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Archive for the ‘copper pipe’ Category
When do you Call a Plumber?
Plumbing call out charges vary largely based on where you live and what time of day you require a plumber. Standard call out charges in a metro locality should not differ markedly between individual plumbers, as competition will ensure they remain competitive - though more experienced plumbers will typically charge more for their services. Most plumbers will stipulate a minimum call out charge, with an additional charge for parts and labour. Some may advertise no call out charge at all, but have considerably higher rates per hour.
24/7 Call Out Charges
After hours call out charges to effect emergency repairs will be charged at a premium. The most common emergency plumbing scenarios in the home include drain blockages, burst pipes, faulty hot water systems and broken taps.
Plumbing Qualifications
Plumbers are a licensed trade and typically undergo training under an apprenticeship system. This takes place, with practical and theory components, over a number of years during which trainees are paid for the work they undertake. They are governed by local or national plumbing codes which stipulate health and safety regulations to be followed, as well standards for products and materials utilised.
What to ask your plumber?
Before you hire a plumber, there are a few basic questions you can ask to ensure you receive the best service. These include:
* Are they licensed by the local plumbing authority?
* Are they registered with the local plumbing authority?
* Are they in possession of public liability insurance?
* What is their call out rate?
* What is their hourly rate?
* Do they provide detailed quotes?
* Do they have customer referrals?
Types Of Home Plumbing
Plumbers service a number of different areas in the home, including:
Maintenance - this includes repairs to all the plumbing fixtures in the home, such as tap ware, toilets and water heating systems
Renovations - this is an ever expanding source of business for plumbers as people expand or remodel their properties; with outdoor spas, luxurious bathrooms and a range of appliances for the kitchen
New builds - new homes need to be connected to the main water supply, as well as having the internal piping and fixtures installed
Green plumbing - the growth in all things green has seen solar hot water, rainwater tanks and grey water recycling systems become popular with customers looking to make savings and protect the environment
Guttering - having the correct guttering ensures that your roofing is not infiltrated, particularly during heavy rainfall or storms
silly plumbers dont get it
how to repair a frozen plumbing line
While on a recent trip to the northwest doing some research, during a walk through inspection in a 2 story home the kitchen ceiling showed visible drywall water damage. And directly above the ceiling was the upstairs bathroom. They had cut an inspection hole for access and discovered a frozen copper water line that was very near an exterior wall, ironically there was no visible signs of insulation in the exterior wall that was causing the extreme cold temps to permeate the pipes and freezing a section here. 
Using a wrench and tapping on the lines it was evident where it became solid and damaging the connections, we had cut this small portion out and removed it and simply added 2 SharkBite fittings for the repair in all of 10 minutes. SharkBite slip locking connector fittings have saved us tons of expense and time with labor costs and their ever present availability.
In this particular short sale acquisition of real property, we did not exert much effort in influencing the lenders BPO agent for it became very clear there were enough visual damages to validate a discounted CMA. Having these tools and knowing how to facilitate them has changed our financial futures forever.
Even more reasons to DIY
On Thursday February 18, 2010, 5:31 pm EST
In any aspect of home repairing the article below hit the press this week and regardless of flooring, plumbing, siding or cabinetry in today”s market the new rich will overcome all the economic woe’s to live the life that we are all supposed to live. Get your DIY tip today and save again for that sunny day that’s just on the horizon.
The real estate crisis has gutted house prices, tipped millions into foreclosure, and rattled the global economy to its core. But for many would-be home buyers, the historic boom and bust have been a blessing in disguise. During the first half of the previous decade, easy credit and speculative excitement worked to make houses increasingly expensive. By the fourth quarter of 2005, median home prices had reached 2.77 times median household incomes. That is sharply higher than the 1.92 average of the 15 years ending in 2003 and too expensive for many families. But the subsequent crash in home prices–values have fallen roughly 30 percent at the national level from their 2006 peaks–has helped restore affordability to this once inflated market. By the third quarter of 2009, the price-to-income ratio–a key measure of housing affordability–had fallen below its 15-year average, to 1.84 for the nation as a whole.
Splitting a 4 unit into 4 units
Multi family dwellings such as apartments or condos, if bought right and split right can be an extremely profitable and people helping real estate strategy. But these cannot be accomplished with just any multi family building, you must know how to see an opportunity that exists and when to move onto the next one.
Properties that can make the bank or break the bank.
Any DIY’er has the power to accomplish any of the acquisition strategies mentioned above by learning how to use OPM , the mentors in our community are also the practitioners that have walked the walk. Turning a pipe wrench for some plumbing repairs and improvements also have the ability to change your perception of this life and we like the future just as it sits in any economic environment.
Cordless plumbing tool
Milwaukee 2471-21 12-Volt Copper Tubing Cutter is one of many specialized plumbing tools. This baby gives the professional plumbers all they want or need for any copper fabrication or repair.
Away from old school technology, hand spun copper cutter, the new and improved version is effectively one hand and no spinning, it rotates the pipe for you. And is fully automated. 12 volt rechargeable battery with lots of power for hours worth of performance. @ 2 thumbs up it’s a keeper.
repair running toilet
How many times in or life times will we have to repair running toilet, hey does it really matter? The point is nobody really wants to deal with this stuff but all of life’s burdens are kind of a blessing in disguise. Even the most important man of his time ended up getting sucked into something he did not want to do, and with that being said the real only other alternative is having to be no longer here! Seriously though, if it’s not a toilet maybe it’ll be something with the car or possibly a conflict with another country on a much larger scale. I’m saying our coping mechanisms, as humans do most of the work and to put into perspective, our perceptions of truly just how horrible a little out of the way trouble is’nt mostly that bad at all. At least you still have your brain to aide in most predicaments good or bad, some lesser fortune individuals only dream they had the gift to solve anything, let alone a more often time’s than not, simple toilet that won’t stop leaking! Be grateful and persevere and dream of way better tomorrow’s….
SharkBite Alert
Unbelievable is the best way to describe this new age of DIY Plumbing. When the last time about a year ago we got the call for something to do with a leak, in which we discovered although we could not see it, that a copper line some how developed a pin hole mini misting leak. Inside the wall underneath the tub it was there and it was producing moisture all the while black mold with many a little creature making homes nearby. This particular leak would have only been accessible had the tub and tile been demo’ed out of the way or on the other side of the wall in the kitchen, granite top as well as a portion of the lower cabinetry dismantled and installed again, now getting into the $ 2000.00 US range!
After a few calls and an extensive conversation with the home owner at the time, we came upon a newer line of fittings and figured if we can get one hand on the pipe we were able to cut, sand any burrs and push on the product sold to us that could keep this job near $200.00 US , well it would be at least worth a try!
Within minutes we had the water back on and a dry hand testing and testing until we were convinced that this newfangled plumbing fitting has just evolutionised the art of sweating/soldering copper plumbing forever. You CAN DO IT!