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Are you planning major renovations for your bathroom?  Do you have a kitchen overhaul in the works?  If you are considering (or currently working on) a DIY project in the kitchen, utility room, or bathroom, you will probably need a rough in plumbing diagram.

What is a rough in plumbing diagram?  Before you can consider creating a rough in plumbing diagram for your project, you probably want to know what it is.  A rough in plumbing diagram is a drawing that shows the current layout of plumbing elements as well as the intended positioning of any new elements you plan to incorporate. Read more

In order to repair a bathroom leak, you need to find the leak first. In some cases, a bathroom leak may be easy to repair; it’s a simple drip from a faucet. In other cases, you may see the trail of water, yet have no idea where the origination point is.

Water is one of the most dangerous items in your home. Its something you use every day and can’t live without. Yet if it ends up in places where it shouldn’t be, it can be a huge problem for your home and your family.

One of the most sensitive places in your home is the bathroom. In addition to water in your bathtub, shower, sinks and toilet, you also have condensation from the humidity when you use the bathtub or shower. Knowing what to look for can help you decide when you should do a little repair work on your own; and when its time to call in a plumber.

Aged Faucet

As the faucets on your tub, showers and sinks age, water will deteriorate them from the inside out. While they may still be shiny on the outside, you may begin to notice small drips. If you notice leaks, it means that it is time you replaced the washers. If leaks continue, it may be time to invest in a new faucet. While replacing faucets or fixing drips may be a great DIY project, if you want it done in a timely manner, a plumber can help you install everything quickly and guarantee you don’t have additional water problems. Remember to shut off the water from the main control meter before working on it.

Grout

If you ask a plumber, he will probably tell you that most leaks don’t originate from the pipe; but rather at the grout.  When water from the shower hits and splashes the tiles, a stream of water flows in all directions. If grout is sealed to the tiles, it simply disappears over time. If there are cracks or spaces, water may seep in, penetrating further into your wall boards as time goes on. Repairing this type of leak isn’t hard, although complications may occur while locating the source. If you are able to identify the source, it’s as easy as re-grouting your tiles. If you have any doubts as to the source, a plumber can use his skills and knowledge to find the origination point. Read more

Is your loved one a fixer-upper type?  Perhaps they are a builder, or maybe they just like to tinker around in their spare time.  Why not give the gift that keeps on giving, and invest in tools this holiday season.

But what kind of tool do you get them and how do you go about finding just the right one?  Here are a few tool shopping tips for those of us who don’t think the hardware stores are the dream locations for a shopping spree.

The basics – Are you buying a gift for someone with a new home? Start with the basics. Every homeowner will eventually need things like hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers. And if they have a yard, things like shovels, trimmers and clippers will also come in handy. Think basic as you make your way down the aisles, and you are sure to find something they will love. (You may find a thing or two yourself along the way.) Read more

Is your to-do list growing weekly? Are the handyman jobs around your home piling up?

Many do it yourselfers decide to tackle their lists, heading off for a Saturday morning at the hardware store, only to get further discouraged and put the projects off even longer.

While some jobs can be put off indefinitely – installing the new showerhead really won’t matter one way or the other if its finished in a timely manner. Other problems if left unattended can turn into disasters – a cracked pipe.

If you’re thinking about tackling a DIY project this weekend, there are easy ways to avoid the most common plumbing mistakes.

1. The “Just Get By” Approach

Whether you are putting a new fixture onto your bathroom sink, unclogging a drain, or repairing the toilet, getting lazy and fixing something to “just get by” will lead to mistakes you’ll quickly regret. By using the wrong sized equipment, piping that is the wrong diameter, or using something on hand just to avoid another trip to the store, you could end up with a leaky mess in a short period of time. Read more

Your house is nothing more than a system, using pipes, lines and wires to make it run effectively. When everything is working, you probably don’t give it a second thought. But if one thing goes wrong, you will quickly find out how much you depend on those pipes, lines and wires.

Your plumbing is a vital part of your life – you and your family use it all of the time. The plumbing pipes you have running in your walls and beneath your home make up your plumbing system. These pipes connect to your city’s water and sewage pipes and interconnect in your home in various ways. Your gas lines are also considered to be a part of your plumbing.

Depending on the year your home was built, and what part of the country you live, plumbing pipes are made out of the following:

PVC – These pipes are one of the most popular plumbing pipes today. PVC pipes do not clog as easily as other pipes and they are more affordable. Read more

When your plumbing starts acting odd or you finally decide to add that additional bathroom, you may be in need of a plumber. If you are handy with tools, you are likely to handle the project on your own. Millions of people do their own “handyman” projects with no trouble. The problem with approaching plumbing with the same gusto is that plumbing can be quite complicated.

The simplest plumbing project usually starts well. You survey the situation and make a list of needed supplies. You head to the hardware store and buy what you need. When asked by the salesclerk if you have any questions, you shake your head, confident that you have this under control. You dive head first into your project, working all day and into the night. Read more

Thinking of remodeling your basement this year? Adding a bathroom, wet bar and living space? If you have an older home, you may face something you’ve never anticipated – asbestos.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used in the past in various forms of construction. Some common uses for asbestos were insulation, door gaskets, steam pipes, joint compounds, and roofing materials, just to name a few. Asbestos has been linked to various health problems, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. If you inhale asbestos fibers into your lungs, the chances of you developing a health problem from it increase dramatically.

If you are doing some remodeling and come across an area that you believe may contain asbestos, such as an old patch in the wall or the insulation behind the wall, stop immediately. Asbestos is a harmful substance and if you disturb it, you will probably inhale the fibers into your lungs. Your first plan of action should be to evaluate the area and see if it is in good shape or not. If it is good shape, then leave it alone. The fibers are only harmful if inhaled. Leaving it alone will keep the fibers intact.

Read more

Do you spend your weekends as a do-it-yourself handyman around the home? Some jobs are easier than others. While dipping a brush in the paint can may be fairly straight forward, other jobs can have serious implications if you make an error. Here are 7 mistakes a do it yourself plumber often makes.

1. Quickly get into overwhelm. Fixing a washer on a faucet may seem easy, until you’ve visited the hardware store five times, purchasing the wrong part each time. What should have been a one hour fix turns into an all day project.

2. Inaccuracy in measuring. When working with water, electricity or gas, even a fraction of an inch matters. Cut something short, and its not just a small error, it could have serious repercussions on the health of your family.

3. Not allowing yourself enough time. Trying to put in a new toilet before company arrives? Think again. People inexperienced to plumbing often misjudge how long a project can take, and something that you say, “Oh, it’ll only take five minutes” to may end up taking much longer.

4. Having the wrong part or tool. Head to your local hardware store, and you’ll find hundreds, maybe even thousands of parts to choose from. And half way through the job, you may find you don’t have the correct tool or right size wrench to finish the job. What started out as a quick job can quickly turn into an expensive one.

5. Create a mess. Working with water? Did you remember to shut off the main water valve before you begin? Soaking the carpet, furniture, drapes and floorboards can quickly escalate the time you’ll spend on your quick project.

6. Have to call in a plumber after hours of frustration. People choose do it yourself projects because they feel they will save money. But when a project extends into days or weeks, and you end up calling a plumber anyway, it will leave you feeling frustrated. Evaluate how much your time is worth, and consider hiring it out in the first place.

7. Don’t go beyond your limits. Never put in a new water heater before? Or converted a stove from electric to gas? Is now really the time to learn? Keep the do it yourself projects to things that are easy to research, and simple to do. If a project can go wrong and cause you or your family harm, it may be the best and simplest choice to call in a professional plumber.

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8. Keep your kitchen sink in top shape by watching what you put down the drain. Throw high concentrations of food items into the trash. Never pour grease or oil down the drain, as it tends to solidify and block your pipes. And flush your pipes with hot water periodically, especially after you’ve sent quite a bit down the drain.

7. Use green approaches to drain cleaning whenever possible. Green approaches to drain cleaning not only are safer for the environment, but can be safer for your plumbing system too.

6. Fix faucet leaks quickly. Did you know one leaky faucet could quickly waste thousands of gallons of water? While its sometimes easy to overlook the occasional drip in your bathroom sink, fixing it quickly can prevent further problems down the road.

5. Routine water heater maintenance. Just like anything that is used all the time, your water heater needs the occasional maintenance. Sediment can build up in the bottom of your tank, reducing the amount of hot water ready and waiting for you to use.

4. Watch for small leaks. Small leaks can quickly turn into big problems. Remember a small leak is an indication of the start of a setback. It’s giving you an indication to fix it now, or face more serious, costly issues in the near future.

3. Replacing isn’t just for old, worn out fixtures. With many of the programs featured by your local water or energy company, you can replace some of your most used fixtures for very low cost, and end up saving in the long run on your energy bills. Make sure you take advantage of these programs while you can – like the current Denver Water Rebate program for 2010.

2. The lowest cost item isn’t always the best. It’s easy to find a sale at your local hardware store that’s too good to pass up. Yet spend a little bit of time researching the product before you invest in new fixtures. Because you use these items daily, you’ll sometimes get more for your money by investing a little more the first time.

1. The problem with most DIY plumbing projects is seeing them to completion. If you have a new toilet sitting in a box in your garage, or a new faucet that you just can’t get into place, calling your local plumber in to finish the job will allow you to enjoy your new items sooner.

Are you trying to find ways to save money, and looking at trying to install a hot water heater yourself?

No matter what stage of do it yourself project you’re trying, don’t be afraid to call in an expert at any point, even if it’s just for a final check.

This past week we received a phone call from a person who went down to a big box store and purchased a hot water heater. He spent the weekend installing it in his home, and then spent even more time trying to fix a couple of leaks that just wouldn’t go away.

After several hours of frustration, he decided to give us a call and have us be his second pair of eyes in his do it yourself project.

When our technician evaluated the project, the water leak was the least of his problems. During installation, the exhaust ventilation pipe was hooked up incorrectly, and was allowing carbon monoxide to leak into the home. The potential of turning into a deadly situation was avoided, and the homeowner will be forever grateful to have that second pair of eyes jump in on his do it yourself water heater project.

If you have a situation, don’t be afraid to call in a professional. From finding a tiny leak, to replacing an entire system, our goal is to help keep you safe and efficient.

We’re there for you.

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