Bathroom Remodeling

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Turn Your Bathroom Into A Spa

Accessories To Turn Your Bath Into A Spa

We may spend only a few minutes in the shower what with so little time on our hands, but a bath can be both luxurious and not time-consuming. It all depends on how you efficiently you manage time.Bathrooms are some of the most frequently used rooms in a house. They’re also the most expensive as plumbing and ventilation are given top priority. You can add even more value by purchasing accessories that turn your bathroom into a spa-like experience.The list of accessories you can get is staggering. The only barrier is money. If it’s no object, then pick items that add value to the room. You may just be able to recover the cost during selling time, and if not, you get to enjoy the perks of luxury.

Vanities

Vanities have different configurations. Solid wood vanities look grand, and they are, but practicality is compromised because wood doesn’t survive well in damp environments. Even if sealed, the humidity will strip it of the protective coating and leave the fibers to get weighed down by moisture. Over time, mildew will form, leave ugly stains and release potentially dangerous spores.Melamine is not expensive, but it can look the part if chosen well. Whichever type of vanity is chosen, it must be able to bear moisture well. You can reduce warping and mildew by airing out the room at all times and installing a dehumidifier or an exhaust fan. Special waterproofing membranes can also be installed behind the walls to prevent moisture from seeping through.

Sinks

With sinks, none look quite so grand as a pedestal sink, a freestanding component that can be placed anywhere on the floor. The problem is you need sufficient floor space. If you can’t afford to spare much, opt for a wash vessel or a washbowl which sits above the countertop. It’s shaped into a large bowl and unlike standard sinks, takes on exotic patterns and colors with materials ranging from glass and stone to copper and even bronze.

Tubs

Like vanities and sinks, tubs come in several configurations. Drop-in tubs can be very luxurious as they take on the appearance of hot tubs without the jets but are mounted on a platform inside a cavity. Freestanding designs are always gorgeous especially if they mimic or are vintage tubs. They need enough space, however, just like freestanding vanities and sinks. Being vast and bulky, they need enough room that traffic flow is not hindered, and plumbing fixtures don’t ruin the aesthetics of a smallish room.

Conclusion

If you’re considering remodeling your bath, these components can add to its value together with a new floor, if needed, and waterproofing techniques to keep the room functioning well for many years.

If you need a remodeling contractor click here.

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Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget Your Plumbing System!

Plumbing Spring Knoxville PlumberSpring Cleaning Tips for Your Plumbing System

Spring might be the start of warmer weather and longer daylight, but it is also the time of year that you start sprucing up your home. Spring cleaning around the house can entail many different things from getting rid of clutter to giving your plumbing system a good look-over. If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, there are a few ways you can easily improve your plumbing system this weekend.

Here are the best spring cleaning tips for your plumbing system:

Try Out Your Sump Pump

Spring is known as the season that brings on the rain. This is especially true for most of April and May. It might be a good idea to check and see if your sump pump is functioning properly now to ensure that no big problems arise later. A great test for your sump pump is to see how dry it keeps your basement on rainy days.

Stop Leaks Right Away

Not only can leaky faucets cost you money, but they can also be incredibly annoying. Instead of just dealing with leaking and dripping faucets, it is time to fix your leak. The wear and tear that a leak can put on your sink basin and faucet isn’t worth it. Fixing a leak might not be fun, but this is one project you need to take on this spring.

Invest in New Fixtures

Chances are you haven’t splurged for new fixtures or faucets in a long time. Why not give your plumbing system an update with new fixtures that affordable and stylish. You can even purchase more energy efficient fixtures that will help you cut back on your energy bill.

Be Prepared By Installing a Flood Alarm

As a homeowner, you always want to be prepared for the unexpected. Having a flood alarm in your home is a preventative measure you can take to prevent flooding. This type of alarm will sound when it comes into contact with water. This means that you can limit the amount of water damage that occurs in your home.

Check All Outdoor Hoses

It is that time of year again, when you will be watering the flowers and caring for your lawn. This means that you need all of your outdoor hoses to be free of leaks and cracks that might have been left behind by the cold weather. Checking your hose takes a few minutes, but you save you a big hassle later on.

 

 

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Signs That Your Home Needs to be Repiped

Signs That Your Home Needs to be Repiped

Knoxville tn repipeIt might not be as easy to spot, but an old rusty pipe in your home can act in much the same manner as thief in the night. This is due to the fact that they burst when you least expect it and cause extensive damage that ravishes your home. You won’t be able to believe your eyes when you see the amount of damage and destruction that a bursting old pipe can do to your home. However, we are a plumbing company that can help you avoid this type of damage and destruction by taking advantage of our repiping services. Repiping projects are quite complex and are best left in the hands of experienced and qualified plumbers that you can count on.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The fact is that your day is pretty jam-packed with important tasks. This means that you have little free time to waste and hardly have a minute to give your pipes an extra thought. However, it is essential that you give your plumbing the attention that it deserves to ensure that you never have to deal with the damage left behind by bursting pipes. Plumbing is a convenience that you likely take for granted and just expect to be at your beckon call. Having a repipe in Knoxville is in the back of your mind.

When you turn on your shower faucet or flush your toilet, you hardly give your plumbing a second thought. However, when your pipes burst in your home you will have to pay attention and act fast. The best way to avoid bursting pipes is to be proactive and look for early warning signs that can help you avoid damage. Paying a little now for plumbing services is preferred to paying a lot later when your pipes actually burst.

Keep A Close Eye On Water Pressure

Water pressure is one of the main warning signs that you should be on the lookout for. If your water pressure becomes low or you notice that the actual color of your water is changing, you need to call on a plumber. If your water starts to look like the color of rust, chances are that your pipes are close to bursting and require immediate attention. If you notice leaky pipes this should also be a red flag. If you simply pay attention and look out for signs of aging pipes, you should be able to catch the problem before they burst.

 

 

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When Remodeling, Do I Need a Plumber

When Remodeling, Do I Need a Plumber

Knoxville Plumbing RemodelingThen – I am remodeling; do I need a plumber, or not need a plumber, that is the question. In Shakespeare’s time, I would guess, ‘no,’ because in the 14th and 15th centuries, indoor plumbing was long overdue, but had not arrived. Now, in the 21st century, it has arrived, and what a selection we have.

Now – When remodeling, two rooms, the kitchen, and the bathroom get the most attention and cost the most money. When doing so much construction, in the two rooms with the most plumbing, you surely do need to hire a qualified and licensed plumber. These two rooms contain the fixtures and appliances that are being changed and updated the most, and fastest. They are also the first to become “dated.”

When remodeling these two rooms, it is more than simply replacing the fixtures and appliances. Most often, walls are removed, windows added, new lighting in the ceiling, and below, a grand floor. New plumbing in these areas will ensure that the plumbing will last trouble free as long as the new fixtures and appliances. How disappointing to have all the work done and then, discover a leak behind all the new everything else.

A thing to remember, remodeling is a rough time for an older house, with its structure being pushed and pulled every which way, and the old plumbing with it. All the old pipes and joints are twisted and stressed after years of comfortably settling in place, with only an occasional earthquake to awaken them.

When remodeling, the general contractor has to coordinate the work between all the subs, the plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. The contractor ensures that something does not go in before it should, and then needs to be removed to make room for something else.

Now after days, weeks, even months of dust and inconveniences, the remodeling is finished. Your new kitchen and bathrooms gleam and sparkle like the new star attraction that they are. Everyone will want to see what you have done, and compliment you on what wonderful new rooms you have.

Therefore, if you have not yet remodeled, we would hope that we have moved you enough to think about remodeling. Forget about the dust and inconveniences, think of the star.

 

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Does Your Home Need To Be Repiped?

Signs Your Home Needs To Be Repiped

Repipe plumbing in Knoxville TennesseePipes are sturdy installations. They are meant to last for years, unless a compromise had been made initially to install poor quality pipes. Plumbing installations are usually durable if the right brands and specs have been chosen at the right prices. However, everything has a lifespan and that holds true for pipes as well. Pipes are not meant to last forever. While some poor quality pipes may last just a year or few years, most pipes will show signs of ageing after several years. Also, the type of use and other external factors also play a role in determining the life of your pipes.

Ideally, you should attend to the maintenance of all your plumbing fixtures and that should include pipes. If you indulge in regular maintenance, which could be twice a year or at least once a year, then you will be safeguarded against some rude surprises. Else, you can refer to these signs that your home needs to be repiped.

  • If you find a major leak from any of the pipes in your home, then you obviously need to replace it. You can easily spot such leaks by looking for water damage. A serious leak springing a lot of water will cause damage to your property and that would be very hard to miss. A minor leak will also show signs of water damage or at least buildup of moisture in certain areas of the home which will also be hard to miss. If you find any such signs, then you should not wait any longer. Call an expert and get the pipe or pipes replaced. You should not think of repairing or sealing the leaks in these pipes. Sealing them will be a temporary solution and you will be spending money needlessly without any long term assurance that the leaks won’t recur.
  • You should keep an eye out for the water pressure in your home. If you see that the water pressure in the faucets or taps and showerheads has reduced substantially, then you may want the pipes to be checked. Leaks in the pipes, buildup of sediments, corrosion and other problems in the pipes can cause a drastic reduction in water pressure. You should also look out for water bursting through the taps in short spells. This also indicates obstructions or air gushing into the pipes, both of which are signs that you need repiping.
  • Another very helpful sign is colored water or water that tastes different. Buildup of chemicals, rusting, corrosion and sediments of various kinds will cause this problem. Repiping should be a wise choice at such a stage.

 

 

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I Only Have a Home Project, Should I Hire A Plumber?

I Only Have a Home Project, Should I Hire A Plumber?

Plumbers do have a sense of humor. One had a slogan, “We fix what your husband broke!” After a while in the business, an experienced plumber has seen it all; the broken pipes, clogged toilets, leaky faucets.

inspector-says-not-to-codeShould I call the Plumber?

For a stopped up toilet that you might be able to fix with a plunger, maybe no. Everything else, YES!

What to Say When You Talk to The Plumber

Most of the time you will talk with an experienced call taker that schedules the workload for the plumbers. She, or he, will need to know, what is the problem?

Based upon what you tell them, they most likely ask you some questions about the situation, ask your name, address and phone number, and set a time for the plumber to arrive at your home. They might even give you some hints of what you can do before the plumber gets there, so the situation does not get worse, and how you may be able to work around the problem until it is fixed.

An Experienced plumber will arrive at your home with the work-order written by the call taker, and the tools and parts that their experience tells them they will need to complete the job. Usually, the more information you can tell them when you call, the better equipped they will be when they arrive at your home.

In addition to their experience, you should observe how they treat you, and your house. Plumbing is a dirty business, and some soiling of their cloths is to be expected, but they should not be dropping dirty rags and leaving dirty shoe prints as they enter. Nobody enjoys working with someone looking over their shoulder. However, a polite question about why it broke, or how not to do it next time, should bring a nice response.

Small projects sometimes have a way of becoming a serious emergency quite quickly. When changing a faucet, the shutoff valve may break off the copper pipe and you now have gallons of water flooding your kitchen. When attempting any plumbing jobs on your own, always start the job by shutting off the main valve into the house. In any case, you should know where that valve is and how to use it.

When deciding if you should hire a Knoxville Plumber, we would encourage you to give us a call today!

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Why Is It Taking So Long For The Water In My Home To Heat Up

Why Is It Taking So Long For The Water In My Home To Heat Up

Water heaters can have various types of problems from time to time. You may have no hot water, inadequately heated water, leaky pipes, leaky water storage tanks, rust colored or metallic water, foul odors including that of rotten egg, popping or rumbling noises, whining and even a completely dead water heater that would respond to nothing that you do.

Cupped Hands Under Shower

Cupped Hands Under Shower

If you don’t have any hot water or it is taking too long for the water in your home to heat up, then there can be many causes for the same. It may so happen that there is a combination of different causes at play.

The first possible causes can be a tripped circuit breaker which will obstruct the power to run the water heater, a faulty thermostat or malfunctioning electric heating element. You may also have a blown fuse but that would not heat the water at all, instead of delaying or taking too long to heat the water. These problems can be easily attended to. You need to call in an expert and he can repair the water heater. Replacing the fuse or resetting the circuit breaker, ensuring the thermostat is working fine and attending to the heating element, including replacing it if required, will solve the problem. If any of the parts are not working and are beyond repair, then replacing them is the only remedy.

Water heaters can take too long to heat the water sufficiently in your home if you have a heater that doesn’t have the capacity to heat and deliver hot water to the number of outlets you have. Water heaters have capacity and it must be apt for your home. Another very common reason for this problem is too many cold water connections or faulty plumbing installations interfere with the flow of the hot water from the heater. Such installations need to be checked and attended to. These issues can be easily attended to by an expert. But if you have purchased a water heater that doesn’t have the capacity for your home, then you either have to let go off a few connections or outlets so the water can be heated quickly enough for certain connections. That would reduce the volume of water needed to be heated and naturally increase the speed of heating.

Low voltage or disruptions in the supply of power can make the process of heating the water much longer than usual.

 

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Why Are Your Faucets Dripping?

Why Are Your Faucets Dripping?

Knoxville TN Faucets DrippingThe water faucets that are featured in your home are pretty basic devices that normally don’t malfunction in any way very often. However, it is likely that some of eth mechanisms within your faucet will begin to age over time and the results is a leaky or dripping faucet that not only gets on your nerves, but also costs you more on utility bills. The cause of your leaking faucet is what results in either an intermittent dripping faucet or a constant dripping faucet. If notice that you have a leaking or dripping faucet, it is important to call on a professional plumber right away to correct the issue. In many instances, eroding connections can be the problem leading to the dripping of water from your faucet.

Does Your Faucet Still Have Washer?

Many old faucets still have a washer mechanism inside that is often the problem causing the dripping. However, new faucets that don’t feature washes can still have other issues. The center cartridge is often what is most susceptible to wear and tear over time and high water pressure only combines to cause more issues. If you are not sure what the cause of your dripping sink is, you should turn to a reliable plumbing professional to get the job done right. Diagnosing the cause of your dripping faucet is just the first step in fixing it correctly.

Defective Parts

Even new faucets can drip or leak due to defective components or connections. This is not normally a common occurrence, but it has been seen before. This means that if you have a new sink that is dripping, you should call on a professional plumber to inspect the components and connections of your faucet to ensure that they are not defective. If you have any defective parts it is important to address these issues right away.

Don’t Wait For The Dripping To Go Away On Its Own

Many people assume that a leaky faucet is not a big deal and simply avoid addressing this issue for long periods of time. However, it is never a good idea to forget about dripping faucets in your home. The issue causing the drip will only worsen with time and cause more extensive damage. If you want the cheapest and easiest fix it is a good idea to call a professional plumber right away to fix your dripping faucet.

 

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