Going Green and Saving Money!

September 28th, 2014 Posted in Water Conservation
Comments Off on Going Green and Saving Money!

In today’s world, there is a great deal of interest in being environmentally responsible or “going green”, especially in the use of water.  There is also a great deal of interest in reducing costs, as the economy continues to recover from the “great recession”.  There are a number of steps that homeowners can take in regards to their plumbing systems that will not only be environmentally responsible, but also save the homeowner money at the same time! 

A great deal of water is wasted thru the use of older toilets and traditional showerheads.  The EPA has estimated that on a typical home in the United States using traditional toilets, approximately 4,000 gallons of water is wasted per year.  This translates to approximately $90.00 per year in water bills for toilets alone.  Older showerheads use a significant amount of water as well, with traditional showerheads having approximately 2.5 gallons of water per minute flowing thru it. 

Using new WaterSense toilets and showerheads save water and money at the same time.  It is estimated that a WaterSense toilet will use 20% less water per flush than a traditional toilet, while a WaterSense showerhead will reduce the flow of water thru the head to less than 2 gallons per minute.  As with most things, the key to these savings is the technology associated with these new products, which reduce the amount of water required for the fixture to perform without impacting performance or appearance. 

Going “green” with your plumbing fixtures is not only environmentally responsible, but it is also a great way to reduce your expenses in the long term!

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

, ,
Read More

What is Polybutylene Pipe?

September 28th, 2014 Posted in Polybutylene Pipe
Comments Off on What is Polybutylene Pipe?

Polybutylene pipe was a type of water pipe that was extensively used in residential construction for approximately 20 years.  Blue or gray in color, the pipe was used on hot and cold water lines within the homes, as well as water service lines running into the home from the water main.  The pipe was highly regarded as viable and cost effective alternative to traditional copper piping.  

Due to substantial problems with the product the pipe is no longer used, but still may remain in homes.  The problem with polybutylene pipe is how the pipe reacts with chlorine, which is found in virtually all-domestic water supplies.  As a result of a chemical reaction with the pipe and chlorine, the polybutylene deteriorates from the inside out until the pipe ruptures.  Once the problem became widespread, a large class action lawsuit was filed.  As a part of the settlement, the manufacturers were required to replace the pipe and remove it from the market.  The resulting repairs cost the manufacturers billions of dollars due to the widespread use of polybutylene, which was used in home construction from 1970 until approximately 1995. 

Polybutylene pipe continues to be found in homes built during this time frame, due to the inability to identify everywhere it was used.  Although there are no longer any remedies available to homeowners impacted by the product, the only repair possible is the replacement of all polybutylene pipe inside and outside of the home.  One thing is for certain a home with polybutylene pipe will experience a catastrophic rupture at some point.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

, ,
Read More

Why Go Tankless?

September 28th, 2014 Posted in Tankless Water Heaters
Comments Off on Why Go Tankless?

One of the most exciting developments in plumbing technology has been the advancement in tankless water heater systems.  As one would expect, tankless water heater systems do not have a storage tank for hot water, with the heater being capable of providing virtually an endless supply of hot water on demand, to every fixture in the home.  While these systems have been around for years and are very popular in Europe and Asia, they are becoming more popular here in the United States as a result of their savings in energy costs, longevity and reduced space requirements.  

It is estimated that approximately 20% of a home’s total energy costs are related to providing hot water to the home.  A great deal of this energy use is related to maintaining the temperature of the water being stored in the storage tank, even when hot water is being not being used.  This constant cycling of the system is expensive, as not only does the water needed to be heated initially, but is has to be kept hot.  With tankless systems, there is no storage system as hot water is made on demand, so there is no cycling of the system and no water to be kept hot.  

While traditional water heater components are fairly reliable, the primary cause of traditional water heater failure is rust in the tank, which leads to leaking.  A tankless system has a much higher lifespan due to the elimination of components that can rust or leak. 

Another great benefit of tankless water heaters is that they take up less space than traditional water heaters.  While traditional water heaters are floor mounted, tankless systems are much smaller and are often wall mounted.  In many cases, this frees up additional space in the water heater room for other uses such as storage.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

 

, ,
Read More

Garbage Disposal Repair

September 28th, 2014 Posted in Garbage Disposals
Comments Off on Garbage Disposal Repair

One of the most popular or all household appliances is the garbage disposer, which is found in almost every home in America.  Garbage disposers are designed to grind up scrap food into small pieces, where it then flows into the sewer system.  One of the advantages of the system is the ability to quickly dispose of organic material, without leaving it in the trash, where it can attract bugs, rodents and other pests.  While garbage disposals are very reliable, they can require periodic repair in order for them to perform as designed. 

Typically garbage disposer repairs are related to either a power issue or something stuck inside the unit. In many cases, electrical problems are related to something being stuck in the disposer, which trips either the main breaker supplying power to the appliance or the breaker within the disposal itself.  In cases where the electrical issue is related to a blockage, the blockage must be removed.  If the disposer is not blocked, the cause of the electrical issue must be determined and corrected before attempting to use the disposer. 

When something is stuck in the disposal it is critical that the item be safely removed prior to the disposer being used again.  Methods of removal vary, but do not include placing your hand in the disposal!   While sometimes it is possible to break free the disposal using the disposal wrench, in many cases it is necessary to remove the disposal from the sink and partially disassemble the disposer itself to safely remove the blockage.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

, ,
Read More

Improving Water Quality

September 28th, 2014 Posted in Water Filtration
Comments Off on Improving Water Quality

Generally the quality of the water found in municipal water systems and wells in the United States is excellent, however sometimes homeowners and business owners will experience a number of water quality issues.  These water quality issues can lead to staining of sinks and toilets, clogging of pipes and the pre-mature failure of plumbing fixtures, water heaters and boilers.  In addition, water quality issues result in water that is not pleasant to drink. 

The two most common water quality issues are “hard water” and water that smells bad.  Hard water is water that contains a high concentration of minerals, while water that smells bad is often the result of minerals reacting with naturally occurring bacteria found in the water.  Generally these two types of water quality issues do not have any adverse health effects. 

The treatment of hard water or smelly water is similar, with the water being chemically treated to remove the hardness or the odor.  In the case of hard water, the water passes thru a water softener first, which removes the minerals, while in the case of smelly water, the water flows thru an advanced filtration system, where minerals and bacteria are removed.  In both cases the water is treated at the point where it enters the building and before it flows to the water heater and the domestic cold water system.  Generally the only maintenance and service required is a periodic replenishment of the chemicals or filtration media used in the system.  

Once these systems are installed, the improvement in the quality of the water is immediate and dramatic!

Posted on behalf of Find Local Plumber

, ,
Read More

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