If you are like me, you love the character of an older home. There are so many architectural details that make the home interesting, much more so than a home with just straight walls and no details. And you have probably noticed if you watch those home renovation TV shows, that older homes come with many problems. The electrical systems that were installed in older homes just do not handle the electrical load we put on them today. The same goes with plumbing. Any home that was built prior to 1960 probably has a plumbing system that needs updating. (more…)
Read MoreThe warm weather in Florida attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Warm weather is the reason many people retire to Florida. But warm weather can also bring plumbing headaches; yes, plumbing problems. We may love to live and thrive in the warm weather, but bacteria do too. What do bacteria have to do with plumbing? As bacteria build up in pipes, it causes a threat to our health. To kill bacteria, chlorine is frequently added to our water supply. This may be a good thing for killing bacteria, but it’s bad for our pipes. The chlorine is normally ...
Read MoreAlthough home plumbing systems can function seamlessly for years on end, when a plumbing problem develops, it can wreak havoc on a dwelling’s occupants. The following will take a look at the top 4 plumbing problems in the home, and some simple steps that you can take to prevent and remedy them. The first and perhaps most common plumbing complaint in many homes is the issue of clogged drains. This problem typically occurs in kitchen and bathroom drains (including shower drains) as a result of the build-up of foreign matter in the pipes of a drainage system. Depending on the ...
Read MoreAre you a weekend warrior that feels he/she can conquer any home repair task? Does replacing a window seem like an easy chore? How about putting in a stone patio? Seem like child’s play? Well, maybe you can do all that. Then again, maybe you’re more like Tim “the Toolman” Taylor where everything goes wrong. You are probably going to make the situation worse and spend more money in the long run. Either way, there are some plumbing jobs that are for professionals only. If you are considering a remodel of your bathroom, you might be thinking of a new ...
Read MorePart of living the good life in sunny, beautiful Melbourne, Florida means having to deal with hurricane season. Although the rest of the time makes it worth living here, hurricanes can cause great damage not only to structures and people, but to plumbing systems as well. Hurricanes can uproot trees and down power lines, not to mention lead to flooding which can cause expensive damage to your home. For anyone living where hurricanes are possible, there are things you can do to help in case the hurricane travels down your path. To start, since flooding is likely to happen, it’s ...
Read MoreFor centuries people have been trying to improve plumbing and the ability to get water to the home and take waste away from it. There were some significant advances made in the 1800s and 1900s, but along with a more sophisticated plumbing system, tools to help work on these systems were needed. The tools became more advanced to what plumbers use today. These tools now are so powerful and precise, they make a plumber’s job much easier. Although plumbers use typical tools you’d find in a toolbox, such as a wrench or pliers, there are some specific tools that help ...
Read MorePlumbing problems generally come with three things: headaches, wasted time, and a bill. When you take the time to recognize some of the most common plumbing problems and how to avoid them, you will save yourself a headache, wasted time, and money. Here are three of the most common problems and how to avoid them: Problem 1 – A Backed Up Toilet A toilet that has backed up can often overflow onto the floor underneath it. Whether you’ve got linoleum, wooden floors, or carpet underneath the toilet, it is never a fun or easy thing to clean up, let alone ...
Read MoreWhen leaks happen under a sink in the kitchen or bathroom, you’re bound to see it sooner or later. However, since the plumbing system in your home is complex and includes a network of drains and pipes throughout the house, you might not notice all leaks right away. Any pipe in the plumbing system can start to leak and the water lost might be found in the walls, on the floor or ceiling, or even in your yard. You can sometimes guess there’s a leak when you start to smell mold or mildew. But when is the right time to ...
Read MoreAlthough it generally happens in older homes, even new homes can experience what’s called ‘water hammer.’ This is the noise inside of pipes which is made at points in your plumbing system where water stops abruptly or the water flow changes the direction it’s taking. It can sound like an annoying hammer which seems to start and stop throughout the day and night, although it typically occurs after things such as the washer or dishwasher finishing a cycle. The rattling sound can usually be minimized by doing one of two things. First, you can try to wrap the pipe with ...
Read MoreOver time, dirt, grim and hair can begin to clog sink and shower drains. This results in water draining slowly and even backing up into the sink or tub. While some over the counter products can help to alleviate the dirt and grime, if there is hair clogged in the pipes it can be very difficult to get rid of, especially when it’s farther down the drain than most drain sticks can reach. Calling a plumber when this happens means you’ll have the drain running as good as new in no time. A licensed plumber has all the right tools ...
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