Tag Archive for: plumbing tips

Four Red Flags for Plumbing Problems When Buying a Home

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Prospective home buyers have a lot of factors to consider before making the final decision to purchase a house. Ideally, the building offers move-in condition, allowing the new owner to take up residence a soon as possible. One important step to take before purchasing a home is to check the plumbing system to make sure that everything is in order. Four situations provide red flags that something is amiss and a professional inspection is needed.

Faulty Water Flow
If you turn on one of the faucets and the water flow is minimal, it is an indication that the plumbing system needs maintenance or repair. If the problem exists in more than one area of the home, it might be a serious issue that you should avoid by looking at different properties and giving up on the one that you are looking at currently.

Faulty Black Water Lines
One of the best ways to evaluate the plumbing system’s ability to remove black/grey water is to flush the toilet. Observe how easily the water goes down and take note of any seepage around the base of the toilet. You should also fill up one of the sinks and watch it drain. Be sure to walk around the perimeter of the basement as well as the outside of the home in search of wet spots.

No Hot Water
If you turn on the faucet that is supposed to deliver hot water and you don’t get any, it’s time to check all of the sinks, showers, and bathtubs in the house. If you can’t get any hot water at any of these locations, it is possible that the hot water heater is broken. You should request that repairs or replacement be handled and are made a contingency of any offer that you provide.

Leaks
Minor leaks can usually be repaired with the simple replacement of a washer. However, multiple leaks are indicative of a more serious issue, particularly if they create puddles or wet spots on the walls, floors, or ceilings.

If you are buying a home, it is important to check out the plumbing system to see if it is in good working order. Whether you try out the faucets and flush the toilet on your own or you bring in a professional plumber for a thorough inspection, an evaluation of the plumbing equipment should be a part of your decision-making process. If you aren’t in love with the property, continuing your search might be the wiser choice to make.

 

Innovative Plumbing Products from Poole’s Plumbing

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Specializing in bringing you the latest and most innovative designs to help you find the look you desire and to help you cut costs,  Poole’s Plumbing, the most trusted name in Wake County NC plumbers, can offer you the finest new Innovative Plumbing Products from Moen for your kitchen, bathroom, and any spot in your home at a great price.

Innovative Plumbing Products

The Moen brand is one of the most well-known and trusted manufacturers in the industry, and using the latest in plumbing technology, their Innovative Plumbing Products in the kitchen, such as the “Motion Sense” and “Reflex” faucets can bring you added convenience with a great look. With the “Motion Sense” model, turning on the faucet is made easy, as it detects the movement of your hand, while the “Reflex” unit increases your range of motion while also offering a great self retracting feature as well.

Adding to making life around the house a bit easier, are Moen’s latest finishes on their Innovative Plumbing Products, such as the “Spot Resistant Stainless Finish” on its faucets. This finish resists both water spots and fingerprints, and the “Microban” models feature antimicrobial protection, with both of these faucet types giving you less of a need to clean and this more time to do the things that are important to you.

Shower innovation is another Moen specialty, as the popular “ioDIGITAL” unit, will find you using a remote to turn your shower and bath into a personal spa. The “Halo” shower head design offers the ultimate in both comfort and coverage, while the “Immersion” head is untouched when it comes to a full body shower experience.

These latest products and others that can be seen at Moen.com are just a few of the new and Innovative Plumbing Products that Wake County NC plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing specialize in installing that can make your life a bit easier and more relaxing in any room across your home.

Protect Your Pipes from Freezing Conditions

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Even if you live in an area in which freezing temperatures are rare, freezing pipes can be a big concern when cold weather arrives.

Freezing weather can cause ice to form in a pipe, which leads to an increase in water pressure downstream from the ice blockage. This surge in water pressure leads to pipe failure, which often results in the pipe bursting at a different location from the ice blockage. For this reason, homeowners should be sure that the entire length of their pipe is sufficiently protected.

Experts have determined that homes in southern states and warmer climates are particularly susceptible to pipe failure when temperatures reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit, although pipes can freeze and burst at warmer temperatures as well.

As a homeowner, there are a number of precautions you can take to protect your pipes from freezing conditions.

If a pipe feels warm to your touch, it is a candidate to be insulated to protect it from freezing. Use pre-fit foam rubber cut to size to insulate your pipes, using duct tape to fasten it. Be sure that the pipes are clean and dry before covering them with the insulation. Call a plumber to perform this task if you would rather not do it yourself.

Another tip is to allow the taps of your outside faucets to drip during abnormally cold weather. It is fine if the water freezes, because this action will still relieve water pressure in the pipes and prevent them from bursting.

You should also leave the cabinet doors open under the sinks in your bathrooms and kitchen. This permits warmer air to circulate around the pipes, which helps provide protection for them.

It is important to use caulk to seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s foundation or the outside walls of your house. This will prevent cold air from reaching your pipes.

If you are going to be away from your home, you can drain your pipes to prevent them from bursting. Close the main valve, turn on the taps and let them run until the pipes are empty of water.