Teaching Your Kids About Basic Plumbing

At an early age kids are fascinated with water, toilets, and everything else they can get their hands on. As soon as you turn your back on your kid, they have their hands down the toilet splashing that water with a giant smile on their face. You can't help but laugh along with them, even though you have to explain to them that they can't do that.

We have to explain to our kids the importance of plumbing. Teaching our children that plumbing follows the basic laws of nature, gravity, pressure, water seeking it's own level might seem like a lot but they understand. Kids are very smart. That's why they are always trying to flush their toys, your keys, loads of paper towels, loose change, and stuffed animals down the toilet. They understand that if they put it in there and flush it will disappear into another dimension.

They have to be taught that it's not magic. It might be fun, but it will cause a lot of damage to your pipes and to your pockets. Kids have to understand that their health depends on a properly functioning plumbing system. They need to use the toilet, they need for everything to drain and not be backed up. They need safe drinking water coming into the house, they need clean water to shower and clean up with. Without it we would be living back in the stone ages.

At a early age they should know not to flush:

• Toys- Yes Aqua Man can swim, but he can stay in the bathtub 
• Wipes- baby wipes, cleaning wipes, even wipes that say "flushable"
• Q-Tips- they are skinny, but it can cause obstruction in the pipes
• Diapers- when kids are learning to potty train, they think it's ok to take off that diaper and put it in the toilet. Big No!

For kids who are old enough to help you with the dishes:

• Don't dispose of grease, bones, stringy vegetables, corn husks, potato peels, pasta, or any anything starchy down the garbage disposal.
• Explain to them that they should properly clean the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. 

When they are old enough to be left home alone:

• They should know how to shut the water off to the entire house if there is an emergency leak
• Plunge the toilet 
• Plunge the sink

We have to teach our kids to be independent, strong and able to handle simple plumbing issues. 

If you have any questions or concerns email or call me

Kevin Szabo Jr 

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Things Every Woman Should Know How To Repair Around Their Home

It's 2014, men should still be gentlemen and fix whatever needs to be fixed and handle any other home repair that needs to be done. In general, women can handle most home repair tasks without asking their husbands, or significant others to do it for them. I know for a fact that they can do a lot more than we ever give them credit for. Some women  know how to fix stuff better than we do, but leave the home repair up to us just because they know they can.  My significant other always tackles any home repair issue without asking for help because she enjoys the feeling and knows how to do it.  It honestly makes me proud. We always want to be there, but in case we aren't we want our women to know how to do these things.

Things Every Woman Should Know How To Repair

• Fix a leaky faucet
• Plunge a toilet
• Fix the belt on a vacuum
• Change a light fixture
• Tighten the shower head 
• Change the filter in the furnace
• Light the pilot on the water heater
• Reset a circuit breaker
• Change a tire(I know this is not home repair, but more people should know how to do this)
• Install or repair a door knob or lock
• Patch a hole in the wall
• Take apart the sink p-trap

Tools you should always have at home

• Power drill
• Hammer
• Screw driver set
• Wrench
• Channel locks
• Scissors
• Pliers
• Level
• Measuring Tape
• Flash light
• Staple gun
• Wood saw

Foot Note: There is a lot of men out there that don't know how to do any home repair and have to have a woman show them. This post isn't meant as an insult towards women in any way shape or form.







Please visit our website www.kevinszabojrplumbing.net



If you have any issues or concerns call or email


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

Indoor Spring Cleaning and Maintenance

We all clean our homes on a regular bases. After having all our windows closed through out most of Fall and Winter we have to go the extra mile to clean and maintain everything. All that dust that builds up from having everything closed. Certain stuff not being used over Winter, we have to make sure it's working properly.

The first thing you have to do, is open every single window. Let that fresh air in. Now turn some music on and let's go down the list.

• Clean or replace your furnace filters
• Test your air conditioning system(don't wait till it gets too hot to see if it's working). 
• Check caulking around all windows and doors. Improper caulking allows for moisture to get inside your walls and can cause mold. 
• Replace screens on your windows if they are torn or broken.
• Clean your windows, inside and outside.
• Test your smoke and fire detector, replace batteries if needed. Dust the inside and outside. 
• Check your fire extinguisher.
• Clean your ceiling fan with a wet rag.
• Rotate your ceiling fan so it's spinning counter clock wise for Summer. 
• Clean out your fridge and freezer. Place a new box of baking soda in the back to maintain freshness. 
• Check for pest problems, you might look into calling someone to spray before the warmer months. 
• Organize your closets, put away Winter clothes and bring out the Spring and Summer clothes. 
• Clean your walls, sponge and water, or a wet rag. Dust builds up on your walls, especially during Fall and Winter. 
• Dust and reorganize your book shelves. Move your books around, place some vertically, and some horizontally.
• Wipe down all your lightbulbs. 
• Wash your shower curtain. Replace the inside liner. You can buy the inside liner for a buck or two. They tent to get moldy quickly. 
• Clean your bathroom walls, having your fan on during and after showers isn't enough. Mold grows, you have to prevent it.
• Soak your shower head in vinegar and lemon for half an hour or longer if you please. Minerals tend to build up in it. 
• Vacuum mattress and box spring.
• Dust off all vents.
• Clean out the dryer ducts.

If it seems like your in need of a Plumber, Electrician, Heating and AC Repairman, or a General Handyman give them a call. Don't wait to the last second. Trust us, you'll be glad that you took care of things before they got bad. 

If you have any questions or concerns, email or call me.

Kevin Szabo Jr 

Plumbing and Sewer

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Plumbing Fixtures Should Be Installed By A Professional

Plumbing Fixtures

You need to be a licensed plumber to install plumbing fixtures. I know some fixtures are easy and seem pretty simple to install. You honestly should leave it to the professionals to install your plumbing fixtures. Not only do they know exactly what they are doing, they also have all the plumbing tools they need for the job. You might have to run back and forth to the hardware store to pick up certain things that you might need to install your faucet or to change/ install a toilet. Plumbers carry all they need for the job on their work vans. Fully stocked vans.

I'm all for people knowing how to do certain things in their house, but you should be careful. You need to take into consideration all the things that you have to do when changing a plumbing fixture. Making sure that your fixtures and or hardware isn't mismatched. Purchasing plumbing fixtures for your bathroom only considering the price. Cheap faucets look cheat and will eventually leak. Plumbers will advice you on what fixtures work best for your budget. Forgetting to replace the shut off valves for hot and cold under the vanity or for the toilet. Plumbers know that the washer inside the valves deteriorates, and it wont shut off anymore or it will start to leak. Last, licensed plumbers know how to install it right and up to code.

Instead of spending your whole Saturday afternoon figuring out what goes where and why in the world isn't this functioning correctly, just call the plumber. He will be there in no time while you sit back and watch the ball game. In an hour, or less, depending on what you are having installed you will have your plumbing fixtures installed. No head ache, no hassles.

If you have any questions or comments email or call me.

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

Commercial Drain Cleaners Are Dangerous

Baking Soda and Vinegar Is Environmentally Friendly And The Way To Go

We all love quick, cheap solutions to fixing our problems. That's what they are, quick and cheap. They don't really solve our problems. Commercial Drain Cleaners are famous for fixing your problem right away. What happens in the long run?

They never explain to you that it's a quick solution. Commercial Drain Cleaners are filled with dangerous chemicals that the average person shouldn't use in their household, especially to clean. They are hazardous! Most commercial drain cleaners come in three forms. Caustic drain cleaners, Oxidizing drain cleaners, or Acid drain cleaners. Caustic contains lye and caustic. Oxidizing contains bleach, peroxides, and nitrates. Acid drain cleaners contain sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid.

How is any of this safe? They do tell you to wear gloves, to make sure the area is ventilated, and keep children and pets away. When a combination of these chemicals come in contact with water they cause a heat build up and release hydrogen gasses. I'm sorry, I like my health and my loved ones being safe. In the long run, you will continue needing to use it over and over. It wont solve your draining problem. Save your self the money and just call a plumber. I promise you it will be cheaper and safer in the long run.


Reasons Why You Should Using Commercial Drain Cleaners

• Hazardous chemicals
• They are corrosive, if you get them on your hands or skin it can cause irritation
• Breathing the fumes can be very harmful
• Horrible for your pipes

The Power of Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking Soda and Vinegar are natural products that you can use in your household to solve your problems. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down your drain with 1 cup of vinegar. It will cause bubbling and fizzing. Don't worry, that is normal. Pour three cups of boiling water down the drain. It should do the trick. It's natural and a great solution to your clogged drain.

If you are having issues with your garbage disposal smelling, baking soda and vinegar will do wonders. 1/2 a cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then run hot water down your garbage disposal. To clean your garbage disposal, freeze white distilled vinegar in a ice cube tray. Run vinegar ice cubes down the garbage disposal, with cold water.

At home we use vinegar, baking soda and lemons to clean as much as possible. It works great, no complains. It's also safe, which is our main concern.

If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to email or call

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

Have Your Sump Pump Ready For Flood Season

All we did this Winter was complain about how cold it was and how much it snowed. Those sub zero days were killing us along with snow that wouldn't stop. We haven't had this much snow in years. All that snow is just sitting there. Now as the temperature rises, it's melting. Melting snow along with rain falls causes flooding. 

Nobody wants unwanted water in or near their home. Backup water puts pressure on your waste pipes. Yuck, you don't want sewage water backing into your home.

If your home has previous flooded or the neighborhood is known for flooding, you need to prepare. Sump pumps, remove accumulated water in a collecting sump base. You need to get one, if you don't already have one. If you have one, make sure it works. Monthly or quarterly fill it up with water to make sure the pump is working and draining properly. Clean around it, keep all the clutter around it to a minimal. You should also invest in a battery backup sump pump system(Zoeller Aquanet). Trust me you will be thankful. The average pump should last you around 8-10 years. Check with your home insurance, some home insurances will cover it if you are lucky.

I recommend you get a generator,  and have annual check ups on your pump. If you have any questions about your pump, or need advice you should check with a plumber. 

Living in Chicago or Chicago suburbs we are use to this weather. One day it's beautiful, the next it's a snow storm, the following it's crazy rainfalls. We all, or most of us say that we will move. We never do. We do enjoy having our eventful seasons. It keeps us entertained. Just be prepared and everything will turn out alright. If not, that's what insurance is for. Check with your insurance agent that everything is up to date. 

Please visit our website www.kevinszabojrplumbing.net

If you have any questions, email me or call me. I will be glad to help.

Kevin Szabo Jr

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com

Cowboy Plumbers

Is He A Licensed Plumber?

When you search "cowboy plumber" you wont get a definition or exact description of what they look like. The last thing you want is to pay hundreds of dollars, or even worse, thousands of dollars to a cowboy plumber. A cowboy plumber is a unlicensed plumber, who doesn't fully know what they are doing. They are in a rush to just get the job done, instead of trying to do it right. Most cowboy plumbers don't know all the plumbing codes, so the last thing on their mind is following plumbing codes and rules.

Anybody can advertise that they are a plumber. Newspapers, yellow book, business listing sites, business marketing sites, don't go out of their way to find out if these so called plumbers are actually licensed plumbers. It is your job to ask the plumber to see their plumbing license.

We know at times when you are dealing with an emergency you just want to fix the problem right away. We don't blame you. You just need to do a little research before hiring a plumber. Make sure he is licensed, bonded, and insured. Look up the company's name online. Look for reviews. Ask friends and family members for a plumber that they have previously used.

After doing some quick research, have your licensed plumber come out and check your problem. Have him explain to you what the problem is and what they can do to solve it. You are the customer. As the customer, you should ask as many questions as you'd like. At the end of the day, nobody can make you do anything you don't want to do. Make sure you are making the right decision by choosing the right plumber.

Here are some plumbing nightmares. Some are quite funny.

If you need help or just have a few plumbing questions, give me a call or email me

Kevin Szabo Jr

(708)845-7922

kevinszabojrplumbing@yahoo.com