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Ken's Plumbing | Blog

Ken Flournoy

Ken Flournoy: Owner and Master Plumber. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, and raised as a Navy brat, Ken has lived all over the country, from Estill, South Carolina to Hawaii.

Recent Posts

Everything You Need to Know About Trenchless Drain Technology

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Mar 9, 2016 8:00:00 AM

Does your home's drainage system need an update, but you cringe at the thought of having to dig up your perfectly manicured lawn for it to be installed? Well, what if we told you there's another way... 

Thanks to modern trenchless drain technology, also called trenchless pipe bursting or trenchless sewer replacement, your underground pipes can be replaced with very little damage to your lawn. How? 

Let's explore that in more depth...

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Topics: Drains & Sewers

5 Ways to Prepare Your Plumbing for Spring

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Mar 2, 2016 8:00:00 AM

Can you believe spring is less than a month away? We definitely understand how the seasonal change could have crept up on you leaving you feeling a little under-prepared, but just like we helped you with winterizing your home, we're here to help you with the changing of the seasons again as winter turns to spring.

Believe it or not, there are actually many ways to prepare your plumbing for spring, though unfortunately none of them involve turning your toilet into an exotic planter (though if you'd like to try that, we'd LOVE to see pictures)!

In that case, let's get started...

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Topics: Drains & Sewers

How To Properly Care For Your Septic Tank

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Feb 24, 2016 8:00:00 AM

Want to hear a dirty joke? You deposited the wrong thing down your drain and now your septic tank is clogged.

Seriously though, your septic tank is one of the most important parts of your home; that’s why you need to take care of it as much as you do the rest of the house. So let’s talk about your septic tank's functions and why it’s important to care for it; because really, having a clogged septic tank is the last thing you want.

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Topics: Plumbing

How To Properly Clean EVERYTHING in Your Bathroom

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Feb 17, 2016 8:00:00 AM

The bathroom rule is like the kitchen rule: if it isn’t clean, the house isn’t clean. And when you really step back and think of all of the unsanitary and down right gross things your bathroom floors, countertops, and showers experience, there's a good chance your bathroom isn't clean. So, before you offically start gearing up for spring-cleaning, let's discuss how to properly sanitize your bathroom.

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Topics: Bathroom

How Often Should I Replace My Plumbing Fixtures?

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Feb 10, 2016 8:00:00 AM

Has it been a while since you've updated your plumbing, and now you're wondering if you're behind on some much needed replacements? Find out just how often your toilets, water heater, garbage disposal, washing machine supply hose, faucets, supply pipes, and drain lines need to be replaced — and the tale tell signs your plumbing fixtures are on the outs.

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Topics: Plumbing, Water Heaters, Toilets, Pipes, Garbage Disposals

What’s the Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water?

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Feb 3, 2016 8:00:00 AM

You've heard the terms "hard water" and "soft water." But perhaps you're not quite sure what those terms mean, which water type is safest for you to drink, or what kind of water should be flowing out of your faucets.

Let's explore the differences between hard and soft water as well as the potential problems and solutions associated with each of them.

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Topics: Water

Where Does My Water Go When it Drains?

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Jan 27, 2016 8:00:00 AM

Have you ever been minding your own business in the shower and then all of a sudden you find yourself wondering, "Hey, where is all this water going? Is this the same water I drink? How do they get the soap out?" We've previously touched on where your water comes from, but we've not yet discussed where it goes once it swirls down the drain...

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Topics: Water

Tools You Should Have On-Hand in Your Personal Plumbing Toolbox

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Jan 20, 2016 8:00:00 AM

When something goes wrong with your plumbing, you don't always have to reach for the phone to call in the pros immediately. With the right tools, you can take care of something as simple as a clog on your own. Doing so will not only save you money, but it will also give you a confidence boost and a little something to brag about.

So, pull out your shopping list and put these handy tools right at the top...

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Topics: Plumbing

How to Keep Your Grease Trap (and Your Business) Up and Running

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Jan 13, 2016 8:00:00 AM

We take a lot of pride in helping Greenville area homeowners maintain healthy plumbing and recover from plumbing disasters. Did you also know we also work with local businesses? Not only can we help businesses with the sort of minor problems that could also happen in a home, but we're capable of so much more as a commercial plumbing service!

We work with several restaurants, and regularly receive calls to clean grease traps. For those of you who aren't in the restaurant biz, grease traps are installed to keep fats, oils, and grease from getting into pipes entering sewer lines. Grease traps are necessary because fats, oils, and grease will solidify and clog pipes, all while trapping food scraps and other debris which will only make the clog more serious.

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Topics: Commercial Plumbing

The Ultimate Guide to Frozen Pipe Repair

Posted by Ken Flournoy on Jan 6, 2016 8:00:00 AM

Frozen pipes can be a homeowner's nightmare, especially during the winter months. If left unattended, they can lead to burst pipes, water damage, and costly repairs. But what if you didn't quite prepare your pipes for winter before a big freeze, or you didn't get around to checking your washing machine supply hose before your pipes and hoses just couldn't handle the workload? In a moment like that, it's important to know what to do so you can act fast and minimize damage.

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Topics: Plumbing, Emergency