Month: January 2023

Reasons You Shouldn’t “DIY” A Plumbing Repair

Thinking about not hiring a professional plumbing company and attempting to do the repair on your own? Following are some reasons you shouldn’t “DIY” a plumbing repair and what could go wrong if you do.

Know Your Limitations
You can YouTube DIY plumbing repair tutorials as much as you want, but don’t take on the job if you don’t have any real-world experience. You should always avoid taking the “trial by error”
approach. Numerous problems can develop due to multiple causes. So, even if you think you’ve fixed the problem, chances are there are underlying issues that can cause additional damage in the
future. Expert plumbers know what to look for and will be able to find any hidden problems related to the first. The bottom line is, know when a plumbing project is beyond your skill set.

Unfinished Business
Most do it yourselfers don’t have the skills it takes to fine tune a DIY plumbing repair job. For example, if you don’t tighten a pipe effectively or install a rubber gasket correctly, you’re going to have problems. While it might look like you did a great job, for example, no longer see any leaks, that doesn’t mean you are not going to have problems down the road. A small drop of water can eventually lead to a significant leak, causing water damage, mold, and high-water bills.

Lack of Professional Plumbing Tools
Plumbing repairs require the use of specialized tools of the trade to fix most problems. Even if you invest in some of the necessary tools, you probably don’t have the proper training to use them effectively. Most novices who have taken on a DIY plumbing project have experienced how easy it is to get in over their heads. Even the slightest error can lead to malfunctioning fixtures, leaks, and several other serious plumbing problems.

If you have attempted to fix a plumbing problem but ran into trouble, don’t try to resolve it yourself – that will only lead to added costs over time. The expense of repairing any amount of water damage and mold growth is just not worth it. When you hire expert plumbers, you can trust that the job will be performed correctly, significantly minimizing the risk of future problems and added expense.

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6 Causes of Common Blocked Drains

Blocked drains should be dealt with right away because clogs will only worsen over time. Being able to recognize the causes of commonly blocked drains will help you avoid problems before they start. Here are 6 of the top offenders.

1. Flushable Wipes

Whether is baby or cleaning wipes, these types of products should never be flushed down the toilet. Even if the wipes you buy claim to be “flushable”, don’t do it. Basically, the only thing that you should flush is toilet paper. Drains clogged with flushable wipes typically require professional plumbing services.

2. Hair

Human hair is a common reason behind blocked drains because it can knot up, combine with substances like grease and soap scum, and end up affixing itself to areas of the drain. Most stubborn clogs have hair involved, especially in showers, bathtubs, and bathroom sinks.

3. Fat, Oil and Grease

Greasy substances can cause serious problems to drain systems, solidifying and causing blockages. It only takes a little bit of grease to cause a big problem because it coats the pipe and at some point, hardens. Even if this doesn’t happen, it can cause debris to build up, eventually making it impossible for the drain to do an adequate job.

4. Soap Scum

Soap scum (residue) accumulates over time, especially in bathroom, shower, and laundry drains, leading to slow drainage and eventually backups. Soap scum can also end up combining with other debris to create blockages. Switching to liquid soap can help avoid these types of clogs because they wash down the drain a lot easier than the residue created by bar soap.

5. Leaves and Plants

It’s easy for exterior drains to get clogged up by leaves and plants, especially throughout the fall season. You can help prevent leaves and plants from causing blockages by using a drain guard. Drain guards allow water to filter through but keep the leaves and other debris away from the surface of the drain.

6. Tree Roots

Tree roots can end up breaking through drain pipes, causing an extreme amount of damage. Even the smallest crack in a drainpipe can make it easy for tree roots to force their way in. Once the tree roots work their way inside, they continue growing, obstructing water flow, causing a lot of damage. At this point, you’ll need to hire a professional for drain cleaning to resolve the problem.

Blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing problems. The good news is that you can prevent them from happening by avoiding the common causes of clogged drains listed here.

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How to Increase Your Family’s Safety & Prevent Basement Floods

Burst pipes, hot water tank failure, leaky basement windows, drainage failure, and debris in the gutters are common causes of basement floods. Basement floods are always unexpected, and very few people prepare for the cost of the repairs and replacement of property. Floods can destroy photos, memorabilia, and other irreplaceable personal items stored in the basement and other costly but replaceable goods. It is disheartening to consider losing precious keepsakes from an avoidable flood.

Also, consider how undetected and excessive moisture can ultimately lead to molds. Mold and mildew are types of fungus that release spores that can get into the airways of your home, causing coughing, wheezing, throat irritation, skin problems, and irritated eyes.

Advantages of a Sump Pump Installation

Wet basement repair costs can be steep.

Emergencies are never inexpensive. Yet when the basement floods, there is no time to shop around for the best price, so the situation necessitates paying whatever it cost to get the job done. With a bit of foresight, you can avoid unnecessary costs and heartaches by planning to have a sump pump installed.

There are two types of sump pumps available.

Either the pedestal or submersible sump pump is an ideal solution for water leakage and flooding. Select the pedestal pump for situations where the sump pump pit is narrow or shallow. They require less space, and the motor tends to last longer since it is not submerged in water.  The submersible pumps are more powerful and permanent as they sit at the bottom of a sump hole. They also take up less space and resist overheating issues. Our specialists will help you make the best decision.

Sump pump maintenance is routinely simple.

Whether you have a pedestal pump or a submersible pump, you can keep your pump in perfect condition by following a few basic guidelines. Check the pump annually if there have been no floods and more often if prior flooding has occurred. Ensure there are no blockages by cleaning out the sump, greasing, or oiling the bearings if the particular model requires, and then checking the power cord for power. If everything is in working order, that is all the maintenance it requires.

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6 Places You Should Clean This Holiday Season

It’s the holiday season, and in addition to shopping, wrapping presents, and cooking, deep cleaning your home should be on your holiday prep list.

Here are six places homeowners forget when making their home cleaning list and checking it twice:

Remove Scum From Bathroom Fixtures

The holiday season means hosting overnight guests. Ensure your bathroom fixtures are free of soap scum that can accumulate on your soap dish and other places in your bathroom.

Remove stubborn soap scum with over-the-counter cleaning agents, or use a homemade mix of baking soda and vinegar with a non-scratch sponge.

Since soap scum thrives on minerals found in hard water, you can limit mineral accumulation at the source by installing a water softener in your home.

Deep Clean for a Pristine Potty

A dirty toilet can gross out your guests. Makes sure you clean all parts of your toilet, not just the inside bowl. Take time to remove everything that might prevent a deep clean, like a plunger, candle, or tissue.

Since the toilet is a prime place for bacteria to grow, make sure to use disinfectant on the handle, tank lid, and toilet seat. Wipe them clean with a disposable paper towel so you aren’t spreading the germs around.

Pull Back the Shower Curtain

Just as important as a clean shower is a shower curtain liner free of mold and mildew. Shower curtains are susceptible to mold because they often can’t dry out.

You can wash a fabric shower curtain with detergent, vinegar, and baking soda or replace a plastic liner with a new one.

Clean Tile Grout, Don’t Pout!

You can have a clean bathroom that doesn’t look clean because of stained grout. While it can be tough to remove, cleaned grout makes a huge difference in the appearance of your bathroom tile, whether on your floor or in your shower.

Avoid harsh chemical grout cleaners and clean grout with materials you find in your kitchen.

Sterilize Your Smelly Dishwasher

Your dishwasher doesn’t just save time. It saves you money, too, by using less water than hand washing. But even your dishwasher can get grimy.

Air Out Your Dirty Laundry With a Clean Washing Machine

Soap scum, minerals, and bacteria can build up inside your laundry machine, diminishing the function of your appliance, so your clothes never smell clean.

The best way to tackle a foul washing machine smell is to wipe down surfaces and areas where water frequently pools with white vinegar on a damp cloth.

Don’t Let Plumbing Problems Ruin Your Holiday

The holiday season can be a busy time for your home’s plumbing system. Cleaning your home is important, but so is inspecting your plumbing system for leaks, clogs, and breaks.

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