Category: Plumbing


After the Hurricane – Checking for Home Repair Possibilities

Filed Under: Plumbing
Aug.05, 2010

Nature happens. If you live in an area that is highly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, chances are you know the drill – you have your evacuation route planned, an emergency pantry in place, and plenty of strong tape and boards for windows and doors. After the storm hits, however, you should know to put a new plan into action and quickly assess any damage done. This means being watchful of possible repairs to make to walls and plumbing.


What To Look For After The Storm


Once the wind and rain has subsided, you need to inspect your home to ensure minor problems now don’t become more troublesome issues later. Broken windows and felled trees are easy to spot, but leaks in your pipes and malfunctioning HVAC systems can be more difficult to spot – even if those problems existed before the big storm, you must contact a contractor or repairman to handle replacements before the weather gets cold. Some things to look for in the aftermath of bad weather include:


1) Bugs: Heavy winds and standing water left after a storm can introduce all sorts of unwanted critters in your home. This is a good time to inspect the weatherstripping around the house and make sure the darker corners of your basement and attic are free of pests.


2) Pipe Leaks: If by chance a tree in your yard uprooted, you might experience problems with your pipe system as well. Watch the way water flows in your toilets and faucets, and look out for slow drains. A call to the plumber could be in order.


3) Mold: The chance that mold will grow inside your walls rises after a storm, especially if the foundation and structure were faulty to begin with. If you think you might have a problem, check it now before it effects your health.


Home repairs, while a seeming headache, won’t appear as bad if you tackle the problems quickly and efficiently. If your home weathers a hurricane, do your best to make sure it stands well in any season.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach plumbing and Virginia Beach doors replacement.

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Why You Must Install a Backup Sump Pump in Your Basement

Filed Under: Plumbing
Jul.13, 2010

A backup sump pump can prove to be your savior in case power goes out in your home, and the water levels start rising. If you decide to install a pump without a backup battery sump, then it is very likely that your basement will get flooded during rains and storms.


It is always safer to add a battery backup even if you already possess a regular basement pump, because you never know when it might lose power. Sump pumps have been known to get short circuited while the rest of your house still has power. This can be due to a tripped circuit breaker, or a mistaken unplugging of the wire.


And the worst part is that you may not even realise that this has happened. You can go days without ever realising that your pump is out of order. And if it starts raining or snowing during that time, your basement will start flooding with nothing to stop it from doing so. This is why backup sump pump is a very handy appliance to possess.


A backup sump pump is equipped with an alarm system so that if the water levels rise above a certain limit, the alarm will go off and the pump will continue to function. In this way you will have enough time to take protective measures before the basement starts flooding.


A backup pump is a necessary addition water proofing mechanism in the basement, even if you have a primary system that is fully powered. This is because even the best sumps have a capacity that is not limitless. If by chance the components in the pump start clogging up with dirt or fail to function, then having a backup pump can be invaluable.


It is important to keep in mind never to depend upon alternate sources of power for keeping your basement dry. Not only do they run for a small period of time, they tend to lose their charge even when not in use. So always have more than one pump handy, and the best option is to have a backup sump pump ready to take over from your primary pump in case of an emergency.


Then the powers is out, and the primary pump stops functioning, it will be the backup pump that will save your basement from flooding, your flooring from getting mouldy, and your primary pump from getting short circuited by water.

Find reviews and deals on folding chair racks and folding chair in bag.

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Plumbing – Tracking Down a Pipe Leak

Filed Under: Plumbing
Jul.11, 2010

They leak, sweat, make loud noises and freeze; no, not your kids- your pipes. When you think about your plumbing if you think about it at all, it is probably only when something goes wrong. That is usually when most of us realize that the part we cant see- the pipes can do a massive amount of damage to our homes when something goes wrong.


A leaking pipe can drain your water bill and if it is leaking in the wrong place it can cause structural damage to your home as well. Here are some ways to tell if you have a leak going that you aren’t aware of. We are assuming you haven’t come home and found your kids floating on the couch cushions, so any leak at this point is probably undetected. There are basically two sources of water coming into your home, your bathroom and your kitchen, that you can check for leaks. Look for loose tiles in the bathroom. If you find a multitude of loose tiles lift them up and check the wall for a spongy feel. If you have a spongy wall you have a leak. You can also look for persistent mold and mildew. Check your tiles grouting lines. Are there gaps? Gaps probably mean mold growing there as well. Where there is mold or mildew there is a water source. You can also check around your toilet for water leakage. Another trick is to rock your toilet- does it move? It shouldn’t and if it does it means it isn’t secured right to the wax ring, which means a potential leak is occurring.


Freezing pipes of course are more obvious. They tend to explode and leave a flood of water in your home; there is no missing this one. If you live in a cold climate you need to take the proper precautions to wrap your pipes and winterize them before the cold sets in. Once they freeze you will need to get professional help fast to try and prevent more damage from occurring when they burst.


Now that you’re aware of your pipes, you are also aware that your knowledge is more limited on how to fix them than ever. You need a plumber. The easiest way to hire a professional plumber with a good reputation is to look at consumer driven web sites like Angie’s List. These web sites offer reviews of a business by the actual clients who use or used the service so you know you are getting an honest viewpoint. This can help eliminate a lot of future leg work and phone calls to try and find someone reputable in your area.


The hardest part about plumbing should be maintaining it, not finding a plumber you can trust and with these tips you should be able to find a trustworthy professional in no time flat.

In Dallas plumbing emergencies and problems shouldn’t leave you all wet. Find a plumber today at http://www.angieslist.com/.

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The Care and Feeding of Your Disposer

Filed Under: Plumbing
Jun.22, 2010

Simple tips to extend the life of your food waste disposer


There are a few misconceptions about disposers. First, they are not “Garbage Disposers”. They are “Food Waste Disposers”. You would be surprised at what we sometimes find in the disposer which prevents it from working. For some reason we find a lot of rocks in disposers. If you have a fish bowl, please wash it in another sink.


One of the most common items we find during a home inspection is a failed or failing disposer. It is one of the most over-looked, and under-appreciated appliances that we use.


These are the most common defects:


  • Damaged or worn rubber strainer
  • Rust at the cutting plates
  • Rust at the mounting flange
  • Rust at the body of the disposer


The rubber strainer is a safety item. It prevents items such as a fork or knife from falling into the disposer, or worse being eject from the disposer. The rubber strainer is a replaceable item that should be in good working order. If this reminds you of your disposer, you should consider having it replaced. A worn strainer could actually be dangerous. When the plate is spinning, a utensil could fall into and be ejected from the disposer causing injury.


The cutting plate is the part you see if you look into the disposer. It is a spinning plate with blades on it. When the disposer is turned on, the spinning motion causes the food to be thrown the sides of the disposer where the blades chop it into pieces small enough to be washed away. It is important that you clear the disposer after washing dishes by running it. If you fail to do so, the food debris will sit on the plate. This trapped moisture will eventually rust the plate, and damage the disposer. Always run the disposer after washing dishes to extend the life of the unit, and reduce the odor from the disposer. Also, look at the plate periodically. If you see heavy rusting of the plate, or the sides of the disposer, it may be time to replace the unit.


Rust at the mounting flange can be caused by a poor installation or a torn washer or strainer. Water is actually leaking from the sink to the outside of the disposer. A rust mounting flange can eventually fall apart, and becomes difficult to remove when you need to replace the disposer. When the body of the disposer is rusted, you need to replace the disposer. If it isn’t already leaking, it will shortly. Check that the rust isn’t coming from another source, but most often the disposer is at the end of its useful life.


Cleaning


Everybody has had a disposer that smells. It is really unpleasant. Often people will put a wedge of lemon down the disposer to mask the odor. We recommend against this. The lemon rind is too tough for the disposer to deal with, and you can actually damage the blades. The smell is caused by old food debris that is stuck to the inside of the disposer. The best thing to do is to use a still brush to clean the inside of the neck of the disposer. Use a disinfectant, and really scrub the inside. You’ll notice an immediate improvement.

Philippe Heller
President
The San Diego Real Estate Inspection Co.
http://www.sdinspections.com

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Knowing the Basics of Plumbing Supply

Filed Under: Plumbing
Jun.09, 2010

Looking for plumbing supply can be very easy, as there are numerous plumbing stores out there, whether real walk-in stores, or online plumbing tools and equipments shops. The hard thing on looking for equipments and tools in plumbing though is to get those right ones for specific purposes.


Most of us get frustrated if we can’t fix leakages in our pipe lines or clogging in our drainage systems, and it could be really worse especially if we don’t have the right tools to make alternative remedies for the problem. At times like this, we often give up and call for the nearest plumbing services in our neighborhood to fix the job for us. Personnel from plumbing services can really fix the problem for you, as these guys are professionals, they knew everything about plumbing. But if you are saving every dollar from your salary, getting their services may not be a very practical choice for you.


Most people who don’t want to seek help on their plumbing problems solve the problem on their own, this option is obviously better, as you don’t have to pay expensive fees from the plumbing service providers. The thing about solving the problems on your own is that, you really don’t need to fill your tool box with every plumbing supply you know, all you have to do is to familiarize the uses of each tool, and know the basics of plumbing.


Plumbing usually means fixing leaked and damaged water pipe lines and water connections. Before constructing a building, plumber ensures proper water and drainage system of the building, usually this depends on the design of the building, but no matter what the design is or how big the building may be, the principles of plumbing is always the same as what is used in your home.


Traditionally, people use copper pipes in making water connections in our homes, now people use plastic pipes, because plastic is way much cheaper and easy to handle, repair and replace.


Plumbing supplies can be expensive sometimes, do some research to get those tools you will really need

The Author is an expert in article writing and has done a lot of research online and offline. Come visit his latest websites on Plumbing Supply Store and Bohemian Clothing

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Chlorine Filters For the Shower – Health Aide Or Hype?

Filed Under: Plumbing
Jan.04, 2010

Chlorine filters for the shower have become increasingly popular over the last ten years. First developed as a beauty aid, chlorine shower head filters are now being touted as health and beauty aids. Can you believe the advertising hype?

Chlorine is an element that, in its natural form, is a greenish gas slightly heavier than air. It is a corrosive irritant that is toxic to human beings. We don’t want to drink it, so we use drinking water filters. But, some people forget that the substance can also be absorbed through the skin. If your home does not have chlorine filters for the shower, you are taking in the equivalent of drinking gallons of chlorinated water, every time you bathe. You will notice softer skin and hair very soon after installing chlorine shower head filters.

That’s why chlorine filters for the shower were first introduced. Chlorine dries out skin and hair. It is also a bleaching agent. People with permed or color treated hair were finding themselves very unsatisfied after only a couple of days. It took beauty experts a little time to figure the whole thing out, but eventually they started recommending chlorine shower head filters.

Chlorine finds its way into the water supply in several ways. It is widely used as a disinfectant. Everyone is familiar with the distinct chlorine smell of a well-cared for pool. When pools are dumped, the chlorine seeps into the soil, along with the discarded water. So, even if your home has well water, you could benefit form chlorine shower head filters. The best ones can also balance your mineral content.

For most of us, chlorine ends up in the water because treatment facilities put it there. It is used to kill bacteria, algae and other water living things. That’s why most of us really do need chlorine filters for the shower. The level considered “safe” for public water supplies is not considered “safe” to swim in.

A home that does not have chlorine filters for the shower puts it’s occupants at risk for a myriad of health problems. Dry skin is one of the beauty issues mentioned above, but dry skin is also a health problem. Most illnesses first show up on the skin. If the skin is unhealthy, it is a reflection of our overall health and well-being.

Even worse, if a hot shower is being taken, chlorine in the steam can be inhaled into the lungs. There is website after website quoting doctor after doctor espousing the health consequences of inhaling such a toxic substance. It triggers asthma attacks and aggravates other respiratory problems. It is possible that inhaled chlorine vapors actually cause respiratory problems.

Many doctors are now recommending chlorine shower head filters for their patients. But, as a preventative measure, all of us can benefit from chlorine filters for the shower.

Some ill affects of inhaling chlorine vapors are immediately noticeable. Some people notice headaches and dizziness. Others have allergic symptoms, itchy eyes, throat and runny noses. But, the long-term, lingering, cumulative effects of prolonged exposure can only be guessed at. Researchers believe that there is a link between certain types of cancer and showering in chlorinated water. So, chlorine shower head filters protect not only our short term, but also our long term health.

It seems that the advertisements are actually true, in this case. Chlorine filters for the shower could be one of the most important health aids in your home.

Jayne Bell is the editor of http://www.HowMuchWaterShouldYouDrink.com She is fascinated by the many ways in which water is critical to good health and has researched extensively the subject of pure, safe water and the healthiest filtering technology. Her investigation has revealed the advantages of a chlorine filters for the shower. Visit the web site to receive the mini-course, “Five Amazing Ways to Relieve Common Health Problems with Water”

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The Basics Of Tankless Water Heaters

Filed Under: Plumbing
Jan.03, 2010

If you are remodeling your home or thinking about replacing a hot water heater, you might be considering tankless or instant water heating. There are many good reasons to consider either a whole-house tankless water heating system or several strategically placed “booster” tankless hot water heating units. To help you with your decision, here are some of the basic facts about tankless water heaters.

Whole-house tankless units can range in price from $199 to $4000.

  • Storage water heaters usually last 10 to 15 years; tankless units last 20 years or more.
  • Tankless water heaters are 8% to 50% more energy-efficient depending on the amount of hot water used in a day and placement of the unit(s). Tankless heaters can reduce your water heating cost by as much as 60%.
  • Tankless water heaters heat 2-5 gallons of water per minute.

There are two main types of tankless water heating units: electric powered and gas-fired. Gas-fired units are able to generate a higher flow than electric units.

Tankless water heaters produce hot water by heating an element which heats the water as it passes across the element on its way to the tap. Because no water is actually stored in a tank and constantly heated to keep it at a standard temperature a significant energy savings is achieved by changing to tankless water heaters.

Tankless water heaters do not cause leaks and flooding due to cracking of the storage tank or a leak in a key pipe because no water is being stored.

Because tankless heaters only process 2 to 5 gallons of water per minute, they can reach capacity at times of heavy use, such as running the dishwasher and the washing machine at the same time or running an appliance while showering. This can be avoided by installing a booster unit or by installing separate units for certain appliances.

Tankless water heaters are small and self-contained. They are ideal for such uses as:

  • Garage sink
  • Gardening or potting shed
  • Outdoor barbeque or cooking area
  • Pool Shower
  • Pool House
  • Garage or workshop bathroom
  • Hot Tub
  • Soaking Bathtubs
  • Auxiliary bathrooms
  • Second or third bathrooms some distance from the hot water heater
  • Pet bathing area
  • Hobby room
  • Guest bathroom
  • Guest house
  • Vacation house
  • Beach house exterior shower

Tankless water heaters make a great deal of sense in low-use areas of your home or detached structures. They also make a great deal of sense in structures that are not monitored constantly, such as a vacation house, in which a broken storage tank could cause a great deal of damage.

Aaron O’Hanlon is helping Plumbing Contractors with online marketing to promote their tankless water heaters. Aaron highlights plumbers online.

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Discover a Wholly Honest Article About The Whole House Water Purification System

Filed Under: Plumbing
Jan.02, 2010

Not every homeowner has a sound sleep when he or she has purchased only a point of use system for purification of the home’s tap water. A homeowner often chooses to purchase a whole house water purification system. Why would a homeowner feel the need to get one of these systems?

Such a system connects to the main water line, the line going into the home. Generally, that connection falls at point where the line splits, sending some of the water to a hot water heater. The cold water enters the water purification system.

When a homeowner has invested in one of the whole house water purification systems, then the residents of the house enjoy the easy availability of clean drinking water. They also know that pure water can be obtained at taps in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom. The system can have a number of optional features.

Any one of the whole house systems might include a process for softening the water. It might include a process for removing iron from the water, or for filtering the water. The purification system can be designed to filter well water, or it can have the ability to filter city water. A home system that takes chlorine out of the water gives the residents great tasting water.

Sometimes when a homeowner studies the available whole house water purification systems, he or she has a question. A number of Homeowners have asked whether or not a system can be used to send pure water into the garden hose. Homeowners who have that question need to study a blueprint of their home.

The water line that goes into the home could come from the city’s main line. The homeowner then needs to discover where the branch from the mainline splits into a “house” line and a “yard” line. Having discovered the point of that split, the homeowner can determine whether or not a whole house water purification system would provide the garden flowers and lawn grass with pure water.

Should any homeowner decide to purchase one of these systems, he or she should know what to look for. That homeowner needs to look for one with a money back guarantee. Such a system should also offer a full year of warranties on the system parts, and a 25 year warranty on the system housing.

In addition, a homeowner should keep in mind the degree to which the materials in the purification system might alter the composition of the water. A homeowner in the U.S. should make a point of buying one that contains only materials that have received the approval of the Federal Drug Agency (FDA).

The most common complaint that homeowners get from residents in a home concerns the taste of the water coming from the tap. In order to provide residents of a home with good-tasting water, a homeowner must arrange for chlorine and hydrogen sulfide to be removed from the water.

A good whole house water purification system can carry-out such a removal. Complaints from residents in the home can be the biggest push on a homeowner, driving him or her to purchase a system.

Such a push has encouraged many homeowners to purchase a purification system that has activated carbon filters with ion exchange and micron filtration. Homeowners know that with such a system in place they can feel confident that all residents in the home have access to safe water.

Discover why you need a whole house water purification system in your home.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

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Want to Know Why I Don’t Use a Reverse Osmosis Water Filter?

Filed Under: Plumbing
Oct.06, 2009

Let’s face it, the water we drink is as important as the air we breath.

This is why I want to discuss why I don’t use the reverse osmosis water filter.

Water is essential for life! We can’t be without it. If we didn’t have water, we would parish!
That is why I have such a passion for finding the truth about how we can improve the quality of the water we drink and bathe in. Water is priceless. I want to try to educate you about water filters, and in particular, the reverse osmosis filter.

This system of water filtration was very popular at one time. People were so determined to make the water that they drank safe, that companies worked hard to meet those consumers needs.
Thus the advent of the “Reverse Osmosis Water Filter”. Another term you could use is water
distillation processor. The end result is distilled water.

Man went centuries drinking pure, fresh water from our lakes and streams. That is until industrialization, and common practices of farming which introduced chemicals, fertilizers and other bad things into our water systems. Man reaped the rewards of not only hydration, which is essential for life, but also took in much needed trace minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium, which our bodies need naturally. Nowhere in history or science have we read about our bodies need for distilled water.

Distilled water even has a different PH than regular water, making is slightly acidic. Studies show that if we consume an acidic based substance, we produce more hydrogen in our bodies. This results in pulling minerals from our bones and teeth to produce bycarbonate to neutralize the acid.This compounded with the affect of drinking already de-mineralized water can make this a serious situation.

Nowhere on earth do we find naturally distilled water. Why do you think we should drink it on a regular basis? I know my answer to the question.

I already mentioned there are numerous toxic chemicals, fertilizers and other bad things found in our water supplies. For our health, we do need to try to filter them out and make our drinking water safer. I did a lot of research on the different water filter systems and concluded that there aren’t any really bad systems, other than the before mentioned product.

Some do nothing more than take out chlorine, rust and lead, making the water more pleasant to drink. But we need to do more than that. We need a system that will do that, plus remove the toxic substances that threaten our health every day. They also need to leave behind the trace minerals that our bodies need to function on a daily basis. Multistage water filtration systems seem to perform the best in all cases.

In conclusion, you don’t need to spend the most to get a good system. There are many choices, and many comparisons available to the consumer via the internet. Take advantage of that. Be educated, but if you are like me, steer away from the “Reverse Osmosis Water Filter.

Jim Riley is a passionate spokesman about the health benefits of purified drinking and bathing water. Visit his site now at http://www.water-purification-site.com to discover the purification system he endorses and why.

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The Truth About a Home Made Water Purifier

Filed Under: Plumbing
Oct.05, 2009

Let’s face it, a human body and many of its organs consist of at least 70% water. Water and its purity, has a major role in the proper and healthy functioning of the body. When the body is dehydrated, it affects nerves, the brain and prevents proper digestion and absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat. So given that water with toxins/contaminants in it could prevent longevity, wouldn’t it be great to create a home made water purifier that could make our tap water healthier?

While it might seem economical to find a way to remove contaminants from water in the home on your own, you may be surprised to know that there really isn’t a way to construct one that meets all the criteria of eliminating harmful toxins from the faucet’s tap water. Unfortunately, the sophisticated amount of technology it would take to make the perfect prototype would be both difficult and expensive.

It is basically a fact that in the industrialized world, that all humans are literally exposed to hundreds of harmful chemicals on a daily basis. It’s simply shocking if you think about it. With this in mind, instead of creating a substandard home made water purifier it would be wise to look into an economical appliance that could meet all the needs of human and home.

So what would you look into when searching for one? Well, the most important thing in choosing the right product for your body would be a unit that purifies the water yet leaves vital traces of minerals in it. Some of these include calcium, magnesium and potassium. It is a fact that if you search anywhere on Earth for naturally occurring de-mineralized water you just will not find it. So it should not be surprising that scientific research shows that there are dangers in consuming de-mineralized water over an extended period of time.

Dr. Zolton Rona, author of The Joy of Health, stated that “the longer one consumes distilled (de-mineralized) water, the more likely the development of mineral deficiencies and an acid state.” And a World Health Organization research study went on to find that “drinking water should contain minimum levels of certain essential minerals.” Without them, water becomes more hydrogenised creating acid and a lower pH level. This forces the body to absorb minerals from our bones and teeth to compensate and neutralize this acid. Also, there is increased risk of cancer when body fluids convert from alkaline to acid as more free radicals are produced.

Obviously, filtration must also be able to remove all contaminants from the taps, showers, etc. However, not all systems are the same. It’s really important when selecting, that you choose one that utilizes multi-stage filtration. This is truly critical if you are looking to prevent ingestion of toxins such as VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) like pesticides/herbicides, chlorine and lead. Unfortunately, this is a process not achieved by other systems such as Reverse Osmosis, Point-of-Use Distillation, Carbon and Carafe-Style filters.

So, now that you know this, instead of spending your valuable time, money and energy on creating a home made water purifier it would be wise to spend quality time looking into an economical product on the market that meets all the criteria to make the water in your home the safest possible.

Laurel Tevolitz is a dedicated researcher of critical issues that affect health and well-being. Visit her water purification blog now at http://www.safewaterpurifier.com/ to discover which water purification system she recommends after extensive research.

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