Protecting Utility Pipes during Kitchen Remodel

July 15th, 2020

Are you thinking of a kitchen remodel? 

Protecting utility pipes during your kitchen remodel - Turek's Plumbing

Every now and then homeowners desire to remodel their kitchens. The remodeling can be anything from repainting and adding a few items to changing the entire design of the kitchen. A kitchen remodeling project can cause a lot of changes. It also has the potential of interfering with your utility lines. 

Whether you go for a small or large remodeling project, it helps to know how to protect your utility lines. This ensures that there are no disruptions in gas, water, or electricity. Here are some of the ways to protect these utility pipes during a remodel. 

Gas Lines 

Most gas lines either carry natural gas (methane) for heating or propane for cooking. A common remodeling project that might involve your gas lines is installing new gas appliances or moving the ones you have to a different location. This could warrant a shift or extension of the gas lines. 

Our friends at Headwaters Construction Inc., a commercial construction company, says to make sure to note where the existing gas lines are located and plan around them. Contact a professional if your remodeling project will involve moving them to avoid leaking gas into your house. 

Electricity 

Most, if not all, appliances in your kitchen use electricity. Every now and then, homeowners buy new appliances that require bigger or smaller spaces. Your project might introduce appliances that may not adhere to the standard outlets installed or those that require more power that is not provided by the outlets. Additionally, it may also affect lighting. 

Plan adequately on how to go around these issues to prevent accidents or damage to your appliances or entire wiring system. This involves planning for general illumination in your kitchen to provide direct light to task areas such as sinks and food preparation areas. 

If your plan involves rewiring the kitchen, make sure to remove the old wiring systems first. You can also involve an electrician or the local planning department in Appleton, Wisconsin. 

Plumbing 

Your plumbing system can be affected by your Appleton kitchen remodel. Any alterations that might affect the flow of water can lead to blockages and leaks. These will have an adverse effect on your kitchen and the entire house. 

Make sure that your sink has a free and unobstructed supply of both hot and cold water lines. If you plan on having a dishwasher or moving the one you have, make sure that the plumbing is done right to provide the machine with enough water. 

Additionally, make provisions for waste pipes. These are especially tricky to adjust because their functionality is usually set on a gradient. Therefore, make sure to involve a professional plumber. 

Remodeling your Kitchen the Right Way 

Kitchen remodels can be a fun and exciting way to bring some life into your home. There are also necessary as people move in and out of your home or when you buy new and modern appliances. 

It is always important to ensure that all utility lines are well taken care of. You can easily do this by involving a kitchen remodel company in Appleton WI. Tureks plumbing offers a fast and guaranteed service delivery for all homeowners. Contact Turek’s Plumbing today and get the best remodeling services.

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5 Plumbing Problems That Should Be Left to the Professionals

July 8th, 2020

5 Plumbing Problems That Should Be Left to the Professionals

5 plumbing problems for professionals - Turek's Plumbing

In these difficult times, you might be tempted to tackle every repair job that is needed in your home so that you can minimize the contact that your family has with non-family members. However, it isn’t always advisable to take matters in your own hands, especially when the problem has to do with the plumbing system. Here are some plumbing problems that we at Tureks Plumbing Services believe you should leave to the pros.

A Drop in Water Pressure

Seeing the water pressure in your home plummet can be extremely annoying and inconvenient. You should never rush to resolve this situation by yourself. For starters, water pressure lowers for a wide variety of reasons, and not many homeowners have the skills or tools to pinpoint the exact fault behind the loss of water pressure.

It is therefore advisable for you to contact a plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin so that he or she can get to the root of the problem and then implement the appropriate remedial measures.

No Hot Water

The water heater is a vital appliance in every home. The loss of hot water can throw your plans in disarray as you will be unable to do anything that requires hot water. These activities include running the dishwasher, taking a hot shower or even doing the laundry.

Our friends at McQuillan Bros, an HVAC and plumbing company in St. Paul say that you should never attempt to fix a water heater problem by yourself. This precaution is necessary because the water heater is intricately linked to the electrical or gas system as well as the water supply. Tinkering with such a complex system may be catastrophic, such as triggering water damage when you accidentally damage a water line. You are therefore better off contacting a plumbing company in Appleton Wisconsin so that an experienced professional can check the heater and resolve any issues preventing it from doing its work.

Pipe Leaks

Leaking pipes are another plumbing problem that should best be left to the professionals. This is because many times, where a leak manifests may not necessarily be the point at which the pipe is damaged.

Secondly, it can be hard to access the damaged section of the pipe since the affected pipe may be buried in a wall, ceiling or floor. Only the experienced hands and tools of a plumber in Appleton Wisconsin can safely and quickly ascertain the source of a pipe leak. Once the source is identified, it is easy for the plumber to disassemble the wall, floor or ceiling in order to fix the damage without causing additional damage to your property. Reassembly is also easy for plumbers since they have handled similar plumbing problems hundreds of times.

Blocked Plumbing Pipes

Many homeowners are tempted to buy a plumbing snake or a commercial drain cleaner when a pipe is blocked in their homes. While these solutions seem appropriate enough, they are fraught with a lot of risks.

For example, the harsh chemicals in the commercial drain cleaner could damage the plumbing pipes while the snake can also perforate a pipe if it isn’t used properly. 

The best course of action is to get in touch with a plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin so that the skilled professional can diagnose the problem and then use the most appropriate professional tools to resolve the blockage.

Frozen Pipes

The cold weather brings its own challenges to your hard working plumbing system. For example, frozen pipes are a common problem that we at Turek’s Plumbing Services get called to address by homeowners in Appleton Wisconsin.

When a pipe freezes, you may think that the remedy is as simple as applying heat to the frozen section of the pipe. This isn’t usually the right course of action to take, especially when the affected pipes were made from plastic.

Contact a Fox Valley plumbing company and let their skilled Appleton plumbers check the pipes and select the best remedy to resolve the problem before it escalates (the pipe could burst and spew water into your home, for example).

At Tureks Plumbing Services, we are aware that plumbing accidents can occur at any time of the day or night, and such accidents can cause a lot of damage. If you are searching for an Appleton Wisconsin plumbing company that you can trust with plumbing services, contact us and we will make sure that the plumbing system gets back quickly to its best when a defect develops. Make that call today!

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Biggest Plumbing Myths

July 1st, 2020

Biggest Plumbing Myths

Biggest Plumbing Myths - Tureks Plumbing Services

Your plumbing system can easily be a casualty of plumbing myths. While sometimes they work, they could also put your entire plumbing system in danger. 

When it comes to such delicate systems, it is best to work with facts. After all, it is the myths about plumbing that make it inherently harder to run a fully functioning home. The expert plumbers in Appleton, WI explain some common myths about plumbing: 

Lemon Peels Are Good For Your Garbage Disposal 

This myth is aimed at helping people keep their garbage disposals clean. Due to its work, your garbage disposal will smell and it is understandable to want to get rid of that smell. However, orange peels only mask the smell and do nothing to improve the functionality of your drain. In fact, the peels are more likely to cause damage to your blades which will lose their functionality and cause more problems along the drain. 

The best way to clean your garbage disposal drain is to use hot water, soap, and a brush. This will help remove the smell and get rid of any accumulated particles within the drain. Also, make sure to disconnect the system from the power source to avoid accidents. 

Water Draining Means Clear Draining

Just because the drain in your kitchen seems to be working doesn’t mean it is. Sometimes, we notice faults in our homes such as slow drainage or a finicky tap and apply quick fixes. 

While this saves time and money,  applying a quick fix allows the situation to get worse explains Sacramento plumbers from Gilmore Heating, Air, & Plumbing. Make sure to clean your drainage systems manually and have the plumbing checked every few months.  

A Wire Hanger is as Good as a Plumbing Snake 

Drainage problems require urgent fixing before they cause more problems in our homes. Most people tend to use a wire hanger instead of using appropriate tools such as a plumbing snake. 

The problem with using a wire hanger is that it could cause more damage than it is intended. An exposed wire could damage the pipes by scratching the interior surface. This, in turn, makes it easier for food and waste debris to attach themselves. If you have to use a wire hanger, wrap it with a piece of clothing at the end. 

Flushable Wipes are Safe to Flush 

Wet wipes are liked because they offer quick cleaning solutions and are easy to dispose of. However, not all wipes can and should be flushed. The fact that the package has a flushable tag on them only means that they won’t clog your drainage system when you flush. They, however, take longer to break down and can cause problems to the environment.

Getting the best plumber for your Home 

You are likely to encounter at least two plumbing problems in a year depending on factors such as where you live and the number of people you live with. These plumbing issues can morph into big issues if not looked at in time and by a professional. Contact Turek’s Plumbing for all your plumbing needs in Appleton Wisconsin and enjoy fast and professional services all-year-round. 

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5 Bad Habits That Could Ruin Your Bathroom Plumbing

June 24th, 2020

If you would like to take the preservation of the plumbing system of your home to a whole new level, you have to shine a light on your habits and drop those that are bad while maintaining those that support the service life of a plumbing system. In this blog post, we look at some of the bad habits that could ruin bathroom plumbing in your Appleton, Wisconsin home.

Taking Long, Hot Showers

What? Yes, that long, hot shower that you take to reinvigorate your body and mind after a long day at work isn’t doing the plumbing system any favors.

How does this happen? The specialists at Turek’s Plumbing Services explain that even with proper ventilation, hot showers have a knack for making moisture (or steam in this case) to access every nook, cranny and crevice in the bathroom.

As you may already know, warmth and dampness are the perfect combo for the growth of mold, so your long, hot showers are paving the way for a mold problem to fester in your bathroom.

We at Turek’s Plumbing Services know the immense benefits of taking a hot shower, so we will not recommend that you kick them to the curb. Instead, we advise that you take shorter hot showers (not exceeding 10 minutes), ensure there’s as much ventilation in the bathroom as possible, and avoid cranking up the temperature of the water too high.

Letting Hair Buildup

The reason why most plumbing clogs occur in the shower and bathroom sink is largely because of hair. If the hair falling into the bathroom drains isn’t removed periodically, it will accumulate to a level that will block the flow of water through the drain.

If the blockage isn’t fixed, you may end up with a burst pipe. Bathroom remodel professionals in Appleton, WI therefore suggests that you use a clothes hanger to extract the hair that gets into the drains so that no buildup is allowed in there. This proactive step will save you from making so many service calls to Appleton Wisconsin plumbers.

Leaving Standing Water on the Bathroom Floor

If you wouldn’t leave standing water on your kitchen floor, why would you leave it on the bathroom floor? Standing water can damage and warp bathroom flooring, and this in turn can compromise the plumbing components underneath the affected sections of the flooring.

The resultant damage caused by standing water in your bathroom is unlikely to be covered by your home insurance policy, so not only are you going to feel the pinch in your pocket, but you also risk slipping and falling as you walk on that wet floor.

At Turek’s Plumbing Services, we recommend that you buy a bigger shower mat or rug so that the problem of standing water is no more.

Neglecting Water Backups

Does water back up or flow slowly through the toilet or shower drain? Take action immediately so that you fix this problem in its early stages.

For example, if the slow drainage is due to trapped hair, remove the drain cover and use a straightened hanger with a hook at its end to extract the trapped hair.

Similarly, if you notice mineral build ups on the showerhead, Sacramento, CA plumbers suggest that you rub vinegar or shampoo on that spot. The mineral deposits will be gone and your bathroom plumbing will be free from a potential defect.

Leaving Damp Materials

Mold thrives in moist environments that have access to the light, and that is exactly what your damp towels and loofahs provide. 

If you are in the habit of using a towel and then dumping it on the floor or in the hamper, then know that you are making it easy for mold and bacteria to find a haven in your bathroom.

It is therefore advisable for you to hang up your towel to dry after using it, and place your loafers in a well-ventilated spot so that they can dry as well. Replacing the loofahs periodically is also a good practice to develop since you will protect your health and the plumbing system from being infiltrated by the microbes growing on these moist items.

At Turek’s Plumbing Services, we know it can be very difficult to break a bad habit just as it is difficult to maintain a good one. That is why we offer our services to homeowners in Appleton, Wisconsin. We use our routine service calls as an opportunity to point out any habits that seem to be compromising the plumbing system so that the needed changes can be made. Remember, our aim is to give you information to help you minimize plumbing problems so that you only call us to fix the issues that you cannot address on your own. Contact Appleton, WI plumbers today and join our growing list of happy homeowners!

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7 Signs You May Have a Water Leak

June 17th, 2020
Water Leaks- Turek's Plumbing

While some plumbing defects, such as a clogged toilet, can be obvious, others (like a water leak) aren’t so obvious. Knowing what to do when you have a water leak on your property is very important. Here are some surefire signs that the experienced plumbers at Turek’s Plumbing Services, the best plumbing company in Appleton, WI, recommend that you look out for.

Abnormally High Water Bills

Plumbers in Appleton, Wisconsin say water bills tend to be fairly constant on a monthly basis with just a slight variation of about ten bucks or so from one month to another. If your water bill suddenly jumps and there is nothing (like a recent house party) to explain the rise, then you may have a leak somewhere.

The Sound of Running Water

The moment you hear water running, check the faucets and spigots on your property to confirm that none of them is responsible for the sound you are hearing. Next, note down the water meter reading and avoid using any running water in or outside your property for about half an hour.

After that interval, take note of the meter reading and see if there is any variation. If the readings show that some water has been used, you may be having a leak somewhere. Perform a visual inspection of the obvious places like sinks, faucets, and other points of use.

If you can’t immediately identify the leak, call Turek’s Plumbing Services, and one of our experienced plumbers in Appleton, WI will use leak detection equipment to identify and fix the leak.

Damp or Wet Floors

Did you recently walk across a damp or wet section of carpeting and your kids swore they didn’t spill anything? If that happened and your dog didn’t have that tell-tale guilty look, then you might have a water leak that caused the spot of wetness.

Using a towel to mop up that moisture isn’t going to fix the problem. Instead, do your own investigations so that you can confirm the source of the leak. Contact Tureks Plumbing, a plumber in Appleton, WI immediately before other problems, such as mold and mildew, arise.

Foul Odors

Sometimes, a foul odor may be the first indication that you ever get of a potential water leak on your property. 

Call a plumber immediately because the most likely cause of the foul odors whose source you cannot pinpoint may be mold growing. Mold poses serious health risks, so the sooner the leak is located and fixed, the better for your family and property.

A Lush Patch on Your Lawn

There are few things that can cause small patches of grass to look more luxuriant than the rest of the lawn. One is excess fertilization of that area, and the other is overwatering that section of the grass.

If you don’t recall making any of those mistakes, then you may have a water or sewer pipe leak to contend with. The moisture and nutrients from the leak will feed the grass in that area and the result will be the lushness you see.

Wall Cracks

Over time, even the smallest of leaks can eventually cause cracks to develop in the foundation of your home explains McQuillan Bros, an HVAC and plumbing company in St. Paul. and As those foundation cracks become more pronounced, you could notice vertical or horizontal cracks in the walls of your home.

Call as soon as you observe those wall cracks because the water leak may have gone on for months or even years without detection, so the sooner our plumbers act to fix the leak, the less the damage your property will suffer.

Low Water Pressure

Our friends at Do It Right Plumbing, a plumbing company in Orange, CA, says that an unexplained drop in water pressure may indicate that there is a leak somewhere on your property. However, experienced plumbers caution that clogs and problems with the municipal water supply could trigger a drop in water pressure, so these must first be ruled out before a leak is suspected. Get professional help for this.

If you have observed one or more of the signs above on your residential or commercial property, get on the phone immediately and talk to Turek’s Plumbing Services if you live in Appleton, WI. Our plumbing specialists have extensive experience in detecting and fixing water leaks, so the problem will be resolved quickly and decisively. Contact us today!

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How To Properly Clean Your Sink Drains

June 10th, 2020
Properly Clean Sink Drain- Turek's Plumbing

While you may think that your bathroom is spotlessly clean, the odors from the sink may send a contrary message. Those smells may be due to the different items, such as hair and soap residues, which gradually build up inside the drain. If these aren’t cleaned out periodically, they can accumulate to a level that results in clogs within the system. Follow the recommendations provided below by Tureks Plumbing Services, a plumbing company in Appleton, WI, to easily keep the sink drains clean.

Remove Debris on a Weekly Basis

Prevention has always been better than cure, and that’s why we at Turek’s Plumbing Services recommend that you get into a weekly habit of getting rid of debris from sink drains. Do this by removing the adjustable metal stopper and clean as far inside the drain as you can access. Clean the stopper itself as well so that it is free from debris buildups.

Use an Appropriate Drain Cleaner

Ask any Fox Valley plumber and they will caution you against using corrosive cleaning products when cleaning sink drains. This is because those corrosive products are dangerous not just for the plumbing pipes but the septic system as well.

To kill the bacteria responsible for the unwanted smells you notice, pick a biodegradable and non-corrosive pipe cleaner. Use this product as directed on the label, but in any event no more than once a month.

Turek’s Plumbing Services cautions against using antibacterial products or bleach to clean sink drains. These will harm the pipes and sewer system.

Unclog the Sink

You can use one or more of the four steps below to unclog sink drains without calling a Fox Valley plumber for help:

Use Boiling Water

Take about half a gallon of boiling water and pour it down the drain. Many of the clogs in sink drains are due to the accumulation of soap residues and some solids, such as hair, trapped in the caked residues.

For this reason, plumbing companies in Orange County, assure you that the hot water will break up many of those clogs and they will flow down the drain. 

Plunge the Drain

Tureks Plumbing Services strongly suggests that you select a plunger that can form a seal on the opening of the drain. If you aren’t sure that you have the right plunger, ask a plumber to recommend a product.

Plunge the drain five to six times while the hot water is still slowly making its way down the clogged drain. The pressure created will expedite the process of breaking up the clog.

Use Baking Soda and White Vinegar

To use this method, plumbers in Sacramento, CA from Gilmore Heating, Air & Plumbing recommend that you start by pouring approximately half a gallon of water down the drain. Wait for several minutes and plunge the drain several times to break up as much of the clog as possible.

Thereafter, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and leave it to sit for several minutes. Now take a cup of white vinegar and pour it down the drain as well. Cover the opening of the drain immediately so that as the mixture of vinegar and baking soda foams, it is forced to move through the clog and break it up in order to flow down the drain.

Leave this mixture to sit inside the drain for at least an hour. Thereafter, get another half a gallon of hot water and rinse the drain with it. One additional reason for using vinegar is that it will remove the odors in the drain.

Snake the Sink Drain

Some deposits in the sink drain may be so stubborn that the methods above may be unable to dislodge them. For such clogs, you may need to snake the drain.

Visit a local hardware store or talk to a Fox Valley plumber to secure a drain snake. Keep inserting and retrieving the snake until the drain snake can no longer find any more debris to remove from the drain. When you get to this point, pour some water down the drain and confirm that the sink drain is now working properly.

The measures above will generally be sufficient to keep your sink drains clean and clear. However, some homeowners may notice that the drains keep developing clogs from time to time despite every effort made to prevent such an occurrence. In such a case. Contact Turek’s Plumbing Services for professional advice. Our experienced plumbers will inspect the drains and recommend the best course of action. For example, you may need to replace the old plumbing pipes with plastic ones which are less prone to clog formation. Contact us today and start enjoying trouble-free drains!

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How To Reduce Water Waste

June 3rd, 2020
Reduce Water Waste - Turek's Plumbing

When every penny counts, it is wise to look for every opportunity to conserve the resources at your disposal. One of the ways to do that is by reducing water waste. Here are some easy water-saving tips recommended by the experienced plumbers at Turek’s Plumbing Services, a plumbing company in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Whole-House Water Conservation

According to the EPA (Environment Protection Agency), the average American home loses about 10,000 gallons of water each year to dripping faucets, pipe leaks and constantly running toilets.

Fox Valley plumbers say this is literally money down the drain, so your water conservation efforts should begin by addressing these issues. The best way to fix leaks, constantly running toilets and other plumbing system problems that waste water is by asking a plumber to perform annual maintenance on the plumbing system.

The professional will identify all the leaks and repair them so that you can stop losing water and money on a daily basis.

Water Conservation In The Bathroom

More than half of all the water used in your home is used in the bathroom. Read that again, and let it sink in. The greatest water waste reduction dividends are therefore likely to be registered when you pay attention to the way you use water in your bathroom.

For starters, upgrading to the latest low-flow toilets can save you up to 20% of the water you currently use, according to Headwaters Construction Inc., a commercial renovation contractor. These savings will increase even further if you get a dual flush toilet so that you can use less water when flushing liquid waste and a little more water when flushing solids.

Rather than take a bath, opt for a short shower in order to reduce your water waste. While at it, a low-flow showerhead recommended by your Fox Valley plumber will cut your water use by half.

It is also a good habit to turn the faucet off while you shave or brush. Train your family members to adopt this habit as well so that you all work as a team to reduce water waste.

Water Conservation In The Kitchen

According to Appleton, WI kitchen remodel experts, washing dishes by hand uses a lot more water than using the dishwasher. It is therefore prudent for you to wait and run a full load in the dishwasher instead of a few dishes at a time.

Additionally, dishwashers have become so efficient and effective that you no longer need to pre-rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. The water you use to pre-rinse will have been wasted.

In contrast, scraping off food particles from plates and dishes before putting them in the dishwasher will conserve water.

While on the subject of scraping dishes, put the scraps on your compost heap instead of dumping them in the garbage disposal says Sacramento, CA plumbing company, Gilmore Heating, Air, & Plumbing. Appleton plumbers say this will save the water that would have been used to clear the garbage disposal of these food scraps.

Saving Water In Your Lawn Or Garden

You also need to shine a light on how you use water outdoors if you are to plug all the points at which water is wasted.

For example, at what time do you water your garden or lawn? Any Fox Valley plumber you ask will tell you that it is best to water gardens or lawns early in the morning or late in the afternoon to save water since minimal evaporation will take place at that time.

Our friends at McQuillan Bros, an HVAC, and plumbing company in Minnesota, recommend aerating the lawn periodically so that more water can be soaked up instead of running off each time it rains or you water that lawn. In this way, you will reduce the amount of water needed to keep the garden or lawn thriving.

You can also start harvesting rain water in a rain barrel or any other available receptacle. This water can be used to water the lawn and your garden, thereby reducing your water bill. Your plants and grass will thrive as you give them this rainwater that is free from chlorine. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!

Saving water starts with knowing all the ways in which you have been wasting water on your property. Contact Turek’s Plumbing to perform a water use audit in your home. Our experienced plumbers will then recommend all the cost-effective ways through which you can reduce water waste and keep water bills affordable. Give us a call today!

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Garbage Disposal FAQ

May 27th, 2020

Garbage Disposal FAQ

Garbage disposals are one of the unsung heroes in our homes. These appliances prevent the kitchen sink from constantly clogging up. They also make the task of washing dishes less cumbersome. These appliances are in almost all homes, but not many people fully understand how they work. Understanding how they work is important to prevent possible issues. Turek’s Plumbing Services, a plumbing company in Appleton Wisconsin, has put together this compilation of the most common questions people have about garbage disposals. Read on and get the answers to the questions you have always wanted to ask!

Is the Garbage Disposal Dangerous?

The image that many people have in their minds about garbage disposals is that this appliance is chockfull of knives and blades which are just waiting to chop anything that comes their way. This mental picture scares people so much that they don’t want to even open the garbage disposal to see what is inside!

The plumbing maintenance experts at Turek’s Plumbing Services assert that while garbage disposals have some sharp moving parts, the bulk of the work is performed by a rotating hammer that will not do much damage to your hand.

This means that you can turn the disposal off and carefully use your hand to remove an object that is stuck there.

How Can I Maintain the Garbage Disposal?

Plumbers in Sacramento, CA from Gilmore Heating, Air, & Plumbing say that there are a number of things that you can do to keep the garbage disposal working at its best. Those measures include:

  • Run it frequently so that the moving parts and other components don’t corrode or develop other defects due to long periods of disuse.
  • Leave the garbage disposal to run for a while even after it makes a sound that shows you that the garbage has been ground up. This additional run time will get rid of all food remnants and the disposal will be free from residues that can trigger corrosion, nasty odors, and other problems.
  • Speaking of smells, it is a good habit to periodically place citrus peels in the garbage disposal. The grounded peels deodorize the garbage disposal and prevent odors from developing.

Can the Garbage Disposal Affect the Dishwasher?

If you notice that the dishwasher isn’t draining properly, the garbage disposal may have some issues. For example, some people forget to remove the drain plug when they first install a new garbage disposal. Consequently, water from the dishwasher will have no channel to flow through and it will backup. 

Which Foods Shouldn’t Be Put in the Garbage Disposal?

To keep your garbage disposal running properly, there are certain foods you should never pour down the drain. Some foods will have an adverse effect on the garbage disposal or the plumbing system. Those foods include:

  • Grease. It can cool and harden, and over time, clogs will develop as more solids get trapped by the grease.
  • Fibrous foods, such as celery stalks, eggshells, corn husks and onion skins.
  • Seeds, bones, and kernels.
  • Coffee grounds.

We know that you will still have questions about your garbage disposal from time to time, and that is why at Turek’s Plumbing Services are inviting you to contact us for quality plumbing. Our experienced plumbers will give you all the information that you need to fix minor garbage disposal issues. We will handle the more complex defects so that you don’t have to worry about the plumbing system of your home. Contact us today!

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Reasons for Water Heater Leaks

May 20th, 2020

Reasons for Water Heater Leaks

Water heater leaks can cause inconveniences, can be costly, and can result in damage to your property. However, water heater leaks come with the added risk of being potentially fatal. It is important for you to know the best course of action to take for water heater leaks. Turek’s Plumbing Services shares what homeowners should do during water heater leaks.

Confirm That the Water Heater is Indeed Leaking

Don’t be quick to conclude that your water heater is leaking simply because you have seen some moisture around it. This is because the heater is surrounded by many pipes, fittings, and connections. The leak may originate from any one of those other elements.

To isolate the source of the leak, plumbing professionals in Appleton, WI recommend that you clean up the water underneath the water heater and then examine the water pipes, connections, and any other features near the water heater.

If you don’t see another puddle forming, then it is likely that the moisture you saw earlier was the result of normal condensation around the water heater. If you see another puddle form, but you are unable to identify an external source, it is likely the water heater.

Turn the Power Off

Once you confirm that your home or commercial water heater is leaking, Headwaters Construction Inc., a Sacramento commercial construction company, highly recommends that you quickly turn off the power to the water heater. You can do this in one of two ways, depending on the type of fuel that your water heater runs on.

  • Electric water heaters. Go to the circuit breaker box and switch off the breaker of the water heater.
  • Gas water heaters. Check on the water heater itself and locate the power switch. Turn this switch off.

Turn the Water Off

If there your home or commercial water heater is leaking, it is important for you to turn the water off immediately. Doing so will prevent further leakage occurs while you are fixing the problem. Another reason why the plumbers at Turek’s Plumbing Services recommend that you turn the water off is that the hot water from your heater can cause serious injuries to you while you try to fix the leak in the heater.

Locate and turn off the water from the cold water shutoff valve located at the top of the water heater. If it is risky for you to access this valve, then don’t sweat it. Just turn the water off from the main shutoff valve located outside your home so that you can be safe while fixing the leak.

Reasons for Water Heater Leaks

  1. Loose Connections or Fittings. The fittings and connections found on the cold water inlet, and hot water outlet side of the water heater can become loose and cause the water heater to leak. These fittings and connections are found at the top of the heater. The solution may be as simple as tightening those connections and fittings explains Sacramento, CA plumbing company, Gilmore Heating, Air, & Solar.  You should talk to a plumbing maintenance professional from Gilmore Heating, Air, & Solar to help!
  2. A Malfunctioning T&P Valve. A T&P valve is the temperature and pressure release valve on your water heater. This valve is one of the most important safety features on the water heater. It allows excess pressure to escape once the water heater exceeds the set temperature that the water should be heated. High temperature causes the pressure in the tank to get dangerously high, and the T&P valve steps in to restore the pressure and temperature to a safe level. This component of the water heater is very dangerous to troubleshoot if you aren’t a professional, so it is best to ask a plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin, for help.
  3. A Defective Drain Valve. The drain valve is located near the bottom of the water heater. Over time, this valve can deteriorate and start leaking. Fortunately, the drain valve is easy to replace or fix once it leaks, so buy a replacement valve if you check the current one and find it leaking at the point where it is connected to the water heater.
  4. A Leak Inside the Tank. If your efforts to pinpoint an external source of the leak are futile, then the problem may be within the heater tank itself. Corrosion is normally the cause of such a leak. The most viable remedy is to replace the water heater.

Call Turek’s Plumbing to Fix Water Heater Leaks

As a general rule, you should not attempt to fix a leaking water heater on your own if you aren’t a trained professional. Be cautious and call Tureks Plumbing Services for a water heater repair. Our trained Appleton, WI plumbers will inspect the heater and recommend the best course of action.

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Best Time of Year for Home Improvement Projects

May 13th, 2020

The Best Time of Year for Home Improvement Projects

You are not alone if you have an extensive list of home improvement projects that you are eager to get underway. As you may already know, it isn’t advisable to get all those projects started at the same time. You can plan the work in accordance with the most appropriate time for each project.

Seasonality and the weather are factors that Turek’s Plumbing Services, the best plumbing company in Appleton, Wisconsin, recommends as a way to prioritize different home remodeling projects as detailed below.

Kitchen Remodels

The kitchen is justifiably called the heart of any home, so planning to remodel this space is perfectly understandable. Not only will you increase the value of your home, but you will also make the kitchen customized to your style.

In terms of timing, kitchen remodels are best started in summer, according to Appleton kitchen remodel experts. You can plan your vacation so that you are away while the bulk of the work is done. The indoor nature of the work saves the contractor’s team from the hot weather outdoors. 

Sacramento, CA construction company, Headwaters Construction suggests saving costs by scheduling the kitchen remodel towards the end of summer when contractors’ schedules aren’t so tight.

Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom renovation can also boost the value of your home, so it is a good investment to undertake. Appleton, WI bathroom remodel professionals recommend that bathroom renovations be done during summer or early fall. Scheduling the project out of season may result in some cost savings. A typical bathroom remodel costs approximately $8,820.

Home Additions/Upgrades

If you are planning to go big on home improvement, then a home addition maybe for you. A lot of care is needed for projects costing $38,500 or more. In terms of timing, winter is a no-no for a home addition, particularly if foundation work is involved. The experienced plumbers and technicians in Appleton, WI recommend that you undertake this project in late spring or early fall. This carries the risk that work may still be ongoing during holiday festivities, so proper planning is needed to avoid such an eventuality. Our friends at LMS Garage Doors, who repair and replace garage doors, say that replacing your garage door can significantly increase the value of your home.

Deck Installation

Many homeowners are exploring the possibility of deck installation or deck expansion in order to have more access to the outdoors. A lot of people believe this project should be undertaken in summer, but such timing means that one will not enjoy the deck during this season. A better time to install a deck is towards the end of fall or early in spring. This way, the deck will be beckoning when summer sets in! The bonus of this timing is that you could also get some good deals since you will have the work done during the off-season.

HVAC Repairs

This may not be what comes to mind when you think about home improvement projects. However, this activity is a necessary to keep your home comfy throughout the year. If possible, have your home heater maintained just before summer. Also, you should repair the AC during winter when it isn’t needed. This off-season timing will help you cut costs, and technicians will be readily available. Don’t delay to call a professional should your HVAC system develop a defect during temperature extremes.

In-Ground Pool Installation

In-ground pools can cost approximately $44,575. It is important that your timing is perfect if you want to keep this cost low. Most people have their pools installed in summer, and that sets them up to incur premium labor costs since demand is high at that time. Turek’s Plumbing Services recommends that you go against the norm and have your in-ground pool installed in autumn. This will be a slower process but worth it in cost savings.

Tuckpointing and Masonry Work

As the weather changes during the year, brickwork and masonry can develop cracks. Foundation problems and water leaks may result, so you don’t want to put off this project when these defects develop. 

If you have the luxury to select the timing of the repair, spring is the best time for tuckpointing and masonry work. During fall, contractors are preoccupied with fixing chimneys, so it is harder to get hold of the best pros. Additionally, spring offers suitable weather conditions for mortar and concrete to set.

Timing is of the essence if you are planning a home improvement project. The wrong timing can make the work harder to execute, or it could even make the project more costly. It is therefore best to plan ahead, wherever possible, and select the most suitable time for each project on your list. At Turek’s Plumbing Services, we have amassed experience in undertaking kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels and plumbing works, among other types of home remodels. Contact Appleton, WI plumbing service and we will be happy to make your dream come true![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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