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....

Smelly Drain Cleaning You may think you only need to call a plumber to unclog a drain or fix a leaking pipe. Did you know that your plumber can help you with smelly drain cleaning, too? Yikes, right? We've all been there. Of course, when you run smelly foods like eggs and onions, your garbage disposal will have an unpleasant odor at first. However, this smell should dissipate quickly. If you return to the kitchen in an hour and your garbage disposal still smells like, well, garbage, that's when you have a real problem. Everyone here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing knows your pain. We fix drains...

Water Heater Installers When it comes to installing a heating unit, the process may look simple. However, there have been many changes in designs and regulations over the years. Hiring a professional water heater installers is a must when you find yourself needing a new unit. Here are ten good reasons why this should never be a DIY project. 1. Properly Ventilating Your Home One of the most dangerous aspects of DIYing instead of hiring professional plumbers, is the risk of causing backdrafting. Backdrafting occurs when the exhaust from a gas-powered unit does not ventilate and ends up in the...

Home Plumbing Repairs   Home plumbing repairs affect most of us from time to time. Even new plumbing installed by premiere builders can develop problems or become worn. Below are some of the most common plumbing issues that merit the evaluation of an experienced residential plumber. Running Toilets   One of the more common home plumbing repairs is toilets with continuous running water after flushing. This indicates that the toilet flapper is not working correctly or there may be a water pressure problem. Your Benjamin Franklin plumber can quickly locate the source of the problem and...

Licensed Plumbers Whether your plumbing system has a minor leak or a major issue, it should be fixed as soon as possible. Trying to correct the problem yourself could be expensive if something goes wrong. Selecting the plumbing company could also pose challenges. The first question you should ask any potential service company is: Will a licensed plumber be doing your plumbing repair work? Licensed Plumbers Have the Required Training A licensed plumber has sufficient training to understand all components of water, sewer and gas systems as well as how to comply with applicable regulations. To...

Do You Have Low Water Pressure Problems? A low water pressure problem in your plumbing system reaches a tipping point when it affects your ability to accomplish daily activities, including the ability to take a shower, launder clothes and wash dishes. Many homeowners have experienced the frustration of a low water pressure problem -at least once. It's a common issue that can sometimes be indicative of a plumbing system with serious problems. Possible Causes of  Low Water Pressure Problems If the pressure in your plumbing system seems to be low, the first step is to determine the cause. This...

One of the worst sounds that you could hear in your home is a running toilet. Whether it’s a leak or a clog, there could be several toilet problems that you might want to have checked by a professional, such as your local Benjamin Franklin Plumber. There are some minor issues that you may be able to repair on your own, but it's usually best to leave major plumbing work to someone who has the proper tools necessary to solve the problem. The most common issue that causes a running toilet is a broken flapper. If the flapper isn’t sitting correctly in the tank or isn’t raising when the...