Thinking about skipping a professional opinion and trying to fix your plumbing on your own? The team here at Best Plumbing wants to help you avoid further damage and more expensive bills. Here’s what could go wrong in a DIY project:

Your Work May Not Be Up to Code

Whether you’re doing a repair or installing a new plumbing fixture, you may need to get a permit from the city. The penalty for not doing so could be big fines and having to pay to redo the entire job under a permit.

Sure, you might be able to get away with not getting a permit for small jobs that are inside your home, but this won’t help you when it’s time to sell. A home inspection will reveal work that wasn’t permitted or isn’t up to building codes, and you won’t be able to sell your home until you fix it. Don’t get stuck with extra bills in the long run and trust a professional from the get-go instead.

Not Realizing the Full Extent of a Problem

Some problems might have multiple causes. For example, a drop in water pressure could be a sign of multiple leaks. If you fix one leak and your water pressure goes up and your water bill goes down, you might not realize that you still have another leak causing you problems. Part of a plumber’s job is making sure to find any hidden problems and understanding that the problem getting better may not mean that it was fixed all the way.

Unfinished Business

Many homeowners don’t know how to put the finishing touches on a DIY job. For example, you may not tighten a pipe properly if you don’t have the right tools, or you might install a rubber gasket incorrectly. The job may look well done, and you may not see obvious leaks, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have problems. Even a small drip could lead to mold, water damage, or bigger water bills. This is an especially serious concern when you won’t be able to observe your work over time such as trying to fix pipes behind your washing machine or inside of a wall.

Invest in a Professional Team

Instead of a DIY job that will only end up costing you more money, get professional help! The expert team here at Best Plumbing serves the greater King County area and would be happy to take a look at anything you’re dealing with. Contact us today!

Your water heater is an appliance that can last for decades, yet daily usage will take its toll and your water heater will eventually need to be replaced. Here are four indicators to watch out for so that you have plenty of time to repair or update your system before a malfunction leaves you in the cold.

Age

If your water heater is more than 10 years old then you should consider getting it professionally inspected to determine whether or not it needs to be replaced. If you’re not sure of its age, look for the manufacturer’s label on the upper part of the water heater. This label will feature the serial number for the unit and a date code for when it was made. To read the date code, look at the first letter and the first two digits. The letter “A” represents the first month of the year (i.e. January), the letter “B” represents February, and so forth. The next two digits represent the year. If the beginning of the date code says D07, it means that the water heater was made in April 2007. You can also use the manufacturer’s website to help you determine the date of your water heater.

Less Hot Water

A sure sign that your water heater is wearing out is when it starts producing less hot water. This issue could be caused by several factors. Over time, sediment can build up in the tank, reducing the volume of hot water available for your home. Another common problem is that the heating element starts to fail and is unable to heat the water to the desired temperature.

Leakage & Rust

Leakage and rust are two common signs that it’s time to get an inspection or go shopping for a new water heater. Water pooling on the floor around the heater indicates that the inner tank sealing has failed. If you turn on the hot water and it looks brownish-red, this is the sign of rust in the tank.

High Energy Costs

Older water heaters are less efficient and upgrading to a newer model, such as a tankless water heater, can really help cut energy costs. It can also help reduce water waste, as you’ll no longer have to keep the tap running constantly, waiting for the hot water to arrive.

Best Plumbing is available to help homeowners with all of their plumbing needs. Call or contact us today if you think your water heater needs an inspection or that you might benefit from a system upgrade. Our expert plumbers will come out and help you determine the best solution for your needs and budget.

Updating the plumbing in your kitchen can be a fun way to refresh the room, reduce costs, and improve the usability of your space. Join Best Plumbing as we take you through three of the best plumbing updates for your kitchen.

New Faucets

Installing new plumbing fixtures is a great way to update your kitchen. Beyond visually jazzing up your space, modern faucets can also utilize technology to make your kitchen routine easier or potentially save you money. For example, low flow and motion sensor faucets can do both. In addition to being good for the environment, these types of water-conserving faucets can help you save money, too! With less water flowing out of the spout and less heat being used to generate warm water, you’ll save money on your water and energy bills! To discover the perfect fixtures for your home, come visit the Best Plumbing showroom. Feel free to schedule an appointment or just drop by!

Water Filtration

Having a water filtration system installed under your kitchen sink will not only raise the value of your home, but it will also make your life easier. Refillable pitchers with water filters, and even refrigerators with replaceable filters, can be a pain to use. Between having to refill the pitcher every time you want drinkable water, or remembering to order a new filter for the fridge before it fails, these alternative systems can be an unnecessary irritant in your life. With the installation of a water filtration system, you will have access to clean drinking water from your sink 24/7.

Modern Garbage Disposals

The garbage disposals of today have come a long way from the loud, gurgling monstrosities of yesteryear. When having a new garbage disposal installed, look for one that is stainless steel. Not only will these sharp blades work better as a disposal, but they will also be quieter and get the job done a lot faster than many other types of metal. A quieter garbage disposal is a great way to upgrade your kitchen, make dish washing more enjoyable, and efficiently eliminate food and odors from your sink.

If you are ready to start updating your kitchen, then give Best Plumbing a call. While you’re at it, be sure to ask about getting your pipes checked. There’s no point in updating a kitchen if the foundation is broken!

We are proud to serve the greater Puget Sound area, providing homeowners with all of their plumbing needs. We look forward to hearing from you!