Wednesday 28 October 2015

3 Common Problems Caused by Hard Water

Hard water results from water that comes in contact with rock, sand and other minerals. It is not known to be harmful to drink, although it can make your water taste strange. It causes problems in other ways. For instance, deposits from hard water can build up in your pipes. This will cause a reduction in the flow of your water. This type of problem can lead you to believe that you have a leak in your pipes. Leaks will often result in lower pressure in the pipes, which is the same effect as reduce flow of water.

If you are planning on being away from your home for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to turn off the water from your washing machine and dishwasher. Hard water can cause erosion of the hoses for these appliances. The erosion will eventually force the water to gush out and by not being home there will be no one to stop the flow. It is usually more than a small drip that occurs because the high pressure of the water tends to break the hose after a breach has started. For this reason, you may also want to invest in a heavier grade hose that can reduce the possibility of this happening. At the very least, consider frequently replacing the hoses to these appliances.

Another problem with hard water is in the deterioration of fixtures and appliances that come in constant contact with water. The hot water heater is a big culprit as are the faucets around your home. These will shorten the lifespan of these fixtures and faucets. Hard water usually forms white deposits that are gritty and flaky. These deposits cause erosion in the affected areas. This erosion can eventually cause the fixtures to leak and will need to be replaced at that point. These deposits can also get into your food and drinks. Although they may not be harmful, food can be less appealing with the presence of these deposits.

To reduce the problems caused by hard water, you will want to ask your water company how much of a problem exists. It is often a matter of degree as to the amount of hard water that is contained within your water supply. If you live in an area that contains many rocks and mountains, you will likely have a higher concentration of hard water than areas with less of that type of terrain. Another option is to have a water softener installed. Click here to have a licensed plumber in San Marcos install one for you.

A Sure Sign You Should Call a Plumbing Company



Waiting too long to address plumbing issues can cause serious damage that may be expensive to repair.If your pipes look anything like this, it is time to call a plumbing company for help.

3 Benefits of Video Pipeline Inspection

Diagnosing a plumbing problem can be time-consuming and potentially quite expensive. The technology available today in targeting areas for repairs in your pipes is very effective. These three benefits will inform you on how video pipeline inspection is a big help for plumbers.

1. Targets the Problem

Clogs or leaks could be anywhere in your pipes. A video inspection will take the technician right to the source of a problem. This accuracy is important for efficiency and accuracy of diagnosis, and can potentially prevent major damage in a time sensitive situation.

2. Saves Money and Time

With the material and labor involved if you dig to find the source, it is proven that this technique is beneficial for your plumbing contractor, and for you. Digging can be slow and cost a lot of money, and using a video inspection to target your problem as quick as possible is a smart choice.

3. Protects Your Yard

Homeowners are proud of their landscaping, and if you don’t take advantage of video pipeline inspections, multiple large areas of your yard could be disturbed. Trees and plants are very sensitive to digging and could take a long time to recover, if at all.

The benefits of the technology are clear for water line repair in Carlsbad. Visit this website for more information about video pipeline inspection for your plumbing needs.

Danfoss honors Mesa Energy Systems with sixth annual EnVisioneer

Danfoss today announced Emcor Services Mesa Energy Systems, of Irvine, Calif., is the winner of the sixth annual EnVisioneer of the Year award.....read more

Tuesday 27 October 2015

Hydro Jet Free of Pipe Replacement

Hopelessly blocked drains have to be replaced—an expensive proposition. This disaster can often be avoided with the use of hydro jetting teamed with a video camera. Once the integrity of the piping has been established, high-pressure water jets sweep away all blockages.


4 Advantages of Hydro Jetting

Hydro jetting is a process that uses a very high-pressure water stream to clear drains and sewer pipes of clogs or other obstructions.Hydro jetting is superior to snaking or rooting when it comes to leaving pipes as clear as they were at installation. Here are four hydro jetting advantages
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1. Removes virtually any pipe obstruction—All mineral, debris and root systems are dislodged, clearing the way for smooth water flow. Also, hydro jetting puts an end to buildups of grease and detergent-related scum originating in the laundry, bath or kitchen sink.

2. Provides a long-term solution—Cleaning sewer pipes and drains with a hydro jet according to schedule guarantees their good condition indefinitely. The cost of this service is so much less than you would have to pay to have pipes replaced.

3. Improves sanitation—Bacteria that develop in the pipe system produce noxious chemicals that can harm children and pets. Thanks to hydro jet power, these microorganisms are swept away and destroyed, leaving a much safer environment.

4. Prevents future plumbing problems—With drains always clean, they will prove more durable than those allowed to clog. Pay less now to dodge a big bill later.

Hydrojetting is a cost effective and useful method for drain cleaning. To end present drain blockage or avoid future plumbing difficulties visit this website of Hydrojetting in Santa Cruz.

Monday 26 October 2015

Sewer Line Blues



Sewer line replacement often results from hopelessly clogged and damaged piping. Too many years of insufficient cleaning allows deterioration, the attack of tree roots and ultimate collapse. Today’s technology offers hydro jetting, a method in which high-pressure water jets cleans away all blockages and microorganisms.

Friday 16 October 2015

How to Improve Water Pressure in Your Bathroom

Losing water pressure in the bathroom can be very frustrating. Low pressure showers can add unnecessary challenge to daily hygiene, and low pressure faucets are a headache all their own. There are many potential causes for a drop in pressure, so here is a method to help you get the pressure back up. 

Find the Cause 

Start by isolating the symptoms. Is the problem just in one faucet, just in one room or in the whole house? This isolation will tell you if you need to fix a filter or head, a piping system or a holding tank respectively.

Case 1: Just One Faucet

If the problem is a single faucet or showerhead then these simple steps will resolve the issue: 
  • Detach the head and check for any debris or clogging.
  • Empty the aerator or flow regulator.
  • Replace a faulty shower head.
  • Check for signs of leaking pipes.

Case 2: The Entire Bathroom

When an entire room has low pressure, the issue is either leaking pipes or a pressure regulating valve. To adjust the valve:

  • Loosen the locking nut.
  • Turn the adjustment screw clockwise for more pressure or counterclockwise for less pressure.
  • Tighten the locking nut.

Case 3: The Entire House

When the entire house has flow problems, then either a holding tank or the piping from the holding tank will be the culprit. This can be caused by clogging, pump failure and even suboptimal pipe sizing. In any case, it is important to involve a qualified professional at this point and avoid increasing the damage or violating building codes.

Low-flow problems can be a nuisance, but now you have some tricks to help the cause. For more information on water pressure and drain maintenance in San Marcos, check out this site.

Hot Water Repair

Losing hot water is never fun. Professional repairs are a cheaper and quicker than outright replacement. Doing repairs without proper training can be unsafe and lead to large-scale water damage.


Thursday 15 October 2015

Clean Your Sewers to Keep Your Drains From Backing Up

Keeping your sewer lines clean is an important part of home maintenance. Because you can’t see your sewer lines, it can be hard to tell when you have a problem. This fact makes it even more important that you keep careful tabs on your sewers, and watch out for potential warning signs. If you don’t pay attention to your sewers, you could end up with a large, and expensive, mess. But you can prevent your drains from backing up by keeping your sewers clean in the first place.

To begin with, try to have a professional come in to clean your sewers at least once every 18-22 months. You might need to have a plumber in more often, depending on the number of people in your home and the stress they place on the sewers. These time frames vary from household to household. Once your plumber has arrived, he or she can use a video camera to ascertain what problems your sewers might be experiencing. Your plumber can then make the proper recommendations based on those problems.

Sometimes your drains will be backed up for reasons other than dirty sewer lines. For example, tree roots might have penetrated your pipes and then grown in such a way that they’ve come to completely block those pipes.

When it comes to how you go about cleaning your sewers, you’ll have a few options. To start, though, you’ll always want to have a plumber use a video camera to obtain a visual of the situation. Next, if tree roots are the cause of your problem, you’ll need to use a mechanical auger to get rid of them. An auger will cut the roots away. It’s important to remember, though, that this is only a momentary solution. If you don’t take further action, the roots will simply grow back. You might also need to employ a chemical tree root remover. If the pipes already caused a great deal of damage before you removed them, though, you may need to replace those pipes entirely. Regularly checking up on your sewer lines can help you to avoid this option.

Another effective method for cleaning your sewers is to use a hydro-jetter. A hydro-jetter works by pumping 4,000 psi of water through the sewer pipes. The flow of water is generally effective for flushing away a source of blockage.

Visit a residential plumber in Santa Cruz for more information about cleaning your sewers and avoiding drain blockage.

Using PEX For Hydronic And Plumbing Piping

Founded in 1894, Episcopal Homes in St. Paul, Minn., started out as a small rented home for four elderly women. Now, 121 years later, the senior housing organization offers a full range of care and continues to grow....read more

Graffiti Walls

Invite graffiti artists to decorate your restroom by installing chalkboards and providing chalk. Just keep your other fixtures simple to avoid over-decorating. Your walls will become their own exciting art!


What is Green Plumbing?

With more eyes turning toward the health of the planet and the environment, today’s home and business owners have more options for green living and construction. One of the newest features in today’s green building market is green plumbing. Combining innovative design with water saving features, green plumbing is one of the simplest ways to save money and restore the health of our planet.

Are You Flushing Away Water?

Anyone looking for a simple start to green plumbing can start with green plumbing products. The most common include eco-friendly toilets. Low-flow toilets use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Compare that to 3.6 gallons for full-flow toilets and it is easy to see how water usage and the water bill is greatly decreased. Dual flow toilets use different amounts of water when flushing down liquid waste and solid waste. Solid waste flushes require just 1.6 gallons of water and liquid waste requires just 1.1 gallons. Those looking for even greener products may be interested to know that composting toilet systems are available as well. Using unique designs and water systems, these toilets and plumbing turn solid, human waste into safe and usable compost.

Steaming up the Mirror

Another option for those looking to decrease their water bills and water use is a steam shower. While regular showers spray heated water through a showerhead, steam showers utilize humidity and water vapor. These systems harness the power of a humidifying steam generator that envelops the person in the water vapor. This incredible system uses only 1.1 gallons of water. In comparison, regular showers use up to 25 gallons!

Tankless Water Heater

Due to the rising cost of water, especially heated water, a great option for green plumbing enthusiasts is the tankless water heather. Instead of holding all the hot water in a tank until it is needed, a tankless system heats the water only when it will be used for showering or washing dishes. This is a viable and cost saving option for homes with many occupants or places of business needing a great amount of heated water.

Green plumbing can also include green landscaping. Some features can include rain barrels for watering gardens, reduced lawn watering and heat tolerant plants.  Families can also learn how to turn off the faucet when brushing their teeth, utilizing low-flow sinks for washing dishes, dumping extra water onto plants and being mindful of how long their showers are. To learn more about green plumbing and a plumbing service in Santa Cruz, check out this website.


DIY Plumbing Has Never Been Easier

Constructing your own household plumbing system is simple when you follow this basic DIY design for a drain, waste and vent system. Plastic or metal pipes can be used, but remember to check with your local safety codes before beginning.


3 Tips for Conserving Hot Water

If you’d like to save money on your water heating bills, and live in a more environmentally friendly manner, try using less hot water in your home. Check out the following list for a few quick tips on conserving hot water.
  1. Fix Your Leaky Faucets
Sometimes the simplest solution is best. Just by repairing your leaky fixtures (including shower heads, pipes, and faucets), you can save both money and hot water. A fixture that leaks at a rate of one drip a second can cost $1 per month. That might not sound like a lot, but if you have several leaky fixtures that go on leaking for months, those dollars will start to add up.
  1. Wash Your Clothes in Cool Water
Washing machines use up a great deal of water. Instead of washing your clothes less often, just try setting your washer to a cool temperature for all of your loads. You can use cold-water detergents for almost all of your laundry. When you do have to wash in hot water, set the rinse cycle to cold.
  1. Use Cold Water with Your Disposal
Using cold water when you run your disposal can also help to conserve energy. Cold water also solidifies grease, so the disposal itself will work more effectively.

Visit this plumbing service in Monterey for more information about conservation.

Monday 12 October 2015

Toilet Paper Biggest Problem For Commercial Drainlines

The Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition (PERC) has announced that its second report, The Drainline Transport of Solid Waste in Buildings…read more

The Importance of a Septic Inspection When Purchasing a Home

Buying a new home involves many factors and details.Prospective buyers should always include a professional septic inspection when purchasing a home. Having an expert examine the waste water system gives buyers knowledge as well as peace of mind.A professional will be able to determine not only if the system is in good working order, but also critical information about the health, maintenance and longevity of the system.

What Should Be Checked

There are several key points in the septic system that need to be looked over by an inspector prior to the purchase of a new home.The underground tank needs a thorough check to determine sludge level as well as when and how often the tank needs pumping.Additionally, the inspector should check for cracks in or problems with the tank, the baffles and the entrance and exit portals. An inspection will also help determine if the size of the tank is sufficient for the home and its occupants.

The second part of the system that needs examination is the drain field, which is the grassy area in the landscaping where underground piping is buried.This piping allows water from the septic system to flow through the soil, which filters the water naturally as it flows downward.In a thorough septic inspection, the drain field should be checked for puddling, overly green patches of grass, and any large tree or other plant roots that could interfere with proper water absorption.

Who Is Qualified

Performing a thorough septic inspection is always a task for a trained professional.There are regulations and laws regarding septic systems and an expert will not only know, but also abide by, any laws to ensure safety.Professionals possess the equipment necessary to access the tank and other system components without exposure to dangerous substances.

Additionally, a qualified individual will be able to educate the potential home buyer on septic system basics and maintenance.Topics to discuss include what can and cannot be flushed into the system, how often it requires pumping and proper drain field care.During the inspection, buyers should feel confident that any questions regarding the operation and health of the system will be answered.

Ensuring that a septic inspection is on the checklist before purchasing a home gives buyers education as well as accurate information on which to base their decisions.When considering a home with a septic system, a professional inspector is an invaluable resource.For inspections and septic tank service in Santa Cruz, visit this website.