Gas or Electric Water Heater?   If you have hot running water, your home has a water heater. This appliance would be difficult to live without. There are many types of water heaters and odds may be that you aren't sure what kind of hot water heater your home is using. The most common types are gas and electric water heaters. Less common types are the propane, solar and oil water heaters. An electric water heater uses electric resistance coils, while a gas water heater utilizes natural gas for heating water. Fortunately, there are easy ways to determine the type of water heater you have...

Clogged Bathtub Drain? The bathtub or shower is probably one of the most frequently used spaces in your home, and it's noticeable whenever something isn’t working properly, especially when its a clogged bathtub drain. No one wants to get clean while murky water pools around their feet. There are many factors that can contribute to a clogged bathtub drain, but there are several quick solutions you can try before you might need to call a plumber. Check Strainers and Stoppers Most bathtub or shower drains have some kind of drain stopper or strainer the help keeps large pieces of debris from...

Holiday Plumbing Preparation The holidays are probably the busiest time of the year for many homes. Between all of the parties and family gatherings, some homes can see a huge increase in activity during the festive season. And, all of those visitors will be putting an extra drain on the home's plumbing system. Here are some things that can be done to make sure that there aren't any unexpected holiday plumbing issues to deal with. A Thorough Inspection Whether it's done by the homeowner or a professional, a thorough walk-thru of the home should be done looking for any plumbing leaks or other...

Pex pipe One of the new technologies to hit the plumbing industry, and makes things more accessible than what they ever used to be. This new system will replace traditional copper and galvanized steel piping. This new technology makes it possible for the DIY crowd to fix their plumbing with the Pex pipe technology, but it is not a good idea because of how the individuals must stay alert to the plumbing codes to ensure that everything gets installed correctly. People cannot replace the value of an expert's knowledge, and becoming an expert in this field overnight is impossible. What is Pex...

How do I prevent frozen sprinklers? Winter weather is on its way and that means its time to prep your plumbing system. This includes your sprinklers. These lines are especially vulnerable to the freezing temperatures that accompany winter months. If not winterized correctly, frozen sprinklers mean facing bursted pipes in the spring. Fortunately, ways to prevent frozen sprinklers are simple and cost-effective. This requires time and preparation. The following steps, and with the help of a local plumber, you can effectively winterize your irrigation system. Winterize your irrigation system is...

Prevent Pipe Bursts With cold weather around the corner, one of the biggest plumbing incidents is a burst water or sewerage pipe. This problem causes severe damage to the property, furniture, and fixtures. It also puts ones home at high risk of such issues as the growth of mildew, contamination of food and water, and the growth of water-borne bacteria. Most pipe bursts happen during the winter season as the water freezes inside the pipes, which expands, creating immense pressure which then causes the pipes to burst. It only takes a small pipe leak to cause flooding mayhem at home, it is good...

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...