Proudly Serving Appleton, WI and the Fox Valley
24/7 Emergency Service
A clogged garbage disposal or kitchen drain can be a big inconvenience, disrupting your daily routines and causing frustration. Before reaching for harsh chemicals or calling a plumber, there are a few troubleshooting tips you can try to clear the clog yourself. Here are three possible ways to unclog your drain yourself!
Are you tired of dealing with clogged drains and plumbing issues in your home? Mesh screens help more than you might know, so if you already have plumbing maintenance in Appleton, WI scheduled, these are worth installing in your home.
Let’s discuss a simple yet effective plumbing tip that can make a big difference in preventing clogs and maintaining a healthy plumbing system: the use of mesh screens.
Hopefully, by the time you’re reading this, winter is almost over. March is only a few weeks away and the temperatures are only going to get warmer and more comfortable, which means all of those outdoor projects can begin!
If you’re an avid gardener, then you’re probably looking at the calendar with bated breath for the last freeze.
If you’re really into home improvement, then this might finally be the year that you finish building that fence or doing the repairs on the garage.
However, we need to talk about a few guidelines that homeowners should be aware of when temperatures inevitably start to warm up.
Even if things get warmer earlier, which is always a possibility, you don’t want to start digging in your lawn or working on your home plumbing until you’ve done your research and you’re ready to go.
Take it from your local plumber in Appleton, WI, and make sure you’ve learned everything you need to before getting to work!
iMarket Solutions has launched Tureks Plumbing Service’s new custom website. To learn more about how iMarket Solutions can expand your presence on the web visit: www.imarketsolutions.com
Be sure to bookmark the Tureks Plumbing Services blog to start learning the ins and outs of Plumbing.
We’ll regularly post energy saving tips, how-to’s on troubleshooting your systems, and breakdowns on even the most complex industry related terms and concepts.
Need help now? Send us a message or get in touch today.
While some home improvements in Appleton WI are made to increase the value of the property, others are made to save money. Tankless water heaters fall into the latter category, as they are more efficient than traditional tank water heaters and can lead to significant savings on your monthly energy bill. In addition to being more cost-effective, tankless water heaters also have a number of other benefits. For example, they take up less space than tank heaters and can be installed in a variety of locations. Additionally, tankless water heaters provide an endless supply of hot water, which is ideal for large families or homes with multiple bathrooms. If you’re looking for a way to save money on your energy bills, switching to a tankless water heater is great.
It is important to make the most of every square foot when selling a home. Traditional tank water heaters can take up a lot of space, making it difficult to use that space for storage or other purposes. Tankless water heaters in Appleton WI are an increasingly popular alternative because they are fitted to the wall, freeing up valuable floor space. In addition, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than traditional tank heaters, which can save money on utility bills. The extra space and lower monthly costs can be very appealing to potential buyers. When selling a home, making the switch to a tankless water heater may be a smart way to add value and appeal to potential buyers.
As more and more people become concerned about the environment, sustainability has become an important factor in many consumer decisions. This is especially true for younger generations, who are increasingly interested in purchasing homes that are eco-friendly and energy-efficient. If you’re thinking of selling your home, making some green improvements can help to attract this type of buyer and increase your asking price. Some simple things you can do to make your home more sustainable include installing solar panels, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, and using environmentally friendly building materials. By taking steps to align your home with the values of these buyers, you can make it more appealing to a wider range of potential buyers and reap the financial benefits as well.
If you are considering upgrading your water heater tank to a tankless unit, Tureks Plumbing of Appleton WI can provide you with a consultation. We will assess your needs and help you choose the best unit for your home. Tankless water heaters have many benefits, including energy efficiency and space savings. We will explain how these units work and help you decide if a tankless water heater is right for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
If you are trying to budget for your bathroom remodel, there are two key factors (the materials you select and who will do the work) that will help determine cost. Here are some suggestions that our experienced professionals at Tureks Plumbing Services in Appleton, Wisconsin, recommend that you think about to keep costs affordable in your bid to transform your bathroom into the stuff dreams are made of.
Depending on the specific work you would like done, you could do it yourself, hire a general contractor, or act as a contractor. If you opt to hire a general contractor, Headwaters Construction Inc., a Sacramento commercial construction company, recommends that you get bids from multiple contractors and check their references before choosing one.
To save some money on the project, consider doing some of the work (such as any needed demolition) yourself or with the help of friends. Additional savings can also be made if you compare sourcing the needed materials through the contractor or buying them yourself from thrift stores or online sellers. Pick the option that will deliver savings.
Regardless of whether you act as the contractor or hire a general contractor, several skilled tradespeople will be involved. Tureks Plumbing Services recommends that you limit having to move fixtures from their existing layout so that the costs associated with such work are avoided.
Also, some general contractors are highly sought after, and their rates could be higher than average, so you might want to shop around for experienced ones whose rates are pocket-friendly while delivering outstanding quality work.
Here is where costs can add up rapidly if you don’t have a plan to execute the bathroom remodel without breaking the bank. For example, choosing a standard toilet will be a lot cheaper than opting for a designer model, which costs thousands of dollars as opposed to less than two hundred for the basic model. This isn’t to say you can’t splurge on one item or so; just be conscious about mixing top of the range fixtures with standard ones so that your budget doesn’t get blown out of control.
The cost of tiles is one of the big items on any Appleton bathroom remodel budget. The tiles themselves are costly, and so is the labor needed to install them. To minimize these costs, consider using tile on just select sections of the bathroom, such as the floor and the areas immediately above the tub. Alternatively, you can use the expensive tile as accents in the space and give the walls a great coat of paint.
Since the square footage that will need to be occupied by a countertop in the bathroom is small, you can use your smarts to get natural stone or other premium materials without denting your pocket. For example, Tureks Plumbing Services has seen pedestal sinks used in bathrooms that didn’t cost a lot of money to renovate. You can also buy a single-sink vanity and give your bathroom a new look.
All in all, the cost of remodeling your bathroom will depend on where you live (which sets a baseline for the labor charges) and the specific materials that you prefer for the project. The key to bringing your dream bathroom to reality lies in taking your time to plan and research the different options before coming up with final decisions on each aspect of the remodel. At Tureks Plumbing Services, we have tons of experience under our belt in executing bathroom remodels to meet different budgets and needs. Contact us today for a home remodel or plumbing services in Appleton, Wisconsin, and we will discuss how your desired project can best be executed cost-effectively.
Garbage Disposal FAQGarbage disposals are one of the unsung heroes in our homes. These appliances prevent the kitchen sink from constantly clogging up. They also make the task of washing dishes less cumbersome. These appliances are in almost all homes, but not many people fully understand how they work. Understanding how they work is important to prevent possible issues. Turek’s Plumbing Services, a plumbing company in Appleton Wisconsin, has put together this compilation of the most common questions people have about garbage disposals. Read on and get the answers to the questions you have always wanted to ask!
The image that many people have in their minds about garbage disposals is that this appliance is chockfull of knives and blades which are just waiting to chop anything that comes their way. This mental picture scares people so much that they don’t want to even open the garbage disposal to see what is inside!
The plumbing maintenance experts at Turek’s Plumbing Services assert that while garbage disposals have some sharp moving parts, the bulk of the work is performed by a rotating hammer that will not do much damage to your hand.
This means that you can turn the disposal off and carefully use your hand to remove an object that is stuck there.
Plumbers in Sacramento, CA from Gilmore Heating, Air, & Plumbing say that there are a number of things that you can do to keep the garbage disposal working at its best. Those measures include:
If you notice that the dishwasher isn’t draining properly, the garbage disposal may have some issues. For example, some people forget to remove the drain plug when they first install a new garbage disposal. Consequently, water from the dishwasher will have no channel to flow through and it will backup.
To keep your garbage disposal running properly, there are certain foods you should never pour down the drain. Some foods will have an adverse effect on the garbage disposal or the plumbing system. Those foods include:
We know that you will still have questions about your garbage disposal from time to time, and that is why at Turek’s Plumbing Services are inviting you to contact us for quality plumbing. Our experienced plumbers will give you all the information that you need to fix minor garbage disposal issues. We will handle the more complex defects so that you don’t have to worry about the plumbing system of your home. Contact us today!
Reasons for Water Heater LeaksWater heater leaks can cause inconveniences, can be costly, and can result in damage to your property. However, water heater leaks come with the added risk of being potentially fatal. It is important for you to know the best course of action to take for water heater leaks. Turek’s Plumbing Services shares what homeowners should do during water heater leaks.
Don’t be quick to conclude that your water heater is leaking simply because you have seen some moisture around it. This is because the heater is surrounded by many pipes, fittings, and connections. The leak may originate from any one of those other elements.
To isolate the source of the leak, plumbing professionals in Appleton, WI recommend that you clean up the water underneath the water heater and then examine the water pipes, connections, and any other features near the water heater.
If you don’t see another puddle forming, then it is likely that the moisture you saw earlier was the result of normal condensation around the water heater. If you see another puddle form, but you are unable to identify an external source, it is likely the water heater.
Once you confirm that your home or commercial water heater is leaking, Headwaters Construction Inc., a Sacramento commercial construction company, highly recommends that you quickly turn off the power to the water heater. You can do this in one of two ways, depending on the type of fuel that your water heater runs on.
If there your home or commercial water heater is leaking, it is important for you to turn the water off immediately. Doing so will prevent further leakage occurs while you are fixing the problem. Another reason why the plumbers at Turek’s Plumbing Services recommend that you turn the water off is that the hot water from your heater can cause serious injuries to you while you try to fix the leak in the heater.
Locate and turn off the water from the cold water shutoff valve located at the top of the water heater. If it is risky for you to access this valve, then don’t sweat it. Just turn the water off from the main shutoff valve located outside your home so that you can be safe while fixing the leak.
As a general rule, you should not attempt to fix a leaking water heater on your own if you aren’t a trained professional. Be cautious and call Tureks Plumbing Services for a water heater repair. Our trained Appleton, WI plumbers will inspect the heater and recommend the best course of action.
Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or are you planning to remodel the existing kitchen? Before you do, read these rules and keep them in mind as you come up with a design that will make your new kitchen not just beautiful but functional and safe. Remember, these rules aren’t set in stone, so you can adjust them here and there to suit your specific circumstances and needs.
It is advisable to have a 34-inch opening into your kitchen. This entry will be wide enough to permit the unfettered carrying of various items, such as appliances, into and out of the kitchen when the need arises.
Additionally, experts at Tureks Plumbing Services recommend that the door should not interfere with the operation of any appliance inside the kitchen. If your kitchen is small, then install the kitchen door in such a way that it opens outwards. This will ensure that the area close to the doorway can have an appliance, such as the fridge.
The work triangle refers to the three major work centers in your kitchen. These are the main cooking appliance, the sink, and the refrigerator. These work centers should form a triangle. The distance from one leg of the triangle to another should not be less than 4-feet or more than 9-feet.
Fox Valley plumbers explain that a distance which is shorter than 4-feet makes it hard to work freely if another person is using one of the work centers. Conversely, longer distances between the work centers aren’t efficient because one will cover long distances when moving between those different legs of the work triangle.
Most importantly, traffic should not travel across the work triangle. For instance, a family member who wants to pick something from the refrigerator should not move across the path of someone who is using the kitchen sink and the oven.
Another guideline which you need to keep in mind when designing your new kitchen is that no full-depth or full-height obstacle should exist between two work centers in the kitchen. For example, the need for more storage space in your kitchen should not motivate you to place a tall oven cabinet between the kitchen sink and the refrigerator. A respected plumber in Appleton, WI says that such separation makes it very hard for someone using the kitchen to access the different legs of the work triangle.
Imagine someone trying to squeeze behind your seat in the kitchen in order to go to the refrigerator and pick a drink. This inconvenience can spoil your mood if you were enjoying a delicious meal. It is therefore advisable for you to allow ample clearance in seating areas if there will be traffic there. For example, Fox Valley plumbers have observed that a clearance 44 inches are sufficient if people will be walking behind someone who is seated in the kitchen. 36 inches are sufficient if all you can manage is space for someone to edge past the seated person.
If you intend to have only one sink in your kitchen, it is better for that sink to be located across from or adjacent to the cooking area. This placement prevents you from covering long distances as you move the prepared food to the stove or oven.
Tureks Plumbing Services also recommends that the sink should have a landing area that has at least 24-inches of clearance on either side so that you have a wide enough surface onto which to place cooking pots after removing them from the stove. The space also allows you to work comfortably as you prepare the different food items which you are going to cook.
In the kitchen, you will have electricity, water, and open flames in the same room. This increases the potential for fire hazards in your kitchen. To minimize this risk, avoid locating the cooking surface, such as a stove top, under an operable window. Additionally, the windows above the cooking surface should not have treatments, such as window film, which are flammable. Plan the layout of different kitchen features with these guidelines in mind and place a fire extinguisher close to the kitchen entrance and far from the cooking surface just in case you have to deal with a minor fire in this room.
You should also pay attention to the height of the upper cabinets in your kitchen during the remodel. A Fox Valley plumber advises that you consider two key aspects in this regard.
First, the distance between a countertop and the cabinet above it should be at least 18 inches. This distance allows the countertop to be used without any interference from the cabinet above.
Secondly, think about your maximum reach when designing the upper cabinets. As a general rule, keep upper cabinets at no more than 7 feet so that you can access stored items easily. Anything higher than that may require you to use step ladders or climb onto a stool.
Many more kitchen design guidelines exist. The seven guidelines above are just intended to draw your attention to some of the considerations that you should keep in mind as you plan a kitchen remodel or new construction. Of course, we at Tureks Plumbing Services will be more than happy to share more planning rules as well as help you to get the plumbing aspects of your kitchen in order. So, give us a call today!
