plumbing repairs

When you think of a plumber, you probably think of water, faucets, drains, toilets, showers, garbage disposals, pipe leaks and water heaters. But do you ever think of puppies? Probably not. In Corpus Christi, Texas some city works and employees from Royal Plumbing worked together to save a family of stray dogs living in a sewer pipe. The video shows the rescue live as it happened last week.

Bonfe’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Service, Inc. hasn’t saved any puppies lately, but we can certainly help you with any type of mechanical repair in your home. Bonfe’s provides plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical and appliance repair.

Bonfe’s offers regular service from 7 am – 10 pm 7 days a week and also offers emergency service after 10. For service, schedule online or call 651/612-332-6633.

ONE COMPANY. ONE CALL. BONFE.

Your faucet is dripping. It could very well just be the washer. But it might be something more than that. If you feel comfortable replacing a washer, go ahead and make the repair. Hopefully, that quick fix will be the solution you were looking for. Unfortunately, sometimes those seemingly easy repairs can turn out to be a major hassle. The video here shows just how that can happen. We didn’t make the video here at Bonfe’s but I wish we did.

Bonfe’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Services, Inc.installs one type of toilet and one type of toilet only – the TOTO. We believe so strongly in this toilet, its construction and its capabilities that we offer a lifetime warranty on all parts, labor and also guarantee that it will not clog.

Not only has this toilet manufacturer demonstrated great design and functionality over the years, but now Toto is going out of its way to be green as well. Toto has teamed up with UPS to ship its small package shipments via a carbon neutral method. The process is great for Toto, UPS and the environment. To learn more about this process, click here.

Bonfe’s serves the entire Twin Cities Metro Area. We offer plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical and appliance repair services. We offer regular rates from 7 am to 10 pm 7 days a week and also offer emergency service after 10 pm.

There are a number of events that signal the end of a garbage disposal. Here’s one of the more common: it rusts out on the bottom, and water starts spewing underneath your sink and onto the kitchen floor every time you turn it on.

Garbage disposals are designed to last about 10 years. Below is some information that will help you extend the life of your current disposal!

Can rust be avoided in the first place? Absolutely, and simply by running the disposal every time you put food in it. Otherwise, the acid and oils from standing food will eventually eat through the seals. Also, when you run the disposal, always use cold water. Hot water dissolves fats and grease, but then it deposits them in your drainpipes where it accumulates before causing a clog.

Here are some additional tips for maintaining your disposal:

• Run cold water for 30 seconds or more after turning the disposal off to thoroughly wash ground-up food down the drain.

• You can grind almost any food waste, but don't try to grind really fibrous foods like onion skins, celery stalks or asparagus. On the other hand, ice and eggshells can actually help clean the disposal.

• If the disposal won’t run, check the circuit breaker or fuse and replace or reset as necessary. Also check to see if the overload switch has tripped. Find the reset button at the bottom of the disposal unit and push it.

• If the motor hums but the disposal doesn't run, you may have a jammed impeller, and that’s a repairable problem.

• If the disposal runs intermittently, the switch or stopper may be defective…if so, you’ll need to replace it.

• A leaky garbage disposal isn’t necessarily a sign of rust. The cause might be as simple as a loose connection, which can readily be tightened.

• How about that all-too-familiar racket a disposal can sometimes make? When you hear it, chances are you’re trying to grind up something your disposal wishes you wouldn’t. The result could be a damaged blade, impeller or motor. But don’t be too quick to repair, since it’s highly likely that it would cost less to replace.

For help with a disposal repair or replacement, call Bonfe’s. We offer regular service from 7 AM to 10 PM 7days a week. We service the entire Twin Cities Metro Area so we’re always close by!

Leaky plumbing fixtures and pipes can be much more than a nuisance…if not dealt with swiftly and thoroughly, you could be facing major water-related damage.

Leaky faucets and shower heads? Piece of cake, right? After all, you can see them, hear them and, very often, fix them yourself…before the constant dripping drives you crazy, that is.

But what about those leaks that aren’t so easy to spot? Water leaks can happen anywhere in your home. Here are some of the more common occurrences, and the probable cause behind each.

• Refrigerator – If you have a built-in icemaker, you have a built-in potential water damage source on your hands! In fact, the wet spots you see on the floor might indicate a crimped icemaker line, and if it’s crimped, it’s just waiting to burst. Also, anytime you move your refrigerator to clean behind it or for any reason at all, check for water. If you find any, remember this: the smaller the water accumulation, the more damaging the problem can be. Slow, steady leaks can eventually rot your wood floor, while big, messy leaks are easier to detect and solve before serious damage ensues.

• Toilets – Ever seen those hanging bowl deodorants? Well, don’t buy them. They’re prone to slipping and lodging deep in your plumbing system, and can block the line outright or give grease and other debris something to cling to. Also, certain chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode internal components, and before you know it, you’ve got a major hard-to-get-at leak. With toilets, here’s another truism: the water you don’t see is the water that can hurt you. Small leaks can head straight to your sub-flooring and, over time, rot the wood. If you see a grayish stain in the vinyl flooring around your toilet that won’t come out, give us a call, because it probably means you have a below-the-surface leak.

• Water Heater – The telltale sign? Once again, wet spots on the floor. Probable cause? Internal rust or overfull drain pan. Fact is, most water heaters are designed to last a maximum of 15 years. So check yours often, and make sure there’s a floor drain beneath it in case you do experience a leak.

One final bit of advice. Every now and then, turn off all faucets and water-using appliances in your home, and don’t flush your toilets for at least one hour. Next, record the water meter reading. If the flow indicator (rotating button) is spinning or the meter reading changes while no water is being used, there’s an excellent chance a water leak is lurking somewhere within your home.

Ultimately, the best way to fix a leak is to find it before damage strikes! And the best way to accomplish that is with a house-wide plumbing inspection with Bonfe’s. Contact us at 651-332-6633 or schedule service online at www.bonfe.com. We offer regular rates from 7 AM – 10 PM 7 days a week and emergency service 24 hours a day 365 days a year.