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How do I prevent frozen sprinklers? Winter weather is on its way, and that means it’s time to prep your plumbing system. This includes your sprinklers. These lines are especially vulnerable to the freezing temperatures that accompany winter months. If not winterized correctly, frozen sprinklers mean facing busted pipes in the spring. Fortunately, ways to prevent frozen sprinklers are simple and cost-effective. This requires time and preparation. The following steps, and with the help of a local plumber, you can effectively winterize your irrigation system. Winterize your irrigation system is not a new home conservation term but it is one of the most misunderstood terms. This is partly because majorities of homeowners have less knowledge on the effect of freezing

How to Prevent Pipe Bursts With cold weather around the corner, one of the biggest plumbing incidents is a burst water or sewerage pipe. This problem causes severe damage to the property, furniture, and fixtures. It also puts ones home at high risk of such issues as the growth of mildew, contamination of food and water, and the growth of water-borne bacteria. Most pipe bursts happen during the winter season as the water freezes inside the pipes, which expands, creating immense pressure which then causes the pipes to burst. It only takes a small pipe leak to cause flooding mayhem at home, it is good to take proactive steps to prevent the catastrophe from happening. Here are a few ways

How Do I Find My Main Water Shut Off Valve? Every home is required to have a main water shut off valve. Understanding where to locate the main water valve and how to shut off the water is important for everyone to know. Whether you own your own home or rent an apartment, knowing where your main shut off valve is located can save time (and money) in any plumbing related emergency. Depending on the type of structure you live in, the water shutoff valve can be located in different places. Some homes have their shutoff valves located either inside or outside of the house or apartment. These valves may be found under a sink or next to a water

What is a Hot Water Heater Blanket? Do I need a hot water heater blanket? This is a question many often ask themselves. To accurately answer this question, a simple understanding of what is a hot water heater blanket is vital. A hot water heater blanket is a an insulated sheet that wraps around a water heater to make it more efficient. The insulation blanket also helps the water heaters maintain a steady temperature consistently. A hot water heater blanket saves a significant amount of the energy that water heaters would generally waste, which saves a considerable amount of money that would have been spent on energy bills. Insulation blankets are rated on their thermal resistance, R-value. The R-value of

There’s nothing more frustrating than a water heater pilot light that won’t stay lit. Not only does this prevent the furnace from running efficiently, but it prevents hot water from being readily available. Many factors contribute to why a pilot goes out and why it won’t stay lit. As soon as an understanding of why these factors are occurring, it can help future outages and save money. Here are some potential reasons why a water heater pilot light won’t stay lit. Thermocouple Obstructions The purpose of a thermocouple in a water heater is to help tell it if it’s on or off and most operate with them. The gas is shut off by the thermocouple as a precaution if it

Sewer Line Problems Strike When sewer line problems strike, you can count on the crew at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. As dedicated sewer technicians, we use special tools and tactical methods to pinpoint and resolve the most common problems that impact plumbing lines above ground and underground. Because customer satisfaction is important to us, we help locals protect their sewer lines by sharing information about the most common problems that affect vital sewer components. If you need a guide that can simplify the process of maintaining a sewage system, our advice and knowledge can be very beneficial. Although, it is very important to give a call to your Benjamin Franklin plumbing for any sewer issues you are having. Clogs Clogs are

How To Remove A Shower Drain Cover A shower drain cover is great for preventing things like loose pieces of jewelry, hair clips, bathroom razor blades, and shampoo caps from slipping down into the drain. They aren’t great at stopping hair though. Over time, hair accumulates down inside the drain, which creates a clogged drain. The clog eventually causes the water to drain slower. When that happens, it’s time to take the cover off and remove the debris that caused the clogged drain. First Step to Removing a Shower Drain Cover Do a quick glance over it before removing it. Examine how it’s attached. A standard shower drain cover is attached with a screw in the center. Other drains snap

How Do I Stop My Leaking Toilet? You might have noticed that your water bill continues to rise, despite your best efforts to conserve water. This is troubling if you already time your showers, use a water-efficient washer machine and have succulents in your front yard. The problem could be coming from a leaking toilet that you have unnoticed. Check out these helpful tips from Ben Franklin Plumbing about leaking toilets and how you can lower your bill. The Cost of a Leaking Toilet You’ve probably checked your pipes and had inspections done on your roof and elsewhere. If you don’t have pipe leaks and no other evidence of excessive moisture, there is a strong possibility that you have a

The P Trap You’ve probably noticed curved shape pipes, also known as P Traps, connected to each sink and open drain in your home and have thought nothing of it. However, as it turns out, these U shaped pipes actually serve an important purpose. In fact, without a P Trap, sewage gases would make their way up through your pipes and into your home where they can be hazardous to your health. A P trap is a curved shaped pipe that connects to the drain pipe in a way that it resembles a sideways letter p, hence its name. It works by confining water in its curve, which eliminates any gaps for air or gasses to flow back up through