Pipe Burst 101

What to do while waiting for the Plumber

The damage of a busted pipe. (Photo Credits)

While waiting for a plumber to arrive, homeowners should at least know how to respond to a busted pipe. Basic knowledge in responding to these types of incidents can minimize accidents and further damage to the property.

Hadley Insurit Group gave its readers a guideline on what should be done following a pipe burst.

“If a pipe bursts in your home, the first thing you should do is turn off your water to minimize flooding damage. Every homeowner should know where the main water valve is. Find it and shut it off immediately! If necessary, you should also turn off electricity to the areas of your home where the flooding is occurring. If you are living in an apartment and do not have access to the building’s water supply or electric services, call your landlord or building manager as soon as you notice a problem.”

Read the rest of the guidelines here.

Avoid Further Danger

The Desperate Houselife also advised its readers to not forget to remove chemicals from the home. Emergency AceContractor Plumber  

“Remove dangerous chemicals. The last thing you want to happen is for bleach and other items to contaminate the flood water. That could harm any pets in your home, and it could make your children ill. You should take all your cleaning products out of the cupboard and put them upstairs where it is dry. It also makes sense to place your possessions somewhere more suitable.”

Check out the whole post here.

The Danger of Frozen Pipes

BBB Northwest meantime underscored the importance of calling for professional help no matter the degree of pipe burst took place.

“Also, if a pipe bursts, immediate attention by a plumber is crucial. A plumber can help you locate the problem, thaw out your pipes, and insulate against future freezing. Repairing a pipe can be tricky and may end up causing more problems, so hiring a plumber is a safe and smart option.

When hiring a plumber to take care of your pipes in the winter, it’s important to choose a licensed and bonded professional who is BBB Accredited. The pipes that supply water to your home are very important, and you need someone you can trust to handle the repairs.”

Read the whole article here.

Calling for professional plumbing help is critical when problems like a busted pipe occur in a home or a commercial property.

Avert a Plumbing Disaster while Out On Vacation

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Avert a Plumbing Disaster while Out On Vacation

Prevent Plumbing Issues from Ruining a Vacation Trip

Plumbing issues may ruin a long-planned vacation break. (Photo Credits)

Plumbing issues can be a pain especially when a home owner is out of town, enjoying a well-deserved holiday break.

High Priority Plumbing says it is important that a homeowner asks a trusted neighbor or friend to look over his or her property while their family is away. This trusted neighbor should have an access to the homeowner’s cotact information, and theat of their trusted emergency plumber.

“Leave behind instructions for reaching you and contacting your emergency plumber. Emergencies do happen. It’s always good to be prepared. Providing contact information for you and your plumber are details that will help reduce the stress of the person who is helping to look after your home. It’s also a good idea to authorize your plumber to make emergency repairs in your absence and give them your contact information in case you need to be reached.”

Read the rest of the post here.

Don’t leave home without double checking plumbing fixtures

Boden Plumbing also shared more tips.

“It’s always a good idea to turn off your water heater before going on vacation.  All water heaters have a shut off water valve attached to the tank.  Turning it to the off position could prevent a big water spill, the kind that can result from a tank fail during your absence. Turning the heater down or off is another good idea.  Why heat water when not home?”

Here are the rest of the tips.

The water supply

Patch.com also mentioned the obvious. AceContractor Plumbers of San Marcos

“Turn off the water supply to all exterior faucets. This is a particularly good idea if you’ll be away when outdoor temperatures fall below freezing when pipes can burst. After you turn it off, open the faucets to make sure there’s no water remaining in the pipes that could expand and cause a crack.”

Check out the rest of the article here.

Making sure that everything is in order in a home will prevent plumbing disasters from taking place.

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Fabulous Faucets

How faucets can change the whole look of a sink

The faucets that change the entire look of a sink. (Photo Credits) 

Faucets can be a great way to accentuate the sink of either the bathroom or the kitchen.

And with the many designs to choose from, one can just get confused on which one can be best for the home.
Home-Designing featured 50 new faucets designs that are just too nice to ignore.

“Whether you’re redoing your entire house or just want to freshen up your kitchen or bath, a new faucet can be a marvelous start. The right faucet can add a pop of color or become a gilded focal piece for an otherwise serene space. Particularly interesting in modern faucets is that ability to include lighting features, as many of the included faucets have LED lights that provide illumination at night and add a bit of funky color to a modern bathroom.”

Take a look at the faucets here.

Nice and Functional

What is important when choosing a faucet is that it functions the way you want it to.

The website In Minutes emphasized this point.

“Beauty and functionality are the approaches that the latest trends in 2016 faucet designs focus on. You can find ultra-modern waterfall faucets designs that vary in shapes and material for each design from glass waterfall faucets to the stainless steel design with the possibility of various light color arrangements. These faucets’ provide you with elegance and practical use either.”

Check out the designs here.

Happy Faucet Designs

Design Architecture Art also featured some unique faucet design ideas, particularly those which have built in LED lights that will surely awe anyone using it. San Marcos Plumbing Authority 

“Particularly interesting in modern faucets is that ability to include lighting features, as many of the included faucets have LED lights that provide illumination at night and add a bit of funky color to a modern bathroom. And don’t forget about the kitchen where brass faucet arms can swing out over deep sinks to fill pots while still integrating themselves with overall warm industrial feel of so many modern homes. Faucets shouldn’t be an afterthought.”

Read the rest of the post here.

Qualities of a Good Plumber

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Qualities of a Good Plumber

What to look for when hiring a Plumber

Find the right person for the job. (Photo Credits) 

There are a lot of plumbers, and plumbing Contractor Services in any given community.

But before hiring, a homeowner should be well aware about the qualities to look for in a Plumber. Click Here For San Marcos Plumbing

Blog Lovin gave tips on the traits to look for before signing that project agreement.

“It takes several years of training to be able to become a qualified plumber. It takes a lot of dedication too as it is a continuous learning process what with the technological advancements so while looking for the plumber this is the important area that you need to look at. The plumber that you hire should be qualified and should have the on-field experienced that can help to solve your plumbing problems in an effective manner.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Trust only the experts

Negosentro meantime underscored the value of expertise when it comes to hiring a plumbing professional.

“Better invest your money to an expert. Doing the job correctly in the first time, saves time, effort and of course money. Now don’t get confused from a sanitary engineer to master plumber. The sanitary engineer plans and designs on how to work on the plumbing while the plumber does the hands-on installation and maintenance of the plumbing system.”

Check out the rest of the traits to look for here.

Look beyond costing

First Class Portal meantime warned homeowners that costing is not the be all and end all when it comes to deciding on a plumber to hire.

“Find out the price each one is quoting, the time period in which they promise to set things right and the type of materials they are using. Compare all these essential details and then zero down on your final choice. Make sure you get all the technicalities right and don’t pay the full amount until the task has been completed. Stay in the loop and keep checking-in on the progress of the work. You have to be firm if you don’t want to be cheated into accepting poor quality services for high costs.”

Read the rest of their advice here.

What are the traits you look for when hiring a plumber?

Natural ways to unclog drains

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Natural ways to unclog drains

Unclogging Drains

Avoid chemicals in unclogging drains o prevent damage. (Photo Credits)

It is very tempting to just use a store-bought chemical when unclogging really pesky drains, but the convenience of using such harsh chemicals could backfire on any home or business owner.

Plumbers generally do not recommend harsh chemicals when it comes to emergency drain de-clogging.

Beyond Blindfold gave some helpful tips.

“Baking soda has sodium bicarbonate that reacts in an explosive effervescent manner when it comes in contact with vinegar. The bubbles help in loosening up any grimy sludge that is clogging the drain. Once you add hot water to the mix, any fat and other debris responsible for the clogging gets washed away, thus clearing the drain.”

Check out the whole procedure here.

Chemical-Free ways to unclog drains

Naturally Savvy also has more tricks in clearing drain clogs the natural way.

“It’s never fun to unclog bathroom drains… My bathtub was semi-clogged recently. I hate having sloshing water at my feet when I am in the shower. (Who does?) So, I tried the only natural method I know, since commercial drain cleaner has Sodium Hydroxide, which is a very caustic substance, bleach and other chemicals that I wouldn’t want in the house.”

See more here.

Say no to harmful substances

Lifetips.com also has its own share of advice for homeowners with clogged drains. Plumber San Marcos Click Here

“Hair and goo can build inside your sink causing your drains to empty slowly, giving you something else to contend with during your bathroom cleaning ritual. Drop a couple of alka seltzer tablets into a slow drain and follow with a vinegar chaser. After a few minutes, rinse with hot water. Your drain will be as good as new.”

More great tips are published here.

What chemical-free solutions do you use in unclogging your drains?

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Avoiding Frozen Pipes

What to do to prevent frozen pipes

Prepare home pipes even before the winter. (Photo Credits)

Frozen pipes are definitely an inconvenience for any homeowner. Imagine not having water when needed because the pipes are freezing?

Patch.com shared some tips on how to avoid it. Find a Plumber San Marcos here

“Use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house. A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.”

Read the rest of the article here.

More ways to avoid freezing Pipes

Martha Stewart also gave her own take on preventing pipes from freezing during the bitter cold months. Check out AceContractor commercial plumbing site View Here 

“The pipes that are most likely to freeze are those that are exposed to extreme cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, sprinkler system lines, and pipes in unheated areas such as basements, garages, and attics. Pipes that run along exterior walls with no insulation also freeze very easily.”

Watch the slide show here.

Prevention is the answer

Slive.com also shared more preventive measures homeowners can take to ensure their pipes will not freeze come winter time.

“If you plan to be away, drain and shut off your water system (except for indoor sprinkler systems) and have someone check your home daily to make sure the heat is on.

Read it here.

What do you do to prevent frozen pipes?

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A Guide in Choosing the Right Plumber

Hiring a Plumbing Expert

How to choose the right professional for the job. (Photo Credits)

Choosing the right plumber can be a confusing decision to make for any homeowner.

Tucson News Now gave some pointers.

“Consumer experts recommend doing your homework before hiring a plumber. Look up a company’s license.”

Read the rest of the post here.

The Right Plumber

Force10 Building Solutions also gave more tips. Drain cleaning San Marcos           

“A good plumber is like your own doctor. You want to be able to see your own plumber at all times in need. That is because good plumbers will always know the issues of the heating system or of the plumbing issues of the property without even attending. Many plumbers can sometimes resolve things over the phone, with no charge at all. It’s like a piece of advice. They are also the ones to reply when an emergency occurs. When a plumbing emergency occurs you do not want to start looking in Yellow Pages or on the internet. You want to know that you can call your plumber who can provide immediate advice over the phone and then attend within a few hours.”

Check out the rest of the advice here.

Trust only the professionals

Modern Process Plumbing shared a helpful guide in helping find an expert for the job. San Marcos, CA Plumbing          

“Plumbers are notorious for charging astronomical prices. You need to make sure that you are paying for the right thing. How experienced is a certain plumber? Do they take emergencies on holidays and weekends? Do they have a base hourly rate, or do they operate on project costs? How much is their labor cost? These are things you need to think about when deciding whether their prices are reasonable. If you find someone who is cheap, make sure you find out why their prices are so low. Instead of thinking you found a bargain, consider that something may be amiss and that’s why their prices are so low.”

Read more tips here.

How did you choose your current on-call plumber?

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Homemade Sink Cleaners

DIY Cleanser Recipes for bathroom and kitchen sinks

Clean your sink with homemade sink cleaner. (Photo Credits) 

Cleaning the sink can be a chore, especially when greasy pots and pans have graced it. San Marcos Drain Cleaning     

An effective grease cutting sink cleaner can be quite expensive, and so, finding a homemade solution that works just as well could solve this home dilemma.

Cleanmama shared a great recipe to follow.

“My favorite DIY recipe is also my favorite nightly ritual – the Nightly Sink Scrub.  It’s a recipe I came up with a few years ago and it pretty much started my DIY cleaners obsession which also turned into my first book, The Organically Clean Home.  The great thing about this recipe is that it’s so simple to whip up and it does such a great job at giving the sink a little scrub, you’ll love it!  Did you know that the sink is pretty much the dirtiest spot in your whole home?  Another reason to give it a nightly scrub!”

Know how to make the nightly sink scrub here.

Fast and Easy DIY Sink Cleanser

Fluster Buster gave its readers a lot of options when it comes to homemade Sink Cleaner recipes as it published about 20.

“What’s been keeping you from making them? There are recipes all over the web! Are you afraid it’s to difficult, or that they aren’t as effective? Surprisingly, a lot of the commercial cleaning supplies that you buy contain things that you probably already have on hand. The only difference is that their’s costs more and it comes in pretty packaging.”

Get the recipes here.

Drain cleanser?

But what if it is the drain that needs all that cleaning?

Lilmoo Creations shared some tips. AceContractor Homepage

“If your drain isn’t flowing as easily as it should, then it’s probably a bit clogged. Instead of paying big bucks for chemical-filled concoctions, try fixing the problem yourself with a homemade drain cleaner! Drain cleaners are one of the most toxic chemicals there are, they can cause blindness, burns, and be fatal if swallowed. You can make your own drain cleaner using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, with no worries about the toxic and even fatal chemicals found in drain cleaners!”

Check out the rest of their post here.

How do you keep your sink clean?

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

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How to detect leaks in the Basement

Basement Leaks: Detect them early

Detecting basement leaks. (Photo Credits)

Basement leaks could be very damaging to a home, especially when it has been shrugged off. It can case hassles, financial loss, and at the same time could even lead to a bigger problem that is water damage.
So how would a homeowner know if there are basement leaks in their home?

Sanitred shared some signs to watch out for, especially when buying a new home. AceContractor Homepage

“This is a whitish colored mineral deposit frequently observed on the inside of foundation walls. When water has seeped through the basement walls and evaporates it leaves mineral deposits behind. People often assume that the more efflorescence you have, the bigger problem you have. But the truth is that the drier the air is in the basement, the faster moisture evaporates and this leads to more mineral deposits. If a dehumidifier was used in a basement you will see more efflorescence appearing. Efflorescence on a basement walls does indicate moisture has seeped in, but it doesn’t tell you how severe the problem is or whether this is actively happening right now.”

Read the rest of the signs here.

Causes of Basement Leaks

One type of basement leak is winter basement leak. Go Thrasher recently published an article on why this is happening to homes. San Marcos Drain Cleaning

“Unless you happen to live in a part of the country that doesn’t experience freezing temperatures, your home has some sort of heating system. Boilers, heat pumps and furnace forced air systems all keep your home nice and toasty warm when outdoor temperatures plummet. And in the same way that you can feel heat radiate outward from a pot of boiling water, heat radiates out from your foundation to the surrounding soil – sometimes as far as 8-10 inches from the exterior of your foundation walls. While all that heat helps keep you and your family comfy, it also keeps water flowing around the exterior of your foundation. It also melts snow and ice above ground that may pile up next to your home. Because that moisture never freezes it will continue to seep in through your foundation walls and slab floors.”

Check out the rest of the article here.

Slab Leaks

Slab leaks are also as perilous.

Dogc.org said it is important to refer the matter to the professionals in the event that a homeowner suspects slab leaks in the home.

“This is why it is key to make sure you are going with a team of specialists who have experience and the knowledge required to ensure all slab leak repairs are being done properly. Those who don’t do this are the ones who are going to struggle, and that is not a good boat to be in for anyone. It is essential to make sure you are in good hands, and that is only going to happen with people who have been around for a while and are going to put in the hard work for you and your needs.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Have you inspected your home for basement or slab leaks lately?

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Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Renovating the Toilet and Bath

Bathroom renovation ideas. (Photo Credits)

Bathroom renovations can be wonderful, but it can get costly.

Architectural Digest gave homeowners some tips on what they have to know before carrying on a bathroom remodeling.

“Before the work begins, buy the tiles, plumbing fixtures, vanity, and accessories (think mirrors, towel bars, and hooks) and arrange for them to be sent to your home. Not only will you avoid a cost markup from your contractor, says Fanuka, but you’re also in control of delivery time—late materials could then delay the renovation itself. Be sure to inspect the purchases with your contractor when they arrive, and notify the vendor if anything is broken.”

Read the rest of the tips here.

Remodeling to achieve bathroom relaxation

Apartment Therapy featured swoon-worthy bathrooms that any homeowner can use as a peg to their bathroom renovation project.  Learn more here              

“Tile is front and center in this bathroom from Elizabeth Roberts. All the different (mostly) white tiles combine together to create a playful, textured backdrop for traditional fixtures.”

Take a look at the photos here.

Realtor.com meanwhile gave homeowners tips on how to go about a toilet and bath remodeling that could likewise be considered as a home investment. Plumber and Drain of San Marcos  

“But exactly which upgrades are the best, in terms of both usefulness and return on investment? Before you go nuts installing saunas and rain shower heads, check out this second installment in our series Renovations That Really Pay Off, for some smarter tweaks you’ll be very glad you made.”

Read the rest of the post here.

Are you thinking of remodeling your toilet and bath?

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