holiday! Archives - Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Why to Add a Sump Pump to the Holiday Wishlist

Sump Pump Installation: The Best Gift of the Holiday Season

They say that the best gifts are those that keep on giving. While there’s certainly a case to be made for that, there’s also a case to be made for gifts that keep on protecting. That’s what sump pumps do: they protect the home from water damage, flooding, and mold. So when a homeowner gets the gift of a sump pump, they know that they don’t have to worry about the crazy weather ruining their year because the sump pump is the gift that keeps on giving.

Who Can Benefit From a Sump Pump?

Sump pumps are ideal for homes that have issues with flooding or moisture. Homes in areas where flooding is common or certain seasons bring the possibility of flooding can benefit from sump pump installation. These cylindrical pumps are installed at the lowest point in the house, often in the basement or crawl space, in a sump pit. Since water flows down to the lowest point, the sump pit is where water will collect first. The sump pump senses the water and pumps it away from the house.

The benefits of sump pumps are obvious once one understands what they do. Homeowners no longer have to worry about their basement or crawl space flooding or even developing small pools of standing water that can be a breeding ground for insects and mold. Whether the homeowners are at home or away, the sump pump will work to protect the home. Insurance plans for houses in some areas require sump pump installation for certain homeowner’s insurance plans.

Different Types of Sump Pumps

When purchasing a sump pump, there are several different types. The most common types include submersible sump pumps and pedestal sump pumps. Submersible sump pumps are designed to get wet, with the entire pump sitting in the sump pit. These are generally more powerful and quieter than pedestal sump pumps. Those who regularly have flooding issues in their basement would benefit from a submersible sump pump.

Pedestal sump pumps are built so that the motor sits at the top of a pedestal, with the pump base in the pit to access the water. Since pedestal sump pumps aren’t designed to get wet, they are generally cheaper than submersible sump pumps. They’re also not as powerful and a bit louder because of their position above the sump basin. However, a pedestal sump pump could be ideal if the sump basin is narrow.

Backup or Secondary Sump Pumps

Generally, sump pumps are powered by the home’s electrical system. But since they’re designed to protect from flooding, it’s not uncommon that the home’s power goes out during a powerful storm. If this happens, the sump pump won’t work. This is where battery backup or secondary sump pumps come in. These sump pumps work on battery power, so they can kick on and pump water out of the home even if the power goes out.

It’s also good to install a secondary sump pump in case the primary sump pump fails for any other reason or cannot keep up with the waters during a massive storm. Combination sump pumps are available that have both an electric cord to draw power from the house and a battery backup in the unit, so the pump will work even if the power goes out. One thing’s for sure: one sump pump is better than none. And two are far better than one!

About Apple Valley Plumbing

Apple Valley Plumbing has been proud to serve Apple Valley, MN, for many years. Their experienced professionals provide custom solutions with upfront pricing. They also offer free estimates and back their work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact them today for sump pump installation in Apple Valley, MN.

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Easy Ways to Find the Best Plumber During the Holiday Season

Three Characteristics of Reliable Plumbing Companies

The holidays tend to get chaotic even when things are running smoothly. With so many activities to cram into a short season it can seem like everyone is running around with their hair on fire. To make matters more stressful, just because everyone is so busy doesn’t mean that problems take the season off. Plumbing problems can crop up and add copious amounts of stress to an already busy season.

To take some of the trouble out of the season, homeowners should find a reliable plumber that can be on call to help them in their time of need. Whether homeowners have the luxury of finding a plumber before a problem arises or they are looking frantically for immediate help, there are certain hallmarks of reliable plumbers that can ensure homeowners get the best service. Here are some of the characteristics of trustworthy local plumbers.

Positive Reviews on Internet Platforms

The internet has made shopping around for a plumber so much easier. Within seconds, homeowners can have the contact information of numerous plumbers ready to assist. But how does one go about separating reliable plumbers from unreliable ones?

Along with contact information, numerous platforms host reviews of local plumbers. Homeowners searching for a plumber should check Google, Facebook, and the company’s website for applicable reviews before they dial the number.

By reading reviews, potential customers can get an idea of how professional the company will be. Good and bad reviews can provide valuable information in searching for a plumbing. Be sure to look out for keywords in reviews like “prompt” and “fair.”

Proudly Displayed License and Insurance

Plumbing is an important service that is closely regulated. The plumbing industry is closely regulated because their work has to be done correctly to be safe and effective. Plumbers that are reliable and worth hiring will proudly display their credentials to prove they are licensed and insured for their trade.

Licensed and insured plumbers are not only the gold standard of the industry, but they are also the only plumbing companies that are legally allowed to do plumbing work. Before a plumber can solicit jobs, they have to prove they have done the necessary training to be competent. This makes them eligible to be licensed. Once a license is obtained, plumbers apply for special insurance covering them and their important work.

Offers Maintenance

Plumbing in a home gets used every single day. Whether that means taking a hot shower or doing several loads of laundry, plumbing needs maintenance to ensure that it stays reliable over the years.

Some of the most common practices offered by reliable plumbing companies are:

Water heater maintenance
Check water pressure
Fix minor leaks
Routine drain cleaning
Pipe inspection

By partnering with a reliable plumbing company during the winter, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of their relationship year-round with reduced plumbing problems and lower costs.

About Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Apple Valley Plumbing Company is a local plumber with award-winning service. Their technicians are licensed and insured to protect their workers and their customers. Call today for plumbing service in Apple Valley, MN.

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Be Thankful for a Working Garbage Disposal This Holiday!

The Garbage Disposal Is a Special Part of a Thanksgiving Meal

It's November, and that means the year is winding down. But first, the busy holiday season awaits, and the first milestone of the season is Thanksgiving. At Thanksgiving, families cook enormous meals and invite friends and family over to celebrate what they're thankful for in the past year. There are a million things to be thankful for, but there are always things that get overlooked. One of the overlooked choices could be the garbage disposal.

At most Thanksgiving meals, the turkey is the centerpiece. But for the people who have to clean up after the meal, the show's garbage disposal is the star. Here is a quick guide from local kitchen plumbing contractors to help homeowners get the most from their garbage disposal during the holiday season.

Garbage Disposals Protect Kitchen Sink Plumbing

Kitchen plumbing has to deal with all kinds of hazards that the other drains in a home don't have to handle. This means that the kitchen sink drain is more likely to clog than any other drain in the house. A garbage disposal is a nifty device that serves a handy purpose.

While cooking a huge meal, there will inevitably be food scraps from serving and preparing dishes in the sink. Instead of allowing giant food particles into the drains, a garbage disposal grinds them into smaller particles. With a good flush of water coming from the faucet while running the garbage disposal, food debris won't cause any clogged drains during holiday meal cleanup.

How to Make the Garbage Disposal Last

The job that a garbage disposal does can be nasty. Dealing with wet food particles and grinding them up so they don't make a mess can take its toll on this appliance. There are a few things that homeowners can do to make their disposals last longer. Some good habits to get into to make the garbage disposal last longer are:

Discard the bulk of the food into the garbage instead of down the drain
Always run hot water down the drain while using the garbage disposal
Never discard grease down the drain; put it in the trash instead
Keep onion and potato peels out of the sink since they can still cause clogs even after they get ground up

Signs Garbage Disposal Repair is Overdue

A garbage disposal is a noisy piece of equipment because it is a powerful appliance. The noise that a garbage disposal makes can be alarming but it is usually the best indicator of trouble. There is a difference between the noise of good operation and the noise a garbage disposal makes when it is having trouble. A garbage disposal can exhibit new noises like:

Grinding
Squealing
Humming
Wobbling

All of these are indicators that something is awry. It may be as simple as something getting caught in the blades throwing it off balance, or the sounds could indicate bad bearings or a locked motor. Either way, a garbage disposal specialist can replace the offending appliance or schedule a new garbage disposal installation.

About Apple Valley Plumbing Company

Apple Valley Plumbing Company knows enough to deal with during the holidays, so they offer a no-mess guarantee to Apple Valley, MN. Same-day service sets them apart from their competition. Call today to get custom solutions to plumbing problems.