Why Test Your Water?

Depend on a private water supply for your drinking water?  The experts at Carter's My Plumber explain why it's important to test your water.

How do we know if our water supply is safe?

Many individuals live in an area where they depend on a private well supply for drinking water, whether it be in a small community, on the outskirts of a city or in a rural area.  We automatically assume the water is safe to drink. How would we know though?  More often than not, no one is testing your water.  Many times there aren't regulations in regards to the quality of private water supplies, like a well.  Testing is the only way to know your water supply is safe.

How do we know when to test our water?  

The answer is simple:  all the time.  We just don't know when our water quality might change.  Remember these events as red flags to test your water:

• Change in your water's color, taste, or odor
• A growing family
• Moving into a new home
• Unexplained gastro-intestinal illness in anyone drinking your tap water
• If someone in your family has or develops a weak immune system from an illness or medical treatment

For private well owners it is recommended to test at least once a year for bacteria and nitrates.

Clear water doesn't always mean safe water!

Many water contaminants are invisible and tasteless so the only way to ensure your water supply is safe is to test it. Bacterial water quality can change over time and can be impacted by extreme weather events, land-use changes, or a nearby failing septic system.  Getting your water tested will help determine the problem and help make the best water treatment choice easier.

Call Carter's My Plumber for a Licensed Plumber to provide a comprehensive annual inspection of your well.  This will include testing your well water for drinking
conditions and safety. We will provide you with a concise, clear, written report.  

-Carter's My Plumber

Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned plumbing contractor located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas.  Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system.  With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need.

QUICK CLEANING TIPS FOR SPRING

Spring is here! Which means its time for spring cleaning and getting the house out of that winter funk. Our quarterly newsletter came out for Spring and had some very helpful tips for preparing your home. Read on for what you may have missed!!

Unwanted Houseguests

Mice may look cute and cuddly but did you know that they along with rats and squirrels account for 80% of all animal break-ins!? They eat your food, can diminish your property value and can wreak havoc on your home systems. 

What are some steps you can take to stop them?

• Identify points of entry and seal them. Garages, basements, drain pipes, gaps around utility lines – all of these represent areas of vulnerability for your home.
• Eliminate water and food sources around your home. Store all food in airtight containers.
• Contact a pest control professional immediately if you suspect an animal infiltration. Rodents can carry viruses and even rabies.
• Eliminate all moisture sites including leaking pipes and clogged drains that provide the perfect breeding site for pests.

Bathroom Cleanup

Cleaning the bathroom ranks at the top of “least favorite chore” lists, but you can make this unpleasant chore go quickly with efficient practices.

• Prepare for action – Get your cleaning materials ready before you begin.
• Clean counter tops, sinks and mirrors – Use an antibacterial cleaner or disinfectant to wipe your sink, countertops and mirror. 
• Clean the toilet – Wipe off the toilet with a cloth and disinfectant. Include the handle and any crevices. Then scrub the bowl with a toilet brush and cleaner.
• Clean the showers and bathtubs – Use cleaners that are appropriate for the materials and your type of water on shower walls, shower head and the tub. 

 Mop the floor, and you’re done.

For more tips on everything from ways to stay organized to prepping your house for bug season visit our website Carters Tips :)

Gratefully Yours,

Carter's My Plumber

Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned plumbing contractor located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas.  Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system.  With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need.

SPRING UPGRADES!

Shower or Tub Replacements

Shower units and bathroom fixtures that are outdated are unpleasant for you and your family and can be an eyesore to your homes overall appearance and feel. Let us customize a tub or shower replacement solution that fits within your budget and is tailored to the feel of your home.

Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family owned Company that has been replacing tubs and shower throughout Indianapolis and Greenwood for over 37 years.

Get a FREE in Home Estimate

Get a No Obligation Estimate prepared at your home by one of our Expert Shower Solution Designers. We pride ourselves in fair, straight forward pricing with no surprises and no pressure.

Why Do People Recommend Us?!

• FREE, NO OBLIGATION ESTIMATE! We know you want a great deal, and we’re happy to prove we’ll give you one. Whether it be a shower unit replacement or a tub replacement, we always offer accurate and no hassle estimates that include every aspect of your project…so there are never any surprises.
• UNIQUE CUSTOMIZED TUB OR SHOWER SOLUTIONS! Your home is unique and all your own and your bathroom shower shouldn’t be any different.  Whether recommending an affordable replacement or a 100% customized design solution, our experts are ready to give you a perfect solution based on your needs.
• EXPERT TUB OR SHOWER INSTALLATION! How your shower unit and fixtures are installed is equally important to which unit solution you choose.  Our licensed plumbers make sure every single water line, drain and shower accessory is expertly installed to provide years and years of enjoyment with your new shower unit

Your 100% Happiness Guarantee

Still Have Questions? Call Us Now To Discuss your Tub or Shower Replacement Project

(317) 859-9999

Gratefully Yours,
Carter's My Plumber




Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned plumbing contractor located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas.  Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system.  With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need.

The Future of Plumbing

There Will Be A Shortage Of Plumbers

There are 350 million people in the U.S. and Canada combined and only 1.3 million people that work in the HVACR industry. Thats roughly 1 Plumbing-Heating-Cooling person for every 269 people.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics by the year 2018, its estimated that there will be a need for 86,000 new workers in the field. Ten years from now 95 percent of the Baby Boomer generation will have retired, but for every 4 workers that leave, only 1 is entering the field.

4:1

For every 4 skilled workers that

leave the construction industry,

only 1 is entering the field

It's our job, now more than ever, to help encourage young people to enter the work force. The PHCC and PHCC Educational Foundation have put together a task force specifically designed to attract and train the next generation of workers. There are many helpful tools approved by the U.S. Dept of Labor including apprentice programs, eLearning options, instructor resources, career videos and scholarships. Each state addresses the issue in their own way, for more information on how you can help please visit phccweb.org. 

Gratefully Yours,
Carter's My Plumber



Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned plumbing contractor located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas.  Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system.  With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need.

World Plumbing Day

WORLD PLUMBING DAY

Jamie & Kelson Carter, Licensed Plumbers, Members of World Plumbing Council

World plumbing day was started in 2010 in hopes of educating the general public about the importance of the work plumbers do. It’s an international event that is celebrated on March 11, of every year. Many people take plumbing for granted and don’t realize exactly how much plumbers help the health of our nation.

DID YOU KNOW!?...

According to the World HealthOrganization (WHO)

• 1 billion people do not have access to safe water supplies
• 6 billion people do not have access to improved sanitation
• 1 million children die each year from water related diseases

We want to educate our clients as to why plumbing should matter. Plumbing ManufacturersInternational(PMI) created a list of  10 reasons why plumbing matters to health and safety

1. Plumbing harnesses a precious resource – water – to use safely for health, hygiene and well-being. Plumbing makes possible the miracle of clean, convenient water – something often taken for granted.
2. Plumbing manufacturing innovations to gain water efficiency have dramatically reduced the amount of water used through toilets, shower heads  faucets and other plumbing products. For example, WaterSense plumbing products meeting Environmental Protection Agency criteria have saved consumers 757 billion gallons of water and $14.2 billion in water and energy bills since 2006, according to the EPA.
3. To assure customer satisfaction, WaterSense products are certified to perform as well or better than standard models – all while saving at least 20 percent more water.
4. The increased use of water-efficient plumbing is an important, yet often overlooked, part of the water sustainability solution. The EPA estimates that the United States could save 3 trillion gallons of water and over $17 billion dollars annually if every U.S. household converted to WaterSense products. High-efficiency plumbing in commercial facilities can help save even more.
5. Modern plumbing products help regions affected by droughts and water shortages to use water more efficiently. For example, Denver reduced water use to a 40-year low in December 2014, according to the Denver Post. Contributing to the decrease was replacing 3,200 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) toilets in the Denver Public Schools with 1.25 gpf toilets. Denver has plans to replace 6,800 more by 2018.
6. Water efficiency contributes greatly to energy savings. Less water used means less water heated and less water transported. Installing WaterSense-labeled faucet aerators in bathrooms, for example, help save water and energy.
7. Plumbing brings comfort and beauty into homes and lives. Kitchens and bathrooms not only serve functional purposes; they provide the refuge of comforting meals, soothing baths and restorative relaxation.
8. The plumbing industry is a strong economic engine, providing jobs and livelihoods to millions of people around the world.
9. The ability of plumbing and sanitation systems to deliver clean water and remove waste has protected populations from communicable disease throughout history. There is acknowledgement from many within the public health community that clean, drinkable water has likely protected more lives and extended life expectancy more than any medical advancement. Plumbing advancements continue to protect lives in developing nations.
10. A future of water sustainability is an achievable prospect, as plumbing manufacturers work with allies in safe plumbing and water efficiency to find solutions

Join us as we celebrate world plumbing day and help our efforts to educate the world on the importance of plumbing!! Listed on the WPC website are activities and ideas as to how you can get involved!!

Gratefully Yours,
Carter's My Plumber




Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned plumbing contractor located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas.  Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system.  With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need.

Danger of Using Drain Chemicals

Everyone Uses Drain Chemicals, Right?

They're easy to use and a lot cheaper than calling in a professional. But what you don't know is most cleaners contain poisonous chemicals that could be hazardous for you.

Many products like Drano, boast "magical" powers that will unclog your drain. What they don't talk about is how exactly they do this. Products that claim to unclog your sink contain strong chemicals like lye and sulfuric acid. They're put in the mixtures to eat away at whats clogging your drain. Most of the time though, they just end up eating away at your skin. Plus, the vapors alone are extremely hazardous.

These products not only cause harm to you but if you do have to call in a professional, they're dealing with a clogged drain and now potentially dangerous chemicals too. To avoid all the situations above, you should make sure you are well prepared and doing your best at preventing the blockages in the first place.


1)Limit the amount of solid material that goes down the drain.

2)Toilets are meant for toilet paper (crazy) and never anything else.

3)Bathtubs have easy drains to clog, prevent hair from getting caught by using a hair trap. 

4)NEVER PUT GREASE DOWN A SINK! When grease hits cold water, it becomes a nightmare for your drain. Instead pour grease into a can and throw it out later.

Using the above tips can help prevent having to use drain chemicals in the first place. But, if its too late and you already have a clog, these are the tools that could help.

1) A plunger (Make sure you get the correct one-a cup plunger vs a flange plunger. Do some "googling" or talk to a professional about which one is right for you).

2) Drain snake (There are many different drain snakes you can buy. Again, do some research or talk to a professional about which one is right for you).

Between the prevention tips and the tools listed above, you can save yourself from having to use dangerous chemicals AND from having a plumber come visit.

If these tips don't work then it might be time to call in a professional.



Gratefully Yours,
Carter's My Plumber




Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned plumbing contractor located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas.  Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system.  With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need.

AVOID BASEMENT FLOODING

Although it’­s hard to imagine, it will be getting warmer in the next few weeks. And with this comes the potential for flooding due to snow and ice melting. The IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety) urges homeowners that have experienced large amounts of snowfall and below freezing temperatures to evaluate their flood risks when warm weather arrives.

Next week, Indianapolis is looking at high temperatures in the 40’s with rainfall. Both the rain, and the rapid increase in temperature can make snow and ice melt at a faster rate than normal. Because of this you need to make sure you are prepared. A sump pump can help push melting waters away from your home, IF working correctly.

Some things to do to get ready for the warmer weather;

• TEST YOUR SUMP PUMP- Pour water into the pit and trigger the pump to operate
• FULLY CLEAN THE PUMP- Make sure you disconnect the pump from the power source before you clean it
• CHECK THE PIT to make sure it’s free of debris. Most pumps have a screen that covers the intake. Keep this screen clean.
• INSTALL A BACK-UP POWER SOURCE- buying a sump pump back up power supply is a good idea to avoid overflow.  Its better to invest in a back up than to face the cost of a flooded basement.

Average life span for a sump pump can vary. If you find that the above tips haven’t worked then it may be time for a new one. At Carter’s we highly recommend the STORMPRO® Deluxe Dual Pump Flood Control System.sump pump

• The StormPro back-up system utilizes two reliable heavy-duty 1/3 HP 115V AC sump pumps, unlike most systems that rely on one small plastic bilge-type DC pump.
• PumpGuard Plus alternator will cycle each pump as needed; if one pump fails the other pump will take over and sound an alarm. The PumpGuard Plus has a built-in high water alarm and is capable of connecting to your home security system or dialer.
• Fully automatic, converts 12V battery power into standard 120V electricity to run the 1/3 HP StormPro sump pump when the power is out. Runs off of standard 115V electricity when the power is on, avoiding unnecessary battery drain down.
• The 1/3 HP 115V StormPro sump pump supplies with the system is extremely efficient, only drawing 4.5 amps providing a long run time while pumping more water than most 1/2 HP pumps.
• Capable of using deep cycle maintenance free ADM batteries that perform better and last twice as long as the standard type.
• Two indicator lights tell you the status of the system at all times. 
• Protective non-corrosive electronics enclosure and battery case.

If all of this overwhelms you, feel free to call us and we will be more than happy to help you out! :)

Gratefully Yours,
Carter's My Plumber




Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned plumbing contractor located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas.  Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system.  With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need.