Plumbing Problems May Require a Plumbing Contractor

Plumbing is something everyone must deal with, whether finding a plumbing contractor for new construction, a remodeling project, or just providing plumbing repair.

When Do I Need to Call a Plumbing Contractor?

Some common problems found with plumbing include:
Rattling pipes; may be caused by several factors, most commonly because they are not sufficiently secured or strapped to the wall frame. The pipes may need to be properly secured.
Slow drains; may be partially clogged. If a kitchen sink, the dishwasher may be improperly plumbed. The drain may need to be unclogged, or the dishwasher plumbing corrected.
Loss of hot water when another faucet is turned on; especially in older homes when hot and cold water pressures are not balanced. A pressure balance valve may be required.
Toilet tank leaks; plumbing parts inside the tank or seals may need replacing.

To make sure these plumbing repair problems are properly addressed, or when doing a remodeling project, you may want to enlist the services of a licensed plumbing contractor.

Plumbing a Remodel or New Construction

A remodeling project might include new plumbing design or new plumbing installation. You will want to meet with the plumber and all contractors involved and develop a timeline, so everyone works together and the project goes smoothly.

Before taking bids from potential plumbing contractors, make sure you have detailed plans. Provide each candidate with an identical copy of the plans. Rule of thumb is to get at least three different bids for a project.

Ask candidates if they are licensed to do plumbing. Also request references. Ask each candidate when they could start, and when the project would be completed. Take the time to check references on other projects they have completed.

To find a licensed Plumbing contractor in your area, use references from people you know, or check with a local licensing agency. Online resources are also available; people in Canada can find a qualified, licensed plumbing contractor at http://www.handycanadian.com.

Shower Pan Replacement - Putting it Right

Shower pan replacement gets done after you notice water damage around the bathroom. Sure there are several patch up methods to slow the leaks, but getting deep into the shower is really the only way to a permanent fix. Here's where to start.

1. Tear Out

Getting the old shower base out lets you see what has happened and why the leak progressed. Clearly failure of the shower pan liner happened if water got out of the shower.

Getting out the damaged parts is crucial for building back.

2. Judging What To Leave And What To Replace

It takes some experience to know where to stop when tearing out the damaged parts. Letting everything dry helps to make that call. Sometimes walls may need to come out and sometimes floors do too. Those decisions are easier after everything has a chance to dry.

3. No Shaky Starts Allowed

No matter what type of shower goes back, the sub-floor and the foundation for the shower must be put back to be stable and not shaky. That often means more bracing and possible replacing deteriorated members too.

4. What Shower Base?

More than one kind of shower base will work for a replacement. Tile ready shower pans eliminate much of the skilled mortar work. But often tile ready pans cost so much that you could pay an installer to build you a traditional mortar shower for the cost of the pan alone. Maybe you choose to forget the tile and replace with an acrylic shower.

Building a tile shower pan goes together just like a new one once you have the damage control behind you.

5. Layers To Waterproof

Building a waterproof tile shower goes together layer by layer. Key components are the liner membrane as well as a special tile shower drain. These components do the hidden work of catching all the water that makes it through the floor itself. Get these right and you get a shower with the water in the right places for many years.

Shower pan replacement goes together just like a new installation after you get the old parts out and the damage contained. It takes judgement to decide when to quit on repairs. Once the damaged areas are dried, it becomes easier to know what must come out and what can stay.

Kitchen Remodeling - A Checklist for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

Kitchen remodeling takes both time and money. A major remodel with top-of-the-line appliances and cabinets can easily run more than $100,000. As for time, allow at least four months for a remodeling job or, more realistically, six to eight months. It takes about two months for custom cabinet orders, more time for planning, order processing, shipping, demolition, installation, moving back into your kitchen and re-organization.

While it's tempting to get started as quickly as possible once you decide to remodel, it's better to catch your breath, do your homework and think through your plans because you don't have the time or money to make mistakes.

Start with the basics. Consider what the primary uses of the kitchen will be then collect ideas for enhancing your project. Put some initial thought into this prior to meeting with a contractor. Following is a checklist of items to consider when planning your kitchen remodel.

Determine the primary uses of your kitchen:
cooking


food storage


dining


equipment / utensil storage


specialized food preparation areas


waste disposal


laundry


secondary media center


message station


mini-office


hobby / craft center


entertaining


mudroom


traffic hub

Enhance your kitchen remodeling project:
Brainstorm with household members


Find ideas in model homes, showrooms, home shows, magazines, books and catalogs


Appliances - ovens, stoves, cook tops, refrigerators, dishwashers, range, microwaves, hoods, and exhaust fans


Cabinets - wood cabinets in oak, maple, cherry, hickory, pine, birch, metal, plastic, cabinet re-facing, kitchen storage items and kitchen islands


Countertops - stone, marble, quartz, granite, solid surface, wood, metal and Formica


Flooring - hardwood flooring, cork, bamboo, laminate, linoleum flooring, flooring installation, repair and refinishing floors


Lighting - light controls, chandeliers, fixtures, lamps, fluorescent lights, recessed and spot lighting


Sinks and Fixtures - kitchen faucets, stainless steel, brass, plastic and glass handles


Windows - skylight windows, double hung and single hung windows, casement and garden windows for growing herbs and plants


Select a design professional and/or contractor that meets your needs

The more details you can determine prior to your kitchen remodeling project the better. It will make your remodeling project more efficient and, thus, less expensive.

Essential Dishwasher Parts

You may need to replace dishwasher parts from time to time. Call or visit your local appliance parts outlet. There you will find a full selection of dishwasher parts you can buy to self-service your dishwasher. Some examples of commonly replaced parts are:

1) The drain hose. These are necessary for draining the machine back into the plumbing of your home. This hose can crack, tear, or become weak. You can replace it yourself for under $20.

2) Switches and latches. Door switches, selector switches, handle latches, knobs, and other switches can break off from time to time. These are usually available for under $20 each.

3) The air gap. This prevents waste from seeping back into the unit. It is located in the sink, near the faucet. If you've already tried unscrewing and cleaning the air gap, a new one can be had for under $15.

4) Dishwasher rack plastic repair material. If any parts of the two or three racks in your dishwasher break off, apply some of this glue-like material and stick the part back on. It costs around $20 or $30 a bottle. It's powerful stuff.

5) The complete pump and motor assembly. Motors and pumps can sometimes break down. Unfortunately, they cost anywhere from $100 to $200. Be sure to try and self-start the stuck motor by manually spinning it before you go and buy a new one.

6) Push-button control panels. These can short out, sometimes causing an alarming cloud of smoke. If you ever experience this, disconnect the power, pull the unit away from the wall if you can, and get a new push-button control panel for about $100.

7) Internal control panel contacts. If you are handy with electronics, and the control panel seems burnt out, you can avoid buying a whole new panel by soldering new contacts in place. If you don't know what that means, you're probably not qualified to do this. That's OK. Buying a new control panel would be much easier than learning all about its electronics.

8) The control actuator and control module. These shut off water to the bottom spray arm at the end of the run. If your machine floods, you might have to spend $50 to $100 to replace these parts.

9) The heating element. This heats the water. If the water is cold, a new heating element costs about $100.

10) The timer. This controls how long the machine is on and washing your dishes. Replace it if the machine shuts off too early, too late, or not at all. It should cost under $40.

A Boiler Service Can't Be Rushed

When you get the engineer round to do a boiler service, some homeowners think that the length of time it takes is a tactical measure that will result in a higher cost for the service and parts needed. This is misconception, and the time it takes for an engineer to complete a boiler service should not be rushed on the grounds that you think it is going to cost more. After all, wouldn't you rather have a proper job done than something quick that could result in a fault being mis-diagnosed?

Avoid The Suspect Engineers

The engineers that take their time with a boiler service inevitably do a better job. They know that they have lots of areas on the boiler to check and in order to do a thorough service, time is never of the essence with a qualified engineer. In most cases, the cost of a boiler service is covered by the central heating price plan you're on, so in that respect, it doesn't really matter how long the engineer takes because you're not being charged by the hour. Of course, there are some rather suspect engineers out there that will do a boiler service for you and spend 3 hours in your home, only to tell you there is nothing wrong and you owe them hundreds of pounds for the time it has taken them to look at it. Believe it or not, there are some people out there that will try and charge a lot of money for a boiler service they are not fully qualified to do. Always choose a reputable company.

The Importance Of The Engineer

When the engineer does come round, don't rush him to complete the job. A boiler service should take on average of an hour and if it is the case that some new parts are required, you could find the central heating engineer needs to make a repeat visit. This service should be included in the central heating price plan you have, but you are likely to find that the parts aren't. Nevertheless, treat your engineer with respect as he is the one who will be identifying if you have any faults with your boiler, which could then save your life. Too many boiler explosions happen and you don't want to be another statistic. Offer the engineer a cup of tea and a biscuit whilst he is in your home, as this is always considered to be a friendly gesture.

Sink Faucets Basics

A huge variety is now seen when it comes to sinks. These sinks have been categorized for specific functions such as to be used at bars, pot and pan washing, food preparation and hand washing. Thus, making the collection of sinks more classified according to the function they would be performing. Sink faucets are an important part of any sink, which can add to the functionality of the sink to make it more useful.

Many kinds of faucets/taps are designed and available now. These too are made according to specific functions and operations. Starting off with the swivelling faucets, these are a part of every section of the sink that is used for washing of cloths. The sinks that are specifically used for hand washing can be supplied with the goose neck faucets. These sinks are spacious enough that you will hardly make any contact or touch either the sink or the faucet.

Faucets are commonly categorized into one handle faucets and two handle faucets. Both of these can be found in plenty of designs. The sinks that are used for preparing food, ware washing and hand washing, use the double handled faucets. On the other hand, one handle faucets are connected with Chinese ranges, kettles, simmering pans and other equipment. Handle free faucets have no handle. These are used to give out water for hand washing. An electric motion detector activates them. These are considered to be best when health and safety issues are of concern. With these "Handle free faucets" there are no worries regarding the transfer of germs or dirt that can occur due to the multiple contacts made with these taps by different people.

Two important fact that need to be looked at, when choosing a faucet, are the construction and configuration it. Today, brass is commonly used for the production of faucets. Brass is not only reliable but also impervious to corrosion. You will also find faucets finished in chrome, bronze, copper and nickel. These too are durable and would require relatively less care to keep them in a good condition.

You also need to make sure that the faucets go nicely with the rest of the décor of your bathroom or kitchen. You also need to keep in mind the way your sink is styled to make it best suited and useful with the faucet you will pick.

When it comes to sink faucets you will find a wide range and you can easily pick one according to your requirements. Today even taps are manufactured keeping in mind the specific action that they would be needed for. Do not rush into buying a faucet without overlooking its pros/cons, this will relive you from future plumbing problems that may happen with cheap sink faucets.

Hotels Bathtub Refinishing and Hotels Bathtub Repairs Nationwide

Hotels bathtub refinishing brings the shine back on bathtubs and sinks that are dull, worn out and hard to clean. The hospitality industry saves up to 80% of the cost of bathtub replacement. Bathtub refinishing, being done in the bathroom for about four hours, saves hotels much needed time for their guests. Green bathroom remodeling saves money because it treads lightly on the environment and leaves the hospitality industry with plenty of "green". But nobody can afford bathtubs and liners that are worn-out and discolored especially since bathtub refinishing is only 20% of the cost of bathtub replacement.

Additionally, bathtub refinishing services lowers the carbon foot print of hotels all over the world. Guests who are who conscious of green traveling are showing more preference to green hotels. There is nobody in the hospitality industry that can afford bathtubs and liners that are worn-out and discolored.

Hotels like most businesses have found ways to save money in their bathroom remodeling by using bathtub refinishing instead of bathtub replacement. And as the economy continues to tighten and the competition continues to heighten, more hotels will continue to look at creative ways to maintain their bathrooms. Bathtub refinishing leaves no mess in the bathroom. The space can be used in 12 to 24 hours depending on the coatings used and the refinishing company.

In addition, the tighter the economy, the more demanding hotel guests get for a good value for the money they spend. A sluggish economy is not the time for hotels to lower their standards but to upgrade them. Bathtub refinishing is an inexpensive way to remodel your bathroom with a savings of up to 80% of what it would cost to replace a bathtub or sink. Hotels/motels green bathtub refinishing and green bathroom remodeling is saving hotels and motels money and time nationwide.
Hotels bathtub refinishing advantages in a nutshell

* It takes about 4 hours to refinish a bathtub. It takes days and perhaps weeks to replace a bathtub.

* No removal of sink or plumbing

* No damage to their walls or cabinets.

* Save up to 80% on the cost of replacement.

* Lower their carbon foot print because refinishing is the best green remodeling alternative.

Bathtub refinishing is the best green alternative to replacing. Hotels bathtub refinishing saves money and time. In a hotel bathroom, just to replace a standard bathtub and enclosures alone, can cost over $2,000 dollars. This is because of tearing down the walls, cost of getting rid of all the mess, the plumbing and tile work. And then when you add all the money that you would loose by not having those available for your guests, the price really goes up.

With bathtub refinishing, there is no demolition and tear out, so the bathtubs are refinished in the bathroom at the hotels. Therefore, hotels get to use their almost like new bathtub after 24 hours. Additionally, since your hotels' bathtubs and wall tile fixtures, and all necessary work is done at the hotels, you get all the, bathtub refinishing benefits over replacement.
Bathtub refinishing makes hotel tubs look like new

Bathtub refinishing offers these benefits to the hospitality industry:

* Working around a hotel's constraints and scheduling;
* Working within occupancy patterns, making the process as convenient as possible.

Bathtub refinishing advantages for the hotel industry:

Bathtub refinishing has saved hotels more than 80% the cost of replacement. It has saved hotels a lot of time, which translates to money because of the quick turn-around time that only bathtub refinishing provides. Hotels that are using bathtub refinishing as a green alternative in their remodeling are lowering their hotel's carbon footprint. They also enjoy the environmental benefits of refinishing.

Bathtub refinishing helps hotels maintain a professional appearance. This satisfies their guests and also meets the lodging industry ratings requirements. Private guest rooms; meeting and conference rooms; and common areas such as the lobby, restaurant and bar, hallways and elevators need to stay clean. With bathtub refinishing, hotels certainly save money and time, and keep happy guests. In a tight economy, bathtub refinishing is the hospitality industry's best green remodeling alternative.