Time for a New Water Heater? Consider Going Tankless

January 28th, 2013 Posted in Tankless Water Heaters
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If it’s time to replace your  conventional storage type water heater, consider whether installing a tankless water heater makes sense for your home.  Tankless water heaters (also called demand water heaters) have many advantages over conventional storage type water heaters, but they come with certain trade-offs.

The primary advantage of a tankless water heater is that they are much more energy efficient than a standard storage type water heater.  According to EPA estimates, tankless water heaters use about 30% less energy to heat water than a conventional storage type water heater.  Since water heating is one of the largest users of energy in most homes, the energy savings can be significant.

The energy savings from tankless water heaters are a result of heating water only when it is needed.  A conventional water heater heats a tank of water and keeps it hot all day whether there is a demand for hot water or not.  The energy used to keep the water hot is called standby heat loss.  A demand or tankless water heater eliminates standby heat loss and saves energy by heating water only when the hot water tap is opened.

Before committing to a tankless water heater, talk to an experienced plumber who understands the trade-offs inherent in these types of systems.  For one thing, a tankless water heater is more expense than a conventional water heater.  However, a tankless water heater has two to three times the useful life of a conventional water heater.

Also, sizing is critical for tankless water heaters to maximize efficiency while ensuring that you don’t run out of hot water.  Your plumber can review your hot water usage habits and help you select the right size tankless water heater for your home.

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Moving or Replacing a Toilet During a Remodel Can Create Problems

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Bathroom Remodeling
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Bathrooms are one area of the home that frequently get remodeled. Sometimes the bathroom remodeling may include replacing the old toilet with a new one. Even if that is not the case, generally the toilet may need to moved out of the bathroom in order for the flooring to be replaced and wall finishes completed behind it. In either scenario, it is important to understand what can go wrong if you should happen to try and undertake this task yourself.

Not having the water supply shutoff to the toilet is a simple mistake that can have big consequences when removing a toilet. Make sure this is your number one priority.

One of the other problems homeowners can run into when removing a toilet from its seating can be rusted bolts. This can especially be a problem in older homes where the toilet has not been moved or replaced for many years. In attempting to remove the rusted bolts, one must also be cautious not to crack the porcelain if there are plans to reuse the toilet.

Once the toilet is removed, the flooring should also be examined for water damage. Leaky toilets can cause damage that deteriorates the subfloor beneath it. If this has happened, it will be important to replace the damaged subfloor before reinstalling a toilet in the bathroom.

The other problems that can occur during this process are during the installation of the new or former toilet. A wax seal needs to be installed before seating the toilet in place. Forgetting this simple step or doing it incorrectly can result in a leaky toilet. Tightening the bolts too tight when installing the toilet is problem you want to avoid. Over tightening could potentially crack the toilet’s base.

The safest way to avoid all these problems is to hire a professional plumber to both remove and install your toilet for you.

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Why Won’t Your Toilet Flush?

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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The invention of the indoor toilet has been a wonderful convenience for modern man. However, the toilet or water closet, as it is often called, has one issue that they never worried about with the outhouse and the chamber pot.

Since neither of those antiquated options had a flushing mechanism, you didn’t have the problem that occurs with our modern toilets and changes them from a convenience to a great inconvenience. That inconvenience happens when the water of our ‘water closet’ does not do the work it is intended to do. There are various reasons why a toilet does not flush properly and may need toilet repairs.

  • Toilet handle. Your toilet’s flush handle is connected to the mechanism inside the tank that lifts the plunger off the tank’s drain to allow the water to flow from the tank to the bowl and flush the contents down the drain. Occasionally, the mechanism attached to the toilet handle can break. If this happens, the handle will generally flop without any tension. Lifting the tank cover off will allow you to look inside to see if that is where the problem lies.
  • Flushing mechanism. Even if the mechanism attached to the handle is intact, there may be other problems related to the flushing mechanism which are stopping it from operating properly. Many toilets have a chain that is attached to the plunger that sits in the bottom of the tank. If that chain breaks or becomes detached at either end, then the flush handle will not be able to do it’s work of releasing the plunger. Again, raising the tank cover and looking inside can easily determine if this is the problem.

Should you discover that your flushing mechanism is broken and no longer operating correctly, a call to your local plumber can quickly remedy the situation.

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Using a Plumber’s Auger to Clear Clogged Drains

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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When a plunger isn’t accomplishing the job of clearing a clogged drain, using a plumber’s auger or plumber’s snake may be needed to remove the clog. Although a homeowner could purchase this tool and attempt to use it himself, it is recommended that you leave the use of this tool to the professionals who understand when and how to use it. There are different types of plumber’s augers. Using the wrong type of auger on the drain that is plugged could cause more problems than they solve.

The auger that most people are familiar with is a long wire that has spiraled end. These augers are sent down the drain until they reach the clog. The auger is rotated as it progresses down the drainpipe. When the auger reaches the clog it can clear the clog in one of two ways.

If the clog is created by an object, such as a toy or washcloth, the auger may connect itself to the object and be able to pull the object out of the drain. If the clog is created by hair or grease, the auger may simply drill through the clog and then break up the clog into debris that can be flushed out of the pipe. This type of auger works well for sink or bathtub drains but should not be used for a clogged toilet. This type of auger could cause damage to the porcelain bowl and could also get tangled in the larger drainpipe beneath the toilet.

There is a special auger that plumbers use for unclogging toilets. These are often referred to as closet augers, since they are used on water closets or toilets. Clogged toilets that can’t be cleared with a plunger should always be referred to a professional plumber.

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Reasons Your Toilet May Become Clogged

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Clogged toilets are the bane of the homeowner. They can happen at the most inopportune time and are not always easily remedied. Fixing a clogged toilet can be as simple a few good pushes on a plunger. Other times, clogged toilet repairs can be much more work. What it takes to unclog a toilet depends largely upon what the reason is behind the clog. There are several causes for a clogged toilet and therefore several different means of clearing those clogs. Here are some of the most common causes for a clogged toilet:

  • A foreign object lodged in the toilet is common problem, especially in homes with small children. Small toys or toothbrushes are common culprits. Often times an object is beyond view and the fact that there is something in the drain pathway is not easily evident. Clogs that seem to keep recurring in a toilet may be due to a foreign object.
  • Blockage in the vent pipe. If the toilet’s vent pipe has a blockage it can affect the flushing ability of the toilet.
  • Too much waste at once. Too much paper and organic waste trying to flushed at once can clog a toilet and make a real mess.

A professional plumber will have the tools and experience necessary to determine the reason behind a clogged toilet. He will be sure to check the vent stack as well as the toilet drain for blockage. A plumber will also have a plumbers snake to sure as an auger to break through clogs or fish out foreign objects. If necessary, a plumber can lift the toilet from its seating and then reseal and set it in place again. If the plunger isn’t solving the problem, call your plumber.

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Common Solutions for Clogged Drains

January 16th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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If you’ve been a homeowner for very long, you’ve probably dealt with clogged drains. It may have a sink, bathtub or toilet drain. Often the first sign of a clog is when water begins to drain slower than normal. Occasionally, a slow moving drain will gradually clear out the clog itself and begin draining properly again. In most cases, however, a drain will require some assistance to remove the material that is clogging the drain pipe.

Do-it-yourself Solutions

Hair Clog: If the clog is in the bathtub drain, the first step would be to remove the drain cover. Bathtub drains often can become clogged with hair that has collected just beneath the drain cover. Simply removed the accumulated hair clog may be all that is needed in this case.

Plunger: For a toilet or sink clog, the use of a plunger may be all it takes to dislodge the clog from the drain. The pressure of air and water being forced through the pipe by the plunger usually will dislodge most simple clogs.

Soda and Boiling Water: If you are not dealing with standing water, just a slow draining sink or tub. After be sure the drain cover is clear of any hair or obvious obstruction, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain and then follow it with three cups of boiling water. You may need to repeat the process a couple of times to fully clear the clog.

Not all clogs can be dislodged with these simple methods. The more stubborn clogs may require the help of a professional plumber who has the tools needed to remove what wasn’t affected by the use of a plunger or the soda and water treatments.

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Detached Structures: What You Should Know About Remote Services

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Drains
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When you add a detached structure to your property there are a number of things to consider. Important items include zoning, permits, set-backs, electrical, HVAC and plumbing needs. In many instances you’ll be able to tie existing electric, water and sewage services into the new construction, but not always. Before you even draw up your plans, never mind break ground, you have some initial research to do. Trade contractors can generally assist in determining permit requirements, so get them involved with the process.

Once you’ve ascertained that you are allowed to do what you want to do and what limitations you have to deal with, you can get busy on your project. Unless construction is your trade you will be contracting for much of the work. Even if you are a skilled do-it-yourself type, situations will come up that require a professional and you’ll be glad that you have them to depend on.

When it comes to plumbing the new addition, a licensed and insured plumber will be able to help you every step of the way, from installing water supply lines, plumbing fixtures, and drain lines. Logistics of cost, material and installation are of paramount importance. Most potential trouble can be avoided before it even has a chance to happen. Ground conditions from sub-grade terrain and drainage to surface peculiarities are all things your plumber can assist with. Proper slopes and connections and integration with electrical service are things usually best dealt with professionally.

 

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Common Plumbing Problems in Older Homes

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Water Heaters
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If you buy an older home it’s almost a given that you will run into some plumbing problems. The first 12 months you own the home are when the majority of these situations will occur. Some things you will be able to remedy on your own and some will require the services of a licensed and insured professional plumber.

Older plumbing brings with it a special set of concerns that often are beyond the skill-set and experience of the the average handyman. Special tools may be needed that you won’t find anymore in a hardware store.

There are some things to look out for that will allow you to identify some existing situations and others that are likely to occur unless they are dealt with now. Below are a few tell-tale markers to look out for.

  • Hot Water Heater – The hot water heater is one of those appliances that can quit suddenly, particularly models that are more than 10 years old (the first four digits of the serial number will tell you the month and year of manufacture). If you have to replace one, make sure the new water heater has sufficient capacity and a good energy rating.
  • Tubs and Showers – Loose, chipped caulking and broken tiles can allow water to seep behind and underneath, damaging floors and walls.
  • Water Pressure – Low water pressure can indicate cracked supply lines or calcification in the lines.
  • Toilets – Staining at the base can point to a variety of problems. Dark stains are often indicative of mold and light or whitish stains can result from moisture seepage. Toilets and sub-floors may need to be repaired or replaced.

Your friendly neighborhood plumber will be happy to help you adjust to your vintage domicile and you’d be surprised at some of the arcane tools and supplies he keeps in his magic toolbox.

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A Gritty Problem: Sand Clogged Drains

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Clogged tub, sink and shower drains are common events, and there are numerous remedies to rectify a clogged drain. Plungers, augers and various drain-cleaning products are available, one of which is likely to clear most clogged drains. Small objects and organic materials are the usual suspects in such backups, but when the trouble is caused by a buildup of sand the solution may be more difficult to achieve.

For one thing, unless you know exactly how the sand got into the drain in the first place, you may be dealing with a situation that is way beyond your control. If you’ve just cleaned out the fish tank in the kitchen sink or the kids have dumped buckets full of beach sand into the tub, it’s one thing, and you can try a few experiments before calling your plumber. Here are a few DIY tips that may be worth a go.

  • Wet-Vac – You might get better results from pulling rather than pushing. If the sand is near the top end of the drain system you may get it back out by vacuuming.
  • Bladder – A bladder is designed to increase the water pressure into the drain, which can break up a sand clog, dispersing the sand so that a regular flow can flush the system clean.
  • Garden Hose Reducer – As with a bladder, a hose reducer will increase the water pressure and may wash the sand away.

If you can’t identify where the sand came from or your initial efforts are unsuccessful, it is time to call in a licensed plumber. The problem could be a broken water line, necessitating major work. Your plumber may even have to “scope” the line with a miniature camera to identify the problem. But, that’s what your professional serviceman is there for, so don’t hesitate to call for help.

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Unclog the Toilet

January 14th, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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Dealing with a clogged toilet is never any fun. Procrastination is usually the first resort when it comes to clearing a clogged toilet. You sit there and watch it, hoping the problem will take care of itself. Surprisingly, this method does work fairly often and the only fix necessary is an extra flush. When this doesn’t work, however, there are a few more steps you can take before calling for a licensed plumber. The following list includes a few tips that not only work pretty well but don’t involve harsh chemicals and unhealthy fumes.

  • The Plunger – As an archaeological relic, the toilet plunger is only about a half-hour younger than the first toilet, and has served mankind commendably since then. While a cup plunger will work, it is best-suited for sinks and tubs. For toilets best results will be achieved with a flanged plunger.
  • Hot Water and Detergent – Sometimes the heat and volume of the extra water and lubricating effect of the detergent are enough to loosen the stoppage.
  • The Snake – As with a plunger, the drain snake (aka the drain auger) should be a mainstay in any basic homeowner tool set. Be careful to not scratch the porcelain bowl with the tip of the auger or get it stuck in the plumbing.
  • Long-Sleeved Rubber Gloves – Sometimes you just have to do things manually to dislodge or retrieve a blockage. Plumbers all have some story to tell about things they have found while clearing a stoppage, everything from organics to combs and hair-clips and cell phones. 

If none of these measures are productive or you just don’t want the hassle, then don’t be afraid to call a pro. A reputable plumber can often handle these problems much quicker than the standard do-it-yourselfer.

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