Posts Tagged ‘surrey plumbing’

Plumbing Tips That Can Save You A Fortune

Posted on: July 6th, 2012 by Damon Cuthbert
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If you start to have sewage backup inside your toilet, it is because of blockage that is inside the branch line which connects the sewage line and the main line. If you have tried and cannot remove the blockage, you will need a plumber to come to your home and run the plumbing snake down into the toilet to clear the blockage.

Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. Either kind of toilet tablet might break down obnoxious smells in your toilet, but they might also break down the rubber parts, resulting in malfunction.

Enzyme based pipe cleaners work really well at unclogging your pipes. These cleaners employ helpful bacteria which process the sludge lining your pipes, and turn it to liquid. Enzyme cleaners should be your first choice.

You should put a strainer over your drains to catch anything that could clog your drain up. Your kitchen sink strainer must be cleaned whenever it catches anything. You should also clean your bathtub strainer any time it is slow to drain.

If you are starting to install a water heater and see a pipe going out from the drainage area, be sure to reconnect that pipe. This pipe, the recirculation pipe, helps keep your water heated without wasting water.

Installing a water heater with no tank is a great idea if you like to be environmentally friendly. Tankless water heaters only heat water when needed because they aren’t used to store water. You will save some money on your energy bill.

If you see unwanted water that keeps draining into your dishwasher, the problem is most likely a hose running to your kitchen sink that was not correctly installed. The hose between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher has to have a peak in the middle so that the water can’t wash back in the wrong direction.

Being prepared for plumbing problems is essential. If you own a home, you should have some basic plumbing equipment, and the knowledge of how to use it. When the time comes for you to deal with a plumbing problem, hopefully, the advice from this article will see you through it.

Hire An Skilled Plumbing Technician

Quality work is always the better choice. Too many people get ripped off by going with a economical estimate. That oversight frequently ends up costing you more later on when cheap parts or sloppy workmanship causes more troubles and the work has to be redone by a qualified contractor. Get the work done right the first time and hire one of the local Vancouver Plumbers listed on CertifiedLocalPro.com. They have all worked hard to get awarded an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau and guarantee their work.

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Easy Answers To Your Tough Plumbing Questions

Posted on: June 29th, 2012 by Damon Cuthbert
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Even if you only have one choice, research your plumber before he arrives. You’ll be more comfortable with the plumber if you read about other customers’ experiences with him.

Save time by grouping your plumbing problems into the same call. Prior to seeking out a professional plumber, write out a laundry list of all plumbing issues that need to be addressed. This limits your up front expense to one call and also saves you the time and stress of a second call.

If, when you’re installing your new water heater, you notice that a pipe is extending from your draining pipe, make sure it’s reconnected. This pipe, the recirculation pipe, helps keep your water heated without wasting water.

For The DIY Handyman

Tightening a pipe too much is just as bad or even worse than not tightening it enough. You can harm its threads or crack it, so tighten it to where the leak stops, and then stop.

Ensure that the overflow holes in your sinks are not clogged. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed. Clean the overflow holes when you can, like when doing periodic checks for various other repairs and problems.

The dryer has a lint trap that must be kept clean. This could prevent you from a tons of trouble, and it can also prevent fires. Search the lint trap to see if there are any tears or holes, this helps to prevent lint from getting into the pipes, which can cause clogs and many other problems.

As has been previously written, knowing some knowledge about plumbing will help you when things go wrong, whether they are small or big problems. The information in this article should help to prepare you to face those problems with knowledge and confidence.

Hire An Expert Plumbing Company

Quality work is always the better option. Too many of us get ripped off by going with a cut-rate quote. That mistake frequently ends up costing you extra later on when shoddy materials or sloppy work causes more troubles and the work has to be redone by a experienced contractor. Get the work done right the first time and employ one of the local Vancouver Plumbers listed on CertifiedLocalPro.com. They have all worked hard to get awarded an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau and guarantee their work.

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How to Snake A Clogged Drain

Posted on: September 22nd, 2009 by Damon Cuthbert
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Snake A Clogged Drain

A clogged drain is a real nuisance, but something that is a very common residential problem. If you have a good idea where the problem is and you are somewhat handy, then you could rent a plumber’s snake and fix the problem yourself.

A plumbing snake is a long flexible tool used to remove clogs in pipes that can’t be forced through with a plunger. Most snakes have a coiled wire with space between the coils at the far end. The near end is attached to a crank that rotates the wire as you push it down into the pipe.

The far end of the snake digs into the clog kind of like a corkscrew. If you are able to snag the clog and recover it, you can pull the offending plug out. The alternative is to break up the clog and push it through the drain.

If you decide to rent a plumbing snake, take a few measurements first. There are a few choices, and you want to get the right snake for the job. Here are a few tips on how to use a plumbing snake.

  • Prep The Area: Make sure you have towels and a bucket to mop up any water. You will probably want to use gloves, because the snake cable can get messy.
  • Feed Plumbing Snake in: Feed the snake’s head into the drain and  turn it clockwise as you push it into the pipe.
  • Find the Clog: Keep turning the snake and sliding it in until you hit the clog. Stay close to the entrance of the pipe as you feed the snake into the drain.
  • Snag the Clog: Once find the clog, turn the head of the snake until you feel it latch on to the clog. Once you have a good hold on the clog, pull the snake out carefully. If that doesn’t work you can push and turn the snake to chew away at the clump until you break through and break it up. If you are able to pull the clog out, it will probably cause a mess. That’s what the towels and bucket are for.
  • Clean up the Drain: You will want to get rid of any remaining pieces in the drain. Do this by running hot water down the drain for a few minutes. This should wash away any remaining chunks and pieces.

If you can’t find the obstruction on your first try, run the snake in through the branch pipe. If you can’t find the clog in the branch pipe, the blockage may be in the main waste and vent stack, or in the sewer line. In that case, you’ll have to call a plumber.

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Know Your Plumbing

Posted on: September 19th, 2009 by Damon Cuthbert
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Plumbing Tips 3

For the third and final article in this home plumbing maintenance series, we examine angle stops, water supply lines and the main shut off valve.

Angle Stops

Angle stops are valves located under your kitchen and bathroom sinks, at your washing machine, at the toilet, and refrigerator icemaker. There are angle stops for both hot and cold water. Most angle stops are of the gate variety and are made of materials that may fail over time. Replacement of these valves is recommended when they are showing signs of leaking or they have “frozen” in the open position – meaning they can’t be turned one way or the other.

A plumber may be able to change out old angle stops with a new ball variety in a modest size home for less than the homeowner’s standard $500 deductible.

Angle stops need to be “exercised” regularly to make sure they are not frozen in the open position. Every month or two simply turn the angle stops off and on a few times. This will keep them working as they were designed. Never force a valve that is frozen in position. If you find a frozen valve, consult a plumbing professional as soon as possible.

Water Supply Lines

Water supply lines are connected from the angle stop to the appliance they serve, such as a faucet, toilet, washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator icemaker. Many times these are thin rigid lines that can easily break and cause extensive damage. Water supply lines should be checked regularly for corrosion and rust and changed every 5 to 7 years.

Among the preferred lines are those that are stainless steel braided over rubber with threaded couplings on both ends for the sink and toilet lines. Don’t forget the dishwasher and refrigerator icemaker supply lines. They are often overlooked because they are hidden. Replace plastic tubing with either soft copper or steel braided supply lines.

Main Water Shut Off Valve

Every homeowner should locate their main water shut off valve and know how to use it.

There are two types of main water valves: the gate valve and the ball valve. The gate valve is recognized by its round handle that must be turned a number of times to open or close the valve. The ball valve is recognized by its single handle that needs to be turned 1/4 turn, or 90 degrees, to turn the water on or off.

Your plumbing professional can tell you about the condition of the main water valve in your home and replace it if necessary.

You can read the full article here at http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Safety/PlumbMaint.html

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Get Familiar With The Plumbing In Your Home

Posted on: September 18th, 2009 by Damon Cuthbert
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Plumbing Tips 2

Plumbing is the kind of thing most people would rather sweep under the rug. Unfortunately, too many of us tend to forget about the plumbing in our homes and as a result simple problems become costly issues. Save yourself hours of frustration and an expensive plumbing bill by taking the time to get familiar with the pipes and valve in your home.

Here is part two of a great article I found here http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Safety/PlumbMaint.html

Know Your Water Pressure Limits

The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) calls for water to be delivered to homes for domestic use at between 50 to 70 psi. Angle stops (valves) and supply lines as well as appliances are designed to withstand up to 80 pounds per square inch.

Water pressure regulators take the water as it is delivered by the water district, and regulate it to between 50 and 70 psi. The pieces in the water pressure regulator that reduce the water pressure are made of rubber and metal. Over a period of time, they can fail. When the water pressure regulator fails, water pressure to the home is allowed to increase. This puts a strain on valves, hoses and appliances that they were not designed to withstand. Unchecked, excessive water pressure may cause a rupture in the supply lines or valves.

A water pressure test gauge can inform the homeowner if water pressure is excessive. Simply connect the gauge to an outdoor faucet, and turn on the water to determine the water pressure. Make sure the faucet used is “regulated”. Some outdoor faucets are unregulated. If the pipe connected to the faucet comes out of the wall, there is a fairly good chance that faucet is regulated.

Generally speaking, replacing the water pressure regulator, including parts and labor, should cost much less than a homeowner’s standard $500 deductible. A working water pressure regulator reduces the strain on plumbing fixtures and increases their service life.

Cleaning Up After a Leak

  • Turn off water to the house.
  • Remove as much water as possible with mopping and blotting.
  • Remove all photos, art and small fixtures to a safe, dry place.
  • Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
  • Wipe wooden furniture dry. Prop up cushions for even drying.
  • Open drawers, cabinets and closets for faster drying.
  • Put aluminum foil, saucers or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  • Remove rugs from on top of wet carpet to prevent color saturation.
  • Remove items that are not colorfast, such as books and magazines, from wet flooring and carpet.
  • Immediately use fans to circulate air and encourage drying.
  • Try to stabilize the indoor air temperature to about 70 degrees and use dehumidifiers, if possible.
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Plumbing Tips On Saving Money With Preventative Maintenance

Posted on: September 17th, 2009 by Damon Cuthbert
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Plumbing Tips 1

Water can damage a home numerous ways and causes millions of dollars in losses every year. Whether or not you have home insurance, it’s a good policy to inspect the plumbing in your home on occasion. The average cost of a claim has risen dramatically in the last few years, which increases the need to check your plumbing system regularly.

I found this article at http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Safety/PlumbMaint.html And thought it was a great resource. It is quite a long article, so I’ve broken it up in three parts.

Here’s part one…

Why Plumbing Maintenance is Important

Homeowner’s insurance generally covers household water damage if the damage is sudden and accidental, such as damage caused by burst pipes. It does not cover damage of the sort covered by flood insurance, i.e., rising water from outside; or damage caused over time by lack of maintenance.

A water damage claim can be a red flag to insurers as well as to future home buyers, signaling a likelihood of repeat water claims. It is better to maintain a home for water issues than face the risks of increased insurance costs and reduced home marketability.

Identifying Water Problems

Look at your water bill. By comparing monthly usage figures, you may get tipped off to a small leak before it becomes a big problem. Major, unexplained fluctuations in your water bill are often a sign of water leaks.

Use a water pressure gauge to determine whether your household water pressure is set too high. The ideal household water pressure is 60-80 pounds per square inch (psi), but many homes are set at 100 or higher. Attach the gauge to an outdoor faucet and turn the water on full to determine water pressure.

Inspect pipes and fittings each year. Just as you change the batteries in your smoke detector each year, you should take a few minutes to inspect under sinks and around washing machines, lavatories, ice makers and water softeners.

Washing Machine

The washing machine supply box shown is found in most recently constructed homes. The box sits inside the drywall and the angle stops are inside the box.

The water to the washing machine should always be turned off when the machine is not in use. The instruction manuals for some washing machines call for the water to be on only when the machine is in use. Leaving the water on places the washing machine hoses and valves under constant pressure. The life of the washing machine hose can be prolonged if the water is turned on only when the machine is in use.

Washing machine hoses need to be checked regularly and replaced periodically. Most failures occur at the coupling. Either type should be used in accordance with the washing machine manufacturer’s recommendations. Always change hoses when a new machine is purchased, or you move to a new location. Regardless of the material the hose is made of, it needs to be checked and changed regularly. A broken washing machine supply line can cause extensive damage if it is not discovered quickly and the water turned off.

Preventive Maintenance

Know where your water shutoff valve is located and be sure that the entire family knows how to shut off household water supplies in the event of a sudden pipe or hose break.

Inspect your plumbing annually. Just as you change the batteries in your household smoke detectors each year, you should inspect your water pipes and fittings annually. This is a simple check that takes minutes, and could prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.

Inspect around your water heater, washer, dishwasher, sinks, lavatories and refrigerator ice-maker. If hoses indicate wear, replace them. Consider replacing hoses to major appliances such as your washer and dishwasher every two to five years. Steel, so-called “no burst” hoses have been shown to have a longer lifespan than other models.

When you go on vacation, turn off the water to your washer while you’re out of town. Many homeowners have returned from vacation to find their washer hoses have burst, flooding their homes.

Never leave the house with appliances, such as dishwashers, washers or dyers, still operating.

Repair window and door cracks with caulk and replace old or dried-out caulk. This helps to prevent water from seeping into the house from outside.

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