Oct
26
Water heaters are a wonderful invention of modern society. Because of them, we have a reserve of hot water ready and waiting for us whenever we desire. That being said, water heaters can also be a big hassle. They take up quite a bit of space and they are a bit of an eye soar. Let’s face it, you can’t paint it, decorate it, or in any way disguise that well known industrial look.
If you have decided that the bulky thing is cramping your style, you might be considering moving it to somewhere a little less conspicuous. Before you do, be forewarned – moving a water heater can be costly and difficult. Here are a few issues you might run into if you take on this project.
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Oct
25
Where Is Your Sewer Line Clean Out?
Filed Under Sewers | Leave a Comment
Sewer problems can quickly turn your blissful day into a nightmare. When the toilet doesn’t flush or the sink doesn’t drain, you know that there is a problem.
Knowing that there is a problem is easy enough; actually pinpointing the problem can be a challenge.
Even if you have a fairly good idea of where the issue lies, such as a clog, it can be hard to even get to the clog. This is why you need to know the location of your sewer line clean out.
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Oct
19
Do you have small children in your home? Or maybe an elderly mom or dad that has recently moved in?
While you may not think twice about the temperature of your water – yoou simply adjust it and wait for it to be comfortable for you – small children and elderly persons don’t have the reflexes you do. They may “forget” to test the water first. Or simply not register its heat until its too late. Instead of allowing this to happen, take charge and adjust the water temperature before it happens.
The temperature of the water coming out of the water heater is under your control. All water heaters have a temperature control valve to allow you to adjust the temperature. You can set the temperature for as hot or as cool as you want it. And while there is no ideal temperature for everyone, there are suggestions, especially if you have elderly or the very young under your roof.
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Oct
18
Everyone is looking to save a buck or two (of course, we wouldn’t be opposed to saving a few more). And if we can save the planet while we’re at it, that’s even better.
If you have found yourself looking at purchasing a new appliance lately, you may be wondering if an energy efficient appliance is truly worth the cost. They claim to save you money and save the environment. So, what’s the catch? Are there any downsides, or are energy efficient appliances truly the way to go?
Higher efficiency – Appliance manufacturers have made significant improvements to the energy efficiency of all appliances, but especially energy efficient appliances. As appliances age, their efficiency naturally decreases. New, energy efficient appliances definitely use less energy. Read more
Oct
12
The Quickest Way to Update your Home – New Kitchen and Bathroom Faucets
Filed Under Plumbing Fixtures | Leave a Comment
Home remodeling can be an expensive project and also a time-consuming one. If you are feeling the need to update your home, there are some changes you can make that are inexpensive and easy to do, which will give your home an entirely new look. Updating your kitchen and bathroom faucets or cabinetry hardware is the best way to give your rooms a fresh new look without spending a lot of money.
Cabinetry Hardware
When you look around the cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom, do they look worn or outdated? A simple swap out of this old hardware for new, shiny, updated designs can give your kitchen or bathroom a beautiful look in a few short minutes. The popular finishes include satin, polished nickel and oil-rubbed bronze. This is also a good choice to make when you are trying to sell your home. This inexpensive change can make a dramatic difference for the potential buyers that come through your home.
Faucets
When you replace the faucets in your kitchen or bathroom, look for unique features that not only add beauty to your room, but also function. In the kitchen, faucets with hoses attached make it easy to clean dirty pots and pans and the crevices in the sink. There is also a variety of different sized faucets, allowing you to choose from tall faucets to accommodate large items in the kitchen or short faucets for regular use. You can even find those with unique ways to turn the faucet on and off, such as by touch rather than the traditional nozzle.
There are varieties of colors that are becoming popular with home remodeling today. Oil rubbed bronze, chrome and brushed nickel top the charts in popularity, as well as versatility, because they match just about any existing décor. One of the latest up and coming styles is black faucets. Choosing this color adds a look of modern elegance in the bathroom and it is becoming available in a large number of faucets today.
While the idea of making a change may seem fun and exciting in the store, what do you do when you have everything at home and no time to make the replacements? Rely on your plumber to do the job for you. Not only will you have the work done in a fraction of the time, they’ll do it the right way the first time.
Oct
11
With so many different acronyms and buzzwords in the media, its sometimes hard to understand what it all means.
Carbon footprint may be one of those words. You know it has to do with “going green”. You know it has to do with the amount of energy you use. But what else is there?
Your carbon footprint isn’t something you can see or touch with your eyes. However, just like a footprint, your use of various items leaves behind a trail of the carbon dioxide produced when we use up resources and cause pollution in the air. Almost everything you do on a daily basis creates carbon dioxide Which is why learning more about your carbon footprint focuses in on ways to reduce energy usage.
Home Energy Efficiency
You can use free websites that offer a calculation on your carbon footprint to determine exactly where you should make changes and how drastic your changes should be. Tracking your monthly power usage can help give you a visual of your power usage. Once you know your power usage, you can make positive changes in your home by using less power. Changing your light bulbs to more energy efficient bulbs can get you started on your changes. Read more
Oct
5
Ready to Convert your Electric Range to a Gas Range? Pros and Cons of Both
Filed Under Gas Lines | Leave a Comment
If you are ready to purchase a new range for your kitchen, you might feel overwhelmed at the various choices. Do you stick with your electric range or is time to convert to a gas range? You have a large number of choices to make, including the brand and model that you desire. There are various factors that go into your decision, making it important to understand the pros and cons of both.
Electric Ranges
There are many pros for installing an electric range in your home including:
Easy installation – all you have to do is plug it into the wall, there is no expertise required
Less Expensive – typically, electric ranges cost less than gas ranges
Greater Functions – electric ranges typically offer more functions than the gas range
Simple Care – because they offer a smooth surface, there are not a lot of grooves and crevices to clean, making cleanup and care simple
Easy Use – Simply turn it on and the stove starts without any flames or gas being emitted into the air
With every purchase come a few cons: Read more
Oct
4
Fun Facts About Toilet Paper
Filed Under Plumbing Tips | Leave a Comment
You use it every day. Yet you’ve probably never thought much about it. Yep, we’re talking about toilet paper. Here are some fun facts to add to your knowledge base and impress your friend!
Toilet paper comes in 1-ply or 2-ply.
The 1-ply version has one layer, the 2-ply has two.
Toilet paper squares originally were 4.5” x 4.5”; however that has changed over time with rising paper costs. Some manufacturers may advertise “cheaper costs” when in fact they’ve decreased the size of the sheets, in effect decreasing the amount of paper they use.
The 1-ply rolls will have 1,000 sheets, where as the 2-ply has 500 per roll.
The average roll of toilet paper weighs 227 grams, or just over ½ pound.
Jumbo rolls used in commercial and public settings typically have 2,000 sheets or more to save time replacing rolls throughout the day. Read more
Blogroll
- Quality 1st Plumbing website - Quality 1st Plumbing website
- Troubleshooter - Tom Martino – The Trouble Shooter
- WaterSense