Foundation issues are important and should be taken care of promptly. But, there are consequences and we don’t just mean to your beautifully landscaped yard.
Are you aware of the risks involved when it comes to water leaks in your foundation?
Know This Before Paying For A Foundation Repair
Plumbing Maintenance Tips For Fall
As the warm weather of the summer months starts to ebb and cooler days draw near, homeowners around Texas are beginning to think about fall plumbing maintenance.
While many things go into keeping your home in great condition, fall plumbing maintenance is one of the most critical components of a cozy, happy winter home. Read on to learn more about how you can care for your plumbing this fall.
4 Essential Tips For Maintaining Your Home Plumbing
Want to avoid an expensive and inconvenient plumbing disaster? As with most things, prevention is the best protection.
Being a homeowner is not the same as being a homebuilder, so you may not have a complete understanding of how your plumbing works. However, you do know how frustrating a clogged pipe or backed up drain can be. By changing some of your habits, you may be able to prevent the frequency of plumbing problems.
Of course, plumbing problems can’t be avoided entirely. If you’re a homeowner, it’s a good practice to have a plumber you trust, so when the inevitable occurs, you have someone on hand to fix the problem. However, there are a number of things you can do to help maintain your home plumbing and avoid unnecessary breakdowns.
As we have just started a new year, now is the perfect time to make sure your home plumbing is in tip-top shape. Here are four essential tips for maintaining your home plumbing:
1. Monitor the pipes in your home
The first time you really notice your pipes shouldn’t be when they’re spraying water or completely clogged. You can’t prevent a problem if you never see it coming! Familiarize yourself with your plumbing system. Make note of shutoff valves on all your fixtures, because if there’s an unexpected leak you want to be able to shut off water flow quickly.
2. Clean your drains
Obviously, there is no way to keep your drains completely clear of dirt. Regular cleaning will help combat hair and grease build up though. Every month, pour a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar down your drain. After five minutes, run hot water to loosen debris.
3. Flush your hot water heater
To extend the life of your hot water heater, you should flush it every one to three years. This also helps it run more efficiently. Consult the operating manual of your hot water heater for specific instructions, but generally, you turn off the heater and water. Then use a hose to drain the heater until it is free of sediment.
4. Switch to eco-friendly, biodegradable products
If you want to increase the longevity of your plumbing system, switch to eco-friendly, biodegradable products. Everything you use in your home eventually finds its way to your plumbing. Harsh chemicals are not good for your pipes, so it is best to avoid them. Plus, it’s good for the planet!
If you do notice a plumbing problem and you feel uncomfortable about repairing it yourself, you should contact a plumber. One way to ensure that a plumbing problem becomes expensive is to attempt to fix something with the proper experience or equipment. Before attempting any repairs, be sure to get a professional opinion.
By following the above tips, you can help prevent unnecessary problems and defend against costly damages.
7 Tips for Finding the Right Plumber
If your water heater is acting up, garbage disposal is backed up, and drains are clogged (hopefully not all on the same day), you don’t have time to deliberate over finding the perfect plumber. But making a rash decision about the plumber you employ could result in more problems down the road.
You want to find a plumber whose advice you can trust and who offers long-term results. While you can’t avoid plumbing problems entirely, you can avoid having to fix the same problem several times.
We know that price is an important part of making your decision, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Sometimes plumbing companies offer the lowest possible price over the phone but then add on charges once they get to your home and properly inspect the problem.
So how do you find the right plumber for your home? Here are seven tips to help you make your decision:
Make sure your plumber is licensed and insured
This goes without saying but is the most important factor in finding the right plumber so bears repeating. Ask if they are licensed and make sure they carry insurance in the case of a catastrophe.
Ask how long they have been in business for
As with most services, you want someone with the most experience performing repairs on your home. A plumbing company that has been established for decades is likely to employ knowledgeable plumbers and have a well-known reputation. They’re also less likely to disappear on you halfway through your repair.
Inquire about written estimates
A reputable plumber often won’t give you an estimate until they have properly assessed the problem in your home. Once the problem has been determined but before any work is performed, inquire about a written estimate that includes labor and part costs.
Check reviews and references
When making your decision, don’t rely on the website or advertisement of the plumbing company alone. A good aspect of the Internet is that it forces businesses to be transparent about their services. If a plumber offers subpar work, a quick Google search will reveal past customer experience.
You can also check Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau for reviews.
Compare competition
You may not know much about plumbing when looking for a plumber, but you certainly know how to look for a company that delivers more than others in their industry. Check to see if the plumbing company has been given awards voted for by their industry and customers. Another good indication of the plumbing company’s values is to see if they take an active part in their community or regularly shares their knowledge online.
Personal referrals
Ask your friends, neighbors, and colleagues if they have a go-to plumber or have had positive experiences with a local plumbing company. Often, asking someone you trust for a referral is how you find a hidden gem.
Professional referrals
Don’t be afraid to ask you’re A/C technician, electrician, or construction worker for a referral. Often they will know the best plumbers in your area and mentioning their name may result in a discount!
Seasonal Plumbing Tips: Preventative Measures For Your Home
While maintenance cannot eliminate the chance of you having a plumbing problem, it can help you reduce the risk of unnecessary breakdowns. Did you know that your plumbing is susceptible to different problems depending on the time of the year?
Preparing your pipes each season can help prevent damage to your home. We’ve rounded up some of the best seasonal plumbing tips to help you protect your plumbing.
Fall
Fall welcomes a drop in temperature to help remind us of the coming winter months. By preparing your pipes now, you can help reduce the chance of problems when chillier weather descends.
Here are some of preventative measures you can take in your home:
- Check to make sure outside faucets aren’t leaking or dripping. If you can’t make the necessary repairs, contact a plumber as cooler weather could cause the pipes to freeze. Rising water pressure would then cause cracks and lead to serious damage or flooding.
- Seal window and door leaks to reduce cold air penetration
- Test your water pressure relief valve. If your water heater is over five years old and has never been checked, call a plumber to check for corroded older valves or stuck seals. Also make sure your water heater’s thermostat is set at 120°F
- Shut off main water valves when leaving the house for extended periods
Winter
The winter months also call for holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving and Christmas can see a surge of guests at your house, putting more strain on your plumbing. To prevent inconvenient plumbing disasters when your home is filled with family and friends, follow some of these tips.
- Avoid pouring fats, hard-to-grind waster and cooking oil down your garbage disposal. These items cause your garbage disposal to break and your sink to clog.
- Run your washing machine and dishwasher at night. This conserves hot water and maintains good water pressure for your guests.
- Spread out showers throughout the day to help conserve hot water
To prevent pipes from freezing:
- Fit pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping
- Try to ensure pipes are installed in insulted places and buried below ground
If a pipe freezes:
- Turn off the water main line to prevent flooding
- Call a plumber at Legacy Plumbing – never attempt to fix a frozen pipe by yourself.
Spring
While spring brings nicer weather unlikely to damage your pipes, it’s also the perfect opportunity to do a little cleaning of your plumbing system. Here are some of the ways you can help protect your plumbing:
- Check for faucet leaks and drips
- Make sure your toilets flush properly. If you have to hold down the handle or jiggle it, you may have to replace worn parts. It is an inexpensive fix that will cut out annoyances and save you money.
- Check your water heater. Make sure the temperature is set at 120°F and check the first four serial numbers to see what year and month it was made. If it’s over 15 years old, consider replacing it.
- Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris
Summer
Summer is typically the time of year when most people buy homes. Before you buy your home, you should consider getting a professional plumbing inspection. You can also visually inspect a potential home with these tips.
- Survey the inside of cabinets for water damage. Use a flashlight to check for stains, leaks or warped cabinet bottoms.
- Run water from two different rooms. If running water in the kitchen sink and the bathtub causes a visible reduction in water volume, the piping may need to be replaced.
- Check the floor around your toilet and the wall connected to your bathtub. Soft floors and walls suggest that water is creating damage and floor/walls is rotting or weakened.
- Check exposed plumbing for signs of leaking.
These tips are provided to help you prevent unnecessary damage to your plumbing, but they don’t replace the experience or expertise of a professional plumber. If you see anything noticeably wrong with the plumbing in your home or are experiencing problems, contact Legacy Plumbing for a professional assessment of your plumbing.