Articles | Totally Plumbing

How to Lower Humidity in a Home

Managing indoor humidity levels is important. High moisture levels in a home can lead to potentially serious health issues, including asthma, allergies, and various other respiratory illnesses that are triggered by mold, dust mites, peeling lead paint, and pests. If you’ve noticed water leaks or stains, rotting woods, musty odors, rusting or corrosion, and excessive condensation, understanding how to lower humidity in a house is crucial.

Contributing factors to high humidity include high outdoor humidity levels, interior plumbing leaks, inadequate insulation, and poor ventilation. There are several ways to reduce humidity levels in a house, including using a dehumidifier, adjusting air conditioner settings, decreasing drafts with weatherstripping, using ceiling fans, moving houseplants outside, avoiding line drying clothes inside, opening windows, and keeping interior doors open to improve air flow. If these simple solutions do not reduce the humidity level in the home, professionals can implement solutions including sump pump installation, vapor barrier installation, and sealing basement foundation leaks and cracks. Learn about ways to reduce high humidity levels.

plumbingmbd2023-08-29T02:50:55+00:00August 28th, 2023|

My Basement Flooded. What I Wish We’d Have Known to Better Prepare.

A flash flood in a basement is something no one expects, but when torrential rains dump nearly a foot of water in a large basement window well within a 30-minute period, you need to act fast to prevent major damage. A homeowner experienced this situation, finding a large light well shared by two basement bedrooms filled with almost a foot of water during a heavy rain, and water seeping into both rooms, soaking the windowsills, walls, and carpeting. Learn how this homeowner responded to prevent extensive damage, and actions taken to prevent future flooding, including installation of a sump pump in the light well.

plumbingmbd2023-08-08T01:56:41+00:00July 31st, 2023|

What Are Safe Radon Levels in a Home?

Radon, is a radioactive gas released from water, soil, and rocks, is invisible and has no odor. The gas can enter a home through cracks or holes in the foundation or siding, and since radon is invisible and has no smell, there is no way to detect it without performing a test.

Radon gas poses a serious health and safety threat. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 1 out of every 15 homes has an unsafe radon level – and, no level of exposure to radon gas is considered safe. Interior radon levels vary and can fluctuate over time.

Radon levels are typically highest during winter months. One reason why that snow and ice can form a temporary barrier over the ground, and as a result, seeping into a basement of a home is the easiest way for the gas to travel. Additionally, during winter the warm air inside a home rises and as the warmer air escapes the home, colder air is pulled into the home from below ground, meaning that any radon gas present below the home will also be pulled in with the colder air – this is known as the thermal stack effect.

Basement radon levels are typically the highest, but the gas can be present in the upper levels of a house. Solutions to addressing radon in a home include installing a radon mitigation system, increasing natural ventilation and airflow, sealing foundation and basement wall cracks, and installing an air purifier.

Learn about radon gas, common levels found in a home, and ways to mitigate the issue.

plumbingmbd2023-06-30T11:03:48+00:00June 26th, 2023|

How a Sustainable Kitchen Remodel Can Save You Money

Some home renovations can add almost as much value to a home as they cost a homeowner to complete. According to the Remodeling 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, projects like a minor kitchen remodel can offer a return on investment of more than 85 percent. And choosing appliances, fixtures, and materials that are more sustainable and energy-efficient than the previous units can not only help the environment, but could also attract more buyers should you want to sell your home.

Sustainable upgrades that homeowners should consider as part of a kitchen remodel, or a basement kitchen and kitchenette installation, include water-saving kitchen faucets; materials made from renewable sources such as glass kitchen countertops, linoleum flooring, and bamboo flooring; and energy-efficient appliances such as electric stoves and electric cooktops. For example, upgrading to a more efficient faucet and dishwasher can enhance the functionality and aesthetics of a kitchen, as well as help reduce household water use by 30 percent.

Learn ideas for your upcoming basement kitchen or kitchenette installation and how to include sustainable material and fixtures that could yield energy and cost savings.

plumbingmbd2023-05-15T19:58:39+00:00May 12th, 2023|

Walk-In Shower Ideas for Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

The cost of adding a walk-in shower to your bathroom as part of a bathroom remodeling project is generally higher than installing a tub-shower combination. However, there are compelling reasons that make the additional investment worthwhile, including walk-in showers make a bathroom look bigger, they make a bathroom more accessible, they provide more flexibility for a bathroom design, and they offer a higher return on investment. Walk-in shower considerations include an all-white design, adding a shower seat, a shower-to-tub conversion, a walk-through shower, a wet room, and a free-standing shower. Get walk-in shower design ideas for your bathroom remodeling project.

plumbingmbd2023-03-01T16:29:59+00:00February 28th, 2023|

How to Replace a Toilet Fill Valve

The toilet fill valve is one of two main components inside the toilet tank. If the fill valve is worn, damaged, or not operating properly, it could cause a leak from the toilet tank base or lead to the toilet continually filling. By replacing the fill valve assembly, you can reduce wasted water and lower utility bills.

On average, toilet fill valves last 5 years without any issues, depending on the quality of the valve, hard water content, and how frequently the toilet is flushed. The toilet fill valve is located inside the tank, and is responsible for allowing water to flow into the tank and stopping the flow once the water level reaches a set point.

If the toilet keeps running after flushing or runs intermittently when not in use, it could indicate that the fill valve is leaking or has failed, in which case you will need a toilet fill valve replacement. Learn how to identify if a toilet fill valve is malfunctioning and steps to follow when replacing the part.

plumbingmbd2023-02-12T21:24:21+00:00February 7th, 2023|

Who to Call for a Mold Inspection

If a mold problem is suspected in a home, the first service provider to contact is a mold inspection and remediation company. These service providers have the experience and equipment to inspect a home for mold. A mold inspection can be particularly useful if there has been a water or flooding issue in a home, as mold could be forming in areas that are not visible. Mold inspections typically cost between $300-$500 with additional costs for testing, which is usually between $200-$350. A mold inspector may also perform a basic mold air test. These tests will determine if remediation services are required. The best way to control mold in a home is to reduce or eliminate moisture in the home. Identifying and fixing water leaks, ensuring adequate room ventilation, and using a HVAC system and dehumidifier are ways to reduce the likelihood of a mold infestation. It is important to identify and address mold issues quickly, as mold in a home can cause health issues, including congestion, wheezing, and red or puffy eyes as well as other symptoms. Workers who have direct and extended exposure to large amounts of mold are likely to see more severe health reactions such fever, shortness of breath, and possibly asthma. Learn how to identify mold issues and solutions for remediation.

plumbingmbd2023-01-24T00:45:51+00:00January 13th, 2023|

The Cost of a Whirlpool Bath Remodeling Project

A whirlpool bath remodeling project updates certain elements in the bathroom, such as the shower, sink, vanity, tiling, and bathtub or jetted tub. The installation of a jetted tub typically requires installation of a concrete slab or joists and additional electrical components. Other factors that impact the cost of a whirlpool bath remodeling project include the type and size of the jetted tub, framing and plumbing required for installation, and labor costs for the area. According to HomeAdvisor, installing a jetted tub as part of a bathroom remodeling project can cost between $1,500-$17,000, with an average cost of $6,500.

When planning a bathroom remodel that includes a jetted bathtub, it is important to consider the different types of tubs. Options include walk-in, step-in, whirlpool tub, and air tub. Each offer different usability and functionality. For example, walk-in jetted tubs are ideal for those with mobility issues. Learn about factors to consider when planning for a bathroom remodel or basement finishing project that includes a jetted bathtub.

plumbingmbd2023-02-01T01:15:32+00:00January 13th, 2023|

This Repair Can Extend the Life of Your Water Heater

With proper maintenance, a quality water heater can last about 15 to 20 years. However, if the water heater anode rod is not regularly inspected and replaced, the water heater tank might rust out before it reaches 10 years of service. The anode rod – a long metal rod, usually made of magnesium or aluminum – is used to attract iron, limestone, and other minerals in water that would otherwise rust the inside of the water heater’s steel tank. The anode rod gradually corrodes in place of the steel tank, extending the water heater’s lifespan. And, in most cases, owners will need an anode rod replacement only about once every 3 to 5 years. Considerations before replacing the anode rod include determining if a magnesium, aluminum or zinc anode rod should be used, the hardness of the water, and what types of metals and minerals are present in the water. Learn about replacing the anode rod to extend the lifespan of a water heater.

plumbingmbd2023-01-09T02:35:31+00:00December 30th, 2022|

Check These 12 Problem Areas if Your Home Smells Funny

A home can have all sorts of lingering and unpleasant smells, such as a stench from the bathroom. And, while some household smells are merely objectionable, others can be an indication of a hazardous condition. Household odors that may be cause for concern include a natural gas smell which is similar to a rotten egg, a fishy smell that could be emanating from a wall outlet, a musty or dusty smell which could be the result of mold or mildew, and a sewage odor which could be a sign of a clogged drain pipe. Learn about potentially hazardous household odors and how to successfully remediate each.

plumbingmbd2023-01-09T01:30:23+00:00December 30th, 2022|