Is Mold Invading Your Bathroom?

One of the most common places for mold growth in the home is the bathroom. Since this is the main room for water use, it creates a perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. If it seems you are constantly combatting mold in your shower, bathtub or even on the walls, you need to work on some preventive measures. Here are a few tips to reduce mold and mildew in your bathroom.

  • Use a dehumidifier or fan. Removing moisture from the air is one tried and true way to reduce mold. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, installing one should be your first step and making sure everyone turns it on before showers/baths is the second step.
  • Wipe down sinks, showers and tubs. Water left to evaporate in sinks, tubs and showers create a breeding ground for mold spores. Make sure members of your household wipe down the shower/tub and sinks after use.
  • Fix plumbing problems. Do you have a toilet that has condensation on the tank or a faucet that drips in your bathroom? These small plumbing issues keep the air in your bathroom moist and can lead to excess mold growth. Call your local plumber to make these plumbing repairs. It will save on water use and keep your bathroom drier, which can limit mold and mildew growth.

Mold and mildew are more than just an annoyance when it comes time to clean your bathroom. Mold spores can become airborne and travel to other areas of the house or cause health problems. Using these tips can reduce mold, saving you time on cleaning, plus protect your family’s health and against damage to your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 884-4678

5 Common Bathroom Leaks

If there is a pool of water on your bathroom floor, yet no one has taken a bath or shower, you know there is a problem. A leak has sprung, but now you need to determine the source. Since almost every fixture in your bathroom is connected to plumbing, it could be from many places. Here are five of the most common bathroom leaks to help you find your source.

  1. Toilet seal. If the pool of water is near the base of your toilet, the wax ring around the base may have become unsealed. This requires an immediate fix – if left unsealed, the subfloor can quickly become warped and rotted, costing much more than a quick plumbing repair.
  2. Sink plumbing. Check under your bathroom sink and look for drips. Turn on the faucet and wait. It is common for a joint in the pipes to become unsealed and cause a leak.
  3. Bathtub. Bathtubs can get leaks in many places, from the faucet and grout to the tub itself. These can be more difficult to remedy and most likely will need the help of a plumber to fix.
  4. Shower. Just like the bathtub, your shower can also have leaks stemming from the showerhead fixture and grout leaks.
  5. Pipes. While these are all types of plumbing leaks, you can also have a leak in one of your main plumbing pipes behind the walls. This can seep through the drywall or flooring and can cause serious damage to your home.

Any leak, big or small, needs immediate attention. Call your local plumber to get the issue resolved quickly before your home sustains water or mold damage.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Adding An Extra Bathroom To Your Home

Many older homes were not built with today’s needs in mind. While homes these days tend to be designed with two or more bathrooms, many older homes only have one or one-and-a-half. Adding another bathroom to your home can offer convenience for your family, and is also an investment which goes a long way toward increasing the value of your home. Even if you don’t think you have the space, there may be areas which could easily be converted into a second or third bathroom. 

Bathroom Addition Ideas

Take a look around your home. Is there any space which could potentially be better utilized as an extra bathroom? The ideal locations will be near existing plumbing, adjacent to rooms like the kitchen or laundry room. Some ideas for spaces which can be remodeled to serve as extra bathrooms include: 

  • Closets. For a half-bath or guest bathroom, often a closet can be converted. Using the closet space, along with borrowing a little extra square footage from another room, can be plenty to add a small bathroom.
     
  • Pantries. Usually located near the kitchen, pantries can be a great place to add an extra water closet.
     
  • Laundry rooms. If you have a spacious laundry room, part of that room could be transformed into a bathroom.
     
  • Basements. Tired of running upstairs to go to the restroom from your basement living area? Although a bit more tricky, adding a bathroom down in your basement is possible. In many homes, it will require the addition of an ejector pump to propel waste up to your sewer lines. 

Before starting a bathroom addition project, talk to your local plumbing contractor. They can access your home and give you ideas about determining the easiest places to connect to your existing plumbing to add the extra bathroom you have always wanted.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

Making Your Bathroom Safer

Your bathroom may currently be the most dangerous room in your home. Thousands of bathroom related injuries occur every year that could be avoided by applying a few simple upgrades and safety measures. Contact your local plumber to help devise a plan to make your bathroom safer with the following upgrades:

  • Bars and Handles – These helpful fixtures should be strategically placed exactly where you’ll need them most: next to the toilet and upon entering and exiting the shower. You can trust your local plumber will come up with a plan to select which safety bars and handles will work best in your bathroom without interfering with the existing plumbing fixtures. The material of the chosen safety fixtures must be strong and durable to support your entire body weight to prevent a falls and to assist with proper balance.
  • Upgraded Toilets – For homeowners with mobility issues, disabilities or the elderly, it is essential that the bathroom toilet is easily accessible and tailored to the specific individual’s needs. New toilets designed for optimal accessibility are common market offerings, and can be installed by a licensed plumber.
  • Non-Slip Shower Options – Falls in the shower can cause untold pain and injury. Many people buy simple rubber mats to lay down in their shower. These generally are designed with small suction cups on the bottom side of the mat which will temporarily secure the mat to your tub or shower floor to help prevent slips and falling accidents. If you desire a more permanent solution, discuss the installation of a new shower designed to prevent slips and falls.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

 

Mold In Your Bathroom?

Have you discovered mold in your bathroom? When excess moisture begins to collect, mold can often follow. It’s not only unsightly, but can become a serious health hazard for you and your family and can lead to major repairs down the road if not addressed. While mold can grow as a result of the moisture-rich environment of many bathrooms, it can also occur as evidence of a hidden water line leak.

You may need to contact a mold remediation professional to eradicate mold from your bathroom if it has become particularly severe. Still, cleaning the affected areas is just the first step and provides only a temporary fix. Mold has a tendency to spread quickly and deep below surfaces. If you find mold recurring in your bathroom, it’s time to contact your local plumber to schedule an assessment for possible bathroom plumbing repairs to address any leaks or sources of moisture. When this problem has been addressed, only then will you be able to remove mold permanently.

Your local plumber can re-tile or replace the grout in your infested shower, replace batheroom fixtures that are leaking and inspect your plumbing for hidden moisture sources in order to get your bathroom back “up to code.” Recurring mold can become a very real danger to your health and that of your family, which is why it’s so important to find the root of mold growth. With the assistance of a licensed and reputable plumbing professional in your area, you can find the source of unwanted moisture and eliminate it to prevent future mold growth.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Is It Time for a Bathroom Remodel?

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

Things to Consider About Installation of a Jetted Tub

There’s nothing quite like a long, relaxing bath after a hectic day. Unless, of course, it’s a long soak in a jetted tub. Carefully positioned jets massage aching muscles and create a sensation unlike any other. Before you purchase and attempt to install a whirlpool path, though, there are a few things that you’ll need to consider.

There are two different types of jets available: water and air jets. You should take the time to decide which will be best suited to your plans for use. Air jets allow you to add bath oils and salts to the water because it’s not recycled back through the operating system. Water jets, on the other hand, allow for adjustment and repositioning. They tend to be more difficult to maintain and do recycle water through the pump system, so most bath additives are a no-go. Both tend to have similar price points, so this decision will come down to pure preference.

Installation is one subject that you simply must take into consideration before making a jetted tub purchase. Manufacturers recommend that both air- and water-jetted tubs be installed only by experienced professionals. This is because both plumbing and electrical knowledge will be required in order to properly install a jetted tub.

Make sure that you’re working with a licensed and experienced Gwinnett County plumber, rather than attempting to tackle this project on your own. Even the handiest home installers can run into costly and potentially dangerous problems in an attempt to self-install a jetted tub. Consult a plumber in your area to discuss your options, select the correct model for your needs and make arrangements for a safe installation.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Why Bathroom Remodels Are a Good Investment

Whether you are considering selling or remaining in your home for years to come, investing in home improvement just makes sense.  How can you go wrong by improving something that you own, regardless of the current economic climate?  If for no other reason, your home remodel project will make your home more comfortable and enjoyable for your personal use. Most people do remodel purposely with the intent of getting a good return on their investment; however, this cannot be expected right away.  It typically will take at least an additional year or two to realize a return of 80% to 90%. Of course, the longer that you remain in your home, the more money you can make on the initial investment in your improvements, as you allow the real estate market time to increase your property values.

For an overall return on investment, the Wall Street Journal rates bathroom remodeling as one of the top home remodel improvements to do. Is it worth the money to remodel your bathroom?  Remember that the bathroom is one of the busiest, most used, space in your home; as such, the constant use (combined with moisture) contributes to the development of structural concerns, like water damage, over time. The potential cost in loss of value to your home, should needed repairs go unaddressed, would, of course, be counterproductive to any discussion of return on your investment.

Do some research, set a realistic budget, and look through books and magazines to get some ideas. Also, check with a professional. Your local plumbing contractor can help with wading through all of the options available to you, and with helping you define exactly what you would like to accomplish.

Creating a Bathroom Shower Built for Two

One the more popular features in many new master baths is the shower built for two. These spacious showers offer showerheads and controls on two opposite walls, allowing two people to comfortably shower at the same time. When both of you are trying to get ready to leave the house at the same time, having the ability to both take a shower at the same time can be a real time saver.

Having a dual shower in the master bath, means that you also have the convenience of not leaving the master suite to shower in the main bathroom or guest bathroom, which may be needed by other members of the family or your guests. It also allows for his and hers shower toiletries to be separated to their respective ends of the shower, instead of all being crammed into one shower caddy.

When you’re designing the shower space, be sure to leave plenty of room for movement within the shower, so that the two individuals aren’t bumping into each other as they shower. Built-in shelves on each side of the shower for the shower toiletries is also a good choice.

If the shower area is large enough, some couples design the shower to incorporate a large overhead rain showerhead in the center of the shower for those times when you’re seeking a more relaxing shower experience. Adding a built-in seat or bench to the shower can make it much easier for the lady who shaves her legs in the shower.

Your  plumber can help you design and install a dual shower for your new home or for a bathroom remodeling project.   Convenience and comfortable enjoyment are the two main reasons people give for choosing to include a shower built for two in their master bath design.

 

Save Energy by Reducing Hot Water Use

You can save money and energy every month by reducing hot water usage in your home.  Less energy use means reduced greenhouse gasses so by following a few energy saving tips, you’ll keep more money in your wallet at the same time you help conserve the environment.

Fixing leaks in plumbing fixtures wastes less hot water and results in savings on energy bills and water bills.  If you have leaky faucets or showerheads, have them fixed or replaced by a qualified faucet repair plumber.  If you are replacing faucets or showerheads, ask your plumber to install low-flow fixtures.

Modern faucets and showerheads use far less water than older fixtures while still providing excellent water flow.  By federal law, all showerheads and faucets have flow rates no higher than 2.5 gallons per minute which is less than half of some fixtures sold before 1992.

Low flow showerheads come in two types:  laminar flow and aerating.  Aerating showerheads have an aerator that mixes air with the water much like a faucet.  Laminar flow showerheads use individual streams of water.  Both save money and energy by conserving hot water, but aerating showerhead create a little more steam and moisture in your bathroom and may be better suited for climates where humidity is not a concern.

Some homeowners have been dissatisfied with the performance of their low flow fixtures, but if you purchase fixtures with the Watersense label, you can be assured that the fixture has been tested by and independent laboratory and found to use less water without sacrificing performance.