Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Kitchen Remodel Planning’ Category

Common Touchless Faucet Problems

Wednesday, February 20th, 2019

touchless faucet problems - tureks plumbing srvices

Common Touchless Faucet Problems

Are you considering installing touchless faucets in your home? Read on and discover some of the common issues that these kinds of faucets have so that you make an informed decision about buying and installing touchless faucets.

Touchless Faucet’s High Initial Cost

Touchless faucets use advanced technology to operate, and this technology makes the initial cost of the faucets to be high. They are certainly more expensive than the traditional faucets unless you consider the high-end versions of the traditional faucets. This high cost is also compounded by the technical help you will need to install the touchless faucet. The device requires an electrical connection in order to power the sensors upon which the faucet depends for its operation. That installation cost adds to the total cost of acquiring the touchless faucet.

Fixed Settings on Touchless Faucets

Some models of touchless faucets don’t come with a provision that allows you to customize the settings for the user. For example, many of the touchless faucets are designed to dispense only warm water. This means that you will be stuck with those settings, whether they are suitable for your needs or not. However, experts at Tureks Plumbing Services reveal that some newer models of touchless faucets some with a remote control unit or other ways through which a user can tweak the settings.

Energy Consumption

Touchless faucets either use batteries or are connected to the electricity supply in your home. You need to be mindful about how the faucet is powered as you select a model to buy. For example, some battery-powered touchless faucets use rechargeable batteries while others use batteries that need to be replaced periodically. Generally, the rechargeable batteries are a better option since they will save you from incurring a cost to replace the batteries from time to time.

Plumbers in Appleton, WI also reveal that touchless faucets that use electricity are becoming more common. However, these versions impose an extra load on your power supply, so your energy bill will increase when you opt for this type of touchless faucet. Any power outage also means that you will not have access to water when you try to use the faucet.

Accidental Activation of Touchless Faucets

People who have pets and young children may need to think carefully before buying and installing touchless faucets in the home. This is because pets and kids can unintentionally activate the faucet. For instance, pets may walk into the path of the sensors and cause the faucet to activate and discharge water. This not only wastes water but power as well.

Fox Valley plumbers also caution that young kids can also create a game out of activating the touchless faucet. Therefore, homeowners need to teach the kids to refrain from misusing the touchless faucets in the home.

Sensor Malfunctions on Touchless Faucets

Touchless faucets can become unreliable as their sensors age or get exposed to environmental challenges, such as dust. Any malfunction of the sensors means that the faucet will not work. Talk to a plumber in Appleton, WI for recommendations of the most reliable brands of touchless faucets. We will also advise you regarding how easy it may be to get replacement parts for the model you wish to buy.

The common problems above should not discourage you from buying touchless faucets for your home. Touchless faucets make things easy and are simple to use. Always do your research before making a purchase you’ll have to use every day. Involve our experts at Tureks Plumbing Services so that we can help you to select and install these devices correctly. Only then will you be able to enjoy the water conservation, superior hygiene and all the other benefits that accrue from using touchless water faucets.

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Plumbing Resolutions for the New Year

Wednesday, December 26th, 2018

Plumbing Resolutions for the New Year

Plumbing Resolutions for the New Year

Research has it that approximately 45 percent of all people make resolutions at the start of each year. However, only a paltry 8 percent of those people actually implement those resolutions. Our team Tureks Plumbing Services would like you to consider the following plumbing resolutions for the New Year so you can save on your plumbing bill in 2019!

Be More Considerate of Your Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal is one of the unsung heroes of your plumbing system. However, many homeowners ignore this appliance until something malfunctions. Let next year be a different year for the garbage disposal in your home. Resolve to treat it better by being more mindful about what you deposit inside the disposal. For example, don’t place large chunks of debris inside the disposal just because it has blades that can cut that debris into tiny pieces. Instead, cut the debris into smaller pieces so that the garbage disposal doesn’t overwork.

Such consideration will reduce the wear and tear on your disposal. Defects will also be fewer, so you will have a reduced need to call Tureks Plumbing Services to fix a disposal malfunction.

Fix Defects Promptly

The second of the plumbing resolutions for the New Year entails taking prompt action as soon as a defect is detected in the plumbing system. You see, plumbing defects differ in intensity/seriousness. For example, a minor leak may develop at the kitchen faucet, or the main water pipe into your home may burst and start gushing water into your yard. These two leaks elicit different degrees of urgency among homeowners.

However, that minor leak that you delay to fix can result in additional problems. For example, the slow leak can inflate your monthly water bill. Secondly, the moist conditions created by the leak can promote the growth of mold and mildew (with their attendant health risks).

It is therefore wise for you to contact a plumber in Appleton, WI, each time you detect any defect in the plumbing system. The New Year will then have fewer plumbing emergencies if you act quickly each time a defect is noticed.

Conserve Water

You should also resolve to conserve water more in the New Year. This can be attained in several ways, such as upgrading to water-efficient toilets and showerheads. In fact, even fixing defects promptly can help you to conserve water since the wastage resulting from plumbing defects will be avoided.

Consult a Fox Valley plumber in case you want to implement more comprehensive changes in your home in order to make the plumbing system more efficient. The professional will inspect your home and suggest the most cost-effective ways to conserve water in your home.

Give Your Water Heater More Attention

The water heater in your home is an important appliance from a comfort point of view and from the aspect of energy-efficiency. For example, a sudden malfunction can deny your family members hot water to take a shower in the middle of winter. Such an inconvenience can be hard to bypass during such weather.

It is therefore vital that you resolve to give your water heater more attention this coming year (and beyond) so that it can continue to give you the reliable service that you have come to expect. Check the anode frequently and replace it when it is eroded. Flush the tank regularly so that sediment doesn’t accumulate and spring a leak. You can also ask a Fox Valley plumber to check that water heater so that the defects you weren’t aware of as a layperson are fixed before they worsen and compromise the functioning of the appliance.

Keep Pipes Warm

Your plumbing resolutions for the New Year may not be complete if you haven’t thought about how to winterize the plumbing system. Make a conscious decision to keep the water pipes warm during the cold months of the year so that you can forestall those pipes from bursting after freezing.

It is especially important to keep the pipes outdoors and those where no air conditioning exists (attic and basement, for example) warm by wrapping them in insulation. This insulation is affordable and can be bought in rolls at plumbing or hardware stores. Ask one of our experts at Tureks Plumbing Services for recommendations in case you aren’t sure of which particular product to buy and use.

Have Regular Inspections Done

Resolve to start being more proactive rather than reactive when it comes to addressing plumbing system issues. Don’t wait for a problem to occur before you pay some attention to the plumbing system. Instead, ask an experienced plumber in Appleton, WI, to inspect the entire system at least once each year so that defects can be caught early. Such proactive measures will reduce your expenditure on plumbing repairs, and the system will break down less frequently.

Tureks Plumbing Services is available round the clock throughout the year. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help in implementing any of the plumbing resolutions for the New Year covered in the discussion above. We shall do everything possible to keep your plumbing system working without a hitch.

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When Should I Replace My Home Appliances?

Wednesday, September 26th, 2018

When should I replace my home appliances

When Should I Replace My Home Appliances?

Our home appliances allow us to cook, keep our food fresh, and do a lot of chores more efficiently and faster. They provide a lot of conveniences that without them, we will have a hard time functioning properly.  

Because of our reliance on various home appliances, we are so used to them being around that we tend to forget when we bought them, and even neglect to maintain and clean them properly.

However, if you are now asking yourself “When should I replace my home appliances?”, the first thing you have to do is to find out how old they are. If you kept the receipts, simply check the date. 

In case the appliances you have in your home were installed by the previous owner, look through the paperwork that you signed when you bought the house or try to find the original listing. The past owner may have written the age of all the major appliances on these documents. He or she might have also left behind the original paperwork for the appliances which will have the date of purchase and installation.

Pros from a Fox Valley plumbing company say if you can’t find any of these documents, look for the label on your appliances. The label will have the date when the appliance was manufactured. This may be an actual date with a month and year or the info is coded into the serial number.

Lifespan of Home Appliances

Once you know the date when the appliances were bought or manufactured, you need to know how long they can be functional and cost-efficient devices to have at home.

Tureks Plumbing shares below the average lifespans of the most common household appliances:

  • Refrigerator – 8 to 15 years
  • Stove – 10 to 15 years
  • Microwave oven – 5 to 10 years
  • Washing machines – 8 to 12 years
  • Dryer – 11 to 18 years
  • Dishwasher – 8 to 10 years
  • Garbage disposal – 10 to 15 years

Should You Replace or Repair Your Appliances?

If an appliance has already passed its minimum lifespan and it is still working properly, you can continue using it. Our friends at Gilmore Heating & Air, a residential ac company in Placerville, adds that regular maintenance can prolong its quality and usability. Stay on top of maintenance just like you do with your heating and cooling system.

However, if the appliance won’t turn on at all, it could mean it is beyond repair. So, it’s time for a replacement from an expert. Although the appliance may work after being repaired by a professional, you have to way out the pros and cons. If you are continuously having the appliance repaired at a high price, you might as well get a new one.  

A good rule of thumb to remember is that if the repair will cost over half of what a new appliance would cost, it is best to get a replacement. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to contact us.

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What Are the Top Kitchen Remodel Trends in 2018?

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

What Are the Top Kitchen Remodel Trends for 2018?

You can recoup 81.1 percent of your cost from a minor kitchen remodel, according to a 2018 report from business intelligence source Hanley Wood. The typical cost of a kitchen renovation for a midrange property is $21,198, and the added resale value of that project is $17,193. It’s not a bad investment when you want to put your home back in the market.

But what kind of remodel would you do? What should you change? If you’re at a loss for ideas, look to these top kitchen remodel trends for 2018.

Quartz-surfaced Countertops

Kitchens this year shimmer with this engineered stone. It’s a combination of roughly 94 percent quartz with polyester resins (for binding) and pigments (for color). The trendy countertop is not just alluring in a kitchen; it’s also low maintenance in comparison to granite. Quartz is scratch-resistant and stands up against stains.

Even better, this engineered stone now comes in a variety of patterns, colors, and styles. If you’re not in love with the polished look, try getting your quartz countertops sandblasted or embossed for a matte finish.

Counter-height Islands

Since kitchens have turned into the hub of any home for gathering with the family and entertaining friends, the island has become essential. This year, the multi-functional and aesthetic feature is even more of a star.

The ideal island not only allows for seamless movement in the kitchen. It also serves as an extension for prepping food. Counter-height islands further provide storage solutions, keeping kitchens free of clutter.

Masculine and Moody

White kitchens are still in, but the dominant palettes this year are warm grays, light khaki tones, and dark finishes. The mixture of these colors creates a masculine and somewhat moody style.

Modern Farmhouse

As the shift toward natural food and healthier lifestyles move steadily, kitchens are adopting the trend with a take on farm life. The style works around the concept of less is more. You’ll find open shelving, reclaimed wood (reclaimed-like wood), and other similar elements all feature in the modern farmhouse. With the right cabinetry you can create a shabby chic look that will last decades! 

The Smart Kitchen

Finally, what contemporary kitchen would not be without some type of smart gadget? As the Internet of Things (IoT) improves devices further, you’ll find today’s kitchens featuring more than just the typical fridge that tells you you’re out of milk and eggs or an oven with a camera that cooks your food without your intervention.

Some of the devices you might want in your kitchen are: the HAPIfork that tracks your eating habits; Bluetooth-enabled precision cookers that allow you to cook through your smartphone, and the fridgecam, which is cheaper than a smartfridge but lets you know if you need to pick up milk or eggs.

No matter which style works best for your home, our design consultants at Turek’s Plumbing can help you design and install your dream kitchen.

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How to Hire a Contractor for a Kitchen Remodel

Tuesday, June 26th, 2018

Better Renovation: How to Hire a Contractor for a Kitchen Remodel

A home remodel has two advantages.

One, it improves your lifestyle and comfort level.

Two, it could raise your property’s value on the market.

You want to make sure that you achieve both with this project, so there’s a lot at stake when you decide to take down walls, extend a space, or modernize an outdated room. Clearly, it’s a job for a professional kitchen remodel contractor.

Here’s how to hire a contractor for a kitchen remodel:

Get a recommendation from the right sources

Keep your pool of options small by getting recommendations from the right people. You can start with the Home Builders and Remodelers Association (HBRA) in your area. The council will point you in the right direction, giving a few businesses that specialize in remodeling to look into. If you have friends or family who had a successful renovation project, you can also ask them for their contractor’s details.

Check the contractor’s license and insurance

You’ll want to make sure your contractor has the license to work in the Fox Valley area. A contractors license means that the contractor abides by state and local rules. It also indicates that the business has a solid reputation and has not had or has received few complaints. Turek’s Plumbing has a pristine reputation and are well known for our excellent service. 

Your contractor should also have adequate insurance to mitigate any incident on your property; if the contractor’s workers injure themselves or injure your neighbors, the insurance should settle the problem.

Spend time talking with the contractor

You’ve checked out the kitchen remodeling contractor’s credentials and seen previous projects. Now it’s time to talk with the contractor. You could do it over the phone, but nothing beats personal contact when scrutinizing a person you’re going to work with for months.

You need to make sure you’re comfortable with this person and that you trust him or her. The personal contact is crucial because you’ll not only work with the professional for months, but that person is also going to be in your home plenty of times.

Talk about guidelines for workers

Carpenters, installers, and painters are going to take over your home for the duration of your kitchen remodel. This, however, is not a license for the workers to come and go as they please. Headwaters Construction, Inc., a Sacramento commercial construction company, suggests establishing guidelines with the contractor. This could include workers showing up early, working past the usual schedule, using facilities in your home, and other limitations or expectations. 

Get every agreement in writing

Finally, never start the project without a contract in place. The document needs to establish the extent of the remodel, your contractor’s responsibilities, deadlines, costs, and solutions to potential issues that may arise during construction.

When you start with a good recommendation, follow through with a meeting with the contractor, and punctuate your search with a contract, your kitchen remodel will be efficient.

To Schedule a no-obligation estimate for your kitchen remodel project, contact us today!

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Ways to Save on Your Home Remodel – Top Tips for Homeowners

Tuesday, April 17th, 2018

Whether you are planning a partial remodel (kitchen/bathroom) or a full makeover for your whole home, it should not be a hit-or-miss affair.

Sure, a home makeover entails ample amounts of patience, effort, and money. But at the end of the day, you should achieve your established goal, be it to increase the beauty and functionality of your house or to increase property value while keeping your finances in good order.

Does that sound like a tall order? Here are some ways to save on your home remodel.

Don’t go in blind

The easiest way to get bankrupt with a home remodel is to proceed sans a definite plan.

If you are keen on giving your home a makeover without breaking the bank, the first thing that you need to do is to establish a hierarchy of the work that you want done.

And as you conduct further research and talk to suppliers and contractors like Tureks Plumbing Kitchen and Bath Remodel, you’ll have a fair idea of which works you can proceed with and which ones you can momentarily shelve.

Work with what you currently have

A remodel does not necessarily mean that you should splurge on removing the old in favor of the new.

One of the easiest ways to tame your makeover budget is to identify specific items in the room/your home that you can still use and which ones beg for a replacement.

For example, instead of getting new cabinets, a new splash of paint and replacements of handles and knobs can translate to immense savings as well as a new lease on life for your assets.

Know what your options are

Do you really need a granite countertop for your kitchen? Or would you be content with a lower cost option like laminate?

Our friends at Gilmore Heating and Air, an HVAC company that offers air conditioning services in Placerville, suggests that you evaluate your wants and needs. Sometimes, swapping your material of choice can lead to substantial savings without compromising form and function.

Do your research, consult with the experts, and keep an open mind.

Figure out the things that you can do by yourself

One of the key drivers of remodeling costs is labor. Quite simply, the fewer number of hours your contractor needs to put in for the project, the lower your makeover expenses will be.

Check out the list of the tasks that need to be done. You might find some that you (and your family and friends) can do.

It can be as simple as painting the kitchen walls, or depending on your DIY skills, something more complex.

Choose your partner well

The success (or failure) of your home remodeling project hinges greatly on your choice of contractor.

As such, do not take this choice lightly.

Instead of going for the first contractor that responds to your inquiry, start off with a shortlist of about three contractors who work in your area and get quotes from each.

For one, this will give you a better picture of what to expect in terms of cost. Second, this enables you to get each prospective contractor and allow you to gauge whether you are comfortable working with each one on your shortlist.

Important considerations to factor in when choosing a contractor include reputation, organization, attention to details and punctuality.

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Reasons Why Your Bathroom Needs an Exhaust Fan

Tuesday, August 8th, 2017
Creating a comfortable indoor climate for your home requires the right HVAC system. A lot of people just rely on an air conditioning unit, but if you wish for a truly well-ventilated home, you will need an exhaust fan in each of your bathrooms.

An exhaust fan helps in the proper circulation of indoor air, but it also provides a bunch of other benefits. A trusted bathroom and kitchen renovation expert that Applegate and Fox Valley residents turn to cites four other benefits of having an exhaust fan at home:

  • It can get rid of odors. Installing an exhaust fan in your bathroom and kitchen will allow these rooms to get aired out faster so funky odors don’t attach to everything from your curtains to your rugs.
  • It can reduce indoor moisture which can encourage the growth of molds. Humid conditions present the perfect environment for mold growth, which nobody wants. Molds present serious health risks and they also alter the appearance of building structures.
  • When strategically placed, exhaust fans can expand the reach of an air conditioning unit. Small homes that do not use central air conditioning can spread cool air from a small unit in one room with the help of a strategically installed exhaust fan.
  • An exhaust fan can also “flush” pollutants out of your home. If you have a member in the family who’s a smoker, or who tends to use aerosol products frequently (like hairspray), the pollutants from those can be dispelled from your home when you turn on the exhaust fan.

Overall, an exhaust fan can make your home a more comfortable and healthier place to live. It’s a cinch to install, actually; there are quick-to-follow guides (in picture and video formats) available online if you wish to take the DIY route. However, if you want to secure all the benefits it can provide, the smarter thing to do is to turn to professionals for installation.

With their professional experience and extensive knowledge of how these ventilation aids function, they can ensure you’ll feel the positive impact of exhaust fan installation in your home. They can pair you off with the most suitable systems (there are three kinds), as well as determine the most ideal places for installation so the exhaust fans function optimally. And lastly, if you entrust installation to the pros, they’ll make sure that the job meets the code requirements of your city. Schedule your appointment with us today!

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Water Conservation Tips to Save You Money and Do the Environment Well

Thursday, July 27th, 2017

Water is essential to human life and its shortage can result in problems of a major scale. This is why everybody is encouraged to conserve water. With smart practices, water shortage can be prevented and quality of human life protected.

A reputable plumbing company trusted by Applegate and Fox Valley residents has a collection of water conservation tips that can help. So, if you wish to do your bit in doing the environment well and helping sustain its ability to provide water to us all, and at the same time, slash your household’s water bill, you can implement these tips from the pros.

Eco-Friendly Products

Don’t go overboard with detergents, bleach, and other chemicals to get your clothes and house clean. Not only do they contribute to water pollution but they also cause routine cleaning to consume more energy and water.

Switch to eco-friendly soaps and detergents. They are much easier to rinse and don’t contribute to water pollution.

Lawn Care & Water Conservation

Improve your lawn care. Watering frequently is actually counterproductive; water deeply just twice a day (ideally before the sun goes up and when it’s setting) instead. You’ll use less water by watering wisely.

Contact your local water authority to make sure that the water pressure on your street is less than 60 pounds per square inch. Pressure that is any higher than that is too much for plumbing systems and will always result in excessive water usage.

Plumbing Leaks

Make sure that there’s no leaky plumbing in your home. Leaky toilets consist of more than 40 percent of your total water usage. Meanwhile, leaky faucets that drip once per second waste as much as eight gallons of water a day. To make sure that you’re not dealing with a leaky plumbing system, check your water meter when no water is being used. If the meter continues to move even when no one’s using water, that’s a clear indication that you have a water leak somewhere. Call professional plumbers to find where the leak is and repair the problem.

Collect Water

Wisconsin gets a lot of rain and you can fill rain barrels with rainwater that you can use as a resource for the future. It can be used for gardening and cleaning your home.

Plumbing Fixtures

Replacing some plumbing fixtures, such as an old showerhead with a more water-efficient design, can actually save you up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without compromising spray pressure. You can also look into low-flow toilets and faucets. Call us to schedule your appointment today!

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Causes of Leaking Garbage Disposal

Tuesday, July 25th, 2017

Fixing the 2 Most Common Causes of Leaking Garbage Disposal

A leaking garbage disposal system does not necessarily translate to a massive hole in your pocket. Leaks can occur from time to time and in some instances, you do not have to spend a small fortune to remedy these problems.

Here’s a brief rundown of two of the most common causes of leaks and what you can do about these.

Gasket

Check your garbage disposal system and determine where exactly the leak is coming from. If the leak is coming from the top rim where the rubber seal and the flange meet, it is highly likely that the cause of the leak is the gasket which can be found on top of the system.

Over time, the rubber gasket breaks down. In some cases, if the garbage disposal system is not used for an extended period of time, the gasket can dry up, causing leaks. Sometimes, the gasket causes leaks if it is replaced unevenly. Finally, if you dismantle the system for whatever reason, it is a good idea to replace the gasket.

Fortunately, if the gasket is the cause of the leak, it can be easily replaced. Just make sure that you purchase the right gasket for your garbage disposal system.

After you have bought the correct gasket, the first thing that you need to do to replace the old one is to disconnect the drain. After that, you can unplug the cord. Make sure that you remove the dishwasher drain hose from the system.

Next, hold the sides of the mounting nuts and turn these counter clockwise. This will unlock the garbage disposal system.

The next step that you need to do is to remove the old gasket and put the new one that you bought. Check whether the new gasket fits properly.  After that, you can replace the garbage disposal system and reconnect the drains and plug.

Disposal flange

If the leak comes from the upper area of the garbage disposal system, the possible source of the leak is the disposal flange.

The flange can leak if the seal is not tight enough or has become loose. In either case, you will need to dismantle the system so that you can reseal the flange.

After dropping the garbage disposal unit, you will need to loosen the bolts that hold the flange in place. Next, find the clip that holds the flange in place by using a flat screwdriver to pop it out of place. Then, remove the top flange from the sink. You should then clean the sink before reinstalling the system and applying putty.

In applying plumber’s putty, make sure that you apply an even amount. You should also make sure that the putty wraps around the rim of the flange. After that, you can put the flange into its original position and replace the bottom flange. Replace the screws tightly and then you can clean the area where you worked. And schedule your appointment with us today!

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Farmhouse Sink: Trendy or Timeless?

Friday, July 21st, 2017
Is the farmhouse sink trendy or timeless? Although still largely seen as traditional, the farmhouse has quickly become a popular fixture in modern homes as well.

This short guide will show you how this rustic sink has evolved through time. If you are planning to renovate your kitchen anytime soon, the list of pros and cons may help you decide whether it is worth buying or not.

Form and Function

The farmhouse sink is characterized by the deep design of its basin. Sometimes known as apron-front sinks, these kitchen fixtures were designed to hold copious amounts of water and wash large cooking tools. The basin is so deep that you can bathe a baby in it.

Farmhouse Sink Installation

A typical farmhouse sink is installed with the apron protruding beyond the cabinets below it. This design feature is meant to protect the cabinets. If the water starts to overflow, the liquid will fall straight to the floor instead of damaging the cabinets beneath the sink.
The width and depth of a farmhouse sink offers homeowners ample space for washing dishes and kitchen tools. On the other hand, farmhouse sinks are also bulky. Standard sinks weigh around 20 to 30 pounds while an apron-front type may weigh up to 100 pounds. If you intend to replace your standard sink with a farmhouse one, you will need to find a way to reinforce the supports around the sink.
Farmhouse sinks don’t come with holes for faucets. As a result, the faucet needs to be installed on the wall or counter. On the upside, if the sink ever gets damaged, you can take it out without the need to turn off the water mains. However, you will also need to pick the right type of faucet to go with your country style sink.

Materials

Farmhouse sinks were traditionally made out of porcelain or fireclay. During the 1920s, sinks forged out of cast iron, copper and nickel alloy became popular. Nowadays, you can find farmhouse sinks made out of stainless steel, concrete and stone as well. Farmhouse sinks also come in a wide range of available styles and textures to suit varying design needs.

Price

Finally, going for a specific style can be expensive. With farmhouse sinks, expect to pay hundreds of dollars more than your standard type. Plus, you will need to consider the installation cost and other fees. Make sure to explore these expenses carefully before making your decision.

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