Are Water-Saving Devices Really Worth the Hype?
The short answer is…. YES! The best water-saving devices are efficient, easily installed by your home handyperson or local plumber, and have little to no impact on your comfort. Trust us, green plumbing has come a long way from the trickling shower you probably think of when you consider water conservation. From high-efficiency toilets to shower timers, water-saving is the biggest trend in modern plumbing for good reason. These are the most common (and convenient!) water-saving devices we recommend and install for our Burton customers: Dual-flush toilet triggers. These two-button toilets give you the option of a full flush or [...]
How To Plan for Plumbing in Your Home Remodel Project
Dear Burton, We’re getting ready to start a major home renovation project, updating our kitchen, bathrooms, and a couple other spaces. Is there anything we should know about our plumbing before we start the remodel? - The Demolition Dad Dear Demolition, Before you start swinging that sledgehammer (as satisfying as a good tear down may be) you need to know exactly what’s behind your sheetrock. Otherwise, you’ll have a major flood on your hands faster than you can say “extreme home makeover!” Always shut off your main power, turn off your water, and carefully cut away the wall—before you go [...]
Homeowner Hacks: Handy Tips for DIY Drain Opening
Omaha homeowners: Is your bathtub just not draining like it used to? Before you call a drain cleaning service or reach for the harsh clog-busting chemicals (that often cause more harm than good) try this quick homeowner hack! As much as we love sending our expert plumbers to open drains all across Omaha, with just a few tools and a little elbow grease, you can get your bathtub draining again in under ten minutes— no chemicals or prior plumbing experience needed. https://youtu.be/-8UncgbPsfg Read on to learn Burton’s latest Homeowner Hack: Opening your bathtub drain with just four simple steps [...]
If You See One of These 3 Septic System Symptoms, Call a Plumber!
Hopefully, you don’t have to think about your septic system that often. It’s out of sight and out of mind, as it’s meant to be! But you should keep a vigilant eye out for these three telltale signs that it’s time to call a septic tank plumber—before you have a major emergency plumbing situation. All your drains take their sweet time One or two slow-flowing drains is probably the sign of a minor plumbing clog, not a major septic tank emergency. But if all the drains in your house flow slower than molasses, it’s an early sign that a sludge [...]
4 EASY BATHROOM PLUMBING TIPS ANYONE CAN DO
Dear Burton, My wife and I just bought our first home. When we were renting, we had a landlord around to help with occasional bathroom plumbing issues. Now that we’re doing our own maintenance, what are some easy things we can do to keep our plumbing in good shape? - Plumb Perplexed Dear Perplexed, Congratulations on moving into your new home! That’s a great question to ask now— before you’ve got a flood on your hands (and all over the bathroom floor). If you want to play offense when it comes to clogged plumbing problems, [...]
Can Your Plumber Say “Yes!” to These 3 Questions?
As a local homeowner or landlord, you really should have a plumber in Omaha on speed dial. Yes, right there between your best friend and the pizza guy. Why? When an emergency arises— and it will!— the last thing you want to waste time on is digging through the phone book for a plumber. Calling a dozen different companies, leaving messages, and sitting on hold is a surefire way to make your bad day worse. So do yourself a favor! Vet your go-to plumber with these three critical questions. Do you keep service parts in stock? When you have a [...]
Money-Saving Water Heater Tips
Did you know water heaters consume about 17% of the total energy of your home? That quite a hefty percentage. But do not fret. We have some helpful tips for how to save money on your next bill! Burton’s Best Water Heater Tips Lower The Temperature Check your water heater setting. The higher the temperature, the more power is needed. When you buy a water heater, the default setting is usually around 140F. However, most households can reduce the setting to be a more comfortable 120F. This reduction consumes 3%-5% less electricity and can significantly reduce your heating bills over [...]
3 Surprisingly Fun Tips For Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals are kitchen workhorses, taking the daily grind to a whole new level (often in dark places, out of view). Given everything we throw at them (or rather, down them), it’s not surprising they get funky from time to time. What may be surprising is how easy (and almost fun) it is to keep them looking and smelling their best. Before we get started, here’s a fun bonus tip: Always disconnect the power to your garbage disposal before working on it—because it’s fun to keep all of your fingers attached to your hand—and it’s not fun to work in [...]
Everything You Need to Know about Water Heater Replacement
Water heaters are a crucial part of every household. They give you warm and hot water whenever you want.. But what happens if something goes awry you need a replacement? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about water heater replacement. How Long do Water Heaters Last? Traditional water heaters with tanks should last up to 8-12 years and tankless water heaters can last over 20 years. Manufacturers generally suggest a water heater replacement every 12 years for traditional heaters and every 20 years for tankless water heaters. However, these estimations are not guaranteed. Water heaters may last [...]
Need Help with Sump Pump Maintenance?
Sump pumps, located at the lowermost part of your home, help prevent damage to your home by keeping your foundation dry and discourages flooding. To ensure your sump pump is in good working condition during an emergency, be sure to do a maintenance check 2-3 times a year. Maintenance Checklist: Unplug the sump pump to avoid electrical shock Empty the basin of standing water Remove debris in and around the basin Pour water into the basin to ensure it is draining properly Inspect sump pump for rust or corrosion Remove debris and blockage from pipe where water is discharged from [...]
Why You Need a Yearly Kitchen Drain Opening
You know how it begins. The kitchen sink drains slower and slower every day. Was it always like this? You can’t remember. So you ignore it (which never solves the problem, but we are all human). Before you know it, the drains are clogged and nothing will drain. A drain operating at its optimal point is when liquids swirl down the drain at a rapid pace. It should not drain slowly, gurgle, or bubble. Your kitchen drain requires at least once a year maintenance and cleaning. Preventative maintenance can help save you from headaches by maintaining a healthy and working [...]
How To Prevent Clogged Drains
Slow draining sinks and tubs can be frustrating. Especially when the holidays are around the corner and guests are knocking at your door. While some issues can easily be fixed by yourself, some drains may need professional cleaning in order to get it back to optimal use. Luckily, Burton is now offering a drain opening for $99! Get your drains flowing before company comes! Once you have your drain opened and back to normal, make sure you know common causes of clogged drains. Hair can cause drain blockage when combined with sticky substances like soap. Consider using a sink strainer [...]