Category: Land & Property

The First Black Woman to Become a Master Plumber

A woman in a hard hat looks confidently upward, representing skilled plumbing services by Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service.

Adrienne Bennett: The First Black Woman Master Plumber

As the first female licensed master plumber in North America, Adrienne Bennett is a pioneer. Now a CEO of her own company, she can hire other hard-working and career-focused individuals. Although it hasn’t always been easy, Adrienne Bennett has broken the glass ceiling for women plumbers in America.

A Brief History of Adrienne Bennett

Adrienne Bennett grew up with seven other siblings in an environment where discipline and work ethic were top priorities. Her upbringing has shaped how she runs her company and her life.

From a young age, she was interested in how to piece projects together. She has always been fascinated with growth, from building aircraft models to studying mechanical engineering.

In 1976 Adrienne Bennett met with a recruiter from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit. After her five-year apprenticeship with the Plumbers Union, Local 98, she began a career and a pathway for other black master plumbers.

The Professional Journey for Working as a Contractorcontractor

The Professional Trades career pays over 40% higher than many other occupations. With a median salary of $51,000, this is not only a stable career choice but a great way to earn money. By working in several parts of the industry, Adrienne Bennett could advance her career throughout the decades.

Before becoming the code enforcement officer for the City of Detroit, Ms. Bennett started as an apprentice. The industry was entirely male-dominated, and it wasn’t always easy working on projects. Before becoming a master plumber, she describes wearing a heavy tool belt around her waist to protect her from sexual harassment. After 4,000 hours of experience, she was able to take her state licensing exam and begin her career. 

Adrienne Bennett started as a journeyman plumber. With this type of license, many plumbers can work independently. Like military or government institutions, the plumbing industry has a clear ranking system for career advancement. As a journeyman plumber, Ms. Bennett would go on to train apprentices.

Over the years, Adrienne Bennett worked her way up to master plumber, project manager, and plumbing inspector. Although state requirements often vary, a master plumber allows for additional leadership opportunities in Michigan. Master plumbers can plan water systems and work with permit offices. 

As a plumbing inspector, she would gain more experience with code violations and federal requirements. As a code enforcement officer, Adrienne Bennett would apply this knowledge to protect the community from public health issues. 

contractorThe Plumbing Industry

Adrienne Bennett has faced adversity throughout her career but continues to work in the industry. After climbing her way through the ranks of the plumbing industry, Adrienne Bennett is now an official plumbing contractor. 

She now handles construction, renovation, and remodeling with the new responsibilities required. By learning strong management skills and understanding the business legalities in Detroit, Ms. Bennett has helped the community and plumbing trade.

Bud’s Plumbing and Repair Service

Bud’s Plumbing and Repair Service focuses on safety regulations in addition to leaky faucets. Based in Evansville, IN, local plumbing codes are used for every job. Call today for same-day plumbing service. 

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3 Plumbing Mistakes for Homeowners to Avoid

Plumbing mistakes to avoid in 2022 with tools like bolts and a pressure gauge, showcasing Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service.

Make a Resolution to Avoid These Common Plumbing Mistakes

Maintaining household plumbing shouldn’t have to be mysterious or something left to chance because owning a home makes a huge investment in the family’s future. Plumbing that is well maintained will be durable and provide years of lasting impact, whereas plumbing that isn’t maintained well can become a horrible nightmare.

Mistake #1: Using Liquid Drain Cleanersliquid drain

Liquid drain cleaners contain caustic chemicals that can eat through plumbing without getting rid of the clog. Hydrochloric acid is one of the main ingredients in most household drain cleaners and can eat through the finish on the interior of the pipes, which can lead to leaks or even bursts later on. 

Clogs are caused by hair, grease, debris, and soap scum building up on the inside of the pipe and reducing water flow until water no longer can drain beyond that obstruction. Drain cleaning by a professional is both cost-effective and time-efficient because the job generally doesn’t take long and provides peace of mind knowing it was done right the first time. 

Mistake #2: Not Keeping Up With Maintenance

Water heaters are often the most neglected aspect of a home besides maybe the kitchen drain. As long as hot water runs freely, no one looks at the water heater. This is a huge mistake because rust can eat away at the tank or the valves, resulting in tank leaks, pipe leaks, or high-pressure issues that may force the unit to dislodge from its housing. 

Water heater maintenance includes annual drains of the tank to remove any sediment that has built up over the previous year and inspecting the tank and piping for leaks or rust. If pipes aren’t insulated properly, a professional will take the time to insulate properly during annual maintenance and check the temperature settings on the unit to ensure it is the correct temperature to meet the family’s needs. 

plumberMistake #3: Not Hiring a Professional Plumber

Hiring a professional in an area that they excel at is always a great idea because they intimately know the system they are working on and have years of experience behind their prowess. This allows the job to be completed the first time properly in less time than if inexperienced hands take on the project and with a lot less frustration than trying to DIY a major plumbing job. Drain maintenance or repair and plumbing installations are projects that plumbing companies specialize in and complete daily. 

Plumbing trucks are outfitted with every tool needed and every part necessary. Plumbers can get special pricing on bulk orders of plumbing supplies which they can then pass the savings on to customers. When a plumbing company completes a job, parts are warrantied, and the labor is guaranteed, or the company will come out again and fix it. Hiring a professional gives less stress to the family, and who couldn’t use less stress?

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service, located in Evansville, IN, offers customers upfront pricing and gets approval for the job upfront before starting any job after providing accurate diagnosis to all plumbing problems. After receiving quotes from other area plumbing companies, customers who need honest second opinions are welcome to call for free estimates!  Call now for plumbing service.

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Beware: With Freezing Temperatures Come Freezing Pipes

Don’t Let It Go: Don’t Ignore Signs of Frozen Pipes

When temperatures drop, and a white Christmas is on the horizon, it is easy to get caught up in the beauty of the season. Unfortunately, if a homeowner forgets about their water pipes, it can lead to a disastrous crushing of the holiday spirit. Uninsulated or poorly protected pipes can get too cold, causing the water inside to freeze. This can cause serious damage to the pipes, resulting in leaks, water damage, and a lot of cost for repairs.

Homeowners should watch for signs of pipe freezing to prevent serious, costly damage to their homes.

Low Water Pressurefaucet

One of the most obvious indicators of frozen pipes is low water pressure. Pipes may be frozen when one turns on the sink or flushes the toilet and only a trickle comes out of the faucet. When water flow is inexplicably sluggish or is nonexistent, this is a clear sign of frozen pipes. Due to the damage this can cause, here are a few tips to prevent or correct this issue:
  • Open Cabinets: if it is particularly cold outside, that can sometimes seep into the walls and cause a pocket of cold air in the cabinets. Opening the doors below the sink will allow warmer air to circulate, preventing frozen pipes.
  • Use a Space Heater: Aim a space heater at the pipes to help unfreeze/keep warm.
  • Faucet Drips: Leave the faucet valve slightly open. Moving water does not freeze.
  • Insulate the Pipes: It is almost a certainty that exposed pipes will ice over in temperatures below freezing if they do not have proper protection.   

Frosty Pipespipe

If there are pipes that are easily accessible or are exposed to the elements, there is a better chance of them freezing than them making it through the winter without freezing. Insulating can be a tedious process, but the results are worth it. There are fairly inexpensive products that one can use in practically any residential situation to prevent frozen pipes: PE foam insulation and pipe wrap. 

PE Foam:

  • Think of a pool noodle split on one side
  • Easy for covering long sections of straight pipe
  • DIY- friendly

Pipe Wrap/Pipe Tape

  • Adhesive strips work to insulate
  • Good for tight areas, turns, and joints
  • Adaptable for DIY

Foul Odors

While homeowners are normally concerned with water supply lines becoming frozen in certain areas, the temperature can get low enough to freeze even the sewage removal lines. This will cause foul odors to fill the home, and even worse, sewer backups can happen. Again, this is a reason to insulate even the sewer pipes.

As previously mentioned, running water does not freeze, so making sure that water is being run through the pipes is another tip for keeping the freeze out. Between insulation and maintaining regular daily water use should be enough to prevent the worst-case scenario of a burst pipe.

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud’s has served Evansville, IN for over 100 years. Expert repairs and great customer service are what a person should expect from a company that has been around since 1920, and Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service delivers. Call them today for burst pipe repair.

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Clean Up Thanksgiving the Right Way With a Garbage Disposal!

A Special Thanks To Garbage Disposals 

Kitchen sink plumbing isn’t the same without a garbage disposal. There is a certain level of safety and convenience provided by a garbage disposal that homeowners won’t find in traditional kitchen plumbing. There is something about cleaning up in the kitchen without worrying about food getting down the drain that makes the entire dinner way less stressful. If homeowners haven’t had garbage disposal installation done yet, it is time they do before Thanksgiving arrives. 

Continue reading to learn all about garbage disposals and how to thank them this Thanksgiving. 

At Their Most Basic Functionality, They Prevent Clogged Drains!drain

Garbage disposals are somewhat famous in the modern household. Almost every home has one because they offer so many great benefits in the kitchen! This statement is especially true for homeowners. People who rent homes are more likely to lack a garbage disposal unless they pay to have one installed, but most homeowners rely heavily on their garbage disposal throughout the country. 

The best part about it is probably how cheap and long-lasting they are and how quick and easy garbage disposal installation is. Some other great benefits of garbage disposal installation include: 

  • Convenient kitchen clean up
  • Reduce the risk of a clogged kitchen sink 
  • Reduce the risk of odor coming from the kitchen sink
  • Reduce trash in the home and the smell that comes along with it

Homeowners really can’t go wrong with installing a garbage disposal. 

Here Are Ways To Show the Garbage Disposal It’s Appreciated

The best way to show a garbage disposal how much it is appreciated is to pour some baking soda and vinegar down the drain once a week. This will keep the garbage disposal clean and ready to go while ensuring there isn’t any food left in the piping system after a week’s worth of usage. 

It is also recommended that homeowners maintain the garbage disposal when they have the rest of their plumbing maintained every year. Doing so will ensure that the garbage disposal works efficiently for many years and all homeowners have to do is remember to call a plumber once a year! That sounds easy enough, right?

How To Know When It’s Time for Garbage Disposal Repairgarbage disposal

Noticing when it is time for an appliance to repair can be difficult, especially for homeowners who work outside of the home. Most people come home exhausted, and the last thing they are checking for is whether their garbage disposal needs repair. 

Still, some signs can appear while the homeowner is using the garbage disposal that can better help them decide when it is time to call in a professional, including:

  • The garbage disposal makes strange noises when in use
  • It won’t turn on at all 
  • There is a bad smell that won’t go away
  • There is water leaking from it

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service Has Quality Service 

When it comes to professional plumbers in Evansville, IN, it’s time to put the search to rest and call Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service today! They are dependable experts with more than 100 years of experience in the industry. There’s no time to waste. Call now for plumbing services! 

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Easy Ideas for Spooky Fall Fun

A Guide to Spooky Fun This Halloween

Fall is most people's favorite season for a few reasons:

  1. The break in the heat gives everyone a sigh of relief
  2. It is a time where people return to their pre-summer routines, and things slow down just a bit
  3. Halloween is a great excuse to get together with friends

This year, don't let fall festivities and Halloween activities pass by unnoticed. Instead, take these tips from local plumbers. Their advice can help anyone get inspired to enjoy the season without stressing the plumbing in a home. 

Baked Fall Treatsbaking

Fall is a season that is synonymous with the harvest. Getting in the kitchen and baking a bounty of treats is a great way to celebrate the onset of autumn as well as Halloween. 

Simple twists can give everyday treats a fall twist. For example, try adding pumpkin filling to a recipe of vanilla cupcakes. The result is an easy pumpkin cupcake. Another easy idea is to add seasonal candy as a topping for brownies, or Rice Krispy treats. Tossing on some candy corn can turn these normal sweets into holiday treats. 

Kitchen experimentation is bound to go awry at some point. For those planning to try out some new recipes, make sure the garbage disposal and kitchen plumbing are ready to handle any kitchen disasters. 

Host a Scary Movie Nightmovie

Halloween get-togethers usually revolve around a theme or an activity. A great activity with which to punctuate a party is Halloween movie night. So many great movies exist just for this time of year, so it would be a shame to overlook them. 

When choosing a movie or series to entice guests to join the party, be sure to pick something appropriate for the audience attending. Halloween movies are not intended for all ages!

Some great choices to include in a horror movie line-up are:

  • Night of the Living Dead
  • Halloween
  • Saw
  • Ghostbusters
  • Arachnophobia

Have Guests Over for a Halloween Party

No Halloween holiday is complete without having hosted a Halloween party. Decorating the home with spooky decorations and encouraging guests to show up in costume is a fun way to celebrate the holiday. However, while hosting a spooky party, there shouldn't be anything truly scary that happens. 

There is no greater party foul than having bathroom plumbing that isn't up to the task of extra usage. During parties, a home's plumbing has to do more work than it's used to. This can expose the need for toilet repairs or other bathroom plumbing problems that weren't apparent yet. Instead of taking the risk, call for a plumbing inspection before a party. An expert can find problems before they turn into frightening disasters and fix any already obvious problems. 

About Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service

For over 100 years, Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service has been keeping plumbing haunts at bay. Their technicians have the highest-rated service in the Evansville, IN area, and they keep their prices affordable. Call today for fast and friendly plumbing repairs. 

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