Top Two Reasons To Replace Your Polybutylene Pipes

Posted on January 31, 2017December 21, 2022 by chad siemer

Polybutylene pipe was once considered “the future of plumbing.” However, many recent issues with this pipe material have shown that polybutylene will not hold up long enough to make it to the future and that anyone with these pipes should probably have them replaced.

Consider the following reasons you should replace your polybutylene pipes:

City Water and Pipe Failure

It is not entirely certain if the chemically treated water from the city is the cause for these pipes failing, but it may be a contributing factor. The pipes begin to soften and flake from within, gradually deteriorating to the point that they just simply rupture. If the pipes rupture within your home, it can create quite a mess and cause severe water damage.

If the pipes burst somewhere underground, leading from your home to the city sewer lines, you could be charged hundreds, even thousands, of dollars for water that you are not using but that registers on your water meter because it is leaking from your pipes.

Unhealthy Chemicals Leaking into Your Water Supply

Polybutylene is not exactly a safe substance for humans to consume. If the pipes were reliable, you would not have to worry about this chemical leaking into your water supply. Adults may be able to handle small doses intermittently. Still, babies, children, the elderly, and adults with compromised immune systems should avoid drinking water straight from the tap in a home where there are old polybutylene pipes.

Consider replacing ALL of your polybutylene pipes at once to save you money in the long run and prevent any remaining pipes from bursting, creating destruction, and/or poisoning your family. Contact Jeff’s Kitchen Bath & Beyond at (407) 968-1801 today to learn more about polybutylene pipes and to receive a quote for pipe replacement.

Jeff’s Kitchen Bath and Beyond Earns Esteemed 2016 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Posted on January 20, 2017 by chad siemer

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Jeff’s Kitchen Bath and Beyond has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2016.

This achievement is particularly significant as Angie’s List experienced unprecedented member growth in 2016. More than 1.6 million consumers, many of whom were eager to quickly hire highly qualified service pros, joined Angie’s List after the company added a new, free membership tier.

“Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Only a fraction of the Plumbing companies in Orlando were able to do it.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2016 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must also be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For more than 21 years, Angie’s List restricted access to its verified reviews to consumers who paid membership fees. When the company removed that barrier, some companies worried that the new, non-paying members would not be as engaged as members of the past. Experience has shown, however, that these newly added members are just as engaged – across all age groups – as prior members. Also, because the company continues to adhere to its review verification process, there has been no degradation of review quality.

“The biggest change at Angie’s List is that we are connecting even more consumers to high quality service professionals,” Hicks said. “And that’s good for everyone.”

5 Signs a Water Pipe Burst Inside Your Walls or Ceiling

Posted on October 4, 2016 by chad siemer

Worried that you might have a broken pipe inside your walls or ceiling? Knowing what to look for can help prevent costly water damage throughout your home, saving you thousands of dollars on extensive repair and remediation work.

Here are 5 signs you might have a burst water pipe inside the walls or ceiling of your home:

Blistering paint or wallpaper.If you’ve noticed unusual blisters, bubbles, or other odd damage developing on the wall coverings in your home, you could have a plumbing leak. When moisture gets between your walls and the layer of paint, the bond that keeps the paint on the walls is compromised and the paint begins detaching from the walls – same goes for wallpaper.
Unpleasant odors.Water leaks can really stink up your home, especially if they’ve been left for an extended period of time. The hidden water tends to get into your walls, where it becomes stagnant and smelly.
Ceiling stains.Patches of discoloration or staining on your ceiling can also indicate that there’s a problem with your water pipes, as is a sagging ceiling.
Low water pressure.If you’ve noticed a drop in water pressure in your bathroom, kitchen, or other area of your home, a burst water pipe could be the culprit.
Dripping or free-flowing water.Of course, if you ever spot a waterfall running down your walls, or a torrent of water coming through your ceiling, it’s a pretty sure bet that you’ve got a burst water pipe! If that happens, shut off the main water supply to your home and call us here at Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath and Beyond right away!

If you are concerned about a burst water pipe, trust the experts at Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath & Beyond who have been serving the Orlando community for more than 17 years. Call 407-751-1393 for your free estimate, or schedule online for 10% off your service.

How PEX Pipe Can Improve Your Home and Cut Costs

Posted on October 4, 2016December 21, 2022 by chad siemer

When you’re working on your home, you want the highest quality and most cost-effective materials. This is particularly true when you’re re-piping your house; a poor job can cost you thousands in repair bills if there’s a leak. At Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath, & Beyond, we want our customers to have the best and most-trustworthy products. That’s why we recommend PEX pipes.

PEX is Better than Copper

Copper and PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, are the two most common piping materials. Plumbers have been re-piping with copper since the 1960s as a replacement for other metals that might contain lead and cause lead poisoning. Although PEX has existed for decades, it has only recently seen widespread use as flexible pipe in the United States. This piping is superior to copper for several reasons, including:

It is cheaper. For half-inch sections, PEX costs around a third of its metal alternative.

It is faster to install. PEX doesn’t require special fastening, whereas a plumber must solder copper at every joint.

It doesn’t corrode. Acidic water can cause copper piping to degrade over time, making PEX a particularly good choice in areas with high acidity. No matter what water type you have, PEX is impervious to corrosion.

It is available in different colors. PEX comes in white, blue, and red pieces. This means you can easily coordinate your hot and cold lines or simply use one hue for everything to keep it hidden.

A plumber can run PEX in solid pieces. Copper pipe is rigid and users can only maneuver it by cutting it and placing the pieces together. PEX is flexible enough to move over obstructions in a single section.

At Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath, & Beyond, we prefer working with PEX and always recommend it, although many companies rely on CPVC, or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. These rigid plastic pipes are much more difficult to work with, requiring splicing and elbows for proper flow around the house. When you’re ready to repipe your home with world-class plumbers and a material you can count on, call 407-968-1801 to schedule your free estimate.

Re-Piping in Orlando

Posted on August 9, 2016September 28, 2021 by chad siemer

THE PIPE PRICE IS RIGHT

Discovering that your home may need to be re-piped can be a stressful experience. You may be wondering what the cost of re-piping your house will add up to, or even what elements to look at to help you determine a good estimate. Depending on certain factors, the price of re-piping a house can range anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000. To get a better idea of how much it may cost, keep in mind a few things about your home:

Size- How many square feet is the home? How many bathrooms? The location and amount of fixtures in a home can determine how much material is needed and will vary the pricing.
Location- Where are the damaged pipes located? No matter where they are located, the whole house will need to be re-piped. Keep in mind that no matter where the pipes need replacing, there will be some damage done to the walls in order to remove the old pipes and install the new. The repair of these damage will also need to be calculated into the cost.
Age of Home- If your home is over 20 years old, chances are it could have copper pipe material, which has issues. In this instance, all of your piping will need to be replaced. We use BOW SuperPex which is the best material available.

MATERIALS MATTER

Another factor that goes into calculating the cost of re-piping a house, is the materials used. There are two common materials that can be used for re-piping; PEX, and CPVC.

PEX- a flexible plastic tubing that can often be run from the water source to the fixture in one piece is easy to install. This is our preferred material.
CPVC- rigid plastic pipes made of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) is not the easiest and we are seeing more and more failures.

If your water pressure is weak or your water bill goes through the roof, it may mean you need to re-pipe. If you have any questions, or would like a free estimate of what re-piping your home might cost, call Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath, & Beyond at 407-968-1801.

Leaking Pipes? Burst Water Pipes? Call a Pro

Posted on May 10, 2016September 28, 2021 by chad siemer

Pipe repair: DIY or Professional project?

When is DIY okay?

Homeowners occasionally try to undertake do it yourself (DIY) projects. For small projects that require little expertise such as repairing toilet hardware, replacing new faucets, or repairing a clogged drain, homeowners are safe and within their realm. In fact, being a smart and savvy homeowner includes knowing how to make minor fixes to your home. It is important, however, for a homeowner to know when attempting DIY project will cause more harm than good, and seek professional assistance.

Call in the Professionals!

A good rule of thumb to use when determining whether or not a plumber is needed is if you can’t see it, don’t try to fix it. For example, if you have a burst water pipe in your home, you cannot see the plumbing in the wall so it’s not a smart undertaking. Homeowners may also notice that their faucet or shower isn’t flowing as they should. It is okay to check if it’s a quick fix, however sometimes these problems are caused by internal plumbing issues that requires water pipe repair. If you are faced with any such situation, our professional licensed plumbing staff at Jeff’s Kitchen and Bath can assist. Our plumbers will actively listen as you describe the issue and propose the needed solution.

Burst water pipes in a home can be caused by many reasons, however, the most prevalent causes are outdated pipes, cold weather, and rust. Homeowners, especially those in older homes, are encouraged to have biannual inspections to prevent unwanted water pipe repair.

If you suspect that you have a burst water pipe in your home, contact Jeff’s Kitchen and Beyond at (407) 968-1801 for our free in home estimate. Our staff is available 24/7’s for your emergency plumbing needs.

The Benefits of PEX Pipe

Posted on January 27, 2016December 21, 2022 by chad siemer

The Benefits of PEX Pipe

There are 3 main types of pipes used for plumbing: copper, CPVC, and PEX. Copper piping doesn’t need much of an explanation, but CPVC and PEX deserve a brief description.

CPVC is thermoplastic material made with chlorination of polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC). PEX pipe is made of cross-linked polyethylene. Plumbing experts agree that PEX pipe provides the most advantages.

PEX vs. Copper

PEX is more affordable for medium to large plumbing projects. PEX is about half the cost of copper tubing. Additional costs are required for necessary tools, but nothing substantial.
PEX is easy and fast to install, especially in manifold systems. Even in a conventional branch and main line system, connections will be faster than soldering copper.
Copper may corrode over time, especially in areas with acidic water. PEX has no corrosive properties.

PEX vs. CPVC

Copper is not used as often today because of the expense, so PEX and CPVC are left for comparison:

Costs of PEX and CPVC are similar, but PEX is easier to work with and provides less risk for future problems.
PEX pipe doesn’t use glue, so there is no need to ventilate the area or wear a respirator.
PEX comes in long lengths and is more flexible, enabling ease of “fishing” through walls.
PEX withstands cold weather better than CPVC, eliminating concerns of frozen, burst pipes.
PEX doesn’t become brittle and crack from chlorine residue like CPVC.
PEX handles hot water better than CPVC. Weakened CPVC can leak at full pressure, resulting in severe flooding.

If you have CPVC plumbing and notice a leak, close the main water source until the leak can be found. Flooding can occur quickly because old or damaged CPVC is prone to snapping.

PEX is the optimal choice for your plumbing installation and repairs. We at Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath & Beyond recommend that our customers consider replacing any plumbing containing CPVC piping older than 8-10 years. To learn more about PEX piping, give us a call today at 407-968-1801 or fill out a Contact Us form.

Orlando Repipe

Posted on November 24, 2013September 28, 2021 by chad siemer

Another holiday season is upon us. This is the time of year when most business activities take a break, and repiping homes is no different.

We here at Jeff’s Kitchen Bath and Beyond certainly hope that you won’t need to undertake this stressful activity at this time of the year but stuff happens. And if you should ever find yourself in the situation where you would need your home repiped, or any other plumbing needs, we would like you to call Jeff’s Kitchen and Bath, your Orlando repiping specialists, at 407-968-1801.

We have over 20 years experience repiping Orlando. We’re a full service plumbing company and we will satisfy all your plumbing needs, providing high quality service at a very competitive and affordable cost. Please give us a call. You’ll be very happy you did.

Have a very Happy Holiday and all the best for 2014.

Reasons Why You Should Hire A Plumber For Your Bathroom Remodel Project

Posted on May 16, 2013September 28, 2021 by chad siemer

Thinking about remodeling your bathroom?

Remodeling your bathroom is one way to freshen up your home. New flooring, tiles and fixtures can totally change the feel of your home. There are several reasons you should hire a plumber for your bathroom remodel project. A professional plumber will make sure you get the top quality work in the style you are looking for, they will get the proper paperwork completed and they will save you lots of time and effort.

A professional plumber can handle your remodel to help you accomplish the look you want your newly remodeled bathroom to have. Even demolition must be handled with care to make sure you don’t damage parts of the bathroom that don’t need to be replaced. If you try to handle the job yourself you can end up with a mess in your home and cost yourself more money than is necessary.

A bathroom renovation can sometimes require permits or other paperwork before the work can begin. A professional plumber will acquire the documents you need and make sure your remodel is done the right way. A professional will make sure that the job is done correctly and compliant with any legal standards. If you are trying to be green, they can also make sure that the bathroom is energy efficient and makes use of recycled materials.

A bathroom remodel can be a time consuming project. Hiring a professional plumber for your bathroom remodel will ensure that your remodel is completed in a timely fashion. Amateur handy men could leave you holding the bag after you pay them, they may disappear of complete the job in a shoddy manner. Hiring a professional will get your family back to normal quickly.

Don’t tackle a bathroom renovation on your own and end up without a bathroom for an extended period of time. Hire someone with the knowledge and expertise to give you a bathroom that looks great and fits your style. A professional plumber can complete your renovation and have your home back to normal quickly.

Looking to remodel your bathroom in the Orlando area? Need a reliable Orlando plumber? Call Jeff’s Kitchen, Bath and Beyond today at (407) 968-1801.

Signs Your Drain Needs To Be Cleaned

Posted on May 9, 2013September 28, 2021 by chad siemer

Does your home need a professional drain cleaning?

Across the United States people use plumbing and pipes that are subject to plugging and clogging. In Orlando, by correctly observing pipes in a home, the consumer can easily identify whether or not their pipes and drains need cleaning, so as to get the best service possible on the market to take care of the plumbing problem that may be ruining a home’s internal plumbing. There are several proactive steps that can be taken in order to assess a situation and determine whether or not pipes should be cleaned and taken care of in a home.Backed up pipes cause sewages and water to become backed up and overflowing. This is one of the most common problems of a backed up sewage system. When this happens it is an obvious sign for homeowners that their plumbing and drain needs cleaning. When this occurs it is extremely important to seek out the best plumbing service possible in order to deal with the problem as not addressing the issue can cause the problem to become significantly worse quickly. Checking sinks and toilets is an easy way to make sure that the problem does not occur and that water and sewage is not becoming backed up in a home.

Knowing what water pressure should be like is also another key component for determining whether or not piping and plumbing is functioning properly. Water pressure levels are a direct sign as to whether or not plumbing is functioning properly. Plumbing centers around water pressure levels, as trying to force water through a smaller hole causes water pressure level to change because of the nature of plugged pipes that do not allow water to flow freely through them. Maintaining constant pressure that is even and flowing properly is key to making sure that plumbing is flowing properly.

The best thing to do when a problem arises with piping is to call a certified plumber. Thankfully that service is not far away. Investing in good plumbing can help a person to act on these problems as they occur in order to tackle them and leave them in the past.

Need to get your pipes and drain cleaned in Orlando? Call us at (407) 968-1801 and set up an appointment today!