Blog

shower valve in modern bathroom

Are Shower Valves Universal?

For safe and comfortable showers, shower valves are essential. These hardworking devices keep your water temperature and water pressure exactly how you want them. Whenever homeowners are remodeling, repairing, or replacing a shower, they often replace their shower valve as well. And they sometimes wonder: Are shower valves universal? The answer is no. Below, we’ll look closely at shower valves: what they are, what they do, and why they aren’t interchangeable at all. Quick Takeaways

Read More »
Leaking shower head

6 Common Causes of a Leaking Shower

Tired of listening to that slow drip coming from your leaky showerhead? Not only is a leak annoying, but it also wastes several gallons of water per week. To stop the leak, you’ll need to first determine the cause. Learn more about the most common reasons behind a leaky showerhead and what you can do to fix it. Quick Takeaways Many shower leaks don’t come from the showerhead, but from a worn internal component. The

Read More »
Reverse osmosis filter installed to remove fluoride from water

Do Water Filtration Systems Remove Fluoride?

You can use a filtration system to reduce the amount of fluoride in your home’s water. However, not all systems work as efficiently or as well as others, so it’s critical to understand the differences between them before making a purchase decision. Let’s take a closer look at how filtration systems work, the various types of systems and how the folks at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can help. Quick Takeaways Not all filtration systems remove fluoride.

Read More »
Plumber installing reverse osmosis filter

How Does Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Work?

Reverse osmosis is a water filtration method that uses pressure to force water through a membrane. It is an impressively effective way to produce some of the cleanest water for home use. We will discuss how RO works, the contaminants it removes, whether it’s right for your home, and how to optimize your home’s RO system. Quick Takeaways Reverse osmosis uses pressure to push water through a membrane. The membrane removes dissolved solids, chemicals, metals,

Read More »
what is pipe bursting

What Is Pipe Bursting?

Pipe bursting is a plumbing method that allows us to replace your underground water or sewer line by pulling a new pipe through your old one and breaking the old pipe into pieces in the process. If you’ve searched for “What is pipe bursting,” you might have found it described as a “trenchless” method. Underground pipe replacement used to involve digging trenches in your yard to get to the pipes. Pipe bursting means that today,

Read More »
trenchless vs traditional sewer line repair methods

Trenchless Sewer Repair vs Traditional: Which Is Better for Your Home?

Trenchless and traditional sewer repair are the two most common methods for fixing lines, but they are quite different. The trenchless sewer repair method involves fixing the line from within while minimizing digging, usually by relining the pipe. Conversely, the traditional sewer repair method involves excavating the line and replacing a section or the whole thing. Trenchless sewer repair vs traditional is a choice many Tampa, FL, homeowners have to make. Here is a look

Read More »

How Florida’s Sandy Soil Affects Underground Water Lines

Florida’s vast expanses of sand are heaven for tourists and sun-lovers. For homeowners, though, sandy property is no day at the beach. Across the state, the soil can contain significant amounts of sand. It’s a particular problem for coastal areas and low-lying regions — the city of Tampa, for instance. What’s wrong with sandy soil? Consider the following: It shifts around frequently. It erodes and washes away easily. It contains more pores than typical soil,

Read More »
water line vs sewer line

Water Line vs Sewer Line: What’s the Difference for Tampa Homeowners?

Your underground plumbing isn’t something you concern yourself about unless something goes wrong. Unfortunately, many plumbing problems could exist for weeks or months before you discover them. What could’ve been a quick fix could turn into a costly repair. The primary focus of diagnosing plumbing problems begins with knowing which lines are affected. The water lines bring water into your home; the sewer lines remove waste. The first indicators of a problem are when either

Read More »
homeowner frustrated with her DIY method of clearing stubborn clog

DIY Drain Cleaning Risks: Why Quick Fixes Can Cost You More

Everyone has to deal with clogged or dirty drains at some point. This is usually seen as a minor inconvenience that can be solved with plungers, drain snakes, and some chemical drain cleaner. Sadly, DIY drain cleaning solutions can only take you so far. You may have cleared enough of a clogged drain to allow the water in your sink or bathtub to drain, but the problem could come back due to hidden issues that

Read More »
chemical drain cleaners with skull and cross bones label

Is Drain Cleaner Bad for Pipes? The Truth Every Homeowner Should Know

Yes, the unfortunate truth is that chemical drain cleaners can be bad for your pipes. The majority of these contain caustic agents or harsh acids that generate heat and cause corrosion that weakens PVC, metal and other types of plumbing. Over time, using these drain cleaners can lead to cracks, leaks and pricy repairs. Safer options for removing clogs include plungers, enzymatic cleaners, drain snakes and general maintenance. Diving into why drain cleaners are harmful

Read More »