Thursday, October 27, 2011

What Is The Purpose Of A Drain Trap

Everyone in America has drain traps in their home whether they realize it or not. A drain trap is the curved pipe sections that are a part of the water draining system. These sections create an area that holds water in the fixture that essentially makes a water seal and this water barrier prevents sewer/septic gases from entering into your living area. These fumes are very undesirable because they smell foul and are unhealthy for your environment.

Modern building codes and health codes require that all homes have drain traps in place. They are S-shaped, J-shaped, U-shaped, and P-shaped. The S-shaped drain trap is one of the oldest designs and is considered out dated. The S-shape trap is not acceptable in many plumbing codes because it has a tendency to not hold water properly, and therefore it doesn't meet code requirements. For some locations the S trap is even illegal.

For every area in the home that has any kind of water usage, there should be a drain trap installed. Most drain traps, like the ones for your kitchen and bathroom sinks, can be found easily enough. But some are not that simple to find. For instance, the bathtub and the washer drainage systems are not usually visible unless you are under the home or are doing some kind of renovations in those areas.

There are a couple of choices available for these drain traps which make life a little easier when problems do arise. Installing a drain trap assembly with a clean out plug is an excellent idea for simple plumbing issues, and they are definitely worth the purchase and installation costs. It will pay for itself if a valuable ring falls down the drain. Just open the plug and fish for the ring. Then there are swivel type assemblies to be considered, but these can be a little tricky to use if you do need to do something with the drain trap.

If the home you are living in is not new, it would be a good idea to have a qualified plumber come and inspect your water drainage system. This will ensure that your home meets the building and health codes in your area.
The plumber will also be able to spot any trouble areas that you may have and make recommendations on how to resolve the issues before problems arise. This would be a wise investment, since a drainage problem can quickly become a major catastrophe.


Plumbing For Less is your full service Atlanta Plumber servicing Atlanta, GA and surrounding Areas. For more information visit us online at www.plumbingforless.bizPlumbing For Less 2366 Sylvan Rd., Ste.# 16, Atlanta, GA 30344 (404) 509-6866.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

How to Avoid Plumbing Scams


For those needing repair work or updated work on plumbing, it is very important to avoid being scammed. With the economy of the current, monetary scams are on the rise, service areas seem to be one area where many are taken advantage of. The unsuspecting homeowner could be in for a very large bill from unnecessary plumbing repairs or services.

Whether you are looking to update your current plumbing or needing repairs, the first step to ensuring you are not scammed would be to have a consultation. Most companies provide this free of charge, if they are going to charge you, look for another company. A plumber should come to the home and inspect the area needing the work. A plumber cannot give you a proper quote of work without inspecting the area which needs the repairs. They should talk to you about what you are expecting and give you a written quote on the work. If the plumber does not talk you through the repairs up front, ask, if they refuse, it is likely they are not confident of their work and they are in the process of a possible scam.

A quote should be given to you as the consumer to review and discuss with others if you wish. You should be able to have time to get multiple quotes without feeling pressured. Plumbers who use tactics such as this offer is only good today, or scar tactics in regards to your well being if the repairs are not made, are likely not reputable contractors. Another tactic they may use is a lawsuit tactic of being sued if things are not immediately fixed, don’t fall for it.

When it comes to payment, be leery of the contractor who can only accept cash and does not have the receipt book with them. The chances this company may not be on the up and up with taxes and insurance is very likely when they only accept cash. If the cost of the repairs/upgrade is substantially less from one company than from others which you have received a quote from, you need to avoid the contractor. It is likely they are attempting to short change the repairs or upgrade by not doing the work properly. The phrase too good to be true should apply here. Lastly, if the contractor is asking for upfront costs, be sure to check with the regulations from your state in regards to the percentage. If your state only allows a ten percent up front charge but your contractor is charging twenty percent, it is likely you may never see your money, your plumber or your repairs.

Finally, if a contractor refuses to show identification or credentials, it is likely they have something to hide. This may be their company being in trouble or the contractor themselves being in trouble with the law or IRS. All contractors should be willing to show their identification, their credentials and provide you with a list of satisfied customers to contact with questions, concerns or for references.
Be cautious of your surroundings and ensure you are given the service you have asked for and deserve without being taken to the cleaners when looking for plumbing services.

Plumbing For Less is your full service Atlanta Plumber servicing Atlanta, GA and surrounding Areas. For more information visit us online at www.plumbingforless.biz Plumbing For Less 2366 Sylvan Rd., Ste.# 16, Atlanta, GA 30344
(404) 509-6866.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Bathroom Remodeling Vanity Options for Larger Bathrooms


Starting the bathroom remodeling process begins with the style you hope to portray; whether it is modern, contemporary, a spa retreat, antique or from the period your home was built. Once you have decided the style you want, the vanity will play an integral role in showcasing the style of the entire room.

Once measurements have been taken, next you should decide if you want a single sink or double sinks. The vessel can be mounted under the counter or atop. There are many selections and styles to choose from for either mounting position. Also you can choose between ceramic, metal, customized tempered glass and natural stone as the material the sink would be made from.

Choosing the type of vanity you want will certainly depend on the style you choose for the space. A custom built vanity offers a unique and one of a kind unit for the room. Additionally, many homeowners like to repurpose antique furniture and have it transformed into a vanity cabinet. If antique furniture does not fit your style, there are countless models of manufactured cabinets available on the market today and you will certainly find one to fit what you are aiming for.

Selecting the right faucet for your remodel is paramount. There are hundreds of designs, styles, colors and finishes for faucets to choose between. For most sink types a countertop mounted faucet will suite nicely with most designs. There are also wall mounted styles available for a modern touch. The faucet should reflect the style of the entire room. Also, you can choose between faucet systems that offer two handles, one for hot water and one for cold, or a single handle.

Turning the attention to the countertops, there are many different material options to choose from that range in prices to fit any budget. Using luxurious marble or granite will add a sense of extravagance to the room that no other natural stone could offer. If natural stone is not the best option for you, tile countertops can blend with the colors and style of the rest of the room while fitting easily into nearly any budget.

Once your decisions have been made, the bathroom remodeling ideas are ready to be transformed into tangible reality. The exciting transformation will be a direct result of the decisions you made on the style, types of materials and placement within the space. All of these details will bring together a great space that is uniquely yours.