Drink Your Morning Coffee In Your Dream Kitchen

Dream Kitchen I Can Afford!

You're sitting in your kitchen drinking your morning coffee. As you look outside, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, birds are out chirping away. How beautiful is Spring? Then, you snap out of your day dreaming and realize we live in Chicago. There's snow in the end of March and your kitchen needs a major facelift.


Often in my free time, I search dream kitchens on Pinterest. I fantasize about having a magnificent kitchen. High ceilings, thick wood trim and crown molding, glorious windows, white cabinets, with a farm sink, and to top it off a giant rustic chandelier. For now, let's work on building a kitchen my budget can afford.

First, what kind of budget do I have? How much should I really spend on my kitchen to make a difference? Let's do some simple math.

Modest Budget: Value of Your Home X 5% = $__________

Great Budget: Value of Your Home X 10% = $__________

Now, after deciding the budget for your kitchen, let's break down the percentage for each category.


Cabinets 40%

Labor 25%
(including plumbing)

Countertops 12%

Appliances 8%
(if you can wait for a sale, or Black Friday, you won't feel like 8% isn't enough)

Flooring 7%

Lighting/Electrical 4%

Wall Covering 3%

Miscellaneous 1%

After we break down how much to spend on each category, the fun part begins. Make a priority checklist.

A. Appearance
      a. What do I want my kitchen to look like?

B. Workflow and Layout
      a. Do I need more room?
      b. Do I entertain in my kitchen?
      c. Do you have kids? Pets?
      d. Where in the kitchen do you want to eat your meals?

C. Storage and Organization
      a. Do I need a simple set up?
      b. Cabinet space?
      c. Pantry?
      d. An area for all my gadgets(phone charging area)?

D. Increasing Value

      a. Do I plan on living here for several years?

      b. Do I want to turn around and sell it next year?

      c. Do I want a functioning kitchen?

If you are like me, and love to get ideas, visit Pinterest, Houzz, HGTV, Better Homes & Garden.

Visit a showroom. When you are in a showroom kitchen, you can have a better idea how you want your set up. Play around with their storage solutions. Think about what you actually need, and what you want. Do I really want that tiered cutlery divider or the different pantry roll out trays? I want it all. The Recycling Center, the Message Center, the Easy Access Wall Cabinet, the Pantry Pull Out, the Super Lazy Susan and of course I want the Gourmet Super Cabinet. 

How do you use your kitchen?

• Cooking and food prep
• Eat meals 
• Use electronic devices
• Feed your pets
• Do paperwork, pay your bills
• Read
• Visit with friends/family
• Do your homework

Remember make your kitchen dream a reality. Start calling licensed professionals and let them know what you want done. Show them your plan layout. Most important, make sure they are licensed, bonded, insured, and highly recommended.

If you need help with your dream kitchen, let us know. We love helping.

Now go get started on that kitchen. It's not going to build it self.

PREVENTING FROZEN PIPES

When water freezes it expands, it can cause hundreds, even thousands of Dollars worth of damage. Be prepared and use that extra money towards a beach vacation, away from this frigid weather. 

ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOUR MAIN WATER SHUTOFF IS LOCATED.

   -FIND THE LOCATION OF YOUR WATER METER AND YOU WILL FIND YOUR MAIN WATER SHUTOFF(BASEMENT, CRAWL SPACE, LAUNDRY ROOM, EVEN UNDER YOUR KITCHEN SINK).

INSULATE YOUR PIPES.

   -PIPE SLEEVES, HEAT TAPE, NEWSPAPER

KEEP YOUR FAUCET OPEN.

   -LET YOUR SINK DRIP 

KEEP YOUR CABINETS OPEN WHERE YOU HAVE WATER LINES, ALLOWING HEAT TO CIRCULATE. 

WATER LINES THAT ARE ON A OUTSIDE WALL, SHOULD BE EXPOSED FROM THE INSIDE TO LET HEAT GET TO THEM. 

IF YOU HAVE WATER LINES OR YOUR WATER HEATER IS IN THE GARAGE, KEEP IT CLOSED AND INSULATED. 

IF YOUR PIPES FREEZE, USE A HAND DRIER, ELECTRIC SPACE HEATER, HEAT LAMP, TO TRY TO THAW OUT PIPES. 

   -DON'T LEAVE UNATTENDED

APPLY HEAT TO PIPES UNTIL WATER PRESSURE IS RESTORED.

IF YOU CAN'T THAW OUT THE PIPES, CALL A LICENSED PLUMBER.

For Future Protection

• Pipes can be relocated by a professional plumber
• Add insulation to your attic, basement, crawl space, and garage
• For more information contact a licensed plumber

Just remember, our Chicago Summer days are right around the corner. 

13 Plumbing Facts You Probably Didn't Know

Plumbing Facts

1. The average person spends three whole years of their life sitting on the toilet.
2. King George II of Great Britain died falling off a toilet on the 25th of October 1760.
3. Over $100,000 were spent on a study to determine whether most people put their paper on the holder with the flap in front or behind. Three out of four people have the flap in the front.
4. Albert Einstein was made an honorary member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union after he had announcement that he would be a plumber if he had to live his life all over again.
5. The most famous plumbers ever are Mario and Luigi.
6. The toilet is flushed more times during the super bowl halftime than at any time during the year. 
7. The word "plumber" comes from the latin word "plumbum", which means "lead".
8. Manhole covers are circular because if they're turned sideways, they can't fall through their own opening.
9. Standardized plumbing can be traced back to around 3,000 BC.
10. If you have a leaky faucet that drips twice per minute, you'll waste over a gallon of water in a week.
11. Have you ever heard the myth about water flowing in the opposite direction in the Southern Hemisphere? It's not true. It's possible for water to flow either direction in either Hemisphere.
12. In 1939, Al Moen invented the single handle faucet that can control hot and cold water in just one turn.
13. The average person visits the toilet six to eight times per day. 

 -Kevin Szabo Jr

Kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

(708)845-7922

Having a Water Filtration System in Your Home

Purified Water At Your Convenience

Water is the number one natural resource in the world. We use it in our daily lives. We drink it, cook with it, bathe with it, and use it in our everyday function. We can't live without water. Americans are fortunate enough to have potable water in our homes. The water purification plants do everything possible to bring clean water to our homes. They add chlorine to try to clean it up, but as much as they try to clean it, they could only do so much. Tap water is full of chlorine, lead, bacteria, hormones, and drug-by-products. The average person shouldn't be consuming tap water without a filter.

American families have grown accustomed to drinking bottled water at home. It's healthier, cleaner, taste better and not full of chemicals, which is the reason why nobody wants to drink tap water. But bottled water ends up costing a fortune and is harmful to the environment. Plastic bottles are polluting our planet. We have recycling centers all over, but unfortunately, not everyone recycles. Plastic bottles, end up every where. Most plastic bottles take 450 years to decompose. And not all plastic bottles are recyclable. Which makes you think!

Clean purified water at your convenience should be something to look into. Water purification systems will save your health, the environment, and of course money in the long run. Here at Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing, we suggest a whole house water purification system. This way your entire house has clean, purified water. You will notice the difference right away. It's understandable if you can't make that purchase right now. At least invest in a under sink water filter. This way, your family has clean drinking and cooking water.

If you have any questions about water filtration systems for your home, please email or call me.

-Kevin Szabo Jr
(708)845-7922
kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Have A Plumber Do Your Home Inspection

Not the right way to start in your new house

Plumbing Home Inspection

When purchasing a home, we are excited about finally owning our own house/townhouse/condo. A significant amount of people overlook the must do inspections. They are too busy celebrating the approval for their mortgage. Well, you need to plan ahead. You have to make sure your new home doesn't cost you thousands down the line.

After months of looking for your perfect house and having your bid accepted, you need to have professionals inspect your plumbing. Having a licensed plumber come do an inspection on your house should be a number one priority. They can detect leaks and bad plumbing. Having a leak in your plumbing will cost you a large sum, that you shouldn't have to pay.

When homes are built, they usually have a couple different companies working on the house. Most of the time, the plumbing will be installed by a few different plumbers. One will do the rough plumbing, another will install the toilets, sinks, and lastly after everything is built in the house, you will have a different plumber/plumbing company come installing the kitchen appliances, washer and dryer. After a few years of wear and tear, your plumbing needs to be checked to make sure everything is functioning correctly. One of the most common leaks come from the connection of the new appliances to the water supply line.

I don't know how happy you would be with this set up!

Don't be a fool, don't rush into purchasing your new home without having a licensed plumber inspect your future home. Have one of our licensed plumbers inspect your home. It will save you a head ache and lot's of money in the future. You can also have the plumber explain and show you a few things that you didn't notice about your plumbing. It always helps to know a little more.

If you have any questions or concerns please call or email us. We are always here to help.

-Kevin Szabo Jr
(708)845-7922
Kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Maintenance Tasks For The Fall

Getting Ready For The Colder Months

We had a great Summer, now it's over. We are use to our horrible Winter weather, as long as we don't get the Winter we had last year. That was unbearable. Pipes freezing, pipes bursting, heaters not working properly, and skyrocket electric/gas bills. I honestly think nobody was really prepared for that. Let's make sure everyone is ready for the cold. Having your home ready, is a great way to start this Fall. 

Insulate Your Pipes
      -Exposed Pipes- any pipes that carry water in/out of your house should be wrapped up.
            *wrap with electrical heating tape, then wrap in foam pipe insulation.
Shut off all faucets on the exterior of your house
      -Hoses, sprinklers, should be drained and put away.
Check Your Roof
      -Check your roof for damage, curled shingles, and leaky vents.
Look into proper drainage
      -Water is your enemy. It can cause lot's of damage. Don't let it happen.
Clean Your Gutters
      -Clean them. Don't let anything sit there. Leaves, debris, and anything else that made it's way in
        your gutter.
Check Your Furnace
      -Make sure it's working correctly. Change the filter. When you are using the Heater, make sure
       you change the filter every month.
Water Heater
      -Drain your water heater. Assess the condition of the tank. Clean out the debris.
      -If your water heater is located somewhere where it's not heated:wrap your heater tank in a
       insulating blanket.
Look For Drafts
      -Windows, doors, and any other openings.
      -If you have a A/C unit, take it down for the Winter, and store it. Or cover it with a water proof
      cover, plus tape off all around it.
Fireplace
      -Have your chimney cleaned before you use it this Fall

It's the little things that will make a difference. Don't slack, and wait for the last second. Do it now before it's too cold. If you need a professional plumber to come winterize your house, give us a call and we'll come out. 

If you have any questions call or email 

-Kevin Szabo Jr

(708)845-7922

Kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

What Does A Plumber Do?

plumb·er  [pluhm-er]
noun
1. a person who installs and repairs piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with the water supply, drainage systems, etc., both in and out of buildings.
2. Slang. an undercover operative or spy hired to detect or stop leaks of news or secret information, often using questionable or illegal methods, as illegal entry or wiretapping.
3. Obsolete . a worker in lead or similar metals.


What is a plumber?

A trades person who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water, sewage, and drainage in plumbing systems.

When ever someone thinks of a plumber they generally think of Super Mario. Big mustache, overalls, and a pipe in hand on their way to fix a toilet. People think of  a plumber as someone who you call when your toilet is not working. They tend to forget that plumbers cover so much in their  home or business.

Things you probably didn't know they work on...

• Hot Water Heaters
• Sewer Lines
• Gas Lines
• Water Softeners
•         Flooding

Rule of thumb, if it has a pipe, call a plumber
Plumbers....

•       build and repair water supply lines
•       build and repair sewerage to all types of buildings
•       work on main line stoppages 
•       repair or replace valves
•       work on and install water heaters
•       install tubs and showers

Some needed skills, interests, and values that plumbers need

• Reading drawings, and specifications to determine layout of water supply, waste, and venting systems
• Detecting faults in plumbing appliances and systems, and correctly diagnosing their causes
• Installing, repairing and maintaining domestic, commercial, and industrial plumbing fixtures and systems
• Locating and marking positions for pipe connections, passage holes, and fixtures in walls and floors
• Measuring, cutting, bending, and threading pipes using hand and power tools or machines
•         Joining pipes and fittings together using soldering techniques, compression fittings, threaded fittings, and push-on fittings.
• Testing pipes for leaks using air and water pressure gauges
• Awareness of legal regulations and safety issues
• Ensuring safety standards and build regulations are met.

Plumbers protect the health of the nation!

Kevin Szabo Jr.

708-845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com