Do your friends or neighbors ever mention their sump pump after a downpour? They might proclaim that if it weren’t for this device, they would be ankle-deep in water—and up to their neck in water damage repair bills. Learn more about sump pumps here to help you decide if you need one. What Is a Sump Pump? A sump pump is a submersible device installed in a sump pit dug at the lowest point of your house, such as the basement or crawl space. This small but important addition to your home helps prevent your basement from flooding. Here’s how it works: Most of the time, the pump is on standby, simp ..read more

When you don’t have enough water pressure, it can be tough to clean your dishes or take a shower. Low water pressure isn’t just an inconvenience; it can indicate trouble in your home’s plumbing system. What is Water Pressure? Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch or psi. The pressure is measured where the water enters your home from the main water valve, whether from a well or a municipal water main. Water pressure is important, especially when you’re using several fixtures and appliances simultaneously. Imagine if you couldn’t take a shower while the dishwasher was running! The ..read more

Natural gas is used in many homes nationwide for heating and cooking. It’s found in the ground, often in conjunction with petroleum. It consists of methane and trace amounts of gases like carbon dioxide, propane, ethane, and butane. It’s a flammable gas, but it’s very safe and convenient when used appropriately in homes. Uses for Natural Gas in the Home Popular for its efficiency and affordability, natural gas is generally seen as a superior fuel source for residential heating and cooking. It can be used to power many heating and cooking appliances, including the following: Cooktops, ovens, r ..read more

There are household chores, and then there is cleaning the toilet. Check out these dos and don’ts when it comes to doing the job right. Don’t Fall for the TikTok Fabuloso Hack While scrolling through TikTok dances and how-tos, you might have come across a TikTok video suggesting the use of cleaning agent Fabuloso inside the bowl to self-clean your toilet with each flush. Tempting to imagine your bowl cleaning itself, but the reality is that placing a large bottle of cleaner inside your toilet tank can do more damage than good. The constant chemicals can damage toilet parts like seals and gaske ..read more

As cold as it can get in the Mid-Atlantic region, frozen pipes are always a possibility, especially when temperatures drop below 32 degrees overnight or for a sustained period. Should any of your pipes burst, it could mean costly damage to your home. For the best chance of avoiding damage, follow these tips for thawing a frozen pipe, what to do if a pipe bursts, and how to prevent frozen pipes in the first place. How to Thaw Frozen Pipes There are signs you have frozen pipes. Look out for areas with frost accumulation or condensation and foul sewage smells from your sink. If you lose wate ..read more

There is nothing like a nice hot shower on a cold winter’s morning! But there’s nothing like the wake-up call you get when your shower runs frigid! Here are a few simple tips for ensuring your water heater is properly maintained. Why Should I Flush My Water Heater? Increase longevity of the water heater: Over time, lime and other sediments from your home’s water can settle in your tank and disrupt its ability to work efficiently. The extra work required by the unit can also reduce its life span. Flushing your home’s water heater is easy and can prevent this sediment buildup that can cause pro ..read more

You’ve packed your swimwear or your snow gear and you’re heading out of town for the holidays. But your return home could be less than relaxing unless you’ve taken a few precautions with your plumbing. Here’s a checklist of six plumbing tasks you should complete before you head out of town this holiday season. 1. Shut it Down Outside Before you head out of town, take some time to drain your outside spigots. When the temperature dips, it can freeze your pipes and cause cracked and leaky spigots. 2. Get into Vacation Mode Take a look at your water heater before you leave for obvious signs of any ..read more

It’s the holiday season, and in addition to shopping, wrapping presents, and cooking, deep cleaning your home should be on your holiday prep list. Here are six places homeowners forget when making their home cleaning list and checking it twice: Remove Scum From Bathroom Fixtures The holiday season means hosting overnight guests. Ensure your bathroom fixtures are free of soap scum that can accumulate on your soap dish and other places in your bathroom. Remove stubborn soap scum with over-the-counter cleaning agents, or use a homemade mix of baking soda and vinegar with a non-scratch sponge. Sin ..read more

Sink faucets have two knobs (or a directional knob) with one marked as hot and the other as cold. With that being said, have you ever had hot water come out of the faucet when the cold knob was turned on? If so, something needs to be fixed… Reasons Why Hot Water Comes Out of the Cold Faucet Both Pipes Are Too Close When hot-water and cold-water pipes run parallel to each other as they lead to the faucet, they can affect the temperature of the water in the opposite pipes. This can also occur when a water heater is too close to the cold-water pipes. Consider having these pipes insulated to prot ..read more

Touchless faucets are a new technology that helps conserve water, free your hands and help keep your faucet handles free from dirt and germs. What is a Touchless Faucet? A touchless faucet eliminates the need to activate water by manually turning a handle. Touchless faucets rely on motion sensors to activate the stream of water and shut it off. Benefits of Touchless Faucets Here are seven reasons touchless faucets are a good choice for your home: Touchless faucets conserve water: According to the EPA, faucets account for 15% of household water usage. A touchless faucet can help reduce that us ..read more