Green Plumbing Tips For Your Home

June 18th, 2014 Posted in Tankless Water Heaters
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Saving energy and water are both a large part of living a green lifestyle. If you are concerned about the environment and want to save money on your utility bills, there are green plumbing ideas that you can implement around your home to make a noticeable difference. There are plenty of ways to reduce the amount of energy and water your family uses every day by just following some of these tips.

  • Fix drips quickly. A small drip can add up to big losses of water over time. The EPA estimates that one dripping or leaking faucet can waste 3,000 gallons of water a year. If you have a leaky or dripping faucet, don’t wait to get it fixed.
  • Water saving fixtures. From low flow toilets to shower heads, there are many ways to reduce the amount of water you use on a daily basis. For even more savings, when it comes time to replace large water appliances such as water heaters, washers and dishwashers, make sure you look for energy and water efficient models.
  • Heated water. Many homes are wasting money every time the hot water is turned on anywhere in the house. Poorly insulated pipes and water heaters radiate heat, wasting energy. Any pipes or water heaters which are hot to the touch should be insulated to cut down on energy and heat loss.  Consider installing a tankless water heater.
  • Reduce running water. One of the biggest wastes of water is allowing faucets to run. Never allow water to run straight from the faucet down the drain. Collect water in a container for rinsing vegetables or dishes. Use this container to water house or outdoor plants, making it useful.

A hundred families that fix a leaky faucet today could save 300,000 gallons of water over the next year. Every little bit of water and energy you save adds up, saving you money while protecting our natural resources. Contact a plumbing professional in your area to learn more about energy and water efficient options for your home.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Why Is My Water Heater Making Strange Noises?

June 18th, 2014 Posted in Water Heaters
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We tend not to think about our water heaters until there is trouble, and water heater trouble can affect the entire house. One of the common signs of a possible problem is when you hear strange noises, such as popping, ticking or hissing sounds. Ignoring these sounds is one of the worst thing you can do if you want to keep your water heater running. When your water heater starts making a racket, it is time to call a plumber to find out what the problem is before it gets even worse and more expensive to fix.

Common Water Heater Noises

There are a few problems which can cause your water heater to start making strange noises. Some are easily fixed, while others may be alerting you that it may be time for a new unit. Before a small issue becomes a big problem, these sounds should be addressed.

  • Popping. You may hear popping noises which start and stop throughout the day. This may be caused by water expanding as it is heated, moving deposits within the heater that have collected. In most cases, regular maintenance and draining the unit will remove the deposits and stop the popping sound.
  • Hammering. If it sounds like a carpenter has taken up residence within your home, hammering on your water pipes, you may have pressure building in your water pipes. This can cause damage to your pipes and home, so this should be inspected right away. Often all that is needed is an arrestor installed to manage the pressure changes.
  • Rumbling. When deposits are allowed to collect inside your water tank, they can clog the drain, creating a rumbling or gurgling sound as it drains. Regular maintenance and draining can usually fix the issue.

While none of these noises necessarily means that your water heater is failing, if left unchecked, the underlying problem could result in a major breakdown or tank leak. To avoid possible major repairs or expensive water damage, have your water heater regularly maintained by a plumbing professional.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

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Reducing Mold And Mildew In Your Bathroom

June 18th, 2014 Posted in Faucet Repairs
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It is no secret that mold and mildew love to live in your bathroom. The warm, moist air is a perfect environment for spores to thrive, making it difficult to keep in check. Even with regularly cleaning, mildew and mold can live under caulking and between bathroom tiles, lurking in every little crevice. Beyond cleaning, there are ways to reduce these aggravating and potentially harmful growths by reducing moisture in the room.

Reduce Moisture In Your Bathroom

While you cannot rid your bathroom completely of moisture, there are ways to minimize the amount that accumulates throughout the day. Hot baths, showers and the continuous presence of water make the bathroom a very humid place which attract mold and mildew. Some ways to cut down on this moisture include:

–        Exhaust fan. If you don’t already have a bathroom exhaust fan to remove moist air, you need to invest in having one installed in all of your bathrooms. This circulates the air, adding much needed ventilation to these small, moist rooms.

–        Open a window. Even if you don’t have an exhaust fan, you can still open a window and use a small, portable fan to blow moist air out. This can be very effective in removing excess moisture.

–        Fix leaks. Is there constant condensation on your toilet, or does your bathtub faucet have a slow drip? This constant moisture is making your mold and mildew problem worse. Call your local plumber to get your fixtures repaired.

If you are able to reduce the amount of moisture that stays in the air in your bathroom, you can have a fighting chance of keeping mold and mildew at bay. Keeping moisture low also protects drywall and other porous surfaces from becoming infested with dangerous mold which can be harmful and very expensive to remove.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

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Avoid Costly Commercial Plumbing Problems

June 18th, 2014 Posted in Commercial Plumbing
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Being prepared for the unexpected is part of running a successful business. Maintaining your building, including the plumbing inside, is an essential part of preventing many unforeseen issues which can affect your business. A plumbing emergency can be costly, both in service fees and down time for your company. Many expensive plumbing problems can be avoided by starting a commercial plumbing maintenance program.

Preventive Plumbing Maintenance Plans

The best way to prepare for unexpected plumbing problems is to avoid them altogether. With a regular preventive maintenance program, you can routinely have your commercial plumbing serviced and inspected to reduce the chance of major problems down the road. Instead of waiting for the next big plumbing emergency with the potential to shut down your business, like a burst pipe or clogged sewer line, invest in preventing these types of issues in the first place.

Some reputable commercial plumbing companies offer comprehensive maintenance programs that can be tailored to your company’s specific needs. Whether you own a restaurant that needs regular grease trap cleanings or an office building with a boiler system, a maintenance plan can be a wise investment in keeping your plumbing fixtures free from expensive breakdowns. Not only does preventative maintenance generally cost less than repairs, it can prevent loss of revenue if your business must close for those repairs.

Don’t wait for the next plumbing emergency to shut down your commercial building or business. Get started on a plumbing maintenance plan to avoid these types of expensive problems, saving your company time and money.  Talk to a local commercial plumbing company about what maintenance plans they offer, and which one will meet your specific business needs.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Get Your Plumbing Ready For Summer

June 18th, 2014 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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You may be ready for summer, but is your plumbing? With the warmer weather comes more outdoor activities, landscape maintenance and other activities which can cause added stress to your plumbing. Before summer gets here, plan ahead to make sure your plumbing can handle everything you will need from it over the next few months.

Outdoor Water Fixtures

Now is a good time to check all your outdoor water fixtures for leaks, drips and functionality. This includes outdoor water spigots, hoses, sprinkler systems, pool/spa plumbing and water features. A small leak could cost big money if it’s allowed to waste water all summer long, so make sure all your outdoor water fixtures are in good condition.

Indoor Water Fixtures

Even though you will be spending more time outdoors, some of your indoor fixtures will be getting more use, too. With kids out of school and more active, there’s bound to be more laundry, at least. Prevent washer breakdowns in the height of summer by checking hoses and plumbing for leaks, bulges and cracks. Call your local plumber to have any plumbing repairs completed before the summer fun begins.

Another indoor fixture that gets a workout during the summer is your garbage disposal. With so many tasty fresh vegetables available, it’s easy to forget and put some of those peelings down the drain. Remind everyone in the family that fibrous vegetables like artichokes and celery should not go into the disposal, nor peelings from almost any vegetables or fruit.

No one wants to spend the summer dealing with plumbing problems. Have any issues you notice now fixed by your local plumber so that you can spend the beautiful summer months enjoying time with your family.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

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