Commercial Solutions

Of course, there are a number of commercial cleaning products out there that can be used on porcelain enamel, including in your tub. Here is a look at some of those products and how to use them for better success:

• Mix a solution of dish soap and hot water. Use a rag or sponge to wipe the tub with the soapy water, then rinse clean. This works well for routine cleaning.
• Instead of the hot soapy water solution, you can use a commercial spray product designed for the bathroom.
• Sprinkle scouring powder (e.g., Comet or Ajax) liberally around the tub. Use a damp scouring pad to scrub dirt and grime free from the surface. This is a better solution for deeper cleaning, once a month or so.
• For tougher stains that a scouring pad doesn’t get out, try a pumice stone and some stiffer scrubbing.

The Natural Route

If you don’t have the necessary cleaning products around, or just prefer to do things more naturally, there are some techniques involving products you probably already have around the house that can also get your tub sparkling. See if any of these methods work for you:

• Make your own scouring powder with equal parts baking soda and salt. Use this once a week with a warm rag.
• For rust stains, sprinkle them with salt and add lemon juice. Scrub the lemon/salt mixture with a sponge or rag to dislodge the rust.
• Sprinkle baking soda around the tub and spray with vinegar. The resulting fizzy reaction helps break up deposits of dirt and grime. Scrub with a scouring pad for bonus cleaning action.

There are lots of techniques for keeping tubs clean, and for every method, you can find people who swear by it. Find one that you like and that works for you, and away you go!

For more information about ways to make your Newark bathroom better, give Boulden Plumbing a call!

Our house is fully equipped with Boulden products – Heat, AC, Water Softner, Pump, etc.  
Today, Mike Collins, on short notice came and replaced our water heater!!!  My wife suffers from Parkinson’s and hot water is needed.  
Mike did a super job!  
I once ran a large organization and I want to say I would be delighted to have it filled with guys like Mike Collins.

-A happy customer in Wilmington, DE

1. Running
   Perhaps the most common of toilet annoyances is the constantly running toilet. Not only is the sound irritating, but it can result in high water bills and cause your septic tank to overflow.  Fortunately, it is simple to diagnose and fix. Just look into the tank at the flapper. If it is not seated properly, adjust the chain to give more slack. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the flapper may be worn and need to be replaced. You can buy a new one at your local hardware store and install it yourself easily.

2. Slow draining bowl
   Also known as a weak flush, this one is also fairly easy to fix. A weak flush is usually caused by clogged flush holes, which are underneath the rim of the bowl. Using a mirror to see, poke a bent wire coat hanger into each one to remove any clogs.

3. Phantom flush
   Although it won’t actually flush, sometimes you may hear the tank spontaneously start to refill as though someone has just flushed. This just means the water is leaking out of the tank, which can usually be fixed with a new flapper, as with problem #1.

4. Suction sounds
   If you flush the toilet and hear sucking or gurgling sounds emanating from the tub or sink, that usually indicates a clogged vent pipe. Such clogs usually originate in the roof, such as a dead bird falling into vent pipe up there. You may be best served by calling a plumber to fix this one, in order to avoid making the problem larger.

5. Clogged or overflowing
   Lastly, of course, is the clogged or overflowing toilet. While wearing gloves and holding your nose, use a plunger or pipe snake to clear the drain. If that doesn’t get it done, the clog may be too large to handle without professional equipment, so you had better call a plumber.

For any problems that you have with your plumbing in Wilmington, call Boulden Plumbing!

Contractors aren’t architects or interior designers. They’re focused mainly on installing the infrastructure of your Dover plumbing system – the water delivery and waste pipes. It’s not their job to pick out elegant or cutting edge fixtures. They also can’t predict the taste of a home’s future occupants, so it makes no sense to install distinctive fixtures that might be removed or, worse, contribute to a potential buyer’s negative impression of the home.

That means many homeowners spend years living with plumbing fixtures deliberately intended to be bland and unnoticeable. There’s nothing wrong with that, but consider how many times each day we use our bathroom and kitchen faucets. How many times per week do we take a bath or use the shower? The simple pleasure of seeing and touching an attractive, well designed faucet is a little perk that can help brighten the day.

Higher end plumbing fixtures can be pricey, but factor in how long most fixtures last and you’re only paying a few pennies or less per day. Plumbing fixture design has become much more consumer-driven. Companies must compete by offering an expanding variety of styles.  The new passion for cooking has increased the demand for professional grade kitchen faucets that can stand up to hard use, have pullout sprayers, and accommodate large pans. New shower head designs provide a more comfortable, invigorating spray. Sink faucets with elegant finishes of bronze, brushed nickel, or brilliant brass can liven a bathroom. Ergonomically correct handles are easier to use and more inviting to touch.

There are also practical reasons for replacing fixtures. With improvements in materials technology the interior seals of faucets and other fixtures are more resistant to mineral build up and corrosion that can cause leaks. Metal finishes are more durable and resistant to dulling from soap or detergent.

Installing a new, attractive faucet won’t provide a total kitchen or bathroom makeover, but it will provide a spark that brightens the room and makes everyday living just a little more fun.  A low flow model will also help you save money on your utility bills. Give your Dover plumbing professionals at Boulden Plumbing a call to learn more about upgrading your bathroom!

Prior to 1994, showerheads had a flow rate of 5 ½ gallons per minute, but since then with the involvement of the EPA the flow average rate per showerhead has decreased to an average of 2 ½ gallons per minute, thus conserving half the water which used to be wasted in this one area of the home.  Don’t be misled by price: the highest price-tag is not always the best; some of the top-rated showerheads are quite reasonably priced.

 Showerhead Types

There are a number of showerhead types which offer a variety of functionality, some with incredible water-efficiency.

• Multi-Setting Models:  Provide adjustable flow patterns up to as many as twelve settings such as massage, mist, wide stream, narrow stream, pulsing, and even a water-saving trickle while applying soap or shampoo.
• Single-Setting Models:  Provide one setting and tend to cost considerably less than their multi-setting counterparts.
• Multi-Head Models:  Provide a spa-like experience in your own home with a fixed or handheld showerhead as well as several body jets mounted on a vertical tower.  However, with such comfort comes a higher price tag.  These are the most expensive to purchase, install and run, oftentimes using as much as 10 gallons per minute of water.
• Custom Models:  Modern showers are created with unique showerhead designs, from luxury panel showers, to artistic expression through showerheads with special lighting, to pocket showers which can be taken on the go and are in essence a waterproof reservoir which holds enough water to have an outdoor shower while camping.

Showerhead Features

• Aerating Showerheads:  Mix air with water, producing a misty spray which makes the water-flow feel more substantial, and they don’t create as much steam and moisture.
• Handheld Showerheads:  Leave it in the holder or remove it to focus the spray on a particular body-part, allowing for quicker cleaning and rinsing.
• Rain Showerheads:  Large heads and wide spray patterns provide a soft, soothing flow of water.
• Low-Flow Showerheads:  Features can include a pause button to start and stop water during the shower, a shower timer to manage the time spent in the shower, a temperature gauge which keeps water-flow to a trickle until the desired water temperature is reached, and water volume controls to let you manually adjust the gallons per minute.

From showerhead types to showerhead features, this should give you all you need to know about showerheads in order to make an informed decision on what type of new showerhead is right for your home and lifestyle.

If you are thinking about upgrading your bathroom plumbing in the Dover, DE area and need more information, give Boulden Plumbing a call!

Where Is the Leak?

Step one is to determine where the water is coming from. Look for leaks around the fittings and valves attached to the device. If one of them is loose or if you see water dripping from a connection, it can probably be fixed relatively easily. However, if the leak is coming from the body of the water heater, you may have a ruptured tank which is a sure sign of a bad water heater that needs to be replaced.

 Draining Your Tank

Once you identify the leak, turn off the water supply to the tank and prepare to drain it the rest of the way. You should also disconnect the power from the device. If the water heater is gas, I recommend you call a Dover plumber who is certified to work on gas appliances. For electric water heaters, you may still want a professional, but the next step here is to simply turn off the breaker to stop electricity from flowing to the device.

Drain the tank next, using the bucket to capture the water as it is released. If you have a floor drain and can angle the tank over the drain, go ahead and do that now. Once the tank is empty, it is time to tighten your fittings.

 Fixing the Problem

Assuming this is a fittings or valve problem, loosen any fittings that appeared to have leaked, repair the plumbing thread and retape the pipes, finally tightening the fittings back into place. The pressure valve may need to be replaced as well – do this now if it is necessary.

Before reapplying the electricity to the water heater, reattach the water supply and turn it on to check for leaks. If it holds water, you are lucky and your water heater’s tank isn’t leaking. Reattach everything and turn it back on.

If you notice the leak continues, you should call a Dover plumber as it is likely the glass inside your tank has cracked or is leaking. Most of the time, this cannot be repaired and means you need a new water heater installed. If you are having any problems with your water heater, give Boulden Plumbing a call!

The think about caulking, though, is that something can go wrong with it rather quickly. Because of the high frequency of use of tubs and sinks, the caulk that seals the space between the fixture and the wall can deteriorate and crack over time. This can cause gaps in the caulk or cause the fixture to come loose from the wall.

When this cracking and erosion happens, water from your bath, shower head or faucet can seep in between the fixture and the wall, potentially causing water damage and fostering colonies of mildew and mold.

Cracked caulk is inevitable with daily use, so you don’t need to worry about preventing it. Instead, learn how to properly fix the situation with a fresh caulk job:

1. Scrape away all the old caulk from around the fixture using a utility knife or putty knife. Take care to remove all the old caulk while also avoiding scratching porcelain fixtures.

2. With all the caulk gone, clean out the joint thoroughly. This will remove any last traces of caulk, as well as any other dirt or buildup. If you notice mildew or mold, use a chlorine bleach solution to clean the joint before recaulking.

3. Once the joint is dry, recaulk it using a bead of caulk that is just slightly wider than the joint. This ensures an adequate seal. Wipe any excess away with a rag.

4. Allow the caulk to dry thoroughly before using the sink or tub. Read the instructions on the caulk for an estimated drying time.

Take note that it is very important to thoroughly remove all the old caulk and clean everywhere along the fixture joint before applying the new caulk. Otherwise, the new caulk will not adhere properly and potentially damaging dirt may get sealed into the joint.

If you followed all the steps carefully, you should have a fresh seal of caulk that will last you another several years! And if you run into any problems or need a Elkton plumbing professional’s help, give Boulden Plumbing a call today!

How Sump Pumps Work

Your Wilmington sump pump‘s base has openings to allow water to flow into it. When water fills the sump it also fills the interior of the pump. When the water reaches a certain level it triggers a floating switch that activates an electric motor. The motor spins a metal shaft immersed in the water at the bottom of the pump. The shaft is attached to an impeller, which resembles a small, sideways water wheel.

As the impeller spins at high speed it whirls the water away from the center of the pump, forcing it into a discharge pipe that rises up out of the sump. The discharge pipe connects to a length of hose or pipe that empties the water into a sink or outside the foundation of the house. As the water is forced out of the pump it creates a vacuum that pulls more water into the pump and out of the sump. The impeller keeps spinning and pumping water into the collecting pipe until the water level inside the pump – and the sump – allows the float switch to drop low enough to shut the motor off.

Types of Sump Pumps

There are pedestal sump pumps and submersible sump pumps. In pedestal pumps, the motor assembly is above the base of the pump and the impeller, and doesn’t contact the water. The activation switch for the motor is attached to a long shaft with the float on the other end that drops into the water. As the water rises, it pushes the shaft up and activates the switch. Submersible pumps are smaller units with the motor, activation switch, and impeller all on one level. The motor compartment is waterproof. Either style pump is usually connected to the house electric circuit. But some homeowners connect them to backup battery power supplies so the pump will work in the event of a severe storm and power outage.

Which Wilmington Homes Need Sump Pumps

Every homeowner in Wilmington should understand the concept of the water table. Simply put, the water table is the permanently saturated layer of soil, sand, or rock below most of the surface of the Earth. In some places it’s hundreds of feet below the ground, but in most areas it’s much closer to the surface. In temperate or seasonal areas, the depth of the water table can rise and fall.

The foundations of homes in the Wilmington area are built above the water table. But seasonal fluctuations and heavy precipitation can cause the water table to expand upwards. If a basement isn’t completely waterproof, and few basements in the Wilmington area are, the water will seep in. Land near rivers, streams, and wetlands tends to have a very high water table, so homes built in those areas are particularly susceptible to flooding.

Although most basements are not waterproof, they should be able to withstand an occasional increase in the saturation of the soil around and beneath the house. A permanently damp basement could indicate that the foundation is close enough to the water table to prevent the basement from ever completely drying out. Rather than installing a dehumidifier, a sump pump may provide a better solution. Ask your Wilmington plumbers, Boulden Plumbing, about how a sump pump can help your home!

Spring also means checking all of your house hold systems for maintenance needs. We recommend that your plumbing systems be inspected every 2 years, check our our Maintenance Programs to properly maintain your house hold plumbing systems.

• Biennial (Every 2 Years) Professional Whole House Plumbing Safety Inspection, Leak Check, Water Heater Maintenance and Flush for your home’s plumbing system.
• 10% Discount on all repairs, PLUS a 10% Discount on new fixtures, Water Heaters and Water Conditioning equipment.*
• As a Club Member, in the unlikely event that you need a repair, you will receive priority service! • For only pennies a day you can protect yourself from costly and annoying plumbing problems.

Turn to Boulden Plumbing for all of your Dover plumbing needs. Happy Dover Days to all the Dover, Delaware residents!