Durability and Care of Glass Sinks

Artisan created glass vessel sinks are, in fact, very sturdy. Virtually all professionally made glass sinks are resistant to small accident breakage, such as dropping a brush or plastic bottle into the basin. Of course a heavy object can break a glass sink. The rule of thumb is if something is heavy enough to break a glass sink, it would do the same thing to the common porcelain or enameled steel sink.

The most common problem we have seen over the years is not breakage after installation, but breakage before and during installation. There are two things that can cause this: 1) over-tightening of the drain assembly, and, 2) thermal shock.

Properly installing a drain means hand tightening only. Over-tightening with a wrench is not necessary and is the absolutely not recommended. In addition, the plumber or homeowner should use a bead of silicone during installation - or at least make sure that no metal contacts the glass. Most drains have gaskets that will prevent metal to glass contact.

One other issue we have witnessed is "thermal shock". Most glass vessels can withstand temperature changes of up to 70 degrees without breakage. However, users should avoid pouring scalding hot water (over 120 degrees) into a glass sink. The immediate temperature changes, or thermal shock, may cause the glass to crack or shatter. Once cracked, the entire glass sink would need to be replaced. When breakage occurs due to thermal shock it is most often prior to installation or right after installation when indoor temperatures are unregulated. This generally happens on a new construction site before the heating is in operation. Be sure your contractor is aware of this.

So how should you care for a glass vessel? Glass sinks are tough enough to withstand everyday wear and remain as beautiful as the day they were purchased, when treated correctly. They require no more special treatment than a standard porcelain sink. When water spots occur, a solution of vinegar and water will dissolve the spots. Abrasive bathroom cleaners are not recommended.

For more information on glass vessel sinks, please visit Sinks Gallery where you will find the largest variety of artisan and hand crafted vessel sinks available anywhere. There are several more articles online about the various types of glass used by artisans and what to look for when purchasing a glass sink.

Crawlspace - Underhouse - Floods - Water Under Your House Can Cause a Variety of Problems

Standing water or wet soil in your home's crawlspace can come from a variety of sources. These may include but are certainly not limited to the following.

(1) A leaking freshwater supply line, usually galvanized, copper, pvc or pex.
(2) A leaking sewer drain line, usually cast iron, galvanized, clay or ABS.
(3) Naturally high groundwater table.
(4) Over watering of plants around your home (creating a man made high water table).
(5) Sprinklers spraying through the crawlspace vents.
(6) Leaking swimming pools (this is rare).
(7) Improperly directed gutter downspouts.
(8) Stream or river flooding.

Standing water or extremely damp soil in your home's crawlspace (under house) can cause a variety of structural problems and health concerns. Excess humidity caused by the evaporation of standing water or wet soil in your crawlspace can cause mold growth on the wooden foundation and the bottom of sub flooring. It can also cause warping or buckling of sub flooring and mold growth in the living area of the building. If your home has H.V.A.C. (heating , ventilation, air conditioning) ducting in the crawlspace and the system is compromised with excess moisture, microbial amplification may result. All of these issues can possibly create unhealthy indoor air quality. A broken sewer line in your crawlspace and the subsequent release of raw sewage onto your crawlspace soil can create an awful odor problem in your home. Also there are possible health concerns to the constant inhalation of sewer gas from an open or broken sewer line.

Some solutions to the problems mentioned above. Try to determine the source of the water intrusion and correct it yourself. This may be as simple as redirecting sprinkler heads, fixing leaky outdoor faucets or redirecting gutter downspouts. If you suspect plumbing problems, you should call a licensed plumber.

Often, there is too much water under your house for a plumber to properly inspect the pipes, you may need to call a Water Damage Restoration company. Many water damage companies offer crawlspace de-flooding and or sewage cleanup, should the leak be from a sewer drain line. After the water is removed and the crawlspace made accessible a plumber can check for leaky pipes. If your foundation is wet you may need a water damage restoration company to dry it for you, in order to prevent mold growth.

If you have over watering problems or a high water table you may need to contact a landscape engineer or a water proofing contractor to design a French drain system or other remedy to keep water from accumulating under your home. Many plumbing companies or water proofing contractors will also install sump pump systems in the low area of your crawlspace to help combat water pooling. You may also want to consider having a crawlspace dehumidifier installed to regulate the relative humidity to a level that will inhibit structural damage or mold growth. Another way to keep air flowing through the crawlspace (and thereby promoting evaporation) is by installing crawlspace ventilation fans over your existing crawlspace vents. There are also companies who can completely encapsulate your crawlspace with thick plastic, thereby effectively sealing your home off from the ground.

As you can see there are many problems that can arise from excessive water or moisture in your home or buildings crawlspace and just as many solutions. Should you suspect a problem that may need a professional solution, a good place to start is on the internet with your favorite search engine and a search for "crawlspace". This should get you started in the right direction with any crawlspace (under house) issues you may have.

Why You Need a Plumbing Expert

Though some simple plumbing problems can be fixed easily if you have some basic knowledge of plumbing, you would sometimes face serious problems, like a burst pipe, for which you should always call plumbing experts.

In your house there is an intricate network of pipes that have been installed within the walls, under the flooring, and sometimes even behind electrical circuits. This network of pipes is responsible for many things. The fresh water pipes bring in water for drinking, bathing and other uses, while the drainage system carries dirty water out of your home to a sewage treatment facility. There are complicated designs and plans that are followed while these pipes are being installed inside your house, and only an expert can understand them and carry out major repairs.

Though fixing a leaky faucet is an easy task and can be accomplished by almost anyone with a few tools and the right instructions, you should never try to fix major plumbing issues by yourself.

Plumbing issues cannot always be fixed by a trial and error method. For instance, if you have a clogged drain, you might try to stick a stiff wire into it and pour a whole lot of chemicals to clear the blockage. While sticking the wire you could damage the pipe and cause it to crack. Water and chemicals could seep out of the crack and fall on other piping fixtures such as gas or drinking water pipes. The chemicals are quite strong, and they can steadily eat into these pipes and cause the sewage water to leak into your drinking water supply. Your gas pipes could also get damaged and cause a leakage which could be dangerous. So the first and foremost reason to avoid fixing plumbing problems all by yourself is your own and your family's safety.

Plumbing experts have the experience and the right equipment required to deal with these pipes and protect themselves from exposure. An experienced plumber would know when to use what kind of protective gear. Professional plumbers are trained to look for potential hazards before they start their work. For example, if there are electrical lines near a pipe that needs to be fixed, the plumber would use tools with proper insulation and cut off the power supply. If he is working in a small enclosed environment, he would use special gas masks.

Apart from all these safety issues, a good plumber would also be able to accomplish the task much quicker. You wouldn't have to go through the inconvenience of figuring out the plumbing system or look for the right tools to fix things. There is such a large number of chemical products that perform a very specific function that it is very difficult for an average person to understand which product will be right for a particular problem.

Plumbing experts make sure that your water supply and drainage systems remain in good shape and whenever you face a problem you have an experienced professional to rely on.

Most Popular Plumbing Services

Although there are minor plumbing issues such as a clogged drain that people can repair themselves, there are certain problems that can only be repaired by a professional plumber. Plumbers are equipped with the knowledge, experience, and tools to get the repair job done efficiently.

Below is a list of the problems which are the most popular plumbing services:

1. Repairing problems causing an unpleasant odour coming from the toilet is a common problem requiring the services of a plumber. It is most likely a strong sewage odour. This can be due to a burst sewer pipe, malfunctioning wax ring, or there is not enough water in the toilet bowl. There can also be strong unpleasant odours coming from the bathtub's drain. This can be due to a broken pipe, broken or leaky trap, or a dry trap.

2. You can also have a blocked drain that you are unable to clear which causes the water to stop draining. This could be the result of the accumulation of hair, soap, fats, and grease that has hardened. The plumber will have the tools to remove a hardened clog.

3. A plumbing system can also develop low water pressure or fluctuations in the water temperature. You will notice this problem when you run your taps and a low volume of water is coming out. This problem can be due to defective parts, rotting pipes, an improper sink installation. You will need a professional to fix this problem.

4. A noisy water heater is another common problem that will require repair. This problem can be the result of defective parts, improper installation of the water heater, accumulation of sediment in the water tank, and the temperature is set too high.

5. Noisy pipes that vibrate and rattle are a common plumbing problem. The noise is referred to as water hammer. Causes can include water pump failure, sudden valve closure, and the accumulation of dirt and sediment. The services of a plumber are required because water hammer can eventually damage your pipes.

6. Burst pipes are always an emergency. A burst pipe is often due to excessive cold temperatures. The pipes will freeze, expand, and then burst. It is a serious matter that will require the services of a plumber because of the risk of flooding. There a number of other reasons why a water pipe might get damaged. Soil and water can cause corrosion on the exterior of the pipe. Old water pipes or poor quality pipes will become brittle and can crack more easily. As well, physical damage can occur such as if someone accidentally hit a pipe when doing home renovation work. Too much pressure within a pipe can cause it to burst. Improperly installed water pipes can also result in pipe breakage.

Professional plumbers are educated, trained, and experienced to fix a variety of plumbing problems. They are also equipped with the tools and supplies, and trained and licensed to perform extensive repairs, replacements, and installations. A plumbing system is very fragile and any unintentional damage can cause more problems and more expense. There are 24/7 emergency plumbers available to help you with your plumbing needs.

A Few Tips on Home Repairs

Home maintenance is something that many people have to do at some point. While not everyone is qualified to perform a Texas Insulation or a Texas sandblasting, most people do know how to go about basic tasks such as changing a light bulb or fixing a burnt fuse. Professional repair men are there to ensure that the problems of a home are easily attended too. With the efficiency of the internet, seeking help in such areas is no longer a difficult problem

However there are a few problems which, contrary to the general public opinion can be fixed at home. A leaking faucet might require the assistance of plumber but a stuck one does can most times be remedied at home. The following tips will provide assistance for people who might need to make some emergence plumbing repairs.

- Stuck/Frozen faucets: With the faucets frozen turning on the water supply no longer becomes as easy as it rightfully should be. In severe cases, even a two handed grip will be insufficient to loosen a stuck faucet. Stuck faucets are normally caused by mineral deposits which have built up within it. The faucets will therefore become unstuck if these deposits are removed. Grease can also be used to improve its performance and reducing the friction caused by the deposits.

- Repairing a Clogged drain: A clogged drain can be really irritating and very unpleasant. Fortunately it can also be fixed at home. A plunger can be used to remove the items that are plugging the clog. If this fails then a plumber snake might be required. Depending on the nature of the pipes that have been affected a drain cleanser can also be used for cleaning out the pipes. However, this decision should only be made if a person is sure that here will be no adverse effect.

- Defrosting frozen pipes: The solution to frozen pipes might seem simple enough but still many people go about this the wrong way. Obviously a source of heat will be needed in order to thaw the pipes sufficiently. However, this heat source must not be too hot. The use of direct heat (such as a naked flame) should not be considered. Instead indirect methods like the use of towels drenched with hot water or a hair dryer will be more effective. These will thaw out the pipes without affecting them negatively.

There are many other actions which can be done at home to remedy basic problems. However, not every household problem should be attempted directly. If you are unsure of how to proceed then it is best that you seek the services of a professional. Professional men will provide a more lasting solution to your household problems. They will also be able to identify any other potential weakness which your house might have.

Finally, although problems do occur in the home, they are less likely to occur with regular maintenance. People who take good care of their homes end up requiring less assistance. Practicing good home maintenance methods will therefore prevent a lot of future problems.

Fix Leaky Shower Faucet - Easy and Fast

"Fix leaky shower faucet in a jiffy", screamed the eyeball grabbing title of an article on the Internet. Now before you dismiss this as utter drivel, look beyond the hyperbolic headlines, and listen to what the experts have to say. Fixing that leaky shower faucet in your bathroom, and that too without any professional assistance, is not that prosperous a proposal. All it takes is a few very functional tools, a modicum of your time and a hard-to-torpedo attitude, and your leaky faucet becomes a thing of the past.

End To That Niggling Problem

Here's a tenuous contention that displays the traditional proclivity to raise the hackles. But before your temper assumes rampaging dimensions, take a look at how you can put an end to your consternation:

Cut off the water supply to the shower faucet, either in the bathroom or in the main cut off valve in the basement.

Open the faucet to drain the water in it completely.

Get to the root of the problem by removing the faucet handle screw, located underneath the snap on cover, with the help of a knife or screwdriver. This is achieved by turning the screw clockwise.

It's now time for the faucet handle to come off. At times, a slightly recalcitrant handle may be stuck to the stem, and comes out only after a few knocks with a hammer handle.

Look for the rubber gasket inside, and inspect its condition. In case it coats your hand with a black deposit, it's time to abandon it for a brand new one.

Place the new ring flat inside the shower head assembly. It's important to make sure that it fits perfectly.

Retighten the handle, without the use of too much force. Similarly, thread the shower head into its designated place.

The Moment You've Waited For

It's now time to turn on the water and see if you deserve a pat on the back. But what if things don't pan out the way you planned? Relax; just unscrew the shower head, re screw it, and tighten the handle a little more. If it's still as intractable as before, call a professional to bail you out.

Laundry Sink - A Surprisingly Useful Addition

A laundry sink or tub can be a great addition to a home if it's put in a place where it will actually be used. While most people don't really think they have as much need for old fashioned utility sinks because of automatic washers and dryers, the installation of one can really add value to your home and provide a special sort of usefulness that smaller sinks can't. If you are thinking about redoing your laundry room or your basement, a laundry sink can be a great way to do it.

Uses
While the obvious use for a laundry tub is for washing purposes there are a great deal of other uses for these sorts of sinks that may not be quite as obvious. Naturally, they are great for hand washing delicate clothing or hand sewn quilts and for pre-soaking laundry as well, but there are lots of other great things that can be done with a laundry sink that many people don't think of.

One great example, is that they can be used for parties to keep drinks chilled and on ice. When your fridge is packed full of snacks and food, you might be tempted to use a cooler for the drinks, but coolers are bulky, heavy and inconvenient. If you have a laundry tub, you can fill it with ice and keep all of your drinks ice cold without putting a huge safety hazard on the floor for people to trip over.

Another great way to get the most out of laundry utility sinks is to use them for defrosting large quantities of meat. Whether it's a large roast or enough chicken to feed a whole backyard full of guests, using a laundry tub to thaw your meat will allow you to keep your fridge free for other items and your kitchen sink empty as well.

Styles
When you first begin to consider a laundry sink, you may think that they are all the same, but the truth is that there are a few differences in design that set one sink apart from another. The biggest choice you have when purchasing a laundry tub is whether you want it to be wall mounted model or a four legged stand alone design. While wall mounted models may seem logical, it's important to take into consideration whether or not your wall will be able to support the weight. If you have any doubts, then a standing model might be better for you.

The other big difference from one sink to the next is what it's manufactured out of. You can find laundry utility sinks that are made out of polypropylene, stainless steel, or other materials in a variety of sizes ranging from 20 gallons up.

Even though the name may make you think that a laundry tub is limited in function, the truth is that in these modern times there are dozens of great ways to use a laundry sink in your home.