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.

“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.

New homeowners should know and understand that leaks of any kind can be a hassle. Slab leaks, if left untreated, can make a new homeowner want to consider returning to living in rental properties. They’re that much of a headache.

A slab leak, by definition, is a leak that occurs beneath a water line. A slab leak can cause issues where a home can lose gallons of water, and a homeowner can spend thousands of dollars if left untreated. Slab leaks can sneak up on new homeowners, as many don’t know how to detect them.

Fortunately, there are symptoms for budding slab leak problems. Our expert plumbers in Charlotte NC want you to be prepared and, most importantly, want you to be leak-free. Check out the following indications to look for with a possible slab leak.

• Wetness and warmness: If you’re noticing damp spots on your floor, this may be an early detection of a slab leak. These damp spots also may be accompanied with warm spots.
• Keep an eye on the bill: You know how much you normally pay for the water bill. That number rarely escalates significantly. If you start to notice a higher bill, you may have a slab leak.
• Running water (or so it seems): When you think you left water running somewhere, but all of your faucets are off, chances are, you may have a slab leak issue. The sounds of constantly running faucets or toilets can be a sure-fire symptoms of a slab leak.

Let our Charlotte plumbing company serve you, as our technicians are experts in slab leak detection and repair, in addition to other plumbing services. Call us today for more information, or contact us online.

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.

We’re days away from Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Whichever festive holiday you celebrate, our plumbing company wishes you nothing but peace and joy.

In addition to the festivities, we’re also days away from the expiration of the tax credit consumers can earn for purchasing energy-efficient appliances. The tax credit covers everything from energy-efficient HVAC systems to energy-efficient windows and doors – as well as energy-efficient water heaters.

If you ever were considering trading in that clunky traditional water heater for a more compact tankless water heater, now is the time to do so. Tankless water heaters are becoming the option for more and more consumers not only because they take up less space but also because they provide an unlimited supply of hot water throughout your home.

Keep in mind that to be eligible for the tax credit, you must purchase a gas tankless water heater. Electric tankless water heaters are not eligible for the credit. Feel free to check the Energy Star website for more details.

The credit can help you significantly, as it will cover 30 percent of the cost of improvements. Taxpayers can receive a credit of up to $1,500 for all improvements that qualify under the credit stipulations. If you’re going to take advantage, you must purchase before Dec. 31.

Feel free to call our expert Charlotte plumbers today, or contact us online for more information on the tax credit or tankless water heater installation and service.

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

If we don’t take care of our plumbing, it won’t take care of us.  A little upkeep will lengthen the life of your plumbing

Plumbing Repairs In Charlotte

system saving you lots of money in the end.  This article is designed to encourage you with instituting proper maintenance of your plumbing system.

Our society has slightly grown away from proper upkeep of our homes, personal items, appliances and more.  Some are more focused on aggressively advancing in the workplace or improving our bodies.  It can be seen by the lack of lawn maintenance, care for our appliances and even automobiles.  We are constantly on the go yielding a don’t have time response for the various things on our plate demanding our attention.  Several problems we encounter in life are simply due to us not paying attention.  It reminds me of Fred Sanford.  His sitcom from time to time would show him putting his bills back in the mailbox.  He did this to ignore dealing with the issue.  How many times do we do that mentally?  The only problem with that mindset is this, what we don’t deal with, will eventually deal with us.  Our homes, appliances and automobiles even our plumbing systems in our homes suffer as a result.

I’ve heard countless stories of individuals encountering problems with plumbing due to lack of proper maintenance.  A simple drain clog can often be remedied quickly if caught early.  However this small problem not handled can escalate to a much bigger problem.  Sometimes a clog is already a symptom of a much bigger problem, but if we don’t stop to investigate the issue by contacting a professional Charlotte plumber, we risk the possibility of spending more money in the end.  At the first sight of water draining slow contact your plumber.  Leaks are another issue.  A simple leak in the kitchen sink sometimes goes on for months before addressing it.  The same can be said for a running toilet.  The only problem with this is we are wasting gallons of water in the process and also wasting our money.  There are always symptoms to plumbing problems.  Don’t ignore the symptoms, but rather take heed and contact a skilled plumber.

Your monitoring is a sign of preventative maintenance.  You can also avoid discarding improper things in your toilet and garbage disposal.  Make certain you don’t allow even tiny food particles to go down your kitchen sink.  Monitor the hair left in the sink, shower and tub.  Keep a watch out for these things will help you lengthen the life of your plumbing system.  I also recommend purchasing a maintenance agreement through your Charlotte plumbing company.  Your preventative maintenance along with their periodic care will save you money.

Brought to you by Charlotte Plumbers, Ben Franklin Plumbing