Should I Hire a Plumber or Try Doing it Myself?

A working plumbing system is something many homeowners take for granted. However, if you have ever gone a day without your plumbing, that is a day you never want to relive. Do you have leaking pipes? Are you thinking about a kitchen or bathroom upgrade? When was the last time you had your pipes inspected?

Almost every homeowner has done some DIY plumbing work. Maybe you installed a new shower head, fixed a leaking faucet, or unclogged a drain. These tend to be very easy projects. However, major plumbing work requires more knowledge and skills than the typical person possesses. While a YouTube video may make replacing your toilet look easy, you can quickly discover that you don't have the proper training to complete the task.

The reason most people attempt plumbing projects is the cost of a professional plumbing service. Typically, when you receive a bill from your plumber, the bulk of the invoice is labor. The materials are often minimal. So, depending on the repair or upgrade, a person may expect to save several hundreds of dollars.

Yet, if you don't truly have the knowledge and skill set to properly complete a plumbing repair or upgrade, you could cause greater harm and drastically increase your overall cost. When you hire a professional plumber, that person will evaluate the situation and find a permanent solution. They will look for potential issues and problems that the novice DIY-er will not even think about.

If you want to minimize errors and maximize results, hiring a professional plumber is always the best choice. By relying on an expert, you will have the peace of mind in knowing that their attention to detail and talent for diagnosing problems will prevent future issues. Contact our team at The Polite Plumber today to schedule a service.

Your Local Plumbing Service Explains Low-Water Pressure Culprits

Have you noticed that it is taking a bit longer for your washing machine to fill up? Are showers taking longer because the water is more of a trickle than a spray? If so, you may have a problem with low water pressure. Low pressure can certainly put a crimp on daily chores or hygiene routines, but have no fear, we are here to help!

Below, we’ll take a look at a few reasons why your water pressure is less than ideal, and how you can rectify the situation.

Pipe Buildup

Water pipes are smooth and made to allow water to pass through them, but there are a number of reasons why buildup can occur in your pipes and significantly slow down passage of water. You may live in an area where there is mineral-laden or hard water, and if so, that can create deposits inside the pipes that build up over time. A water softener is a great solution to reduce the water’s mineral content.

Leaky Pipes

There could be an undetected leak in your home and you should be thankful for the hint. Allowing the slow leak to build up over time could hit you hard in the water bill department, promote mildew and mold growth, and compromise the structural integrity of your home. Check the water meter for unusually-high consumption levels, and look for discoloration in your floors, ceilings and walls. A plumbing service can repair the leak before major damage occurs.

Check with Your Municipality

It’s possible that the origin of low water pressure comes from your municipality and not your home. For example, there could be a leak somewhere in the main water line that is preventing the water to enter your home at full pressure. If you are certain that there’s nothing in your home that could be the cause of low water pressure, your local water department may be able to provide you with information.

As always, we encourage you to contact us here at The Polite Plumber.

Plumbing Solutions You May Have Never Heard Of

Whether you are planning an entire bathroom remodel, or are just looking to perform a few small upgrades in what is often considered to be the most important room in the house, learning as much as you can about modern fixtures and new plumbing products can help you get the most return on your investment. Today, we would like to bring to your attention a few products that you may have never heard of, and point out why each product would be an asset in your bathroom.

Pressure-balancing Valves
No one likes having their nice, warm shower interrupted. Should one member of your family be enjoying a nice, steamy shower, and another member of your family flush a toilet, the cold water flowing to the shower head may become diverted to help flush the toilet. Not only could this present an inconvenience to the one enjoying the shower, but serious burns could occur. Pressure-balancing valves can prevent this from happening. These valves are often installed into a shower to help maintain a constant water temperature. These valves do not measure water temperature, but rather track the ratio of water coming from the hot and cold supply lines.

The Skirted Toilet
A skirted toilet is one that is designed with a smooth porcelain base that effectively hides the toilet's trap, and many times, the nuts and bolts that hold the toilet in place. Not only are these toilets aesthetically pleasing with their modern lines and understated elegance, but the base of these toilets is easier to clean than a standard, builder grade toilet. No longer will you find yourself on hands and knees, trying to work your cleaning rag into all the nooks and crannies of your commode. With just a swish of your brush in the bowl, and a swipe of your rag around the base of the toilet, your commode will be sparkling and ready for your family to enjoy.

The Vent Fan
Because an abundance of moisture tends to build up in a bathroom, many modern homes are built with either a vent fan, or a window. Windows are great for removing moisture from your bathroom, if they are opened routinely. Furthermore, if your home is in a naturally humid climate, or if it is oriented in a way that prevents naturally occurring breezes from blowing through that window, your window may not be able to do the job for which it was intended. If your bathroom does contain a vent fan, be sure that it does more than merely circulate the air within the bathroom. If you want to get serious about preventing the buildup of mold and mildew in your damp bathroom, be sure that your vent fan actually vents the air to the outside of your residence, and run that fan every time you shower or bathe.  

Have questions? We encourage you to contact us here at The Polite Plumber with any questions and service needs you may have.

Plumbing Problems to be Inspected During Spring

If you are looking to have a more efficient home, you will need to find ways to help make your home a much greener one. There are various ways you can turn your home into a green home, and one of the easy ways to do this is by making sure you are using the least amount of energy as possible.

When it comes to having a greener home and your home's plumbing, what can you do to conserve energy? You can try to conserve as much water as you can to help with your home's efficiency.

Water Heater. If you are not using a tankless water heater right now, you should strongly consider purchasing one. Why? The water heater you are using now is heating your water at all times. When you need the water, the water heater will provide you with it. On the other hand, a tankless water heater is a bit different. This water heater will only heat water when you need it. It does a great job of conserving energy and water because the heater will only be in use when you actually need the water.

Faucets. If you are like many people, you constantly have to deal with leaky faucets. It can certainly be annoying to hear that "drip, drip" noise throughout the day and night. You need to get this issue fixed because as long as the faucet leaks, you will spend more money on your water bill. When you have your leaky faucet inspected and fixed, you will definitely appreciate how much money you will save on your next bill.

Toilet. If one or multiple toilets need a little assistance when it comes to flushing, then you will want to have it checked by a plumber. If you have to hold the handle or jiggle the handle, then this could be a problem. What if someone forgets to jiggle the handle or hold it down? The toilet will constantly run until the next person goes into the bathroom. If you have it inspected as soon as possible, your water bill will look much better.

These are just some of the ways that you can conserve energy and water so that you can reduce your water bill. For more information on tips that can be helpful and/or more information on plumbing repairs, contact us today.

Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Now that the weather is starting to warm up, it is time to tackle that home maintenance to-do list. This includes inspecting your home plumbing to identify potential problems that can easily turn into costly repairs if not addressed.

Inside Your Home:

You should start by checking for hidden water leaks. Even a small drip or leak can add hundreds of dollars to your water bill over the course of a year. This is a simple process that does not require any specialized equipment.

• Inspect all indoor faucets and readily accessible pipes. Be sure to remove items from your under-the-sink cabinets to check for signs of mold, dampness, puddles, or watermarks.
• Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the tank of each toilet. Check the bowl in about 30 minutes. If you see color in the water, your toilet is leaking.
• Read your water meter and then avoid using any water for at least two hours. At the end of that time, take a second meter reading. If the numbers have changed, you have a leak.

Outside of Your Home:

Winter weather can take a toll on outdoor plumbing fixtures, so they should be inspected to ensure that they are ready for the spring and summer gardening season.

• Test all of your outdoor spigots to make sure that they function properly and are free of leaks.
• Check any plumbing vents to make sure that they are free of leaves and other debris.
• If you have a lawn irrigation system, inspect the sprinkler heads to ensure that they work properly.

General Maintenance:

• Check your washing machine, dishwasher, and other water-using appliances for any hoses that are worn, cracked, or bulging.
• Flush your water heater, replace the anode rod, and test the pressure relief valve. Since this involves dealing with extremely hot water, this job is best left to a professional.
• Clean your faucet aerators and shower-heads by soaking them in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to remove the mineral buildup.
• Replace any dried out or missing caulking around tubs, showers, and sinks.

Have questions? We encourage you to contact us here at The Polite Plumber with any questions and service needs you may have.