Home Gas Safety Tips

If your home is heated by gas or you have gas-powered appliances, you need to be aware of how to prevent and detect gas leaks.  A small leak can create a big explosion, potentially destroying your home and putting your family at risk. Although gas is a safe way to heat your home, there is always the potential for a leak to occur. Here are some safety tips to educate you and your family on using gas as an energy source:

  • Never dig where there may be gas lines. Gas lines are usually located underground in your yard. Never dig without contacting your gas company first to find out exactly where your gas lines are located. Many gas companies will come out and ‘flag’ your gas lines for you or your excavating contractor to help prevent accidental gas line damage.
  • Be aware of strange smells. One of the most noticeable signs of a gas leak is the “rotten egg” smell. Natural gas is odorless but a sulphur agent is added to give it a distinct odor. Call your utility company right away if you smell gas to have your gas lines shut off.
  • Dead vegetation or grass. If there is a gas leak underground, the grass and other plant life above it may suddenly die or wilt. You also may see air, which is really gas, coming up out of the ground. Call your gas company immediately!

If you ever suspect you have a gas leak, first call your utility company to complete an emergency shut off on your gas lines. Be careful not to ignite anything in your home or around the gas leak. Once the gas is turned off, call your local plumbing company that specializes in gas leak repair to have the problem resolved.

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

5 Ways to Reduce Water Waste

Does your family practice reducing water waste in your home? Americans waste much more water than we use. There are places in the world where the average person only used less than three gallons a day of water, yet Americans use that much to flush the toilet – once! Water conversation not only reduces your water bill, it saves a resource that is becoming more and more precious. Here are five ways to reduce water waste in your home.

  1. Never let the water run down the drain. Did you know you can waste 3 or more gallons of water just letting the faucet run while you brush your teeth? Never let water run down the drain – turn it off between uses.
  2. Reduce your shower time. Many people spend way more time than they need in the shower, wasting water. Time your showers to keep them less than 10 minutes. Need more time? Then turn off the water while you are lathering up.
  3. Use water efficient fixtures. Switch to brands like WaterSense for your plumbing fixtures and appliances to reduce water waste.
  4. Fix plumbing leaks. Did you know a dripping faucet or pipe can waste 2,700 gallons of water a year? Don’t wait to get a plumbing leak fixed!
  5. Forego the green lawn. There is no reason to waste water by putting it on your lawn. Find other landscaping options that give you a nice outdoor area without wasting water to keep a big patch of grass green.

Just by making a few small changes in your home, you and your family can save thousands of gallons every month, making a big difference for both your water bill and the planet.

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

Choosing the Best Company for Your Plumbing Needs

There are plenty of plumbing companies that want your business. All will claim to offer expert service and care about your needs. But how do you determine which company is really the best company for your home or business plumbing repair and maintenance? Here are a few questions to ask about your local plumbing company before choosing to use their services.

  • Do they have all the right licenses, permits and insurance? First and foremost, you want a licensed contractor that insures his business. Also, permits are needed for many larger projects.
  • Are they a member of the BBB? You want a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.
  • Do they handle repairs, maintenance and new plumbing installation? You want a plumbing company that can handle all your plumbing needs, from a clogged drain to installing new pipes in your home or business.
  • Do they have a trustworthy and experienced team? It is not enough just to have one reputable plumber on board. Before inviting a plumbing company into your home or business, find out about their hiring policies. A quality plumbing company should be running background checks on all their employees.
  • What other services do they offer? If you have a septic system for your home or business, you want a plumbing company that also handles septic repair and maintenance.

Don’t wait for a plumbing emergency to find a great plumbing company you can rely on. Do the research and find a company that you can trust before you need to call them in the middle of the night. Having the right plumber on speed dial can ensure that when you need them, you’ll get the service and experience you need.

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

Are You Using Your Garbage Disposal Correctly?

Using a garbage disposal seems pretty straight forward; put food down the drain, turn on the grinder and presto, everything goes down the drain. But is that really all there is to it? Not if you want to keep your plumbing free of clogs and extend the life of your garbage disposal. There are correct ways to use a garbage disposal that will protect your plumbing and help maintain your disposal. Here are a few tips:

  • Keep fibrous items out of the disposal. Most vegetable and fruit peelings should be thrown away or put into your compost, not put down the drain. Not only are they tough on your garbage disposal, they don’t breakdown and can cause large clogs in your plumbing.
  • Coffee grounds shouldn’t be put down the drain. Even though coffee is already ‘ground’ it is still a hard bean that can get stuck in the gears of your disposal and cling to fat in your pipes. Don’t dump coffee grounds in your kitchen sink!
  • Keep your disposal clean. If your garbage disposal gets food trapped in the blades, the rotting smell can stink up your whole kitchen. Carefully wipe the blades clean with a cloth, obviously with the disposal completely off. Chopping up a few small ice cubes can also help remove food particles.

Just because it is called a ‘garbage’ disposal, doesn’t really mean garbage should be put down your drain. This device is just meant for pulverizing soft food into smaller pieces to ensure it can go down the drain without clogging your plumbing. Keep all items like egg shells, nuts, bones and other hard materials out of your disposal to reduce wear and clogs in your plumbing.

Is your garbage disposal not working right or making a strange sound? Call your local plumber to have them inspect your device and see if it is time for a new disposal.

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