YOUR GUIDE TO THE TOP HOME IMPROVEMENT WEBSITES (Part 1) How does one know which are the good DIY Home Improvement sites? There are hundreds of sites on the Internet offering home improvement advice, tips and instructions for the do-it-yourselfer. As a service to our customers and followers, Mr. Speedy Plumbing is providing a consumer guide to the top-rated home improvement-DIY sites on the Internet. One of the criteria we use to rate DIY/Home Improvement sites is their Page Rank. Page Rank is a value from 1 to 9 that tells you how important a page is on the web. Google recognizes that when one page links to another page, it is basically casting a vote for that page. Google also figures that the more votes a page receives, the more important is that page. Note: the importance of the … [Read more...]
How To Unclog A Drain – A Comprehensive Guide
Comprehensive Guide - Ways To Unclog A Drain There is more than one way to skin a cat, and there is more than one way to unclog a drain. If you are looking for tips on ways to skin a cat, you'll need to find another blog - we are animal lovers and do not promote cruelty to animals. But if you are looking for tips on ways to unclog a drain, you've come to the right place. For the purposes of this discussion, a drain can be defined as any pipe or conduit that facilitates or enables the flow of water from one place to another. Drains include toilets, bathroom and kitchen sinks, showers, bathtubs, and sewer lines. A blockage in any one of these will make your life difficult, will disrupt your home or business, can soon become a health hazard, and can cause damage to property. Any … [Read more...]
HELPFUL PLUMBING TIPS – FOLLOW THESE DO’S AND DON’TS
Follow These Helpful Plumbing Tips (Not) Are you having problems with your plumbing? Do you need a good plumber? Here are some tips and tricks to help you choose a plumber and do some things that will help you and your plumber get the job done fast (NOT!). Selecting the Right Plumber To find the right plumber in your local area, use these guidelines: Don't check around asking for references; Don't choose a plumber who's been in business for more than a few months; Don't use review sites to check for good reviews; Use an unlicensed plumber - or take the plumber's word that he's licensed and don't verify his claims; Choose a plumber without good equipment, insurance or bonding. Then Call The Plumber. Once you have made your choice, call the plumber on the … [Read more...]
HOW TO KNOW WHEN A WATER HEATER CAN BE REPAIRED
How to Know When a Water Heater Can Be Repaired and When It Needs to be Replaced. A water heater should last 8 to 12 years. Most water heaters have a warranty from the manufacturer which covers the system for about 6 years, and they can usually last another 6 years beyond the term of the warranty. A new water heater can be expensive. Water heater repair, if possible, can be much cheaper. When you have a problem with your water heater, it is important to recognize the signs: can it be repaired or must it be replaced? Follow these guidelines to determine what is wrong with your water heater, how to repair it if it can be repaired, and when you will have to replace your unit. Many older water heaters can be repaired. Any parts you might need in order to do these repairs can … [Read more...]
How to Unclog A Toilet
Spills and Splashes Are Inevitable. Here are some tips and tricks from our master plumbers about how to unclog a toilet. Always spread some towels around the base of the toilet before you start any work. This will prevent any water from spilling onto the floor. Don't flush too much. Too much flushing can cause your toilet to overflow. Use the right type of plunger. There are plungers for sinks and plungers for toilets. Use a dome-shaped plunger for toilets. Be firm, but don't be rough. Hold the plunger upright, and press down hard. You will need to push down several times in most cases. The bigger the plunger, the harder you will have to push down. Add some laundry detergent. Some say that adding laundry detergent to the bowl may eat away the paper if you give it some time. Try it: … [Read more...]
Holiday Plumbing Tips To Prevent Needing a Plumber
Easter Holiday Plumbing Tips and Advice Easter is one of the busiest seasons for plumbers. Having a number of guests in your home for an extended period can put a great deal of pressure on your plumbing system. Here are some holiday plumbing tips and tricks to help keep your plumbing system flowing smoothly over the busy holiday weekend. The Garbage Disposal: Your garbage disposal unit is your first line of defense against plumbing problems and stoppages. Having a house full of guests can really test your garbage disposal unit. The first thing you must do is clean out your garbage disposal unit before your guests arrive. The best thing to use is ice cubes, with some lemon peel added to eliminate unpleasant odors. Always turn on the faucet before you put run the garbage … [Read more...]
How To Select the Right Water Heater
Choosing A Water Heater - Issues & Options When choosing a new water heater, you are faced with several different options and choices. You must first decide on what size of tank you will need to fit your needs. Then you must choose between gas-powered, electric powered or solar-powered. Then you must choose between a tankless water heater and the regular storage-tank type. Then you might look at Low NOx systems and their advantages. Here are some of the main issues involved in the various choices and options. Water Heaters - What Size Tank Do I Need? Water heaters range in size from 2.5 gallons to over 100 gallons. The size you need depends on the following factors: The type of power: Gas, electric, solar; The size of your family; The number of bathtubs and showers in … [Read more...]
