The Water Shut Off Valve Every home is required to have a main water shut off valve. Understanding where to locate the valve and how to shut off the water is important for everyone to know. Whether you own your own home or rent an apartment, knowing where your main shut off valve is located can save time (and money) in any plumbing related emergency. Depending on the type of structure you live in, the main water shut off valve can be located in different places. Some homes have their water shut off valve located either inside or outside of the house or apartment. These valves may be found...

Is A Hot Water Heater Blanket Worth It? Do I need a hot water heater blanket? This is a question many often ask themselves. To accurately answer this question, a simple understanding of the item itself is vital. A hot water heater blanket is a an insulated sheet that wraps around a water heater to make it more efficient. The insulation blanket also helps the water heaters maintain a steady temperature consistently. A hot water heater blanket saves a significant amount of the energy that water heaters would generally waste, which saves a considerable amount of money that would have been spent...

Water Heater Pilot Light Troubles There's nothing more frustrating than a water heater pilot light that won't stay lit. Not only does this prevent the furnace from running efficiently, but it prevents hot water from being readily available. Many factors contribute to why a pilot goes out and why it won't stay lit. As soon as an understanding of why these factors are occurring, it can help future outages and save money. Here are some potential reasons why a water heater pilot light won't stay lit. Thermocouple Obstructions The purpose of a thermocouple in a water heater is to help tell it if...

Sewer Line Problems When sewer line problems strike, you can count on the crew at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. As dedicated sewer technicians, we use special tools and tactical methods to pinpoint and resolve the most common problems that impact plumbing lines above ground and underground. Because customer satisfaction is important to us, we help locals protect their sewer lines by sharing information about the most common problems that affect vital sewer components. If you need a guide that can simplify the process of maintaining a sewage system, our advice and knowledge can be very...

Removing A Shower Drain Cover Shower drain covers are great for preventing things like loose pieces of jewelry, hair clips, bathroom razor blades, and shampoo caps from slipping down into the drain. They aren't great at stopping hair though. Over time, hair accumulates down inside the drain, which creates a clogged drain. The clog eventually causes the water to drain slower. When that happens, it's time to take the cover off and remove the debris that caused the clogged drain. First Step to Removing a Shower Drain Cover Do a quick glance over before removing it. Examine how it's attached. A...

Stop A Leaking Toilet You might have noticed that your water bill continues to rise, despite your best efforts to conserve water. This is troubling if you already time your showers, use a water-efficient washer machine and have succulents in your front yard. The problem could be coming from a leaking toilet that you have unnoticed. Check out these helpful tips from Ben Franklin Plumbing about leaking toilets and how you can lower your bill. The Cost of a Leak You've probably checked your pipes and had inspections done on your roof and elsewhere. If you don't have pipe leaks and no other...

P Traps You've probably noticed curved shape pipes, also known as a P Trap, connected to each sink and open drain in your home and have thought nothing of it. However, as it turns out, these U shaped pipes actually serve an important purpose. In fact, without a P Trap, sewage gases would make their way up through your pipes and into your home where they can be hazardous to your health. What is a P Trap? A P trap is a curved shaped pipe that connects to the drain pipe in a way that it resembles a sideways letter p, hence its name. It works by confining water in its curve, which eliminates any...

Water Softeners For Your Home Hard water is a reality that many of us live with in our homes. Hard water leaves dishes splotchy and quickly wears away the softness of clothes. Is there a way to get rid of these irritating splotches and soften the water in your home? Yes! A water softener can be installed in your home’s plumbing system and eliminate the unsightly effects of hard water. What makes water “hard?” Hard water contains a high content of minerals, generally calcium and magnesium. These minerals have dissolved from the soil and seeped into the areas water supply, which means...

Home Plumbing Maintenance Spring has sprung and its time to clean! The yard and garage, are all ready for a refresh, but what about your plumbing? Keeping up with home plumbing maintenance is important to avoid costly and inconvenient malfunctions and plumbing emergencies. Every year your pipes, faucets, drains, and appliances should be inspected! Here are several highlights that should always be on your annual home plumbing maintenance checklist to ensure that you get the most out of of your plumbing and your home’s appliances: Garbage Disposal Your garbage disposal should be checked...

Tankless Water Heater Benefits If you're in the market for a tankless heater, you may be wondering about tankless water heater benefits and how they might affect you. These environmentally friendly options are becoming more and more common with homeowners, and for a good reason. Here are a few benefits to get you thinking about upgrading your home. 1. No Downtime Because the water is heated as needed, there's no need to wait for your unit to catch up after a bath, dishwasher cycle, or long shower. These units provide an endless, energy efficient supply of hot water, whenever you need it. 2....