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DIY Plumbing Problems and When to Call in a Professional

When to DIY PlumbingWater is one of the most destructive and costliest forces when it comes to causing damage to your home. That’s why it’s important to know when you can fix a plumbing issue yourself or when it’s time to call in a professional.

Here are some basic plumbing repairs you can tackle yourself.

  • A slowly dripping faucet

    Hearing a constant dripping sound when you are trying to sleep is not only annoying but it’s costing you money! A steady drip can mean the washer within the faucet needs to be replaced. Turn off the water to the faucet and then unscrew the handle. Inspect the O-ring and washer for damage. Replace with a new washer and reassemble. If the drip continues, you may have broken plumbing or loose parts. If you have a newer faucet with a lever instead of traditional separate knobs, you may need a Len The Plumber professional to replace a broken ceramic plate or fix any of your leaking faucet problems.

  • A running toilet

    After you flush, does water continue to flow into the bowl? If so, that means you have a problem with your lever located in the tank behind the bowl. To fix it, remove the toilet tank lid, find the chain that is likely sunk to the bottom of the tank and reattach it to the lever that is attached to the toilet handle. In some cases you may need to replace the chain if it has been damaged.

  • A clogged drain

    Stop! Before you pour a chemical drain cleaner down the drain to clear a drain, try using a natural alternative of baking soda, salt and hot water. Find out how to naturally unclog a drain here. Some clogs are lodged too deep in your pipes to clear or are too large for solvents. That’s when you need a Len The Plumber expert to clear up the situation.

  • A shower head trickle

    Does your shower head spray water in all sorts of crazy directions or does the water seem blocked in certain parts of it? You might have a lime scale buildup on the shower head and spray plate. Try removing the shower head and spray plate and soaking them in a descaling solution. A cleaned shower head should get your shower back on track.

  • A gnarled garbage disposal

    A garbage disposal can sometimes come to a grinding halt. There are some easy things to get it going again. Try resetting it using the reset button at the bottom of the disposal. If that doesn’t work, try using an Allen key to manually turn the disposal to dislodge the clog. If your disposal is leaking or still won’t work, call in a professional.

Here are some plumbing emergencies that are best left to the professionals!

  • Water heater malfunction

    Leaking water heaters or water heaters that are emitting an odor or making a strange sound are all cause to call in a professional. Improperly performing water heaters can be a health and safety hazard. At Len The Plumber, we are experts in gas, electric and tankless water heaters and we can help service your water heater before you have a problem.

  • Sump pump failure

    Your sump pump is your home’s first line of defense against a high water table that can happen when there is a large rain or snow event. If it fails, you could face a flooded basement and expensive water damage repairs. Sump pumps need to be properly maintained and serviced. A Len The Plumber expert can help you if your sump pump fails and also prevent it from doing so in the first place!

  • Burst pipes

    Extreme changes in temperature can cause a water pipe to burst sending hundreds of gallons of water into your home. If a pipe bursts, immediately shut off the main water valve to your home and call a professional.

  • Clogged sewer lines

    The main sewer line to your home is one of the biggest and most important pieces of plumbing. A sewer line collapse or clog is always best handled by a professional. At Len The Plumber we have the tools to diagnose and fix your sewer line issue.

Troubleshooting your plumbing problem is ok as long as you are not in over your head. At Len The Plumber, there’s no need to second guess yourself. Our experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and we never charge extra for same day service, evenings or weekend appointments.

Finding an emergency plumber you can trust in the Mid-Atlantic has never been easier. Call Len The Plumber today and be confident the job will be done right.

The post DIY Plumbing Problems and When to Call in a Professional appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

Adjusting the temperature of a single bathroom sink

My 2.5 year old daughter is potty training and we want to let her use the bathroom sink to wash her hands afterwards.

I want to be able to limit how hot she can set the water on that particular sink. I don’t want to limit the temperature of the entire house, however.

It’s a pretty standard faucet, it looks like this: https://www.americanstandard-us.com/bathroom/bathroom-sink-faucets/edgemere-widespread-bathroom-faucet-30935

Is there a way to do this? Thanks!

DIY Plumbing Problems and When to Call in a Professional

When to DIY PlumbingWater is one of the most destructive and costliest forces when it comes to causing damage to your home. That’s why it’s important to know when you can fix a plumbing issue yourself or when it’s time to call in a professional.

Here are some basic plumbing repairs you can tackle yourself.

  • A slowly dripping faucet

    Hearing a constant dripping sound when you are trying to sleep is not only annoying but it’s costing you money! A steady drip can mean the washer within the faucet needs to be replaced. Turn off the water to the faucet and then unscrew the handle. Inspect the O-ring and washer for damage. Replace with a new washer and reassemble. If the drip continues, you may have broken plumbing or loose parts. If you have a newer faucet with a lever instead of traditional separate knobs, you may need a Len The Plumber professional to replace a broken ceramic plate or fix any of your leaking faucet problems.

  • A running toilet

    After you flush, does water continue to flow into the bowl? If so, that means you have a problem with your lever located in the tank behind the bowl. To fix it, remove the toilet tank lid, find the chain that is likely sunk to the bottom of the tank and reattach it to the lever that is attached to the toilet handle. In some cases you may need to replace the chain if it has been damaged.

  • A clogged drain

    Stop! Before you pour a chemical drain cleaner down the drain to clear a drain, try using a natural alternative of baking soda, salt and hot water. Find out how to naturally unclog a drain here. Some clogs are lodged too deep in your pipes to clear or are too large for solvents. That’s when you need a Len The Plumber expert to clear up the situation.

  • A shower head trickle

    Does your shower head spray water in all sorts of crazy directions or does the water seem blocked in certain parts of it? You might have a lime scale buildup on the shower head and spray plate. Try removing the shower head and spray plate and soaking them in a descaling solution. A cleaned shower head should get your shower back on track.

  • A gnarled garbage disposal

    A garbage disposal can sometimes come to a grinding halt. There are some easy things to get it going again. Try resetting it using the reset button at the bottom of the disposal. If that doesn’t work, try using an Allen key to manually turn the disposal to dislodge the clog. If your disposal is leaking or still won’t work, call in a professional.

Here are some plumbing emergencies that are best left to the professionals!

  • Water heater malfunction

    Leaking water heaters or water heaters that are emitting an odor or making a strange sound are all cause to call in a professional. Improperly performing water heaters can be a health and safety hazard. At Len The Plumber, we are experts in gas, electric and tankless water heaters and we can help service your water heater before you have a problem.

  • Sump pump failure

    Your sump pump is your home’s first line of defense against a high water table that can happen when there is a large rain or snow event. If it fails, you could face a flooded basement and expensive water damage repairs. Sump pumps need to be properly maintained and serviced. A Len The Plumber expert can help you if your sump pump fails and also prevent it from doing so in the first place!

  • Burst pipes

    Extreme changes in temperature can cause a water pipe to burst sending hundreds of gallons of water into your home. If a pipe bursts, immediately shut off the main water valve to your home and call a professional.

  • Clogged sewer lines

    The main sewer line to your home is one of the biggest and most important pieces of plumbing. A sewer line collapse or clog is always best handled by a professional. At Len The Plumber we have the tools to diagnose and fix your sewer line issue.

Troubleshooting your plumbing problem is ok as long as you are not in over your head. At Len The Plumber, there’s no need to second guess yourself. Our experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and we never charge extra for same day service, evenings or weekend appointments.

Finding an emergency plumber you can trust in the Mid-Atlantic has never been easier. Call Len The Plumber today and be confident the job will be done right.

The post DIY Plumbing Problems and When to Call in a Professional appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

Sometimes water jets out under the bathroom sink?

Been in this house 3 years. This is the second time I’ve noticed it, the last time way probably last year. Turned off the bathroom sink, and immediately followed by the sound of a jet of water spraying under the sink for like half a second. I got down there with my flashlight but there’s no obvious source.

The probably doesn’t repeat itself. Any idea what’s going on?

DIY Plumbing Problems and When to Call in a Professional

When to DIY PlumbingWater is one of the most destructive and costliest forces when it comes to causing damage to your home. That’s why it’s important to know when you can fix a plumbing issue yourself or when it’s time to call in a professional.

Here are some basic plumbing repairs you can tackle yourself.

  • A slowly dripping faucet

    Hearing a constant dripping sound when you are trying to sleep is not only annoying but it’s costing you money! A steady drip can mean the washer within the faucet needs to be replaced. Turn off the water to the faucet and then unscrew the handle. Inspect the O-ring and washer for damage. Replace with a new washer and reassemble. If the drip continues, you may have broken plumbing or loose parts. If you have a newer faucet with a lever instead of traditional separate knobs, you may need a Len The Plumber professional to replace a broken ceramic plate or fix any of your leaking faucet problems.

  • A running toilet

    After you flush, does water continue to flow into the bowl? If so, that means you have a problem with your lever located in the tank behind the bowl. To fix it, remove the toilet tank lid, find the chain that is likely sunk to the bottom of the tank and reattach it to the lever that is attached to the toilet handle. In some cases you may need to replace the chain if it has been damaged.

  • A clogged drain

    Stop! Before you pour a chemical drain cleaner down the drain to clear a drain, try using a natural alternative of baking soda, salt and hot water. Find out how to naturally unclog a drain here. Some clogs are lodged too deep in your pipes to clear or are too large for solvents. That’s when you need a Len The Plumber expert to clear up the situation.

  • A shower head trickle

    Does your shower head spray water in all sorts of crazy directions or does the water seem blocked in certain parts of it? You might have a lime scale buildup on the shower head and spray plate. Try removing the shower head and spray plate and soaking them in a descaling solution. A cleaned shower head should get your shower back on track.

  • A gnarled garbage disposal

    A garbage disposal can sometimes come to a grinding halt. There are some easy things to get it going again. Try resetting it using the reset button at the bottom of the disposal. If that doesn’t work, try using an Allen key to manually turn the disposal to dislodge the clog. If your disposal is leaking or still won’t work, call in a professional.

Here are some plumbing emergencies that are best left to the professionals!

  • Water heater malfunction

    Leaking water heaters or water heaters that are emitting an odor or making a strange sound are all cause to call in a professional. Improperly performing water heaters can be a health and safety hazard. At Len The Plumber, we are experts in gas, electric and tankless water heaters and we can help service your water heater before you have a problem.

  • Sump pump failure

    Your sump pump is your home’s first line of defense against a high water table that can happen when there is a large rain or snow event. If it fails, you could face a flooded basement and expensive water damage repairs. Sump pumps need to be properly maintained and serviced. A Len The Plumber expert can help you if your sump pump fails and also prevent it from doing so in the first place!

  • Burst pipes

    Extreme changes in temperature can cause a water pipe to burst sending hundreds of gallons of water into your home. If a pipe bursts, immediately shut off the main water valve to your home and call a professional.

  • Clogged sewer lines

    The main sewer line to your home is one of the biggest and most important pieces of plumbing. A sewer line collapse or clog is always best handled by a professional. At Len The Plumber we have the tools to diagnose and fix your sewer line issue.

Troubleshooting your plumbing problem is ok as long as you are not in over your head. At Len The Plumber, there’s no need to second guess yourself. Our experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and we never charge extra for same day service, evenings or weekend appointments.

Finding an emergency plumber you can trust in the Mid-Atlantic has never been easier. Call Len The Plumber today and be confident the job will be done right.

The post DIY Plumbing Problems and When to Call in a Professional appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

Would an electric tankless heater be a good choice in this commercial application?

I’m leasing a warehouse space in a multi-unit building and we need a hot water heater to supply two high-efficiency/low water washing machines and a restaurant style sink. Washers sometimes do run simultaneously and want to be able to use sink simultaneously as well if needed.

Currently we have a 50-gallon standard heater in our present space and we do run into supply issues from time to time. Plus I’m hoping to save space.

I’m looking at a tankless electric unit – would this be a decent choice? I’ve read about the pros and cons online but mostly seems geared to residential concerns. I know these can draw a lot of power but we have more than enough power supply. There’s no gas supply to the building so we can’t go with gas tankless.

If so, any recommendations on a brand?

Thanks!

5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Reduce your energy bill - Len The PlumberThere’s Taco Tuesday and Hump Day but only Cut Your Energy Costs Day on January 10th has your wallet in its best interest!

What better day to start implementing all those cost saving measures in your home than on a day dedicated to reducing energy use and finding savings right in your own home. While costs in the Mid-Atlantic for energy suppliers and water rates are going up, the best way to hold the line on your budget is to find a way to be more efficient in your home.

Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to cut your energy costs in your home.

  1. Insulate your water tank

    If you have an older water tank, take look at its insulation. If it has a R-value of at least 24, you are in good shape. If it is less, consider insulating your tank which could reduce standby heat losses by 25-45 percent, saving you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You may also consider replacing old, inefficient water tanks for more efficient models. A Len The Plumber expert can recommend the best water heater model for your home. Our Len The Plumber professionals offer repair or replacement services for all types of water heating solutions.

  2. Replace traditional light bulbs with LED

    Although more expensive at checkout, LED bulbs have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. Take inventory in your home and swap out a few at a time to ease the cost of the transition. Each energy-saving bulb saves you more than $600 in energy costs over the life of bulb, according to energy.gov.

  3. Repair leaky faucets

    A dripping faucet is a drag on your wallet. All those drops add up to more than a drop in the bucket on your water bill. Chances are if you live in the Mid-Atlantic, you will be seeing an increase in the cost per gallon you pay. Why not make sure you are getting your money’s worth? A Len The Plumber professional can fix your faulty faucets and put a stop to your finance flood. Check out this drip calculator to get a real handle on how much water you are wasting.
  4. Unplug appliances not in use

    Phantom energy is the energy things, like your TV, computer and power cords, consume when they are switched off. You can save that standby power costs simply by unplugging not just powering down your appliances. An easy way to do that is by using a power strip with switches you can flip on and off as needed. Phantom standby power can cost the average household $100 each year! That’s a lot of real bucks for phantom power!
  5. Switch to Energy Star rated appliances

    An Energy Star certified washing machines uses 40 to 50 percent less energy and about 55 percent less water than standard models. Replacing it can save up to $50 a year on utility and water bills. An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses about 40 percent less energy than models sold as late as 2001. And dishwashers with the Energy Star rating are 12 percent more energy efficient than traditional models.

So, eat that Taco on Tuesday, but take some time to look at ways you can make an impact on your energy consumption and Len The Plumber can partner with you to help get it done. Call our professionals today.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

Purchased an old home and had a drain under the basement floor collapse? looking for advice.

My kitchen sink 1-1/2 inch pvc that leads to a cast iron pipe under the basement floor (House built in 1900) has collapsed (not sure if thats the correct term. Basically the house sat empty for 7 years as the owner died and the children didn’t want to part. We’ve now had it for years with minimal issues just basic clogging here and there.

we moved my wifes mother and grand mother in and they dumped grease into the drain. I’ve tried snaking, Lye, and so on. Nothing is helping. This drain is solo nothing but a vent pipe attached and it has a clog that is 100% letting nothing through.

I have on the other side of the basement brand new plumbing that was ran for a new bathroom.

The question I have is would you try to fix the existing drain or run a new drain to the new plumbing and bypass the existing plumbing due to the issues?

5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Reduce your energy bill - Len The PlumberThere’s Taco Tuesday and Hump Day but only Cut Your Energy Costs Day on January 10th has your wallet in its best interest!

What better day to start implementing all those cost saving measures in your home than on a day dedicated to reducing energy use and finding savings right in your own home. While costs in the Mid-Atlantic for energy suppliers and water rates are going up, the best way to hold the line on your budget is to find a way to be more efficient in your home.

Let’s take a look at some simple things you can do to cut your energy costs in your home.

  1. Insulate your water tank

    If you have an older water tank, take look at its insulation. If it has a R-value of at least 24, you are in good shape. If it is less, consider insulating your tank which could reduce standby heat losses by 25-45 percent, saving you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You may also consider replacing old, inefficient water tanks for more efficient models. A Len The Plumber expert can recommend the best water heater model for your home. Our Len The Plumber professionals offer repair or replacement services for all types of water heating solutions.

  2. Replace traditional light bulbs with LED

    Although more expensive at checkout, LED bulbs have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs. Take inventory in your home and swap out a few at a time to ease the cost of the transition. Each energy-saving bulb saves you more than $600 in energy costs over the life of bulb, according to energy.gov.

  3. Repair leaky faucets

    A dripping faucet is a drag on your wallet. All those drops add up to more than a drop in the bucket on your water bill. Chances are if you live in the Mid-Atlantic, you will be seeing an increase in the cost per gallon you pay. Why not make sure you are getting your money’s worth? A Len The Plumber professional can fix your faulty faucets and put a stop to your finance flood. Check out this drip calculator to get a real handle on how much water you are wasting.
  4. Unplug appliances not in use

    Phantom energy is the energy things, like your TV, computer and power cords, consume when they are switched off. You can save that standby power costs simply by unplugging not just powering down your appliances. An easy way to do that is by using a power strip with switches you can flip on and off as needed. Phantom standby power can cost the average household $100 each year! That’s a lot of real bucks for phantom power!
  5. Switch to Energy Star rated appliances

    An Energy Star certified washing machines uses 40 to 50 percent less energy and about 55 percent less water than standard models. Replacing it can save up to $50 a year on utility and water bills. An Energy Star qualified refrigerator uses about 40 percent less energy than models sold as late as 2001. And dishwashers with the Energy Star rating are 12 percent more energy efficient than traditional models.

So, eat that Taco on Tuesday, but take some time to look at ways you can make an impact on your energy consumption and Len The Plumber can partner with you to help get it done. Call our professionals today.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day appeared first on Len The Plumber.…

Purchased an old home and had a drain under the basement floor collapse? looking for advice.

My kitchen sink 1-1/2 inch pvc that leads to a cast iron pipe under the basement floor (House built in 1900) has collapsed (not sure if thats the correct term. Basically the house sat empty for 7 years as the owner died and the children didn’t want to part. We’ve now had it for years with minimal issues just basic clogging here and there.

we moved my wifes mother and grand mother in and they dumped grease into the drain. I’ve tried snaking, Lye, and so on. Nothing is helping. This drain is solo nothing but a vent pipe attached and it has a clog that is 100% letting nothing through.

I have on the other side of the basement brand new plumbing that was ran for a new bathroom.

The question I have is would you try to fix the existing drain or run a new drain to the new plumbing and bypass the existing plumbing due to the issues?