Category: Uncategorized

How to Fix a Stripped Faucet Handle in 10 Minutes or Less

repair_stripped_faucet_handleDoes a spinning faucet handle have you spinning your wheels? It’s a common household problem, and it happens with almost all handles over time.

The good news is that like a number of sink issues, a DIY faucet handle fix can be completed in just 10 minutes with nothing more than a couple screwdrivers, a wrench, and about $20. And while there are numerous models and types of faucets out there, we’re going to focus on faucet stem replacement of the two-handle variety—in just five easy steps.

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What makes a reliable plumber?

“What makes a reliable plumber?” is an important question to ask when looking for the right company for the job. The plumbing system is often one of the most serious problems that you can encounter if you own or renovate a property. You only need one small plumbing issue and you could be facing major problems. An issue with a plumbing system can quickly turn into a big one, from clogged drains that emit a foul odour to the beginnings of a flooding problem.

If you need to hire a plumber, you should make sure that you consider the following factors. What should you look out for?

1. Always read into their reputation

First off, you want to find someone who is well-spoken about by previous clientele. This means researching their company name on social media and search engines. Trust us, if they have done something wrong in the past then someone will be telling the whole world to avoid them like the plague! Even negative feedback is worth reading to see if the company made a valid response and tried to remedy the situation. You should consider the reputation of a company first and foremost, though, as it can be vital to getting the right person.

2. Always check their experience level

While a new plumber could be very good indeed due to having modern training, you typically want someone with experience. Even someone who has been in the trade for 2+ years is a decent bet. You should avoid hiring anyone who is brand new, as plumbing can be a complex job and it does not take much for a ‘small issue’ to turn into a catastrophe that needs a more experienced mind. Also check to find out what warranties or guarantees they have.

3. Always evaluate the accreditation

Plumbers need to carry certain qualifications and accreditations, so you should make sure that you look into this as an absolute priority. A good plumber will be someone who can show they have the right accreditations to do the job without needing a third party involved. If you are to hire a plumber, they need to show they have legitimate and authentic qualifications beforehand. If they cannot provide proof of this, we recommend that you hire someone else instead.

4. Never go on word of mouth alone

At the same time, avoid hiring a plumber purely on word of mouth. By all means, take the recommendation and look into the company. Do not make the hire based on the word of one person alone, though. Unless they live in the same property style as you and have had the same problem, you should always keep researching as one recommendation alone is simply not enough.

Look at a variety of sources for plumbing reviews. Look at the company’s website to get a feel for the size of the company and how long they have been in business. Call them to see if a real person answers the phone or if you do need to leave a message, they get back to you in a timely fashion.

5. Never hire a plumber without estimates

Any plumber who is worth their salt will give you a written estimate for the job and how much it should cost. While estimates can go up or down a little, it should not be much more than, say, 5-10% of the initial cost. The scope of the job should be in writing as well. Many plumbers look to avoid giving out written estimates but avoid those types. A written estimate is proof of price, and it makes it easier to avoid any disputes or problems with pricing if the job goes as it was supposed to.

Keep the above in mind, and you should find it much easier to make an investment in plumbing that makes perfect sense. Now, you can avoid having your plumbing problem become even worse simply by hiring the person to fix the issue at hand!

Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget About Your Air Conditioner This Year

spring cleaning, hvac spring cleaning, ac spring cleaning, ac, air conditioning, air conditioner, air conditioning maintenance, air conditioner maintenance, ac maintenance

Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget About Your Air Conditioner This Year

Spring is officially here, and for most of us, spring cleaning is well underway. As you organize cabinets, declutter unused closets, and dust off lights and blinds, make sure to add AC to your list! There are many things you can do to make sure your air conditioner is in tip top shape to help you get through the summer. Here are some spring cleaning tips!

1. Test Your System

It’s likely your air conditioner has been off since winter. Early spring is the best time to test your AC unit to make sure it’s in good, working condition. The last thing you want is to go to turn it on in the summer, only to find out it’s not working properly. Testing it early will allow you to schedule an appointment with your HVAC technician well before you really need your air conditioning.

2. Seal Your Windows and Doors

Windows and doors can create many problems throughout the year by letting outside air in, especially if there are any gaps or holes – even small ones! Not only can this cause discomfort, but this can also lead to high energy bills if not addressed. By sealing your windows and doors, you can ensure that none of the air coming from your AC gets out – and no warm and humid air gets in.

3. Clean Your Air Vents

Your return air vents can accumulate a decent amount of dust and dirt as air passes through. By using a rag or vacuum, you can remove any dust buildup that could be impacting your air quality. If left unaddressed, these dust particles will get blown out of the supply vent, making its home on your carpets, furniture, bedding, and other places of your home.

4. Remove Debris From Around Your Unit

Do you have an outdoor unit? Make sure there’s nothing obstructing the airflow! Go outside and remove any weeds, rocks, trees, branches, plants, or other debris around your unit. You can also take your hose and rinse off your unit. Overtime, leaves, grass, and dirt can collect on top or on the sides of your AC unit. Removing any obstructions is important because if there isn’t proper airflow around the outdoor condenser coils, your AC unit could not only overheat, but it could also break down.

5. Schedule An AC Maintenance

Every year, it’s recommended that you schedule an AC tune-up. Much like you wouldn’t drive a car 10,000 miles without changing the oil, you shouldn’t go more than a year without an AC maintenance. A routine maintenance has many benefits, including:

  • Improves energy efficiency
  • Provides better indoor air quality
  • Ensures greater comfort all season long
  • Fewer costly service calls and repairs needed
  • Prolongs the life of your AC system

Schedule Your Air Conditioner Maintenance With Cool Touch Today. We’re Here For All Your HVAC Needs In the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas!

Whether you need an AC maintenance, repair, service, or installation, we are here for all your needs in the Phoenix and Prescott Valley Metropolitan Areas! For over 20 years, we have been your trusted home comfort specialists for all things HVAC, plumbing, and indoor air quality. Contact us today to schedule your appointment by visiting us online here.

The post Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget About Your Air Conditioner This Year appeared first on Cool Touch Air Conditioning & Heating.

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

One Plumbing Reminder You Don’t Want to Miss

Spring is here, which means it’s the time for homeowners to start planning their next big outdoor project. We’re big proponents of deck building, since nothing feels cooler or more comfortable than eating a summertime dinner on a deck that you built with your own hands! Or, if not a deck, then maybe this is finally the season to build that fence so your kids and pets can run around freely with the sprinkler. Either way, we’d love to hear about your spring project.

However, we think it’s important to remind homeowners of a very important detail that is often forgotten. Your main water line in Orlando, FL could be in serious trouble if you don’t take the necessary precautions before you start digging and ordering construction supplies. Anything can be hidden under the surface of your property, and you need to make sure that the work you’re about to do won’t mess with something important!

Start By Marking Up Your Property

How are you supposed to know if your next spring project is going to interfere with a water or gas line? Well, first you’ll want to mark up your property to ensure that you’ve got a general idea of where the digging will take place. You can do this with small stakes and twine, or even ground-safe spray paint that’s offered at hardware stores.

Then, once you’ve got a clear idea of where your project will be, you can take precautions by calling 8-11 dig for help.

Call 8-11 Dig!

8-11 dig is a nationwide, free service that gives homeowners important information about their property and utility lines. The 8-11 dig representative will ask you about the general location of the work you’re performing, and they’ll notify your utility companies to inform you if there are any gas, electric, or water lines interfering. This can be great because, in just a short amount of time, you’ll know exactly what stands in your way!

We highly advise any homeowner to contact 8-11 dig before any home project, no matter how deep you’ll be digging. It’s a good courtesy, and the avoided problems are well worth the extra effort.

What Happens If You Accidentally Strike a Water Line?

First of all, you should take a second to calm down and remind yourself that this is actually pretty lucky. Your main water line is the safest thing you could’ve hit while digging. Striking a gas line with a spade can easily create a fire hazard on your property, and striking a buried electrical line could lead to electrocution. So, we’re pretty glad you’re safe and that you’ve only struck your main water line.

Next, shut off your water intake valve so that your home doesn’t consume any more water. As soon as you’re sure this has been done, give our team a call to have the water line replaced or repaired.

Call Our Team for Support

If you struck a water line, don’t worry. Our team can help you quickly and effectively. Call our team for our main water line (or gas line) specialists and we’ll be there in no time to patch the hole or replace the pipe.

Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. today for fast help with your plumbing needs.

This post first appeared on https://www.modernpi.com

Consider This Before Your Next Spring Project

It’s springtime, which means all of the folks with an aptitude for gardening are getting giddy at the thought of building their 2022 gardens. This is the time of year where all of our neighbors and friends start pulling out their spades and digging equipment, and start getting to work on that next project. Maybe this is the year that you’re going to set up a nice, comfortable firepit for your friends and family? Or is this the year that you’re finally going to build that fence?

Well, if you’re considering doing any digging, we’d like to stop you right there for just a second. What lies underneath the ground on your property is entirely your business, but your spring dream could turn into a nightmare when you accidentally strike a main water line.

You can always talk to your local municipality, or our expert plumbers in Wayne, NJ if you’re looking for tips on avoiding this disaster.

Start With 811 Dig!

811 Dig is a nationwide service that is free and easy to use. For any homeowners that are starting their gardening, fencing, or irrigation project but they don’t know where a main water line might be, you can call this number and schedule an appointment.

This number is specifically to notify your utility companies to mark off your property with bright paint where the water lines, gas lines, or utility lines might be if they’re buried underground. With this information, you can easily dig around them and avoid any problems from here on out.

Evaluate Your Next Steps

We know that it can be kind of disappointing to find out that you’ve got a main water line running directly through an area you need to dig. But it doesn’t have to end there.

Firstly, you can always change the scope of your work to go around those lines. This is obviously going to be the cheapest and easiest method for your home project.

Secondly, if you can’t dig around the area where your main water line is, and you’re willing to invest in your property for your vision, then you can call our team for support. We can figure out a way to repipe your water line so that it’s not in the way of your project. This might cost more money, but it’s worth it for the sake of your own project and vision.

What to Do When You Accidentally Rupture a Pipe

Uh oh! We’ve all been there. You’re digging and you think you’ve hit a rock when it’s actually your main water line. First of all, be thankful it wasn’t a gas line! This kind of haphazard digging can be dangerous because of the fact that you can hit a gas line or an electric line.

You’re going to need to call a professional to have this water line leak patched and the water system restored to its original pressure.

We Can Help!

Our team is full of master plumbers who can absolutely address your plumbing concern. You can just call us and we’ll give you an evaluation as to what work needs to be done and how much it might cost!

Call MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. for help with your main water line problem.

The post Consider This Before Your Next Spring Project first appeared on MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc..

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com

Summer Plumbing Tips for Sacramento Families

Sacramento Summer Plumbing

Summertime and the living is easy! Of course, activity actually increases around most homes in the summer months. That’s because the kids are on break and traveling friends and family can show up and stay for several days or weeks to take advantage of Sacramento’s great weather. Of course, this also means that you will use more water and sewage than normal, giving your sewer lines and plumbing a harder workout. Due to this added use, you may notice more frequent sewer problems during the summer months.

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Why Your Plumbing Might Struggle With Leaks

Plumbing-LeakIf you’re trying to improve your home’s plumbing services, then we suggest starting with education and reflection. Knowing what affects your home’s plumbing can help you avoid future problems with your home’s plumbing system. If you’re wondering why your plumbing system might struggle with leaks, we want to go through a few of the reasons today.

If you’re looking for care for your plumbing in Glendale, AZ, then we suggest talking to our team members. We’re always available to provide the work you need, whether it’s repair, installation, replacement, or maintenance. Your plumbing shouldn’t struggle with leaks and this is something our professionals want to solve for you.

What Caused Your Leak?

Here are a few issues that might have caused the leak you’re experiencing in your home.

Older Pipes

If you have older pipes in your home, you might notice that you struggle with leaks. While plumbing systems are built to last and they will last you for decades, they’re not going to last forever. If your older pipes are giving you trouble, it’s time to consider repairs. Our professionals can handle this issue and set your system back on track in no time. 

Corrosion

Your plumbing system has the chance to corrode as it ages. If you can look at any part of your home’s pipes and notice rust, warping, discoloration, etc. then it means that your plumbing system is at risk for leaks. We suggest contacting one of our plumbers as soon as you notice a problem like this. 

Water Pressure

You can always have too much of a good thing. If your home’s water pressure is too high, you might notice that your water pressure is too persistent, it could actually wear down your home’s plumbing system with time. This is when you might notice a leak. If you have concerns about your water pressure, we suggest consulting a professional as soon as possible. If it’s come to the point where you need repairs, we’re prepared to work on your system.

Root Overgrowth

Sometimes your tree roots can be your plumbing system’s worst enemy. If your tree roots have grown toward your pipes, you might notice water seepage in the yard. Take note of any wet patches, sinkholes, an oddly lush yard, or even a drop in water pressure. These are all signs of intrusion.

Wear and Tear

There’s natural wear and tear that can occur with your plumbing system. This is something to be expected if you’ve had it for a while. Where you should draw the line, though, is if you’re having persistent plumbing issues. If your plumbing problems have led to leaks, then it’s time to schedule an appointment for repair with our experts. 

Temperature Changes

Have you noticed that there are drastic temperature changes going on in your home? Unexpected and extreme temperature changes are a problem because your pipes expand and contract with every temperature change. If the expansions and contractions are constant and drastic, you might notice that cracks and subsequent leaks form.

Contact The Trusted Plumber today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. 

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

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