Like to keep your drains squeaky-clean, but don’t like all of the harsh chemicals in commercially-available drain cleaners? We don’t blame you. The ingredients in commercial drain cleaners can be toxic, especially to people who are sensitive, like children or the elderly, or have allergies.
Some of our favorite alternatives to commercial chemical drain cleaners include: Continue reading “Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners”
Have you ever wondered what’s in the water coming through your faucet? Do you avoid home tap water in favor of bottled? Are you concerned about heavy metals, fertilizer runoff, and pollution? If so, you’re not alone!
According to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, between the years 1982 and 2015, between nine and 45 million people each year received their drinking water from a source that violated the Safe Drinking Water Act. With our water systems aging and pollution of all types at crisis levels, more and more people are starting to seek out uncontaminated water sources for drinking, bathing, and more. Continue reading “Why You Should Consider a Whole Home Water Filtration System”
If you’ve ever lived somewhere with low water pressure, you’re likely all too familiar with the issues caused by the lack of pressure, such as shampoo residue left all over your hair. But, did you know that high water pressure is even worse?
High water pressure can cause damage to your home’s or business’ pipes, appliances, and structure.
Anything over 60 pounds per square inch, or PSI, is considered too high for a residential home or typical business. Most appliances like the 45-55 PSI range for optimal performance. Continue reading “What is High Water Pressure?”
Regardless of if you own or rent your home, you’re likely going to deal with a busted pipe at some point in your life. While the pipes in your home are built to withstand constant water pressure, they are still vulnerable to flaws and external forces that can cause unforeseen damage. If you notice any of the signs below, you may have a busted pipe:
Depending on the size of the break in your pipe, you may hear anything from a slow drip to a loud, roaring rush of water. If you ever hear water running in your home, but can’t locate the source, you should cut off the outside water valve (or call your landlord if you rent your home) and call a plumber immediately. Continue reading “Signs of a Busted Pipe”
Whether you own or rent your home, you will eventually have to deal with a slow draining sink. A slow draining sink is caused by a partial clog, which is a clog that doesn’t completely stop the entire flow of water down the drain, but instead slows it down significantly. Partial clogs almost always build up over time. You may notice that the drainage slows slightly at first, but becomes slower and slower over time.
So what is actually causing the blockage? Well, it’s usually a slimy, disgusting mix of personal care products, soap scum, mildew, and maybe even solid debris. Continue reading “Causes of a Slow Draining Sink”
An unexpected plumbing leak is sure to make any homeowner feel helpless. In addition to repairing the cause of the leak, you may also have flooring or structural damage to your home. Finding leaks early and identifying their cause is critical in keeping your home safe and structurally sound. Most household leaks are caused by:
While older homes are more susceptible to pipe corrosion, it can happen in any home, even if your home is new. Environmental factors such as highly acidic soil can play a role in pipe corrosion. You may notice a change in your water’s color if corrosion is the culprit. Continue reading “Most Common Causes of Plumbing Leaks”
It was the early 2000s when the toilet paper industry decided we all weren’t…ahem…quite clean enough. By 2005, supposedly flushable wet wipes were flying off the shelves, marketed as the miraculous, biodegradable cure for our toilet hygiene woes. Fast forward 15 years and flushable wipes are costing US cities millions of dollars per year to keep sewer systems clear. New York City alone spends around $19 million per year just dealing with wipes!
So why are they labeled as “flushable”? The short answer is so you will buy them. The long answer is a little more complicated. While it is true that wipes labeled as “flushable” or “biodegradable” will break down eventually, this doesn’t happen nearly as fast as traditional toilet paper in your home’s sewage lines. Just go to Youtube and search “wipes clog pipes” if you don’t believe us. Some flushable wipes hardly break down at all between your home and the sewage plant, adding to the daily list of tasks sewage maintenance personnel must deal with and increasing monthly sewage costs for everyone. Continue reading “Why You Should Never Flush “Flushable” Wipes”
Nobody wants plumbing problems! Whether it’s an overflowing toilet or a clogged sink, plumbing issues are always a headache. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your home’s plumbing receives professional maintenance every year.
Hard water is responsible for accelerated wear and tear on appliances, pipes, and other essential components of a home’s plumbing system. The minerals dissolved in hard water like calcium and magnesium bind together and leave residue behind as mineral deposits inside pipes and appliances; like the plaque lines the arteries’ walls, which eventually leads to a heart attack, mineral build-ups cause clogs and leaks that ultimately culminate into costly repairs. Continue reading “How To Keep My Home Plumbing Maintained Annually”
Your home’s plumbing system is out of sight, out of mind… until something breaks or leaks and causes a water disaster in the middle of the night.
Don’t take your plumbing for granted. A whole-house plumbing inspection is the best way to prevent a sewer backup, broken water heater, or other unexpected and costly plumbing issues.
During a plumbing inspection, a plumbing professional closely examines every area of your home where a plumbing problem could possibly arise. This process includes: Continue reading “The Benefits of a House Plumbing Inspection”
How often do you think about the larger, hidden appliances in your home? Although your AC, furnace, and water heater operate without interference most of the time, they do have an expected lifetime and maintenance requirements. Depending on brand, type, size, etc., your water heater could last anywhere from 6 to 13 years. That makes it difficult to know if you should replace it. Here are some signs you need a new water heater installation.
Is your water heater making noises it didn’t in the past? Are the noises getting louder with every passing month? If so, it is a pretty good idea to go ahead and start shopping for a new water heater. If the water heater is giving off a rattling sound, you may also need some of the plumbing connected to the water heater repaired. Continue reading “Signs You Need a New Water Heater”