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.)

Versatility versus all purpose - If a tool claims to be able to do everything, it probably doesn’t do a stellar job at anything.  “Multi-functionality” isn’t always the key.  If you want a tool that will be handy in multiple situations, look for versatility rather than all purpose.  The tool doesn’t need to do everything, just do a few things really well.

Quality counts - Whether your looking at hammers or power tools, quality is important.    When in doubt, go with a name brand that has a trusted reputation behind it.

Do some research - If you know nothing of tools, it might be wise to read up a bit on the tool your considering.  Your loved one will appreciate the end result of your extra effort.

Gift cards are good - When in doubt, consider giving a gift card.  This allows your loved one to find just the right tool for them.

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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.

2.Repairing Pipes with Mismatched Materials

Can you repair an existing plumbing system with different types of piping, such as galvanized piping to copper piping? Yes, if you know what you are doing. If you connect the two types of piping with a proper fitting, your repair can last you for years. Without it, you’ll have corrosion on your hands in a very short period of time.

3. Installing Fixtures and Equipment Without The Proper Tools

If you don’t have the proper tools before you start your project, you won’t get proper placement of your new fixtures or equipment. Yes, you can put in a toilet without the proper wrenches and without using a level to make sure its properly installed. But what happens when it begins to leak and puddle around the base? Trying to fix mistakes after the fact is tough and may lead to even more problems.

4.Odd Designs In Remodels

As a weekend handyman, many people have added new bathrooms to attics or basements because of convenience. Instead of moving piping to an area where it won’t cause distractions in living areas, they route plumbing based on ease. Look at the layout of your home, and move bathrooms to areas where flushing won’t be louder than your family activities.

5. Starting A Project As A Last Resort

We’ve all done it. Family or friends are coming over for a Saturday night barbeque, and the toilet has to be repaired before everyone arrives. So the last minute project starts, and you find yourself working right up until the time guests are due to arrive, finishing in a sloppy manner. These leads to mistakes, which can be costly in the near future. Give yourself ample time to finish a project, and don’t plan a project around an important event.

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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.

Steel – Steel is often used for gas lines. Without proper installation and material, your gas lines could be dangerous.

Copper – Copper is often used for water lines. Although it is still a popular choice for plumbing, the price of copper is on the rise. Therefore, the use of copper in plumbing is declining as people find cheaper alternatives, such as PVC.

WARDFLEX – This flexible material is becoming the favored choice of gas lines. It is easier to maneuver and install because of its flexibility.

Clay tile – Clay tile pipes are most often found in older homes. If you have clay tile pipes in your home, you should have them replaced. This type of piping is out-of-date when it comes to plumbing standards and there are many other choices that are better.

Cast iron – Cast iron tapes are used mainly for drain systems. Although most often found in older homes (like clay tile pipes), these pipes are usually replaced because of the better materials used today in plumbing pipes.

Lead – Lead pipes were used in older homes as water lines. Today, we have a better understanding of the dangers of lead, so these lines should always be replaced. Lead is a dangerous substance, especially to small children.

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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.

Fast-forward a week or two. Your “simple” project is still not complete. You have made so many trips to the hardware store that you know every employee by name. When you walk through the doors, the cashier already has your credit account pulled up, ready for your next purchase. Your family is hounding you on a daily basis for the necessity of running water. Your wife is threatening to pack up the kids and move in with her mother. The only one who is not mad at you is your dog and that is only because he hates baths.

At this point, it is time to swallow your pride and call in the professionals. A licensed plumber will give you an estimate for time and cost and have your project finished in a timely manner. Instead of waiting until it is almost too late, consider calling in the pros from the beginning. You can save you and your family a lot of trouble. Your dog may not like you, but your family will love you.

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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.

If the area is a place where it is impossible to leave the asbestos undisturbed, do not attempt to remove it on your own. Licensed and trained professionals are the only route for the safe removal of asbestos from your home. You should contact a professional immediately and have your home evaluated. They will be able to tell you if the amount of asbestos is dangerous and if it needs to be removed.

The cost of asbestos removal is high but it is worth it for the safety of your family. There is also a chance that the asbestos can be repaired, by either sealing it or covering it. Remember, never try to remove or repair the asbestos alone. Leave it to the professionals to avoid the danger of inhaling the fibers. Your health is not worth the money you would save by removing it on your own.

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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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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.

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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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Every day we cook three times a day. And if you’re cooking anything on the stovetop, chances are you’ve had cooking oil you drain off before you continue cooking your meal. What do you do with the excess cooking oil?

If you’re putting it down the drain, you could be doing more than clogging your drain. Grease actually begins to solidify fairly quickly, and will build up in a variety of ways. As you pour it down the drain, it combines with other particles in the wastewater, and begins sticking to the pipe walls that move through your home. Over time, this same buildup can attach itself to more that the pipes in your home – it can also move outside of your home and block the lines in and out of your home, resulting in a wastewater spill and potential hazard to you and the community around you.

Instead of creating a potentially expensive and chaotic situation, avoid the situation all together by keeping grease out of your drain. When cooking with grease, pour leftover oil into a jar or container and place into the trash. Wipe away any residue with a paper towel to avoid rinsing any down the drain.

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Here’s our list plumbing gift ideas that would make great stocking stuffers – and should be handy in every household for the quick jobs that pop up.

1. Adjustable Wrench Set. Just the tool for odd jobs all around the home. 

2. Pliers. A complete pliers set will ensure you’re ready for any type of job, from grabbing and holding tiny pieces of wire, to cutting through metal.

3. Measuring Tapes. Ready to help you with all of your plans and fix-ups.

4. Screwdriver Set. Make sure you have all sizes and types available when you need it.

5. A Multi Position Ladder. Perfect for jobs all around the house, multi position ladders raise and bend to reach any height you need.

6. Wet/Dry Vacuum. Perfect for all kinds of uses, from garage messes to water cleanup.

Happy Holidays from Quality 1st Plumbing!

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