Pipe Gripes - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Treat Sweating Pipes

You already know that you sweat when things get hot, but did you ever think about your home’s plumbing, or the pipes rather, sweat, too? Although signs of sweating pipes aren’t the end of the world, it might lead to bigger problems. Look at your exposed piping; do you notice condensation forming on them? Sometimes, the condensation can be so heavy; it drips from the pipes and into your home. The dripping won’t cause a flood, but it can provide a nice home for mildew and mold, which is never good.

Here are some ways to get rid of sweating pipes:

 

• Avoid hanging wet clothes in areas where exposed pipes are, such as a basement or a laundry room, as it adds unneeded moisture into the air.
• Insulate the cold water pipes with foam pipe wrap, which can be purchased at any hardware store.
• If you have a sump pump, check to make sure it is working properly.
• Take a look at your gutter system. How does it work? Are they clean? If the system doesn’t direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation, this could be the source of your problem.
• Check the foundation for cracks. If water is getting inside your home, this should be addressed immediately.
• Run a dehumidifier. This will rid any excess moisture out of the air.

 

By following theses tips, sweating pipes shouldn’t cause you any more problems.

 

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Pipe Gripes is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

(Photo via danndalf)

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This blog is written and published by Thompson Plumbing - Heating - Cooling

The “Green”-ness of Common Pipe Materials

Want to be green when building a new home or doing an overhaul of your home plumbing system? Consider our evaluation of common pipe materials, based on their earth-friendliness.

Copper and Iron: Metal pipes earth-friendly in that they are made primarily of recycled metal and are recyclable themselves. Additionally, they are strong and resistant to cracking, meaning that they will last a long time before having to be replaced. The drawback is that the process required to melt and form copper and iron pipes uses more energy than the plastic pipe production process.

Alternative Plastics: Pipes made of polyethylene and polypropylene are less-toxic alternatives to PVC pipes. These pipes are also easily recyclable and have a surprising longevity -- German pipe manufacturer Aquatherm makes polypropylene pipes that are supposed to last for 50 years.

PVC: This is not the most environmentally-friendly pipe material; PVC pipes are made from raw petroleum-based chemicals, and they often end up in landfills. However, some PVC pipes can be recycled, and, as mentioned above, plastic pipes require less energy to produce than metal pipes. If you’re considering PVC pipes for your home, make sure you choose a recyclable product.

Regardless of which type of pipe you use for your home plumbing system, it’s important that you wrap your pipes in neoprene foam pipe insulation, which is inexpensive and easy to install. Pipe insulation can reduce heat loss by as much as 80 percent and raise hot water temperatures by up to four degrees. It will also prevent cold water pipes from sweating.

 

 

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Pipe Gripes is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

The Best Restaurant Bathrooms

According to infamously potty-mouthed British chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay, a restaurant is only as good as its bathrooms – a dirty restaurant bathroom, according to Ramsay, indicates that the kitchen is probably dirty, too.

Based on that theory, the food at the following restaurants must be pretty swell, because their bathrooms have the reputation of being top-notch.

1. Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, Ohio: The entrance to this bathroom may be fashioned to look like a port-o-potty, but don’t be fooled – there is a squeaky-clean and spacious modern restroom within. Talk about unique!
2. Wendell’s Restaurant in Westerville, Ohio: The restroom of this upscale restaurant is famous for being neat and clean. It is decorated with a classic sports theme and is always equipped with fresh towels and even mouthwash.
3. The Fountain on Locust in St. Louis, Missouri:  The lavatory at this award-winning eatery represents the pinnacle of restaurant restroom luxury – in 2010, online voters ranked it the best bathroom in America on the website bestrestroom.com. This lovely loo features ornate fixtures, designer mirrors and hand-painted murals.

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Pipe Gripes is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

(Photo via sugree)

America’s First Waterworks

Ever wondered about the origins of waterworks in America? Well, wonder no more because you’re about to learn just that!

The United States’ first waterworks were formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1652. The water line for the waterworks ran from Jamaica Pond to Faneuil Hall, the meeting place of the Boston Tea Party.

These wooden waterworks were created to supply water for domestic use as well as firefighting. In the 1600s, houses and other buildings were framed with wood, and chimney fires were common. Thus, the creation of a firefighting waterworks was an important innovation, indeed. Furthermore, it laid the foundation for later plumbing systems in America.

While quite crude compared to today’s systems, Boston’s first waterworks were essential for firefighters. To put out a fire, firefighters would punch a hole into the wooden pipe running along the edge of the street and insert a smaller pipe, to which they’d attach their manually-pumped fire wagon hose. 

After the fire was out, firefighters would plug the hole with a pre-cut conical stopper at the end of a long pole. The “fireplug” pole would be left sticking out of the ground, ready to be pulled out for the next fire.

 

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Pipe Gripes is written & published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling

 

(Photo By: glenbledsoe)

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