Universal Blog
Universal Plumbing & Sewer
The problem with most water heaters is that, unless you built the home yourself, you are likely using a water heater installed by someone else. As a result, no matter how good the existing system is, it is unlikely to be the ideal choice for your household and may cause you to spend on water heating costs unnecessarily.
Hello,
As the master plumber at Universal Plumbing and Sewer, I often get calls late at night or early in the morning with a husband yelling in the background while the wife is on the phone trying to communicate their disaster. She’s often crying over family heirlooms and old pictures that are destroyed. The situation is always the same, water up to their ankles, ruined furnace, and last year's newly purchased water heater needs to be replaced again. The carpet is ruined, paneling and drywall destroyed. That sweet bar made for the man cave is all soggy and will soon be invaded by mildew.
The real kicker is you probably don't have flood insurance; after all, you live in the Michigan tri-county area, and we don't flood much. At least that’s what your insurance company will tell you. I have found most of the time, and floods are caused because the homeowner wanted to save a few dollars. The average sump pump can last three to ten years. Trying to save money by not getting flood insurance and then trying to save money by not replacing a working sump pump that’s only manufactured to last 3 years can be a recipe for disaster. Customers often think, “why to replace it when it’s working now?”. The question is. The first sign of failure is often that it’s not working. As soon as the power goes out or the pump float gets stuck, or the motor goes bad, it will stop removing stormwater from your basement. Once that happens, the water will find its way through floor drains, walls, and cracks.
The good news is that Homeowners can avoid the whole situation. Preventative maintenance, premium pumps, backup systems, and alarms can go a long way in preventing this disaster. Thousands of dollars and priceless heirlooms can be saved by following these simple steps.
#1 Replace Standard Sump Pumps Every Three to Five Years
Why wait until it breaks and becomes an emergency. Often the cost of one emergency service call would cover ½ the cost to replace it now. Plus, by scheduling the pump's regular maintenance, you will avoid bailing your basement in the middle of the night or on holiday. At Universal Plumbing And Sewer, Inc., all of our trucks are fully stocked with standard pumps with a 3-year warranty as well as our premium Zollers M63. The M63 has a 5-year warranty and provides a longer switch life. The green LED plug shows the homeowner that the pump is getting power. These premium pumps aren’t much more in cost and save the homeowner time and money.
#2 Install Backup Sump Pump System.
There are primarily two types of backup sump pump systems. They have come a long way over the years with new technology, making them very reliable. At Universal Plumbing And Sewer, we stock the Liberty water-powered backup. It is the same one I have at my house. Where I live, we lose power a few times a year, and it has saved me many times. The water-powered backup pumps are more efficient than they used to be, draining 2 gallons of water for each 1 gallon used. If your home loses power or your primary pump fails, the water-powered backup pump will kick on automatically and continue to remove water from your sump pit. These are not long-term solutions because it does take a gallon of water to remove 2 gallons of water from the pit. The reason I prefer the water pump is it relies on your water pressure. This means it will continue to work through any power outage, and it will shut off automatically when power is restored, and your primary pump is working properly again. It does work off your home’s natural water pressure. Therefore, a water-powered backup system can not use it if your home is on a well. Another great option that to can use to keep your basement dry is a battery backup if you have a well. The battery backup requires a marine battery and is just as efficient at removing the water.
#3 Sump Pump Alarm System
Technology has produced a wide range of sump pump alarm systems. There are basic, simple alarms that make a loud noise to alert the homeowner of a higher than the normal water level and high-end alarms that send out text messages and emails. We stock various alarms and help you decide on one that is the best for you. The best choice is often based on how often you travel away from home, whether the basement is finished, and a few other factors. Depending on your choices, these alarms can monitor your home's temperature, carbon dioxide, and many other important home health indicators.
#4 Properly Store Valuables
Any valuables you store in a basement should be stored in waterproof bins on shelves at least three feet off the ground. At our house, we use the basement as storage now that the kids are getting bigger. What once was a place to make a cool fort is now a place where we dump our junk cause we can't part with it yet. The problem is we mean to get it later but later never comes, and then it's too late. So if you are like me, it’s a good idea to buy or make shelving to hold all those cool things that have value on a shelf.
#5 Flood Insurance
It's worth it. Flood insurance could save you thousands in replacement of your finished basement and your appliances. Being prepared will drastically lower your chances of needing the insurance. But if ever something does go wrong, it always gives me peace of mind knowing it can all be replaced if needed. It is a great idea to include sewage backups in your plan as well.
As experts in our field give, we would love to provide you with an education and options to protect your basement. Give us a call anytime to schedule an appointment. Hope you have a safe, dry spring.
Yours Truly,
Les Nelson
An unmaintained sump pump system can be a costly mistake. Here are a few things that homeowners can do to ensure they receive the best experience possible.
In Oakland and Macomb Counties, anyone can pull a drain layer permit, and some landscape companies will add discharge lines to their list of services. So you can easily end up using a non-qualified company by mistake. You should ensure that anyone you hire to install a sump discharge or perform plumbing work in your home is licensed and insured with a master plumber on staff as part of the company's daily operations. It is also a good idea to make sure that the company you choose always answers their phone. At Universal Plumbing and Sewer, we have a 24-hour emergency service. This means day or night if something goes wrong, we are available to serve you.
Any licensed plumber will pull a permit with your city or township and have the work inspected by your local municipality. There is a cost for pulling a permit with the city, and it should be included with the original estimate for the repair. The cost of a plumbing drain repair permit is a tiny fraction of what it will cost you to have the whole thing redone by a qualified plumber. As long as the sewer repair remains within your property line, the cost could be anywhere between $80 to $100 and include the inspection of the discharge line before it is backfilled. The city inspector is there on your behalf to ensure that your job is done right. He will make sure you have a solid connection, that the pipe is properly bedded to prevent the pipe from shifting over time, and other quality control items that will make your discharge repair one that stands the test of time. Pulling a permit and having the inspection will give you peace of mind knowing that your job is done correctly. Please don't use a contractor that advises against pulling a permit; this should be a red flag that they do not believe that their work will stand up to the inspection.
It’s essential to make sure you have a properly working sump pump, a backup system with a separate discharge, and an alarm if possible. These items combined with a well-maintained discharge line should easily ensure your basement stays dry all year round.
The year 2020 was full of many highlights. This year marriages were started, and a generation of beautiful babies were born into the world. Many positive things happened that are easy to miss, like due to the recession, carbon dioxide emissions declined, and families spent more time together. Some businesses really struggled this year, and many were isolated. Yet, some companies like drive-in movie theatres flourished. The Covid-19 outbreak led us all to appreciate the selfless dedication of nurses, doctors, grocery store clerks, shipt shoppers, delivery personnel, and other essential workers. Many positive and negative events occurred in 2020. For some of us, 2020 was rough, to say the least. Instead of focusing on the hardships, let's walk into 2021 with a positive attitude and a fresh mindset for a better year. Here are some tips to help start the 2021 year off in a significant way!
Shake off 2020 with some optimism and gratitude.
Make a list of all the things you're thankful for, whether it's your health, your family or friends, or even just the clothes on your back. A grateful heart is a happy heart.
Do something kind for someone. Everyone is having a hard time during this pandemic, so going out of your way to be kind in the new year will really go a long way. I've found that when I'm in a rut and having a hard time holding onto my joy, helping others helps put my stressors into perspective—showing love to someone who is down reminds me that more things are going on in the world than just my issues. Try it out, maybe your joy will be replenished, and your heart might even grow three sizes bigger this holiday season.
Fill your mind with positivity. Read and post positive scriptures, quotes, and/or encouraging thoughts in places where you will see them regularly. Putting a sticky note on the bathroom mirror or even in the refrigerator will help keep positive thoughts at the forefront of your mind and help you to stay positive.
Prepare for Road Bumps
With Covid-19 came a lot of new norms like masks, online schooling, and basically virtual everything. The pandemic has affected us all in ways we can't control, but we can control how we face the obstacles covid brought on.
Setting realistic goals for yourself for 2021 is a great way to take control of your life. Make a plan and crush it. Reflect on your successes and maybe some of the things that could have gone smoother in 2020. What can you do to avoid those issues from reoccurring in 2021?
Stay as flexible to change as possible. Covid called for a lot of sudden plan changes. Maybe it was a canceled family reunion or trip to Fiji. With the lockdowns being so inconsistent, it is essential to be prepared for sudden changes to your plans and lifestyle. The covid pandemic has brought on a lot of confusion; maybe you found yourself wondering, "do I really need to wash all my groceries?" or "is washing my hands three times in the last hour too many times?" It's hard to keep up with the ever-changing Covid-19 rules, but it's so important. In 2021 try sticking with reliable, trustworthy sources to help keep your stress to a minimum. New information on the virus is continually being found; using good sources will avoid unnecessary stress from misinformation.
Be Conscious of Your Mental Health
During the last year, depression and anxiety rates in Americans skyrocketed. You're not the only one feeling anxious and depressed. Everyone is struggling right now with the extra stressors the pandemic brought on to our minds and bodies. Last year may have brought feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and other emotional or financial stresses. That being said, it is so important to reach out when you are struggling. The strongest people reach out when they need help. There is strength in vulnerability. Support from family or a community is one of the best ways to manage these stressors. Get connected, whether it be virtually or in person. And if that doesn't help, here are a few extra tips to help you stay on top of your mental health:
Set aside time for yourself. It is so crucial during these stressful times that we find the time to breathe and regroup. This set aside time has the ability to reboot our brains, improve our concentration, enhance our relationships, and allow room for self-discovery and deep thinking.
Limit your social media intake. During this Covid season, it would be easy to stay inside looking at social media and the news all day. Despite how relaxing it would be to hide away on our screens, there are many adverse side effects to prolonged media usage. Try a media-detox this winter. The first benefit of a media detox is it will improve your self-esteem. Social media sets us up to compare our low-lights to other's highlights. Meaning we compare our real-life versions of ourselves to the self others choose to show us; this is self-destructive and not a habit you want to bring into 2021. A media detox will give you more free time, and you will appreciate special moments more. Studies show that Americans spend approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes a day on the internet. That's about six years and eight months of a person's life. Think of all the things you could accomplish and all the things you missed in those six years. Without social media to hold our attention, we are forced to find entertainment around us and with those we love. Instead of pulling out your phone to snap a picture, you might be more inclined to enjoy the moment if you are not worried about capturing the moment for your next post.
Get Active
Daily exercise can alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and frustration. Getting active is a natural mood lifter. Just the act of accomplishing something challenging will boost your mood and overall wellness. And yes, I said challenging because we all know it's a struggle to get up and get active in this cold weather. Getting active in the cold might be saving you from getting a cold. Staying active keeps you physically fit and able. Your body lacks stamina, resilience, and capacity to function correctly without physical exercise. Exercise strengthens your body, which in turn boosts your capacity to do various physical activities and boosts your ability to handle mental stressors. Your risk of heart attack and stroke can be raised by too much resting and other sedentary behaviors so get active this 2021 new year!
Some ways you can add activities to your daily routine:
Grab the leash and take your dog for a walk. Your body, mind, and pooch will thank you!
Take a family member or friend for a walk. It's an excellent way to get some face time away from electronics.
Try an at-home workout! Get moving with a video online! There are a ton on youtube!
Walk and talk. Even if you have to answer work calls, you don't have to be stuck in your chair. Make a habit of talking and walking, whether it be to a friend or co-worker.
Try burning calories while watching your favorite TV shows. Try jogging in place or lifting weights while you watch TV.
Ditch the car. Spare yourself the parking stress and log some more active time by parking farther away (or even leaving the car at home if the weather permits.)
Take the stairs. Take the stairs when you can, even if just for a floor or two. Taking the stairs will get your heart rate up and blood flowing.
We asked a few people on our team what they are Thankful for this year. These were their responses.
Pumpkin patches, cider mills, and the changing leaves are some of the many things our team at Universal Plumbing And Sewer loves about fall. With Halloween being less than a week away here, are three scary plumbing problems to get you in the spooky spirit.
If your toilet flushes entirely on its own, your house could be haunted, but before you call the priest, you should know that it is most likely just a leak. Ghost flushing, more commonly known as phantom flushing, is caused by a leak in your toilet’s tank. This leak allows water to seep into the bowl, causing the toilet to flush when it gets too full. This problem is fixable by replacing the flapper, but if that doesn’t rid the ghost, call a professional because there could be a more significant issue at hand.
A clog doesn’t sound that spooky, right? Well, have you ever thought about what’s in that clog? A clog is often composed of oil, fats, hair, soap scum, dirt, dead skin, and whatever else is thrown down your drain. Fortunately, most clogs are preventable. Here are a few tips and tricks to help prevent future clogs this fall:
a. Dispose of hair in the trash. Hair is one of the most common causes of clogs. When we shower, we can’t help the hair that falls out and down the drain but putting a screen over your shower drain can help prevent clogs. When you clean your hairbrush, it is better to do it over a trash can instead of your sink to avoid any loose hairs falling down the drain.
b. Dispose of oils and fats properly. When warm, fats and oils are in a liquid state that seems safe enough to pour down the drain, right? Wrong! Although the oils and fats seem safe for the drain, they are not. When oil and grease get colder, they become solid. These substances in solid form can and will clog your drains. Dispose of your grease by pouring them into an old can or another disposable container.
c. Flushable wipes and feminine products are never actually flushable. The truth is nothing but waste and toilet paper should be going down your toilet. Many people use flushable wipes and feminine products, but what everyone doesn’t know is that they can clog your drains. Although flushable wipes and feminine products typically fit through your pipes, they are not as biodegradable as most toilet paper is.
d. Pumpkin guts will clog your sink. Dispose of your pumpkin’s insides in the trash. The seeds and guts are not suitable for your disposal. The pumpkin guts may stick to the disposal blades and harden, causing a clog in the future.
a. Gurgling sounds. Gurgling sounds when you use the toilet or run the dishwasher may be the first signs of a compromised or clogged drain.
b. Slow draining. If you find that your sinks or tub is draining slower than usual, it is best to call a professional to locate the clog’s source. Chemical drain cleaners are not the right call because they can deteriorate your pipes. They can also harm your plumber if you don’t disclose a chemical cleaner in your system before they begin working on them.
c. Frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage. Don’t wait to call a plumber. An easy way to tell you have frozen pipes is if your water won’t run. Don’t try to thaw the pipes yourself, or you could risk damaging your pipes or a burst. To prevent frozen pipes in the winter, leave your sink cabinet doors open and let your faucet drip cold water overnight.
For all your horrific plumbing problems, call Universal Plumbing and Sewer. We have been proudly serving the community since 2005. 1-(586)-979-4000
Dear Valued Customer,
At Universal Plumbing, our team is like family. Actually, many of them are family. So we have made every effort to keep our field techs, office staff, and customers protected. We are extremely proud of the willingness, motivation, and kindness that our team has displayed. On Friday, March 16th, as we started collaborating with our team to combat this situation, I heard them saying things such as, “We cannot leave people without running water and flushing toilets”. I could hear them discussing all the different types of customers that would need our help and I could hear in their voices a genuine concern for our customers. It was honestly one of my most proud moments in business. That very day we were able to initiate a new safety strategy with training.
There have NOT been any cases of COVID-19 in our office or within our field techs’ or our families. Because we have our own warehouse, it was a true blessing to have everything needed in stock from day one, including N95 masks, and we have been able to utilize them along with gloves, shoe covers, and hand sanitizer since the beginning.
Universal Plumbing has every intention of staying open and ready to service all your plumbing and drain needs. We are praying for the protection of our techs, customers, community, and nation. We are taking every precaution that we can think of and updating our process daily as we come up with new ideas and ways to be safer. For information on what we are doing to protect the health of our community, visit our web page HERE. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear your ideas! Please email me at office@plumbingandsewer.com with any questions, ideas, or feedback.
Thank you for choosing Universal Plumbing And Sewer.
May God Bless and Protect You All,
Carol Nelson
Owner
In today's world of YouTube and Pinterest, it's getting more and more possible to do projects yourself without hiring a professional. It's called DIY (do it yourself), and it can be incredibly rewarding to see the results of your own successful work. With many DIY projects, you can roll up your sleeves, dive in, and figure things out as you go; a project like building shelves can be successfully done with online guidance and a little trial-and-error, even if you don't know much about building.
There are some projects, however, that require professional training and expertise to successfully complete, such as plumbing work. Many people believe they can save money by doing their own plumbing, but unlike other DIY projects, even the smallest mistakes are not cheap. There is no room at all for trial-and-error, and if you try to figure it out as you go, you could end up doing more harm than good. Water, while being one of the most life-giving and cleansing substances, is also one of the most destructive.
Don't just take our word for it, though. Here are 3 real-life reasons why DIY plumbing isn't such a good idea.
Your home's plumbing system is largely responsible for the overall health of your home; we count on it to bring clean water into the house and to take dirty water away. Because this system is so vital, there are plumbing codes in place to ensure everything works properly and your home stays as healthy as possible. When you do your own plumbing, it can be easy to violate plumbing code without even knowing, which can lead to city fines. Simple mistakes can be made, such as improper venting which can hinder your drains from draining properly, or even worse, water contamination due to backflow issues. A professional licensed plumbing technician has a deep understanding of plumbing codes and stays up-to-date as they change, so their installations will be up to code every time.
There are many different types and sizes of pipes, connections, and valves, all for different places and purposes. The wrong type of pipe in the wrong place can be dangerous, as different pipe materials react differently when water and other substances flow through them. The wrong size or placement of connections or valves can cause leaks and corrosion. The wrong size pipes might cause easy clogs, water pressure issues, or even burst pipes. It's best to leave this up to the professionals, as they have extensive knowledge of all plumbing materials and how to use them properly.
Plumbers have years of training and experience in the field, meaning they possess well-developed skills and knowledge that the average homeowner does not. They solve a wide range of plumbing problems on a daily basis. So when they look at a complicated problem, they are able to come up with a solution right away and perform the solution without error. They also have a variety of specialized tools, some of which aren't even sold in hardware stores, and they know exactly how to install a correctly sized pipe with the correct connections, material, and pitch to maximize flow and minimize problems.
Plumbing is tricky and difficult. While you might save a little money in the short-term by choosing to do your plumbing yourself, you might do something improperly and cause numerous problems down the road. Even the slightest error in plumbing can lead to leaks, malfunctioning fixtures, and a variety of other serious problems. The cost of repairing any amount of water damage or mold growth just isn't worth it. When you hire an experienced plumber, you can trust the job will be done quickly and correctly, greatly minimizing the risk of problems down the road and saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
Still looking for a plumber you can trust? Try Universal Plumbing the next time you have a plumbing project. We are fully licensed and insured, we stand by our work, and we will never try to sell you on an unnecessary service. We'll get the job done right the first time so you won't have to see us again for a while. :) Give us a call at 586-459-0040 today!
"An ounce of prevention prevents a pound of poop."
- Katherine Lehman, Angie's List
A plumbing emergency is the worst thing to experience during a summer get-together (or anytime). Here are some tips that will help you keep your plumbing system healthy.
If your laundry room is in the basement or other unfinished space with exposed plumbing pipes in the ceiling, resist the urge to put hangers on the pipe. The extra weight on the pipe will loosen joints and fasteners, and will cause the pipe to leak much more quickly and more often than if it were left alone.
If you need a good place to hang clothes, you can build a simple rack out of plumbing pipe that you can buy at your local hardware store. Pinterest is full of great tutorials, for example.
That means NO flushable wipes.
Things like diapers, feminine hygiene products, floss, paper towels, tissues, and "flushable" wipes might go down the toilet when you flush them, but they are NOT biodegradable and will not disintegrate in the water like toilet paper will. They can easily cause a big clog in your main sewer line that will have to be snaked out by a professional, and they can sometimes cause buildups and other problems down the line at the water treatment plant. Just play it safe and don't flush anything besides toilet paper.
We know that buying a bottle of liquid drain cleaner for just a few bucks is much easier than spending $100+ on hiring a plumber, but those harmful chemicals can actually eat away your pipes each time you use them. Additionally, these drain cleaners are not effective on some types of clogs, and they will only cause harm to the poor plumber who has to come out and clear the clog manually.
In fact, one of our technicians was called out to a home last summer to fix a stubborn clog right after the homeowner had used a chemical drain cleaner. Our technician left the job with chemical burns all over his body after the drain cleaner splashed back at him while he was clearing the clog. Not good!
Instead of using a store bought liquid drain cleaner, try pouring baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water into the drain to loosen the clog. A handheld drain snake or auger is another great option that you can buy at the hardware store for pretty cheap.
Try your best to keep food scraps, hair, etc. from going down drains by using drain strainers wherever possible. Scrape food into the trash before washing dishes, even if you have a garbage disposal. Most importantly, never pour grease down the drain; grease is only liquid when it's hot, and when it solidifies in the pipes, it can create a very stubborn clog in your main drain.
For some easy ways to dispose of grease, check out this infographic we made:
Even the smallest of leaks will start corroding pipes, and the leak will only get worse. The best thing to do when you discover a leak is to get it fixed right away. The price to repair a small leak is nothing compared to the cost of a burst pipe, water damage, or hundreds of gallons of wasted water.
We're all about prevention here at Universal Plumbing. Feel free to call us anytime at 586-459-0040 or email us at office@plumbingandsewer.com if you would like to make an appointment, would like to find out more about our services or pricing, or if you have a question. We're here to help!
Do you know what to do in case of a plumbing emergency? The truth is, a lot of people don’t, but malfunctions can happen even in the best plumbing systems. If something starts leaking or breaks, and you don’t know how to turn off the water, you could have a disastrous flood on your hands.
In this post, we will show you how to locate the most important emergency water shut-off valves in your home, and how to use them.
The most important valve you need to be aware of is the main shutoff valve. This is the valve that will stop most plumbing catastrophes, like a burst pipe. It controls all water supply into the house. It is located either in the basement, or on an outside wall in a utility area. It is extremely important for you to know the location of your house’s main shut-off valve.
There are a couple different types of shutoff valves, but regardless of the type of valve you have, you’ll need to turn it clockwise to turn it off.
Here’s another thing you need to be aware of: Some valves become more and more difficult to turn when they haven’t been turned in a long time, so if you haven’t touched your house’s main shutoff valve since you moved in, try and turn it now before you get caught in an emergency situation. Finding out the valve can’t be turned with your bare hands is something you want to discover when you’re not standing in 6 inches of floodwater.
Every fixture has its own individual water supply shut-off valves too. These valves are usually located on the wall beneath the fixture, like under sinks and near toilets. If you’re wanting to repair or install a new fixture, or the fixture starts leaking, simply turn these valves clockwise to turn off the flow of water to the fixture. Fixtures that use both cold and hot water (like sinks) have 2 of these valves, and cold-water-only fixtures (like toilets) have 1 valve.
Don’t get caught unprepared in an emergency; find your home’s shutoff valves today. If you have trouble finding the main shutoff valve, or if any of your valves or fixtures are giving you problems, call Universal Plumbing at 586-459-0040 and we will gladly help you!
If you’ve been following us on social media for a while, you may remember us posting about our Compassion International sponsor kids a handful of times. Writing letters back and forth with our sponsor kids is one of my favorite parts of my job here at Universal Plumbing, and I’d love to tell you a bit more about it.
Compassion partners with local churches in impoverished areas of the world, and they work to stop the cycle of poverty by coming alongside the children in the community. When a child is sponsored through Compassion, they receive an education, nutritious meals, medical care, security, and much more. Many kids who have completed the Compassion program have gone on to graduate college, attain salaried employment, and become leaders in their communities.
Needless to say, this is an exciting cause that we are happy to contribute to! We currently sponsor 3 children through Compassion. Let me introduce you to these amazing kids!
Jose, our oldest sponsor child, is 12 years old and lives in El Salvador. His favorite subject in school is math, and he dreams of becoming a lawyer one day, which I totally believe he will do because he studies so hard. He talks often about his love for soccer and playing in tournaments with his friends. He enjoys helping his mom around the house and keeping things clean. What a sweet kid! We’re so proud of him and all he is accomplishing already.
Pablo is 8 years old and also lives in El Salvador. He just recently learned how to write and has been writing his own letters to us lately; previously, he would have a third person write his letters for him. He enjoys going to the beach, playing soccer, and riding his bike. In school, he is making new friends and learning about health, math, and literature, which is his favorite subject.
Writing letters back and forth with Pablo is always fun. One of my favorite letters from him said “I like to spend time with my friends and I will help the giraffe to finds the way,” and I’m not sure how much of that was just a funny translation, but I always get a kick out of it. Another favorite was when he explained that his favorite thing to do at home is sleep. Me too, Pablo. :)
We just recently started sponsoring Marvens, so we haven’t had a chance to get to know him much yet. We do know that he is 5 years old and lives in Haiti, and he enjoys playing with marbles and spending time with his friends. I’m excited to receive our first letter from Marvens, whenever that may be.
I hope you enjoyed reading a little about these awesome kids. We love being able to contribute to their development and give them hope every day. If you'd like to hear about our sponsor kids more often, leave a comment and let us know!
If you’d like to consider sponsoring a child through Compassion, click here to visit Compassion’s website and read more about the program. I would highly recommend becoming a sponsor; it’s an easy and fulfilling way to make a real difference in someone’s life!
An Instant Hot is much more than just hot tap water. It is a unit under your sink that dispenses near-boiling filtered water out of a convenient faucet.
This Mother’s Day, show your mom you appreciate her by getting her a new Instant Hot! She will never expect it, and it’s one of those things that you don’t know you need until you experience it for yourself.
Instant tea! Does your mom drink tea regularly? She will LOVE the convenience of an Instant Hot. No need to wait for water to boil; she can just pick her favorite mug, grab a tea bag or infuser, and turn on the instant hot faucet to dispense pure hot water. It’s that easy!
Save time while cooking. Fill a pot with the instant hot water dispenser, put it on the stove, and it boils in only a minute or two. Rinse warm foods without cooling them down.
French press/pour over coffee made easy. If your mom is a coffee expert, the Instant Hot will save tons of time when she makes coffee with a french press, pour over, or aeropress.
Never wait for hot water. The Instant Hot system dispenses near-boiling water instantly, unlike tap water, which needs to run for a while to reach warmer temps. No more wasting water while waiting for it to heat up! It also has a temperature dial so you can adjust how hot the water is.
Mother's Day is coming up quick (it's Sunday, May 13th), so call us today and ask about an instant hot water dispenser! You won't be disappointed in our expert technicians and 5-star service. 586-459-0040
What do you have in your basement? Furniture? A TV or computer? Your vinyl record collection? As you read this, your sump pump is saving those items from getting destroyed in a flood. If the pump fails, there could be standing water in your basement within hours, or even minutes during a storm. It’s an important little machine!
Flooding is a constant risk for a basement, due to groundwater and drainage. Here is how your home defends against a flood:
Your home’s underground drainage system collects groundwater that would otherwise seep into cracks in your foundation.
The collected water is directed into the sump pit in your basement.
The sump pump automatically pumps out the water and empties the pit. (If the sump pump or discharge line isn’t working right, the water in the pit will continue to rise until it overflows.)
Install a water-powered backup sump pump, if you don’t have one already.
In the event of a power outage during a storm, your electricity-powered sump pump won’t be able to run, and the rain will cause groundwater to rise quickly. A water-powered backup pump will keep pumping out the groundwater, even when the power goes out. Peace of mind is worth it!
If your sump pump is over 10 years old, replace it ASAP, even if it’s still working for now.
10 years is the typical lifespan of a sump pump. You might hesitate to replace a working pump, but your old worn-out sump pump failing during a heavy storm just isn’t worth the risk. Protect your valuable home and invest in a new sump pump right away.
If you’re worried about whether your sump pump is working or not, here’s how you can test it:
(1) Remove the cover from your sump pit.
(2) Using a bucket, pour water into the pit until the sump pump kicks on and pumps the water out. If the pit fills up and the pump doesn’t automatically turn on, check to make sure the float switch isn’t stuck - otherwise, there’s something wrong with the pump itself, and you should call your plumber right away.
Our technicians are sump pump experts here at Universal Plumbing, and we offer 24/7 emergency service if your pump fails in the middle of the night. Keep our number on hand: 586-459-0040
Do you have a 2-handle or 3-handle shower faucet? These types of faucets are actually outdated, and you can have a professional convert them to a single-handle valve. But, why would you do that if your 2- or 3-handle faucet works perfectly fine?
Here are 3 reasons you should consider converting your old shower faucet to a single-handle.
If you don’t know, “code” refers to a set of plumbing regulations that define how plumbing systems are to be installed and inspected. Plumbing codes are in place to ensure that everything works properly and safely. Single-handle shower valves are pressure-balanced and protect against scalding, which is why plumbing code now requires showers to have them.
Have you ever had to explain to a houseguest how your shower works, or how to get the perfect mix of hot and cold water? With a single-handle shower valve, trying to find the right temperature is pretty self-explanatory, and your guest won’t accidentally get scalded by hot water.
If nothing else, consider converting your shower to a single-handle simply because it looks modern, sleek, and clean. It’s a great way to instantly modernize an outdated bathroom and improve the room’s overall design. You’ll impress your houseguests for sure!
If you’re thinking about converting your shower to a single-handle valve, you’ve come to the right place! Call us at 586-459-0040 and ask about a single-handle shower conversion. Universal Plumbing & Sewer is licensed, insured, and award-winning, and our technicians are highly-trained and background-checked.
The “spring forward” time change is this weekend. If you’re like many people, you’re dreading it -- We’re going to lose an hour, after all. Here are some things you can do to make the transition a little easier.
Resist the urge to drink coffee and other caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or evening. The noticeable effects of caffeine may wear off after a few hours, but it stays in your system for much longer and affects your quality of sleep, so you’ll just wake up feeling more tired the next morning. Do your body a favor and stay away from caffeine after lunchtime! (Drink some non-caffeinated tea instead; an instant hot water dispenser, which dispenses near-boiling filtered water on demand, makes it really quick and easy! Call us at 586-459-0040 for more info.)
Don’t put off changing the clock in your car. Many of us remember to set the clocks around the house and office, but the car clock gets neglected for a while after the time change happens. If you’re one of those people, isn’t it disorienting to see one time on your alarm clock and a completely different time when you glance at the clock in your car? Avoid that disorienting feeling by changing your car’s clock right away this weekend.
Prioritize getting enough sleep. This really makes a difference in how you feel! Make sure you go to bed early enough, take a Melatonin supplement, get some exercise during the day, or do whatever else you need to do to improve your sleep. (Take a hot bath before bedtime if you need to relax after a stressful day. If your bathroom isn’t relaxing, though, springtime is the perfect time of year to upgrade a faucet or fixture in your bathroom - click here for some coupons you can use.)
Set a reminder on your phone. Your phone’s clock and other devices most likely will change automatically in the middle of the night, but set a reminder for Saturday evening so you remember to change the clocks around your home that don’t change automatically.
The first couple days after the time change is gonna be hard, but if you follow this advice, you’ll be used to the adjusted schedule before you know it!
For more helpful articles like this, “like” us on Facebook to keep up with our blog posts and home tips! And remember, we’re always a phone call away at 586-459-0040 if you experience a plumbing emergency. Click here to read more about us.
If you’re feeling extra down this time of year, you’re not alone. 10-20% of people are affected by some form of Seasonal Affective Disorder, appropriately acronymed “SAD,” every winter. If you’re one of those people, this article is for you!
We talk a lot on this blog about keeping your home healthy, but what about keeping your mind healthy? Mental health and home health can go hand-in-hand sometimes, so here are some tried-and-true things you can do in your home to help you feel happier for the rest of winter and beyond.
Open the curtains/blinds, and sit near windows as much as possible.
A lack of sunlight is a major cause of SAD. Even if it’s a cloudy day, let in as much natural light as you can, and soak it up!
Buy an inexpensive daylight lamp.
A lamp that simulates daylight can give you energy and help boost your mood on especially dreary days. Here’s a great desktop-size one you can order on Amazon.
Take a vitamin D supplement.
Signs of vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, back pain, depression, and more. If you’re not constantly out in the sun, grab a vitamin D supplement from the store and start taking it every day.
Stay warm!
Here’s where home health comes in: Make sure your home is insulated and the windows aren’t drafty, and get a space heater for extra-cold rooms. Being cold will make you feel worse!
Decorate your house with fake flowers.
Flowers provide splashes of color and can give your brain a little boost of springtime joy. And unlike real flowers, fake ones last forever - so if the Michigan winter drags on forever, your flowers will too! (Pro tip: put together a little arrangement of bright flowers and give it to a friend who suffers from the winter blues. It will make their day!)
Move!
Exercise is proven to improve mood and reduce anxiety and depression. And you don’t have to join a gym to stay active! Simply bundle up and go for a walk around your neighborhood, or bust out a yoga mat and look up some free yoga videos on YouTube. (I highly recommend Yoga With Adriene. Click here for “Yoga For the Winter Blues”)
Spend time with family and friends.
Socializing is good for your mental health in general. Make plans to get coffee with a friend this weekend, or plan an impromptu family vacation.
Invest some time in a hobby you enjoy.
Hobbies are great to help keep your mind occupied and give you something to look forward to on a regular basis. What do you enjoy doing? Painting? Playing a musical instrument? Reading? Building Lego sets? Pick something, and do it!
Ultimately, be kind to yourself, and remember that winter is almost over! We’re already halfway through February, and then the first day of spring is in March, which will be here before you know it. You’ve made it this far!
Did you know that the Super Bowl is the second-highest day of food consumption after Thanksgiving? Statistics show that Americans will drink about 50 million cases of beer and eat 14,500 tons of chips, 4,000 tons of popcorn, and 1.23 billion chicken wings on Game Day. Of course that will all eventually end up in the plumbing - in fact, sewage systems in major cities have broken due to the huge number of toilets being flushed simultaneously during Super Bowl halftime!
If you're having a Super Bowl party this year, here are a few tips to help your plumbing run smoothly all evening so you can sit back and enjoy the game with your friends.
1. Have us run a quick maintenance check on your plumbing system beforehand. Having your plumbing inspected by a professional is the best way to ensure that everything is working properly, and you have no hidden leaks or soon-to-be clogs.
2. Your toilet(s) will be used heavily during your party. If it tends to give you trouble, switch to thinner toilet paper such as 1-ply on the day of the party, and keep a plunger nearby just in case. Additionally, remove paper towels, "flushable" wipes, and other paper products from your bathroom so your guests don't flush them - these items can easily clog up your toilet and your plumbing.
3. Don't just throw anything down your garbage disposal. Delicious greasy foods like chicken wings are a Super Bowl staple, but grease will solidify in your pipes and cause big problems, and chicken bones will jam your disposal. When in doubt, toss it in the trash!
If you experience a clog, broken disposal, or some other kind of plumbing disaster during your Super Bowl party, don't panic! We're available all weekend, 24 hours a day, for emergency service. Give us a call at 586-459-0040 any time, and we'll get things running smoothly again.
Frozen pipes are common in the Michigan winter, when temperatures are often below freezing. The danger about frozen pipes is that they can start leaking or even burst. In this post, we explain what causes them to burst and how you can prevent it.
Water expands as it freezes, which you’re probably familiar with because of the many potholes in Michigan’s roads. However, frozen pipes don’t burst just because of expanding ice; when the ice expands, it pushes water forward toward the closed faucet, which leads to a huge increase in pressure between the ice and the faucet. If that pressure becomes too much for the pipe to handle, the pipe will bulge or burst in that spot.
A burst pipe can be extremely destructive to your home and any nearby valuables. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent a burst pipe this winter:
Prevent frozen pipes in the first place. Insulate any exposed pipes, especially if they are in cooler or unheated areas of your home, like a basement or crawl space. Keep under-sink cabinets open overnight to allow the warm air of the house to reach the pipes. Keep the heat on even when you leave on vacation (keep the thermostat set above 50 degrees).
If a pipe is frozen, turn on the faucet to a slow trickle until you’re able to get it thawed. If you turn on a faucet and very little or no water comes out, the pipe is freezing. Opening the faucet just a little bit will stop the pressure from building up by giving it somewhere to go.
Call a plumber to thaw a frozen pipe ASAP. A plumber has the proper tools and techniques to thaw pipes in a safe way that won’t lead to leaks, burst pipes, or fire. And you don’t want to put it off; not only is a frozen pipe inconvenient (little or no water coming out of your faucet), it’s a dangerous problem that can flood your house if you ignore it for too long.
We’ve been serving the cold Metro Detroit area for over 13 years, so we know what we’re dealing with when it comes to frozen pipes. Call us right away at 586-459-0040 if you suspect a pipe might be frozen in your home!
Happy New Year! Do you have any resolutions this year? A new year presents a clean slate and a good chance to start over, start new habits, and better yourself. Many people's new years resolutions include joining a gym, starting a new diet, or going for walks every day in order to better their physical health.
This year, we challenge you to consider your home's health as well as your own! Studies show that living in a healthy home can help you and your family stay healthy as well. And keeping your home healthy goes beyond just keeping things clean; if you don't give your plumbing any attention, you could end up with mold problems or worse. Here are some quick and easy tips to make sure your plumbing system stays healthy in 2018!
If you haven't had a pipe freeze yet this winter, count yourself lucky, especially considering how cold it has been. We still have a few more winter months to go, so grab some foam pipe insulation from your local hardware store and wrap any exposed pipes! This is especially important in colder areas of your home, like in a garage or basement. If you do encounter a frozen pipe, call us immediately before it bursts! 586-459-0040
Clogged drains are common, and it's easy to buy a bottle of drain cleaner at the store, but those harsh chemicals can eat away at your pipes over time and eventually cause leaks. Additionally, those chemicals are harmful - In fact, one of our plumbers went to a house last month after the homeowner unsuccessfully tried to unclog a drain with chemicals, and they ended up splashing back on our plumber and giving him chemical burns!
Instead, call a plumber and have them clean your drain the safe way. A professional drain cleaning will last much longer and won't be nearly as harsh on the pipes.
You won't even need to use chemical drain cleaners if you follow these easy rules to avoid clogs: (1) Install drain strainers on all of your drains to catch hair, food, and other debris. (2) Be careful about what goes down your drains, toilets, and garbage disposal, and (3) never ever pour grease into any drain!
Your house's main sewer line is where all your drains lead. If this sewer line gets clogged, or if tree roots grow into it, you could have a disastrous backup of sewage on your hands! Luckily, you can keep this from happening by having a plumber snake the sewer line every few years (more frequently if you have a lot of trees - ask your plumber what he recommends). You can schedule an appointment online by clicking here.
When it comes to plumbing, even tiny problems only get worse as time goes on. A leaky faucet will cause corrosion and only get leakier, a frozen pipe can suddenly burst, and a tiny leak under a sink can cause ever-spreading mold and water damage. Save yourself hundreds (sometimes even thousands) of dollars and don't put off getting the problem repaired.
Here's to 2018 being a healthier year, for both you and your home. And remember, we're here to help! We can help you catch any problems early with a full-home plumbing inspection. Call us at 586-459-0040 and set up an appointment for a plumbing inspection today!
Christmastime is a time of giving, and at Universal Plumbing, we’re taking that seriously by participating in GiftMart once again!
GiftMart is an event that allows parents who are struggling financially to provide Christmas gifts for their kids. Parents can pick out brand-new donated gifts and buy them at extremely discounted prices; they’ll spend $3 for a brand-new toy valued at $25-$35. Then, that $3 gets cycled back into the community via homeless shelters and soup kitchens.
Over the past month or so, hundreds of toys have been donated for GiftMart and collected and sorted by our friends at The Woods Church. This Friday, December 8th, the entire Universal Plumbing team will empty our plumbing trucks, head to the church, load the donated gifts onto the trucks, and transport them to the Giftmart location. We’ve done this in years past, and it’s always a fun time of volunteering together and helping the community. We’re excited to do it again!
Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram - we’re gonna be posting all about our volunteering adventure on Friday, so you can see what we’re up to. And if you happen to see a whole caravan of Universal Plumbing trucks going down the road that day, don’t worry, there’s no plumbing disaster! :)
To find out more about GiftMart, visit their website: http://giftmartmacomb.com
