Summer Fun Courtesy of Your Plumbing!

Its Summer!

In Florida summer is guaranteed to bring with it scorching hot afternoons, humidity, afternoon storms, and plenty of sunburnt tourists!

Want to skip the crowds at all the popular local spots (like Siesta Beach)? Save gas and spending money and have your own summer fun without leaving your house!

How!?!

Your favorite Next Level Plumbing team got together and thought up those 4 Fun Activities that can make summer cooler, and more convenient, for you! Check it out!

1. Put those outdoor spigots and water hoses to good use with slip n’ slides, water balloon battles, and (if you don’t have a pool already) fill up a mini pool for you, the pets, or the kids to enjoy!

2. Have a sprinkler system you use? No? Well a sprinkler can be fun for all ages too! If you take the time to swing by your local hardware store (or go on Amazon while relaxing in the AC somewhere) you can pick up a few cheap attachments to make your sprinkler a little more fun for the family, or just for your pet! Whatever you like- as long as it’s an opportunity to enjoy the summer days to the fullest!

3. Not up for going outside today? Or maybe one of those regular summer storms is currently sitting over your part of town? Take the chance to relax and soak in a bubble bath, or use a bath bomb for a fun, colorful, and aromatic time all to yourself. This is a kid friendly option too- since there are ALL sorts of bath bombs with every scent you could imagine, there’s endless options for you to enjoy!

4. One more outdoor option! Set up a mister on an outdoor fan so that if you’re relaxing on your porch or in the shade of your yard you can cool off with both a breeze and a cooling mist! Be ready to share though, in our experience EVERYBODY wants to be in the radius of a misting fan on a hot summer day!

We hope these simple, fun summer day suggestions get you out of the scalding summer doldrums! Want to check out more of our Next Level blogs? Look below and keep on reading!

Six Summer Saves!

PSA: Hurricane Season is Here!

Summer Spots We Love! -A BayMaxx Blog

Enjoy your summer here in the sunny state!

If you have any other plumbing preparation questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

You can contact us by calling or texting our office at (941) 504-3578 or by emailing us at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com

And don’t forget to make the most of this Florida summertime! We know we will be!

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/summer-fun-courtesy-of-your-plumbing/

Summer Spots We Love! -A BayMaxx Blog

Hello Again Friends!

It’s summer time! Florida has great weather all year long, but I especially love to play in the sun and rest in shade during the summer! What dog doesn’t!? If we haven’t met yet let me introduce myself!

My name’s BayMaxx!

I’m a four year old American Staffy who’s main job is to guard Next Level Plumbing’s office and manager, be the business mascot, and remind my humans how much I love them! I like to play with my neighbor pup and her little humans and LOVE to eat ice cubes (especially in summer!) I know a lot of tricks but am not very good at playing fetch, I love to sunbathe, and always want to join in when I see my human dancing around the house- who wouldn’t want to join in such a fun activity!?

Since it’s summertime now, I wanted to share with you 5 places I’m excited about visiting/revisiting during the upcoming summer days! I think any pup would love adventures like these too- so I’m happy to tell you about these fun things to do with your pet!

Before I start, don’t forget to travel prepared for any adventure when you’re bringing your pup along!

I’m not fancy and don’t need too much to be happy, but I really appreciate having a water bowl to take a drink when I need it, a towel for when I inevitably get wet or dirty, a toy to chew on when I’m taking a break from playing, and some treats to remind me of when I’m being extra good!

Of course, having a back up collar, leash, and doggy bags is always a must too!

Now let’s check out these five fun pet-friendly adventures around town!

1. Bayfront Park:

This Place is awesome! I don’t see dogs running off their leash often but that’s ok since I’m better behaved if I stay with my humans (people are less scared too- but I don’t know why!) I love that there’s a bunch of trees and the water is right there too! Lots of people come here to walk around, exercise, enjoy the views, and relax! Every time I’ve gone to Bayfront Park I got lots of love and compliments so I’m a big fan of this kind of adventure! If you humans need a break or want some lunch there’s also a great little restaurant there that’s dog friendly! Check it out if you haven’t already! Click here to check out the details of Bayfront Park!

2. Brohard Paw Park & Beach in Venice:

A Park and a Beach in one! Perfect! I haven’t been here yet but I hope to go soon! Not only does it have an off the leash area where pups can play in the ocean, but it’s got a nice shady dog park area with a dog shower for rinsing off the salty water! It seems like the ideal summer adventure spot to me! Humans make sure the water is safe from algae blooms before taking us pups here though, some algae is really bad for us! If you want to rinse off your dog before hopping back in the car, make sure to have shampoo and a towel with you when you head to the dog shower! Click to check out Brohard Paw Park & More!

3. Myakka State Park:

For those country loving people and pups, this park is perfect! Since I grew up just a few miles away from the Myakka State Park this place feels like home! It’s probably best to keep your pup on a leash when near the river since there are LOTS of gators around, and there’s occasional boar traps located throughout the park as well, but if you’ve got an especially well behaved pup you should be ok! I like to walk the trails with my humans and get some good exercise in! Definitely make use of the shady areas and bring water though! This park can get overwhelmingly hot during the summertime! My favorite part of this park adventure is getting a good workout in on the trails and cooling off in the cars AC on the way home! Check out their website for more details: Myakka State Park website

4. Sarasota Farmer’s Market:

I haven’t been yet, but I bet I’ll absolutely love it when I go! This Saturday event in downtown Sarasota is full of humans showing off their pups and exploring the many booths at the market! With food, flowers, vendors of every kind, and pups everywhere- it’s practically heaven on earth! Make sure your pup is on a leash at this location though, better safe then sorry! The farmers market is open Saturday’s from 7am until 1pm. Make sure to go and experience this fun part of Sarasota! (Sarasota Farmers Market)

5. Overlook Park & Quick Point Nature Reserve:

I saved the best for last guys! This is my absolute favorite summer adventure to go on! And my humans love it too! This park and preserve are found right over the bridge past Mote Marine, you can hang out at the beach, tan, hammock, play in the water or kayak! If you’re up for a bit of exploring follow the boardwalk under the bridge over to Quick Point and keep going to explore the many passages and walkways that lead to beautiful places to sit down, relax, and enjoy the view! Don’t miss out on this great spot for a fun summer day with your pup! (Overlook Park & Quick Point Preserve)

Hope you enjoy and make good use of these sunny summer suggestions for you and your furry friend! If you’d like to read more of my blogs then check out a few that I’ve shared below! Thanks for reading along and I’ll see you next time!

Love, BayMaxx!

Meet the IncrediBULL BayMaxx!

Proud of My Plumber! -A BayMaxx Blog

Detective BayMaxx & Water Leak Detection

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!

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/summer-spots-we-love-a-baymaxx-blog/

Six Summer Saves!

Check out these Six Summer Saves!

Help keep your plumbing up & running in Florida’s hot summers!

1. Avoid a ridiculously high water bill by checking your sprinkler system for leaks and making sure all water (like the outdoor hoses and spigots) are completely turned off when not in use!

2. Turn the water heater DOWN and the refrigerator UP when you’re getting ready to head out on a vacation! You’ll be saving energy, money and stress by doing so!

3. Give your washing machine time to catch its breath! Summer means most people are crazy active and clothes can really be moved through the washer when everyone is home and making the most of their free time outdoors!

Make sure your washer is moved away from the wall it’s closest to, and remember to change out the hose attachment on it every three years for safety!

4. Take care of your garbage disposal during the summer months of cookouts, family meals, and holiday gatherings!

Avoid putting grease and used cooking oils down the disposal as it will harden up and cause problems within the inner workings of the disposal.

Also avoid putting produce and hard fruits down the disposal- it can cause damage to the blades!

5. Consider just how much your household plumbing is being used during the summer months! If more people are home, and toilets are being used more than the rest of the year, make sure they’re functioning well and being maintained! This will help you avoid costly plumbing problems in the future.

6. Service your sewer system before the summer storms start up! Florida is known for its regular summer storms, it’s not uncommon to have an afternoon storm roll in practically every day!

Sewer lines can back up when there is excessive rain or the ground is soaked, so have a plumber out to check and make sure you’ve got everything set for your sewer system to handle the upcoming storms!

These are some quick tips we hope you find useful this summer! If you’re interested in checking out more summer/plumbing tips then check out more Next Level blogs below!

PSA: Hurricane Season is Here!

Scents of Summer!

Summer Vacation Faves from NLP!

Enjoy your summer here in the sunny state!

If you have any other plumbing preparation questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

You can contact us by calling or texting our office at (941) 504-3578 or by emailing us at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com

And don’t forget to make the most of this Florida summertime! We know we will be!

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/six-summer-saves/

PSA: Hurricane Season is Here!

Plumbing Service Announcement:

Hurricane Season is Here in FL!

(And some sources say this year’s storm season will pack a punch! To Read More Click Here!)

Most people think of Florida and automatically envision crystal blue water and sandy white beaches, sunny weather, tourists and fishing. However, along with all those summer vibes there’s also summer storms of both small and LARGE scales. And those storms are pretty good at coming out of nowhere! So being prepared is necessary!

For those of us who have grown up in Florida and are used to experiencing those summer Hurricanes and tropical storms it’s a little less intimidating because we know what to expect.

Florida is constantly drawing in new residents from all over the place, and if you decide to settle down here in Sarasota, or anywhere in Florida, you need to be prepared for hurricanes and tropical storms!

Preparing for the summer storms means more than just tossing up some plywood over your windows or hurricane proofing the outside of your house. You also need to be checking around your property considering the strong winds that these powerful storms can bring. If there are trees that look like they can do damage to any part of your house or residence, consider doing some trimming to avoid branches or whole trees crashing down anywhere.

But what about the plumbing when prepping for hurricane season! Anything special to be done in that regard!?

Absolutely!

Check out these tips from Byron, Next Level Plumbing’s owner & master plumber!

Hey all! Hurricane season is here! It’s extra important to protect your family, home, and investments during this time of year, let me help you do that by sharing what I know to assist you along the way.

On Well Water?

If you are, remember that if you lose power that means you have lost water as well. Make sure you have a way to connect a generator to the well system, if possible, so you can continue to have water!

No Water Available?

If you DO lose water there are a couple different places that hold water in case of emergency. It is a good idea to test these and see if they are working.

1. Toilets: the toilet tank will hold water enough for one flush, if the parts are working well. If they have a slow leak they will be out of water in no time. If your toilet turns on by itself that is a sign that it leaks.

2. Tubs: a tub can be filled with water for reserve before a hurricane. Most tubs hold quite a lot of water. You can then bucket the water out of the tub and pour it into the toilet tank to get extra flushes. If the tub leaks however, the water will be gone before you really need it. Double check that it holds water by filling it part way at night, and then see if it is at the same level in the morning.

3. Sinks: a sink can be used in much the same way as the tub, but they hold significantly less water, and therefore have a smaller impact.

4. Water heaters: the water heater holds however many gallons that it says under “capacity” on its label. Many are 40-50 gallons. This water could be drained in an emergency through the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater. However, many water heaters are not maintained and build sediment up at the bottom which can block off the water flow, decrease the capacity of the tank, make the water that comes out very murky, and of course, cost more money in the long run.

Best thing to do to be prepared for an emergency with your water heater is to have a special valve installed that allows for good flow to come out so the chances that sediment blocks it decrease. Annual or even biannual flushes are good to keep the sediment down.

IMPORTANT NOTE!

If you ever do have to use the water from your water heater, remember to turn the power or gas off to it! If a water heater heats empty, parts will break! Even if the power is off, turn off the breaker so that it doesn’t automatically turn on and wreck the elements.

5. Reverse Osmosis: for those that filter their water through reverse osmosis, remember that as it makes water it stores it in a small tank. Once this tank is run out, it will take a while to refill it. If you are planning to fill containers with drinking water from your R.O. unit, make sure to start filling them a few days in advance so the R.O. can keep up. Or you can always install a reverse osmosis unit that is designed with a pump, and will make water on demand instead of storing it.

Lastly…

For those that have outside whole house water filtration units it is tough to tell what to do with them. They are heavy and will not blow away very easily, but something could get windborn and hit them causing damage. I personally will leave mine outside and take my chances. The other option is to have a plumber come out, disconnect them, and bring them into the garage or a safe storage unit on the property.

Enjoyed these tips from Byron? You can learn more from this master plumber by reading more of his blogs! Check them out below!

Ask Byron: Tank VS. Tankless?

Fix It Felix: Common Fixes You Can Do!

“Hide & Seek” Plumbing Edition: Main Shut-off Valve

Hurricanes we see you coming! And we’re preparing for you! If you have any other plumbing preparation questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

You can contact us by calling or texting our office at (941) 504-3578 or by emailing us at nextlevelplumbingllc@gmail.com

Good luck during this stormy season!

And be safe out there!

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/psa-hurricane-season-is-here/

Have a Fantastic & Fun Father’s Day!

To All The Dads & Father-figures Out There…

& To Those Who Appreciate Them…

Don’t Forget This Sunday (June 16th, 2019) is Father’s Day!

To all the Dads out there- whether you’re a brand new father, have a bunch of grandkids, or maybe you’re a pet dad…

Thank You for ALL You Do!

Here at Next Level Plumbing there aren’t any children running around… unless you count the fur-child that occasionally takes over this blog!

BayMaxx loves his Dad (Byron) because even if he’s tired from work Byron will play with him, takes him along when he goes running, and reminds him of his manners when he’s just too excited to care! A firm, but gentle, fatherly role is best for this pup of ours!

I love my dad and father-in-law because they’re both incredible, smart, funny people who raised their children up to be who they are today! Byron is a lot like his father, and I’m a lot like my dad! If it weren’t for their wisdom, thoughtfulness, generosity & day to day examples of living and loving in a Godly manner, we may not be who we are today!

What are you thankful for when you think of the father or father figure in your life?

 

Not everyone has the “perfect” father figure in their life, but it’s a fair guess that everyone has someone who they look up to or value like a father.

That being said, we want to make sure the Dads in our lives have a fantastic, super awesome, incredibly enjoyable time on their special day!

Let’s look at some ideas on how to make this holiday a great one for them!!

1. Pay it Forward:

They’ve given so much to and for us all our lives, and it’s high time we returned the favor! So, pay it forward- cook them their favorite meal! Offer to take care of the chores they hate to do, or wash their car for them! Whatever it takes to make them feel valued, do it! After all they did for us over the years, this is just one tiny way of saying thank you!

2. Bonding Sesh:

Spend time with him! Offering to just hang out for the day with your dad, or go on a fun outing or adventure with him might be just what he needed/wanted! My Dad happens to be a huge fan of Bass Pro, so that’s where we go for manly shopping, a tasty lunch, and some quality time together on Father’s Day! There’s not much that can compare to some time together where you can just relax, enjoy each other’s company and appreciate life’s many blessings!

3. Keep it Simple:

Maybe your Dad just wants a day to himself! Maybe he just doesn’t want to be in charge of making the plans! Giving him the choice and going from there may be the best option for this Father’s Day!

4. I.O.U. Book:

This is an awesome idea for anyone to give to their dad- regardless of their age! One benefit of the I.O.U. book gift is that it’s tailored entirely to fit your dad and his interests! Give him fun, practical, and special options like: “IOU a car wash” or “IOU your favorite dinner cooked entirely by me!” or a special one like “IOU a fishing trip all expenses paid!”

5. Start a Project Together:

When I was a little girl my Dad’s favorite pastime was building model airplanes. He had all the cool old military ones and was a pro at assembling and painting them. I remember my mom taking me into a local hobby store before Fathers Day so I could choose a model airplane for him. She suggested I pick one for both Dad and myself. That was something my Dad loved to do on Father’s Day, build something with his daughter. And we did it quite often when I was little!

We may not build model airplanes together anymore, but we still have fun planning and scheming fun things to do and adventures to have! Maybe you could try starting a project (or finishing one) for/with your dad! It provides a great opportunity for memories to be made and cherished!

Hope these fun ideas help get you started planning for a super awesome Fathers Day! It doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive, it could be just as valuable (if not more) to spend quality time with your Dad and remind him of how thankful you are for all he’s done for you!! Have fun this upcoming Fathers Day!

And Happy Dad Day to all you dads out there!!!

Want to check out more holiday related blogs? Click the links below to read more Next Level blogs!

It’s Boss Day: Why My Boss is the Best!

Fun December Days to Add to Your Calendar!

PSA: It’s Hug A Plumber Day!

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 feel free to text or call us as well at (941)504-3578. We’ll reply back as quickly as possible and help solve the dilemma you’re facing!

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/have-a-fantastic-fun-fathers-day/

“Hide & Seek” Plumbing Ed.- Shut-Off Valves/Stops

It’s time for another round of…

“Hide & Seek: Plumbing Edition!”

This time around we’re going to be learning about…

The Individual Shutoff Valves/Stops Around Your House!

Wait… there’s multiple ones? Do they all do something different? Are they hard to turn on/off???

Every toilet and sink has a shutoff valve or stop. Toilets have one main valve that can turn off the flow of water to it, and faucets have two shutoffs- one for hot water, and one for cold.

These shutoffs are pretty easy to locate and use if needed. You can find them by peeking behind and under the toilet against the wall or by searching under the sink for two shutoffs valves near each other.

If you have a leak or plumbing emergency and the shut off valves are nowhere to be seen or simply aren’t working with you to stop the problem, it’s best to call a plumber out to analyze the issue and fix it. Sometimes parts can be installed incorrectly and work for a while before causing a problem, you never know!

It’s also important to look carefully at those areas of your home’s plumbing and check for any leaks or corrosion. You can test whether those valves need replacing by checking how smoothly then turn, if you have to force anything or it seems like rust has built up and is causing it to stick more than it should, that part probably needs replacing!

This is common knowledge to a lot of people, but for some people anything plumbing related is new and unfamiliar territory. We hope this basic knowledge with tips from our Next Level owner and master plumber helps!

Want to check out more “Hide & Seek” blogs? Here are a few links!

Hide & Seek: How Old is My Water Heater?

Hide & Seek: Finding Your Cleanout

Hide & Seek: Main Shut-Off Valve 

If the plumbing in your home is failing or giving you trouble, or if you have questions about it’s condition, we can always help you out with that!

Hopefully this edition of Hide & Seek has been helpful to you!

As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call or text at 941-504-3578!

Whether it’s a last minute emergency, or something you want to schedule to be done later in the year, we’ll be more than happy to help you with any plumbing problems you may have!

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/hide-seek-plumbing-ed-shut-off-valves-stops/

Going on a Trip? 3 Places in Your House to Check Before You Go!

Going On A Trip???

Whether a trip is for fun, family, business-related, etc. amidst all the hustle and bustle that builds up as the date of the trip gets closer, we often forget something. Whether that forgotten “something” is a toothbrush, an electronic, or a more important item, it can bother you the whole time you’re gone!

Making a list and checking it twice really does come in handy on this occasion! While your making that list (and checking it twice- at least!) don’t forget to take care of your house! Depending on how long you will be away, your house should have a few things turns off as well! It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to plumbing!

Here are 3 plumbing related things to check in your home before you lock up and leave!

1. Shut the Water Off!

The longer your trip is, the more important this item on the list becomes! This is to prevent a plumbing emergency while your away. The last thing you need on a trip is to get an unexpected call about a plumbing problem or come home to find that plumbing is a mess! So playing it safe and turning off the water supply to your house will save you a lot of stress!

2. Shut the power off to your water heater to save electric!

Will you be away from home for more than a few days?? It would be a good idea to turn off your water heater then so you can save money & prevent a plumbing emergency as well!

3. Will you be gone for longer than a month??

If so, then you might want to consider having someone come to your house at least one time a month to run the water throughout the house. This will avoid any build ups, breakdowns or other issues that can arise when things are stagnant for too long.

Want to keep on reading & learn more useful plumbing tips & tricks??? Check out the Next Level blogs below!

Tech Tips to Understand Your Plumbing!

Renting? Here’s Some Helpful Plumbing Tips!

Tips for a Sparkling Clean Toilet ALL the Time!

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!

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/going-on-a-trip-3-places-in-your-house-to-check-before-you-go/