Pipe Gripes - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Home Plumbing: Tips on Water Conservation

With so many homeowners feeling the crunch of a tight economy, it might be wise to take a long and hard look around your home to address areas that may be preventing you from lowering utility costs. Poor insulation and inefficient appliances are notorious trouble spots. But money may be literally leaking from your monthly budget as a result of plumbing problems and improper water usage.

Before calling the professionals for plumbing repairs, size up your leaky pipes and dripping faucets to see if you can fix them yourself. Sometimes all it takes is a little tightening of a pipe or the replacement of a worn washer in a faucet to shore things up.

Clogged drains and pipes can also cause leaks due to water pressure buildup. Provided that drain cleaning endeavors are relatively uncomplicated, homeowners can often successfully clear clogs and debris in drains and water lines with a plunger or the use of an auger or “snake.” Plumbing snakes are available for rent at most home improvement outlets.

Water Conservation around the Home

Aside from a home’s plumbing, there are multiple areas around a dwelling that can also be responsible for water waste such as washing machines. Instead of washing partial loads of laundry and dishes, make it a point to only use clothes washers and dishwashers when they are full. This can save thousands of gallons of water each year.

Another example of inefficient water use is having faucets running while shaving, brushing your teeth or washing dishes by hand. Fill the sink with water or turn the faucet off when water flow is not needed for rinsing.

Toilets are another major culprit for unnecessary water usage. Address any leaks around toilets and adjust water pressure valves down. If possible, also have a more efficient toilet installed that uses less water per flush.

Other ways to diminish water usage around your home include:

● Collecting rain runoff or excess shower water to water gardens

● Occasionally flushing the toilet

● Installing water-efficient shower heads

● Watering your lawn only in the morning or evening hours

While these are just a handful of steps you can take to keep water bills at manageable levels, they should get you started.

 

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

 

(Photo via Flickr)

 

The Pros of Plumbing Inspection

When purchasing a brand new, or even an older, home, it might not occur to you to have the home’s plumbing inspected to make sure things are working okay, or fix any problems right away. An inspection might seem like a hassle, but truthfully, it can be a big help. If there are any problems with the plumbing, you can fix them soon, so they don’t cause serious damage.

Here are some key plumbing areas you should have a certified inspector take a look at:

• The drain lines. The most common problem with drain lines is leakage. Drain lines are what are responsible for carrying waste from your home to the septic tank and the sewer, so you definitely do not want leaks here.
• The shut off valves. Of course, you’ll want to know if they are working properly, but it’s also a god idea to know where these are located in the case of an emergency.
• The water supply lines. Whether your home has plastic, galvanized steel, copper, or brass, you’ll want to make sure any problems are accurately spotted, and corrected.
• The plumbing fixtures. These are an important part of your home’s plumbing system. They turn the water on and off, and control the flow and temperature. The inspector will check out the water pressure, flow rate, functionality, and scalding water.

By getting a professional to check out your new home’s plumbing, you can be assured things are working correctly, or fix the minor problems to prevent anything bigger.

 

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

Plumbing Problem Warning Signs and Solutions

How do you know when there’s a problem with your home plumbing system? Some surefire signs of an issue include dripping faucets, regularly clogged drains, and pipes that are noisy, drip, or spray water. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s best to take action as soon as possible before your plumbing problem turns into a full-blown plumbing disaster.

You may be able to fix a clogged drain or dripping faucet without having to call a plumber. For clogged drains, you can use common household items, including baking soda, boiling water, lemon juice, and vinegar. For leaky faucets and pipes, you’ll need a suitable pipe wrench or the assistance of a professional plumber.

Knocking/banging pipes are commonly caused by pressure changes in your plumbing system. Over time, this force can damage your pipes. You may be able to fix loud pipes by installing a water hammer arrester. Unless you have the knowhow to diagnose the problem and install a water hammer arrester, you’ll need to call a plumber.

One potential plumbing problem whose warning signs may be a little harder to detect is susceptibility to frozen pipes resulting from cold weather. If you wait until it’s too late, frozen pipes can cause extensive damage by bursting. Homeowners who live in inclement climates should check their pipes when temperatures are low to make sure they are not too cold. If you have sections of pipe that you think may be vulnerable to freezing (such as pipes in your basement or crawlspace), run hot water often and think about installing pipe insulation or using a space heater to warm those sections.

 

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

 

(Photo via kplawver)

Warrior Dash!

Congratulations to Eric Elders

for representing Thompson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling (and our veterans) at the 2012 Warrior Dash!

 

 

Copper vs. PVC Pipes

Having trouble deciding on whether to install copper or PVC pipes in your home? Compare the benefits of copper pipes with advantages of PVC pipes, listed below.

Copper Pipe Benefits:

• Excellent thermal conductivity  -- conducts heat up to eight times better than aluminum or steel
• Versatile applications, ranging from water distribution to fuel oil
• Highly durable and long-lasting
• Corrosion-resistant
• Maintenance-free
• Flame-resistant
• Ductile (can be soldered on-site and formed any way you want)
• Easy to join and install
• Infinitely recyclable

 

PVC Pipe Benefits:

• Non-corrosive, resulting in high water quality and resistance to chemical attack
• Doesn’t conduct electricity and is therefore immune to electrochemical reactions (from acids, salts, etc.) that corrode metal pipes
• Flexible – doesn’t break or make noise in high-pressure situations
• High strength-to-weight ratio, making it easy to transport and install
• Available in longer lengths, requiring fewer joints

 

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