10 Bathroom Plumbing Tips

10 Bathroom Plumbing Tips

Making sure that bathroom plumbing is working properly is important for every home. Whether you are upgrading fixtures, building a new addition or simply maintaining daily plumbing functions, knowing what to do can minimize frustration and damage. Some plumbing issues are unavoidable and might require the work of a professional plumber. Others are possible to avoid by following simple bathroom maintenance tips that will save you money and time.

1. Hire a Professional

Generally, a plumbing expert is best for handling complex and emergency issues. Keep the contact information of a reputable plumbing company in your area.

2. Create a Plan

Before beginning a potential budget-busting and time-consuming plumbing project, develop a plan. A plan can help identify the appropriate materials necessary and where pipes are located, for example.

3. Think Energy Efficient

Consider going green if you want to upgrade bathroom fixtures. Doing so can improve the energy efficiency in your home and have a direct impact on utility bills. Many types of plumbing fixtures, from bathroom faucets to toilets, are available to offer high performance in homes.

4. Catch Small Issues

Do not ignore the occasional toilet overflow. This is one of the most common bathroom plumbing problems. If it appears that the water level is about to overflow, turn on cold water in the bathtub or basin. This slows the water and prevents it from overflowing until a plumber can further evaluate the problem.

5. Repair Leaky Faucets ASAP

Small drips from a leaky faucet can significantly increase your water bill. Typically, leaky faucets can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day that the problem goes unresolved. Therefore, you want to repair leaky faucets as soon as possible. Regular maintenance of faucets can also help to prevent considerable wear and tear.

6. Prevent Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes will not only leave your household without running water, but the risk of pipes bursting also increases. Leave faucets running if local weather forecasts an overnight freeze. If the pipes are already frozen, try using a space heater at 10 minute intervals for thawing. Remember not to leave the heater unattended.

7. Test for Toilet Leaks

Test for toilet leaks by checking the tank's water level. If water is overflowing through the pipe located in the middle, adjust the fill valve. Do this until water stops within one inch of the overflow tube. Add a few drops of food coloring and wait 15 minutes before checking the bowl. If the toilet bowl water has changed color, you might need to replace a leaking flapper or ball.

8. Showerhead Maintenance

Flushing showerheads with clean water will remove mineral deposits that can clog the holes. Soaking the showerhead in vinegar is another way to remove the deposits.

9. Avoid Cleaning Tablets

Most toilet cleaning tablets can leave a nice smell, ocean blue water and damage to rubber gaskets. This causes a small leakage that leads to major toilet and flooring damage. Pouring bleach into the toilet and flushing after 10 minutes can have a safer cleansing effect.

10. Installing a Bathroom Vanity

Turn off water valves and place a bucket underneath the sink before installing a bathroom vanity. Residual water is usually a given even after valves are shut off. While this may seem obvious, it is easy to forget.

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How Much Does The Average Plumber Charge - Get The Best Value For Your Plumbing Repair

How Much Does The Average Plumber Charge

No matter where you turn, it seems as though someone's ready to tell a story about how they were overcharged for a plumbing repair service. Whether the plumber came to fix a simple leak or install hot water heater, more homeowners than ever are becoming dissatisfied with less-than-average results from their plumbers.

So how can you ensure that you're getting the most value from your plumbing repair serviceall

If you're wondering how much the average plumber charges, then you're on the track. A major part of ensuring you're getting the most bang for your buck is to know ahead of time what the average plumber in your area charges. That way, you're armed with information before you hire a plumber - and you'll know when a quote is just too high for the job.

Here's how you can discover what the average plumber charges in your area:

· Stick to a ten-mile radius in your vicinity. This is especially true if you live in a bedroom community of a major metropolitan area. Too often homeowners will research plumber prices, only to accidentally research prices that are more relevant to a suburb or country community rather than a city. As a rule of thumb, the more developed your area is, the higher the plumber prices will be. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however - and those are generally the plumbers you'll be most interested in.

· Ask your friends or neighbors for recommendations as to which plumber you should choose. Your social circle is a bevy of information about how much plumbers charge for their plumbing repair services - so take advantage of it! You'll likely narrow down your list to a handful of local plumbers who fit your budget.

· Once you have an approximate list of plumbers with affordable plumbing services, search online for additional testimonials on their work. If they have a website, look here as well - they often list some of their best testimonials, so you can get a better idea of the work quality you can expect.

· Contact each plumber to see if they can offer you a free quote for your project. This may involve a home visit to see the extent of work needed in your bathroom or on your water pipes. If they offer a free home visit, take advantage of it: the project quotes are often more accurate than those that are made over the phone.

· Once you've received the project quote for the plumbing services needed, take that information and compare it to what the average plumber charges in your area. You should get a crystal-clear idea of whether or not you're getting the most value for your money.

When it comes to plumbing services, it's important to remember that the price you pay can reflect the quality of the work done. However, you don't have to pay top dollar to have a top job done - just do a little research, and you'll discover what the average plumber charges in your area.

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3 Essential Questions to Ask a Plumber Before Allowing Them to Give a Repair Estimate

3 Essential Questions to Ask a Plumber Before Allowing Them to Give a Repair Estimate

1. Are you a licensed plumber all Or for a company, will the plumbers who perform the repairs in my home be licensed? Why is this so critical? Well in most states it is rather difficult to obtain the master plumber certification which comes with licensing. There are difficult written exams, work experience requirements and this typically discourages the "handyman" who knows a little plumbing from pursuing the license. A plumber who is licensed had already demonstrated that they are committed to the business and are far less likely to be a here today, gone tomorrow.

2. What are all of the fees associated with an estimate? Many companies lure in potential customers with the classic bait and switch technique of offering a "free estimate" which is actually only free if you hire them to perform the work. If you decide on using a different company you will often be stuck with a trip charge that can make the whole repair all the more expensive. Take the time to learn exactly what the company policy is for "free estimates" and it could save you money in the long run.

3. Do your plumbing trucks carry parts needed for most common repairs? Plumbers often charge by the hour and this can include trip fees. If you take the time to ask a company whether or not they will have to make multiple trips to your home in order to complete your repair you may save yourself a great deal of money in the long run. The other added benefit of asking this question is you are able to see how well a company operates. Companies that maintain fully stocked trucks generally have better management since they realize that every additional trip is wasted time and money. The companies that operate more efficiently generally have better leadership and that leadership is usually going to make for a better customer experience.

These are just a few questions that any consumer should ask before hiring a plumber to perform any work inside a residence.

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