4 Tips For Cleaning This Spring

It’s finally March and spring is just around the corner here in West Michigan. We know how important spring cleaning is but did you know there are some things you can look for while spring cleaning that could help you avoid bigger plumbing problems?

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It’s March and spring is just around the corner here in West Michigan. We know how important spring cleaning is but did you know there are some things you can look for while spring cleaning that could help you avoid bigger plumbing problems?

Here is a quick list of simple things you can do to get your home, and plumbing, ready for spring!

  1. Check your sump pump! Make sure it’s in proper working order so when the time comes for April showers, you’re all set and ready to go in case something happens! Sump pumps should be checked regularly to ensure they will work when you need them most!  A sump pump is just the first line of defense against a flooded basement.  Alarms and backup pumps are very important if you're in a wet location.  Call us for options. 

  2. .Clear out your gutters! Making sure your roof and gutters are clear of leaves, twigs, weeds, moss, etc. will offer a smooth flow for the water when it’s coming off of your roof. If they’re all clogged up this can lead to leaks and problems that could easily be avoided! Getting the water away from the house as far as possible is just as important as getting it off the roof properly.

  3. Inspect your pipes: Winter can easily do some damage to your exterior pipes. You may or may not see evidence of it on the inside of your home so it’s important to take a look at them and search for any cracks. Water freezes and then expands within the pipes causing the cracks and eventually, leaking pipes.  Sprinkler vacuum breakers are a common issue if they were not blown out properly.

  4. Check for water loss: Checking your toilets for potential water loss is a regular thing.  Using the food coloring technique will often determine if your toilet needs repair. 

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to give us a call at 616-218-2529!

Happy Spring cleaning!!

The plumber Is Here Team

Have a SPOOKtacular Day!

First off, let us remind you that if you’re in need of a last-minute costume for Halloween, we are always willing to let you borrow our pristine, one-of-a-kind and authentic “The Plumber Is Here” uniforms and a plunger! It’s complete with unknown stains of all kinds, some hardened silicone and maybe a little bit of toilet water if you’re lucky!

Anyway, we hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween! Whether you’re out trick-or-treating with your friends and kids or staying in to pass out candy OR staying in to turn off all your lights and not pass out candy, our team wishes you all the best and opportunities for some funny yet friendly scares and lots of treats!

Let us know your favorite way to spend Halloween in the comments!



Winter is coming to West Michigan, tonight!

 

7 Plumbing Hacks to Save Time and Money This Winter

 

 

            As winter approaches, the last thing you want is frozen pipes. The following steps will instruct you on how to avoid costly repairs this season.

 

  1.   If you have underground sprinklers make sure your system is blown out. Every year countless people forget to blow out their underground sprinkler systems and end up with a frozen vacuum breaker.

 Tip: You can hire someone to do this or check out this DIY video!

 

  1. Remove your hoses from the faucets of your house. Leaving a hose connected allows water to stay in it, therefore, it’s more likely to freeze and break. 

Tip: You might want to turn the hose bib off inside your home if you have a designated shut-off option and open it so it can drain.

 

  1.  Blow out or drain any other items such as outdoor showers, pond pumps, pools, or additional plumbing lines outside your home.

 

  1.  Most pipes that freeze inside a home are caused by poor installation or insulation. Pipes  installed in a wall cavity with a cabinet in front of them are a common cause. The cabinet will prevent heat from flowing to the pipes thus, allowing them to freeze. At The Plumber is Here, we avoid installing pipes in outside walls where freezing temperatures occur.

 

  1.   At The Plumber is Here, we believe one of the best ways to avoid frozen pipes is to allow heat to reach them. Our team suggest not insulating pipes with pipe wrap because ––though it protects from the cold–– it also prevents the heat from reaching the pipes. Which is crucial to keeping the pipes from freezing.

Tip: Only insulate on the cold side. If you’re using blown insulation, try to cover the pipes with plastic, cardboard, or material that will prevent the blown insulation from getting under, or on, the warm side of the pipes.

 

  1. Another cause of freezing pipes is turning down the heat at night. While you may be a conservative person and prefer to lower the thermostat at night or when leaving for vacation, if you don’t know where your pipes run, you might want to avoid it.

 

  1.  When going on vacation, or if you have a vacation home/cottage The Plumber is Here always suggest turning off the main water line in the house. We have seen many furnace failures and thousands of dollars in damage caused by a frozen pipe. Contacting us for a walkthrough on how to do this could save you time and money.

Tip: Making sure you have a well- functioning ball valve on the system is a must.

 

 

Following these simple steps could save you thousands of dollars and hours of your time this winter season! For more information, contact us at theplumberishere.com.

 

 

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