Common toilet problems we've all experienced – here's how to fix them!

At any point, anybody can come across a sudden toilet problem. A lot of these problems are common and can be remedied. Here are some common toilet problems one may experience and how to fix them.

Water on floor – This may be caused by a leak. To fix this, check all connections to locate the leak. It may also be caused by a cracked tank, which means it will have to be replaced to remedy the problem. Also, water on the floor may be caused by a faulty wax ring that should be replaced. Flusher too weak - This could be a result of hard water deposits in the toilet. An easy way to fix this is with wooden sticks, but it will be more effective to use an acid wash. However, acid wash is dangerous and it should be kept away from eyes, skin, clothes, floor, and basically everything but the toilet. Also, it cannot be used if there is a septic system unless you disassemble the toilet. Toilet clogs – If a toilet is clogged, use a plunger in the bowl, making sure that there is enough water. Move the plunger up and down to remove the clog so the toilet will flush normally. Dropping bowl water level – This may be caused by a siphoning of water from the bowl due to a partial clog. To determine if this is the problem, empty the bowl of water and check if there is a clog using a flashlight and mirror. If there is no clog, there may be a crack in the bowl which can only be remedied by replacing the cracked bowl. Stuck toilet handle – This could be a result of a buildup of lime on the mounting nut. This can be fixed by simply cleaning the mounting nut with vinegar. Slow-filling toilet – A slow-filling toilet could be caused by the water supply not being properly open. To remedy this, make sure the valve is open and that all its parts are functional and clean. Toilet doesn’t flush all the way – Check to see if there is too much slack in the lift chain. If there is, lessen the slack. If this isn’t the problem, it could be a low water level in the tank or an improperly installed flapper. Check the water level to see if this is the problem. Also, make sure the flapper is properly installed if this is the problem.

Visit our website at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/ 

Email us at: info@benfranklinplumber.com 

Our phone numbers are listed below for your convenience:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080

MARTIN (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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Plumbing Maintenance Tips for your Home

Sometimes, you may come across some basic plumbing problems. It’s best that you’re prepared for these situations. Here are some basic plumbing maintenance tips for your home for you to keep in mind.

In general:

Make sure to watch for any water leaks.
Don’t wait to repair any problems you have. Get it done quickly.
Know how to shut off appliances.
Know where shut off valve is in case of plumbing overflows.
Know how to deal with minor problems.

For the bathroom:

Run hot water down the drain to keep it free flowing.
Use strainers to make sure that hair and soap hips don’t go down the drain.
Clean strainers often.
Don’t flush things down the toilet and instead keep a wastebasket nearby.

For the kitchen:

Be careful of what you put in the garbage disposal.
After using the garbage disposal, run water down the drain to clear waste.
Don’t pour grease down the drain.
Clean the garbage disposer by grinding ice and lemon or orange in it to remove odors.
   
For the laundry room:

Use stainless steel braided hoses instead of rubber hoses.
Check pipes for leaks.
Make sure to have a strainer on your laundry hose and drains
Use a flood alarm to warn of leaks or overflows.        


Keep these tips in mind at all times. They can help you prevent major plumbing problems or deal with minor ones. And if you ever come across a plumbing problem you can’t handle, Benjamin Franklin is always here to help you.  

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for a free water heater consultation:
St Lucie          (772) 236-6080
Martin             (772) 214-38-48
Palm Beach    (561) 316-9007

Indian River    (772) 617-0370

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5 STEPS TO UNCLOG YOUR SINK

5 STEPS TO UNCLOG YOUR SINK

Do you have kitchen or bathroom sink that drains slowly or is completely stopped up? The worst part occurs when the dirty un-sanitized water with chunks of food floods your sink.  When this happens you are left with a nasty ring around the sink, and you find yourself having to clean the sink after cleaning the dishes.

I´m going to share with you 5 steps to unclog your sink.

Step 1

 Partially fill your sink with water, then star plunging vigorously work the plunger up and down several times before quickly pulling of the drain opening. Be careful when plunging, it’s easy to slip and hurt yourself. If it’s a double bowl kitchen sink, place a wet rag into one drain opening while you plunged the other one. If it’s a bath sink, stuff the rag into the over flow hole. I both cases the rag helps deliver the pressure directly to the clog.

 

Step 2

If plunging did not solve your problem. Remove the sink´s trap under the sink with a pipe wrench. The large threaded coupling on PVC plastic traps can often be unscrew by hand. Empty the water from the trap into a bucket. Then, make sure the trap is not clogged.

 

Step 3

This steps requires the use of a cable auger. You´ll need to remove the horizontal trap arm that protrudes from the stub out in the wall. Feed the cable into the stub out until you feel resistance. Pull out 18 inches of cable, then tighten the lock screw. Crank the handle in a clock wise direction and push forward at the same time to drive the cable further into the pipe. While using the auger, it’s important that you wear goggles and gloves. Be firm and careful. It’s very easy to severely injure your arm while cranking it.

Step 4

Pull out another 18 inches of cable and repeat the process until your break through the blockage. If the cable bogs down or catches on something. Turn the crank counter-clock wise and pull back on the auger. Once the cable is clear, crank and push forward again.

 

Step 5

Retrieve the cable and replace the trap arm and trap. Don’t be to forceful or you make crack the pipes if there made from PVC. Turn on the hot water faucet to see if the sinks drains properly. Debris from the busted clog sometimes settles into a lose blockage. Partially fill your sink once more with hot water and use your plunger to clear that extra debris. Follow up with more hot water those are the 5 steps to clearing a clog sink you may need to do this one a year. Once a sink a sink begins clogging the problem will usually resurface. Please do not be tempted to use those daring cleaners from the store… Many of them have harsh chemicals that eat the inside of the pipes, eventually causing leaks.

 

If you encounter any troubles when unclogging your sinks we are standing by to help. 

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4 Steps to Unclog the Toilet

4 Steps to Unclog the Toilet

Welcome to our blog, this is Ben from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

It’s happened to everyone… “a stopped up toilet”. It’s very easy for   a simple clog to become a very big problem; especially if that toilet overflows leaving you with a big mess and in some cases with water damages. Today, I’m going to share with you the four steps to unclog a toilet before it becomes a significant issue.

Step 1

Toilet clogs almost always occur at the top of the tight up-curving trap that’s part of the fixture. In some cases a plunger can provide enough power to clear that obstruction. When using the plunger make sure you make a tight seal on the hole in your toiled bowl. Vigorously work the plunger up and down before quickly pulling it off

 Step 2

If the plunging does not work you will need a closet auger. Place the auger end into the bowl with its bent tip aiming up. Hold the tool shaft steady as your crank and push down on the handle. You will feel the cable snake its way up into the trap. While using the auger, it’s important that you wear goggles and gloves to protect your face and hands. It’s very easy to severely injure your arm while cranking it, so be careful when using the auger.

Step 3

Continue cranking until you’ve dispensed the entire cable (about 3 feet).  Retrieve the cable by simultaneously cranking and pulling up

Step 4

Flush the toilet to clear up the drainpipe. If it’s still a little sluggish run the auger threw twice more. Once up the left side and then again on the right side. This three prone detract will clear any matter clean to the side of the traps. If you encounter any troubles when unclogging your toilet, our professional plumbers are standing by to help. They will even share with you, how to keep that toilet permanently clear. You can always count on receiving 100 percent satisfaction with Benjamin Franklin pluming. We guarantee if there is any delay, it's you we pay.

Visit our website at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/ or email us at: info@benfranklinplumber.com - Our phone numbers are listed below for your convenience:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080 / MARTIN (772) 214-3848 / PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007 / INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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6 Steps to Fix a Leaking Shower Head

6 Steps to Fix a Leaking Shower Head

Have you heard anything more annoying than the constant dripping of a leaky shower head? It's not only loud but it can also be irritating and you may be wasting more than 2,160 gallons of water a year on this sort of leak.

Allow Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to help you by providing these 6 steps in order to fix this problem, safely, accurately, and most importantly, permanently:

Step #1. Turn off the water at the shutoff valves:

Open the shower head and allow it to drain completely.

Step #2. Remove the shower head from the shower arm:

Use an adjustable wrench to grip the attaching knot and loosen it. Make sure to turn carefully as you don't want to scratch the knot or the fixture of the shower head.

Step#3: If the shower head leaks at this step:

Clean the threads on the shower with a small wire brush to remove any plumber's tape. Re-wrap the threads of the shower arm with fresh tape; be very careful not to cross the threads and damage it.

Step#4: Reattach the shower head and tighten it firmly, but don't bend the pipe!

It's very easy to overdo it, and then you will need a new shower head! Make sure to check if the leak has stopped at this stage.

Step#5: You should also check to see if there's a leak at the swivel ball:

Use the wrench to remove the swivel ball ring. Try not to scratch the fixture. Look inside the old ring and replace it with a new one. Reattach the shower head to the swivel ball and shower arm. Be mindful not to screw them in too tightly as this may cause damage.

Step#6: After completing the repair, turn the shower to the "on" position and slowly open the shutoff valve:

When the water is flowing without air, turn off the shower and you're good to go!

Those are the 6 steps to repairing a leaky shower head. Remember, if you encounter any trouble, we're standing by to help you anytime; simply give us a call 24/7. You can always count on receiving 100% satisfaction from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing guaranteeing you that, if there's any delay, it's you we pay!

Visit our website at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/ or email us at: info@benfranklinplumber.com - Our phone numbers are listed below for your convenience:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080 / MARTIN (772) 214-3848 / PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007 / INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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6 Steps to Fix a Leaky Compression Faucet

6 Steps to Fix a Leaky Compression Faucet

There can't be anything more annoying than the sound of a dripping leaky faucet, not to mention the fact that you may be wasting more than 2,160 gallons of water a year on these sorts of leaks. Let Benjamin Franklin Plumbing help by providing you with the 6 steps listed below in order to get rid of this problem, safely, accurately, and most importantly, permanently:

1. Turn off the water at the shutoff valves:

Open the faucet to drain the valves.

2. Pry off the cap from the faucet's top and remove the screw and handle:

Remove top; try not to scrap and damage the finish of the fixture.

3. Remove the packing nut with an open ended wrench or locking pliers:

Cut off the old ring around the base of the spindle with the utility knife and roll on a new one. Be extremely careful not to cut yourself. In certain models, you would need to unscrew the threaded spindle from the packing nut then replace the patching clockwise around the spindle just below the packing nut.

4. Remove the stem screw and washer from bottom of stem assembly and replace the washer:

Insert a mild degreaser pad into the open valve and roll back and forth to clean the valve seat.

5. Stick your finger into the open valve to feel for any rough edges indicating damage:

If the removable seat is corroded replace it. Insert a seat wrench into the hole to unscrew it; coat the threads of the new seat with pipe joint compound before unscrewing it back in. Be very careful not to cross the threads and damage it. Resurface the damaged non removable seat with a seat dressing tool which threads into the valve; as you turn the tea handle shaft a cutter head resurfaces the seat.

6. After completing the repair, turn the faucet to the "on" position and slowly open the shutoff valve:

When the water is flowing without air, turn off the faucet and you're good to go. Those are the 6 steps to repairing a leaky faucet; if you encounter any trouble during this process we're standing by to help you, simply give us a call anytime, 24/7. Remember that you can always count on receiving 100% satisfaction with Benjamin Franklin plumbing guaranteeing you that if there is any delay, it's you we pay!

Visit our website at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/ or email us at: info@benfranklinplumber.com - Our phone numbers are listed below for your convenience:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080 / MARTIN (772) 214-3848 / PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007 / INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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Four main types of water heaters – which one is best for you?

You probably have experienced a shock of cold water while taking a shower! Most likely it was your water heater running out of hot water. This may be due to the age of your water heater, pressure problems, leaking or other plumbing issues.

In the past, most people chose to buy a water heater similar to the last one and why not! Water heater technology hasn’t advanced much over the last century until now.

 Before you invest on your next water heater, it is important for you to know the four main types of water heaters and decide which one id the best for you.

1. Storage water heaters
A single-family storage water heater offers a ready reservoir -- from 20 to 80 gallons -- of hot water.
It operates by releasing hot water from the top of the tank when you turn on the hot water tap. To replace that hot water, cold water enters the bottom of the tank, ensuring that the tank is always full.
Conventional storage water heater fuel sources include natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and electricity.

2. Demand water heaters
Provide hot water only as it is needed. They don't produce the standby energy losses associated with
storage water heaters, which can save you money.

3. Heat pump water heaters
Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Therefore, they can be two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters. To move the heat, heat pumps work like a refrigerator in reverse.

4. Solar water heaters
Solar water heaters -- also called solar domestic hot water systems -- can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use -- sunshine -- is free.

How do you decide what’s best?
What water heater will save you the most money while providing you with the most hot water when you need it.
Here are three pieces of information you need to look for:
1. Peak hour demand capacity: It tells you how much hot water is delivered in a busy hour
2. Ratting efficiency: The best indicator is the energy factor (EF). A higher EF, the better
3. Cost comparison: This is the factor that most keep in mind


As you can see, it can be a bit complicated to make a decision. If you don't know which one will be best for your home and you need an expert opinion, please contact BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING today, and one of our water heater experts will be happy to help you.

Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for a dree water heater consultation:

St Lucie           (772) 236-6080
Martin             (772) 214-38-48
Palm Beach     (561) 316-9007
Indian River   (772) 617-0370

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