Tag: plumbing

Returning To School With Plumbing 101

Teacher in a classroom with engaged students and laptops, related to Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service.

Understanding the Ins and Outs of Home Plumbing

Summer is coming to a close, and that means it is almost back to school time! Students and teachers around the country will be readying themselves to return to the classroom, and parents and caretakers will be readying themselves as well. But who says students are the only ones that will be learning this school year?

Now is the perfect time for homeowners to learn a thing or two as well. More specifically, it is a great time for homeowners and their families to learn the ins and outs of home plumbing. Sure, it might not sound like the most interesting thing, but it can be extremely helpful given how much people rely on their home plumbing systems! Continue reading to enroll in Plumbing 101! 

sink water Where Water Comes From

One of the first questions people often ask about home plumbing is: where exactly does the water all come from? After all, plumbing systems rely on water movement into and out of the home, so this is a logical and important question. The simple answer is water comes from outside and then goes into the home, but there's more to it than that.

Water comes specifically from a mainline, after which it reaches the home through a supply line. Typically, the supply line is responsible for this transportation of water and is located very far underground. Once the water from the supply line enters the home, it can go one of two ways: through the hot service line or the cold service line.

Water ultimately reaches the appliances and fixtures through these two service lines with which most homeowners and their families interact. Later on, water exits the home through the drain system.

Plumbing Fixtures and Appliances

Concerning the plumbing fixtures and appliances, there are dozens of different ones throughout many home systems. However, there are a handful of common ones that one can often find in most homes. Some of the most common plumbing fixtures include toilets, bathtubs, showers, and sinks. Some of the most common plumbing appliances include water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers.

These appliances and fixtures receive water that has traveled into the home through the hot and cold services lines. So although families may assume these fixtures and appliances are the main components of the plumbing system, it is a much more complex system than that.

Drain Cleaning Is Important!drain

An important thing to know when it comes to home plumbing systems is the importance of drain cleaning. Given that water travels out of the home through the drain system, properly functioning drains are of utmost importance. When there are backups in the drain system, these can lead to nasty clogs. Consistent drain cleaning ensures that water and waste move through properly and efficiently.

How exactly can homeowners clean their drains? Many DIY techniques will help, like mixing baking soda with vinegar or salt. If, however, there are serious backups in the drain system, these may require professional plumbers' help. These experts can employ techniques like hydro jetting or snaking to remove the backup safely.

About Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service of Evansville, IN has been providing trusted plumbing solutions since 1920. As a family-owned and operated company, they believe in no surprises, no messes, no hassle, and no further problems for every one of their customers. Give them a call for plumbing help today!

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Surprise Mom with New Plumbing Fixtures This Mother's Day!

The Best Kitchen and Bath Upgrades for Mom

Flower, check. Chocolates, check. Plumbing upgrades…? Planning Mother’s Day comes with plenty of traditional gift ideas. Cards, candy, flowers are the gifts mom expects on her big day. But surprises are welcome, and what better to surprise mom with than a new kitchen sink or spa-like bathtub? Think outside the box this Mother’s Day and consider some of these great upgrades to wow mom at home! 

Wonderful Bathroom Fixture Gifts  

bathroomPeople spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Between brushing teeth, bathing, and getting ready for the day, mom probably spends a good hour or more in the bathroom a day. Why not make every moment in there more relaxing with a new sink or tub?
  • Faucet Upgrades: Handwashing, teeth brushing, hair styling... The sink gets used a ton in the bathroom. Choosing to install a new faucet can breathe new life into the bathroom and make mom’s daily rituals a little easier! Homeowners should consider installing automatic faucets that require no touch - this makes cleaning easier and prevents gross bacteria from building up on the faucet handles. Or, they can consider adding a high-efficiency faucet in a unique design to reduce water waste and save money on water bills, all while creating a new look for the bathroom. 
  • Sink Upgrades: Have a lower budget but want to create a spa-like space for mom at home? Add a new sink basin! Basins come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from pedestal sinks that provide more room to cramped bathrooms to stone or glass basins that create the look of a classy hotel or spa without a simple switch. 
  • Tub Upgrades: If treating mom is the priority this year, homeowners should consider installing a new tub. There is nothing more relaxing than a long soak in bubbles or Epsom salt in a deep bathtub. Go big with a jetted tub, or go classic with a claw-footed porcelain tub. 

 

Fantastic Kitchen Fixture Gifts kitchen

Who doesn’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Mom probably spends a good hour or two a day working or cleaning in the kitchen. If nothing else, these gifts will make her time in the kitchen easier and make the kitchen feel newer!

Faucet Upgrades: Automatic faucets are all the rage in kitchens right now. They make washing hands so much easier, without the need to touch the faucet handles with bacteria-covered hands. Plus, automatic faucets can reduce water usage in the home! 

If automatic isn’t up mom’s alley, one should consider installing a faucet with a built-in hose or a stainless steel upgrade that prevents water spotting and makes clean up easier. 

Sink Upgrades: Sinks are one of the best ways to express style in the kitchen. Does mom love farmhouse decor? Install a new farmhouse sink for her. Is she a fan of a chef-style kitchen? Homeowners can install a deep-basined, stainless steel sink to give the kitchen a high-classed professional vibe. 

Why Give Mom a Garbage Disposal for the Kitchen?

Those who want to get mom something more than cosmetic for the kitchen should consider installing a garbage disposal. While they aren’t as classic as chocolates or flowers, their uses make them the best kitchen gift to get mom. Why? They reduce the build-up of garbage and gross food in the sink, reduce odors in the home, and prevent plumbing problems for the kitchen with just a single installed gadget!

A plumbing expert can take the stress out of shopping and installing fixtures for mother’s day. They can install the new gifts quickly and make sure they work correctly, preventing any surprise plumbing headaches down the road.

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service has provided exceptional plumbing solutions at unbelievable prices to their Evansville, IN neighbors for 100 years. Trust the friendly experts at Bud’s Plumbing and Repair Service for expert plumbing services!

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Women in Plumbing: A Short History

The Women Who Helped Shape the Plumbing Industry

Plumbing has mainly been a man’s world, but that’s not to say that women haven’t played a role in the field. Many pioneering women have knocked down the door of the plumbing industry for their fellow ladies. Their inspiring stories have changed the world of plumbing, opening up more opportunities for the women of today to enter the trade.

The Pretty Plumber: Lillian Ann Baumbach

woman

The 1950s were a time for poodle skirts and sock hops for most women. Women stayed home with the kids while men brought home the bacon. But, Lillian Ann Baumbach crushed the status quo. 

Born and raised in a plumbing family, Baumbach was her father’s plumbing assistant at 12-years-old. In 1951, at the age of 21, Baumbach made history by becoming the first female to earn a master plumber’s license. Her license is not the only thing that made her famous, though.

When Baumbach earned her license, the news broke locally but soon spread like wildfire. Baumbach became famous, soon becoming adopted by a U.S. Army post in Korea, the cover girl of plumbing magazines, and a guest star on the TV and radio. Baumbach found herself titled “The Pretty Plumber,” a beloved pin-up girl for the troops and the recipient of hundreds of letters asking for her advice, her picture, and even her hand in marriage!

Baumbach went on to run her family’s plumbing company in Arlington, VA until her retirement in 1989. Her success led to promoting the possibility of trade work for women in an age where plumbing was largely a man’s field. 

The Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers

How did a bunch of plumber’s wives change America? By getting involved. The Ladies Auxiliary Committee for the National Association of Plumbers was originally founded as a social club for the wives of the men in the National Association of Master Plumbers. At the time, the wives of the NAMP members were the dispatchers, estimators, and supporters of their husbands’ business. Over time, the social club of the Ladies Auxiliary evolved to become a place for activism. 

ladies

Their foundation began making waves in history, supporting the Family and Medical Leave Act, pushing for better sanitation laws, and today serves their communities by raising money for scholarships. The women of the Ladies Auxiliary became politically and socially active and ultimately changed America for the better. 

Women in Today’s Plumbing Today

There’s a stark demand for plumbers in today’s world. The field faces a labor vacuum, and unsurprisingly, the World Plumbing Council and other major plumbing associations have looked to women as a resource to fill that gap. Women working in the trades have risen to 2.6 percent, with the number growing every year. 

To reach more women, programs like Tools and Tiaras work to introduce young women to the trades through summer camps, workshops, and local chapters. Trade schools now offer incentives to help women enter the trade field.

The world of plumbing has changed. Women are supported and appreciated members of the trade, and they are taking an active role in improving the world around them for future generations of young women.

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service 

Since 1920, Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service has been serving up quality plumbing solutions for Evansville, IN. Honesty is the pillar of the company, and every project, price, and technique is explained honestly by their friendly expert technicians. Contact them to schedule expert plumbing service today!

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Strange White House Plumbing Facts!

Commemorate Presidents' Day With These Fun White House Plumbing Facts!

The White House has been the home to every president except George Washington. The Pennsylvania Avenue mansion has stood since 1792 and has grown and adapted with the times. So it may come as a surprise that the White House did not receive its first flushing toilet until 1853, thanks to President Fillmore. Innovating the White House's plumbing has been a project two centuries in the making. 

Indoor Plumbing Reaches Pennsylvania Ave

Four presidents endured the White House's inhospitable arrangements before John Quincy Adams installed waterspouts for his gardening hobby in the White House during his 1825-1829 term. Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States, is credited with installing pipes to bring water into the White House in 1833, with bathing rooms soon to follow. 

Hot and cold water was not used in the White House until 1853 when Franklin Pierce replaced the kettle-fire heated baths with hot running water taps. President Fillmore later added to the bathrooms by having flushing toilets installed on both floors of the house.

Taft's Presidential Custom Bath

The White House has been home to many interesting pieces of furniture. From the Resolute Desk to the Lincoln Bed, the White House's furniture is as historical as the building itself. Perhaps the most famous, however, is President William Taft's bathtub. 

white house

Taft once pushed the scale to 350 pounds. He is the largest president ever to sit in the Oval Office. The rumor goes that the substantial president once got stuck in the White House bathtub. Of course, the rumors started after his presidency ended and were never corroborated. Still, one piece of evidence remains to this day: President Taft installed the world's largest single-person bath ever into the White House.

Similar enormous tubs were also installed in Taft's home, any notable residencies he visited frequently, and a battleship he took on a tour of the Panama Canal. The seven-foot, one ton mammoth of porcelain has never been contested for the title of the largest single-person bath and fuels the rumor of Taft's bathtime faux pas even to this day. 

The Nixon "Plumbers" of Watergate

plumber

Being the scene of historical events often means being the scene of scandals, too. The White House has played host to plenty of scandals in its time, the most notable of which is probably The Watergate Scandal of President Nixon's second term. 

President Nixon employed a Special Investigations Unit to handle any information leaks and find any useful information for President Nixon. The unit eventually came to be known as "The Plumbers" after one member explained to his grandmother that he stopped leaks at the White House. Naturally, she assumed he was a plumber. 

The name stuck, but Nixon's plumbers weren't able to protect him from impeachment. The Watergate Scandal was chock full of illegal wiretapping, political subterfuge, and other decidedly unpresidential actions helmed by Nixon and "The Plumbers" and resulted in Nixon resigning from office.

With over two hundred years under its belt, it should come as no surprise that the White House's plumbing history is as interesting as broader American history itself!

About Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service

There's a reason Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service is a family name in the Tri-State Area - they're reliable, affordable, and experts in the field. Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service handles it all, from pipe repairs to toilet installs. Contact them to schedule plumbing repair in Evansville, IN today! 

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A Sneaky Peek Into The Wonder-World of a Plumbing Professional

Why Plumbers Are Vital People to the Modern World

The current world people live in is only getting more hi-tech with each passing day. Everyone is welcoming things like smart fridges, washing machines, tankless water heaters, and smart toilets into everyone's lives, all of which make daily tasks even more convenient. All of these smart appliances have direct water access as well, which requires a clean water supply.

This would not be possible without your plumbing system and plumbing contractors. Many people still aren’t aware of the direct role that plumbers have on everyone's lives. The plumbing industry certainly doesn’t get enough credit for all they do for the hi-tech world that has been created. Continue reading for a deeper look into the history of the plumbing industry.

Waste Disposal Maintenance: The Heart of the Kitchen

Keeping up on the maintenance of your waste disposal is vital. That is if you don’t want to be replacing it every few years. Maintaining your waste disposal is quite easy too. There are certain foods you shouldn’t ever put into your waste disposal including:

  • waste disposalPotato peels
  • Banana peels
  • Eggshells
  • Coffee grounds

This is because these items tend to form clogs within the waste disposal system. You can also pour a combination of baking soda and vinegar down the drain every few months to eliminate any odors. This also works with lemon and orange peels because of the acidity.

The sewer system, like a septic tank, is gravity-powered. The pipes flow to a sewer main and continue down the pipeline system until the waste reaches a wastewater treatment plant. Without this system, the convenience of bathrooms and waste disposal would be gone.

Proper Water-Run Appliance Maintenance

Imagine living in a world without water-run appliances being in every home. Say goodbye to toilets, sinks, showers, washing machines and modern refrigerators as you know it. Not too long ago, life was actually like this. Without these appliances and the professionals to fix them, the human race would be stuck in the stone ages. Taking care of proper maintenance on your home appliances will extend the lives of your appliances and make the job easier on the plumber you decide to higher when a problem occurs.

appliance maintenance

A lot of the maintenance is simple, mainly consisting of making sure the appliances are regularly cleaned and not forced to work over their means. For example, stuffing too many clothes into the washing machine or flushing things other than small amounts of toilet paper are both things you want to avoid.

The Game Changer: The Pipe System

pipe systemWhat many people don’t know is that ancient plumbing systems date back to 4,000 B.C. This development is what paved the way for modern pipe systems the world has come to know and love today. For, without these systems, none of the home water-run appliances would work.

The pipe system today carries the water from a treatment plant or a well and directly into your home. Many people just turn on their faucets and showers without thinking of the journey that water takes to make it to your home.

Not only this, but the entire underground pipe system in place to make this journey possible. The world is completely dependent on this system working properly and plumbers are a major part of that.

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service is The Best Plumbing

The Evansville plumbing company that has been voted the best in the tri-state area for the last three years is here to answer all of your plumbing needs. Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service provides excellent customer care with fast turnarounds. They offer 24-hour emergency service as well as top-notch plumbing solutions.

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