Plumber near me, emergency, plumbing company, North Shore, IL

Shower vs Bath: Which Uses More Water? For people trying to cut household water use—and lower energy costs tied to hot water—the shower-versus-bath question is a common one. The practical answer: in many everyday scenarios, showers can be more water-efficient, but long, high-flow showers can quickly erase the advantage.   Water consumption is mainly driven by volume (how much water flows into your drain or sits in the tub) and time (how long water runs). That means comparisons hinge on your faucet and showerhead settings, tub size, and how you use hot water during the process.   Typical water use: showers   A standard showerhead often uses roughly 2 to 2.5 gallons per minute , though modern “low-flow” models may be lower and some high-pressure setups can be higher. For example, a 5-minute shower could range around 10 to 12.5 gallons , while a 10-minute shower co ... Read more »

  Why Your Home Feels Cold at 70°F on the Thermostat A thermostat reading of 70°F doesn’t always mean every room feels 70°F. Comfort depends on how heat moves through your house, where the thermostat is located, and how quickly rooms lose warmth. When your home feels cold while the HVAC system appears to be maintaining the setpoint, the problem is typically one of these factors: uneven temperatures, airflow issues, heat loss, or thermostat miscalibration.   1) The thermostat may be measuring the “wrong” spot   Many thermostats sit in areas that don’t represent the average temperature of the home—such as near a hallway door, in direct sunlight, by a window, above a vent, or on an exterior wall. In those cases, the thermostat can reach 70°F while the rooms you occupy are still cooler. If you notice the coldest areas are consistent (for example, bedrooms or rooms on one side of the house), this can point to placement and zoning issues ... Read more »

  Do Shower Filters Actually Soften Hard Water? Hard water—water with high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium—is common in many homes. It can leave soap scum on shower walls, make hair feel less clean, and contribute to scale buildup in plumbing and fixtures. Because of that, many consumers wonder whether a shower filter can actually soften hard water, or if it only masks the symptoms.   What “softening” really means   True water softening is a process that reduces calcium and magnesium in the water. The most effective method is ion exchange, which replaces those minerals with sodium (or potassium). This is what home water softeners typically do, and it’s why they can prevent limescale both in appliances and on surfaces over time.   Many shower filters are designed differently. Instead of replacing minerals throughout your plumbing system, they primarily target specific contaminants or byproducts at the shower head. ... Read more »

  Why a Toilet Gurgles When the Shower Is Running If your toilet gurgles every time someone turns on the shower, it typically means the plumbing system is struggling to move wastewater and sewer gases efficiently. In many cases, this points to an issue with water flow, a clogged pipe, or the home’s venting.   Under normal conditions, wastewater from sinks, tubs, toilets, and showers flows downhill into your main drain. Vents—often running through the roof—allow air to enter the plumbing so water can drain smoothly. When air can’t move correctly, drains may “pull” air from another fixture, creating gurgling sounds.   Most common causes   1) Partial blockage in a drain line A slow or partially clogged pipe can restrict flow from the shower area toward the main drain. As water pushes through a bottleneck, it can force air and water back up the toilet drain line, causing gurgling.   2) Venting problems ... Read more »

  Why Shower Water Temperature Changes When Toilets Flush It’s a common (and surprisingly noticeable) home plumbing issue: you’re in the shower, then the toilet flushes—and the shower suddenly runs hotter or colder. In most cases, this isn’t a mysterious malfunction; it’s a fast change in water pressure and flow that affects how your hot and cold water are delivered.   The core cause is pressure change . When a toilet flushes, it pulls a surge of water through the household plumbing. That sudden demand can momentarily lower water pressure on either the hot side, the cold side, or both—especially if multiple fixtures share the same supply lines or if there isn’t much “buffer” space in the plumbing system.   How the shower temperature gets affected   Most showers rely on one of two setups: a mixing valve that blends hot and cold, or a pressure-balancing/thermostatic control. When the flush changes pressure, ... Read more »

Are Flushable Wipes Really Safe to Flush? “Flushable wipes” are marketed as convenient alternatives to toilet paper, often with promises that they can be safely sent down the drain. But the reality for many wastewater systems is more complicated. Regulators, utilities, and plumbing professionals increasingly say that wipes—despite packaging claims—can survive long enough to create major problems. The issue isn’t only whether wipes ultimately degrade. It’s how they behave in the time between flushing and treatment, when they can tangle, mat, and build up on screens and in pipes. Even partial breakdown can still be enough to clog equipment and increase maintenance burdens across collection networks.   Why “flushable” wipes can still cause trouble   Most sewer systems are not designed to handle fibrous plastics, adhesives, and strong nonwoven materials commonly found in many wet wipe products. In practice, wipes may tear into ... Read more »

  Do Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Save Money? Homeowners often wonder whether simply closing air vents in unused rooms is a smart way to cut heating and cooling bills. The short answer is that it can reduce energy use in some homes, but it’s not a universal money-saver—and doing it incorrectly may cause comfort problems or strain on the system.   What matters most is how your heating and air-conditioning system distributes air, and whether it’s designed to handle rooms being starved of airflow.   When closing vents may save energy   In many conventional forced-air systems, air is moved based on thermostat calls for heating or cooling. If closing a vent significantly reduces the amount of heated/cooled air that needs to be delivered to a space—and that space would otherwise pull down overall efficiency—then energy consumption may drop slightly.   For example, if an unused room is consistently colder than ... Read more »

  Can You Use Hot Tap Water for Cooking? In many homes, the easiest way to start cooking—boiling water for pasta, warming tea, or rinsing produce—is to turn on the hot tap. But is that actually safe? In most situations, hot tap water is acceptable for cooking. However, a few plumbing and water-system factors can make cold water a safer default for drinking.   Hot water safety is largely determined by what happens inside your home between the water main and the faucet. Unlike drinking water, cooking typically involves heating the water to high temperatures, which can reduce the risk from many microbial contaminants. Still, heating does not remove certain chemical contaminants, so the type of issue matters.   Lead and pipe materials matter most   If your home has older plumbing—such as lead service lines, lead solder, or lead-containing components—water can pick up metals as it sits in pipes. Using hot water immediately after it has be ... Read more »

  Does Baking Soda and Vinegar Really Unclog Drains? Baking soda and vinegar have long been marketed as a quick DIY fix for clogged drains. The mixture produces lots of bubbles, which can look like it’s “working,” but the science behind what happens—and what doesn’t—makes the results far less dependable than many people expect.   What the mixture actually does   When baking soda (a base) meets vinegar (an acid), they react to release carbon dioxide gas. That reaction creates the familiar foaming and bubbling effect. The fizz can help dislodge some minor buildup near the drain opening and may lift small amounts of grease that are not fully hardened.   However, the reaction is mostly happening in the presence of water and within a limited area. The gas bubbles alone generally don’t generate enough pressure to break through stubborn clogs deep in plumbing.   Why it often fails for real clogs   ... Read more »

  Why Pink “Slime” Appears in Showers and Toilets Seeing pink “slime” in a bathroom is common—and while it can look like mold, it’s usually not. The pink film on shower walls, grout, and toilet surfaces is typically linked to bacteria such as Serratia marcescens (and sometimes related organisms). These microbes can produce a pink to reddish pigment and form slimy biofilms, especially in persistently wet areas.   Why it happens Bathrooms provide ideal conditions: moisture, warmth, and organic residue from soap scum, skin cells, and minerals in hard water. If surfaces stay damp long enough, the bacteria can attach and multiply, creating a thin film that may smear when wiped.   The “slime” is often most noticeable where water sits or repeatedly splashes—around the shower drain, along tile seams, beneath toilet rims, and near caulk lines. Leaks, poor ventilation, and infrequent deep cleaning can all increase the chances ... Read more »

  Commercial vs. Residential Water Heaters: Key Differences Choosing a water heater is less about picking “the biggest tank” and more about matching the system to how hot water is actually used. Commercial buildings and residential homes often face very different hot-water demands, uptime expectations, and installation constraints—differences that can drive the type, size, and maintenance plan of the equipment.   At a high level, residential systems are designed around predictable daily household use. Commercial systems, by contrast, must typically handle higher usage rates, more simultaneous draws, and stricter performance targets. These factors affect everything from recovery capacity to energy efficiency and serviceability.   1) Hot-water demand: fewer spikes vs. higher throughput   Residential hot-water needs usually come in cycles—morning showers, evening dishwashing, and laundry—generally spread across a smaller number of f ... Read more »

  Plumber near me What Affects the Cost of a Water Heater Installation? The cost of installing a new water heater isn’t determined by the appliance alone. Home size, current plumbing and electrical conditions, the type of heater you choose, and local permitting and labor rates all influence the final price.   Understanding the main cost drivers can help you plan a more accurate budget and ask the right questions before work begins.   1) Type of water heater and fuel source   Different systems carry different equipment costs and installation requirements. Conventional tank water heaters are often cheaper upfront, while tankless, heat pump, and hybrid models may cost more but can reduce operating expenses over time.   Fuel source matters too: electric typically involves different wiring work than gas systems, and gas installations may require venting and additional safety considerations.   2) Labor complexity based on what you already have ... Read more »

  Smart Water Shut-Off Valves: How Much Damage They Can Prevent Smart water shut-off valves are designed to stop water damage in its earliest moments—before a slow drip becomes a flooded room. By pairing a valve that can remotely close the main line with leak sensors (and sometimes temperature or flow sensors), these systems aim to limit damage, protect property, and reduce cleanup costs.   However, “how much damage they prevent” isn’t a single number. The outcome depends on how quickly the system detects an issue, how much water remains in the pipes and fixtures, and whether the valve can close in time for the specific failure.   What smart shut-off valves can do   In many common scenarios—such as a sink supply line leak, a toilet running issue, or a slow drip under a cabinet—shut-off systems can prevent a large portion of water exposure by stopping flow early. If a sensor detects moisture (or detects abnormal flow) and the valve closes prompt ... Read more »

  Is a Smart Toilet Worth the Investment? A Reality Check Smart toilets have moved from novelty to mainstream retail, offering features like heated seats, bidet controls, built-in deodorization, automatic lids, and even app-connected settings. But with prices often far higher than standard toilets, the decision isn’t just about whether the technology works—it’s about whether it’s worth living with and paying for.   What you typically get for the extra cost   Most smart toilet models add comfort and convenience through a combination of sensors, warmed components, and automated functions. Common features include adjustable water temperature and pressure, multiple wash modes, self-cleaning nozzles, air freshening, and automatic lid opening or flushing. Premium models may also add UV sterilization, motion-activated hygiene cycles, and smartphone or remote control access.   For many buyers, the appeal is practical rather than futuristic: heated seating in ... Read more »

  Smart Leak Detectors Compared: Which One to Buy? Water leaks don’t usually start as a disaster—they start as a small problem that goes unnoticed. That’s why smart leak detectors have become a popular home upgrade: they place a sensor near vulnerable spots (under sinks, behind toilets, near water heaters) and send an alert to your phone when moisture is detected.   But “smart” can mean different things. Some detectors rely on a separate hub, others work directly with Wi‑Fi, and many differ in how they handle alerts when internet goes down. Below is a comparison framework to help you choose the right leak detector for your home—and avoid paying for features you won’t use.   1) Connectivity: Wi‑Fi, Z‑Wave, Zigbee, or standalone   Your detector’s connectivity affects reliability and setup complexity. Wi‑Fi models are often easier to install, but they can be more dependent on your home network. Zigbee and Z‑Wave sensors ty ... Read more »

  Do You Need Backup Beyond a Sump Pump? Flood Control Guide Basement flooding is often treated as a problem solved by a sump pump—but real-world conditions can overwhelm even well-installed systems. Heavy rainfall, clogged intakes, failed check valves, or a simple power interruption can turn a single point of failure into a costly event.   That’s why many homeowners are rethinking sump-pump-only protection and looking for layered flood control. The goal is not just to pump water, but to keep water moving out of the basement when conditions degrade.   Why backup matters when storms hit   Sump pumps depend on electricity and mechanical components. During severe weather, demand on the system can rise at the same time power reliability can drop. A backup plan is designed to bridge those gaps—especially when groundwater levels surge faster than the pump can keep up.   Common failure points include power outages, a dead battery on an existing ... Read more »

  Gas Leak Warning Signs Every Homeowner Should Know Homeowners don’t always get a clear alert before a gas leak becomes an emergency. While many gas lines are fitted with safety features, leaks can still happen due to aging equipment, loose connections, construction damage, or improper installation—making early recognition essential.   Natural gas is typically odorized with a smell similar to rotten eggs (often called an “odorant” like mercaptan) so people can detect it. However, the strength of that odor can vary, and some people may be less sensitive to it over time. Treat any persistent gas smell as a potential leak.   Common warning signs of a gas leak   Several indicators can point to a leak, especially when they occur together. Pay attention to:   A strong, persistent rotten-egg or sulfur-like odor near gas appliances, meters, or utility rooms Hissing, whistling, or roaring sounds coming from pipes, v ... Read more »

  Copper vs. PEX vs. PVC: Choosing the Right Pipe Material Pipe selection is one of those home-improvement decisions that influences everything from repair frequency to upfront installation costs. Copper, PEX (cross-linked polyethylene), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are among the most common materials used for water and drainage systems, but they are not interchangeable. The “right” choice depends on whether you’re routing water supply lines, handling hot versus cold flow, or building drainage and venting.   Copper: durable, proven, and often code-favored   Copper has long been a standard for potable water supply lines. It resists corrosion when installed correctly and provides reliable performance across a wide temperature range. Many jurisdictions favor copper for water service because it’s widely understood, and its behavior over decades is well documented.   However, copper is typically more expensive than plastic options, and installation can be ... Read more »