Ken's Plumbing | Blog

Laundry day has come!

At this point, the world is divided into two types of people: those who just throw all their clothes in the washing machine, toss in some soap, and hope for the best, and those who separate everything, try to decipher the hieroglyphics on the tag and carefully follow the washing instructions to ensure each garment is treated with the utmost care.

While the second way is undoubtedly the right way to do laundry, we totally see why it's easier to just ignore what the tag says. Washing your clothes shouldn't be an exercise in mental ability, and this is where washing machine cycles come into play. To help you navigate these cycles with confidence, we've compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions, providing a comprehensive guide in one convenient place.

Read More in Our Other Guides:

• The Ultimate Guide to Frozen Pipe Repair
• How to Troubleshoot a Sump Pump: Step-by-Step Guide

Running toilets are nothing but trouble! Not only is the sound annoying, but all that extra running water means higher water bills, which is another kind of annoying. 

Fortunately, a running toilet is a fairly common plumbing problem that is pretty easy to identify. In this article, we've laid out the four most common causes of running toilets so you can finally eliminate one of life's little annoyances.

So, before you go out and replace your toilet unnecessarily, let's get started!

Do you hear a strange banging sound every time you use the water in your home — What is it? Where is it coming from? How can you make it stop?

To answer these questions, we actually want you to forget about your pipes for a second and think about cars. Like many car collisions, noisy pipes are caused by a domino effect. If one car suddenly brakes, the car behind it will hit it. Then the car behind that hits the first two; then the car behind that hits all the others, and then you have a four-car pileup.

So what does that mean for your pipes?

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.

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.

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...

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!

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.

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?