The Life of Your Water Heater

What do your dog and your water heater have in common?  Don’t spend the rest of the day contemplating that riddle.  We will put you out of your confusion.  They each have a life expectancy of about 15 years.  We wish it were longer, but that is just the way it is.  You really can’t ever replace your best friend, but you must replace that leaky old water heater.

Here are the things to look for.  If your water heater will not stay lit that is definitely a warning sign.  If you see signs of leakage I’m afraid its time has come.  Before you panic it may be time to repair rather than replace it so get an expert opinion on that possibility first.  However, don’t be stubborn.  You could end up putting too much money into an old water heater just limping along.

Call Poor Johns Plumbing today.  That’s a cute name isn’t it?  It just happens to be the best name in Kansas City area plumbing, 7 days a week 24 hours a day.  For decades Poor Johns has been your Kansas City area water heater repair and replacement specialist.  Visit www.poorjohns.com for the phone number that fits your area and give them a call.

Everything Including the Kitchen Sink.

You don’t know everything about plumbing, but your friends at Poor John’s Plumbing in Kansas City want you to be aware of some common problems.  One thing we will probably all experience at one time or another is a leaky faucet.  In the summer especially, sinks get used more and before you know it a leaks develops.

1.  Check pipes periodically before a puddle develops potentially ruining valuables

2.  Peek under your sink for any leaking

3.  Radiators need to have an open valve - when water condenses it should drain back

4.  If your water heater is leaking it probably is on the “near death list”

5.  If water is leaking from a shower it is probably a defective washer or seat

6.  An old mechanical faucet may be tough to get parts for…consider replacing it

It is helpful to know the basics about plumbing.  One thing you should always keep in mind is that a botched plumbing repair can be extraordinarily costly.  Why take the chance?  Poor John’s is a full service maintenance and emergency plumber serving all of the Kansas City area.  Go to their website at www.poorjohns.com, see their pricing, and give them a call.

Plumbing Problems Unique to the Summer Season.

Hot, muggy weather is around the corner in Kansas City.  Most of us welcome the opportunity to get out and travel and lay in the sun.  Summer is great!  Summertime may not be so great for the plumbing around your home or business.  There are unique situations that occur in this upcoming time of year that we don’t see in the frigid months.

Here are some common summer plumbing problems to be aware of -

1.  Your disposal could easily clog.  Cookouts cause more food to be thrown down the drain.

2.  Sewer lines back up.  Heavy rains equals heavy flooding and clogged sewers.

3.  Clogged toilets.  Children are running in and out of the house and using the facilities.

4.  Children everywhere!  More children around the house means heavier use of your washing machine.

5.  Obviously, the annual rising of the sprinklers.  Make sure your sprinkler system is 100%

Preventative maintenance before the hot summer weather hits is obviously important.  For dozens of years the Kansas City area has trusted Poor Johns Plumbing for preventative and emergency plumbing.  Poor Johns Plumbing is your Kansas City plumbing professional.  Visit www.poorjohns.com for a list of the phone numbers closest to you and have a safe and happy summer.

Summertime in Kansas City…Road Construction and Backyard Excavation.

So we have emerged from another Midwest winter.  We have had time to celebrate our World Champion Royals.  Now it is time to turn our attention to our property.  With the softer ground we now have the opportunity to do those heavy equipment excavation jobs that we simply cannot do when the ground is frozen.

Nearly all of your home’s plumbing lies underground.  If you have a leaky faucet or a broken toilet, chances are the root of the problem lies underground.  Most jobs of this type require a specific permit.  This is definitely NOT a task for a do it yourselfer.  Just as important, you must hire a pro who will not charge an arm and a leg while the permits are being pulled.

For decades people of the Kansas City area have trusted Poor Johns Plumbing for these heavy-duty tasks.  The name may make you chuckle, but believe me you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.  Poor John’s Plumbing is your plumbing excavation expert in the Kansas City metro.  Visit www.poorjohns.com for a list of the phone numbers closest to you and have a safe and happy summer.

Kansas City Area Septic Systems.

Not everyone in the KC area is connected to a city sewer.  If you have a home with a septic system you are only too aware of what a back-up can mean to your quality of life.  When sewage backs up it will create a terrible odor in your backyard.  If this happens, you are facing some major decisions about repairing or replacing your septic tank.

Here are a few tips to remember if this happens to you…

1.  Lift the septic tank and check the water level

2.  Keep people away from standing water or any soggy soil

3.  The drainfield may need to be replaced because of age

To repair or replace - that is the question.  It may be nothing more than a broken pipe.  However, if the drainfield is no longer operative it may be time to replace the system.  Poor Johns Plumbing is your Kansas City area septic tank professional.  When you need a breath of fresh air visit www.poorjohns.com.  Call one of the phone numbers listed on the website to find out what needs to be done with your septic system.

A Master Plumber is Standing By.

When you call a plumber you may well get an answering machine.  You may also get someone in the field who cannot immediately troubleshoot your problem.  That is the typical way that business is done in the plumbing community.  What if you could speak to a master plumber available to you during the regular business day?

If you could speak to that person and tell them what’s ailing your plumbing you would probably also want to know pricing.  Most plumbing companies either hide their prices or are reluctant to disclose them.  It just makes sense for THEM because they can come to your home and start tacking on fees when they see the job itself.

This is NOT the case at Poor John’s Plumbing.  We are one of the few master plumbers in Kansas City that can not only come to the phone during regular business hours, but are proud to publish our prices right on our website.  Isn’t that a breath of fresh air?  See for yourself.  Visit us on the web at www.poorjohns.com and give your Kansas City master plumber a call today.

Be Very Careful with Natural Gas Lines.

Natural gas is the one of the great inventions of modern man.  Believe it or not the use of natural gas in this country goes back almost 200 years.  In the beginning it was used to fuel street lamps in the Baltimore area.  Nowadays natural gas powers heaters, stoves, dryers, as well as various other household appliances.

Are you at a point in your home where you wish to add to your natural gas system?  Perhaps you need to have an existing system restored.  Your local gas company will require a permit to be pulled from their files so that an inspection may be performed.  This is not something that the layperson would do on their own.

Natural gas repair experts Poor Johns Plumbing will do it all for you.  If you live in the greater Kansas City area they will pull the permit on your behalf.  Then they will proceed to examine your natural gas system and make all of the necessary repairs.  If you need re-piping, that is no problem for the Kansas City natural gas experts.  For the proper number to call in your area visit www.poorjohns.com.

A Kansas City Plumber who Displays Prices.

Here is a challenge for you.  Look up any plumber in the Kansas City area and see if they have an entire page that prominently displays their prices.  Have you seen such a thing?  Plumbers generally make their money when they come to someone’s home or business and the job turns out to be “bigger” than you thought when you called them.

Check this out…

Garbage Disposal $85 labor.

Kitchen Sink Faucet $95 labor.

Kitchen Sink Repair $50 plus parts.

Kitchen Sink Overhaul $75 plus parts.

Do you know where you can find prices like that (and others) listed on a website?  They are found at www.poorjohns.com.  Poor Johns is a Kansas City area plumber that not only is not afraid to share their pricing, but is rightfully proud of it.  Visit their website today and call the number that corresponds to the area of KC where you reside.  24/7 it’s Poor Johns plumbing for more than a quarter of a century.

How Old is Your Water Heater?

If you have been “whistling past the graveyard” with your water heater you probably should pay some attention to replacing it.  Have you had it for more than a decade?  If so, it may be past its expiration date and you may be headed for a flooded basement or garage.  Problems with water heaters often happen without warning.  If you notice ANY leaking whatsoever coming from your water heater it will only get worse.

Even if your water heater is less than a decade old, a few maintenance repairs may be necessary at this time.  If your heater won't stay lit, or leaks water continuously it is time to at the very least have your water heater accessed by a professional.  You may find that repairs, rather than replacement, is an option.  Wouldn’t that be nice?

For decades people in the Kansas City area have trusted Poor John’s Plumbing for all of their residential and commercial water heater needs.  They have a cute name and a serious reputation when it comes to plumbing repair of any kind in the KC metro.  Check out their website for the phone number that applies to your area at www.poorjohns.com.

How to Install a Toilet Handle.

Some plumbing problems can be handled by you…yes you Mr. or Ms. DIY!  There is one in particular that may be within your reach.  If you have had problems with a running toilet you may need a new handle or flapper.  The most important first step is to make sure that if you go to a plumbing supply store and get the proper parts that you are TRULY able to complete the task without creating a disaster.

Remove the lid from the top of the tank.  Then disconnect the flapper chain from the handle.  Inside you will almost certainly see a plastic nut.  Loosen that next.  Then thread the new handle through the hole in the tank.  Reattach the nut and give it an extra turn with a wrench to make sure it is tight.  And finally, give it a test.

Again, if you are able to do this yourself successfully then more power to you.  But when you need plumbing repair expertise you need to trust the professionals at Poor Johns Plumbing.  Poor Johns has been serving the plumbing needs of the entire Kansas City area for decades.  We are standing by 24/7 to fix or install your plumbing.  Please visit our website for the phone number that applies to your area at www.poorjohns.com.

Year-Round Kansas City Plumbing Maintenance Tips.

Before the services of a professional plumber are required there are several maintenance procedures that you may follow.  For instance, test all of your valves annually, especially the main shut off for the house and the water heater shutoff.  Put ice in your garbage disposal to break up loose food particles and eliminate odor. 

This particular tip may be especially important for some of you.  If you own an unoccupied property in the Kansas City area you may need to winterize it.  Remember, if you leave your water distribution charged with water in freezing temperatures you have a prescription for disaster.  Unless you plan on keeping that property heated all winter you need to shut the water off at the main line.

When plumbing problems occur anywhere in the Kansas City area at any time of the year we will be there to fix them quickly and economically.  We are Poor Johns Plumbing.  At Poor Johns we put our prices right on our website because we know we can do the job better and cheaper.  Visit our website today to find the phone number that applies to your area at www.poorjohns.com.

Looking for the Right Plumber 2016.

The word plumbing comes from the Greek word for lead which is what all of the ancient Greeks used for their plumbing infrastructure.  I know, you could have lived without that information.  One thing you can’t live without is properly working plumbing.  We take a flush of a toilet, a garbage disposal that makes old food disappear, and a shower that regulates hot and cold for granted.

Man oh man when things like that and other plumbing parts go haywire our lives are turned upside down.  Please don’t tell me you are an amateur plumber.  That is like saying you’re an amateur lawyer, or amateur doctor.  Plumbing repair is a highly specialized skill and you need to trust your plumber to do the job right and at a fair price every time.

Poor John’s Plumbing serving the greater Kansas City area puts its prices right on its website.  How many plumbers in the KC area do that?  For decades Poor John’s has understood they are not the only game in town…the best maybe, but not the only.  Call Poor John’s Plumbing anytime you have a plumbing repair that needs to be done right the first time on YOUR budget.  Visit www.poorjohns.com for all of their area phone numbers.

Have a Safe and Dry Holiday Season.

What do we mean by safe and DRY?  Well, the safe part speaks for itself, but by dry we mean no plumbing problems.  No one needs another thing to think about when having guests over or using the garbage disposal more.  A lot of appliances will get an extra workout this time of year that’s for sure, so we hope that your season is free from those worries.

Always rest assured that if you live in the Kansas City area, Poor John’s Plumbing will be there whenever you need us.  Since faulty plumbing knows no holiday and neither do we.  If a toilet needs fixing, if a garbage disposal needs repairing, if a water heater goes bad, we will be there to fix or replace it and we will do it on a holiday budget because our prices are always lower.

Check out our website at www.poorjohns.com.  Go to the prices page.  Generally, plumbers don’t have pages like that on their website.  We WANT you to see our prices before you pick up your phone.  Please note that we have different phone numbers to serve various areas of the Kansas City metro area, to give you the fastest service possible.  Happy holidays from our family at Poor Johns to yours.

Plumbing Tips for Winter.

Guard against poor heating in bitterly cold weather.  This is the core of the worst thing that can happen to any home in Kansas City this winter.  Regular maintenance of your heating system even after the first cold snap is recommended.  Your heating system runs at full capacity at sub-zero temperatures so that is a good time to have it tested.  A professional with an OHM meter can tell if the element needs to be replaced.

Then there is your hot water system.  It seems that it fails just when you need it the most.  Here is one tip that you may follow.  Try to allow at least 10-15 minutes between any two showers in your home.  This will keep the temperature consistent.

This time of year with harsh temperatures creating serious plumbing problems you need the help of a professional.  In Kansas City that pro is Poor Johns Plumbing.  For decades we have been serving the Kansas City area 24/7 365 days a year.  Visit our website at www.poorjohns.com to find the right phone number to call for help in your area of the KC metro.

Remodeling your Kansas City area Bathroom.

This might be a great time of the year to turn your attention to that bathroom remodeling job that you have been putting off.  Putting into play how much of a budget that you have, consider also how many times each day does someone in your family use the facilities within the bathroom?  How you use your bathroom for showers, long baths, and the obvious should factor into your remodeling decisions.

Of course it depends on WHICH bathroom you are remodeling.  You may have several bathrooms in your home that all have different functions.  The master bath is the second most important space in the house next to the kitchen.  Design work may be much more intricate than it would be in, say a family bathroom where members of your family spend only the time that is necessary.

Your Kansas City area plumber, Poor Johns, wants to help you design that dream bathroom that will become the pride and joy of your household.  Our technician will visit your home to determine all of your plumbing needs.  And best of all, our estimates are free of charge!  Start the magic of the new bathroom of your dreams by calling Poor Johns Plumbing serving the greater Kansas City area.  For the best phone number in your area please visit their website at www.poorjohns.com.

When Should You Start to Worry about Freezing Pipes?

Let’s tackle this issue before it’s too late.  We all learned in school that water freezes at 32 degrees.  However, researchers say that might not be the case with the plumbing pipes in your home.  According to the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois, that temperature threshold may be closer to 20 degrees.

Tests were conducted on residential water systems subjected to winter temperatures.  It was demonstrated that, for un-insulated pipes installed in unprotected spaces, the onset of freezing occurred when the outside temperature fell to 20 degrees or below.  Other factors can cause the pipes to freeze at temperatures above 20°. These include pipes exposed to windy, cold air which flows in due to a crack in an outside wall or lack of insulation. 

Isn’t it better to stay ahead of the curve?  This upcoming winter in the Kansas City area may be as brutal as the winter of 2014-15.  Don’t take chances with your infrastructure!  For all of your winter needs contact Kansas City area plumber Poor Johns Plumbing.  To find the best phone number for your location visit, our website at www.poorjohns.com.

Upcoming Changes in your Plumbing Needs

With the changing season your plumbing needs may change.  Things that go wrong with your plumbing infrastructure in the dead of winter may be unusual and severe.  A leaky toilet, a flooded basement, a bad sump pump, and much more don’t observe any calendar.  They happen when you least expect them and turn your household upside down.

It is important to trust a professional plumber even if you believe that your do it yourself skills are enough to tackle the task.  You could turn a minor problem into a major one very quickly without the proper tools and expertise for the job.  Make the sensible decision.  Don’t become one of those amateur fixer-uppers that ends up with thousands of dollars of damage and plumbing bills.

The most important thing to remember this time and any time of year is that you want a plumber that can fix what needs fixing anytime and can handle any job.  It is imperative to have a family plumber that you trust just like a family dentist or a family auto mechanic.  Get to know Poor Johns Plumbing. They handle all plumbing tasks all the time.   If you live in the Kansas City area please visit their website at www.poorjohns.com for a list of the phone numbers that is nearest to you.  Trust Poor Johns for ANY plumbing problem.

Cleaning Your Septic System

In the Kansas City area many residents are not connected to a city sewer.  If not, you will probably have a septic system.  The average homeowner probably knows little or nothing about the operation and especially the maintenance of that system.  If it overflows you and the neighbors will know more than they ever wanted to know!

By design, these systems are fairly simple. All drains in the home converge to a single pipe that leads to the septic tank buried outside.  When the waste water from your toilet, shower, sinks and washing machine leave your house, it's combined. When it hits the septic tank, however, it begins to separate.  As simple as their design may be, septic systems require the homeowner to monitor them before problems arise.

Do you want to “monitor” the waste in your septic tank?  I don’t!  That is why you call the plumbing professionals at Poor Johns Plumbing, serving the Kansas City metro.  Their trained technicians will tell you whether you need routine maintenance, repairs or total replacement.  For a list of phone numbers to call in your area visit their website at www.poorjohns.com and call for a free estimate.  Leave the dirty work to the people with expertise. 

Can You Leave Your Swimming Pool Open Year Round?

If you own a swimming pool in the Kansas City area you know that harsh weather is just around the corner.  There are actually pros and cons on the subject.  You should get to know both before you make what seems to be an obvious decision to close down your swimming pool until May.

Pools are a beautiful site no matter what the weather.  If the water is still moving it is a comfort to listen to.  If you leave your pool open, the amount of algae that will grow over the winter will be greatly diminished when you actually start swimming again in the late spring.  This will save you a few days of removing excess algae next spring.

On the negative side, your pool water could freeze in very harsh temperatures and harm your entire plumbing system.  The extra electricity that you use in the winter may cost hundreds of extra dollars.  Whatever you decide to do know that you can always trust Kansas City area plumber Poor John’s for all of your plumbing needs.  Visit their website at www.poorjohns.com for a list of phone numbers that apply to your area.

Remodeling Your Bathroom

If you have been putting off that bathroom remodeling project now may be the time.  Perhaps you have hired a general contractor and now they need to sublet the plumbing work out to a Kansas City area plumber.  Make sure that the plumbing work is done by a licensed plumber or you may regret it later.

When you are ready to redesign that bathroom, basement, or rec room call the best plumber in the area…Poor John’s Plumbing, serving the Kansas City metro for more than a quarter of a century.  The best part is there is no need to worry about paying a service charge or estimate fee as all our estimates are free of charge!

If you have further questions contact Poor John’s Plumbing today.  We offer standardized pricing for many basic plumbing repairs and installs.  For all of the appropriate Kansas City area phone numbers visit our website at www.poorjohns.com.