Every plumbing system is composed of a number of different components, right? From the pipes (water lines, drain lines, etc) to the fixtures (toilets, faucets, etc), there are quite a few things to keep tabs on. And while you don’t need to be an expert on all things plumbing (as a homeowner), it can certainly be helpful to have some general knowledge as to how everything works. This can provide a few various benefits, including having the ability to know when something isn’t working properly. The last thing you want to do is let a plumbing issue sit unfixed for an extended period of time.
In this week’s blog post, we’re going to walk you through a few possible upgrades that you can make to your plumbing system. As shown in the opening paragraph, there are a variety of pieces involved in a plumbing system and most of these you’ll find in just about every single household. However, as a homeowner, you do have options when it comes to certain plumbing components and have the ability to add particular pieces if you feel they are necessary. We’ll discuss a few of those in this week’s blog post!
Before we get into that though, we would first like to say hello to anyone that may be stopping by our blog for the first time. Welcome to Stine-Nichols Plumbing! If you live in or near the Kansas City area and need a plumbing company that you can count on, we would be more than happy to help out! Our team provides residential, commercial and new construction plumbing services in the Kansas City area and many of the surrounding cities. To request a free estimate or speak with a member of our team, feel free to give us a call at (816) 348-3481.
Add a Water Softener
There’s no denying that hard water is present right here in Kansas City. While it’s not dangerous to consume, that doesn’t mean it is free of serving as an annoyance to those living with it. That is why we’ve continued to see water softener installations be a popular service that our team provides to local customers. Furthermore, to ensure our customers have options as to the water softener systems available, we have different styles that we recommend. The first of these systems is a salt-based one. Many homeowners are likely familiar with salt-based water softener systems. These systems continue to be an effective option to consider and require the homeowner to add salt to the softener periodically. The other system that we encourage homeowners to check out is NuvoH2O. Their systems are citrus-based and are certainly effective at taking care of hard water. Not to mention, they are also extremely easy to maintain as you simply have to replace the cartridge roughly every 4-6 months. All in all, if you’re looking for something new to add to your plumbing system and are tired of dealing with hard water, consider adding a water softener.
Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater
While you might not find a water softener in every house, you probably can spot a water heater! I won’t go into the purpose of a water heater (as that is fairly self-explanatory), but this is definitely a plumbing component that you want working correctly at all times. Now…what are your options when it comes to residential water heaters? You’ll typically be deciding between a tank water heater and a tankless water heater. Keep in mind that there are a number of other variables that will come into play (such as size, brand and so on), but for the sake of this blog post, we’ll keep it at the two general categories. Most homeowners are likely familiar with the tank water heaters (as these continue to be the more common of the two), but tankless water heaters undoubtedly offer some unique advantages.
Without a doubt, one of the most notable benefits provided by tankless water heaters is the fact that they’ll last longer than their alternative. With an expected lifespan of 20+ years, there is a lot to like about tankless water heaters. Another advantage is the fact that they occupy much less space than traditional tank water heaters. They’re attached to the wall and can free up some space. Lastly, one other significant benefit that they provide is the improved operating efficiency. Also known as on-demand water heaters, tankless units only heat the water when it is needed, thus eliminating the chance of heat loss occurring. To sum it up, if you’re looking for a way to improve your home’s plumbing system, upgrading to a tankless water heater makes sense for a variety of reasons.
Add a Freestanding Bathtub
Thus far in this blog post, we’ve talked about water softeners (which help take care of hard water) and tankless water heaters (which help efficiently provide hot water throughout the house). Each of these serve an important role, but still could be considered more of an optional addition (although a water heater in some form or fashion is a necessity, whether that be a tank water heater or a tankless heater). The next item that we’ll discuss is a plumbing fixture that could definitely fall more under the luxury category and also something capable of having an immediate impact on the look of your bathroom. That happens to be a freestanding bathtub. When it comes to various plumbing fixtures that are out in the open, you’ll notice that functionality is extremely important, as well as appearance. We’ve talked about this multiple times in regards to purchasing a new faucet.
So…why did we choose to highlight freestanding bathtubs on this blog post? Well, for one, they are a plumbing fixture that has the ability to immediately serve as a statement piece. There are a variety of types and brands to pick from, including deciding between classic styles or modern ones. Over the years, our team has had the opportunity to install a few and there’s no denying that they are able to make an instant difference to a bathroom. Keep in mind that adding a freestanding bathtub can take a little more work (compared to the two items mentioned above) and you’ll have to make sure that you have plenty of room available. However, you can’t ignore how cool they can look when included as part of a bathroom remodel!
Need a Plumber in Kansas City? Give Us a Call!
We understand that plumbing projects can be broken up into a few different categories. There are the emergency situations, which require an urgent response. There is routine maintenance, which is intended to keep your plumbing system running properly and prevent any avoidable plumbing issues. There are plumbing repairs that aren’t necessarily classified as an emergency, but also ones that you don’t want to let sit forever either (think of a running toilet as a perfect example of this)! There are new fixture installations (whether that be out of necessity or simply to modernize things) that should instantly improve your plumbing system. The one common theme throughout all of these is the need to have a reliable and experienced plumber that you can call, no matter what the plumbing situation entails.
Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, we strive to be just that! Our team of plumbing professionals possess the experience and knowledge needed to handle any plumbing project. To speak with a member of our team, feel free to give us a call at (816) 348-3481.