It’s summer, and this is the most common time for home buyers to search the Charlotte real estate market. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of problems that may exist in a home that are not found by inspectors, especially plumbing leaks and poor plumbing systems. Before buying a home filled with plumbing repair needs, be sure to check out the various plumbing fixtures so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

In the bathroom, be sure to inspect the floor; look around the base of the toilet for water damage, and test to make sure there are no soft spots in the floor. These are signs of water leaks, typically existing. If you find black and white stains or rolled vinyl flooring, these are also clues that water leaks may have previously plagued the area or are currently a problem. Also be sure to press tiles on the wall to check for leaks and loose tiling. Before you move on, flush the toilet and make sure it works properly, not draining too slowly or causing water to leak.

To check for adequate piping and water pressure, turn on a bathtub faucet and the kitchen sink faucet. If the pressure is significantly reduced with both running, the piping may have a large amount of calcium and mineral deposits and need to be replaced. While you are in the kitchen, make sure the connections to the dishwasher and garbage disposal are tight and show no signs of leaks. Also, check within the cabinetry to assure there is no water damage, including stains, rotted corkboard, or sagging bottoms. Be sure to check the washing machine hose as well, since these can rupture and lead to extensive water damage.

The first four digits of the serial number on a water heater are the month and year of manufacture. If the water heater in the home is more than 15 years old, you’ll want to contact your local Charlotte plumbing company to replace it. You may also want to check for rust on the tank, as this is a sign of impending issues with the hot water heater. If you are unsure of problems you may find, you can get assistance with inspections from our Charlotte water heater technicians, available to help you assess the value of the plumbing system in your prospective home purchase.

For many people, bathroom remodeling is fun to discuss, especially when it is an anticipated springtime project. It’s also difficult to get a plan into motion. Today’s homeowner, particularly if he or she lives in an older home, wants a bathroom that has more of a state-of-the-art appeal to it.

The hard part, however, is actually putting the plan into fruition. A newly remodeled bathroom isn’t cheap, for starters, and the bathroom requires someone who has a mind for great ideas. Saying you want a bathroom makeover is one thing; having the necessary ideas is another.

Some renovations, for those who aren’t the bathroom brainstorming types, include a brand-new walk-in shower, a whirlpool bath, a low-flow shower head or even a new toilet. Others look for bathroom faucets and sinks that have futuristic appeal to it. Then, there are others who simply want a change in the bathroom flooring, lighting or walls. You can start the remodeling process by jotting down some of the things you don’t like about how your bathroom currently looks and take it from there.

Our Charlotte NC plumbers are more than happy to assist you with designing a new bathroom for your home. If your thought processing is stuck in neutral, we can offer excellent suggestions that will give your bathroom an instant upgrade. If you have your ideas ready, let our plumbers handle all installation and maintenance services at affordable rates.

Call our Charlotte plumbing company, or visit us online for more information on bathroom remodeling.

Everyone’s heard the adage about the certainty of “death and taxes,” but there are two other inevitable factors for Charlotte NC plumbing customers to consider when repairing or remodeling a bathroom: accidents and aging. The National Safety Council reports that almost 200,000 people are injured annually in their bathroom. In addition, the number of senior citizens and disabled Charlotte residents continues to increase. Your local plumbers are ready to help.

To aid those with special needs (now or in the future) and reduce accidents, Ben Franklin plumbers install bathroom fixtures that are attractive, practical and safe for Charlotte families and businesses. For residential baths, our plumbers recommend design ideas and the latest safety features. We aim to meet the needs of families throughout their life cycles, including considerations such as infants, visually impaired adults, people with physical size requirements, and seniors with difficulty walking.

For homes and offices, installations can be created to meet requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Whether your goal is to provide accessibility to all, or a “universal design” to meet as many special needs as possible without specialized design, North Carolina plumbing professionals work hard to find the best solution for you.

Some key universal design considerations include adequate knee and toe clearances under fixtures, faucets and handles located in a reachable range, and easy operation of movable parts. Grab bars should be placed intelligently, and tested for load-bearing ability. Toilets are available in a variety of styles and heights, with 14 to 15 inches from the floor (floor to top of rim) being standard. Products billed as being more comfortable are 16 to 17 inches high, similar to a chair. Shorter types may be installed in schools or day care centers to serve Charlotte, NC children.

Homeowners without special needs still want to avoid accidents in the bath area. The most common accidents are slips, falls and scalding from hot water. Plumbers may address your bathroom safety concerns with tips like these from the National Kitchen and Bath Association:

• Avoid steps leading into tub or shower areas. Slip-resistant flooring also helps eliminate falls and reduce the risk of falls.
• Consider installing a platform around the tub where you can sit down before entering or after exiting.
• Choose shatterproof glass in shower enclosures, and install hinged doors to open out into the room rather than into the shower.
• Prevent scalding by installing pressure-balanced, temperature-controlled valves in every bath or shower in your Charlotte NC home. Faucets should be easily reached from outside the enclosure.
• Keep water sources and electrical switches a safe distance apart. Use circuit interrupters on electrical plugs to shut them off when a hazard is detected.

To stay safe, and improve the look and value, of your bathroom, contact your local Charlotte NC plumber. Set up a consultation to start planning your beautiful, safe bathroom today.

“Muddy water” coming from your faucet is probably the last thing you want to see when you’re thirsty. It probably isn’t something you want to see when you’re ready to take a shower, as well.

The colored water – whether it is brown, red or a combination of both – is rust, and the color actually stems from tap water mixing with various chemical oxidations of rust. Water discoloration can be a common issue in the average home, but it is not harmful to the body.

If discoloration is caused by rusty pipes, a pipe replacement may be in order. This, however, may be a last resort, as the problem may be resolved with some basic do-it-yourself tips. First, turn off the faucet distributing the muddy water. Then, go to your main faucet, and run water in a clear container to where you can examine the water.

If your water in the container is clear, you may be looking at an issue with your pipes. If your water in the container is muddy, this could be a problem for your local water department. This may be an inconvenience while they shut off the water valves in the neighborhood, but it also may be good for your finances, as you won’t have to pay for an outrageous plumbing bill.

Before jumping to conclusions about water discoloration, check with your neighbors first. If they’re having similar issues, this may be an assignment for the water department. If the problem is isolated, our Charlotte NC plumbers are available to help you with all of your plumbing needs. Call our Charlotte plumbing company today, or call us online for details.

We’re hours away – literally – from the start of a new year. Kick off 2011 the right way with some remodeling around the home.

When it comes to bathroom remodeling, a new sink can really add a sense of elegance to the location. There are various options to choose from, including wall-mounted sinks or even pedestal sinks. They can come in all shapes and sizes, but make sure you have enough room in your bathroom to fulfill the plans for your dream sink.

Most sinks come in either porcelain or marble. Metal surfaces also are reliable options. Make your decision based on how often a sink will get used, in addition to who plans on using the sink. A household with small children may want to invest in something that has durability, such as white porcelain. Metal sinks (brass, steel, copper, etc.) will require more management.

Keep in mind that the more glamorous you want your sink, the more it may cost to purchase and install. Once you make your decision, allow our expert plumbers in Charlotte NC to assist you with your faucet and sink needs. Call our plumbing company today, or contact us online for more details.

Choosing a new faucet is kind of like buying a new car, the possibilities and options are seemingly endless. However, faucets are a focal point and the type of faucet you choose can make or break your newly-remodeled (or newly-built) room. Our Charlotte Plumbing Company can help – here’s how to get started.

First, you need to take decor into consideration. You’ll probably want to make sure to buy decor that will also match the overall theme you’ve put into place. The faucet style should match the room to make it more visually appealing. When you’ve remodeled but your old faucets are at a certain level of rustiness and dirtiness, you should replace them to better compliment your set-up. Make sure the faucet is within your budget as well.

Whether it is brass, copper, stainless steel, or chrome, the kitchen faucet installation must be durable, sturdy, problem-free, complementing to your room’s theme, and should not corrode or discolor. Our plumbers in Charlotte will make it a priority to install reliable faucets, so you won’t have to worry about dripping issues down the line.

Finally, you must take the type of faucet into consideration. Single-hole faucets are very simple forms of faucets, with a single handle attached to the exterior water spout; these tend to work well in small bathrooms and powder rooms. Wall-mounted faucets are visually appealing and unique – they are typically installed on the wall and pair with a bowl basin.Wide set faucets contain two separate handles for hot and cold water and usually fit well in larger, spacious bathrooms.

Faucets can range in price from $20 to $200 to $2,000, so make sure to choose the one that’s right for you.

For more information about faucets or to get a free estimate, please call our Plumbers in Charlotte NC today!

If you are looking into water conservation or would like to lower your water bill, installing a low-flow shower head is a great solution!

Low-flow shower heads cut water consumption 50 to 70%. Many low-flow shower heads feature flow-adjusting dials such as a pause button, which allows you to break for lathering then return to the same temperature and pressure.

There are two basic types of low-flow shower heads. One type is the aerating low-flow shower head. Aerating shower heads mix air with water, forming a misty spray.

The second type is a laminar low-flow shower head. Laminar shower heads form individual streams of water.

Both aerating and laminar low-flow shower heads are great and will help you conserve water. If you need help installing a low-flow shower head, call Ben Franklin Plumbing in Charlotte.

Did you know the kitchen sink is where the most drain clogs occur?

Kitchen sink drain clogs are usually caused by liquid fats, emulsified by warm soapy dishwater and then carried through the drainpipes. As the water cools, it proceeds down the drain and leaves the fatty deposits along the piping.

We recommend that you pour excess grease into a tin can, not down the sink drain. When using a garbage disposal, always let sufficient cold water run to carry the particles down and into the main line to prevent buildup in the smaller waste lines.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Charlotte  is here to help!