SimplyPlumbing Blog

If you’re like most homeowners, it’s probably been some time since you last cleaned your shower heads. But once you start losing pressure and notice a change in your water flow, it’s essential to take a closer look in your shower to check for build up, rust, or other issues. Not to mention, older homes tend to have a whole lot of corrosive gunk building up in their pipes – which often leads to lost pressure and a feeling like you can only shower if no one flushes a toilet on your entire block. Don’t worry. Here’s a simple way to remove and clean your shower head.

First, use a wrench wrapped in cloth to remove your shower head. This protects the finish and gets the necessary pieces off. Next, check the filter for debris. If you have some, dispose of it properly. Then, place the shower head in a bowl of vinegar for several hours to soften the minerals that may have become caked on after countless showers. Using a toothbrush, scrub your shower head, rinse, and then reinstall. If vinegar doesn’t work, you can also try a special cleaner that’s approved for use with your shower head. After a good cleaning, you should enjoy full pressure. If not, it may be time to check with your plumber to look for leaks or other plumbing issues that are preventing a full flow.

Homeowners already know that finding the right contractor or service provider for a project can be difficult, especially with so many options to choose from. From that guy someone knows to listing in the phone book, there are plenty of sources for finding the right plumber for your home. However, like most things, hiring the right plumber can take a little extra time and work. After all, don’t you want to be sure that things get done the right way the first time? To help you choose the right plumber, be sure to ask these questions of each candidate:

How long have you been in business?

This is one of the first things you should ask of any plumbing candidate. Chances are, if they’ve been around awhile, they have to be doing something right. Ask about their business. Find out about how many employees they have. What type of education or training do the employees have? Even if they are new to the business, a good plumber will have the training to back up their performance.

Are you insured?

This is crucial when asking any service provider for assistance. Should an unfortunate event occur in your home, it’s important that your plumber has insurance. If he doesn’t, say thank you and try another candidate.

Do you offer a written guarantee?

Work should be backed with a guarantee as well as an estimate. Get every action documented and in writing.

In the current economy, do it yourself home remodeling is booming more than it ever has. Of course, that means the web is full of home remodeling resources, but not every one of them is comprehensive, correct or geared toward remodelers of any ability level. Single Family Home Remodeling has pages of remodel projects that beginners can attempt, and each one has comprehensive lists of materials and a thorough walkthrough, not to mention lots of illustrative photos, so that you’ll know you’re doing it right.

The site does have its own sections for plumbing jobs in the kitchen and bathroom, but it’s a great resource for any home job. Their most recent post, a how-to on an alternative solution for growing tomato plants, is a great example of the site’s home project philosophy.

Bathrooms can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, especially with the presence of moisture and often, tight spaces. While your bathroom fan may help control normal odors, the real reason for an exhaust fan in your bathroom is to control the moisture. Odors, although embarrassing, will not normally damage your bathroom. Moisture, on the other hand, can cause a lot of problems for any bathroom. Fresh-air intake for a bathroom is key to avoiding moisture-related problems like mold, mildew and material damage. To be sure that you’re keeping your bathroom safe from damage and other risks, be sure that you’re keeping it well ventilated with a bathroom fan and these easy tips:

1. -Use the fan every time you enter your bathroom and leave it on for at least 20 minutes.
2. -Keep fresh air moving by leaving at least a half inch gap under your bathroom door.
3. -Install proper exhaust venting with smooth internal surfaces and few bends to ensure best air flow.
4. -Pick a fan motor to suit the size of your bathroom.

Contractors, do-it-yourselfers, and professional plumbers all have different needs when it comes to supplies. No matter how big or small the project, it’s important to have the right tools and materials to get the job done right. That’s why at SimplyPlumbing.com, we can meet your needs with ease and savings. Whether you need an entire truckload for a commercial or residential plumbing project or just a few fixtures for a new bathroom, we’ve got you covered.

To buy big, all you have to do is just submit a request on our website for a quote. If your order is at least $5,000, SimplyPlumbing.com can offer you special discounts, making us your new source for wholesale and discount plumbing supplies. Just check with a member of our Client Services Team and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with info on how to fill your order.

Don’t need to buy enough for a new building? Feel free to shop our store to get all of the odds and ends you need to complete your plumbing project.

At first glance, plastic plumbing pipe looks easy to cut and join. But don’t be fooled. There’s more to a top-quality installation than meets the eye. Here’s a great tip from The Family Handyman of Readers Digest on how you can glue and join your PVC pipe with less hassle:

“Just swiping the pipe with cement and pushing on the fitting won’t ensure a strong joint. You want to make sure you have an even layer of cement over all mating surfaces,” he writes.

If you’re using PVC, wipe primer around the pipe and into the fitting to prepare it for the solvent cement. Let it dry about 10 seconds. Then spread an even layer of solvent cement on the same surfaces. To keep excess solvent cement from being pushed into water piping, don’t apply too much to the inside of the socket on the fitting. At this point you have to work fast to complete the assembly. Align the fitting and pipe about a quarter turn from their final orientation. Then twist the fitting a quarter turn as you press it onto the pipe.

Twisting the fitting helps spread the solvent cement evenly to ensure a solid joint. If you’ve made alignment marks, make sure they’re aligned with each other. Hold the pipe and fitting together for about 15 seconds until the cement grabs. If you let go immediately, the pipe may push out of the fitting, resulting in a weak joint.

1. Have your tank pumped and inspected every few years, or as needed for maintenance.

2. Don’t pour any solvents, chemicals, or oils of any kind into your drain or toilet.

3. Only flush toilet paper, no other paper or plastic products. Your potty is not a trash can.

4. Use bleach and other potent cleaners sparingly, including drain cleaners.

5. Never dispose of grease, coffee grounds, or popcorn in your sink.

6. Practice water conservation – this means fewer clogs in your system.

7. Don’t send bacteria killing toxins down the drain. You need it to break down your waste.

8. Choose to compost instead of using a garbage disposal. If you have one already, use less.

9. Feminine hygiene products can clog your system. Don’t flush even if it says ‘flushable’.

10. If you notice any issues with your system, have it checked immediately. Problems left unfixed could cause even more frustration and expense.

As warmer weather settles in, it’s time to start thinking about the improvements you can make to your home. Whether through something simple like adding a fresh coat of paint or more complex like redoing the plumbing, your house is going to need a pick-me-up in order to maintain its comforting feel and overall retail value. With the housing market the way it is, it’s key for homeowners to use this time to invest in the value and sustainability of their properties, rather than leave them to neglect and the effects of age.

Update your home and start adding value.  Let SimplyPlumbing.com help by providing you with fabulous designer faucets and fixtures to complete your new plumbing installation. Kohler faucets and fixtures are celebrated not only for their quality but for their gorgeous styling. Let their classic qualities and timeless look add dimension and beauty to your home.

On Monday, The American Water Works Association kicked off Drinking Water Week 2009, an annual celebration of safe, cleaning drinking water for all. AWWA is the oldest and largest nonprofit, scientific and educational organization dedicated to safe water in North America. For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association has celebrated Drinking Water Week with its members in various communities throughout the U.S.

“Drinking Water Week is an opportunity for Americans to think about what water means to each of us,” said AWWA President Mike Leonard. “A safe and reliable water supply is central to our daily lives, and we enjoy some of the highest quality water in the world. This week is a great time to celebrate our drinking water and renew our commitment to keeping it safe.”

Throughout the week, AWWA will highlight what “Only Tap Water Delivers,” drawing special attention to drinking water quality, water efficiency and conservation, and the importance of water infrastructure. Water utilities, environmental advocates and others will celebrate drinking water through school events, public presentations and community festivals. They will also provide their communities with important tips for protecting our water supplies and conserving resources.

For more information or to learn how you can improve your plumbing to support safe drinking water, be sure to visit AWWA.org.

According to a recent report from the American Federations of Labor, many building and construction unions are working hard to educate their members on the best ways to utilize efficient materials, new skills, and green technologies in order to prepare them for green jobs of the future.

The Plumber and Pipe Fitters of the United Association of Journeymen have already begun their concentration on going green by identifying and educating members on various technologies that could prove to be the future of plumbing. Such technologies use less energy and natural resources than traditional technologies, have minimal impact on the environment and use materials that can be reused or recycled. Even some of these innovations have already been implemented in commercial and residential sites as part of the program.

Additionally, the group has also a founding member of the Green Mechanical Council, an alliance of manufacturers, skilled professionals, universities and other organizations dedicated to promoting environmentally friendly equipment and processes that maximize energy efficiency, conserve water and use renewable and sustainable fuel sources. The council (called “GreenMech”) conducts education and training activities for professionals and apprentices working within various industries, including plumbing and home energy.

To all plumbers and contractors out there: what green technologies have you implemented in your recent projects? How do you think green technologies will impact the future of plumbing and construction?