Jacksonville Plumbing - Everything But the Kitchen Sink

by Billy Aldridge

A kitchen is a priority in any home.  I mean when you think about how much time most people spend in the kitchen, it only goes to show that this is one part of the home that matters.  It is also one of the areas that gets the most daily use.  When showing someone your home, the kitchen is one of the places that you are sure to take them.  You go to the kitchen to offer guests hospitality.  To grab a sandwich and a beer.  You also take them there to show off the kitchen.  Face it, most people take pride in their kitchen.  For this reason, you should take care to insure that your kitchen plumbing is up to par.  Extravagant kitchens don't show well with substandard plumbing.

That goes double if you are looking to redo the kitchen.  Sure, you want to spend money on such amenities as terracotta tile and that granite counter top you've had your eye on, not to mention all the new appliances that go along with renovating the kitchen.  But as a homeowner you should also budget an amount to get the kitchen plumbing squared away as well.  The old adage still prevails: If you don't spend a little more in the beginning, you will spend a lot more in the end.  Money spent to update kitchen plumbing and hire a professional installer is money well spent. The last thing you want to do after the renovation is done is tear up a floor or wall to correct a leaky pipe.

Maintaining your kitchen plumbing also goes a long way toward saving money.  Little things like cleaning your faucet and fixtures regularly can add years of extra life.  Don't leave water at the base to dry on its own.  Use the disposal sparingly.  Let the water run during and after each use.  Also make sure you let the disposal run long enough to grind through all the food in the unit.  Food not completely flushed out of the disposal creates bacteria that can cause foul odors.  It can also corrode the unit from the inside out.  This could lead to the unexpected surprise of having water cascade onto your feet from inside the cabinet when you turn on the tap.  A little extra attention to detail can and will increase the life of your plumbing substantially.

Don't let one of the most used and cherished areas of your home become one of the most expensive to maintain.  Always insist on high quality plumbing products and professional installation to get the most out of your kitchen.  A little planning combined with good habits will insure that you are able to enjoy your kitchen for many years to come.

Billy Aldridge is part of the family-owned and operated Aldridge and Sons Plumbing.  If you are thinking about renovating your kitchen, go to http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com


 

Kitchen Remodeling Jacksonville - 4 Tips That Can Save You Time and Money

by Billy Aldridge

When it comes to form and function, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. Having a kitchen where you feel comfortable, that is functional and that you can take pride in– these are all important aspects of home ownership. If you are considering kitchen remodeling in Jacksonville, you will appreciate the following helpful tips.

 1.       Have a plan

 Before you start, take the time to sketch your ideas on paper.   This vital first will help you envision how you want the kitchen to look, as well as identify any challenges and obstacles that may be in your way. It can also save you both time and money once construction has begun.  You might even come up with some new ideas in the process, and scrap some that may not have worked out so well.

 2.       Stay within the design and layout

 One of the costliest mistakes you can make in remodeling the kitchen is trying to do too much. Feel free to make changes – that’s the point, after all – but try to keep major fixtures in place as much as possible. Plumbing can be changed and re-routed and such, but it’s only really worth it if it provides some sort of significant upgrade in productivity or efficiency. Moving the dishwasher across the room just because it might look nicer isn’t really an efficient use of time and money.

 

 3.       Make functionality a priority

 Coinciding with tip #2, take the opportunity to make your kitchen as functional as possible. Does it make sense to have a small sink next to your island range? Can one be installed fairly easily? Then go ahead!  If it makes your kitchen more functional and efficient, then it’s worth the cost.

 4.       Stick to your budget

 Finally, and perhaps most importantly, stay within your budget.  Sketch out a budget during the planning phase (see tip #1), and bring those numbers up when consulting with your Jacksonville plumbing contractor. You may have to make some sacrifices in your dream design to make the numbers work, but it makes sense to keep everything affordable.

 A kitchen plumbing remodeling project is a great opportunity to make your kitchen truly yours and create a space that will provide you everything you need for years to come. By making a plan, considering each aspect of the remodel to maximize productivity while minimizing cost, and sticking to your budget, you can have the kitchen you have dreamed of without stressing over it.

If you are considering remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, call the remodeling experts at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing at (904) 287-3855.  Or go to http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com for all your plumbing and remodeling needs.