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...

Have A Clogged Sink? There’s never a good time for a clogged sink or pipe, but during the holidays they can be downright catastrophic. No one wants to deal with blocked drains while also dealing with a packed house of guests and a fridge packed with leftovers. Below are some tips from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing on how to keep plumbing problems out of the picture this Thanksgiving. It’s Not Dressing That’s Stuffing Your Pipes The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shipping day of the year, but did know that it’s also the busiest day of the year for plumbers?  When homeowners begin...

Plumbing Facts Plumbing, we can’t live without it, but how much do we really know about how our plumbing works?  Here's a fun list of things you maybe didn't realize about the plumbing in your house. Why do we call them plumbers? The word “plumber” is derived from the Latin word for lead – Plumbum. Before modern plumbing, lead use to be the primary material of pipe works used to carry water into cities and towns. As time has gone by, the word has changed into what we now call our mighty plumbers that help keep the water flowing in our homes. Who invented the modern toilet? The flush...

Tips for Halloween Plumbing Safety It’s technically not even fall yet, but the bags of candy are on display and stores are covered in orange and black decor. Halloween isn’t just about the last week of October anymore. Halloween is to fall what Christmas is to winter.  So you need to start your preparations now.  While we here at Benjamin Franklin can’t help with your homemade costumes, we can help keep your home’s plumbing safe so that this Halloween will only be the good kind of scary. Pumpkin Pulp With the millions of carved pumpkins being made this season, Americans will scrape...

The Winterize Plumbing How To Labor Day is behind us and blessedly cooler temperatures are on the way. But the weather changes in autumn can bring about changes in your home’s plumbing system. Preparing for these changes can prevent damage to the pipes, protect your home from leaks, and save you thousands of dollars in the long run. The following tips will help you get ready for the coming cold weather.   Insulate Pipes Pipes that freeze overnight can burst, causing hundreds or even thousands of dollars in damage to your home and property. While there are many tricks that homeowners...