Many homes here in Central Florida are made from concrete block. Consequently, the external pipes to items such as water sprinklers or outdoor spigots run on the outside of the home and are bolted or fastened against the surface of the concrete. Many of these pipes are made from PVC or other plumbing plastics. Day after day these pipes are exposed to the rays of the sun. It may seem innocuous but over decades time, the suns rays can have a warping and degrading effect on these pipes. The pipe becomes brittle and one day while you are watering your ...
Read MoreWhen you own a home you want to keep your expenses down anyway possible. This goes for the short and long-term. Pipes eventually go bad in a home and replacing them can be very expensive. In this article we will go over methods to keeping your pipes lasting as long as possible. Checking Water Pressure This is a big one. Too much water pressure is bad for your pipes. Just a few PSI above the recommended level doesnt seem like much, but over years time it can do serious damage. It is suggested that you keep your PSI below 85. ...
Read MoreThe goal in any industry is to make the product better and more efficient. This holds true for household appliances. There have been great strides made in plumbing as well. However, not all new innovations are the proper fit for every user. The tankless water heater has been the latest innovation in the water heating business. Many people have installed them and are using them. But, a traditional tank water heater is still the most-used in the home and business. There is a certain reliability and effectiveness you get from a tank heater. (more…)
Read MoreThe dreaded repipe. Many home-owners are aware of the process. Your home's piping is old and decaying and it is time to replace it. Sounds like an enormous project, one in which there will be workers walking through your house all day and plastic covers are draped from wall to wall. It really isn't that bad. The fact is that you can get a nice repipe for a very affordable price. You don't have to rip out your existing plumbing system. Many times the plumber can go through the attic and create a work around. (more…)
Read MoreYour washing machine works without a hitch 99.9% of the time. But there are a few things that can go wrong with this appliance. One such thing is a washing machine drain clog. There is a drain behind the machine that allows for the dirty and /or sudsy water to be evacuated from the machine into your main sewer line. The machine has a special drain pipe which dumps directly into your sewer out line. (more…)
Read MoreIf you are seeing black specks in your water then something is most definitely wrong. In this article we will explain what those specks probably are and how to get rid of them for good. The most likely cause of black specs in your water are one of these four culprits: Pipe corrosion - Old corroded pipes will start to degrade and tiny pieces of the pipe will wash away in the water. Corroded Water Heater - If the black specks only seem to appear when you are using hot water, this may be due to an old corroded water ...
Read MoreThe only reason we are writing an article on this topic is because it happens. More often than you may think. Here is what to do if this ever happens to you. You and your significant other go out for dinner and a movie. When you come back home there is an inch or two of water covering the entire floor. Ughh. Step 1: Don't Panic. Step 2: Find the source of the problem. Yes this mean walking through your water covered floors. Its a tough job but somebody's got to do it. Step 3: After you have identified what ...
Read More90% 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 MoreWe all know that upgrades of any type can increase your home's value. But if you are really looking to give it a large boost in value, you should start with plumbing upgrades. Many of these are items that people can see and touch. Modern plumbing fixtures brings a lot of value in the eyes on the home buyer. They know that they will not have to worry about replacing or working on these items anytime in the near future. Low Flow Toilets These toilets, also known as Low Flush Toilets, save the homeowner money in the long run. They ...
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. ...
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