Corian Countertops Cracked? You Need a Countertop Repair Specialist, Not Just a Fabricator

Corian countertops can sometimes develop cracks. If your Corian countertops have cracks in them there is no need to worry. With a quick phone call or email to a countertop repair fabricator you can quickly set up a time to have your Corian cracks repaired.

It's not some ugly repair that looks like an after thought or a mistake either. A good repair fabricator, also known as a countertop repair specialist, can have your Corian countertops looking as good or better than new. You see, a countertop repair specialist does countertop repairs for a living everyday. You are not just hoping that some local countertop fabricator has time to get to you and the knowledge to fix your problem.

Fact is, a lot of great fabricators that can build beautiful countertops in their sleep, may not have the knowledge and skill required to make the necessary repair for you. Often times when a regular fabricator is approached about repairing a countertop, especially one that is already installed in someone's home, they will often times just send you to another fabricator and the process begins again.

Fabricators build and install countertops for a living. Repair specialists repair countertops for a living. It's probably a good idea to not try and make either one of them do the others job. If you need new countertops, inquire with a fabricator. If countertop repair is what you need, you should contact a repair specialist.

If your Corian countertops are still under warranty, just call Dupont and register a warranty claim. They can be reached at 1-800-4-Corian.

Using a Water Softener

Depending on the type of water flows into your home, you may need to use a water softener to ensure that your family's drinking and washing water is free of excess minerals and elements. A water softener is a machine that is hooked into the incoming water supply and removes these elements and minerals, making your water a easier to use and less harmful to your pipes and appliances.

Hard water has high amounts of magnesium, calcium and (sometimes) iron. Over time, hard water causes stains on sinks, faucets and bathtubs. Magnesium and calcium deposits clog pipes and damage appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. Furthermore, using hard water for bathing can leave your skin feeling dry and itchy. Washing your hair with hard water leaves it feeling brittle and causes damage. Using a water softener can alleviate these problems and ensure that your expensive appliances are avoiding a buildup of scale and soap scum.

Water softeners remove the damaging elements from your water supply, thereby making your water less damaging and less metallic tasting. Because a water softener removes the minerals, a water softening machine needs to be routinely maintained. The calcium, magnesium and iron will build up in the water softening machine. It is much better to have the elements contained in the water softener than flowing through your pipes and through faucets.
Most home water softening systems use a filter and a brine tank. The brine is a salt mixture that works to remove the minerals from the water. As water moves through the water softening system, the magnesium and calcium ions swap places with the sodium ions. The ions in the calcium and magnesium stay behind, and the water moves through your pipes with out them. Regular maintenance includes routinely flushing the tank and adding more brine to ensure the system continues to work efficiently, removing as many of the minerals and elements as possible.

There are different water softening systems on the available, each varying in price. Costs can range from $400 up to $1,500, plus the extra $5 - $10 for salt bags. But using a water softening system in a household with a hard water problem will save you a lot of money in the long run on replacing damaged pipes and appliances.

You can test your home's water supply for hardness by using a kit - available at pool suppliers and H2o treatment centers - to see the amount of minerals present in your water. Water hardness is measured by the amount of minerals present in the water by grains per gallon (GPG), or parts per million (PPM). Water with up to 1 GPG is soft, 1 to 3.5 GPG is considered average, and water with 3.5 to 7 GPG is classified as hard water.

The Faucet Handle is Hard to Turn - Repairing a Single Handle Faucet

It often happens to me as a plumber. After I repair a faucet and the homeowner turns the faucet lever for the first time they are amazed. "The faucet turns so easily!" they exclaim. What is amazing to them is not that the faucet works so easily after repairing, but that they had never noticed that it was not working well until it either leaked terribly, or was impossible to move the handle.

Think about it. You walk into the kitchen or bathroom and, as you have done thousands of times before, you reach for the handle of the faucet and turn on the water. Notice anything? Probably not. The water flows; you turn it off and go on your way. Because you use the faucet everyday, what you don't notice is that gradually the internal parts of the faucet gain a buildup of minerals from the water, and the parts wear. This causes the internal parts to resist movement and thus, the handle is increasingly difficult to move. Think of it as arthritis in the faucet joints.

The good news is that you can save a lot of money by repairing the faucet yourself. Now, don't let plumbing scare you. With a few common tools and some guidance, even the novice can accomplish the task and become a hero to your spouse or friend. Following, I have listed a few simple steps to help you repair a single lever faucet. I am only detailing the repair of a single lever faucet in this article because the steps for repairing this faucet are unique and I don't have the space here to explain a multi lever faucet.

Please read the entire article before beginning the repair process. Once you begin the actual repair, you can then refer back to the individual steps to refresh your memory.

Single lever faucet repairing steps:

1) First of all, determine the brand and type of faucet you are repairing; if you can actually locate a brand imprint on the faucet that helps immensely. There are over 100 different brands and makes of faucets, and most of them take different parts. If you can't find a name on the faucet, a great help is a digital camera. Take a picture of the faucet and show the picture to the plumbing supply store clerk. Odds are, when an experienced clerk sees the picture, he or she will know immediately what brand it is.

2) Once you know the faucet brand, or have a photo, you can purchase the necessary repair parts. You can either go to the big box type stores or a local hardware; they each have their own particular strong points. Describe the symptoms of the sick faucet to the clerk. Is the handle difficult to move? Does the faucet leak water around the base of the spout? (Kitchen faucets are notorious for this.) The clerk should know which parts to give you and may save you from having to make multiple trips to the store because you have the wrong parts. If you are repairing a Moen brand faucet, it is a good idea to purchase a "puller" tool to remove the old cartridge. There are differing types of cartridge removal tools; an inexpensive plastic design is available or more expensive heavy duty metal ones. For the homeowner, the cheaper plastic one should work just fine. You can accomplish the faucet repair without one, but using the removal tool makes life a LOT easier. (When making repairs, the lowest priority for me is saving a few cents on parts. I would much rather frequent a store or supplier that stocks a wide variety of quality parts and employs knowledgeable and helpful staff.)

3) TURN OFF THE WATER TO THE FAUCET. Did I emphasis this enough? Before you disassemble the faucet, turn off the water supply. Usually, there are small chrome or brown valves inside the sink cabinet toward the back. If you are like every other American I have ever worked for, the sink cabinet will be packed full and those valves will be buried under every kind of cleaning and shampoo bottle imaginable. Toss in a hair dryer, makeup, spare soap and toothpaste and...well, you get the idea. Dig through the debris and locate the valves. If the valves won't turn easily, you may have to find the main water shut-off valve for the house and turn off the water there. If you need help in finding the main water valve, check out the article on how to do this at my website.

4) Once the water is off, close the drain stopper on the sink. This little trick was taught me by another plumber over 30 years ago. The reason for this? Most likely, while disassembling the faucet, you are going to drop a small screw or gasket and the closed stopper prevents the small part from disappearing down the drain. Brilliant. Before disassembling the faucet, if you want or need a detailed, illustrated breakdown of your particular faucet and its parts, these illustrations can usually be found on the manufacturer's websites.

5) Remove the handle. There is often a removable plastic lid which covers the handle screw. Pry off the lid and remove the screw. Some handles are attached by a set screw on the side of the handle instead of the top. Look the handle over, with a little investigating, it should be obvious.

6) Once the handle is removed you will see some type of device which secures the replaceable parts in place. Sometimes this is a horseshoe shaped metal clip that slides out. Other times it is a type of round threaded cap that unscrews. Remove the retaining clip or cap.

(Some brands of faucets have a surrounding sheath that encircles the horseshoe clip. This tube needs to be removed first, and then the horseshoe shaped ring can be slid out. To remove the sheath either it is designed to unscrew or to be pulled off by grasping with pliers and pulling toward you. After the sheath is removed grasp the tab of the horseshoe clip with pliers and carefully slid it out by pulling it to the side. These parts should remove easily.)

7) Now, you should see a plastic or brass cartridge that can be removed by pulling it out. If this is a Moen faucet, this is when you use the removal tool. Follow the directions found on the tool packaging. Be careful not to damage the faucet body itself during this process. Some faucet brands contain a plastic or brass ball here instead of a cartridge. Lift or pull this part out. Under the round ball you should see two small rubber seats and springs. Remove them. (In this step, all parts removed should match the new parts which you picked up at the store.)

8) Once the old parts or cartridge are removed, it is a good idea to use a flashlight and peer inside the faucet where the old part used to live. See any pieces of debris or broken pieces of the old cartridge in there? If so, use needle nose pliers to remove it.

9) You can now install the new parts and work your way backwards through the steps as you reassemble the faucet, remembering to replace all retaining clips and rings. If you have any parts left over, take the faucet back apart and figure out where they go before turning the water on. Take your time and you should be just fine

10) This is the most important step. After the faucet is reassembled, the water is back on and you have tested it to make sure it works well, show off your work to your spouse or friends. Watch their reactions as they marvel at how well the faucet works. Now, YOU are the hero, not the plumber you would have had to pay to make the repair.

The author maintains no liability for work performed by readers of his articles. The plumbing repair articles are meant to be a helpful general guide for the homeowner.

What's Wrong With My Toilet

Four of the most common symptoms when troubleshooting and diagnosing your toilet for maintenance and repair.

Symptom #1 There is water on the floor around the base of my toilet or water leaks from under the base of my toilet when I flush. Usually this happens when the wax ring looses it's seal. This is caused by lack of use (wax ring dries up)or, more commonly the toilet moves causing a break in the seal. The toilet moves usually because the flange on the sewer pipe breaks and the bolt no longer holds the toilet in place or the porcelain cracks where the bolt holds the tank to the floor. Repairs can be made by the homeowner.

Symptom #2: Water is leaking from between my tank and bowl. The tank and bowl are held together by bolts (usually two) and there are rubber seals on the bolts and between the tank and bowl. Local water conditions and bowl cleaners that are put into the toilet tank can cause these items to deteriorate. Unless there is a crack in the tank, replacing these items will repair this problem.

Symptom #3: The toilet tank is filling with water even when I'm not using it. There is a part in your toilet tank called the flapper. It is attached to the flush valve. It is usually a soft rubber which over time can deteriorate due to age, water conditions or adding bowl cleaners to the tank. Replacing the flapper will repair this problem. Most flappers are universal.

Symptom #4: The water will not shut off even after the tank is full. Repair or replace the fill valve. This is the valve that lets water into your tank from the water supply line. There are several types. The two most common fill valves are the horizontal floating ball that is attached to an arm which in turn opens or closes the fill valve , and the vertical floating ball which rides up and down the fill valve shaft closing or opening the fill valve. In many cases, replacing the seals in the fill valve will repair this problem. However, most people opt to replace the fill valve totally.

Modern Bathroom Furniture and Choices

Whether you prefer the sleek and contemporary modern furniture, futuristic and shiny, or, like the classic and ornate traditional bathroom furniture style with its wood and silk, there is bound to be a selection of modern furniture to suit your style and taste at any of these dealers or websites. You can also choose from an overall glass look, an antique look, a porcelain look, and so on.

Bathroom Vanity Choices:

When remodeling your bathroom, you have a wide range of choices while deciding on your contemporary furniture. Some of the bathroom vanity choices, for example, that are easily available are a single or a double bathroom vanity. You can choose a new look or old look vanity. Some other bathroom vanity choices are glass bathroom vanities, antique bathroom vanities, wood bathroom vanities, contemporary vanity sets, porcelain bathroom vanities, porcelain sink vanities, and so on and are part of modern furniture catalogs.

Modern Bathroom Furniture:

There are various styles available to a homeowner while remodeling a bathroom. These are the traditional, classical and modern looks for an overall harmonious feel to the bathroom and powder room. In today's fast paced world, most people want ease of use and ease of keeping clean, which modern and contemporary furniture provides. These are available in most modern furniture stores and websites. They have a comprehensive range of furniture to suit your taste, chosen design, and needs. Their designer branded modern furniture helps you to achieve the look, feel, and purpose that you are aiming for. They have a catalog that you can order online that gives you details of their collection, including material choices, sizes and styles furniture. Modern bathroom furniture websites also offer choices in all price ranges to suit all budgets.

Plumbing Fixtures For Homes

Plumbing is an integral part of human lives. People often take for granted the basic amenities that bring us water and take away our wastes. Without these, life would be more complicated. As such, the basic aspects of these amenities start at the home. There are many different fixtures that are used to supply water and take away sewage and wastes. These aspects are more on the façade part and do not deal with the more technical aspects of the field. Most of the units used for homes are made with ceramic or some form of metal. Many of the taps are metal while others may be made from different materials such as ceramic or some form of stone.

Tapware

These fixtures are our basic suppliers such as faucets, shower heads and water spouts. These are usually connected to sinks and walls and are the direct suppliers of water to the person. In many cases, these tapware can supply both hot and cold water for the convenience of the individual. They come in different designs and sizes. Homeowners choose the ones they like best and those that go well with their overall room design. There are basic faucets often used for outdoor use and designer ones that are expensive enough to warrant the name of the designer are used for indoors.

Toilets and Urinals

Urinals and toilets are big parts of the field of plumbing. They are two of the fixtures used in waste disposal. Basically urinals are for men while both men and women can use the toilets. These come in different designs and are often called closets or loos, depending on which part of the world one is. These need a supply of water as well as waste disposal units to carry the waste they receive away from it. Plumbing units are usually showier on the outside compared to what lies between the walls.

Sinks

There are several different kinds of sinks specifically designed for use in different areas of the house. Common places of the house that may need a sink are the kitchen; bathroom and any other area where people are expected to wash hands or possibly use a faucet. Having a faucet or a tap does not, however, mean that there is a need for a sink. Many sinks for the kitchen are made with stainless steel and may have other features that are useful for this particular area of the house. Sinks in the bathroom are usually made with some form of stone or ceramic but can also be made of stainless steel. These plumbing fixtures are usually "prettier" than the ones in the kitchen.

You Can Repair Your Faucets Easily and Quickly

It doesn't matter whether you have a Delta or a Peerless single-handle faucet; they are both made by the same company and are constructed pretty much the same way. Repairing these faucets is just a bit more involved than a standard faucet but you do not need a plumber to get the job done. A few simple hand tools and a repair kit and you can do the job yourself in about 30 minutes and save about $100 in plumber charges. These faucets use the patented ball-on-stick design which opens up pathways for the hot and cold water to flow through a single passageway.

You must first turn off the water supply to the faucet. If there is no cut-off valve under the sink you will have to use the main water supply valve and cut the water supply to the house. Make sure that the water is all the way off. Don't put so much pressure that you strip the valve threads. There is a small set screw to hold the handle in place. You will need a 1/8" Allen wrench to loosen it. If the screw is too tight or has corrosion just spray it with WD-40 and then apply a few drops of machine oil to break the seal.

When you remove the handle you will see a stick poking up that is attached to a ball. The dome shaped chrome piece is the part that holds everything in place. This piece is threaded to the faucet. Next to the dome is a plastic ring that has four notches in it. This ring can be adjusted by tapping a screwdriver very lightly with a hammer. It turns counter-clockwise and it will relieve the force applied to the internal parts. You have to exercise extreme caution here as turn it can actually rotate the entire faucet body and this can damage your plumbing. When you turn it, listen carefully. If you hear any other parts turning, stop immediately.

Underneath this piece is a shield-like piece of plastic that needs to be removed. The black and white section seals the top of the ball. This is the section where leaks will develop. Check it for any nicks or gouges. If it is fine, leave it alone. If not replace it. Lastly, replace the black rubber rings and the springs inside the assembly. If the rotary ball is damaged, replace it as well.

Now remove any debris from the assembly by flushing it with clear water and reassemble your faucet. When everything is back together turn on the water and let the faucet run for a few minutes to purge the air from the lines. It is not a bad idea, at this point, to turn all the faucets on for a few minutes. This will purge the air from your whole plumbing system. You should also be checking for leaks at the same time in all the visible plumbing in the areas where you were working.

What Do Plumbers Do?

When it comes to the care and maintenance of our plumbing systems, it is always best to enlist the services of a plumber when there appears to be a serious problem. When many people think of plumbers, they tend to think of professionals that repair toilet problems. However, plumbers do much more than just repairing toilet problems. They perform a wide range of services that keep our water and sewer lines in top working order.

To understand what plumbers do, you have to understand what the term 'plumbing' means. This term means a professional who is certified to service the pipe systems that transport waste water, sewage, gas, and water. A plumber is specialized to install and diagnose and repair these different pipe systems. Plumbers are equipped with the knowledge, training, and education, to deal with heating and air conditioning issues. They can also be a steam fitter, pipe fitter, and gas fitter. These professionals can be certified to work with gas lines such as for cooking and heating, work along side electricians, and determine the pipes and connections that need to be installed for new homes and buildings.

Plumbers take a plumbing program, apprentice with qualified plumbers, and take a licensing exam before they work on their own. They understand all of the work involved with plumbing repairs as well as the health and safety codes. They are also are licensed in their region to work in residential and commercial areas.

Other services plumbers provide include: repair septic lines, tanks, and emptying septic tanks. They will also unclog pipes, repair pipe breaks and cracks, replace damaged and broken pipes, fix leaking faucets, and provide equipment to clean up floods and mess caused by backed or damaged waste lines. They also have the expertise to increase water pressure. They can locate the cause of the low water pressure and repair it. As well, they can repair high risk of damage issues such as water hammer and frozen pipes. You will find that most plumbers provide emergency services.

Various equipment and devices a plumber can handle and repair include: septic tank, furnace, water pump, sinks, faucets, water tank, wells, and all drainage pipes. They are trained to install pipes running from a home or building to the general source such as in a town or city system. They also understand the workings of the flow of water and wastewater coming into and out of the home

Anyone who has a home or a business such as a restaurant or office building understands the valuable service plumber s provide. These professionals have the tools, equipment, skills, qualifications, experience, and education to diagnose and repair a variety of plumbing problems. As well, they are an important part of the design and construction of homes and commercial buildings. Professional licensed plumbers are educated and trained to fix a variety of plumbing problems and they understand the complexities and sensitivity of plumbing systems which allows them to repair problems to the complete satisfaction of their customers.

Drain Cleaning Techniques

Drain chocking is one of the major problems that affect the modern sanitation system. We need to have effective techniques which will help us in getting away from such problem with less effort. Below are some of the widely accepted techniques which will help us in solving the Drainage problem.

Roto-Rooting- Is a technique which is used to clean long chocked pipe. Roto rooting blades cut the twigs and other material which is present inside the chocked pipe into small pieces, so that it can be flushed out with water pressure

Hydro Jetting- Is one of the widely used techniques, in this process we generate huge water pressure up to several psi, which help us in removing all the obstruction that to is without causing any damage to drainage system.

Visual Inspections- We use specialized technique like video monitoring; this will help us in visualizing the clogs efficiently. By doing so it become easier for us to work on the problem and find quick solution

Pipe ferreting- Verities of nozzle are used to clean the clogs from the hidden location.

Acid Washing -This technique is used in the place where water pressure fails to remove the dirt accurately. For example in case of swing pool, water at high pressure can not remove the algae and fungus that get glued to the wall of the swimming pool, so there is a need for acid wash in such situation. This will automatically remove the fungus and bacteria.

Smoke Test It is one of the most intelligent testing. When your sewer line is chocked you will smell different type of gas, this might be toxic in nature due to which your health may be affected. So call the experts immediately

Re-piping In this method we remove the old and near decayed pipe with the new one. If they are not removed early there is probability that it may hinder the normal functioning of the drainage system

Manual check In this method drains are manually checked by taking help of long flexible rod.

Above mention technique will help us a lot in dealing with drain cleaning problem. As we know that instruments can reach any place no matter what the size is, this increases the efficiency of cleaning process.

Drainage and Drain Unblocking

Drainage industry is growing rapidly worldwide now due to the rise in households and townships. Drainage systems are now given priority and their maintenance is also kept in mind which should be taken care of at regular intervals to avoid the after effects, which can be hazardous too. That is why now more plumbing companies are coming into existence and are successful too in tapping the market too.

Be it domestic or business place both need to be functional when it comes to drainage, after all hygiene is the first thing to be kept in mind. It is highly important to focus on the maintenance of the drainage system other than just focusing on installing the best of the equipment in the rest rooms or showers. One needs to be practical and clearly well aware of the fact that maintenance is equally important to keep the waste flowing.

The venting system or plumbing vents includes pipes that carry the waste from indoor to outdoor. (From showers/rest rooms to gutters). This is where blockage most likely to occur and requires maintenance to keep your plumbing needs functional. Drains can choke or block for various reasons including piling up of waste, ground movement, leakage, subsidence, tree root infiltration and corrosion etc. And one can not get rid of these issues by just installing the best drainage system but by maintaining the drainage system in a timely fashion at regular intervals.

Usage of proper quality plumbing material is recommendable in order to avoid any major problem in future and also that helps in cleaning the drain more easily. There are various ways of cleaning the drain but the most effective one is with high pressure water jets. If good quality drainage system is installed than you need not to worry about the drain cleaning but if low quality drainage system is installed than you definitely need to think twice before maintenance of drain because there are chances of the drain pipes to break or collapse while being cleaned. Normally when water is pumped out from the jetting machine, the water pressure is enough to push the trash out of the drain but that at times also ends up breaking the drain pipes if it is not strong enough to hold the pressure. And if that happens than the whole drainage system needs to be changed which is going to be very costly.

Health and safety is a major concern for all of us. The water that is being dumped in the drain is a 100 times filthier than the water we get rid of in our kitchens or showers. The water in the drain is the homeland for bacteria and other dangerous insects which can be life threatening or can be a cause for some major viral infections to all human beings being affected.

Using a professional and an expert drain cleaning company is highly recommendable if you want to avoid any after effects! Now that we are living in a modern world, we are there left with so many options to choose from that can be fruitful and affordable too.

Best Faucet Water Filter - How to Select the Best Faucet Filter For Your Health and Money

I'm assuming that since you're reading this article because you're looking to purchase the best faucet water filter for your health and money. You already understand the need for a faucet filter to protect you and your family from the harmful toxins that are in our drinking water. Toxins like prescription drugs, bacterial cysts, and chlorine.

In this article I'm going to show you exactly what you should be on the lookout for in choosing the best faucet filter. You will know the exact technology and about how much you should pay.

The first thing you need to know is that price is not always indicative of performance. A faucet filter just because it's the most expensive model does not mean it's the best performing or safest. If you are buying from a middle man or paying retail, you may more than likely paying for commissions and advertising costs. It is possible to buy the best faucet water filter direct from the manufacturer for big savings.

If you do buy direct from the manufacturer you are going to pay far less than someone paying retail. You may be tempted to think that the more expensive faucet filter is better. That's not necessarily the case. It all depends on the technology that is being used in the faucet filter you are considering.

There are some cheap filtering units on the market, and they are cheap for a reason. They are not using the best technology, so be very careful.

So, here's the technology that you want to make sure is in any faucet filter you are considering. The best faucet water filter will be a combination of carbon filtration, ion exchange and sub micron filtration system. Those are the buzz words and the technology you want. Ask whoever you are purchasing from if they use that technology. If they don't, move on.

A faucet filter will come in two types. The first is a unit that sits on your countertop and attaches directly to your kitchen faucet. It is easily installed without the need for a plumber. You can by one of these units directly from the manufacturer using the technology mentioned for $99 to $125. Other similar units that ARE NOT quite as good can cost up to $420. Again, choose wisely.

The second type of faucet filter is a unit that is installed under your kitchen sink. This type of filter does the exact same thing as the countertop model. The only difference is that it is installed under your kitchen sink. Some people prefer this model because it saves space on your countertop. A good direct from manufacturer price would be $143.98 to $179.98. You could pay more, but don't. The best faucet water filter doesn't have to be the most expensive.

In conclusion when you purchase a faucet filter make sure it uses the technology mentioned in this article. Try to buy direct from the manufacturer for the best prices. Follow these guide lines and you'll be able to get the best faucet water filter for your health and money.

Installation of Plastic Drainage Pipe

Pipes are manufactured with a number of different types of materials like ceramic, fiberglass, metal, concrete and plastic of which the plastic drainage pipes are the ones which are most commonly used all over the world. There are a number of reasons due to which plastic is the preferred material for drainage pipes and some of the attributes of this material in this regard are light-weight, resistance to chemicals, its non-corrosive properties and its easy malleability due to which it can be connected without putting in much efforts.

Plastic drainage pipes are used in many countries of the world for the purpose of drinking water distribution and waste water mains and some of the commonly used types of plastic for these applications are polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, fiber reinforced plastic, polypropylene and polyethylene.

Installation of these pipes is carried out in a number of steps and there are some precautions as well which should be kept in mind while performing the job. Plastic pipes are prone to expansion and contraction and therefore the worker should either mount the pipes or make use of metal strapping in form of 'plumber's tape' to accommodate the change in size.

It is owing to this reason that the plastic drainage pipes should not be bound rigidly at their ends and should have some gap between them. Plastic pipes also need to be protected from nails by fitting them with pre-punched and nailed-on steel straps along with installing water hammer resistors and air chambers at each and every fixture. While joining these plastic pipes to the existing pipes one should make use of slip couplings and align the two pipes carefully before sealing the merger. When the plastic drainage pipes are buried in the ground, precaution should be taken that there are no rocks and that the pipes are laid firmly on the trench bottom and not on soft-fill.

3 Essential Questions to Ask a Plumber Before Allowing Them to Give a Repair Estimate

1. Are you a licensed plumber? Or for a company, will the plumbers who perform the repairs in my home be licensed? Why is this so critical? Well in most states it is rather difficult to obtain the master plumber certification which comes with licensing. There are difficult written exams, work experience requirements and this typically discourages the "handyman" who knows a little plumbing from pursuing the license. A plumber who is licensed had already demonstrated that they are committed to the business and are far less likely to be a here today, gone tomorrow.

2. What are all of the fees associated with an estimate? Many companies lure in potential customers with the classic bait and switch technique of offering a "free estimate" which is actually only free if you hire them to perform the work. If you decide on using a different company you will often be stuck with a trip charge that can make the whole repair all the more expensive. Take the time to learn exactly what the company policy is for "free estimates" and it could save you money in the long run.

3. Do your plumbing trucks carry parts needed for most common repairs? Plumbers often charge by the hour and this can include trip fees. If you take the time to ask a company whether or not they will have to make multiple trips to your home in order to complete your repair you may save yourself a great deal of money in the long run. The other added benefit of asking this question is you are able to see how well a company operates. Companies that maintain fully stocked trucks generally have better management since they realize that every additional trip is wasted time and money. The companies that operate more efficiently generally have better leadership and that leadership is usually going to make for a better customer experience.

These are just a few questions that any consumer should ask before hiring a plumber to perform any work inside a residence.

Instructions That You Should Follow For Bathroom Replacement

Is your bathroom looking droopy? Are you looking for a different look and feel in your bathroom? In that case, you should try to go for a bathroom replacement. A bathroom replacement in fact, is very necessary at times because it is the in the bathroom where you are absolutely with your own self. Though there are several complications involved with the bathroom replacement yet maintaining few instructions and precautions can make the task easier.

Make sure that when you have decided to go for the bathtub replacement, be it shower or the bathtub, you select the correct material. You would get the faucets in a wide variety of sizes and styles. You should not go any of these you like. Instead, you should take proper measurement of each of the holes. However, the kind of style for the faucet can always be based on your requirement. What matters most is the style.

When you are replacing the bathroom, you should make sure that you have all the necessary equipments with you. You should know what tools would be required to make the replacement of the individual things. For instance, if the diameter of the pipe is small, you would require a vise grip wrench. Thus you can easily understand that the tools and equipments required are specialized and you might not have all these with you. Even if you have these tools, you should be familiar with its use.

Now that you would be installing the bathtub faucets, you would have to look for the assembly of the faucet behind the walls. However, before doing this, you should read the manual instruction. This can make your task easier and free of risk from any kind of damage. In fact, this is the most important step involved in the replacement of the bathroom. As you remove the previous head of the shower, you should be careful enough and accordingly you should exercise proper caution.

So when you start with the task of bathroom replacement try to keep these instructions in your mind.

Turn off the water supply and remove the handle of the faucet. If the handle does not come out easily, you must not apply your force. You can use a special handle puller for that purpose. Once you remove it, you would have to check the washer. If you find that the washer and the stem are rough, you might have to get a replacement done.

While you replace it, make sure that you assemble all the parts together. Follow it step by step. If you can follow these steps, the entire process would become easier for you. Otherwise, you might require the help of some professional experts.

Glass Bath Tub Enclosure, the Better Choice

Glass Bathtub Enclosure, is it the right choice for you?

Your bathroom is probably the most expensive room in your home; it is the best for adding value to your home and due to the fact that you will more than likely only buy a new bathroom for your home once you need to make sure that you make the most out of it.

Your bathtub is a major structure that can be expensive to replace, it is due to this fact that there are a few simple things that you can do to your bathtub without breaking the bank; an example of this is to replace accessories within your bathroom. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much of an impact simply replacing your shower curtain with a glass door will have on the overall look of your bathroom.

Shower curtains are old news! If you want to make the best out of your bathroom you need a glass bathtub door. I highly recommend investing in a glass bathtub door as they will last you a lifetime, not just in their durability but also for the fact that these bathtub doors won't age. You can get these glass bathtub doors to suit your bathroom regardless of how you have decorated; modern or outdated these glass bathtub doors can turn any bathroom into a deliciously luxurious space where you can pamper yourself.

Glass bathtub doors demonstrate that it does not take much to turn your bathroom into a space where you will want to spend more time and let's face it with the amount of time that we spend in our bathrooms we may as well spend it in there in style; with a glass bathtub door you are doing just that as it helps to make your bathroom a retreat of relaxation and comfortable solitude where you can wash away the stresses of the day and leave feeling soothed, refreshed and energized.

So why should you choose glass enclosures instead of shower curtains? Well believe it or not your shower curtain is most likely hiding some not-so-microscopic bacteria! Shower curtains are really unhygienic and can easily turn moldy; not exactly the look that you want for your bathtub but never fear you will never have this problem with a glass bathtub door!

As well as being more hygienic for your bathroom a glass bathtub door is also available in many finishes as well as many designs such as clear, frosted, patterned and stained glass. This helps the concept that for some people the bathroom is the showplace for their home, making an attractive bathtub door a must.

Your glass bathtub door is made from tempered safety glass that usually comes framed, with frames such as silver (chrome), gold (brass), and nickel as well as white or white sand.

The properties that a glass bathtub door can bring to your bathroom are countless. They improve the look and feel of your bathroom as well as making it more user friendly. Glass bathtub doors really can transform your bathroom so what are you waiting for? Get your glass bathtub door today.

Common Home Plumbing Problems

The plumbing system is an integral part of each home and infrastructure, yet its importance is only realized usually when difficulties or other serious problems arises. Some who are familiar with plumbing can repair common plumbing problems, however professional plumbers are necessary to resolve more problematic issues with their expertise.

A home can never do without a toilet and toilet problems can get be very inconvenient and disturbing. Some common toilet mishaps are:

Toilet clogs. A toilet is clogged when there is a slow or no drainage of water down the bowl when flushing. The clog is probably caused by build-up of waste matter in the pipes or a foreign object was flushed down the toilet.
Unwelcoming Toilet Odors. Strong sewage odors is a common result of burst pipes, defective wax ring or insufficient water in bowl.

A shower is another important feature of a bathroom and plumbing that can have problems such as:

Clogged shower-heads, when there is a limited flow of water in clogged shower-heads are often caused by accumulated deposits of minerals which must be removed or dissolved.
Shower Leaks. A defective or worn shower in need of repair may cause water to leak from the shower.

Another bathroom plumbing fixture problems are encountered is the bath tub.

Bad odor. The bathtub's drain emits sewage odors into the room when the trap is broken or leaky or when the trap dries out if used infrequently.
Impeded drain. The water does not drain or drains slowly due to the accretion of bodily fats/grease, soap scum or hair along the pipes.

As for the kitchen, plumbing problems that usually happen are:

Clogged Sinks. As in clogged toilets, the kitchen sink may also be clogged and the water would not drain due to rusty drain pipes.
Low water pressure. A turned on sink tap reduces water pressure in the entire plumbing fixtures in the house is caused by defective plumbing parts or incorrect sink installation.

There are other plumbing problems that are not focused on a particular plumbing fixture but are disturbing matters that plumbers can effectively repair are:

Dirty Water. The tap water must be clear and void of color, otherwise the water pipes may have been filled with harmful minerals such as rust, dirt and sediment.
Creaking pipes. When hot water runs in pipes, it heats up the material causing slight pipe expansion. When the flow of hot water is ceased, the pipe cools off and the metal contracts. Thus the creaking sound is caused by the pipe's expansion and contraction.
Burst Pipes. This problem can occur in locations where extreme coldness occurs thus freezing and expanding the water in the pipes. This series of action leads to pipe burst and results to emergency flooding.
Rattling pipes. Vibration is produced by water pressure runs through a loosely attached pipe. When the pipes vibrates against something hard and solid, the clattering sound is also produced.
Whistling Pipes. As a plumbing fixture is turned on, the water flows. And when there is sediment build up in pipes or when there is a defective valve in the plumbing system, the water flows through a restricted section of the pipe thus causing the whistling sound.

You Can Do It Yourself-Tackling DIY Bathroom Plumbing

Do it yourself. A generational catch phrase born from the crop of reality-based television programming that has captured an audience with extravagant remodels accomplished over a weekend and elaborate decorating on a budget. Do it yourself - or DIY - always existed as concept - budget-conscious homeowners pulling up their sleeves to tackle a project armed with tools and the ability to think on their feet. But the phrase do it yourself has produced a whole new harvest of weekend warriors filled with newfound confidence and eager to experience the self-satisfaction of a job well done.

Nothing seems to urge on do-it-yourselfers like a DIY bathroom plumbing project. The evidence lays in the community of homeowners who have dug in their heels, refusing to shell out hard earned dollars to a plumber simply to rectify a leaky faucet. The DIY bathroom plumbing project runs the gamut from drippy faucets and running commodes to noisy nozzles and flooding floors. But even more diverse are the extended projects that result from this initial foray into DIY-land. Suddenly, a DIY bathroom plumbing project becomes a full-blown remodel - vanities replaced; showers re-tiled; original floors swapped for their newer counterparts.

For those who have strapped on their tool belt and begun their journey into their DIY bathroom plumbing project, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is imperative that before beginning any repairs of sinks, toilets, and showers to turn off the water to that location. Nothing ends a DIY bathroom plumbing project quicker than a surprise flood. Further, any project involving electricity should be handled with extreme caution. Just as you turned off the water - turn off the electric power in the bathroom before tackling any projects.

Secondly, be sure that you have the appropriate parts to complete the DIY bathroom plumbing project. Parts that don't fit will elongate the project and can easily end with disastrous results.

Finally, do your homework. Be sure to research the DIY bathroom plumbing project prior to starting. The Internet can be an enormous source of information as can your local home improvement store. And remember, you may be doing it yourself, but that doesn't mean you can't call in a professional if you get in over your head. Sometimes a pro can actually wind up saving you money in the end.

If you are well-researched, organized, and on your toes, your DIY bathroom plumbing project can pay dividends. Not only will you have the bathroom you want, but you'll have the unrivalled satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.

How to Replace the faucet Moanshawa

Shower faucet from Moen is always ready, housing satisfaction. 1 - provides a strong presence comes from a small piece of spring washers and the state of art design, very quick and easy installation, very high cartridge, and manage these devices from the restrictions on ownership complex installation procedure is for a free replacement.

But still, as Moen faucets to exchange ideas,You can make your house as old as the house and all houses skeptical. However, before the Yellow Pages, decided to ask for help try the following steps. It's safe to prevent drain your bank account, if not something else.

Set sail for waters unknown

So even ship, itself a compromise on how to perform this difficult task, without coming to throw some serious business. Here how:

Enter the main water valve StartHouse.

Open the faucet, maintenance, while preventing the water line that enters this state and the valve from rising past the wall.

Remove cover and screw the plastic handle can only be used for this purpose.

Chrome plate and screws to hold firm, will be the next. However, there are several taps can be repaired without this procedure.

Fine forceps, remove the pin to hold the cartridge. It may sometimesA little stubborn, hard covers can be attributed to the presence of water. In this case, the professional staff of installers.

This is a time to determine the extent of damage to the cartridge. It does not repair it even if the deplorable conditions. Just replace the fees, new to some, not Moen.

Before you confirm a new faucet, outside wall of the cartridge can be a wayWash water and sanitation coated fat. Ditto is a new part.

Please put the cartridge into place perfectly. Now, pins, replace the sleeve and chrome plate.

Answer all the ardent prayer

In all likelihood, at this time is sure to raise the water does not enable undiluted pride again. Congratulations! Now the handle is the time to bask in the glory of the achievement of your exchange.