Tag Archive for: plumbing tips

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Installing Plumbing Fixtures

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Installing Plumbing Fixtures

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Common Mistakes to Avoid when Installing Plumbing Fixtures — When installing new plumbing fixtures in a home or business, it’s easy to get carried away and overlook the finer details when installing new plumbing fixtures in your home. Plumbing is a complex system, and even tiny mistakes can mean big problems down the line. You should avoid a few simple mistakes when installing new plumbing fixtures to save time, money, and stress.

When installing new plumbing fixtures in your home, several common mistakes should be avoided to ensure the job is done correctly.

First, checking that all necessary tools and materials are available before starting any installation process is essential. This includes pipe wrenches, screwdrivers, Teflon tape, pipe cutters, and other specialty tools, depending on the type of fixture installed. Taking a few moments to ensure everything you need is ready can save you time in the long run.

Second, ensure all existing water lines are shut off before beginning installation. This ensures you don’t have gallons of water spilling out when making connections or adjustments.

Also, turn off any existing water supply lines before you start working on the fixture. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget in the heat of the moment and can result in a big mess!

Some fixtures also require electricity for proper installation – if this is the case, ensure you are familiar with electrical wiring or hire a qualified electrician to do the job safely and correctly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Installing Plumbing Fixtures

If electricity is required for the fixture, hiring a qualified electrician to do any necessary wiring or installations safely and correctly is essential.

Third, install new plumbing fixtures and double-check all connections before turning on the water supply. Even small leaks or weak connections can cause significant problems down the line, so it pays to be thorough when installing fixtures. Ensure all pipes are securely connected and no loose parts remain before testing the new institution.

Finally, even if something doesn’t seem quite right during the installation process, don’t hesitate to start over from scratch if necessary – better safe than sorry! If a mistake is made during installation, it could mean more costly repairs down the road, so take care not to rush through it or cut corners to complete the job quickly.

By avoiding these common mistakes when installing new plumbing fixtures, you can ensure your project is successful and hassle-free! With just a little knowledge and preparation, you can ensure that your installation goes smoothly and with minimal stress. Don’t let plumbing woes get in the way of home improvement – plan and be prepared for any potential issues before they arise!

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Four Red Flags for Plumbing Problems When Buying a Home

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Prospective home buyers have a lot of factors to consider before making the final decision to purchase a house. Ideally, the building offers move-in condition, allowing the new owner to take up residence a soon as possible. One important step to take before purchasing a home is to check the plumbing system to make sure that everything is in order. Four situations provide red flags that something is amiss and a professional inspection is needed.

Faulty Water Flow
If you turn on one of the faucets and the water flow is minimal, it is an indication that the plumbing system needs maintenance or repair. If the problem exists in more than one area of the home, it might be a serious issue that you should avoid by looking at different properties and giving up on the one that you are looking at currently.

Faulty Black Water Lines
One of the best ways to evaluate the plumbing system’s ability to remove black/grey water is to flush the toilet. Observe how easily the water goes down and take note of any seepage around the base of the toilet. You should also fill up one of the sinks and watch it drain. Be sure to walk around the perimeter of the basement as well as the outside of the home in search of wet spots.

No Hot Water
If you turn on the faucet that is supposed to deliver hot water and you don’t get any, it’s time to check all of the sinks, showers, and bathtubs in the house. If you can’t get any hot water at any of these locations, it is possible that the hot water heater is broken. You should request that repairs or replacement be handled and are made a contingency of any offer that you provide.

Leaks
Minor leaks can usually be repaired with the simple replacement of a washer. However, multiple leaks are indicative of a more serious issue, particularly if they create puddles or wet spots on the walls, floors, or ceilings.

If you are buying a home, it is important to check out the plumbing system to see if it is in good working order. Whether you try out the faucets and flush the toilet on your own or you bring in a professional plumber for a thorough inspection, an evaluation of the plumbing equipment should be a part of your decision-making process. If you aren’t in love with the property, continuing your search might be the wiser choice to make.

 

Innovative Plumbing Products from Poole’s Plumbing

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Specializing in bringing you the latest and most innovative designs to help you find the look you desire and to help you cut costs,  Poole’s Plumbing, the most trusted name in Wake County NC plumbers, can offer you the finest new Innovative Plumbing Products from Moen for your kitchen, bathroom, and any spot in your home at a great price.

Innovative Plumbing Products

The Moen brand is one of the most well-known and trusted manufacturers in the industry, and using the latest in plumbing technology, their Innovative Plumbing Products in the kitchen, such as the “Motion Sense” and “Reflex” faucets can bring you added convenience with a great look. With the “Motion Sense” model, turning on the faucet is made easy, as it detects the movement of your hand, while the “Reflex” unit increases your range of motion while also offering a great self retracting feature as well.

Adding to making life around the house a bit easier, are Moen’s latest finishes on their Innovative Plumbing Products, such as the “Spot Resistant Stainless Finish” on its faucets. This finish resists both water spots and fingerprints, and the “Microban” models feature antimicrobial protection, with both of these faucet types giving you less of a need to clean and this more time to do the things that are important to you.

Shower innovation is another Moen specialty, as the popular “ioDIGITAL” unit, will find you using a remote to turn your shower and bath into a personal spa. The “Halo” shower head design offers the ultimate in both comfort and coverage, while the “Immersion” head is untouched when it comes to a full body shower experience.

These latest products and others that can be seen at Moen.com are just a few of the new and Innovative Plumbing Products that Wake County NC plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing specialize in installing that can make your life a bit easier and more relaxing in any room across your home.

Protect Your Pipes from Freezing Conditions

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Even if you live in an area in which freezing temperatures are rare, freezing pipes can be a big concern when cold weather arrives.

Freezing weather can cause ice to form in a pipe, which leads to an increase in water pressure downstream from the ice blockage. This surge in water pressure leads to pipe failure, which often results in the pipe bursting at a different location from the ice blockage. For this reason, homeowners should be sure that the entire length of their pipe is sufficiently protected.

Experts have determined that homes in southern states and warmer climates are particularly susceptible to pipe failure when temperatures reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit, although pipes can freeze and burst at warmer temperatures as well.

As a homeowner, there are a number of precautions you can take to protect your pipes from freezing conditions.

If a pipe feels warm to your touch, it is a candidate to be insulated to protect it from freezing. Use pre-fit foam rubber cut to size to insulate your pipes, using duct tape to fasten it. Be sure that the pipes are clean and dry before covering them with the insulation. Call a plumber to perform this task if you would rather not do it yourself.

Another tip is to allow the taps of your outside faucets to drip during abnormally cold weather. It is fine if the water freezes, because this action will still relieve water pressure in the pipes and prevent them from bursting.

You should also leave the cabinet doors open under the sinks in your bathrooms and kitchen. This permits warmer air to circulate around the pipes, which helps provide protection for them.

It is important to use caulk to seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s foundation or the outside walls of your house. This will prevent cold air from reaching your pipes.

If you are going to be away from your home, you can drain your pipes to prevent them from bursting. Close the main valve, turn on the taps and let them run until the pipes are empty of water.

Getting to Know your New Plumber: Important Questions to Ask

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Before you settle on a new plumber, be sure that the company you are calling is not only efficient at fixing problems, but operates in a professional and legal manner, providing you, the customer, a fair and honest price.

When hiring a new plumber, there are several questions you want to ask. First, and most importantly, are they a licensed plumber. While this may seem like a given, asking this will ensure that your plumber is not only a skilled professional, but they are also up to date and current with the latest building codes and practices. Secondly, is your plumber insured. As explained at handyman.com, “Insurance provides the stability needed when mistakes and accidents occur.” Hiring a plumber with builder’s risk, bonds, and worker’s compensation insurance, eliminates the worry about unforeseen costs due to risks involved with certain plumbing work. Credentials and references should also be asked for, as a company that has a proven track record of quality work and satisfied customers, is one that you can trust. With plumbing outfits specializing in different areas, it is always a good idea to find out which areas the company you are going to hire, specialize in. This will ensure you are finding the “right guy” for the “right job”. Additionally, asking about a plumber’s typical response time, and whether or not they offer after hours or 24 hour emergency services, are important, as plumbing issues can spring up at any time; it is best to have a dependable professional you can call on at any time to rectify your problem.

Fees and costs will weigh into your decision making process when hiring a plumber. Asking up front about labor fees, whether or not they charge travel time to get to your place, and about prices on parts and materials, is always a good idea. This will allow you to compare plumbers, and get the best deal possible.

Asking questions such as these in a courteous and respectful manner is commonplace when searching for a new plumber. Keep in mind, a professional plumber will be proud of the quality work they do, and happy to answer your questions. A satisfied customer is a life-long customer!

Bob Poole, Tim, Billy & Joe Join Marty Jones of 620 The BUZZ to Talk About Plumbing

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Homeowners Helper Plumbing
Plumbing expert, Bob Poole founder of Poole’s Plumbing, a local Raleigh Plumbing Company sits down with Marty Jones host of Homeowners Helper on 620 The Buzz to help homeowners solve plumbing issues.

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Tankless Water Heater: Is it Worth the Extra Cost?

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When making the important decision of choosing which type of water heater to install, whether you are building a new home or simply replacing an old unit, the cost and potential savings are always a big factor in the final choice. While the cost to install a tankless water heater is higher than that of the standard gas storage, or “tank type” models, there are significant savings throughout the life of the unit that may make the tankless water heater more cost effective throughout its life span.

In addition to providing the benefit of a flow of endless hot water, tankless water heaters are more energy efficient and thus, can help to lower your energy costs. Unlike the tank type storage water heaters, by going “tankless,” the water is only heated when needed, rather than consuming energy 24 hours a day. According to energystar.gov, “tankless water heaters save the typical family more than $100 per year on gas bills compared to a standard storage model.” These savings would increase with families that are of larger size, as ENERGY STAR also estimates that the tankless units can save a family of three about $130 annually, with those savings doubling for a six person household with an estimated $260 in savings.

In addition to saving on energy costs at about 30 percent annually, another thing that would make tankless water heaters more cost effective in the long run is that they have a much longer life span than that of the storage tank water heaters. An average tankless water heater unit is estimated to last around 20 years as opposed to about 8-10 year expected life span with a tank type water heater. In the long run you will certainly save on the frequency of having to replace your water heater.

So if you’re on the fence regarding which type of water heater to install and the research is just too overwhelming, contact a Certified Poole’s Plumbing Water Heater Specialist today. Not only can we help you make the right choice, we can provide a turn-key installation for either a Tankless Water Heater or a Tank Type Water Heater. And in addition to getting a professionally installed Water Heater, we also offer a best price in town guarantee.

Top 5 Reasons Why Homeowners Switch To A Tankless Water Heater:

  1. Save Money! – Energy Savings
  2. Endless Hot Water! – Heats the Water as Needed
  3. Saves Space! – Fraction of the Size of a Tank Type Water Heater
  4. Longevity! – Lasts up to Twice as Long as a Tank Type Water Heater
  5. Green! – ENERGY STAR Rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

 

620 The Buzz Radio Show, Homeowner Tips for Protecting Your Home in Winter

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[audio:https://www.poolesplumbing.com/audio/Homeowners-helper-12-11-2010-Pooles-Plumbing.mp4]
Joe, Tim and Bob Poole of Poole’s Plumbing, a local Raleigh Plumber sit down with Marty Jones host of Homeowners Helper on 620 The Buzz to help homeowners with plumbing and home plumbing care protection. Listen now for all types of home care Tips.

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