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10 Reasons To Remodel Your Bathroom

A bathroom remodel is a large project that requires plenty of time and planning. Bathroom remodeling can be an expensive and multi-faceted process, but if planned carefully it can be kept on budget and add a great deal to the value and overall enjoyment of a home.

There’s no question that a well thought out, well planned remodel is a smart move for a savvy Whittier homeowner.

Here are ten solid reasons why remodeling the oh-so-important bathroom is a great way to really improve a home.

1. Create value by taking advantage of low interest rates.

Today’s low interest rates provide a solid argument for planning a bathroom remodel. A well executed remodel can be a very sound investment in a home’s value, as a modern, tastefully redone bathroom is a very attractive feature in a home. A great bathroom can make or break a home sale and really provide more value for a home that goes far beyond the initial investment.

2. Upgrading the bathroom is a necessary part of home upkeep.

The bathroom obviously serves critical functions in a home, which is why it’s so important for the plumbing to be upgraded and well maintained. A bathroom remodel addresses the practical issues of keeping the home well maintained and usable, while also adding to its cosmetic appeal.

3. Remodeling For Greater Comfort and Luxury

A bathroom remodel, when done well, adds a lot of luxury and an upscale feeling to a home. A beautiful design, with attention to special details like beautiful tile and a standing shower or a spa inspired tub, is a huge bonus to a home and the people who live in it.

4. Add in extra storage.

One element of a bathroom remodel is the opportunity to reuse the space more efficiently. A well-planned remodel can really rework a space to find new areas for cabinets and storage. It’s really amazing how using the bathroom space in a new way can make it seem much larger immediately.

5. Remodeling fixes plumbing problems.

Sometimes it’s a practical issue, like a broken faucet, that motivates a major remodel. A remodel will take into consideration all the practical issues in the bathroom to ensure that all the plumbing and fixtures are working well, even as the overall look of the room gets an upgrade.

6. Create a little getaway, inside the home.

Everyone loves to get away from the world sometimes and just relax, but vacations can be expensive. A beautifully remodeled bathroom in your Whittier home is a way to have an easily accessible mini vacation always in reach, in the home spa.

7. Get rid of a nasty mold infestation.

Since plumbing and water are a big part of the bathroom (obviously) mold and mildew problems can become a major issue. Sometimes the best way to deal with it is to put in new tile and grout and get a fresh, clean start.

8. Bring in excitement with designer tiles.

There are amazing new looks today in tiles, and good deals abound. Revamping the bathroom with a vibrant new look in colored tiles is a way to add real excitement to your home’s overall design scheme.

9. Make the bathroom completely safe.

Given its utility, the bathroom can become rundown over time. A broken shower door or tiles can create a real safety issue, which is a solid argument for doing a remodel.

10. Satisfy a craving for something new.

There’s nothing like a home makeover to give you a feeling of satisfaction, especially if you are in the mood for something new. New colors and fresh new elements in the bathroom are pleasing to the eye as well as the senses. Since all of this will add value to your home, why not satisfy that healthy craving for something fresh, new and beautiful in the bathroom?

There are obviously many reasons for planning a major bathroom remodel, from the pleasing aesthetics of having a fabulous place to relax and pamper yourself, to the practical issue of needing a place that is safe and highly functional.

The most important element of planning that all encompassing bathroom remodels require, is having a sound design scheme and working with plumbing experts who really know what is needed. It’s worthwhile to have a consultation with a top remodeling firm early on to talk through what’s needed to achieve your “dream bathroom,” whether it’s a tile and paint redo or a major overhaul of all the fixtures and design elements.

Creating a beautifully redone bathroom is one of the most satisfying projects a homeowner can take on. This is why having the right team in place to achieve that goal is so important.

For quality bathroom remodeling in the Whittier, CA area, contact Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer at (626) 962-0885 today, and set up a meeting to review your ideas and plans.

What If The Pilot Goes Out On A Gas Heater?

When gas heaters have the pilot go out, this can be frustrating. You may not know the actual cause, but it may be one of the several reasons why the pilot is no longer lit. If the pilot isn’t lit anymore, then the heater won’t be able to keep the water warm, and you may experience cold water when you take a shower or try to get hot water from the tap. Usually, cold water is a sign that the pilot has gone out, and many will go to check the heater to see if the pilot is no longer lit. Once the pilot goes out on a gas heater, then it needs to be relit, but it’s best to do safety checks and go through a ritual before relighting the pilot.

Better yet, a plumber in West Covina, who is very knowledgeable about water heaters and licensed to maintain and fix them, is the best person to have relight the pilot as well as checking to see why the pilot went out in the first place. The pilot can be located behind an access panel, or in a newer water heater, the pilot may be seen through a small glass window that doesn’t allow the pilot to be touched by human hands but can still be lit with an igniter.

Check For Any Gas Leaks

Once it’s determined that the pilot is out, the next step is to check for any leaks. Although the thermocouple on the gas heater is supposed to sense the heat from the pilot in order to keep feeding it gas, if it’s malfunctioning, then it will cut the gas to the pilot, which will then cut off the pilot light. Since the thermocouple regulates gas going to the pilot, it should cut off on its own if the pilot ever goes out, but that’s only if it’s functioning correctly. If the thermocouple isn’t working properly, then it’s possible that it’s allowing gas to leak into the very room where the heater is located. This can be very dangerous if the pilot has been out for hours, and the gas has been leaking the whole time.

Always check for a gas leak before the pilot is ever relit. Checking for a gas leak is easy enough, just sniff around to see if you detect a bad smell that smells like eggs rotting. All natural gas smells the same, so it’s easy to detect a leak. If you smell a gas leak in the air, make sure to turn off the gas to the heater, and contact the gas company for further instructions.

In certain cases, there’s no need to have the company come out, since the problem can be fixed within a matter of minutes or with a few steps. If everything is okay and no gas leak is present, then that’s a green light to go forward with relighting the pilot after taking a few more steps.

Start The Process Of Relighting The Pilot

Instructions on how to relight the pilot should be located on the heater or within a door panel that’s located on the heater. These instructions will specifically help a person to relight the pilot safely and correctly. After finding the instructions, it’s necessary to look for the temperature control gauge and set it to “low” or to the lowest setting possible. The temperature gauge will be located on a box shaped surface that is located outside of the heater, and above the temperature gauge should be the on and off knob, which also should have the “pilot” setting on it as well.

Located on the same box like structure should be the regulator valve, which may be on the top portion of the structure. After turning the temperature down, turn the gas knob to the “off” setting, and allow the heater to sit for 10 minutes without being disturbed. Any gas that may have been in the room should be dispersed, and then it’s okay to come back and finish relighting the pilot.

With all the models of water heaters out there, it may be difficult to determine which one you have, but just observe if you have a new heater or an old one. If you have an old heater, then you likely are going to have to light the pilot by putting fire to it. A new heater doesn’t need fire to light it, but an ignition switch can easily light this type of heater, which makes it much easier to light than the old style heater.

Those that have an old heater in their West Covina home will need to get something to light the pilot with, and it shouldn’t be a match or any type of lighter because this can be dangerous. The space where the pilot is, is very tight, and putting a hand in there can cause the person to get burned when using matches or a lighter, especially since they have to get so close to the pilot. It’s best to use a wand lighter, which can light the pilot with a spark, even if no fire is present in the wand lighter.

Get a wand lighter if the pilot must be relit manually. Go to the box that has the valves, and then turn the gas valve from the off position into the “pilot” position. Once the valve is in the pilot position, then use the other hand to reach down with the wand lighter towards the pilot. Push down on the valve to allow gas to go to the pilot right away, and light the pilot with the wand lighter. In some cases, the heater doesn’t allow the gas valve to be pushed downwards, so the regulator valve must be pushed instead. Once the pilot is lit, it’s necessary to wait for about a minute before determining if the pilot will stay lit, and the regulator valve can then be released.

As long as the pilot stays lit, then it’s okay to close up any door or access panel to the heater. The heater needs the main burner to be reignited, so turn the gas valve to the “on” position, and then it’s necessary to adjust the temperature from the lowest setting. The temperature should be at 120°F or 49°C, which is a recommendation from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The heater should be working properly again, and it will take up to three hours or so for the water to become hot, especially if it’s a 50-gallon water heater.

Consider Water Heater Repair

When water heaters are manufactured, they are made to last for years, and some can have 10 years or more of use, but maintenance is the key. Those who haven’t considered getting water heater repair need to look at the functionality of their heater, especially if it’s been malfunctioning lately. Whether the heater is gas or electric, get maintenance on the heater every year, and get water heater repair when it’s needed.

Your water heater can be maintained or repaired by Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer in West Covina, CA at (626) 962-0885.

How To Drain Your Water Heater

Keep Your Water Heater Running Smoothly

A water heater is a very expensive appliance, and many don’t realize how sensitive it can be. Whether a person has an electric or gas water heater doesn’t matter, they all need maintenance, which includes draining the water heater.

Many will continue using their water heater on a regular basis, without the thought of draining or cleaning it, and this can end up giving the water heater a shorter lifespan.

Those who want to maintain their water heater and allow it to keep running smoothly will want to drain the water heater at least once a year, and this can easily be done by calling out a plumber.

A Water Heater Needs To Be Drained Annually

Water heaters are not as simple to use as an oven, refrigerator, or dishwasher, but it still does need maintenance just like all of your other appliances.

A water heater should be drained on a yearly basis, and this will help to flush out any sentiments that have settled inside the heater.

Sentiments may include sand, rocks, dirt, and anything that may get into the water supply can end up at the bottom of the water heater. Your Covina home water heater may even begin to rust inside, which will then come out into your Covina home water, giving you brownish-colored water that may be undrinkable.

Flush the water heater by first turning off the power supply if it’s electric, which may mean removing a fuse or turning it off through the breaker. If it’s a gas heater, then set it to the lowest setting. Make sure the cold water supply valve is turned off, and then you want to attach a hose to the drain valve after turning on the nearest hot water valve.

Completely drain the water heater. Once the water heater is drained, then refill it with some cold water, and then drain it again. Check for the cleanliness of the water before turning the heater back on and using any water that is replaced in the hot water heater.

Your Plumber Can Help You Maintain Your Water Heater

In some cases, a hot water heater needs to have additional cleaning, other than draining it to get out the sentiments that have settled in the heater. A plumber can easily maintain a water heater by draining and flushing it annually.

Give Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer a call today at (626) 962-0885, to get your water heater flushed properly in your Covina, CA home.

Plumber Recommended Methods for Fixing a Leaky Faucet

While residential Glendora property owners can face a wide range of issues, leaky faucets oftentimes top the list. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what to do when the faucet on their property starts to leak. To ensure that you can address and resolve the problem quickly, utilize the following helpful tips and tricks:

Identify Your Faucet

The first step in fixing the leak is determining which type of faucet you have. Some common faucet types include: cartridge, ball, and disk. The cartridge, disc, and ball varieties are termed “washerless.” Some popular kitchen model types include: American Standard, Kohler, Price Pfister, Kraus, Delta Faucet, and Moen.

Turn Your Water Off

Your next step in fixing the leaky faucet is turning your water off. Generally, your shut-off valve is located right beneath your sink. However, it may also be inside the floor cabinet of your Glendora home. Once you shut the faucet off, no liquid should come forth.

Fix The Faucet

How you fix the faucet will be contingent upon the faucet type. If you have a leaky ball-type faucet, your best bet is to invest in a replacement kit. If you have a leaky disc faucet, you should first locate the set-screw.

Next, loosen this set-screw enough to remove its handle. Beneath the removed arm you will find an escutcheon cap. Remove this cap and set it aside. Then, remove your mounting screws and pull the cylinder out. If your neoprene seals are worn, clean or replace them and then reassemble everything. If you’re still experiencing a leak, you may need to replace the cylinder.

If you have a leaky cartridge faucet, take the decorative cap off the handle. Then, take the handle screw out and put the handle back. Next, pull the handle off. If the machine has a retaining clip that holds the cartridge tight, use pliers to remove it.

Next, pull the cartridge out and expose your spout. Chop the O-rings off and then cover your new rings with plumber’s grease. Then reassemble everything.

Don’t Delay-Fix Your Leaky Faucet Today

To obtain excellent, expedient plumbing services in Glendora, CA, call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer at (626) 962-0885.