What to Consider Before Building an Outdoor Kitchen

 Adding a kitchen to your outdoor living space is becoming more popular, but consider these things before making plans to build your dream outdoor kitchen. How much do you have to spend? Depending on your taste and space, costs can range from $2,000-$50k+. Establish a budget prior to shopping and stick to it as best possible. Where are you putting it? Most outdoor spaces are in proximity to indoor plumbing, but if not, consider the extra cost needed to run the pipes from further away. Size. Do you spend your time outdoors occasionally, or is it an extension of your home If you love being outdoors you may want to go all out with the bells & whistles. In addition to a grill & sink, Splurge by adding a fridge, deep fryer or a kegerator. How do you want it to look? You have to consider the type of countertop, cabinetry, base. Will you want to use it in the winter? If so, purchase heating lamps or a fire pit. Winterize the kitchen. Clean & cover surfaces. Unplug appliances, Shut off water supply For plumbers in Longview, Texas, that can help build your outdoor kitchen, let Bird Dog Plumbing help you! For plumbing inquiries, call 903-225-2272 or visit http://birddogplumbingllc.com/. Plumbers Longview TXBird Dog Plumbing LLC2206 Balsam StLongview, Texas...
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Frozen Pipe Solutions from Your Reliable Longview Plumber

It’s a wintry day, and your faucets aren’t working. Chances are your pipes are frozen. This situation can be dire, mainly if your pipes burst. If you find yourself in these circumstances, the following steps will help to reduce the potential of needing expensive repairs to solve the problem. Turn On Your Faucets Check every faucet in your home and check to see whether the water is running through them. Keep all of the problem faucets open to reduce the water pressure leading to them. Frozen water inside a pipe will expand. This expansion can force the pipeline to burst. When the pipes begin to thaw, the force of the running water will help in the melting any ice within them. When the water is running freely, turn the faucet to a slow drip, particularly if the pipes are running through exterior walls of your home. This extra step will prevent them from re-freezing. Warm Your Interior Space Increase the air temperature in the rooms where the pipes are frozen. Open all of the cupboard doors to allow the warm air to circulate around the pipes. Be careful to keep any electric heaters away from the pipes to prevent the potential for electrocution. Warm Your Pipes Touch the pipes in question to look for any particular frozen areas. If necessary use a hair dryer to warm your pipes. Be careful using an electric device around water. Heat the entire pipe, evenly moving the heat from the dryer around the plumbing. Do not use any heating devices that have a flame as these could damage your plumbing or cause a fire. Check for Plumbing Leaks Once the water in your pipes has thawed and begun to flow freely, check for any leaks in your plumbing. If you find a leak, shut off the main valve and contact your plumber. You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Take photographs of the damage to your home. Frozen Pipe Prevention The best way to keep your pipes from freezing is to maintain a consistent interior air temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If you leave your home for any length of time during the cold months, consider installing a smart thermostat that you can manage while you are away. If that is not possible, have a friend or family member check on your home while you are gone. Ensure that you have...
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Are You in Need of Plumbing Services? Here’s How to Tell!

A well-working plumbing system is something homeowners typically take for granted. Unless a problem presents itself, the intricate layout of pipes is often never considered. But when trouble occurs, you realize just how crucial it is to have a reliable professional plumber available to take care of the job. Fortunately, a plumber can come to your rescue in a variety of circumstances. In some cases, it may not be so easy to determine if a plumber is the person to call when your emergency comes. Knowing which services a plumber can provide is beneficial when you need help in a hurry. Leaks Sometimes you don’t fully understand the power of water until your home’s pipes spring a leak. A large amount of water can make its way through even the smallest of cracks or holes. And before you know it, a small stream of water can turn into a massive flood, if the situation is handled improperly. Plumbers will examine your plumbing system, including the pipes and joints, and determine where the problem is. They may either replace the pipes or repair the issue. Another area that people don’t always realize is a plumber’s area of expertise is with gas lines. If you suspect a gas leak or smell gas, leave the premises immediately and call a plumber. Clogs When your sink doesn’t drain, or your toilet won’t flush, you’re in need of a plumber’s help. Reaching for products that contain potentially dangerous chemicals and pouring them down your drain not only exposes you to harsh and caustic materials, but they can also cause damage to your plumbing system. Instead, a plumber can use tools and techniques to resolve stubborn clogs.  Drain plungers are often a useful tool in combating the battle of the clog, or the plumber may need to remove and clean some of the sink’s pipes to eliminate the debris. If a clogged toilet is plaguing your home, a plumber can use a drain auger or another tool to remove the source of the problem. Since toilet problems are unpleasant and can be quite complicated, consulting a plumber is ideal and common in this type of situation. Septic Problems Just about every homeowner’s worst fear is experiencing problems with their septic system. Sewer backups and septic damage are messy, unsanitary and expensive. Hiring a plumber to remove sludge and material from the tank can prevent it...
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What to Look for When Hiring a Commercial Plumbing Company

Running a small business is practically impossible unless you have a working plumbing system. Leaks can destroy inventory, cause property damage and create a significant inconvenience for your employees and customers. Attempting to resolve a plumbing problem on your own could make the issue even worse. Hiring a professional, however, is the best idea. But you’ll need to know what to look for when deciding on a commercial plumbing company. Look for a License and Insurance Although hiring a friend of a friend who does plumbing on the side may give you a lower price than a professional would, they likely can’t provide the same type of quality and professionalism of a certified plumber. To ensure your plumber performs services by code, look for one who has a license. Although licensing requirements vary by state, a plumber usually receives a few years of training before they can obtain the licensure. Having a license means they are qualified and experienced enough to work on your plumbing system. Hiring someone without a license increases your chances of receiving subpar work, which can not only threaten the health of you, your employees and your customers, but can also shut down your business. You’ll also want to make sure any plumber you hire has insurance to cover anything that goes wrong. For instance, mistakes that result in flooding could end up your responsibility unless your plumber has coverage. Don’t just take the plumber’s word for it: make sure they have insurance backing them. Diagnostics and Repairs When you’re facing a problem, you need someone to come and tell you what is wrong. Receiving an accurate diagnosis, however, is only the first step. You’ll also need someone to get things up and running again so that you can get back in business. It’s important for you to find a commercial plumber who can do both. Calling one person to determine the problem and then having to hire someone else to fix it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Along with the added money you’ll need to invest, you’ll also have to allow for more time to find someone else for the job, in addition to the time required for the repairs. Save money and time by hiring a commercial plumbing company who can do both, as well as guarantee quality work. Bird Dog Plumbing in Longview, TX, has helped many businesses with their plumbing needs....
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4 Situations When You Need a Plumber to Repair Your Toilet

Some toilet problems are easy fixes that even the least mechanically-inclined person can do, but sometimes the problem goes beyond one’s expertise so calling in a plumber to repair the toilet in Longview, TX is necessary. Having a toilet out of commission becomes problematic if it lasts too long, even if you have more than one available in your home. Here are four situations that may require the services of a plumber to fix: Water is accumulating around the base of the toilet Tank is taking excessive time to refill Experiencing irregular running water Toilet is constantly running Get your commode back up and running quickly with the help of Bird Dog Plumbing. Call us today to schedule an appointment at (903)225-2272 or visit us online at http://birddogplumbingllc.com/. Repair Toilet Longview TXBird Dog Plumbing LLC2206 Balsam StLongview, Texas...
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