Blog | Residential and Commercial Plumbing

National Wellness Month: 7 Tips for a Healthier Life

August 31, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

This month of August is the best time to focus on managing stress and promoting self-care and healthy routines. You know why? Because it is National Wellness Month! Studies have shown how self-care helps reduce stress and promote happiness. And putting efforts into making a change in your lifestyle can significantly affect your health in positive ways. If you want to take the first step to living a healthier life, read the tips below.

Drink a glass of water in the morning

One of the very first things you should do when you wake up in the morning is to drink a glass of room temperature water. This will help cleanse your system and flush out toxins before you even eat any food. Also try adding a twist to your regular water by putting a slice of lemon or lime for a citrusy taste.

Get enough sleep

The importance of sleep cannot be emphasized any more. Regardless of your age, it’s imperative that you get an adequate amount of sleep every night. A lack of sleep is detrimental to your health in several different ways. Not only will it cause damage to your heart, it can also make you feel constantly tired, irritable and can reduce your attention span.

Eat healthy snacks

In between meals snacks don’t always have to be junk foods. You can snack the right way by switching to healthier alternatives. Instead of consuming too many sweet and starchy foods like candies, potato chips, and cookies, you may want to have nuts, berries and fruits. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals and are good for your health.

Exercise often

We are all aware of the benefits of working out and exercise. However, these are some things we usually take for granted. Exercising doesn’t always mean going to the gym and spending an hour or so sweating out. It can be as simple as taking a daily walk to or from work. Instead of taking the elevators, use the stairs as often as possible. Or take your dog for a long walk during weekends. The important thing is that you take time to do some physical activity every chance you get. Having an active lifestyle can improve your heart health and overall wellbeing.

Connect with people

People who don’t have friends are said to have higher likelihood of sickness and early death. Their stress and depression can make them physically ill. This is the reason why experts highly recommend that we make time to connect and nurture healthy relationships with the people around us. Spend more time with your family, friends and loved ones. No matter how busy you are, make it a point to get in touch with someone close to your heart. Catch up with your friends during your free time. Visit your parents on the weekends. Doing these things can significantly impact your health, even in the later years.

Try new activities

Finding a new hobby can help reduce stress. If you haven’t done anything fun and exciting for a while, it’s time to look for a new activity that you can enjoy with your friends or family. Think about going hiking, playing a new sport or trying out a new adventure. This will help you unwind and even give you opportunities to meet other people who share the same interest. But if you want to try out some activities alone, that’s perfectly fine, too. For as long as it pumps your adrenaline and makes you happy, you can never go wrong with it!

Ditch the unhealthy habits

If you have some habits that you know are detrimental to your health, stop them now before it’s too late. This includes smoking and excessive drinking. Smoking reduces a person’s lifespan by several years. It can affect your lungs as well as your skin. It is one of the major causes of death in the world. If you want to live longer, ditch the unhealthy habits and always choose life!

There is no better time to live a healthy lifestyle than now. Start making these small changes and you’ll be amazed at how they can improve your life in general.

Easy Plumbing Repair Fixes you can Do Yourself

August 30, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

Some home plumbing system issues are not as complicated as one might think. A lot of them can be addressed by DIY fixes and with the right tools. Doing common a plumbing repair can save you tons of time and money. Getting yourself familiar with the basic steps of plumbing will come in handy when you encounter emergency plumbing issues. Read on to learn some of the easy plumbing repairs that you can do yourself.

Repairing a leaky faucet

Most faucet issues are a result of either a leak at the base of the faucet or a drip from the spout. Either way, they are relatively easy to fix. The important thing is that you know the basic types of faucets and you know how to take them apart. Be familiar with the type of faucet you’re working with. There are faucets with parts that can be easily found at your local home improvement store.

When repairing a leaky faucet, you must shut off the water supply to the area before starting with the repair. The shut offs are generally located in your home’s basement or somewhere under your sink. But if you don’t feel comfortable turning your water supply off or you have a hard time finding it, you can reach out to a reputable professional plumber.

Installing a new faucet

Installing a new faucet is a relatively easy task and you can opt to take on the job yourself. Make sure that you get the right replacement parts from your local hardware store. Before you remove your old faucet, don’t forget to shut off the water supply to your sink. Take note of the connection points of your existing faucet so you can put the new faucet using the same connection. If you find the installation too extensive, you can call your trusted plumber for quality plumbing installation services.

Unclogging a drain

When dealing with a clogged drain, keep in mind that using the standard drain cleaning solvents is not recommended. They eventually end up eating away your pipes which results in their deterioration. Use natural cleaning solvents to keep your drains clean, such as vinegar and baking soda. Knowing how to address clogged drain is just as important as preventing it. Do your part to prevent clogged drains by using a hair catcher in the bathroom drains. Also, avoid washing large food particles down the kitchen drain. Also, clean your drains every now and then to avoid potential clogs. When all else fails, you can call a trusted plumber to assess the situation.

Replacing a showerhead

Replacing a showerhead is another relatively simple plumbing fix. It’s basically about unscrewing the old showerhead and screwing on the new one. A pair of tongue and groove pliers could come in handy if the existing showerhead is a bit difficult to remove. But if you don’t have the right tools, you can always call a professional plumber to perform the job.

Stopping a toilet from running

A running toilet is something that should be addressed as soon as possible because it can waste a large amount of water over time. This issue is usually an indication of a broken floater valve or stop valve which you can replace on your own. Be sure to shut off the water supply to your toilet and replace the valve by following the existing set up. However, if you can’t get the toilet to flush, the problem might be a blocked toilet trap or clogged drain. In this case, you can try fixing the problem by using a plunger to loosen the clog. If that doesn’t work, you can also use a plumbing snake to break up the blockage.

Addressing water pressure issues

A water pressure issue in the shower is usually caused by a buildup of hard water materials. Check if there’s a visible buildup. And if there is, remove the showerhead as well as the spray plate. Prepare a descaling solution and immerse the spray plate. Give it ample time before rinsing off the spray plate and then assemble it back to the showerhead.

A lot of plumbing issues can be repaired on your own so long as you are familiar with the common issues and you have the right tools. For complicated plumbing system issues, make sure to reach out to the reliable professional plumber you can always count on – Johnson Plumbing.

7 Common Plumbing Issues at Home

July 30, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

Plumbing issues come in different shapes and sizes. As a homeowner, you most likely have encountered at least one or two plumbing issues, such as a clogged toilet or a dripping faucet. While problems with a plumbing system are inevitable, you can minimize their occurrence if you’re familiar with the issues that come up most often. Here are the most common plumbing issues at home you should be aware of.

Dripping faucet

plumber fixing a leaking faucet — Leaking faucets are a common plumbing issue

A dripping faucet is one of the most common plumbing issues . Almost every homeowner could probably tell a tale of dealing with this problem. Even though it’s minor, this issue can be a hassle because it can drive your water bill higher in an instant. A single dripping faucet is enough to waste hundreds of gallons of water in one year. So when you encounter this problem, make sure to get it addressed fast. Leaky faucets usually occur at the pipe connections or joints. You can try to repair it yourself, but that could lead to bigger issues if you are not a trained plumber. For a more lasting solution, reach out to a professional plumber for quality plumbing repair services.

Constantly running toilet

A running toilet can be considered a plumbing emergency as it can waste more than 200 hundred gallons of water each day. There are a number of reasons that would cause your toilet to run continuously. One of the most common culprits is a broken flapper valve that controls the amount of water flowing from the tank to the bowl. It is possible that the flapper valve no longer fits correctly or the fill tube has become loose. In this case, identify the part that is not working and have it replaced.

Leaky pipes

plumbing tools — A home’s plumbing issues can cause headaches

Leaky pipes are a plumbing system issue that typically requires the expertise of a professional plumber. Its damage can be extensive and can affect the surrounding walls, floors and even your belongings. Leaks normally happen at joints and you can purchase commercial joint fillers for a temporary solution. However, for a permanent fix, you may need a professional replace the length of the pipes or its fittings.

Clogged bath or shower drain

Bath and shower drains are prone to clogs of soap and hair. When you encounter this problem, you can try using vinegar or baking soda to clear the clog. If that doesn’t work, try using a snake or a plunger to clear the blockage. Make sure to have this issue addressed as early as possible before it gets worse. You can also buy a drain guard to prevent this particular type of plumbing issue in the future.

Clogged toilet

You know you’ve got a clogged toilet when it fills up with water and doesn’t drain away. Several things could be causing the blockage but more often than not, it could be a combination of paper and waste. A plunger usually does the trick when it comes to clearing a clogged toilet. But if that doesn’t push the blockage through, try a drain auger or a snake to clear it up.

Faulty water heater

If there is no hot water when you turn the faucet on, it could be a faulty water heater. This could be caused by several different issues. There could be a buildup of sediment in the tank or the pilot light might have gone out and you may need to relight it. You may also have to check if the thermostat is at fault. If the cause of the problem is anything outside these basic issues, you may have to call a professional plumber for the repair.

Low water pressure

Low water pressure is common in older homes, although it can happen in newer homes, too. One of the symptoms to watch out for is water trickling out of the tap instead of rushing out. The low pressure could be caused by leaking pipes that have become worn, damaged or broken, especially when they have been in use for a long time. It may also be a clog in the faucet or shower head. You may want to contact a professional plumber for the best and longest lasting solution.

Any issue with your plumbing system, regardless of how small or big they are, should never be ignored and should be addressed immediately. And if you need quality plumbing repair services from a professional plumber, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Johnson Plumbing.

Celebrate National Picnic Month by Going on a Picnic with the Family

July 30, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

family on a picnic — A picnic with family is a great way to spend time

Everybody celebrates Independence Day in July. But, what many people don’t know is that we also celebrate National Picnic Month in July, too! Going for a picnic is an excellent time to embrace nature and breathe in fresh air. It is also a great opportunity to bond with friends, family and loved ones. While a picnic is understood as a simple excursion with meals eaten outdoors, there are some interesting facts about the origin of picnic that not many of us are aware of.

The word picnic was taken from the French word “pique nique” which refers to an outdoor meal. The first picnics took place in the Middle Ages when the members of the upper class society would “dine out” or eat their meals outdoors during a hunt.
The first recorded use of “picnic”, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was in a letter written by Lord Chesterfield to his son in Berlin in 1748. The word picnic here was used in the sense of a social gathering.
In the early 1800’s, picnic was already being used to refer to a social meal eaten outdoors.

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7 Plumbing Issues that Require an Emergency Plumber

June 20, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

Many plumbing emergencies happen without warning. And when you discover them at night or over the weekend, you’ll probably resort to a “do it yourself” project. While there is nothing wrong with DIY home plumbing, there are issues that require the attention of a professional plumber. If you’re not a plumber, then it’s best to call the experts, here are some examples of the emergency problems that require a professional plumber.

Clogged sinks

Clogged sinks aren’t necessarily considered as an emergency. If the problem is a slow drain when you’re brushing your teeth in the bathroom or when cleaning the dishes in the kitchen, it could possibly be resolved with some DIY steps. However, if the clog has become severe and the water has completely stopped, you may want to reach out to an emergency plumber. Trying to resolve the issue on your own may lead to bigger issues and may cause a serious interruption in your daily activities.

emergency plumber

Major flooding

Regardless of the cause, flooding is something that has to be addressed immediately by an emergency plumber. The plumber will check for the cause of the issue. They will check the water heater if there is a clogged sink or toilet, or the if the sewer is backed-up. They will identify any systems that are not working properly to rectify the cause of the plumbing system failures. And when this plumbing problem is considered an emergency, a plumber will make sure to work on the problem and get it fixed as quickly as possible.

Sewer system backup

This is one of the worst plumbing problems that no one wants to experience. Sewer backups are very inconvenient, messy and costly. You would know that you have a potential sewer system backup when you experience multiple drain clogs, water forming a puddle around the floor drain, bad sewage odors and gurgling toilets. When you notice these signs, it would be best to get these plumbing problems addressed right away. Don’t wait for the issue to get worse. Get in touch with a reputable emergency plumber quickly.

Freezing showers

No hot water or a freezing shower is usually the result of a hot water heater malfunction. There are times when the problem can be resolved by checking the breaker box for the electric heater. If you have a gas operated heater, make sure that the pilot light is on. However, if the simple flipping of a switch won’t do the trick, the next thing to do is to call an emergency plumber. Chances are your water heater may have to be repaired or replaced if it has been in use for several years already.

Leaking water heater

You could be wasting a lot of money on water heating if there’s a leak on your hot water supply. So make sure that a leaking water heater is immediately addressed by a qualified plumber. Also, a leak can cause damage to your heater. Its walls can rust through and if that happens, you may need to get it replaced.

Clogged toilets

Does your toilet refuse to flush? Is it making unusual noises? Is it clogged? If yes, you could try to resolve the issue on your own with some DIY steps. But if that doesn’t work, be sure to contact an emergency plumber right away. Don’t wait for the leaks to cause structural damage or sewage backups.

Leaks

Trying to address plumbing leaks at home is easier said than done. Before the issue can be resolved, you must identify the source of the leak. To ensure that the problem is addressed quickly and efficiently, call an emergency plumber right away. The last thing you ever want to happen is the leak causing mold, mildew and water damage making them too expensive to fix. Leaks could also present health hazards to your family.

Issues with plumbing system are inevitable. And while some plumbing issues can be fixed on your own, certain problems require the knowledge and expertise of a trusted plumber. If you need quality emergency plumbing services, please don’t hesitate to contact Johnson Plumbing.