Ken's Plumbing | Blog

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

One of the perks that our Diamond Club members enjoy is annual plumbing services and repairs — but plumbing systems can benefit from preventative maintenance throughout the year.

That's why we've created a little to-do list that will help you keep your toilets, drains, garbage disposal, pipes, and washing machine running at peak performance all year long.

Put on your rubber gloves, and let's go!

When it comes to large, expensive home appliances, it's easy to leave well enough alone and not mess with things until you notice a problem. With regular checks, you can often spot small problems before they become big ones — let's look at your washing machine for example.

Your washing machine is able to fill with water and clean your clothes thanks to its attached supply hose. The hose is less than an inch wide, but is able to dispense water at a rate of about 650 gallons per hour. Because of how small it is in comparison to how hard it works, it can only last for so long. If left unchecked, the hose can give out, burst, and very quickly flood your home costing thousands of dollars in damage.

Have you ever been at somebody else's house and asked for a glass of water? When you took a sip, you couldn't help but notice it tasted very different from your water at home. You may have thought, "That's weird, I thought water was just water," However, the taste says otherwise.

There are several differences between well water and city water, including the source, quality, reliability, taste, and even how you pay for it. Even city water varies from city to city, so water is certainly not "just water."

Short, mild winters are just one of the many things that make living in Upstate SC great! Not only can we usually get through November without having to wear anything heavier than a sweater (if that), but we don't have to deal with several feet of snow and all the inconveniences that come along with it.

While we have it easier than our friends up north, we aren't completely immune to winter weather — if you've been in the Greenville area for a while, you know that we're prone to ice storms, and where there's ice, there can be frozen pipes that can burst and leave your home a soaking nightmare.

To avoid bursting pipes, we're covering how you can keep your pipes from freezing and your water flowing all season long.

Are you in the market for a new water heater? Whether you're looking to upgrade, remodel, or start from scratch, you have a lot to consider with all the different options available today.

You may already know that traditional and tankless models are available, but do you know what sets the two of them apart? Let's take an in-depth look at the differences and similarities of tankless and traditional models, along with two other popular water heater options on the market today.