Author Archives: CincyPlumber

Kohler Faucet: KT463-4V-CP

Looking to upgrade the faucets in your bathrooms?  Look no further than the Kohler KT463-4V-CP faucet.

Kohler KT463-4V-CP

Add classic details to your bathroom with this Memoirs valve trim. Featuring Stately design details, the trim’s easy-to-operate Deco lever handle brings sophistication and comfort to your shower. Pair this trim with a Rite-Temp® pressure-balancing valve, which maintains your desired water temperature during pressure fluctuations.

Dimensions

Height 6″, Length 6-5/32″, Width 6″

Features

  • Premium material construction for durability and reliability
  • KOHLER finishes resist corrosion and tarnishing, exceeding industry durability standards by over two times
  • Rite-Temp® pressure-balancing technology maintains water temperature within +/-3 degrees Fahrenheit
  • High-temperature limit stop allows you to preset a comfortable maximum temperature to eliminate scalding
  • Completes Memoirs design solution with KOHLER fixtures and accessories

Contact your Cincinnati Plumbers for pricing and installation of this fabulous Kohler faucet.

Video Camera Inspection

Got a sewer problem?

Unlike the old days, where they would take an educated guess and start to dig, your Cincinnati Plumbers can now use a video camera to perform an inspection of your sewer lines.  This inspection can be narrated and recorded so that you, the homeowner, has a copy for your records.

You would want, and need, to have this inspection done if you are experiencing a problem, but also if you plan a remodel that adds new bathrooms, or updates an old kitchen. This will help to make sure you will have no issues when your new fixtures are installed.

Another good time to call for a video camera inspection of your sewer lines?  Prior to buying a new home!  This is not part of a regular home inspection,  but not knowing of potential problems before buying the home, can cause headache and large expenses down the road.

Call us today to schedule your video camera drain inspection!

Smelly Drains?

It’s not pleasant when it happens, nor is it pleasant to talk about. But, we are going to talk about it.

Stinky, smelly drains. What causes them?  What do you do to fix them?
First thing you need to do is to determine the cause of the odor

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)
Fog can create some smelly, and potentially damaging, build up in your drains. Not only is the FOG itself an odor generator, there are almost always food particles trapped in it, and as these particles spoil, they, too, can release an odor. The best way to prevent this is to never put FOG down your drain, even if you have a garbage disposal.

Rotten Eggs
Does your drain smell like rotten eggs?  That is most likely caused by hydrogen sulfide gas. Usually, this problem comes from your water (most often from your hot water heater), and causes your drain to smell like rotten eggs.  It is best to have a professional plumber diagnose this issue.

Septic or Sewer Problems
Sometimes leaks in your septic or sewer line can cause your drains to smell. This can be a fairly serious situation as it can indicate a backflow issue or other problem with your home’s main sewer or septic line.

Food Particles
Food can get stuck inside your drain and spoil, causing a really, foul odor. Rinsing your drain once a week with white vinegar and baking soda can help remove these food particles and flush them out of your drain system.

Foul odors from your plumbing system can be an indication that a problem exists. Do not ignore the smells, try the above or contact your Cincinnati Plumbers for their expert help in removing the smelly odors from your drains.

Spring Plumbing Tips

Spring is just around the corner, so make a plan to handle these helpful Spring Plumbing Tips.

Check for Leaks

  • Inspect toilet tank and bowl for cracks or leaks.
  • Check toilets for hidden leaks. Add six drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
  • Check faucets for drips or leaks. Make repairs to save water.
  • Check exposed pipes under sinks and in the basement for signs of leaks.

Water Heater

  • Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
  • Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out corrosion causing sediment, which reduces heating efficiency and shortens the life of the heater. A great Spring Plumbing Tip.
  • Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. (The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made.) Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.

Drains

  • Ensure that all drains have strainers to prevent hair, soap and debris from clogging the drain lines.
  • Pour a gallon of water into infrequently used drains (including floor drains) to fill the trap and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked to ensure they will carry away water quickly in the event of a flood.
  • Install a backflow valve in the floor drain if you live in an area where sewers sometimes back up into homes. This device will prevent future backups.
  • Make sure yard drains, gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, open, and free of debris.

If you have any leaks, or need any repairs done, call your Cincinnati Plumber, Flow-Rite Plumbing, today!

Winter Plumbing Tips

Protect your home and family from plumbing problems this winter.

Spend a little time and money now to prevent large bills and repairs this winter due to cracked or burst pipes,

  • Insulate all exposed pipes.
  • Throughout the winter, be sure to run water from every valve in your house at regular intervals. This will prevent freezing.
  • Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather could prevent the pipe from bursting.
  • Change washing machines hoses. If the hoses are older than 5 years, they can easily rupture, especially if you have high water pressure.
  • Unattach garden hoses before freezing temperatures arrive. Close the shut-off valve on the pipes which lead to your outdoor spigots. Drain any residual water from spigots and hoses.
  • Replace your hot water heater if it is older than 10 years. They corrode at the bottom and can easily leak, causing flooding.
  • Get a good inspection done. Call your Cincinnati Plumbers to schedule an inspection that could prevent damage, and large expenses, in the future.

Vendor Spotlight: Kohler

In business since 1873, Kohler ideas, craftsmanship and technology are at work today worldwide. KOHLER plumbing products mean beautiful form as much as reliable function. Kohler’s 11 manufacturing facilities in North America produce a wide range of plumbing products for homes and business throughout the world.

Whether you are looking to update your faucets, sinks or tub and shower, call your Cincinnati Plumber today for an estimate.

Summer Plumbing Tips

Check the water heater and hot water supply to ensure the temperature is lowered to around 120 F. Not too low, but a few degrees will shave a little something off the utility bills and help offset the seasonal increase in electricity usage.

Turn on water in bathtub and in the kitchen sink. If there is a noticeable reduction in water volume, the piping in the house may need to be replaced because of calcium and mineral deposits restricting water flow.

Check to make sure that the garbage disposer and dishwasher connections are tight and leak free.

Check drain spouts and gutters to ensure they are clean and free of blockages.

If you have a sump pump, make sure it’s in top condition to be ready for any strong summer storms that may blow your way.

New tree growth in the spring can cause roots to make their way to the best water source: your sewer line.  If you suspect any damage, have a plumber check your lines.

Replace showerheads and faucets with low-flow fixtures or install aerators.  You’ll save water and money, without any difference in water pressure.

Vendor Spotlight: Rheem

Since 1920, Rheem Manufacturing Company has been respected For Reliability. Rheem is an industry leader for total heating, cooling and water heating solutions.

Rheem is the industry leader for total heating, cooling and water heating solutions.  In fact, Rheem is one of the few global brands with product offerings covering residential and commercial heating, cooling, conventional storage-style water heaters, tankless water heaters, solar water heating systems, replacement parts and accessories for all categories.

 

Sewer Line Inspection

Most buyers know to have a home inspection done before they buy their new home… but do you ever think of having the sewer lines inspected?

If not, you should!

If you are considering placing an offer on a home over 20 years old, you will want to get the sewer lines inspected.  Trees, tar paper/Orangeburg pipes and cesspools are just a few of the reasons to have the sewer lines inspected prior to buying.

A Sewer Line Inspection involves a camera mounted on a snake that gets put through the sewer lines.  Not only will this show if the lines are clogged, but can provide valuable information about the condition of the pipes and what material they are made out of.

This is not usually included in the Home Inspection,  but could cause you thousands in the long run. Spend a little now to save a fortune later!

Cincinnati Sewer Line Inpections

Record Snow Fall in Cincinnati

We sure have been getting hit with a lot of the white stuff in Cincinnati lately! We just had a record snow fall in the Tri-state area.
Don’t forget that all that snow will eventually melt when sunny days and warm weather come. Where will all that water go?

winter tree
winter tree

For those of us that rely on a sump pump to take care of  our storm drainage during the wet season….Have you checked your pumps operation! Is it working properly? How about the back up sump pump and is the battery charged and ready to go?

 

Be prepared for the excess water created by our recent record snow fall. Call a Cincinnati Plumber to inspect your sump pump for correct operation. Don’t have a back -up sump pump?

Flow-Rite Plumbing installs back -up sump pumps that take the worry out of the equation. If the power goes out or your primary pump fails for any reason you need a back-up sump pump.So why not install the best.

# 1 Back-up Sump Pump

Standard 3Yr warranty and it includes a battery (installed for as low as $ 985.00)

Call a Cincinnati plumber to service or install a back up sump pump today at 513-383-4242