by Jax Media Team Jax Media Team

Top 3 plumbing issues you should watch out for

When you own a home, you want to make sure you know what to watch out for. Plumbing problems can be rather common and you want to make sure you have the right plumbing services for your home. Some plumbing issues are rather common in single-family and multi-family residential properties.

Whether you are the owner of the home or you’re a property manager, you should know what to look out for. Let’s look at three of the most common plumbing issues to watch out for with residential properties.

1. Backed-up Toilets

It’s common for a toilet to back up in a rental property or any residential property. When this happens, the toilet can overflow with wastewater, which can cause all of the following issues:

  • A health hazard for the people living in the home
  • Mold and bacteria growth
  • Discolored flooring
  • Weaker flooring and building supports

It’s often for backed-up toilets to happen due to drainage issues. Non-flushable paper or garbage being tossed into the toilet can cause this issue, along with baby wipes and other types of wipes, along with feminine products going into the toilet. When an object is not water-soluble, it can cause blockages with lead to backups.

Grease and cooking oil being poured down drains can also cause this issue.

2. Leaky Pipes and Faucets

It might not seem like a big deal when you discover a leaky pipe or faucet. However, it’s a big problem and can become costly if it’s not dealt with properly. A leaking faucet can cost the person living in the home when it comes to their water bill. It can also lead to larger problems.

An early warning sign of a leaky pipe or faucet is the water bill. If it goes up and there isn’t a good reason for it to go up, you might have a leaky pipe or faucet. It’s best to hire a professional plumber, if you think you have a leaky pipe or faucet.

3. Lack of Hot Water

Hot water should be something all properties have on demand. When hot water shortages happen, it can be a big issue. As a landlord, you might have tenants that are not happy if this happens. It’s a rather common plumbing issue with residential properties.

You might end up with a lack of hot water for one of three main reasons:

  • Sediment in the water heater
  • Too small of a water heater for the property
  • A malfunction of the heating element

While these might seem like small issues, they can be rather annoying and inconvenient. Tenants or those living in the property will not be able to get as much hot water when you have this type of issue going on with the property.

The best thing you can do when you discover a plumbing issue is to hire a plumber to take care of it. You want to handle any of these issues or other plumbing issues you discover as fast as possible. Letting plumbing issues go without checking it can lead to a much bigger issue.

by Jax Media Team Jax Media Team

How often should you pressure wash your home?

Pressure washing your home can be a great way to make it look new again and clean, but how often should you pressure wash your home? A high-powered stream of water can strip the exterior of your home of dirt, grime, and dust. Let’s look at what you should know about how often to pressure wash your home.

Do You Need to Pressure Wash Your Home?

One of the easiest ways to figure out if you need to pressure wash your home is by running your finger across the siding. If there is dirt present, you should pressure wash your home, especially if there is enough to fill a fingertip in a quick swipe.

However, it’s better to know when you should pressure wash your home, on a schedule. There are many areas that might be dirty that you don’t realize are dirty.

How Often Should You Pressure Wash Your Home?

The real answer to this question is not as black and white as you might think. There are a few factors to consider, including the type of home exterior you have. For example, if you have a brick home, pressure washing once a year is a good idea. However, if you have regular siding, you might need to pressure wash your home twice a year.

Those with log cabins or wood exteriors should consider their location before choosing a schedule for pressure washing. You might need to have it done twice a year or up to four times a year.

When Should You Have Your Home Pressure Washed?

If you plan to have your home pressure washed regularly, you should consider your location before you set your schedule. In some areas of the country, you will want to wait until after the heavy pollen season. In other areas, you might want to wait until after the snow has all melted.

The best rule of thumb is to figure out when your home will be dirtiest and have pressure washing done at least at that time of the year. Of course, you might also need to have your home pressure washed more than just once per year.

What will it Cost to Have My Home Pressure Washed?

Depending on the company you hire, you might pay between $0.08 to $0.35 per square foot to have your home pressure washed. It’s rather common to be charged by the square foot, but some companies will also charge based on the hour or use a flat rate.

The cost could go up to $0.40 to $0.80 per square foot if you have lots of dirt, mold, or any challenging stains. If you are charged an hourly rate, you can expect to pay between $60 and $100 per hour.

How Long Will It Take Me to Have My Home Pressure Washed?

The amount of time it will take to have your home pressure washed depends on the size and how dirty it is. It could take as little as 30 minutes or as long as two hours. A one-story home that measures 2,000 to 2,500 square feet will likely take around an hour to pressure wash.