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Sump Pump Services from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Fort Worth

February 28th, 2012 No comments

As one of the most integral parts of your plumbing system, it is extremely important to keep your sump pump in pristine condition. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as sump pumps can easily become clogged or operate ineffectively. Luckily, the Fort Worth TX plumbers with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can provide your sump pump with critical maintenance and repair services, ensuring you are never facing a plumbing problem on your own.

In your plumbing system, your sump pump will work to send water away from your property, making sure water never collects under your home. The water will be transferred to a storm drain or well typically, saving your foundation from a sudden collection of water at its base. In some cases, the sump pump for your home or business may become backed up, posing a tricky plumbing problem for any home or business owner. One of our professional plumbers can provide your sump pump with the repair and service it needs, and will do so in a timely and efficient manner. We will assess your current sump pump, and suggest repairs and a possible replacement if we deem necessary, making sure your sump pump is operating on all levels.

For all your plumbing related issues, our professional plumbers can assist you. We can utilize our years of experience to ensure your plumbing system is safe and effective. For additional information regarding sump pump maintenance, give us a call at 817-210-3059 or contact us online today.

Using an Auger for Drain Cleaning

April 18th, 2011 Comments off

Drain AugerWhile 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.

Spring Makeover: Bathroom Remodeling

April 7th, 2011 Comments off

Bathroom RemodelingWith 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.

Fighting Hard Water with Softeners

March 23rd, 2011 Comments off

Use a Water Softener for Hard WaterWe’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.

Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

March 10th, 2011 Comments off

Garbage DisposalYour 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.

Makeovers Start with a New Sink

February 23rd, 2011 Comments off

Pedestal SinkTake 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.

What Can Grey Water Do For You?

February 11th, 2011 Comments off

Grey WaterWhen grey water is mentioned, it often times receives a negative connotation. Grey water, by definition, is wastewater that is generated from activities done around the house, including bathing, dishwashing and laundry.

What a lot of people don’t know is that grey water – even containing hair, grease or food – can be recycled for landscape irrigation and other environmentally sound purposes. Recycled grey water not only reduces the amount of wastewater that enters sewer systems but also reduces the amount of freshwater that is needed for the good of a home.

Grey water gets its name from having a cloudy look. Fresh water is known as white water, while sewage water is known as black water. Grey water basically is capable of composing as much as 80 percent of all residential wastewater generated from the sanitation unit of a home, sans the toilets. Grey water can be used for lawn care or for watering maturing plants and produce.

Grey water may not be drinkable, but it’s definitely usable. Let our Fort Worth TX plumbers answer all of your questions about the benefits of grey water. Feel free to give our Fort Worth plumbing company a call today, or visit us online for information.

Protect Pipes From Winter Weather

February 1st, 2011 Comments off
February historically brings some of the coldest winter weather in North Texas, and this year is no exception. Fort Worth TX residents remember to bundle up the kids, and protect themselves from freezing temperatures, but what about taking care of plumbing, pipes and water lines?

Freezing winter weather plumbingFreezing is a particular problem in warmer climates such as North Texas, where pipes are located in uninsulated or underinsulated attics or crawl spaces, garages or kitchen cabinets. Other plumbing trouble spots include outdoor hose bibs, sprinkler systems and swimming pools supply lines. As freezing water expands, pipes break, costing Fort Worth residents and business owners thousands of dollars a year. This plumbing nightmare can be prevented, however, with a few simple precautions.

It may be too late to take measures such as draining pools and sprinkler system supply lines or wrapping plumbing with insulated sleeves, tape or newspaper. You can take action during cold weather, however, by doing something as simple as keeping garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

In addition, open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm inside air to flow around the pipes. (Be sure to move harmful cleaners or chemicals out of reach of children.)
Running cold water through the pipe – just a slow drip – prevents frozen pipes because the temperature of the running water remains above freezing.
During freezing weather, consider keeping your thermostat set to the same temperature day and night. Heating bills may temporarily rise, but you save the cost of extensive plumbing repairs. If a home or office will be unoccupied for an extended period during cold weather, set the heat no lower than 55 degrees.
Even after taking these cold-weather plumbing precautions, if you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. A frozen pipe is in danger of bursting, so it needs to be located and thawed. The first step: turn off the main water supply to prevent water from gushing out once the pipe is thawed. Then open all the taps in the house to see where water still drips, and where it does not.
No water running anywhere in the house means a pipe near the water meter may be frozen. If water runs in only one part of the house, a pipe along an outside wall or uninsulated crawl space is probably frozen. When the frozen pipe is found, open the affected faucet all the way, and turn on hot water faucets throughout the house. Water will flow once the pipe thaws. Then turn all faucets back to a trickle. Do not turn off the faucet nearest the freeze until water flows freely, indicating a complete thaw.
To thaw out a pipe, warm it gently with a hair dryer, heat lamp, household iron, electric heating cable, heating pad, or hot wet towels. Heating pipes too quickly can cause them to explode. When thawing, always warm pipes starting nearest the open faucet and move toward the frozen area. This prevents a buildup of trapped steam, which might rupture plumbing.
Plumbing pros warn against using kerosene or propane heaters, charcoal stoves, propane torches or pouring boiling water directly on the pipe. Open flames can be a serious fire danger, and you may risk exposure to lethal carbon monoxide. Never use ungrounded electrical appliances outdoors or near grounded water pipes.
Continue thawing efforts until all water pressure returns. If you can’t find the frozen area, the pipe is inaccessible or you suspect a broken pipe, call our experienced Fort Worth plumbing professionals. Remember, if one pipe freezes, more pipes may freeze or burst, so let our Fort Worth TX plumbers keep everything running smoothly by giving us a call at 817-349-7130.

Tips for the Tub Stains

January 27th, 2011 Comments off

Bathtub stains, whether it is soap scum or calcium, lime and rust buildup, can be a pain. They look horrible, and they can make a bathroom lose its luster. They also can take forever to clean without the proper materials. The worst thing about tub stains is that everyone has them.

Our Fort Worth TX plumbers understand your plight, and we want to offer some cleaning solutions. Before you read this, know your tub – what it’s made of and what may happen if the wrong cleaning solution is used.

Here are a few cleaning tips that may work for you:

  • Rust? Go orange: For rust stains, an orange oil-based cleaner may be just what you need. Use the cleaner with a soft scrubbing pad. Make sure your tub is dry when cleaning.
  • Porcelain remedies: For those without abrasive powders, plumbing experts suggest using a paste of borax with water to clean all porcelain tubs. The borax can be spread using a sponge or pumice stone in an effort to remove soap scum. Rinse the  buildup with water.
  • Give a wipe-down: After every shower or bath, wipe your tub and the walls with a wet sponge. This helps in removing excess water, which could aid in the growth of mold and mildew. If you don’t want to buy the after-shower cleaners, it has been suggested by experts to mix hydrogen peroxide with water to make a homemade shower spray.

Let these tips assist you in giving your bathtub that immaculate look once again. Feel free to call our Fort Worth TX plumbing company for information, or contact us online today.