Backflow Prevention Information

March 28th, 2012 Posted in Backflow Testing
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Backflow occurs when water flows from a residence or business backwards into the public water supply.  Municipal potable water systems are designed to flow in one direction – from the municipal water supply to the customer which includes residences, businesses, and any facility that is connected to the municipal water supply.  In certain circumstances, this flow can be reversed and potentially contaminated water can flow into the municipal potable water supply.

Backflow can occur if the water pressure inside the home exceeds the pressure in the municipal water supply due to an increase in the pressure in the home or a decrease in municipal water pressure.  Decreases in potable water supply pressure can occur due to a broken water supply line, firefighters using the water to extinguish a blaze or some other reason.

The danger posed by backflow is that the water flowing into the water supply is contaminated.  For example, a sprinkler system could be contaminated by common lawn fertilizers and pesticides which could backflow into the municipal potable water supply.

Many local governments and water authorities try to guard against backflow by requiring that customers install a backflow prevention device.  Not all local authorities require backflow prevention devices.  In some locales only businesses are required to have backflow prevention devices.  In other areas they are required for businesses and for homes that have a sprinkler system or automatic pool filling system.

If your Orlando home or business is required to have a backflow prevention device, and experienced Orlando plumber can handle the backflow installation and repair. In addition,  regular backflow testing is important to keep your backflow preventer in good working order.  You should have the device tested annually by a good local Orlando plumber or more often if required by local law.

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Low Flow Toilets

March 16th, 2012 Posted in Toilets
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According to EPA estimates, toilets account for about 30% of the water usage in the average home.  In an attempt to help water conservation efforts, federal regulations went into effect in the early 1990’s that limited the amount of water a toilet could use per flush to 1.6 gallons which was less than half of what a typical toilet previously used.  Unless they have been replaced, if your home was built before 1994 it probably has older style toilets.

Unfortunately, toilet manufacturers were not ready to make the switch.  Most simply modified existing toilet designs to use less water per flush.  As a result, most toilets sold in the US after 1994 met the federal requirements but did not do a very good job of flushing waste.  These toilets were designed to use 3.5 to 4 gallons of water per flush and 1.6 gallons of water simply didn’t do the job.

Consumers quickly got the word and tried hard to avoid the new toilets if at all possible.  Homeowners with older style toilets repaired them rather than replace them with new low flow toilets and some desperate consumers went so far as to illegally sneak new toilets across the border from Canada.

The good news is that consumers no longer have to engage in toilet smuggling in order to get an affordable, good flushing toilet.  In recent years toilet manufacturers finally started designing toilets to work well while using only 1.6 gallons per flush.  Most low flow toilets on the market today boast flushing performance equal to or better than their water wasting pre-1994 cousins.

If you have been waiting to replace your older style toilets, now is the time to talk to your plumber about installing modern low flow toilets in your home.  They work great and save the average household about 9,000 gallons of water per year.

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New Toilet Installation

March 16th, 2012 Posted in Toilets
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Whether you are replacing your toilet because the old toilet was broken or worn out, for as part of a bathroom remodeling project, to update your bathroom’s appearance, or to replace an old water wasting toilet with an efficient new low flow toilet, this is a job that should probably be left to a professional plumber.  Many handy homeowners are capable of removing and installing a toilet, but toilets get a lot of hard use during their lifespan and the last thing you want is a leaky toilet.

Not only is a leaky toilet unsanitary, but a small leak can go unnoticed and eventually cause wood rot in the subfloor under the toilet.  Replacing the bathroom floor is an expensive proposition that can be avoided by having your new toilet installed by an experienced plumber.  It’s well worth the modest cost of a professional installation to have a top quality toilet installation that will provide great service for years.

If you are set on doing it yourself, first turn off the water supply to the old toilet and empty the tank.  Unhook the water supply line, unbolt the toilet from the floor and lift it clear of the closet flange and attachment bolts.

Install a new wax ring on the closet flange and line the new toilet up over the wax ring and attachment bolts.  Lower it evenly into place and install the nuts on the attachment bolts and tighten carefully. Do not over-tighten the nuts or the base will crack. Hook up the water supply line, turn on the water and check for leaks.

If you have any problems with the toilet installation, call your local plumber for assistance.

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Water Heater Location

March 16th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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If you are building a new home you may have several alternative locations for placement of the water heater. Common locations include the attic, a basement or crawl space, an indoor utility room, and an attached garage.  Each location has its advantages and disadvantages.  If you are not happy with the proposed location, talk to your builder or general contractor about different water heater installation options.

For existing homes, changing the location of a water heater can be problematic depending on where it is located, where you want to relocate it, and the accessibility of the plumbing.  Talk to your plumber about any concerns you have regarding the current location and the feasibility and cost of moving the water heater to a new location.

Locating the water heater inside a heated space such as an indoor utility closet or heated garage will help reduce standby heat losses and in many cases, an indoor location will minimize the length of hot water supply lines which will reduce heat loss and shorten wait times for hot water.

However, many homeowners prefer to locate the water heater outside the living space to avoid the possibility of flooding damage if the water heater starts leaking.  Also, locating gas water heaters outside of living spaces can make venting the unit easy and minimizes concerns about carbon monoxide and gas leaks.  Basements and garages are good locations outside of the home that offer good accessibility.

Attics are a common location for water heaters.  There are a lot of advantages to placing a water heater in the attic.  There is usually plenty of space and it is relatively easy to access and service the water  heater.  However, take extra care to ensure that a deep drip pan is installed under the water heater along with a leak free drain line.  If the water heater leaks leaks you want to ensure that it does not cause any damage to your walls and ceilings.

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Garbage Disposal Size

March 14th, 2012 Posted in Garbage Disposals
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Garbage disposals are a useful item to have in the kitchen.  They reduce food waste that would otherwise go into the trash and since they grind food waste into small particles, they reduce kitchen sink clogging.  When shopping for a new garbage disposal, you will need to choose how much power you need.

Garbage disposals are sized by the horsepower of the motor.  Smaller disposals are 1/3 or 1/2 horsepower and larger units are 3/4 or 1 horsepower.  All else being equal, higher horsepower means quieter, faster, and smoother operation.  In addition, since a high horsepower model doesn’t have to work as hard to grind up food waste, it will typically last longer than a lower horsepower model.

Higher horsepower disposals can handle hard to grind waste like bones or fibrous waste (think celery) much better than smaller units that become jammed or clogged by these materials.  Lower horsepower garbage disposals are best suited for smaller households and for light duty use.  If you cook infrequently and don’t plan to grind bones and other tough food wastes, a 1/3 horsepower or 1/2 horsepower disposal will probably do the job just fine.

On the other hand, if you cook frequently at home, have a large family, and want to put almost any type of food waste through the disposal, a 3/4 horsepower or 1 horsepower model would be a better choice.  Not only will the disposal be able to handle the load, but since you will be using it frequently you will appreciate the smooth, quiet, jam-free operation.

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Garbage Disposal Types

March 14th, 2012 Posted in Garbage Disposals
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When choosing a new garbage disposal for your kitchen you will have several options to choose from.  In addition to the size of the motor, you will need to choose between a batch feed model and a continuous feed model.  Each type of garbage disposal has its advantages and disadvantages.

Continuous feed models are the most common type of garbage disposal.  With a continuous feed model the disposal is switched on and keeps running until it is turned off.  While it is running, you can continue adding waste material.  Alternatively, you can choose to add the waste material, switch on the disposal, and then switch it off when the grinding process is complete.  Water should be running while the unit is in operation to help flush away the ground up waste.

With a batch feed model, the waste material is loaded into the disposal and a lid or cover is locked in place over the drain before the unit switched on.  On some units, installing the lid or cover activates the disposal.  On others, the unit is turned on with a wall switch like a continuous feed model.  In either case, the disposal will not operate without the lid or cover in place over the drain.

The main advantage of a batch feed model is that it is safer than a continuous feed unit.  Since a batch feed disposal will not operate without the lid in place, it prevents hands and fingers from accidently getting into the disposal.

Continuous feed models are a little faster than batch feed models, especially if you have a large amount of waste material to dispose of.  Some cooks prefer continuous feed models because they can leave the unit running while they are handling food preparation like chopping and peeling.

Whichever model you choose, your garbage disposal installation is best handled by a good local plumber.  Professional garbage disposal installation helps ensure that the unit will work well, won’t leak, and will provide good service for years.

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Water Heater Insulation Blankets

March 14th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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Up to 25% of the energy used in the average home is spent on heating water.  Most homes have storage-type water heaters that suffer from standby heat losses.  Storage type water heaters heat a tank of water and keep it hot until there is a demand for hot water for showers, dishwashing, laundry, or some other source.  Standby heat loss is the heat lost from a water heater when there is no demand for hot water.  The water in the hot water storage tank loses heat and the water has to cycle on to keep the water hot.

Standby heat loss can be reduced by up to 45% by adding insulation to the water heater.  Insulation blankets specifically designed for water heaters are available at your local home improvement center. Depending on the age and R-value of your water heater and the cost of installation (if any), a water heater insulation blanket will usually pay for itself in  A water heater insulation blanket can be safely installed by a homeowner on an electric water heater.  Installation of water heater insulation blankets on natural gas or propane water heaters is more complicated and should be completed by a professional plumber who handles water heater repair and installation.

Water heater insulation blankets are most effective on water heaters with a low R-value (below R-24).  If your water heater is warm to the touch, you should see some benefit from installing an insulation blanket.  In addition, water heaters installed in unheated space such as a garage, basement, or crawlspace will benefit from an insulation blanket more than water heaters installed in heated spaces.

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Winter Water Heater Problems

March 14th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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Have you noticed that your water heater’s performance has not seemed as reliable during the cold winter months as it did last summer?  Maybe it takes longer for the shower to get hot or you run out of hot water sooner than you used to.

Whatever the symptoms are, many water heater problems first show up in the winter.   There are a few things you can do to help your water heater, but it may be a sign that you need to talk to your plumber about a new water heater installation.

If your water heater is located in an unheated space like a garage or basement, you may want to consider adding some insulation, caulking around windows, and weather stripping the doors to help those areas stay a little warmer.  Wrapping the water heater in a special water heater insulating blanket will also help reduce heat loss.

If your water heater is located some distance from your bathrooms and kitchen, you can help matters by insulating the hot water lines, especially if they run through unheated areas such as basements, crawlspaces, and attics.  You can wrap exposed hot water line with foam pipe insulation available at your local home improvement center.

If none of these suggestions do the trick, have your water heater checked out by a reputable local plumber.  You may have other issues such as a failing heating element, a broken dip tube, or an accumulation of rust and sediment in the tank.  Your plumber help you decide if it is time for a new water heater.

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Gas Verses Electric Water Heater

March 14th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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If you are replacing your standard storage tank type water heater, you probably have the choice between installing a gas water heater or an electric water heater.  Some homeowner’s don’t have the option – gas or propane is not available so their only option is to install an electric water heater.  For all those who have a choice, each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Electric water heaters are generally considered a little safer than gas water heaters.  There is no risk of gas leaking and no flame so there is no fire danger or risk of carbon monoxide production.  In addition, electric water heaters tend to be a little more durable than gas water heaters.

On the other hand, gas water heaters have historically been less expensive to operate.  They also heat up the water a little faster so there is a shorter “recovery time” after using a tankful of water.

In most cases, you will have the lowest initial cost by replacing your water heater with a water heater that uses the same type of energy source.  There is some additional cost involved in switching from one type to the other.  However, as the cost of natural gas, propane, and electricity change, you may discover that you can save money on energy costs in the long run by switching from an electric water heater to a gas water heater or vice versa.

Your plumbing contractor can help you decide whether a gas water heater or an electric water heater makes the most sense for your home.

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Water Heater Replacement

March 14th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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Most homeowners wait to replace their water heater until they have a hot water emergency.  Either the water heater quits working or worse, water starts leaking from the water heater.  For some reason, these water heater emergencies seem to happen at the worst possible time: when you are getting ready for work, at night, and on weekends and holidays.

You can avoid the added expense of an emergency plumbing visit and schedule the interruption in your hot water supply by scheduling your water heater replacement when it is convenient for you.  You can also avoid the damage that can be caused by a leaky water heater.  Most water heaters only last about 10 to 15 years before they rust through and start leaking so if your water heater is getting old, now might be a good time to call your plumber about installing a new water heater.

If you are replacing a conventional storage type water heater, keep in mind that you have other options such as a tankless or on-demand water heater.  There are advantages and disadvantages of each type so be sure to get as much information as you can before making a switch.

If you decide to stick with a storage type water heater, choose a size that fits your hot water usage pattern.  There is no need to move up to a larger water heater if you have not had any problems with running out of hot water.  In fact, choosing too large of a water heater not only wastes money on the appliance, but also wastes energy by needlessly keeping unused water hot.

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