Archive for February, 2010
Water Filtration Systems
Water Filtration Systems
The most important factor in choosing a water filtration system for your home is to know what is in your water to begin with. The only reliable way to obtain this information is through laboratory testing. Local health authorities can give you a list of state-certified testing laboratories that test residential water in your area. Once you know what contaminants are present in your drinking water, you are well on your way to choosing a water filtration system for your home.
Common contaminants found in drinking water around the country include iron, manganese, sulfur, bacteria, nitrates and low PH. In certain areas, chlorine, fluoride, sediment, heavy metals, hydrogen, sulfide and radon should be added to your list.
Typically, the most common filtration systems utilize activated carbon filters to filter the widest variety of contaminants. Other water filtration treatments include ultraviolet light treatment, effective against living organisms in drinking water, and reverse osmosis treatment, which removes a wide range of contaminants by forcing water through a membrane.
If water in your area is heavily contaminated, you may want to consider installing some or all of the following devices:
· refrigerator water filters,
· whole house water filters,
· water bottle filters,
· shower water filters,
· portable water filters,
· facet water filters,
· under-sink water filters,
· well water filters,
· countertop water filters, and
· pitcher water filters.
Pitcher and faucet water filter systems cost from $10.00 to $275.00 or more. Reverse osmosis systems will run you $150.00 to $500.00, with under-the-sink and countertop systems being anywhere from $50.00 to $400.00. Whole house systems depend on the size of your home and can be as inexpensive as $100.00 or can run into thousands of dollars. With this large variance in price, you’ll want to investigate your options for which water filtration systems suit your budget; also, make sure you factor in the cost for replacement filters as well as warranties and/or system replacement expenses.
If you feel lost in your search for the perfect water filtration system or you just want some expert advice, contact an experienced licensed plumber.
Blog Post provided by: Marietta, GA Plumbers
Showers
Showers
Ah, a soothing shower; what a glorious feeling after a hard day’s work, a gym work out, or some outdoor yard work. Nothing feels better than that warm water flowing over your body, cleansing it and soothing all those aching muscles.
When considering the perks a shower offers, you want to carefully choose what type you want in your house to produce maximum satisfaction for all your showering needs. Depending on your budget, you have the choice a prefabricated shower or a custom-built one. For the most part, showers differ in size, material, construction and configuration. They range from one-piece, prefabricated, stall-type showers to large, custom-built, steam showers, with the custom-built ones capable of being constructed from a number of waterproof materials in any size and shape and prefabricated ones being constructed of fiberglass.
Prefabricated Showers
Single-piece synthetic marble, laminate, or molded fiberglass showers are your least expensive choices in prefabricated showers. Simple to install, easy to clean, and watertight, they are usually square, rectangular, or shaped to fit into a corner. Most prefabricated shower stalls have pre-formed shelves, grab bars, and/or benches. One-piece prefabricated showers are popular choices in new construction since they are quick to install and don’t have seams, but, they aren’t as popular for bathroom remodeling as they are often too large to fit through doorways.
Custom Showers
Custom showers, on the other hand, are constructed from the ground up, making them a versatile choice if you have a budget to accommodate the expense. Options for a custom shower are limitless and can be designed as a small and compact or as large and elaborate as you wish. A custom shower can be enhanced with luxurious seats, multiple showerheads, full-body massagers, and steam-shower generators.
Regardless of your shower project budget or type of shower you choose, or whether the new shower is for new construction or a remodeled bathroom, a licensed plumber can install your shower and have it ready for your first shower with a minimum of work on your part.
Blog post provided by: Atlanta, Ga Bathroom Remodeling Specialists
Purchasing Your New Washing Machine
Purchasing Your New Washing Machine
Washing machines come in a variety of sizes and with as few or as many gadgets as you desire. But, in general, a washing machine is still just a big tub that when filled with water, agitates to scrub clothes clean and then spins to wring out as much water as possible from those clothes.
For most of us, the first decision about any appliance purchase will be a cost-effective one. However, don’t just consider the cost of a given washing machine; investigate the energy efficiency characteristics of your new purchase as the energy efficiency capabilities of it will determine future expenses of using the machine on a daily basis. Front-loading washing machines are the most energy efficient type of washing machine, but they also come with a much higher price tag than a top-loading machine.
Space is another factor in choosing your new washing machine. For a home with limited space, consider installing a stacked washer/dryer set-up. And, if you have room for a side-by-side washer and dryer, make sure you purchase a washer that has the same size capacity as the dryer you plan to match it with so you don’t find yourself with wet clothes lying around waiting to be dried because you can’t fit them into your dryer.
Lastly, you’ll want to decide what type tub you need and what gadgets you want on your machine. Frequency of clothes washing will determine what type tub you need. If you wash a lot of clothes, you’ll want to purchase a machine with a stainless steel tub, otherwise a porcelain-coated steel tub or a high-grade plastic one will suffice. As for the gadgets you want on your washing machine, the sky is the limit. You’re only limitation for gadgets will be your budget.
Once you’ve purchased your new washing machine, make sure it is installed properly and is in working order for your first load of laundry by contacting licensed plumber to install your new appliance.
Blog post provided by: Alpharetta, GA Plumbers
Repairing Your Toilet Tank
Repairing Your Toilet Tank
No matter how conscientious you are with home repairs, at some point your toilet tank will develop a problem that you must attend to. Usually your first clue will be leaking water or a puddle on the bathroom floor, making your first step identifying exactly where the leak is coming from.
Open the lid on your toilet tank, flush, and watch to see if any of the parts in the tank are catching on each other. If that is the problem, you can easily untangle the catching mechanism and your problem may be solved.
Next, try adjusting the length of the lever chain and check the ball cock to make sure it isn’t waterlogged. To do this, lift the ball cock out of the tank and shake it to determine if water is lodged in the ball. If it is, empty the water if you can, and if that doesn’t work, you’ll need to replace the ball cock.
Should you still have a leak, you’ll need to investigate further, using more sophisticated methods of identifying your toilet tank problem. First cut the water supply to the toilet tank and mark the water level inside. Re-check the water level in about 20-30 minutes to see if the water level has decreased or increased. If it has increased, your flush valve is probably broken. To repair the flush valve, replace the rubber flapper that seals the tank after flushing and you’re done. If the water level decreases, your refill valve is most likely defective, a simple replacement of this valve will probably solve the leak.
For other leaks you may need a plumber. Not all leaky toilet tank problems can be solved by the simple procedures discussed here. If you find that you need help with a toilet tank leak or any other plumbing problem, contact a local, licensed, experienced plumber to solve the problem. Don’t leave that leak until you’re water bill increases or other damage occurs.
Blog Post provided by: Marietta GA Toilet Repair Plumbers
Septic Tank Cleaning
Septic Tank Cleaning
When your septic tank needs cleaning, call a professional septic tank pumping service to do the job. Never attempt to clean a septic tank yourself, or allow a non-professional to attempt to clean your system. Septic system cleaning can be a dangerous business as it may expose the cleaner to unhealthy pathogens that thrive in a septic system. Never stick your head in the void space of your septic system to check it; decomposition of septic waste materials generate methane and gases that cause oxygen to be pushed out of the system. Consequently, breathing in these fumes can cause you to pass out or even die from exposure to them. Our licensed, professional septic tank contractors are trained and equipped to safely clean your septic tank system.
Periodic septic tank cleaning is important for the proper working of your septic tank system. Your septic tank needs to have a significant amount of liquid space in its tank so the waste that gets dumped into it can break down unencumbered. Unfortunately, if your tank begins to fill with sand, silt, gravel, or any other solid objects, the water is displaced, causing disruption of the breaking-down process. If your tank is allowed to remain too full for long, you could risk permanently damaging your leach field, a very expensive septic tank system replacement.
To extend and protect the life of your septic system, make sure you have it professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Also, watch what you put into the tank in between cleanings (obviously human waste and anything you would eat or drink is okay) as well. Avoid putting chlorine bleach in your tank as it will kill the beneficial bacteria that must exist in your septic system for it to work properly.
Blog Post provided by: Atlanta GA Septic Tank Cleaning Specialist