Andy Baker

If you’re a new homeowner, property owner, or are looking to become handier around the house, we’ve put together a list of must-have plumbing tools to keep on hand.

1. Plunger. This one is the most important tool to have at your disposal. In fact, anyone with a toilet needs to have a plunger on hand. Whether you’re in a home, an apartment, or a mobile home, if you have a toilet that flushes, you need a plunger.
2. Wrench. An adjustable wrench does the trick for many jobs when it comes to plumbing. Often times, a simple adjustable wrench can handle jobs like adjusting fixtures, securing toilet seats, loosening or tightening pipe connectors, and more. If you can opt for a wrench set that can help you reach more places and handle more tasks.
3. Caulk Gun and Caulk. Caulk helps seal plumbing fixtures like sinks, toilets, baths, and showers to the floor and walls. It’s important to keep the caulk in your bathroom and kitchen fresh and sealed to avoid mildew and water damage. Keep matching caulk on hand to make repairs as necessary and you can even wrap the tip with duct tape to use at a later point.
4. Hand Auger. A hand auger is a great tool to have when your plunger cannot undo a clog. An auger works using a hand crank to snake in a line to dislodge the clog.
5. Long-Nosed Pliers. Great for in small or hard to reach areas, pliers are a helpful tool for picking out hair or adjusting fittings.
6. Thread Seal Tape. Thread seal tape is used for many plumbing jobs such as pipe connection and showerheads. If you’re loosened a pipe for repair, make sure you seal it back with tape, especially if the pipes are old or haven’t been maintained. That way, ensure your pipes are sealed properly to avoid leaks down the road.
7. Duct Tape. While duct tape is not a long term or waterproof solution, it can help when you’re in a pinch. Use it to plug up a leak before the plumber arrives to make repairs.

All of the tools listed above are easily found in any hardware store and are all affordable to own. You don’t need to be a plumber yourself to use these tools. On the other hand, you should always be cautious when it comes to making your own repairs on plumbing as minor mistakes can become major headaches. Contact us for more information.

Every homeowner needs to know the name of a reliable plumber or plumbing company they can reach out to when something goes wrong. Even if you have a decent grasp of the trade, and you’re able to do some DIY repairs here and there, some jobs are best left to an expert.

However, any longtime homeowner will tell you that you can’t call just anyone when your plumbing is in need of repair. You need to know that you’re hiring a professional who you can trust to assess the problem accurately, get the job done right, and do it all at a fair and reasonable rate. Unfortunately, that’s not always as easy as it sounds.

How Do I Find the Best Plumbers Near Me?

Maybe you’ve been burned before by an unsatisfactory plumbing job, or maybe you’re just a new homeowner who hasn’t had to hire anyone for repairs before. Either way, it can be tricky sifting through all the options you’ll find online for the one that best suits your particular needs.

The good news is, a little research can go a long way in finding the best fit for a plumbing job in your home. Here’s a guide to help you find the expert plumber you’re looking for.

In this guide you will find the answers to the following questions and more:

• Who should I ask about plumbers near me?
• What are the best resources for finding an expert plumber?
• What are the licensing requirements for plumbers near me?
• What does a plumber near me typically cost?
• What do I do if my plumbing situation is an emergency?

Ask for a Recommendation

One of the most reliable ways to find an expert plumber is also one of the easiest. Reach out to friends, family, or neighbors to see if they have a plumber or plumbing company that they have experience with. Anyone who has been a homeowner long enough has had to have repairs done, and they’re likely to have a plumbing service saved in their phone contacts.

While it is likely that you’ll find a plumbing service by asking friends or family, it’s also possible that the service will not be a good one. Sometimes poor plumbing, or bad prices, can sneak by a homeowner undetected. Be aware of this fact and verify your recommendation by going online and checking some reviews. While not a perfect resource for business recommendations, online reviews can help give you a general feel for the community’s experience with the company.

Sometimes the best recommendations you’ll find come from simply entering, “best plumber near me” into whichever search engine you prefer. Online directories allow you to locate nearby plumbing services and look at their reviews.

You can also reach deeper into your personal network and seek recommendations from building contractors, real estate agents, or your insurance company. People in these professions are not only connected to plumbing services by necessity, they have a more intimate knowledge of the trade than pretty much anyone outside of plumbers themselves.

With your insurance company, you may even be able to look at reviews they’ve performed on the companies they recommend.

Look into the Qualifications of Plumbers Near Me

Every plumber has a different level of experience and qualification. Ask your plumber about theirs before you hire them for a job to give you a better idea of the level of work they are capable of and whether or not their rates are reasonable.  

There are three levels of qualification a plumber can have based on their level of training and the amount of experience they have in the trade.

Apprentice

These are new plumbers who are in the process of on-the-job training overseen by a plumbing company or a local union. This training, otherwise known as an apprenticeship program, lasts about 4 or 5 years. Apprenticeship programs require not only field training, but classroom education.

It’s important to note that an apprentice should never perform a job without the supervision of a more experienced, qualified plumber.

Journeyman

Once an apprentice has completed their training, they can apply for their journeyman license. The application process includes an exam the apprentice must pass in order to receive their license. A journeyman is an experienced plumber, but they are still limited in the jobs they can perform.

Be wary of any plumber who tells you they’ve completed their apprenticeship but do not have their journeyman license. This could signal a number of issues with their professionalism, and with the quality of care they put into their work.

Master 

A master plumber has at least 7 to 10 years of plumbing experience and education. In order to become a master, you must work as a licensed journeyman for at least two years, receive academic credentials from an accredited school, and pass multiple written exams. The education of a master is ongoing, they are required to pass annual courses in order to maintain their credentials.

A master’s level of experience and accreditation is valuable, which will be reflected in their rates.

Ask About Licensing 

Each state has different requirements for working plumbers. 44 of them require all contractors to hold licenses, but the licensing process varies depending on location; some states only require registration, while others have a more complicated process.

If you want to know what your state’s licensing requirements are, you can look online, or you can contact your state’s consumer protection agency, or your local building department.

In general, a licensed plumber has passed background checks and a licensing exam, and had their fingerprint taken. In other words, sometimes your state does a fair amount of the work for you in ensuring a plumber is qualified for the job they’ve been hired for.   

It’s also important that you ensure your plumber, or any contractor you hire, has a license that is up-to-date before hiring them for a job. If it’s not, that should be a red flag.

Some plumbing companies are members of trade organizations, such as the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. A membership with any of these organizations is a sign that your plumbing company is committed to staying informed about their industry.  

Make Sure They’re Insured and Bonded

Things can go wrong no matter how highly experienced a plumber may be, or how highly recommended they come; it’s imperative that any plumber you hire is both insured and bonded.

When a plumber is bonded, they are insured against issues that may arise with the work they’ve done. This includes, among other things, issues with permits, a job that was left unfinished, or a job that was not performed to the specifications of the homeowner. In the event of any of these situations, a surety bond ensures that the homeowner is compensated.

Insurance protects against any accidents or damage that might occur as a result of the plumbing company’s work. For example: if a pipe bursts and creates a flood that damages the homeowner’s property, insurance will cover the costs.  

Always ask to see proof that a plumber is insured and bonded before allowing them to do any work on your plumbing system. If they fail to provide proof, search for “insured and bonded plumber near me” online.

Be Aware of Average Rates 

Getting overcharged for repairs is an easy mistake to make if you don’t have a grasp of what is considered fair pricing for the services your seeking. Be sure to equip yourself with this knowledge before agreeing to any price, or having any repairs done.

If you’re asking yourself, “What is the average cost of a plumber near me?”, consider these factors:

Time Needed to Complete Repairs

Most plumbers charge an hourly rate of anywhere from $45 to $200. This constitutes the base rate before any other factors are considered. Whether they’re doing a simple repair or a complex job, you will be charged by the hour at whatever rate they offer.

Cost of Materials

You will cover the costs of whatever materials are required for the job. Prices of these materials are available online, so these charges should be fairly transparent provided you acquire a full list of what materials your plumbing job is going to require.

Services Required

Different services have different requirements, so the cost of each one is going to vary. A clogged drain or drippy fixture is usually a simple fix, so the rates are relatively low, while finding a slab leak or replacing a water heater are much bigger, more complex jobs, causing rates to be significantly higher.

Level of Experience

An experienced plumber is going to cost you more than one that is new to the field. This is based on the fact that the quality of work from someone with many years of experience is almost invariably going to be higher than that of someone with only a few years under their belt.

Level of Urgency

Repairs done outside of regular working hours come at a premium, so if your plumbing job is an emergency fix, you’re going to pay a higher rate. In the event of a plumbing emergency, remain cautious about the plumber you hire for the job. Hasty decision making may only lead to more plumbing issues down the road. In other words, don’t just search “best plumber near me” and pick the first result that pops up.

When considering a plumber’s rates, it can be useful to seek out multiple quotes that you can compare before committing to anything. If you find that one quote is unusually higher than another, it’s safe to assume it isn’t based on the quality of the work performed. The disparity shouldn’t be too high, or you may be getting overcharged.

Remember that cheap work can sometimes wind up being the costlier option in the end. It’s best to prioritize getting the job done right over saving money.

Reviews, References, and Background Checks 

You should always look into any plumbing contractor’s background, or make sure their company has done so, before allowing them into your home. Sometimes a glance at their track record on the job is far more telling than any licenses, memberships, or qualifications they may tout.

As previously mentioned, online reviews can help you get a feel for the company you’re seeking to hire. It’s important to not only consider the ratings they’ve received, but to read the reviews themselves. A poor rating can be based on any number of incidents: an unsatisfactory job, a rude or unaccommodating technician, a monetary dispute, or even an instance of theft or misconduct. Make sure to read several reviews, as individual opinions can often be misleading.

You can also ask the plumber for references of their own, someone you can contact to get reassurance that the technician is qualified and competent. Any plumber unwilling to give you references should not be hired for the job.

When looking for the best plumber near me, you’re going to want to know if they’ve got any sort of criminal history that might make them a threat to your safety. Any good plumbing company does background checks on their employees before sending them to your home to perform a job. Ask the company about this before you agree to having any work done. If they don’t perform background checks, look elsewhere.

It’s also important to make sure any plumber you hire offers a guarantee on their work. Make sure you confirm in writing to the specific details of the job, the materials required, and the agreed upon rate.

How Do I Find the Best Plumber Near Me? 

This is a question you can now answer yourself! With all of this information in mind, you should feel confident in your ability to seek out the best plumber for the job. Just remember that every individual plumber has aspects of the trade that they specialize in, so even if they’re highly experienced, licensed, bonded, and insured, they still might not be the right hire. Be thorough and diligent, and your plumbing issues will competently be fixed for a fair price in no time.

It’s mid-year exam season in the month of May for most students here in Singapore. But thankfully, the many public holidays that fall on this month bring some welcome respite to exam fever.

Let your youngsters take a break from the books and check out these events and activities happening throughout the month!

Geylang Serai Hari Raya Light-up

Source: The Straits Times

In the month of Ramadan, take advantage of cooler evening temperatures to visit Geylang Serai and soak in the festive atmosphere of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. While everyone’s favourite Ramadan bazaar has gone online this year, be dazzled by the resplendent street lightings and colourful decorations along Sims Avenue and Changi Road. This year, the light-up focuses on neighbourliness and our community resilience in the face of the pandemic with the theme “Celebrating Our Kampung Spirit”.

Festive lights are switched on nightly from now till 23 May from 7 pm to midnight, with hours extended until 6 am on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri on 12 May. Find out more here.

Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) 2021

Source: Singapore International Festival of Arts

Culture vultures re

As I stood shivering last night on a Lincoln Park sidewalk, bitterly waiting for one of those waste-of-paper receipts to emit from a horrid parking box, I noticed a young couple exiting a nearby apartment building, hand in hand. “Where in the world is that girl’s coat?” I wondered, predicting pneumonia would put a damper on her holiday hi-jinks…BY AMALIE DRURYDECEMBER 15, 2010, 4:53 PM

The family business now . . .

As I stood shivering last night on a Lincoln Park sidewalk, bitterly waiting for one of those waste-of-paper receipts to emit from a horrid parking box, I noticed a young couple exiting a nearby apartment building, hand in hand. “Where in the world is that girl’s coat?” I wondered, predicting pneumonia would put a damper on her holiday hi-jinks. I guess she thought she didn’t need to bundle up to walk two doors over to Racine Plumbing Bar & Grill, where I soon spotted Miss I Don’t Care to Cover-Up and her beau chowing down on a basket of the bar’s Tuesday-night special, 25-cent wings (also: $6 pitchers of Bud Light).

My friend Liz and I had designated Racine Plumbing our beer-and-a-bite destination before heading to Steppenwolf to see the Edward Albee play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? starring Tracy Letts and Amy Morton. The riveting tightly wound production comes recommended by The Chaser and, fittingly, involves the highest level of (faux) alcohol consumption I’ve ever witnessed on stage.

Anyway, back to business. I’m on a wings kick these days, and I’m not the only one: For a Tuesday, Racine Plumbing was surprisingly full. Liz and I perched on a pair of cushy bar stools, ordered two Green Lines on draft (the eco-friendly Goose Island beer; $5), and launched into our favorite catch-up topic: dudes. We don’t get to see each other very often, so when we do, the full relationship rundown is in order. The transcripts of these conversations easily could serve as fodder for the next Sex and the City movie, and since new screenwriters clearly are in order after this summer’s Abu Dhabi disaster, I hereby volunteer.

Racine Plumbing, which opened in August, is essentially a neighborhood bar with a casual crowd of 20- and 30-somethings who no doubt live in non-bundle proximity; a cozy, wood-paneled interior and a surprisingly large backroom distinguish the tap from any other corner joint. The mini tacos and wings we ordered were fine—of the four sauces we tried, the sweet chili was my favorite; the jerk sauce left our mouths too fiery for three hours of theatre sitting—but their main appeal was the price: Our bill came to $23, including tax, for three beers, four tacos, and 16 wings.

“Racine Plumbing was the family business in Little Italy,” said Chris Owens, the spot’s owner who lives above the bar and who happened to be having dinner with his girlfriend a few stools down from us. Generations of Racine and Owens offspring kept the company going strong for 90 years, until it closed in the mid-1980s. “The family kind of switched professions. Now they’re mostly lawyers.” Chris himself tried the corporate route several times, working various desk jobs until he finally left for good to follow his true passion and open his own bar.

Which could be considered something of a Steve Brady move. Seriously, HBO. Call me.

Purchasing a new home is always a good investment. But what many new home buyers do not know is what steps they need to take to make sure that they get the absolute best new house for their family.  

A plumbing inspection should be one of the primary aspects of the home that a buyer should look into before making a deal. Plumbing repairs are not cheap and getting stuck with poorly plumbed or broken pipes in your new home is bound to be a frustrating experience.  

Many factors should be considered before settling on or purchasing a home, chief among them is knowing that you have not only the correct plumbing for your needs but also that your plumbing system is in great shape. So, the short answer in our opinion is yes, you do need a full plumbing inspection before you pull the trigger on buying your new home.

Considerations

The cost of some of these tests/inspections can be substantial, depending on who you go with. However, I can assure you that the peace of mind and possible savings upfront is huge. If you can get a reduction in your overall home price based on the findings of home plumbing inspections you will without a doubt save money hand over fist and the small investment upfront will be negligible in comparison to the dividends that it pays. Obviously, you may not want to fork out these large sums every single time you find a house you like but once you have found “the one”, you should definitely take the plunge, for lack of a better word, and have a plumber come out and inspect your prospective residence.

A Couple Things To Look For

It isn’t unheard of for new homes or remodeling contractors to make some mistakes when connecting water and sewer systems. So here are a few things that you can look for personally during your walk-throughs.  

Be sure to check each fixture in the home and make sure that they are fully operational. It is possible that a contractor may have cut some corners during renovation or new home building and the result is that the flow of water just isn’t all that great or perhaps these systems have deteriorated over time. Whatever the case may be, such hindrances or issues should be dealt with as quickly as possible and you shouldn’t have to absorb that cost, so be sure to use the findings in your plumbing inspection report as leverage.

Identifying the Presence of Water Leaks

Before you choose to move into any given house, it is essential that you or the plumbing inspector identifies whether there are any leaks.  

If you decide to hire a plumber to inspect your prospective new home, they will fully ensure that there are no leaks in the house by performing a battery of tests on your sewage waste system as well as your freshwater supply. Sewer leaks and in-slab water leaks are major repairs and can cost thousands of dollars. In the process of repairing any damaged pipes in your new home, you could have to tear up beautiful wood or tile flooring which would only serve to compound the repair costs. This is definitely a headache you want to avoid.  

In each bathroom, be sure to check the floor to see whether it is spongy or if it is soft, if so, more than likely there is, or at one point there could have possibly been a leaking pipe or fixture.  

Next, check the kitchen as well and look inside each of the cabinets for signs of moisture. Open each faucet and make sure that the water flow is good and not slow or discolored.  

The presence of standing water in the yard is also an indicator of a water leak. Walkthrough the front and back yard personally to see if there is water on the ground which may be a result of pipes leaking.

Is the Water Heater Working Properly?

Hot water has become an important part of our daily lives and as such its important to make sure that your water heater is in good condition. Either you or the inspector should check to see whether or not there is any corrosion evident on the exterior of the pipes or connections  

A water heater that is more than ten years old needs to be replaced rather soon, so keep that under consideration as well. You can find the manufacturers sticker on the side of the heater that should indicate the exact date the unit was manufactured and assembled. If you do not see a relevant date then we suggest you perform a google search using the serial number to determine the units age. If the unit in the home you are looking at seems to have been there for quite a while you may want to consider its location in the home, whether its in the attic or a closet, and keep in mind that if the unit does not have a drain pan or flood stop this could lead to serious damage were it to leak in the home.

Water heaters are expensive to replace and it can be even more expensive to upgrade to a tankless unit. Be sure to keep this cost in mind if you find that the house you are looking at has an older water heater in it and make sure that you take the right steps to protect your investment.

A few things to look for on your water heater checklist are:

1. Does the water heater have any corrosion or rust on the unit itself or its connections?

2. Does the unit have a pan underneath it with a pan drain line connected? 3. Do you have a Floodstop unit or similar device installed to shut the water off automatically if the presence of water is detected in the pan?  

If corrosion is evident, you may want to have the unit inspected, and depending on the age of the unit it may need to be replaced. If the unit does not have a pan underneath it consider calling a plumber to have one installed, especially if the unit is located in your attic or inside the house in a closet. If the unit does not have a Floodstop device installed you may want to seriously consider having a professional install one for you. These devices can save you thousands of dollars in repairs in the event of a potential flood caused by water heater failure. How does it work? The device has a sensor that is placed in the drain pan and as soon as moisture is detected it cuts off the water supply to the water heater preventing any damage to your home while you are at work or doing other things.

Inspecting the State of your Sewer

When buying a new home it is extremely important to make sure that you have the sewer system fully inspected. It isn’t unheard of for homeowners to try and unload a house on the market that has serious plumbing issues, and typically these issues have a lot to do with the sewer system because its in the ground or slab, unexposed. In some cases pipe breakages can go unnoticed or only cause intermittent but constantly recurring problems that will cause you to throw good money after bad.  

Our fully licensed plumbers will do more than give you a vague idea of what’s going on with your potential new home’s sewer system. They will perform tried and trusted tests on each section of the pipes in your home. That way our report will absolutely indicate whether or not there is a problem with your sewer system. If your home does not pass this test then we bring out our camera systems and visually inspect and retest each individual part of the sewer system in your home in order to give you a detailed report of the problems or the lack thereof.

Learn what kinds of plumbing pipes are inside your home’s walls.

Do you know what types of plumbing pipe materials supply water to your home and drain it back out? Even if you’re planning to hire a plumber to maintain or upgrade your home’s plumbing system, understanding the basics will help you troubleshoot when things aren’t working properly. Get quotes from up to
3 plumbers! Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.

Knowing what type of plumbing materials are in your home may make that repair or replace decision easier to determine, and it can allow plumbers to give you a more accurate estimate before they arrive at your home for a service call. But it can be confusing since a plumbing system is always a mix of different types of pipe, used for different purposes. 

To get you started, here are the four most common types of plumbing pipes that keep water running in and out of your home:

Knowing the types of plumbing pipe material in your home can make for easier repairs and maintenance. (Photo courtesy of Angie’s List member Maralisa E. of Lake Charles, Louisiana)

1. Galvanized steel pipe

Galvanized or zinc-coated steel pipes appear thick and heavy with a gray or silver metallic exterior. Galvanized steel pipes are not commonly used in modern new construction, but if your home was built from the 1930s to the 1980s, it’s common to find galvanized pipes.

Since steel pipe is naturally heavy, it’s more difficult to work with than other pipe materials, and although it’s very durable, galvanized steel does have a limited lifespan. The zinc coating can eventually break down and cause the pipe to rust internally, which may lead to reduced water pressure and clogged water lines.

2. Copper pipe

Copper pipes began to appear in homes around the 1930s. However, it’s most common in homes built from the 1960s to the present. Copper plumbing is typically thin-walled, making it smaller in diameter than steel pipe. Over time, oxidation might change copper pipes from their original shiny reddish hue to a dark brown or green.

Copper is known for its durability, heat tolerance and long life span. One concern with copper, especially in older homes, is that the joints — where the pipes connect to various fittings — may contain lead-based solder. Another big disadvantage is that the long-term increase in the market price for copper as a commodity has made it a very costly option.

3. PVC pipe

Polyvinyl chloride, commonly called PVC, can be found in homes built from the 1950s to present. PVC generally looks like white, hard plastic with distinctive markings down the length. These markings identify the type of PVC and its temperature rating and diameter.

The main advantage of PVC plumbing is that it doesn’t corrode, rust, or degrade over time. However, since PVC isn’t suitable for hot water supply lines, it’s mainly for your home’s sink, toilet, and bathtub drain lines or vent stacks.

4. PEX pipe

Cross-linked polyethylene, commonly know as PEX pipe, has become the standard for home plumbing since the late 1990s. It can be found in almost any color, but most homes use red tubing to indicate hot water supply lines and blue tubing to designate cold water supply lines. PEX typically features a slight natural curve because it’s packaged in a coil. Similar to PVC pipe, PEX displays identifying markings and there is no worry of rust or corrosion. Unlike PVC, PEX is never used for drain lines.

PEX is very flexible, easy to install, and can be used in most new plumbing installations, including retrofits for existing homes. The disadvantages to PEX are that it must be kept out of direct sunlight and some fittings can be costly.