Floods and storms a couple of the ways that can cause a basement to flood. It is important that as a homeowner, you are prepared for any type of weather. If you have a basement, you will need to have a sump pump in order to keep the water from flooding your basement. There are actually a lot of steps that you can take that will keep your basement and home from flooding.

A Sump Pump Can Help

One of the first things that a plumbing company in DC will tell you to do after a flood is to get rid of all of the water in your basement. If you do not have a sump pump, this may be a little bit more difficult than you would think. It is the easiest way to get rid of the water and you can rent them from home improvement stores in your area. Once you have gotten rid of all of the water, it is important to get all of your possessions out of the basement so they will not get ruined. Some homeowners are too late in this process and end up losing quite a lot of their things. One thing to know about basements is that they do have a tendency to flood. If you have a lot of valuables, it would be best not to store them in the basement.

After you have gotten most of the water out of the basement using a sump pump, start looking around at the items like papers and cardboard boxes that you can move out of the basement. These items will just soak up the access water. These boxes are also a breeding ground for mildew and mold which you do not want lingering in your basement.

The Drywall And Carpeting

If your basement has carpeting, you will want to make sure that you get all of the water out of it. If you do not, it will start to form mildew and mold. This can be very hazardous to your health. Consider pulling the carpet up and removing it from the basement. The cost of mold removal and the health hazards produced are a lot worse than the cost of pulling up carpeting. Remember that you want to think of your family, too. The drywall in your basement may show some damage from the water as well. If you get your local plumber out to your home, they will be able to tell you if you need to replace it as well.

All of these tips are to keep your home and your family safe from mold, mildew, and excess water after a flood. By having a sump pump handy, you can save a lot of time and money. This pump will help you get your basement free of all of the extra water. 

When making sure that drinking water is as pure as it can be, there are two different options for purifying it. These options are distilled or reverse osmosis. These are very common ways to ensure that the drinking water is safe for people to drink. There are a few differences between the two of these processes. If you are unfamiliar with them, the methods may be a little confusing unless they are explained properly by your local plumber.

Explaining The Different Purification Types

There are many different reasons why both of these purifications work. Reverse osmosis is a purification method that removes all of the harmful contaminants from the water. There are specific types of filters that can be used that will absorb any of the harmful chemicals that are left in the water. When filtered through reverse osmosis, water will be free of chemicals like arsenic, lead, and aluminum. When having DC plumbing repairs done, your local plumber will be able to explain more about reverse osmosis to you.

Distillation is a method to purify water that removes all of the contaminants by boiling the water and then evaporating the water. This will make it pure enough for anyone to drink. This is the oldest way to purify water. Regardless of which type of purification that you choose, you will be able to have the cleanest, purest water in your home.

The Advantages Of Reverse Osmosis

Aside from removing all of the contaminants in the water, reverse osmosis has many different advantages. By using this process, you will be able to drink clean water and not have to worry about any harmful chemicals. The dangerous elements will no longer be living in the water you have in your home. A reverse osmosis treatment system installed by your local plumber will make your tap water taste incredibly clean and fresh. There will never be the taste of lead or chemicals in your tap water again. You will never have to buy bottled water again or spend money on filtering your own water once you have a system installed.. You will begin to taste the difference in everything that you make with the water in your kitchen. The foods and beverages will instantly taste fresher.

When you make the decision to have your water treated using distillation or reverse osmosis, be sure to consult with your local plumber first. They will be able to tell you exactly what you need to know in order to get your water to the best and purest quality possible. When you have reverse osmosis filters in your home, there is very little upkeep. They are very easy to use and you will be happy that you have water that tastes so good. The great thing about these filters is that they only need to be replaced every 6 months. The whole filtering system can last many years if it is taken care of properly. To get the best tasting water that money can buy, talk to your local plumber today about reverse osmosis.  

With many homeowners trying to live a more “green” lifestyle, tankless water heaters have become very popular. These water heaters have quite a few money saving and earth saving advantages. These tankless water heaters also last much longer than most conventional water heaters. They cost a little extra, but the money that you will save on energy bills will be well worth it.

The Advantages Of Tankless Water Heaters

Your local plumber will be glad to discuss with you the various types of tankless water heaters that you can buy for your home. A technician offering DC plumbing services will even come out and install one for you. One of the greatest advantages to buying a tankless water heater is that there is an automatic tax write off when you do so. That’s right! The federal government will give you money back when you purchase this type of water heater. Although the cost of the water heater may be a little higher than the traditional ones, you can be sure to get money back from the purchase.

One of the best things about tankless water heaters is that they have a continuous flow of hot water. Your showers and baths will stay hot for much longer than you are used to with your conventional water heater. The most wonderful thing about tankless water heaters is that they never run out of hot water. It sounds too good to be true, but your local plumber will tell you all about it. They will show you how you can have warmer baths and showers just by changing your water heater.

Longer Life And Efficiency

A great advantage about purchasing a tankless water heater is that it will last incredibly long. The lifespan on one of these water heaters is anywhere from 20 to 30 years. This is generally about 5 to 10 years longer than the conventional water heaters. This means that you will be saving even more money because you will probably never have to replace this tankless water heater.

Another advantage to buying one of these tankless water heaters is that it does not use as much energy as a conventional water heater. The energy is only used when you are using your hot water or gas heating. The amount of money that you will save on energy bills will be very large. This is one of the sole reasons that many homeowners will upgrade to the tankless water heaters. Owners of these tanks can save up to 20% on their water and energy bills.

The tankless water heaters are one of the best suggestions for homeowners. Unlike conventional water heaters, they do not accumulate water on the inside of the outside of the tank. This causes rust and residue and can cause permanent damage to your water heater. As you can see, there are many advantages to buying one of these water heaters. Once you have talked to your local plumber about installing one, they will show you the many options you have to cut down your energy costs and help save the environment. 

No one likes to deal with a clogged drain in their kitchen or bathroom. If you do not keep an eye on your drains, a bigger problem could come out of a small clogged drain. That is why professional plumbers like to give tips on how to keep your drains clog free. In the long run, the better you take care of the drains in your home, the easier and cheaper your plumbing repairs will be.

It Starts With The Disposal

Many people think that by having a garbage disposal, they will have less of a chance of having clogs in their drains. This isn’t necessarily the truth. A plumber in DC has had many clients who think it is a good idea to pour oil and grease down their disposals when it is still hot. This is a horrible idea! The oil and grease does not get disposed of down the drain. What happens is that it will dry on the blades of the disposal and eventually this can damage the entire disposal and clog the drain. There are ways to prevent having a clogged drain when you have a garbage disposal. Many plumbers suggest washing the disposal out with very cold water at least once a day. This will keep the food particles and oils from drying up and sticking onto the blades of the disposal. There are also disposal cleaning products that you can buy to help keep the disposal clean and in great running order.

Flushing Too Much Away

A lot of people truly do not pay attention to the items that they flush down the toilet on a daily basis. The items that we flush can actually end up causing a very clogged toilet. Items like wipes, napkins, and feminine products should not be flushed. If you can put these items in the garbage, go ahead and do so. These items will only end up clogging your toilet and septic system and cost more for repairs. Just keep in mind that these items don’t really biodegrade ,either. Only toilet paper and your bodily waste should be flushed down the toilet.

Using Strainers On Your Drains

Many homeowners like to use strainers that go on top of the shower and kitchen drains. These come in handy when everyone in the house has a lot of hair. These strainers go on top of the drain and will collect the hair while you are showering. Extra hair ends up clogging your drains, so these strainers are a great investment. You can also get strainers for the kitchen sink and they will catch the extra food particles that can also end up clogging your kitchen sink.

By following all of these helpful tips, you can be sure that your drains will remain clean and unclogged. Be sure to think about what you are putting down the disposal or down the toilet so you can save yourself from spending extra money on repairs.

One of the trickiest items in your kitchen is your garbage disposal. Sometimes, people have the worst trouble with them and a lot of homeowners try to repair them all by themselves. This can get tough, so that is always why it is important to contact a professional. Many people are still unsure as to why they even need a disposal in their home. Garbage disposals can actually help to reduce the amount of food waste that a family contributes to land fills. There are many reasons to have a garbage disposal in your home and reducing food waste is just one.

What Does Less Food Waste Mean?

Any DC plumbing company will tell you that having a disposal installed will help to save our environment. How is that possible? Professional plumbers urge homeowners to have disposals installed because they will send less food to the local dump, which means that there is less methane gas going into the ozone layer. You are helping out our environment simply by putting food down the disposal. Another reason to have a disposal installed is to help get rid of all of those nasty clogs you tend to get in the kitchen sink. Running food through the disposal instead will reduce clogging your drains. There is also very little cost involved in having a disposal, so why not have it installed?

There are many different items that plumbers suggest that you do not put down the garbage disposal. Some of these items can get stuck and even damage your disposal, which will end up costing you more than you have prepared for. Be sure to not put oils, fats, or grease down the disposal, especially when they are hot. These items will damage your disposal and you will have a tough time using it if you are constantly throwing these down it. Bones, eggs shells, and foods that are stringy should never be put down the disposal either. Items like celery and edamame can get stuck around the blades at the bottom of the disposal. These strings will be very hard to remove without the help of a professional.

Be Nice To The Disposal

Plumbers are constantly getting phone calls for repairs of disposals. When they get to the home, they notice that most of the items that have been put down the drain are items that are listed here. They like to give out this advice and these tips so that you won’t have to spend a lot of money to have your disposal repaired. If you are nice to the disposal and take care of it, it will stay with you for many years.

Having a garbage disposal can save you a lot of time and money. They are easy to take care of if you follow these helpful tips. It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to have one installed and just remember how much waste you can save when you are using the disposal daily. 

When homeowners try and repair any leaks or plumbing problems that they may have, chances are they are not fully educated in the right materials to use. One of those materials is sealant. There are quite a few of them on the market and they can all be purchased at your local hardware or DIY stores. Professional plumbers would like to share with you their knowledge of these products before you decide to take on this job yourself. There are many brands that are highly recommended, but also quite a few that are not known for their superior quality.

Pastes

In the world of do it yourself plumbing, there are quite a few options for repairing your leaks, cracks, and poor plumbing. Any DC plumber would be able to give you advice and a selection of items to consider using. One product in particular is called thread paste. This is one of the most widely used products that plumbers have in their arsenal. Most professionals would recommend it for any repairs that you need to make to your pipes. Thread paste will help you to fill in any smaller holes or cracks in your plumbing. It is very safe to use and pretty easy to use, as well. When using any type of thread paste, plumbers do suggest that you read the instructions very thoroughly. Many of these pastes will only work with specific plumbing parts, so make sure that you have the right type of paste for the job.

Tapes

Another product that plumbers recommend using is called PTFE tape. People will sometimes call this Teflon tape, but it is not. If the piping that you are trying to repair calls for a specific type of tape, this is most likely the type of product you will use. Plumbers do suggest getting a professional opinion when it comes to using tapes. They may not all be as sturdy as they say on the label.

Caulks

Another product that you may find useful is caulk. Plumbers suggest that you only use caulk when you are doing some filling in of the tub or shower and never to repair piping. Caulk just is not sturdy enough to hold specific types of pipes together and can cause more problems in the long run if used incorrectly. Once again, if you are unsure of what to use, be sure to ask a professional.

All of these products can be very useful for do it yourself plumbing projects. Many homeowners will use them not only in their bathrooms, but also in their kitchens. Professionals will suggest only the best products for the repairs that need to be made. If you are ever unsure of what sealants you need, it is always best to call your local plumber in the DC area. 

Many homeowners want to save the most money they can on their heating, water, and electricity. There are actually quite a few ways to do this and some professional plumbers have given their tips for doing so. If you follow all of these hints, soon you will be able to save much more money on your monthly bills and you will also be doing your part to make the environment much healthier.

Going Out Of Town Tips

When you and your family decide to go out of town, there are many plumbing tips that you should follow. A plumbing company in DC has given some helpful tips for you to try. These tips will keep your pipes from freezing while you are gone or any other types of plumbing disasters. When you do leave for an extended amount of time, it is important to make sure your faucets are all turned off. Many plumbers even suggest that if you are leaving in the summer for a long period of time to shut the water valve completely off for the entire house. Unless you have someone house-sitting, why waste the money on a water bill when you’re not home? This will keep the water from running and you won’t be wasting money or water while you’re gone.

If you are going on a trip in the winter time, it is very important that you leave a few of the faucets in your home on just enough to drip. This will keep your pipes from bursting while you are away. There is nothing worse than going on a winter vacation and coming home to your home flooded because of the pipes bursting. You should always be aware of any weather changes even if you are at home. If the winter months come in rather quickly, be sure to keep your taps dripping in order to keep the pipes safe.

Showering And Leaks In The Bathroom

A lot of professional plumbers like to give advice on taking shorter showers. When you take longer showers, you are only using more valuable water and adding onto your water bill. It is a proven fact that a longer shower doesn’t get your body cleaner than a short one. Try to cut your shower time in half. This may also save you some time in the morning when you are getting ready to go to work. You can always replace your showerhead, too. When you buy a water saving one, you will notice the difference almost instantly.

Finally, make sure that you are checking your bathroom for leaks. Check under the sink, around the edges of your tub, and your toilet. If you are unsure of how to tell if your toilet has a leak, you can look on the back side of it. At the bottom, if you see water or ripples forming, you have a leak. It is important to have a plumber look at it as soon as possible in order to prevent major damage. When you follow this helpful hints, you can be sure to better protect your plumbing, save money, and save energy.