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Are you curious about what a sump pump is or if it is right for your home? This blog includes super useful information on sump pumps and how they work.
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Spring is just around the corner, and the weather keeps teasing it! It has us itching to get everything clean and new! A fresh start! So, we thought we’d work our way up the house, starting with the basement!
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Throughout Allegheny County and the surrounding areas, older homes contain a quirky little secret in their basements. To longtime residents, it might seem perfectly normal. However, newcomers to Pittsburgh might be a little taken aback by the (often working) toilet sitting right out in the open. Maybe you’ve never given these out-of-place pieces of porcelain a second thought, or maybe you’ve always wondered where these subterranean toilets are doing in an unfinished basement. Just like French fries on sandwiches and parking chairs, the “Pittsburgh toilet” makes our region the special place it is. Why do Houses in Pittsburgh Have Toilets […]
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When it comes to home plumbing, you probably give a little more thought to sinks, baths and showers. However, one piece of equipment many of us ignore is the sump pump. What does it actually do? Where is it? Do I even have one? These are a few questions heard a lot. With fall approaching, rainy days are here again. Many areas of Allegheny County are prone to basement flooding, and if your sump pump isn’t up to snuff, you could find a new swimming pool beneath your feet. What is a Sump Pump If you live in an area […]
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When you have a basement, unless you have the perfect situation and wall system, you’re going to occasionally have water in it. Though you could make some plans to make your basement space more resistant to water damage by going with hard surfaces and similar approaches, there are ways to get unwanted water out of your basement and keep it out. Here’s how to get it done. Generally speaking, there are a couple different ways to get rid of water in your basement: by removing it or by keeping it from coming in in the first place. Keeping the water […]
Read more »Installing a basement bathroom is not a project that can be completed by a beginning DIYer. This an advanced, multi-stage project that requires planning, determination and know-how. We’ve written this post as your guide to getting started, because it helps to know what stages lie ahead. You can use this post as your rough plan, but each step involves many mini-steps. Don’t get started on this project until you really understand the full extent of those mini steps. Plumbing the Basement Installing basement plumbing after the house has been built can be challenging. Above grade plumbing relies on gravity to carry […]
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Summer is here! Unfortunately, it can’t all be fun in the sun. For some people, summer brings thunderstorms, heavy rains and flooded basements. Basements that are prone to flooding need special accommodations to provide extra drainage. In the following post, we’ll help you remove water from your flooded basement, then provide advice that can prevent floods in the future. Removing Water from an Already Flooded Basement Submersible utility pumps are designed to remove a lot of water in a little amount of time. Submersibles are designed to sit in the water and suck it up from the floor of your […]
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There are a variety of factors that could cause your sump pump to run continuously, but regardless of the reason, a sump pump that runs without stop will burn out more quickly than a sump pump that runs intermittently. In other words, fixing a continuously sump pump is critical. In the majority of cases, the problem originates with the sump pump float switch, and can be fixed by the homeowner. Sump Pump Float Switch Issues The sump pump float switch is a mechanical float that controls the power to the sump pump. When the float is tilted upward, the switch […]
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If you’re like most people, you’ll be relying heavily on your water heater this Fall & Winter. Proper maintenance of the hot water heater, including periodic draining of the sediment, is a critical part of keeping it running throughout the cold months of Fall and Winter. Sediment that isn’t properly drained from the heater can circulate through your pipes and decrease its efficiency, thus shortening the life of the unit. The owner’s manual for your water heater should tell you how often to drain the sediment, but in general, it’s a good idea to do this every one to three years. […]
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An article recently posted in the TribLive reported that heavy rainfall in Pittsburgh have left many unfortunate homeowners in a desperate situation. Following a series of storms and flash floods, many homeowners in Carnegie and Scott Pennsylvania are now dealing with basements full of mud and sewage. The Cause During heavy rains, sanitary sewer system mainlines can become overwhelmed by the massive influx of rushing water. Homes with a connection to the sanitary sewer system by means of a footing drain, sump pump or downspouts may experience backups as water from the sewer system fills the lines with nowhere to go. This isn’t the only […]
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