Toilets are a major source of a wasteful use of water in a home. Toilets often can have a very slow leak that is almost undetectable, but can significantly add to your water usage. Most toilet leaks are due to the need for a new flush valve or floater. These repairs are easy to do....
After a long, cold, damp winter its good to do a spring checkup of your plumbing. If you have a plumbing service contract with Summers & Zim’s call us at 610-593-5129 to get your service scheduled now. If you don’t have a service contract, here are some tips for things to look for. Check gaskets...
Leaking water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers, or overflowing toilets, can cause a lot of damage to floors, ceilings of rooms below the leak, plus the furniture and carpet in those rooms, before you get the water turned off, the water cleaned up, and the plumber arrives to fix it. That’s why it’s smart to...
Sometimes food bits get trapped or lodged in your garbage disposal and start to cause odors that seep into your kitchen. To get rid of the odors, put the rubber stopper in place. Fill the disposal sink with warm to hot water that includes a grease-cutting detergent (such as Dawn). (more…)
When winter temperatures drop in Southeastern Pennsylvania, residents across Lancaster, Chester, and Delaware counties know just how bitter it can get. Arctic winds and below-freezing conditions can put a strain on your home’s plumbing system, and when water inside your pipes freezes, it expands. That added pressure can lead to cracks, leaks, or full-on pipe...
You may like the fresh blue look of the water in your toilet when using in-tank tablets and automatic cleansers, but you are probably damaging your toilet. (more…)
It’s a good idea to take pictures of all your water shutoff valves – for outside faucets, for water to bathrooms, water connections at washing machines, and at any water filtration systems. (more…)
When temperatures drop and snow starts piling up, your furnace should be your home’s most reliable ally. But what many homeowners don’t realize is that during or after a snowstorm, your furnace might stop working—not because it’s broken, but because it’s suffocating. Some furnaces vent through exterior walls or even the roof, and if those...
The other holiday plumbing disaster we mentioned on Monday is clogged toilets. With lots of company and relatives at your house, toilets can get a lot of use. Check them now to be sure they are all flushing properly. Put out the right kind of toilet paper to avoid clogs. Supermarkets are full of thick,...
With Christmas just a week away, we want to be sure your holiday isn’t thrown into chaos by a plumbing disaster. The two most common are clogged toilets and clogged drains. With lots of holiday cooking and baking being done, and lots of family members gathering for celebrations, sinks and toilets get a lot of...
