Plumbing Trends & News

When maintained, a toilet can last for decades without needing to be replaced. But if you own a home with old toilets or want to renovate your bathroom, buying new toilets makes sense. And with many energy-efficient and eco-friendly models to choose from, upgrading the toilets in your home can help reduce monthly expenses. Depending on what you want to spend on a toilet, some models have various features such as heated seats, scent release and push-button controls instead of traditional handles. Other models have basic features. When Do You Need a New Toilet? Very few people wake up in the morning thinking that they need a different toilet. Most people replace their toilets during a bathroom remodel or when trying to sell their homes. Unless you have a broken toilet that's beyond repair, buying a new toilet is entirely up to you. If your toilet is old, stained, chipped, cracked or is just very ugly and outdated, you should consider installing a new one. In some cases, upgrading the toilet can give the entire bathroom a fresh, clean look. With various colors and styles to choose from, there's a toilet for every decor. Contact Scenic City Plumbers With some instruction, you can replace a toilet yourself. But if you don't want to go through the hassle of learning how to remove and install a new unit, give Scenic City Plumbers a call today! As experts in toilet installation, we're here to make our customers' lives easier. Installing a toilet can be tricky, not to mention; a little heavy to lift. As local plumbers in Chattanooga, we can replace any toilet quickly and easily.

During the wintertime, one or more of the pipes in your home or business can freeze up, preventing water from draining normally. If left unattended, frozen pipes can burst and cause flooding throughout the property. Thawing pipes quickly can save you lots of money in expensive water damage repairs. First, you need to determine which pipes have frozen. Turn on the faucets to make sure the water runs. If the water trickles out, chances are, you've found the frozen pipe. Check the exposed pipes underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks to find frozen plumbing pipes. Typically, frost build-up around pipes or bulging pipes signal frozen water inside. Use a hairdryer, hot towel or a portable heater to thaw out pipes. Work from the front to the back of the frozen pipe to allow water to drain without clogging. Do not use a blow torch or other open flame device because you could damage the pipes or start a fire. Unfortunately, frozen pipes located in walls, floors and ceilings require special equipment and skills to reach. How to Fix Frozen Pipes Contact Scenic City Plumbing if pipes burst or if the pipes start leaking. Turn off the main water valve to prevent further water damage. As professional plumbers in Chattanooga with years of experience, we're here to help fix, repair and replace busted pipes in your home or business. How to Stop Pipes from Freezing : Prevent pipes from freezing by keeping the heat turned on or allowing faucets to drip throughout the day. You can also shut off valves to exterior hose locations to restrict water flow to those pipes. In addition, seal up any cracks or holes to prevent cold air from lowering the temperature inside your home. Insulate your pipes. You may use insulating materials such as tape and foam. Keep bedroom and all interior doors open as well as under kitchen and lavatory cabinet doors open. Heat your exposed sections of pipe with a small heat source. Disconnect all garden hoses connected to the faucet to allow any water in the pipe to drain out. If you're at home regularly, you shouldn't have to take many extra precautions, but if you plan to go away on vacation or a work trip, use these simple tips to help prevent the pipes from freezing.

Many homeowners have no idea of their water heater temperature – or how to set it. Having a better understanding of the appropriate temperature for your hot water needs can help lower monthly energy costs, prevent scalding water from causing injury and prevent bacteria from growing in the stagnant water sitting in the water tank. According to the EPA, most homeowners should set their water heaters to 120 degrees. You can determine the current temperature by looking for the temperature gauge on the heater or by running the kitchen faucet for at least 5 minutes (until the water gets hot) and taking the water temperature using a thermometer. However, if you live in a home with multiple occupants, increasing the water temperature to 140 degrees allows you and your family to have plenty of hot water for showering, dishwashing, clothes washing, etc. Families with small children and elderly members; or those who live alone may want to set the water temperature to 120 degrees to prevent injury or to lower energy costs. Water temperatures above 140 degrees can cause young children to receive third-degree burns within seconds, so parents should beware of setting the temperature of water heaters too high. To reduce monthly energy costs, you can lower the temperature by 10 percent and save between 3 and 5 percent on monthly bills. Keep in mind that temperatures below 120 degrees can lead to bacteria growth in the water heater tank. Contact Scenic City Plumbing Today For more information about how to set the temperature of your water, contact Scenic City Plumbing Today! We provide professional plumbing services that include water heater installations and water heater repairs. We'll be able to set your water heater at a temperature that's comfortable for you and your entire family!

A leaky toilet poses many problems for homeowners and business owners. Mold growth, floor and subfloor damage and larger water bills, just to name a few. Tell-tale signs of toilet leaks include water around the toilet base every time you flush or water stains on the floor. If your upstairs toilet leaks, water stains may appear on the ceiling below. Common causes for water pooling around your toilet include a damaged wax ring, loose tee bolts, improperly installed toilet or advanced plumbing issues. If your toilet is leaking, grab an adjustable wrench, pull off the plastic caps found on the toilet base and tighten the tee bolts. Broken, rotten or damaged tee bolts can lead to water leaks. Visit your local home improvement store for replacement bolts. If your toilet still leaks after replacing the tee bolts, you may need to replace the wax ring found underneath the unit. Most home improvement stores carry wax rings for toilets. If you don't feel comfortable performing this task, you should contact a plumber in Chattanooga like Scenic City Plumbing! We're always here to fix minor and major plumbing issues. When to Contact a Scenic City Plumbing: Even though you can probably fix most minor leaks, we recommend that you contact a professional if your toilet continues to leak. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse. We can help! From fixing an existing toilet to installing a brand-new unit, we have the expertise to repair and replace toilets, faucets, shower fixtures and much more. Why worry about minor plumbing issues when you can contact the best plumber in Chattanooga today?

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