Banishing Hard Water Stains
Hard water stains seem impossible to get rid of and make everything look old and dingy. Hard water actually makes soaps and detergents less effective. However, using natural cleaners, hard water stains can be a thing of the past.
1. Water & Vinegar
Mix half water and half vinegar in a spray bottle. Simply spray the mixture on the tub, shower, or sink and wait a few minutes before wiping clean.
2. Baking Soda & Vinegar
Make a paste with baking soda and vinegar. Then spread it over the surface of the stain and let it sit for about 15 minutes. After it has set, scrub it clean and rinse with water.
3. Lemon Juice
If the previous two cleaning solutions didn’t work, try using lemon juice. Just spay fresh lemon juice in the build-up and rinse after 10 minutes. It works great on faucets and fixtures.
Hard water can cause rust and corrosion inside of the pipes, which could force homeowners to replace the pipes throughout the entire home. It also makes the dishwasher less effective at washing dishes, and shortens the life of clothes.
Homeowners that are tired of removing hard water stains should consider letting All Star Plumbing and Restoration install a water softener. This appliance replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium. Calcium and magnesium are the two minerals that cause the most damage to plumbing systems and create stains. Inside the water softener are polystyrene beads. Calcium and magnesium cling to the beads when they pass through because of their positive charge. This process removes the sodium ions that were clinging to the beads because they have a stronger positive charge than sodium. Once this is over the excess brine is flushed and the process is repeated.
If hard water is wreaking havoc, call All Star Plumbing and Restoration. They will install a water softener so homeowners can say goodbye to hard water stains and other hard water issues.
Choosing a New Dishwasher
In recent years dishwashers have become quite advanced with many options to choose from when shopping for a new model. They can now handle delicate crystal, run smaller loads in less time, and more. When choosing a new dishwasher, homeowners have to consider the following:
1. Energy Efficiency
When looking at different models note that they will have the energy cost posted right on the side. Dishwashers that are energy efficient save water and energy, which could help to lower energy bills over time. This could be very important to families who use a lot of dishes and need to run the dishwasher often.
2. Size
Some models feature a third rack or adjustable racks for those who entertain guests often. They are made to handle a lot of dishes at once, or larger pots and pans that won’t fit into a normal-sized dishwasher.
3. Soil Sensor
This feature checks the water after each phase of rinsing or washing. If it senses that the dishes are clean after three parts of the wash cycle, it will go straight to the dry cycle. This cuts down on unnecessary water and energy being used.
4. Color
Many homeowners find it important to match the color or finish of the dishwasher with the rest of the kitchen appliances. Often, dishwashers come in multiple colors or finishes to match the other appliances.
5. Cost
Although fancy features cost more, they will most likely be worth it in the end. Energy efficiency will help homeowners save money on their monthly bills over the life of the dishwasher, will likely be 9 to 12 years.
Once homeowners find the right dishwasher model, they’ll need it to be hooked up. That’s where the experts at All Star Plumbing and Restoration come in. They can hook it up, and make sure the hook-ups are secure so there won’t be any water leaking and water damage. Not sure if the dishwasher needs fixed or replaced? They can help with that too!
New Commercial Plumbing
When it comes to commercial plumbing systems, even small issues can cause the building owner a lot of problems. If they have been devoting much of their resources toward maintaining and repairing existing features, they need to decide it it’s worth it, or if they need to replace the plumbing completely.
Commercial plumbing systems often go unnoticed until a large issues becomes apparent such as water damage. Generally, they are decades old, and the owner could benefit from replacing the system. With plumbing systems becoming more energy efficient and water conservatory, it could end up saving them money in the long run.
Waiting until a huge problem comes up to replace old plumbing systems isn’t the best approach. However, sometimes they can’t wrap their head around the cost of a new plumbing system until it’s completely necessary.
If building owners are having to call All Star Plumbing and Restoration experts out often to repair fixtures or pipes, it might be time to think about replacing the plumbing system. All Star Plumbing and Restoration can inspect the current plumbing system and determine if it needs to be replaced. They can also set up and install the new system to make sure everything goes smoothly.
All Star Plumbing and Restoration is equipped to handle a variety of plumbing and restoration issues for every type of commercial building in the Treasure Valley area. Give them a call for any plumbing issues or restoration tasks.
Crawl Space Flooding
Crawl spaces don’t get much thought or attention until it’s time to pull something out of storage. However, during spring in the Pacific Northwest, crawl spaces are subject to flooding from excess rain and should be checked often for excess moisture or water buildup.
If homeowners notice a flood in their crawl space or basement, they should take these steps:
1. Shut off electricity
If the water is rising to a level where it could reach an outlet it is a good idea to turn off the electricity in the home. If not electricity could pass through the water causing shocks and damage to the whole system.
2. Check the pump
Homes with a sump pump should check to make sure it is working properly. Homeowners might also need to set up more sump pumps if possible to get the water out faster.
3. Empty the space
Get important things out of the crawl space or basement so they don’t become water damaged. The more homeowners get out of there, the less mess they will have to deal with later.
4. Take pictures
For insurance purposes, it’s a good idea to take pictures of the flood and the damage it has caused. They’ll get a better understanding of the whole picture, not just the “after” scene.
5. Call All Star Plumbing and Restoration
As part of their restoration services, the experts at All Star can fix any water damage that might have occurred, and get everything back to normal as quickly as possible.
Check crawl spaces for water damage often, not just during the risk of flooding. Finding any moisture early on can prevent excessive water damage and the growth of mold or mildew. If water is present, call All Star Plumbing and Restoration.
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