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5 Modern And Innovative Toilet Designs

There are four important things that you should be concerned about when furnishing your bathroom; functionality, comfort, safety, and aesthetic appeal. The bathroom is one of the most visited rooms in the house. And it’s home to some of the most important fixtures and appliances in the home plumbing system. The first thing that you should ensure when furnishing your bathroom, especially during a bathroom remodeling project, is that all these plumbing fixtures and appliances are highly functional. This means that you should install high quality faucets, showerheads, bathtubs, toilets, urinals etc in your bathroom. You may want to install a tankless water heater for instant hotwater for showers and baths.

You should also ensure that your bathroom is as comfortable as possible. This means that you should upgrade to luxurious bathroom fixtures like walk-in bathtubs and smart toilets. Safety in the bathroom can be enhanced by installing slip-resistant tiles and floor mats and other safety features like grab-on bars in the shower. You should also mind the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom. Make sure that the floors and walls are beautiful. Bathroom cabinets should also compliment the overall decor of the room. And while you are implementing all these impressive changes, do not forget the toilet. This is one of the most important fixtures in the bathroom. Consider the following modern and innovative toilets when sprucing up your bathroom.

One-Piece Toilets

Most American homes feature the traditional two-piece toilet. A two-piece toilet comes with a separate toilet tank and bowl. These two essential parts are manufactured and installed separately. But nowadays we have the one-piece toilet that features a single unit with both the toilet tank and the bowl attached. The one-piece toilet has a classier sleeker design. Another advantage of the one-piece toilet is that it takes up less space than the two-piece toilet. However, one-piece toilets are a little bit more expensive than the two-piece models.

Wall-Mounted Toilets

Another impressive toilet design is the wall-mounted toilet. This toilet is mounted on the wall instead of being stuck to the floor. The floor-standing toilet is till very popular in the United States but people are looking for other options. The wall-mounted toilet comes in many stunning designs. The toilet bowl is hung a few inches from the floor and the toilet tank is hidden inside the wall. There is a control panel for flushing the toilet. This toilet saves a lot of space and offers a stylish look to your bathroom. The wall-mounted toilet is costlier than the floor-standing model. You will need a professional plumber who provides DC drain and sewer services to help you install this type of toilet.

Pressure-Assisted Toilets

Most of us are used to the traditional gravity-feed toilet that uses gravity propelled water to flush human waste. But now we have the water efficient and eco-friendly pressure-assisted toilets, such as flushometers and dual-flush toilets. These toilets consume very little water when disposing of human waste.

Comfort Height Toilets

While the standard toilet stands at about 14-15″ in height, a comfort height or seat height toilet is 17-19″ in height. These toilets are designed for comfort. They are ideal for people with limited physical mobility.

High-Tech Or Smart Toilets

Smart or high-tech toilets are very common in Japan and they are now gaining popularity in the West. They feature many luxurious features including heated seats, deodorizing seats, hands-free flushing, bidets, automatic overflow protection, toilet bowl nightlights, motion-activated lighting, self-cleaning wands, warm-air dryers, and many other tech-oriented features.

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Common Types Of Plumbing Remodels And Renovations Done In Washington DC

Plumbing companies in Washington DC provide all the standard general plumbing services that you might expect. This means that these companies handle all kinds of plumbing installations, repairs, replacements, upgrades, inspections, and maintenance. This applies to all types of plumbing fixtures for bathroom remodels, such as faucets, sinks, showerheads, toilets, urinals, bathtubs etc. It also applies to all types of plumbing appliances and devices including washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, sump pumps, garbage disposal units, and many more.

The more established plumbing companies in DC also provide gas plumbing services. This means that they offer both general plumbing services and gas plumbing services. Some of the most basic gas services include new gas line installations, retrofitting, gas leak detection and repair, gas line repair and replacement, and gas appliance installation, repairs, and maintenance. All these general and gas plumbing services are available to both residential and commercial plumbing clients in the city. But some of the most established plumbing companies take it an extra notch higher. They provide specialty plumbing services, such as remodeling and renovation services. Today we are going to look at the various types of plumbing remodels and renovations that are conducted in Washington DC.

Home Remodels

Home or residential remodels and renovations are requested by homeowners and other private residents in the city. These are some of the most popular plumbing renovations in DC and they are handled by professional remodelers or professional plumbers specializing in remodeling and renovation. Most home remodels are implemented in the kitchen and in the bathroom. These are the residential kitchen and bathroom remodels discussed below.

Commercial Remodels

Not all remodelers and plumbers handle commercial remodels. Commercial remodels are requested by business owners and other commercial clients in DC. These projects are usually large-scale in scope and very demanding in nature. They require vast resources in terms of money, highly trained manpower, and remodeling equipment and materials. Commercial remodeling and renovation services in DC are only provided by the biggest plumbing companies that offer commercial plumbing and the most established remodelers in the city.

Kitchen Remodels

Kitchen remodeling and renovation services are provided to both homeowners and commercial clients in Washington DC. These are some of the most popular remodels in the city. Kitchen remodels involve the implementation of various floor and wall ideas. The remodel also involves the upgrading of various kitchen fixtures and appliances including the kitchen sinks, faucets, garbage disposals, dishwashers, cabinets etc. One of the main objectives of kitchen remodels is to become more water and energy efficient. This means that high efficiency water and energy saving fixtures and appliances should be installed during the kitchen remodel.

Bathroom Remodels

These are the most popular remodels for residential and commercial clients in Washington DC. Bathroom remodels include various floor and wall ideas, such as new wallpapers and tile and matting floor ideas. And like kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels also involve upgrading various bathroom fixtures and appliances. Common upgrades include the installation of low-flow bathroom faucets and showerheads, low-flush toilets, high efficiency Energy Star-rated water heaters and so on.

Office Remodels

Office remodels are usually requested by commercial plumbing clients in DC. This involves giving a commercial office or office building a facelift. Some private residents in DC also remodel the private offices in their homes. Office remodels are quite resource-intensive and customized to suit specific client tastes and preferences.

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Common Dishwasher Problems And Their Solutions

The home plumbing system features very many types of plumbing fixtures and appliances. All these fixtures and appliances play an important functional role in the home plumbing system. Plumbing fixtures like faucets and showers play an important role in delivering clean water to the user. Other plumbing fixtures like toilets and urinals dispose of human waste in a convenient and hygienic way. Plumbing appliances play more specialized functional roles than the aforementioned fixtures. For example, a washing machine is specially designed to clean laundry. A garbage disposal is specially designed to shred and dispose of solid food waste. The water heater is only used for heating water and so on. All these plumbing fixtures and appliances break down over time. And because they are so important in our lives, we usually require the services of a professional DC emergency plumber when any of these plumbing fixtures and appliances malfunctions.

One of the most important plumbing appliances is the dishwasher. This device is specially designed to clean and dry dishes. The typical dishwasher lasts about 7-12 years but some devices break down after only 4-5 years. You then have to spend a fortune in dishwasher repairs to keep the device working. That is why you need to know how to fix common dishwasher problems on your own to avoid hefty plumbing repair costs. Here are some of the most common dishwasher problems and their solutions.

Leaking

One of the most common dishwasher problems is leaking. Despite the fact that the dishwasher uses water to clean utensils, it should not spill even a drop on your floor. But if you start noticing pools of water under or near your dishwasher or a spray of water around the device, then you have a leak somewhere. Dishwasher leaks usually occur around the door, underneath the device, or at the water source. You can fix a door leak by replacing the rubber gasket. If the leak is at the water source, tighten the hose or replace the gasket. And if the leak occurs underneath your dishwasher, it could be happening at the water inlet or at the drain or at the seal around the pump. These leaks can be fixed by tightening or replacing the gaskets and/or hose clamps. You should also consider replacing the pump if it’s broken.

Unclean Dishes

If your dishwasher is not cleaning your dishes properly, there are several things that you should consider. There are several causes of this problem. You could be overloading your dishwasher. You should also ensure that you scrape of all food remnants from your dishes before putting them inside the device. The more technical cause of this problem is clogging in the door gasket, stain screen, or the spray arms. You can solve this problem by cleaning these areas.

Total Failure

You can put your dishes in your dishwasher and then try to turn it on only to realize that it’s not working. This could simply be a problem with the power source. Replacing a blown fuse can solve this problem. A dishwasher is also designed not to start if the door is not latched properly. And if there is no water in your dishwasher, you need to check and maybe replace the float switch.

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How To Remove A Clog In Your Shower Drains

Drain clogs are nasty plumbing issues. Drain clogs occur when there is a solid foreign object blocking the flow of waste water in your drainage and sewer system. Drain clogs usually occur in your kitchen sink drains and in your shower or bathtub drains. We have already discussed how to remove kitchen drain clogs in this blog. That is why today we are going to focus on shower drain clogs. Shower drain clogs are usually caused by hair, soap remnants, and other bathroom products. These solid objects are usually deposited in your shower drain pipes. Over time, the hair becomes entangled into a fine mess. This fine mess traps all the tiny bits of soap and other debris that passes through your shower drains. This is the main cause of shower drain clogs. But you should also note that dental floss is another major cause of drain clogs. Dental floss is just like hair. One piece cannot cause a drain clog but when you bring together many pieces, you will have a serious problem on your hands. You can try to prevent shower drain clogs by installing a screen trap on the shower drain. But there is still a chance of hair and other debris passing through. That is why you need to know how to unclog your shower drains when the inevitable clog occurs. This article will teach you how to remove clogs from your shower drains.

Use A Drain Claw

A drain claw is one of the most effective tools for removing a shower drain clog. The drain claw is specially designed to catch hair and other debris that might be clogging your shower drains. The drain claw looks like a wire with an auger at one end. The auger has very many interlocking hooks. If you ever have a shower drain clog, you can use the auger to remove it. Just insert the end with the hooked auger inside your clogged shower drain. You have to remove the screen trap before inserting the drain claw. After inserting the drain claw, move it or maneuver it inside the clogged drain pipe to reach the clog. Twist it around in the clogged drain pipe until you feel that you have attached a lot of solid waste on the hooks. Remove the drain claw and dispose the solid waste properly to clear your shower drains.

Use A Plunger

You can also use a shower drain plunger to unclog your shower drains. There are two main types of plungers. There is a toilet plunger and a kitchen sink drain plunger, which can also be used to unclog your shower drains. Make sure that you always have the two types of plungers in your house. We all know how to use a plunger. Just place it on your clogged shower drain and do the up and down movement. The plunger might be able to dislodge the clog.

Call A Professional Plumber

If all these DIY solution fail to dislodge the clog in your shower drains, call a professional plumber for assistance. Request professional DC plumbing services to remove the clog from your shower drains. Remember that a serious shower drain clog can cause a sewer backup in your bathroom. Stubborn clogs should be handled by professional plumbers ASAP.

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Tree Root Intrusion/Infiltration In Sewer Pipes

The sewer system is one of the most functional parts of the home plumbing system. The sewer system receives all waste water and human waste from the drainage system. The sewer system is responsible for disposing of all this waste water and human waste. Your home sewer system either takes the waste water and human waste to the municipal sewer system or to your private septic tank. But like all other sections or parts of your home plumbing system, the sewer system can develop problems at any time. These problems are usually very serious and difficult to fix because the sewer system is usually burrowed deep in the ground. Most of your sewer lines are laid below the ground. That is why you need to request DC sewer and drain services any time you detect or suspect a problem in your home sewer system. One of the most common problems that affect many sewer systems in Washington DC is tree root intrusion or infiltration. Today you are going to learn everything you need to know about this serious but very common sewer line problem.

How It Happens

Tree roots live and thrive below the ground. And most sewer lines are laid below the ground. This means that tree roots and sewer lines are bound to interact in one way or the other. The problem of tree root intrusion or infiltration starts when young tree roots are looking for water and nutrients. The roots are naturally attracted to areas with a lot of moisture and nutrients. This is where they come into contact with your underground sewer lines. The underground sewer lines are always filled with sewage. And the sewage is very rich in nutrients and water. As such, the tree roots try to infiltrate the underground sewer lines as much as possible. Most of these underground sewer lines are constructed in such a way to prevent tree root infiltration. They have solid joints and very tough surfaces. But with time, the clay, iron, or concrete sewer pipes wear out with age. This gives the tree roots an advantage. They can now try to squeeze their way inside the old worn-out sewer lines. And that is how the problems described below occur.

The Problems

The main problem of tree root infiltration is clogging. The tree roots grow in size and block the flow of waste water and human waste in the sewer lines. This can cause a sever sewer backup in your house. You will need to conduct an underground sewer camera inspection to determine whether you have a tree root intrusion problem or not. As the tree roots grow bigger due to the massive intake of water and nutrients, they expand inside your sewer lines. This can cause the sewer lines to break, which will cause a serious leak in your home sewer system. This problem can only be fixed by replacing the broken sewer lines with new ones.

How To Prevent And/Or Solve

The problem of tree root infiltration can be prevented by regular lateral pipe cleaning. There are also effective root inhibition chemicals that you can flush down the toilet. Many professional plumbers use various tools to cut tree roots and remove them from your sewer lines. You should also remove or stop planting trees near your sewer lines.

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5 Plumbing Emergencies That Require Emergency Plumbing Services

You can classify all plumbing problems as either minor or major plumbing issues. When we talk of minor plumbing problems, we are referring to those common plumbing problems that you can try to fix on your own. Examples of minor plumbing issues include slow leaking faucets and showerheads and the commonly occurring toilet or sink drain clogs. You can fix slow leaks with plumber’s tape or by tightening the leaking fixture. And you can try to unclog your toilet or kitchen and shower drains using a plunger. But we also have major or serious plumbing issues that require the services of a professional plumber. These serious plumbing problems are usually referred to as plumbing emergencies and they require DC emergency plumbing services. But you should also note that not all serious plumbing problems are plumbing emergencies.

Plumbing emergencies are those plumbing problems that necessitate instant plumbing services. In other words, you cannot wait for some hours before fixing them. Plumbing emergencies necessitate a call to your local plumber at any time of the day or night. Emergency plumbing services are provided 24/7, which includes weekends and public holidays. Here are several types of plumbing emergencies that require the services of an emergency plumber.

Water Heater Problems

All water heater problems should be treated like plumbing emergencies. Your water heater can develop all kinds of serious problems and you cannot manage to fix them on your own. Some examples of serious water heater problems that require the services of an emergency plumber are leaking, corrosion, temperature control issues, and total malfunction. You cannot survive without hot water in the house and you do not have the skills to repair a hot water heater. This means that you need to call an emergency plumber to fix your water heater when it’s faulty.

Gas Leaks

All gas leaks are plumbing emergencies. You should never attempt to fix a gas leak because you could be exposing yourself to very serious danger. The moment you detect or suspect a gas leak in your house, leave the house as soon as possible. You can try to shut off the gas at the main shutoff valve. But you should not stay in the house or even near the house. Call a professional gas plumber immediately to prevent fires and explosions in your house.

Water Leaks

Not all water leaks are plumbing emergencies. A slow leaking faucet or showerhead does not require the services of an emergency plumber. In fact you can try to fix such minor leaks on your own. But if you have a heavy leaking pipe in the house, call an emergency plumber immediately. A heavy leaking pipe can burst and flood the house if not fixed on time.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are one of the most serious plumbing emergencies at home. Frozen pipes occur due to cold weather. A frozen pipe can burst at any time. It will also prevent water supply in the house. Request emergency pipe thawing services as soon as possible, if the situation arises.

Major Flooding

If your house starts to flood, call an emergency plumber immediately. Flooding can be caused by heavy rainstorms. It can also be caused by leaking pipes, fixtures and appliances. Whichever the cause, call an emergency plumber ASAP.

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Luxury Features In Modern Toilets

Various plumbing fixtures and appliances have undergone many changes over the years. For instance, the faucet has been modified and re-modified in many since it was introduced many centuries ago. Now we have touchless hands-free faucet that turn on and off by detecting motion. Another plumbing fixture that has undergone a lot of improvements over the years is the toilet. We now have very many different types of toilets featuring all kinds of improvements. Many people still use the floor-mounted two-piece gravity feed toilets. But some people have now installed the wall-hung toilet due to space limitations in the bathroom. Eco-friendly homeowners that are undertaking bathroom remodeling are now opting for the pressure-assisted dual-flush toilet instead of the gravity feed toilet to conserve water.         

The Japanese are renowned for their many technological inventions. They have played a major role in developing the modern toilet. Modern toilets have many luxury features. They are also of very high quality, which means that they require less DC plumbing repairs. Let us now look at some of the luxury features that are found in modern toilets.

Comfort Height Toilets

Most of us are used to the standard toilet bowls, which are 14-15″ in height. But now we have comfort height toilets that reach 17-19″ in height. Comfort height or seat height toilets are more comfortable to use. They are highly recommended to people with mobility issues. Comfort height toilets are regarded as luxury toilets because they are installed as a matter of preference. They are more costly than standard height toilets but people like them because of the additional comfort.

Hands-Free Flushing

Many modern plumbing fixtures are touchless or hands-free. This means that you do not have to operate them manually. They turn themselves on and off automatically after detecting motion or sensing usage. One of the most amazing luxury features in the modern toilet is hands-free flushing, often found where commercial plumbing is necessary.  This toilet does not require you to flush it after use. It just detects you are done and flushes away the waste. This is a very hygienic toilet. It prevents the spread of germs when people are flushing the toilet. It’s also very convenient because you simply walk away after use without even having to look at the toilet bowl.

Heated Seats

Toilet bowls are usually made of ceramic. Toilet seats are usually made of plastic. The plastic can get really cold especially during the cold weather. One luxury feature in modern toilets is heated toilet seats. The seat remains heated throughout meaning that you will use the toilet comfortably without feeling cold. This toilet requires a power source to heat the seat.

Bidet Functionality

One very common feature in most Japanese toilets is the bidet. The bidet is a cleaning mechanism that is designed to clean your body after using the toilet. You do not have to use tissue paper in this kind of toilet. The bidet will clean you and even dry you up using warm vapor.

Automatic Overflow Protection

Most modern toilets have automatic overflow protection. This toilet cannot overflow because it’s fitted with this mechanism that prevents this kind of plumbing problem.

Toilet Bowl Nightlights

Some modern toilets have toilet bowl nightlights to guide the user at night. These nightlights will help you use the toilet properly even in the middle of the night.

Self-Cleaning And Self-Deodorizing Features

And last but not least, many modern toilets have self-cleaning and self-deodorizing features. This helps to keep the toilet clean and fresh at all times.

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Tips For Buying A Plunger

One of the most functional plumbing tools is the plunger. A plunger is used to dislodge clogs in drainage and sewer pipes. It features a very simple construction design consisting of a rubber suction cup and a plastic or wood handle or shaft. The plunger does many amazing things in the kitchen and bathroom and that is why it has earned such affectionate names like the plumber’s helper and the plumber’s friend. The plunger is used to unclog all types of drains including the kitchen sink drains, the shower drains, and more frequently the toilet drains. Plungers are very easy to use. You just hold the handle and insert the rubber end in the clogged sink or toilet drain. Ensure that you form a tight seal with the clogged drain because the plunger works on the principle of a vacuum. You should then apply pressure to “suck” and dislodge the clog from the drain. It’s quite easy in practice. You do not need a professional plumber to unclog your toilet with a plunger.

Consider The Type

The first thing that you need to know about plungers is that they come in two main types and they are both designed for different uses. These two different types of plungers feature different functional designs. A plunger will help you save money on DC sewer services when your drains are clogged. But you must first choose the right plunger for the job. Here is how to do it. Let us look at the two main types of plungers.

Flat-Bottomed Plunger

The classic flat-bottomed plunger is designed for unclogging kitchen sink drains and shower drains. This plunger features a rubber ending that looks like a rubber ball cut in half. This enables the plunger to seal tightly on the flat surface on the sink drain or shower drain. Make sure that you choose this type of plunger for your kitchen sinks drains and shower drains.

Flange Plunger

The flange plunger is specifically designed for unclogging toilets. This is the most widely used plunger because toilets get clogged more frequently. In addition to the typical half rubber ball at the end of the shaft, the flange plunger also features another extra bit protruding from the rubber end. This extra bit helps create a tight seal in the curved toilet drain.

Consider Drain Sealing

In order for the plunger to dislodge the clog, it must form a tight seal with the clogged drain pipe and create a vacuum. You should always ensure that you buy a plunger that seals tightly with the toilet, sink or shower drain. You can test the plunger in your local hardware store before purchase. You will note that old worn-out plungers are quite ineffective because they have holes and cracks that allow air to seep through.

Consider The Handle

Plungers come with either a wooden or plastic handle. You should ensure that the plunger’s handle or shaft offers an excellent grip to avoid discomfort while unclogging your drains. Some plungers need a little elbow grease on the handle to work. Choose a high quality plunger with a firm grip and a long-lasting handle to make work easier.

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Simple DIY Repairs For A Faulty Dishwasher

We require many different plumbing appliances and fixtures in the house for various household chores and activities. We have faucets and showers for supplying clean water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing. We also have sinks and toilets for waste disposal. Other plumbing appliances are more sophisticated, such as washing machines, garbage disposals, water heaters, and dishwashers. These sophisticated appliances require proper care and maintenance to enhance their functionality and ensure their longevity. But even with proper care and maintenance, these plumbing appliances can still breakdown due to a number of factors. One of the most important plumbing appliances at home is the dishwasher. As the name implies, the dishwasher is used for cleaning dirty dishes. You simply put the dirty dishes inside the dishwasher and then run it for some time and the dishes will be all clean and shiny. But as mentioned above, this amazing appliance can fail from time to time. Sometimes the problem could be serious and you have to request DC plumbing services to have your dishwasher repaired. But you can also try to fix some minor faults on your own. Here are a few simple DIY repairs that you can implement on your faulty dishwasher.

Check The Water Temperature

If your dishwasher is not performing its duty properly, then you need to diagnose the problem. Sometimes the problem is caused by hot water problems. If your dishwasher is not cleaning your dirty dishes properly, then it could be a problem of low water temperature. You need your dishwasher to clean and sanitize those dirty dishes thoroughly. For this to happen, the water used in the dishwasher should be sufficiently hot. If your dishwasher does not heat the water for cleaning dishes on its own, then you have to rely on the hot water produced by your water heater. This device is usually set at 120 degrees. But to clean your dirty dishes properly, you need to adjust this temperature to 140 degrees when using your dishwasher. As you can see, you can easily solve the unclean dishes problem by adjusting the thermostat in your hot water heater when using your dishwasher.

Inspect The Spray Arm

If the spray arm in your dishwasher is not spinning properly, then you will suffer the unclean dishes problem. Most of the time the spray arm malfunctions because of trapped food remnants and other debris. You can easily fix this problem by removing the cap from the spray arm and inspecting it. Use a wire to remove any trapped debris and then close the cap and insert the spray arm back in the dishwasher and the problem is gone.

Clear The Nozzles

Another common but minor dishwasher problem that you can fix on your own is clogged nozzles. The nozzles that produce water for cleaning the dishes can also get clogged by food particles, debris, or even mineral buildup. When inspecting the spray arm and other parts of your faulty dishwasher, make sure that the nozzles are cleared and cleaned to ensure that the water comes through as intended.

Inspect The Door

The door of your dishwasher plays a very important role. It prevents water from leaking from the appliance onto the floor. If your dishwasher is leaking, then it means that the door latches are not closed properly. Check for any blocking debris that might be preventing the door from closing properly. Remove this debris, close the door, and the leaking problem is gone.

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Types Of Services Offered By A Sewer & Drain Plumber In Washington DC

Professional plumbers in DC offer a myriad of plumbing services to residential and commercial/corporate clients in the Washington DC area. Most of these plumbers usually maintain active websites where they list all their plumbing services for online visitors to see. Some of the most common plumbing services include plumbing installations and repairs, water heater servicers, drain cleaning services, sewer services, remodeling and renovation services, and even gas line services. Plumbing repair services are the most popular services because they involve the diagnosis or troubleshooting of any plumbing problem or issue and the implementation of the most viable plumbing solution. Most established DC plumbers now offer emergency plumbing services. These emergency plumbers respond to plumbing service calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without any weekend or holiday breaks. Today we are going to focus on all the drain and sewer services offered by Washington DC plumbers.

  Drain Unclogging & Cleaning

Professional plumbers who provide sewer line and drain cleaning services are usually referred to as sewer and drain plumbers. One of the most popular services provided by sewer and drain plumbers is drain clearing. Drain clearing involves the unclogging or unblocking of clogged drains. Professional sewer and drain plumbers use various plumbing equipment and technology, such as root snaking and hydro jetting, to unclog really serious drain and toilet clogs. Another common plumbing service offered by sewer and drain plumbers is drain cleaning. This is where you hire a professional plumber to clean out your drain and sewer pipes after a period of time. Drain clearing is a plumbing repair service unlike drain cleaning, which is a plumbing maintenance service. Most emergency plumbers in Washington DC include DC clog service under their emergency plumbing services.

  Drain & Sewer System Installation

Another plumbing service offered by sewer and drain plumbers is drain and sewer system installation. This refers to all installation services for your home drain and sewer system. This includes the installation of all drainage fixtures, pipes and appliances, such as drain traps and pipes. It also includes the installation of all sewer system materials and fixtures, such as underground sewer lines, the main sewer line, and the septic tank. Sewer and drain plumbers handle all kinds of installations, repairs and replacements.

  Underground Sewer Line Inspection

Established DC plumbing companies offer underground sewer line inspection services whereby they use specialized equipment to inspect underground sewer lines for clogs, leaks, and other defects. These plumbing specialists use remote controlled underground video cameras to inspect the entire length of your underground sewer line network.

  Sewer Line Repairs & Replacements

Professional sewer line plumbers use modern equipment and technology to repair and replace underground sewer lines. These plumbers use trenchless technology to replace old and worn-out underground sewer lines without having to excavate your yard or lawn.

  Main Sewer Line Inspection & Maintenance

And last but not least, professional sewer line plumbers also provide inspection and maintenance services for the main sewer line. The main sewer line is very important to your home sewer system because it drains all the waste from your private septic tank to the municipal waste tank. You should have your main sewer line inspected regularly to avoid any clogs or leaks that could undermine the functionality of your home plumbing system.

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Why You Should Conduct Regular Sewer Inspections

You should conduct regular and routine inspections of your home plumbing system to ensure that everything is always in good working condition. You should start by conducting regular inspections on your own every few weeks. You should also hire a professional plumber to thoroughly inspect your home plumbing system every few months. You should focus all these DIY and professional inspection runs on the most critical areas of your plumbing system. Typically, there are four most critical areas of any plumbing system. The first most critical area of any plumbing system is the plumbing control systems, which include the water meter, the main water shutoff valve, the gas meter, the main gas shutoff valve, the electric meter, and even the electrical breaker boxes. The other most critical area of your home plumbing system is the water supply piping network. The third most critical plumbing component is the hot water heater. And the fourth most critical area is the drainage and sewer system. In this article we will look at the benefits of conducting regular and routine inspections of your home drainage and sewer system.

Avoid Sewer Emergencies

Many Washington DC plumbing companies offer DC sewer inspection services to their residential and commercial/industrial clients. One of the main advantages of conducting regular sewer inspections is to avoid sewer emergencies at home or in your place of business. Sewer inspections are conducted to identify any existing or potential faults or defects in your sewer system. The sewer inspection focuses on all the critical parts of your sewer system including the underground sewer lines, the septic tank, and the main sewer line. Sewer line plumbers use specialized plumbing equipment and technology to conduct thorough inspections of your underground sewer system. They use underground video cameras that are controlled remotely to inspect all your sewer lines and the main sewer line for clogs, cracks, leaks, and any other faults. This means that these sewer inspections will identify any pending fault or malfunction before it happens; thereby averting potential sewer and plumbing emergencies in your home or in your workplace.

  Ensure Timely Repairs

Regular and routine sewer inspections will help you implement timely repairs in your sewer system. Whether it’s at home or in your workplace, implementing timely repairs in your plumbing system is very important. Sewer plumbers identify potential faults in your plumbing system before they deteriorate and become too serious for your plumbing system. This is advantageous in two ways. Firstly, identifying sewer defects early enables you to fix them as soon as possible thereby preventing a sewer catastrophe in your house. Secondly, fixing these sewer line problems early helps you avoid costly repair bills due to a seriously damaged sewer system.

  Reduce Sewer Maintenance Costs

Sewer inspections are part of your basic plumbing maintenance practices. By conducting regular and routine sewer inspections, you will be ensuring that your home plumbing system is well maintained. Even if you conduct these inspection runs on your own, you will still have a positive effect on your home plumbing system because you can detect any fault before it becomes too serious. Similarly, if you hire a professional plumber to inspect your home sewer system, you will be able to fix any existing and potential faults before the whole sewer system breaks down.

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The Three Main Types Of Services Offered By Gas Plumbers In Washington DC

Gas plumbing is an extended service package offered by established plumbers in the Washington DC area. Gas plumbers undergo a different kind of training than ordinary or general plumbers. Professional gas plumbers are trained in the gas industry but they still undergo the three basic levels of training just like general plumbers. Gas plumbers start at the apprenticeship level where they study in class and in the field for several years before taking exams and proceeding to the journeyman level. As journeymen, the trained gas plumbers work under a master gas fitter for several years before taking gas industry exams to graduate to the top level. Journeymen gas plumbers who pass their final exams become master gas fitters who can apply for practicing licenses in their individual states. A master gas fitter is required to have a clean criminal record and to have proper academic and technical credentials plus proper licensing and bonding before he can be issued with a practicing license at the state level. All gas plumbers in the Washington DC area offer the following services to their residential and commercial clients.

Gas Piping And Repairs

The most basic service package offered by every gas plumber in Washington DC is gas piping and repairs. Every DC gas plumber is trained to install, repair, and replace gas pipes/lines. You can hire a gas line plumber to install new gas pipes in your newly built home. The gas line plumber will lay down all the gas supply pipes and connect you to the main gas supply pipe from the utility gas company. You can also hire a professional gas line plumber to retrofit your old home with new gas pipes. This can be the case if you didn’t have gas supply pipes before and you now wish to supplement your electrical energy with natural gas or propane. Just like in general plumbing, the most popular gas service is repairs. Professional gas plumbers are hired to diagnose and fix all kinds of gas problems and issues including gas line leaks, gas appliance leaks, gas supply problems, and main gas supply line issues. You can hire a gas line plumber to replace your old, leaky and worn-out gas lines with new ones as part of the gas piping service package.

  Gas Leak Detection And Repairs

Although gas leaks fall under the gas repair services, most gas plumbers in Washington DC offer this service as a separate package due to the sensitive nature of this problem. Gas leaks are quite dangerous because they can result in gas explosions in your home or in your workplace. You should call your local gas plumber as soon as you suspect or detect a gas leak in your home or place of business. Some signs of gas leaks include the smell of rotten eggs, hissing sounds, and dry dying vegetation cover where your gas lines run underground. Gas plumbers use specialized equipment to detect and pinpoint a gas leak and to repair leaky gas pipes or appliances.

  Gas Line Inspection And Maintenance

You should commission a professional gas plumbing company to inspect your home or office gas supply system on a regular basis. These inspection runs should be conducted every few months and they should be very thorough covering the entire gas supply piping network and all gas fixtures, water heaters, and appliances. You should implement or recommended maintenance practices and activities immediately.

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When To Call A Professional DC Plumber To Unclog Your Toilet

DIY home solutions are the best. It really feels good to solve a technical problem in your home without hiring a professional. First of all you save money when you solve technical problems at home without the input of a professional. Second of all you feel great for being skilled enough to handle a technical problem without professional help. But although it’s all good to implement DIY solutions to technical home problems, sometimes you have no choice but to call a professional to help you fix a serious technical issue. This is usually the case with some serious plumbing issues at home. One of the most common and irritating plumbing problems at home is clogged toilets. Toilets get clogged due to many different reasons. Sometimes its careless flushing habits, other times its sewer line problems and it could also be caused by a faulty flushing unit. Whichever the cause of the toilet clog, it is always recommendable that you have it unclogged as soon as possible to avoid messy toilet backups. There are several DIY unclogging solutions that you can implement but sometimes you really have to call a professional plumber for help. We will now look at some of the times when you really have to call a professional DC drain plumber to help you unclog your toilet.

After All DIY Unclogging Solutions Have Failed

As mentioned above, there are several DIY unclogging solutions that you can try out when your toilet is clogged. You can start by using the toilet plunger to try and unclog the toilet. If the plunger fails, you can use a baking soda and vinegar solution with hot water to try to unclog the toilet. If the clog persists, then you can try using some of the available commercial unclogging detergents from your local hardware store. If all these DIY unclogging solutions fail, then its time to call your local plumber for assistance.

  When The Clog Is Causing A Serious Backup

Another instance when its highly advisable that you call a professional plumber to clear your clogged toilet is when the clog is causing a serious sewer backup in your bathroom. Some toilet clogs are far much serious than they appear. The clog can originate deep down in your underground sewer lines, which could be leaking, blocked, or heavily corroded. If your toilet clogs starts causing a server sewer backup in your house, then it could pose physical damage and health hazards to your household. You should contact your local plumber immediately so that he can conduct underground sewer line inspections to determine the cause of this serious toilet clog and hence fix it.

  When It’s The Most Convenient Solution

Sometimes calling a professional plumber to help you fix a plumbing issue in your home is the only convenient and reliable solution. When it comes to clogged toilets, there are some instances when you do not have a choice but to call for professional help. Some of these instances is when you do not know any DIY unclogging solutions or if you do not have the required equipment or products, such as the plunger, baking soda, vinegar, or any commercial unclogging detergent. You might also lack the time to implement any of these DIY unclogging solutions. In such instances, call your local plumber immediately for a timely, convenient, and viable unclogging solution.

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Factors To Consider When Choosing A Kitchen Remodeler

Most professional plumbers in Washington DC are now offering residential and commercial/corporate remodeling and renovation services to homeowners and business owners. These companies usually offer kitchen and bathroom remodeling services and office space renovation services to all residential and commercial clients in DC. Remodeling and renovation services cater to partial home or office remodels and full home or office makeovers. When you decide to only renovate a section of your house or business premises, then you are having a partial remodel. But if you wish to have your entire home or office building renovated, then you need a full home or office makeover. Depending on your budget and your remodeling needs and preferences, you can opt for any of these remodeling or renovation projects. If you only decide to have your kitchen remodeled, then you should look for an excellent DC kitchen plumber or remodeler for the project. In order to ensure that you hire the most qualified, reliable and trustworthy kitchen remodeler in Washington DC, you should always consider the following factors.

Qualifications & Licensing

Plumbing professionals are licensed at the state level after fulfilling various training and legal and regulatory requirements. The typical licensed plumber undergoes two training levels in order to qualify for a practicing license. He starts off as an apprentice plumber where he lasts for several years studying plumbing academically and technically. He then sits for his final exams and if he passes them he graduates into a journeyman plumber. The journeyman plumber undergoes additional academic and technical training for several years under a master plumber. Upon completion of the journeymen training, the trainee plumber sits for his exams and if he passes them he becomes a master plumber. A master plumber can apply for a practicing license from the state contractors” board. He is vetted by the board to ensure that he has a clean criminal record and that he has all the requisite academic and technical credentials. You should always check with the state licensing board to ensure that your kitchen remodeler is properly licensed and that he has proper insurance and bonding as required by the law.

  Competence & Experience

You should always consider the competence and experience of your kitchen remodeler to ensure that he is the most qualified. To determine the competence of your kitchen remodeler, visit online customer review platforms like Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List. Past clients post their reviews and rate plumbers on these platforms. You can use these platforms to determine whether the plumber offers quality and satisfactory kitchen remodeling services. You should also check the date of licensing with the state licensing board to determine his experience level. Choose the most competent and experienced quality plumber for your kitchen remodeling project.

  Terms Of Contract

The last factor that you should consider when hiring a kitchen remodeler is his terms of contract. You should negotiate favorable terms of contract for your kitchen remodeling project. Make sure that you get fair pricing for your project. You should also ensure that you get a reasonable project completion schedule and that the warranty of your project is reasonable and adequate. You should only sign the kitchen remodeling contract after reading, understanding, and accepting all the terms of contract.

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How To Choose A New Hot Water Heater

Nowadays there are so many models and brands of hot water heaters that the average customer requires some guidelines for choosing the right water heater for his home. We have water heaters of many different functional designs and fuel types. Basically, there are three main types of hot water heaters in the market today based on their functional design. We have the most popular water heater in the United States called the conventional storage or standard tank water heater. The conventional storage water heater comes with a reservoir or storage tank for holding the heated water for later consumption. We also have the tankless water heater also called the demand-type, on-demand, or instantaneous water heater. As you can tell from the names, the tankless water heater has no reservoir or storage tank for holding heated water but rather heats water ion demand after being switched on. And lastly we have the hybrid heat pump water heater. The hybrid heat pump water heater uses a reverse refrigeration technique to absorb heat energy from the environment to heat water. It’s called a hybrid model because it usually features an additional fuel source to supplement the environmental heat during the cold season. Just like conventional storage water heaters, hybrid heat pump water heaters have storage tanks. You should always consider the following factors when choosing a new hot water heater for your home or workplace, and talk it over with your local plumber for his expert advice for your specific situation.

  Consider The Efficiency

Out of the three hot water heater models, the hybrid heat pump water heater is considered to be the most efficient because it does not necessarily require any fuel to heat water. The tankless water heater comes in second because it does not loose heat in stored hot water. The conventional storage water heater is the most inefficient model because it loses a lot of heat energy in the stored hot water. It is very important that you consider the efficiency of a water heater to avoid huge energy bills. The water heater accounts for almost 20% of your home energy bill, which means the more inefficient it is, the higher your energy bills. The efficiency factor also factors in the cost of the water heater. Generally the tankless water heater is more expensive to buy and install, but it ends up being the most economical option because of its low energy bills and because it’s easier and cheaper to maintain and it lasts longer than all the other models.

Consider The Installation Space

The tankless water heater has no reservoir or storage tank and hence takes up about a fifth of the total space used by a conventional storage or a hybrid heat pump water heater. This means that if you have limited space for installing your hot water heater, then the tankless model is the best. Before you buy a new hot water heater, you should consult a reliable DC water heater plumber for advice regarding the versatility of installation based on the available installation space.

  Consider The Fuel Type

And last but not least, you should always consider the fuel type of the water heater. Most water heaters use gas or electricity but there are also some hybrid models that combine two or more fuels. We also have modern solar water heaters that use sunlight. You should always consider the availability, affordability, and efficiency of the fuel type of any water heater before purchase.

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Useful Plumbing Hints and Tips For Homeowners

Most homeowners remember their plumbing system when there is a plumbing emergency. We usually take our bathrooms, sinks, water supply pipes, water heaters, and other plumbing appliances and fixtures for granted until there is a serious malfunction in the system. That is when we remember to call out local plumbers for a DC clog service or a DC water heater service. This should not be the case at all. You should be well acquainted with your home plumbing system and you should always take good care of all your home plumbing installations, fixtures, and appliances. Many homeowners could use a few tips and hints for maintaining an excellent home plumbing system. This article contains valuable advice on how to care and maintain the health of your home plumbing system.

Turn Off All Water And Power When Not In Use

You should never have a tap running when the water is not being used. You should always make sure that all faucets and showers are turned off before you leave the house or go to bed. Sometimes there are water shortages and you might find your taps running dry because of water rationing by the municipal utility. You should make sure that you turn all these taps and showers off before the water comes back. And in order to conserve energy, you should switch off all electric or gas powered plumbing appliances when not in use. Make sure that all lights are turned off when there is none in the room. And in order to ensure plumbing safety, you should turn off all power when you have a relevant plumbing emergency.

Install A High Quality Home Plumbing System

The most effective way of ensuring that your plumbing system is always in tiptop condition is top install a high quality system in the first place. This means that you should install high quality plumbing fixtures and appliances and use high quality plumbing materials. You want to make sure that every single component in your plumbing system is in excellent condition. This necessitates careful sourcing of all your plumbing pipes, faucets, sinks, showers, bathtubs, water heaters, sump pumps etc.

Know Your Home Plumbing System

There is no way you can maintain your plumbing system in excellent condition if you do not know it. You should know all the components and areas of your home plumbing system. Start by identifying the critical areas of your home plumbing system. These include the water meters, water shutoff valves and electrical breaker boxes, the water heater, the septic tank, and the water supply and drainage pipe network.

Hire Qualified Plumbers

You should always hire qualified, competent, and reliable plumbers for all your home plumbing projects. Make sure that your plumber has fulfilled the requisite academic and technical training and that he has all the proper licenses, insurance and bonding as required by law. Also ensure that you sign favorable plumbing contracts for all your home plumbing projects.

Observe Plumbing Care And Maintenance Best Practices

And last but not least, you should always observe the proper plumbing care and maintenance practices. This means that you should inspect your home plumbing system regularly. You should also hire a professional plumber to inspect your home plumbing system from time to time. You should also implement timely repairs in case there is any plumbing problem in our home.

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How To Save On Water Heater Repair Bills

Water heaters are some of the most important plumbing installations in any home. They are used to heat water and supply it for all your cleaning and washing needs. Like all other household appliances, water heaters are bound to break down and malfunction from time to time. This is especially so if the water heater is old. If you have an old water heater, then you might be incurring some heavy repair bills on a regular basis. Malfunctioning water heaters can cause a lot of problems. Firstly, these faulty water heaters compromise the supply of hot water in the house. They might not supply enough hot water or the water might not be sufficiently hot when it is supplied. Secondly, these old water heaters can be corroded and hence supply rusty water in the house. Another sign of a faulty water heater is leakage. You might find that your water heater is leaking, which will cost you lots of money when paying for the wasted water. Insulation problems are also present in old water heaters that have low thermal resistance. If you are suffering from any of these problems, then you have to call a professional plumber to repair or replace your water heater. You can save on these repair charges by doing the following.

Install A High Quality Water Heater

You can solve these problems before they even occur by preventing them. And how do you do that? Install a high quality water heater. When it comes to water heaters, there are three main types, namely conventional storage water heaters, tankless water heaters, and hybrid heat pump water heaters. Each of these water heater types has its own pros and cons. But regardless of the type of water heater that you install in your home, your major concern should always be quality. You should select highly rated water heaters with all the marks of quality. You can tell the quality of any water heater by checking its warranty guarantee. Buy a water heater that offers a long warranty guarantee to avoid frequent breakages and costly repairs.

Ensure Timely Repairs

You can also save on water heater repair bills by ensuring timely repairs. The moment you detect or suspect any problem in your home water heater, you should immediately call your local plumber for a timely fix. Whether it’s a leak or a hot water output problem, just call your local plumber for an immediate and viable solution.

Regular Inspection And Proper Maintenance

Professional plumbers offer water heater inspection and maintenance services. Like every other plumbing installation in your home, you water heater should be inspected regularly by a professional plumber. Actually you should also inspect the water heating unit on your own. But you should also schedule routine inspections with your local plumber. The plumber will also implement various maintenance measures on your water heater. You should abide by all the recommendations offered by the water heater inspector after the inception.

Hire Competent Water Heater Plumbers

You should never use unqualified plumbers for any home plumbing task. There are professional plumbers who specialize in water heater services. These plumbers usually advertise many services, including DC sewer inspection services, drain cleaning services, leak detection and repair services, installation of sump pumps and other plumbing appliances and fixtures, and many more. Make sure that water heater services are listed in these services catalog and that the plumber is qualified and licensed to practice in Washington DC.

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