Do I Need a Whole House Filter?

July 2nd, 2018

Do I Need a Whole House Filter?

It is essential for everyone to drink pure water. However, you should not forget about how significant a whole house filter is and how it can protect your long-term health. This filters out contaminants, chemical waste, heavy metals, cancer-causing agents and pesticides that can soak into your skin while you shower.

Believe it or not, much of the well water and tap water in the United States are not clean. They contain toxic materials from chemical disinfectants, industrial waste, man-made plants and minerals that naturally occur in nature. Moreover, existing regulations for monitoring how potable the water is only cover some of these contaminants.

And though most of the contaminant levels in groundwater and surface water are not high enough to cause immediate sickness, health experts emphasized that even small levels can cause serious damage to your health when ingested or exposed to your body for long periods of time.

So if you’re asking, “Do I need a whole house filter?”, Tureks Plumbing shares a brief overview and some of the most compelling reasons to get one.

A whole house filter – what is it?

Placed at the point where water enters your home, a whole house filter will screen out different types of harmful disinfectants, additives, and contaminants found in your water supply.

Here are some benefits of having a whole house filter in your home:

  • Healthier baths and showers
  • Brighter, softer and long-lasting clothing
  • Clean water coming out from each water source in your home
  • Healthier hair and skin
  • Extended life of water-using household pipes and appliances

2 Main Types

Heavy Duty Filtration System – This makes use of large amounts of filter media placed in a tank, making it the highest contaminant removal system. It offers specific contaminant protection for five to 10 years.

Standard Capacity Water Cartridge – This is placed inside filter housings to treat water throughout your home. The filters are usually replaced every year. Though they are more affordable, they usually require more maintenance.

Even if the water from the municipal source is treated, you may still be exposed to plenty of contaminants. So installing a whole house filter on your property is imperative. It gives you extra protection in each water outlet of your home.

Bear in mind that contaminants can be inhaled or absorbed through your skin. If you do not have special water contaminant problems, then a carbon filtration system is highly recommended. But for water issues, it’s best to get a whole house water filter that will treat such problems. Please contact Tureks Plumbing if you have any questions or concerns. 

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What Are the Top Kitchen Remodel Trends in 2018?

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

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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Slow Water Heater – How to Fix It

June 10th, 2018

After a long day at work, the one thing that you want most is to take a long, hot shower.

But your water heater has other plans.

Instead of showering with warm water, you end up not showering at all because it took so long to get hot water.

Factors that cause slow hot water

Before you go to Google and type slow water heater – how to fix it, there are a few things that you need to know.

There are plenty of factors that may cause your slow hot water problem.

One of the most common reasons is the distance between the pipes and the fixture. If the shortest distance between points A and B is a straight line, that is rarely the case in residential homes. In most cases, hot water from the heater needs to travel 30, 40, or sometimes, even 50 feet to get to the fixture.

The water flow rate in the pipes and fixtures can also contribute greatly to this problem. The smaller the diameter of the pipes used in your home, the slower the speed of the hot water getting to the fixture will be.

And if you are using low flow faucets and/or showers in your home, the rate by which hot water flows out will be shaved by several seconds.

Water pipes can also absorb heat from the water, thus increasing your wait time. Some types of pipe materials and the temperature of the pipes themselves can translate to heat loss, slowing the flow of hot water.

Slow hot water is also a common problem in homes that use tankless water heaters. This is because the water has to travel through the inlet and outlet of the water heater with a cold temperature.

What can you do to fix a slow water heater?

There are two approaches to solve a slow water heater problem.

First, you can shift your focus on the water pipes to prevent these from cooling the water before it reaches the faucet or shower.

This will require the use of a small pump mounted on the fixture that is farthest from the water heater. This pump is used in conjunction with the water heater in order to ensure the circulation of hot water in the pipes, and that the cold water is circulated back to the heater.

However, the water heater will need to be turned on longer than it normally would be.

Another solution you might want to try also involves the use of a small pump in the faucet or shower farthest from the water heater. The main difference between this and the aforementioned method is that the water heater is only turned on when you are planning to use hot water.

Here, the primary purpose of the pump is not to circulate hot water. Instead, the small pump is used to increase the flow rate of hot water.

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Types Of Plumbing Pipes And Their Uses

June 6th, 2018

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][mk_padding_divider][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1528316005240{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Although you may not be a plumber by trade or plumbing aficionado, knowing the different types of plumbing pipes and their uses can help you decide which kind to get when you need to replace your old or damaged pipes. In case you’re still having your home built, having knowledge of the most popular types of pipes, their advantages and disadvantages will enable you to have a plumbing system that will work and last for a long time.

Below are the most commonly used types of plumbing pipes, their purposes and advantages:

PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe

PVC plumbing pipes are used for drain, vent, and waste lines, cold and hot potable waterlines, and for sewage applications. Their thickness and configurations vary depending on the application where it will be used. PVC pipes are light and easy to work with and install.

Rigid Copper Pipe

Copper pipes are the most traditional and popularly used plumbing pipes since they are durable, long-lasting, and corrosion-resistant. They are also the best water supply pipe option since they do not carry certain health risks that PVC pipes have. They work well with both hot and cold water.

Copper plumbing pipes, however, have to be soldered together and may require some additional fittings. As such, you or your contractor have to be good at soldering if you want to use this type of material.

PEX or Cross-linked Polyethylene Piping

PEX pipes are flexible, color-coded plastic pipes that are easy to cut and simple to connect. They are now one of the most popular plumbing pipe options used for residences and small business establishments or buildings since they require little maintenance. They are one of the strongest and most durable materials today and can thus remain leak-free for a long period of time.

Stainless Steel Pipes

Stainless steel pipes are typically used in areas subject to corrosion and near coastal areas. It is one of the most durable types of plumbing pipe materials. This type of pipe is available in both flexible and rigid varieties. If they will be attached to other types of pipes, special couplings will be needed.

Cast Iron Plumbing Pipes

Cast iron plumbing pipes are generally manufactured as bell and spigot types. Most cast iron plumbing pipes come with threaded joints but they are more expensive than the bell and spigot ones.

Cast iron pipes are heavier than any other pipes and as such, are best used for underground water distribution system. You will often see them as the main pipe on drainage or sewer systems.

Expert Fox Valley plumbers can also help you choose which type of pipe is best for your home construction or renovation project. Seasoned plumbers, such as those from Turek’s Plumbing, can have trucks stocked with all a huge variation of plumbing pipes. If you decide the job is better suited for a Fox Valley Plumber, give us a call. We have solutions that will meet your requirements, budget, and particular project.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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How to Prevent Mold in Your Home

May 30th, 2018

Molds are the last thing you want to have in your home. They are health hazards and do nothing good to the look of a house. Worse, they are hard to remove, especially if your home is already teeming with them.

In such instances, you will have to hire professionals to get rid of your mold problem.

You can avoid all the health concerns and other issues that come with having molds in your home by preventing their growth in the first place. Here are some tips on how to prevent molds in your home:

Identify possible problem areas

It can be hard to have a mold-proof home. But you can start doing this by inspecting all areas of your house and finding out which ones are often damp and wet.

The most common rooms and parts of your home where molds will likely grow are the:

  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Basement
  • Ceiling

If there are leaks, or if these areas are often damp or wet, have the issues fixed immediately to prevent future mold problems.

Make cleaning a priority

To keep molds at bay, always vacuum and keep your home clean, especially the areas that generate a lot of moisture such as the bathroom and kitchen. Use disinfecting cleaning products on non-porous surfaces such as tiles and stones to discourage mold growth.

De-clutter

When you have a tidy room, your cooling system will have an easier time circulating air. The opposite happens when you have a messy room. This is because clutter obstructs airflow and prevents your HVAC system from circulating air. This, in turn, allows the room to accumulate moisture which encourages mold growth.

As such, get rid of things you don’t need or want anymore. Consider rearranging your furniture as well if they are positioned near vents and grilles, or covering them, to keep air circulating.

Keep your home well-ventilated

Poor ventilation in damp spaces like bathrooms and kitchens can leave moisture behind that can encourage mold growth. As such, wipe the kitchen sink after using it and keep the bathroom door open after bathing to speed up the drying of surfaces.

You can also use fans to ensure proper ventilation in these rooms. However, make sure the fans take moisture outside and not into attics. Our friends at Gilmore Solar, Heating, & Air, recommend searching for an HVAC company near me for professional help.

Handle water leaks and flooding issues immediately

Lastly, have water leaks in your roof, windows or any other part of the home repaired by experts as soon as possible. Keep in mind that constant leaks cause moisture to build up and enable molds to grow.

If you encounter any flooding problem in your home, make sure you have this issue fixed immediately. Thoroughly wash, disinfect and dry soaked carpets, padding, and wet upholstery before using them again. Contact Tureks Plumbing Services if you need assistance.

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3 Ways to Deal With Popcorn Ceiling

May 28th, 2018

There are things that can date your home, and one example is “popcorn ceiling.” This pertains to bumpy ceiling surfaces with a sprayed-on texture that may include glittery sparkles. They are also hard to clean, difficult to repair, and can easily catch dust.

Despite these cons, popcorn ceilings became popular in the late 1950s since they made easy work of hiding imperfections in the finishing.

When it is time for you to move on to a different look, there are three ways to deal with popcorn ceiling. But before taking on the challenge, learning whether they contain asbestos or not should be done first; this way, you’ll know how to deal with it.

Asbestos fiber, when inhaled in large quantities, may cause lung disease, scarring of the lungs, and lung cancer. Once your ceiling has been confirmed to contain asbestos, appropriate precautionary steps must be taken, and only the experts must deal with your popcorn ceiling.

Here’s an overview from Tureks Plumbing Services of the three ways of dealing with popcorn ceilings.

  1. Scrape off Popcorn Ceiling

Scraping the popcorn ceiling off is probably the easiest way to remove it. The process is similar to getting samples for testing, but this only works on unpainted ceilings.

All you have to do is wet the ceiling and scrape the dampened texture off with a large knife until you are left with a clean, smooth surface. But instead of doing the entire ceiling at once, you have to complete small areas at a time.

Once everything has been removed, and the ceiling is dry, use joint compound to fill in the holes. After that, sand it to achieve a popcorn-free ceiling.

  1. Cover Popcorn Ceiling with drywall

If your ceiling is not at risk for asbestos but is painted, it might be impossible to scrape off. The porous popcorn material had soaked it up, so covering it with drywall is a better option. This is also recommended if your ceilings contain asbestos since the harmful substance will be trapped instead of being sent into the air and atmosphere while scraping.

This method involves affixing ceiling-grade gypsum board over the existing popcorn ceiling. You have to screw it into the framing. For a seamless job, you must be proficient at taping and mudding.

Hiring a team of professionals will ensure that the job is completed in no time.

  1. Skim Coat over Popcorn Ceiling

Another way to deal with popcorn ceiling is to skim coat over the ceilings using a different texture. This method will involve cleaning and preparing the current substrate with quick-set drywall mud. After that, a bonding agent like joint compound will be applied.

A finish compound may also be applied to create a new texture. But often, this method leaves the ceiling still bumpy, which might not be beneficial to your home decorating endeavor.

Determining which of these three methods to use to get rid of popcorn ceiling will depend on the condition and age of your ceiling. But remember that all these routes are quite messy, so make sure to cover all your exposed body parts and wear a respirator during the project. Also, remove furnishing, relocate your pets to another room, and cover the flooring. If you have any questions or concerns, please give Tureks Plumbing Services a call!

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How To Install An Outdoor Faucet

May 22nd, 2018

If you love spending time outside your home, you will find having one or more outdoor faucets really handy. With an outdoor faucet, you will have an easier and quicker time watering your garden. It will also be highly useful whenever you cook outside and clean your outdoor space.

Placing an outside tap is something you can do as a DIY project. If you want to know how to install an outdoor faucet,  Tureks Plumbing Services provides the steps and tips you need to follow (take note that if any part of the process becomes too challenging, or if you don’t have the time or skills to do it, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals — they’ll be happy to get the job done for you).

 

  • Choose the location of your tap. Start by looking in your basement or crawl space for an area near a pipe where you can install your faucet. If there is no cold water line near the location where you’d like to install the faucet, you’ll have to run the pipe to a water supply line elsewhere.
  • Select your pipe. For an underground pipeline, plumbers recommend using PEX tubing. This is because PEX tubing is easier to install and cheaper than copper pipe. You can also make a continuous run from your house and make turns without installing a single fitting when you choose this type of pipe. However, if you choose this material, be prepared to buy a PEX crimping tool as well.
  • Prepare to dig a trench. In case you will have to run a pipe underground, call 811 several days before you dig so that a utility company can locate buried pipes and cables in your yard. Once you’re given the go-signal, dig your trench. A plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin says that you only need to bury the water line about six inches deep.
  • Protect the water line. Once you’re done placing the pipe underground, cover the tubing with at least two inches of soil and pour in about two inches of dry concrete mix before backfilling the trench. This will protect the water line from shovel attacks or any external force.
  • Install the post and faucet. You can use a hollow PVC fence post or any material you have or want to use as the post for your faucet. Run the PEX run inside the post to protect it from sunlight since UV rays can reduce its life. Set the post at least 18 inches deep. Screw the sillcock flange to the post; make sure it is tight and secure.  Afterward, install a screw-on backflow preventer.

 

If you will be installing the faucet on a wall, follow the steps below:

 

  • After choosing the location for your outdoor faucet, drill a hole through the wall. Once you’ve chosen the right water supply pipe for your outdoor faucet, clean the pipe and turn off the water.
  • Cut through the current pipe and solder the old pipe together with the new line. Run the pipes all the way up to the spot where you will install the faucet in the wall.
  • Install the faucet using plumber’s putty around the back of the faucet piece. Next, insert the faucet into the hole from the outside of the house. Push the faucet against the wall of the house so that the plumber’s putty squeezes out and spreads through the sides of the faucet. Wipe off any excess putty that squeezes around the edges of the faucet
  •  Lastly, connect the faucet piece to the pipe inside the house. Solder these two parts so that they are completely connected and secure as well.

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The 5 Dirtiest Things In Your Kitchen

May 16th, 2018

Even if you regularly clean your kitchen, there may be certain items in this area that you’re not cleaning or sanitizing enough. Once you know how dirty these items are, you will start thinking twice about how often you use them and your cleaning methods. You may even be encouraged to simply replace these items and double up on your sanitizing efforts.

Tureks Plumbing Services shares the five dirtiest things in your kitchen and tips on how to clean and keep them hygienic and safe for daily use:

  • Coffeemaker

The first on this list is something that you may not clean often: your coffee maker. Although coffee makers look clean even if you just wipe them now and then, don’t be fooled. Bacteria love dark, confined spaces and your coffee maker is the perfect place for them to grow and multiply.

To keep your coffee maker hygienic and safe for brewing your cup of joe every day, clean it every week. Fill the reservoir with a mixture of half white vinegar and water and turn it on until the post is half full. Stop brewing for 30 minutes then turn it on again to finish the brewing process. When done, empty the pots and fill the reservoir with clean water and brew again.

  • Dish towels

Dish towels are some of the dirtiest things not just in the kitchen, but in your whole house. Whether you use them for wiping your hands or cleaning your kitchen counters, you are constantly getting and spreading germs.

To avoid spreading germs whenever you use your dish towels, change them every day. Launder used dish towels once a week with hot water and with a small amount of bleach.

  • Sponges

Sponges are reservoirs for different types of bacteria as well. According to health experts, using old sponges can lead to food-borne diseases.

It is therefore important that you clean your sponges properly after use. Put the sponges in a dishwasher with a drying cycle. You can also disinfect them by soaking them in a solution of one-quarter to one-half of a teaspoon of concentrated bleach per quart of warm water for one minute. If your sponge starts to smell, throw and replace it immediately.

  • Cutting boards

If you’re using only one cutting board at home, you’re already doing something really unhygienic in the kitchen. Every kitchen should have at least two cutting boards — one for meats and the other for fruits and vegetables. If you’re just using just one for these food items, you’re causing cross-contamination which can make you sick.

To keep your cutting boards safe for use, always wash them properly with good dishwashing solution and water after. Also, spray the cutting board you use for cutting raw meat with a bleach solution after using it.

  • Garbage Disposals

Lastly, there can be no doubt that your garbage disposal contains various types of bacteria. As such, make sure you clean it regularly.

Use a long-handled brush and chlorine-based disinfectant when cleaning it. Scrub the walls of the disposal and don’t forget the area beneath the rubber guard. When done, allow it to sit for at least an hour so that the disinfectant can kill any surrounding bacteria. After each use, a seasoned Appleton plumber recommends placing a few ice cubes in it to clear the blades of any leftover muck that may be stuck to them. 

Check out our blog to see more info-articles!

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Why Is My Toilet Leaking At The Base?

April 25th, 2018

If there is water around the base of your toilet, this means that there is a leak around the base of the fixture. Once you notice a leak, deal with it immediately. Do not wait for your bathroom to become a swimming pool – have it fixed!

Why is My Toilet Leaking at the Base? 

For people asking, “Why is my toilet leaking at the base?” an Appleton plumber shares three possible reasons, along with some things homeowners can do before calling in the experts:

  1. Loose T-Bolts

T-bolts are the plastic caps you see around the base of your toilet. They help hold the toilet firmly in place. If these bolts become broken or loose, the seal of the toilet can break, thus causing leaks.

All you have to do is to reposition the toilet so it becomes leveled and centered. After that, tighten the bolts and replace the cap. But if the bolts continue to spin freely, this means they are broken. In this case, replacing the T-bolts is your only option.

Flush the toilet once the bolts are secure. If water still leaks at the base, check the wax seal underneath the toilet.

  1. Damaged Wax Ring

If your toilet is still leaking at the base even after you have tightened or replaced the bolt, the wax ring may be the culprit.

The wax ring seals the toilet to the floor to prevent the seepage of dirty water. Over time, this seal can disintegrate or become useless when the T-bolts become loose. Replacing a wax seal is a more tedious task so you might need an extra set of hands. But for best results, it is recommended that you contact a reputable plumber in Appleton, Wisconsin.

When replacing the seal, turn off the water that comes into the toilet. Also, flush the toilet drain and make use of rags to absorb any water that remains. The water line from the tank must be unscrewed. Before lifting the toilet, do not forget to undo the T-bolts. Remove the old wax ring from the toilet and the floor with a scraper. Also, clean the area with disinfectant. Once the toilet and floor are dry, install the new wax ring. Put the toilet back in place and tighten the T-bolts.

  1. Cracked Toilet Bowl

Although this is rare, your toilet leaking may be caused by a crack in the toilet bowl. If you can pinpoint the crack, use a sealant to repair it. Make sure to turn off the water supply, drain the bowl, and dry the area before doing so. But if the leak continues, you need to replace the toilet bowl.

Dealing with toilet leaks is not as easy as it seems. If you need any help, Turek’s Plumbing highly recommends hiring their plumbing professionals to do the job for you.

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