There can be times when people are too busy to fix small household issues such as leaking faucets. You put it off for days on end and before you know it, the problem has been there for quite a long time already. Not checking on the relatively small stuff can lead to bigger problems later on.

A good example of how leaks can give you a headache is when it leads to your water bill reaching all-time highs. Let’s check out some of these problems that a simple, oft-neglected leak could cause, shall we?

Ballooning water bills
A small leak here can seem pretty trivial, but those lost droplets of water add up over time. Unless you check the leak (or even get a sense that there is one), you won’t know just how much water you’re losing continually.

As an estimate, the USGS puts each drip off a leaky faucet at a fourth of a milliliter. Suppose one faucet drips once every minute, that adds up to 1,440 drips per day, and if you forego fixing the leak for a month, that adds up to 2.83 gallons wasted! Over a year, that figure goes up to 34 gallons. Just imagine if the dripping is more frequent, or if your home has multiple leaky faucets!

That’s a lot of water, and can easily get your water bill going way up. Nobody wants to pay for stuff they don’t use, and that water certainly is better conserved rather than just going straight to your sink or drainage system.

Complications caused by leaky faucets
Sometimes leaks can occur in places that are not in plain sight, or in parts of your home you can’t easily access to get that fix done. In such cases, the leak could lead to more troublesome damage to the surrounding parts later on. Mold can also develop in damp places, and if there are leaks and drips, you can be sure the surrounding section of your home will be quite damp indeed.

These incidents are going to cost you time, effort, and money to get fixed, so the best thing to do is to find that leak and make sure it won’t trouble you anymore. Fixing the leak is usually a fairly simple task to do, even with only basic knowledge and tools to work with. Sometimes, all it takes is to replace a worn-out part in the structure within the faucet assembly and the leak is gone. For more complicated issues, you can always call an experienced handyman in your area to get things done.

Do you already notice that your faucet is still dripping minutes after you’ve shut it off? Do you suspect that the assebly is leaking anywhere? If you don’t want your water bill to balloon to unprecedented heights, and ensure that your home is always in tip-top shape, make sure you fix any leaky faucets at the soonest possible chance.

This way, you’ll be able to save your hard-earned cash because you’re not paying for water that’s only getting thrown away—thanks to that nasty leaky faucet.

6615 Reisterstown Rd, Suite L, Baltimore, MD 21215 – Atlantic Mechanical is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2017. This is the 2nd year in a row that Atlantic Mechanical has earned this coveted award from Angie’s list.

“The service providers that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award demonstrate the level of excellence that members have come to expect,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros are top-notch and absolutely deserve recognition for the trustworthy and exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year and overall.”

In order to meet Angie’s List Super Service Award for 2017, Atlantic Mechnical were required to have met strict eligibility requirements, one of which is maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. All winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check, record a current trade license attestation and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Atlantic Mechanical

Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

You never want to deal with plumbing problems, but you will have to eventually—especially if you live in an aging home. If you’re interested in fixing these kinds of issues on your own, it might help to know which common problems you can expect. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the most common plumbing problems for you to check out.

Pipe leaks
Leaking pipes are part and parcel of DIY plumbing. It’s one of the most basic issues you can encounter, and can be a common occurrence no matter the time of year. Water damage brought by leaks can cause considerable damage to your property, so it’s important to spot and solve these issues at the soonest possible opportunity.

Dripping faucets
Perhaps your faucets don’t completely shut off when you turn the knob, and you dismiss the few drops as something minor and move on with your life. Breaking news: those drops add up! Make sure you remedy the problem and eliminate the drips. This will ensure that you don’t end up paying more for your water bill than what you actually consume.

Clogged drains
Keeping drains flowing smoothly also makes your life flow smoothly. It can be jarring to do the dishes or brush your teeth, only to find that the kitchen or bathroom sink doesn’t drain. Imagine if it’s the bathtub drain that refuses to flush the water out! Not only is this a hassle, but standing water also adds a measure of risk to your health and well-being.

You can always try and use DIY decloggers, as long as you’re sure it won’t damage your drains. For best results, seek the aid of professional plumbers to make sure the problem is taken care of properly.

Low water pressure
Check if your water pipes have a filter that needs to be replaced. Clear the lines of sediment buildup or possible debris that could be impeding the water flow. If this doesn’t resolve the pressure issue, there might be a leaky or damaged pipe somewhere in the system—and this needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Maintenance
Or lack thereof. Not being able to inspect your pipes periodically is a surefire way to find more problems than you can deal with after some time has passed. Even if you use plumbing fixtures pretty much on a daily basis, it can be hard to notice issues unless you go for a closer and more thorough look. It’s better if you can check your plumbing once in a while so you know everything is in tip-top shape—or, in case they’re not, then you can deal with the problems immediately.

The most common plumbing problems are fairly easy to deal with; that is, unless you refuse to deal with them. Then they become impossible trials that only the most skilled plumbers can fix. Don’t let this happen to you! Make sure you inspect your plumbing periodically and get any problems fixed right away. You’ll have to deal with them eventually, and you know what they say—there’s no time like the present.

If you don’t have much experience doing DIY work around the house, things like plumbing can seem quite complex and the tasks can be daunting. However, many of the puzzling things about plumbing can be explained relatively easily—and sometimes you just need to look up simple solutions to seemingly complex plumbing problems.

Why are pipes curved?
The design of pipework underneath kitchen or bathroom sinks can be a mystery, but they are how they are for a reason. It’s all about physics. The curve in the pipes prevent fumes from the sewer from going up into your home.

As they come from the sewers and the mixture of substances and chemicals there, these fumes can be toxic and affect the health of people, so it’s necessary to have the U-shaped assembly so that there will be a water seal in the pipe. The water seal is created when water is trapped in the curve after the faucet has been turned off. This bit of the construction is also referred to as a ‘trap’.

An interesting byproduct of curved drain pipes is when you accidentally drop something important down the drain—like, say, a wedding or engagement ring—the design will give you a chance to still fish out the valuable object because it’s trapped in the curve instead of going straight down into the depths of who-knows-where.

What are plumbing vents?
Speaking of noxious fumes that can cause harmful effects to a home’s inhabitants, there’s also another part of the plumbing system that helps offset this ever-present threat: plumbing vents.

Vents in a plumbing system are necessary to prevent air from getting into a home. Even water seals in the pipework may not be sufficient if there’s such a large volume of air being pushed by a massive amount of water flow.

There are rules in the plumbing code that account for these vents, and how much need to be present in the system to accommodate all variables. It is important to make sure that the plumbing system in your home conforms to these requirements to ensure complete integrity and the safety of the people living in your residence.

What’s a pitch?
Simply put, the putch is the angle at which water flows easily, helped by our good old friend, gravity. This pitch, also called a slope, has to be calculated properly to make sure that wastewater flows out of your home completely and efficiently. The common guideline is to have a quarter-inch frop per foot of pipe, but more or less, it depends on the diameter of the pipe that’s going to be installed. Make sure you check the plumbing code for the proper minimum slope guidance.

Did the plumbing tidbits discussed above provide you with useful information? Hopefully, some of those items have made the science behind plumbing less of a mystery for some of you. If you think you’re still in way over your head, don’t think twice and look up the best plumbing service you can find in your area.

Your sewer line is the main thoroughfare for the wastewater and sewage from your home to the sewer system, through which the disposed material will be taken to disposal or sewage treatment facilities. If something goes wrong with the sewer line, you’re screwed. This can lead to all sorts of trouble, including some that can affect the health of the people living inside your home. That’s why it’s of utmost importance that you take care of that broken sewer line right away!

Finding the issue
It’s easy to neglect your home’s sewer main drain—especially since this part of the home isn’t visible to the naked eye. You may not even know of its existence until the time you need to fix it somehow. With that in mind, the first thing you need to do is to find the source of the problem.

What are the signs that point to a broken sewer line? You might first notice a foul smell emanating from somewhere around your home. If the line is backed up, sewer gases will go up your drains and could permeate through your home’s interior.

Another sign is when you notice your interior drains are clogging up frequently no matter how well you fix them. Because the main line is backed up, there’s still nowhere for disposed stuff to go.

If you have a yard, you might notice soggy spots near the area where your main drain is located. That’s another good indicator of a broken sewer line. Of course, lines are usually buried deep under the earth so it’s not always easy to detect these kinds of leaks.

The fix
What’s plaguing your sewer line could be something as simple as a clog that you can probably dislodge yourself using a tool, or it could be something entirely out of your DIYer hands and which will require professional help.

Sometimes, you’ll find that tree roots have caused breaks in the line after penetrating the material. Sometimes, the material itself gets damaged thanks to sheer age, and you’d need to have the line replaced.

Preventive measures
You can always take steps to help ensure that the main drain of your home’s sewer line doesn’t get clogged. One way to do this is to be careful with the stuff you stuff down the disposal. If you keep sending large chunks of food and other solid items along with considerable volumes of oil down the drain, this could cause bigger problems for you in the long run.

If you live in a relatively old home, you might want to have an inspection periodically so that you can ascertain that the sewage system is still in excellent condition.

If you encounter the telltale signs of a broken sewer line in your home, don’t wait for more issues to surface. Get a plumbing service to inspect your home at the soonest possible opportunity. If a replacement job is needed, don’t hesitate to go for it. You might have to consult with the city council before any work can be done, especially if the fix falls under the responsibility of the city.

The bathroom is arguably the most important room in your entire house. This is debateable, but there are quite a number of reasons why this is the truth. You tend to start—and also end—your days using them. Not only do you perform some of your most important functions in this room, it is also one of the most important aspects prospective buyers check out when you need to sell or rent out your property. That’s why you need to prioritize your bathroom and shower sink repairs and installs.

The bathroom sink
It’s inconvenient to say the least when you have a shower sink that’s busted or that can’t accommodate your particular needs and requirements. You might have an old sink that’s no longer working right, or can’t keep up with your usage. That’s no good—it needs to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Perhaps you simply want to upgrade to one that’s got a better design and added functionality to help your daily grooming routine. Or maybe you’d like to replace the one currently there with something that adds a better vibe and a roomier feel to your bathroom.

Regardless of the reason, a functional sink is a must for any bathroom. Anything that adds more functionality is more of a luxury, but if you can afford to do it, then go for it!

Sink repair
You will need to fix a clogged sink or drainpipe at the earliest chance you get. Otherwise, you’ll end up frustrated with the water that keeps building up, preventing you from doing the simplest of tasks such as brushing your teeth or washing your face.

Sometimes, declogging your sink is as easy as going to the hardware store and purchasing a product. These substances usually come in fluid or power form, and all you need to do is pour a certain amount down the drain and add some warm or hot water. Perhaps you’ll need to get a snake tool that will help you shake loose any debris or accumulated material that’s clogging the sink.

Fresh installs
If you’re after a complete install, however, you need to consider your options carefully. Don’t hesitate to hit your local home improvement store and check out what’s available. You can also browse online—more and more retailers are offering their products on the popular online shopping sites so there’s no shortage of choices.

Perhaps you’ve got some DIY experience, so you will be able to install your newly bought sink on your own. However, for inexperienced DIYers, you might want to call your trusted plumber to do the job for you instead. This is especially true if you’d like to install options that are beyond your typical bathroom sink, particularly those high-tech ones.

In an average person’s lifetime, it is estimated that one spends around one and a half years inside the bathroom. That’s a lot of time—so it’s best if you kept yours in good working condition at all times. Don’t let that broken or substandard sink make you think twice about using your bathroom or shower. Get cracking on that repair or installation job and restore the status of what’s probably the most important room in your home.

You rely on your toilet daily, but you probably don’t think much of it until something goes wrong. Replacing your toilet can improve your bathroom’s aesthetic appeal while conserving water. Whether you’ve discovered water damage on the bathroom floor or the toilet itself is damaged, there are many reasons to take on the task of replacing your home’s toilet:

Recurring Clogs:
A toilet that constantly clogs often indicates that it’s time for a new toilet. This problem is extremely common. Clogs from excess or inappropriately flushed items can result in overflows and disgusting plunging and mopping experiences. Most of the time, many of the older low flush toilets require more than one. Though older low flush toilet technology can contribute to this experience and make you wary, rest assured that toilet technology and water savings have improved tremendously in recent years. It’s not a pleasant experience to have to plunge the toilet on a regular basis. Make the wise decision to upgrade your toilet so you don’t waste your time plunging after every use.

Poor Water-Use Efficiency:
If you have an older toilet, just flushing it on regular basis may have a negative impact on your utility bill. If you don’t already have a low flush toilet, saving water may be reason enough to replace your toilet. You can actually save quite a bit on your water bill every year with a low flush toilet. A water saving toilet uses less than 2 gallons of water per flush which is considerably less than the old 3-gallon or even a 5-gallon flush toilets. Not only are you helping the environment by saving water, you are helping yourself save money.

A Porcelain Crack:
Cracks can occur either in the tank or the bowl, and often they’re hard to spot. Porcelain cracks can also be the source of an active leak. If the toilet appears to be working properly but there is water around the bottom of it, that could mean there are cracks in the bowl. These small cracks can turn into a flood of water at the worst possible time. Inspect your tank and bowl for any cracks occasionally when you clean the toilet. If you spot a crack, it’s always a good idea to replace the toilet before it breaks completely.

Our experienced plumbers have seen it all. We don’t cut corners when repairing a leak or installing a plumbing system. We have the skills and equipment to get the job done fast and at a price you can afford.

Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom means making sure you’ve got all the complementary pieces sorted out. From the biggest fixture to the tiniest detail, you should think about how everything falls into place, as well as the functions that they serve.

One thing you should not neglect is the type of faucet you will be getting. This may somehow seem like a trivial thing to consider, but installing the right kind of faucet for your particular needs is going to impact your remodeling project.

Types of faucets
Just a quick browse through your local hardware store and you’ll see a wide range of faucets that you can choose from. It can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you haven’t already made up your mind about the particular type that you intend to get.

The common types used within a household are ball, disc, cartridge, and compression. The last one is the typical basic washer faucet found in older homes, while the rest are washerless types.

You can also distinguish between faucet types by the number of handles or levers that they come with. You have your single handle types and also two handle options. With these, your decision will hinge on what your sink can accommodate as well as your preference.

Some faucets are designed to feature a pull-out sprayer, which does exactly what it says. You can pull out the head so that you get versatility when it comes to washing hard-to-reach or hard-to-clean items while retaining powerful streams from the faucet.

There are also faucets that cater to those who are very particular about having hot water available from the tap. These insta-hot faucets come with a number of designs that usually let you easily toggle between cold and hot water. Some of these are meant to go with particular faucets or water systems.

Picking out your faucet
Ultimately, your choice of faucet will boil down to a number of factors. If your remodel involves reusing the old sink fixtures, then you need to consider the openings and size so that you can be sure that the new faucet fits and can be installed properly. As for the other factors, they are mostly decided by your preferences and your budget. What’s important is that you get a properly functioning faucet that comes with features consistent with how you intend to use it.

If it fits your budget, see if you can get a faucet made from high-grade materials. This way, you will have fixtures that won’t have to be replaced or repaired soon after you’ve installed them. You’ll find a variety of products that feature corrosion and scratch resistance.

No kitchen or bathroom remodel will be complete without considering a new set of faucets. With many types available on the market, it can be hard to decide on just one or two options right off the bat. Make sure you consider your requirements carefully so that you’ll end up with a faucet that’s perfect for your remodeled bathroom or kitchen sink.

Choosing a faucet can be tricky. The kitchen faucet’s basic function is to dispense hot and cold water for washing dishes, food and hands. But beyond that, it plays a major role in defining the style of your kitchen design. It should come as no surprise that you spend more time in the kitchen than any other room in the house. And from selecting a handle to starting installation, there are plenty of options for you to consider when choosing your next kitchen faucet.

Handle Options:
Thinking about how you use your faucet every day can help you decide if a one-handle, two-handle, pull-out sprayer or insta-hot faucet is best for you. Typically, kitchen faucets have either one handle rotating directionally to change water temperature or two handles for mixing hot and cold water. These options offer a sprayer that sits to the side or a pull-out or pull-down sprayer that can remove all kinds of gunk and mess for you. Often faucets with a separate side spray are not as effective as a sprayer that is built into the faucet itself. Whether you’re rinsing down the sink or cleaning fresh veggies from the garden, a faucet with the right sprayer helps kitchen tasks get done in a timelier manner.

Mounting:
All faucets are mounted, but there are a couple options you should know before making your next faucet purchase. There are many different kitchen faucet and sink designs, but they’re not always compatible. When you’re replacing an existing faucet on a standard sink that requires fewer holes than what you have, look for a new faucet that comes with a deck plate at the base to cover up unneeded sink holes.

Deck-mounted faucets mount directly to the countertop, not the sink. If you’re installing an undermount sink, you have the option of mounting the faucet directly on the countertop. When installing a deck-mounted faucet, allow more than a finger’s width behind the faucet for cleaning.

As for wall-mounted faucets, be careful when placing the faucet to make sure it will work together with your sink. The distance the water spout projects will determine whether the two will be compatible. This tends to be more of an issue with a double sink.

Number of Holes:
What looks like handles and a spout on the outside can turn out to be something else entirely under the sink. Make sure you know how many holes are in your sink or counter before picking your faucet. If you are renovating or updating your kitchen and keeping an old sink you may need to consider how many holes your sink has. Many single stem faucets do come with a deck plate in order to cover extra holes, but be sure about that before selecting your faucet. Also, different styles of faucets may have their holes in different spots so double check that your sink and faucet will work together.

We see you have many decisions to make. That’s why our licensed, professional plumbers would be happy to help you start your next kitchen project!

At Atlantic Mechanical, we not only know plumbing in and around Maryland, we also know a lot of interesting facts about it. Here are six little known facts about plumbing that you probably never knew!

1) In 1596, the first flushable toilet was invented by John Harrington (godson of Elizabeth I).
2) The word “plumber” comes from the Latin word ‘plumbum’, which means ‘lead’. This is also why lead is abbreviated as Pb on the Periodic Table.
3) Albert Einstein was made an honorary member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union after he had announced that he would be a plumber if he had to live his life all over again.
4) The average person spends three whole years of their life on the toilet! Make sure you have a decent magazine to read in your bathroom!
5) The average household wastes around 10,000 gallons of water a year just from waiting for the water to warm up.
6) It’s a common misconception that water in the northern and southern hemispheres go down the toilet in opposite directions. It simply depends on where the toilet jets are positioned!

And there you have it! Check back in next month for the latest industry news!