Tips For Preventing Your Pipes from Freezing This Winter

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Frozen water pipes are not only a great inconvenience but also are expensive to repair when they burst. The situation can go from bad to a disaster if it happens when you are out of the house and the water damage will quickly multiply. In order to avoid the hassle and expense of water line repairs due to burst or frozen water pipes this winter, consider applying some of these simple techniques in your home.

Letting the water drip slowly from a faucet one method that that will help prevent your water pipes from freezing.  Moving water does not freeze as quickly as still water and even a trickle of water from an inside faucet can help to prevent your water pipes from freezing and bursting.

The most effective way to prevent pipes from freezing is by limiting the amount of piping that is exposed to the cold outside air. Vulnerable pipes can and should be fitted with insulation sleeves, which will provide them with some protection.

There is also heating tape that can be wrapped around pipes, some with a built in thermostat that turns on automatically and others that must be turned on manually. To prevent freezing when you are going away for a few days and probably don’t have the heating on full, it is a good idea to drain your system and turn of the water at the mains until you return.

Remember one of the first signs that you have a frozen pipe is when you turn the taps on and nothing comes out. When this occurs and especially when you don’t know the exact location of the frozen section it is best to call a plumber out immediately before the pipes have time to burst.

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Locating and Repairing a Leaky Water Line

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Repairing a leaky water line is not a task that anyone enjoys doing but it is also one that should not be put off. You may have realised you have a leak in your water supply pipe when you noticed your water bills were suddenly unusually high. Getting your water bills back in line is just one reason for getting a leaky water supply line fixed promptly.   In addition, a leaky water line will continue to get worse and can cause underground erosion, foundation damage, and other issues.

Once you suspect you have a leak somewhere along your water line, the next step is to confirm it. Check in your yard for any random wet spots around the area where the water supply pipe is buried. Any unexplainable damp patches are a strong indication that you have discovered the site of the leak. Another way to be sure is to turn of the water inside your home and check the meter reading. If it changes over the next hour or so, you have a leak and you need to think about contacting your plumber.

A leak underground involves digging up a section of your yard to gain access to the pipe. This is a job for a plumber rather that a DIY issue as the proper tools as well as knowledge and experience in water line repairs is required to do the job properly and professionally.

Once the plumber has been in and assessed the situation he may ask whether you would prefer to repair or replace the affected pipe. Your plumber will be able to explain in full the advantages and disadvantage of both and advise you on the best course of action based on your situation.

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Thawing a Frozen Water Pipe

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you live in an area that experiences particularly cold winters, your water pipes could be vulnerable to freezing. Turning your faucet on and finding that nothing is coming out suggest that a section of the pipe has frozen and action should be taken as quickly as possible to thaw the pipe and prevent it from bursting. Whether you do it yourself or call out a plumber to fix the problem for you, thawing a frozen pipe will significantly cheaper than water line repairs due to a burst water pipe.

Whether you are able to effectively thaw the pipe yourself will usually depend on your ability to identify the frozen section and the accessibility of that section of pipe. One of the simplest and most effective DIY methods is through the use of a hairdryer. Remember to leave the faucet connected to the frozen pipe open and heat the pipe from the faucet slowly moving back towards the blockage. This way as the ice begins to melt it is able to run freely out of the pipe.

A heat lamp or portable heater work in a similar way to the hairdryer and work particularly well for thawing pipes running through small spaces. This is another safe and effective DIY method.

Electric heating tape is another technique that should be considered. You wrap it around the frozen pipe and plug it in and the electrical elements inside will heat the pipe. This is also an effective preventative measure and can be left on the pipe and simply turned on whenever you feel the pipe is at risk of freezing again.

If the pipe is not easy to reach or you are unsure of the exact location of the freeze, your best option is to call out for the services of a reputable plumber. They will do the job properly and professionally and be able to give you tips on how to prevent it from freezing over again in the future.

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Tips on How to Prevent Clogged Drains

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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A clogged drain can be extremely problematic and can consume a great deal of time and effort. In severe cases requires the services of a plumber to come out and remove the blockage for you. Clogs are most often caused by the things that residents of the properly allow to go down the drain so monitoring and controlling what goes down the drain can help to prevent the occurrence of clogs and blockages and save you money on drain cleaning.

Food is one of the most common causes of clogged drains as even little pieces are easy to get caught up and stuck within debris that builds up on the side of pipes. Make sure that you scrape as much of the food off of your plates and into the trash before putting them into the sink. A drain strainer should also be used to catch any left over large pieces. Grease from your frying pan can be very problematic in drains as fat can solidify on the walls of the pipes. Collect left over fat and oil to be re-used or dispose as much of it as possible before your rinse and wash it.

We have all seen how hair tends to collect around the drain and removing that collected hair after each shower or bath and disposing of it rather than forcing it down the drain will help to prevent clogs. Soap is another item that is often responsible for clogs and soap and hair mixed together is a deadly combination responsible for difficult to remove clogs. Remember to throw soap in the garbage once it has become too small to use.

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Clear Your Clogged Pipes Properly and Professionally

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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A clogged sink drain or toilet can be a real nuisance and even the simplest clogged drain cleaning task can involve technical issues that can make the job challenging for the average home owner to tackle alone. Clogged pipes and drains should be cleared properly and professionally or you will find that they frequently will quickly become clogged again.  In addition, a homeowner can inadvertently cause damage to their plumbing or create a clog that is even more difficult to remove.

Having said that, depending on the type and severity of the blockage in the drain there may be some simple techniques that you can try before calling on the services of a plumber.  Stoppers and strainers in the sinks and bathtub regularly accumulate grime and hair so the first step when you notice that the water is not draining properly is to remove them and give them a good cleaning.

If cleaning the stoppers doesn’t make a difference we turn to the trusted plunger. There is a reason this simple tool has been around for so long and that is because it is highly effective.  A little petroleum jelly on the rim of the plunger can help make a good seal.  Put the plunger into the clogged sink or toilet and carefully but firmly push down on the plunger to force the clog to break loose.

If the plunger doesn’t work, the blockage may be too servere or too far down the line to get to yourself. More specialist tools will be required and you may decide that this the time to call in a plumber. A plumber will know exactly how to remove the entire clog, leaving your pipes in good condition and your water draining freely.

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Advanced Options in Water Heaters

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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If you are looking at new water heaters to replace your current one, you may run into some unfamiliar terms.  Today’s water heaters are more advanced than the old ones and often use technology that you may never have heard of.  Here are some of those terms and what they mean so you can make an informed decision when you purchase your next water heater.

High Efficiency

This phrase tells you that the water heater runs more efficiently than older water heaters to save you money and save the environment.  It is measured by an EF rating or Energy Factor.  The most efficient models have a higher number.  They may cost more to purchase but will save money on heating costs.

Energy Star

Energy Star rated water heaters are better for the environment as well as better for your wallet.  This term means it is backed by the government and is popular with many homeowners who are looking to save money and help the environment.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters (also called demand water heaters) are the most energy efficient type of water heating system.  A tankless water heater does not store water in the unit.  Instead, it heats the water as it passes through to its destination.  A tankless water heater is more energy efficient since it only heats the water as it is used instead of trying to keep the water warm all of the time like storage type water heaters models.   Smaller demand water heaters cannot provide as much hot water as a storage type water heaters, so they are best used in small families where only one or two areas of the home are using hot water at once.

If you have questions about the different types of water heaters available or what certain technology means, you can talk to your local plumber.  They will gladly answer your questions so you understand what you are purchasing.

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Do You Need a Sump Pump?

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Sump pumps are designed to prevent flooding in basements.  This can happen because a basement is below ground level and the water from the soil can leak into the area when it is saturated.  Heavy rains can also cause water to enter the basement due to run-off.  A sump pump can prevent thousands of dollars of damage and unsanitary conditions with standing water.

A sump pump is needed in any area that is prone to flooding or in houses that sit below the water line.  Any house that has a basement is susceptible to problems and should have a sump pump as a precaution.

Many sump pumps are set up to work off the house’s electricity but they also need a backup power option in case the electricity goes out.  It would not do you any good to have a sump pump if your electricity goes off with no other method for it to run.

A sump pump can prevent damage to the contents in your basement, especially if it is a finished area.  This can prevent thousands of dollars spent in replacing items such as carpeting and furnishings.  Another benefit of having a sump pump is that it will prevent damage to your foundation from water.  Over time, water can weaken wooden joists or beams, causing them to crack or rot.  It is much more expensive to make structural repairs than to purchase and set up a sump pump.

Your local plumber can help you select a sump pump and install it so that it works properly when you need it.  They can answer any questions you may have about the pump before and after purchase.

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Your Options in Water Treatment Systems

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Water Filtration
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When you need to treat the water before you can use it for drinking, bathing, and other purposes, you will need to choose a treatment system for your home.  There are several water filter and water treatment options to choose from.

With ultraviolet treatments, the water will pass through an ultraviolet light to kill any biological contaminants.  The problem with this type of system is that it will not work on dissolved chemicals to make the drinking water completely pure.

Ozone treatments use ozone, a gas, to kill contaminants.  They also reduce odors from iron, sulphur, and other dissolved chemicals.  The drawback is that it is an expensive method and it contains mild carcinogenic by-products.

With membrane treatments, a membrane is used to remove impurities from water.  An electric current can be used to move water through the membrane.  It will remove both biological and organic contaminants, but it an expensive choice for water treatment.

One of the most popular and effective treatments is reverse osmosis treatments.   It can be used to remove pesticides, microbes, chemical toxins, and organic contaminants.  Water is forced through a dense membrane that will not allow anything else to get through.  The benefit of this option is that it removes impurities with no changes to the taste or smell of the water.  However, it also removes any helpful minerals from the water.  The membrane may have to be replaced if it gets clogged with use.

If you are not sure which treatment option is best for you, you can talk to your local plumber for advice.  They will also help you with installation of the water treatment system that you purchase.

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How to Protect Your Water Pipes from Freezing in Cold Weather

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you live in an older home or poorly insulated one, you may find that you have problems keeping your water lines from freezing.  This is especially true for any pipes near an outside wall or doors.  When water freezes, it expands and can cause the pipes to separate at the joints and crack.  When it thaws out, the result can be major water damage in the home.

You can use thermostatic heating tape around the pipes to keep the water inside from freezing.  Plug the tape into a receptacle and it will keep a constant temperature for the pipes.  You can also wrap the pipes in foam insulation and tape it to keep it in place.  Another option is to add insulation to the wall near the pipes and keep the area warmer.

If it is safe to do so, you can keep a space heater in the room that gets cold enough to freeze the pipes.  Sometimes just leaving the doors to the cabinets open will prevent the air from getting cold enough to reach freezing.  You can also keep the faucet running at just a steady drip to prevent freezing.  Moving water does not freeze as easily and that is often a resolution for bathrooms and kitchens where water freezes.  Another more expensive option is to turn the temperature up in the house to warm the area where the freezing pipes are located.

If you have problems with freezing pipes in the winter, you may want to get help from your plumber to determine the best fix for the situation and prevent costly repairs.

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How to Choose the Right Water Heater for Your Home

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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A water heater provides the hot water you and your family need so it is important to choose the right one for your home.  Here are some tips to help you in your decision.

You will have to determine which fuel type for your water heater to buy.  This will be electric, natural gas, or propane gas.  Then you will have to think about the size of your family to pick the right capacity for your water heater.  They are measured by gallons and this number lets you know how many gallons can be heated at one time.  If you choose a water heater that is too small, you will run out of hot water when you are taking a shower or doing laundry.

If you choose a water heater that is too big, you will never need all of the hot water and will be wasting energy heating up more than you need.  It takes electricity to keep the water warm and the smaller heart you get, the cheaper your utility bill will be.

The next step is to measure the area where the water heater will go to determine what size will fit in that space.  You will need to measure the height and width to ensure that you don’t get one too big to fit the area.

Once you know what water heater you need, you can contact your local plumber to help you find the right one and install it for you.  They will make sure everything is connected correctly and working so that you have hot water when you need it.

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