Hi, I’m Xavier and I have been working in home improvement and repairs for 20+ years. I have experience in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, & handyman task. I love sharing my skills & ideas when needed. I love the reactions of happy clients.
"Gary from The Pipe Doctor was amazing. As soon as he walked in the front door and I told him the bath shower faucet was leaking he said the cartridge in the shower handle needed to be cleaned. He knew exactly what the problem was and was very patient with me while I asked about other possibilities I had found on Google (which obviously makes me an expert). He just knew without a doubt what the problem was. He said if he could just clean the cartridge the price would be about half the cost of replacing the cartridge with a new one. I agreed to both options in case the new cartridge had somehow become damaged. Once in the bathroom, he was surprised that the faucet handle was brand new, it had just been installed within the last month. The plumber who installed the shower handle was not able to find the cause of the leak, I had called him when water leaked through the ceiling below after a shower. He just caulked around the chrome plate. Gary found the newly installed cartridge was clogged with pieces of pipe liner used by Fairfax Water. He pulled pieces out of the cartridge and then asked me to turn on the main water line for about 1 second to flush the line, I did this four times. After each of the first 3 flushes, he pulled liner out of the pipe. It ran clear after the fourth flush. The pieces measure from 1/2 inch to 2.5 inches long. He did not need to replace the cartridge as it had not been damaged. He suggested I contact Fairfax Water, ask if they had installed pipe liner recently in my neighborhood, and ask if they planned to flush the lines. He also suggested I ask Fairfax Water to reimburse me for the repair, which did but I would be very surprised if they agree to that. Gary said liner could still end up clogging other plumbing in my house, and this could be a problem for me and my neighbors for months, you just never know when the liner pieces will make their way through the pipes. Gary is a very upbeat, friendly, positive person. He explained to me every step of the way what he was doing, why, and what he found, as well as the cause. He said the problem was not due to something the last plumber did. I did send that plumber an email just so he would know what to look for if another customer called with a leaking faucet. I had called The Pipe Doctor several times before and once after Gary's visit. I am so forgetful, wish I remembered her name, because she was always friendly, courteous, and answered all my questions. I would like to thank her for all her help and patience. The Pipe Doctor is now my plumber, they are experts. Below is a link to a Fairfax County article on the installation of pipe liners throughout the county. [*** Link removed ***]"
"The proprietor said he could not do the water heater flush because my water heater has a plastic valve. He installed the garbage disposal and faucet in the kitchen. During the installation, he said I needed to have two valves replaced at $100 each. This is the part where I am unsure if the price was a bit steep since I haven't had much plumbing work done. The proprietor did give me a reduced rate for the faucet install. I gave a lower score for punctuality because the scheduler gave me a 9-1 window and the service provider had it on his schedule for 1045-245, so I effectively waited from 9-3. However, he was very efficient and professional and he even looked at my recliner that my daughter and I were trying to fix while he was there. I would recommend him without reserve if I could find out if the valve replacements were priced well."
"Another great experience hiring MY PLUMBING HEROES. Owner, Jonathan Nation responded quickly to our afterhours call on a Friday evening. He certainly is my hero! He opened up the blocked sewage line and installed a new toilet. The bill was pleasantly surprising. It was very, very reasonable; especially for an emergency. Highly recommend MY Plumbing Heroes."
"I was looking for a small bathroom vanity countertop in a specific Silestone color. (A small remnant is NOT easy to find)! I called and spoke with Nicholas. He was extremely courteous. He did not have what I wanted but was willing to make some calls and said he would contact me the following week when he returned from vacation. He did call back (which was pretty awesome in itself) and had located what I wanted. I considered his pricing to be very fair. Because of circumstances, I did not end up using him. However, I was impressed with his courtesy, professionalism,and pricing. In future remodeling projects, I would definitely call Stone Depot first. "
"Bill and his team did an excellent job in handling the remediation for water that got into my home. Would highly recommend them given their promptness and general assistance in getting this situation under control."
"Tou did a great job with work if installment. BUT, I have not been informed that I need additional pieces needed to be installed for RELAC and they did next inspection and gave me pass certification.... is it reliable? This year RELAC people from Reston association came to tux the air condition issue that I had and they informed me that if I don’t have those pieces in the system, my house will get damaged and not good for my air quality. I contact Clover and they were not responsive and the response that they have given later was so unprofessional. I was happy with their service but finding this issue with my HVAC installation and their response made me decide not to work with them again. I thought that they were recommended with my Condo because they knew how RELAC work and the structure or how inspection passes. Obviously they don’t ... Thanks"
Lumbee Solutions, LLC is your Roofing Replacement Specialist! Owner operated, Lumbee Solutions provides you with reliable roofing services and professionally warrantied work with over 30 years of experience in all types of roof systems. You’ve got endless choices when in it comes to roofers, so make sure you hire the right team. You can rest easy knowing that we do exceptional work that is timely and affordable. You’ll never feel pressured to get more done than needed. It’s important that you know what you need and just as important to know how it will get done. You’ll get a complete estimate that includes a couple options and explanations that are plainly written.
Install Garbage Disposal questions, answered by experts
Garbage disposals can be considered bad for the environment due to their electricity usage, but good for the environment because they reduce the food waste sent to landfills. If everyone used a garbage disposal, it would tax the wastewater treatment facilities in that region, but if we had to choose one of the options, we’d say they are a net positive on the environment when used correctly.
Soil is just one of the items you shouldn't put down a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are only meant for soft, non-fibrous foods. Large amounts of topsoil, dirt, or rocks will damage the blades of your garbage disposal or clog the pipes. If a small amount of dirt goes down the drain as you repot a plant, you shouldn't have to worry, but never dump a whole pot of soil in the sink for fast disposal.
Whether it's worth repairing your garbage disposal depends on its age and the specific problem. Generally, if the unit is eight years old or younger, repair is a good option. For minor issues like a bad seal or a simple jam, a repair can be inexpensive, sometimes under $10. However, if the motor is broken (a repair that can cost $150 or more) or the unit is getting old, it's often more cost-effective to replace the entire disposal.
In some cases, it’s more cost-effective in the long run to replace a garbage disposal, but it depends on the specific issue you’re having and the age of your disposal. You should ask a garbage disposal repair tech for a quote to repair your appliance and then see if it would be more worthwhile to replace it. Additionally, garbage disposals last for around 15 years, so if you know your appliance is reaching that age, it’s likely better to pay for a new garbage disposal rather than sink money into repairs.
Garbage disposals are durable appliances that usually last at least eight years as long as you clean and maintain them. It’s relatively rare for a garbage disposal to break on its own, as most malfunctions happen due to user errors, like overstuffing the grinding compartment or damaging the blades by trying to dispose of metal or bone. Eventually, cracks or leaks could develop in the unit, which requires a full replacement.
The Catharpin, VA homeowners’ guide to garbage disposal installation services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Sometimes the smallest home luxuries make the biggest difference. Installing a new garbage disposal is a relatively low-cost project with the option to DIY. Upgrade your kitchen by checking out the common costs associated with garbage disposal installation
Garbage disposal repair costs depend on the specific issue, but you can save money if you DIY. Read on to learn which problems you can fix yourself and which require a professional.
Garbage disposals last five to 10 years, and replacement is preferred over repairs. Here’s everything you need to know about replacing your garbage disposal.