Benefits of Regular Grease Trap Cleaning

November 10th, 2011 Posted in Commercial Plumbing
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If you own or operate a commercial kitchen, restaurant, or other type of industrial or commercial food production facility you are probably familiar with grease traps.  Most wastewater contains small amounts of grease and oil that are handled by septic systems or municipal waste water treatment systems.

However, the wastewater from restaurants and other commercial food production facilities contain a large quantity of grease and oil that would quickly clog their sewer lines and are too much for a septic system or municipal wastewater system to handle.  A septic system would quickly fail and a municipal wastewater system would be unable to adequately treat wastewater with that much oil and grease in it.

In order to keep these waste disposal systems from becoming overwhelmed, grease traps are installed in the drain lines from kitchens and other food preparation facilities.  These collect most of the grease and solid materials from the waste water and keep it out of the septic system or municipal water treatment system.

Regular grease trap pumping and cleaning is important to keep the grease trap functioning properly.  Failure to keep a grease trap clean will soon result in a grease trap that is too full to work properly.  Full grease traps are also clogged with solid kitchen waste that begins to rot and creates a strong odor.

Grease, oil and other materials will flow into the sewer system and clog up the pipes.  Before it does that, grease will get into the municipal water treatment system which can lead to fines and penalties. Grease and oil that gets into a septic system will clog up the drain field and cause the entire system to fail. It is very expensive to replace the drain field.

The bottom line is to avoid unpleasant smells, work interruptions, fines, and expensive plumbing repairs by having regular grease trap cleaning and  pumping by a professional commercial plumber or sewer septic service.

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Septic Garbage Disposals

November 7th, 2011 Posted in Garbage Disposals
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There are a wide range of opinions about using a garbage disposal if you are on a septic system.  These opinions range from those who maintain that garbage disposals should never be used on a septic system to those who believe that garbage disposals actually help septic systems work properly.

It can be a challenge to make sense of these conflicting opinions, but EPA research indicates that garbage disposals place an additional burden on septic systems.  The best answer is probably that most properly sized and maintained septic systems can handle this extra load imposed by use of garbage disposals, especially if the homeowner has the septic tank inspected regularly and pumped when needed. About a quarter of the 27 million residential septic systems in use in the United States have garbage disposals and there is no empirical data that shows a significantly higher rate of septic system failure with these systems.

Not surprisingly, most garbage disposal manufacturers take the position that garbage disposals do not harm septic systems.  In fact, some disposal manufacturers market garbage disposal models specifically designed for use on septic systems.  These disposals work just like conventional garbage disposals except that they have a cartridge attached that injects natural microorganisms into the drain whenever waste is ground.

These microorganisms help break down the food waste and reduce the level of solid material in the septic tank.  Other than having to replace the cartridge every few months, these special septic models don’t require any additional maintenance or care than a conventional model.  A reputable plumber who handles kitchen repairs can help you choose and install a great new garbage disposal.

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Turning Off the Water For An Emergency Water Leak

November 7th, 2011 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Plumbing emergencies happen at all hours of the day or night.  Fortunately, most reputable plumbers offer 24 hour emergency plumbing services seven days a week to handle any plumbing emergency.  For many plumbing problems, just calling the plumber is all you need to do.  The plumber will be on the way and have the problem fixed in a few hours.

However, if the problem involves a water line leak, a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet that keep running, or some other emergency that involves water leaking into your home, you should try to stop the flow of water while waiting for the plumber to arrive.  All that water can cause serious damage to your walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets and other fixtures.

For most sinks or toilets, look for a silver water shutoff valve in the cabinet under the sink or behind the toilet.  Turn the handle clockwise until it stops to shut off the water.  For other leaks, look for a water shutoff valve that turns off the water to the whole house.

This valve is usually located inside your home near where the water supply line enters your home.  The valve might be a gate valve that usually has a round red handle or a ball valve that has yellow rectangular handle. If you have a gate valve, turn it clockwise until it stops.  This could be several turns.  A ball valve only turns a quarter turn, usually clockwise, until the handle is perpendicular to the pipe.

You may also have a ball valve or gate valve near the water meter at the street.  If you have one of these it will probably be in a small box.  If you cannot find any of these water valves, have the water turned off at the meter.  This requires a special tool so you will need to call the water company and have them take care of it.

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Water Service Line Insurance Coverage

November 7th, 2011 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you are a homeowner who has received a dire sounding letter stating that you are not covered by water service line insurance and offering to sell you coverage, you may be wondering if you need this coverage.  Your water service line is the pipe that runs from the municipal water main at the street to your home and supplies your home with fresh water.  Your water utility is responsible for maintaining the water main, but you are responsible for maintenance and repairs to the water service line between the water main and your home.

Water service lines can rupture or leak and when they do, a water line repair or replacement of the line can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.  The first sign of a leaky or broken water service line is usually a mushy area in the yard or an unusually high water bill.

Galvanized or polybutylene water lines tend to deteriorate over time and when these pipes start leaking, it is usually best to replace the entire line.  Depending on the length of the line and the type of replacement, expect to pay somewhere between $2,000 and $4,000 for a water line replacement.

If you have copper or PVC pipe, it may be repairable for less than $1,000.  With all this in mind, coverage that costs a few dollars a month sounds pretty good, but keep in mind that the majority of water service lines last 20 to 30 years or more without a problem.

If you decide that you need coverage, examine the policy very closely.  Some may exclude coverage for thawing of frozen pipes or normal wear and tear or have other exclusions that deny coverage for most causes of broken water pipes.  Be sure you are getting the coverage you need before signing on the dotted line.

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Replacing a Tub and Shower Faucet Set

November 3rd, 2011 Posted in Bathroom Repairs
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For most homeowners, replacing a tub and shower faucet set is a big job best left to an experienced plumber.  Replacing kitchen and bathroom sink faucets are a job that a competent handyman can handle, but in most cases a bathtub and shower set is another matter.  Whether you are updating your bathroom with new bathroom fixtures or your old tub and shower faucet set has worn out, you will need to call a reputable faucet repair plumber to handle the job.

Kitchen and bathroom sink faucets are usually installed so that access is relatively easy.  The hardware that attaches the faucet to the sink is accessible through the cabinet.  In addition, the water supply lines that run to the faucet are easily removable with a wrench and pre-made flexible lines are available at any home supply center to hook up the new faucet.

A tub and shower faucet set presents a whole host of issues not present with sink faucet.  There is usually no easy way to access the valve and water supply lines without tearing apart the bathroom wall.  If you have a pre-formed tub or shower insert, it will need to be removed to get to the valve and plumbing.

You may get lucky and be able to access the plumbing from behind by going through the wall in an adjoining room, but it is still going to be a lot of work.  Once you have access, tub and shower valves are soldered in place so it will not be a simple matter of unhooking the water supply lines.

The bottom line is if you need or want a new tub and shower faucet set, call a reputable local plumber and have the job done right.

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When to Replace a Leaking Water Service Line

November 3rd, 2011 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Most homeowners first recognize that they have a problem with their water service line when one of two things happens:  Either they get an unusually large water bill or they find a mushy spot in the yard.  Both of these are signs that your water line is leaking and calls for immediate help from an experienced plumbing contractor.

With a leaking water line you will have the option of replacing the entire line or just repairing the leaky section.  The answer depends on your unique situation and your plumber will be able to help you make the decision, but in general if you have a polybutylene or galvanized steel line you should replace it.  If you have copper or PVC, then answer depends on the condition of the pipe and the cause of the leak.

Older galvanized steel or polybutylene water lines tend to deteriorate over time.  When a leak develops, it usually signals that the entire line is on the verge of failure and the pipe should be replaced rather than repaired.  Sometimes these lines can be repaired, but they will usually start leaking again in a new location.  Spending money on repairs is a waste of time for galvanized steel or polybutylene.  It’s best to bite the bullet and have the line replaced.

Copper and PVC water lines are another matter.  These can often be repaired, depending on the reason for the leak.  If the leak is at a fitting or caused by shifting of the ground and the pipe otherwise appears to be in good condition, it is usually possible to repair PVC and especially copper water supply lines with good results.  Your plumber can help you decide if water line replacement or water line repair is the best option for these types of pipes.

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Underground Pipe Replacement With Pipe Bursting

November 3rd, 2011 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you need to install a replacement water supply line, sewer line, or any other type of underground pipeline due to an underground pipe leak, you should ask your plumbing contractor if pipe bursting is a good alternative for you.

The traditional method of replacing a buried water service line or a sewer line involves digging a trench from where the line hooks up to the public utility lines to the spot where it enters the home.  A new pipe is laid and the ends are hooked up with the old line often left in the ground.

This method works well enough, but there are some serious disadvantages.  The digging usually leaves a long scar through your yard that may take years to fill in completely with grass and blend in with the rest of the yard.  Even if you put sod over the trenched area, the new grass rarely blends perfectly with the established lawn.

In addition, your water or sewer line may run under sidewalks, driveways, and landscape features such as ponds, retaining walls, and other hardscapes.  To avoid damaging these features and leaving a scar in the yard, consider trenchless pipe replacement.

Pipe bursting works by pulling a bursting head through the old pipe.  This head breaks up the pipe and presses the pieces into the surrounding soil.  New pipe is attached to the bursting head and pulled through the burst area.  The new pipe ends up in the space left behind by the old pipe.

With pipe bursting, some digging is necessary at each end of the pipe to hook it up to your home and the public water or sewer line, but no digging is usually necessary in your yard and your driveways, sidewalks, and landscaping will be left undisturbed.

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Gas Leaks

November 3rd, 2011 Posted in Gas Leak Detection
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Natural gas and propane are two common energy sources used in homes for heating, cooking, and water heating.  Natural gas is essentially propane combined with a few other gasses.  Natural gas is lighter than propane and has less of a tendency to collect near ground level, but for all practical purposes natural gas and propane do about the same thing.

Natural gas is usually delivered to a home through a pipeline from your local utility company.  Propane is easier to compress and store and is most commonly delivered by a truck that fills a storage tank located next to your home.

Propane and natural gas are wonderful energy sources for heating, cooking, clothes drying, and water heating, but can be very dangerous if a leak develops.  Gas leaks are rare, but they do happen.  Propane and natural gas have an additive that makes them have a sulfur or rotten egg smell.

If you smell or even suspect a gas leak, leave the house immediately.  Do not flip any switches and wait until you are outside the home to call 911.  Don’t go back into the house until it is safe to do so.  The next step is to locate the source of the leak and have it repaired.  Emergency personnel or the utility company will turn off the gas supply to your home, but they don’t repair most gas leaks.

Many plumbing contractors handle gas leak repairs.  They use specialized leak detection equipment to locate the source of the leak without causing unnecessary damage to your walls.  Once the leak is located, your plumber can take care of any necessary repairs.

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