Responsible Homeowners Check Outdoor Fixtures

Summer is a great time of the year and a season that many of us look forward to for months, but it also has its downsides. With heavy rains and thunderstorms, droughts, extreme heat and humidity, bugs and scorching sun, summer comes with more than just pool parties and vacations.

The summer months can be especially hard on your outdoor fixtures, which are often the last thing on your mind during this fun but busy time. So, in the midst of your sometimes chaotic summer schedule, take some time this year to check on and maintain your outdoor plumbing.

Don’t Overlook Fixture Repair

Whether it needs to be repainted, cleaned, have a bulb replaced or be remounted, outdoor fixtures often get overlooked on the home to-do list. Yet, many of these repairs are quick and easy but will add to the outdoor appeal of your home.

Further, if the repairs needed are keeping your fixtures from working, making the repairs can help make your home safer and more protected.

So, whatever the maintenance - from cleaning to painting - take a few minutes and repair your outdoor fixtures. Not only will this have your fixtures looking better, but getting them in good shape will also help prepare them to weather the summer conditions.

Check Your Outdoor Plumbing

Another thing that is often overlooked is outdoor plumbing. Most of us pay little or no attention to outdoor faucets, pipes or sprinkler heads except when there is some sort of major problem with them.

Help protect your yard, home, and water bills this year by checking your outdoor plumbing. A quick inspection to ensure that there are no leaky pipes or faucets and that everything is working and draining correctly could save you a major headache in the future.

If you’re not sure where to begin, simply call a plumber to schedule maintenance and inspection. Too often outdoor plumbing is overlooked and neglected, which can lead to big problems.

It Might be Time to Replace Outdoor Fixtures

Even when they’re well maintained, your outdoor fixtures undergo a lot of wear and tear. As a result, at some point, your efforts to repair them are likely going to be unsuccessful, and it will simply be time to replace them.

Here are a few things you can look for to indicate it’s time for a replacement:

• Substantial rust: while you can paint over this, if your fixture is fully rusted it’s time to replace it
• Not quality components: if your fixture is plastic, composite or aluminum and is in need of substantial repairs, it probably will make sense to simply replace it (in contrast, if it’s brass or copper, it might be worth doing more substantial repairs)
• There are major wiring or connection issues: these can be a safety issue and should, at the very least, be inspected by a professional before attempting repairs

If your outdoor fixtures are in need of repair or replacement or if you have any questions about them, call Laney's Inc. today at (701) 237-0543. We’re happy to inspect, maintain, repair or replace your fixtures and plumbing to ensure that your home is ready for summer.

Toilet Etiquette Tips for the Unlucky Lot

Was your St. Patrick's Day a big fail this year? Some people seem to have taken all the four-leaf clovers for themselves, while others have the terrible luck of walking into a bathroom that will likely send us to therapy. Never fear, though; Laney's Inc. has thought up a way to reverse your dirty bathroom curse!

All you need to do is improve your toilet etiquette. Doing so will improve the experience of everyone who walks into your bathroom, and it will also help you avoid dealing with a plumbing emergency caused by negligent behavior.

Why Should You Clean the Toilet?

To be frank, you should clean the toilet because you don't want to be nasty. It's the same reason you should always flush the toilet.

Not to mention the fact that neglecting to flush the toilet each time it's used can lead to the toilet or the sewer pipe that carries your waste away becoming clogged, which can potentially result in a plumbing emergency like a burst pipe or a sewage backup.

Aside from your basic flushing, you should also be cleaning your toilet on a regular basis. Everything, from the inside of the bowl to the toilet seat to the tank, needs to be cleaned. This could prevent a severe health situation by keeping bacteria at bay.

Why Are You Putting Down the Toilets?

The next thing you need to check is that you are not disposing of all manner of things in your toilet. Most people assume that they can flush things like Q-Tips or hair and nail trimmings down the toilet because they are small and can fit through the drain without it clogging.

What they don’t realize is that the drain pipe narrows significantly once it gets out of the actual toilet. The reason you shouldn’t flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down your toilet is that those things can be broken down more easily, and won’t clog your sewer pipes.

A clogged sewer pipe can result in a major buildup of pressure behind the clog, causing the pipe to burst. In that case, you could find yourself paying for a costly repiping service, along with the service to clean up after your plumbing emergency.

Are You the Cause of a Plumbing Emergency?

While you may think that you don’t need to be responsible for preventing a plumbing emergency in a public bathroom, your actions in public bathrooms are a big part of toilet etiquette!

For example, if you had overindulged a bit on St. Patrick’s Day (had one too many green beers, maybe) and your aim for the toilet suffered for it, then you would have been part of spreading unsanitary bacteria, and causing a safety hazard.

So, in summary, we can all improve our luck with both public and private bathrooms by cleaning up after ourselves, not disposing of hygiene products in the toilet, and remembering #keepyouraim. Even if you already do all of these things, you may have a plumbing emergency that is out of your control. In that case, you can still call Laney’s Inc at (701) 237-0543 to get in contact with a professional plumbing contractor in Fargo, ND today.

5 Worst Toilet Habits You May be Guilty Of

You may be surprised to know that you are guilty of some of the worst toilet habits that can cause all sorts of damage to your toilet and your bathroom plumbing system in general. But why would you continue to do things that you know may be damaging to your plumbing?

Well, the truth is that you may not know that your toilet habits are hurting your toilet. Even if you do, you may not be aware of just how seriously your bad habits can affect your toilet plumbing.

Laney's Inc. has taken the time to compile a list of the five worst plumbing habits most people are guilty of without knowing it. Check out our list below and learn why you need to change your ways asap!

Bad Habits For Toilet Piping

1. Flushing too much down your toilet at once.
   (Don’t be afraid to flush periodically if you need to. No one’s judging you, and it could save you from a clogged toilet)
2. Flushing the wrong things down your toilet.
   (What are the "wrong" things to flush? Basically, anything that isn't human waste or toilet paper)
3. Using liquid drain cleaners to unclog your toilet.
   (Don’t do it. This is what plungers are for. Plungers can unclog your toilet without damaging your pipes. Use them)
4. Ignoring toilet issues that can be easily fixed.
   (If your toilet is running water or constantly clogging, don’t ignore it! Ignoring the problem will only allow it time to grow worse)
5. Poorly Installed Toilet Pipes.
   (Pipes that aren’t installed right the first time can cause a slew of plumbing problems for you in the future)

These Habits Can Cause Significant Toilet Damage

Repeatedly doing just one of the above things can cause damage to your toilet or the pipes that are connected to it.

Being guilty of multiple bad toilet habits is a disaster waiting to happen. Flushing too much paper at once or flushing other non-organic materials down the toilet can cause a clog in the drain line.

While most clogs occur within the toilet and can be easily broken up with a plunger, a more severe clog can cause pressure to build up within your pipes and potentially lead the pipe to burst.

Can You Afford The Repair Cost For Damaged Toilet Piping?

Depending on how severe the damage to your toilet and pipes is, you could end up paying up to $500 or $600 or toilet and plumbing repairs. Not to mention the cost of damages that can be caused by extreme cases like a broken pipe or sewage back up.

Fortunately, most of the repairs plumbers perform on toilets are just unclogging the line. For a simple repair service like that, you can spend as little as $80 or as much as a few hundred dollars.

Call Laney's Inc. in Fargo if you have a significant plumbing problem you need to be addressed right away. Our team of highly-trained professionals is available at (701) 237-0543. Don't forget to look up proper toilet maintenance tips to help you avoid costly mistakes in the future.

Should Professional Plumbing be Considered an Art?

What is "art?" This is a question that has plagued artists for decades. Many view art as an expression of the artist's thoughts or emotions. Others say that art is a reflection of the world the artist lives in. The famous painter Andy Warhol once said that "art is anything you can get away with."

Have you ever considered that art could even be found in something as ordinary as professional plumbing? As unconventional as it may seem to speak of art and plumbing services in the same context, there are many ways that professional plumbing falls into the same category as art. Read on to find out how.

When Did it Become an Art?

The simple answer is that professional plumbing became an art somewhere around 3,000 BC when the first pipes were believed to be invented. To put it plainly, plumbing was always art.

How? Well, we get our word "art" from the Middle English word "artifice" which speaks of something that doesn't exist in nature. So by the mere fact that someone made primitive pipes more than 5,000 years ago, plumbing can be considered an art.

Other definitions of the word "art" refer to a particular skill or skill set, as well as a knowledge, and a specific process. This definition uses the word "sciences." This definition is the one that comes from the Latin word "ars." Because plumbers around the world use their skill set to follow a process and repair our homes' plumbing, they should, by definition, be considered artists!

What Does The Art of Modern of Plumbing Look Like?

The art of modern plumbing is showcased around the world today in a variety of ways. From world famous fountains like Bethesda Fountain in New York’s Central Park (made famous as the scene of the opening credits for the sitcom Friends) to modern art installations like Crown Fountain in Chicago.

You can also see modern plumbing at its best in Disney theme parks around the world in shows like the nighttime spectacular, Fantasmic!

All of these show the art of plumbing in different ways, because plumbing can be so versatile, and used in so many different ways. It can be as simple as running water through a fountain, in the same way, every day for decades, or it can spray a specifically timed stream across a terrace as long as a football field. In the case of Fantasmic! The wonder of modern plumbing can even make fountains synchronize to music and "dance," or act as a screen for images and colors to be projected onto!

Suburban Applications of Plumbing Arts

You don't have to travel around the world, or even to Disneyland, to see the beauty of modern day plumbing art. You can witness the art of plumbing right here in Fargo, ND, every day through its suburban uses, like public drinking fountains and even common sewer systems.

The skills displayed by professional plumbers in these seemingly mundane things should be appreciated every bit as much as the intricate fountains and art displays we previously discussed.

Share this article with your friends and loved ones to share the artful experience of living with modern plumbing! And call Laney’s Inc. for all your plumbing service needs in Fargo, ND!

3 Quick Tips for New Constructions

If you are on the verge of beginning a new construction project in or around your home, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. This is especially true when it comes to construction projects that require new plumbing to be installed.

How can you be sure you’ve hired the best people for the job? If you need new pipes, what kind of pipes are best for your home? Is it really worth the extra money for higher end pipe materials? All of these are valid questions.

If a new construction project has you feeling stressed out and anxious, read on for some helpful tips about new construction plumbing!

Hire Local Professionals

First things first- when it comes to plumbing, ALWAYS hire a professional! We all have that one friend whose brother is a plumber, and while we’d like to promote helping a guy out, nepotism is the death of timely plumbing construction.

Now that we have that out of the way, you’ll want to hire a plumber that is local, and that has a reputation for doing good work, in a reasonable amount of time, for a fair price. Here are some things to look for in a plumber before hiring them for a new construction job on your home:

• Is the plumber licensed and insured?
• How do their references look?
• Can they give you an estimate of how much the project will cost and how long it will take to complete?
• Do they offer some sort of payment plan?

Always Choose Best Quality for Plumbing Installations

Whether you are looking at the piping or fixtures, or the plumber installing them, you want the best quality for your home’s plumbing! It’s important not to rush any decisions when it comes to construction plumbing.

Take your time to “shop around” and compare the prices and quality of different pipes and plumbing services in your area to make sure you have the best. This will bring you peace of mind, and will ensure your home’s plumbing is in good hands!

Get Informed of Different Pipes and Their Pros + Cons

Nowadays you can have your choice of material your pipes are made of! Here are some of the most common types of pipes you could have in your home:

• PEX Pipes are incredibly versatile and can be used to supply both hot and cold water, but some environmentalists fear they may not be safe for drinking water. They are the best choice for retrofitting.
• PVC Pipes are popular due to the fact that they don't rust or corrode over time, and are lightweight and easy to work with. They are also great because they can withstand high water pressure. Unfortunately, though, they cannot carry hot water, or they will warp.
• Copper Pipes have proven themselves the most reliable kind of pipe. They have a long lifespan, won’t pollute your water, and are heat tolerant. The only downside to copper pipes is the price, as copper pipes can go for as much as $285 for 100 ft.
• Galvanized Steel Pipes are rarely used in new construction. In older homes that still have galvanized steel pipes, reposing is recommended dive steel pipes have a tendency to rust on the inside, causing reduced water pressure and clogging. Steel pipes are also known to cause traces of lead to be found in your tap water, because of corrosion.

Stone Counters and New Kitchen Sink Install

Any guess as to how much time on average you spend in your kitchen? Unofficially, estimates suggest that most people spend on average 6 hours a week, cooking, eating and gathering together for meals. That is why it is worth it to do a kitchen remodel to get the configuration and design that suits your usage patterns and your style of kitchen plumbing.

A very popular choice is stone countertops because of their clean lines and chic look. While stone is incredibly durable and well-suited for a kitchen, it can be more challenging to cut and to install. That's why you should take special care while you are putting in your kitchen sink.
Here is what you need to do:

Call Your Plumber

Even if you are handy, this is a job that is recommended for certified professionals. Between the necessity for accuracy as well as all the details and skill that surround a kitchen sink install.

Because of this, it is a comfort to be able to rely on your Fargo, ND plumber's training, tools, and certification. Doing this on your own can be frustrating, and you might be prone to errors.

The Sink Selection

There is inspiration all around when it comes to kitchen design, with the ample supply of design magazines and T.V. programs, you shouldn't have trouble finding something that you like.

However, in addition to the way a sink looks, consider how you are going to use it. Do you cook a lot? A double basin is great for prep and washing dishes. Do you cook a lot of produce? The deep basin sink is best then.

Do you like the seamless look of an undermount sink and does your cabinet space permit installation of this kitchen plumbing? Don’t forget a bigger sink means less counter space so make sure that it makes sense for you.

Learn About Measurements

Once you've selected what kind of sink you might like, take the measurements in your kitchen and double-check them so that you don't make mistakes.

If you are off, you may have too big of a hole in your countertop that will be a challenge to seal - you may face a lot of leaks and water damage.

If too small, you might have to re-cut the stone, which could cause damage to the countertops. You could be looking at having to re-purchase your counter, your sink or both. It’s worth the extra time to get it right.

Replace Your Plumbing If You Notice These Signs

It’s important to get your money’s worth from the things you own in your home. Your plumbing pipes, for example, have been built to last not just years, but decades. From the time you move into a home to the time you move out and other families start a new life in your home, the same plumbing pipes can theoretically be there, still delivering water into the home, or draining used water out.

But the appliances you have that use that water aren’t quite so long lasting. There may come a time when they start to malfunction, such as springing leaks, or not working as efficiently as they used to. In most cases, it makes more sense to repair a malfunctioning water fixture or appliance, to get more years out of it. But when you should you replace it? Keep an eye out for these signs.

Washing Machines

Washing machines, out of all the water using appliances, is the one piece of hardware that really gets put through its paces.

In some cases, it may also be the appliance that requires the most repairs. Different things can go wrong with a washing machine that can be easily addressed with a repair, such as leaks, or loud noises that you didn’t hear before.

But if your washing machine is consistently acting unusual, such as moving out of place every time you run it, it’s probably time to replace the washing machine rather than repair it.

Kitchen Sink

You really need to debate the time to replace a kitchen sink if you’ve had an accident that has actually damaged the sink.

Under ordinary circumstances, normal use of the kitchen sink will never require any type of repair, since it’s essentially a container designed to hold water from the tap.

However, if you’re renovating your kitchen, should you replace the kitchen sink then, you’re adding value to your home.

Water Heaters

Water heaters are easy to forget about because once installed, residents almost never see or interact with this appliance again. However, when things go wrong with a water heater, it’s often better to think about a replacement rather than a repair.

A leaking water heater, for example, may cost more to repair than it might get a new heater. The same goes for contaminated water. If you notice that your hot water is coming out dirty, or rusty, opening up the tank and cleaning it may cost more than if you replace the water heater tank.

Shower Tops

A shower top is usually something that can more easily be repaired than replaced since the majority of the time it is only leaking that occurs.

However, if you’re worried about water efficiency, or getting the kind of shower you want, then replace the shower top with a newer model that can pressurize water.

This way, for people that need high-pressure showers, you avoid putting all your home plumbing at risk by raising the water pressure just so that you can get higher pressure at the shower top.

Most homes in Fargo, ND, will have these appliances installed. It’s important to keep an eye not just on the condition, but the age of these fixtures. If you find that you have an appliance that’s well beyond the recommended lifespan of efficiency and usage for that particular piece of equipment, add value to your property by replacing it with something new.

Prepare Your Outdoor Plumbing with these 4 Springtime Essentials

How ready for summertime tasks is the outdoor plumbing system on your Fargo, ND home? Although it may not feel like it quite yet, springtime is almost here, and all the outdoor tasks and activities that come along with its arrival.

You and your loved ones deserve a healthy supply of cool, refreshing water to fill up your pool, run through the sprinkler, and tend to your yard with. That’s why we’ve compiled the four springtime essentials to getting your outdoor plumbing system ready for the warmer months of the year, including:

Make Sure Your Hoses are Leak-Free

As an essential tool for many outdoor tasks, a hose that is free of leaks can help you carry out these tasks effectively while also saving you water.

With adequate pressure and zero leaks, your home’s outdoor hose can target water use at a specific area so that you can nourish the area as quickly as possible.

To inspect the integrity of your hose, reattach it to your home’s external water connection and let water flow through it. If you notice any leaks springing up from the hose, or an unexpected puddle of water when the hose is turned off, the hose will need either to be patched or replaced.

Check Sprinklers for Damage

In Fargo, ND, in-ground sprinkler systems can be effective in keeping your lawn and garden green during the warmest months of the year.

However, for these systems to be effective, they must be able to spray water at a high-pressure over a large area. When a sprinkler head is damaged, or a connecting line is leaking, the water pressure will decrease.

Springtime is the best time to inspect your sprinkler, as you can address the issue before the sprinkler is necessary to keep your yard thriving.

To inspect your sprinkler system, turn on the connecting faucet and let it run for a brief period. Make sure that the sprinklers are spraying water where needed, and that no large puddles of water are coming from the ground, as this is a sign of a burst or leaking connective pipe.

Regularly Check/Clean Your Home’s Gutters for Maximum Effectiveness

When was the last time that you cleaned your home’s gutters? Ideally, this task should be completed twice a year: once during the fall, and once during the spring.

By clearing out and inspecting your gutters, you can protect your home better from the large amounts of rain that spring and summer bring along with it.

When gutters are left unchecked or unclean, outdoor debris can form blockages which can impact your home both internally and externally. In the springtime, take the time to clean your gutters and drain pipes of debris. If you are unable to do so yourself, get in touch with an outdoor plumbing professional.

Inspect Outdoor Faucets on a Regular Basis

Without properly functioning outdoor faucets, much of your outdoor plumbing system will be ineffective. To comprehensively inspect your outdoor faucets, turn them on and check that there is adequate water pressure. If you notice a lack of water pressure as compared to previous years, take the time to check the connecting water pipe.

If you notice a water puddle, a leak in the pipe, or low water pressure, immediately contact your local plumbing professional. With spring almost here, there is no better time to prepare your outdoor plumbing to maximize summer fun.

Homeowners Can Easily Reduce Their Water Bills with These 4 Steps

As a homeowner, you need to do what you can to bring down costs, and your water bill is no exception. There are a variety of ways in which you can reduce the amount of water you are using so that the size of your water bill will go down. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your water costs.

Take Showers Instead of Baths

If you are in the habit of taking baths, now is a good time to switch to showers.

You may not realize it, but you are using as much as four times more water every time you take a bath instead of a shower.

Get in the habit of taking showers instead, and try to limit your showers to five minutes or less.

Check Your Home for Leaks

Do you try to ignore small leaks from your faucet? Do you put off calling a plumber when your toilet is always running?

These seemingly small plumbing problems can be wasting a lot more water than you realize and increasing your water bill.

If you periodically check your home for leaks and have them taken care of, it can help to reduce your water bill.

Use Greywater for Your Plants

It isn’t necessary to use water fresh from the tap to water your plants. Instead, consider using gently used water from the tub, sink or washing machine.

This is called greywater, and it contains small amounts of cleaning supplies, dirt or food particles, but it is usually good enough to water your plants.

Any nursery here in Fargo, ND or a cooperative extension can give you more information about using greywater for plants.

Take Your Car to the Carwash

An easy way to help reduce your water bill is by taking your car to the carwash. Going to the carwash takes a lot less time than washing your car at home, and it will also help you to avoid using excessive amounts of water and increasing your water bill.

If you have multiple vehicles, the reduction in your water bill will be even more noticeable. Saving money on your water bill starts with paying attention to how much water you are using.

By making some simple changes, you can easily cut back the amount of water that is wasted and reduce your water bill.