One of the latest trends in bathroom design is the bath micro sink. Though it seems a bit odd, this new fixture can be very useful in smaller Oklahoma City bathrooms or in bathrooms where several people need to share the facilities. These sinks are used in kitchens, laundry rooms, and other areas of the home as well.
Space Considerations
A micro sink is about the size of a three-ring binder lying flat. These sinks require very little in the way of plumbing. You should be able to run one small pipe to the sink and allow it to connect to any other water supply in the room. If you have any difficulty, just call your Oklahoma City plumber, who can install your sink for you in no time. The micro sink is especially attractive if you do not have the space available to put in new cabinets. You can sit the micro sink on any surface, including crates or other removable storage.
Built-in Accessories
Because the sinks are designed for people to use without the convenience of other bathroom supplies, they often come with soap holders or dispensers on them. You may even find a micro sink with a rack on the side. These features allow you to put extra toiletry items there for easy use. The micro sink in the Oklahoma City bathroom can be placed next to a mirror for ease of use.
Benefits of a Bath Micro Sink
The primary purpose of a micro sink is to allow for an extra person to get ready with very little space. While two-sink bathrooms are very popular, particularly in master bathroom suites, already-built homes may not have the space needed to make adding another entire sink unit, even with a pedestal, a possibility. Instead the micro sink permits you to make space for a second adult - or teen! - to get ready in a bathroom without making any major changes.
A micro sink also allows you to add a great feature without a lot of work in terms of re-running plumbing lines. Often adding a second sink means tearing out the backsplash or drywall, which can become a monstrous chore, but the micro sink can connect easily to existing plumbing lines.
Half-Bath Ideas
You also can have a micro sink in a half-bath where you have little room. In a half-bath, you will not need to store anything except an extra hand towel and toilet paper. You can use a small decorative basket for these storage needs and then put a micro sink in the room. You can add this bathroom for very little square footage, and it will increase the value of your Oklahoma City home. This type of sink also works with a half-wall bathroom set-up because you can put the sink along the wall or beside it.
Handicapped Ease
Micro sinks also work well for handicapped people who need to use a restroom. People in wheelchairs often need to be able to access the sink without the bulk of the cabinets underneath, and a micro sink provides the perfect opportunity for this set up.
What to Look for in a Micro Sink
Price
The key will be finding a good price for a micro sink above all else. Work to find the lowest prices you can by scouring the Internet, wholesalers, and Oklahoma City home improvement stores. Since these sinks are new and trendy, though, they tend to be on the more expensive side.
Shape
Also check for a shape that will work in the space you have. Measure your space now so that you can compare it to the options available. As the micro sinks are so small and are intended for tight spaces, you will find that they come in unique sizes. While a triangular sink will work for some people, it may not for you. Check out these issues before you buy and install.
Design
Overall, though, you will be looking for a design that matches the décor that you have going in your Oklahoma City bathroom. A micro sink is meant to be an add-on, not the main focus, so the sink you will be most happy with is the one that blends.
Article Source: http://homeimprovement.lovetoknow.com/Bath_Micro_Sink
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumber, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
Lead, the nasty neurotoxin that can cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures and death, has a way of sneaking into our Oklahoma City homes; it’s been found in our kids’ toys, paint , and even glassware. And, if you aren’t careful, it can be in your water, too.
Though it’s not usually found in source water, it can get in to the wet stuff coming out the tap through your plumbing, which slowly corrodes over time. Oklahoma City homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes and fixtures, and even legally “lead-free” plumbing may contain up to 8 percent lead. Plus, it can add up: A study published in The Journal of Environmental Health in 2002 found that 14 percent to 20 percent of total lead exposure comes from tap water. To avoid downing a dose of lead with your next glass of water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises to only use cold tap water for consumption (drinking and cooking), especially when doing things for your little ones, like mixing baby formula. Youngsters aged 6 years and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.
Hot water is more corrosive, drawing more of the nasties out (something we saw recently on TreeHugger in relation to bisphenol A, another nasty chemical), so using cold water-and flushing out your pipes until the water runs as cold as it’ll go when it’s been sitting for awhile-helps minimize the risk. Regularly testing your water will help ensure that your water is safe to drink, and give you peace of mind, too.
You may also want to consult your Oklahoma City plumber about having a water filtration system installed in your home to eliminate any other toxins that may remain in your water. We maintain that regardless, you should always run the water cold for drinking and cooking.
Article Source: http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/get-the-lead-out-dont-drink-cook-with-hot-water.htm
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City water filtration contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
Excess water in your Oklahoma City yard can be a pain. Having your basement flood every time you get a heavy rain can be even worse. Inadequate yard draining can keep you from your chores, from enjoying your lawn, or it can even wear away your Oklahoma City home’s foundation, causing structural damage. These problems may seem ubiquitous and largely unsolvable, but the reality is a simple landscape installation can dry out your lawn and protect your foundation. A French drain is a simple trench drain that siphons water away from the more important and heavily used areas of your yard. It’s a home improvement gem in that it’s a simple, economical installation that can reap huge benefits.
Why This is Happening to You
What can be particularly frustrating is when your yard is overrun with water while your neighbor’s yard is just fine. There are several contributing factors to inadequate drainage and some of them may apply to your yard but not your neighbor’s. The two biggest factors are your lawn’s soil content and its lack of contour. When water enters your lawn it sinks into the soil and displaces the air, pushing it up. Heavy, compacted clay may contain a significantly less amount of air to displace, causing water to crest above the surface of your lawn much more easily.
The ability of water to move around your Oklahoma City lawn also greatly increases its ability to effectively drain. If your neighbor’s lawn is above yours his or her rain water can be feeding into your lawn. Meanwhile, if you have a mostly level lawn, that water is just going to sit there. When these two factors are working together, they are simply waiting for the next heavy rain to turn your lawn into a swamp.
Hiring a Contractor
The installation of a French drain is a little more complicated than digging a ditch and laying down pipe, but not much. You need to make sure you have a consistent slope for the drain to work. You need to make sure you lay down washed gravel underneath and above the pipe.
The complicated part of a French drain isn’t the installation work; it’s the knowledge of where to dig the ditch to make sure the drain is effective. To dry out your Oklahoma City lawn, for example, you should start at the highest point of your lawn and run the trench down to the lowest point. However, this type of trench drain won’t protect your foundation. A linear drain that acts like a moat may need to be installed around your foundation. Depending on how level your lawn is, a series of trenches may need to be dug to effectively drain your lawn.
Ideally, your trench drain should extend to a lightly used area of your lawn that has a more sand-based soil. Your situation may make this impractical. Plus, if your drain extends anywhere close to a neighbor’s property, you should consult your Oklahoma City plumber before you simply run all your water off into your neighbor’s lawn.
Read more: http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.French-Drains.14336.html#ixzz1plRHATZ
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
There are three basic valve styles, making this a classic case of good, better and best (described in order as follows). All three can be used for water, oil or airflow control if the casting has “WOG” stamped on it. Your Oklahoma City plumber is well versed in all three of these types of valves and can steer you in the right direction when it comes to which will best suit your needs. Read up on the three basic types before you attempt any plumbing repairs on your own.
Stop valves are closed by screwing a rubber gasket down onto a seat in the middle of the valve. Oklahoma City pros only use small versions that act as shutoff valves for fixtures such as sinks and toilets and outdoor sillcocks. Flow is inefficient because of the circuitous route the fluid (water, in most cases) has to follow. It’s important to orient the valve in the right direction with the arrow (cast into the side of the valve) aligned with flow direction. That way, water flows against the bottom of the rubber gasket. If the valve is put in backward, the flow will force the gasket away from the top of the valve.
Gate valves are called “full-flow” valves; there’s a direct unobstructed path for flow right through the middle of the valve. A wedge-shaped brass gate is lowered into a machined slot to close the valve. They should either be completely open or completely closed. Water flowing through a partially open gate valve wears away the metal and causes the valve to fail over time.
Ball valves contain a finely machined stainless steel ball with a hole drilled through the center that pivots in plastic bushings. Like the gate valve, it’s a full-flow valve. The hard steel allows this valve to be partially open without wearing out. In the closed position, the lever is perpendicular to the pipes; in the open position it’s parallel, so a glance will tell you if it’s open or not. The downside? If the pipes are tight against your Oklahoma City wall, you may not be able to operate the lever.
Article Source: http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Saving-Money/Buying-DIY-Supplies/plumbing-valve-basics
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
Plumber’s putty is a substance used to make watertight seals between pipes and countertops. It will remain soft for a long while after it is used. This characteristic makes plumber’s putty ideal for seals you will need to reverse. Because it does stay soft for such an extended amount of time, you shouldn’t use plumber’s putty on pipes that will experience any amount of water pressure; the seals will not hold up to such pressure. The putty is fairly easy to use and can be wiped away if you make a mess. Read below to discover common uses for plumber’s putty.
Sinks
You can use plumber’s putty around the rim of the sink to create a watertight barrier, but you should not use it if your Oklahoma City countertop is granite or another kind of stone. It is compatible with Formica countertops.
If you form the seal correctly, no water will be able to seep into the area under the sink and create mold or water damage. In order to install the sink correctly, apply the soft plumber’s putty to the bottom of the sink and place, with pressure to the countertop. Some sinks come with clips meant for the bottom of the sink (under the countertop). The clips ensure that the proper amount of pressure is placed on the plumber’s putty for it to be effective.
Drains
You may use plumber’s putty to seal drains in the sink or the bathtub. Like with the installation of a sink, you should place the putty underneath the drain before you place the drain. Then you should apply pressure in order to create a watertight bond.
Toilets
To seal a toilet to the floor, you may use plumber’s putty. However, you should exercise caution. If you seal the toilet all the way around and it develops a leak somewhere, the water will be trapped in. The water will then rot the floor without any signs. In order to avoid this scenario, don’t seal the toilet all the way around. Then any seeping water will alert you of a leak.
Pipes and Plumbing
Plumber’s putty in pipes and plumbing does not hold up to water pressure. Use plumber’s putty only on pipes that will not experience a great deal of pressure. To seal pipes together, place the putty on the inside of the pipe, where the threads will twist together. Twist the other end of the pipe into the threads and the putty. Wipe away excess putty and allow time for it to set.
Exercise caution whenever you use plumber’s putty, as it contains oils that can discolor some surfaces. You generally should not use it on granite, plastics, marble or any other porous surfaces. (You can find certain brands, though, manufactured for use on surfaces such as these.) Be sure to read the warnings on your plumber’s putty in order to avoid these problems.
Plumber’s putty is an extremely useful substance - but not appropriate for all plumbing repairs. Contact your Oklahoma City plumber should the job prove too much to handle by yourself.
Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/4-different-uses-for-plumbers-putty#ixzz1p6SuqYBe
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing company, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
Even though the garbage disposal is designed to pulverize and remove kitchen waste from food products, food particles often become trapped in the nooks and crannies of the disposal and drainpipe. This provides the perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow and create unpleasant odors, as well as unhealthy spores - nothing you want in your Oklahoma City home.
At first, the odors may not be noticeable. However, given enough time and lack of cleaning, the unpleasant odors may become stronger as the bacteria and mold continue to grow. Cleaning the garbage disposal at least once a week with one of the following methods will help to keep it free of nasty bacteria and unsightly mold.
Tip: When cleaning your dishes use detergents that break up grease and use hot water. Remember that kitchen grease will harden in your drains and retain odors. Put as little grease down your sink as possible. And always run water while running your garbage disposal to help keep it clear and clean.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Pour one half cup of baking soda down the kitchen drain. Carefully pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain on top of the baking soda. Place the drain stopper in the sink to close off the drain. If you have a double sink, you should do this for both of them. The mixture will fizz and make a bit of noise. Allow this to work its magic for a few minutes while you boil some hot water. Use a full teakettle or medium size pot of water. Once this has boiled, pour it down the drain.
Water and Bleach
Using a clean container, mix a gallon of water with one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach. Carefully and slowly, pour the solution down the drain and allow it to sit for several minutes. Flush the drain thoroughly with water for several minutes.
Tip: Do not use too much bleach in your solution. While bleach kills germs and helps smells it also will harden any grease in your drains. Flush the drain with warm to hot water instead of cold. This will help to loosen the grease and not solidify it.
Ice and Citrus Peels
Maintaining a clean garbage disposal using one of the above methods will help to keep it smelling fresh and odor free. You can encourage this by grinding ice cubes in the garbage disposal to clean the cutting blades. Simply place several cubes in the drain and grind. If you want to add a little bit of scent to the area, you can add rinds from any of the citrus fruits in the drain with the ice cubes.
Tip: Always disconnect the power to the garbage disposal before putting your hands inside it.
Should bad odors persist despite your best efforts, you may need to call your Oklahoma City plumber who can determine whether there is a more serious problem causing the odor.
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City garbage disposal contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
One of the most widely used and cost effective new plumbing solutions to hit the market in decades is pex plumbing. Pex tubing is plastic plumbing pipe that is perfect for residential use. It’s easy to install, cheaper than traditional copper plumbing, and has a great track record when it comes to performance. It is presently one of the most commonly used plumbing materials in new home building, making it the perfect choice if you’re looking for a functional, cost effective, solution to replacing or installing plumbing in your Oklahoma City home.
Pex Tubing is the Best Buy on the Market
Perhaps the greatest draw to using pex pipe for your plumbing needs is cost. From materials right on down to installation, it is hands down the most cost effective plumbing an Oklahoma City homeowner can buy. It’s cheaper from the get go from a materials standpoint, and because it can be installed in longer, flexible, lines, using less fittings, you’ll also save on the extra fixtures and fittings that copper plumbing requires. And when it comes to installation, there is no comparison. The flexibility, light weight, and easy fitting of pex tubing drastically cuts down on the time it takes to re-plumb a house, or install it in a new home build, translating into big savings on labor costs. Top to bottom, pex plumbing is one of the best buys on the market.
Pex Tubing and Performance
From a performance standpoint, pex pipe also seems to beat out traditional materials. You don’t need to worry about using it as a potable water delivery system, since it’s proven to be even more resistant to common chemicals found in water systems than traditional plumbing materials. Its smooth interior resists the buildup of corrosive materials and minerals that can accumulate and clog copper pipe over time, and because it’s flexible plastic tubing, it resists freeze damage better than metal pipe.
Don’t Use Pex Outdoors
Unfortunately, pex tubing is not suitable for outdoor applications. While it resists freeze damage indoors, it won’t hold up under hard freezing and thawing conditions. And it should never be exposed to UV light, which can break down the material and cause it to fail. As such, pex plumbing should only be used for indoor plumbing applications.
Save on Maintenance, Too
Another reason to choose pex pipe for your plumbing is directly related to how easy it is to work with and install. That convenience translates into the maintenance side of things, too. If you do suffer a plumbing problem, pex is much easier for your Oklahoma City plumber to fix and replace than traditional materials, speeding up repairs and saving you on the most costly part of calling in a plumber: the labor.
Debunking the Rumors
If you’re interested in pex pipe for your Oklahoma City home, and begin to look into having it installed, you might encounter doubters who cite problems with plastic plumbing that was commonly installed back in the eighties. It’s true, plastic plumbing got a bad name for a while, largely due to a tendency to spring pin prick leaks in the pipe over time. That is a thing of the past, however. The new generation of pex tubing is made of an entirely different material, and one that has proven itself reliable and nearly maintenance free for years now. You only need to look at its widespread use by plumbers across the country to know that the old problems with plastic plumbing have been overcome by this new, innovative pex tubing.
If you’re interested in pex tubing, talk to your Oklahoma City plumber about what it will take to replace the old plumbing in your home with pex or to use it in a new home build. You’ll be amazed by the cost difference over copper, and can rest easy knowing you’re getting an excellent product to boot.
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
What exactly is in your Oklahoma City drinking water? Even the most high quality tap water can still harbor bacteria, viruses, and other nasty parasites that can make you and your family ill. Buying bottled water can get expensive and isn’t the most environmentally friendly alternative available. Reverse osmosis filtration systems can help keep your water supply clean and safe at a reasonable cost.
What is reverse osmosis?
Besides being a term from high school science class that you’ve long since forgotten, this process is an increasingly common way to filter water. In simple terms, a filter device, which varies by different products on the market, helps separate larger molecules from the solution as it passes through. Pressure assists with moving the water while removing its impurities through the filter. What comes out the other side is pure and fresh filtered water suitable for drinking and using at your Oklahoma City home. In most types of these filtration systems used in the home, the water passes through several layers of barriers to help remove impurities and sediments before it is ready to be used.
Why is it important?
Other than making most sources of water taste much cleaner, it is a safe way to ensure your family’s health by increasing quality of water consumed. Reverse osmosis filtration systems can’t always eliminate every potential danger in water, and much depends on the quality of the device, so it is best to know the source of the water. This filtration system can help remove bacteria, sediment, parasites, and viruses that can be harmful and even deadly. While in most countries water is already filtered even through the tap before reaching the consumer, it can still pick bacteria through stagnation or even just from the pipes.
Isn’t just boiling water cheaper?
Of course boiling water will work in a pinch. Many outdoorsman and campers have been boiling water sources successfully for ages. However, while it can be a quick problem-solver, it is not fail-proof nor a replacement for quality filtration. If not heated high or long enough, boiling will not kill all bacteria and parasites present. Water disinfected with this method will also only last a short period of time. You cannot boil large quantities for later use.
Are there any risks?
No filtration system is perfect, but reverse osmosis is often considered the safest and most effective treatment currently on the market. Replacement of the filters or membranes regularly is important though, as these can become moldy or damaged, which can negate their effectiveness.
Is it expensive?
There are a wide range of reverse osmosis filtration systems available ranging from budget products like water pitchers with built-in membranes, to larger devices that require professional installation by your Oklahoma City plumber. You can spend anywhere from forty dollars to hundreds depending on you and your family’s needs. You may wish to look into the purity of your local Oklahoma City water to help you determine which filter will best work for you. Counties can vary greatly in the quality of water they provide their residents. If you are a regular outdoorsman or travel often, you may wish to research some portable as well as more durable systems that you can bring with you on your trips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaliyah_Arthur
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City Natural Gas Line contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
