Month: October 2019

No matter how well they’re labeled, how good they smell, or how cheap they are, drain cleaners aren’t a good solution to a clog in your plumbing. We know, it’s a hard pill to swallow, but we’re just trying to help. In fact, most homeowners don’t even know that they tend to do more harm than good when they are used. These volatile liquids will rot away your pipes and leave your system needing much more than just a drain cleaning.

So, you must be wondering what the alternative is? There are several alternatives to chemical drain cleaners, but they all usually involve your local plumber. You see, with your plumbing in Clifton, NJ there are no easy solutions to a drain clog. The best you can hope for is a capable plumber like us to perform a hydro jetting procedure, or use an industrial drain snake to try and pull whatever is clogging your system apart.

However, if you’re still leaning towards the car keys to pick up some industrial cleaner, keep reading and we’ll let you know why we never recommend them.

Innate Toxicity

These chemicals are disgusting and we’re not just talking about our aesthetic preference. No, they’re volatile in a way that will produce fumes that can sting, irritate, and even hurt your nose and eyes. This doesn’t just go for when you open the bottle and pour it down the drain, the fumes linger far beyond when the liquid has been used. If you’d like to keep your bathroom from turning into Chernobyl, we’d recommend refraining from using chemical drain cleaners.

Pipe Destruction

The description on your bottle of drain cleaner might sound convincing. Even the name implies that it will be “cleaning” your drain, but that’s not exactly how they work. You see, chemical drain cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, which pretty much disintegrates anything it comes in contact with. So the “cleaning” you’ve been promised is really just the dissolution of anything inside your drain, including the enamel of your pipes, the expensive furnishes in your kitchen, even the pipes themselves. You wouldn’t believe the number of times we’ve been called in to fix a mistake that these cleaners caused!

Environmentally Unfriendly

These chemical drain cleaners might be terrible for your pipes, but they’re even more terrible for the environment. Since most formulas for these chemical drain cleaners is thick, the bottles that get recycled or thrown out tend to still have some chemical residue left in them. This residue can end up in a landfill and the water supply, which can be pretty awful. Remember those fumes that sting your eyes and nose? Those will end up killing countless animals and poisoning your ecosystem if you’re not careful.

An Abysmal Track Record

Think we’ve convinced you? Well, wait until we tell you that these chemicals don’t even work half the time! As it turns out, drains aren’t always clogged by a blockage in your plumbing system. Sometimes there can be a broken pipe, trouble in your sewer line, or some other hidden issue that’s causing a drain clog. So, dumping chemicals down the drain won’t do anything to solve that problem!

Do us and yourself a favor, call a plumber to give your plumbing the attention it deserves.

Got a clogged drain? Give us a call at Margo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. We can give you a solution that works.

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com

When it comes to plumbing problems and plumbing repairs in your Katy- or Houston-area home, it is important to understand what types of pipe fittings and piping are used for plumbing, sewer, and drain lines. There are all sorts of different pipe fittings and piping used. Your home may even have multiple types!

Common Types of Pipe Fittings

Some of the more common types of pipe fittings used in your home’s plumbing system could include:

• Mechanical Sleeve Fittings: This is a type of coupling that connects two pipes together using a clamp or another mechanism to hold the pipes together.
• Plug and Cap Fittings: These fittings are used to close the end of open pipes. They are typically used during plumbing repairs and inspections.
• Valve Fittings: These fittings are typically used in areas where you want to shut off the water—like under sinks or from the main water line coming into the home.
• Adapter Fittings: These fittings are used to connect different types of pipes together, as well as convert them from male to female on the ends.
• Elbow Fittings: Elbow fittings are used when pipes need to change direction and need to be bent to do so without bending the actual piping.
• “Y” Fittings: These look like the letter “Y” and are used to connect three pipes together.
• Coupling Fittings: These fittings are used to connect pipes with the same diameters together. They may also be used when fixing leaks and replacing a damaged section of plumbing.
• Reducer Fittings: Reducers reduce the flow of water through the pipes and are used to connect piping of different diameters.
• Cross Fittings: This fitting is like an “X” and connects four pipes together. There can be a single inlet connection with three outlets or three inlets and one outlet.
• “T” Fittings: This fitting has a single inlet and two outlets and looks like the letter “T”.

Common Types of Piping

Just like pipe fittings, there are several different types of piping you could find in your home, including:

• PEX Piping: This plastic piping is very popular for residential applications. It is flexible, so it is easy to bend and connect together.
• PVC Piping: This is another type of plastic piping used for various plumbing, sewer, and drain lines. Unlike PEX, it is not flexible.
• Copper Piping: Copper is reliable and is also corrosion resistance. However, copper pipes have to be welded or soldered together and could require additional fittings.
• Brass Piping: Brass piping is a mixture of brass that consists mostly of copper. It is rust-resistant and lasts a long time.
• Stainless Steel Piping: Stainless steel is normally used in areas where corrosion is a problem—like in the bathroom.
• Galvanized Piping: You may find this piping in older homes. It is no longer used because rust can form inside the pipes over time.
• Cast Iron Piping: This type of piping may be found in older homes and homes that use natural gas.

The types of fittings and methods used to connect piping together will vary based on the type of piping. When connecting different types of piping, it can require the use of special fittings to prevent leaks.

Whether you have leaky piping, are installing a new dishwasher, or are upgrading your home’s plumbing, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from the experienced plumbers at MET Plumbing & Air Conditioning to avoid unwanted plumbing problems and ensure your piping and pipe fittings are installed correctly.

Call us at 281-994-6698 to schedule an appointment or request a free quote today!

The post Plumbing 101: Everything You Need to Know About Pipe Fittings and Piping appeared first on Met Plumbing.

There are so many different reasons as to why your bathtub drains slowly. Luckily, there are a few simple methods to fix it that could save you from having to call a plumber. A slow bathtub drain can result from any of the following combinations (or all of them):

• a lack of regular drain cleaning
• a buildup of hair
• a buildup of soap, body oil, and other bathing beauty aids

Read More

Changing your HVAC system air filter is one of the basic maintenance tasks you can perform, but it’s also one of the most vital. Having a clean filter can help your system to operate more efficiently, lower your energy bills, and improve the air quality in your home. So, how can you keep your filter in the best condition possible? Read on to learn more about what affects the lifespan of your filter, how to determine when it needs to be changed, and how often you should change it.

Factors That Impact your Air Filter

The frequency with which you must change your air filter will depend on a few different factors. Some things can cause the filter to get clogged much faster, requiring it to be changed more often. One of these considerations is how often you use your HVAC system. If you use your cooling and heating system rarely, one filter could last up to a year. However, if your system is running nearly 24/7, you will need to replace the filter every few weeks to keep everything running properly.

You’ll also need to consider the size of your home. With smaller houses, furnaces and air conditioners don’t need to pump as much air to change the temperature as they would in a larger home. This could result in fewer filter changes. On the other hand, appliances installed in smaller homes are also smaller, which means smaller filters, so the difference could be negligible.

Lastly, think about the air quality in your house. The filter’s longevity is affected by the air inside and outside of your home. If you have poor air quality outside, you may need to change the filter more often. Pets can also lower the air quality indoors, especially if your furry friend sheds a lot. In this case, you will need to switch out the filter every two months. Additionally, if anyone in your home suffers from asthma or allergies, it may benefit them to change the filter even more frequently, or every six weeks.

How to Determine When It’s Time to Get the Filter Changed

Staying on top of your HVAC maintenance is crucial for the health of your family and the health of your appliance. Dirty filters can, over time, cause serious harm to your HVAC system, eventually requiring heating service in Pittsburgh, PA. Ideally, you should check your air filter at least once every month. Take it out of the appliance and hold it up to a light source. If you can’t see any light through it, it’s dirty and should be replaced with a clean one. 

How Often Should You Change the Air Filter

In general, you should aim to replace your air filter every 90 days or so. The longer you use an air filter, the less effective it becomes. As mentioned above, certain factors can impact the lifespan of an air filter, requiring it to be changed either more or less frequently. To learn more about how often you should change your air filter or to get even more tips on maintaining your HVAC system’s efficiency, contact us at Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

The post How Often Should You Get Your HVAC Filter Changed? appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.