Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

« Older Entries

Abington Plumbing Question: What are Low Flow Toilets?

Monday, May 14th, 2012

You probably have more than one toilet in your Abington home, which can account for up to 30 percent of your home’s water use. Therefore, it is not surprising to learn that the type of toilet you have can have a big impact on how much water you use every day.

High efficiency or low flow toilets use much less water than standard toilets, which saves water each and every flush. Modern toilets use no more than 3.5 gallons of water per flush, but low flow toilet use much less, generally between 1.6 and 1.1 gallons.

That might not seem like a huge difference, but the water savings till add up quickly. A low flow toilet can save you up to 12,000 gallons of water a year! If you have a large family or a lot of bathrooms, you could save even more. Saving that much water is not only good for your wallet, it is also good for the environment.

Some people might have concerns about the effectiveness of low flow toilets, but the ones made today work even better than their standard counterparts. Though they use less water, they are especially designed with improved hydraulics to make sure that are effective. They also are no more likely to clog than the toilet that you have in your home now.

While a new toilet isn’t a large investment, it is one that will be in your home for a long time. If you have a toilet that was installed before 1980, you could be using up to 5 gallons of water every time you flush. Getting a low flow toilet will save you water for many years to come, so even if your current system is still working, you should think about having one installed. It’s a great upgrade for almost any home, and it will help you save significantly on your water bills!

If you are interested in having a low-flow toilet installed in Abington, give Resolve Rooter a call!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Willow Grove Plumber’s Tip: How to Prevent Kitchen Sink Clogs

Monday, May 7th, 2012

A clog in your kitchen sink can be very frustrating. Since your kitchen is a central part of your daily life, you want to make sure that everything in it works smoothly. Here are some simple tips on how to prevent your Willow Grove kitchen sink from clogging:

Garbage Disposal Clogs

Not all garbage disposals are made the same. Some have powerful motors that can handle large amounts of food, while others are smaller and might jam or incompletely shred food if overloaded. With an older, less powerful unit, you probably want to be careful about the volume of food that you put down the drain. With all garbage disposals, make sure that you run water before and after use and that you don’t use it to dispose of hard or fibrous waste. A little care will significantly cut down on the risk of your disposal causing clogs in your sink.

Grease Clogs

You should never pour grease down your kitchen sink. Grease doesn’t mix with water, so it accumulates on the walls of the drain pipes. The grease will also trap hair and other debris, which can cause large clogs to develop. A professional Willow Grove plumber can clear up grease clogs, but it is best to avoid them entirely. When cooking, don’t dispose of cooking oil and grease down any of your drains. If you do need to dispose of liquid that contains a little grease down your sink, follow it with lots of hot water and dish detergent which will help prevent the grease from sticking to the pipes.

Other Things to Avoid

Hair can cause clogs in the sink, especially if combined with soap and grease. Even something like mopping the floor and pouring the dirty water down your kitchen sink can lead to hair accumulating in your pipes. Soap can also build up over time if it goes down the drain without water. It is better to dispose of soap and dirty mop water down the toilet, which has a larger diameter pipe drain.

Taking these simple precautions will cut down clogs and help keep your plumbing working smoothly. And if your sink does clog, you  can always call the plumbing experts at Resolve Rooter!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Doylestown Plumbing Tip: Sump Pump Maintenance is Easy in the Spring

Monday, April 30th, 2012

For those of us who own sump pumps in Doylestown, their maintenance is one of the most important things to make a little time for on a regular basis.  If a sump pump is not working properly it could mean flooding of a home or office building that sits below the water table level, or that had a basement waterproofing system in place.  Flooding can mean excessive damage to not only the basement, but to any other lower floors, and even foundation damage which will all then need to be repaired or replaced completely.  With such simple precautionary steps as performing a few quick maintenance checks it is easy to keep that sump pump running properly without such damage.  A good time to go about sump pump maintenance is during the springtime prior to the rainy season when the weather changes once again and other areas of the home or building are being checked as well.

  • For electric sump pumps: Ensure the sump pump is plugged into a working outlet, and that the cord is in good shape.  Due to the damp, the breakers on these outlets can trip more easily, which then shuts off the sump pump.  This is a simple fix as the breaker just needs to be reset.
  • For battery powered sump pumps: replace the battery as often as is recommended by the manufacturer.  On back-up battery powered pumps, replace the battery every two to three years.
  • Check that the sump pump is standing upright.  Since sump pumps vibrate they can fall to one side, which can jam vital parts, causing it not to activate properly.  While upright, all working parts should be free to move as necessary.
  • Pick up submersible pumps to clean the grate on the bottom.  Ensure that there are no small stones in the grate which could block the inlet or damage the pump.
  • Check that outlet pipes are tightly joined together, check that their outlet is at least twenty feet from the foundation of the home or building, and that when the sump pump is on it is actually removing water through the pipes.
  • Clean the vent hole in the discharge pipe, remove any debris which was stuck in it.

Besides performing maintenance on your Doylestown sump pump annually, it is good to check it again after heavy rains to ensure that it is still removing water properly.  Also check it after longer dry spells by dumping a bucket or two of water near the machine to make sure it starts up automatically and that it drains efficiently.  While most new models have indicators which alert you when the pump is not working properly, it is still good to physically check the machine periodically to ensure it is running properly.  With proper sump pump maintenance your sump pump will give you great service for a long time, so give Resolve Rooter a call today if you would like to schedule an appointment!

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Union Plumber’s Guide: Calculating Water Usage and Tips to Conserve Water

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

How much water do we actually use every day?  Much research has been done on this subject, and by calculating water usage it is seen that on average, an American household of four uses 400 gallons of water per day of direct indoor water use, not including outdoor water usage which can bump that number up drastically higher.  To pinpoint exactly where water is being used the most, extensive research has been done.  Below is a list of indoor and outdoor water usages per household item or appliance; it can be used to easily identify the best places in your Union home to focus on in order to conserve water usage every day.

Average Indoor Household Water Usage

  • Toilets (27%)
  • Washing Machines (22%)
  • Showers and Baths (19%)
  • Sinks (16%)
  • Water Wasted (14%) – leaky faucets, toilets, and showerheads

Average Outdoor Household Water Usage

  • Lawn care accounts for 50% of indoor and outdoor water usage combined
  • Swimming pools take 19,000 gallons of water to fill on average, and when left uncovered that water evaporates at a staggering 1,000 gallons per month.  Pool covers can keep 30% to 50% of that water from evaporating.

Tips to Conserve Water in Daily Life

There are some simple ways to conserve water in our everyday lives.  By implementing some of these fixes, that water bill will begin to shrink, making your pocketbook much happier.

  • Fix leaky faucets, taps, showerheads, and sprinklers
  • Run the dishwasher only when it is completely filled
  • Rather than rinsing dirty dishes, scrape excess food into the trash or compost
  • Wash vegetables in a bowl of water while using a vegetable brush, rather than running them under the sink faucet
  • Boil food in as little water as possible, just enough to cover the food completely
  • Turn off the tap when not directly in use such as while brushing teeth or shaving
  • Place a plastic bottle filled with water in the toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used for each flush, or consider installing low-flow toilets
  • Spend less time in the shower, take less baths and keep water levels low when you do bathe
  • Only do full loads of laundry
  • Don’t overwater plants
  • Use a pool cover to keep the pool cleaner and to keep water from evaporating
  • Water the lawn during the cool part of the day to ensure minimal evaporation, and ensure sprinklers are set to only water foliage, not the sidewalk
  • Switch out water-thirsty lawn for more climate-friendly landscaping or plants which need less watering

By calculating water usage in order to see where the average consumer uses water on a daily basis, it makes it easier to identify suitable areas where water can be conserved. To reudce your home’s water usage, call Resolve Rooter to check your pipe for leaks today!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

When to Call Your Wilkes Barre Plumber

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Many aspects of plumbing around simple fixtures are easy repairs for the homeowner who likes to be handy.  Videos on the internet have made most simple repairs even easier by showing step-by-step processes to get them done.

Some projects obviously are more complicated and require the special skills and knowledge that only years of experience can provide.  Especially when water is gushing out and you don’t know where the main shut-off is located, the damage that can intensify minute by minute should be mitigated by calling in the expert Wilkes Barre plumber.

A Fix in Time

There are some repairs that are simple enough for the average homeowner to handle. If you have had a little experience with plumbing repair, you might be able to fix a leaky faucet and clogged garbage disposal. You should alsoWilkes Barre Plumbing Repair know how to shut off your main water supply in case something starts to flood your home.

Slightly more experienced DIY homeowners can replace their own toilets, install an under the counter water filtration system, or put on a new shower head. As long as you can follow instructions and have some basic tools, these tasks can be accomplished without too much trouble. But for the more complicated projects or if you haven’t had a lot of experience fixing your own plumbing, calling a plumber is almost always the best option.

When to call a Wilkes Barre Plumber

When something has broken and is causing serious flooding, whether or not you can find the main shut-off, it still probably makes sense to call a Wilkes Barre plumber to get the repairs made quickly and correctly.  For much less emergent situations, plumbing can still be a tricky sport to find the right size fittings so getting a plumber with a truck full of odd parts can cost a little money but save a lot of aggravation and return trips to the local hardware store to exchange the 5/8 male coupling with gasket you expected it to be for the 3/4 female that was needed.

For any project that requires a permit, a licensed plumber makes good sense who knows the proper codes and intricacies of supplies, drains and venting so the work will pass inspection.  Replacing larger items like a hot water heater, shower unit or sink are far simpler for professionals to wrestle.

Any problems with the hot water baseboard or radiant heat systems are better left to plumbers to fix who know how to properly bleed and refill the pipes to flow without air bubbles.  If there is a problem with the sewer main inside or outside the house, a plumber will be better equipped to cut and repair the pipes (as well as deal with the mess).

Because of their lethal risks, gas lines to appliances must be installed and connected by a certified technician which many plumbers are.

Ultimately, if you have any doubt about your abilities, even though you’re playing with water, a mistake can make a big mess.  Call Resolve Rooter if you are having problems with your home’s plumbing!

Photo from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herzogbr/2869244594/

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Burlington Plumber’s Guide: Emergency Plumbing Tips

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

When you have a plumbing emergency in your Burlington home, the last thing you want to do is make the problem worse, but if you don’t act fast, that’s exactly what might happen. To help you take the right actions and avoid the wrong ones, here are some quick tips for how to handle a plumbing emergency.

  • Shutting Off the Water – If a pipe bursts or you have standing water somewhere, the very first step you take is to shut off the water. Cleanup is pointless if more water pours in. So, we need to stop the flow. Usually, this water valve is located outside, but it can be found under an access panel or in the basement in some cases.
  • Flooding Toilet – Watching the water slowly rise in a toilet, dangerously close to the rim, can be scary. But, there are tricks to slow or stop the flow until the plumber arrives. The first is to turn on your sink faucet to slow down the water flow to the toilet. If you can reach it, turn off the cold water supply to your toilet as well. As soon as the tank is empty, no new water will enter.
  • Turning Off an Appliance – Sometimes the problem isn’t a house-wide problem but a specific appliance overflowing. If your washing machine or dishwasher is about to overflow, turn off the supply valve immediately. It could be several gallons of water per minute if you don’t.
  • When Electricity is Involved – If your basement floods, don’t go down there until you can be sure there is no electricity flowing into the water. That much water with live electricity is incredibly dangerous. If you can’t be sure, get a plumber out there fast.
  • Gas Leaks – Sometimes, a plumbing problem is really a gas problem. If this is the case, don’t try to fix it yourself. Get everyone out of the house and call the gas company immediately.
  • Hot Water Leakage – If you notice that hot water is leaking somewhere in your home, turn off the main water supply and then turn off the hot water heater’s energy source. There should be an emergency shutoff valve on the hot water heater for gas and a switch on the device if it is electric.

In each of these cases, the very next step you take should be to call a Burlington professional, but if you act fast you can hopefully mitigate the damage.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Flemington Plumbing Installation Tip: How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Whether your old faucet is broken or you just want to spruce up the bathroom a bit in your Flemington home, installing a new faucet is a relatively cheap and easy solution. It is one plumbing project that can be done via the DIY route, it takes only a few hours to do and it does not cost much.

Before you get started, make sure you have chosen the right type of faucet as a replacement. There are a few different kinds and you will want to replace the old sink with a similar kind in order to prevent problems and headaches during and after installation. If you’re unsure what kind you need, either consult the manual, take a picture to bring with you to the store or have a professional take a look at it.

Once you have the right faucet picked out, it’s time to get to work:

  1. As always, turn off the water supply. There should be shutoff valves for the hot and cold water supplies right underneath the sink to make it easy on you.
  2. Unscrew the drain collar from the drain rim. Making sure everything is clean, place the house in the center of the middle hole. Screw it in place with the mounting nut. Tighten it up with a basin wrench, but take care not to over tighten. This can crack the porcelain.
  3. To install the hot and cold valves, begin by loosening the mounting nut on one and removing it. Replace it with the corresponding new valve. Repeat on the other side.
  4. Screw the braided lines to the valves you just installed, as well as to the spout. Tighten with a wrench, but again take care not to over tighten.
  5. Secure the faucet handles onto the valves that you installed in step #3. Make sure to put each handle on the correct valve.
  6. Fit the supply lines. You may have to do some cutting if you are using rigid supply lines rather than braided ones.
  7. Assemble and connect the pop-up drain assembly. You may have to test and adjust it a few times in order to get the right fit when open and closed. Secure the rods in place.
  8. Turn the water back on and check for leaks. Turn on the faucet for a bit to flush out the system before using.

Your sparkling new faucet is all set! If you run into any problems, call your Flemington plumber.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Plumbing Problems You Can’t Fix Yourself in Raritan

Friday, January 6th, 2012

While there are some relatively simple plumbing jobs that most Raritan homeowners can handle with ease, there are some plumbing problems that have a significantly higher degree of difficulty.

For these trickier or more extensive jobs, you really need to call in a Raritan professional. What kinds of projects are we talking about here?

Take for example a simple clogged drain. Whether it’s your tub or your kitchen sink, you’ve certainly encountered a clog over the years. Sometimes they are simple and easy to deal with, so you decide to tackle it on your own. First, you pour some commercial chemical drain clearing product down the drain. You let it sit for a while, like the instructions say, then run the water.

No luck—the drain is still clogged.

So, you try a pipe snake. You thread it down into the drain and through the pipe until it hits the clog. Then you pull back and…nothing. So you try again and again, really jamming the snag down in there to make it engage the clog, until…it breaks.

Now you’ve got a clog and a broken pipe snake in there.

So, you try more drain cleaner, but of course it doesn’t work again, and now the harsh chemicals are taking a toll on your pipes. You decide to just take the length of pipe out so you can see the clog, then remove it. Soon, you find yourself in over your head and you’re not sure how to replace the pipe.

Yikes. That’s a mess.

This isn’t to say you should never attempt to a plumbing repair on your own. Sometimes they are simple enough that the DIY option is the cheapest and best. However, if your efforts are coming up short and you’re about to enter unfamiliar territory, call in a pro. It will save time, money and headaches in the long run.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Trenton Water Line Replacement – $100 Off!

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

If you have noticed high water bills and lower water pressure, you might have a problem with your water line. A broken water line can flood your house or yard, leading to some pretty serious problems. That is why if you ever suspect a problem with your water line, you should call a plumber immediately. If you do need your water line replaced, we are offering a special deal – $100 off! Our trenchless technology will allow us to replace your water line without destroying your yard, and get it done quickly too! Give us a call today to learn more!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

Signs of a Broken Water Line Outside Your Sharon Hill House

Monday, December 26th, 2011

If you have a leaky pipe inside your Sharon Hill house, chances are you will notice it pretty quickly. Water seeping through the walls or the ceiling is a good indication that something is wrong and it is a hard thing to ignore. However, if there is a leak in your pipes or water line outside of your home, it can be a bit harder to detect. Fortunately, there are some things you can keep an eye out for that will alert you if this does become a problem.

One of the first places to look for signs of a leak outside your home is your water bill. While your bill may not be exactly the same every month, chances are that it generally stays within a certain range. And if you use a ton of water one month for some reason, you will probably be aware of it. But if your water bill suddenly goes up for no reason that you can discern, there is reason to suspect that a leaky pipe somewhere is the culprit.

Keep in mind that unexplained puddles in your yard can also be an indication that a pipe underground is leaking. If you notice something like this, it is a good idea to call a professional plumber right away. Fixing underground pipe leaks is a challenging chore and requires special equipment that you most likely do not have lying around your home.

There are several reasons that leaks in your outdoor pipes can develop. For one thing, the pipes may be old or they may have been defective to begin with. Improper installation or shoddy workmanship can all lead to problems later on. As frustrating as it is, there is very little you can do except have the leaky pipes fixed.

Another possibility is that extreme temperatures have been damaging the pipes over time. Particularly if you live in an area with harsh winters, it is very possible that your pipes have frozen or come close to it from time to time. This constant exposure to freezing temperatures will take its toll even on the highest-quality pipes and eventually they will need to be replaced.

No matter what caused the problem, though, or how you realize that it exists, it is important to get leaky outdoor pipes fixed right away. The problem will only continue to get worse if you do not act.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Services | Comments Off

« Older Entries