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Types of Sinks for Your Kitchen

Upgrading your kitchen sink can significantly increase the amount of food you can cook and dishes you can wash. Drop-in sinks are the most commonly used kitchen sinks because they are inexpensive. They are also easy to remove and replace. You can cut space for a more oversized drop-in sink on your countertop.

Putting in a deeper sink is another way to increase capacity. If you want to wash big pots and pans, make sure your new sink is big enough to handle them. Some people install separate utility sinks in their kitchen for more significant tasks such as washing pots and processing food.

Consider whether you want a garbage disposal device installed in your sink. It is best to have at least two deep sink basins, and only one is to be equipped with a garbage disposal unit. Some garbage disposal units can automatically feed the mulch to a biogas digestor or compost pile.

The material of your sink is an essential factor to consider. Stainless steel sinks are the most common type of sink installed in the housing. It is a durable material. The thinner and lighter sinks are less expensive than the thicker gauge ones, and the Granite composite, cast iron, and fireclay sinks are all very heavy. They require additional bracing for support. They are also significantly more expensive than stainless steel.

All-in-one sinks come complete with a faucet and other complimentary fixtures. Many have soap pumps, sprayer hoses, and strainer baskets. These packages make installation very easy since all parts have been tested together, and the unit has been tested for efficiency in research kitchens.

Give us a call if you would like some help choosing your new kitchen sink. We can help you make the best kitchen design choices based on your budget and needs.

What Can You Put Down Your Garbage Disposal?

Besides being a helpful appliance that prevents clogged drains, garbage disposals are fun! We’ve all been tempted to test the capacity of our disposals, just for the satisfaction of watching a big mess magically disappear. However, you can break your disposal if you overload it.

There are two essential rules when it comes to running your garbage disposal. First, you should always be running water in the sink when you turn on the disposal. Second, you should only put biodegradable items into the disposal. Break these rules, and you will probably also break the disposal system.

There are a few food items that you should not put into your disposal. Eggshells, coffee grounds, bones, banana peels, potato peels, fruit pits, and oil and grease belong in your garbage can. Rice, pasta, and starchy vegetables are also bad for your disposal.

Some people feel okay with disposing of paper trash and cigarette butts using their disposal. While you may get away with it for a while, this practice will probably cause you problems at some point. You should never put plastic, glass, and metal into the garbage disposal.

Some people have been shocked by how much damage that paint can cause to garbage disposals. It may seem simple just to run the water and flush the paint down the drain. You don’t even have to activate the disposal. However, the paint residue can dry on the inside of the disposal, locking up the moving parts.

If you want to clean your garbage disposal, ice and lemon peels are the best options. The ice sharpens the blades and knocks off loose debris, while the Lemon peels are antiseptic and smell great. Some people also use rock salt and vinegar for the same reasons.

If you make a mistake and need to repair or replace your disposal unit, we are just a phone call away. A busy household depends on the fast clean-up that garbage disposals provide. We can have your disposal fixed in time for dinner.

 

Leaky Toilet Causes

There are a few common reasons that a toilet might leak. The most common cause is an ineffective flush valve. A tight seal is required for a toilet to flush effectively; however, deterioration may occur over time, causing a leak. To determine if this is the cause, you’ll want to locate the flush valve ball and determine if the seal is still intact. If everything looks good with the flush valve, your next step would be to check the fill valve. This needs to close to stop the flow of water. If the valve is rusted or damaged, the tank may overflow. If this does occur, start by shutting off the water flow and determine if the valve needs to be repaired or replaced entirely. Notice a crack in your toilet tank or bowl? You will want to fix this immediately. Often, cracks appear very small but can quickly get larger and turn into a serious leak. A seal may work to fix the crack, but often the toilet will need to be replaced completely. If the water appears at the base of your toilet, the problem may result from a broken wax seal. Additionally, you could experience a bad odor coming from the bathroom. Both signs that the wax seal needs to be replaced. This part is covered but will experience some general wear and tear that could cause it to deteriorate or dry out. The replacement process is more complicated than other issues, so we recommend calling a plumber immediately. The best scenario for a leaky toilet is simply condensation. Often, bathrooms are humid places, and condensation can form on surfaces, including the toilet. If you do notice water, monitor it first to ensure it is something other than condensation.

What Type of Water Heater Do You Need?

Everybody loves hot water. A warm shower is the most basic of luxuries. However, an underpowered water heater can ruin the experience, leaving you jumping out of a suddenly cold shower as the hot water runs out. For many people, the best part of staying at a hotel is the endless hot water supply. With the right water heater installed in your home, you can have that experience every day.

Most homes have conventional water heaters that heat a storage tank full of water. These water heaters may be run on gas or electric power. They are generally the most affordable water heater to buy and install, but they come with one major drawback. Once the storage tank has been emptied, you are out of hot water.

It can take a long time, up to an hour and a half for some models, to heat a new tank of hot water. You can combat this problem by installing a huge tank, but larger tanks require more operating power. If you don’t often run out of hot water in your home, your current conventional water heater may be all you need. If you constantly find yourself frustrated by a lack of hot water, it might be time to consider other options.

Tankless water heaters heat water on demand as it passes through the device’s heating coils. They run best on natural gas, but tankless water heaters can also be installed in all-electric homes. As long as you choose an appropriately sized unit, you can have an endless supply of hot water.

Whether you go conventional or tankless, we can make sure you get to enjoy your long, hot showers. Give us a call, and we’ll help you figure out the best options for your needs and budget.

What Causes Clogged Drains

Fat, oil, grease, and food particles are the primary causes of clogged drains in a kitchen. Using quality dish soap, hot water, and a properly installed garbage disposal can help keep these substances from building up inside your pipes. It is better to collect used oil in a container and throw it out than to try to pour it down your drains. Even if you wash it down with a lot of hot water, you will experience some build-up.

Hair and soap scum are the usual culprits when bathroom drains have become clogged. When we shower, we all shed hair, and the soap scum locks those wet clumps of hair into a drain clogging ball. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to use a drain strainer in your shower and insist that every member of your family cleans it out after they wash their hair.

If you use these simple tips to avoid clogged drains, you may be able to prevent backed-up sinks and tubs. For preventative maintenance, pour about two cups of vinegar down your drains once a week. You can also run a pot of boiling water down the drain after the vinegar.

If you wind up with a clog, you may be able to clear the drain yourself. The two tools that work best are plungers and snakes. A plunger will work in a sink as well as a toilet. Make sure that there is some hot soapy water in the sink so that the plunger can form a solid seal. A bent hanger or simple snake you get from the store can clear hair clogs that are within reach.

If you’re having ongoing problems with slow drains, or if you’ve got a clog that you can’t clear, we’re just a phone call away. Sometimes you need professional tools and techniques to open up stubborn drains.

Why You Need Backflow Testing

Commercial buildings are required to perform backflow testing once a year. Many residential neighborhood associations and municipalities also require backflow testing from homeowners.

This testing is required to protect the municipal water supply from contamination by private greywater.

The connection between the municipal water supply and private buildings must be designed and tested to prevent backflow.  You can also experience backflow within your own home due to poor plumbing design or wearing parts. This could lead to you drinking, bathing, or swimming in dirty water without even knowing it.

Backflow testing must be performed by a certified plumber. The plumber turns certain valves on and off and tests for leaks. After testing has been completed, your plumber will fill out a form that you can file with your local government office. The process takes about 30 minutes, so it’s easy to fit into your busy business days.

The water will be shut off during testing. If you share a water line with a fire hydrant, your plumber may have to notify the city before turning off the water and conducting the test. You will need to inform your employees and customers of the water shut-off and plan the timing to coordinate with your off-peak business hours.

Everyone wants a quick and painless passing test, but sometimes problems are found. Your water may have to stay shut off for a longer period while repairs are made. If problems are found, we will provide you with the fastest and most economical repairs possible. These repairs are vital for your health and safety. Without proper testing, repair, and maintenance of your backflow prevention devices, you could be exposed to water-born health pathogens.

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