Blog | Baker Brothers Plumbing

QUICK FIX PLUMBING: WHY IS MY AIR GAP SPURTING WATER?

Written by mike on February 9, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Have you ever run the dishwasher and come back to find water spouting all over your sink, countertop, or even the floor? Did the water come from the strange protrusion next to your faucet? Bet you always wondered what that thing did (before you found out it floods your kitchen). “That thing” is actually called an air gap, and it prevents wastewater from siphoning back into the dishwasher, which can occur when sinks become clogged and no air gap is present. Without an air gap, contaminated water could be sucked back into the dishwasher, dirtying your clean dishes and making you ill.
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5 Easy Ways to Conserve Water

Written by mike on January 19, 2012 — 1 Comment

We promise not to get preachy, but this is Texas, so conserving water is crucial. In that vein, we’ve made a list of 5 steps you can take to save some good old H2O. However, we know you can think for yourselves, so in lieu of “don’t let the faucet run while brushing your teeth” or “only run the washing machine when you have a full load,” we’re going to focus on some plumbing–related tips you may not have considered.
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Save-A-Penny Plumbing: How to Re-Caulk a Fixture in 5 Quick Steps

Written by mike on January 13, 2012 — Leave a Comment

Most people use their shower and sink every day (well, almost every day, anyway). As a result, the caulking holding your fixtures tends to deteriorate, cracking and pulling away from the surface. This is unsightly and can lead to water damage, as well. Thankfully, it’s very easy to fix. With five quick steps, you’ll have a freshly caulked fixture that looks good and functions well.
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Save-A-Penny Plumbing: Fixing Your Kitchen Sink Sprayer

Written by mike on January 6, 2012 — Leave a Comment

One by one, the dishes start piling up in the sink. You finally steel yourself up to attack the growing pile; you turn on the water, grab the sprayer, aim, squeeze, and—nothing happens. You have two choices: never wash dishes again, or fix the sprayer. Let’s assume you chose the latter.
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How to Prevent and Handle Flood Damage

Written by mike on December 29, 2011 — Leave a Comment

The moment we all dread: coming home to a few inches of water where it doesn’t belong. Be it a basement, or worse, a finished room, few things are more stressful. Before a flood happens, it’s good to have a plan in place so you don’t have to think on the fly. First, make yourself aware of where your shutoffs are. Then, make a checklist for after a flood occurs. Finally, determine who to contact in order to address any lingering issues.

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Unclogging a Slow Shower Drain

Written by mike on December 15, 2011 — Leave a Comment

Everyone has had that moment: standing in the shower, washing your hair, when suddenly, water is up to your ankles. A drain clog! Typically, a buildup of hair, by itself or combined with bath product gunk, is to blame. In this situation, many reach for the Drano. Instead of turning to harsh chemicals that might damage the finish of your tub or eat away at your pipes, try looking to some simpler (and possibly more effective) solutions first.

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3 Ways to Protect Your Pipes This Winter

Written by mike on December 2, 2011 — Leave a Comment

With temperatures changing rapidly, this time of year can wreak havoc on your house’s pipes. In southern climates like Texas, pipes are particularly susceptible to overnight freezes because they are more likely to be located outside of the house’s insulation. If you’re lucky, frozen pipes might be an inconvenience, and if you’re not, they can lead to disaster. A 1/8 crack in one pipe can leak 250 gallons of water a day, flooding your house, causing structural damage and mold. Ideally, your pipes would only be located in heated parts of the house, and kept out of areas that lend themselves to freezing. If they’re not, though, you can take three important steps to protect your pipes.

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How to Fix a Running Toilet: Basic Toilet Maintenance

Written by mike on November 25, 2011 — 1 Comment

Is your toilet running- making a bothersome noise and wasting water? It may be simpler to fix than you expect. With a few basic tools, there are some simple steps you can take to solve the problem yourself.

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Tankless Water Heaters: Breaking Down the Pros and Cons

Written by mike on November 17, 2011 — Leave a Comment

By now, you’ve probably heard of tankless water heaters, but you may not know much about them. Are they the right choice for your family? We’ll break down the pros and cons and help you make an informed decision.

First off, what is a tankless water heater? Also known as a “point of use” or “on-demand” water heater, the tankless water heater generates heat to warm water only while the tap is running. This means that the heater does not constantly use energy to warm water, as a conventional water heater does. It also means that the amount of hot water the tankless heater generates is not limited by tank size.

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How to keep a kitchen sink clog-free!

Written by mike on October 21, 2011 — 2 Comments

Did you know that the kitchen sink is the most used drain in the house? Unfortunately, the kitchen sink is also the most likely to get clogged. Most often, we see sink stoppages that are caused by the buildup of liquid fats, such as grease and oil.

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