plumbing resources

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.

If you’re renovating your bathroom and looking for some ideas, you can find some great ideas at My Steam Room, a magazine-style blog devoted to steam rooms, steam showers, and bathroom designs in general.

The authors came up with the idea of a blog devoted to steam rooms while doing some academic research for a PhD.

I was writing a paper on the molecular breakdown of steam at extremely high temperatures, and at the same time I was remodeling my bathroom. I found it ironic that there was tons of information online about the engineering subject, which is useful to virtually no one, and almost no good information about bathroom remodeling and building steam rooms.

The scope of the site has grown beyond just extolling the benefits of steaming and steam rooms, and has tips on walk-in showers, tubs, and whirlpool baths. It’s also very easy to navigate, with a really unique four-column layout.

So, check out their site for some more education on the subject, and come back to our store to buy all the plumbing supplies you need to get your renovation job done.

Faucet aerators are fabulous tools for reducing water consumption in your home. Not to mention, they just make faucets function better. One common problem found in many homes involves the aerator and the development of tiny blue or green granules. While this build up may seem like a difficult problem or frequent annoyance, it can be easily remedied.

Those little blue or green granules? Those are aluminum hydroxide, a by-product of corrosion when your household water has a high pH level and comes into contact with the aluminum anode rod in your hot water heater. This chemical reaction causes high amounts of aluminum hydroxide to form within your heater, which eventually break off in tiny pieces and wind up in the bottom of the tank. Over time, the build up will course through your pipes until is ends up clogging your aerator.

To correct this, you just need to switch the aluminum anode rod for one made of

magnesium. To determine which type you have, look on top of the water heater tank. You’ll see a large hex nut head. If it’s smooth and flat, it’s aluminum; a raised bump and a welded bead says it’s magnesium.

Molds are a fact of nature; however, they could make for a dangerous addition to your home. To prevent some of the more humid spaces in your home from becoming infested with harmful molds, be sure to recognize these tips from the Environmental Protection Agency, sure to keep your family safer.

1. When water leaks or spills occur indoors, act quickly. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.

2. Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.

3. Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep your home below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity.

4. If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes act quickly to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture source. Wet pipes are a place for molds to flourish.

5. Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows. Use fans as needed.

1. Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.

Even though the garbage disposal is designed to pulverize left over foods and other such materials, food particles often become trapped in the nooks and crannies of the garbage disposal and kitchen drainpipe. This provides the perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow and create unpleasant odors, as well as unhealthy spores. Cleaning the garbage disposal at least once a week with one of the following methods will help to keep it free of nasty bacteria and unsightly mold, plus it’s a great way to keep your kitchen from smelling like the trash can.

Method 1: Pour one half cup of baking soda down the kitchen drain. Carefully pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain on top of the baking soda. Place the drain stopper in the sink to close off the drain. If you have a double sink, you should do this for both of them. The mixture will fizz and make a bit of noise or fizzing sounds. Allow this to work its magic for a few minutes while you boil some hot water. Use a full teakettle or medium size pot of water. Once this has boiled, pour it down the drain.

Method 2: Using a clean container, mix a gallon of water with one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach. Carefully and slowly, pour the solution down the drain and allow it to sit for several minutes. Flush the drain thoroughly with cold water for several minutes.

Another thing you can do to freshen up your garbage disposal, keep your sink smelling fresh and your blades sharp is to take some ice cubes and citrus fruit rinds every now and then and run them through your disposal.

By taking regular care of this kitchen convenience with regular freshening and cleanings, you can avoid costly Plumbing Repairs, remodels, or even dangerous illness in your home.

There’s nothing worse than having a pipe burst in your home. From the damage to the frustration, a water leak can turn out to be both harrowing and expensive, especially for big breaks. To prevent such an event from happening in your home, it’s important to remember to check up on your pipes regularly to be sure that there’s nothing potentially wrong. If you happen to find a lead, here are a few tips on making a temporary repair. Remember, none of these are permanent fixes, but they will allow you to turn the water back on until you can get the pipe fixed more permanently.

1. Stick a pencil point into the hole and break it off, then wrap the pipe with electrician’s tape. Smear some plumber’s epoxy repair putty over the tape to make sure it doesn’t leak. Let it set for half an hour and turn the water back on.
2. Wrap a piece of rubber (like an old inner tube) around the pipe over the hole, and then use a C clamp and small blocks of wood to clamp the rubber wrap tightly in place. If you have them, hose clamps around the rubber covering the hole could also be used to keep water from leaking.
3. Don’t have any old rubber that can act as a repair? Cut a piece of garden hose long enough to cover the hole in the pipe plus two or three inches on each side. Slice the garden hose lengthwise and position it over the hole in the pipe. Once again, use hose clamps to keep it in place and stop water from leaking.

After your quick fix, be sure to replace the leaking pipe using Plumbing Supplies from SimplyPlumbing.com or by calling a professional plumber to take care of it. Left unfixed, your temporary repair could end up costing you more in the end as the result of a reopened leak and water damage.

If you’re looking for a magazine-style news site to stay current with plumbing industry news, we suggest that you click on over to MyPlumbingPortal.com.

MyPlumbingPortal has got an exhaustive amount of resources - industry news, a great Ask the Expert column, and some fantastic recurring columns in the How-To Corner and The Glitch And The Fix. Also worth checking out is the blog by the site’s editorial staff.

MPP is a great site to consult if you’re a professional or a do-it-yourselfer, and that’s why we’re calling it a Plumbing Resource.

If you are about to start any type of home remodeling project, we’ve found a great resource for you. We came across Construction-411, a site that offers a great deal of information and tips. They are ready to provide you with free quotes for almost any type of project. You can select from several home remodeling categories such as, bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, room additions and many more. If you aren’t looking for a total redo, browse their section of installs & replacements. There you can choose from kitchen counters, flooring, fences or electrical. Make sure to take a peak Construction-411 for a complete list of categories.

Browse through their blog entries to get the latest scoop on what’s happening in the world of construction. You’ll find these posts short and sweet but always pointing you to an informative source.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about ways you can gift your spouse. If you still haven’t found the perfect trinket or treasure, why not consider doing a bit of handy work around the house? Maybe it’s time start thinking about turning that dream bathroom into a reality.

Get new faucets and turn on the love! SimplyPlumbing.com offers one of the largest selections of designer faucets and bathroom fixtures, including collections from Kohler, Delta, and Moen. Add them to your new tub or sink and you’ve got a true style statement about your bathroom. For more romantic types, choose curved designs with intricate details that deliver a luxurious appeal. Looking for a new tub or toilet? Opt to choose a color or style that you never had before. Try to update them for the size and usage habits of your bathroom. Just want something quick and easy? Adding a fresh coat of paint or new towels and shower curtains can be great update for any bathroom.

Let SimplyPlumbing.com provide you with the essentials you need to redo, revamp, and renew the romance in your bathroom – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Although it’s easier than ever to “do it yourself” when renovating your home, accidents still happen, and issues crop up that are better left to the professionals. We always recommend letting a professional do complicated plumbing jobs, but if you need quick answers from an expert, AskAPlumber.com is a great place to start with a few different ways to find the know-how you’re looking for:

The Plumber Advice Forum is segmented into 3 broad categories – Residential, Fixtures, and Fittings, Pipes and Tubing.

Find A Plumber lets you search for a local expert by city or by zip code, and the results are broken down by service so you can find the right plumber for your job.

The site’s Plumbing Help section includes How-Tos and FAQs.

AskAPlumber also maintains a blog that also has some helpful advice on it.

At Simply Plumbing, we can help you get all the equipment you need for your next plumbing job, but we can’t help you with the work, which is why we recommend Ask A Plumber.