90% of all toilet clogs can be solved with the standard toilet plunger. This is an item you can buy at the dollar store and is worth its weight in gold when you really need it. But there are times where you have a clog and the plunger isn't working. This is a terrible feeling but remain calm. There are some steps you can try before you have to call a professional plumber. In this article we list the step you can try on your clogged toilet before you have to call in the pros. Below are those steps: (more…)
Read MoreA floor drain backing up can be very frustrating and annoying. They can be baffling too. People will run all types of drain cleaners and potions through their floor drain trying to get it to work properly. But it may not be the drain itself that isn't functioning properly. It may be your plumbing system. The floor drain is the lowest drain in the home so this will be the first place waste water will go if there is a problem with it exiting the premises. In other words, a clog elsewhere may be causing the floor drain to back-up. ...
Read MorePlumbing makes noise. Most of the time it is just the plumbing doing its thing. It is carrying water to an appliance, or it is carrying waste water away from a receptacle. Sometimes, plumbing noises are not normal and can be a sign is something wrong. Here we list some sounds and what they mean: Whooshing - If you hear a whoosh from your pipes that starts up out of nowhere this may be a sign of mineral deposits. The especially happens in galvanized and copper pipes. The buildup is causing the water to whoosh around inside the pipe. Banging ...
Read MoreThe liquid chemical drain cleaner has been around for some time. We have all seen the commercials. Pour in the liquid or the gel and the clog goes away in minutes. This may be true some of the time but what exactly is going on when you use these products? Firstly, we cannot overstate how dangerous these chemicals are to have around the house, especially when you have kids or pets. They are highly corrosive and will kill skin on contact. With that said, what else are they harming? (more…)
Read MoreA faucet was originally the name given to the apparatus that you stuck into a cask or barrel that allowed the liquid inside to flow. As you can imagine, this was particularly popular with beer casks in old England. Now the name applies to the apparatus in which water flows at your kitchen or bathroom sink. There are multiple types of faucets for both bathroom and kitchen. In this article we wil list those types and give a a brief explanation of each. (more…)
Read MoreIt may surprise you that disposable wet wipes have been on the market since the 1970's. The product was much more expensive to make in those days which drove up the retail price as well. For that reason, many stores didn't carry them. Over time the costs associated with producing the disposable wipe came down and by the 1990's you started the see them popping up in stores. Flash forward to the 2000's and you can find disposable wipes in almost any store. They have become quite the staple for many people who enjoy that "extra clean" feeling. Parents love ...
Read MoreIf you have ever turned on a faucet in your house and you get a thumping noise or a noise that almost sounds like a jackhammer is in the other room, you have what is called "water hammer". The problem may be easy to fix but there may also be some underlying problems that need serious work. Air chambers that are probably already installed in your plumbing have kept this phenomenon from happening until now. But, water can back up into these chambers, nullifying their effectiveness. There is a simple fix you can start with: (more…)
Read MoreHow do you know if your toilet needs replacing? I mean it still flushes right? A toilet that flushes does not necessarily mean that it doesn't need replacing. Cracks If there are cracks in the the toilet itself, it probably needs replacing. Cracks can cause leaks. And even if you dont see the leaks it is causing, that doesn't mean they dont exist. Water from tiny leaks can get down in the floor beneath the toilet. (more…)
Read MoreAs a person who pays for utility bills, you want your system to be as efficient as possible. With that in mind we have assembled these simple tips that can help keep your house plumbing running efficiently. Bathroom and Kitchen -Check your faucets for leaks and drips. Besides being annoying, drips and leaks cause the sink to run water and this can end up being costly. One customer recently told us that a leaky faucet had cost them over $30 in increased water bills because they put off fixing it for so long. -Check toilet for leaks as well. Put ...
Read MoreEvery person probably has their own preferred water pressure. They surely have their own preferred water temperature as well. The temperature can be controlled by the flick of a wrist and on the spot but water pressure is a different story. Usually poor water pressure is caused by clogged pipes. Any house that is older will have build up within their pipes. If you think the problem may be in the city water lines then you can get a water pressure gauge and check it at the source. This will help you narrow down the issue. (more…)
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