Know the facts:

• Drain cleaners contain sodium hydroxide, which is a caustic chemical that can cause serious bodily harm. If inhaled, the fumes can burn the lungs. If ingested, it can burn the lining of the throat. If splashed into the face, it can burn the eyes. When splashed on the skin, it can cause chemical burns.

• Drain cleaners are dangerous to family pets. If the dog or cat is accustomed to drinking from the sink, tub, or toilet where the drain cleaner is being used, the pet could suffer serious harm or even death by ingesting the chemicals.

• The chemicals in commercial drain cleaners can damage some types of pipes. If you do not know what type of material the plumbing system in your home is composed of, take extreme care in pouring any chemical solutions down the drain. Damaged pipes could leak, resulting in extensive and expensive repair requirements.

Professional plumbers can inspect your plumbing system to determine what type of material used and then use the appropriate solution or tool to dispel the clog. Plumbers also take the necessary safety precautions to guard against injury from chemical solutions. Natural methods, such as using an auger to clean the drain, are another option that our Durham plumbers have at their disposal.

At Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham, our expert plumbers can unclog stopped up drains and perform pipe repairs when chemicals have caused damage. Our professional plumbers work efficiently and effectively to solve your most urgent plumbing repair needs in a safe and natural manner. Call us today at 919-408-7200 for plumbing service and information that you can trust.

The Water Pump

The pump for a residential water well will require electricity to work properly. If there is a power surge during the summer, then the breaker for your well pump may get tripped on the circuit panel. The breaker will need to be reset to restore power to the well pump. One thing to keep in mind is that power surges can also damage the motor for a well pump. A Durham plumber can check and see if well repair is needed.

The Pressure Switch

A pressure switch is typically used with a pressure tank for a residential water system. The pump shuts down when this switch is activated. This is a safety feature so the pump does not continue run if a water pipe breaks or there is too much draw on the system. A plumber can easily reset the pressure switch and restore water use in your home.

The Pressure Tank

Pressure tanks for residential water systems need to be at two pounds per square inch to provide the proper water pressure throughout your home. Most pressure tanks have an internal bladder that pressurized. If there is a leak in the bladder, then proper pressure cannot be attained. This will require a plumber to check for any problems.

Water Leaks

Water leaks at any point of your water delivery system requires the use of leak detection equipment. If water leaks are found, then a Durham plumber will need to fix the problem.

Additional Information

If you are having problems with a residential well, then contact Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham at 919-408-7200.

At Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham, we offer leak detection services as well as drain, sewer, and pipe repair that can protect your property from the damaging effects of leaks.

Do You Have an Undetected Leak?

Some signs of leaks in the network of drains, pipes, and sewer lines that run through your property are fairly easy to detect. Your home may have a leak if:

• Your water bill suddenly increases.
• You hear the sound of running water even when no water fixtures or appliances are operating.
• Cracks form in cement floors, your driveway, or in your home’s foundation.
• Damp areas appear on the floors, walls, or ceilings of your home.
• The level of ground on your property becomes uneven.
• You smell foul odors emanating from walls near sewers or drains.

In many homes in Durham, an easy way to determine if there’s a leak in your plumbing system is to monitor the readings on your water meter. Make a notation of the meter’s current reading. Turn off all water fixtures, including appliances like automatic ice machines and your home’s irrigation system. After two hours, if the settings on the meter have changed, chances are that you have a leak.

Minimizing Water Damage

Left undetected, even a small leak can quickly result in thousands of dollars of damage. Leaking water not only promotes the growth of allergens like mold, mildew, and bacteria, but leads to rot and decay as well. Construction weakened by water damage can even result in the loss of your home. The sooner that you resolve leaks, the less you’ll pay for the cost of repairs.

When you need a qualified Durham plumber to identify, locate, and resolve leaks, you can’t do better than contacting the experts at Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham. To make an appointment for our leak detection services, call us today at 919-408-7200.

The best time to prepare for a plumbing emergency is before it happens. Follow the simple steps outlined here to learn how to locate and turn off a water supply quickly and minimize the devastation that can be caused by suddenly damaged or broken pipes inside your home.

How To Turn Off Your Home’s Main Water Supply

1. Locate the main water valve.
Locating the main water valve is often the trickiest part of the shutdown process, but it is something every homeowner should do well in advance of an emergency.

If you have municipal water, this valve is typically located on a pipe near the water meter, which is usually found around the perimeter of the house or, in colder climates, in a basement or utility closet. A ball-valve will have a short straight handle; a gate-valve has a wheel.

If you have well water, check for one of these valves on a water line near the pressure tank. If it is not there, you can shut your water supply system down by flipping the well pump switch in your home’s circuit breaker box.

2. Turn off the water.
Turn a ball-valve handle a quarter turn so that it is perpendicular to the water pipe. Turn a gate-valve wheel clockwise as far as it will go.

3. Double-check fixtures.
Open faucets in sinks, showers, and bathtubs on each level of your home to drain the pipes and check that the flow of water stops.

Now that the water is off, you can turn your attention to necessary repairs. Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham can help solve all of your emergency plumbing problems, from leak detection to severe flooding due to broken pipes. If you are looking for an expert plumber in Durham, call 919-408-7200 for fast, professional assistance.

Water Regulators

Water conservation can be easy when you have the right fixtures in place. As communities expand, water companies start putting more pressure behind the service. This pressure is convenient, but it’s also costing you money. It wears out fixtures faster, and you’ll have far more water than you need every time you turn on the tap.

Call a plumber in Durham to install a regulator on your main water line. Your usage will drop, your fixtures will last longer, and you’ll still have solid water pressure for showing and cleaning.

Find Leaks

A high water bill is a warning sign that something is seriously wrong. If your water bill has suddenly increased and there’s no explanation for it, call for leak detection services immediately. Professional plumbers can find leaks hidden in your walls or even under the slab of your home to reduce your water bill and protect your home. Pipe repair should be performed as quickly as possible to limit damage to your home and your water bill.

Household Tips for the Family

• Wait until the dishwasher and washing machine are full before running them.
• Choose native plants that won’t require as much regular watering.
• Adjust your mower blades so you won’t cut the grass as short – When grass is a little taller, the roots stretch deeper into the ground looking for water. It makes your turf more resistant to drought and weeds.
• If you have a sprinkler system, make sure you are only watering the grass and not the sidewalks.
• Invest in covers for your pool/spa to avoid constantly replacing water that has evaporated.

With help from Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham, you can save money on your water bill this summer. Some steps require diligence on your part and others require the services of a professional plumber. However, they will also help you save money by lowering your water usage. Call Ben Franklin Plumbing today at 919-408-7200 if you suspect a leak or need a regulator.

Don’t forget that March 22 is World Water Day! Celebrate water conservation worldwide with Ben Franklin and the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation!

Do It Yourself Low Water Pressure Fixes

These easy steps can help you determine the cause of your low water pressure and may help you find a solution before calling our team at Ben Franklin Plumbing.

• Determine the size of your water pipes. Their size directly impacts the water pressure level in your home.
• Make sure the water valves are fully open. If they are only partially open, your water pressure will not be as high as possible.
• Determine if there is a clog or fault within any of the water supply lines within your home. This may require the assistance of one of our plumbers in Durham.
• Have the City of Durham check the meter. A fault in the water meter could be the source of your water pressure problem.

Professional Repairs for Low Water Pressure

Our plumbers have been fixing low water pressure in Durham homes for many years. We have seen it all and done it all when it comes to problems that cause low water pressure. When you call us for help with your plumbing, our team of reliable, trustworthy, and friendly plumbers will arrive at your home as scheduled to troubleshoot your water pressure problem. Once we find the cause, we will present you with options for solving the problem. We will always give you a written estimate for the repair that includes parts and labor costs.

As your plumber in Durham, we offer plumbing repair for any situation. Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham is always available 24/7/365 for emergency service. We also offer convenient appointment times to fix non-urgent problems.

For more information or to schedule your plumbing repair service, call us today at 919-408-7200.

The Runner

A toilet with a malfunctioning flapper or float arm or a worn out washer will let the water run and run. This continuous running of the water can waste hundreds of gallons of water in just an hour or two. Replace the float arm or flapper, and if the toilet is still running, the washers on the toilet’s intake valve will need replacement.

Condensation

A warm bathroom and cold water in the tank can lead to the development of condensation on the toilet. The fix for this involves putting an insulation wrap around the inside of the toilet’s tank. You could also install a valve that allows hot water to mix with the cold water in the toilet’s tank.

Clogs

At some point in time, every homeowner will have to deal with the dreaded clogged toilet. No one ever wants to deal with this mess, especially if the clog results in an overflow. To prevent this nasty waterfall from occurring, turn the water supply off at the back of the toilet. Then place some old towels on the floor around the toilet. Use a toilet plunger or a plumbing snake to loosen a clog and flush it away.

Call the Professionals

At Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham, we offer emergency plumbing repair for any situation, large or small. We are available 24/7/365 for any needed toilet repair or plumbing service.

Our trustworthy and dependable plumbers are licensed and certified to perform residential and commercial plumbing repairs. When you call us, you can rest assured knowing that your toilet will be fixed efficiently and effectively by our friendly professionals. To schedule an appointment with our plumber in Durham or for an emergency plumbing repair, call us today at 919-408-7200.

What’s in My Water?

A sure way to know what contaminants are in your drinking water is to have the water tested. Because different types of filtration systems remove different contaminants, a water test is essential when it comes to addressing the problem.

A number of dangerous contaminants are commonly found in tap water, including:

• Arsenic. Consuming water with high levels of arsenic can have severe health consequences, including changes in the skin, nervous system, and circulatory system. People who use well water located near farms, orchards, and glass and electronics manufacturers are particularly susceptible to arsenic.
• Lead. The presence of lead in your water system can cause lead poisoning, which can stunt physical and mental development and damage organs as well as the body’s nervous system. Homes and public water systems built before national lead bans went into effect in the late 1980s may be exposed to dangerous levels of lead.
• Chlorine. Substances like chlorine are sometimes added to public water to kill bacteria. If chlorine is present when you shower, however, it can be inhaled and irritate your respiratory system. Chlorine in water can leave your hair and skin feeling dry and itchy as well.

With a water filtration system installed by Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve done everything possible to ensure that the water in your home is safe to drink and use for cooking, cleaning, and washing. As your neighborhood plumber in Durham, we’re pleased to offer financing for plumbing installations so that you never have to postpone protecting your family’s health.

To learn more about our water filtration products and services, call us today at 919-408-7200.

If you have a leak in your home, stop ignoring the problem and call the Durham plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Our team is equipped to handle even the most complicated of problems, and our state-of-the-art technology can help us find even the smallest of leaks. Call us today to set up an appointment: (919) 408-7200.

Homeowners rely on their garbage disposals on a regular basis to clean up after meals and to get rid of unwanted food without having to worry about it stinking up a garbage can. However, over time, garbage disposals can encounter problems that will need to be repaired by a professional plumber in Durham. So for homeowners who are in need of this kind of repair, the good news is that we at Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham have plenty of experience when it comes to working on home garbage disposals.

Disposal Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

Before calling us out for a repair job, however, there are some steps that you can take to keep your home’s garbage disposal better maintained.

• To keep your disposal smelling clean at all times, be sure to run it fully after putting any food through the system.
• Try pouring dish soap, lemon juice, or baking soda down into the disposal from time to time to keep it smelling fresh.
• To prevent needing repairs down the road, be careful not to throw anything down the disposal that could damage the blades or lead to other problems.
• Always keep forks and other utensils out of the disposal, and avoid throwing stems down it as well.

In Need of Disposal Repair?

If your disposal is already damaged, you can turn to our team of plumbers for the garbage disposal repair that you need. Furthermore, we are available at any time in the event of a plumbing emergency, so be sure to keep this in mind for any future plumbing issues you may run into at your home.

Overall, maintaining your garbage disposal does not have to be rocket science, but once a repair is necessary, do not hesitate to contact us. Call Ben Franklin Plumbing of Durham at 919-408-7200 to find out more or to schedule an appointment.