We talk about residential plumbing and piping services a lot on our blog, but did you know that Progressive Plumbing & Piping also offers commercial plumbing services for businesses in the Raleigh and Durham areas? We’ve been doing commercial plumbing for years and have the tools to get the job done right.
In addition to these commercial plumbing and piping services, Progressive also offers water conservation solutions to our commercial customers in Raleigh, Durham and the surrounding areas. As always, feel free to contact the Raleigh commercial plumbing experts at Progressive for more information.
This video is a favorite, and not just because it highlights the power of plumbers…it also features an adorable puppy! Last summer, a four-year-old boy in London flushed his puppy down the toilet in an attempt to give the puppy a bath. Needless to say, the dog got more than a bath — he got a wild ride down into the home’s plumbing system.
Don’t worry – this video has a happy ending, thanks to the power of plumbers (and video drain inspection)! And without further ado, the cutest drain clog ever:
A recent article posted on MSN Money gave suggestions for “Home improvement projects that pay for themselves.” While all helpful, there were a couple tips that we found especially important and thought we’d share with you.
Annual home inspections
Having your heating, AC, plumbing and electrical systems checked once a year will help you understand minor problems before they become major repair projects. Call a professional Raleigh HVAC technician, plumber or electrician to do a thorough check on your home’s systems to make sure everything is running smoothly. If not, they will be able to make minor fixes for you before problems get out of hand and become expensive to fix.
Fix plumbing and piping leaks
Your Raleigh plumber will check for leaks as a part of your annual inspection, but there are also ways you can inspect for plumbing leaks on your own. Take a look under cabinets to make sure pipes aren’t leaking, turn valves on and off to make sure everything is working properly and keep a close eye on your water bill. If your bill is unusually high, it probably means you have a plumbing leak somewhere in your home. Have all leaks fixed immediately to make sure you don’t waste money on wasted water.
Install a programmable thermostat
Or have one of the professionals at Progressive do it for you! A programmable thermostat enables you to maintain a comfortable, reliable temperature in your home while also increasing the efficiency of your home’s heating and air conditioning system and allowing it to function properly for longer. According to the MSN Money article, installing a programmable thermostat can save you $180 a year on heating and air conditioning bills by more accurately regulating the temperature of your home.
When your home needs plumbing repairs, you know you can always count on Progressive Plumbing and Piping! Our Raleigh plumbers are available around the clock to handle your plumbing needs. But for committed do-it-yourselfers, sometimes it’s fun to try tinkering with the plumbing on your own (we understand – that’s why we’re in the business!). If you do like to try your own repairs every now and then, here are the basic tools you’ll need to get the job done:
Plunger: Ok, this is pretty obvious. Here’s what you may not know: there are different plungers for different jobs! Stick with a standard cup plunger for tub and sink clogs, and a flange plunger for toilets.
Sink auger: Save this tool for when your sink plunger hasn’t done the job on that sink clog. Thread this flexible cable down the sink drain and work out the clog.
Closet auger: Like a sink auger, but specially designed for the toilet. And no, the two aren’t interchangeable.
Plumber’s tape: When joining pipes, use this special type of tape around the pipe that fits into its counterpart. The tape will help the pipes fit together better, meaning less trouble for you down the line.
Wrenches: Yes, plural. If you don’t have a set already, go for some adjustable ones (they come in 6, 10 and 12 inch lengths) to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered. A pipe wrench and a basin wrench will also come in handy.
As we head into autumn, there are a few preventative measures you can take to steer clear of cold-weather plumbing hassles. Do these things before the freezing temperatures hit and save yourself a headache come winter!
Pay some special attention to your water heater – it’ll be working harder during colder months. Flush out your heater and remove any buildup (it reduces efficiency).
Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees for best performance.
Disconnect outdoor water hoses. If the hoses stay connected and water inside them freezes, it can cause connecting pipes to crack or break.
Check for drips or leaks from outside faucets. If you find a leak, call Progressive Plumbing and Piping. We’ll fix it, preventing freezing water from causing pipe breaks later on.
Insulate pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures, like in the basement or garage.
Now that you’ve checked off this list, go enjoy the fall weather!
Checking your water meter is an important way to prevent paying high water bills for leaky water lines and pipes. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to check your meter:
First up, where is it? Water meters are typically located by the curb at the front of your property, often in a direct line with the main outside faucet. They are usually housed in a concrete box set into the ground and labeled “Water.”
Now that you’ve found it, how do you read it? Look at the numbers displayed prominently either above or below the words “cubic feet.” This is your meter reading – it represents all the water that has passed through the meter since it was installed.
To understand whether your pipes are leaking, try this sometime when you’ll be out for a few hours: before you leave, turn off all appliances that use water (both inside and outside of the building). Record the meter reading. When you return, if the number has changed, you’ve got a leak. If the sweeping dial that resembles a clock hand is still moving after you’ve turned your water off, it can also signify a leak.
