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Bathroom plumbing problems can really be the worst and most inconvenient. If something is wrong with a toilet, shower, or tub, you’re left in a bind. Plus, bathroom plumbing problems can be gross. It’s better to avoid them altogether by taking proactive steps to care for your bathroom plumbing.
If you are looking for ways to elevate the convenience and usability of your bathroom, you can give us a call for an in-home assessment with our bathroom remodelers in Kaukauna. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn about the ways that you can care for your bathrooms as a homeowner to maximize your plumbing.
Bathroom remodels are one of the projects that can give you the best bang for your buck. This not only improves your home’s equity, but you also get to enjoy the perks of having a new bathroom! However, you have to make the right choices. To get started on planning your dream bathroom, you’ll need to know exactly what you want and how you’ll achieve it. It is also important to obtain insights that will help you with decision-making throughout the entire process. To further prepare yourself for the project, check out the answers to the following bathroom remodel FAQs:
How Do I Get Started?
First, figure out what you want and need to do to improve your bathroom. You may do your research by auditing the existing features and characteristics of your bathroom, and listing down what you want to add or improve. For ideas, you can browse through home design sites or magazines. Make sure to consider everything, from lighting to storage to countertops to showers and toilets to the floors. Once you have your ideas sorted out and organized, talk to a bathroom remodel professional in the Fox Cities area to know more about your options and start finalizing the plans.
How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?
It depends on the details. Is your design simple or complicated to undertake? Are the materials you need easily available or do you need to place a special order for them and wait for stocks to be available? Needless to say, a simple remodel using easily available materials can be finished as quickly as possible. At the same time, more extensive projects can still be fast and efficient to do if you work with an experienced and highly competent team.
How Much Will a Bathroom Remodel Cost?
Again, the answer depends on your choice of materials and how extensive the project will be. If you want to keep costs low, your bathroom remodeling contractor can present you with a range of choices that fit your vision and will still be within your set budget. If money is no issue, a good contractor will still take the time to make recommendations that will offer you more value for your investment. The important thing is to discuss the costs early on, and in a clear, transparent, and documented manner to avoid any surprise expenses. Our friends at Headwaters Construction, a Sacramento general contractor, say that many bathroom remodeling projects these days start around 7K. Of course, this does depend on what you’re looking for.
How To Increase Bathroom Size Without Changing Square Footage
You can revamp the look and feel of your bathroom through the right design strategies. A small bathroom can feel more spacious without the need for a major renovation through some of the following techniques:
Choose light and bright colors.
Install vertical or hanging storage to minimize clutter on the floor and over-the-countertops.
Switch to a slimmer sink and bathtub, as well as a compact model toilet.
Add light fixtures to visually open up the space.
What does WaterSense mean?
A product designed and quality-tested to be 20 percent more water-efficient than federal standards has a WaterSense label from the Environmental Protection Agency. These products include low-flow showerheads and toilets that reduce water consumption without necessarily reducing your everyday convenience. It pays to invest in WaterSense products as it will provide you with significant savings in the long run. Moreover, reducing water use is a great way to contribute to your community’s water conservation efforts.
Contact Tureks Plumbing, your local plumbing professionals in Fox Valley, to to talk about more bathroom remodel FAQs.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in January 2017 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Tips For Sticking to Your Bathroom Remodel Budget 2021
Most of us would love to have a newly remodeled bathroom, but it does take time, money, and patience. The financials are usually the part that holds a lot of people back from renovations. One problem that people often face is sticking to their budget. Don’t worry, our bathroom remodel contractors, know exactly what to do. Read the article below to learn the best tips for sticking to your bathroom remodel budget.
Do Your Research First
Do some legwork and determine the estimate for the amount of work you want to be done to your home. The trusted bathroom remodelers that Applegate and Fox Valley homeowners turn to actually provide estimates that will allow you to prepare the amount of money necessary for your project.
Establish the Home’s New Value
If you’re thinking of selling it in a few years, you may want to work with a very generous budget because you definitely can recoup the cost when you resell. Or, if it’s just for the long-term improvement of home dynamics, you may want to work with a more conservative budget since you can just easily “add” new features through the years. Our friends at Headwaters Construction Inc., a general contractor Sacramento, recommends picking features that are timeless.
Think About New Bathroom Elements
It’s important to know what you want to add and what to eliminate. When you’re remodeling a bathroom, don’t ever forget that you’ll be paying for labor as well; this usually takes about a third of the project’s overall cost. When you’ve determined how much labor will be, it’ll be easier to identify the elements that are important and need to be placed in, as well as the luxuries to do away with.
Always Half a Budget Buffer
There will always be components to the project that will be beyond your control, so it’s good to have some wiggle room in your budget to accommodate those. You may also find that there are “wants” that simply don’t work beautifully into the design of the bathroom; you need to have enough money to replace those with new and more suitable implements.
Save Money Where You Can
Search around for sales on bathroom products. Likewise, don’t turn away from other provisions that will help you decorate or design your bathroom for cheap, such as swap meets and garage sales. These can save you some money and allow you to purchase additional items or have new elements installed.
Hire a Professional
These tips for your bathroom remodel budget are fail-proof. They will help you organize the expenses and prepare adequately in order to stay on top of the financing for your bathroom remodel project. It’s important to speak with your Fox Cities Plumbing Company about your budget. Call the professionals at Turek’s Plumbing to discuss your bathroom remodel budget and find out what options are right for you!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in February 2017 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
If you would like to take the preservation of the plumbing system of your home to a whole new level, you have to shine a light on your habits and drop those that are bad while maintaining those that support the service life of a plumbing system. In this blog post, we look at some of the bad habits that could ruin bathroom plumbing in your Appleton, Wisconsin home.
Taking Long, Hot Showers
What? Yes, that long, hot shower that you take to reinvigorate your body and mind after a long day at work isn’t doing the plumbing system any favors.
How does this happen? The specialists at Turek’s Plumbing Services explain that even with proper ventilation, hot showers have a knack for making moisture (or steam in this case) to access every nook, cranny and crevice in the bathroom.
As you may already know, warmth and dampness are the perfect combo for the growth of mold, so your long, hot showers are paving the way for a mold problem to fester in your bathroom.
We at Turek’s Plumbing Services know the immense benefits of taking a hot shower, so we will not recommend that you kick them to the curb. Instead, we advise that you take shorter hot showers (not exceeding 10 minutes), ensure there’s as much ventilation in the bathroom as possible, and avoid cranking up the temperature of the water too high.
Letting Hair Buildup
The reason why most plumbing clogs occur in the shower and bathroom sink is largely because of hair. If the hair falling into the bathroom drains isn’t removed periodically, it will accumulate to a level that will block the flow of water through the drain.
If the blockage isn’t fixed, you may end up with a burst pipe. Bathroom remodel professionals in Appleton, WI therefore suggests that you use a clothes hanger to extract the hair that gets into the drains so that no buildup is allowed in there. This proactive step will save you from making so many service calls to Appleton Wisconsin plumbers.
Leaving Standing Water on the Bathroom Floor
If you wouldn’t leave standing water on your kitchen floor, why would you leave it on the bathroom floor? Standing water can damage and warp bathroom flooring, and this in turn can compromise the plumbing components underneath the affected sections of the flooring.
The resultant damage caused by standing water in your bathroom is unlikely to be covered by your home insurance policy, so not only are you going to feel the pinch in your pocket, but you also risk slipping and falling as you walk on that wet floor.
At Turek’s Plumbing Services, we recommend that you buy a bigger shower mat or rug so that the problem of standing water is no more.
Neglecting Water Backups
Does water back up or flow slowly through the toilet or shower drain? Take action immediately so that you fix this problem in its early stages.
For example, if the slow drainage is due to trapped hair, remove the drain cover and use a straightened hanger with a hook at its end to extract the trapped hair.
Similarly, if you notice mineral build ups on the showerhead, Sacramento, CA plumbers suggest that you rub vinegar or shampoo on that spot. The mineral deposits will be gone and your bathroom plumbing will be free from a potential defect.
Leaving Damp Materials
Mold thrives in moist environments that have access to the light, and that is exactly what your damp towels and loofahs provide.
If you are in the habit of using a towel and then dumping it on the floor or in the hamper, then know that you are making it easy for mold and bacteria to find a haven in your bathroom.
It is therefore advisable for you to hang up your towel to dry after using it, and place your loafers in a well-ventilated spot so that they can dry as well. Replacing the loofahs periodically is also a good practice to develop since you will protect your health and the plumbing system from being infiltrated by the microbes growing on these moist items.
At Turek’s Plumbing Services, we know it can be very difficult to break a bad habit just as it is difficult to maintain a good one. That is why we offer our services to homeowners in Appleton, Wisconsin. We use our routine service calls as an opportunity to point out any habits that seem to be compromising the plumbing system so that the needed changes can be made. Remember, our aim is to give you information to help you minimize plumbing problems so that you only call us to fix the issues that you cannot address on your own. Contact Appleton, WI plumbers today and join our growing list of happy homeowners!
Pipes Rattling After Shower? Here Are the 2 Possible Reasons
After a tiring day at work, the first thing that you want to do is to take a nice shower before getting into bed.
But after turning off the shower, you hear rattling noises. What’s the reason behind these noises? Rodents? Pests? Ghosts?
There are two possible reasons behind these noises.
Copper pipes
If the sounds you hear come after using the hot water, it is possible that the main reason behind these noises is the copper pipe used in your home’s plumbing system.
Like other types of metals, copper expands and contracts, depending on the temperature. When you hear the pipes rattling after shower with hot water, this simply means that the copper pipes are expanding and rubbing against other components of the plumbing system like the joist, bracket or stud.
Apart from the noises you hear, there is not much you need to worry about. The expansion and contraction of the pipes rarely cause other problems.
Solving this problem can be complicated, especially if the pipes have been installed between the walls. Quite simply, you will need to spend money to have your drywalls removed. If you have extra money stashed, you can ask your plumber to remove the drywall in the areas where you hear the rattling sounds. Your plumber will then place either foam insulation or foam rubber which will act as a cushion between the pipe and the framing, effectively eliminating the rattling noises you hear.
Alternatively, you can opt for plastic pipes as a replacement for the copper pipes. Plastic pipes do contract and expand, but not enough to cause rattling sounds.
Water hammer
On the other hand, if you hear the noises when you turn the water on and off using either cold or hot water, the main cause of your problem is what is called the water hammer problem.
A water hammer happens when you turn off a faucet or shower quicker than you turned it on. The noise you hear is the result of the sudden movement of water in the pipes. This sudden movement, in turn, causes movements in the pipes, especially if these are not properly secured.
One possible solution to this problem is to install a pressure-reducing valve which lowers the water pressure. Another solution to this problem is to use water hammer arresters. These devices act as a cushion and absorb the energy produced by the movement of the water inside the pipes. Schedule your appointment with us today!
After a stressful day at the office or doing household chores, nothing else can make you feel better quicker than taking a long, soothing bath. The look and feel of your bathroom can give you an experience that is similar to visiting a spa or a resort.
Currently, though, the design and layout of your bathroom may not be ideal for the type of experience that you want. You can change it with a remodel.
One important question to ask is where to start with a bathroom remodel. Here are a few tips to help you out:
Determine its purpose
A bathroom is where people take a shower, brush their teeth and take care of other hygiene issues before going out. These are some of the most common activities done inside a bathroom, but it is also a personal space. What you need to consider is what you want your experience to be like when you are inside. Do you use the bathroom for a quick bath or do you also want to use the space to relax and unwind for a while?
How you answer this question will influence the design, materials and colors that will be used in remodeling the space.
Consider the existing layout
The current design and layout of your bathroom can affect what you can do with the space. For instance, the placement of your toilet bowl, urinal, faucet and showerhead is fixed. You can change the fixtures but not where they are installed. Changing the placement of the fixtures involves moving or extending the pipes. This involves a lot of work and will cost you more.
Consult an expert plumber in your area to find out what the limitations are when it comes to remodeling your bathroom. This may affect the final design of your remodeled bathroom but it can help you save money and give you fewer problems to worry about during the remodeling process.
Identify the users
Knowing the people who use the bathroom is also an important factor when having it remodeled. If you live on your own, then your personal taste and preferences will be used as the sole basis for the design. However, if you live with your parents or kids, or there are several other people living in the same space, then it could affect the final design of your bathroom.
For instance, if you live with your elderly parents or somebody with medical issues, you will need to have grab bars installed and use non-slip materials that are easy to clean. If you live with toddlers or young kids and you want a tub, you can consider tubs that include a step. This will make it easier and safer for them to get in and out of the tub. And make sure to schedule your appointment with us today!
Water is essential to human life and its shortage can result in problems of a major scale. This is why everybody is encouraged to conserve water. With smart practices, water shortage can be prevented and quality of human life protected.
A reputable plumbing company trusted by Applegate and Fox Valley residents has a collection of water conservation tips that can help. So, if you wish to do your bit in doing the environment well and helping sustain its ability to provide water to us all, and at the same time, slash your household’s water bill, you can implement these tips from the pros.
Eco-Friendly Products
Don’t go overboard with detergents, bleach, and other chemicals to get your clothes and house clean. Not only do they contribute to water pollution but they also cause routine cleaning to consume more energy and water.
Switch to eco-friendly soaps and detergents. They are much easier to rinse and don’t contribute to water pollution.
Lawn Care & Water Conservation
Improve your lawn care. Watering frequently is actually counterproductive; water deeply just twice a day (ideally before the sun goes up and when it’s setting) instead. You’ll use less water by watering wisely.
Contact your local water authority to make sure that the water pressure on your street is less than 60 pounds per square inch. Pressure that is any higher than that is too much for plumbing systems and will always result in excessive water usage.
Plumbing Leaks
Make sure that there’s no leaky plumbing in your home. Leaky toilets consist of more than 40 percent of your total water usage. Meanwhile, leaky faucets that drip once per second waste as much as eight gallons of water a day. To make sure that you’re not dealing with a leaky plumbing system, check your water meter when no water is being used. If the meter continues to move even when no one’s using water, that’s a clear indication that you have a water leak somewhere. Call professional plumbers to find where the leak is and repair the problem.
Collect Water
Wisconsin gets a lot of rain and you can fill rain barrels with rainwater that you can use as a resource for the future. It can be used for gardening and cleaning your home.
Plumbing Fixtures
Replacing some plumbing fixtures, such as an old showerhead with a more water-efficient design, can actually save you up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without compromising spray pressure. You can also look into low-flow toilets and faucets. Call us to schedule your appointment today!
Fixing the 2 Most Common Causes of Leaking Garbage Disposal
A leaking garbage disposal system does not necessarily translate to a massive hole in your pocket. Leaks can occur from time to time and in some instances, you do not have to spend a small fortune to remedy these problems.
Here’s a brief rundown of two of the most common causes of leaks and what you can do about these.
Gasket
Check your garbage disposal system and determine where exactly the leak is coming from. If the leak is coming from the top rim where the rubber seal and the flange meet, it is highly likely that the cause of the leak is the gasket which can be found on top of the system.
Over time, the rubber gasket breaks down. In some cases, if the garbage disposal system is not used for an extended period of time, the gasket can dry up, causing leaks. Sometimes, the gasket causes leaks if it is replaced unevenly. Finally, if you dismantle the system for whatever reason, it is a good idea to replace the gasket.
Fortunately, if the gasket is the cause of the leak, it can be easily replaced. Just make sure that you purchase the right gasket for your garbage disposal system.
After you have bought the correct gasket, the first thing that you need to do to replace the old one is to disconnect the drain. After that, you can unplug the cord. Make sure that you remove the dishwasher drain hose from the system.
Next, hold the sides of the mounting nuts and turn these counter clockwise. This will unlock the garbage disposal system.
The next step that you need to do is to remove the old gasket and put the new one that you bought. Check whether the new gasket fits properly. After that, you can replace the garbage disposal system and reconnect the drains and plug.
Disposal flange
If the leak comes from the upper area of the garbage disposal system, the possible source of the leak is the disposal flange.
The flange can leak if the seal is not tight enough or has become loose. In either case, you will need to dismantle the system so that you can reseal the flange.
After dropping the garbage disposal unit, you will need to loosen the bolts that hold the flange in place. Next, find the clip that holds the flange in place by using a flat screwdriver to pop it out of place. Then, remove the top flange from the sink. You should then clean the sink before reinstalling the system and applying putty.
In applying plumber’s putty, make sure that you apply an even amount. You should also make sure that the putty wraps around the rim of the flange. After that, you can put the flange into its original position and replace the bottom flange. Replace the screws tightly and then you can clean the area where you worked. And schedule your appointment with us today!
Majestic trees never fail to boost curb appeal. They look grand and beautiful, and they also provide shade and protection from the wind. In some cultures, they symbolize longevity and abundance. They are also sources of sustenance for animals and humans.
However, trees can be the source of problems too, especially when their roots grow into underground structures, or they spread wide and compromise the stability of above ground fixtures. There are many tree root problems, but perhaps one of the most inconvenient is the way they damage underground plumbing systems. Households suffer from clogging and backflow due to roots growing into pipes and septic tanks. They can also cause flooding when pipes crack due to the pressure of invasive tree roots.
Getting rid of tree root infestation in sewer lines or underground plumbing structures is imperative. According to a plumbing company that services Applegate and Fox Valley, Wisconsin residents, there are some effective methods that can be tried, but they all need to be executed by experienced professionals.
Using a mechanical auger
A powered sewer auger is sent down the sewer line with a rotating spiral head with teeth that cut the roots easily. This is effective in cutting down some roots and clearing the sewer line some. However, this doesn’t guarantee that the roots won’t grow back in, so this method of root removal would have to be done frequently, which is rather inconvenient.
Poisoning roots with copper sulfate crystals
This is a highly recommended method for making sure roots don’t grow back. Copper sulfate crystals create a poison zone within the soil outside the pipe and this prevents roots from growing into the sewer because they die in the process.
* Other chemicals have a similar effect; foaming root killers work similarly to copper sulfate crystals and not only kill roots but also prevent regrowth.
Blasting roots away with a hydro jetter
A hydro jetter can blast away roots so chemicals can be applied properly to kill off any roots still present in the plumbing system. Using this is effective but expensive.
Repairing damaged plumbing systems is costly, so in the future, take preventive steps against tree root infestation. If you’re thinking of growing trees in your garden or lawn, find out first where your utility lines are and make sure to plant away from those structures. Likewise, choose tree species that don’t have invasive root systems such as Amur maple, American hornbeam, Adam’s crabapple tree, and Cornelian cherry dogwood.
It is normal for debris to accumulate over time, but there are certain items that can make your drains clog faster. The following are five of the likeliest causes of drain clogs and what homeowners can do to reduce the chances of a blocked drain.
Hair
Clogs caused by hair strands are more common in bathroom sinks, showers and tub drains. Each time you shower, you lose hundreds of strands. These thin strands normally get washed away, but on a rare occasion, strands may get stuck along the walls of your drain pipe. Over time, the buildup can block the flow of water and clog your drain. Installing a hair catcher or sink guard helps, but won’t totally prevent clogs. It is possible to find clogged bathroom drains, especially in older homes.
Soap
Dirt, grime, hair strands, dead skin cells and other types of waste can stick to the soapy residue and cause a blockage. Other than bathroom sinks, showers and tubs, soap scum can also become a problem when washing dishes. One way to reduce this buildup is to pour two buckets filled with hot water and chlorine down the sink at least twice a month.
Grease
Grease buildups more commonly occur in kitchen sinks. Similar to the case of soap scum, small food particles and other sediments can get trapped in this thick, gooey liquid. However, unlike soap, the oily residue is more difficult to remove. You can try using cold water when running your garbage disposal. This can help remove some of the layers of grease and let the fat flow more freely through the drainage pipes.
One better way to prevent grease buildup is to avoid pouring any type of oil down the drain at all. Instead, what you can do is to pour the grease directly into the garbage. This prevents any residue or particles getting stuck along the pipe’s walls.
Toilet paper
Toilet paper sheets are designed to break down easily when exposed to water. This makes the sheets easier to flush. However, paper towels, baby wipes and multi-ply tissue paper are more durable and may not break down as easily as a single ply sheet of toilet paper. To prevent blockage, avoid flushing these types of toiletries down the toilet. Inform your relatives, friends or guests to do the same when staying at your home.
Napkins and diapers
Finally, these types of hygiene products are a major cause of concern. Because they are designed to absorb water, napkins, diapers and other similar products can quickly cause a blockage. Always throw these types of items straight into the trash and not into the toilet bowl. And make sure to call us today!
