Tips To Prevent Plumbing Emergencies

Like most homeowners, you may have taken your plumbing system for granted up until it stopped working properly. There is nothing like a burst pipe or a backed up toilet to get a homeowner’s attention. This kind of plumbing emergency is not just inconvenient but also costly to fix. It makes a lot more sense to maintain your plumbing system rather than having to call an emergency plumber to help you with your plumbing disaster. Search For Leaks Check your fixtures regularly and look out for unexplained increases in your water bill, most probably caused by water leaks. In case you found one, be sure to fix the problem right away. If you neglect even the smallest leak, it can result in big trouble sooner or later. Other warning signs include a toilet rocking on its base and indications of moisture like peeling paint, stained walls, as well as unexplained musty doors. Take Care Of Your Toilet There is nothing else you need to put into your toilet except for toilet paper and human waste. Don’t put your plumbing system at risk by flushing diapers, leftover food, feminine hygiene products, or even a dead goldfish. It is also not recommended to pour fats and oils down the toilet or the garbage disposal because grease can cause various kinds of problems from your plumbing pipes. Be Kind To Your Kitchen Garbage Disposal Fruits and bones are too hard; artichoke leaves, celery stalks, as well as corn husks,  are way too stringy; rice, pasta, and oatmeal are too starchy that they can cause clogs in the machine; metal, plastic and other non-food items is a bad idea as well. Your kitchen garbage disposal can deal with smaller amounts of food on mixing bowls and dinner dishes. The rest have to go in your garbage can or the compost pile. Purchase Sink Strainers It is ideal to purchase sink strainers for your bathroom and kitchen to prevent hair and other gunk from getting washed down the drain and causing blockages to your plumbing pipes. And when you are at it, do pick up a bigger version that can protect your shower drains too. Don’t Treat Clogged Drains With Harsh Chemicals It is not recommended to use harsh chemicals to treat drain clogs because they are too hard on the plumbing pipes. You can use a plunger or a drain snake as an alternative to dislodge minor drain clogs. Any other serious clogging needs to be addressed by a licensed emergency plumber. Drain Your Water Heater Tank To Get Rid Of Sediment Build Up Don’t forget to turn off the gas or electricity, as well as the cold water supply valve of the heater first. Apart from that, you need to check the tank at least monthly for drips or other plumbing issues. Know Where Your Main Shutoff Valve Is Located Your plumbing system’s main shutoff valve is usually located near the water meter, which is found in front of your home. Turn off your water supply in case of an overflowing appliance or a broken pipe so you can prevent a small problem from becoming a bigger issue while waiting for a Florence emergency plumber.

Call Plumbing Experts Florence if you are having a plumbing emergency.

Plumbing Experts Florence Florence, SC 29501 843-536-4568 www.plumbingprosflorence.com/

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Hiring A Plumber For Your Home Remodeling Projects

Although you might be able to install a toilet on your own, a plumber can help you with more complicated projects like adding a new shower, running plumbing lines in your new kitchen, or adding another bathroom. If you are embarking on a home remodeling project that involves tinkering, upgrading, or changing some important components of the plumbing system, be sure to hire a plumber Florence to assist you. Get Names Talk to your neighbors who recently completed a home remodeling project and get the names of the plumbers they worked with. Remember that you are hiring a plumber for a construction or renovation project and not for repair. The quickie plumber trucks you see cruising through your local area is specializing in emergency plumbing repairs. You need a plumber who will come prepared on a certain date and provide you with solid work, give you a predetermined estimate, and help you in your bathroom or kitchen renovation. Check State Licensing Visit your state’s licensing website and check if the potential plumber is licensed or has any unresolved or pending complaints. Not every state license plumbers, however, the Contractor’s License reference website is the best place to begin your search. Keep in mind that if a plumber is licensed, that does not always mean that they are a reliable plumber. It simply means that they have met the minimum requirements needed to stay licensed. Word of mouth is also a great indicator of the plumber’s value. Crystallize Your Plumbing Plan You need to have a plan set in place before you call a plumber. You don’t need to have a detailed plan listing the size and type of the pipes and fittings. What you should have is a good idea of the results you expect to see once the project is completed. Most plumbing contractors are ready once they arrive for work. In case he or she is an independent contractor, the more they talk to you the less money they earn. In case the plumber works for an established company, they will still be held accountable for the time spent working on something aside from billing for work. Although you can expect plumbers to provide great recommendations, do not expect that they will spend hours discussing or drawing out plans for you. Make A Cheat Sheet When you are scouting for the best plumber in your area, be sure to create a cheat sheet of the things you want to ask him or her especially if you are doing initial interviews over the phone. The questions should include asking for their hourly rate, how much they charge for non-plumbing tasks, and if they are bonded, insured, or have worker’s compensation. You also need to know if they will get the needed plumbing permits for you. Make The Call When you call plumbing companies, be sure to ask for the manager. You also have to be patient. In most cases, they are used to talking to contractors and not homeowners. But you can easily disarm them if you tell them that you need their help and expertise. Get A Permit Let’s say that the plumber will not get the permit for you then now is the best time for you to apply. Prepare The Job Site You do not want your plumber to waste his time opening up walls, lighting dark basements, or clearing crawlspaces. Even you think that these are part of their work, you can still do this for them. After all, it’s your house, right?

Call Plumbing Experts Florence if you are planning to take on a home remodeling project that requires the expertise of a reliable plumber.

Plumbing Experts Florence Florence, SC 29501 843-536-4568 www.plumbingprosflorence.com/

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Tips For Avoiding Plumbing Emergencies During The Holidays

During the holiday season, families spend a lot of their time in the kitchen and hosting guests as well as relatives in their homes. This inflow, in most cases, places more pressure on your plumbing, which could require the help of an emergency plumber. The last thing you want to deal with during the holidays is a clogged toilet or a backed up toilet. However, with more guests in your home and a large amount of food that needs to be prepared, emergency plumbing issues are often bound to happen. But, asking a Florence emergency plumbing contractor to go to your house during the holidays may not be as easy as it seems and you need to be prepared to pay a bit more for emergency service. Given that, the best thing you can do is to find a plumber before you need one. Do your research ahead of time so you have a good idea of what charges to expect. You can also inquire about emergency services and if they accept emergency calls during the holiday. Clogged Drains The most likely issue that you will have to deal with over the holidays is a clogged drain. It often needs the assistance of a professional plumbing contractor to clear the obstruction. However, there are several other steps that homeowners can do on their own to get rid of the clog or prevent one for taking place. Sink Clogs Drain clogs in your bathroom sinks can happen over time due to the accumulation of soap, hair bits, and fibers from towels inside the pipes. Clogs in your kitchen sinks are often the result of too much food being flushed down the drain. Most clogs can be removed using a sink plunger. If you compare it to a toilet plumber, the sink plunger is much smaller and it also has a different shape. Put the plunger over the hole of the drain in the sink. Make sure that the water at the bottom is enough to create a seal. Plump the sink plunger up and down while preserving a good seal, as this will help dislodge the clog. In case that does not work, you can also try pouring hot water down the drain. The hot water can assist in breaking up any soap scum or organic compounds in the clog. A mix of hot water and baking soda can also help unclog the drain. Although it is quite tempting to pour over the counter drain cleaning materials, several plumbers do not recommend it. The chemicals are potentially dangerous to your skin and can damage to the pipes of your plumbing system if you overuse or use it incorrectly. Toilet Clogs If you are having problems with toilet clogs, the first thing you need to do is to use a plunger. It is your first line of defense. It can help you get rid of clogs in the shower and bathtub as well. However, be sure to create a seal by filling the base with one inch of water before you start plunging. In case this does not work, a drain auger is a good alternative. It is also known as a drain snake that works by pushing it into the drain to break up the clogs. A drain auger will less likely harm your pipes, however, they may end up scratching ceramics and porcelain so be sure to break up the clog carefully.

Call Plumbing Experts Florence for any of your holiday plumbing emergencies. Our team is always ready to help.

Plumbing Experts Florence Florence, SC 29501 843-536-4568 www.plumbingprosflorence.com/

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