Toilets are fairly simple contraptions. They have improved over the last few hundred years since the first toilet was invented by Sir John Harrington at the end of the 16th Century. The first flush required over 7 gallons of water and the bowl was 2 feet deep. Thomas Crapper, the man responsible for the sardonic term for the toilet, improved and patented the design. Today, toilets have a good reputation for never going bad. Water Efficiency Concerns Over the years, toilets have become more water efficient. Today’s newest models only use 1.6 gallons each flush. This is according to federal ...
Read MoreThis article is not very applicable to this area of Florida. But north of here and in 90% of the United States folks have to worry about the effects of freezing weather on their plumbing. Unlike city sewage systems that are maintained by the local municipality, a septic tank and system is the responsibility of the homeowner. There is year round regular maintenance involved with owning a private sanitary system and that includes a few extra preparations for the winter. (more…)
Read MoreDrain flanges are like quiet little supporting actors in the daily functioning of your home or business’ main water system fixtures. They play an integral role in preventing leaks around drains because a flange is just a flat rim that acts as a strengthener or seal in between the drain and the fixture. Let’s take a further look at some of the drain flanges in your home. The Sink Drain Flange If you go look in your kitchen sink you will notice that around your drain basket is a seam. That seam means you can remove the drain basket that ...
Read MoreYou go to reach for a new garbage bag or the bottle of dishwashing detergent and see a puddle of water under your kitchen sink. You have two options, one is close the cabinet and pretend you didn’t see it or grab a towel and potentially fix your problem. What have you got to lose? A plumber is always a call away if you don’t feel up to the task. The first thing to check may seem a bit too Captain, but when you clear out all of the cleaning bottles, make sure it wasn’t just one of those leaking. ...
Read MoreIt is a common misperception that every home is on the city’s sewer system. If you live in a rural area or a developing area, chances are you have a septic system and those require maintenance. It is important to know how to maintain your septic system to avoid costly repairs and gross overflows. What You Ignore Today… Easy to forget about, your septic tank is hidden underground somewhere outside your home. If you do not know where it is, now is a good time to find it. You can keep a watchful eye out for the following signs there ...
Read MoreThe most used and abused plumbing fixture in homes today is the toilet. A good quality toilet can last almost forever if your water isn’t corrosive and you properly maintain its inner workings. A running toilet can produce a high water bill and is worth the money in repairs, which could be less than the overage on your next statement. Inside the Tank If your toilet is running after you flush, try jiggling the handle. If there is some play to it before it gives resistance, you will need to look in the tank by removing the lid. Jiggling the ...
Read MoreIf you can hear a banging sound coming from a pipe within your walls, it may not be as complex of a problem as you may think. This common issue is known as water hammer because the water is basically acting like a hammer as it hits against a pipe. It’s a Pressure Issue The water is flowing at such a high speed that when the valve is closed to turn the water off from a point within the house, it is slamming into the valve and pipe’s interior walls with nowhere to go. So, it rattles and vibrates until ...
Read MoreThe first place a person notices their hot water heater isn’t performing up to par is in the shower. The faucet handle gradually gets placed further and further to the red side or it stops working all together. You could call a plumber to address the issue, but you can save money. A few simple diagnostics with the right tools can help you decide what to do. Not Enough Hot Water If your problem is not enough hot water, the thermostat may be set too low. Every water heater, gas or electric, has a thermostat to adjust how hot the ...
Read MoreShowers are seen as a luxury compared to other places around the world. But when you turn the shower head on, you expect a certain amount of water to flow out. When it doesn’t, your shower will most likely be disappointing and frustrating. There are a few different reasons why water pressure is not as high as it should be. Identifying which reason will help you tackle the problem and get your showers back. (more…)
Read MoreIf 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…)
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