Feb
3
Tough economic times are upon us. And with high unemployment and under-employment means people are turning to a wide array of ways to bring in a fast buck, including criminal activity.
While you often hear about home burglaries and car thefts, there is one stolen item that you may not hear much about – the backflow device. Thieves are turning to these expensive copper devices for some quick cash.
Understanding what a backflow device is and how to protect it can help you prevent your backflow device from disappearing – costing hundreds of dollars to replace, along with the loss of thousands of gallons of water.
The backflow device is usually somewhere along the street front of a commercial property. It is above the ground and is used to prevent contaminated water from reaching the potable water source of a city. When a backflow device is stolen, it can cost several hundred dollars to replace and allow hundreds of gallons of water to disappear every second. To protect your backflow device from theft, take note of the following tips: Read more
Feb
2
Ever hear a “quick tip” that almost sounds unbelievable? From a helpful tip to an old wives’ tale, it can be difficult to decide which info is fact and which is fiction. More than a few of the best-known “tips” are myths – myths that can cost you money and time. Here are a few of the most common plumbing myths you should avoid:
Putting lemons down the garbage disposal is a good way to freshen it and clean it. Although putting lemons in the disposal might make it smell fresh at the time, the acids in lemon juice will corrode the metal inside the disposal and shorten its lifespan. If your disposal needs cleaned, use ice. The spinning ice will clean any debris from inside the disposal.
Using cleaning tablets or cleaning liquids in your toilet tank will eliminate the need to clean your toilet. The truth is that the use of these products can create build-up that will destroy the toilet. If you need to remove grime from your toilet, simply run white vinegar down the overflow tube. The vinegar will safely remove the grime in a natural, chemical-free manner. Read more
Jan
27
Water Heater Safety Tips
Filed Under Hot Water Heaters | Leave a Comment
Water heaters are standard in most residential homes, apartment complexes and mobile homes. They are responsible for converting the cold water that pumps into a home into the hot water used for washing clothes, dishes and ourselves. Even though these heat-producing cylinders are fairly commonplace, they are also a bit of a mystery for many homeowners and renters. Tenants tend to call on the help of a professional maintenance operator to handle any issues that may arise with the heater. This does not mean that safety around a water heater should be forgotten. In order to stay safe around a water heater throughout the year there are certain safety tips to keep in mind.
1. Keep the area around the water heater clean. Make sure that dust, debris and any flammable objects are cleared away from the area. Be sure to sweep and mop the area regularly to prevent any dust build up that may occur. Read more
Jan
26
Water is life. Without water, you cannot physically live. Without water, you cannot cook, bathe, clean your home, or wash the laundry.
Supplying enough water to meet the needs of billions of people is difficult. It is even more difficult when water is wasted. You can help by finding ways to reduce the amount of water in your own home.
The average American household wastes 40,000 gallons of water a year. Much of this waste is created by inefficient appliances and outdated fixtures. By simply replacing these appliances and fixtures with water-saving devices, you can stop half of this waste. By stopping the waste of water, you not only save money, but you also preserve water supplies for the future. Read more
Jan
20
Preventing the Hot Water Shock
Filed Under Plumbing Help | Leave a Comment
Imagine being in the middle of a perfectly warm shower. The temperature is just right and you are in a relaxing environment to end a stressful day. Suddenly your perfect moment is interrupted by a blast of cold water or extremely scalding hot water. This is what is known as hot water shock and it can be prevented. By knowing just a few tips and tricks, you can prevent the hot water shock from happening to you or anyone else in your home.
1. Buy and install a pressure-balancing shower valve. This valve is designed to keep pressure flowing at the same level – regardless of a change in pressure in other areas of the pipes. In other words, if a toilet is flushed during a shower the water pressure will change. This change will normally cause the hot water shock. With a pressure-balancing shower valve, the pressure is regulated and the shower is not interrupted.
2. Have a plumber perform an evaluation on the pipes in your home. Make sure that there are no areas where water pressure may change dramatically. Have the plumber check for blockages and for possible issues that can be fixed to prevent hot water shock issues later. Read more
Jan
19
Plumbing repairs can be a difficult, timely and messy process. No one wants to add to the stress of the situation by choosing the wrong plumber for the job. Since you don’t have a handy plumber in your speed dial, how do you go about finding the right plumber the first time?
Get organized – Before you call a plumber, have a list of all the repairs you need. You don’t want to slow the process (and potentially raise the price) by needing the plumber to come out multiple times for estimates.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions – Don’t assume the first plumber you call or that comes to visit your home is the right person for the job. Take some time to ask a few questions and get to know the plumber you are considering. Read more
Jan
13
On these cold winter mornings, nothing feels better than standing underneath a stream of hot water before you get ready for the day.
Now imagine coming home in the evenings and finding the perfect way to take away the stresses of the day. Push a button in your shower stall, sit back on the bench, and melt into the soothing cloud of mist. Twenty minutes later your ready for a relaxed evening at home, far away from the stresses of the day.
While it may seem like something you can only find at your local spa or health club, in reality its closer than you think. Many homeowners today are opting to bring the feeling of the spa home to their own showers. Read more
Jan
12
Everyone is looking for ways to reduce their home energy budget in today’s economy. While small things, like replacing old lightbulbs, can amount to a huge savings over the course of a year; finding large, one time changes may make more sense. So many people naturally turn to the one thing they use every day: water. And when it comes to your home’s water, heating it impacts about thirty percent of an average home’s energy use.
However, one of the top options being brought to the table for a “quick fix” may not be as efficient as many believe. Tankless water heaters are an option that should be explored with care.
Most tankless heaters are a bit more costly up front than their holding tank counterparts. Add in that most models will need an electrical outlet, upgraded gas pipes and also special ventilation systems. This can often make installation costs a bit more prohibitive than people think. Read more
Jan
6
10 Things That Will Ruin Your Plumbing
Filed Under Plumbing Tips | 1 Comment
No one wants to face expensive but avoidable plumbing repairs. For those of us who aren’t plumbers, here are a few things to watch out for.
Putting grease down the sink -Please don’t put grease down the drain. Even with hot water and soap, grease can build up over time causing problems with your pipes.
Using your sink as a trash can – Even if you have a garbage disposal, that does not give you a free pass to dump everything and anything down the drain. Food chunks in the kitchen or hair and fingernails in the bathroom serve as the start of a terrible clog.
Using the toilet as a trash can – The toilet has its given role, the trash can has another. Do not confuse the two.
Using too much Drain-O – Using drain cleaner too often or on the wrong type of clog could lead to erosion of your pipes or just a really nasty clog for the plumber to clean out. Read more
Jan
5
Should My Hot Water Heater Tank Be Running All The Time?
Filed Under Hot Water Heaters | Leave a Comment
You are very familiar with the sounds of your home, the drone of the refrigerator, the hum of the heater, the buzz of the lights. These are the little white noises that comprise our day. One of these familiar sounds is the occasional sound of the water heater running. But what happens when this sound never stops? Is it OK for the water heater tank to be running all the time?
In most instances, the answer to our last question is no. If your water heater is constantly running, there is probably a problem. Here are a few potential problems you could be having and a few steps you could take before calling the plumber.
You might have a leak – A leak would be a constant drain on the hot water supply within the tank. To make up for the loss of hot water, your tank would need to run more frequently to keep the same level of hot water as before. If your water heater is constantly running the first thing you should do is check the unit and the pipes immediately around it for leaks. Read more
Blogroll
- Quality 1st Plumbing website - Quality 1st Plumbing website
- Troubleshooter - Tom Martino – The Trouble Shooter
- WaterSense