Plumbing Repairs With SharkBite Fittings

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Remodeling
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SharkBite fittings are a recent innovation in the plumbing industry that can solve problems and make many plumbing jobs easier for professional plumbers and do-it-yourselfers alike.  SharkBites are push-fit fittings that connect all types of plumbing pipes including copper, PEX, and CPVC.

SharkBites are an excellent alternative for homeowners who lack the skill necessary to sweat copper pipes.  Just cut the copper pipe to length and push it into the SharkBite fitting.  No need to fool around with flux, solder or a torch.  They work great for repairing a section of broken or leaky pipe or making minor modifications to your plumbing system.

Even a professional plumbers who are proud of their copper pipe sweating skills will find SharkBites to be a handy addition to the toolbox.  SharkBites work great when it is impossible to eliminate water from the pipe, in tight areas, or where using a torch would be unsafe.  Even a skilled plumber can have difficulty sweating a copper pipe that is full of water.

SharkBites are also very useful for easily connecting two types of pipe.  They make it easy to connect copper, PEX, and CPVC.  They are particularly useful for repairing or connecting old polybutylene pipe.

Polybutylene was taken off the market years ago due to its propensity to develop leaks.  In most cases, a repair consists of replacing the polybutylene pipe with copper or PEX, but sometimes it is necessary to splice in a section of pipe or to connect polybutylene with the new pipe.  SharkBite connectors make this job fast and easy.

Another advantage of SharkBites is that they are removeable which means they are especially suitable for temporary repairs or for use during kitchen and bathroom remodeling.  SharkBites are easy to remove without damaging the pipe and can be reused.

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Replacing Polybutylene Pipe

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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Are you one of the millions of Amercans whose homes were plumbed with polybutylene pipe?  Maybe you’ve known about the pipe for years or perhaps you just got a great deal on a foreclosure home and discovered the polybutylene piping.  In either event, a whole house repiping is in your future, and not very far off either.

Polybutylene piping is blue or gray semi-flexible piping that was installed in millions of homes built up to 1995.  This pipe was discovered to have a defect that causes it to deteriorate and split over time.  In some homes, the pipes last for many years before they start to split but once it starts, all of the pipe needs to be replaced.

Attempting to repair polybutylene pipe is a waste of time and money.  Even if your plumber can successfully repair a burst pipe, it won’t be long before another pipe bursts.  The only effective solution is to have all of the piping in your home replaced with copper, PVC, CPVC, or PEX piping.

A whole house pipe replacement is a big job that involves locating all of the existing polybutylene pipe, removing it and installing new pipes.  In some areas such as Florida where homes are commonly constructed on a slab, the process is further complicated by the fact that the original piping is under the slab.

You can take some comfort in knowing that you are not alone.  Millions of homes have undergone polybutylene pipe replacement including homes built on slabs and there are some plumbing contractors who specialize in replacing polybutylene pipes.

If you have split or leaking water lines, or you suspect that your home is plumbed with polybutylene plumbing, schedule an appointment with a polybutylene pipe replacement specialist.  They will do a complete evaluation and explain your options to you.

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Fixing Leaky Qest Plumbing

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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If you are experiencing problems with leaky Qest (often called Quest) plumbing in your home, you should consult with a plumbing contractor with experience in polybutylene pipe replacement before spending any money repairing your old Qest pipe.  Qest was a brand name for a type of polybutylene pipe that was taken off the market in the mid 1990’s.  Until then it was used in millions of American homes and manufactured homes for the hot and cold water lines and the water supply line from the meter to the home.

Qest hot and cold polybutylene pipes are usually grey although you may find some silver or black polybutylene pipes.  The water supply line is usually blue but can be gray or black.  If you suspect that you have Qest or any other type of polybutylene pipe, have it inspected by a professional plumber.  It is easy for a homeowner to confuse defective polybutylene pipe with modern PEX pipe.

Polybutylene pipe is no longer on the market because it tended to fail at a very high rate.  Early failures were experienced at the fittings, but later the pipes themselves began to fail.  It was discovered that chlorine in the water reacted with the pipe and caused it to break down.

Several class action lawsuits over the defective pipes were settled years ago.  Unfortunately, if you have not already filed a claim it is probably too late to join the settlement.

Repairing polybutylene pipe is a short term solution because it will soon fail again.  The only permanent solution is to have all of the piping replaced by a plumbing contractor that specializes in residential repiping.  Most plumbers can probably handle the job, but a specialist will have learned techniques for replacing the pipes with minimal damage to your home.

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Use a Specialist For Whole House Repiping

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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If you need to replace the water pipes in your home, you have a choice between using a general plumbing contractor or a repiping specialist for your plumbing replacement.  Some homes have serious plumbing issues that require all of the water distribution plumbing to be replaced.  The most common reason for a whole house repiping is because the home was plumbed with polybutylene pipes.

After polybutylene pipes were installed in millions of American homes built from the mid 1970’s to the mid1990’s, it was discovered chlorine in municipal water supplies reacted with the pipe led to pipe failures.  Polybutylene pipe was taken off the market, but many homeowners are still dealing with the after effects.

Most general plumbing contractors can handle a repiping, but you are probably better off hiring a plumber who specializes in commercial and residential repiping.  Replacing all of the pipes in your home involves locating and removing the original plumbing and installing new PVC, CPVC, PEX or copper pipes.

The original pipes can run through the basement, crawlspace, or attic and are often hidden in walls, ceilings and floors.  If the home was built on a concrete slab, the plumbing may run under the slab or be embedded in the concrete.

A residential repiping specialist who has handled hundreds or thousands of commercial and residential repipings will have developed techniques for replacing the piping with minimal damage to your home.  They will have a better feel for what type of replacement pipe works best and how to run the new piping if access to the old piping is limited.

In addition, in most cases holes have to be cut in walls, floors or ceilings and a repiping specialist may have contractors who can quickly and professionally make the necessary repairs.

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Polybutylene Pipe Woes

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
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If your home is plumbed with polybutylene pipe, you are probably wondering what to do next.  The conventional wisdom is to have all of the polybutylene pipe replaced with new PVC, CPVC, PEX or copper pipe and that may be the best alternative, but take a few minutes to explore your options before you start tearing out the old plumbing.

Polybutylene pipe was installed in millions of American homes built starting in the 1970’s and ending in the early 1990’s.  Initially hailed as an inexpensive, easy to work with alternative to copper pipe, it was later discovered that polybutylene pipe reacted to the chlorine in the public drinking water supplies.  Exposure to chlorine caused the pipe to split.

The majority of homes have had their polybutylene pipes replaced, but there are still hundreds of thousands if not millions of homes with polybutylene pipe installed.  If your home is one of these and has not developed leaks in the pipes, you may have some time before you need to deal with the problem.  If you are on a well or your municipal water supply has a low level of chlorine, your pipes may not cause problems for years.

On the other hand, if your pipes have started to leak, then you will need to take action soon.  Fixing a leaking polybutylene pipe is a temporary solution because the rest of the plumbing will begin leaking soon.  You may be able to put off a polybutylene pipe replacement for a year or two, but a complete residential repiping is the only way to prevent future leaks.

One thing to consider is that your insurance company may deny any water damage claims due to leak water pipes once the initial problem has been discovered.  A plumbing contractor who specializes in commercial and residential repiping can help you make the right decision.

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Dealing With a Smelly Garbage Disposal

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Garbage Disposals
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A garbage disposal is a useful kitchen appliance, but it can develop an unpleasant odor due to food particles remaining on the walls of the grinder.  Bacteria growing in the bits of food left behind create unpleasant odors in garbage disposals.  Here are few simple tips for dealing a smelly garbage disposal.

To get rid of garbage disposal smells you want to do more than just mask the odor.  You need to clean the leftover food particles from inside the unit.  Running a few ice cubes through the disposal will help knock loose stubborn food particles and scour the inside of the disposal and blades.  Making the ice cubes out of vinegar is even more effective.

Flush away the loosened particles by filling the sink with six inches of soapy water, then unplug the sink and run the disposal while the soapy water drains.  A common household plunger works well to stop up the drain to fill the sink with water.

Another method is to cut up a lemon or orange and run it through the disposal.  The citrus juices will help clean the disposal and leave fresh clean scent.

To help keep your garbage disposal clean, be sure to run plenty of water through the disposal when grinding up waste.  Also, be sure to allow the disposal to run long enough to dispose of all the waste.  Not running the disposal long enough is a primary cause of garbage disposal smells.

Finally, avoid pouring grease and oil down the drain.  Grease and oil will accumulate on the walls of the disposal and the drain pipes and cause odors.  If you must dispose of small amounts of grease or oil, run cold water to help prevent the grease and oil from adhering to the drain pipe and the disposal.

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Taking Care of Your Garbage Disposal

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Garbage Disposals
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A garbage disposal is great to have in the kitchen, but it will frequently jam or break down unless it is used and cared for properly. You can avoid expensive garbage disposal repairs by following a few simple guidelines.  If you take good care of your garbage disposal, it should give you years of trouble free service.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with garbage disposals is not grinding long enough and turning off the water too soon.  Both of these practices result in food particles remaining in the disposal that will soon decompose and cause unpleasant odors.

Always run plenty of cold water when grinding and let the grinder run until grinding is complete.  Turn off the garbage disposal off first and let the water run for an additional 15 seconds to thoroughly flush away the food particles.  Avoid disposing of grease and oil down the drain and use cold water rather than hot water.  Hot water liquefies fats and oils and allows them to adhere to the walls of the grinder and drain pipes. Cold water encourages fats and oils to coagulate so they can be flushed away.

Run some soapy water through the disposal daily and grind up a few ice cubes once or twice a week to help break up accumulations of food particles inside the disposal.  Grinding a lemon or orange once a week will also help keep the disposal clean and fresh smelling.

Never grind anything that is not a biodegradable food substance.  Garbage disposals are designed to grind food only and cigarette butts, bottle caps, and other materials can cause serious damage to your garbage disposal.  Never put your hand into a garbage disposal to clean it or to retrieve an item unless the power is turned off at the circuit breaker.

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Sump Pump Testing and Maintenance

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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If your home is equipped with a sump pump, regular routine testing maintenance will help make sure it is ready to go and operating properly when it’s needed.  The worst time to discover that your sump pump has stopped working is when your basement starts filling up with water.  Spring is a great time for sump pump maintenance since this is the time of year when sump pumps are needed the most.

Your local plumber can take care of servicing and maintaining you sump pump if you are not comfortable doing it yourself, but the procedure is not difficult and can be handled by most homeowners.

First, make sure there is power to sump pump by checking the circuit breakers.  Reset the breaker if it has been tripped.  If the breaker trips frequently, stop and call your plumber to have the system checked out.

Next, open the lid to the sump pump well.  Use a flashlight to inspect the well and make sure it is clear of dirt, dust, and other debris that may have fallen into the well.  Any foreign material can clog the intake just when you need the pump to operate the most.

Fill a five gallon bucket with water and carefully pour the water into the sump well while watching the float switch.  When the water reaches the float switch, the sump pump should activate and drain the sump well.  If the pump does not activate, you will need to have the system inspected by a plumber.

Finally, once the pump empties the well and shuts off, watch to make sure that no water flows back into the sump well.  If it does, your check valve is stuck otherwise not operating properly.  If everything checks out, replace the lid on the sump well and you are done until next time.

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Why You Need A Backup Sump Pump

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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If your home is protected against flooding by using a sump pump system,  most professionals recommend installing a backup sump pump especially if your home is located such that flooding from ground water or rain water is a frequent occurrence or if you are away from home for long periods of time.  The primary sump pump can become clogged or fail and unless you are there to handle the problem, your home will flood.

Even if you are present when the sump pump fails, you may not notice the failure until it’s too late or you might not be able to get the primary sump pump up and running in time to prevent damage from flooding.  Sump pumps don’t fail often, but when they do it invariably happens when you need them the most.  It’s no fun trying to troubleshoot a sump pump failure when the sump pump is under a foot of rising flood water.

In addition, if the sump pump failure is due to a power failure in your neighborhood, there is nothing you can do except watch the water rise.  And when is a power failure most likely to occur?  During periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms which is exactly when you need the sump pump to be operating.

A backup sump pump can take care of all these concerns.  There are two different types of backup sump pumps.  One uses water power and the other uses a battery backup.  A water powered backup sump pump is plumbed directly into your water system and uses water pressure for power to operate the pump.  A battery backup sump pump uses a standby battery to run the pump.  Your plumber can help you choose the right type of back up sump pump for your home.

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Backup Sump Pump Options

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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If you depend on a sump pump to protect your home from flooding, experts recommend installing a backup sump pump that will kick on in the event that the primary sump pump fails due to a mechanical issue, a clog, or power outage.  Your primary sump pump will get the job done the vast majority of the time, but a backup sump pump is essential for the best, most reliable protection against flooding

When choosing a backup sump pump, you have the option of a battery powered backup pump or a water powered backup sump pump.  Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.  Your plumber can help you decide which type will work best for your situation.

A water powered backup sump pump uses the pressure from your municipal water supply to power the pump.  These pumps need no electricity and are not affected by power outages. They are also very simple and reliable pumps that can be depended on to operate properly when needed.  They are plumbed directly into your household plumbing and don’t have any batteries to keep topped off.

Water powered emergency sump pumps are not a good choice if your home is not connected to a reliable municipal water supply.  For example, they are not recommended for use with homes that use well water with an electric pump.  Also, in some homes running the water supply line can be a problem.  These pumps are usually installed in the basement ceiling and if you have a finished basement with limited access to the ceiling, a battery powered pump might be a better choice.

If a water powered pump will not work in your home, then choose a battery powered backup sump pump.  These pumps are designed to run on a standby battery and can operate during a power outage.  They are connected to an automatic battery charger to keep the battery full and require some battery maintenance.  However, they are easier to install than a water powered pump and are typically capable of pumping a larger volume of water.

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