Tips to Help You Avoid Clogged Pipes

As President’s Day approaches, we can’t help but think about what a day in the life of a President must be like. Their days are filled with decision making, but the nights are filled with entertaining and serving the world’s leaders over dinner.

With so much to do it’s easy to skip over essentials, like proper kitchen etiquette and maintenance tips. Whether you’re a world leader, you’re entertaining one, or you’re just throwing a dinner party at home, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind if you want to avoid plumbing problems down the road.

Reliable Clog Prevention Starts by Paying Attention

While making things like gravies, roasts and other dishes that create fats and oils, it’s tempting to try and wash that grease buildup down the drain. This is a big no-no that you must do your best to avoid.

Grease and oil that appears liquid now, can cause serious plumbing issues once washed down your drain. Those liquids often solidify as they cool, creating a lump that will instantly stop up your drain.

Those lumps are usually enough to create clogs then and there, or they’ll form a partial blockage that will clog over time. Either way, eventually the mistake will require a visit from your local plumber. That’s why clog prevention practices are so important.

Dispose of Food Easily With a Garbage Disposal

Gathering with friends and family members is supposed to be a time of celebration, not a time to worry about what sort of food items are being washed down your drain!

Unfortunately, that’s what many homeowners end up doing during these events. By installing a garbage disposal in your drain, you won’t have to think about that any longer.

Instead, food disposal will be a simple as the flip of a switch and clogs a thing of the past. Of course, you’ll still have to care for your drain, but a good disposal makes things easier for families.

Is Drain Cleaning Worth It?

Drain cleaning is a technique employed by professional plumbers using tools like drain augers, and hydro jets to clear away debris that’s built up in your pipes over the years.

A drain cleaning might be a necessary service for you if water won’t drain from one of your fixtures any longer, but even if that isn’t the case the service is probably a worthwhile expense if you’ve had your home for some time. Through the drain cleaning process, you can loosen up and clean out debris that has gathered in your home’s pipes over time. It can be done in one of two ways.

Through the insertion of a long coil that spins and pushes debris through, known as a drain auger, or by a special tool that blasts water up and down through your pipes. Either way, a professional can clean up your pipes, help water to flow more smoothly and improve the function of the kitchens and bathrooms throughout your house.

Drain cleaning is a worthwhile investment that can help speed drain times, clear away blockages and help keep your pipes functioning properly for years. February is home to President’s Day and a time for celebrating our world leaders.

During this time, we hope that they have a wonderful time being with their loved ones, and we hope you’ll share some of the tips found in this article to help improve everyone’s time with family and friends by giving them one less thing to worry about.

Allore’s Plumbing Named Top Plumbers by Expertise.com

As a locally-owned plumbing company, we are proud to serve our community. Whether we’re focusing on improving the customer experience, investing in training for our employees, or just generally doing everything we can to make sure our customers are satisfied and happy, we work hard to keep your home covered against all plumbing issues.

However, although we always strive to do a great job, and our customer feedback and compliments are always appreciated, it’s always nice to get some recognition from an outside source.

This is why we’re happy to announce that we have been named one of the Top 11 Port St. Lucie, FL Plumbing Companies by Expertise.com!

What is Expertise.com?

Simply speaking, Expertie.com is a third-party rating site that researches and compiles lists of the best service providers in specific areas and industries. They look at over 100 different business categories in over 1000 cities across the US and use extensive research and data to choose the best of the best to recommend to their readers. Some of the factors they consider include:

1. Reputation

2. Credibility

3. Experience

4. Engagement

5. Professionalism

Thanks to Expertise.com, homeowners and other consumers have another highly trusted resource to base their purchase decisions on. Consumers can also rest easy knowing that no business or organization is allowed to pay to be on a list, which will ensure that you are getting the very best recommendations around.

What does this Mean for Us?

Being named one of the top plumbers in the area means that more homeowners and business owners will come to trust our brand and respect our services. There are a lot of plumbing “professionals” out there who might not have the same standards as us, and our listing on Expertise.com will only help back up your decision to choose us for your next plumbing repair or installation.

What Will Change?

The short answer to this is not much. We are still going to strive to provide the best service and most viable solutions for all your plumbing needs. However, you might notice a new Expertise.com badge on our website. We can’t help but be proud of this achievement and show it off for all our customers to see.

Whether you have been working with us for years or you are a new customer testing out our services, the Expertise.com badge and certification prove that you’re making a great choice and trusting professionals when it comes to your plumbing. You can also feel more confident recommending us to your friends with an additional third-party check that shows our actions match our promises. Thank you for your continued support!

Your Plumber is a Superhero When it Comes to Bringing Clean Water For All

Superheroes don’t just wear capes and fight crime. Sometimes they have a toolbox and tend to other tasks that are as helpful, though. For instance, how grateful are you in a plumbing emergency to have a trusted plumber that you can rely on to do the job right? Your plumber also helps to protect your family by ensuring that your plumbing and water use practices are safe and mindful of conservation.

How Your Plumber Ensures That You’ve Got Clean Water

The best way to make sure that your family consumes clean, clear water every time? Install a water filtration system. They are low maintenance, cost-effective, and are your best line of defense against impurities in your water, which occur here in Stuart, FL.

The other thing that you need to pay attention to is your piping. If your home is older, the chances are that you’ve got lead in your pipes.

Lead in your pipes could potentially leach into your water, which is dangerous. Corrosion also will contaminate your water. To fix this problem, upgrade your pipes to PVC. They are less prone to corrosion and are less likely to leach impurities into your water.

How Your Plumber Helps You Conserve

Did you know that your toilet consumes about a third of your household’s water? That’s a lot! You can reduce that amount dramatically by having your plumber put in a dual-flush toilet.

Low-flow showerheads and motion sensor faucets are also good strategies to reduce your water use at home. You can help even more by modifying your water use; take showers instead of baths.

Only water your lawn in the evening or early morning. Don’t run the garbage disposal; use the composter instead. Fix small leaks immediately. Only fill pots with just enough liquid for cooking.

The Health Hazards of Contaminated Water

Contaminated water can make you very sick. In some cases, waterborne illnesses can threaten your life. Some initial symptoms of having consumed contaminated water are gastrointestinal symptoms.

It’s also possible to suffer neurological damage as well. Some common illnesses that are contracted through tainted water are E. coli, salmonella, lead poisoning, arsenic poisoning, Hepatitis A, and more.

What is most alarming is that contaminated water looks, tastes, and smells the same as clear water. That’s why you need to rely on your plumber to make sure that your plumbing is intact and safe to eliminate the risk.

Money-Saving Info About Water Leak Detection

As a homeowner, you are always looking for ways to save money, right? Have you stopped to think about how you might be wasting money? If you’ve got a water leak, you are throwing money away.

It’s common to think that a small drip from a pipe isn’t a big deal; it’s only a little water. But think of how much water that can add up to over time.

Not only are you losing money by wasting water, but a water leak can also cost you a fair bit more if you sustain water damage as a result. It’s not worth the risk.

Don’t ignore water leaks. Here is what you need to know.

Do I Have a Leak?

If you think that you might have a leak, there are a few ways to tell for sure. If your water meter continues to climb, even after the water is turned off, you may have a leak.

Examine gaskets and pipe fittings for moisture, which could indicate a leak.

Other signs that you’ve got a leak are:

• – damp spots on the ceiling, walls, or floorboards
• – cold spots on the walls
• – increased water bills
• – a musty odor
• – damaged paint or wallpaper
• – mold growth

Prevent Leaks Where You Can

Did you know that one of the most dangerous places in your home for water leaks is from your washing machine hoses? Same goes for the hoses on the ice maker in your fridge.

It’s not commonly known that these hoses need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years. It’s advisable to have stainless steel braided hoses for extra protection against leaks.

Another common cause of water leaks is corroded pipes. What are your pipes made of? If your home is older, you want to get in the habit of getting your pipes inspected and cleaned regularly.

You may even want to be proactive and have your pipes replaced with durable PVC piping instead.

Leaks can happen outside too. Do you have an irrigation system? Make sure it hasn’t been damaged by severe weather. Don’t forget to check hoses and hose bibs too.

Why do I Need to Worry About Water Damage?

If you want to play out scenarios, a water leak can wreak havoc on your home.

Not only could your belongings be damaged due to flowing (or even trickling) water, the structure of your home can be harmed.

This can be very inconvenient and costly to fix.

You may have heard of the dangers of mold growth and how it can threaten your health.

Mold growth is one of the more serious by-products of water damage.

You or your family can become very ill if you inhale mold spores.

How to Remodel Your Kitchen & Bathroom

If you’re a homeowner, one of the most satisfying things you can do is finally make the decision to make that home more truly your own. A remodel of the kitchen or bathroom is definitely one of the biggest and most substantial ways to do this.

Of course, it’s also not cheap or fast either, which means that you’ll want to make sure you get good results for your investment. Here are a few suggestions to help you get that happy ending at the end of your remodeling experience.

Consider the Plumbing Too

It’s not just the counters and fixtures like sinks that have to get a facelift when you remodel your kitchen or bathroom. This is also your opportunity to make some real, valuable fixes to the plumbing in your home.

Both the pipes that feed in water, and the sewage pipes that carry waste away can benefit from your decision to do some remodeling.

Older Victorian homes, for example, might have iron sewage pipes over 50 years old, maybe even close to 100 years. These should be updated with modern materials that are up to modern code, such as PVC.

Similarly, the pipes that feed water to your taps may be old enough to contain lead, which can pose a health risk if used in drinking or cooking. Take this chance to address these issues to add even more safety and value to your home.

Get the Right People for the Job

For something as major as a kitchen and/or bathroom remodel, it’s crucial to get experienced professionals that can guide you through the process and leave quality work in return when everything is finished.

These days, it’s a lot easier to make sure that you make the right choice from the many options that are available to you.

Of course, if there are people in your life that you trust, and they make a recommendation, that’s always a good strategy.

But the Internet can be very useful in making a shortlist of other alternatives.

User reviews and client testimonies are easy to track down and help you to separate the skilled tradesmen with a lot of satisfied customers from the poor workers with many angry and unsatisfied homeowners.

Think About What the Room Should Do For You

Beyond just wanting to have a new kitchen or a new bathroom, this is your chance to personalize these spaces to your exact needs. If you don’t like taking baths, and instead want a luxury shower experience, you can do that.

In the same way, if your current kitchen is functional but lonely, and what you want is a space where meals are prepared, shared and enjoyed by family and friends, then maybe knocking down the walls, and going with an open concept kitchen will be a better choice.

This is your home after all, and if you’re going to continue to live in it, make the rooms to the specifications you want.

Learn the Reasons for Smelly Drains and Stinky Water

Almost everyone will have an unpleasant experience with smelly drains or stinky water in their homes at some point in time. While it’s not fun, it’s not that hard to fix usually. To start, you need to determine what is causing the odors, and then you can determine what solution you need.

Here are the most common reasons:

Ventilation Challenges

If there is something blocking your pipes (i.e., tree roots, debris, plant matter, or animal nesting), then smelly sewer gases won’t be able to flow away from your home.

Not only will the obstruction block the flow of water, but the flow of air will be obstructed as well. The smelly gases linger in your home.

To prevent or correct this, it is a good idea to get your drains cleaned on a regular basis.

Rotten Egg Smell? Check Your Water Heater

If you detect a rotten egg smell in your water, the first place to look is at your water heater. Inside your water heater is an anode rod that prevents your tank from rusting out through a series of chemical reactions.

However, if those chemicals are out of balance, an excess of sulfuric gas is produced, which is what causes that trademark smell.

To fix this problem, simply replace the anode rod, which is a reasonably easy DIY fix, or call a professional for help.

P-Trap Lacks Moisture

That funny smell coming from the drains may be because the P-trap is dried out.

The P-trap (the curved part attached to the pipe) is what prevents smelly gases from leaving the sewer and coming into your home.

It uses a barrier of water in the P-trap to do so. If that trap has dried out (if the water hasn’t run in a while or if the seal is broken), then there is no barrier in place.

To fix this, try running the water or check if the seal is intact. If the seal is broken, the water may have leaked out.

Problems in the Sewer Line

If this smell comes from all of your drains, it’s likely a problem with your sewer line. If the pipes are damaged, the proper flow of wastewater from your home is interrupted, which means that there will be a musty smell coming from the drains.

If, in addition to the smell, you notice an unexplained hike in your water bills, soft spots on your lawn, low water pressure, or damp spots around your house, get help to fix this potentially serious problem right away.

Expert Advice on Embracing Sustainability: Green Living Tips

Earth Day is fast approaching. Having been celebrated for the last 45 years, it is a great way to provide awareness on energy efficiency, climate change, and sustainability. As a homeowner, you can still enjoy all your home appliances by integrating green living into your daily life. The problem is finding ways to go green, fortunately, there are several ways to be eco-friendly in your home.

Here are some tips that will help you go green.

Get a water filtration system

While drinking bottled water may seem like a safe option, it only pollutes the environment by contributing to multiple plastic bottles in the landfills. By filtering your tap water, you can enjoy high-quality drinking water without burdening the environment with excess plastic.

Most parts of the country have aging urban infrastructures meaning that residential pipes may be corroded, allowing impurities to seep into the leaking pipes. Investing in a quality water filtration system makes sense for you and your family.

Invest in a tankless water heater

Tankless water heaters are small and can deliver 2-3 gallons of hot water on demand. This means that you will never run out of hot water. Energy.gov estimates that a household that uses 40 gallons of water daily can enjoy 24-34% more energy efficiency than traditional storage tank water heaters.

Tankless water heaters have a 99% thermal energy efficiency rating. This means that this energy gets into the appliance and comes out as heat.

Moreover, most of these heaters can be installed at the point of use, which reduces the amount of water that is wasted when you’re waiting for it to heat up. While these tankless water heaters may be expensive, they will pay themselves off quickly.

You cannot simply go green by installing a piece of equipment, but you can make small targeted improvements with your water and electricity use to ensure that you have a sustainable home.

Install eco-friendly fixtures

The plumbing industry has gone through massive transformation thanks to advanced technology. You can now find eco-friendly plumbing fixtures that are stylish, competitively priced and produced better than normal fixtures.

Most of us have a habit of flushing the toilet numerous times a day. This means that you could be using over 180 gallons of water a day. Instead, opt for a dual-flush toilet that gives you the option of flushing for solid or liquid waste.

When it comes to going green this year, you can make it easier by going for eco-friendly plumbing fixtures, get a water filtration system, and invest in a tankless water heater.

If you need help with any of these systems in Stuart, FL, contact the plumbing experts at Allore’s Plumbing Services LLC at (772) 228-0998.

Why Observe World Water Day on March 22?

World Water Day is just around the corner, but it’s possible that you’ve never even heard of this annual day of observance.

To help you and your family celebrate this year, today’s discussion will be dedicated to water waste, water conservation at home, and the basics of World Water Day and the global water crisis.

Conserving Water: Doing Your Part to Reduce Waste

How much water is wasted in America? About a trillion gallons every year. This water comes from residential, agricultural, and industrial sources.

How much water is that? It’s about the same as 40 million swimming pools full of water or 24 billion bathtubs.

What can you do? In residential settings, the two main contributors to wasted water are leaks and bad habits. To tackle waste caused by leaks, you should check faucets, pipes, toilets, and irrigation systems regularly for leaks. If you ever find any, save both water and money by fixing them immediately.

How much water do leaks waste? It depends on the source and the type of leak:

A dripping faucet can waste up to 20 gallons per day, while a major leak can waste hundreds
Each toilet flush wastes up to 7 gallons, while a running toilet can waste as much as 4,000 gallons per day
Even just a tiny leak in an irrigation system can account for over 6,000 gallons of wasted water each month

Saving Water: Doing Your Part at Home

The other side of the coin is bad habits that can waste water around the house, and there are a number of things you and your family can do to reduce your water consumption and help save water this World Water Day. Water-conscious habits to adopt include:

• -Using less water in the garden by watering in the early morning and by planting drought-resistant plants
• -Collecting water in a rain barrel to use in the garden
• -Taking shorter showers
• -Not leaving the water running when you’re washing dishes, brushing your teeth, and soaping in the shower
• -Only running dishwashers and washing machines when there’s a full load
• -Installing low-flow and water-saving fixtures and appliances
• -Insulating your water pipes so hot water gets to the taps faster

World Water Day

What is World Water Day all about? World Water Day was created as an international day of observance by the United Nations back in 1993.
It’s a day dedicated to remembering that a large portion of the world doesn’t have access to safe water. Many people and families around the globe have to line up or travel long distances each day or week in order to collect water that’s safe to drink, and many more don’t have access to toilets and proper sanitation.

World Water Day is about putting an end to this, which is called the water crisis or water scarcity, and the United Nations wants everybody in the world to have safe water by 2030.

The Water Crisis

How many people are affected? About 663 million, which is 1 in 10 people worldwide.
Additionally, there are roughly 1.8 billion people who drink water that’s contaminated, and they’re at risk of contracting diseases like polio, typhoid, and cholera because this is the only water they have access to.

Adopting water-saving habits and fixing leaks when you find them will help your family save thousands of gallons of water every year, and there’s no better way to celebrate World Water Day than by conserving water in your Stuart, FL. home. We’d love to help you achieve that goal, so give Allore’s Plumbing Services LLC a call at 772-288-0998 if you discover any leaks during your routine checks.