All You Need to Know About an Expert Plumber Service

All You Need to Know About an Expert PlumberService

Call for an expert plumber service is never pre-defined. Plumbing emergencies can happen at any point of time. A good plumber comes into picture when a person finds himself in a pinch of plumbing problems. Numerous advertisements are out there in the market of people claiming to be an excellent plumbing service. Sometimes, those may prove to be misleading ones. Clinging on to a professional plumber requires a bit of research as fixing plumbing complications is tedious. A licensed plumber is the one who possesses sound technical skills as well as knowledge to serve his or her clients efficiently. 

Tips for Choosing the Expert Plumber Service:

License and Legal Documentation:

Every expert plumber service provider must possess an official permit for running his plumbing business. For those who seek a plumber’s assistance should ask for relevant and valid working license conferred by the State Government. No matter whether it is a residential or a commercial plumbing emergency, hiring a professional plumber without a valid working permit should never be entertained. License assures for the compliance of the service being provided by the plumber to be in accordance with the state regulations. 

Experience Accounts for The First Priority:

Out of all the governing factors, experience of the plumber is must. Thus, when a person is in search of an expert plumber, it is important to track for how long the plumber is functional in the market. New plumbing professionals may or may not be able to meet all your plumbing requirements.

On the other hand, an experienced plumber shall evaluate the plumbing requirements of any commercial or residential set-up and customize solutions accordingly. This helps their customers to save on their time and money investment. Warranty of the plumbing service is not an issue whenexperienced personnel is hired. 

Cling More on Recommendations:

While connecting with an expert plumber service provider, it is better to look on for suggestions. Recommendations or referrals give an insight into the best and worst plumbing service providers available near you. Ask family and friends about their recent experience with a professional plumber. Also, jot down all the plumbing issues they faced and the solutions provided by their plumber. Some professional plumber service providers have their Google listings wherein a customer can cross-verify about the past customer feedback and experience. 

24/7 Customer Support Facility:

While choosing an expert plumbing solution service provider, it is essential to check for their 24/7 customer service availability. Water is a crucial resource, and no one can afford wasting water due to erroneous plumbing issues. Plumbing emergencies can arise at any point of time, and hence, a professional plumber should be reachable quickly. Ensure for their quick reachability through text messages, calls or even through their website. Customer service and satisfaction should top their priority list. Finally, they a professional plumbing solution provider should stand high with a technical troubleshooting ability.

Affordability Matters:

There are heaps of expert plumber service providers claiming themselves as highly experienced with a wide array of services. However, it is the customer’s responsibility to take a dig at the pricing of their service of interest. An excellent and professional plumber shall never overcharge for the service above the market price. A professional plumber is the one dedicated towards a quality intact servicing at highly affordable pricing. This benefit in two-ways- the plumbing service provider has an excellent customer retention ratio, and the customers invest low on their money. 

Thus, choosing an expert plumber service provider requires a bit of thorough research on experience, service quality, and affordability. Reliability and trustworthiness of a plumbing solution provider go hand-in-hand with these three characteristics.

 Guest Contributor, Nivi Watson

5 Ways to Choose the Best Plumbing Company If You Have Blocked Drains

5 Ways to Choose the Best Plumbing Company If You Have Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are one of the biggest problems with any household. Drainage system faltering can get messy and cause huge problems. Having the drain cleaned once in a while is a good option but it gets hard to figure out when exactly the drain might get damaged. For times like these, one needs a good idea about how this entire mess works. Therefore, needs a good plumbing company to sort the mess. There are a lot of plumbing companies out there and it can get a little too tough to choose but here are some ways which can be followed while choosing a plumbing company if one has blocked the drains.  

1. Look for Certifications: To get the best out of the lot one needs to check for quality certification. The certification of the plumbing company is important since it measures the quality of the work of the plumber they will send. Having this part sorted can guarantee a good service since qualified workers delivers quality work. Therefore, looking for certifications is an important job. 

2. Reputation Research: Reputation of any worker is worth of gold so is the case for a plumber or a plumbing company. A researchregarding the reputation of the company will provide a good deal of information and an insight of things. Customer reviews, asking around, ratings on customer services can be a good way of testing the reputation of the company. Better the reputation, better the work on the blocked drains.

3. Look for Specialities: All plumbing companies have a special set of specialities. For example, some of the plumbing companies are commercial and the plumbers work in the generic old-fashioned manner. On the other hand, there are companies that provide high tech work or even eco-friendly work. Once one looks into the specialities of the different companies, it will be easier to select the perfect company as per the need.

4. Warranties and Repair Plans: Warranties and repair plans are important to look for when it comes to any repairing work even for blocked drains. It is clever to look up the companies’ terms and conditions when it comes to repair and warranty because this might come handy later. This can turn out to be cost effective and beneficiary for the future. Having purchased a good plumbing plan can not only help with blocked drains but also with the broken pipes, pump failures, and all other plumbing problems.

5. Do Cost Estimates: After an extensive research, one must look for the perfect plan and plumbing company keeping in mind the cost estimate. Doing the cost estimate will provide the perfect company which one can afford. This factor is important and can plan the perfect budget for the services and make it cost effective with the quality of the service. For the best results out of this plan one should consult at least four to five different plumbing companies before narrowing it down to one. 

Choosing a plumbing company can be a headache at times since there are too many things to look into but if these simple steps and ways are looked into, the work becomes much easier. These ways not only guarantee the solution to the problem of blocked drain also provides the solution with the quality services. The services that the plumbing company will provide will be cost effective. Therefore, the matter to be solved can come with a solution which guarantees warranty, quality, and less of a mess.    

Therefore, opt for the best solution for the blocked drain in case you are looking for the plumber or a plumbing company.

Guest Contributor, Lara Buck 

An Introduction To Renters Insurance Coverage

An Introduction to Renters Insurance Coverage

Renters insurance is an extremely affordable way for tenants to keep their belongings safe, with the average premium totaling less than $150 per year. Yet under 40% of all renters are insured, in large part because of a lack of awareness among tenants about the benefits of renters insurance.

It’s impossible to predict when an emergency situation will strike, and the best way to prepare for the unexpected is to stay insured. Understanding the benefits and coverage of a renters insurance policy will allow you to make an informed decision about acquiring coverage.

How Does Renters Insurance Work?

Since relatively few people purchase renters insurance, there are some common misunderstandings regarding what exactly is covered under a typical policy. Some tenants assume that they’re automatically protected under their landlord’s insurance, but the truth is that you need your own policy to be covered in case your possessions are damaged or stolen.

Many tenants wonder if renters insurance covers water damage, bedbugs, and other unexpected occurrences. While there are some important differences in the fine print of many policies, a typical renters insurance plan provides coverage up to a certain limit in case of weather events such as rain, wind, fire, and hail. That said, more extreme conditions like earthquakes and floods will generally require additional coverage, so it’s important to make sure you’re protected if you live in a vulnerable region.

Your policy will also pay for temporary relocation in case your apartment is no longer habitable, a responsibility that may or may not be picked up by your landlord. The price of a few coffees each month is well worth the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ll be kept on your feet no matter what happens.

Exceptions to Renters Insurance Coverage

While renters insurance provides critical protection for a number of costly situations, there are some things that most policies won’t cover. The first two examples are earthquakes and flooding, which many insurance companies offer as a separate policy. 

Under a standard renters insurance policy, you won’t be compensated for any damage done to extremely valuable or rare items such as jewelry and fine art. The most common insurance limit is $100,000, but you’ll likely still need to purchase additional insurance if you want these items covered.

Other common situations tenants often find themselves in, like losing a phone or having a pet cause damage, are not covered under renters insurance. Your protection also won’t apply to anyone else living in the apartment unless they purchase their own coverage.

Renters insurance is a low-cost, reliable method of keeping your belongings safe and ensuring you’ll have a place to stay even in a worst-case scenario. For less than a dollar a day, you can cover all the possessions in your apartment from loss or damage resulting from anything from fire to theft.

Guest Contributor, Armand Levitz

Couple Finds Thousands While Renovating Their Home

If you ever needed an excuse to remodel your home, here’s one: couple found thousands of dollars in the floorboards while renovating a home. They have been remodeling houses for 13 years. Their company, Accessible Homes, remodels homes for people with disabilities. I couldn’t have happened to a better company.

“We looked through it,” Rasmussen said of finding the money while renovating an accessible home for a nonprofit Thursday. “It’s $20s and $50s, I’d say $30,000. Maybe more.”

“When we opened up the floor there’s a heat duct that was run under the floor,” Rasmussen said. “And so someone previously must have gone into the utility room and thrown the money up on top of that duct. Pretty crazy.”

“It’s hard to process that amount of cash just laying around, and no one knew existed,” he added. “Well, someone knew, but forgot about.”

The house is owned by Bethesda, a non for profit that provides housing and services for people developmental disabilities. The money is going to help their organization make a difference in people’s lives.

source: http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/couple-finds-thousands-in-cash-under-the-floorboards-during-home-renovation

Make a DifferencE, change the roll

Everyone Wants to Change the World

“Changing the toilet paper roll won’t make a difference to the world, but changing the toilet paper roll will make a difference to one person.”

Make a Difference, Change the Roll.

Tips to Avoid Common Heating Problems This Winter

Tips to Avoid Common Heating Problems This Winter 

They say winter is the most magical time of the year, but is that still so if your heater breaks down? There’s nothing more troublesome than going through the cold months with a faulty heating system. Sure, it’s nice to watch the snow falling and feel the cold breeze once in a while, but it’s a different story when you’re looking forward to a cozy night at home only to find your heater fail you.

Keeping your home warm over the winter months is not only essential to your comfort but your health as well. The drop in temperature can affect your immune system and make your body more vulnerable to sickness and infections. That said, it is imperative that you take the time to make sure that your heater works well before the colder days hit.

How To Keep Your Heater Working Smoothly 

Schedule regular heater maintenance

Nobody will ever do it better than the pros. Make it a point to schedule a heater tune-up before winter starts and another when it’s over. Having your heater cleaned and checked by professionals will extend its life and give you peace of mind throughout the season.

Make sure the pilot light is on

Checking if the pilot light on your furnace is lit should be one of the first things on your list when preparing for the cold days ahead. This is a fairly simple task, and the steps on how to do it should be on your user's manual.

Clean your heater and perform a visual inspection

Wipe the dust off your heater and clean or replace dirty filters. Also, give your heater a visual once-over to ensure that all parts are intact. Check the wires closely for any signs of damage or fraying. If you see something wrong with the wirings, get in touch with an electrician as soon as possible.

Watch out for weird noises

As you clean your heater, turn it on and listen for any odd noises. Any weird or gurgling sounds could mean that there's a leak, a crack, or some other problem within. Holes in the heater can be dangerous and should be addressed by an HVAC professional immediately.

Give your heater a trial run

Lastly, do a trial run. Turn your heater on for about 10 to 20 minutes to make sure that the system is generating the expected level of heat. This will assure you that your heater is in prime condition and will work like new when you need it to.

Guest Contributor, Michelle West

How to Navigate a Flooded Apartment

How to Navigate a Flooded Apartment

No one wants to deal with a flooded apartment. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes unavoidable. Knowing what to do if such an incident happens is important.

You’ll hopefully never have to use these tips. That said, if your apartment ever does flood, keep the following points in mind.

Protect Yourself First

This point actually has more to do with preparing for a flood. The whole experience will be a lot less stressful if you’re prepared with renters insurance.

If your apartment floods, renters insurance might cover it. Most plans are very affordable, costing about the same as a few cups of coffee per month.

It’s also important to look for early warning signs. Identify them, and you may be able to prevent a flood.

Regularly check plumbing appliances for signs of leaks. After rain, check for leaking surfaces. Alert the landlord as soon as you spot a problem.

Protect Belongings During the Flood

Obviously, during a major weather-related flood, you need to get to a safe place.

Not all apartment floods are major, though. Some result from internal plumbing issues. During minor flooding, get valuable items away from the water as soon as possible. You might even prepare ahead of time by finding a place nearby where you could store your belongings in case of a flood. Perhaps a friendly neighbor would let you keep your valuables in their apartment should the need ever arise.

Once you’ve secured your belongings, alert the landlord. You might be able to stop the leak yourself as you wait for them to send a professional. However, if the flooding is substantial, don’t go into the apartment until the utility company has disconnected the electricity.

Addressing Post-Flood Damage

The process of handling the aftermath of an apartment flood will vary on a case-by-case basis. Different regions simply have different laws and regulations.

In general, though, your landlord’s insurance will only cover the building itself and any features of the apartment they provided. It will not cover your personal belongings if they are damaged in a flood.

True, there are circumstances in which the landlord may be found liable. Perhaps the flood resulted from an issue you had previously informed them about. If they failed to address it in a timely manner despite numerous reminders, they might be responsible for covering damage to your belongings.

That said, this usually isn’t the case. This is another reason to have renters insurance. You’ll avoid dire financial circumstances if you have a policy. Renters insurance could also help with relocation costs if flooding makes the apartment uninhabitable.

Depending on the degree of damage and the cause of the flood, you might be able to terminate your lease without any repercussions. Some landlords are also willing to let tenants relocate to similar units within their properties.

Investigate your options immediately after a flood. Again, the specific laws that apply vary from one region to another. Protect yourself ahead of time with renters insurance, and you could avoid a lot of headaches if the applicable laws don’t favor tenants in these situations.

Guest Contributor, Armand Levitz

How to Install a Ventilation Fan in Your Bathroom

How to Install a Ventilation Fan in Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is the one room in your home that is constantly under assault from a variety of sources. Harsh chemical cleaners, steamy showers and the remnants of last night’s Mexican entrees all need a way out and vent fans can do just that.

While the odor of a recently used restroom is definitely something we want to get rid of, the more important factor in installing a ventilation fan is evacuating the steam and water vapor created from baths and showers. 

This moisture, if left unaddressed can cause floors to bow, caulking to degrade, and mold to grow in our bathrooms, leaving us with costly repairs and unsightly walls, floors and ceilings. 

When you’re ready to start keeping your bathroom dry, here’s how to do it. 

Selecting a Ventilation Fan

Finding the right fan for your bathroom is an easy process, but an important one. When considering which fan fits your needs, consider the following. 

● Square footage. Fans are designated by the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air that they move. You’ll want a fan that has at least one CFM for every square foot of your bathroom. Find square footage by multiplying the length of a room by its width. 

● Features. It may sound silly, but this is the 21st century, even our ventilation fans come with features and options now. Modern fans can commonly be equipped with a built in light, a heater, humidity sensor, motion detector, night light and even Bluetooth speakers. 

● Install options. Vent fans can be installed with or without attic access, on the ceiling or walls, and with or without cutting into the wall material. Figure out which option suits you best and pick a fan to match. 

The Tools

Installing a vent fan is a diy task that most homeowners can take on. However, you will need a few tools. 

● A drill with bits and drivers

● Screws

● Flathead and phillips screwdrivers

● Utility knife

● Jigsaw or drywall saw

● Respirator and eye protection

● Duct tape

● Wire cutters and crimpers

● Assorted electrical connectors (may be included with fan)

Time to Get Started

Once you’ve selected the right fan and have assembled the tools, you’re ready to get going. First, determine where your fan will be installed and gain access to that area. If you’ll be venting the fan through the ceiling, you’ll need to be able to get into the attic. 

Drill a Reference Hole

Find a suitable position on the ceiling, ideally between the shower and the toilet, and drill a reference hole through to the attic. A 3/8” bit is big enough for this. 

Measure the vent fan housing and note it on a piece of paper, you’ll need this next. 

Now, climb into the attic and locate your reference hole. Clear away any debris, insulation, or stored objects from the area. Using the measurement you just took, locate the final position of the fan between two joists nearest your hole. 

Note that position in relation to your reference hole so you can transfer that to the ceiling back in the bathroom. 

Mark the Layout in the Bathroom

Back in the bathroom, measure the inside dimension of the fan’s intake. 

Using your reference hole and the notes you made in the attic, transfer the measurements from the attic to the ceiling and use a square to mark out the intake port on the ceiling. 

Cut the Hole

Using the saw you have on hand, cut along the lines you just drew for you intake port. Be sure to wear your airway and eye protection and support the cut-out piece so that it doesn’t rip drywall paper from the ceiling as you finish the cut. 

Drop in Your Fan

Now, head back into the attic with your vent fan. Attach a 90-degree elbow to the outlet port of the fan and secure it with duct tape (preferably foil duct tape).

Remove the knock out panel and attach applicable wiring (you may need an electrician for this portion).

Attach the metal brackets to the fan at the designated points. 

Drop the fan into position, through your ceiling hole 

Secure the Fan

Using the drill and 1 ½” drywall screws, secure the brackets to the joists. 

Slide the flexible ducting over the elbow you installed and secure in place with foil tape. 

Cut Your Vent Hole

All exhaust fans need to be vented to the outdoors. Never allow a fan to blow into the attic or other space, this will cause mold and water damage as the steam condenses into water. 

Locate a spot on the inside of the roof close to your vent fan. Using a hole saw sized to the cap kit, cut a hole through the roof to the outside. 

Connect Your Flexible Hose

Once you’ve cut your hole, make your way onto the roof and locate the opening. Using the cap or vent kit, place the cap in position and secure it according to the instructions provided.

The SheltonRoofing.com information guide says that while you’re up there, check out the condition of your roof. Aging and disheveled roofs cause homeowners a multitude of problems and can be extremely costly if they fail.

Back in the attic, connect the other end of your flexible hose to the cap or vent kit and secure it with foil tape. You may also need to fill any gaps around your ceiling hole with spray foam or caulking. 

Give it Power

Ensure that power to the wiring you’ll be using is disconnected. 

In the bathroom, expose the blower motor and its wiring. 

Make the applicable connections using the wiring diagram provided in the fan kit. If you’re uncomfortable with home wiring, consider hiring an electrician. 

Secure all wiring and attach the ground. Cover the blower motor and turn on power to the fan. If it comes on, you’re good to go. 

Finishing Up

Replace the cover to the vent fan and secure it in place. Caulk or silicone any gaps between the fan and ceiling. 

Retest the operation and that’s it, you’re in the venting business.

An exhaust fan makes an excellent addition to any bathroom and removes the water and odor vapors that can cause you bathroom headaches for years to come. With this guide, we hope you can get a new vent fan installed in no time!

Guest Contributor, Tom Masters  

Getting Rid Of Mold In Your Home

Getting Rid of Mold in Your Home

Although just a tiny organism, minuscule mold can pack a serious punch: one report reveals mold cost the U.S. $22.4 billion in health care expenses in 2016 alone. How much is that? That’s almost the GDP of Jamaica. Without plumbing performed by a professional in your kitchen, bathroom, or workplace, mold can quickly get the upper hand. So what can be done to rid your household of mold in your sinks, leaky showers, closets and bed sheets? Here are some tips to get you started.

Humidity: Mold’s Favorite Environment

Mold loves moisture. In fact, it needs it to survive. Just like us humans and other animals, mold needs water to survive and thrive. But given even a little bit of moisture, this simple organism becomes a nuisance, wreaking havoc on our respiratory, and even neurological, systems. Once mold gets exposed to moisture, it can begin to multiply. At that point, it is able to release spores that go up into the air and settle on nearby surfaces, creating veritable mold colonies. With humidity above 50%, mold starts flourish, spawning new mold wherever it can. However, without humidity, mold dies of thirst. So step one in controlling mold is to dehumidify your home.

Get Leaks and Floods Fixed by Pros

A quality professional plumbing service is a must when your home has sprung a leak. Yes, maybe you could tighten a nut or bolt or two, but while the leak was happening, how much mold started to grow? A plumbing expert can come in and not only fix the problem but analyze the area to see if any mold used the leak to start building an unwanted home. And if there is any significant flooding, regardless of the source or type, it’s a must to get experienced pros to handle the cleanup. These things cannot be left to chance.

You Can Hunt and Kill It

Even though mold can be dangerous, it’s also a fairly fragile little creature. Once spotted, some bleach mixed with water will get the job done. Killing the mold really isn’t the most difficult part of the job. The challenge comes with protecting yourself and your family in the process. Cover all of your skin and blow a fan out a window to whisk away any spores stirred up while cleaning. And, when in doubt, play it safe by hiring a professional to handle the work.

If you find mold lurking in your house, be sure to check and double check all plumbing fixtures nearby. Quite often, it is visible in various different colors, so you can easily spot it and quash it. If you can’t see it, you can sniff it out. It has an unmistakable musty odor.  Even if you don’t have bleach handy, don’t worry, other household cleaners also do a good job of stopping it in its tracks. If, after zapping the mold, you keep the humidity down, you can quite literally breath easy.

Guest Contributor, Cindy Trillo

Should You Invest In Mirrors As A Decorative Piece For Your Property?

Guest Contributor, Our Friends at Art Consultants Accent Art & Frame