Gas companies and professional plumbers who offer gas line services handle a myriad of gas faults and issues at home and in commercial settings. One of the most important services offered by gas line professionals is the installation and maintenance of gas lines/pipes. When we talk about the installation of gas lines here, we are referring to the setting up of new gas pipes in your home or in a commercial building. And when it comes to the maintenance of gas lines, we have several gas line services including gas line inspection, repairs, and replacement. There are several things that you should know about the installation and maintenance of gas line and you can learn all about it below.

Installation Of New Gas Lines

New gas lines are installed to link a new home to the main gas line supply system. Gas is usually supplied by utility companies who put up main gas supply liners just outside various homesteads. Just like in electrical connection, you have to connect to these master gas systems in order to access the gas supply network. New gas lines are used to bring the gas to the house and also to link the home supply point with various gas appliances. Additionally, new gas lines are installed to replace old and worn out gas pipes. This is part of the maintenance services mentioned above. And if decide to replace you electrical appliances with gas powered models; you will also have to install new gas lines.

Hiring Gas Line Professionals

Whichever gas services you require, you must hire a properly licensed gas line professional. And speaking of licensing, the gas industry like the plumbing industry is regulated by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). All practicing gas line professional are licensed by their respective CSLBs. Before you hire any gas line professional for installation or maintenance services, you should consider their academic and technical qualifications first. You should always work with a master gas fitter, who is a level higher than a journeyman in the gas industry. Depending on whether you are a homeowner or a commercial client, you should choose a gas professional who serves both fields. Essentially, your commercial needs require DC commercial gas line services while your home gas needs are okay with a residential gas fitter. You should also conduct a background search of the prospective gas fitter to evaluate his industry reputation. Scour online customer review sites to determine the professional record of a prospective gas line professional. And last but not least, ensure that he is properly insured, bonded, and amply experienced.

Maintenance Of Gas Lines

One of the most comprehensive service packages in the gas industry regards the maintenance of gas lines. Maintenance of gas lines starts with routine inspection of the home gas supply system. This is where all the gas lines are inspected for leaks and any current or pending faults identified. You should hire a professional master gas fitter to conduct regular inspection runs of your home gas system. The gas fitter will identify all problems and then recommend viable fixes. This involves the replacement of old faulty gas lines with new ones and doing a thorough check to ensure everything is working perfectly.

Buying a house is arguably the largest purchase that most people will make in their lifetimes which is why it’s important to never skip a home inspection. While most home buyers will obtain an inspection before purchasing, buyers in hypercompetitive markets should at least get one afterwards. A home inspection will help you learn about your home and all its inner workings, such as plumbing systems, electrical, structural, exterior, and cosmetic issues. An inspection may identify issues that need to be fixed quickly, as things like water damage may cost you dearly in the future if not resolved right away.

You Get What You Pay For

A home inspector is not the place to skimp on cost. Consider this an investment in the health of your home and your family—as inspections can uncover dangers in your home that can affect not only your wallet but also your health. A good home inspector will have experience with homes in your area and will take more than a couple hours to put together a thorough, detailed report.

Keep Those Utilities On

A good home inspector will need to test all your plumbing and electrical fixtures, which is why it’s imperative to have the utilities turned on at the time of inspection. Running water is a must in order to check for leaks, water pressure, clogs, and other issues.

Sewer line Scope

If there are indicators of a clog—such as signs of a previous sewer back up, slow draining of sinks or tubs, or low water pressure, you may want to spend the extra money on a comprehensive plumbing inspection. This will usually entail a sewer line scope—literally a small camera that is snaked through your sewer lines to ensure there is no blockage or damage to the line. While most people don’t opt for a separate plumbing inspection, this can be a costly mistake for home buyers who are buying older homes, which may have clay pipes or be surrounded by old growth trees. Any home surrounded by large trees is susceptible to sewer line damage thanks to tree roots creeping in the line. DC sewer repair and replacement can be costly, so it’s much easier on the pocketbook to identify problems before they turn into full-blown disasters.

Mold Isn’t Necessarily A Deal Breaker

If there’s any risk or indication of mold, it’s best to play it on the safe side and get a mold test done on your home. Did you know that every home contains mold? That’s because there are literally thousands of types of mold and not all are harmful for your health. A mold test will identify which types are in your home, whether they are “good” or “bad” mold, and define what acceptable levels are for “bad” mold. If you do have a bad mold, it’s not necessarily time to freak out yet. There are plenty of companies that do mold removal and your sellers may be willing to pay for it or reduce the purchase price in order to close the sale—considering they will have to disclose this to any future buyers anyways. One thing to keep in mind is that mold grows in moist environments, so if you do have mold, be extra vigilant to find out the cause and remedy it—such as from water damage due to a plumbing leak.

Thanks to the nationwide obsession with home improvement shows, doing it yourself has never been more in the spotlight. A simple Google or YouTube search will provide thousands of videos on how to do everything from changing a light bulb to fixing your dishwasher. Not all home repairs should be attempted at home, though. So how do you know what is worth the cost of professional services and what projects are a great place to save some change? Read on.

Plumbing

Simple fixes such as changing a shower head or tightening a leaky faucet are no problem for the average homeowner. Unclogging pipes and troubleshooting leaks are also within the realm of possibilities. However, when it comes to substantial plumbing work, you will want a professional on your side. If you are moving plumbing lines or repairing pipes, a company that does DC plumbing repairs is a must have. Improper plumbing leads to leaks and water damage, such as wood rot, which can leave you with more than enough money troubles to offset the savings of doing it yourself.

Drywall Finishing

Installing drywall isn’t rocket science—but making it look professional is a different story. Mudding, taping, sanding…this is a task you’ll want to leave to the pros if you can afford it. Not only will the results look twice as good but experienced drywallers can finish a project in ten percent of the time that it would take an average DIY’er. When you factor in the time, execution, and amount of drywall dust… this is one project you don’t want to mess with. Drywalling a ceiling? Even worse, trust us.

Roofing

There are many reasons why you should hire out a roofing job (like the fact that leaks are expensive!) but the main reason is the most obvious. You could fall. It’s a big liability and requires a lot of special tools to do the job both correctly and safely. Factor in inclement weather like a hot day, which will feel even hotter unprotected on the roof, or rain, or snow… it’s best to leave this to a professional roofing company.

Electrical Work

There are some electrical things that you can do yourself, like switching out a light fixture or an outlet. However, for more involved electrical work, you’ll want to hire a professional. Not only can electrical work be risky and potential dangerous (electric shock, anyone?), but doing it incorrectly can be safety hazard going forward. There are legal aspects to think through, as well. Many counties require permits and professionals for a variety of electrical jobs and using a certified electrician will make sure that everything is safe and up to code.

Mold Removal

Asbestos in no joke. While there are mold removal kits you can buy to try to remedy the problem yourself, this is one area that you don’t want to mess up. Asbestos and other molds are dangerous to your health, require special equipment and air circulation, and can be a legal liability when removed. Certain states have laws about how asbestos can even be removed from a home to ensure that you aren’t spreading the mold spores through the air to your neighbors. When you factor in the health risk and legal liabilities, it’s just not worth it.

Remodeling a kitchen is an expensive undertaking that many people save up for years to afford. With all that hard earned cash going out the door, deciding on the look and finishes for your new kitchen can be paralyzing as you don’t want to make any mistakes. The following trends are the biggest of 2018, ensuring your DC kitchen remodeling project will be modern, updated, and top of the line.

Mixed Metals

Why settle for one metal when you can have them all? The mixed metal trend is a popular one but the key is to making the mix look intentional. Chrome with aged brass, matte black with gold, there are plenty of ways to play up the interest with this trend. Mixing metals is a great way to keep your kitchen from looking too fussy, monochromatic, and overly polished.

Open Shelving

The open shelving trend continues on in 2018, with homeowners favoring the airy feeling of open shelving which in turn makes the kitchen look larger, as opposed to the heavy, closed in feeling of upper cabinets. Open shelving is a great way to break up a wall of cabinets and add warmth and interest with the objects you choose to display, from pretty glassware to vintage art, fresh blooms, and everything in between. It’s also an easy way to add functionality with displaying frequently used items, such as coffee cups, for maximum accessibility. The perfect marriage of form and function.

Two Toned Cabinets

2018 is the year of having it all—why limit yourself to just one metal or cabinet color? Tuxedo cabinets were a huge hit in 2017. Tuxedo cabinets is what it’s called when the upper cabinets are a light color, such as white, while the lower cabinets are darker, such as gray or black. The 2018 take on two toned cabinets is the “tuxedo island”, if you will. This is when the kitchen island cabinetry is a different color than the rest of the kitchen—think black, reclaimed wood, or even a saturated color such as navy or sage.

Vintage Textiles

While the all-white kitchen trend is still going strong, it does lead to a somewhat sterile, hospital-like feel with all that white, if you don’t bring in other elements to warm it up. The easiest way to add warmth is by adding color and texture through vintage textiles. From draperies and hand towels to beautiful oriental carpet runners, the possibilities are endless.

Herringbone Pattern

Pattern in general is having a big moment right now but none more so than the Herringbone pattern. Wood flooring in a herringbone pattern adds subtle interest without being too busy and still maintains the classic element of hardwoods. In addition to flooring, this pattern is a popular choice for kitchen backsplashes and might even steal the title “most popular” from everyone’s favorite white subway tile. This pattern is super versatile because it can add subtle interest to neutral colors such as whites or grays or create an eye popping statement in other colors like aqua blue. A professional plumbing service that handles remodeling can help with the planning and designing of the kitchen of your dreams.  

There is always a demand for plumbers in the job market and it’s no secret why—it’s work that no one else wants to do! Plumbing issues are a given for any homeowner (or renter for that matter) and they can be costly if not quickly identified and remedied. Water damage never gets better, only worse. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the signs of the following common plumbing emergencies so you know when to call your friendly neighborhood plumber.

• Clogged Pipes

If you have ever noticed water draining slowly (or not at all!) in your sinks, bath tub, or shower, chances are your pipes are clogged. Pipe clogs are caused by debris in the pipe that block the flow of water, usually by the presence of foreign substances, such as hair or grease. Your first line of defense is to use a plunger to try to unclog the pipe and if that doesn’t work, try using a declogging chemical solvent. While there are many products you can purchase to unclog your pipes, such as drain-o or hair snaking tools, you may need to call a plumber if you can’t resolve it.

• Burst Pipes

The signs of burst pipes are pretty obvious—water everywhere! This is a common occurrence during especially cold freezing temperatures—which is why it’s important to leave your faucets on slightly to keep the water flowing. You can also open up the cabinet under the sink to allow more heat to warm the pipes. Sometimes, however, burst pipes have nothing to do with the weather. Pipes can burst simply because they are old or because something is causing them to crack—such as tree roots growing inside. Your first line of defense here is to shut off your water at the main valve and then call a DC emergency plumber immediately.

• Running Toilets

Not only is a toilet that won’t quit running annoying but it can also be very expensive! A running toilet is wasting gallons of water which is bad for the environment and your pocketbook. There are three main components of a toilet that could be malfunctioning for this to happen: the chain, the flapper, or the balloon. Before diagnosing anything, it’s probably a good idea to turn off the water valve to the toilet or things could get messy.

• Sewer Back-Up

Finally, sewer back-ups happen. It’s important to know the signs so that you can react quickly before things get worse. You might notice your toilets gurgling or a sewer odor (yuck!). You may have multiple clogs at once in your home. All of these things indicate a sewer back up. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do yourself here except call a professional. Trust me, you won’t want to handle the clean-up yourself either. Sewer back-ups can happen when there is an abnormal amount of rainfall, when tree roots grow into pipes, or simply because of old pipes that need to be replaced.

As spring approaches, many homeowners start tuning up their appliances and home systems, as well as purging and deep cleaning their homes. One area of the home that is often overlook but very important: your plumbing system. Taking a quick look around your home, you can prevent costly repairs by checking on the following items each year.

Leaky Pipes and Faucets

Doing an once-over of your whole house is a great way to check for leaks. Not only should you look for actual water, but also signs that water has been where it shouldn’t. Signs of water leaks include wood rot, water damage, mildew odors, and mold. You check the areas around pipes, sinks, faucets, and even ceilings below your bathroom for any signs of leaking.

Water Heat Inspection

Check the age of your water heater and replace if appropriate. Your owner’s manual will likely have a recommended age of replacement but the general rule of thumb is 10 years. Water heaters also need to be serviced periodically and your technician will likely leave a sticker indicating the last service date. Look for any signs of damage to the system or surrounding area.

Water Pressure

Not only is low water pressure annoying but it can also be the symptom of a larger issue, such as a clogged pipe. Turn on each of your water fixtures, such as sink faucets and showerheads and put your hand in the water stream to gauge pressure. On the hand, too much water pressure isn’t good either. You know what they say, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. High water pressure is not only wasteful and environmentally unfriendly but it also cost you more on your water bill than you need to pay. Call your local plumber to sort out either of these issues easily.

Drain Issues

While you are running the water to check the pressure, this is a great time to check your drainage. If you notice any of your pipes are taking a long time to drain, or even not draining at all, you may have a clogged pipe. If that’s the case, it’s time to call a company offering DC drain services. Clogs can be caused by a variety of issues, including foreign objects such as hair, cooking oil, foreign debris, or even toilet paper. You’d be surprised the types of things that can be found in a kitchen sink drain. Literally, everything but the kitchen sink.

Preventing Sewer Back-Ups

Lastly, you should inspect your sewers and pipes where visible. If you live in an older house, you may have pipes made of clay or cast iron which are susceptible to breakage. In this case, you would want to replace your clay pipes with PVC piping which can be a daunting task but one that will pay off in the long run. A broken sewer line can lead to serious financial troubles, so it’s important to be proactive. If you live in a heavily wooded area, you may want to pay for a plumber to periodically jet your sewer line in order to break up any tree roots that may have crept in, in order to prevent breakage to your line.

If you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom, you might be curious about what’s currently in style, lest your remodel look outdated in a few years. While the classic and very popular marble on white cabinetry will always be in style, here’s a quick overview of the new trends that are taking 2018 by storm. Looking for the cliff notes version? 2018 is the year of taking a simple element and turning it into a beautiful statement piece, such as bathtubs, tile, shower doors, and fixtures. A DC bathroom remodeling company can help you achieve all this and much more.

Spa Features

More and more homeowners have taken an interest in making their homes a place they want to be—an oasis, if you will. This trend has certainly extended into the bathroom, with pieces like glamorous soaking tubs, large walk-in showers with rain shower heads, or even the addition of saunas or steam rooms to aid in relaxation. While once windows were somewhat taboo in the bathroom, more and more designers are adding natural light to invoke that spa-like feel.

Free-Standing Bath Tub

My, how trends change over time. Just a few short years ago, every home had a shower/tub combination. Then came the birth of the luxurious, gigantic, walk-in shower and its jetted tub counterpart. After a while, home owners noticed they weren’t actually utilizing jetted tubs and longed to get that square footage back, which led to many homeowners opting for just showers, especially in the master bath. It appears, for 2018 at least, the sweet spot is somewhere in between. A walk-in shower paired with a free standing bath tub is as much a statement piece as a functional fixture, and your local plumber can move your plumbing pipes to accommodate this new modern look.

Pattern Tile

The patterned tile engine has come to full steam in 2018. From patterned floors, backsplashes, and entire showers, more and more homeowners are renovating their bathrooms with a statement tile while leaving everything else neutral in order to let the tile shine.

Steel Framed Shower

A quick search of Pinterest for shower doors will bombard you with hundreds of pins exhibiting what #ShowerGoals truly looks like and it might surprise you. A theme that appears over and over is the black steel framed glass shower doors—whether just simply framed shower walls or broken up in panes resembling windows. A common thread of all 2018 trends couldn’t be better exemplified as it is here: taking a simple element and making it swoon-worthy.

Matte Black Fixtures

While mixed metals are certainly having a moment, it looks like brass may finally be losing its spot as #1 metal trend in favor of a newcomer, matte black. Matte black fixtures certainly skew more modern and tie in beautifully to the on-trend black and white color palette that has taken bathrooms by storm. At the end of the day, black is a classic and timeless color that won’t look outdated in a few years, so it’s a relatively safe investment.