Company: Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

3 Plumbing Mistakes for Homeowners to Avoid

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

Artistic wooden houses showcasing design, relevant to Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service's home maintenance.

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!

Cozy kitchen with autumn decor featuring a vase of leaves, fruits in a bowl, and modern utensils for Bud's Plumbing services.

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

Adult male and two children carving pumpkins indoors for Halloween, showcasing family creativity and festive decor.

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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When Should Homeowners Schedule Water Heater Maintenance?

Technician in blue uniform repairing plumbing equipment and water heater for Bud's Plumbing in Evansville, IN.

Schedule Water Heater Maintenance Now!

Is there anything more bracing than a cold shower? While taking a cold shower is said to be a benefit for everything from sore muscles to the heart, no one wants to be surprised by that icy cold spray in the early morning. Water heaters make life much more pleasant and easy, but if any household appliance is ignored, it may just stop working. Proper upkeep, typically involving a professional inspection and maintenance schedule, can prevent that sudden cold shower. 

What Good Is Maintenance?plumber

Let’s take a moment here for real talk. No one wants to deal with upkeep. It is a sad reality. Humans love to have new things, but they are often neglectful creatures when it comes to maintaining that organization or that new toy. Wear and tear ruin that carefully chosen appliance, and it may be expensive to replace. Here is where maintenance comes in. A little bit of prep can keep things running smoothly for a long time. 

  • Peak Efficiency: Maintenance keeps a water heater working at its most efficient, keeping energy and water bills low.
  • Prolongs Unit’s Life: The water heater will last longer if it is properly taken care of. 
  • Quick Fixes: A maintenance check can mean problems are discovered early or even before they happen. This is much better than having to deal with the aftermath.

What Will Be Checked on the Water Heater

When a plumbing maintenance professional comes to look at a water heater, there are two steps to the process: inspection and repair/upkeep. Below are some of the tasks a plumbing technician might do while performing an annual maintenance check:

Signs of a Troubled Water Heaterwater heater

Even if a homeowner takes the time to get water heater maintenance annually, there are still problems that can come up in between scheduled service appointments that will need the attention of a professional plumbing technician. Most machines give some sort of indicator or indicators that a problem needs to be fixed. It is no different with a water heater.
  • Rusty Water: This can indicate a problem with the pipes or within the water heater itself.
  • Hissing Sounds: This noise usually indicates some sort of leak and can be a problem with the pressure release valve.
  • Water Pooling: This is a sure sign of a leak and can be from the tank itself, one of the connecting pipes, or the PRV.
  • No Hot Water: Heating coils problems or a fuel line issue could be to blame.
  • Hot, but Not Hot Enough: Does the water not last as long as it used to? Perhaps it doesn’t get as hot or goes to either end of the temperature spectrum?

These issues warrant a call to a licensed professional and should be dealt with before a larger scale problem happens.

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service 

For over 100 years, Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service has been looking out for the needs of their local community. Their award-winning service has earned them a great reputation in Evansville, IN. Call them today for water heater solutions and maintenance.

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