Loosening Tight Faucets: A Quick Guide for Homeowners

A faucet is where you can get water in your home. Since water comes out of it, it typically covers many things we do at home in a day, such as washing the dishes and washing our face. If your faucet is too tight and can’t rotate, it can interfere with your daily routine.

So, how exactly do you loosen tight faucets? We’re here to tell you what you need to know. Read on below to learn more.

The First Few Signs of a Tight Faucet

The primary method of maintaining your faucet’s loose movement is lubrication. Many homeowners take this for granted until they experience a time when it won’t move.

If you notice that your faucet is tightening, or if you’ve been struggling with it for quite some time, it should be dealt with immediately, or else it will cause you more problems in the long run. You can always get a plumber to fix your faucet, but the good news is that you can do it yourself.

The primary fix for most tight faucets is a simple cleaning or replacement of a component. This component is typically the cartridge. Depending on your faucet’s brand, the method of how you’ll open it up differs because some faucets will require a cartridge pulling tool.

Disassembling Stuck Faucet Handle 

To determine the problem with a stuck faucet, you’ll have to disassemble it first. You can evaluate the situation by looking inside the faucet.

First, you have to shut off your faucet’s water supply. The shut-off valve is typically found beneath your sink or on the wall. Once you see the shut-off valve, rotate it clockwise to shut it off. If there’s no dedicated valve, turn off your main water supply altogether.

Once that’s done, you can check for a screw somewhere on your faucet. You can find this screw in any of the following places:

  • At the bottom of the faucet area that’s facing you
  • At the side of the faucet
  • Covered by a cap at the center

Once you see the screw, unscrew it and remove the handle. You will then see a nut that keeps the valve in place. Remove the bolt, and you can now proceed with the next step.

Detaching and Cleaning the Cartridge

Using a pair of pliers, grip the cartridge and pull it up. If it doesn’t move, check your faucet’s brand name because it will only move with a cartridge pulling tool from the same brand.

If you successfully remove the cartridge, check if there’s any corrosion—corrosion is the primary cause of tightening and stuck faucets.

If corrosion is present, scrub the affected area with a stainless steel wire brush until it smoothens. Afterward, get a clean rag and apply vinegar to it. Wipe this rag on the affected area so that the rust will come off easier. You can also scrub other parts of the faucet to prevent the problem from happening again.

If the cartridge isn’t severely damaged, you can still reuse it. Otherwise, get a replacement. To get a matching cartridge, you can bring it with you to the hardware store for an exact match.

Once everything is done, it’s time to reattach everything. Insert the cartridge and the nut, then tighten it. Reattach the faucet’s handle and tighten the screw that holds it in place. Afterward, turn on your water supply and check if the faucet is operational again.

Conclusion

A tight or stuck faucet is a huge annoyance, which is why it should be fixed as soon as possible. The information detailed above can help if you’re having trouble with your faucet, so be sure to follow them!

You might be able to fix your faucet, but there are times when work can be too much, especially if you have a busy schedule. The best solution for your problem is to call a plumber. If you’re looking for plumbers in Lakeport, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has got your back! We offer fast and reliable service, so you can be sure that your problems will go away if we’re on the job. Contact us today to learn more!

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Keep Your Plumbing in Check With These 4 Maintenance Tips

Homeowners face repairs from time to time, and one of the major ones usually involves plumbing. Unfortunately, plumbing issues should not be prolonged because they can get worse quickly. The good news? You can prevent major plumbing expenses by learning some maintenance tips you can do by yourself. They are as follows: 

1. Check for Water Leaks Regularly

Unknown water leaks in a house contribute to the trillion of gallons of wasted water every year. Therefore, checking your plumbing for leaks will not only protect you but will also protect our natural resources. 

An effective way to check for leaks is to stop using water at home for an hour or two and monitor your water meter before and after that period. When you notice significant changes in the meter while you’re not using water, this means that it’s running somewhere, which is likely a leak. 

Check faucets and exposed pipes and look for signs such as puddles or mold. Water stains on walls or ceilings are also indicators of water leaks. You may also notice and smell mold and mildew. 

While you’re checking for leaks, make it a habit to assess the condition of the pipes in your home as well, even when they seem fine!

2. Check Shut-Off Valves

Shut-off valves turn off the water supply, and you must check this regularly. There’s a main shut-off valve in your home, and it’s crucial you know where it is should there be a plumbing emergency. Furthermore, individual plumbing fixtures save their own shut-off valves as well. Test the valves to ensure they are working properly. 

3. Check Water Pressure

If you noticed a sudden drop in water pressure, it could be due to a plumbing issue. Over time, a pressure regulating valve can fail or accumulate debris inside. If you notice lower pressure in only one faucet, check for clogs in those specific areas. 

4. Check Your Water Heater

Your water heater is a major plumbing fixture, which is why as part of your maintenance, look for signs of aging or issues that need to be repaired. Inspect the floor around the water heater for puddles and leaks. You can check the pipes for leaks and moisture as well. Be mindful of rust and strange noises, like rattling or banging, because they can be a sign of an issue. 

If you own a traditional tank water heater, it’s crucial to drain it at least once a year. Doing so will remove the sediments that accumulated over time that can affect the lifespan of your water heater. 

Take Care of Your Plumbing

Maintaining your plumbing system is one of your responsibilities as a homeowner if you want to prevent costly plumbing repairs. Moreover, this will help you avoid any plumbing emergencies that can be a huge inconvenience, especially in the middle of the night. By knowing these maintenance tips, you can reduce the risks of costly major plumbing repairs, saving you time and money in the long run. Still, it’s essential to have a professional plumber check it for regular maintenance, too. 

Let our reliable plumbers in Middletown, CA keep your plumbing system in check. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is licensed, bonded, and insured, and we offer 24/7 plumbing service. Contact us today!

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Your Toilet Is Clogged Again? Top Reasons This Happens

No matter where you go, one of the most common problems of every household is their plumbing issues. With that being said, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard about clogged toilets from different homeowners every single time. 

Clogged toilets can be pretty frustrating to deal with. Besides it being a relatively icky task, knowing that you may have some plumbing issues in your home can make your head hurt. This is because you may have to deal with additional expenses and repairs, which could hike up your home budget. 

So if you keep experiencing clogged toilets, it’s best to have your local plumbers inspect your plumbing system before things get worse. However, you know what they say — prevention is the best cure. 

So when it comes to clogged toilets, it’s best to understand what causes these issues so you can be on your toes about and dodge clogged toilets, once and for all. 

Reason #1: You Have an Outdated Toilet

Toilets today have a better design and mechanism to help flush out waste. But if you have a first-generation, low-flow toilet, running into a toilet would be pretty common. 

If you have a toilet made during the mid-90s, you most likely have a first-generation toilet. These toilets have a low-flow design in an attempt to save water. However, because of the lack of pressure, these toilets have difficulty clearing the internal trap and rain, which ultimately develops clogs. 

Reason #2: Flushing Non-Flushable Items

Not all wastes can be flushed, and if you dispose of non-flushable items in your toilet, you may deal with disastrous clogging. 

Toilet tissue was designed to dissolve in water over time, eliminating clogs even as they sit down the drains. However, some items like cotton balls, wet wipes, and even dental floss could accumulate in your drains and restrict flow, which clogs and produces backups in the toilet.

Reason #3: You Have a Blocked Toilet Trap and Plumbing Vent

There are instances when a plumber is needed to relieve the restrictions in your plumbing systems, such as a blocked toilet trap and plumbing vent. A toilet trap is designed to hold standing water to keep sewer gases from entering your home. But when you dispose of non-flushable items, these can get lodged into your internal trap. 

On the other hand, when you have a blocked plumbing vent, you experience a reduced drain flow, triggering even more clogs. 

Reason #4: Your Main Sewer Has Problems

The biggest issue in the list is that the reason you’re experiencing toilet clogs is that you may be dealing with main sewer issues. Even if you’ve done a bunch of repairs and you’re ensuring you’re not flushing down non-flushable, if your main sewer has issues, you’ll most likely deal with clogged toilets all the time. 

The Bottom Line: Get Help From a Credible Plumber So You Can Dodge Clogged Toilet Issues

Nobody wants to deal with clogged toilets. Because of this, it’s only right to avoid doing things that could trigger or develop clogs down your drain. By ensuring you dispose of your wastes properly, have your plumbers check on your toilet and plumbing lines, and by having routine plumbing check-ups, you’ll get to avoid these issues and have clog-free toilets in the long run. 

How Can We Help You?

If you’re looking for credible plumbers in Middletown, you’ve come to the right place. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a licensed, bonded, and insured team of plumbers that provides 24/7 emergency plumbing services. 

Are you looking for quick and reliable services? We’ve got you! Speak with us today.

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5 Scenarios That Require Emergency Plumbing Repairs

Having problems with your plumbing isn’t something new to most homeowners. Most people have had their fair share of issues with their plumbing over the years. While some of them can be easily resolved with some DIY magic and a bit of research, there will always be problems that can only be resolved by a professional plumber in Clearlake, CA. If you want to avoid any disastrous situations at home, you better call emergency plumbing services when you encounter any of these scenarios.

1. Water Leaks

Now leaks aren’t always considered an emergency. But, the moment the problem becomes worse, or you see signs of extensive leakage, then that’s an emergency you should leave in the hands of professionals.

Leaking water can mean many things and be the cause of many problems, from mold and mildew to water becoming a fire and electrical hazard. If you don’t want those leaks to lead to something dangerous and expensive, don’t hesitate to call a plumber.

2. Gas Leaks

If there’s one thing worse than a water leak, it’s a gas leak. Whenever there’s leaking gas in your property, you should call the plumber immediately and try to turn off any heat source or electrical appliance as soon as you can. Leaking gas is a dangerous situation. If you or your family members inhale those gases, it can lead to dizziness, difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, irritated eyes, and skin, among others. If you hear hissing or whistling sounds near a gas line or smell that strong scent of gas, then call emergency plumbing ASAP.

3. Sewage Odor

Another unpleasant indicator of a major plumbing problem is the presence of a sewer-like odor. There are mechanisms in place for the sewage in your home to keep from coming through your sink drain and pumping sewer odor out of the system. However, if you notice the smell of sewage in your home, it’s very likely that those mechanisms in place could be damaged or compromised. There’s nothing you can do here but call a plumber in Lakeport.

4. Discolored Pipes

Here’s the scenario: you go downstairs into your basement or underneath the kitchen sink, and you happen to look at the pipes there. If you see a hint of rust or discoloration in the pipes, that also warrants a call for a professional plumber. Discoloration of pipes typically means there’s moisture present where there shouldn’t be. It might be caused by a dripping sink or a leaking drain line. Have it fixed as soon as possible before a major pipe burst occurs.

5. No Water in Winter

Having no water in winter can be quite a headache. If you notice there’s low water pressure or lack of water at multiple points in your home, that might be a sign that your pipes might be frozen due to the cold winter air. Exposed piping in unheated parts of the home like your attic or crawl spaces is particularly vulnerable to freezing. When the water in your pipes freezes, the pipe expands and will eventually burst, causing more problems for you. So, as soon as you notice low water pressure during winter, have it checked already.

Conclusion

There are many situations at home that could warrant the attention of a professional plumber. As soon as you see any of these signs, you should prioritize calling plumbing experts and having them assess the situation and fix the problem for you.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has a team of plumbers capable of providing quality plumbing and excellent customer service to our clients. We make sure to do the job right and on time, all the time. If you’re looking for licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers in Ukiah, Willits, or Clearlake, CA, feel free to call us. Contact us today for drain cleaning services!

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Plumbing 101: 3 Secret Details You Didn’t Know About Toilets

Understanding the different parts of your household is necessary to develop the right responses when things go wrong. This is why responsible homeowners need to understand basic carpentry and even plumbing to avoid calling for help for every broken thing. However, not all of your home’s parts are equally understandable. While carpentry problems are more obvious as a structural issue, things get slightly more complicated when water and pressure are added to the mix.

Having a Deeper Understanding of Your Plumbing

Most homeowners are aversive to complications with their home’s plumbing. Pipes, drainages, and water flows are complex matters to deal with, which is why you should prepare yourself before approaching them. Including water as a variable comes with a wide range of potential disasters. This is why it’s better to be more familiar with what you’re getting into.

In this article, we’ll share three secret details you should know about dealing with toilets.

1. Toilets Take Up a Lot of Your Water Consumption

While washing dishes and doing laundry can seem like a considerable chunk of your water consumption, these two pale in comparison to your toilet usage. Toilet water waste was such a substantial issue back then where older models could use over eight gallons of water per flush. Thankfully, regulations established in the 1980s set a limitation to 3.5 liters for toilet models.

If you’ve been flushing your toilet liberally for the past few years, you may have found the culprit to your water bill. It’s generally a good idea to update your toilet to newer models that can use just around 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Doing so will show an improvement in your monthly water bills.

2. Toilet Repairs and Installations Can Turn into Disasters

While simple structural work around the home, like a broken window or uneven floorboard, is easy to fix, toilet repairs are much more delicate. With simple carpentry, you can practically fix a crack with some roughly applied sealant and plyboards. However, problems in your pipelines need a much greater position. Otherwise, you could start the beginnings of a plumbing nightmare.

For example, toilet installation isn’t just about connecting your home’s pipes and toilet together. Your lack of experience can lead to extensive home damage from different potential causes. It can be a loose supply line and valve installation or a ruptured pipe. Any mistakes you commit during the installation can lead to time-bound plumbing emergencies. The longer it takes before you get professional repairs, the greater the damage to your home will be. For this reason, we highly advise against performing DIY toilet installations or repairs.

3. Plumbers Are Charged Differently

There’s no universal standard for plumbers, which is why you need to research your local plumbers for the best rates. Some have an hourly labor rate, especially if you’re dealing with complex installations or repairs. Others will have a flat rate for specific tasks, mainly for replacements or minor issues. This is why it’s vital to consider looking for a service with the proper license and insurance. Choosing to work with these certified firms will minimize the risk of poorly performed repairs and treatments.

Conclusion

These facts mentioned above are just some of the many things you wouldn’t generally know about dealing with toilets. This is why it’s incredibly dangerous to attempt major repairs and installations without the right tools and experience. If you want to avoid making an expensive mess in your bathroom, it’s best to leave your plumbing jobs to experienced professionals.
Homeowners must know when to call for professional help, especially for emergency matters that demand immediate attention. Whether you need faucet repair, toilets repair, clogged or backing up drain, sewers, or septic systems, you can count on our plumbers at Benjamin Franklin. If you need a reliable and skilled plumber in Cobb, CA who cares about customer service, contact us today!

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7 Things to Consider to Find the Best Plumber

Leaky pipes, HVAC problems, and drain problems are the most common plumbing issues homeowners face. They may seem minor, but these “small” issues can cause a lot of inconveniences. If you’re not familiar with how to do general plumbing repairs, it’s best to have a plumber you can call anytime. Therefore, you need to find someone whom you can trust. 

Here are some things to consider when choosing a plumber: 

They Should Be Well-Established

You don’t want a plumber who has done only two plumbing jobs, right? It’s vital you work with a plumber that has been in the industry for years. A plumbing company that has been around for a long time is a good indicator that they’re reliable and a well-established business that already has loyal customers. 

They Should Be Licensed

Plumbers don’t only deal with your plumbing system; they can also take care of your gas supply. Therefore, it’s very important that you have a licensed plumber for this. You can check the license number they provided to confirm what types of plumbing work they do. 

They Are Insured

Most states require plumbers to have at least public liability insurance to carry a license. This is a guarantee that you’re covered for any accidental damage that might affect your property or the people living in your home while completing the job. 

They Can Provide You With a Service Guarantee

When looking for a plumber, you also need to check if they have warranties or service guarantees. Usually, the manufacturer covers the hardware, but look for plumbers who offer a quality service guarantee that can cover any problems you might experience once the job is done. 

They Provide 24/7 Plumbing Support

Plumbing emergencies can happen any time of the day or night, and you want to be able to talk to the plumber immediately before it floods in your home. When looking for a plumber, it’s a good indicator if the company has 24/7 plumbing support. By doing so, you can guarantee that the plumber will be there when you need them as soon as possible. 

They Are Transparent With Their Fees and Charges

There are a lot of companies who offer great prices upfront but attack their clients with hidden charges later down the road. Isn’t that annoying? You surely don’t want to be in that kind of situation, which is why you need to assess how transparent the plumbing company is before you hire them. Your plumber should have a flat rate pricing where they disclose all costs before they do anything. 

They Should Be Within Your Local Area

There’s no sense hiring a plumbing company that lives miles away from you. You need a local plumber to ensure accessibility. The good news is, you only have to choose from a few when you search locally. What’s important is you choose a local plumber, and a trusted one at that. 

Conclusion

Knowing these things to consider when looking for a plumber is important. You want to ensure you have the best plumber who can help you anytime you need their service.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is your reliable plumber in Lakeport, CA as well as in Ukiah, Clearlake, Willits, and Middletown. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Contact us today! 

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A Step-by-Step Guide for Repairing a Shower Diverter

One of the most common plumbing fixtures used is the shower diverter because of its efficiency in allocating water flow for the bath sink and showerhead. It gets plenty of uses in between baths, so it is no wonder that it can break and need immediate repairs. If it isn’t fixed right away, you can end up with higher utility bills, and it becomes noticeably inconvenient to use the bathroom. To address the problem, use this step-by-step guide devised by our Middletown Experienced plumbers. 

How Do I Determine If My Shower Diverter Is Defective? 

The main tell-tale sign that your shower diverter is broken is when you use the faucet, and the water flows out of the bathtub spout when it is supposed to come out of the showerhead. One of the most common reasons why this happens is the inner rubber stopper meant to block and redirect water is worn out and needs to be replaced. Fortunately, it is an easy fix and should only take a few minutes. 

How Do I Repair My Shower Diverter? 

Follow these steps and ensure you have the necessary tools indicated: 

  1. First, you have to turn off your shower’s water supply. You also have to seal off the drain with plumbing tape to prevent the tinier components from getting flushed out into the drainpipe. Once finished, tighten the screws behind the diverter valve’s faceplate. Doing this should address the leak. Otherwise, move on to the next step.
  2. You must dismantle the diverter piece by piece. Just unscrew the nut at its stem if you see a rotating valve. However, if you are working with a gate-type valve, just unscrew the threaded tub support. At this point, ensure that you have a compatible shower diverter to replace the old one, which you can typically find at your local hardware store. 
  3. While using the wrench, fasten the diverter while making sure not to get the parts cross-threaded. Don’t over-tighten it, or else this could lead to future plumbing issues. 
  4. Turn on the water supply to test if your newly installed diverter is working. There should be no more leakage, and faulty water flows from the bathtub spout and showerhead. However, if the issue persists, contact our team of local plumbers for further assistance. 

How Can I Prevent My Shower Diverter from Breaking Again? 

You can invest in high-quality plumbing parts and services suitable for your context, but all of them have particular warranties and recommended timeframe for usage. In other words, they are bound to break one way or another, especially shower diverters since they are used a lot. 

For practicality’s sake, you can reduce wear and tear by letting the diverter flow from its faucet for a few seconds to release the pressure for practicality’s sake. 

If you want to prevent future issues, preventive measures should be taken, like upgrades for regulating water flow. You also need to do more intensive research on reliable products and servicing instructions, but they may come with greater risks if not accessed properly. Therefore, consider working with experienced professionals to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality serviceability. 

Conclusion 

Shower diverters are crucial and can be tedious to repair if not given careful thought and attention. Luckily, you can refer to the steps and relevant insights mentioned above. So work on the repairs as soon as possible and seek immediate attention from local experts when necessary!  

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is your reliable source for the best plumbers in Middletown, CA. We also offer 24/7 emergency interventions and service surrounding areas. Call us today at 707-263-1629 if you have any questions about your shower diverter and want to book your repair or maintenance date! 

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Should You Repair or Replace Your Water Heater at Home

So, it’s finally that time of year again where you whip out your routine maintenance checklist and inspect your home to know what you’ll need to take care of in the future. From dealing with damaged walls and chipping paint to sorting out leaky faucets and tile grout that’s become an unsightly dark green, there are different items that you’ll need to tend to sooner or later. 

As you continue to knock down the different tasks and home improvement project ideas on your list, you’ll eventually run into some items requiring more preparation and deliberation than others. One such example of a more complex to-do list item is anything related to dealing with your home’s water heater, especially when determining whether you need a replacement or repair.

A fork in the road

After years of usage, your water heater will eventually reach a point where it’s seen its best days and is no longer the quick, easy, and convenient tool that it used to be. 

Over time, you’ll begin to notice a slow decline in terms of your appliance’s ability to perform as it no longer heats up as well as it should and leaves you feeling cold even if you have the knob cranked all the way to the right. At some point, your water heater will experience signs of persistent leaks that can no longer be considered minor as they also pose threats to your safety at home.

Once the signs begin to show, you’ll come to realize that there is no better time to take action so that you no longer have to put up with the inconvenience of a failing heater. However, it can be quite difficult to discern whether you’re facing the need for a full-blown replacement or a simple repair.

When should you opt to repair your water heater instead of replacing it?

While the manufacturer’s recommendations for the average appliance suggest that a heater is good for 8 to 12 years, there are some warning signs that show before it hits the baseline mark, which bears a cause for concern. These visible issues can often be dealt with through the use of a repair as they tend to be solved quickly with a new part or set of adjustments. 

The basic rule of thumb for determining if a water heater can still be repaired once it starts to show problems is that you need to be aware of these four factors:

  • The repair call with an expert must be scheduled first for a total inspection
  • The heater itself needs to be less than eight years old 
  • The heater’s tank doesn’t have any leaks at the base of the tank
  • The heater itself doesn’t behave erratically

Once you spot these key factors and receive confirmation from an expert like Benjamin Franklin Plumbing that your problematic heater is repairable, all you’ll need to do is schedule the necessary fixes and keep up with regular maintenance! 

When is it time to get a replacement?

On the other hand, knowing when to get a replacement for your water heater is a fairly straightforward process because there are definitive factors that you can spot. 

For starters, a full replacement for your heating appliance is worth considering once it meets the end of its shelf life, as its components are rated to only last for that specific period of time. Additionally, any erratic behavior (such as intense, uncontrollable heat or extended periods of cold water) paired with a leaking tank base is also a strong indicator that you’ll need a switch soon. Beyond erratic signs and a manufacturer’s set shelf life, it is also worth going for a replacement if you want to upgrade to a tankless or more efficient option for your home! 

Conclusion

Deliberating between replacing and repairing your home’s water heater can be difficult because it isn’t necessarily common knowledge. Yet, keeping the right details in mind can help you find an answer easier. Once you keep the key factors mentioned above in mind, you’ll be able to ensure that you make the right choice once the time to choose arises! 

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing provides professional emergency water heater services in Lakeport, CA. If you’ve got a leaky faucet at home that won’t stop causing problems, get in touch with us today so that we can get everything sorted out!

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How to Avoid the 5 Bad Habits That Damage Plumbing

We all have habits–good and bad. Some of those bad habits are easy to kick; however, some are not. There are also some habits that should be changed, especially if they can adversely affect your home’s plumbing and overall condition. Of course, the first step is to identify these habits, such as:

Neglecting Plumbing Maintenance and Repairs

When you already hear the sound of dripping water in your kitchen sink and choose to disregard it, you are actually creating bigger problems in the future. Thinking it will cost you a lot, you disregard the thought of hiring a plumbing technician. A drip can become a big leak, and before you know it, you need to pay a tremendous amount of money for repairs. 

Break this habit. Avoid neglecting some possible issues when it comes to your plumbing maintenance. Make sure to schedule an appointment with reliable plumbing technicians. They can check your water pressure and eliminate clogs in your plumbing system.

Disposing of Your Garbage Carelessly

Do you have the habit of choosing things to be done in shortcuts? The habit of disposing of your garbage improperly should be stopped. Avoid throwing everything on the drain just to wash the dishes fast. Eggshells, bones, fruit peels, seeds, and other fibrous materials can damage the drain and cause problems to the connected pipes. Make sure to provide a garbage bin for proper trash disposal.

Throwing Hair Down Your Drains

Do you see strands of hair accumulating on the shower drain? If you have the habit of letting them go down the drain, you are making a huge mistake. The strands of hair can combine with soap scum, as well as dirt and other materials. They clog the pipes and cause damage over time. Make sure to have drain screens to trap the hair and dirt in your sink and shower drain.

Using Too Many Chemicals to Clean your Drain

Chemicals for cleaning your drain should be used correctly. If you have the habit of dumping chemicals on your drain too often, you might be doing something risky instead of keeping it clean. Strong chemicals may gradually eat through your pipes. They can also kill the waste-eating bacteria in the tank. So, instead of cleaning your sewage and plumbing system, they can actually cause harm in the long run.

Avoid overusing chemical drain cleaners. Instead, use safe pipe-cleaning tools to reduce the risk of harming your plumbing system. Do not hesitate to call a plumbing technician if there are clogs in the drain and pipes. Be careful with things you allow to go down your drain. 

Using Your Toilet as a Garbage Can

There should be proper disposal of trash in your home. If you have the habit of throwing waste into your toilet bowl, then stop it right away. Do not throw feminine napkins, wipes, and other non-flushable products since most of these products are not soluble and not even biodegradable. This habit will definitely damage your pipes. Make sure to have the proper trash bin for waste materials in your bathroom and other areas of the house. They will help eliminate the risk of causing clogs that may damage your home’s plumbing system.

Conclusion

Let’s admit it. Bad habits are not always easy to kick. But once you’ve realized the possible bad effects of those habits, you’ll be motivated to change them for the better. When it comes to taking good care of your home, make sure to get rid of the habits that may harm your plumbing system. It will not only help you save money in the long run, but it can also ensure your whole family’s health and safety.

Always work with a professional plumber in Clearlake, CA when it comes to a clogged or damaged plumbing system. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we provide top-notch plumbing services to our clients all over Mendocino County, California. Give us a call for more details!

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5 Common Plumbing Problems That Cause Low Water Pressure

Having low water pressure in your home can affect your quality of life. Simple tasks and household chores like taking a bath, washing the dishes, and doing the laundry can turn into time-consuming ordeals. 

If you are struggling with low water pressure, you can fix it by determining its underlying cause. Here are some common plumbing problems you should be on the lookout for that might be contributing to your issue:

Corrosion

If you have an older home or house with outdated plumbing, you might have rusted plumbing fixtures. Corrosion could easily block the flow of water and affect your water pressure. Worse, it can make your water supply less safe, especially if you use it for drinking. Therefore, take this issue seriously and make sure to seek plumbing services as soon as possible to have your fixtures checked.  

Clogging

Clogged water pipes can cause low water pressure, mainly if your fixtures are working correctly and your valves are opening and closing as they should. This is especially the case if you have galvanized pipes. 

Once you confirm you have clogged pipes, never try to unclog them on your own. Dealing with this issue requires years of experience, skills, and knowledge, and the process can be complex to diagnose and repair. You can also contaminate your drinking water if you attempt to handle it alone. Therefore, call a certified emergency plumber to ensure you address the problem without ruining the purity of your water.

An insufficient main supply line

Your main supply line could be the underlying cause of your water pressure problem. In this case, you have to hire a licensed plumber experienced in water mains. This way, you can figure out whether the main supply line is at its required size. You can check with the local records to check the sizes of the lines.

Faulty or old fixtures

Over time, your faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures can get clogged with dust or dirt, which can cause a reduced flow of water. Check if your fixtures are the problem by cleaning their screen and aerator, then run the faucet or showerhead. You may have to replace the fixtures if you don’t notice any improvement in the water pressure after cleaning them.

A failing pressure regulator

Your pressure regulator can cause problems with water pressure if it starts to malfunction. You may have to call a professional plumber near you and have it replaced if you cannot attain your desired pressure level. Keep in mind that not all plumbing has a pressure regulator, so check if yours has one before following this solution.

Conclusion

Having good water pressure in your house is vital to ensure that you can efficiently complete your household chores and maintain your comfort level. If you notice you have low water pressure in your home and it starts to affect your quality of life, check if your plumbing has any of the issues listed above. Don’t forget to consult experienced plumbers like us to identify your plumbing problems and provide you with effective solutions.
If you are seeking emergency plumbing services, then you have come to the right place. Our team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing consists of licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers that offer quick, reliable, 24/7 service. We serve clients in Mendocino County, California. Contact us to book an appointment!

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