Althoff Home Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Residential Plumbing’

4 Reasons You Should Replace That Old Toilet

Tuesday, July 17th, 2018

Does your toilet require lengthy instructions to guests on how to flush it? Is it worn out to the point where no amount of cleaning can make it presentable, and you hope guests don’t ask to use it in the first place? Why haven’t you replaced that old toilet already?

Many of us have the tendency to stick with things even if we’re not thrilled with them or we know there are better options, simply because change seems like a hassle. That’s true of a lot of things in life, even toilets!

Thing is, replacing your old toilet is easier than you think and offers many benefits. Here are four of them.

1. Better performance

Tired of hitting the flush lever and hoping everything goes down? Do you often have to flush more than once? Many of today’s toilets combine dual flush mechanisms and larger trapways to improve flushing performance. Power-assisted systems use small pumps to increase the pressure of the flush.

2. Improved comfort

Comfort height toilets are around 3 inches taller than older standard toilets. What may seem like a small difference is actually very significant, especially for tall or elderly people, or anyone with bad knees. Elongated toilets are much more comfortable for adults. The shape of the bowl is much better for men, giving them extra space where they need it most.

3. More aesthetically pleasing

An updated toilet can complete the look of the room, while an outdated, faded, or damaged toilet can take away from even the most stylish bathrooms. Even if your updating budget is limited, replacing the toilet offers excellent value for your money, as toilets will last for 15 years or more and are one of the most frequently used appliances in the home.

4. Lower water consumption

Toilets installed before 1992 may use anywhere from 3.5 to 7 gallons every time you flush. Most of today’s toilets use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush. Upgrading your toilet can save you a lot of money on your water bill along with helping the environment.

Replacing your old toilet is quick, easy and affordable with Althoff.

If you’ve been putting off replacing your old toilet because you don’t have the time or don’t want the hassle of installing a new one, let the licensed Chicago plumbers from Althoff take care of it quickly and easily. Not sure which toilet to choose? We can help you select one that fits your room aesthetic, comfort and performance needs. Contact us at 800-225-2443 today.

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Why Does My Heater Make a Screeching Sound?

Monday, May 14th, 2018

“Do you know how old your sump pump is?”

I love to ask people this when I get the chance. Unless they recently had a flooded basement, they don’t remember. Nobody does.

That’s not surprising. There’s a lot to remember these days … passwords, websites, birthdays, anniversaries (especially that last one!). After awhile, it’s hard enough to remember your own age, let alone the age of your sump pump. Plus, it’s down in the basement where you never go if you can help it. Even if you do look at the sump pump, it’s not like there’s a tag on it that clearly tells you the age.

Here’s the thing. Even though forgetting your sump pump’s birthday is understandable, it can lead to problems (and not because you didn’t get it a gift…).

Your sump pump is probably older than you think.

I was recently discussing average sump pump life expectancy with a major manufacturer. They said: “The average life expectancy for a sump pump is five to seven years.”

Wow, I thought. That comes really fast.

I talk to customers all the time who say, “Yeah, I think we had the sump pump replaced a few years ago.” So, I go into the service history, and it was actually 10 years ago! Time flies, right? Some people have been in their homes for over 10 years, and have never replaced the sump pump that came with the house.

That’s a problem, because flood water entering your basement is NOT the time you want to discover that your sump pump is on its last leg.

What are some signs you should replace your sump pump?

  • Old Age: Though the average life expectancy is five to seven years, you may get more or less use depending on how hard and how often the sump pump has to work. Have a professional examine the pump to determine what shape it’s in.
  • Loud and/or Unusual Noises: Goes for all machines, right? Some noise is normal, but if it’s louder than you remember, call in a pro to take a listen. Rattles, thunks, knocking and grinding sounds may mean a motor problem.
  • Cycling On and Off: If your sump pump goes through constant cycles of turning on and off—or doesn’t turn on or off when it should—call in a professional. You may need a new pump, or there may be a problem with the power or float switch.
  • Won’t Stop Running: If your sump pump runs continuously, it may be unable to handle the water load the way it should. It may be time to replace it.

Let the pros at Althoff’s replace your aging sump pump before there’s a problem.

Do yourself a favor: Get your old sump pump replaced. Don’t go through another rainy season hoping you won’t have a problem. Our professional Chicago plumbers can get that squared away for you. Contact us at 800-225-2443 to schedule.

Also, remember that you should have a professional sump pump inspection once a year. That little pump with a big job is too important to ignore.

Plus, when someone asks you if you know how old your sump pump is, you can say “YES!”

Receive a Free WiFi Enabled Control When You Purchase a Battery Backup System for Your New Sump Pump ($350 value )! Call 800-225-2443 now.

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5 Simple Solutions to Common Residential Plumbing Problems

Wednesday, September 6th, 2017

There are some common residential plumbing problems that usually most people can resolve on their own. And there are a host of others more serious plumbing issues that are best performed by calling a professional like Althoff Industries. Knowing the difference can save you lots of frustration and potentially some serious repairs. Here are 5 simple solutions to some common residential plumbing problems you can likely handle on your own.

Plumbing Problem, Plumbing Solution

1. Leaking Faucet – As advanced as technology is in some areas of life, one constant has been the common residential plumbing problem of a leaky faucet. Faucet leaks are most often caused by a worn washer which can be easily replaced. In a single handle faucet, you know where the culprit is. If you have a two handle faucet, you can determine which is leaking by simply seeing if the water is hot or cold. If you can’t tell, you might as well just replace the washers in both as it is a simple fix.

a. Turn off the water supply to the faucet you are working on. It will be located under the sink.

b. If there is a decorative cap to the handle it will need to be removed. Unscrew the handle, usually with a Phillips head screwdriver.

c. Remove the valve nut or cover that is retaining the valve, and lift the valve out, exposing a washer underneath.

d. You may be best served by taking both the valve and the washer to a hardware store to ensure you get the proper replacement.

e. After replacing the washer, just reassemble your handle in reverse order.

2. Running or Leaking Toilet

Leaking or running toilets are other very common plumbing problems. First, turn off the water supply to the toilet and remove the tank lid. You may simply have a chain attached to the rubber flapper that is too long or short. If it is too short, it’s not allowing the flapper to close. If it’s too long, it may just be getting in the way of the flapper. If your running toilet is due to the float not rising high enough to stop the water from flowing into the tank, it can often be resolved by just bending the rod downward, Toilet tank repair parts and kits are found in any hardware or home improvement store and are inexpensive. A less common problem could be a leak in the big washer that is between the tank and the seat. That is a bigger job and unless you want to do some heavy lifting you may be better served calling in a pro.

3. Jammed Garbage Disposal

If a garbage disposal is jammed with something like a soda can pop top and had stopped working, you may be able to fix it yourself. That is if you have the right tool. There may be an Allen style wrench attached to the motor unit of the disposal. Make sure the power is off then you can insert the wrench into the bottom of the unit and manually turn the blades of the disposal. Once the item is freed, you should be able to carefully remove the item. Once the item is removed, restore power, turn it on, and it should operate normally. If not, give Althoff Industries a call.

4. Clogged Drains – You may be able to clear a clogged drain through a choice of chemical free solutions. You can get a small, inexpensive metal wire “snake” to slid down your drain to remove the obstruction. You could also try to remove the plug using a plunger. Another all-natural solution would be to pour some baking soda down the drain and add some vinegar. Often, the foaming reaction between the baking soda and vinegar can serve to remove a blockage.

5. Frozen Pipes – Frozen pipes are a common Chicago and Crystal Lake plumbing problem. The best cure for a frozen pipe is to turn faucets on and allow the pipe to warm by opening cabinet doors under sinks to get the pipes exposed to warmer air. Using a hair dryer, electrical heat tape or space heaters may help thaw frozen pipes but NEVER use an exposed flame. You are far better served by insulating potentially troublesome pipes ahead of time. If frigid weather is expected over multiple days, let faucets drip slowly to keep pipes from freezing. If pipes are freezing, any further expansion can lead to them bursting, causing serious problems and damage.

When it Comes to Common Plumbing Problems, Know When to Hold ‘Em and Know When to Fold ‘Em

At Althoff Industries, we are often called to finish a job a do-it-yourselfer has attempted themselves. If your problem is one you are comfortable in resolving, give it a go. If not, feel free to contact Althoff Industries. We are pleased to resolve Chicagoland plumbing problems.

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