Give Your Kitchen Plumbing an Upgrade for the Holidays

After getting through the first holiday of the season, you may be wanting to add some kitchen plumbing items to your holiday wish list. Maybe your garbage disposal is beginning to wear down or your kitchen sink has fixtures that are leaking. Since these are items you use everyday, they are worthy of upgrading before the next big holiday arrives.

Plumbing Upgrade Ideas

Your local plumber can help you get your kitchen upgraded for the holidays, often including kitchen appliances. Many plumbers can install or move gas lines that are needed for stoves, as well as install standard plumbing fixtures. Here are a few of the upgrades that could make your next gathering run a little smoother:

  • New kitchen sink or fixtures. Is your kitchen sink in need of replacement? Or maybe you just want a newer version that is easier to use? Your local plumber can replace leaking nozzles or faucets, plus upgrade the entire sink.
  • Dishwasher replacement. If your dishes look like they needed to be washed again after going through the dishwasher, maybe it is time to upgrade to a new model. There are many energy efficient options that can also save money off your energy bill.
  • Kitchen appliances. Want a new gas range or a larger refrigerator with an icemaker and water feature? Have your plumber help  you get these installed before the next set of guests arrive.

Give yourself the gift of a fully functional kitchen this holiday season. These upgrades are a better investment than most of the presents that are on most people’s lists and will keep on giving back to you for years to come!

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

Has Summer Got You Thinking About Outdoor Plumbing?

Hot summer days call for time outside on the deck or patio, grilling food in the great outdoors when its too hot to cook in the kitchen. For those who love this time of year, the summer season is a great time to consider ways that plumbing could make your summers even better. If outdoor entertaining is one of your favorite summer activities, here are some plumbing ideas to help make it easier.

  • Outdoor kitchens. Are you tired of running in and out of the house during your summer grilling parties? Why not add an outdoor kitchen area, fully equipped with a plumbed sink for easy cooking and cleaning?
  • Wet bar. If you are an amateur mixologist or just like a cold beverage on a hot day, think how great it would be to have a fully functional wet bar on your patio or by the pool. Your house will be the most popular in the neighborhood!
  • Outdoor shower. If you have a pool or hot tub, an outdoor shower is an excellent way to rinse off the chlorine water, saving your skin and hair from potential damage. Even if you don’t have either a pool or a spa, there’s nothing like showering outside on a hot summer day to cool off.

There are many great ways to add convenience and fun to your home’s backyard with the addition of indoor plumbing in your outdoor areas. In addition to providing more outdoor amenities, outdoor plumbing can keep people from needing to go in and out of your home as much while you entertain outdoors. This limits the mess of entertaining to a few areas while also allowing greater energy efficiency in your home as doors are opened less frequently. Talk to your local plumber for more ideas on how to add water fixtures to your patio or deck area.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Questions to Ask a Plumber About Your Kitchen Remodel

One area of your home where a remodeling project can actually net a return on your investment is your kitchen. Before you embark upon the journey of kitchen remodeling, though, it’s wise to include a plumber in your planning and budget.

Do-it-yourself projects are all the rage right now, but there are some areas where an inexperienced homeowner shouldn’t try to cut their teeth. Plumbing is one of those areas, as mistakes can be costly and time-consuming to correct. Consulting a  plumber to ask a few key questions about your kitchen plumbing is always advised, especially for those with limited remodeling experience.

The first question you should ask before you begin is about the building codes specific to your area. Depending on the codes in your area, copper or plastic piping may be required. There also may be limits regarding how much you are allowed to do without a licensed plumber. You should also find out the most optimal placement for sinks and drains. Waterlines for icemakers, dishwashers and other appliances will need to be placed properly in order to be functional.

If you’re considering an island sink or a wet bar as part of your kitchen remodeling project, make sure you consult a plumber regarding the best method of installation. You will want to speak closely with your chosen plumber to ensure that you’re both on the same page about the remodel. Work together closely to make sure that your plumber knows what your vision is and how to best execute the plan. Your plumber will be able to assist you through every step of the process, working with you to ensure that your kitchen remodel goes off without a hitch.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Why Install a Pot Filler Faucet in Your Kitchen?

One can venture a guess that many of us reading about this have not, yet, heard about pot filler faucets. Pot filler faucets are one of the crazes in kitchens today, whether new or remodeled. An avid cook who loves to entertain at home may consider it a wonderful convenience, whereas one who rarely cooks will think it an excessive, unnecessary, expense.

So, what is a pot filler faucet? It is a faucet mounted on the wall directly above the stove that swings out on a long, jointed, arm. Instead of lugging a heavy pot of water from the sink to the stove, pots can be filled with water right on the stove. When the faucet is not in use, it folds neatly back against the wall above the stove, out of the way but ready when needed. Your local kitchen plumbing professional can easily install your pot filler with one half-inch cold water supply line. Installing the faucet in the correct location can be the most difficult part of the installation. Be sure to consider the height of your cooktop, as well as the height of your tallest pot, when pinpointing where to put the faucet.

There is, however, a down side to consider before purchasing your pot filler. The large heavy pot that was filled with water at the cooktop, still needs to be carried back to the sink in order to empty it. Given its size and location, the faucet could be bumped, turning on the water where there is no drain to catch it. Bringing the additional plumbing line to the location will require a plumbing professional for installation. Accumulating grease from the cooktop could also make cleaning the faucet difficult.

Why Choose a Double Basin Sink for Your Kitchen?

If you don’t have a dishwasher in your kitchen (the mechanical appliance type), then having a double basin sink, with both basins the same size, in your kitchen is just good common sense. This will allow you to comfortably wash dishes on one side of the sink while rinsing them on the other. Even if you have a dishwasher, this may be what you’d prefer if you’d rather wash your larger pots and pans by hand. Today you have the option of a double basin sink with two differently sized basins, one larger for washing pots with a smaller basin for food preparation. In fact, triple basin sink options are available today as well.

Existing cabinetry, counter and under-the-counter space will play a role in what type of sink you decide to purchase. One option, if going with the double basin, is to purchase a cover for the second basin that can also serve as a cutting board. A double basin sink will take up more room underneath your countertop. Of course, deeper sinks will take up even more space. How much under-the-counter space you have in your existing cabinetry is an important factor because a double basin sink will require the kitchen plumbing for two drains. Before purchasing your sinks, consult with your local plumbing professional to make certain you get the best product to meet your individual needs.

Your kitchen space, its appliances and features, should all combine to enable you to prepare and cook food with the least amount of effort. How you cook, how you work and prepare, and how you clean up your kitchen will all be considerations in whether or not two sinks in your kitchen is a must have.

Fixing A Kitchen Sink Sprayer

Kitchen sink sprayers are useful tools but they also tend to have more issues than other components of the sink and are one of the most common kitchen repairs. Sink sprayers easily get clogged, they can leak in several places and even stop working all together. Luckily, they are fairly easy to fix if they start to have any problems.   

One easy maintenance step to keeping sprayers working well is to clean the aerator on the nozzle itself to make sure deposits do not clog the small holes. Using a toothbrush with vinegar and water usually will do the trick.  

Leaky Sprayers

Sprayers can leak from a couple of places: the base of the sprayer, the hose leading to the sprayer or from the nozzle itself. Most leaks are due to washers needing to be replaced or a crack in a hose. 

  • Leaking from the base of the sprayer. This usually means the washer needs to be replaced.
  • Leaking at the end of the hose. The coupling that holds the hose to the faucet may simply need to be tightened.
  • Hose leaks. If there is a drip or leak coming from the hose, it most likely has a crack and needs to be replaced.

 Non-Working Sprayers

If water is not coming out of the sprayer or just cold or hot water, water pulsates or water continues to come out even when not being used, there may be a problem with the diverter valve in the spray head. This valve releases water when you press the spray head handle and can get clogged or stuck. Often cleaning the diverter component can fix the problem; other times it must be replaced. If cleaning the sprayer does not solve the problem, call your local plumber for kitchen repairs to sink sprayers or kitchen faucets .