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6 Plumbing Tips To Add To Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

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6 Plumbing Tips To Add To Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring cleaning is in full effect! While you are cleaning out cabinets, organizing closets, scrubbing the floors, and more, make sure to add “plumbing” to the list! Things like plumbing are what keep your home in working order, after all. Here are the top 6 plumbing tips to add to your spring cleaning checklist.

1. Check Your Pipes

Now is a great time to check your pipes to make sure there aren’t any visible leaks anywhere. If you spot something out of the ordinary, don’t wait to have it checked out. Leaks that go unaddressed for too long can lead to high water bills, water damage, and more issues. Unfortunately, not all leaks are that obvious so it’s important to also know the signs of potential water leaks. Some things to watch out for include:

  • Higher than usual water bills
  • Damaged ceilings and flooring
  • Mold and mildew
  • Strange noises in plumbing
  • Unexplained wet or damp spots
  • Poor water pressure

2. Have Your Drains Cleaned

Ditch the store-bought drain cleaner and consider having your drains professionally cleaned instead. A lot of times, homeowners decide to clean their drains when they notice clogs. However, even if you don’t notice clogs, having your drains maintained is still a good idea. Maintenance can help prevent these problems from happening in the first place.

3. Clean Your Garbage Disposal

This spring, show your garbage disposal a little TLC! Over time, food scraps and grime can coat your garbage disposal and lead to problems or foul odors. Cleaning your garbage disposal is a great way to ensure it keeps working for you – and doesn’t stink up your kitchen!

4. Inspect Your Toilet

If you’re in total “spring cleaning mode”, then you’re probably planning to tackle your bathroom: scrubbing the shower, cleaning the sink, and more. While you’re at it, make sure to check your toilet for any signs of leaks. Sometimes, leaks aren’t always obvious. Even if there’s not a pool of water at the base, it doesn’t always mean there’s not still a problem. We recommend trying the food coloring trick. Drop some food coloring into the toilet and if it runs clear after 30 minutes, it means you have a leak.

5. Clean Your Gutters

Did you know your gutters are directly related to your plumbing? Your gutters do a lot to keep your home safe from water damage. Fallen leaves and heavy ran can result in clogged gutters, downspouts, and main lines. Make sure you’re keeping them clean to prevent plumbing problems in your home.

6. Check Your Water Heater

Your water heater should be set at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit if you want energy efficiency. Not only that, but this will also prevent scalding – which can be painful and dangerous! Check your water heater temperature this spring to make sure everything checks out and is working how it should be.

Contact MA Williams For All Your Professional Plumbing Needs in Richmond, VA and Surrounding Areas Today!

Contact the pros at MA Williams today for all your professional plumbing needs. Our background-checked and drug-tested technicians want to build relationships with all of our customers. That’s why we provide personalized service that is designed to solve all your specific and unique plumbing problems. If you need a repair, maintenance, installation or replacement, look no further than MA Williams today! Call us at 804-684-8300 or fill out our online form here.

Benefits Of Professional Drain Cleaning For Your Home

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There’s nothing like a clogged drain to ruin a perfectly good day. Your first thought may be to run to the store to pick up some drain cleaner. However, consider avoiding chemical drain cleaners. This can actually cause more harm than good. Instead, it’s a much better idea to look into receiving a professional drain cleaning. Here are some of the top benefits of professional drain cleaning for your home. 

1. Eliminates Bad Odors

Are there foul odors coming from your drains that don’t seem to go away, no matter how many times you clean it? This is usually an indication that you have waste buildup inside your plumbing. The best way to go about eliminating these bad odors once and for all is to have your drains professionally cleaned.

2. Reduces Blockages and Clogs

If you’re dealing with slow drains, then chances are you have a blockage or a clog. Over time, debris, waste, and mineral deposits build up along your pipes walls and cause water flow to decrease. Using a plunger or drain cleaner are only temporary solutions to a much bigger problem. When you invest in professional drain cleaning, you can really reduce those stubborn blockages and clogs once and for all.

3. Increases Lifespan of Your Pipes

A homeowner’s first instinct when they first notice a clog is usually this: go to the store and buy drain cleaner. However, this is a huge mistake. Not only are these chemicals toxic for your health, but they are also toxic for the health of your plumbing system. They can really wreak havoc on your pipes and cause more damage to them. By investing in professional drain cleaning, you’re able to promote pipe longevity.

4. Saves You Money

Professional drain cleaning saves you money in the long run. If you have a poorly maintained plumbing system that experiences frequent clogs and blockages, then you could be dealing with corroded and damaged pipes. This could cause water leaks, which ultimately will lead to skyrocketing water bills. A lot of homeowners schedule annual maintenance for this reason. When you schedule annual service, your plumber can spot other problems with your plumbing system before they turn major, and this could end up saving you more money.

5. Helps You Avoid Flooding

When pipe systems accumulate buildup, debris and waste, the risk for overflow and flooding increases. This can not only be a major inconvenience, but it can also be damaging – especially if the flood or overflow is significant. Not to mention, the water damage as a result can lead to costly repairs and even damage to expensive valuables. Cleaning your pipes regularly will reduce your home’s risk for major flooding problems down the road.

Contact MA Williams For All Your Professional Drain Cleaning Needs in Richmond, VA and Surrounding Areas Today!

Contact the pros at MA Williams today for all your professional drain cleaning needs. Our background-checked and drug-tested technicians want to build relationships with all of our customers. That’s why we provide personalized service that is designed to solve all your specific and unique plumbing problems. If you need a repair, maintenance, installation or replacement, look no further than MA Williams today! Call us at 804-684-8300 or fill out our online form here.

How to Prevent Mold and Mildew in Your Bathroom

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how to prevent mold in your bathroom

Mold is a fungus that can easily grow in your home, especially in a damp or humid area. One of the most common places it can grow is in your bathroom because of how much moisture collects there. Once mold anchors down, it can cause significant damage and will require professional remediation and removal. However, there are several ways you can prevent it from growing and spreading in the first place. If you want to learn how you can prevent mold in your bathroom, here is quick and helpful guide by the pros at MA Williams.

1. Use Your Exhaust Fan

Exhaust fans are meant to ventilate your home, especially areas where there is moisture buildup. Whenever you’re done using your bathroom, make sure you turn on the exhaust fan for a few minutes to remove any humidity in there. This will ensure the air in the bathroom is clear and as moisture-free as possible!

2. Use a Squeegee

A squeegee is essentially a tool with a rubber-ended blade that is used to efficiently wipe away moisture on smooth surfaces like walls and mirrors. Once you’re done showering, take a minute to wipe down the shower walls with a squeegee. It doesn’t take long and can prevent moisture from collecting in the grout between the tiles, which in turn prevents mold growth. Do the same to prevent moisture buildup around your sink and on your mirror.

3. Check Your Bathroom for Leaks

Leaks can cause mold build up as well. Be sure to inspect your toilet, faucet and showerhead for any leaks because these are the most common culprits for bathroom leaks. Toilet leaks are generally caused by a worn-out seal or flapper inside the tank. You can easily replace it by following this guide and by getting a new flapper from your nearest home improvement store. If you are dealing with a leaky showerhead, tighten the showerhead to the stem and use Teflon tape for extra security. Lastly, if you have a leaky faucet, replace the gaskets, as worn out gaskets are usually responsible for faucet leaks.

4. Wash Rugs Regularly

Be sure to wash your rugs regularly—preferably once a week. Mold and mildew can find its way onto your bath rugs and towels if they are left damp often.

5. Keep Shower Items Away from The Shower

When your loofahs, brushes, and sponges are not being used in the shower, keep them in a separate container. If they are left in the shower area, moisture and mold can easily build up on them. Keep them clean and dry to prevent mold!

Want more tips on how you can keep your bathroom functioning properly and in good condition? The pros at MA Williams are here to help! With a variety of high-quality plumbing services, our team of experts will be more than happy to assist you. Call us today at 804-250-5625 or schedule a service online!