Kitchen Remodels
Kitchen remodels require a significant amount of planning, especially if the new layout is different than the original. Many utilities such as gas, electricity, and plumbing may need to be moved to achieve the desired kitchen design. All Star Plumbing and Restoration can help homeowners plan out these utility changes:
Natural Gas
Many people prefer to use natural gas for cooking. All Star Plumbing and Restoration can install gas lines throughout the home, or rearrange them during the remodel. Attempting to install or move gas lines oneself can be a dangerous project. All Star can also repair them in the future if they fail for some reason.
Plumbing
If homeowners are moving or installing a sink or dishwasher, the water and waste pipes will need to be adjusted. Even a new style of sink may require some plumbing work. Let All Star Plumbing and Restoration help with this task to avoid any problems in the future.
Kitchen renovations can also make it difficult for homeowners to maintain a water supply for cooking or bathing during the renovation process. For help with this, talk over the options with All Star Plumbing and Restoration.
When done professionally, kitchen renovations can be a great investment in a home. Get the team at All Star Plumbing and Restoration in on the kitchen remodel planning before starting to tear everything out.
5 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
As Novembers arrives, colder weather is sweeping the Treasure Valley. That signals the time for homeowners to start preparing their homes for winter and taking a close look at their plumbing.
Frozen pipes can be an expensive problem, but there are ways to prevent this. Here are five tips to avoid frozen pipes this winter:
1. Drain and Turn Off Water Supply Lines
During the winter, hoses, the pool, and possibly the hot tub won’t see much use. Drain the water from the pool as directed by the manufacturer. If you are not planning to use the hot tub during the winter it should also be drained. Be sure to drain the water supply lines too. Remove all hoses from hose bibs, drain and store them in a shed or garage. Close the inside valves supplying the hose bibs, but keep the outside valve open.
2. Set the Thermostat
Although many people lower their thermostat at night or when they are away at work, it should never be set below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The heating bill might be a little higher but it could prevent dealing with frozen pipes. When leaving the house for an extended period, such as a week of vacation, it is a good idea to turn off the water to the house but still keep the thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Open the Cabinets
In especially cold times, open the cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom. This will allow the warm air to reach the pipes, keeping them warmer.
4. Insulate
In out of the way areas where pipes are located such as the basement, attic, garage, crawl space, etc., add some insulation. It can be newspaper or foam board, just something to give the pipes a little extra protection from the cold.
5. Use Heated Tape
Keep unprotected pipes from freezing by wrapping the pipes with heated tape. Often this is just enough to keep them above freezing temperatures.
People sometimes use space heaters to avoid frozen pipes but these should be used with extreme caution. Space heaters are frequently found to be the source of fires in homes and outbuildings and should only be used as a last resort and with careful attention to safety recommendations.
If the pipes do freeze and burst this winter, All Star Plumbing and Restoration is here to help 24 hours a day 365 days a year. We can examine the damage, thaw frozen pipes and fix any broken or burst pipes.
Cutting Down on Shower Time
Taking long showers can be luxurious, but it also increases the water usage and the water bill. If the water bill has climbed a little too high, try these tips to cut down on shower times:
- Set a Timer
Some people set a timer right before hopping in the shower. When it goes off at 10 minutes, or whatever it is set at, it gives them an idea of how long they usually shower. From there they can work on shortening that time up by setting shorter timers.
- Turn Off the Water
Between shower activities, like hair conditioning, turn the water off. For people who can’t cut their routine down to a shorter time, this helps them to still use less water.
- Make a Playlist
A lot of people listen to music while showering. For those that do, create a playlist that equals the time for which they are aiming. They’ll know when the last song comes on that they should hurry it up and get out of the shower.
- Plug the Drain
Some people are visual learners. So plugging the drain while showering helps them realize how much water they are using. It might be a shock to see how much of the bathtub gets filled during a shower.
- Combine Activities
After putting on conditioner, shave or wash while waiting for it to sink in. This is multitasking that anyone can do.
Consider installing a low flow shower head as another means of cutting back on water usage in the shower. They use less water than their traditional counterparts and nobody is likely to notice the difference. Talk to All Star Plumbing and Restoration about installing a new showerhead today.
Removing Bath Bomb Stains
Bath bombs have become increasingly popular lately. These colorful, fizzy bath accessories are fun, but can take a toll on the bathtub. Baths aren’t too relaxing when they leave a ring around the tub afterward.
Before scrubbing to remove the ring, there are some things to consider, such as what type of tub it is. Some bathtub materials are stronger than others and can take a good scrubbing, while others need to be treated more cautiously. Here’s how to remove stains from different types of bathtubs:
Porcelain Tubs
For getting stains out of porcelain tubs, use pumice. Just get it wet and go to town. If scrubbing doesn’t sound fun, just fill the tub with hot water and throw in a scoop of OxiClean. Let it sit for at least half an hour before draining it. Then simply take a cloth and wipe it down.
Enameled Tubs
This material is more sensitive, so avoid acidic cleaners. Use either an abrasive powder or cream cleansers, but test it on a small spot in tub before applying it to the whole thing. The OxiClean trick also works on enameled tubs.
Acrylic Tubs
These tubs can easily be scratched, and are also susceptible to fading and cracking. For acrylic tubs, stick to cream cleansers or try products such as Magic Erasers for those stubborn stains.
Always be careful when using new products on bathtub surfaces and test a little spot first. Using the wrong cleaner on a bathtub could dull the finish and make it more susceptible to damage.
If cracks or chips develop in the bathtub, call the experts at All Star Plumbing and Restoration. Some cracks and chips could lead to water damage. All Star Plumbing and Restoration can inspect and replace damaged or leaking bathtubs.
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