allow the toilet bowl to drain. If this solution does not work, a foreign object may have been flushed down the toilet that is securely lodged. This may require the assistance of a plumber to determine the problem and dislodge the obstruction.
  • Water keeps running. This problem can be not only annoying, but costly to your utility bills. Just like the toilet that won’t flush. This problem can come from the handle itself or from a number of issues with the flushing mechanism inside the tank. It may take some investigation to determine the cause and correct the situation.
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Causes of Low Water Pressure in Your Home

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Faucet Repairs
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Nothing feels better than a good strong blast of warm water from your showerhead on a cool morning. However, when low water pressure transforms the flow from forceful to a limp drizzle, it loses its invigorating affect. Whether it is a showerhead or a faucet, there can be several causes to a decrease in water pressure.

If you’ve replaced older faucets with newer faucets in your home, you may notice a decrease in water pressure. That’s because faucets manufactured since 1994 have been required to include flow inhibitors to meet EPA standards. Faucets made prior to that time period had no flow restrictors.

If you have just moved into a new home or have recently replaced faucets in your home, there may be another reason for low water pressure. Debris and sediment can collect in the water lines during construction or during any shut down of the water flow in your home. Your faucets and showerhead have aerators or filters that may become clogged with that debris and affect the flow of your water.

To remedy this cause of low water pressure, simply remove the aerators from each faucet and clean them out. Do the same for your showerhead. Run the water through the faucets and shower spout, with both cold and hot water turned on, for at least two minutes to clear any additional debris. (You may need to create a temporary shield with a bucket to prevent the water from spraying out of the sinks while running without the aerators in place.) Replace the showerhead and faucet aerators.

If you are not able to determine the cause of your low water pressure yourself, it is time to call in a professional plumber to diagnose the problem.

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Pressure Control Valve Versus Thermostatic Control Valve

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Many people remember the days when flushing the toilet while the shower was running could create a drastic change in water temperature or pressure for the person in the shower. Some people in older homes may still experience this. Newer homes are built with either pressure control valves or thermostatic control valves to prevent this situation from happening. With these valves installed, your shower should maintain a constant temperature regardless of what other plumbing fixtures are being used at the time.

Most homes today have pressure control valves rather than the thermostat variety, simply because the pressure control valve is lower in price. A pressure control valve makes adjustments in the outflow from your shower to adjust for any changes in pressure from either the cold or hot water pipes, so the mix of hot and cold water remains the same and the water temperature is constant.

A thermostatic control valve for plumbing fixtures is often referred to as a mixing valve. Instead of adjusting for a decrease or increase in water pressure from the two sources, a thermostatic mixing valve adjusts the water temperature by adjusting the amount of hot and cold water that are being combined, so that the temperature of the water outflow remains constant. Generally speaking, a thermostatic control valve allows for more accurate temperature adjustment than you would get with a pressure control valve.

Pressure control valves and thermostatic control valves can be installed in the water lines of older homes to remedy the changes in water temperature and pressure, however, your plumbing professional will need to assess the current plumbing system to determine how well the new valve will function in conjunction with the existing plumbing system.

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Cleaning and Care of Your Faucets

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Faucet Repairs
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Faucets are seldom chosen simply for their utilitarian function; they are a part of your décor. That is why we have so many different styles and finishes to choose from. Chrome, brass, bronze and copper finishes are all available, as well as designer color choices. Styles come in sleek contemporary forms for the modern home, antique replicas for the period home and plenty of traditional styles for the homeowner to choose from as well.

The faucets always look beautiful when first installed, but keeping them shiny and looking new, does require proper care and cleaning. There is nothing complicated about caring for your faucets, but there are a few do’s and don’ts that need to be kept in mind.

  • Don’t let water droplets dry on your faucet when cleaning. Wipe them dry with a soft cloth to prevent mineral deposit being left behind.
  • If you do get water spots left on the faucet finish, wash off with warm water and buff dry with a soft cloth. For harder mineral deposits, use a half-and-half solution of water and vinegar to remove the deposits, rinse with plain water and buff dry.
  • Don’t use tub & tile cleaners on your faucet or shower fixtures. These have more caustic cleaning agents in them that can dull the finish.
  • Use of gentle household cleaners or window cleaners will leave your faucets shining.
  • The aerator on the spout of your faucet can get clogged with mineral deposits from hard water. To clean the aerator, simply remove it and let it soak in vinegar overnight. In the morning, rinse it with clean water and replace.
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Frozen Water Pipes Can Cause Major Damage

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you’ve ever had water pipes freeze in your home, you know that it can be, at the very least, a frustrating experience. If you are one of the unlucky homeowner’s who have actually had frozen water pipes burst, then you understand just how extensive the damage can be in that situation.

The water pipes that are mostly likely to freeze are those that are located in or near an outside wall or pipes in an unheated crawlspace. The water in the pipes can freeze during an unusually cold dip in temperature. This is usually not an issue in a well-insulated and heated home. Homes in areas that don’t normally have extremely cold weather can be susceptible, as well as homes which are vacant during a cold snap with no one maintaining the heat levels in the home.

The first sign that you have a frozen water pipe is often when you are unable to get any, or very little, water from a faucet. The ice in the pipe is blocking the flow of water. The danger of major damage comes not only from the fact that the ice may break the pipe itself, but that the break in the pipe could quickly flood your home with water.

A burst water line may not be immediately evident, since the ice in the pipe may actually be keeping the water blocked inside the pipe. It is when the ice begins to thaw that the leakage starts to happen and you are at risk of having gallons of water pour into your home. Professional plumbers understand these dynamics and know how to check for these potential problems. If you suspect frozen water pipes in your home, contact a plumber immediately so they can assess the situation and assist you in minimizing the damage which can result.

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