There are many methods to cleaning clogged drains. The most popular methods are a plunger and a harsh chemical gel or liquid cleaner. If you want to go green and keep the more toxic chemicals out of your home and pipes, then there are a few things to understand.

Green drain cleaners or “enzymatic” drain cleaners feed on the organic waste in the drain through enzymes. They then digest and reproduce creating “good” bacteria that continues to spread all without the use of harsh or dangerous chemical. Undoubtedly, this is better for your pipes and the rest of your home, yard and family.

If you don’t want to purchase a green drain cleaner, there are plenty of home remedy mixtures for unclogging your drain. Try pouring boiling hot water down the drain. Heat can be a great tool to loosen clumped or crusted waste. Mixtures of baking soda, vinegar, and salt flushed with hot water after sitting for 30 minutes to an hour can also help unclog most drains without the use of harsh or toxic chemicals.

The best way to keep your drain clean is through preventative plumbing maintenance. Clean your sink strainers and stoppers. Don’t pour just anything down your sink or shower drain. Avoid pouring grease and large chunks of food down your drain or disposal. Buy screen covers for your shower drain to avoid hair buildup.

When in doubt, always call the professionals at your local Fort Worth TX plumbing service. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is here for all your residential plumbing repair and maintenance. Give us a call or schedule drain cleaning service online now.

When it comes to water, there can be many issues associated with the lack of proper water filtration. While there can be many issues, many of them can go undetected as we turn our faucet on, save for a smell or a slight discoloration in the water itself. Thankfully, your local Fort Worth TX water filtration experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are here to assist you in diagnosing your water filtration problem.

Cloudy water is a common problem that almost every homeowner will experience with their water supply. There are a number of environmental factors that can cause cloudy water, usually caused by the temperature in your pipes being low than your current room temperature. This causes undissolved air to manifest in your water in bubble form, causing your water to appear cloudy or milky white. It is recommended that you simply let the water sit for a minute or two, and the discoloration should clear naturally.

Other common water filtration issues include a chlorine taste in your water, which can increase drying effects in your skin, while also not being the most appeasing to the taste buds. A “rotten egg” smell coming from your water indicates the presence of hydrogen sulfide, and could be indicative of a sewer leak. The presence of other elements in your water, such as magnesium or iron, can give your tap water a metallic taste, rendering it unusable.

As always, if you have any of these problems occur in your home, it is advisable you contact our trained team of plumbing technicians today. Our water filtration experts can assess your problem today, devise a plan of action, and execute it in a timely and cost-efficient manner. With any water filtration or general plumbing questions, comments, or concerns, give us a call or contact us online today.

When it comes to the water pipes in your home, much attention is paid to preventing them from freezing, as the cold temperatures in North Texas during winter can cause pipe breaks, causing you thousands of dollars in damage. However, did you know that the rising temperatures of the summer can also pose a hazard to your home? These warmer temperatures, especially in a hot climate such as Fort Worth, can cause cold water pipes to drip water, as the water in the pipe is a much cooler temperature than its surrounding climate.  However, as with their colder counterparts, pipes in summer can easily avoid this collection of condensation. Follow these helpful tips from your local Fort Worth plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to save you time and money when it comes to maintaining your home.

The key to preventing “sweating” cold water pipes in summer is simple insulation. Pick what pipes are most at risk in your home (the ones most prone to freezing are also the ones most prone to dripping). Any exposed pipe is at risk, be it in a garage, basement, attic or crawl space, or even kitchen cabinets. Exposed and under-insulated areas are the two greatest threats to the quality of your pipes.

The key here is to simply provide the pipes with the insulation they need. Before beginning, wipe the pipe with a dry cloth or towel to take care of any excess moisture that may have accumulated. Then, simply slip pre-slit foam pipe insulation around the pipe itself and seal the insulation tightly. As always, one should take extra precautions around the piping area where the main water supply enters the home, as this is a key area in the fight against water damage.

Also, a dehumidifier is a powerful tool to lower the humidity in the air, thus removing much of the moisture as well.

If the problem persists and you suspect a leak or damaged pipes, our experienced professionals are at your service. Give our Fort Worth TX plumbing company a call today, or visit us online for details. We provide 24/7 emergency service, and our plumbing guarantee ensures perfect punctuality.

Your kitchen is one of the first things someone sees when they enter your home. It is also sometimes a sanctuary for those who love cooking. Sometimes, with outdated appliances, it can be a hindrance on all those living in the home.

Because of this, it is never too late to consider a kitchen remodel with Ben Franklin Plumbing Fort Worth, Texas. Remodeling your kitchen is something that our Fort Worth TX plumbers take seriously. Let our plumbers upgrade your kitchen and turn it into one fit for a master chef or simply a cozy house.

Our Fort Worth kitchen remodeling specialists will guide you using extensive product knowledge and custom design ideas to create the ideal environment. We also make your whole remodeling project a one stop shop saving you precious time and money. Maybe you want to redo your countertops with granite to give it that perfect finish, or maybe you need a new faucet or dishwasher to accommodate your dishwashing needs. We can also give your cabinets a fresh, new look that will make your neighbors jealous. Our Ben Franklin plumbing services make all your Fort Worth kitchen remodeling dreams come true. Let our experts give you the proper direction every step of the way.

For all your kitchen remodeling and fixture needs contact Ben Franklin Plumbing in Fort Worth

Fort Worth: 817-210-3059

Denton:    940-536-3931

It’s summer, and this is the most common time for home buyers to search the Crowley real estate market. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of problems that may exist in a home that are not found by inspectors, especially plumbing leaks and poor plumbing systems. Before buying a home filled with plumbing repair needs, be sure to check out the various plumbing fixtures so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

In the bathroom, be sure to inspect the floor; look around the base of the toilet for water damage, and test to make sure there are no soft spots in the floor. These are signs of water leaks, typically existing. If you find black and white stains or rolled vinyl flooring, these are also clues that water leaks may have previously plagued the area or are currently a problem. Also be sure to press tiles on the wall to check for leaks and loose tiling. Before you move on, flush the toilet and make sure it works properly, not draining too slowly or causing water to leak.

To check for adequate piping and water pressure, turn on a bathtub faucet and the kitchen sink faucet. If the pressure is significantly reduced with both running, the piping may have a large amount of calcium and mineral deposits and need to be replaced. While you are in the kitchen, make sure the connections to the dishwasher and garbage disposal are tight and show no signs of leaks. Also, check within the cabinetry to assure there is no water damage, including stains, rotted corkboard, or sagging bottoms. Be sure to check the washing machine hose as well, since these can rupture and lead to extensive water damage.

The first four digits of the serial number on a water heater are the month and year of manufacture. If the water heater in the home is more than 15 years old, you’ll want to contact your local Crowley plumbing company to replace it. You may also want to check for rust on the tank, as this is a sign of impending issues with the hot water heater. If you are unsure of problems you may find, you can get assistance with inspections from our Crowley water heater technicians, available to help you assess the value of the plumbing system in your prospective home purchase.

While some call it a “plumber’s snake,” others call it an “auger.” No matter the name, how it is used and its effectiveness is what matters most.

A drain auger is an important tool that combats drain clogs. Drain cleaning can be simple with the assistance of a drain auger, and our Fort Worth TX plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are here to assist you with all your pesky drain clogs.

An auger is a reel of coiled metal with a hand crank attached. It may sound complex, but it actually is quite a simple tool to use. Torsional force generated as the auger handle cranks is significant enough to tear into many drain clogs. There are some more advanced augers that use a motorized drill to generate torsion.

After liquid chemical drain cleaning products and your plunger have failed, it may be time to call on an auger. Feed the auger cable down the drain until you meet resistance. The mission is either to drill through the drain clog by way of cranking, or to snag and retrieve the drain obstruction.

In working with an auger, you will find that it is a very effective clog remover. Feel free to call our Fort Worth drain cleaning specialists for assistance. Call our Fort Worth TX plumbing company today, or visit us online for more information.

With the spring season in full swing, now may be the best time – or as good a time as any – to spice up your bathroom. A bathroom makeover just might be the ultimate answer.

If you’re considering a bathroom remodeling project, our Fort Worth TX plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing specialize in bathroom remodeling, and we will make sure that your bathroom is everything you need for the price you want.

Style, with most customers, is the first concern of any bathroom remodeling project. Whether you’re looking to modernize your bathroom or give it more of a rustic look, we will assist you. In addition to style, we also take storage space into consideration. We want you to be able to maximize your wall space, and we will provide the cutting edge in storage solutions.

In remodeling your bathroom, our plumbers also will help you design a budget. We offer many affordable options for all remodeling projects, whether it involves installing a new Jacuzzi or giving your sink and faucet a face lift. Every dollar spent will increase the aesthetics and overall value of your home.

If you are in the market for sprucing up your bathroom, let our Fort Worth plumbing company help. Call us today, or visit us online for information.

We’ve all heard of hard water. While it is not necessarily harmful to your health, it can be harmful to your plumbing system.

Hard water, simply put, is water with a high mineral content. Often times, those minerals are calcium and magnesium. Hard water can affect how water tastes or affect how a face cloth lathers during a shower or bath. Hard water also may be the reason why dishes have so many spots and stains after being washed.

Hard water may cause havoc in your pipes, as the mineral content may be a contributor to breakdown. Anything that distributes water – pipes, water heaters, boilers, etc. – may be affected. One of the best ways to get rid of hard water is to use a water softener, which combats the calcium and magnesium intake in water with sodium and potassium ions.

Water softeners can last for many years with very low maintenance. They also can come as energy-efficient appliances. Let our Fort Worth plumbers provide additional information about water softeners, hard water or any other related topic.

Give our Fort Worth TX plumbing company a call today, or visit us online for details.

Your garbage disposal should be treated the same way you treat your microwave, refrigerator, stove, countertop or anything else in the kitchen. It should be cleaned periodically to where it will avoid major maintenance in the future.

A clogged garbage disposal can lead to multiple problems, but before you make the call to one of our Fort Worth TX plumbers, we want to offer several tips for minor clog issues. A solution to your problem may be something as simple as using a common household item.

• Don’t overdo it: Most people either forget or simply don’t know that a disposal is used for disposing small amount of food. It is not made to dispose large bones or large amounts of anything. Overusing your disposal can lead to instant clogging issues.
• Ice and fruit: Don’t be afraid to throw a couple of ice cubes down the disposal. The cubes will grind and clean the blades. Citric fruit peels, such as oranges, lemons and limes, will provide a nice smell after the ice cubes do their job.
• When it doubt, use water: Cold water assists in quality maintenance. Go figure! Running cold water before, during and after disposal use will help to flush particles that can build in the system and give the disposal problems.

If any of these garbage disposal maintenance tips fail, it may be time for you to call a plumbing professional. Our Fort Worth plumbers specialize in all residential and commercial services, no matter how major or minor the task is. Call our Fort Worth TX plumbing company today, or visit us online for details.

Take a glance at your bathroom sink. It’s something that is often overlooked in every bathroom.

If you are interested in a bathroom makeover, your sink might be an excellent starting point. There are multiple styles of sinks available for purchase, but here are three in particular that could bring a new level of elegance to your bathroom immediately upon installation.

• Pedestal sink: Sinks that stand on a base, giving your sink a stand-alone look. These sinks also do not take up a lot of space and are relatively easy to clean.
• Vessel sink: Sinks that rest on top of a counter, which explains they’re also known as “above-counter sinks.” These sinks are pricy but well worth the fee.
• Wall hung sink: Sinks that are mounted directly on a bathroom wall. These can be installed on any flat surface and at any height.

More common sink options are self-rimming sinks and under mount sinks. Self-rimming sinks are those mounted above a counter with a visible rim. Chances are, your home has at least one of these sinks in a bathroom. An under mount sink is one that is installed from underneath a counter top. It can come with a counter-mounted faucet or a wall-mounted faucet.

Let our Fort Worth TX plumbing experts assist you with choosing the right sink for your bathroom. Call our Fort Worth plumbers today, or visit us online for more details on sink replacement.