Unclogging Your Bathtub Drain

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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What should you do about your clogged bathtub drain? First a word about prevention. It is imperative that you are using a properly fitted drain cover. This will catch hair, dirt and soap residue before it enters your pipes. Ideally, after showering you can simply empty this preliminary safeguard in the garbage on a daily basis and prevent your bathtub from getting clogged in the first place.

When you notice your bathtub is beginning to drain slowly but water is not accumulating more than a couple inches, you can gently use a bathroom plunger to dislodge the clog that is on the verge of fully blocking your pipes. It is important that you do this in the very early stages of the clogging, as a fully blocked pipe can be seriously damaged from the effects of applying this pressure. This is also a good time to make a mixture of ⅓ cup baking soda and ⅓ cup vinegar and let it sit in the drain for 10 minutes to dissolve the clog. Harsh chemicals are generally not recommended by plumbing professionals, because of damage they can cause to pipes.

If your clog has graduated to the extent that you have many inches of standing water after a shower, you may have a serious blockage, and you’ll need to address the mess at the source: pulling the entire clog from the pipes with a snake or a hooked device. These can be purchased at your local hardware store.

If the clog is too far into the piping system to be reached or if you don’t want to take on this project on your own, call your local plumber who can be trusted to clear clogged drains quickly without damaging your drain pipes.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Is It Time for a Bathroom Remodel?

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Bathroom Remodeling
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Is your bathroom showing wear and tear from years of use and abuse? Do guests and family members feel like they’re travelling back in time when they enter your bathroom door? Or perhaps you want to save on electric and water bills by putting in more efficient water and lighting options. If any of these scenarios describe your situation, consider a bathroom remodel.

A standard bathroom remodel can do wonders for your morning moods, home value and overall happiness in the room you use numerous times a day.

Depending on the extent of your remodel ambitions, you may want to hire a contractor or a plumbing professional. Doing so will establish a well thought out plan in regards to accomplishing your desired end result in a timely and cost efficient manner.

If you like a good challenge and have either the necessary skills or desire to learn about do-it-yourself remodeling, you can plan the entire project yourself and carry it out to completion. This may, however, involve such arduous tasks as removing moldy or rotting tile and wall structure, major reconstruction of plumbing and the careful wielding of a caulking gun. If you take on the project yourself, it’s always best to have a plumbing professional a phone call away in case you get yourself in a pinch.

Some people choose to mix and match their supplies by visiting numerous stores, purchasing paint, tools, fixtures, tile, and whatever else may be needed for the project. An easier and more popular option is to visit a store that sells an entire bathroom package all at once. This ensures that you have the “look” of a matching and well thought out bathroom, and lends ease to the remodeling process.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Improve Efficiency With a New Toilet

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Would you flush money down your toilet? Of course not, but If your toilet was installed prior to 1994 chances are your water bill is much higher than it should be. Older toilets typically use 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Consider replacing your toilet with a newer more efficient model to lower this amount. Today’s standards, set by the EPA, require toilets to use no more than 1.3 gallons of water per flush. This can translate into less environmental impact on your community and lower water bills for your household.

Purchasing and installing a new toilet doesn’t need to be a difficult and time consuming bathroom remodeling headache. In fact, your local plumber is always happy to coordinate the delivery and installation of a new toilet, leaving you free to do other things. For those looking for a Saturday project to do themselves, simply go to a store that sells plumbing supplies and equipment. Any salesperson will be pleased to ensure that you get the toilet of your choice and the necessary tools for the job.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a new toilet for your bathroom. The most important factor is fit. Be sure to select a model that matches the shape and dimensions of your current toilet. Use a tape measure to determine the size of your toilet needing replacement and the dimensions of your bathroom. Bring these figures with you to the store or relay them to your plumber. You do not want to bring home a new toilet just to find out that it will not fit in your cozy space.

You will also need to make sure you have all the required tools and parts. The easiest route is to buy a total toilet kit, which includes both the toilet bowl and water tank, bolts, and wax ring all together. Any reputable toilet manufacturer will include detailed installation instructions with your new toilet, but a professional installation by a plumber will give you added assurance.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Your Hard Water Solution

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Water Softener
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Hard water is filled with magnesium, calcium and other various minerals. This affects our daily lives in many ways if we live in a house that only has hard water. Keeping bathtubs and sinks free of buildup can be a never-ending task, clothes will look increasingly dingy and hair and body never feel quite clean. Furthermore, it can affect the taste of coffee, tea, drinking water and any other beverages one makes at home. In some cases, the mineral buildup can be so extensive that it negatively impacts the flow of water through a house’s entire plumbing system.

Some households have given up completely and resort to purchasing water by the bottle and by the jug. The most popular solution to the hard water problem, however, is to get a water softener installed. This can either be done by the homeowner or, in many cases, a trained professional, as water and electricity will need to be hooked up to the water softener.

Water softeners can be purchased at appliance stores, hardware stores and large retailers. Some, but not all, require the use of special water softening pellets, which one will need to purchase on a regular basis to keep the system working. Water softeners vary in size, which can make a difference when it comes to transporting it to your home from where it is purchased and where the unit can be placed in the home. With the variety of water softeners on the market, it is always a good idea to consult a local trained professional to help choose the unit that best suits your needs and provide professional installation.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Installing a High-efficiency Showerhead

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Bathroom Repairs
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What is the simplest way to reduce water usage in your house? Installing a high-efficiency showerhead, of course.

Many people have the misconception that today’s ultra low flow showerheads won’t rinse the soap off like the old models. How far from the truth! The EPA’s standard for showerheads is 2 gallons per minute. Combined with the variety of jetstreams available to choose from, this is more than enough to have you feeling clean and refreshed while lowering your water consumption.

Showerheads come in many shapes and sizes and can be found in any department store, hardware store, or plumbing supply store. Before installing your new showerhead, thoroughly read the included instructions for your specific model.

You’ll need a ladder or stepstool to comfortably reach the shower. Be sure to turn off the water valves before beginning. To remove the old showerhead, place a washcloth or old cleaning rag where you intend to unscrew with a wrench. This will prevent scratching if you intend to reuse your old showerhead in the future or sell it at your next yard sale.

When the old showerhead is removed, use a damp cloth to clean the threads of any dirty buildup before installing the new showerhead. At this point, wrap the threads with Teflon tape. This will prevent any leakage. Wrap clockwise so the tape will not come off during the installation of the new showerhead. Use your washcloth or old cleaning rag along with your wrench to attach the new showerhead and then turn the water on to ensure that it works properly.

Most showhead replacements can be done by a handy homeowner, but in some cases the showerhead is stuck to the water supply pipe. Also, the water supply pipe can break, especially if it is old or corroded.  Your local  plumber is an expert in bathroom plumbing repairs and can handle any problems you may encounter.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

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Signs That Your Sump Pump May Need Maintenance

December 3rd, 2013 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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There are some things that get often get ignored in your home until they become an obvious problem. One of these is your sump pump. Unfortunately, waiting to service your sump pump can have expensive and nasty results. Once the pump goes out, you can end up with flooding and sewer water in your home, causing not only water damage but dangerous bacterial contamination.

Just like any other mechanical device, sump pumps needs regular maintenance to run efficiently. Some signs that your sump pump is in need of maintenance are:

–        Loud noises. Strange or loud noises coming from your pump could be a sign of a clog, jam or mechanical problems. Most sump pumps run fairly quietly, and should not make much noise. Loud noises could be a sign that maintenance is needed.

–        Odor. A foul odor in your home may be caused by your sump pump. It may be clogged, have seal issues or there may be a problem in the vents. If you’ve noticed an unpleasant odor, this is probably a good time to get your sump pump checked.

–        Flooding. If excess water is collecting in your sump pit, consider it time to call a plumber. The problem could be a clog, mechanical failure or just too much stress put on the unit.  Excess water can cause water damage, mold and sewer water, all of which can contaminate your home.

As with most machines, having your sump pump inspected and maintained will cost you much less than if it breaks altogether. It is better to spend a little money to keep it running properly, and fix issues now before they cause bigger, more expensive problems.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Save Energy With A Tankless Water Heater

December 3rd, 2013 Posted in Tankless Water Heaters
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When the time comes to replace your water heater, you can save energy and money off your energy bills for decades to come by investing in a tankless model. These new, efficient models are smaller and more convenient than the old tank-type water heaters, saving space. More importantly, they also shave dollars off your monthly energy bills.

How Tankless Water Heaters Save Energy

Tankless water heaters are designed differently than the old models to save time, energy and space. While tank models require a large area and hold many gallons of water that’s kept heated and ready for use, tankless models are small and hold no water. In fact, many can be mounted on a wall or even located outside of the home, taking up no space at all inside.

These new models save energy over tank water heaters by eliminating the need to keep large amounts of water heated around the clock. Instead, tankless versions heat water only as it is needed. According to some consumer reports, this can save over 20% of your energy bill by heating water only when you need it. Other benefits of tankless water heaters include:

–        No water leaks. Tank water heaters are notorious for water leaks. This can cause a large amount of damage to your home in a small amount of time, where tankless models do not hold water.

–        Go green. Using less energy is always a greener option, making tankless water heaters a better choice for the environment.

When it comes time for a new water heater, save space and energy by choosing an efficient tankless model. Most tankless models are built to last for 20 years or more, and are a great investment in your home.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Testing Your Water For Safety

December 3rd, 2013 Posted in Water Filtration
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In most homes, the water coming from your tap is safe to drink. However, there is the possibility of contaminants entering your water system from old pipes, agricultural chemicals and even dangerous levels of toxins from chloride-enhanced city water. Having your water tested periodically can ensure that the water in your home is safe to drink, and can give you peace of mind.

Common Water Contaminants

Where you live and where your water supply comes from can all effect what types of contaminants can enter your water. Although water provided through local utilities is regularly tested, there are possible toxins that may enter the water from pipes or other sources on the way to your home. The best way to know for sure that your water is free of toxins is to have it tested yourself.

There are home water testing kits available, however many only test for specific items and may not catch toxins that are common in your area. Having a professional plumber test your water can identify contaminants that have been found in the water supply in your region. Some contaminants they may test for include:

–          Pesticides from local agriculture. 

–          Bacteria and nitrates

–          Lead

–          Trihalomethanes (THMs)

Your Sterling plumber can alert you of other elements that have been found in your area, for which your water should be tested. Another way to ensure your water is kept healthy is to consider buying a purifying system for your home’s water, which is permanently installed to keep water clean. Your plumber can suggest a water purifier that helps to eliminate contaminants, and keep your water safe between testings.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Damage Caused By Leaky Pipes

December 3rd, 2013 Posted in Water Line Repair
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You may think that dripping or leaky pipe is just an annoyance, one that can wait for water line repairs. However, by just putting a drip pan underneath and waiting to get it repaired, you may be setting yourself up for bigger plumbing problems. A drip or small leak can quickly become a large problem if not fixed, and cause extensive damage that’s both costly and possibly dangerous.

Small Drips Can Lead To Big Problems

Many times, a small drip is only a small problem and easily fixed. A worn out washer or old pipe sealer just needs to be replaced, and the problem is gone. However, there are other times a small leak or drip can lead to bigger and more expensive problems if they’re left unattended. By ignoring it or just putting a bandage on the problem, it can become a burst pipe that can cause significant damage to your home.

Pipes rarely burst when we expect it. A small drip can become a gushing water pipe when you are at work or worse, gone for the weekend. The damage can be extensive when this happens, including:

–        Home water damage. A burst pipe can ruin flooring, ceilings, walls and many other items in your home. This can cost thousands of dollars in damage in a very short period of time.

–        Mold problems. A dripping pipe can cause excess moisture in your home and lead to high humidity and mold problems. Once mold is present in your home, it can cause health problems and be difficult to remove from your home.

Don’t wait to get a drip or leak fixed. Call a professional to get the problem resolved right away and avoid expensive and possibly dangerous damage to your home.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

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Protecting Your Water Pipes From Freezing

December 3rd, 2013 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Frozen water pipes are a common problem that can lead to big home repair expenses. When the temperature drops, especially unexpectedly, homeowners can find themselves with pipes that become frozen and even burst under the extreme cold and pressure. Once they burst, not only do they need to be replaced, but they can also cause water damage and other issues in your home. The best solution to avoid a broken water line repair is proactively preventing frozen pipes in the first place.

Water Pipe Freeze Protection

A severe cold snap, especially in warmer climates, is the most common cause of frozen water pipes. While homes in colder climates typically are built with well-insulated pipes, those in warmer regions may not have adequate insulation to protect them in unexpectedly cold weather. When the water in pipes freezes, it expands, causing pressure and backing up water being forced into the pipe. To prevent freezing and the resulting bursting, use these tips before and during cold weather.

–          Insulate your pipes. Check areas in basements, crawl spaces and attics where pipes may be exposed to cold weather. Wrap pipes with insulating tape, foam or even paper to help insulate against cold air.

–          Run water. Just a small trickle of water can keep pipes from freezing. In extreme weather snaps in warmer climates, this can be used short term to prevent freezing.

–          Use heat. Keep the heat on in cold weather, even when away from home. This can help to keep the pipes warm and aid in freezing prevention.

In cold weather, if water does not come through your faucet, that is the first sign of a frozen pipe. A frozen pipe can often be thawed before it bursts, so calling a plumber right away may reduce further damage and expense.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

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