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Take Summer Drinks to the Next Level!

Homeowners Could Benefit From a Whole-House Water Filter

The City of Fairhope provides water to thousands of residents. Mostly, the water comes from streams, reservoirs, and rivers. While the water is mostly safe for consumption, many contaminants can find their water in these water supplies, leading to sour beverages and less-than-ideal meals.

But what should homeowners do? Install a water filter, of course! Within days of installation, they will notice the following.

Better Tasting Drinks

When people imagine water filters, they think of the popular Brita filter. However, a whole-home water filter is a powered device that requires installation. They generally cost a few hundred dollars and require little maintenance.

Many water filters rely on “reverse osmosis” to give water that clean, crisp taste. In this process, water is pushed through a semipermeable membrane that filters out most contaminants. Depending on the filter, it may repeat this process multiple times for maximum efficiency.

This can lead to better tasting:

Soups. Many soups, chowders, and stews rely on water as the base.
Lemonade, coffee, and tea. No matter how good a mix is, if the water doesn’t taste good, neither will the final product.
Baby formula. Ever wonder why some babies spit out the formula? Sometimes, it has to do with the quality of the drinking water.

With an efficient water filter, homeowners don’t have to rely on bottled water. As discussed later, this can also save time and money.

Safe Drinking Water

Unfiltered water from natural water supplies may contain manganese and iron, leading to negative health consequences, from headaches to chronic conditions. Some residences near industrial sites may come into contact with other chemicals from runoff.

As noted, while the water in Fairhope is generally safe to drink, water filters take sanitation to a new level. Consider the following:

Clean drinking water prompts good hydration. The more hydrated someone is, the less likely they are to deal with health concerns.
Constant hydration promotes clear skin, shiny hair, and longer attention spans.
People with compromised immune systems need quality drinking water. Otherwise, they’re more likely to experience adverse symptoms and health concerns.

Save Money and Time

Most big-box retailers sell bottled water for about $5 a case. If a homeowner has to buy multiple cases of water a week, this could cost hundreds of dollars a year. It would be a much wiser investment to purchase and install a reverse osmosis water filter system.

This saves time and money for these two reasons:

Homeowners don’t have to make frequent trips to the grocery store
If a homeowner doesn’t recycle, throwing away bottled water can fill up trash cans faster

If the state decides to institute a bottled deposit, homeowners could spend even more on bottled water. Nobody wants to spend more money than they have to––not with the increase in inflation. A homeowner doesn’t have to worry about these things when they hire a professional to install a water filter.

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Sick of drinking sour-tasting water? Consider consulting Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air about getting a water filter. Serving Fairhope, AL, there’s nothing these experts can’t accomplish. They make homeowners’ lives easier every day. One can call now to learn more about their commitment to same-day water filtration service, discounted rates, and estimates.

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Don't Let Clogged Kitchen Sinks Ruin Summer Cookout Fun!

Keep the Kitchen Sink Clear for Fourth of July Fun!

Independence Day is just around the corner, which means fun summer cookouts with family and friends are a must. This also means that the kitchen will be going full-throttle soon! The kitchen sink will be in high demand given all that cooking and cleanup.

Homeowners should understand best practices for their kitchen sinks, as backups and clogging can often occur when the kitchen sink is in high use. Read on to learn about common kitchen sink pitfalls to avoid and why doing so is important!

Limit Food Waste and Coffee Grounds

One of the most common pitfalls to avoid is depositing excess food waste and coffee grounds into the kitchen sink. At a base level, this will help to prevent foul odors that often arise when old waste accumulates in the sink – sometimes, this waste is hard to see down the drain. Still, homeowners and their families will surely be able to smell it after a few days or even a few hours!

More importantly, excess food waste and coffee grounds can clog the sink drains. For coffee grounds, in particular, homeowners should avoid putting these down the sink. Instead, they should throw them out or, better yet, compost them! The primary reason for clogging is that coffee grounds often will clump together when combined with water instead of breaking down as would occur with other types of sink debris.

Avoid Depositing Grease

Grease is an absolute no-no when it comes to proper kitchen sink care. As was the case with excess food waste and coffee grounds, grease deposits can lead to clogging. However, this process is distinctly different and perhaps even more detrimental to kitchen sinks.

The primary reason to avoid depositing grease is that while it takes a liquid form when hot, grease solidifies when it cools. As such, it will not only attach to the pipes, but its stickiness will lead to buildups of other debris that comes down the drains. It is doubly problematic, so homeowners and their families should never pour grease down the drain.

Install a New Garbage Disposal

Ultimately, one of the best solutions to ensure proper kitchen care is to install a new garbage disposal. These offer a vast array of benefits. Some of the most important ones include the following:

Breaking down food waste to prevent clogging
Eliminating foul odors
Reducing cleanup times and trash volumes

Garbage disposals are typically installed directly in the sink, so homeowners can place food scraps in the disposal, which then processes and breaks them down into much smaller pieces. Long-term, this prevents drain buildups, which therefore mitigates the risk of clogs and backups.

Homeowners should hire professionals to install their new garbage disposals. Installation should be relatively quick and efficient, and this can provide significant time and cost savings for homeowners and their families in the future!

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air of Fairhope, AL was founded in 1996 with the belief that service companies needed to improve customer service. Their team of expert plumbing technicians takes this belief to heart, as they provide transparent pricing, clean and professional work, and top-notch customer service for every one of their clients. Call them for plumbing help today!

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Stop Busted Dishwashers From Raining on Summer Plans

Don’t Let a Broken Dishwasher Cancel Backyard Summer Fun

The grill is out, the pool is filled up, and the family is ready for some summer fun. But just as the party gets going, calamity strikes! The dishwasher starts leaking, stops working, and now a plumber needs calling. Talk about a summer headache and a fun-killer! The good news is, everyone can solve dishwasher problems with the help of a professional plumber and some know-how!

Common Dishwasher Problems

Knowing what problems may come up is the first step to preventing dishwasher troubles from canceling summer fun! Watch out for these common dishwasher problems:

Clogged Filters: A lot of folks don’t know the dishwasher has a filter. It’s not uncommon to find a dishwasher filter that has never been cleaned when the plumber arrives. A clogged filter leads to slow-running, water-wasting dishwashers and sometimes even causes overflowing!
Damaged Supply Line: Plenty of homeowners suddenly find their dishwasher is leaking onto the kitchen floor and wonder why? Often, the cause is a damaged water supply line that leaks whenever the dishwasher runs. Chronic leaking can cause floor damage and mold, which is why leaks need addressing right away.
Leaky Gaskets & Seals: Dishwashers come with many components that are prone to damage, and the gaskets and seals of the unit are some of them. The door gasket and pump seal both work to prevent leaks and keep water inside the dishwasher, but they often need replacing after several years of use.
Overflowing Sink & Slow Draining Dishwasher: Fun fact, if the sink is clogged, the dishwasher will have problems. If the sink is filling up while the dishwasher is running, there is a drainage problem somewhere in the plumbing system.

Professional Plumbers Solve Dishwasher Problems!

When homeowners notice a dishwasher problem, they immediately wonder, “How do I fix it?” The good news is homeowners don’t need to worry about it! Instead of trying to DIY a complicated appliance, homeowners can reach out to a professional plumber for assistance.

Plumbers do more than install toilets and snake drains. They can identify and resolve most dishwasher problems and help resolve any connected sink or pipe issues simultaneously. Plus, they’ll be able to do it quicker than a DIYer, meaning the whole family can get back to summer fun faster.

Use Maintenance To Prevent Dishwasher Problems

It’s a common misconception that dishwashers clean themselves while they’re cleaning the dishes. That assumption is not the case. Dishwashers require regular maintenance and cleaning like any appliance. Follow these tips to keep the dishwasher from developing issues:

Clean Filter: Dishwasher filters need cleaning every week, if not more often. Filters are generally located under the bottom dish rack and bottom spray arm.
Clean Gasket: The gasket that seals the dishwasher’s door from leaks needs cleaning to prevent the buildup of bacteria and mildew.
Run Vinegar or Dishwasher Cleaner to Reduce Buildup: A cup of vinegar on the deep clean cycle can remove mineral buildup and help the dishwasher run better, longer. Alternatively, homeowners can use dishwasher cleaning solutions for the same purpose.
Annual Professional Maintenance: Every home needs a plumbing inspection and drain cleaning once a year. Include the dishwasher in the appointment to keep it running smoothly!

Whenever dishwasher troubles strike, call a local plumbing expert for help. They’ll get the dishwasher up and running and stop a broken dishwasher from raining on summer fun!

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Reach out to Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air for help in case of any plumbing trouble in Fairhope, AL! Their experts are ready to help anytime, anywhere. Customers never have to worry about hidden costs or surprise fees; they'll always know the price of a project before they start. Give them a call today for plumbing service!