When it comes to your home’s plumbing, it’s important to know how to complete some simple tasks that will saving you time and money in the future. It’s also a good idea to have a solid understanding of how your home’s plumbing works and where important things like your water and sewer lines are located.
From knowing how to change a shower head (it’s easy!), to testing your home’s water supply, having a few plumbing tricks under your belt is a smart idea. Below are seven ways you can keep your home’s plumbing in top shape. (more…)
Your bathroom can be a precarious place, and yet, it’s one of the hardest working rooms in your home (just ask the plumber!). Bathroom safety is paramount for everyone in the family – from toddlers to seniors. With just a little effort and time, you can create a bathroom that helps everyone stay injury free. In fact, some of our tips below don’t require any shopping or tools at all – just a little awareness.
Here’s our top ten suggestions to keep your bathroom safe:
Secure the floor rugs and mats. Wet, slippery bathroom floors are the number one cause of injury in the bathroom. Make sure your throw rugs are held down securely with waterproof, double-faced tape.
Keep it well-lit. Another source of injury in the bathroom occurs at night, when we make a bathroom run half-asleep and try to find our way around in the dark. Instead, install a nightlight so you can see your way around. If you’re worried you’ll forget to turn it on, get one with a timer to turn on and off automatically.
Make sure medications are stored in childproof containers. If you’ve got small children, do a check of the medicine cabinet to make sure every item is secure and can’t be opened easily by tiny hands. That includes cosmetics, deodorant, and over-the-counter medicine as well.
Install non-slip strips or a non-slip mat in the bathtub. Make sure the strips or the mat is secure, and replace these often, as they’re subject to wear-and-tear quickly.
Keep the tub and shower mold free. It’s easy for your bathtub to get slippery thanks to mold and soap scum, too. To combat this, keep a spray bottle of a non-toxic, mild cleaning solution within easy access so after you shower or take a bath you can wipe down and dry the tub.
Install bars in the shower and by the toilet. This is especially important for seniors or those who have a disability that affects balance. Of course, if you don’t feel the need to install bars, at least make sure that in your shower and around the toilet, you have something secure to hold on to in case you slip.
Eliminate shock risk. Never use appliances like hair dryers near standing water and make sure to unplug appliances when they aren’t in use. Additionally, make sure the sockets have ground fault circuit interrupters and always cover sockets that aren’t in use.
Install a toilet seat extender. These are important for people who have mobility concerns or have difficulty sitting and standing up easily. You can find toilet seat extenders at your local home improvement store. They’re good to have on hand in the event that you or a family member have temporary mobility challenges, too.
Use a weighted shower curtain. This helps keep water from leaking onto the floor during a shower. Don’t like the look? You can always double up your curtains and put the fancy one in front of the weighted curtain. In fact, two curtains are better than one when it comes to keeping the floors free from water.
Never let standing water sit. Always drain the tub and sink immediately after using them. This is especially critical if you have toddlers (in fact, if you do, keep the toilet seat covered, too). Standing water can also lead to plumbing issues and can even attract insects.
Relax. Injuries at home tend to happen when we aren’t paying attention. Instead, take your time in the bathroom. Step in and out of the shower mindfully, and look around before you leave to make sure the floors are dry, water has been drained, and appliances have been unplugged.
Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.
On our morning commute, the morning radio show host mentioned this year we are having a “hot Fall.” Plumbers love that! These unseasonably warm weekends are perfect for outdoor plumbing winterization activities. Plumbing is especially susceptible to cold weather and freezing and burst pipes can cause $$$$ in water damage. Below are a few preventative tips that we like to share at this time of year.
Outdoor Plumbing Preparations
• Exterior faucets – If you are ready to stop turning your exterior water faucets on and off each spring and fall, consider installing a frost-proof faucet.
• Ultra low maintenance and your exterior faucets can be used at any time of the year.
• Cons: Frost proof faucets cost a little more, we’ve yet to find anyone who isn’t happy with their frost-proof faucet investment.
For non-frost-proof faucets, winterize them by turning off the exterior faucet water supply. Drain the faucet by opening the outside valve (i.e., turn the water faucet on until no more water comes out). Additionally, consider an insulated Styrofoam cover for the faucet – they are inexpensive. Lastly, disconnect the garden hoses and store them in the garage or basement for the winter.
• Sprinkler Systems – Purge the system by shutting off the water supply and forcing compressed air through the sprinkler lines to remove excess water and prevent lines from freezing and bursting.
• Water Features (garden ponds, fountains) – -drain them, unplug the pump(s) and cover them for winter.
Inside – Insulation Matters
• Insulate exposed water or drain pipes in crawlspaces, attics, outside walls, etc., to prevent freezing and bursting.
• Consider an insulating blanket for your hot water tank. This simple approach can reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain hot water temperatures.
• Wall outlets are notorious for cold air leaks. Insulate all outlets (exterior and interior) with inexpensive foam gaskets.
Water You Waiting For? The first freeze may be a few weeks away; it’s helpful to lay winterizing plans and make arrangements with plumbers and heating/cooling specialists now. Allied Reddi-Rooter’s trained professionals are at the ready to assist with your winterizing needs. Whether your winterizing needs are for your year-’round home or vacation home, we can assist with your exterior and interior plumbing needs. Call or Contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter today: 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.
Why do people call a plumber? At Allied Reddi-Rooter, we like to think it’s because we’re among the best plumbers in town. We enjoy that people trust us with ensuring the safety of their drinking water and sanitary situations. Deep down, however, we know home and business owners usually call because the job is dirty. The job is big and/or overwhelming. The job takes time, skills, and tools beyond what the caller can provide. In plumbing, that’s pretty much how it works.
This week, we’d like to share our favorite links to online plumbing forums. These forums are both entertaining and informative – how many times have we all wondered if toilets should flush and fill at the same speed? Frankly, it’s heartwarming to know that other people have water simultaneously flowing from the tub spout and shower head.
Plumbing forums a good way to quickly research a problem and gain insight into a situation before (or instead of) hiring a plumber. It’s good to be informed.
Typically, the forums are moderated and managed by a credible plumbing expert. Users post plumbing questions to the forum and await replies/advice from the forum members. Answers range from vague-to-detailed, depending on the skills and knowledge of those who take the time to reply.
Below are links to our favorite forums:
This Old House/Plumbing (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/plumbing/) – When it comes to plumbing TV personalities, TOH’s Richard Trethewy is The. Best. Known to at least 3 generations of DIY-ers, Richard is professional, polished, and always offers sound approaches to plumbing needs. This structured forum is exceptional – it’s well-written, easy to navigate, and includes how-to videos for common plumbing problems.
Plumbing Forums (http://www.plumbingforums.com/forum/) – This is precisely with it advertises: a bulletin board of plumbing Q-and-A, sorted by category:
• General plumbing help – by far the most popular category with 18,467 posts)
• Drain and Sewer Cleaning
• Plumbing Tools and Equipment
• Plumbing Codes (with a paltry 699 posts…code, schmode)
• The Family Handyman’s Plumbing Forum (http://community.familyhandyman.com/tfh_forums/f/20.aspx) – The Family Handyman has multiple forums (Bath & Kitchen, Flooring & Tile, etc.), but we like their plumbing forum a great deal. Readers offer troubleshooting tips and good suggestions on when it’s appropriate to call a professional.
• Terry Love’s Plumbing Forum (http://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?forums/plumbing-forum-professional-diy-advice.6/) – Terry Love is based near Seattle and appears to be on the leading edge of internet plumbing. His online approach is definitely interesting and appears technically sound.
Water You Waiting For? If, after researching your plumbing concern, you find that a professional may be needed, call or contact Allied Reddi-Rooter (513.396.5300). Ray’s team of professionally-trained plumbers are available 24/7 throughout the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton area.
Continuing our home improvement theme, 2015 has a some exciting developments in for kitchens. In our home, the kitchen is used and abused by kids, dogs, and adults. It’s a vicious cycle of foot traffic, heads-in-the-fridge, and dishes-in-the-sink. Frankly, things are beginning to look worn. On the bright side, a kitchen facelift is fairly easy, budget-friendly, and pays off immediately.
Faucet finishes and styles – Chrome is keen and pull-out sprayers rule for the kitchen, few things beat the clean, traditional appearance of chrome. Other finishes are readily available, but chrome is timelessly attractive and easy to clean. To keep your chrome faucet looking brilliant, simply wipe with a damp cloth, never use an abrasive cleanser or scouring pad. If your house has small children (including kids that like to climb), we recommend a cast-brass, chrome-plated kitchen faucet – they provide sturdy foundations for little ones. Although cast brass is a little more expensive, it’s well worth it in the long run.
The dish sprayer attachment – It’s long been a long been a staple in the kitchen sink. The ever-increasing popularity of the pull-out sprayer that’s integrated with the faucet is an elegant way to unclutter the sink area. And, it looks good, too.
Sinks and backsplashes glass tile backsplashes – They continue to be a hit with homeowners. We agree – the sheets of glass mosaic tiles available at the big box retailers are a simple way to transform kitchen backsplashes without breaking the bank.
Stainless steel sinks – Long the mainstay of kitchens across America, will continue to be popular. The vintage-modern trend popularized on Pinterest, however, is also a strong contender. Look for porcelain farm sinks to be a major design element in remodels and new construction.
Is there a list available? Funny you should ask! According to Veterans United Real Estate, the “New Home Report 2015” provides a handy listing of the kitchen do’s and don’ts:
Very Likely Kitchen Features
• Double sink
• Recessed lighting
• Table space for eating
• Breakfast bar
• Pull-out drawers
Somewhat Likely Kitchen Features
• Central island
• Walk-in pantry
• Recycling center
• Desk/computer area
• Granite countertop
• Laminate countertop
Unlikely Kitchen Features
• Small appliance storage area
• Hot water dispenser
• Butler’s pantry
• Wine cooler
• Fireplace
• Trash compactor
Water You Waiting For? If a kitchen remodeling project is your plans for 2015 and Pinterest has given you lots of ideas, call or contact Ray at Allied Reddi-Rooter for help developing a budget, a work plan, and design ideas. 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.
This week, we returned Mom to her snowbird spot in Florida. Upon getting settled in, we found plumbing problems at nearly every turn – two leaky toilet tanks, one clogged hot water line, and one leaky kitchen faucet. Only the washer hoses haven’t broken…yet. Good thing we had a plumber on hand to help Mom out.
Looking back at our fix-it handiwork 8 hours later, we started thinking about the most common plumbing problems. With a little help from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau, we came up with a list:
Improper new faucet installation. Installing a new lavatory or kitchen faucet seems like an easy job, right? Usually, that’s true. Faucet replacements are one of the most common DIY plumbing jobs. But even the most savvy homeowner can run into trouble with faucets.
Clogged drains – In the big list, clogged drains are the second most common plumbing problem. This is also the most easily preventable plumbing problem – help your drains flow by pouring boiling water down them weekly. Never let fats, waxes, or food chunks go down the drain. Fats and waxes will solidify and chunky stuff will create blockages.
Dripping/leaking faucets – As mentioned above, vaucets can be a challenge. Whether it’s a leak around the stem, a constant drip-drip-drip, or an aerator that fills up with stuff we don’t even want to know about, malfunctioning faucets are one of the big reasons people call a plumber.
Malfunctioning garbage disposals – Sometimes, the fix is as simple as pressing the ‘reset’ button on the disposal motor. Other times, the cogs require a hefty push with a broom handle to get them un-jammed. Unless someone’s been dropping silverware or small juice glasses down the drain, disposals are a pretty sturdy device. Keep them in good working order by running copious amounts of cold water during the disposal process and occasionally grinding up lemon and orange peels.
Burst or leaky pipes – We’ve written previously about the amount of damage burst pipes can do. It’s good practice to regularly check under sinks, around fittings, and in basements to spot leaks as early as possible.
Lack of hot water – Is there anything worse than waking up to an unexpected cold shower? The problem can be as easy as a tripped circuit breaker (contact an electrician if this happens frequently) or it could mean the hot water heater has failed completely (see next item on the list).
Failing or leaking water heaters – When a water heater decides to spring a leak, it’s a BIG leak – usually 40-50 gallons. Today, almost all newly installed water heaters have a ‘leak pan’ underneath, with an outlet that connects to a floor drain. If your water heater is more than 8 years old or is sitting directly on the floor, consider upgrading to the modern approach.
Leaking toilets/Running toilets – A leaky toilet can add $$ your annual water bill. Typically, the problem is somewhere in the ‘guts’ that live in the toilet tank…the flapper, the ball cock, etc.
Water You Waiting For? At Allied Reddi-Rooter, we’re on hand 24/7 to resolve any of the problems above or to assist with non-emergency plumbing needs, such as a bathroom or kitchen remode. Or, cleaning grease traps for our business customers. GCall or contact Ray today for a free estimate. 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service
Square-shaped or pear-shaped, there’s one for your shape!
There comes a time in everyone’s life when it’s time to replace the toilet. Whether the decision is by necessity or by design, selecting a new model is an enjoyable, inexpensive, and quick way to spruce up a bath. Recent advances in bathroom design and toilet technology provide a range of exciting toilet options.
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
HGTV has an excellent quick video that highlights current toilet trends and styles. Innovations such as hygienic handles to raise and lower the seat and anti-microbial porcelain glazes lead the way in improved bathroom cleanliness. “Pee-wee” pots are the rage for homes or facilities catering to small children’s bathroom needs. Looking for a functional sculpture in your luxury bath? Hidden tanks allow designers to showcase the cold curves of fine porcelain in delightful new ways. And as mentioned in last week’s blog, improvements in water conservation techniques give homeowners the option to use more, or less, water each time they flush. View HGTV bathroom trends video (2:30) >> http://www.hgtv.com/video/toilet-trends-video/index.html
Decisions… Decisions…
Once you’ve decided to purchase a new toilet, there are a few decisions to consider:
One-piece or two?
According to http://www.faucetdepot.com/resources/toilet-selection-guide.html, “The one piece toilet [is] one complete unit to allow for easy cleaning. One major advantage of the one piece toilet is that [it eliminates] the possibility of leaks between the tank and the bowl. Two piece toilets feature a separate bowl and tank that can be purchased together or individually, and the seat is typically sold separate as well. Two piece toilets are the most common type of toilets in most homes.”
Elongated or round bowl?
For years, round bowls were ubiquitous in American bathrooms. In recent years, elongated bowls have become increasingly popular – they are considered more comfy and their larger size provides about an additional 2″ of seating area. Supersize us – we think an elongated bowl is the way to go – it’s a nice look, adds a touch of elegance to an otherwise standard bathroom. And let’s face it, during extended visits, comfort in the seating area ranks high on the priority list.
Soft or hard?
Toilet seats are commonly sold as a separate accessories. A quick Google search of “toilet seat options” reveals everything from plush cushioned seats to automatic raising/lowering mechanisms and custom designs that add interest to the bath, the sky is the limit when it comes to seat options.
Self-install or hire a professional?
Toilet installation is one of the most common DIY project out there, but it can be frustrating and messy. If you choose the DIY option to replace an existing toilet, plan ahead. Drain the water out of the old toilet, have old towels at hand to soak up non-drainable water, have a johnny-ring on hand, and get ready to lift about 50 pounds of bulky porcelain. It’s recommended to have a second person on hand to assist with setting the toilet and ensuring everything is working properly.
For new installations, we recommend working with a professional plumber to obtain an accurate rough-in, proper drainage, and ensuring that everything is up-to-code.
Water You Waiting For? Allied Reddi-Rooter’s trained professionals are at the ready to assist with your bathroom plumbing needs. From bathroom repairs to new construction and remodels, Allied is a full-service plumbing provider, available 24/7. Call or contact Ray today for a free estimate. 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service
In celebration of our recent water heater sweepstakes, we thought it would be nice to offer a few tips for selecting a new water heater.
The water heater engineers at Rheem have an excellent article on selecting a tank based on your fuel type (gas or electricity) and desired tank type (tankless, traditional, high efficiency or others). Read more: http://www.rheem.com/products/water_heating/selection/
In this blog, our focus is on choosing the best tank size to meet your needs. The graphic below offers a good guideline:
Selecting the Right Size
1. Consider how much water your household will use on a daily basis. Typically, families fall into one of two categories: High Water Use or Low Water Use. If the following criteria apply to your home, you are likely a High Water Use home:
· Your home has at least two full-size bathrooms
· You frequently run out of hot water
· You have an oversize tub or a tub with jets. A good guidelines is that the water heater tank capacity is 100% or more of the bathtub capacity (i.e., a 50-gallon tub requires at least a 50 gallon water heater).
2. Locate your Household Size and Gallon Capacity in the chart above.
4. If your family is in the High Water Use Category, consider stepping up to the next Gallon Capacity option.
Water You Waiting For?
Be proactive in managing your water heater experience. In most homes in the Greater Cincinnati Area, household water heaters are well into their 8-10 year life expectancy. Replacing your tank as part of a regular household maintenance schedule means not having to replace one on an emergency basis (because we all know plumbing emergencies are the pits). And planning is always better than reacting. Call today and ask Ray to guide you through the water heater removal, replacement, and installation process. Call or contact Ray today for a free estimate. 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.