A toilet is one of the most used fixtures in the home, so when it’s time to invest in a new one, it’s important to make a careful decision. If you have questions about what might be right for your home, consult with your plumber. He or she can make sure this home improvement investment will pay off for you well into the future. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you shop for a new toilet.

Don’t Ignore Low-Flow

If you haven’t had to replace a toilet in a long time, you may instinctively stay away from low-flow models because they used to be fairly ineffective. However, today’s toilets are completely different. Low-flow toilets are now reliable thanks to many innovative design changes, and they actually do what they’re supposed to do—reduce your water consumption. Go for a low-flow toilet with confidence, and enjoy the eco-friendly and cost-saving benefits.

Carefully Consider Special Features

You’d be surprised at how many special features you can choose on a toilet, from custom seats to unique flushing mechanisms. When you consider purchasing a toilet with these features, remember that there may come a time in the future when they need to be repaired. Having unique features can increase the repair costs, and you may find that the parts you need aren’t even available years down the line.

Pay Attention to Flush Ratings

Choosing a toilet with a high flush rating should be one of your highest priorities when you’re shopping. These models deliver the most reliable performance, so explore independent test results online or ask your plumber for tips. These ratings will also tell you about important factors, such as the noise made while flushing. Some powerful toilets, such as pressure-assist toilets, can be extremely noisy, so they may not be ideal for bathrooms that are near sleeping areas.

Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter can assist with all of your plumbing needs, from new toilet installation to water heater maintenance and repairs in San Jose. To schedule plumbing services, please call (408) 618-8002.
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Using appliances that are powered by natural gas is a way of life for many families, but the gas that provides so much convenience can become dangerous during disasters like fires and earthquakes. An earthquake shut-off valve is a safety solution your family can’t afford to be without.

Watch this video to see how earthquake shut-off valves work. When a line ruptures, the shut-off valve automatically reduces the flow of gas. In the case of fire, these valves can also completely stop gas flow, which can help to prevent explosions.

For earthquake shut-off valves in San Jose, contact Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter. We offer extensive plumbing services, including water heater repair and emergency services. For more information, call (408) 618-8002.
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You would never dump food scraps into the bathroom sink, but you don’t think twice about rinsing your plate in the kitchen sink. You have your garbage disposal to thank for your confidence. However, even this robust little appliance needs some care and attention if you want it to last. Follow the instructions in this garbage disposal guide to keep things up and running.

Know What Can’t Go in the Garbage Disposal

It’s okay to send small food scraps down the kitchen sink at the end of a meal. However, there’s a long list of things that shouldn’t go in the garbage disposal. These include:

- Grease and oil (bacon grease, cooking oil and runoff from making gravy)

- Hard materials (bones and fruit pits)

- Fibrous foods (egg shells, corn husks and celery stalks)

- Starchy foods (coffee grounds, potato peels, and excessive amounts of rice or pasta)

- Non-food items (string, flower stems and cigarette butts)

- Drain cleaning chemicals (drain opener, bleach and lye)

Operate the Garbage Disposal Correctly

To ensure safe, proper operation, have a professional install your new garbage disposal. Then, follow these operating tips:

- Run cold water for a few seconds before and after turning on the disposal.

- If you hear an unusual sound when running the disposal, turn it off immediately. Shine a light inside to look for foreign objects.

- If you need to retrieve an item from the garbage disposal, unplug it first. Then, reach inside with tongs, not your bare hands.

Keep the Garbage Disposal Smelling Fresh

As you might expect, bacteria and odors are common in garbage disposals. Keep things fresh using natural items you already have at home:

- Ice and salt: Toss three or four ice cubes into the garbage disposal along with a handful of rock salt. Run cold water on full blast and grind up these items to loosen oil and grime from the disposal blades.

- Baking soda and vinegar: Pour a cup of baking soda down the kitchen sink and chase it with a cup of vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction will effectively clean and disinfect the disposal. When the fizzing stops, rinse the sink with cold water.

- Soapy rinse: Plug the sink and dispense a squirt or two of dish soap. Then, fill the sink up to half full with warm water. Remove the stopper and run the disposal until all the water has drained.

- Citrus fruit peels: The next time you peel an orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit, grind up the peels a piece or two at a time in the garbage disposal. This helps dislodge items from the blades and leaves a pleasant citrus scent behind.

Garbage disposals require minimal care, and as long as you operate yours correctly, it should work well for years to come. If you need help with garbage disposal maintenance, or the appliance is acting up, please contact Mike Counsil Plumbing at 408-618-8002.

 

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Mike Counsil, president of Mike Counsil Plumbing, brings an extensive level of service experience to his job. He has a background in residential and commercial construction in the Santa Clara Valley, and he made the leap to plumbing in the 1990s. Despite difficult times, Mike has worked to build the company up into one of the most trusted plumbing services in the community with the help and support of his loving wife Brenda. In recent years, he has focused on rethinking and improving the way the business operates internally, working to keep Mike Counsil Plumbing running smoothly from day to day while experimenting with new concepts to keep customers satisfied with the service we provide.

After many years of faithfully serving the community of San Jose, CA, Mike Counsil Plumbing remains as dedicated as ever to offering our customers the best plumbing services possible. From hydro jetting ,video inspection, and trenchless sewer lines and water lines, we use the latest and best plumbing technology and the most qualified professional technicians to improve the customer experience and provide faster service. If you’d like to learn more, call 408-618-8002.
https://mcplumbing.com/blog/meet-our-president-mike-counsil-2/

Do you know how old your water heater is? These appliances typically last between 8 and 10 years before they need to be replaced. If you work with the right water heater repair company, you can keep your appliance in great shape for as long as possible. Keep reading to learn about common types of hot water heater repairs that you might need over the years.

Fixing Dip Tubes

If you’ve noticed that you’re not getting as much hot water as you used to, then a broken dip tube might be to blame. This tube is responsible for transferring cold water to the appliance so it can heat up and be transferred to your home. If the dip tube breaks, the cold water will simply be added to the warm water instead of going through the heating process, which results in less hot water. Your plumbing company can fix the broken tube to make your water heater run more efficiently.

Replacing Heating Elements

Typically, there are two separate heating elements used to heat water in an electric water heater. If one or both of these elements burn out for any reason, they won’t be able to heat up the water sufficiently before it is transferred to your fixtures. A water heater repair specialist will be able to see if either heating element needs to be replaced.

Restoring Faulty Burners

If you have a gas-powered water heater instead of an electric model, then a faulty burner might be to blame for your lack of hot water at home. Rust and dust can both cause a burner to work improperly, resulting in less hot water. If you think your gas-powered water heater is failing, then you should call your plumbing company right away for an assessment.

When you’re in need of water heater repair in San Jose, you can contact the professionals at Mike Counsil Plumbing. Call us at (408) 618-8002 to learn more about our water heater repairs and other home improvement services, including appliance tune ups.

 
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What Every New Homeowner Needs to Know about Plumbing

When you rent, an issue with your plumbing means a call to the landlord. However, when you purchase a home, you’re on the front lines of dealing with plumbing problems. You can reduce the risk of costly repairs by learning a few basic things about how your plumbing works. This information will help you understand what to do in the face of a gas leak, when to call a plumber for drain cleaning, and much more.

Find Your Shut-Off Valves

When faced with a water or gas emergency, getting to your shut-off valves as quickly as possible is essential. Don’t wait until something goes wrong to try to locate them. In the case of a major leak, shut the water off at the main valve to prevent any further flooding. If there is a gas leak, shut off the main valve, get out of the house, and call your plumber and gas supplier right away. Having an earthquake shut-off valve that automatically activates can also be helpful.

Learn the Signs of Hidden Leaks

Not all water leaks are immediately apparent, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not doing damage. Sometimes, a high water bill is the first indicator that you have leak. In other cases, you may notice a suspicious wet spot on the wall. If you think you have a leak, check your usage on your water meter and avoid using any water for a few hours. Check the meter again. If it shows you have used more water, then you have a leak and should call a plumber.

Know When to Call a Plumber

Drains are bound to get clogged every now and then. However, repeated clogs and clogs that occur in multiple drains at once can be signs of a larger issue. Call your plumber to see if you need drain cleaning or a video inspection of your pipes to find the issue.

At Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter, we’re here to help every homeowner keep their plumbing in top condition, with reliable and affordable tune-ups and repair services. For everything from water heater services to drain cleaning in San Jose, call (408) 618-8002.
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If you have hard water, then using a water softener will protect your pipes, clothing, dishes, hair, and skin from damage. Hard water not only causes physical damage to your home and body, but it can cause bad odors and stains. Fortunately, you can treat hard water by using water softeners. Your plumber can install a water softener system that addresses your hard water problems so you can avoid the associated damage. Here is a closer look at how these systems work.

Filtration

When hard water enters the water softener, it passes through a collection of plastic beads, also called a media. The beads are usually made of polystyrene, but they are sometimes made from other forms of plastic. They have a negative charge, which attracts the calcium and magnesium that makes water hard. Through this attraction, those minerals are removed from the water and cling to the beads instead. The water is ready to be used at this point.

Brine Tank

The brine tank is separate from the media portion of the softening system. Inside the brine tank is a concentrated solution of water and sodium or potassium. This water is used to rinse the beads in the media so that the magnesium and calcium are removed, allowing them to be used again for water softening. The brine solution combined with the magnesium and calcium then goes down the drain.

Water softeners are simple systems that can have a major impact on the longevity of your home plumbing and the safety of your water. Mike Counsil Plumbing can assist with a variety of home plumbing needs, including water softeners, drain cleaning, and water heater repair in San Jose. To schedule a service call with a plumber, dial (408) 618-8002.

 

 

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