Tips For Maintaining Your Kitchen Plumbing

January 28th, 2014 Posted in Drains
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One of the most common places for plumbing problems is in the kitchen. While bathrooms are also a common source of plumbing issues, kitchens have their own unique problems. Most kitchens have a sink, dishwasher and even refrigerators which all need a water supply and drain, each of which can cause problems if not maintained correctly. By following these simple maintenance tips, you can reduce the chance of plumbing problems in your kitchen.

  • Prevent clogged drains. Food waste is often the culprit of a clogged drain. Oil and grease are one of the main offenders; pour out oil and grease from pans and then wipe them with a paper towel before rinsing in the sink or putting in the dishwasher. Keep fibrous items like produce peels out of the garbage disposal, and avoid other hard items such as coffee grounds and egg shells. For dishwasher drains, make sure all food is scraped off into the garbage then dishes are rinsed before putting them into the dishwasher.
  • Help your garbage disposal. Run water down the drain for 15 seconds before and after you use the garbage disposal. To keep away bad odors, pour a small amount of dish soap in while running the disposal. Never reach your hand into a garbage disposal; call a plumber if there is a problem!
  • Clean your ice maker. Your ice maker water dispenser and drain can get clogged with mildew and mold, which is unhealthy for your family and damaging to the refrigerator. Follow your refrigerator’s scheduled maintenance recommendations for cleaning.
  • Watch for sink leaks. Your kitchen sink has many connections which can become worn and need of replacement. At the first sign of leaks on your faucets, aerator or pipes, make sure to call your plumber to have them repaired before water damage occurs.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing 

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Tips For Maintaining Your Basement Plumbing

January 28th, 2014 Posted in Water Heaters
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Many people have a variety of plumbing appliances and fixtures in their basements. It’s very common for washers, water heaters and other plumbing to be located in the basement. To keep everything running smoothly, there are a few maintenance items that should be performed regularly and also some basic safety rules that you should follow.

  • Never store flammable items never a water heater. Paints, solvents, gasoline and other flammable items should be stored away from your water heater to prevent them from accidental igniting and fires.
  • Check for leaks. Make sure you don’t have any leaks by checking your water meter when no water is going to be used for 8-10 hours. Note the reading, then check it after the elapsed time. If it has moved and no water was used, you may have a leak.
  • Prevent sewer gas backup. Every few months, it’s a good idea to pour a bucket of water down your basement floor drain to fill the trap seal. This can prevent sewer gases from rising and filling your home.
  • Stop water tapping noise. If you have water tapping or hammering noises, talk to your plumber about installing shock absorbers to keep your pipes from vibrating and making excess noise.
  • Check washer hoses. Periodically, your washer hoses need to be checked for bulges or wear. Replace as need to prevent flooding.
  • Adding new plumbing fixtures. Basement plumbing usually requires more knowledge than above ground plumbing. If you want to add a bathroom, laundry room or other plumbing to your basement, be sure to get the help of a professional plumber.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

 

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Bi-Annual Maintenance For Your Water Heater

January 28th, 2014 Posted in Water Heaters
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Many people ignore their water heaters, at least until there’s a problem. Unfortunately, when water heaters do cause a problem, it is usually expensive. From major leaks and water damage to failing altogether, water heaters can cost a small fortune when they are not properly maintained. By completing basic maintenance and checking on your water heater every six months, you can find small problems and often get them fixed by a professional before they become larger, more expensive issues.

  • Flush. Once or twice a year, you should flush your water heater to remove sediment. After turning off the gas or electricity and shutting off the cold water valve, drain water heater completely using a garden hose attached to the drain valve. When refilling, make sure all hot water valves in the house are turned on.
  • Check pressure valve. Shut off electricity, gas and cold water inlet to the water heater. After putting a bucket under the pressure valve, trip the lever on the valve. You should hear air release if it is working properly. If it is dripping water when closed, it may need to be replaced.
  • Check for leaks and drips. Most small leaks or drips are caused by faulty connections. These can be an easy fix for a very experienced do-it-yourselfer, but a fairly inexpensive repair for your plumber.
  • Check anode rods. Your anode rods help keep your water heater from rusting. They are steel wires usually covered by aluminum or magnesium. If the steel wire is showing, they need to be replaced.

By doing bi-annual or at least annual maintenance on your water heater, you can identify possible problems and needed repairs from a professional before your water heater fails or causes water damage in your home.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Preventing Common Plumbing Pipe Problems

January 28th, 2014 Posted in Plumbing Piping
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To make your plumbing pipes last, there are many things you should and should not do. Just like any fixture or piece of equipment, pipes can wear out when exposed to repeated stress. Chemicals, high water pressure, temperature and other factors can cause unnecessary stress on your pipes and make them more likely to burst or crack. Since a burst or leaky pipe can cause extensive damage in your home as well as be expensive to fix, maintaining your pipes is a much easier and less costly option.

Tips To Make Your Pipes Last Longer

There are simple things you can do to extend the life of your plumbing pipes. By protecting your pipes from certain elements, you can prevent many leaks and needed plumbing repairs.

  • Lower your water pressure. While high water pressure may fill up your bathtub faster, it can also cause damage to your water pipes over time and be a waste of water. A hose bib gauge can measure your water pressure, which should read between 40 and 85 psi. If your reading is higher, you should consult with your plumber about reducing your pressure.
  • Do not use chemical clog removers. Drain cleaners and chemical clog removers can harm your pipes and rarely remove the entire clog. When you’re dealing with a clogged pipe, it’s always best to call a plumber who can remove the clog correctly and completely. Prevent clogs by keeping grease, coffee, hair and other non-liquid items out of your drains.
  • Protect your pipes from freezing. Freezing can cause your pipes to crack and eventually burst. Protect pipes by using insulated covers or tape to reduce the chance of them cracking.

By taking it easy on your pipes, you can help them last for decades and prevent many leaks and plumbing problems down the road.

Posted on behalf of Tony McAdams, A-1 National Sewer and Drain

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Save Money With Water Efficient Appliances

January 28th, 2014 Posted in Water Heaters
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We all want to save money, especially when it comes to our utility bills. One great way to reduce your monthly expenses is to cut usage with water and energy efficient appliances. While most people cannot afford to replace all their appliances at once, choosing efficient models when the time comes to buy a new washer, water heater or dish washer can make a big difference on both your water and electricity bills.

Choosing A New Appliance

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made it easy to recognize appliances that are efficient in their energy use. Two programs are sponsored by the EPA, WaterSense and ENERGY STAR, both labeling appliances and fixtures that are deemed energy and water efficient.

  • WaterSense. WaterSense is a partnership program through the EPA which labels products that are certified to be at least 20% more efficient without sacrificing performance.
  • ENERGY STAR. For over twenty years, the ENERGY STAR voluntary EPA program has helped identify appliances which help to save energy. For example, an ENERGY STAR washer today can save over 70% on water and energy than a similar washer made twenty years ago.

The use of these more efficient appliances and fixtures have saved an estimated $230 billion in utility bills over the last twenty years, and 1.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, making them good for your wallet and the planet.

When you are ready to convert your water appliances to more efficient models, be sure to consult your plumber to be aware of any changes you may need for your home to connect to these new models. In addition to your appliances, your plumber can recommend water efficient toilets and water heaters when the time comes to replace them as well.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

 

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Burst Frozen Water Lines

January 16th, 2014 Posted in Water Line Repair
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Unusually cold winter weather can often result in an unpleasant surprise for unwary homeowners:  a burst water line.  Water expands when it freezes and the outside air temperature gets cold enough, your water supply line or the water lines in your house can burst if the water in the line freezes.   The problem is more common in areas that usually don’t experience extremely cold temperatures.  In northern states, water pipes are usually installed such that they are not susceptible to freezing since cold weather is the norm.

In warmer climates, less care is taken to protect water pipes against freezing and as a result, a period of unusually cold weather can result in an outbreak of broken water pipes.  If you are concerned about your water pipes freezing, there are few steps you can take to help prevent it from happening.

First, if cold weather is expected, leave a faucet running very slowly.  Moving water takes longer to freeze than still water so even a trickle of water though your pipes can help prevent the water from freezing.  In addition, leaving a faucet slightly open allows any pressure to dissipate in the pipes between your faucet and the frozen spot.  This can also help prevent a burst pipe.

Leave kitchen and bath room cabinets open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes, especially if they are located on an exterior wall.  If your water pipes run through an unheated garage, basement, attic, or crawlspace, consider installing pipe insulation or electric heating tape to prevent the pipes from freezing.

Finally, if you have a sprinkler irrigation system, water feature, spa or swimming pool, be sure to properly drain and winterize the system in the fall to prevent water freezing in the pipes and cracking them.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

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