Tag Archives: Kennesaw

Seven Steps for Hiring a Plumber

Hiring a plumber is not as difficult as climbing Mount Everest. However, if not done properly it is as tragic as falling from Mount Everest. Just kidding!  Once you have decided to hire a plumber  for your building you have to consider these seven steps.

First step is to approach your family, friends,  office colleagues for recommendations of professional plumbers  they have hired. There are two types of plumbers. The first category specializes in repairs.  The second category specializes in remodeling and the construction field. Make sure the plumber they have referred is specialized in the construction field.

Second step is to shortlist two to three plumbers whom you feel would be the most efficient in doing the job right the first time. Now you have to compare their experience,  references, and reliability.Those who are well established in the field are often more competent than some fly by night contractors. Compare their proven performance so that you will have an idea of their work experience. If needed you can contact the reference names given to you either by phone or in person.

Third step is to discuss your project with the prospective plumbers and ask for their quotation. You can ask them to visit the site. Ask for  a quote in detail for the total cost including material and labor charges. Consider the time estimated  for the project  completion by each plumbers.  If the time estimated in months or days  by one plumber  is less and the cost is high you may have to choose the one with the less expensive quote . Match the quote against your cash budget. This will come down to a judgment call on your part. Sometimes you might decide to go with a more experienced plumber and pay a little more, or vice versa.

Fourth step is to compare the qualifications of the  plumbers. A professional plumber will have proper liability insurance and workman’s compensation. Make sure the prospective plumber has a proper insurance policy. Another important thing to look for is the certification or the license of the plumber. You can also check if there is any complaints against the plumber with the Better Business Bureau. Look for the work permit of the plumber. A professional plumber will make these documents available for your inspection if you request them to.

Fifth step is to check the service guarantee by the professional plumber. You have to ask the plumber for a guarantee in fulfilling the project,  if any eventuality arises in the course of work. If there is no guarantee, your money, time and  effort will be at risk.

Sixth step is to ask about safety measures. Assuming that you have already established that the plumber has insurance, you may ask about any further safety measures they may want to use while working in your home or business.

Seventh step is to summarize all of this information for a clean, clear picture.  By touching on all of the valuable points discussed above you have hopefully reached the point where you are ready to select your  professional plumber. Keep in mind all these seven steps to hire a plumber so that you are making the right decision quickly and with confidence.

What to do with Frozen Pipes

Millions of families across the country have a catastrophe somewhere in their homes due to frozen pipes. Their lives are disrupted every winter with flooded rooms and high cost repair bills. However, if a pipe freezes and the response is swift it is possible to thaw the pipe before it bursts. Pipes normally freeze when they are adjoining outside walls. The most vulnerable to freezing are those running through unheated quarters, and once the water is frozen, the water flow will be cut off, leading to split pipes due to ice expansion.

The first piece of evidence that your pipe is frozen is when you awake in the morning after a very cold night and turn on your tap. If there is no surge of water and only a trickle flows down and abruptly stops; you have a frozen pipe. So thawing the pipe will be necessary. Here is advice on what to do with frozen pipes.

. First, locate where the pipe is frozen, then switch off the key water supply. This move will avert the water from spurting out once the pipe is thawed. Afterwards, open the taps in the house.

. If water is not flowing anywhere inside the home, a pipe close to the water meter is probably frozen. Place your hand on the meter and the nearby exposed pipes. If the pipes are extremely cold, that is a sign that they are probably frozen.

. If water flows in just one part of the home, a pipe in an exterior wall or un-padded crawl space is most likely the culprit. Try opening bathroom and kitchen sink cabinets to permit warm air from the home to heat-up the pipes.

. After locating the frozen pipe, open the distressed faucet completely while opening other hot water faucets as well. When the water begins to stream from the distressed pipe, secure all faucets to a dribble. Do not attempt to completely shut the distressed faucet pending the total defrosting of the pipe and after water is flowing freely.

Other workable methods and one of the safest thawing techniques involves a moderate heat source hair dryer, household iron, or heat lamp. Propane torches or other open direct flames will heat the pipes too fast, possibly causing an explosion. Some people may suggest putting rags into boiling water and wrapping them around the frozen pipe. A professional plumber would never recommend such a technique since obviously it would be quite messy with an unpredictable outcome.

When thawing pipes with a hair dryer or heat lamp at all times work from an open faucet toward the frozen part. This will permit steam to be released and from being trapped by ice, which can result in a burst pipe. With the faucet open, it is easy to see when the ice has dissolved. A great way to prevent pipes from freezing in the first place is to wrap them in electrical heating cable, afterwards covering the pipe with insulation to preserve heat. A heating cable can be utilized to thaw a frozen pipe as well.

Why Use a Whole Home Water Filter System

There are several reasons why a person should use a whole house water filter.

  1.  There will be clean water in all of the rooms in the house. This is because the water filter will be hooked up to the water system of the house.
  2. The chemicals will be removed from the water as soon they enter into the water system. Therefore, they will no longer be released in the air.
  3. Healthfulness that a person will get from drinking the water that has been filtered since it will be clean.
  4.  There will not be any soap scum left on your dishes. Most of the time, the soap scum is left on your dishes when you have hard water. When the water is filtered, then that hard water will be taken care of.
  5.  Relief for people who suffer from asthma and allergies. This is because the air that they breathe will be cleaner and the water filter will alleviate a lot of the effects of the asthma and allergies. Therefore, a person will be able to breathe better in their own house.
  6. Your clothes will be cleaner. This is because the chemicals in the water will be removed from the water before you wash your clothes. Therefore, those chemicals will no be on your clothes when they come out of the washer.
  7.  Drinking contaminated water. When your water is filtered then you drastically reduce the chances of a person drinking or showering in water that is contaminated.
  8. Protection. This means that you will be protected from breakdowns that happens in your water treatment and sanitation systems.
  9.  Having a whole house water filter is the only true way of filtering out the water that comes through your shower. This is because it has the ability to remove all of the chlorine and any other chemicals that could be in your water.
  10.  The whole house water filter protects you from any radiation that you could be exposed to with non-filtered water. This could happen if a person drinks or inhales any of dangerous chemicals that could be in your water.

These are the top ten reasons that a person should use a home water filter system.

 

How to Repair an Outdoor Water Faucet

Every homeowner will discover that they will need to have an outdoor water faucet, whether it be to water their lawn or wash their car; however, they are notorious for having problems from time-to-time. When people use a little bit of common sense, they will quickly realize that anything that has water running through it has the potential to freeze during the winter. For this reason, every year when it begins to get cold, news anchors will begin reminding people to unhook their hose and ensure that the faucet’s water supply is completely shut-off. The bad thing is that most people operate under the assumption that their faucet will not freeze, apparently because their faucet is different from everyone else’s. However, a frozen faucet is not the only thing that can malfunction with these units, so it is important for people to understand how to repair their outdoor water faucet, or they will have to pay a plumber to handle the task.

Analyze the Problem

The first step in repairing an outdoor faucet is to carefully analyze exactly what the problem is. Many people become stressed out when they know they have to repair something, which can lead them to make rushed decisions. The problem with this is that they may go buy a lot more expensive items than they actually need. Another potential problem with this is that they may purchase the wrong supplies and have to return them to the store, which will make the process take even longer. The worst case scenario would be when the hardware store will not even accept a returned product that has been opened, because the customer will be completely out of their money.

Parts Required

Depending on what the problem is, people may need to purchase a new spigot, pipe, shut-off valve. The spigot is essentially the pipe that people see the water coming out of. The pipe is hidden behind the actual faucet, so it may be a little tougher to work on. The shut-off valve is the knob that people rotate to turn the faucet off or on. People will simply need to find the right sized wrench to disconnect the faucet from the wall. They will see a nut towards the middle of the faucet that the wrench will connect with.

Once people discover what the problem is with their outdoor faucet, they can make repairs. No one should have to pay a plumber a substantial rate to complete such an easy task. People will find all of the efficient plumbing fixtures they need at a hardware store, and people will likely have all of the tools they need to make the necessary repairs.

If you do end up needing a plumber for more extensive repairs,  just call us!

K. L. Contractor Plumbing, Inc.
3304 High Noontide Way
Acworth, GA 30101
404-626-2440

Tips for Choosing Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures

Creating The Right Bathroom

If you are remodeling or designing a bathroom, there are many things to decide, and some of them need must be finalized before you even start the project. It is an exciting time picking and choosing through the different bathroom plumbing fixtures, but because there are so many choices out there, it can also be a daunting task. How do you know where to start and how much can you do on your own? You came to the right place. We’ll give you all the know-how you need to get started on your project.

There are many options to look through before choosing the ones that will be right for your needs. Look through design, price, and how long it will last. As you are browsing think of your plumbing and sewer needs: how long will the material last, how many holes for valves will be needed, and how easy it will be to install if you are installing yourself. Finally, when you know what you are looking for, make sure you visit a storeroom to see firsthand how the final installed product appears.

When you are initially thinking everything through, start by making a check list of things you need before finishing the project. The main categories are:

∙ Bathroom plumbing fixtures

∙ Plumbing and sewer requirements

Plumbing and drain needs

When you are shopping for bathroom plumbing fixtures, you need to figure out how much your budget will allow for the whole project. Decide how much you can spend on each category. The next thing, once you know how much you can afford, is deciding what theme you are going to use: country, modern, or just traditional. Even limited budgets can create a beautiful bathroom. Once you know which style you are looking for, go to a showroom and see how the different models look once they are installed.

Another need-to-know ahead of time is what your local codes are for the required plumbing and sewer requirements. Different locals have strict requirements for whether you can use PVC pipes, or if you can also use CPVC. You will be using ABS pipes for the drainage system, and you will need drain pipes with traps to keep sewage gases from escaping back into the system. Access panels are needed to provide an entrance to the rough in. The rough-in is really where it all happens. The rough-in is where all the supply lines and drain, waste and vent lines happen.

The plumbing and drain needs depend on the house or building that you are restoring or finishing your project in. Make sure you have the necessary drain pipes and traps. It is essential and helpful to have a stop valve attached to each fixture; in case of needed repair it is much easier to only shut off the water supply to that particular item, rather than the whole house. We will help you in any way you need it. Thank you for trusting your plumbing needs to us!

Marietta Plumber
Acworth Plumber
Plumber in Woodstock
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Sandy Springs Plumber
Smyrna Plumber

7 Tips for Choosing Your Plumbing Fixtures

Plumbing fixtures used to come in only a few styles and colors. Hence, bathroom and kitchen designs would often look plain and dull. But because of today’s innovative modern interior designs, your faucets and sinks are now available in many styles and colors. You can now renovate and change your bathroom and kitchen’s look to the style you’ve always wanted.

Remodeling a home can be very exciting. But there are many things that you need to consider first before choosing and buying plumbing fixtures. It is very important that you buy the perfect one that matches your lifestyle and the type of look you want for your bathroom or kitchen.

So what are the things that you need to consider? Check out the list below:

  1. Style. Faucets, sinks and toilets are available in many styles. They may come in modern, classic, minimalistic, elegant styles, and there are a lot more to choose from. Choose a style that suits your taste, or something that matches the overall theme of your bathroom or kitchen.  Mixing metals is one option to consider.
  2. Function. Plumbing fixtures are available in many types and are classified by their function. Each type has a different function, thus, it is very important that you know how each type works. Well, you don’t want to see a laundry sink in your kitchen, do you?
  3. Installation method. Faucets can be either single or double handled or so can sinks; with different types comes different installation methods. Make sure you choose fixtures that are easy to install and easy to remove. So that it will be easy to repair or replace when it needs fixing.
  4. Features. Faucets, sinks and toilets have different features. Choose a faucet or a sink that matches your needs. If you want a perfect water temperature for your bath, then choose a shower faucet that has temperature control features.
  5. Quality. Anything that you buy for your home should pass your personal quality check. You should only buy fixtures that are durable and made of high quality materials to ensure long-lasting use.
  6. Cost. Of course, you need to consider your budget. Choose your fixtures meticulously and compare prices. It doesn’t always mean that expensive choices have better quality. You can actually find many good choices at a bargain price. And then plan the things that you are going to buy. Prioritize the important and necessary things first. Remember, you don’t need a bath tub if your bathroom is small.
  7. And lastly, always choose a reputable faucet or sink manufacturer because you would want it to last a decade or two. Reputable manufacturers can give you better quality fixtures and better after sales service.

Your bathroom and kitchen make up just a small portion of your home, but these small parts can actually say a lot about your house. So if you want to have a beautiful bathroom and a nice-looking kitchen, make sure that you choose the right plumbing fixtures and decors and a reliable plumber to install them.

Marietta Plumbing Contractor
Woodstock Plumber
Acworth Plumber
Kennesaw Plumbing
Sandy Springs Plumber

Water Plumbing in the Home Made Easy

People are always told of the importance of water. Moreover, the conservation of water is an issue that many people take seriously. The need for water in order for people to survive daily life is undeniable. Water is a necessity that proves its worth in all sorts of daily activities. Thus home water plumbing is also a need to be understood and appreciated by people if they wish to truly maintain a good household.

Whenever water plumbing comes to mind, thinking about water supply is most probably what follows. Plumbing, after all, is all about managing the supply of water. It is important that houses get enough supply of water through a pipe that can efficiently spread water all throughout the household. Moreover, it is important that the water a house receives is clean enough to be used for cleaning other items as well.

It’s good for people to monitor their monthly water consumption. This would not only help them check if they are charged correctly for the water they use but they would also be aware of how much water they consume. Too much water consumption may help people realize the importance of conserving water and of using water appropriately.

If there is water supply, naturally there is a drainage system. More specifically, it is important that homeowners make sure that they have a stable and secure waste drainage system in order to keep things in order in their homes. As the name implies, waste is a very serious matter. A good waste drainage system is very important so as to avoid unwanted accidents.

Next to be considered are the fixtures through which the water shall flow. Most common fixtures found in a home would be faucets, sinks and drains. Bath tubs and such are a few of those fixtures that are not commonly found in most homes. It is also very important to consider the type, style and size of the fixtures to be used that should be in accordance with the water supply’s strength and the capacity of the bathroom to hold such fixtures.

Water plumbing also involves people knowing how to operate basic water controls within their homes. An example would be their main water supply valve. Being able to know how to turn off the water supply can help them whenever checking for water supply or home water plumbing problems.

Basic plumbing can be learned by almost anyone. Finding an experienced plumber who can teach you the basics of plumbing especially at home could be a challenge but worth a shot. Knowing how to go around your home’s plumbing system could take some time, but it can be very important in the long run. Dealing with water can be a headache especially when problems start to arise. The bathroom is a part of the house that is taken for granted many times. People use the bathroom every day, any time of the day. Naturally, having a bathroom that’s ready for use without having to worry about problems is definitely a better way to live.

Marietta Plumbing Contractor
Woodstock Plumber
Acworth Plumber
Kennesaw Plumbing

 

Advantages of Hiring a Licensed Plumber

In order for a house to become a home you should see to it that all the areas of your house are kept up. In addition to having a place to sleep and to keep all your belongings, you and your family need a place where you can fend for all your basic needs, like sleeping, eating, and maintaining personal hygiene. Cooking and cleaning require water, and your plumbing system is what keeps the water flowing in your home. For this reason, it is important that you hire an experienced plumbing contractor to tend to your pipes, water heater, sewage system, etc.. This way, you can be sure that everything works properly.
By ensuring that all plumbing concerns are in their proper state, you would not need to worry about finding an emergency plumber in case something goes wrong. By hiring a plumber in the construction phase of your home, you can rest knowing that your home’s water and drainage system will work efficiently. While it may be more convenient and much cheaper to oversee the task yourself, hiring a plumber will ensure that you would not have to deal with any problems in the long run.
A plumbing contractor has received the appropriate amount of training that has geared him with all the skills and knowledge that are necessary for the job. By entrusting the task of overseeing your plumbing installation, you ensure that your home’s water and drainage system follows the regulations that are set for your area of residence. While you would have to pay for certain fees and professional charges, you will end up with a plumbing system that will not only work efficiently, but will be as resistant to corrosion and damage as possible.
In addition to this, a trained plumber will have all the equipment that is necessary in order to ensure that all the individual parts are put together well. This way, you will experience fewer chances of leaks and damage. By making sure that all the parts are put in their proper places and all the connections are secured properly, you do away with any possibility of problems in these areas.
Most of the time, people make the mistake of calling emergency plumbers when it is already too late. As a result, they would have to deal with different unfortunate consequences of water damage. Even worse, people sometimes try to fix the problem by themselves. As a result, they do not get the solution that they need and even make the damage worse.
For this reason, it is imperative that you get a hold of the contact information for the most reputable plumbers in your area. Furthermore, you need to ensure that you would use these pieces of information to get the help that you need, even in the slightest signs of problems. This way, you would get the appropriate solution for your plumbing problem, without having to spend an unnecessary amount of money on repairing the damage that your plumbing problems have caused you.

Tips for Easier Water Heater Repair

When it comes to keeping your water heater in tip top shape, you really cannot go wrong with hiring a plumber. An emergency plumber has all the skills and training that are necessary to ensure that your device will be working as efficiently as possible. In addition to this, a plumbing contractor uses all the necessary equipment that will ensure a hundred percent effectiveness.

However, professional services can possibly take a chunk out of your budget, because emergency plumber services do not come cheap. Fortunately, there are certain things that you may do in order to minimize the fees and professional charges that you would have to pay in order to bring your water heater back to its former state.

By doing the basic and minor repairs by yourself, you minimize the tasks that a plumbing contractor would have to tend to; thus, minimizing the amount that you would have to pay him. Here are some tips that you may use in order to make the process of water heater repair much easier.Water heater repair Acworth GA

If your heater does not heat the water as much as you wish it would, for example, then you should definitely look into the over-all heating process that your device uses. There are certain things that may have caused this predicament, including bad water supply for example. Make sure that the right amount of water goes into your device, and that the same amount comes out of it. If there is even the most minor difference between both water levels, then there is a possibility that the smallest volume of water is leaking inside your device, thereby causing it to function less efficiently than it could. For gas water heaters you should also make sure that the heater’s pilot light is working well, in order for it to heat the water to the right temperature.

If your device is making strange noises, on the other hand, then it is most likely because some part of the water heater has become loose. Open the device and make sure that all individual parts are connected properly. It would also do you well if you take of all the parts and clean them before you place them all together again. This way, the water will be able to pass through the device without any problem.

If you notice that your water heater tank is leaking, then you should look into how the parts that are involved in the over-all water way are connected. Tighten the connections and you will most likely be able to get rid of the problem. Leaking may also be caused by overheating and overworking the device, so make sure that you only use the right settings when you use it and that you turn it off completely when it is not in use.

By tending to these problems by yourself, you exponentially decrease the amount of work that you plumbing contractor would have to put into the job. However, it is imperative that you still have a plumber do a once over before you use the heater again, in order to ensure that all the pieces are in their proper place.

Find a Plumbing Contractor

The Most Important Things to Look for In a Plumbing Contractor

When I first started out as a plumbing contractor I sought the help of a retired associate and asked him what the most important thing I could do for my business would be. He told me that there were only two things to really worry about and those are pricing and quality of work. If I focus on high quality of work at a decent price I would never have to worry about keeping a customer.

He said, “If you give clients great quality at a fair price, the only problem will be whether or not  you’ll always be able to provide immediate service for any emergency.” However, as in all businesses there are issues that arise when your aim is to offer quality service at an affordable price. You will have to staff your plumbing company with adequately trained and qualified workmen, and this means charging enough to compensate for the higher quality workmanship.

In most cases, a plumbing contractor does not fully focus on pricing quality of service, even though this is what is looked for most often by customers. Most plumbing companies focus on quick service and low prices. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you get a good job. In most cases this objective just causes more problems than it solves. As a plumbing contractor that focuses on quick and cheap services, you are more likely to be on the phone with unsatisfied customers demanding a return to fix the problem. As a customer of a cheap plumber you can easily be frustrated when the job you had done is not done correctly the first time.plumbing contractor

Cheap plumbers often are not licensed or insured. In the event of an accident on your property in which the plumber gets injured, you may be held liable for the medical bills if the plumber is not  insured. Another way that cheap plumbers cut costs is to use low quality parts and fixtures. Beware the low bid on a job if the plumber will not guarantee the quality of his work and the parts. While you do want quality parts and labor, don’t let yourself be talked into paying too much for anything. Do some quick research on websites such as Home Depot or Lowe’s to find out approximately how much parts should cost. For example, let the plumber know that you want a particular toilet, water heater, etc. and let him know how much you will pay for it.

Those companies that do focus on quality and service often charge exorbitant fees, and this doesn’t work either and causes them to lose customers or rely heavily on advertising for new customers. They may also have high overhead in the form of a big building and a lot of trucks, some of which may not even be in use at the time. They need to have the extra money to pay for these expenses so they have to charge more. The solution is to find a plumbing contractor that focuses on both quality and service at a fair price. That being said, even the best contractor may not be able to meet every emergency need you may have. Therefore, it is best to have a primary contractor that you trust, and a secondary who may be able to help when your main plumber is unable to get there in a timely manner.