Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Plumbing’ Category

Do I Have Hard Water and Is It a Problem?

Monday, June 4th, 2018

water-softenerA) You might and B) it is. Hard water is actually a very common problem here in Florida, and in many areas of the US.  It is also a fairly serious problem. No, it’s not going to make you sick the way that water contaminated with biological pollutants will. However, because so few homeowners seem to realize how problematic hard water is, it is often given the time necessary to cause issues.

When you need an Orlando, FL plumber to help you out of your hard water fix, we’re the professionals to call. Today, we’ve put together a brief primer on what hard water is, and what types of problems it can cause. Look out for such issue in your home, and contact us with any concerns that you may have.

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Simple Tips for Avoiding Clogged Drains

Monday, April 23rd, 2018

drainAs is the case with any other system in your home, problems with your plumbing system are unavoidable.  There are a lot of different pipes in this system, and it is only a matter of time before something goes wrong with at least one of them. This is not to say, however, that such plumbing problems are never the result of user error. Our Tampa, FL plumbers want to help you keep your plumbing problems to a bare minimum.

 

In an effort to do so, we’ve put together some helpful tips that will help you to keep your drains functioning effectively and reliably. No, there is no way to guarantee that you will never run into trouble with your drains. In fact, it is very much the case that you will run into drainage issues eventually. That being said, you can help to minimize the frequency with which you encounter such problems by keeping these simple tips in mind. 

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Keep These Sump Pump Tips in Mind!

Wednesday, March 14th, 2018

sump-pumpWhile hot weather and intense sunshine are certainly not in short supply around here, Floridians know that the weather is not always agreeable. Our location means that we sometimes have to put up with very serious storms, and in addition to high winds we also often face very heavy rainfall. Preventing that rainfall from flooding your home is a top priority.

What is the best way to do so? Well, tight sealing and good construction are only going to take you so far. If water wants to get into your home, it will do so by any means possible. That is why one of the best pieces of advice that our professional plumbers can give you is to invest in a good sump pump. Leave your sump pump services in Brooksville, FL to our team.

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Keep Your Garbage Disposal Working Properly

Wednesday, February 14th, 2018

doing-dishesA garbage disposal is not the type of appliance that every home absolutely must have. It may not play quite as integral a role in your life as your water heater, for instance, does. That being said, those of us that have experienced the conveniences offered by a garbage disposal are very unlikely to go back to life without one in place. At least, we would not choose to do so intentionally.

Unfortunately, some homeowners wind up missing out on these conveniences because they fail to use their garbage disposals properly. We have a few tips to help you avoid any such problems in today’s post. Keep the following information in mind, and remember that you can always count on the professional plumbers on our team for a job well done.

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What Is a Slab Leak? And What’s the Big Deal?

Monday, January 29th, 2018

broken-pipeAn unfortunate truth is that no plumbing system is perfect. Scheduling your plumbing services with trained professionals will help to keep your system as reliable as possible. Even so, however, you are likely going to run into trouble with your system at some point. In some instances, such trouble may be relatively minor—something like a leaky faucet or a slow-moving drain. In others, the issue may be much more serious and could lead to very real property damage. This is the case with a slab leak in Brooksville, FL.

What is it that makes a slab leak such a formidable force in the world of plumbing problems? After all, there are leaks of all kind, right? What sets the slab leak apart? That is the topic that we’ll be exploring in today’s post—as well as some tips for helping you to spot the signs of a slab leak so that you can take prompt action if and when you encounter one in your home. Contact us with any concerns that you may have. 

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Tank or Tankless: Which Water Heater Is Right for Me?

Monday, January 15th, 2018

baby-in-tubHeating water is something that you don’t really think much about. It’s not as if you need to do so in a pot on top of the range these days, right? Of course not! That’s what your water heater is there for. In fact, it is the sole purpose that this appliance serves. While you may not find yourself thinking about your water heater all that much on any given day, it is very important that you think about it very carefully when the time comes to invest in a new system.

If you need a brand new water heater in Brooksville, FL for a brand new property, or if the time has come to replace your old water heater with a new model, then we’re the company to work with. Before you schedule your installation, of course, you’ll need to determine which water heater is right for you. You don’t need to stick with what you’ve always known, after all. Today, we’ll be discussing some pros and cons of both tank and tankless water heaters.

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Drain Cleaning: Why Hire a Professional?

Monday, November 6th, 2017

pipe-blockageCertain problems that you may encounter with your residential plumbing system can definitely be considered true emergencies. A damaged water well, for instance,  or a burst pipe that is drenching your home or your surrounding property with water would certainly constitute emergencies.  Then there are those problems that are not emergencies, but which you should nonetheless have resolved as soon as possible. Just because they don’t threaten you with imminent disaster does not mean that they are not serious.

Slow-moving, backed-up, or completely blocked drains fall into this latter category. When many people think of plumbing problems, they think of water flooding their floors. However, the drainage side of the plumbing system is just as important as the supply, and you really cannot ignore any signs of trouble with your drains. That is why you should schedule professional drain cleaning in Brooksville, FL. Our plumbers have the skill and expertise that they need to see to the successful cleaning of the drains in your home. 

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Don’t Get Caught in the Dark: What to Do in an Electrical Emergency

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

Power outages are a fact of life, especially in Florida with the ever-present threat of tropical storms and hurricanes. So when your power does inevitably go out, make sure you’ve taking the proper precautions and made preparations to make it as small an inconvenience as possible.

Keep a supply of candles, matches, and a couple flashlights with fresh batteries on hand and in a place easily accessible to everyone in the household. When the lights go out, the last thing you want is to be rummaging around in the dark looking for these things.

Be aware of food safety issues. If the power outage is less than four hours, your food should be safe to eat. For outages that last longer than four hours, follow these guidelines for safety: a half-filled freezer will typically keep food safe for up to 24 hours and a tightly packed freezer up to 48 hours. If possible, pack refrigerated items that could spoil, like milk and eggs, in a cooler packed with ice. Also, try to minimize opening the refrigerator and freezer as much as possible to keep food cooler longer.

Water purification systems may not function properly during a power outage, so make sure to keep a supply of bottled water on hand for drinking, cooking, and/or personal hygiene. If you are caught in a power outage without access to bottled water, bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute will kill most organisms.

Consider purchasing an emergency generator. When you have an extended power outage, an emergency generator can be your best friend. You can typically purchase a basic generator that will power lights and appliances for less than $700. This article from ConsumerReports.org is a great resource for choosing the right emergency generator for you.

If you want to alleviate the power outage risk entirely, Bayonet can install a standby generator! With natural gas or LP tank access, the stand-by generator system can power essential electricity to your home for weeks at a time, provided fuel is accessible. Generators are available in multiple sizes to suit your needs. Then, your lights, water, and refrigerator will always stay on! For more, see our upcoming blogs or contact a representative today.

Power outages are certainly a nuisance, but if you plan ahead with these relatively simple preparations you can weather the storm without too much of a headache.

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Re-Designing Your Bathroom? Check Out These 3 Luxurious Plumbing Components!

Wednesday, June 4th, 2014

The latest trend in bathrooms? Indulgence. Obviously, the price tag on extravagance can be high, but a wide array of fixtures and updates can give a bathroom renovation with even the most meager of budgets a hefty boost of luxury.

From heated towel racks to stand-up steam showers, today’s bathrooms trend toward the spa experience by embracing that little something special that sets it apart, elevating the bathroom from the practical to the spectacular.

Besides vessel sinks and electronic faucets that are hands-free and promote efficient water usage, shower head fixtures have undergone a virtual revolution in their extravagant designs and placement. Typical single-head spray showerheads are being abandoned for those providing a “rain shower” effect and have a stylish look and a gentler flow rate. Used alone or paired with dual and multiple showerheads and body spray jets, these can be mounted in several arrangements for the ultimate shower experience.

Steam showers are the rage for the ultimate home spa treatment. An existing stand-up shower can be retrofitted by using an adjacent closet to accommodate the generator. The shower stall is moisture-sealed and equipped with controls to adjust the clouds of soothing and cleansing steam. Additions like ambient lighting, sound systems, and oil and lotion dispensers will easily transform the bath suite into a bath retreat.

Roman tubs are also a deluxe addition to your master bath. They offer the customization in size, shape, and style unavailable in preformed tubs. When outfitted with water and air jets you can have a deluxe soaking tub you’ll absolutely fall in love with.

Whether you’re on a budget or want to break the bank in the name of luxury, indulgent options abound to turn your bathroom into your own private relaxation sanctuary.

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Looking to Buy a Home? What You Need to Look for in Plumbing

Wednesday, May 14th, 2014

Spring and summer are the most popular times of year to purchase a new home. The weather is better for moving, homes show better with lots of natural light, and a summer move won’t disrupt a child’s school schedule.

Buying a new home is exciting but it can also be an extremely stressful process. Not only are you making a large financial investment, but you also don’t know the ins and outs of a home simply by looking at it from the outside. One of the most often overlooked items is the plumbing of a home. Plumbing is often an afterthought and if things aren’t immediately wrong during the inspection, you probably won’t see a problem until a crisis occurs.

We want to prepare our readers who may be looking to purchase a new home with a quick checklist of things to look for as you house hunt.

  1. Check the Water Heater. Things to look for include the size (a family of four requires about a 40 gallon tank), the age, the condition, and the location. Look for mineral deposits, rust, and corrosion. Note any issues and bring them up to your inspector/realtor.
  2. Lead Pipes. If you have children, you should avoid homes with lead pipes. Any home built prior to 1998 is at risk for lead pipes. Be sure to check and make a conscious decision regarding the risks associated with lead pipes.
  3. Waste Management. How and where does the waste from your plumping go? Is it to a sewer? A septic tank? If it’s a septic tank, ask the following: where is it located, how often has it been serviced, and how old is it?
  4. Test the Waters. Does the main shut off valve work? Test that when you shut it off, no water sources work. Make sure that there are no major leaks.

None of these necessarily mean that the house is not suitable for purchase –just be prepared and negotiate accordingly. If you need help with estimates or inspections, don’t hesitate to contact us!

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