Next Level Plumbing Upgrades!

Next Level Upgrades: Dock Plumbing!

Here in the Sarasota/Bradenton area we go to a lot of houses with docks. It is always surprising how many of the boat docks do not have hose bibs at them. For whatever reason when the dock was built they never brought water to it. It is incredibly handy to have a hose at the dock. You can wash the boat after use, clean fish, clean the dock itself, and more!

If you have a dock or even a deck that you would like to bring water to we are here to help! We have done this before and can find the best ways to bring water to the dock. If you wanted an outside shower at the dock to rinse the sunscreen and salt water off that can be done too!

Often times we can connect to an existing hose pipe at the house to bring the water to the dock. Other times it is more efficient to take it from a pool bath or other area in the house. Most of the time we can do it with minimal disturbance to your house and yard.

As summer is approaching and time spent on the water increases, now is a great time to put the hose bib at the dock!

Interested? Curious to know more? Let us know! You can continue to read more of our blogs by clicking the links below.

New to FL Facts: Water Quality

Storytime with Byron: “Toilet Truths”

New to FL Facts: Licensing

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 nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Next Level Plumbing Upgrades! appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/next-level-plumbing-upgrades/

Quarantine Summer Garden Ideas!

Summer is here! You’ve definitely got the time! Your yard could totally use the attention! Why not add some new colorful plants to your summer garden!?

I may not be a pro at gardening, (or keeping plants alive for that matter) but I’ve kept an air plant alive for 3 years now and am currently hoping the sunflowers I planted will take all of the love and attention I’m giving them and grow up beautifully!

There several things that can really make a difference when included in a summer garden in Florida! Even if you’re starting from scratch! Let’s take a look at them!

An Outdoor plumbing fixture!

We’ve realized that when it comes to gardens, there are just some plumbing fixtures that are necessary to have nearby! Installing a longer garden hose, a new nozzle, adapter, or hose bib can make a huge difference in the life of your summer garden! It could also mean installing something fun and unique, a definite attention grabber for your garden, like a working pitcher pump! Not only does it add to the visual aid of your garden, but it plays a useful role as well!

Like planting things that can do more than look pretty? Try adding in some herbs!

Mint

Not much meets the harsh requirements of surviving in a summer garden, but when it comes to a great herb to add to the frenzy of colors and scents, try out mint! Mint can add variety and flavor to any garden. It’s tolerant of Florida summers as well! It prefers shade from the midday sun and thrives with moist soil, so it’s a great option for potting! Another benefit of mint is that there are multiple types of mint! Take your pick from peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, or various citrus flavored mint plants! Or if you’re really into mint, collect them all!

Rosemary

If you’re really loving the concept of an herb garden, but want to expand beyond mint, give Rosemary and/or Chamomile a try! These two plants serve many purposes, not only do they repel bugs, but they’re great for use in the kitchen, and they’re safe for pets!

Note! It’s important for pet owners to be aware of which plants are safe, and which are deadly poisonous. Remember to double check any plants you want in your garden to ensure they’re safe for any exploratory pet that you have. For example, Citronella is perfect for repelling bugs, but it’s toxic to dogs and cats! If you’re going to have toxic plants around, make sure they’re out of reach of the pets!

Want flowers for a pop of color!?

It’s hard to imagine a beautiful outdoor space without colorful thriving flowers! Luckily for us Floridians, many flowers flourish in this sizzling summer atmosphere. There are tons of options allowing you to choose based on your favorite scents, colors, and whether you prefer delicate or hardy plants- essentially choosing from beginner to master level gardening!

If you like hardy, dependable, brightly colored flowers- give the Caladium or “Elephant Ears” a try!

Begonias bloom year round and come in pink red and white. They can handle the summer heat and appreciate a ton of water and some light shade.

 

Want to attract some butterflies? Go ahead and add some Penta’s Or “Egyptian Star Flowers” to your garden! They grow year round, and are happiest with plenty of water, warmth and sunlight!

In Florida rain showers are common throughout the summer months! It can feel like there’s a storm passing through almost every day or so! And, there happens to be a flower that truly appreciates that much water! The rain lily is a fan of both the scorching heat and the summer showers! They often bloom right after a storm has passed through!

Let’s not forget our veggies!

Summer honestly is not the best time for growing fruits and veggies here in FL… but there is one specific plant that simply flourishes in the summer, providing brightly colored vegetables for flavorful dishes!

Peppers! They love to soak up the rays and prefer soil that’s packed full of nutrients but still drains well. You can go for any kind of pepper- jalapeños to bell peppers- whatever flavor you crave! Even if you’re not a pepper fan, maybe your neighbors or friends are! Don’t forget that they also grow in beautiful shades of orange, green, and red- great for that extra pop of color for your garden!!

Hope these ideas and suggestions help you out as you create the ideal Floridian summer garden!!! Good luck green thumbs!

If you’re interested in checking out more summer/plumbing tips then check out a few of our Next Level blogs below!

Scents of Summer!

Summer Fun Courtesy of Your Plumbing!

Summer Saves (Round 2)

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!

The post Quarantine Summer Garden Ideas! appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/quarantine-summer-garden-ideas/

Memorial Day Plumbing Tips

Memorial Day Weekend Is Here!

While you’re busy celebrating freedom & honoring those who’ve fought & fallen for that freedom we enjoy… don’t forget to make sure you & your home’s plumbing are ready for the long weekend of festivities!

Here are some plumbing tips for this weekend & future holiday weekends from Byron Thomson, Next Level Plumbing’s owner & master plumber!

It’s time to break out the grill, make the iced tea and make the most of this 2020 self quarantined 3 day weekend. We all love a good cookout on Memorial Day, and it’s important to make sure everything goes right! Even if it’s not for a large gathering of friends/family!

Here are 3 tips to ensure you aren’t surprised by plumbing problems when/if your guests are over. 

1. If you’re grilling anything make sure you have a hose nearby. Most of us will not have a grilling accident in our lives but for those that do, having water there and ready from your hose could be the difference in a small mishap and a disaster. 

Note: If a hose bib is not nearby you can have one installed close to your favorite grilling location.  Or if you want a cheaper solution just purchase enough hoses to reach and put a sprayer on your hose. 

2. If you are having guests over that means that the drains are going to be worked harder than normal. If you have been putting off taking care of slow drains, stop procrastinating! The odds they will fail for your company drastically increase! Get it fixed before guests arrive. 

3. It will likely be a warm day, do you have enough ice? Do you have an ice maker in your fridge? You can always run an ice maker water line to compatible fridges so you don’t have to buy as much ice. 

Want to read more from us? Check out the blogs below to see what else we share throughout the year!

New to FL Facts: Plumbing Differences

Finishing Touches & Finalized Checklists

PSA: Who Do I Call? City or 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!

The post Memorial Day Plumbing Tips appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/memorial-day-plumbing-tips/

Story time with Byron: Product Quality

The time where Byron shares a story about a job, a product, or even a customer experience that could be useful for others to know.

“Quality Products: Home Depot VS Supply Houses”

 

I recently went out on a water heater call that had no hot water. When I arrived I found power to the water heater, but it was not heating. The water heater was only 2 years old. When I removed the elements I found one had ruptured, and the other one was so caked with sediment that it was not working very efficiently.

I looked inside the water heater at the anode rod, which is a piece of metal that is designed to let the water eat it before the tank, and it was eaten up completely. Again, this was only a two year old water heater.

I found out that their well system had been down for a time, and that is one factor that caused extreme degradation of the materials in such a short time.

The other factor is that the water heater was from Home Depot.

We have started to find water heaters from Home Depot failing in the first year of two in larger numbers. At this point I do not know why, but it seems from the data that I have seen that they are making them with poorer quality materials, at least for the elements.

For those that don’t know, a Rheem water heater from Home Depot is not the same as a Rheem water heater from a plumbing supply house. It is too much to go into in this post, but suffice to say the ones from Home Depot are inferior to those sold at plumbing supply houses.

So the first take away from this story is that for those on a well, it is important to keep your system up to date, or it will start to take a toll on the plumbing in the house. The second take away is to always buy quality products whenever possible.

Hopefully this edition of Story time with Byron has been helpful to you!
It’s something to consider! If this blog helped you in any way, check out more of Byron’s blogs!

Storytime with Byron: “Toilet Truths”

New to FL Facts: Plumbing Differences

PSA: Who Do I Call? City or 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 nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Story Time with Byron: Product Quality appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/story-time-with-byron-product-quality/

New to FL Facts: Plumbing Differences

New to Florida Facts!

Are You New to Florida Living?

The plumbing situation might be a bit different for you here in Florida compared to where you used to live! Or it might be similar! Either way, we hope to help answer some of those curious questions for you in this blog series: “New to FL Facts!”

Here to share his plumbing knowledge and expertise with you is Byron Thomson, Next Level Plumbing’s owner and master plumber.

Topic of the Day: Plumbing Differences in FL

Many of our customers have moved down to the Sarasota/Bradenton area from somewhere north of here. Once they are here they find that not everything lasts the way it does back home.

Here in Florida we have very aggressive water. This means it will deteriorate the plumbing system much faster than many other places in the US. I have had the conversation with many customers that expected their water heater to last 20 years like it does back home for them, and they are finding out they only last 10-12 years here. And the manufactures usually know it too. If you call Rheem for instance and tell them your water heater is in southwest Florida, they will know it won’t last as long as the same water heaters in other areas.

How close you live to the ocean matters as well. Salt air destroys plumbing at an astonishing rate in some cases. And there is really very little you can do to protect against that, it is just an expense of living near the salt water.

Many parts in toilets wear out quite quickly as well. Flappers can need to be replaces as often as every 1-2 years in some of the more extreme cases. And the list goes on. In general, the plumbing system does not last as long here in Florida as many other places.

Interested? Curious to know more? Let us know! You can continue to read more of Byron’s blogs by clicking the links below.

New to FL Facts: Water Quality

Storytime with Byron: “Toilet Truths”

New to FL Facts: Licensing

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 nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post New to FL Facts: Plumbing Differences appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/new-to-fl-facts-plumbing-differences/

AYP: Garbage Disposal No-No’s!

Ask Your Plumber: Garbage Disposal No-No’s!

Your garbage disposal is one hard-working machine. Day in and day out, it’s grinding away at things you throw down the drain, chopping them to bits, and flushing them out of your life forever!

That is, unless you send something down there that doesn’t belong! The grinding chamber and the shredding blades inside the garbage disposal can only handle so much. Now, some of the super heavy-duty garbage disposals can handle some of these items, but most of us do not own this kind!

So, what shouldn’t you put down your garbage disposal? We’re so glad you asked!

The following are items you never EVER want to put down your garbage disposal. Unless,of course, you want a visit from your local plumber!

Garbage Disposal Do’s and Don’ts

Coffee grounds

Coffee grounds are tricky! They seem to go down without a problem, but they can build up over time in a sludge-like sediment in your drain.

Fruit Pits

There is a very good reason why they call fruits with pits in them “stone fruit“…those pits are like little rocks! And they do not belong in your garbage disposal. These pits will wreak havoc with every spin of the blade.

Bones

While this may seem obvious, it doesn’t stop everyone from trying it. The bones will likely not grind up and they could also potentially damage your blades. If it makes it past the garbage disposal, they will probably get stuck in your pipes—what a mess!

Celery

Celery’s fibrous strings can get caught around your garbage disposal’s blades and cause damage.

Egg Shells

The problem here is not so much with the shells (They’re not great for your disposal, btw), but more with the shell’s membrane lining. It can stick to the sides of the disposal and get tangled around the blades—not a good thing. Really, if you can help it, don’t put either one down the drain.

Grease

Building up gradually, grease will clog drains and wear down your disposal.

Pasta

This one may seem surprising, but pasta isn’t a good idea for your garbage disposal. Pasta swells even after it has been fully cooked, so rinsing it down your drain could cause it to swell further creating problems!

Potato Peels

The starches in the potatoes will turn into a thick paste and may cause blades to stick. EW.

Anything in Bulk

Don’t even put large amounts of any “safe foods” down your garbage disposal. Too much at once could overwork your disposal and clog your sink. By feeding it small amounts at a time, you will prolong the life of your garbage disposal and keep it running well!

Plastic, Metal, or Paper goods

Do we even need to say anything about this one?

And there you have it, friends! If you want to preserve the life of your garbage disposal, keep these items out of it.

Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

AYP: Plumbing Tips for Renters

Storytime with Byron: “Toilet Truths”

AYP: Slab Leaks

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 nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post AYP: Garbage Disposal No-No’s! appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/ayp-garbage-disposal-no-nos/

PSA: Who Do I Call? City or Plumber?

Next Level Plumbing Service Announcement!

Not sure if the plumbing problem you have is something to call the city/county about, or if it’s time to call a plumber???

This is a question we get asked relatively often. Nobody wants to pay for a plumber if they don’t have to! Luckily, Byron (Next Level Plumbing’s owner and master plumber) has some advice on this topic for you!

For the water line, which is the fresh water that comes into the house, you are responsible for everything past the meter. The meter is located in the box in the ground by the street. If you open the box and see a leak on the house side of the dial, you should call the plumber. If it is at or the street side of the dial, then call the county or city.

One note, when opening the meter box do it carefully. I have encountered a poisonous snake, a honey bee nest, and plenty of frogs, toads and other small critters. Don’t use you’re hand, use a stick or tool to open it!

For the drains, or the sewer pipe it is more difficult to tell. If the whole house is stopped up it will be the main line under the house, or the main sewer line, or the city line. There is not easy way to tell in the Sarasota area, however I can say that the clear majority of the time it is NOT on the city. Almost all of the time if you call a plumber it will be the right call.

Also, if only one bathroom is stopped up and the other flushes fine without effecting the stopped up bathroom then it’s not the city or county.

Interested? Curious to know more? Let us know! You can continue to read more of Byron’s blogs by clicking the links below.

PSA (Plumbing Service Announcement) Part 1: Water Heaters

New to FL Facts: Licensing

Storytime with Byron: “Toilet Truths”

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 nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post PSA: Who Do I Call? City or Plumber? appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/psa-who-do-i-call-city-or-plumber/

Next Level 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!

These oils can also be a huge help while we’re all quarantined, trying to stay healthy, and keep our moods & mindsets positive as well!

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 us. 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! You can find them on Amazon or basically any store like Target, Publix, or Walmart.

 

Muscle Ease Blend/ Deep Blue do-Terra 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 do-Terra “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!

 

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 all about Next Level Plumbing’s favorite essential oils! They’re an integral 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!

Stay safe everyone!

Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

Next Level Spring Cleaning Tips!

The Interactive Plumber for You!

Next Level Quarantining: Plumbing Ed.

 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!

The post Next Level Essential Oils appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

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

Next Level Spring Cleaning Tips!

Spring Is Upon Us!

Although it often feels like Florida skips Spring entirely and jumps straight into Summer- many of us love Springtime!

While spring cleaning may not be on your preferred activity list during this cooped up quarantine we’re experiencing… making the effort does result in a sparkly clean home with a nice, organized, and relaxing atmosphere! (Sometimes the mess makes more stress!)

Need help getting started? Here are some Next Level easy and effective tips!

8 Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Spring Cleaning Tips

Work those Windows: The best way to get squeaky clean windows is with a squeegee. Use a 50/50 simple solution of distilled vinegar and water and watch them sparkle!

Tackle the Refrigerator: Get that fridge ready for all those tasty summer snacks! An easy and natural way to clean your refrigerator is with salt and soda water. The bubbly soda water and the gritty salt make a great cleaner…get wiping!

Screen Time: Nobody likes cleaning window screens, right? Well, we have the perfect easy tip for you: use a scrap of carpeting to brush away all the built-up dirt—it’s surprisingly effective!

Polish those Faucets: Clean lime buildup around those faucets with paper towels and vinegar! Lay paper towels over the faucets, soak it with vinegar, and let it set for an hour. The lime buildup will weaken and be easy to wipe away!

Fluff Up Your Drapes: Take your drapes off and run them through the air-fluff cycle in the dryer along with a wet towel (it gets rid of the dust!) for 15 minutes. Hang them back up immediately. Voila—looking good!

Clean the Fans: Use a coat of furniture polish to clean your ceiling fan blades. Spray it on and buff it off, perfect!

Comfort Your Comforters & Blankets: Air out those blankets and comforters after a long winter of use. Hang them outside for a day…you’ll be surprised at the difference.

Vacuum Those Walls: This is the easiest way to get rid of dust and spider web build-up. Use the brush attachment and say good-bye to dirt!

We told you these were super easy! You’ll be wonderfully pleased with how these 8 tips make a big difference in your home. We hope you enjoy your spring season!

Stay safe everyone!

Concerned about your home and plumbing? Give us a call!
Did you enjoy today’s Next Level blog? If you did, go ahead and check out these other blogs!

DIY: Repel the Smell!

Simple Spring Plumbing DIY’s

8 Easy DIY Spa Upgrades for Your Bathroom

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 nextlevelplumbinginc@gmail.com. We’d be happy to schedule a free estimate for you and provide you with all the professional help you need!

The post Next Level Spring Cleaning Tips! appeared first on Next Level Plumbing.

source https://nextlevelplumbingllc.com/next-level-spring-cleaning-tips/