Archive for December, 2009
Proper Insulation of Pipes
Proper Insulation of Pipes
Insulation of your home’s pipes is not something most people think about until there is a problem (i.e., frozen and/or cracked pipes) which will require a licensed water line repair plumber to fix. Being conscientious about insulating your plumbing will result in high performance and long service-life of your piping system. And, insulation is one of the many do-it-yourself tasks that most homeowners can accomplish with little expense and little skill.
To be sure, pipe insulation in parts of the country where pipes have the potential to freeze and burst is a given. Consequently, the time and effort put into seeing that your pipes are properly insulated far outweighs the possibility of a pipe bursting during a snowstorm. While it’s obvious that your outdoor pipes need insulation, other pipes, even those in your home where the temperature is regulated, need insulation as well. For instance if you have an electrical power outage, go on vacation or have a sudden temperature drop, you are susceptible to frozen pipes. By properly insulating all pipes connected to your home, you can eliminate the possibility of an unexpected problem.
In addition, insulation of your plumbing can have a huge impact on your home’s energy use as well as the price you pay for that usage. Insulation of your pipes improves the thermal efficiency of your home, limits heat transfer, provides a vapor barrier against moisture, eliminates condensation and decelerates pipe deterioration. All of these results help keep energy prices down and contribute to environmental preservation.
What Materials to Use
Materials used for insulation of pipes have recently moved from mineral and fiberglass products to flexible and rigid closed-cell glass materials. The newest materials will block moisture that would normally collect in tradition fiberglass insulation and keeps pipes from getting wet even under the harshest of circumstances. Some methods of insulation use a wicking material, wrapped around the pipes that will absorb moisture and carry it outside of the jacket over your pipes where the moisture evaporates. If you need to insulate underground pipes, you can buy a variety of polyurethane foam products that serve as excellent insulators and limit the impact of water on those pipe systems.
Take time this winter to inspect your pipes for exposed areas. You can then insulate them yourself or call a local qualified plumber to do the job for you. A small investment upfront on insulation may save you a lot of money over this winter season.
Blog post provided by: Alpharetta GA plumbing services experts
Things You Can Flush and Things You Can’t
Things You Can Flush and Things You Can’t
Flushing items down your toilet may seem like a good idea at the time. However, despite the obvious problems with clogging your toilet, should you really be flushing that stuff? Chemicals, in particular cosmetics, medications, and cleaning supplies may be harmful to your local water supply. Many water treatment plants can not destroy or remove these chemicals from wastewater. Consequently, they are going to end up in someone’s drinking water.
Flushing cosmetics and medications down the toilet result in numerous consequences. Some of the more harmful consequences include the poisoning of aquatic environments, and worsening the issue of bacteria resistant pharmaceuticals. Cosmetics should be disposed of in the garbage so as to eliminate their harm to the environment. Landfills are the best place for these to be disposed of as the plastic barriers that most landfills are now equipped with prevent chemicals from contaminating the water and soil tables.
Flushing cleaning supplies down the toilet is even worse for the environment than cosmetics and medications. Cleaning supplies with their harsh and poisonous ingredients damage fragile aquatic environments and seep into water and soil, affecting wildlife, aquatic organisms, and plants. In addition, some of these cleaning supplies have the potential to corrode your pipes, creating the expense of repair or replacement.
Instead of disposing of cosmetics, mediations, and cleaning supplies by flushing try the following.
· Contact your pharmacy about disposal of medication. They may have a program or bin set up for easy disposal.
· Seal medication with tape before placing it into the trash.
· Mix your cosmetics and medications with your throw-away coffee grounds when putting them in the trash to discourage pets and children from pilfering in it.
· Put kitty litter in an empty milk container and pour liquid cleaners or liquid medications into the container to be absorbed before discarding them.
1. By taking just a few simple steps to dispose of cosmetics, medication, and cleaning supplies instead of flushing them, you will contribute to the preservation of the environment and save on plumbing repair as well. However, should you find yourself with a clogged line as a result of flushing these items, contact a local qualified plumber to help with the problem.
Blog post provided by: Marietta GA clogged toilet plumbing specialists
Septic Tank Basics
Septic Tank Basics
Knowing the advantages, disadvantages, and peculiarities of your septic tank is helpful for the proper care and maintenance of it. Consequently, if you have a problem with your septic tank, you’ll have an idea of how to troubleshoot the problem and when to call a septic tank plumber for help.
Concrete Septic Tanks
While durable and long-lasting, concrete septic tanks are susceptible to cracking and separation. Use of low-quality concrete mix will cause cracking earlier, so maintenance of a concrete septic tank is paramount. Once cracked, concrete septic tanks can allow groundwater to seep into them, resulting in blockage and causing a system backup; or they can allow outward seepage that may produce dangerous runoff. Inspect concrete septic tanks regularly to repair cracks before these problems arise.
Steel Septic Tanks
Less popular and durable than concrete, steel septic tanks are designed to last just 20-25 years and are susceptible to rust. The main problem with a steel tank is that the tank covers rust creating a scenario where someone can fall through the cover into the septic tank. These covers are replaceable, eliminating the expense of replacing the entire tank, so if you have a steel tank, periodically inspect the cover for rust and replace as needed. In addition, inspect the entry and exit points on a steel septic tank as these tend to corrode also.
Fiberglass and Plastic Septic Tanks
Impervious to rusting and cracking, fiberglass and plastic septic tanks have their own set of potential problems. A low effluent level (common in fiberglass and plastic septic tanks) may indicate that you have a dislodged plug at the bottom of the tank. Inspect these regularly, especially after the pumping of your tank. And, although plastic septic tanks are resistant to natural chemical processes, their lighter weight causes them to be susceptible to structural damage. If you drive over them, you can cause the tank to move, especially when the ground is wet, causing the pipes to come out of the ground and break. So checking for exposed pipes will insure that you don’t inadvertently damage them.
Aerobic Septic Tanks
Powered by electricity, aerobic septic tanks use oxygen to increase decomposition of waste. And, while these tanks will reduce the area for your drain field, they typically are two or three times more expensive than other types of septic tanks, and require frequent and extensive maintenance.
In general, no septic tank comes without its own set of problems, so make sure yours is well-cared for and of the type you can use best in your home. Have a qualified plumber help you decide which type of septic tank will best work for your home.
Blog post provided by: Marietta GA Septic Tank Specialists
Shower Drain Clogs
Shower Drain Clogs
If you find yourself standing in a puddle of water during your shower one morning, you may have a shower drain clog. While shower drains are designed to filter out most objects before those objects reach your pipes, hair and shower products can become caught in your subsurface pipes. And because of the difficulty in accessing pipes for your shower, you may find these clogs to be among some of the most challenging to resolve.
The majority of shower drain clogs are caused by hair. Consequently, the first solution you will want to try to clear a shower drain clog is a hair removal product like Nair. Try pouring a small amount of hair removal product down your drain, let it sit for a bit and wash away. Another solution to try is a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Again, pour a small amount directly into the shower drain, wait a bit and wash away. If you encounter the hair clog problem often, you may want to consider purchasing a new drain cover for your shower that will catch hair more effectively than the one you currently have to eliminate some of the frustration of standing water in your shower.
If the clog remains after you’ve tried the hair product and/or baking soda, vinegar remedies, you may have a more extensive problem than simply hair in your pipes. Unless you are adept at disassembling and reassembling your shower drain, you may need to contact a licensed plumber to check out the problem.
Ask your plumber to check out the general condition of your shower drain as well as the pipes leading out of the shower. If your plumber determines that you need a new drain system installed make sure he/she uses one of the newer drain assemblies that contain a bondable, waterproof membrane to protect the mortar bed of your shower from becoming saturated. Replacing old and worn shower drains is an inexpensive home improvement that will eliminate
a lot of frustration and early morning surprises.
Blog post provided by: Lawrenceville GA clogged drain plumbers
Floor Drain Clogs
Floor Drain Clogs
Clearing a floor drain clog is one of the most challenging drain clog chores you may ever have to face. Since floor drains are found predominately in basements, laundry rooms, and garages, the waste products that make their way through these drains are usually clog-inducing waste to begin with. Waste water from washing machines, water heaters, and air conditioners, not to mention the lint, grime and sand that are always present in these areas of your home, filters through a floor drain can result in some pretty substantial clog issues.
Drain unclogging products and home solutions will probably not work on a full-fledged floor drain clog. You will most likely have to contact a plumber or rent a power auger to clear a stubborn, floor drain clog. A power auger is a machine that uses cutting blades to literally cut through the clog. If your drain has a drain basin with a clean-out plug, you can circumvent your drain trap and gain access directly to the pipe to your floor drain. If not, you’ll have to snake the pipe through the floor drain assembly. Having to snake your way through is more difficult, but not an impossible task. Once the auger reached the clog, its blades cut through the clog by alternating the direction of its blades as you move the snake back and forth through the clog.
Most floor drains are designed to accommodate a certain amount of overflow. As a result, pressure builds in a floor drain system and may cause your drain to overflow. There is a standpipe that is supposed to hold back some of the waste water flowing through the drain to help eliminate this pressure buildup and overflow and to keep your pipes and drain assembly from breaking under the pressure, but these can fail. So if you suspect that your floor drain is accepting large quantities of waste water, you may have a more complicated problem than a floor drain clog. Call a qualified licensed plumber to check out your floor drain system before you have to deal with cracked pipes caused from pressure build-up.
Post provided by: clogged drain repair plumbers alpharetta ga
Do You Need a Pressure Booster?
Do You Need a Pressure Booster?
If you live in a hilly community or on the upper floor of a multi-story building where your home is situated at a elevation higher in relationship to the nearest water tower, you may have noticed that your home has low water pressure. If this is the case, you may want to have a pressure booster installed by a licensed plumber to remedy the situation.
Before you invest in a pressure booster, make sure you have a water pressure problem and not a flow-rate problem. If your water line is obstructed, water may not flow properly and a pump will not help. Have a licensed professional plumber inspect your water system for clogs and adjust your pressure-reducing valve before contracting the installation of a pressure booster.
A booster pressure system consists of a pump that is connected to a pressure tank. Just like a well tank, a booster has a shallow well jet pump mounted on the pressure tank that drives the system. However, unlike a well, a booster system’s pressure can build very quickly. You’ll have to install a bypass valve between the tank and the pump to keep the pressure in your tank from building up in the event that the cutout switch fails which will keep the pump primed without releasing water.
Pressure boosters should only be connected to a municipal water supply line where a minimum of 5 psig exists at all times at the tap closest to the location you chose to install the booster. Call your local waterworks to find out what the pressure is at your particular residence.
Caution needs to be taken when working with a pressure booster system because even when the pump is turned to the off position, pressure remains in the system. Therefore, pressure boosters should be installed where a tank failure will not damage property. Also, the pump should never be used in series with another pump, should have a check valve installed to prevent backflow into the city water system, and have a pressure relief valve installed in case the limit switch fails.
Install a pressure booster yourself is probably not a good idea so contract a licensed professional to accomplish the installation to reduce the potential risks associated with booster pressure system. And, remember that after the initial installation, your tank should never be re-pressurized.
Post provided by: Water Line Plumbers Marietta GA
Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips
Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips
With the ever-increasing cost of just about everything, saving even a small amount on your energy bill is helpful. As for lowering your water heating bills there are several energy-saving strategies that may help you save a little money each month on your water heating bill. Installing a new, more, energy-efficient water heater than the one you have now is an easy option for lowering that bill. Short of that you can reduce your hot water use or lower the water heating temperature on your hot water heater. Other strategies for lowering your water heating expenses include insulation of your water heater tank and hot water pipes, installation of heat traps, timers, and/or a drain-water heat recovery system.
Insulate Your Water Heater and Hot Water Pipes
Insulating your water heater tank and pipes will save you about 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs. To insulate hot water pipes use blankets or other heat infusing material. You can usually purchase and install an insulating pre-cut jacket or blanket yourself on an electric water heater, available for about $10.00 to $20.00. You’ll want to choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8 and make sure your thermostat is set below 130 degrees Fahrenheit. For a gas water heater, the installation of a blanket or jacket is a bit more difficult so make sure you carefully read and follow the installation instructions so as not to block the drain at the bottom or the flue at the top of your heater. You’ll want to be careful not to block the airflow to the burner and not cover the thermostat to prevent your insulation from igniting.
Install a Drain-Water Heat Recovery System
A drain-water heat recovery system captures water before it goes down the drain from other water sources and preheats the cold water from this drainage before it enters the water heater. By trapping and recovering heat from hot water used in showers, bathtubs, sinks, dishwashers, and clothes washers, a drain-water heat recovery system can save you valuable dollars on your hot water expenses. You’ll need a qualified water heater plumber and heating contractor to install your system with the range of expense being $300 to $500.
Other easy ways to lower your water heating costs is by being careful not to waste hot water, fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and purchase energy-efficient appliances. Being a conscientious homeowner will always pay off with lower household expenses.
Post provided by: Water Heater Plumbers Decatur GA
Septic Tank Maintenance
Septic Tank Maintenance
Septic tank maintenance is not a difficult task so long as you follow some proven guidelines for keeping your septic tank digestively activated and unclogged. You’ll know if you are not maintaining your septic tank properly by the bad septic smells that arise when things need attending.
Controlling bacteria growth in your septic tank is a must. Various proprietary chemicals and enzymes are used in septic tanks to curb bacteria growth; but be careful of the additives you use in yours. Those that claim to eliminate tank cleaning may, in fact, cause a sludge layer to build, that when washed out into your drain field will plug soil pores and cause property damage. Other additives, particularly degreasers, contain carcinogens and can infiltrate your soil and seep into foliage. While you do want to control bacterial growth, be careful what you use to do so.
To assure that your environment is safe, send all sewage into the septic tank and do not run laundry wastes directly into your drain field. Normal amounts of household bleaches, drain cleaners, detergents, and such are safe to filter through your septic tank; however be careful not to dump cleaning water for latex paint brushes and cans into your house sewer as this will contaminate the area.
To avoid clogs, don’t dispose of coffee grounds, cooking fats, paper towels, disposable diapers, facial tissues, cigarette butts, or any other non-decomposable items in your house sewer. Make sure you use a quality toilet tissue that breaks up easily when wet. Those with high wet strength and scented brands are more likely to clog your toilet, than those that break up easily.
In your kitchen, avoid pouring grease down the drain as it will plug up sewer pipes or build up in your septic tank, causing the inlet to be plugged. Try to make it a habit to dispose of cooking grease in the garbage. When using your garbage disposal, be conscientious to follow the guidelines for what you can deposit in it and what you cannot, to relieve your septic tank of the possibility of a build-up of food items and clogs.
Even taking the above-mentioned precautions, you will probably need to clean your septic tank every four years. Contact a licensed septic professional to pump out your tank to ensure that the septic tank is cleaned in an effective and environmentally responsible manner.
Post provided by: Septic Tank Plumbers Alpharetta GA