Spring Maintenance for Home Plumbing

April 8th, 2015 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Now that spring is officially started, it is time to begin preparing your home for summer. This may mean doing some deep cleaning, pulling out the patio furniture from storage or planting flowers in your garden. It should also mean that it is time to do some home maintenance, including inspecting your plumbing. Even if you made it through the winter without any plumbing mishaps, it still is a good idea to do a thorough inspection on all your water fixtures and appliances. Here are some areas to cover:

  • Water heater. Water heaters should be inspected and flushed once a year to keep them working properly. Listen for strange sounds and inspect parts for leaks or rust when draining your tank, or call your local plumber to have an annual tune-up performed.
  • Outdoor faucets. Check your outdoor faucets to ensure there are no cracks or leaks from the cold winter weather. Turn them on and watch for any noticeable leaks, both outside and inside your home.
  • Outdoor drainage. Clean out all your gutters and outside drains that may be clogged with debris from over the winter.
  • Underground leaks. Spring is a good time to inspect your yard for any areas of water accumulation. A wet spot in your yard could mean you have an underground pipe that is leaking. Call your local plumber if you see any signs of leaks.

While you do your spring cleaning, also check all your indoor plumbing fixtures and appliances. Look for faucet leaks, slow flushing toilets or condensation on visible pipes. It can save you a large repair bill later if you can catch small issues before they become big plumbing problems.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Prevent Water Leak Damage with an Automatic Water Shut-Off Syste

April 8th, 2015 Posted in Water Leak Detection
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What would happen if you were away from your home for a few days and major water leak occurred? Unfortunately, this can happen, causing thousands of dollars in water damage and replacement costs. It is estimated that 2.5 million homeowners are victim to preventable flood damage from water leaks, causing billions of dollars in repairs. Although some damages may be covered by insurance, you may lose precious items like photos that cannot be replaced. A home automatic water shut-off system can prevent this from happening to you.

How Automatic Water Shut-Off Systems Work

With advanced technology, automatic water shut-off systems are very effective in preventing flooding from water leaks. These systems use strategically placed sensors throughout the home to detect water leaks, then shut off the water supply before major damage can occur. This is extremely beneficial to any homeowner that is often away from the home, giving them peace of mind while they are away.

Many of the new systems use wireless technology to send signals from the sensors to the automatic shut-off valves. These systems can often be incorporated into home automation systems, allowing homeowners to be notified by computer or smart phone when there is a water leak in their home. This is a major breakthrough in preventing extensive water damage and is a worthwhile investment into protecting your valuables.

Talk to your local plumber about the installation of an automatic water shut-off system in your home. In some cases, you may even qualify for a discount off your home insurance once the system is installed. It is the best way to protect your home from interior water damage from unexpected leaks.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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New Energy Standards for Residential Water Heaters

April 8th, 2015 Posted in Water Heaters
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The National Energy Appliance Conservation Act or NEACA has introduced new standards for water heater energy efficiency for 2015. Starting April 16, 2015, water heaters sold and installed will be required to have a much higher energy rating than previously allowed. This is expected to have a large impact on energy conservation, with over $60 billion in energy savings over the next twenty years.

How Does the New Regulations Affect Consumers?

Consumers with older water heater models should be aware of the new regulations as it may affect them when it comes time for replacement. For the most part, consumers will benefit from these new regulations as they may see a large difference in their energy bills. Some of the water heater energy factors (EF) have been increased to over double the previous rate. This means they are able to use much less energy to heat water, whether they are fueled by electricity, gas or oil.

One impact on consumers that may be inconvenient is that newer models may have different hook-up requirements than their previous water heater. This could mean that it may need better ventilation, a larger space or an electrical source for gas heaters. In some cases, homeowners may need to downsize the size of their tank to accommodate the new space requirements or buy two smaller units.

It will be important for homeowners to consult with their local plumber before buying a water heater with these new requirements. A professional plumber can evaluate the current set-up and recommend the best options for installing a new model. The good news is that once more homes are converted to the new efficient models, less energy will be needed to heat water in the home.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

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Causes of Low Water Pressure

April 8th, 2015 Posted in Plumbing Piping
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Are you experiencing low water pressure or flow in your home? There are several different causes of low pressure, some that are easily remedied. The first step is to determine where and what is causing the reduction in water flow. Here are some tips to find the problem and how it can be fixed.

Isolated Low Water Pressure Problems

Are all your faucets experiencing low water pressure? If it is only in your bathroom or kitchen, it may be an isolated issue. For example, if only one faucet has low pressure, the supply valve for that faucet may not be completely open. Showers that trickle water may be due to a clogged showerhead, not related to the actual plumbing.

Whole Home Low Water Pressure

If you have low water pressure throughout your home, there are a couple possible causes. If you are on a municipal water supply, it could be low pressure from the main source. Using a hose bib water gauge can help you determine your base water pressure. If it is above 40 PSI, your base water pressure is stable; if it is lower, contact your municipal water supplier as there may be a problem with the supply.

If your base pressure is fine, the problem must be in your home. The most common causes within the home for low water pressure include:

  • Failed pressure release valve
  • Partially closed main water valve
  • Corroded internal pipes

While you can check the main water valve to ensure it is open completely, a failed pressure release valve or corroded pipes may require the professional assistance of a plumber. They can further evaluate the issue and offer solutions to resolve the problem.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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5 Reasons to Hire a Plumber

April 8th, 2015 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Even the most resourceful DIY homeowner will eventually come across a plumbing problem that they cannot fix. Although many minor plumbing issues can be resolved with a trip to the hardware or home improvement center and some elbow grease, there are times when a professional should be called. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or just an average homeowner, here are five situations when you should hire a plumber:

  1. Water heater failure. If your water heater is no longer providing hot water, or worse, is causing a flood in your home, you need to call a plumber. Most likely you will need a new water heater installed which should always be done by a professional.
  2. Sewer line backups. Are all your drains backing up? You may have a sewer line clog. If the clog is underground, you will need a professional plumber or sewer company to fix the problem.
  3. Low water pressure. If your whole home has low water pressure that is not due to an external supply issue, you may need to call in a plumber. You can check the main water valve, but if that is not the problem, it may be corroded pipes or a failed PRV.
  4. Burst pipe. Whether it is due to a deep freeze or just worn out piping, a burst pipe is a good reason to hire a plumber. They can fix the problem and inspect the rest of your plumbing for possible issues.
  5. New installation or remodel. If you are spending money on adding a new bathroom or installing a shower, make sure it is done right by hiring a plumber for installation. It could save you money in the long run.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

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