Tag: water efficiency

New Year, New Bathroom Remodel

Posted on by Eastern Plumbing

 

The New Year means new resolutions. How about adding a bathroom remodel to your list? It may be 2018, but is your home stuck in years past? Eastern Plumbing can upgrade your home quick, easy and on budget. Here a few remodel ideas that will modernize your bathroom and make you more comfortable in the New Year.

Hide the Toilet

If you want a stylish and functional master bathroom for 2018, consider moving your toilet to a more discreet area. Hide this fixture in a “room-within-a-room” or behind a half wall. This will allow you to have more privacy and will also upgrade the look of your bathroom. If you aren’t sure of the best layout for your bathroom to incorporate this upgrade or if you need the toilet moved to a different location in the bathroom, contact Eastern Plumbing. We are experienced in bathroom design and our trusted contractors have all the tools needed to relocate any fixture in your bathroom.

Step Up Your Shower

Is your shower outdated? This year is the perfect time to upgrade it. Consider widening your shower, adding a modern tile design and replacing the shower head. Rain shower heads are quite popular. They are installed in the ceiling and create the feeling of standing out in warm tropical rain. Another popular type of shower head going into 2018 are body sprays. If one shower head just isn’t enough for you, these are the perfect solution. These swivel heads are mounted at multiple heights in your shower. You can add as many or as few as your heart desires for the perfect water massage.

Upgrade for Water Efficiency

Toilets, faucets and showers have all become much more water efficient in recent years. So, if one of your resolutions was to save money consider upgrading your bathroom fixtures. Upgrading your bathroom to be more water efficient can help you save money on your monthly utility bill. When planning your bathroom remodel, remember that these item maximize energy efficiency:

  • Tankless water heaters
  • Low flow toilets and faucets
  • LED lighting
  • Radiant floor heating
  • Insulated windows.

Make the Most of Your Space

Get rid of counter clutter in your bathrooms by adding more storage space. Consider replacing a pedestal sink with a custom vanity-mounted sink perfectly fitted to your space. Use the cabinets in the vanity to store towels, soaps and extra toilet paper. Consider replacing shower curtains with glass doors. This will add the illusion of more space and make your bathroom feel more open. Not to mention, glass shower doors are trending in 2018.

Go Low Maintenance

Do you want to be less stressed in 2018? Make your bathroom low maintenance by selecting finishes that are easy to keep looking clean and new. For example, opt for quartz counters instead of marble and get glass shower doors that are treated with water anti-spotting agents.

No matter your 2018 bathroom goals, Eastern Plumbing is here to help. We specialize in everything from shower and bathtub repair and installation, to redesign and remodel. With our experience and expertise, we can help you get your project done the right way, on time and on budget. Contact Eastern Plumbing today for remodel ideas and help.

5 Most Common Summer Plumbing Problems… and How to Avoid Them

Posted on by Eastern Plumbing

 

Summer is all about having fun – backyard barbecues, enjoying the outdoors, traveling and relaxing. However, the warmer months are a prime time for plumbing problems that may not occur at other times of the year. Here are five common plumbing problems to watch out for, so you can spend more time having summer fun!

1. Clogged Drains

Whether your summer fun includes sandy beaches, surprise muddy afternoon rain showers or grassy sprinkler play, it’s a good bet that it comes with some extra sand/dirt at the end of the day. When washing up after your days adventure, make sure to keep the worst of it out of your drains. They weren’t designed to handle sizable amounts of sand, mud or other debris, and could become clogged or damaged. Instead of hoping right into the shower, hose the kids, any four legged friends and yourself off outside. Knocking any extra debris from clothes, you plan to place in the washing machine, while outside will also give your drains a hand.

2. Washing Machine Maintenance

With the kids at home for the summer, your washing machine will be running a lot more than usual. Those summer activities we love so much, like spending days at the pool or the beach, will also results in more laundry to wash, which can put additional stress on your washing machine. To prevent creating an indoor swimming pool in your house, check the hoses at the back of the machine for any possible leaks. Moving the machine out from the wall a little will help prevent the hose from kinking as well.

3.  Clogged Disposal

With all the barbecues going on and guests running around your house, you will need to be careful of how you dispose of waste food. Avoid flushing hard fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and corn, down your garbage disposal. These types of produce can damage the blades in your disposal or cause unwanted clogs. Hard seeds and pits, including popcorn kernels, can also be a hazard. You also shouldn’t pour leftover grease and oil down the drain after grilling out. Grease and oil can solidify inside a garbage disposal and cause clogs in the drain pipe. It is always (not just in the summer months) a good idea to run cold water through your disposal for a few seconds before and after you use it to clear any remaining bits of food. Following theses tips can help keep your disposal clean and fully functional all summer long!

4. Sprinkler Issues

Having your lawn’s sprinkler system heads inspected and cleaned before the season begins is the first step to having happy and functioning sprinklers all summer long. Throughout the summer it is important to be careful while mowing the lawn. Aboveground sprinkler heads are easily damaged by mower blades and broken sprinkler heads can waste water and cause the grass to die.

5. Sewer Line Backups

Sewers can backup when afternoon summer showers or thunderstorms hit and over saturate the ground. Excessive rain can get into sewer pipes through cracks, causing the sewer line to back up. Servicing your sewers before the summer comes can help you avoid the worst of the issues. Installing a drain plug can also help prevent water from backing up during summer storms. However, if you do see signs of sewer line problems, such as water from the toilet backing up into the bathtub drain, call a plumber right away!

We’re available 24/7 for any plumbing emergency, contact Eastern Plumbing today.

Warnings that You Need a Pipe Repair

Posted on by Eastern Plumbing

As the weather gets warmer, rain in eastern North Carolina will rise. Coming out of the winter season, the temperature elevation combined with this increase in precipitation puts a lot of demand on your pipes. It can bring to light problems that already exist, but it can escalate issues that may be minor. It’s important to diagnose these issues as soon as possible so that immediate action can be taken to save you time, money and headaches. Here are a couple of signs to be on the lookout for this Spring and Summer season.

Low Water Pressure

This warning sign is noticeable in the shower, washing dishes, washings your hands, brushing your teeth, etc. If you notice the water is not coming out of your shower head or faucet as powerful or consistent as it used to, do further inspection – a pipe repair might be in the future for you.

Pipe Leaks

Leaks in pipes can be heard and seen. If there is a dripping sound coming somewhere in your house, this is a clear sign that something needs to be done. Leaky pipes need to be replaced as soon as possible to avoid monetary and time consequences.

Damp Spots in Walls, Floor or Ceiling

When spotted, wet spots in your home are always a sign of a bigger issue. It is highly recommended to get the help of a professional before investing large amounts of money on something that may or may not fix the problem. While most of the time this is a major indicator of a pipe issue, it is best to be sure before going further.

Water Discoloration

If water coming out of your fixtures smells bad, is discolored, or has any unusual properties about it, this is a possible issue. It is best to further investigate before consuming or using any more water in your house.

Inexplicably Rising Water Bills

If your water bills are higher than normal and you are not sure why, your pipes could be behind it all. If you have a leaky pipe or two, water could be wasted daily. By leaking out, you may run more water because of low water pressure. This causes your bills to rise, which will get higher the longer it takes you to discover and fix it.

Weird Noises

It is possible to hear the sound of water running through your pipes in your house. If there is an uncommon noise associated with this, that’s a red flag. This noise could be the result of a blockage, a leak or pipes that are too old and need attention. Be aware of peculiar sounds, especially in the walls of older homes.

Corroded Pipes

Inspecting your pipes up close can also reveal rusty and/or corroded pipes. Even if the pipes that are located outside are rusty, that is an indication that the pipes inside the house are rusty as well. Corroded pipes can cause subsequent problems throughout the house. It can hurt entire plumbing systems, cause foul odors, stain fixtures and produce health problems.

If you need a pipe repair or are unsure, contact Eastern Plumbing today.