Posts by Brian Wear

Running water is one of those things that’s easy to take for granted until you have to make do without it. When a plumbing emergency arises and you have to turn off your main water valve, suddenly many things become more difficult. But don’t panic! There are ways to get by until your water can…

Under the rim of your toilet, rim jets send water from the tank swirling into the bowl to flush your toilet. They’re easy to forget about, but without them, your toilet couldn’t work. If the rim jets get clogged or blocked, water can’t get through and your toilet won’t flush correctly. Regular scrubbing under the…

Have you ever been in your kitchen and gotten a whiff of a bad smell? You’ll likely break out your cleaner and give everything a good wipe down, but the smell persists. Chances are, that odor is coming from your garbage disposal, even if you rarely use it. Like any appliance in your kitchen, the…

Many people think of plumbing as a relatively stagnant industry and that not much changed since the days of the Roman Empire. However, the plumbing industry is changing with the times, and in the 21st century, we’re eco-friendlier than ever before. Water conservation has been the top of many considerations for years now, and consumers…

A flooded basement is a nasty surprise, but it doesn’t have to be catastrophic. Understand how floods happen to prevent them and learn to keep your cool if they happen to you. Why do basements flood? Basements are prime flood locations because of their proximity to underground water mains and because appliances like water heaters…

You’ve decided to get a solar water heating system. That’s great! It will lower your energy bills and raise your home’s value. Now, how do you go about getting your solar water heater installed? First and foremost, make sure you’re complying with all applicable building codes, zoning requirements, subdivision rules, and homeowner’s association rules, and…

Clean energy is more popular and more affordable than ever, and it is now a reliable way to run your water heater. Solar water heating is a great alternative to traditional water heating options like gas or electric, offering better energy efficiency, lower bills, and added value for your home. A solar water heating system…

Unbeknownst to many homeowners, all septic systems contain bacteria. It’s not all bad, though. Bacteria is necessary in the decomposition process. Septic systems have both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria at all times. This balance is important and necessary to maintain a healthy septic system. So what is the difference between the two and what’s so special about…

It is critical to consider everything that goes through your water pipes, as they impact plumbing maintenance and your water bill. One of the key things traveling through pipes that can cause decay is soap. If you are using average soap from the store, you may consider using biodegradable soaps instead. Why Biodegradable Soap? The…

If you’re building a new house or looking to overhaul your home’s plumbing system, you might use plastic piping. Plastic pipes have been a household fixture for decades and can be made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC), Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX), Polybutylene (PB), or High-Density Polybutylene (HDBP). How do you know if plastic piping…