spring cleaning pix

Drain Cleaning Tips

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Don’t Forget Your Drains When Spring Cleaning  

Spring cleaning is a ritual many of us take part in every year when the temperatures warm and the days get longer.  This often entails cleaning windows, dusting everything, and making sure our homes smell fresh. But what about your drains?

Don’t Wait for a Problem to Clean Your Drains

Cleaning your drains may not be an item on your traditional spring-cleaning list, but taking a little time to clean your drains thoroughly can avoid some major problems down the road. Read more →

Burst water pipe

Being Ready for Cold Weather

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Frigid Temps Can Cause Significant Water Damage

Frigid temperatures are forecast over the next several days and weeks. Taking a few preventative actions now can help avoid major plumbing issues and potential water damage to your home or business.

Very cold weather can lead to broken water lines and substantial water damage, especially for older homes. Cold temperatures and winter winds can push very cold air into your home and cause poorly insulated pipes in your walls, basements, and crawl spaces to freeze. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.  An 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

Read more →

man working on water heater

Hot Water Heater Maintenance

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How Your Hot Water Heater Can Save You Money

man working on water heater

It pays to keep your water heater working efficiently.

Did you know that 18% of your average energy bill comes from heating your water? Heating water requires more energy than any other household task except heating and cooling your whole home. Making sure your water heater is as efficient as it can be will save you money.

Inefficient water heaters do a poorer job of heating your water which increases your utility bills. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that every homeowner can take to improve the energy efficiency and lower the cost of operating their water heater. Read more →

Man thinking about which plumber to choose.

Choosing a Plumber

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Your Options When Calling a Plumber

Licensed, experienced plumber

Certified, experienced plumbers can offer several options to address your plumbing problem.

When a plumber or any trades person is called to make a service call there are normally several options available to solve your problem.

If a water line is leaking, there may be a simple fix, like patching the hole in the pipe … or you may find that, although the pipe is leaking in one spot, the entire pipe is corroded and it may be wiser to replace the entire section of pipe.

Read more →

PVC pipe plumbing repair

Drain Blockages and Leaks

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What Lies Beneath Your Home Might Surprise You

Plumbing repair

A home’s plumbing, while often unseen, keeps everything flowing smoothly.

Under every home is a network of drainage pipes that keep everything in our home flowing smoothly.  But like anything else, out of sight also means out of mind for most of us.  Plumbing is something we don’t often give much thought to until we have a sink, shower or toilet back up on us.

Like anything else that has been around awhile all plumbing pipes have a life span.  Over time clay tiles, galvanized pipe, copper pipe and even plastic pipe will deteriorate.  When it does breakdown, because of corrosion or roots growing into it, that’s when we have to deal with back upped drains or leaks. Read more →

tankless water heater installed

Tank-Style vs. Tankless Water Heaters

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Should I Get a Tankless Water Heater?

Three to four times a month we get an inquiry at Brenneco Plumbing about “Should I get a tankless or a standard tank-style water heater?”  Of course the proverbial answer to that question is, “It depends”.  Both provide hot water for your needs, but they work differently. Depending on your home and personal water needs, one may be a better fit over the other. Read more →

Brenneco Plumbing helps unclog drains!

Simple drain cleaning tips!

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A clogged drain is a nuisance, no doubt. A toilet that won’t flush or a sink or tub that won’t drain can certainly put a damper on your day. Before we look at home remedies to clear a clog, let’s discuss ways to prevent a clog in the first place:

1. Place a strainer over each drain. This will catch food, hair, and other items before they enter the drain.

2. Keep drains and pipes clear of buildup by running hot water after every use. This will help wash away any residue and keep water flowing freely!

3. Baking soda and vinegar are great natural cleaners. Add these to your drain, followed by hot water, to keep it free of clogs.

Sometimes, though, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves standing ankle-deep in water when we step into the shower, or scrambling to shut off the water when the toilet is about to overflow. Here are some simple ways you can try to clear a clog without using potentially harmful chemicals or hiring a professional: Read more →

Ask the Lafayette Indiana plumber questions!

Why is my basement flooding?

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Basements can flood at any time. There are those who know the moment the forecast shows torrential rains heading towards Lafayette, Indiana that they must roll up their sleeves and get ready for battle against the incoming water that never drains properly. We also have the overconfident homeowner who stands firm that their home has never flooded and never will. If you have a basement, you’re at risk. Don’t be fooled.

We know basements can flood during large rainfalls or when snow melts rapidly. Basements can also be at risk in the driest of weather. Storm sewer backups, clogged drain lines, foundation leaks and groundwater can all cause unwanted water to make its way into your basement. Since they occupy the lowest level of the home, basements are below ground level and, by nature, susceptible to flooding.  Sometimes, the slope of the land your home is built upon can allow water to accumulate and have nowhere to go but let gravity take over. Read more →