While the winters in Texas tend to be mild, we still get our fair share of freezing weather. When cold weather approaches the DFW area, we need to prepare our homes. Frozen pipes are one thing to watch out for. By not taking preventative action, frozen pipes can wreck havoc on our homes, costing money and frustration. Knowing the proper winter plumbing maintenance will ensure your pipes are intact all season. Here are four tips to protect your home from Frozen pipes.

Let Your Faucet Drip

This is a pretty common one, but it is still important. Letting your kitchen and bathroom faucets drip will move water along the pipes, making it harder for frozen pipes to happen. read more

The last thing you want to deal with during the holidays is a leaking pipe or a clogged drain. Make sure the plumbing in your home is well maintained so your holiday plans don’t get interrupted by plumbing issues.

The kitchen sink drain and garbage disposal is the most susceptible to plumbing troubles during the holidays. When you are cooking meals or hosting parties, you’ll want to make sure you and your guests take extra care when tossing things down the kitchen drain. Bones, hard vegetables, cooking oil, and eating utensils are some of the top reasons that the drain becomes clogged or the disposal burns out. read more

If you have a sink or bathtub that drains slower and slower, the drain needs cleaning. Sometimes, the clog is mild enough that you can fix it without ever calling a specialist. We have a few DIY drain cleaning methods for homeowners who want to try their hand at fixing a clog before calling a plumber.

Snaking

One way of getting a clog out of a drain is with an auger (sometimes known as a snake). You can buy an inexpensive drain snake at most grocery and home improvement stores. Or, alternately, a metal hanger that you untwist can work just as well as an auger as long as you use it carefully. All you have to do is push the auger down the drain and then pull it out, along with whatever is clogging your drain. If this doesn’t take care of the problem, there is one more thing you can try. read more

You’ve probably heard the terms ‘soft water’ and ‘hard water’ but do you actually know what each means and how it affects your plumbing? Look no further — we can help you understand the difference between the two and make sure you’re doing all you can for your plumbing based on the water in your area.

Hard Water

Hard water, which is found in Fort Worth, TX, has high levels of dissolved minerals in it. While it is perfectly safe to drink and bathe in, it does come with some downsides. If you’ve noticed a white buildup on your shower head, for example, this is a sign of some of the minerals left behind from the hard water. Certain household cleaners are made for removing this residue from faucets and shower heads. The mineral residue can also affect appliances, such as dishwashers, and keep them from performing the way they’re supposed to. read more

Who doesn’t like getting the VIP treatment? Red carpet rolled out, luxurious details, and the sense that you’re kind of a big deal…it’s a treat to be spoiled a bit now and then. But you don’t have to wait for a milestone birthday or special achievement to feel like a million bucks! When you’re in need of contractors and services for home repairs, imagine making a quick call and feeling like you’re a priority to the company on the other end. You’re moved to the front of the line, your needs matter, and the issue is resolved and behind you as quickly as it came on.  read more

Plumbing emergencies don’t often happen at convenient times, but if you know what to look out for, you might be able to head off a catastrophe before it occurs. Here are four things that should convince you to call a plumber ASAP:

Discolored or Smelly Water

If your tap water has developed discoloration or an odd odor, it could be a sign of backflow problems. Backflow happens when a drinkable water supply gets polluted by water from the sewer or another tainted source. If you notice this, don’t put off your call for professional help. read more

Professional plumbers act like professionals. That’s why they are trusted by so many people who need the necessary service they provide. Sometimes, though, a plumber will come along who just wants to make an easy dollar, no matter what. Here are three cautionary tales of plumbers who will probably never get paid to snake a drain, ever again.

The Scheme That Didn’t Pay

Most scammers target their customers, but Joshua Veach decided to go straight to the source for his alleged theft: his own employer! It seems foolish to try and steal from the very person who pays your salary, but maybe Veach had a plan to make some fast cash. Whatever the case, he is accused of stealing $6,000 of tools and equipment. However, his bail is set at $25,000. That doesn’t sound like a winning plan, does it? read more

The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced National Fix-a-Leak Week from March 14th through the 18th. What does this mean for you? It means it’s a great time to have your plumbing checked, and fix any leaks you’ve noticed. Even minor leaks waste an astonishing amount of water, which isn’t good for the environment — or your wallet!

Help Spread the Word

Minor plumbing leaks in the US waste 1 trillion gallons of water every year. This is a huge problem, since the world’s population keeps quickly growing, and we have drinking access to only 1% of the water on Earth. Luckily, the EPA has made it easy to spread the word with the widgets and videos located on their web site. read more

Most homes have a garbage disposal installed in their kitchen. These machines help homeowners grind up food waste and debris so that it can be effectively removed by your home’s plumbing systems and drains. While most people know how to use their disposal, you may not be as familiar with how to keep your disposal clean. Luckily, Lasiter Plumbing has provided these disposal cleaning tips to help you maintain your disposal.

Clean the Disposal Guard

Turn off your disposal before attempting to clean the rubber guard. The purpose of the guard is to block food debris from coming back out of the disposal during grinding as well as protect you from accidentally cutting up your hand. The backside of the guard can become dirty with debris that should be cleaned regularly to prevent an unpleasant odor from developing. Wipe down the guard with a paper towel to remove any build-ups. read more