Plumbing Blog
Expert plumbing advice, maintenance tips, and repair guides from licensed professionals. Practical solutions for common plumbing problems.
Signs Your Home Has Hard Water and What You Can Do About It
Hard water affects 85% of homes. Learn how to spot mineral buildup damaging your pipes, fixtures, and appliances before expensive repairs become necessary.
Choosing the Right Pipe Material: PEX, Copper, or PVC
Three materials dominate residential plumbing, each with distinct advantages. Here's how to choose the right one for your specific project and budget.
Spring Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners
Winter takes a toll on plumbing systems. This spring checklist helps you catch small problems before they turn into floods, leaks, or system failures.
Tankless vs Tank Water Heaters: Real World Cost Comparison
Tankless heaters cost three times more upfront but promise lower bills. We break down the actual payback period and when each type makes financial sense.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes and What to Do If They Burst
A burst pipe can dump hundreds of gallons per hour into your home. Learn which pipes freeze first, how to protect them, and emergency steps when pipes burst.
Five Maintenance Tasks That Double Your Water Heater's Lifespan
Most water heaters fail prematurely from neglect. These five simple maintenance tasks can extend life from 8 years to 15+ years, saving thousands in replacement costs.
Six Silent Plumbing Leaks That Inflate Your Water Bill
Not all leaks announce themselves with puddles. These hidden water wasters can add $100+ monthly to bills while damaging your home's structure undetected.
Gray Water Systems: Are They Worth It for Your Home?
Gray water reuse can cut outdoor water use by 50%, but systems cost $2,000-$5,000 installed. We analyze real costs, savings, and whether permits allow them in your area.
Fix a Running Toilet in 15 Minutes Without Calling a Plumber
A running toilet wastes 200 gallons daily and adds $70 monthly to your water bill. Three common causes account for 90% of problems, all fixable with basic tools.
Solving Low Water Pressure: From Simple Fixes to Major Repairs
Weak water pressure has six common causes. Start with the five-minute fixes that solve 40% of problems, then move to solutions requiring plumber expertise.
Preparing Your Plumbing for Fall and Winter
Cold weather causes more plumbing emergencies than any other season. This preparation checklist prevents frozen pipes, heater failures, and expensive emergency calls.
Emergency Plumber: When to Call, What to Expect, and How to Find Help Fast
A burst pipe dumps 400 gallons per hour into your home. Learn what qualifies as a plumbing emergency, when to call immediately versus wait, and how to find reliable 24/7 help.
Seven Ways to Cut Water Heating Bills Without Sacrificing Comfort
Water heating accounts for 18% of home energy costs. These seven strategies cut bills by 20-40% without cold showers or expensive equipment upgrades.
Sump Pump Maintenance: Test It Before You Need It
Sump pumps sit idle until storms hit, when they're suddenly critical. This maintenance schedule keeps pumps ready to protect your basement when water comes.
Ten Plumbing Problems You Should Never Try to Fix Yourself
DIY saves money on simple repairs, but some plumbing problems require licensed professionals. Attempting these ten repairs yourself risks flooding, gas leaks, or code violations.
What You Should Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals handle some food waste, but many common items cause jams, clogs, or motor burnout. This list prevents expensive repairs and plumber calls.
Stop Drain Clogs Before They Start: Prevention Guide
Drain clogs are predictable and preventable. Simple weekly habits and monthly maintenance prevent 90% of clogs without chemicals or expensive drain cleaning.
Annual Plumbing Inspection Checklist for Homeowners
Small plumbing problems become expensive disasters when ignored. This annual inspection checklist catches issues early, before leaks damage your home or bills skyrocket.
Water Pressure Regulators: Do You Need One?
High water pressure damages fixtures and wastes water, but 60% of homes don't have pressure regulators. Learn when you need one and what proper pressure should be.
Backflow Prevention: Protecting Your Home's Water Supply
Backflow allows contaminated water to enter your clean water supply. Code requires prevention devices in specific situations, but many homeowners don't know about them.
Rain Water Harvesting for Outdoor Irrigation
Rain barrels and cisterns capture free water for landscaping, cutting outdoor water use by 40%. We cover costs, savings, regulations, and whether they pay off in your climate.