Ken's Plumbing | Blog

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. 

The Upstate has experienced boil water advisories before, and it could happen again. Just in case it does, we wanted to share a guide on all the ways to make your water safe to drink when it's not. 

There's always a chance that something out of your control can affect the quality of your water — floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and broken pipes can all render your water undrinkable. In these situations, it is important to listen to local officials, media outlets, and your water company for updates, instructions, and alerts that will keep you from coming into contact with severely tainted water.

If you are under a boil water advisory and the water in your area is declared unsafe, avoid drinking anything other than bottled water or water you have taken the steps to properly purify until it has been officially announced that the water in your area is safe to consume again. But how do you properly purify your water...

Flushing your water heater is just like changing the oil in your car — you flush out buildup that keeps it from running at peak performance. 

While it's never good to discover an empty water heater because of a leak or serious problem, there are times where purposefully draining it is necessary, even tankless models!

Learn why you should flush it out, how often, and how it's done.

Why should I flush out my water heater?

When you turn on your faucet to wash dishes or take a shower, do you use hot or cold water? What about for laundry — do you do separate loads with different water temperatures, or do you throw everything in with some soap and call it a day?

Believe it or not, there's a time to use hot water and a time to use cold water. Fortunately, we know when to use which and want to let you in on the water "secret" so you can be a pro when to comes to washing clothes, dishes, and even you!

You always hear that your home should have a checkup once per year to make sure everything is in proper working order, but what does that even mean? Does your home really need a check up? What do they even check?

We can assure you that yes, your home does need a checkup — those yearly maintenance visits allow professionals to find and fix tiny problems before they become big, expensive disasters! Not only can you save money with preventative maintenance, but you can save big by signing up for a preventative maintenance plan that guarantees several different services performed at one flat yearly rate. But just what services are you getting?

Is your bathroom overdue for an update? If you're tired of the same view day in and day out but aren't sure how to start over, allow us to fill you in on popular trends with bathroom fixtures, design choices, and storage options.

Bathroom Redecorating Trends You'll Love

You heard it here first, ladies and gentlemen: The easiest way to bring your bathroom into the current decade is to follow these tips and tricks:

You already know the most basic water saving tips — "Turn the water off while you brush your teeth," and "Do larger loads of laundry."

These tips help, but there are a lot of other things you could be doing to aid in the conservation effort. We've pulled together a list of plumbing hacks you can adopt in order to save water as well as save yourself a little cash!

We have written before about which plumbers you should avoid, but how do you identify a good plumber that's worth hiring? 

There are a few things that make the best plumbers stand out from the bummer plumbers. We'll tell you what to look for so that you know when you're hiring the right professional for the job.

As if something going wrong with your plumbing wasn't bad enough — accidentally hiring an unreliable or dishonest plumber or contractor just adds insult to injury. As you search for the right person to get the job done, and get it done well, there are a few things you should keep in mind...

How to Recognize a Subpar Plumber

If the plumber you're considering tries any of the following, they are definitely not the best choice for you: