Not familiar with pot fillers? Read on to learn everything you need to know about this practical kitchen fixture so you’re prepared for your next kitchen refresh.

What Is a Pot Filler?

A pot filler is essentially a one-arm, swing-out, single-temperature faucet that is installed above the stove. It’s designed for filling pots and pans with water directly on the cooktop so you don’t have to carry heavy pots from the sink to the stove. This compact fixture doesn’t take up much space but makes a big impact. Pot fillers are available at various price points and in different styles, lengths, and finishes.

Pot Filler Styles

In addition to being functional, pot fillers can make a stunning design statement. Whether your kitchen is sleek and modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, you’re sure to find a pot filler to fit your style. Available in polished chrome, aged brass, oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, and more, a pot filler can add a touch of timeless sophistication and luxury to a kitchen. What’s more, this upgrade is a great way to increase your home’s resale value.

Advantages of Pot Fillers

One of the main advantages of installing a pot filler in your kitchen is convenience. Instead of having to fill a pot with water at the sink and carry the heavy pot all the way to the stove, you can fill the pot directly on the stove. This eliminates potential spills and messes, as well as the strain of carrying a heavy pot every time you boil water. As a bonus, you also save time since you don’t need to go back and forth to the kitchen faucet.

Disadvantages of a Pot Filler

Because they range from several hundred dollars to several thousand, pot fillers can be a significant investment and not within everyone’s kitchen remodeling budget. If your kitchen is relatively small in size and you’re remodeling on a tight budget, this might be a splurge to skip. Additionally, because a pot filler is mounted directly above the stove, it will frequently be hit with splattering oil and simmering tomato sauce. Therefore, you’ll need to clean it regularly to keep it looking like new.

Best Choice Plumbers is here to help make your new kitchen provide the added convenience, beauty, comfort, and safety you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your next kitchen project or for any plumbing need.

Still, you don’t need a whole weekend or a small army of assistants to get this essential space sparkling clean. In fact, here are 10 easy steps to get your bathroom neat, tidy, and guest-worthy, and all in in less than 30 minutes.

1. Gather your supplies. Keep a caddy or small bucket filled with all your cleaning essentials in a linen closet or in an under-the-sink cabinet.
2. Clear off surfaces. Put toothbrushes, make-up, and other essentials back in their place and toss dirty towels and bathmats into the laundry basket.
3. Spray down surfaces. Spray down the counter, backsplash, and outer surface of the toilet. Then squirt toiler cleaner into the bowl and under the rim. Let everything sit for a while.
4. Soak the shower and tub. Fill your bathtub with a few inches of hot water and spray the shower with cleaner. Use a small brush to quickly pass around the inside of the tub to loosen any soap scum. Let it all soak for a while.
5. Tackle the toilet. Scrub the inside of the toilet bowl and use a rag to wipe down the outer surface. Dry it with a cloth, and then rinse the toilet brush before spraying it with cleaner and putting it away.
6. Clean the tub and shower. Drain the tub and wipe all surfaces. Use a scrub brush to get any remaining dirt or grime. Rinse with a handheld shower attachment or clean wet rag.
7. Tackle the floor. Vacuum the floor to pick up any dirt, dust, or hair. Fill the sink with a little warm water and add your cleaner. Wet your mop or floor rag, wring it out, and run it over the floor. Wipe it dry with a clean cloth, and drain the water from the sink
8. Wipe it all down. Wet a clean cloth in warm water, wring it out, and wipe down previously sprayed countertops and backsplash. Spray the interior of the sink with cleaner and wipe clean.
9. Clean the mirror. Spray glass cleaner onto the mirror and wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. Then use that same cloth to shine up faucets, towel racks, and the toilet handle.
10. Finish it off. Replace clean towels and your bathmat, put away your cleaning supplies, and place dirty clothes in the laundry basket. Then, stand back and admire your hard work.

And yet, no matter how clean your bathroom might become, it’s still not going to fully serve its purpose if your hot water service is in short supply.  That’s where we come in: Best Choice Plumbers. Contact us today for annual water maintenance or to diagnose what you see is a repair issue. Whatever might be wrong with it, we’ll figure it out and recommend exactly the right solution. And always with a guaranteed upfront price quote.

The good news is that small changes to our everyday habits can go a long way toward reducing our water footprint, lowering water bills, and reducing environmental impact.

Here are 9 ways to reduce your water usage at home.

1. Know your usage. The average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day at home. Do you know how much your household uses? Check your water bills from the past 12 months to get a clear picture of your monthly consumption, looking for months during which your household uses less or more water.
2. Look for leaks. As mentioned above, leaks account for 180 gallons of wasted water per week in the average home – that’s almost 10,000 gallons per year! Inspect toilets, faucets, showers, outdoor hoses, and exposed plumbing pipes for signs of leaks and repair right away.
3. Update fixtures. A standard shower head uses approximately 5 gallons of water per minute. Replacing it with a low-flow model can cut that number in half. While it may cost more up front, a low-flow fixture will save money in the long run.
4. Install a low-flow toilet. An older toiler uses 3.5 gallons of water per flush whereas a low-flow toilet uses just 1.6 gallons. Even if an upgrade is not in the cards right now, make sure your toilet isn’t wasting water. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank; if the color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak.
5. Collect and use leftover water. Gallons upon gallons of water go to waste every day. Invest in a rain barrel (if your neighborhood permits) to catch rainwater from gutters and downspouts. Use the water for watering plants and cleaning your home’s exterior. Place a bucket under your shower head or tub faucet to collect running water as it heats up. Use it to water plants, mop floors, wash the car, etc.
6. Ditch the plastic. Instead of purchasing costly bottled water, invest in a refillable stainless-steel bottle that will keep your water cold all day long. And instead of waiting for the tap water to run cold, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge for cold refreshment whenever you need it.
7. Rinse produce in a bowl. Fill two bowls with water – one for washing produce and the other for rinsing. Then use the leftover water for watering indoor or outdoor plants.
8. Reduce garbage disposal usage. A garbage disposal requires running water to grind and flush food down the drain. Save water and energy by composting food scraps which will provide your garden with nutritious matter.
9. Shop smarter. Think back to what you learned in elementary school: reduce, reuse, recycle. Before purchasing a new item which likely requires water as part of it’s production and distribution process, ask yourself these questions: Do I really need it? Is it something I can borrow instead? Once I’m done with it, can it be recycled or donated?

At Best Choice Plumbers, we have even more water-saving solutions up our sleeves. From water leak detection and repair to low-flow toilet and fixture installation, we can help you reduce your environment impact without sacrificing an ounce of the comfort and convenience you depend on. Contact us today for all your plumbing needs.

Leaks

More often than not, it’s not the tub itself that springs a leak but rather the plumbing beneath. Look for water pooling on the floor near the tub, water stains on the ceiling below a second story bathtub, or an unexplained rise in your water usage and bills. If an older bathtub has to be removed in order to access and fix the plumbing, consider replacing the tub at the same time.

Cracks

While surface cracks may not necessitate having an entire bathtub replaced, a larger crack can allow water to penetrate beneath the tub compromising building materials  and providing an ideal environment for mold growth. If you notice a small surface crack here or there but the rest of the tub is in good shape, you can have it refinished to seal up the cracks and make it look like new.

Stains

Tough stains can make even a new tub look dingy and worn. While most stains can be removed from enameled tubs with a bit of elbow grease, acrylic tubs are a different matter. Harsh scrubbing agents can dull the finish of an acrylic tub and lead to more staining.

Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew typically don’t surface in the bathing area of a tub. Proper ventilation and regular cleaning can help keep them from forming where the bathtub and surround meet. But if mold and mildew grow in the space beneath a tub or behind a wall, the tub and/or surround will need to be replaced to repair the cause of the issue, replace any damaged sheetrock or other materials, and properly seal the area to prevent future problems.

Mobility Challenges

For those who have difficulty entering and existing a standard bathtub, a walk-in tub or shower conversion can be a safe and convenient solution. Plus, a sturdy bench seat and multiple shower heads can turn a regular shower into a spa-like retreat.

Ready to ditch your tired , dated bathtub? Or perhaps you’re dealing with other plumbing woes. No matter the job, Best Choice is ready to help make your new bathroom provide the added beauty, convenience, comfort, and safety you deserve. Contact us today and let us know how we can help.

Before you choose your new bathroom sink, be armed with the information you need to help narrow down the best options so you can pick the perfect sink for you and your space .

Undermount

This type of sink sits underneath the counter. The rim is fixed to the underside of the countertop, as opposed to sitting on top of it. Since less of the sink is visible, this style creates a seamless, clean look. Clean-up is easy as water and spills can be wiped directly from the countertop into the sink, making it ideal for busy family bathrooms. However, undermounting a sink is usually only possible with a solid-surface countertop, such as stone. Undermount sinks also tend to cost more than top-mount sinks.

Top-Mount

As the name suggests, a top-mount (or drop-in) sink sits on top of the counter with most of the sink sitting below the counter and just the rim sitting on top. Top-mount sinks are suitable for most countertop materials since the cutout is covered by the sink and doesn’t risk being damaged by water. However, you can’t wipe water and spills straight from the counter into the sink. They work best in elegant master bathrooms and minimalist designs.

Pedestal

If you prefer is a simple wall-mounted sink, but your waste pipe has to go through the floor and can’t be changed, or you don’t want to see the plumbing beneath, then a pedestal sink is a great option. The pedestal under the sink sits between the underside of the sink and the floor, concealing any pipework. Often found in powder rooms, a pedestal sink is aesthetically pleasing and perfect if you want a more timeless, traditional look. However, it does not provide any storage or countertop space.

Vessel

A vessel sink generally sits completely on top of the countertop. Unlike sinks that are exposed above the counter a little or not at all, vessel sinks demand attention. Much like a large bowl, it’s a great choice if you like a deep sink that can hold plenty of water. However, due to the height of the sink, careful planning is required to ensure that the sink doesn’t end up being too high and uncomfortable to use. Cleaning around the base of the sink can also be tricky, so it may work best in a powder room.

Integrated

Many stock vanity cabinets offer an all-in-one countertop and sink where the sink is molded as part of the countertop. An integrated sink is easy to clean so it’s a great choice for busy family bathrooms. Integrated sinks are usually designed so that the countertop slopes gently down and inward to create a sink in the middle, leaving less flat counter space than with other options.

Semi-Recessed

If space is an issue but you still want some storage then a semi-recessed sink might be the answer. This sink sits at the front of the cabinet and countertop, allowing you to have shallower cabinets, freeing up valuable floor space and keeping a lot of the counter free. It’s a great option for those who need to get closer to the sink to reach the faucet without the obstruction of a countertop and cabinets.

Wall-Mounted

A wall-mounted sink is fixed directly to the wall without needing to sit in or on a countertop. It looks streamlined and gives a minimalist feeling to a room. As such, it doesn’t have cabinets below it, which saves on space and also makes the room feel bigger. All plumbing must be positioned inside the wall to have a clean look. Consider your need for storage before choosing a wall-mounted sink.

Washplane

Washplane sinks, often spotted in sleek hotels and restaurant bathrooms, are slim, streamlined, and stylish. They take up very little space, so they can work in a room where space is limited. A small stainless steel trough is mounted under the sink to catch the water before it runs into the waste pipe in the wall behind. Washplane sinks are best suited for just hand washing because they don’t have have a plug and are extremely shallow.

When you’re ready to spruce things up, contact Best Choice Plumbers to help make your new bathroom provide the added beauty, convenience, comfort, and safety we know you want.

Here are six ways taking a steam shower beats a traditional shower any day (or night) of the week.

Helpful Tip: For an optimal steam shower experience, keep the temperature set between 110 and 116°F.

1. Reduced Stress

Whether it’s from financial strain, pressure at work, or relationship issues, stress can wreak havoc on the body and mind. Headaches, sleep problems, muscle tension, chest pain, and fatigue are just some of the ways stress impacts us. The good news? The steam produced from a steam shower has stress-relieving effects. A steam shower can reduce cortisol, a stress hormone that fluctuates depending on a body’s stress levels. While a steam shower may not completely eliminate stress, it can provide some much-need relief. You can also add aroma or music therapy for added stress and tension relief.

2. Improved Circulation

Heart disease – the leading cause of death in the United States – kills more than 600,000 people each year. Which is why protecting your cardiovascular health is critical. A simple steam shower can help improve circulation, and therefore heart health, by boosting blood flow throughout the body. It is believed that moist heat can also decrease blood pressure, a risk factor for developing heart disease. Always discuss any health concerns with your doctor first.

3. Improved Breathing

A steam shower can help relieve cold and flu symptoms and calm allergies by opening up nasal passages, quieting coughs, and reducing body aches. In addition to helping you breathe easier, a steam shower promotes sinus drainage, loosens bronchial secretion, and soothes a sore throat.

4. Healthy Skin

Think you have to go to a spa for a relaxing facial? Think again. The steam from a shower opens up facial pores to release clogged dirt and oils, lubricates the skin, hydrates, and may even relieve acne-like conditions. Limit your steam shower to a maximum of 20 minutes to prevent dehydration and be sure to cool off gradually and drink plenty of water afterwards.

5. Better Sleep

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of American adults aren’t getting adequate sleep each night. Chronic sleep deprivation can put you at increased risk of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Steam showering or bathing is one way to facilitate a restful night’s sleep. Warm water stimulates blood flow to the hands and feet, allowing body heat to escape more quickly and helping us to fall asleep faster. In snorers, steam promotes decongestion which helps them (and their partners!) sleep more soundly.

6. Improved Athletic Performance

If you suffer from muscle pain or soreness, you will enjoy the muscle-soothing benefits of a steam shower. Warm steam loosens up stiff or sore muscles and helps them recover after strenuous use. Steam also helps break down lactic acid (a chemical the body produces when cells break down carbohydrates for energy), boosts metabolism, and as mentioned earlier, promotes blood circulation.

Planning a bathroom renovation? Contact Best Choice Plumbers for all your plumbing needs. From steam showers to walk-in bath tubs and everything in between, we have the knowledge and expertise to turn your bathroom into the stylish, functional, soothing retreat you’ve been dreaming of.

Read on as we break down the differences between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing so you know which techniques and cleaners work best to keep your home as germ free as possible.

Cleaning

The most basic of chores, cleaning removes dirt, dust, spills, splatters, and grime from household surfaces. Tasks such as vacuuming, doing the dishes, washing windows and mirrors, wiping down counters, and so on, fall into this category. The goal of cleaning is to keep a home looking – well, clean. Common cleaning products include:

• Multi-purpose cleaners
• Glass and window cleaners
• Dish soap and detergents
• Furniture polish
• Home-made cleaners

Disinfecting

Disinfecting destroys germs through the use of chemicals proven to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Any EPA-approved product marketed as a disinfectant must bear the EPA registration number which can typically be found near the bottom of the product label. This number informs consumers that the product will kill the bacteria and viruses specified. However, it’s important to note that a single disinfectant will not kill all germs so read labels carefully before selecting a disinfectant. Disinfectant products can include a variety of ingredients, including:

• Chlorine bleach
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Formaldehyde
• Phenol
• Glutaraldehyde

Sanitizing

The process of sanitizing reduces germs on surfaces such as tables, door handles, remotes, phones, toys, and so on. If the word “sanitizer” appears on a product label, it must be able to reduce 99.9 percent of organisms in five minutes or less. The goal of sanitizing is to meet public health standards with a sanitizing wipe, gel, or spray. Sanitizing products include:

• Liquid sanitizers that contain no other cleaning ingredients
• Hand sanitizers
• Household cleaners bearing the term “sanitize” on the product label

When to Clean, Disinfect, and Sanitize

For best results, start by thoroughly cleaning a surface before disinfecting or sanitizing. This ensures that germs don’t linger on dirt, food crumbs, or spills. Remove any visible dirt with the appropriate household cleaning product, then apply a disinfectant or sanitizer following the directions on the label.

If you or someone in hour household has a bacterial or viral infection, the need to disinfect or sanitize will be greater. You’ll still want to keep your home clean, but don’t worry about cleaning every time you plan to use a disinfectant or sanitizer. For example, keep containers of disinfectant wipes around your home so you can quickly wipe down faucets, door knobs, cabinet pulls, appliance handles, remotes, and any other shared surfaces after a family member touches them. However, the CDC recommends waiting an hour or more before disinfecting so that airborne germs have a chance to settle.

The need to keep our homes as germ and virus-free as possible has never been greater. And here at Best Choice Plumbers, we have several ways to help you keep your home and family healthy, safe, and comfortable, including motion sensor faucets, touchless toilets, and much more. Contact us today for more information.

It’s common for food debris to get stuck in your kitchen sink’s plumbing system, resulting in a rancid scent. Here’s how to banish it and keep it from coming back.

Clean the sink thoroughly. Food residue can sometimes get stuck on the sides and base of the sink after dishes have been left sitting for too long. Once empty, insert the sink stopper into the drain and fill the basin with hot water. Add a teaspoon of dish soap and with a gloved hand, swirl the water around until the soap dissolves. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes and, using a soft bristle brush or sponge, scrub the sides and bottom of the sink to loosen stuck on food. Then, remove the stopper and turn on the garbage disposal to flush debris down the drain. Rinse with clean water.

Scour the drain with baking soda and vinegar. Boil a tea kettle of water and set it aside. Pour one cup of baking soda into the sink drain and follow with one cup of vinegar, letting the combination effervesce for 10 minutes. Then slowly and carefully pour the hot water from the tea kettle into the drain. Turn on the cold water and rinse the drain for one minute. The combo of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water will scour the walls of the sink drain and remove lingering odors.

Clean the sink flange. The sink flange is located at the top of the garbage disposal where it meets the sink drain. It can get filled with gunk and food debris that is not easily rinsed away. Unplug the garbage disposal and squeeze a few drops of liquid dish soap onto a dish scrubbing wand. Wet the bristles with water and lower the wand into the drain. Scrub the top of the sink flange thoroughly, then run cold water for a minute to flush out loose residue.

Sanitize the disposal. Garbage disposal blades and the impeller plate that are responsible for grinding away at food can accumulate with food residue and lead to a foul odor. To clean and sanitize, drop two cups of ice cubes and one cup of table salt into the drain. Turn on the cold water tap, then turn on the garbage disposal. Run it until the ice has been completely crushed.

Deodorize the garbage disposal. Remove stuck on food from the walls of the disposal with the power of citrus. Drop five citrus peels into the sink drain, turn on the disposal and grind for 30 seconds. The grinding action will release acid from the peels to deodorize the drain. You can stockpile leftover peels in the fridge in an air-tight container.

If the above tips don’t work, food debris might have congealed and settled into your drainpipe. To clear the pipe and get rid of the odor, you may need to open the plumbing pipe through the P-trap beneath the sink. If this is beyond your area of expertise, contact a licensed plumber for assistance.

Prevent future odors. Avoid leaving dirty dishes to pile up in the sink all day or overnight. Scrape food scraps into the trash, especially if you don’t have a garbage disposal. Run cold water for 30 seconds before and after turning on the disposal to flush any lingering food remains through the drain. Deodorize and sanitize the sink, drain, and disposal regularly to keep noxious odors at bay.

How can Best Choice Plumbers help? In several important ways: garbage disposal repair or replacement, drain cleaning, fixing or repairing leaky faucets – in fact, we’re your complete home plumbing resource. Have a need? Call on the Best crew to get the job done – Best Choice Plumbers.

Yes, we’re talking about baking soda. And if you use it only to ensure your cakes, breads, and muffins rise as they should, you’re missing out on a ton of potential.

Let’s take a closer look:

Drain Cleaning

Baking soda is a key ingredient in a three-part recipe to help you clear and prevent clogged drains and toilets. The other two are distilled white vinegar and piping hot water. Have a blocked drain now or one that’s draining slowly? Pour a half-cup of each of baking soda and vinegar and follow-up that up about 30 minutes later with a tea kettle full of hot water water. If needed, repeat the entire process.

Laundry Additive

Baking soda is an adjunct to, not a substitute for, your favorite laundry detergent. Add in a teaspoon or two to your next wash and note how much better everything smells afterward. Baking soda, when mixed with water, also helps to pre-treat tough stains. For best results, use three parts of baking soda and one part water.

Deodorizer

From stinky trash cans to wicked smelling shoes or lunch bags, unpleasant odors have a way of making their presence known. Now you can fight back by sprinkling some dry baking soda directly onto the smelly objects, but only the completely dry ones. Want to deodorize a toilet or drain, too? Mix one cup of baking soda with a gallon of water, pour it into the drain or toilet, and let it sit for an hour before flushing or rinsing.

Cleaner Dishes

Need extra scrubbing power in your dishwasher? Just add two tablespoons of baking soda to your normal amount of dish detergent. For extra tough stains, fill the pot or pan with warm water and 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and let it sit for an hour before placing it in the dishwasher.

Scratch-free Scrubbing

If you have scratch-able surfaces that still need to be thoroughly cleaned, once again it’s baking soda to the rescue. Just sprinkle dry baking soda on a sponge, wet it, and do your thing on counters, sinks, tubs, toilets, and even your chrome faucets.

Of course, like most home products and remedies, baking soda has its limitations, including as it applies to a stubbornly clogged drain. When all your DIY remedies fail, Best Choice Plumbers won’t. So, for blocked drains and toilets alike, contact us today to get the job done right the first time – so there doesn’t have to be a second.

While there are several ways to beef up bathroom safety, our focus today is on equipping your showerhead with an anti-scald valve. That’s because when the water suddenly turns extra hot, people are inclined to quickly move away and, on a wet shower floor, that can easily result in a fall.

What causes sudden water temperature fluctuations?

When a toilet is flushed – just as one example – cold water flows into the tank and, simultaneously, lowers the water pressure in cold-water pipes. If someone is taking a shower at the same time, less cold-water pressure can cause the shower water to suddenly feel much hotter than usual, even if for just a few seconds – but long enough to cause an accident, including serious burns.

Of course, the reverse can happen, too. Let’s say a family member is taking a shower and in an instant the water turns colder while someone else turns on a hot water faucet at the same time. These situations occur more frequently in homes with clogged or narrow plumbing, plus those with low-flow and multiple showerheads.

Anti-scald valves sense and correct for the sudden loss of cold water from a showerhead. They can also be installed for use in your kitchen or bathroom sinks.

More bathroom safety tips and devices

While a great deal more can go wrong in your bathroom, Best Choice Plumbers can help prevent countless injuries with these and other safety measures:

• Anti-slip tub or shower floor mats
• Anti-slip flooring, such as rubber or non-glazed tile
• Grab bars in and around the tub or shower
• Grab bars next to the toilet
• Comfort heights toilets to shorten the distance it takes to sit on or get up from a toilet
• Bathtub benches
• Walk-in tubs
• Hand-held shower head, which reduces the amount of turning and twisting
• Child-proof locks on all lower cabinets and anywhere else medicines and household cleaners are kept

For more information on how Best Choice Plumbers can help introduce added safety into your home – your bathrooms in particular – contact us today.