Plumbing Tips and Advice (147)
Conserving Water is Simple With WaterSense
WaterSense® is a partnership program sponsored by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which helps to promote water efficiency and enhance the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices. Similar to the EnergyStar program that helps consumers choose energy-efficient appliances, WaterSense helps consumers to choose water-efficient products by specifying the maximum flow rates and minimum performance levels. […]
Read MoreThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Sewer Pipe Materials
The type of sewer pipe material your home has will depend on its age. Older homes often have clay or cast iron pipes, while newer homes are most likely to use plastic. However, as older sewer lines are replaced, it’s becoming more common to find plastic lines in oder homes. Clay Sewer Pipes Clay is […]
Read MoreFixing Outdoor Faucet Problems
It’s a hot, humid summer day in Southwest Florida and you’re all ready to fill the kid’s inflatable pool with water, but the outside spigot is not working or has low water pressure. There are several possible causes, here are some things to check when the outside faucet stops flowing. Shut-off valve If it was […]
Read MoreSolving Sewer Odor Problems in the Home
If you notice a smelly sewer odor in your home, there are several possible causes. Here are some things to check: Check the floor drain trap. Without water to block the sewer gas from escaping, odors will enter the room. Pour water down the drain to refill the trap. Check the clean-out plug inside the floor […]
Read MoreKeep Your Sewer & Drain Lines Clean the Natural Way
Most homeowners don’t think about their sewer and drain lines until there is a clog or backup that require a professional to clear. However, there are steps you can take to your drain lines working smoothly without snaking the line or using harsh chemical drain cleaners. Natural drain cleaners like Bio-Clean and BioOne offer a […]
Read MoreThe ABCs of Plumbing – First Hour Rating
First Hour Rating (also called first hour delivery) is a measurement that calculates the amount of hot water in gallons a full water heater can deliver in the first hour of operation. The FHR will depend on a number of variables, including the tank capacity, the source of heat (gas or electric), and the burner […]
Read MoreAccessible Shower Design Basics
For many homeowners the idea of universal design – where the environment and plumbing systems are accessible to everyone, whether young, old, big, small or physically disabled – is an important consideration when designing a bathroom. Creating an accessible shower involves more that just making entry and exit as safe and easy as possible. There […]
Read MoreTips to Prevent Garbage Disposal Clogs
When a garbage disposal becomes clogged and stops working there are generally two reasons for the obstruction. First, there is often insufficient water flow down the drain line causing it become filled with debris, creating an obstruction. Second, the material being put down the disposal is not able to effectively run through a disposal. Four […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Plumbing – Water Heater TPR Valve
A water heater temperature-pressure relief valve (TPR) is designed to turn off when the pre-set temperature is reached. If the water heater thermostat ever fails, the temperature and pressure (from expansion of the water) could continue to rise until the pressure exceeds the capacity of the tank (usually around 300 psi). If this happens, the […]
Read MoreThe ABC’s of Plumbing – Backflow Preventer
Backflow occurs when there is a pressure change in a plumbing system that causes the dirty water to be siphoned back into the clean water supply. A backflow preventer is an important plumbing device that is designed to prevent this potentially harmful backwards flow into the fresh water supply. There are several types of backflow […]
Read MoreNeighbors Are Saying About ABC
