Chlorine and other chemicals can play a major role in how we use our water and keeping it safe and free of bacteria. These chemicals are required for immediate safety, but they also can have an effect on drinking or bathing water.

Our Charlotte NC plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are knowledgeable experts in water treatment and the necessary products. We are contractors for the H2O Harmony Water Purification System, one of the top water filtration and softening product lines in the nation.

The idea of water purification and filtration using the H2O Harmony Water Purification System is to offer a peace of mind. The mineral content in water has the capabilities of damaging pipes, appliances and fixtures. Using a water softener will aid in the prevention of hard water, which is water that has a high mineral content primarily of calcium and magnesium.

Contact our Charlotte plumbing company for more information on water softeners, water filtration and the H2O Harmony Water Purification System. Give us a call today, or visit us online for information.

In most cases, a plunger – whether it be a regular-sized plunger (for toilets) or smaller-sized plunger (for sinks) can resolve any drain clog problem you have. There are cases, however, where the plunger just isn’t enough.

This is when a plumber’s snake becomes the tool of choice. Also known as either a toilet jack or an auger – or even an electric eel – plumber’s snakes remove clogs that are too difficult for plungers to handle. They consist of a coiled metal reel that is attached to a rotating crank, which works in a corkscrew motion to break down particles and grit that can cause a clog.

The most common plumber’s snakes are operated by hand (cranking), but some are motor-operated. The more high-tech plumber’s snakes come with a small camera to help a plumbing professional diagnose a problem. Plumber’s snakes come in all sizes (length and width) and operate with the goal of breaking down excess material that can slow down water flow in your pipes.

If a plunger isn’t doing its job, try using a plumber’s snake. Our Charlotte NC plumbing professionals are experts with plumber’s snakes and can offer quality residential and commercial service to you at an affordable rate. Call our Charlotte plumbing company today, or visit us online for more information.

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.

Let’s be honest with ourselves: Plumbing appliances and fixtures will wear down around the house.

Plumbing repairs can make a homeowner moan and groan, but regular maintenance will keep your fixtures and pipes in excellent standing, which in turn can help in keeping the resale value of your home above market price. Your home is an investment and should be treated as such, and all investments deserve proper maintenance.

It’s a good idea to have a professional plumber inspect your home for potentially hazardous problems before they become major, high-dollar repairs. There are several common problems that every home, old or new, seems to have. Be on the lookout for the following mishaps:

Clogs: A clogged toilet can be fixed with a plunger or a plumber’s snake. A clogged drain can be fixed with liquid drain cleaner (Drano, for example). If these don’t work, there could be something severe that will need the service of a licensed plumber.

Gas leaks: These can be extremely dangerous. If you smell gas, leave the facility immediately, and then call an emergency plumber. Gas leaks, in addition to being harmful, also can be detrimental to your neighbors and your surroundings.

Bad pipes: If a pipe cracks or bursts, make sure you find the main water valve and shut your water off. The last thing you want is to have a broken pipe and water flooding.

Frozen pipes: This may be a two-month or three-month ordeal, depending on the climate, but winter temperatures can make life miserable if a pipe bursts because of freezing. To avoid frozen pipes, let your faucets drip a small stream of water to maintain the flow.

Make sure you and your family members are ready for these common plumbing mishaps. You never know when they can happen, but it’s always good to be prepared for them. Feel free to contact our expert Charlotte NC plumbers for additional information. Call us today, or contact us online.

While hard water generally is not harmful to your health, it can be harmful to your plumbing system. The high mineral content (primarily calcium and magnesium) that hard water can possess can affect how water tastes (it’s supposed to be tasteless), how many spots end up on dishes and how less colorful your clothes can look after going through the wash cycle.

If you find white spots on your silverware after washing and drying, or if you find stains on your glass plates or cups, chances are it’s because of hard water. If these things occur and you can’t get a solid lather from your bath soap when showering, it’s almost a given that you have hard water. Again, it’s not harmful to your health, but the mineral content could cause breakdowns in your pipes, boilers, water heaters or anything else that water comes to and from.

Perhaps the best way to eliminating hard water is to invest in a water softener, which will reduce the minerals that can make water hard. A water softener replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium and potassium by way of a resin. There are several types of water softeners – some include an offsite, a manual, an automatic and a semi-automatic – and they can range in price from $500 to $2,000, depending on your personal selection.

Maintenance on water softeners is basic, as most water softeners last for many years. Water-efficient models also are available for purchase as a means to conserve money.

If you think you have hard water, now may be a good time to contact our expert Charlotte plumbers. We can provide all information needed on the perfect water softener for your home or office. Call us today, or contact us online for more information.

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.

If you’ve noticed a sudden spike in your Charlotte home water bill, you may have a hidden water leak. Water leaks are not always apparent, a pipe burst can occur under your foundation or in the walls. Some of these leaks are notoriously difficult to pinpoint. Your Charlotte plumbing company has made a quick checklist, so you can diagnose a hidden water leak.

The Toilet

A toilet leak can run through a considerable amount of water in a short time. The quickest way to determine a leak in your toilet tank is to apply a little food coloring to the tank. While it may not be an easy fix, your Charlotte plumber is there for you.

Here are the steps:

1. Remove the lid from the tank

2. Apply four to five drops of food coloring

3. Wait 10 to 20 minutes

4. Observe the water color in the bowl

If you see the water in the bowl has changed color; you have a leak. Call our expert plumbers, and we will provide plumbing service that is punctual and affordable.

The Meter

While this method may be a little more challenging for a beginner; it should be no issue at all for a seasoned do-it-yourself person. Just follow a few simple steps, and you are well on your way to pinpointing the source of your leak.

1. Find and close your water shut-off valve

2. Locate the water meter

3. Determine if the meter is running

If you have closed the water shut-off valve and the meter is running, you have an underground water leak. If the meter does not move, the water lines in your home are leaking. Call our Charlotte plumbing company, and we will employ the latest in leak detection equipment. (704) 461-1700

When discussing piping in water systems, many do-it-yourselfers are suggested to use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) piping. While that’s a reliable option, others much rather choose to depend on copper piping.

The best option? It’s your call. All three have their advantages and benefits. It all just depends on you.

PVC pipes are very hard to damage, fairly close to indestructible, in fact. PVC pipes are made from a plastic-vinyl conglomerate, so rusting is nonexistent. PVC pipes are used in a lot of earthquake areas, so you know they will be dependable.

A lot of professionals will say PVCs are generally used for cold-water lines. CPVC pipes can be used for both hot and cold lines, a true advantage if you choose to go that route. CPVC pipes are more environmentally friendly than PVCs and have been known to withstand pressure ratings of 180 degrees.

Copper piping may be considered old-school, but it still is a winner to many professionals. Because of its durability and resistance to weather, copper piping offers a warranty that can last a lifetime, assuming installation is done correctly. Copper piping may be a little more expensive, but in the long run, it could be the more realistic choice. Some professions feel copper piping may add to a home’s resale value, which is never a bad thing.

If you have additional questions about selecting a water system pipe, contact our professionals at our Charlotte NC plumbing company.