Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Kitchen Remodel Planning’ Category

When To Replace Your Hot Water Heater

Tuesday, April 11th, 2017

Once you have a water heater installed, you can rely on this piece of equipment to give you hot or temperate water whenever you need to take a bath.

But although you can expect this system to give you years and years of comfortable baths, there will come a time when it will stop working properly. And if you don’t want to be unexpectedly drenched in freezing water on a particularly cold morning, you need to know when to replace your hot water heater so that you can avoid such an uncomfortable, shocking situation.

There are certain signs that would indicate that you need to replace your water heater immediately. These include the following:

Your heater is already more than 10 years old.

Most water heaters last between 10 and 15 years. Once your system passes the 10-year mark, you will start encountering issues every now and then and you will soon find yourself spending a lot of money on repairs. Unfortunately, having your heater repaired regularly only delays the inevitable. You would do well to put all that money on a new heater.

Recurring loud, unusual noises.

As the years go by, sediment will build up in your water heater tank. You will soon hear banging or rumbling sounds from your heater due to the obstruction inside the tank.  Although a plumber will be able to remove small amounts of buildup, there will come a time when the sediment will harden and this will become too difficult to take out. Aside from causing loud noises, this hard sediment may make your heater inefficient.

Excessive leaks.

The presence of puddles of water around the heater or water seeping down the sides of the heater are usually signs that the water heater tank may be fractured. If this is the case, you will have no choice but to replace the heater to get rid of the existing leaks and prevent any further damage.

Rust around the fittings.

If the fittings around your water heater are corroded, or look rusted or worn down, this may indicate that there is an issue with the unit as a whole. Corrosion is even more likely if the leaks appear around the valves or the pipework. A professional plumber can help you decide whether it will be worth your while and your money to have the issue fixed by replacing the damaged part or if it is best to simply replace your heater with a new one.

It is producing less hot water.

Lastly, if you start noticing that there is a lack of hot water coming from your heater even if you play with the settings, this is usually a sign that your equipment is no longer working efficiently. This is especially true if you observe a sudden decrease in the amount of hot water or that your hot water never seems to get hotter than lukewarm.

You don’t have to immediately buy a new heater if you notice that your current one is starting to act up. A plumber will be able to help you decide if an old heater is worth repairing or if it is best to buy a new one. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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Common Plumbing Issues

Wednesday, March 29th, 2017

Out of sight, out of mind.

Your home’s plumbing system is quietly working in the background, bringing you fresh water when you need it and disposing of waste water.

In an ideal scenario, your home’s plumbing system should be just that, all the time: working quietly and efficiently. But in the real world, plumbing issues can arise when you least expect them.

What are the most common plumbing problems homeowners may face at one time or another?

According to many plumbers, one of the leading issues faced by homeowners are clogs. Clogs can occur in the sewer, sink or bathtub. And although clogs may seem like a large problem, in most cases, these are not.

Toilets often back up. Your garbage disposal system can cause the sink to clog. Fortunately, most of these can be easily prevented by avoiding throwing large foreign objects into the sink, tub, and toilet. And in most cases, a clog can be undone with the aid of your trusty plunger.

However, there are instances wherein you will need some professional assistance.

For example, in severe situations, pipes may need to be replaced or walls or floorings may need to be torn down.

Another common problem homeowners face is related to the sewer and septic tank. This is one problem that, more often than not, requires the attention of professional plumbers. Apart from the stench, septic tank issues can cause damage to your property and cause health problems for your family.

Some septic tank-related problems can stem from clogs. In other cases, the problem arises form issues related to a section of the system’s pipes.

Whatever problem you may be facing, it is critical that you act as quickly as possible.

That can be as simple as using a plunger to unclog your toilet or calling in professional plumbers to assist you.

This is why it is important that you find a reliable plumber who can attend to emergencies even before you need one. Remember: Every second that your plumbing issue is left unattended and unsolved, the more likely that the problem will worsen and become complicated, resulting in further damage and added costs.

Do yourself a big favor and conduct your search for a trustworthy plumber as soon as you possibly can; this way, you won’t be scrambling to find one when you actually need a plumber, or settle for the first one who answers your call during a plumbing emergency.

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Posted in Commercial Plumbing, Emergency Plumber, Kitchen Plumbing, Kitchen Remodel Planning, Plumbing Problems, Plumbing Trends, Residential Plumbing, Sewer and Drain, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Common Plumbing Issues

7 Ways to Effectively Prevent and Clear Clogs in Your Drain

Monday, March 27th, 2017

Clogs in the drain are household inconveniences that can be avoided. Since many are easily disgusted by the backflow of murky water caused by a clog in its usual path, it’s important to know what shouldn’t be done in order to prevent these blockages from building up inside drains.

As such, professional plumbers in Wisconsin have listed seven effective ways to prevent clogs below, as well as solutions to clogged drains that you can apply.

Don’t pour cooking grease into the sink.

It may be liquid in form when you pour it in, but an instant change in temperature can cause it to solidify. In Wisconsin, where it’s often cold, grease poured down the sink will harden in drain tubes right away, according to professional plumbers who service Applegate and Fox Valley residents.

Don’t dump coffee grounds in the sink.

Sure, these won’t harden in the drains and can be pushed down by the strong flow of water, but they can build up over time, especially if they get caught in hardened grease.

Don’t flush hair down your bathroom drains.

Hair doesn’t deteriorate and it can get entangled with the different elements present in your drain. Use a drain cover and throw away hair in the trash instead. It’s nasty, but what’s nastier is fishing out a huge hairball from your drain that’s preventing water from flushing away from your house.

If grease is already clogging your drain, the quickest solution to use is boiling hot water.

The hot temperature will turn grease into liquid again and it will mix with hot water and flow down the drain easily.

Another solution for clogs created by grease and soap scum is a solution of baking soda and vinegar.

This solution will corrode clogs and clear the drain. Not only that, baking soda and vinegar have disinfecting properties too, so if your drains are getting to be really stinky, the solution can take care of that as well.

To get rid of soap scum and hair, you can also try lye.

If you’re not familiar with lye, it’s a chemical that is used to perm the hair and it’s also used for soaps. Since it’s potent enough to alter the shape of or even burn hair, it’s effective in dissolving clogs in the drain. Make sure that you only use a small amount of lye because it’s a caustic substance.

For clogged garbage disposals, try filling an ice cube tray with equal parts of vinegar and water. Freeze the mixture of vinegar and water, and when you have ice cubes, dump them in the garbage disposal. The acidity from the vinegar will clean the drain and its chips will scrape grease off the drain walls. 

If you’re suffering from a clogged drain, schedule an appointment with us today!

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Posted in Commercial Plumbing, Emergency Plumber, Kitchen Plumbing, Kitchen Remodel Planning, Plumbing Problems, Plumbing Trends, Residential Plumbing, Sewer and Drain, Uncategorized | Comments Off on 7 Ways to Effectively Prevent and Clear Clogs in Your Drain

Vital Components in Determining a Kitchen Remodel Timeline

Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

Kitchen Remodel TimelineHow to Determine a Kitchen Remodel Timeline

For many property owners, speed is a vital consideration for any remodeling job. Homeowners simply want the remodel to be completed fast as possible. And with how home makeover shows on TV get things done, many tend to believe that any home improvement project can be accomplished in just a matter of days. A fast kitchen remodel is the dream. This is possible if homeowners are willing to dole out a huge amount of money for manual labor. It truly will not be difficult to complete a remodeling project in just a matter of days.

But the reality is most homeowners do not have the same resources as popular reality home makeover shows. Thus, they need to plan the project carefully in order to control costs and establish an effective timeline. This is most especially applicable when planning a kitchen remodel. Timeline development is very important because having property work done can alter the efficiency of the household. This can also impact the quality of life at home.

Now, if you need to determine a kitchen remodel timeline, trusted remodelers in Applegate and Fox Valley, Wisconsin say it’s necessary to clearly identify the important factors that can really affect the speed of work. What are these factors?

Hiring the right remodeler

The first factor that can determine project timeline is the remodelers you hire for the job. Will you be hiring a lot of them or will you be sticking to just a few? If you hire more people for labor then you can expect the project to be completely finished within a month or even just three weeks.

It’s worth mentioning too that there are remodelers that utilize more advanced equipment that allow them to finish tasks much faster. Have a thorough consultation with remodelers and you can have a fair estimate of how long the project will last as well as how tasks are grouped into stages.

Consider your design carefully

The next factor is the design of the kitchen. If you’re thinking of a complete overhaul, this surely will require more time even with advanced equipment and more workers. Taking into account the design and the new installations the design requires will provide you a fair estimate of how long certain tasks will take to complete.

Materials

And the last component is the materials – you need to know when materials will be delivered. The delay in the arrival of certain materials can really mess up the schedule. Establish the schedule of when materials will be delivered. Know when you’re going to follow up on your orders to ensure that all the supplies necessary for the project will arrive even before they’re needed.

Determining the right kitchen remodel timeline is a vital part of your upcoming project. For additional tips on how to tackle a kitchen remodel in Fox Cities, contact the professionals at Turek’s Plumbing.

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Tips on Creating a Kitchen Floor Plan

Thursday, February 9th, 2017

Tips on Creating a Kitchen Floor Plan That Effectively Combines Style and Function

Kitchen – the heart of the home. Homeowners usually have a many ideas on how to make it the center of productivity and quality time for the family. But often, with all of the ideas they have on beautifying it and making sure it can do more for the family, the kitchen just turns into a mess of good intentions and “stuff.”

To restore order to this very important room, a kitchen floor plan is needed, says kitchen remodelers in Applegate and Fox Valley. In creating a kitchen floor plan, it automatically gets so much easier to combine style and function, or in the words of design gurus, “beautility.” To help you with this, here are tips on how to plan a smart layout for your kitchen.

Tip #1

Write down the different activities you commonly use the kitchen for. Do you love to cook and bake there? Does your family often hang out in it? Do you wish to have a bar there that will be the perfect spot for the parties you like to throw? It’s important to identify all these activities so you can also identify the best appliances and furniture to use for the space.

Tip #2

Triangle or Workstation? The triangle layout is highly efficient for movement in the kitchen, especially if it’s a small one. But if you’re adding more appliances to your kitchen space, the workstation may be more ideal.

Tip #3

If you’re going to install an island, determine how you can make it a more functional feature of your kitchen, particularly if it’s a big one. You want to make sure that for the amount of space it eats, more uses can be derived from it so activities carried out in the kitchen will have a comfortable and smooth flow. Some of the features you can add to an island are a wine rack, shelves for cookbooks, mini-fridge and dishwasher.

Tip #4

Don’t forget about strategic lighting. Strategic lighting  should always be included in floor planning. Proper illumination is necessary for the right ambiance, comfort, convenience and function.

Tip #5

Do check building guidelines in your area so your kitchen can be remodeled to code. TheNational Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) provides guiding principles in order to make kitchen and bathroom optimally functional. Refer to the guide to see if your layout ideas are compliant with the functional standards established by the experts.

With these tips, you can better organize your ideas for “arranging” your kitchen. The goal is to create a visually pleasing and productive section of your home. Before starting a kitchen remodel in the Fox Valley area contact Turek’s Plumbing for more kitchen floorplan ideas.

 

 

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Modern Kitchen Remodel Design Ideas for Tight Budgets

Tuesday, February 7th, 2017

Modern Kitchen Remodel Design Ideas

There are two main reasons why homeowners want to upgrade the look of their kitchens.

First, if you are planning on selling your home, you definitely would want your kitchen to be appealing to the broadest possible number of potential buyers. And according to many property professionals, a kitchen remodel, when done right, can yield good ROI.

Another reason why property owners want to revamp their kitchens is because these have become outdated and are either no longer functional or look drab and unappealing.

However, a kitchen remodel is a massive undertaking that often requires a big budget. Does that mean that you cannot upgrade the look of your kitchen if money is tight?

Listed here are a few quick and easy modern kitchen remodel design ideas that do not require a big budget. With a little hard work, creativity and ingenuity, you can transform the look of your kitchen for cheap.

Apply a fresh coat of paint

Applying a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to transform the look of your kitchen.

Apart from the wall, you might want to consider repainting all of your kitchen cabinets. Alternatively, you can paint a just a few of the kitchen cabinets. Against other wood and metal elements in the kitchen, painting a few kitchen cabinets creates contrast which generates interest in the kitchen.

Painting the floorboards is an economical alternative to replacing these. If you are adventurous enough, you can paint the floorboards white or use stencils for a dash of creativity.

Add/Replace/Remove

Another simple yet effective way to update the look of your kitchen is to replace a few key elements like knobs and pulls.

Adding new lighting fixtures like sconces can make the kitchen look refreshing. Plus, lights add functionality to the kitchen.

Another welcome addition that can add style and functionality to your kitchen are wood shelves on metal brackets placed just above the counter.

Finally, you might want to consider removing the upper cabinet doors which can add an element of open space to your kitchen.

Some TLC for the fridge

If you cannot afford to replace your old fridge at the moment, there are a few things that you can do to upgrade its appearance.

One, you can paint it with chalkboard paint. This trick allows you to use the refrigerator for note taking and for drawing.

If you have ample time, you can make a wainscot fridge cover. A wainscot fridge cover will surely catch the attention of house guests.

If you are thinking about starting a kitchen remodel in Fox Cities, contact Turek’s Plumbing for more modern kitchen remodel design ideas.

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A Helpful Guide to Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

Friday, January 13th, 2017

A Guide to Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen remodeling can be fun, especially if you’re going for a completely new style that aligns with your current personal aesthetic preference. However, you need to approach the task very seriously as well because it’s important to make sure that you’re not sacrificing function for beauty.

Now, if you’re choosing kitchen cabinets to install, you need to think about this carefully; this is a piece of advice from trusted kitchen remodelers that service Applegate and Fox Valley, Wisconsin homeowners. Kitchen cabinets do not only serve as visually appealing storage for dinnerware or kitchen essentials; they are known to improve space dimensions as well.

If you have off-center built-ins in the kitchen, the strategic installation of cabinets can achieve a more balanced look for the space.

To help you choose the right kitchen cabinets to install, here is an easy guide to follow.

Take the DIY route or hire professional builders

A DIY route is advisable if you’re purchasing ready-made cabinets that you don’t intend to permanently fix to a wall. Basically, all you need to do here is to drag it to your chosen location in the kitchen. Now, if you want to fix cabinets to the wall, it’s best to let professional builders accomplish this task; ditto if you’re fitting in custom-made cabinets.

Clearly identify the cabinet design you want

Do you want framed cabinets or frameless ones? Framed cabinets are perfect if you have traditional aesthetics. Frameless cabinets are more ideal for modern and transitional designs because they have a sleek profile.

Bespoke or stock cabinets

Custom-made cabinets work best for the space you have. Opting for these can better streamline the kitchen since they will not create weird corners and awkward protrusions. They are, however, more expensive. Stock cabinets come in a variety of designs, but you need to make sure that you have the right location for them, and that you measure spaces for installation accurately so you can go with the cabinet sizes that are most appropriate to the dimensions of the space where they’ll be installed.

Study the cabinet material, especially if you’re gravitating toward stock kitchen cabinets

Of course, you need to make sure that the cabinet will be durable enough for everything that you intend to put in it. Also, the kind of material you choose can enhance the kitchen’s overall style.

Establish your budget

It’s best to work with a clear budget. This will make selection and installation a whole lot easier and organized. It can also make the process easier if there are other things that you want done in your kitchen.

Are you having trouble deciding how to move forward with your kitchen remodel? Contact the kitchen remodel pros in Fox Cities. Turek’s plumbing can answer all of the most common remodel questions.

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A Few Kitchen Remodeling Project Tips

Tuesday, December 27th, 2016

Kitchen Remodeling Project How to Get the Most Out of a Kitchen Remodeling Project

It is fairly easy to understand why kitchen remodeling ranks as one of the most popular home improvement projects; the modern kitchen has certainly become the centerpiece of home living. But apart from that, a well-built kitchen can increase functionality, makes it easier to entertain guests at home, and increases property value.

But remodeling a kitchen entails spending a sizeable amount of money and involves a few inconveniences while work is ongoing. It is also not unusual for property owners to encounter a wide variety of problems ranging from overspending to project timelines being continuously pushed back.

If you want to minimize (if not totally avoid) these problems and ensure that you get good returns on your investment, here are some kitchen remodeling project tips for you to consider.

Planning is Key

Planning is the most essential step that homeowners need to undertake, and yet is one that is often overlooked. Failing to plan accordingly can only lead to mishaps during the construction stage as well as overspending.

Ideally, you should spend at least half a year toward planning. This will give you enough time to decide on what you really want to achieve and prevent changing your mind mid-stream.

Think of the Remodel as an Upgrade

One critical factor that can drive up costs and extend the project timeline is changing the location of pipes and electrical systems. Additional works like tearing down walls can also lead to higher costs and extended timelines.

To streamline the kitchen remodel process, opt to keep as much of the existing kitchen in place.

Prioritize Design and Functionality

Want to avoid overspending? Choose your appliances well. One of the most common pitfalls encountered by homeowners is the temptation to upgrade appliances more than necessary. Instead of spending lavishly on new equipment and tools, think about how your remodel will improve both the design and functionality of your new kitchen.

Don’t Forget About the Lighting

Choosing the right type of lighting can instantly upgrade the look of your kitchen without needing to spend an inordinate sum of money. Additionally, the right type of light can make the kitchen look bigger and safer to work in.

There are two types of lighting to choose from. Task lighting is ideal for dark work areas. Ambient lighting, on the other hand, is primarily used to create a specific mood in an area.

Look Beyond the Price

Unless you are working on an unlimited budget, you may have some corners that you need to cut. But do not simply trade in low cost for quality and durability. Remember, you are making an investment. If you must splurge, focus on quality and durable items which will last long.

Establish a Good Working Relationship With Your Contractor

Quite simply, you need to be involved with the project if you wish to achieve great results.

From time to time, drop by during work hours and check on the project progress. This sends a signal to the contractor that you expect nothing less than quality work.

Make it easy for the contractor to contact you should any concern arise.

Set ground rules for both the contractor and his workers, especially if you are not moving out of the property while the kitchen is being rebuilt.

Are you starting a kitchen remodel in Fox Valley? Contact the professionals at Turek’s Plumbing and allow them to help take the stress out of your upcoming kitchen remodeling project.

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Starting a Kitchen Remodel Project on the Right Foot

Tuesday, December 20th, 2016

Kitchen Remodel ProjectStarting a Kitchen Remodel Project on the Right Foot

Even the most minor of kitchen remodels entails more than a monetary investment. At the same time, you will need to invest time and deal with some hassles as you try to bring your kitchen remodel project into life.

As such, you would like to get the best returns on your investment, whatever your purpose may be for your project kitchen. In order to do that, you need to avoid one of the most common mistakes in starting a kitchen remodel project: proceeding without a plan.

As the old adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. Quite simply, the planning stage is an integral aspect of a kitchen remodel. Give ample time and effort toward planning so that you can get the kitchen that you have always dreamed of.

How do you do that?

Find Sources of Inspiration and Gather These

Perhaps you have unconsciously started this process by looking for inspiration from TV shows, magazines and blogs.

But in order to get the most out of this step, you will need to create your own stylebook. To do that, the first thing that you need to do is to gather all the photos which inspire you in one place. Tear out photos from magazines and print out photos you have found online.

After that, write down exactly what you like about these photos. Now, when you have found a kitchen designer and/or contractor, you can show your stylebook.

Set a Clear Goal

What’s the reason why you want to remodel your kitchen? Perhaps you want to resell your home a few years down the road. Or maybe you want to facilitate the optimal flow of traffic in your kitchen. Or maybe you simply want to turn your kitchen into a great place to entertain guests. Whatever your reasons may be, you have to be clear with your needs and wants.

Set Your Budget

Setting a budget allows you to avoid overspending. In fact, failure to set a budget is one of the leading costs of overspending on kitchen remodels. Go online and use available tools to help you figure out how much you will need for your project. From there, you can look for items on your shopping list that you might think are unnecessary or too costly. After that, you can find alternatives that will help you stay within your budget.

Create a Timeline

Apart from setting a financial budget for the project, you will also need to determine how much time you are willing to allocate for the completion of the project. Set a project timeline and talk about this when you are interviewing prospective contractors.

Be Realistic

Talk to friends or relatives who have recently had their kitchens remodeled. This will give you a fair idea of what to expect and help you avoid being blindsided by unexpected factors.

If you are thinking about starting a kitchen remodel in Fox Valley, contact the professionals at Turek’s Plumbing.

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Increase Your Home’s Value With a Kitchen and Bath Remodel

Monday, November 14th, 2016

kitchen and bath remodel

How to Increase Your Home’s Value With a Kitchen and Bath Remodel

If you want to increase your home’s value, you need to start out by making a plan. Your upgrades should best be intentional and not impulsive, so list the changes and updates you want to achieve. Factor in your choices the duration in which you plan to live in the house. If you plan to sell soon, it’s a good idea to be guided by a realtor regarding improvements you should implement.

In making your list, be sure to categorize according to cost, both in time and money. It’s important that you be realistic and keep your financial limits in mind. Once you have your list categorized, figure out what’s doable.

With your plan in place, do your research on the potential returns of your intended improvements. Understandably, some will add more value to your home than others.

Now, if your budget only allows you to focus on a couple of areas in your home, the expert recommendation is that you do a kitchen and bath remodel. Any real estate professional will tell you that a kitchen upgrade brings in the greatest return. The bathroom, on the other hand, is a workhorse, so you need to remedy all the wear and tear it has suffered to ensure that everything’s in tip-top shape and looking great.

What can you do to upgrade your kitchen?

  • Change the paint. It’s simple, but the difference it makes is huge. You could also change the look of your cabinets using a faux-wood finish.
  • Install a new backsplash. New tile looks attractive and adds color to your kitchen.
  • Switch to stainless steel. This gives your kitchen a new, shiny, and modern appeal.
  • Put in a rolling island. This gives you adjustable storage and counter space.
  • Hang a pot rack and a wine bottle holder. This will allow you to display new pots and pans as well as an interesting assortment of wines, which will emphasize the functionality of your kitchen.

What can you do to beautify your bathroom?

  • Put in attractive faucets and switch to under-mount sinks. Drop sinks look dated.
  • Invest in a granite countertop. This should be cheaper than a kitchen countertop since it would be smaller.
  • Use wall mounts instead of overhead lighting. They are warmer and make the bathroom look more chic.
  • Install heated floors. These should win many buyers over if you’re looking to sell.
  • Improve the bath area. Consider installing a stone surround tile shower with body sprays. This will give your bathroom a Zen feel.
  • Freshen up your grout. Old grout usually causes the dingy look of a bathroom.

These kitchen and bath remodel ideas are sure to make your home look better while gaining value. If you are interested in a few remodel ideas, call your local Fox Cities Plumber at Turek’s Plumbing today!

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