Blog

What is the best temperature setting for my water heater?

The temperature you set for your water heater can affect your comfort and your wallet as well as your energy efficiency and safety. The best temperature setting is one that balances all those things, letting you enjoy your morning shower while reducing risks as much as possible. Let’s take a deep dive into the warm waters of optimal temperature settings. The Goldilocks Guide to Getting Your Water Heater Temperature Just Right According to the U.S.

Read More »

PEX vs. Copper Piping

Your plumbing is one of the most important systems in your home. On top of a good plumbing plan to be installed by skilled plumbers, your home needs to be built with good plumbing materials as well. In recent years, the development of PEX has introduced a whole new set of decisions into the process of plumbing a home as homeowners and contractors like Benjamin Franklin Plumbing must choose between PEX and the traditional copper.

Read More »

How do I know if my home needs new piping?

Home plumbing systems typically have pipes made from materials that last for decades. If you’re lucky, you could even live in a house that never needs repiping. While many failing piping systems can limp along for a while, the truth is that they’ll eventually cause issues that you can’t ignore. Professional plumbers can often suggest replacing just one pipe or a small portion for isolated problems. But, they may need to recommend completely repiping the

Read More »

How Often Do Homes Need to Be Repiped?

While a plumbing system’s pipes can last for decades, several factors that can impact their lifespan. This includes piping material, maintenance frequency, water quality, and temperature fluctuations. Let’s take a closer look at how often homes need to be repiped. Average Lifespan of Common Pipe Materials Galvanized Steel: You can expect galvanized steel pipes to last up to 50 years. Unfortunately, this type of piping material is more prone to experiencing premature corrosion. Leaks can

Read More »

Can my pipes be repaired or do I need to replace?

While it is easy to overlook the important function of your home’s drain pipes on a daily basis, a drain pipe problem can wreak havoc on your life and property. When the pipes are cracked, blocked, leaking or showing other troublesome signs, you may immediately wonder how long the repair will take and what it will cost. The answer depends on if a pipe repair or a replacement is needed. Common Drain Pipe Issues Drain

Read More »

Why Does Soft Water Feel Slimy in the Shower?

Soft water allows soap to lather more than hard water does, so the primary reason that soft water feels slimy is that you use too much soap and/or shampoo. The minerals in hard water inhibit the lathering properties of soap and shampoo. Because soft water doesn’t have those minerals, the same amount of soap will lather far more than you’re used to. The extra soap is what feels slimy. The best way to stop the

Read More »

Is the Water in Tampa Hard or Soft?

Tampa is among Florida’s best places to live and visit. Unfortunately, the area is burdened by hard water. While hard water is not necessarily bad for your health, it can cause a number of other issues. While some of these problems may impact your quality of life at home, others will result in you spending extra money on repairs. Let’s take a closer look at the problems that stem from hard water. What Problems Are

Read More »

How often do I have to add salt to my water softener?

Tampa’s water is classified as very hard, which means that it contains a high concentration of minerals. While these minerals will not affect your health, they do have other effects. For example, they can spot your dishes and impact how well your laundry is cleaned. Hard water can add a film over your faucets, sinks, tubs and shower glass that is difficult to remove. It can even affect how well your soap foams up in

Read More »

How to Test for Hard Water

Hard water is a common problem in the Tampa area. In fact, on the water hardness scale, the local water is classified as very hard. Hard water often has floaters in it that settle at the bottom of a glass. It can taste unusual as well, but it also has more significant impacts. While hard water is problematic, there is an easy solution. A water softener will remove mineral sediments from the water as it

Read More »

What Is Hard Water?

If you notice a significant amount of soap scum on your tub walls, it may be caused by hard water. Your dry and itchy skin may also be caused by this phenomenon. It’s also possible that a damaged pipe or inconsistent water pressure throughout your home can be blamed on hard water as well. Let’s take a closer look at what this is and how you can mitigate it in your home. What Is Hard

Read More »