Why Your Emergency Plumber Should Be a Professional?

Why Your Emergency Plumber Should Be a Professional?

Plumbing problems in homes or buildings often seek immediate attention. Many a time when emergency plumbers are called in they manage to rectify the problems but if they are not professional, the mess they leave behind is often a sordid affair. Thus, if you have a problem where you need to call an emergency plumber, then you need to make sure they are professional. There are plenty of reasons that you would need to call them for. Since, they are called during times of contingencies, they charge you extra. Thus it is essential to ensure that they are professional at their work.

Common Issues

Before you make the call to the emergency plumber you need to make sure that it is an issue that can’t wait. Here are some of the most common urgent issues that require you to make the call immediately, including:

·       Clogged toilet or sink

·       Clogged shower or bathroom drain

·       Leaky toilet or faucet

·       Leaking hose for washing machine or water heater

·       Water lines that are broken

·       Pipes bursting

·       Non-availability of hot water

If you have any of these issues, then you should immediately call for a professional emergency plumber.

Top of Line Equipment

The emergency plumber is usually well equipped the top of the line equipment such as high speed jets of water, augers and more, which means that they can take care of any of your issues. They can make any difficult task look simply.                                                               

Professional Training

Another benefit of hiring an emergency plumber to take care of your problems is that they have received professional training. They are trained to take care of everything that might come up, including clogged drains, leaking household appliances and much more. Not only can they help you to stop the leaks when they show up, but they can also assist you in finding some permanent solutions. You don’t have to worry about someone only knowing how to do a few things, rather if you hire an expert they will be able to take care of anything. Give them a call and consider your problem solved.

Insurance

Also, an emergency plumber would have the required insurance that would be able to cover any problems that might arise on your property. Those who are professional are required to have insurance, so ensure that they have enough coverage in case anything happens. If you don’t choose a professional, then there is a chance that you might have to pay for the damage out of your pocket. Ask them about this before you hire them so that you are aware in case of an unforeseen damage.

Manages Weather Conditions

When the weather conditions are freezing then however well your pipes are laid, the remote possibility of them breaking is always high on cards. An unskilled emergency plumber may be incapacitated to deal with such intricate pipe systems, but a professional emergency plumber is well versed with such delicate situations and would be able to easily manage the same.

For Remote Areas

There are various septic systems in remote areas that can cause severe issues and cause the inflow to water to the surrounding areas. A professional emergency plumber can read, access and repair the emergency without any hassle in comparison to an unskilled emergency plumber.

There are plenty of times when you will need the assistance of an emergency plumber, but you should know what is requires a call to them and what doesn’t. Make sure that you call them only if you have something that is leaking or pipes that have busted.

Guest Contributor, Lauren Bracy

Modern and Stylish Kitchen Ideas from the Covers of Vogue

Modern and Stylish Kitchen Ideas from the Covers of Vogue

Over the last couple of decades, people have started paying more attention to the design of their kitchens. Today, home owners invest a lot of money into this part of the house because they know that it represents their lifestyle and speaks volumes about their taste. However, aside from stressing the importance of kitchen style, more and more people are opting for smart solutions and are searching for the most practical options. So, if you want your kitchen to be one that deserves to appear on the covers of Vogue, you must follow the latest trends and make it both stylish and practical. Let’s take a look at some interesting ideas and get inspired.

Smart Kitchens

With the advancement of technology, our life habits changed as well. Nowadays we are surrounded by smart gadgets that can perform various tasks on our behalf and thus significantly make our lives easier. The same goes for appliances that are the main part of our kitchen. Therefore, if you want to have a modern and stylish kitchen that resembles those seen in Vogue, make sure to opt for high-tech appliances like smart refrigerators. They can perform numerous cool actions for you including writing shopping lists and even playing your favourite songs. On top of that, many of them are equipped with sensors that can alert you if some of your groceries are running low. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it!? Finally, don’t hesitate to invest in smart faucets that have motion sensors which turn on the flow automatically.

Green Kitchens

You simply can’t consider your kitchen to be modern if it’s not green. So, it’s high time you switched your old appliances for Energy Star ones which can significantly reduce the amount of energy you use on a monthly basis. Not only will this affect your bills, but it will be beneficial to the environment as well. Furthermore, once you have chosen a brand that sells high-quality and energy-efficient appliances, it is essential that you try to stick to it. If you, let’s say, opt for popular Bosch appliances and equip your whole kitchen with them, in case one of them breaks, you’ll know whom to call immediately. Finally, aside from buying green appliances, you should make sure to be a responsible user as well. After all, no matter how energy-efficient your refrigerator is, if you leave it open for 10 minutes every day when you’re cooking your lunch, everything will be in vain.

Clever Storage Ideas

Another important aspect of every kitchen design is its storage space, since we all need to store our cups, spices, pots and pans without turning the kitchen into a complete mess. Therefore, it’s essential to find a creative solution which is both practical and won’t disrupt the overall sophisticated atmosphere that you’re trying to achieve. For example, home improvement magazines are putting a lot of faith into vertical storage space. They are usually advising readers to install shelves instead of cupboards since they occupy much less space but can store a significant amount of items. On top of that, you can fill them with beautiful small woven boxes labelled with paper tags so that you always know which one to reach for. Finally, another great and stylish idea would be to hang a plate rack on the wall where you can display your valuable china collection.

Go Vintage, But Keep Your Pipes New

Another super-popular trend is vintage kitchen design. You can start by opting for rustic kitchen faucets that will create that warm, inviting atmosphere which will remind you of the weekends spent at your grandparents’. However, in order to make sure that they are properly installed, we advise you to contact a reliable plumbing service. Additionally, these professionals will make sure to check your plumbing system and do pipe relining if necessary in order to prevent any possible damage caused by moisture and mildew. Furthermore, vintage decor can be achieved by a fresh coat of pink or green paint, which will completely transform your place and add that final touch to it. Lastly, feel free to express your creativity and choose some beautiful vintage home accessories that will definitely tie the whole space together.

As you can see, turning your average-looking kitchen into the one seen on the covers of Vogue is not that hard after all. You just need to keep up with the latest trends and discover the most practical solutions in order to make your kitchen truly functional. Finally, if you feel that you can’t do all of this on your own, don’t shy away from contacting professionals. They will make sure that everything will run smoothly, so you’ll be able to relax and fully enjoy your new kitchen.

About the author:

Tracey Clayton is a working mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor, and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”

Guest Contributor, Tracery Clayton

Home Renovation Projects Worth The Investment

Home Renovation Projects Worth The Investment

Just as you deserve to live in a comfortable home, so does your home deserve a worthy makeover from time to time. When done properly, renovation projects can significantly increase the value of your property and make it more pleasant to live in, all in one stroke.

While certain investments focus on maximizing cosiness, others aim to improve appearance. More practical renovation projects even go as far as raising your level of security and reducing your energy losses.

Depending on your budget and ideas, there are always plenty of options available. Here are only some of the top home renovation projects that will take your home to the next level!

1. Upgrade Your Plumbing System

If you’re focused on staying in your home for good, upgrading an old or faulty plumbing system is highly advised. A fair number of homes experience leaks that result in dozens of gallons of water losses per day.

After investing in a new plumbing system, however, leaks and drainage blockages will be history. The new set of pipes will also ensure that you’re receiving a clean water supply, free of hazardous substances.

If you want to increase the safety and value of your home even further, you can also consider investing in monitoring devices that are remotely controlled and ensure that your plumbing system is operating at its max potential at all times.

For those trying to increase the value of their home before selling it, redoing the plumbing fixtures also pays off. As most potential buyers are looking forward to moving into a functional home that requires minimal adjustments, a faulty plumbing system can definitely be a deal breaker.

2. Exterior Cladding

If you're looking forward to giving your home a fresh and cozy look while enhancing its functionality, coating the exteriors of your house with timber cladding is a great solution.

Timber cladding is a popular construction method from the Middle Ages. With this eco-friendly technique, pieces of timber are installed over the interior or exterior walls.

While the solution is relatively cost-effective and quick to implement, it also comes with a set of numerous other benefits that might interest you or potential buyers.

It provides your home with outstanding thermal insulation, resulting in reduced use of energy for cooling or heating your home. Furthermore, your home will be protected by durable wood that provides an entirely new look.

3. Install a Porch

We all need to relax from time to time, and a porch happens to be the ideal place for that. Whether you intend to use it to host BBQ parties, sit under the sun, or simply increase the market value of your home, building a porch in your back or front yard can only benefit you.

If you already have one and aren’t sure what to do with it, consider repainting it and repairing any damaged sections. You are also advised to weather-proof your porch by installing an orangery and bi-folding doors. This will allow you to use the space at any time of the year.

4. Remodel Your Kitchen

Kitchen renovations come with a high return on investment for a good reason. Most people spend a fair amount of time in their kitchen; therefore they want it to be practical, modern, and good-looking.

Smaller kitchen renovation projects include painting the cabinets, replacing cabinet knobs, decorating the walls with moulding, and replacing curtains.

If you want to take on a kitchen renovation project of a higher scale, however, consider replacing out-dated appliances, cabinets, floors, and most importantly, the countertops, as well as the pipes.

5. Install a Surveillance System

In a world where crime is nothing out of the ordinary, making sure that your home is secure is crucial to your well-being. You can never be too safe.

As it happens, CCTV is one of the best ways to keep unwanted guests at bay. CCTV surveillance systems come in various shapes and provide different features that homeowners can use to make the most out of their security system. One such feature that most cameras offer is remote monitoring, which allows the user to see what’s going on inside or outside their house at any given time. An even better option would be to go for remote monitored CCTV that is hooked up to a control centre, where someone else will do the monitoring when you are not home.

Make sure to set cameras in locations that cover a lot of ground and represent primary points of entry. Some examples include balconies, backdoor, garage, and front door. Furthermore, to increase the efficiency of your security system, consider removing any vegetation around your house that is blocking the view of your cameras.

Final Words

Certain home renovation projects are bound to increase your comfort and add to the value of your home when done correctly. Before taking on any major quest, make sure to take your budget and needs into consideration. It is up to you to decide whether you want to increase the level of your security, make sure your plumbing is done right, or give your house an entirely new look. Hopefully, the solutions mentioned in this post will give you an idea of what you should do next and inspire you to step into action!

Guest Contributor, Kevin Jefferson

How to Prevent Clogs in Your Drains

How to Prevent Clogs in Your Drains

Have you ever watched helplessly as the water in your sink just won’t go away or do you often find yourself ankle-deep in water when having a shower? If yes, then you might have a blocked drain on your hands. People usually deal with this by grabbing a plunger, but there are things you can do to prevent this from ever happening. Here’s how you can get rid of clogged drains once and for all.

Keep them clean

The best way to fight clogged drains is to keep them clean. Since drains aren’t exactly super visible, we usually think about them only when there’s a draining problem. But, if you only take a few minutes a week and pay some attention to them, the whole issue of clogs can be completely avoided. First, be mindful of what you flush down the drains. If you don’t have a habit of flushing food or too much debris, you’ll be good, but otherwise, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and start cleaning. The bathtub drain and kitchen sink are especially prone to clogging, so pay special attention to them. Regularly lift up the pop-up stopper in the bath or bathroom sink, pull out the hair and debris, rinse everything and voila!

Clean your garbage disposal

Once or twice a month you might want to peek into your garbage disposal. You can remove the grease and slime from the sides by getting a disposer brush or simply by grinding up some ice and table salt. After you think the coast is clear, flush everything with water and finish off with lemon for the fresh smell!

Employ a cleaner solution

A good bacterial cleaner will help you keep your drains clean and clog-free. Just make sure to opt for a brand that is 100% biodegradable and non-corrosive. Such drain cleaners are much safer and more eco-friendly than chemical ones, which means that they won’t damage your pipes.

Don’t neglect your outdoor drains

Your outdoor drains should also be kept clean. In Australia, most outdoor drains get blocked by tree roots and these are not so easy to remove unless you have a proper gear and experience. However, there are companies that can quickly and easily fix blocked drains in Sydney using high-pressure water jets. If you hire these pros every six to twelve months, you’ll never see your drains get blocked by annoying roots and there will be no more floods in your backyard.

Employ debris guards

Sink strainers can be annoying, but they actually serve a great purpose of protecting your drains from blockages. So, keep them in place and clean them regularly. There are also bath hair catchers that prevent hair clumps from going down the drain, and they are super cheap.

Change your bad habits

Most hair that gets caught in the drain was loose even before you stepped into the shower. So, try to comb your hair before you get in to prevent it from ending up in your drain. So, hair will still go down, but you’ll manage to reduce that amount.

Compost instead of disposing

One easy way to keep your garbage disposal drain clean is to decrease the number of times you use it. Instead of putting everything in the garbage disposal, create a composting bin. Once the compost is ready, use it in your garden or even sell it to your neighbors.

Once your drains are clean and debris-free, you should do your best to keep them that way. It might seem like a bother to check for clogs every week, but once it becomes a habit, you’ll never have to deal with another drain blockage again!

Guest Contributor, Cooper Klein

Home Maintenance List

Home Maintenance

Home ownership is one of the greatest feelings. Maintaining your home is another thing. You either like doing it or you don't. Only a handful of people genuinely enjoy it, the rest of the population looks at it as a chore. We understand why we need to maintain it. Your home is like a baby. If you take care of it and properly maintain it, it will grow up to make you proud. If you maintain your home things will last longer and when it’s time to sell it, you’ll hopefully get a good return on it. If you neglect it, everything starts falling a part and it will cost you more in the long run. Don't wait till the last minute to start taking care of things. Here’s a break down to make it easier on you:

Monthly

Replace HVAC filter

Flush toilets and run water in unused bathrooms

Clean garbage disposal

Clean kitchen drain

Quarterly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors- at the beginning of each season

Check your sump pump

Check your ejector pump

Semi Annual

Clean gutters 

Deep clean your house at least twice a year to get rid of things you don’t need

Annual

Schedule HVAC maintenance

Schedule Plumbing maintenance

Replace smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries

Flush your water heater and remove sediment

This list should make it easier for you to maintain your home. Have your phone calendar remind you when to check certain things. Send yourself monthly notifications, this way you wont forget. If you have any questions regarding your home maintenance, don't hesitate to ask us. 

-Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing