Blog

Photo By -Oxford- at istock

Plumbers are considered essential service providers because without plumbers our homes would not be as comfortable and convenient as they are. Plumbers provide a wide range of services and sometimes not enough attention is brought to these services and people end up trying to fix these problems themselves or they hire the incorrect person for the job. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth in Granbury, TX would like to share some of the most common services that plumbers provide and what they entail. It is also advised to leave plumbing repairs, maintenance, and installation to the experts but nothing stops you from gaining a bit more information about this useful trade.

1. Garbage disposal

There is a garbage disposal in most North American homes and plumbers are responsible for installing and maintaining this useful piece of equipment. The service provider needs to explain how to use the garbage disposal and how often it should be maintained. The average homeowner can carry out some of the maintenance required like throwing a lemon down the garbage disposal to get rid of unpleasant smells or allowing the garbage disposal to cut off some ice cubes to clean it and sharpen the blades. You can perform these simple maintenance exercises weekly to prolong your garbage disposal’s life. There are a variety of garbage disposals to choose from and it is recommended to consult your plumber first before deciding which garbage disposal system you would like to install. To install a garbage disposal you need to connect the machine to your plumbing system so that you dispose of the waste. After that, a certified electrician is required to install the switch so that you can conveniently turn on and off the garage disposal. If you suspect that something is wrong with your garbage disposal then you can inspect it but make sure that it is not on and there is no risk of you slicing open your fingers.

2. Sump pumps

Not all homes have sump pumps and some people are unsure what a sump pump is. The function of a sump pump is to remove water from under your home and transfer to an area that will not affect the integrity of your foundation. Usually, sump pumps are installed in the basement or crawl spaces. Plumbers will assist you with the installation, maintenance, and repairs for sump pumps. There are different kinds of sump pumps to choose from like submersible sump pumps, pedestal sump pumps, battery-operated backup, and water-powered backup sump pumps. Each of these sump pumps has its advantages and disadvantages. You should speak to your plumber and ask him which option would be best for your home. The service provider will have to carry out a thorough investigation of your home and provide you with recommendations. Sump pumps are not immune to damages or problems. A common problem with sump pumps is that they have no filter and sometimes the opening can become blocked. If this is left for too long then the sump pump will be unable to accept and transfer the water to a less destructive area.

3. Bathroom remodels

We use our bathrooms every day and they can be a source of enjoyment and relaxation if everything in the bathroom is in perfect working conditions. The bathroom has many plumbing components and sometimes these components fail or an upgrade is due. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth in Granbury, TX understands that remodeling a bathroom can be a daunting task. There are so many factors that one has to consider like design, aesthetics, functionality, and budget. It is important to work with your local plumber when you make decisions regarding the remodel of your bathroom. You might want to get rid of the bathtub and install a shower instead. The service provider will assess the layout of your home and advise you whether or not your upgrades will be possible. There are many pipes that bring water to and from your bathroom. It is important to have these pipes checked routinely to make sure that they still function correctly. If you are living in an old home that hasn’t had a plumbing upgrade in many years then it might be time to replace old galvanized pipe with long-lasting pipes. This will allow you to forget about the conditions of your pipes for a few more years. It will also increase your chances of selling your home because new homeowners do not want to struggle with outdated and damaged plumbing systems.

4. Kitchen remodels

The kitchen has a completely different function compared to the bathroom but just like the bathroom, there are many plumbing components that require repairs and maintenance. Kitchen sinks that do not have garbage disposal will become clogged more frequently. There are also other appliances that use water like the dishwasher or the washing machine. Remodeling a kitchen can be a time consuming and labor-intensive task that is best left to the professionals especially if the existing plumbing, electrical wiring, and gas lines have to be moved to allow for the new design. Plumber and electricians usually have to work side by side to ensure that the remodeling of your kitchen goes according to plan. In some cases, building permits are required to carry out the upgrades. A lot of planning goes into remodeling your kitchen to make sure that the process is handled successfully. Here are some things to consider before deciding to upgrade your kitchen. You should consider repiping while carrying out the upgrades especially if your pipes are old and damaged. You should look at which kitchen fitting is due for an upgrade. You can also ask your plumber to install special components like a kitchen island or a kitchen bar that has a water dispenser and ice dispenser. Your plumbing service provider might have to install new water lines to accommodate your wishes.

5. Drain cleaning services

Drain cleaning services are probably one of the most common services that plumbers provide. There are many things that can block the drains within your home like grease, hair, soap, plant roots, mineral build-up, and foreign objects. Most homeowners will try to remove the clog with a plunger or draining cleaning chemicals. These methods are not very effective and you will waste your time and money because the blockage will return faster. Plumbers can use various methods like drain snakes, hydro jetting, and pressurized air to get rid of a stubborn clog. If you are experiencing clogged drains more frequently than usually then you should ask your plumber to install products that can trap hair and grease which will keep your pipes clean for longer. It is also advised to have a drain cleaning service provider clean out your drains at least once a year to avoid clogs forming and rendering your drainage system useless. The plumbing service provider will do an inspection of the pipes with a small camera attached to a flexible wire. This will help the professional to determine what is causing the blockage and where the clog is located. These clogs can also be caused by pipes that are not aligned or installed correctly. Excavation might be required to resolve this problem.

6. Water heater

We have become so used to having hot running water at our disposal. It is easy to forget about the system within our plumbing system that makes it possible for us to have hot water without having to build a fire. The water heater within our home is on every day and all day. This system tends to work overtime during the cold winter months. There are different types of water heaters you can choose from and the best choice for you will depend on how large your household is and what the layout of your home is. It is best to consult with your plumbing service provider to choose the best system for you. A professional in Granbury, TX should carry out the installation of your water heater so that you can be sure that everything is installed correctly and that the water heater is connected to your plumbing system as well as the system from which it will draw power whether that is gas or electricity. A water heater needs to be serviced by a licensed professional regularly to make sure that the water heater doesn’t fail and that you will have a continuous supply of hot water.

7. General plumbing repairs

A plumber should be trained to handle a large selection of problems because there are many components within a plumbing system which means many things can go wrong which causes expensive damages. General plumbing repairs can range from replacing a faucet or a fixture to detecting and fixing leaks. Sometimes these general repairs can be carried out by a homeowner but other times a professional is required because there might be a much larger problem. Plumbing service providers always have to repair water lines because after sometimes these water pipes can deteriorate which expels harmful chemicals into the water. If you have old galvanized pipes then your drinking water can be contaminated by rust. Leaks can also occur in the pipes which cause low water pressure, high utility bills. If the leak is left for too long then your walls or ceilings might succumb to water damage which is a costly affair to repair. These damaged pipes can be replaced with modern and stronger pipes or a sealant can be applied to the inside of the pipes which will stop them from leaking. Plumbers might also have to repair toilets and replace worn parts that are not performing efficiently anymore. This is important to look out for because running toilets can waste a lot of water and drastically increase your water bill.

8. Emergency plumbing services

Bad things happen and most of the time there are no warning signs. Plumbing emergencies like a clogged toilet or sewage flooding your house is an emergency that can’t wait until the next business day or even until the next morning. Some common problems that require an emergency plumber are broken water lines, the water heater has leaks or the sewer line is blocked. If you are experiencing any of these problems then contact a professional immediately. If these problems are not resolved as soon as possible then you will have to conduct expensive repairs to resort your home to its original condition. You should always have an emergency plumber’s contact details close by so that you can call them quickly and they can conduct the necessary repairs. There are some things that you can do while waiting for the service provider to arrive like turning off the water main, removing expensive appliances, or furniture away from the affected area. You should also keep children and pets away from the area to avoid injuries. if the water has made its way to you electrical wiring then you should turn off the power at the circuit breaker. It is advised not to turn it back on until you have confirmation from your plumbing and electric service provider.

It is clear that plumbers have to conduct a wide variety of services because plumbing systems are complex and many things can go wrong. It is also important to carry out regular maintenance to decrease the likelihood of components breaking down and negatively affecting your plumbing system. If you think you are in need of the above-mentioned services and you live in Granbury, TX then gives Benjamin Franklin Plumbing a call today. They provide all these wonderful services as well as additional services that you might require. They also have 24-hour emergency plumbing solutions for those problems that can’t wait until the next morning.

Contact them today to schedule your appointment.