Basement Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Posted on July 18, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

The basement in your home is just like any other room in the house, therefore, it requires the same level of attention when it comes to something as significant and influential as plumbing. Whether your basement is finished or not, it is important to implement all the necessary basement maintenance tasks in order to protect it from future plumbing problems and costly repairs. Continue reading to learn what you should be doing and when you should be doing it, in regards to your basement’s plumbing.

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-187

Water Shut-Off

It is vital that you and every member of your family know where the main water shut off valve is located on the property. In the case of a burst pipe, heavy leak, or flood, shutting of the water supply to the house is a critical step in managing the problem. In most homes, the main water shut off is located where the main supply pipe enters the house coming up through the basement floor. This is usually near or next to the main water meter on the exterior of the home, and near the water heater and water softener inside the home.

Water Leaks

Check for water leaks every few months by inspecting your water meter. Choose a day and time when the water is not being used inside the home and record the reading from your water meter. Wait ten hours, and then check the reading on the meter again. If the lever has moved within this short time period, you may have an undetected leak somewhere in your plumbing system. If you have water hammer issues, try installing shock absorbers in the water lines. Talk to your Indianapolis plumber for details about this service.

Sump Pumps

It is important to inspect and pump your sump pump system every 3 to 5 years. Not only does this protect the system’s filter field, which is costly to replace, it allows for smoother operation. In between this time period, you want to periodically test the sump pump by pouring a bucket of water in the sump pit. If it is working properly, it should turn on, eliminate the water from the pit, and shut off again, all within a matter of seconds. If it doesn’t do this, call your plumber. It is a good idea to always be replacing worn out parts on your sump pump to encourage optimal performance and prevent inconvenient break downs. And be sure you have a backup sump pump in case this ever happens!

Drains

A clogged basement drain is an inconvenience since they are there for an important purpose. Most basement drains are responsible for eliminating wastewater from washing machines, dishwashers, air conditioners, water heaters, and even things like melting snow. By cleaning the basement drains on a routine basis, you can prevent backups that lead to costly repairs. A good boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar bath always does the trick!

Indianapolis Plumbing Service

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 when you need a reliable Indianapolis plumber that will show up on time and ready to work. Owner, Mark Weilhammer, and his team of licensed and insured plumbers, retain decades of experience in the plumbing industry. We offer a wide range of plumbing service and repair for both commercial and residential properties. Request a free estimate, today!

How to Clean White Marks On a Black Granite Sink

Posted on July 10, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

Is your black granite bathroom or kitchen sink covered in a white, cloudy haze? Learn how to restore your black sink back to its original charm!

Sink Repair 317-784-1870

Whether your black granite sink is pure or composite, overtime it may develop scale buildup, which causes an undesirable cloudy appearance. Regardless of how many times you scrub it with your dish soap, that white scale will continue to reappear day after day; that is, until you find the actual solution. Continue reading to learn what you need to do in order to recover the beautiful luster your black granite sink promised the day you brought it home!

What You Will Need:

↣ Baking Soda
↣ White Distilled Vinegar
↣ Comet® Kitchen Sink Cleaner (or something similar)
↣ Heavy Duty Scrub Brush
↣ Vegetable Oil
↣ Water
↣ Plastic Bowl
↣ Rubber Gloves (optional)
↣ Paint Stirrer (optional)

You can find all of these materials at your local home improvement store, and possibly even at your neighborhood grocery store. If you do not want to buy a paint stirrer, you can just use a regular spoon or something else that will do the trick. In place of vegetable oil, you can use canola oil or coconut oil. It is recommended by some to use mineral oil, but it is not edible, so we do not recommend it.

Getting Started:

Start by wetting your sink with water. Be sure to cover all surface areas.

Then sprinkle a liberal amount of Comet® (or a similar kitchen cleaner of choice) all over the walls and basin of the sink.

Use your heavy-duty, thick bristled scrub brush to work the powdered cleaner into the sink’s surface. Use small circular motions, and don’t be afraid to use all the elbow grease you’ve got! The harder you scrub, the more thorough the clean.

After several minutes of scrubbing, rinse the sink clean with water.

Wait! You are only a ¼ of the way done!

In a large plastic bowl, combine 2 cups baking soda and 1 cup vinegar. Stir together until a thick paste is formed. You may need to add more baking soda to achieve a thick paste. You want the paste thick enough to stick to the sides of your sink. Work toward a glue-like viscosity.

Once you have your paste, don your rubber gloves and scoop a heap into your hands. Liberally smear the paste on all the surface areas of the sink. Smear it all over as if you are seasoning a turkey! Then allow the paste to sit for 10 minutes.

After the paste has sat for 10 minutes or so, rinse the sink clean with water and then dry it thoroughly with a clean rag or paper towel. Be sure it is completely dry before moving onto the next step.

Once your sink is completely dry, take a clean rag or paper towel and apply a generous amount of cooking oil to it. (Note: do not pour oil directly into sink!)

Begin to rub the cooking oil onto the surfaces of your sink. Use long, even strokes to ensure even coverage. You will see the sink begin to sparkle and shine! You will have to add more oil to your rag as you work.

When you are done, you are ready for the last step, which is to repeat this entire process again the very next day!

After 24 hours, you will need to repeat this entire process again. In many cases, homeowners have had even greater success repeating the process for a third time on the third day. If you do not repeat the process at least once, it is likely that the white stains will reappear just a little. A second and third coat will ensure the results last.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed Indianapolis plumber you can trust. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, has more than 60 years of experience in the plumbing industry. He can provide plumbing repair, replacements, diagnostics, installations, equipment sales, and much more. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances like water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more!

What Happens if You Throw a Firework in the Toilet?

Posted on July 5, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

Toilet Replacement 317-784-1870

There is a new, reckless trend with fireworks and plumbing. For some reason, people want to know what happens when you put a lit firework, like a firecracker, in the toilet. Well, if you are curious too, don’t try it yourself to find out!

Why?

The outcome is no secret. Placing a lit firework in the toilet will break it, guaranteed. And if it doesn’t crack the porcelain bowl entirely in half (which is what normally occurs), it will damage the internal trap and fail to hold in the water.

If you already experimented with a firecracker in the toilet, or had a curious member of the family attempt it, you will need to learn what to do. In short, you will need immediate toilet replacement!

Toilet Replacement

In most cases of a firecracker in the toilet, you will only need to replace the toilet. Out-of-pocket expenses will include the purchase of the toilet itself and the plumbing service labor costs for installation. Typically, the average cost of a standard residential toilet ranges between $100 and $300, depending on the brand, retailer, and personal preferences for certain features.

The cost of installation varies among plumbing companies, and depends on several factors, including the complexity of the job and the amount of time it takes to complete. Most companies charge a service fee and then charge by the hour. Expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $300 for standard toilet replacement.

Who to Choose for Toilet Replacement Service

You will need to contact a local plumbing professional for toilet removal and installation service. Be sure they are licensed plumbers who provide haul away service for your broken toilet. Otherwise, you must find a way to dispose of the dirty porcelain yourself! Many plumbing companies will offer this service free of charge, while others will require a small disposal fee.

Indianapolis Toilet Replacement and Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed Indianapolis plumber for toilet service, repair, and replacement. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, has more than 60 years of experience in the plumbing industry. We offer free estimates and free haul away service!