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Showing posts from September, 2019

Seven Things to Keep Out of Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are extremely convenient when it comes to just rinsing food scraps down the drain, but you should really be careful what you decide to wash away. You might be asking yourself, "But its called a garbage disposal, can't it handle.. garbage?" Sure it can handle most things, but if you want it to stay in top working order, you should be mindful to avoid plumbing issues . So what should you avoid sending down the disposal? 1. Fruit seeds and pits - Just think, if a knife can't cut them the blades of your disposal can't either. They can lodge and cause the disposal to not work at all, or wear your blades down meaning they'll need replaced sooner than necessary. 2. Coffee grounds - It's hard to not let a few slide down here and there, but avoid washing large amounts of them down. They can pile up in your drains and cause a sludgy mess leading to quite the clog. 3. Potato Peels - Becuase potato peels are made of starch, they break down ...

Advantages of Choosing a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless Water Heaters are growing in popularity as homeowners are choosing home appliances that are better for the environment and for their wallets. Tankless water heaters work by only producing hot water as needed. There is no storage tank with hot water being held and heated until warmed. When a hot water tap is turned on, water is pulled through the tankless heating unit and is warned by an electric element or gas burner. Since the tankless hot water heater warms water as it is needed, it offers an unlimited supply of hot water. On top of offering hot water outside of what would generally be stored in a tank, hot water heaters are more energy-efficient. Because the "on-demand" heating system only works when it's needed, there is less energy being wasted into heating and maintaining water temp of a traditional tank water heater. On average a tankless water heater used 30-50% less energy than a water heater with a tank. Tankless hot water units are also muc...

Winter Outdoor Plumbing Preperation

Often times we think about the plumbing inside of our house but what about outside of our home? Sure, chances are the outdoor parts of your home don't have as many outdoor plumbing fixtures , but they are just as important. Fall brings a few important things to do to protect the integrity of your outdoor plumbing. Many times they get overlooked until just before winter, until there's an issue, or missed completely. We want to make sure your outdoor plumbing is taken care of though. 1. Outdoor Faucets -- Outdoor faucets are one of the most prone to freezing which can lead to bigger issues with the plumbing inside your house. Switching the water supply off and draining the pipe can prevent water from laying there and freezing. Covering the faucets with styrofoam for insulation also protects them. You can pick up foam faucet igloos at most hardware and home improvement stores. 2. Hoses -- Proper storage of garden and garage hoses can help them last longer. By leaving water...

5 Most Common Plumbing Emergencies

As a homeowner, we know it’s scary facing anything that could potentially damage your home. Plumbing emergencies aren't all that rare. Knowing what problems are common for others can help you quickly identify the issues your home may have and call a professional to repair them. Clogged Drain A clogged drain ; whether it’s in the shower, sink, or basement floor, is probably the MOST common plumbing issue you can have. Usually, you can easily fix this problem yourself using a snake or drain dissolving product. However, if the issue persists it may be best to contact a plumber. Clogged Toilet The toilet is probably the most used plumbing fixture in any home, so it’s understandable that toilet issues would be common based on use. DIY toilet fixes can be helpful in a pinch, but a persistent issue can lead to leaks, water damage, or sewage backups. Leaks A leaky faucet or any other fixture may seem like a small problem at the beginning. A couple drops of water every few minu...

Plumbing Tips That Can Help You Save Money

Keeping the little pieces and parts of your house in running order is not only important for the longevity of your home, but it can also help you cut costs on utilities and repairs. Things like appliance malfunctions and small leaks in your plumbing can go undetected until they become a large issue. You can help save your plumbing and your checkbook with a few quick fixes. Checking your water meter is often overlooked, but actually very important. The water meter runs from the water main into your home and through a second meter that controls the water flow. The first meter can give you an idea of if you have a leak. By looking at it when there is no running water in the home, and you see the meter moving, it is a good indication that you have a leak. So now you’re asking yourself where but don’t worry, you don’t have to figure that out yourself. Prestige Plumbing can inspect your home’s plumbing to figure out just where the problem lies. Replacing your water heater can be...

Winter Plumbing Emergency Prevention

Ohio winter can be pretty harsh and unforgiving meaning we don’t like to think about it any sooner than we have to. It is almost August though, so maybe it’s time to start making sure your home and its plumbing is ready for the approaching cold temperatures. Beginning to prepare for a winter weather early can help you make sure you have all your bases covered and help prevent a plumbing emergency . Let’s talk about some ways you can get your home ready. Frost Free Sill Cocks Installing the frost-free sillcock will help water properly drain every time the pipe is used meaning there won’t be water left laying to freeze up. Unlike a typical faucet, the frost-free option’s valve, seal, and washer is found a little further back in the wall versus the standard faucet that is placed at the wall. Heat Cables Running heat cables along vulnerable pipes can be a wonderful solution. The cables do need to be able to reach a power source since they have a running internal thermost...