Friday, April 26, 2019

Next Level Need to Know: Plan Ahead for Bigger Jobs!

Next Level Need to Knows!

-Plumber’s Perspective on Planning Ahead-

Planning ahead.

It’s something that we all want to do, but somehow it often seems harder than it should. Life gets busy and what we planned to set up and take care of gets put on the back burner. Sometimes it still works out, sometimes it doesn’t.

In plumbing many of our calls end up being emergencies. People don’t plan to have leaks and stoppages, but sometimes on remodels and upgrades there is planning involved. In these cases it is always a good idea to get the expected schedule of events as soon as possible and schedule all the trades as soon as you can.

For example, if you are remodeling your kitchen, you’ll need to have the plumber come out and disconnect the sink, then the cabinet people install the cabinets, and then have the counter top people install the counter tops, and then the plumber comes back again to set the fixtures. When each trade knows the expected time of completion for each task, they know how to schedule it.

We often run into the above scenario but unfortunately the first thing we hear from the customer about the job is that it’s all completed with the exception of the final plumbing work. This can cause a lot of problems on our end as well as the customers due to rushed timing. The customer understandably wants the kitchen fixtures installed ASAP, but many times the plumbers are booked up and can’t get out for several days. If at all possible, try to give at least a week in advance and you shouldn’t have any problems getting the plumber there to finish the job at the time you want.

We hope this “Need to Know” blog from Byron (Next Level Plumbing’s owner & master plumber) can be a help to you! The focus of this blog and the situation Byron discusses is a common occurrence in plumbing these days, and was something we wanted to address for the customer so there’s a better understanding of how to approach larger scale jobs!

(If you’re interested in reading more of Byron’s blogs or would like a better understanding of us here at NLP, check out the following blogs!)

Byron Thomson: Who Is He? 

Next Level Need to Knows: Home Warranties

Ask Byron: Tank VS Tankless?

If you have any questions about a plumbing problem or job you’d like done, regardless of the scale of the job, please reach out to us! You can contact us by text or call at 941-504-3578, or by email at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com we’ll be happy to help you out however we can!

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source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/next-level-need-to-know-plan-ahead-for-bigger-jobs/

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

PSA: It’s Hug A Plumber Day!

Important PSA!

Tomorrow is “Hug A Plumber Day!”

Check this link to learn more about this day on the calendar!

April 25th is a special day on my calendar, but it’s probably a day many others don’t even know about or celebrate.

Why?

Well, it seems that people generally don’t think highly of plumbers and that field of the working industry… at least that’s what I’ve come across over the years. While people can respect the job for the money it makes, they don’t think the quality of the people doing the jobs are necessarily top notch.

Which I love to dispute by introducing those people to my handsome hard-working husband/master plumber! Byron definitely doesn’t look like a plumber according to basically everyone (from friends to new customers) so when they meet him they’re usually taken aback by his neat, clean cut look and quiet, exceptionally polite and professional manners.

There’s no doubt about it, Byron is exceptional at his job, which is why he started Next Level Plumbing! But I’m really not writing this blog to solely brag on Byron and the hard work he puts into making Next Level Plumbing so “next level” I’m also writing this as a reminder to everyone out there to take the time to appreciate and be thankful for the hard working people who are doing the work so few of us are willing (or able) to do!

So if you get the chance, send your plumber an air hug, a “thank you” call or text, grab them a cup of coffee, or let them know how much their appreciated for their hard work! Byron always appreciates those customers that go out of their way to show their gratitude!

Businesses thrive on positive reviews, ratings, and word of mouth! If you love the plumber you’re using, let your family, friends and neighbors know! By spreading the word about good, professionals in the industry, those businesses benefit and so do the people who are using them! It’s a win-win situation!

So don’t hesitate to hug, or send an air hug to your plumber tomorrow! Let them know they’re appreciated!

Want to know more about Next Level Plumbing and the plumbing industry here in Sarasota County? Check out these blogs! Plumber Reviews & Ratings in Sarasota, How to Work WITH Your Plumber to Get the Best Results, & Proud of My Plumber!

Have plumbing problems? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Next Level Plumbing with your concerns, we’re more than happy to help in any way we can! You can contact us by email at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com or by text or call at (941)504-3578. We’ll reply back as quickly as possible and help solve the dilemma you’re facing!

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source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/psa-its-hug-a-plumber-day/

Friday, April 19, 2019

Fix It Felix: DIY Fridge Filter Replacements

“Fix It Felix”

DIY Fridge Filter Replacement

For some it might be common knowledge, but many people don’t know just how easy it is to fix/replace your fridge’s ice/water filter cartridge!

Hopefully, if you’re unfamiliar with this easy DIY, I can be of assistance and provide you with the steps to follow and one less thing to ask the plumber to do for you!

Step 1: Find your refrigerators brand information as well as the filter type, you can check your fridge and then turn to google for these answers!

Step 2: Order the filter cartridge according to the specifications provided by the brand/company. There are various places you can buy filter cartridges, just make sure all the information matches up so you’re not installing the wrong cartridge in your fridge!

Step 3: Once you have the filter cartridge, get ready for the install- it’s the easiest part! Most all refrigerator filter cartridges install with a simple twist or pop in and out. No hassle, no worry, just a quick easy DIY fix! Need a visual example? Check out this YouTube link! Filter Replacement Example Video

If your fridge isn’t cooperating, or something just doesn’t seem right, then calling a plumber to help you out is always a safe option! Sometimes something small can be missed, so letting a professional help diagnose the situation might save you some trouble!

If this is the case for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Next Level Plumbing with your concerns, we’d be happy to help in any way we can! You can contact us by email at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com or by text or call at (941)504-3578. We’ll reply back as quickly as possible and help you solve the dilemma you’re facing!

Interested in reading more NLP “Fix It Felix” blogs? Check out the following ones by clicking on their titles! FIF: Sink Trap Leaking? Fix It! FIF: Strange Toilet Noises? Fix it! FIF: Common Fixes You Can Do!

It was a simple “Fix It Felix” DIY today, but hopefully it helped someone out there!

Until next time,

Your Favorite SRQ “Fix It Felix”

Byron Thomson

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source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/fix-it-felix-diy-fridge-filter-replacements/

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Easter Events for You in SRQ!

Easter is right around the corner!

Whether you celebrate Easter or not, we wanted to share with you some fun Easter events around town this weekend for every age! From classy to fun, check out these activities below!

Egg-cellent Adventure Through Big Cat Habitat!

On Easter Sunday Big Cat Habitat will be hosting a scavenger hunt at noon with a special golden egg that contains a prize for whoever finds it- you can check out their Facebook page for more info on the event!

Easter Brunch at Various Locations…

Easter brunch is a big to-do for many people here in Sarasota! Luckily there are casual to high end options for you to choose from: Evoq, Marina Jacks, Boca, The Terrace at Surf Shack, Bridges Restaurant, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are just a few places hosting brunches, to find out about reservations and further info check out their websites!

Egg Hunts Around Town…

Egg Hunts are probably the first thing people think of for Easter weekend, especially if they have kids! And Sarasota doesn’t disappoint! Practically every church has an Easter egg hunt or egg drop, or fun Easter service planned for the whole family, and a few schools are hosting egg hunts as well! Not sure if there’s an egg hunt near you to attend? Typing it in along with “Sarasota” on google is going to pull up a TON of options for you- be prepared though! Many of these events are on Sunday prior to or following Easter church services or brunches!

Jungle Trails & Bunny Tails at Jungle Gardens!

How fun does this sound!? Jungle Gardens is hosting this event on Friday the 19th at 10am with Easter egg hunts until 3pm. Bring your own basket and be prepared to enjoy the massive egg hunt along with awesome animals and lots of other fun activities! Admission for the kids will be 1/2 off the regular child’s admission price for this event! Sound like fun!? You can go to their website to check out more about it!

Meet the Easter Bunny at the Mall(s)…

Everyone seems to have a memory of either meeting Santa or the Easter Bunny at the mall when they were a kid, and it hasn’t changed too much! Most of the malls in Sarasota are hosting an ongoing “Meet the Easter Bunny” photo op that runs for a week or so before Easter. Each mall has different times and hours so go check the info on your favorite mall to see when the Easter Bunny will be near you!

There is plenty for the whole family to do, so no need to stay home when the activities are endless out and about! Worried that you won’t find something for the various ages you’ve got at home? Don’t be- there’s truly something for everyone in Sarasota this year! Some of these events cost money, while others are free and only need an RSVP- so make sure to plan ahead a bit and fill up your calendar for this upcoming weekend!

It’s sure to be a great time!

Looking for more adult themed events on Easter??? Check out 941area.com to find something more suited to you over the weekend!

If you’re curious about Next Level Plumbing and what other fun, family based, or SRQ related blogs we post, check out the following links to read more! April Showers Bring Bay(Maxx) Flowers, Plumber Reviews & Ratings in Sarasota, & Byron’s Favorite Places in SRQ!

Hope this blog helps you out over Easter weekend! And if you have any plumbing concerns come popping up unexpectedly while the kids are collecting eggs, please reach out to us and we’ll do our best to get you taken care of!

You can reach us by call or text at 941-504-3578 or send us an email at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com!

Happy Easter from Next Level Plumbing!

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source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/easter-events-for-you-in-srq/

Friday, April 12, 2019

National Pet Day!

Yesterday was National Pet Day!

(National Pet Day website link)

What kind of pet parent am I if I don’t take the time to appreciate the best little brat I know!

(Yes I’m absolutely talking about BayMaxx our favorite fur baby!)

So many people took the time yesterday to celebrate their pets and post pictures on social media sharing their precious fur-friends with the world, and I want to do the same here today on this blog!

If you don’t know about him already, BayMaxx is a 3 year old Staffordshire Terrier born on Christmas Eve and chosen the second he was born by me, Mollie Thomson, office manager and wife to NLP’s owner, Byron Thomson.

BayMaxx has a lot of different jobs at Next Level Plumbing including being our mascot, an occasional blogger, office guardian, and cuddle buddy.

He keeps us sane and drives us crazy all at the same time. BayMaxx and I were a package deal, so even though Byron initially wasn’t a huge fan of dogs when we first met, he came to love and accept BayMaxx realizing that I wouldn’t go anywhere without him! Thank goodness for that, now BayMaxx listens to Byron better than he listens to me! Regardless, we love him!

Do you have a pet that means the world to you? If you do, maybe you can relate!

Although it’s a day late, here’s to all the pets that make our lives better!

Thanks for being with us here at Next Level Plumbing! If you’re interested in reading more about BayMaxx or checking out his blog posts, just click any of the following links! Detective BayMaxx & Water Leak Detection, A Lesson on Life & Proud of My Plumber!

Hope you enjoy!

As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, check out our website, or email us at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com we’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

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source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/national-pet-day/

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Next Level Everyday Essential Oils

Do You Use Essential Oils?

Are you a fan of them, have you only ever heard of them, or maybe you just don’t know where to start since there are so many different types and accessories?

Here at the Next Level Plumbing office, we use essential oils everyday and for practically everything! They can be a big help in changing the atmosphere of a room, adjusting an individuals mood or focus, and fixing various other problems that can happen throughout the day!

Here are NLP’s 5 favorite essential oils/ essential oil products and what we use them for regularly!

Essential Oil Diffuser:

Having a Diffuser is the main room is an absolute must for Next Level Plumbing. To walk into a room and smell an essential oil being diffused can be like having a weight taken off your shoulders unexpectedly. It fills the room with a great smell, and can often change the atmosphere depending on which essential oil you put in it! Haven’t invested in a Diffuser yet? They’re not too expensive, easy to maintain, and come in a lot of styles. Not to mention the benefit they bring by diffusing great smelling essential oils into the air!

Muscle Ease Blend/ Deep Blue doTerra lotion:

These two separate types of essential oil products are necessities these days here at the NLP office. Plumbers have hard physical labor jobs and can be expected to finish off the work day feeling sore in some part of their body. So whether diffusing the muscle ease oil blend or using the Deep Blue lotion blend on sore muscles Byron is able to find a bit of relief through the blends, topically or by simply breathing it in. The Muscle Ease blend consists of peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon leaf, and arnica oils giving off a warm, soothing and relaxing vibe. The doTerra “Deep Blue Rub” lotion has a lot more ingredients but a few of the more prominent ones include: wintergreen, peppermint, eucalyptus, ylang ylang, blue chamomile, and menthol.

Peppermint Coconut Oil mixture:

This is a simple concoction that requires melting coconut oil into a small lip gloss container or something like it. Once the liquid coconut oil is in the container I like to add in a few drops of peppermint oil and stir it up. Toss it in the fridge to harden up and it can be used as a lip balm, rub a bit at your temples to help improve focus, rub on your stomach to help reduce stomach aches, massage into your hands or any tight muscle group for a relaxing effect, it can also help with skin irritations (I use it on mosquito bites) and also as a pet odor neutralizer. So many wonderful things peppermint oil can do! This is by far the best and most useful oil (in my opinion!)

Lavender/Peaceful Sleep blend:

Lavender is another essential oil that has a multitude of uses, but it’s especially great for helping people relax and improve their sleep! Diffusing this when you sleep can help reduce any anxiety or stress and improve your overall sleep. If you’re looking for something that isn’t just the lavender scent, you can try out one of my favorite blends ”Peaceful Sleep.” This floral citrus blend is incredibly refreshing and isn’t too strong either. It’s a mix of orange, tangerine, lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang, and sandalwood oil. Either one is great but I love to diffuse the peaceful sleep or put a tiny bit on my pillow at night to really help me relax and sleep well- it works great too!

Peppermint/Vanilla “Wish” Aromatic Mist Spray:

This spray is my automatic go to when I want to freshen up a room, or even wake myself up a bit by spritzing some on myself! While the blend can be easily made at home, I bought my spray at Richard’s Foodporium (where they have other varieties of essential oil sprays as well.) I’m personally a huge fan of the sweet Christmas/winter vibes the peppermint gives with the soft undertone of vanilla mixed in. I haven’t met a single person who doesn’t take a deep breath in when smelling it then proceed to drop their shoulders in relaxation and smile at how good it smells!

Now you know Next Level Plumbing’s Everyday Essential Oils! They’re a part of our lives and we love them- if you haven’t tried any of them and are interested, do a bit of research to find the quality products and give it a go with a crowd favorite like peppermint or lavender!

Curious about other Next Level Plumbing blogs like this one??? Check out: Natural ways to make your house smell fantastic for fall, Diffusing with Debbie, Pause a moment & stress less today

 Hope you enjoy!

As always, if you are looking for a plumber to help you out with a maintenance call or plumbing emergency, feel free to give us a call or text at (941)504-3578, or email us at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com we’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

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source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/next-level-everyday-essential-oils/

Friday, April 5, 2019

April Showers Bring Bay(Maxx) Flowers!

Hello Again Friends!

It’s Springtime and there’s enough of a breeze outside most days that I can sit out on the porch and enjoy the sound of the wind chimes and fresh air all around me. I’m a happy pup for sure!

Another part of Spring that I love is all the flowers I get to see and smell!

Since I’m not a puppy anymore, I do my best not to damage those pretty plants by running through them or chewing on them, it’s all part of being an adult! (Unless I spot a lizard… then it can’t be helped!)

What’s your favorite part about this Spring season?

I want to share with you 5 of my favorite Springtime Flowers that you can add to your home, inside or out, for a fantastic floral touch and to bring a fresh look and scent to everything!

Five Fabulous Springtime Flowers!

*Note: All of these flowers are “annuals” and bloom best from spring through summer!

1. Marigold- these warm and popular flowers are perfect for Florida’s “full sun” weather- they thrive on it! Not only are they a happy, bright edition to your garden, but they also keep the bugs away!

2. Begonias- The Perfect Springtime Flower! With tiny pink and white blossoms these little beauties are a known sign across the country that Spring has arrived! Here in Florida they will happily bloom year-round, and they’ll bloom anywhere too! Just provide them with a little bit of shade and they’ll be happy!

3. Annual Cornflowers- These bright blue flowers add a lovely color pop to any place they go! Nicknamed “Bachelor’s Buttons” they will happily grow from Spring through summer, if your not a fan of the natural wildflower look they give, you can also find “dwarf” versions of them!

4. Sweet Peas- these delicate flowers are climbers, so they love to be placed alongside fences or trellises to grow! They also come in many different colors, so pick your favorite springtime hue and let them climb and add color to your garden!

5. Pansies- These flowers are a personal favorite of mine! I’m not sure why but I just love the look of them! They bloom from spring through summer and are happiest with the full sun and just a bit of shade- so they’re a perfect addition to your Florida garden!

Love to look at flowers, want them around, but don’t want to, or don’t have room to have your own? That’s ok! We like to turn on “Moving Art” on Netflix and watch the “Flowers” episode for soothing music and the most beautiful compilation of flowers in bloom!

Check it out if you want!

If you want to read more of my blogs you can click on any of the following links to see more of my stuff! Detective BayMaxx & the Water Leak, A Lesson on Life w/ BayMaxx, & Proud of My Plumber!

Thanks for spending time with me today! Enjoy the beautiful weather and take time to relax and breathe a bit today! It’ll do you good- body, mind & soul!

Until next time- Lots of Love!

BayMaxx the Next Level Plumbing Pup

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source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/april-showers-bring-baymaxx-flowers/

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

PSA Part 2: Washing Machine Hoses

PSA!

Check your washing machine hoses!

(Courtesy of Next Level Plumbing owner & master plumber, Byron Thomson)

Washing machine hoses are something that is easy for everyone to forget. They are out of sight, and don’t cause problems… Until they do. And then they really cause problems.

Did You Know?!?

Washing machine hoses are one of the more common plumbing related flood causes in residential houses.

What happens is that nobody checks the condition of their washing machine hoses so over time the hoses will start to fail and can even form a bubble in the hose itself the size of a golf ball. As pressure is maintained and the hose continues to fail it will burst and you have a full open hose going crazy in your house until it is manually turned off.

To avoid this is actually usually very simple. Buy two washing machine hoses and install them. They are actually just two hose ends that connect like a hose would. Just turn off the valves and take off the old ones and put on the new ones.

The only common problem that can happen is that the shut offs might not work or the old hoses are frozen to the shut offs. In this case you will need to call your plumber to install new ones.

If you are uncomfortable installing your washing machine hoses or you just don’t want to, your plumber can do it for you and usually has them stocked on the truck.

What hoses should you get? The stainless steel braided style. This reinforces the rubber so it takes a lot more to burst.

How often should your washing machine hoses be replaced? If they are rubber, then every 5 years. If they are the stainless steel braided ones, you can make it longer, maybe closer to 10 years, but they are not that expensive so it’s not a bad idea to do them a little sooner even if they might last a bit longer.

If you aren’t comfortable checking on this yourself, we’re more than happy to help you out! To learn more about getting a free estimate, or to schedule an appointment with us at a convenient time for you, give us a call or text at 941-504-3578 or email us at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com!

Want to check out more Next Level Plumbing PSA’s? Our blog has that and more! Here’s one link to get you started! PSA: Water Heaters

Curious about Next Level Plumbing and how we plan to revolutionize the industry!? Check out this series then! Part 1: The Problem,

Part 2: Seeds of Change,

Part 3: The New Customer Experience,

Part 4: Lofty Goals

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source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/psa-part-2-washing-machine-hoses/