You can easily avoid costly plumbing repairs by investing in preventive maintenance. When you take care of your pipes, you will be rewarded with a system that runs reliably and needs fewer repairs. Below are three basic steps you can take in order to avoid costly plumbing repairs.

Avoid Clogged Drains

The first part of plumbing maintenance actually involves your drain lines. Be particular about what goes down your drains:

• Never put grease in the kitchen drain. It cools as it goes down the line, coats the pipe walls, and eventually leads to expensive clogs.

• In the bathroom, use a cover on the shower drain to catch hair before it can block the drain line.

• Trash and other non-biodegradables should go in the trash can and not down the toilet or drain.

Check Your Landscaping

Your local Minneapolis plumber will tell you that the biggest threat to your main sewer line is tree roots. If you have a large tree near your sewer line, it’s only a matter of time before the roots invade and result in a costly repair.

If you aren’t willing to have the tree removed, use a special chemical to kill any roots that start to break into the line. Read the package directions carefully to ensure that the product is safe for the type of pipes you have.

Learn the Location of Emergency Shut-Off Valves

It’s important to know where the shut-off valves are located throughout your home. In addition to leaving your sink and toilet shut-offs accessible, you should also see if the valves for your shower and dishwasher are accessible.

Knowing how to shut off water to the entire home is especially important if you are planning any DIY plumbing projects. If and when a leak occurs, turning off the water quickly will save you thousands of dollars in damage.

Get Professional Advice

The most costly repairs come from problems with drain lines and mistakes that were made as new fixtures were installed. Avoid a costly plumbing repair by protecting your drains lines and calling for professional installation when you want to make a change. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis, we are happy to assist you with all of your plumbing maintenance, repair, and installation needs. Just call us at 952-888-4022.

It’s frustrating when the drains are running slow in your home. You may not want to call a plumber because you don’t have time or you’re worried about the cost, so you reach for a quick-fix found on your grocery store shelves. While these may seem to work, they are actually dangerous for you, your family, and the environment.

Corrosive Materials

An experienced plumber in Minneapolis uses mechanical snakes and plungers to remove clogs. This is because chemical drain cleaners have caustic ingredients that work by eating away the materials stuck in your pipe. In addition to destroying the hair or grease in a drain, however, they can also eat the metal or plastic from your pipes, resulting in costly damages. Over the years, they can actually eat a hole in the pipes and leave you with a very expensive plumbing repair.

Danger for Your Family

Drain cleaning does not have to involve using corrosive chemicals that are potentially dangerous for your family. The same chemicals that will burn through clogs can will also burn through your skin. Additionally, the chemical fumes are dangerous for your eyes and lungs. Causing water in the pipes to boil, they may produce a toxic gas or blow back out of the drain and onto the surrounding area and you, if you’re standing too close.

Impact on the Environment

Your bathroom plumbing goes into the municipal system and through a treatment plant, but the chemicals in drain cleaners still find their way into the earth. They contaminate ground water, poison the fish in waterways, and harm the environment. Green cleaners are a much better option, and mechanical snakes or plungers are the preferred choice when possible.

Dangerous Mistakes

Another problem with drain cleaners is that people don’t always know how to properly use them. The directions say to pour the mixture down the drain, wait a set period of time, and then flush hot water. However, this doesn’t always work.

One common mistake people make is by following up with a plunger. This action puts you at risk for chemicals splashing onto your skin or even into your eyes.

When one chemical drain cleaner fails to work, you may reach for another one. However, mixing them can cause a dangerous reaction that could have the potential for serious injury or even death.

Given how unsafe they are, it is best to just avoid these over-the-counter drain cleaners completely.

Get Expert Help Instead

When you have a clogged drain, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis for assistance. Green cleaning methods are much safer, and professional plumbers use mechanical methods like snakes and plungers to fully and safely remove clogs. Call us today at 952-888-4022 for assistance with any clogged drains you have in your home.

When it’s time to clear a clog or install a new sink, you want an experienced plumber on your side. But there are dozens of plumbers in Minneapolis to choose from, so how do you find the right one? Use these tips to help you find a plumber that can get the job done without paying ridiculous prices or getting scammed in the process.

1. Ask Friends

Anyone can say they do a good job, so make sure the company you choose is telling the truth by asking your friends for referrals. You can trust your friends to give you the lowdown on who’s worth hiring and who they wish they had avoided.

2. Look for the License

A plumbing license is more than a wall decoration—it’s confirmation that the person has training and skills and is still going to be around in a few years. While your neighbor’s daughter’s boyfriend’s uncle might give you a lower price, think: is he really going to come back and stand behind his work if things go wrong?

3. Work Clothes

Choose a company that takes pride in their work and their appearance by sending out uniformed plumbers. It’s one of those little things you can look for in a professional team.

4. Friendly People

When you invite a plumber into your home, they are going to enter your personal space. Therefore, you want someone who is polite and will treat you and your property with respect.

5. Accurate Estimates

Once an experienced Minneapolis plumber reviews the job site (aka, your home), he should be able to give you an accurate estimate on the work needing to be completed. Everything should be upfront so you can avoid nasty surprises when the bill is delivered.

6. Insurance Matters

Who pays if the plumber accidentally breaks a line and floods your house? If they’re not insured, you will have to pay and then go through the courts to be reimbursed. If they have the insurance, you’re both covered for accidents.

7. Emergency Services

Why is it that pipes always break in the middle of the night or on a long holiday weekend? Choose a plumber that offers emergency services so that you’re covered even when Murphy’s Law comes into play.

8. On-Time Assistance

Let’s be honest: no one has time to sit around all day and wait for a plumber. Hire a team that will give you a clear appointment time, so you can do something you actually enjoy or need to do in the meantime.

9. Get the Warranty

This question is so important: “Do you stand behind your work?” The only answer you should accept is, “Yes, absolutely!”

10. Background Checks

When you call a plumber in Minneapolis, you want to know that they are coming in to fix the plumbing and not to check out your house. Look for a plumber that invests in background checks on all of their employees and hires only the best, most trustworthy candidates.

Learning how to choose a plumber may seem overwhelming, but it’s actually very easy. In addition to experience and skills, you also want courteous team members and honest licenses, quality insurance, and a solid warranty.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis offers you all of these benefits and more. Call our team at 952-888-4022 for an accurate estimate, reliable work, and superior service, any time you need a plumbing repair or installation.

When we think of emergencies, we often think of catastrophes like fires, floods, or tornadoes. But emergency preparedness is also about protecting your family from lesser emergencies like power outages and plumbing failures. These tips will help you prepare your home for big and small emergencies and protect your property from damage and your family from injury.

• Know where your utility shutoff valves are located. Some emergencies, such as storm damage or plumbing disasters, require quick action at the gas or water shutoff. Knowing exactly where these are located and keeping this area easily accessible can prevent further damage to your home and help ensure the safety of your family.
• Install an automatic shutoff valves on your water heater and washing machine to ensure these appliances shut off the moment a leak is detected.
• Install wireless water alarms behind the main pipes in your home and a sump pump alarm in your basement to alert you at the first sign of a water leak. Early leak detection is essential for preventing serious water damage and mold growth in your home.
• Keep emergency numbers posted in a central location. If you have to call for emergency plumbing repair or report a gas leak or downed wire, every second counts. Having the number at your fingertips will save precious time and ensure quick response to your emergency.
• Keep your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in good working order. Test the alarms twice a year and change the batteries at least once a year. To help you remember this essential task, we recommend you check your detectors during the time change in the spring and fall.
• Keep a quality fire extinguisher on every floor in your home and one in the kitchen. Multipurpose A:B:C extinguishers are effective for the three most common types of fires: electrical, common combustibles, and flammable liquids. Check with your insurance company to determine if having fire extinguishers on hand will earn you a discount on your premiums.
• Refresh your emergency kit each spring to ensure you have essentials such as flashlights and a radio with fresh batteries, potable water, a multi-tool, heavy gloves, and basic first-aid supplies.
• Have an emergency plan and review it with your family each year. Cover the safest place in the house during bad weather, basic escape routes, and a meet-up site in case you’re separated.

For more expert advice about preparing your home for an emergency, feel free to contact a St. Paul plumber at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis. We serve the Twin Cities area with a high level of customer satisfaction. Call 651-315-8135.

A happy home is one that is energy conscious and eco-friendly. That’s not to say that you have to plan on attending the next big Earth Day event, but you will be happier when your utility bills start to drop. Use these tips to get your entire family involved and to start saving water in your home.

Have Fun with the Rain

Installing a rain barrel on your gutters is an easy way to collect runoff for future use. The barrel catches the rain, allowing it to collect over time, which you can then use to water your plants.

Even if you don’t like the idea of running a line out to the garden, your kids will enjoy the water for making water balloons and filling their squirt guns. Imagine the joy (and financial savings) of keeping your hose off during these fun times! Trust us, you’ll smile when your water bill arrives!

Low-Flow Showerheads

If you have teenagers in your home, you know just how long they can be in their morning beauty routine. If you have a plumber in St. Paul install low-flow showerheads, you’ll be able to significantly save money on your monthly water bills. Additionally, this is one of the easiest water conservation tips because the passive savings reward you month after month. Your kids can still enjoy a long shower, and you won’t have to go hoarse reminding them that it’s time to get out.

Make Sure it’s Full

If your kids help with the laundry or dishes, teach them to wait for a full load to run it. This is not only wise from a water conservation standpoint, but it also helps preserve your appliances. By not running them as often, they will naturally last longer and work better.

Start Composting

Have you ever considered how much water you use when running food through the garbage disposal? Start composting as a family. Your gardens will be rich and full, your water bill will drop, and you can avoid clogs in your drain lines. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Stop Leaking Pipes

It’s always a good idea to invest in plumbing maintenance to avoid high water bills. A slow drip that starts in the shower is a simple annoyance in the beginning, but over time, that steady drip can send your water bill through the roof. As the fixture wears down, it becomes a danger because it could fail completely and flood the home when you are away. Invest in maintenance at the first sign of a drip to avoid these problems and to save money.

Get More Tips!

There are countless ways to save water around your house, but they all start with you. Some of them are easier than others, like adding low-flow showerheads. Others involve taking the time to teach your children conservation methods. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis is happy to help you with any maintenance, repairs, or upgrades you need to make the home more eco-friendly. Call our team today at 952-888-4022 and ask us about more tips and tricks you can use!

Have you ever wondered how a toilet works? The following infographic shows the complex inner workings of one of the most innovative and important plumbing fixtures in your home.

How Flushing Works – An infographic by the team at Ben Franklin Minneapolis

Embed How Flushing Works

<img src="http://www.benjaminfranklinplumbingmn.com/images/how-flushing-works.png" width="540">
<p>How Flushing Works - An infographic by the team at <a href="http://www.benjaminfranklinplumbingmn.com/">Ben Franklin Minneapolis</a></p>

There are two types of water heater models that can heat the water needed for your Minneapolis home. Both tankless and conventional water heaters get the job done, and each have their own distinct advantages and differing costs, both initially as well as over time. Our Minneapolis plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis offer this cost comparison of conventional and tankless water heaters so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to choose between the two.

Initial Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters

As soon as a new tankless water heater is installed, the whole family can enjoy its benefits. These systems are referred to as instantaneous water heaters because water is heated within seconds of turning on the hot water spigot. They are generally a preferred model because a basically endless supply of hot water can be supplied by the system.

Best of all for homeowners, because the system does not constantly have to maintain a supply of hot water, your monthly electricity bill will decrease over time. Just think of what else you could spend that savings on in your home—the possibilities are endless!

Advantages of Instant Water Heaters Over Time

Although a tankless system costs several hundred more dollars to purchase and install than a conventional water heating system, it will cost less to operate over time. Most systems have a payback of two to four years for just the heater, or 12 to 14 years when the cost of installation is added to the cost of the heater. Because tankless water heating systems have a life expectancy that averages 15 years or longer, this means that owners will save money over the lifetime of the installation of a tankless system.

Our Experts Can Help

As your Minneapolis plumbers, our team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis has been helping homeowners select the best water heaters for their needs for many years. Our experienced plumbers take the time to explain the costs and advantages of each type of system and answer all of your questions.

With years of experience installing tankless and conventional water heaters, we offer customer service that is second to none. Call us today at 952-888-4022 for more information or to schedule your water heater installation.

A catastrophic explosion is the greatest danger presented by a natural gas leak in your St. Paul home. Low-level natural gas leaks expose people to substances such as methane, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide as well. At low concentrations, substances like nitrogen oxide can irritate the respiratory system. At high concentrations, exposure can result in asphyxiation, comas, and even death.

When not properly maintained, residential gas-burning HVAC systems and appliances can emit dangerous carbon monoxide as well. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis, our plumbing repair services include gas leak detection that helps keep you and your family safe and healthy.

Protecting the Health & Safety of Your Family

While the gas company maintains gas lines leading to a home’s gas meter, the homeowner is responsible for all gas lines and pipes leading into their home. Although a characteristic “rotten egg” odor is added to natural gas to help alert people to its presence, leaks that occur in gas lines outside the home often go undetected. Additionally, because the sense of smell in older people is often impaired, seniors are particularly at risk to exposure within the home as well.

Leak detection also helps protect your family from dangerous carbon monoxide leaks that can occur when household gas equipment isn’t properly vented or maintained. A colorless, odorless, and tasteless substance, carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness before family members are even aware of its presence.

Effective Leak Detection Technologies

The experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing employ state-of-the-art technologies to detect gas leaks in home interiors and exteriors, including infrared point sensors and imaging detectors that can detect and identify the imaging signature of targeted gases even at extremely low levels. Our gas leak detection equipment allows our St. Paul plumber to find and resolve leaks with minimal disruption to your property and to your busy lifestyle.

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Minneapolis, we know that nothing is more important than the well-being of you and your family. Our leak detection services offer you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your family is safe from the dangerous exposure to gas. To schedule leak detection services, call us today at 952-888-4022.