Author: chad siemer

The Value of a Quality Repipe Job

Over time through common wear and tear or the unfortunate circumstance of inferior plumbing equipment, your pipes will eventually take on some damage, resulting in your home requiring a repiping. Due to the extensive nature of a repiping job, it only makes sense to seek the best deal out there, but you should choose your repipe specialist wisely as in most instances, you get what you pay for.

Cheap Price for a Cheap Job

Whenever purchasing a product or service, you can often find a lower price elsewhere, but it may not always work in your favor. Cheaper food, cheaper mattresses, and cheaper cars all sound like good deals, but in the end, you end up with more problems than when you started. The same logic goes to plumbing. You might find a better deal, but will it be worth it when pipes burst to leave you with thousands of dollars’ worth of water damage to your home and belongings?

Some of our competitors may offer cheaper rates, but when you look at the shoddy workmanship, it becomes pretty evident as to why you pay so little for them. We’ve seen other Orlando plumbing companies even go as far as to leave the newly piped system exposed and dangling off the side of the house instead of inside the wall where It belongs or at the very least parallel and flush against the wall. This carelessness in the service provided will hurt you in the long run as such exposed and poorly handled pipe will be more susceptible to damage and wear and tear.

Trust the Best

At Jeff’s Kitchen Bath & Beyond, we don’t cut corners and provide you with the highest standard of work making us well worth the price. We are Orlando’s premier plumbing company, and we always put your needs first. Call today at 407-968-1801 for free estimates and guaranteed upfront pricing.

Copper pipes are inferior, and due to their high potential to experience disastrous corrosion are not recommended to use in your home. Florida, in particular, is an awful place to have copper piping because of the shortened lifespan of the pipe system. Unfortunately, leaking is quite common in copper pipes, and understanding the root of the problem is the first step to fixing it.

The Problem with Copper

Often with copper pipes, homeowners may come to find that they experience pinhole leaks. These leaks have a tendency to be both dangerous and expensive to fix. The leaks can stem from corrosion within the pipe that eventually works its way to the outside, thus producing a leak. While the precise cause of pinhole is currently unknown, there are many possible explanations such as:

• When houses are grounded through their copper pipes nearby lightning strikes can cause pin hole leaks
• High pH levels which provide a substantial acidity to the water, leading to corrosion of the pipes themselves.
• High chlorine levels that become too much for the pipes to bear and they begin to corrode.

Upon Finding a Leak

In the ill-fated circumstance where you find your pipes to experience leaks, there are several steps you should take to assess the severity of the leak. Is this the first instance or have your pipes sprung several leaks in the past year? You should also consider the age of the piping system. Depending on the age of your pipes, it might be more economical to replace them individually as leaks occur. If the system is an older one, then it might be better to repipe the entire system before the damage becomes insurmountable.

 

Trust the Professionals

In the event of a leak in your copper pipes, or if you find yourself in the worst-case scenario in which you need to repipe your home, you want a professional you can trust. At Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath & Beyond, we are Orlando’s premiere plumbing company and repipe specialist, assisting you is our main goal. As the recipient of Angie’s List Super Service Award for the last 9 years in a row, we provide service you can trust, and we exclusively work with cross linked PEX piping to ensure quality. For more information, or for a free estimate, call 407-968-1801 today.

Anyone in the market for a new home knows that you should be as informed as possible of as many aspects to the home as you can. Between square footage, prior damage, and structural concerns, there is a lot to consider. One of the most important systems in your new home to inquire about is the plumbing. Without a good plumbing system, you are susceptible to contaminants in your water supply, possible leaks which can damage your home, and possibly most detrimental of all is inferior piping that could necessitate replacement sooner than you would like. When purchasing a new home, you should always check your pipes to get a better understanding of what exactly you are signing up for.

What to Look For

When inspecting a home before purchasing, a major concern should be the piping material. Despite the fact that copper is often advertised as lasting 50-70 years, in Florida copper pipes last closer to 15-25 years. Unfortunately due to copper pipes not lasting long, you will need to have your pipes replaced several times over the years throughout the lifespan of your home which is quite costly. You can identify copper pipes as they will have the same coloring as a penny. If the home was built between the 1930s and 1960s, it most likely has a copper piping system. Polybutylene pipes are common in homes built between the late 1970s and the mid-1990s. Due to their incredibly high failure rate, insurance companies won’t even insure houses with polybutylene pipes. Oxidants within the water supply wear down the fittings these pipes use, making them not suitable for usage. Once you notice a leak from a polybutylene pipe, the damage has already been done.

Piping You Can Trust

You can better identify your piping by checking under your sink, by your water heater, and in some cases in your attic. You don’t want to purchase a home with substandard pipes that will just cost you in the long run. At Jeff’s Kitchen Bath & Beyond, we exclusively work with cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) which is cheaper than copper and resistant to corrosion. We are one of the foremost plumbing experts in central Florida, so call us at 407-968-1801 for a free estimate and always upfront pricing.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace the Pipes in My House?

Your home requires upkeep and care over the years, and in doing so, it can get costly. An issue that many people encounter is replacing the pipes within the home. It is a big task that raises the question of price. Unfortunately, there is no generic answer because all pipes and all homes differ. An average replacement of all your pipes can range between $1,800 and $5,500. Let’s look at some of the factors involved with replacing your pipes:

Where are Your Pipes? Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Cost

Expenses for replacement can depend entirely on where your pipes run through. Every home is different, and having a proper understanding of the needs of each location is important in planning a full replacement of the system.

Underground – Pipes will run through the ground and into your walls, directly connecting to whatever appliance needs water.

Attics – Provided your attic has a suitable space for a plumber to work in, piping can be run through the attic and down the interior walls of your house.

Under the Floor – Homes with hardwood flooring and a crawlspace beneath provide great housing for plumbing. Crawlspace piping is one of the least expensive systems.

Piping Material

There is a vast array of materials from which to make pipes and all of which impact the pricing of getting new pipes. Understanding the difference between the different types of pipe keeps you informed and can help save money.

Polybutylene – Can be found in homes built between the late 1970s and early 1990s. They were banned from usage due to improper connections being made between pipes resulting in leaks. Some insurance companies will not even allow a new homeowners policy without the replacement of Polybutylene pipes first due to the liability.

Copper – Common piping material, copper can be expensive and not recommended for Florida homes due to it lasting only 15-25 years.

PEX – Cross-linked polyethylene, also known as PEX, is perhaps the best piping to use, and it is estimated that within the next ten years, PEX will become the standard vessel for water in regard to plumbing.  Due to its flexibility, cheaper cost of production, and easier installation, PEX is the way to go when repiping your home, which is why Jeff’s Kitchen Bath and Beyond exclusively use it.

Repiping with Jeff’s

Every plumbing system is different and requires an understanding of several factors when considering a replacement. At Jeff’s Kitchen Bath and Beyond, we are the foremost experts in the area and wish to help provide the most effective replacement of your plumbing system. We have been Angie’s List Super Service Award winners since 2009 and strive to continue with excellent work. Contact us at (407) 968-1801 to set up an appointment and ask about our free estimates.

Update: 07/01/2003

More facts on polybutylene pipes:

Polybutylene (PB) pipes are a type of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. This type of piping was viewed as a cost-effective replacement for traditional copper piping due to its low cost and ease of installation.

However, polybutylene pipes have a significant drawback. They are known to become brittle and prone to fracture over time, especially when exposed to chlorine and other oxidants commonly found in public water supplies. This can lead to leaks and potentially severe water damage, which is why they are no longer widely used.

If you have polybutylene pipes in your home and they haven’t caused problems yet, it’s generally recommended to replace them, even if they’re currently in good condition. This is because the risks of a future pipe failure could result in costly repairs.

Your plumbing should never be taken lightly and often the smallest inconvenience can lead to the biggest problems. Usually the signs go unnoticed so here are 4 signs that your bathtub or shower plumbing need repair.

1. Low Water pressure

If you are experiencing low water pressure it can lead to many problems with your pipes. Provided your shower head isn’t clogged. The most likely causes of low water pressure are burst pipes under the slab or burst pipe in your wall.

2. Your Water Won’t Heat Up

If your water won’t retain heat or even heat up in the first, then most likely the heater itself is leaking and needs to be repaired or replaced.

3. Knocking Pipes

Sometimes homeowners hear a loud banging in their pipes, this is called “knocking in the pipes”, or “water hammer”. This occurs when there is a high pressure build up on a closed valve that needs to be adjusted, usually by having a water hammer adjuster installed.

4. Change in Water Color

If your water is coming out colored, this can be a sign of corrosion or rust which demands attention immediately.

Your pipes need to be taken care of and can easily be overlooked. Look out for these telltale signs to avoid falling victim to damaged plumbing. If you notice any of these signs, trust Jeff Wines, a plumber in Orlando for more than 20 years. Wines founded Jeff’s Kitchen Bath and Beyond and has won Angie’s Super Service Award since 2009. Call us now at 407-968-1801 to keep your pipes and your wallet from leaking.

There are a number of visible signs that the pipes in your home may need to be replaced. Damage from leaking water or sewage pipes can potentially lead to thousands of dollars of costly repairs and replacements. Knowing the early warning signs can help homeowners know when it’s time to re-pipe.

Regardless of the materials they are made from, pipes that are well maintained in a cared for home will last longer. However, if you did not buy a new home, it may be impossible to completely know its history and what might be lurking behind the walls. Different types of pipes have longer natural lifespans. Brass water supply lines, for example, can last up to 100 years, whereas PVC (most often used for drain lines) has a lifespan of about 15 to 25 years. Many older homes have pipes made of copper. It is important to know that these copper pipes do not last long in Centeral Florida and can cause property damage if a leak occurs.

The Signs

Here are a few visual indications that it may be time to re-pipe:

• Small leaks involving exposed piping (generally found in basements, crawlspaces, and utility rooms)
• Signs of corrosion in exposed or under-sink tubes and pipes, including stains or discoloration and flaking
• Discolored water coming from bathroom faucets after non-use – if it’s brown or yellow, that could mean rust

Trust the Experts

If you suspect that your pipes need some attention, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Jeff’s Kitchen Bath and Beyond. We can help you combine your re-pipe with a planned renovation, or replace pipes if damage has already occurred. For a free consultation, call us today at (407) 968-1801.

Is your garbage disposal acting strange? You’re not the first person to grapple with a malfunctioning unit. Luckily, we’ve got some surefire hints that it’s time to seek help. Check out these reasons that it might be time to replace your kitchen accessory.

• No Rotation, No Sounds- This is probably one of the scariest symptoms you’ll encounter. In most cases, if the unit is not activating properly, and isn’t making any noise, it signals a damaged garbage disposal that may never work properly If you’re wondering how this happened, the causes can vary from a power surge to worn out parts.
• A Nasty Smell- Occasional odors are just a part of owning garbage disposals. When those odors linger after repeated cleanings, it may be time for a new unit. Keep in mind that not all bad smells are attributed to rotting food. Sometimes it’s a sign that parts are malfunctioning or have become corroded over time. Only a professional garbage disposal expert can determine the odor’s exact cause.
• Time’s Up- We don’t think about garbage disposals as running out of time, but they’re just as susceptible to age. After about five years of aging, you should keep a close eye on your unit, as that is when most disposals tend to corrode or break. If it holds steady, you may want to consider getting a replacement around ten to fifteen years after, to ensure no further damage happens to your kitchen.

Call the Experts

No matter what problem your garbage disposal is facing, the team at Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath & Beyond has seen it. For almost 20 years, we’ve been serving the community through fast and friendly replacement services. Call us today at 407-968-1801 to receive your free estimate.

Is It Better to Repair or Replace a Leaky Faucet

We often take our plumbing fixtures for granted until there is a problem. Sometimes these problems can be solved with minor repairs, but sometimes a complete overhaul is required.

As a homeowner, without calling in a plumber, how do you know whether it’s time to fix or replace?

#1. If water is leaking around the base of the handle

Usually, this type of leak can be fixed by removing the handle and tightening the adjusting ring. Many leaks of this type are caused by a worn cartridge. This can be solved by replacing the O-rings on the cartridge when they’re worn out. If internal parts are so worn that replacement washers, O-rings, screws, clips, and valve assembly simply don’t solve the problem any longer, it’s time for a new faucet.

Pro Tip- Whenever you’re going to replace a piece from your faucet, take the faulty part to the store with you to make sure you replaced it with the same type!

#2. If your faucet squeaks

Over time the threads at the stem of the faucet become worn. The simplest way to correct this is removing the handle and coating the threads with plumbers grease then reassembling the faucet.

#3. Water is dribbling out or spraying in an inconsistent way

An unusual flow is often associated with the diverter valve or a faulty aerator. Both parts can be removed, examined for grime or build-up, and replaced.

#4. Scratches to the surface or chips to ceramic

Both of these problems indicate a need for a new faucet. You can, or course, live with the scratches but they cannot be repaired. Ceramic ages poorly and once it begins to break down, repair doesn’t last.

Call the Experts

Between the option of do-it-yourself repair or replace, there is always the option to call a plumber. Sometimes the intense labor is not worth trying to fix a faucet yourself. That’s why the experts at Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath, and Beyond are standing by, ready to help. Our family-owned business has been helping people in the Central Florida area for nearly two decades. If you believe your faucet needs repairs, call us today at (407) 968-1801 for a free consultation.