Tips to Prevent Clogged Drains

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

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In most households, water isn't the only thing going down the drain.  Grease, food particles, hair, soap scum, jewelry and small toys are some of the most common drain clogging culprits.  However, with good habits and basic maintenance you can prevent clogged drains and keep your kitchen and bathroom sinks running smoothly.

Here are a few tips to help prevent clogged drains:

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• Be Conscious – Don’t let food scraps and grease go down the drain.  Place food and coffee grounds in the trash and put cooled grease cool in a container to throw away.
• Sink Strainers – Keep your sink strainers in place and remember to clean them frequently.
• Garbage Disposal Maintenance – Keep your garbage disposal clean by running cold water while you’re grinding up food scraps.
• Paper Products – Don’t flush paper towels or other heavy paper products down the toilet.
• Dissolve Particles – Pour hot water down the drains once a week to help dissolve particles before they clog the pipe.

Pipe Wrench Plumbing offers 24 hour emergency repair!  If your drains are clogged, we offer $99 drain cleaning services that remove years of built-up debris and keep your drains flowing smoothly.  Visit our website or call 865-583-3957 for more information on our drain cleaning services.

Essential Tips for Homeowners

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

865-583-3957
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Are you a new homeowner?  Whether you are making the move from renting to buying or you are an experienced homeowner moving to a new location, there are a few things that everyone needs to remember when purchasing a new home.

Essential Tips for Homeowners:

• How to Turn On/Off Utilities – As you do a walk-through with your home inspector, don’t forget to ask about where you can find the water, electric, and gas lines.  Knowing where these essential utilities are can help save you from burst pipes.
• Invest in Essential Tools – Every homeowner should have a tape measure, level, screwdriver set, hammer, wrench set, pliers, and other tools on hand.  These tools are important to have in the event of an emergency.  You can also have Pipe Wrench Plumbing’s number on hand for 24/7 emergency repair.
• Prevent Water Damage – Check your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room for leaks regularly.  Leaks can cause a lot of water damage if they are not caught early on.  Homeowners should also make sure that their gutters are free from debris so that that water can lead away from your home. 
• Feel Prepared – Although we would love everything to be perfect all the time, leaks and appliance malfunctions happen.  Knowing that maintenance, repairs, and upgrades are eventually going to happen can help you cope when things do go wrong.

If you have any questions about how to repair and maintain your home or you are looking to install an appliance in your newly designed kitchen or bathroom, call 865-583-3957.  Pipe Wrench Plumbing offers same day service and 24/7 emergency plumbing.

Designing a Water-Smart Landscape

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

865-583-3957
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It’s finally time to start thinking about what you are going to be planting this spring.  As you decide on your lawn and garden design, consider creating a water-smart landscape.  Efficient water use can help make your landscape beautiful and easy to maintain.

5 tips to make your landscape water-smart:

• Native Plants – Decorate your landscape with plants that are native to where you live.  Native plants require little water beyond rainfall.   Try plants Flowering Dogwood, Elderberry, or Virginia Bluebells.
• Hydrozones – Group plants together based on their watering needs.  This will prevent plants from being over or under watered when you put your watering system in place.
• Consider Conditions – Different areas of your yard might vary in terms of soil type or sun and wind exposure.  Pick plants that thrive in the conditions available where they are planted.
• Turfgrass – Your lawn requires more water than most of your plants, shrubs, and trees.  Don’t overwater.  Instead, only plant grass where it has a practical function, like around a play area.
• Minimize Slopes – When redesigning your landscape, try to even out the area.  This will reduce the potential for erosion and runoff.  If you can’t avoid steep slopes, install plants with deep roots that can provides stabilization.

To read more about how you can rework your landscape to be more water efficient, visit the EPA website.  We also invite you to call 865-583-3957 to contact Pipe Wrench Plumbing for all of your outdoor plumbing needs this spring.

World Water Day 2014

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

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This Saturday, March 22^nd, is World Water Day!  This international awareness day focuses on the importance of managing our freshwater resources.  Each year, World Water Day highlights a different aspect of freshwater.  In 2014, the UN is focusing on “Water and Energy.”

Here are a few of the key messages the UN is stressing for World Water Day:

• Water and Energy – They are closely related.  Water is needed to produce energy and energy is required to produce water.  Think about how your shower or faucet gets cold or hot water!
• Supply and Demand – The demand for water and energy is increasing.  More and more regions are in need of clean water and adequate sanitation.  Worldwide, 768 million people lack access to improved water sources and 2.5 billion people have no improved sanitation.
• Efficient Policies – National policies can create more efficient and cost-effective water and energy services.  By understanding the relationship between these two sectors, you can improve coordination and planning.

The UN aims to bring attention to people in impoverished areas that lack safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and sufficient food and energy services.  Learn more about World Water Day 2014 on the UN’s official website. 

Remember that you can make an impact in your own home by fixing leaks and making your plumbing, heating, and cooling more efficient!  Call 865-583-3957 to contact our office for same day service, repair, and installation!

National Fix a Leak Week

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

865-583-3957
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It’s National Fix a Leak Week!  Every year, WaterSense, an EPA partnership program, encourages people throughout the United States to check their household fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.  This March we want to pass on their message and remind all of you to check your homes for plumbing leaks.

Common Leaks Include:

• Dripping Faucets
• Worn Toilet Flappers
• Showerheads
• Leaking Valves
• Fixtures That Need Replacing
• Garden Hoses
• Damaged Irrigation Systems

The average household leaks more than 10,000 gallons every year.  That’s 270 loads of laundry!  Take some time this week to fix any leaks you may have in your home.  This simple maintenance task can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills!  Learn more about Fix a Leak Week and what you can do to make your home more water and cost-efficient.  Call 865-583-3957 to contact Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling where our experienced Knoxville plumbers are happy to help you fix your leaks and save on your utility bill.

What to Consider When Buying a New Dishwasher

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

865-583-3957
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Looking to purchase a new dishwasher?  It can be difficult to decide which model is best for the needs of your household.  While our experienced plumbing technicians can make the installation process simple, we want to offer a few tips on what you should pay attention to when purchasing your new appliance too.

Here are a few things to consider when buying a new dishwasher:

• Cost – Keep your budget in mind.  You don’t want to waste time looking at models that are out of your price range.
• New Technologies – Advancements in dishwashers have allowed for significant improvements in energy and water efficiency.  Choosing a model with an Energy Star rating can save you money on your monthly utility bills.
• Style – There are lots of different types of dishwashers that you can choose from.  Pick a style that works for your kitchen.  Decide whether you want a standalone dishwasher or one that is built into your furniture.
• Capacity – What are you going to be using your dishwasher for the most?  Consider the types of washing options available.  Many dishwashers offer normal, delicate, pots & pans, quick wash and eco wash settings. 
• Noise –Built in dishwashers will make less noise than portable or freestanding options.  Check the ratings.  Some dishwashers are virtually silent with a rating of 38 decibels.  As a point of reference, a conversation between two people would have a rating of 60 decibels.

Pipe Wrench Plumbing specializes in appliance installation and hook up.  Our experienced Knoxville plumbing technicians are highly skilled and knowledgeable in installing your new dishwasher.  Call 865-558-5653 to contact our office or complete our online request form.  Let our professional plumbers handle it and get it done right the first time.

Happy World Plumbing Day!

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

865-583-3957
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Today is World Plumbing Day!  Take a little extra time today to be grateful when you turn on your tap.  How will you be showing your appreciation?

Millions of people throughout the world don’t have the same access to clean water and sanitation as we do.  This results in serious health consequences.  1.1 billion people in developing countries do not have access to clean water and 2.6 billion don’t have access to improved sanitation.  Plumbing is vital to global health.

Here are a few simple ways you can save water today and every day:

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean off your driveway, patio or deck.
• Use a bucket and mug to clean your car instead of a hose.
• Turn off the shower while lathering.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
• Reduce faucet flow when washing dishes.
• Install dual flushing cisterns in your bathroom.
• Use drip irrigation when watering your garden.
• Install low flow shower heads.
• Call Pipe Wrench Plumbing to repair leaky faucets and pipes!

Remember, World Plumbing Day is today and every day! Contact our office by calling 865-583-3957.  We are available 24/7 to help you repair your plumbing and install water-efficient appliances.

Save On Your Next Utility Bill With An Energy Efficient Fridge

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

865-583-3957
Same Day Service Guaranteed! 

Refrigerators are one of the biggest energy using appliances in your home.  That is why it is so important to make sure that your fridge is in good condition.  Older appliances in need of repairs can be a big energy drain.  Save money on your next utility bill by making your refrigerator more energy efficient!

Here are a 5 simple ways to improve your refrigerator’s energy efficiency:

• Maintain Proper Temperature – The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that refrigerators are set at 37-40 degrees and that freezers are set at 5 degrees.  If you want to put away hot leftovers, wait until they cool to room temperature before placing them in the fridge.  This will keep the fridge at the recommended temperature and make the unit more efficient.
• Fill Up The Fridge – Keep your fridge full of food, but allow enough room for airflow circulation.  When there aren’t many refrigerated items, the appliance is less energy-efficient.
• Clean The Coils – Condenser coils should be cleaned at least twice a year.  Hair, dander and dust can clog the coils, causing the fridge to work harder to keep cool.
• Repair It – Older refrigerators may need repairs.  Check the seals by placing a dollar bill under the door.  If it doesn’t stay still, your seals need to be replaced.
• Replace It – After 10-12 years, you should consider replacing your fridge.  Newer models are more energy efficient.  An energy star fridge can save you up to $1,100 over its lifetime.

If you are concerned about the energy efficiency of your fridge, give us a call.  The professionals at Pipe Wrench Plumbing,Heating & Cooling are happy to help customers install, repair or replace their kitchen appliances.  Call 865-583-3957 for more information on how our highly skilled technicians can help you.

Six Simple Ways to Conserve Water Use In Your Home

Pipe Wrench Plumbing

865-583-3957
Same Day Service Guaranteed! 

How much water do you use every day?  Showers, toilets, sinks, washing machines, dishwashers and hot water heaters all use water.  Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to conserve water in your home.  With a few changes to your routine, you can benefit both the environment and your wallet.

Check out these 6 simple ways to start saving water today:

• Water-Efficient Appliances – There are hundreds of appliances that are designed to use less water.  Try installing low flow toilet or shower head.
• Watering Plants – Be resourceful.  Use left over water from boiling pasta and rinsing vegetables to water your plants.  Drop ice on the floor?  Use the ice to water your plants.
• Store Water in the Fridge – Keep cold drinking water in the fridge.  This will prevent you from running the faucet until the water becomes cold the next time you are thirsty.
• Avoid Rinsing – Don’t rinse dishes in the sink before you use the dishwasher.  Modern dishwashers are efficient at cleaning off food without using as much water as you would by hand. 
• Laundry – Always wait until you have a full load of laundry before you use the washing machine. 
• Shorter Showers – Although shower heads vary, a five minute shower uses about as much water as one bath.  Be mindful about how much time you spend in the shower.

You can read more about how to conserve water use here.  We also invite you to call Pipewrench Plumbing at 865-583-3957 if you are looking to install any water-efficient appliances or if you have any questions about your plumbing needs.