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Are you planning a renovation project or a new home? There are plenty of important choices to make. One of those is which type of plumbing material to use. Most people pick either copper or PEX, which is cross-linked polyethylene. Each material has clear strengths and weaknesses when you compare them. The right choice for each person depends on several factors. Since each one has advantages and disadvantages, there is no universal suggestion for which

Whether you’re thinking about your next home renovation project or are frustrated with spending money on temporary repairs, you may wonder how to know if it’s time to repipe your home. Repiping a home is no small task. However, it’s often the best solution for an older or outdated piping system that is causing many issues. Here are several signs you should look for to determine if your plumbing system needs to be repiped. Your

You’re not alone if you’ve asked yourself, “How often do homes need repiping?” Many Florida homeowners have wondered the same. Knowing more about plumbing repiping can help you make an educated decision about whether the service is ideal for you now or whether it can hold off a little longer. How Often Do Homes Need to Be Repiped? Unfortunately, there’s no cut-and-dry answer to this question. Multiple factors play a role in its answer, such

Cast-iron pipes, copper pipes, and brass pipes all last at least 70 years or so, and even PVC pipes can last for 50 years. So, replacing pipes shouldn’t be a common occurrence. Still, when you have to make the decision about repairing or replacing, it’s best to consider the following topics before deciding. Reasons to Replace Your Pipes Even though lead pipes lasted the longest, sometimes more than 100 years, they were dangerous. That’s why

Depending on where you live, your home may have hard or soft water. Many homeowners dislike hard water because it can clog plumbing fixtures and leave behind a residue. However, soft water can also be a nuisance. If you take a shower, you’ll likely notice that soft water feels slimy. No matter how many times you try to rinse off, you will still notice a slimy sensation when your home has soft water. Why Does

The water in the entire State of Florida is among the hardest in the nation. The entire state sits atop a layer of limestone, and the many billions of gallons of fresh water underground flow either through that limestone layer or around it in such a fashion as to pick up large amounts of calcium. The City of Clearwater doesn’t have the hardest water in Florida. West Palm Beach has that distinction. But, its level

There is nothing like a water softener to make you forget that you live in an area with hard water. Indeed, these incredibly handy appliances can make a huge difference in the everyday lives of homeowners. However, water softeners must be cared for and maintained if owners want them to last for the long haul. How Does My Water Softener Work? Your water softener works thanks to a procedure referred to as ion exchange. Basically,

Although many households have hard water, it can cause a variety of problems. For example, it can dry out your skin and cause scale buildup in your appliances that use water. Hard water has high levels of dissolved minerals. How do you know if you have hard water? Fortunately, there are several tests that can tell you. This guide will cover some testing methods and explain why it is important to test your water. Why

Depending on where you live, your home may use hard or soft water. While both types of water are healthy and safe to drink, there are certain concerns you should watch out for. If you are worried about how hard water is affecting your plumbing system, the plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can help. What Is Hard Water? Hard water basically means that your water has a higher mineral content than normal. It may contain