Is Your Water Pressure Too High?

May 27th, 2014 Posted in Water Line Repair
Comments Off on Is Your Water Pressure Too High?

Most of us enjoy high water pressure, especially when taking a hot, relaxing shower. However, high water pressure can have its drawbacks, creating excessive stress on your plumbing fixtures and appliances, plus lead higher energy and water bills. A pressure reducing valve (PRV) can manage your water pressure, creating the right balance to save you money.

Dangers Of High Water Pressure

When water pressure is too high in your home, it can cause damage to almost every fixture, appliance and hose that water encounters. This daily damage can lead to premature failure of appliances, bursting water lines and hoses, and many other problems which can cost you a small fortune. Consider these points:

  • Appliances. Your dishwasher, water heater and washer are all high-priced appliances which can be damaged over time by high water pressure. Keeping a lower pressure can reduce wear on these expensive items, making them last years longer.
  • Hoses and pipes. High pressure can make hoses and pipes weak, leaving them vulnerable to bursting. Once a hose or pipe cracks, it can quickly cause thousands of dollars of water damage in your home.
  • Water bills. Higher pressure means more water used, causing your water and energy bills to skyrocket.

Most homes should strive to have a water pressure between 50-70 PSI. However, many municipal water supplies can have pressures close to 200 PSI. To find out where your water pressure is and whether you could benefit from a PRV, call your local plumber to have your water pressure tested. It could save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on water bills, water fixture replacements and other damages.

 Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

, ,
Read More

High Water Bills Can Be A Sign Of A Leak

May 27th, 2014 Posted in Water Line Repair
Comments Off on High Water Bills Can Be A Sign Of A Leak

If your water bill has increased over recent months, it may be a sign of a water leak in your home. Not all leaks are immediately apparent; they may be inside your toilet, under your home or even in your walls. A slow leak can cause your water bill to rise, and it is only a matter of time before that slow leak becomes a major one. If your water bill is higher than normal, it is time to investigate the reasons why before major water damage occurs.

Sneaky Leaks

There are several places where plumbing can leak water without you necessarily noticing. Even a small drip or leak can add up to gallons of water lost every day. Some common leaks that go undetected include:

  • Toilets. Although a running toilet is usually noticeable, there are minor leaks that can be almost silent. Two of the most common toilet leaks are due to either a leaking stopper valve or a fault ball cock valve.
  • Interior pipes. Most of your plumbing runs in between walls and under floors, making it hard to detect leaks. These can be the most damaging, as they may be causing water damage to your home without you knowing it is happening.
  • Exterior water supply lines. It is possible that water is leaking out into the ground before it ever even gets into your home. A small leak in your water line will eventually result in a burst pipe if not found and repaired.

Of course, there are many reasons your water bill may have increased which may not involve a leak, such as higher usage and rate hikes. However, if nothing else has changed, you may want to call your local plumber to schedule a professional leak inspection on your plumbing before the problem gets worse.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic & Sewer 

, ,
Read More

Give Your Water Heater A Spring Cleaning

May 26th, 2014 Posted in Water Heaters
Comments Off on Give Your Water Heater A Spring Cleaning

Many water heaters are neglected, despite all the work they do for a home on a daily basis. Just like any appliance, water heaters need regular maintenance to ward off expensive future repairs. One of the regular maintenance services that should be performed on your water heater is draining out the old water and flushing the tank. This spring, take the time to give your water heater the cleaning it needs to do its job for years to come.

Why Clean Your Water Heater?

Over the years, the tank on your water heater can begin to accumulate mineral deposits from the water it processes. These deposits can create mineral formations, and a heavy build up within the tank. This mineral layer acts like insulation between the water and the heating elements, making your water heater work harder. Not only does this waste energy by causing your water heater to stay on longer to heat the water, the heat can damage the metal on your tank, leading to leaks and possibly the need to replace the entire unit.

An easy fix to this issue is draining out the old water once a year and replacing it with fresh water. This can reduce the mineral build up and extend the life of your water heater. In addition, it is also a good time to inspect the other components of the heater, such as the anode rods, replacing any that are getting worn out before they cause an interruption in your hot water. Your local plumber can drain your water heater for you as well as give it an annual inspection, so call them to schedule your spring cleaning today!

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

Google

, ,
Read More

Are You Flushing Money Down The Toilet?

May 26th, 2014 Posted in Toilets
Comments Off on Are You Flushing Money Down The Toilet?

For most homes, the largest source of water use is the toilet. It is estimated that about a third of all the water used in a home can be attributed to toilets, a large amount when you consider all the other water fixtures that you use everyday. Water costs money, either directly through your municipal water bill or through other costs such as electricity or waste water costs. Since your toilet uses the most water, one of the best ways to stop flushing this water and money away is to reduce the water used with a water efficient toilet.

Improved Water Efficient Toilet Design

Many people are concerned that a water efficient toilet will not perform as well as older models. The fact is that many of the newer designs of efficient toilets actually perform better than models which use traditional design. Larger flapper valves, similar trapways and longer flush valves all can increase the productivity of the flushing aspect, while using less water to do so. These improvements can offer a savings of 20% on the water that gets flushed down the toilet, a substantial savings over the many years that the toilet will be in service.

If it is time to replace your older toilet with a new, water efficient model, you will want the help of an experienced plumber. For most people, installing a new toilet is not a do-it-yourself project they want to undertake. A professional can give you recommendations on the brands and models of low-flow toilets which offer the best performance. Once you choose the right model for your home, your local plumber can ensure that your new toilet is installed correctly and properly sealed so that it will last for many years to come.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

, ,
Read More

Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Install Your Own Toilet

May 26th, 2014 Posted in Toilets
Comments Off on Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Install Your Own Toilet

The do-it-yourself trend continues to gain speed, with more homeowners than ever opting to tackle projects around the house themselves. While handling your own minor repairs and upgrades can be a rewarding, money-saving experience, there are some tasks which the average homeowner isn’t likely to save money on or complete without serious difficulty and risk. One of these projects is the installation of a new toilet.

Toilet Installation Necessities

In order to operate at optimal efficiency and be properly functioning, a toilet must be installed correctly. Improper installation can damage not only the appearance of a toilet, but also dramatically reduce the advertised efficiency and shorten the life of the fixture overall. Homeowners who have opted to upgrade their existing toilet for greater efficiency may even find themselves using more water and energy through incorrect installation techniques.

A poorly placed toilet may slide, rock and move when it’s used, increasing the risk of injury to both the toilet and the person using it. Connections and fittings should be leak-free under all conditions, something an inexperienced installer may not be able to either ensure or verify.

Ensuring Functionality and Safety

The best and most effective method of ensuring your new toilet lasts for many years, meets efficiency ratings and functions properly is to work with an experienced, reputable and licensed plumber in your area. Together, you can ensure the proper installation of your new, more efficient toilet to save money and protect your investment.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

, ,
Read More

Commercial Construction

May 6th, 2014 Posted in Commercial Plumbing
Comments Off on Commercial Construction

As the economy gradually continues to improve, commercial construction activity in renovation projects continues to improve as well.  Projects being seen include office space, restaurants, shopping centers, schools, churches and a wide variety of local, state and federal government projects.  One of the most crucial contractors on any commercial construction project is the commercial plumbing contractor, and this is especially true on renovations to existing buildings.  Often these projects occur in occupied buildings requiring phasing and after hours work, which result in the building’s occupants to continue to work in the space, while the work is ongoing.  Keeping bathrooms functional is during any renovation project is critical!

Renovation projects are more difficult to perform than new builds, as the plumbing contractor is often combining new work with existing work, which in some cases was installed decades ago.  In addition, they are working with the most recent building and plumbing codes, which may differ from the codes that were followed when the building was built.

While keeping the building’s occupants happy during the renovations, it is also critical that a high quality product be delivered.  Quality begins before the work ever begins on the project.  It starts early on when the job is being estimated and the estimator and project manager conduct site visits to completely understand the scope of work and existing conditions.  As the project moves along, the correct combination of well-trained and experienced craftsmen, as well as materials, must be available on site when needed.  The leadership of the company must be dedicated and committed to delivering a high quality product on time and under budget, while exceeding the expectations of the owner and the existing tenants.  While challenging, commercial renovation projects are also the most rewarding projects!

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

, ,
Read More

Find Local Company | Featured Plumbers| Find Local Plumbers| Plumbers Directory