Month: April 2020

Professional plumbers come across many odd situations. We once got a call from a woman who tried to flush an entire turkey carcass down her toilet. Why? Because she didn’t have a garbage disposal! So to say we’ve seen it all is an understatement. But thanks to today’s hottest toy fad, more of our colleagues are being called to undo the damage wrought by Orbeez® balls.

If you don’t have young children or grandchildren, you may not be familiar with these colorful, yet insidious objects. And if you do, this is what you need to know should a jar full of Orbeez wind up where they don’t belong. However, as you’ll soon learn, it isn’t only kids who can cause major trouble with them.

So, what are Orbeez balls?

Orbeez is the brand name of brightly colored polymer gel beads that can absorb a tremendous amount of water, quickly expanding to more than 100 times their original size. Fiendishly designed to be irresistible to kids, they’re sold in a variety of containers and sets. While they have a practical use – originally invented for agricultural purposes, to help soil retain moisture – youngsters and pranksters have taken them over.

The Orbeez worst-case scenario

By now, you’ve figured out the potential for disaster that thousands of these tiny gel-filled orbs represent once they make contact with the water in toilets, sinks and tubs. Not to mention swimming pools, outdoor water features, etc. A basic jar contains 50,000 beads.

The most extreme case involved a young man in France who decided to “experiment” with Orbeez and record the results for social media. He filled his bathtub with water and poured in several jars of Orbeez. After the entertainment value of a tub filled to the brim with colorful gel beads wore off, he pulled the drain plug, assuming they would simply go down the drain and out of his life.

He was wrong. They backed up into his toilet and sink, as well, overflowing both. At some point, he poured table salt into his bathroom sink in an attempt to dissolve them. It worked just well enough to allow sewerage to spew up. The Orbeez then made their way into the neighborhood sewer lines before bursting out in an unsanitary mess. One person’s idea of a clever stunt damaged the plumbing of his neighbors and caused a hazardous situation requiring an expensive clean-up and extensive repairs.

But aren’t water beads biodegradable?

According to the company, Orbeez are 100-percent biodegradable and non-toxic. However, as we’ve often noted in our blog, most brands of baby wipes claim to be flushable, but they really aren’t, and should never be flushed, no matter what the circumstance. Read our blog post –“It’s 4 O’ Clog! Here Are The Top 4 Causes of Clogged Toilets” – to see what baby wipes can do to a sewer pipe.

What we’re getting at here is just because Orbeez are biodegradable doesn’t mean they break down quickly. If they did, they wouldn’t be reusable. Like baby wipes, Orbeez will do a great job of clogging pipes, and need to be kept out of them.

DIY methods to try if Orbeez clog your pipes

Should members of your household who lack the ability to reason (which covers a wide age range) get Orbeez into a situation that clogs your pipes, our colleagues across the pond at Plumbcare offer the following DIY procedures to dislodge them.

If the Orbeez are clogging a sink, take apart the pipes underneath. These will often be push fittings, so they’ll come apart easily. Place a bowl or bucket underneath to catch water that will come out and pull the S bend apart, manually removing all the beads that are trapped there.

If the beads have worked their way further round the pipes, you may need to put something down the pipes that will dissolve the beads or dry up the water they’ve absorbed. Salt will help to draw the liquid out, and substances like bleach or a combination of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda will cause a chemical reaction to dissolve them (this is generally a good sink cleaner that you can use any time). You may need some patience and keep reapplying these, as it dissolves a layer at a time.

If these methods fail to unclog the pipe, it’s time to call a pro! Delaying a professional repair will not end well. However, while some plumbmergencies can’t be avoided, this is among those that can. Today, it is especially important to be proactive in preventing plumbing emergencies.

The trouble with Orbeez

In these challenging times, children are now at home instead of school for the better part of the day, and are more likely to get bored and into mischief – especially since they can’t enjoy their usual social activities. If you have Orbeez in your house, be sure to supervise your kids’ playtime with them.

First, you don’t want the expense of an emergency call to the plumber should the DIY fixes fail. Second, while we are still here for you as an essential service and follow required safety measures, avoiding contact with others as much as possible is highly advisable. We all need to take extra care and consider the possible consequences of our actions. Our Adams and Son Plumbing family wants your family to stay safe.

We truly are a family-owned business, with over 50 years in plumbing service. A state-certified plumbing contractor, we have over three generations of master plumbing experience. Contact us for prompt, courteous service. We’re in this together!

 

The post Have You Clogged Your Drains With Water Beads? appeared first on Adams and Son Plumbing Services.

We put it right in our name: The Trusted Plumber. We’ve gained a reputation for reliability with our excellent service and 100% satisfaction guarantee. And if you’ve come to this page today, it’s likely because you have suspicions about other plumbers in Peoria, AZ you’re thinking of hiring. Perhaps you’re concerned that your current plumber isn’t a trustworthy one.

We can help you out with some of the warning signs to watch for that the plumbers you’re considering for your next installation or for an important plumbing repair aren’t ones you can trust.

They aren’t licensed and tell you licensing isn’t important

The first thing to check with any plumbing contractor is if they have a license. The license number should be right on their website. (Our license number is ROC 276768.) Don’t hire plumbers without a license, and don’t let them tell you that it isn’t that big of a deal to have one. Can an unlicensed plumber be skilled? Yes—but you won’t have any protection in case they aren’t or something goes wrong. No license means no guarantee on insurance, and you may end up liable for damage done to your house or for injuries a worker sustains on the job site. It’s not worth it!

They tell you not to bother getting a second opinion

Any professional worth hiring for any service—from a doctor to an electrician—won’t discourage you from finding a second opinion or doing a bit of shopping around. Be wary of any plumber who tries to “hard sell” you, because it often means they know there are other people out there offering superior service at fair prices.

They won’t communicate with you about the work

It’s important for our plumbers when they’re on the job to explain to customers in easy to grasp language what sort of work they plan to do. This way customers understand the extent of the service and what they can expect it to cost. An untrustworthy plumber will attempt to keep customers out of the loop and then spring surprises on them with a service they didn’t authorize—and make them pay more for it.

They aren’t clean, professional, and respectful

This is a general category that covers a lot of behavior you shouldn’t receive from a plumber. The plumber doesn’t show up at the scheduled time, arriving hours late instead. The plumber doesn’t take special precautions to protect the rest of the home during the work. The plumber doesn’t clean up the mess they made after a job. The plumber looks (and smells) like they just crawled from the sewer pipe. You deserve much better than that.

They don’t offer guarantees

Plumbers who won’t back up their own work with satisfaction guarantees are probably used to having unsatisfied customers. You want to put your trust in a plumber who shows confidence about doing the job right.

We are a licensed plumbing contractor with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and an aim to exceed expectations. We are also members of both the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association and Quality Service Contractors. We’re the Trusted Plumber for many good reasons.

The Trusted Plumber—we’re the real deal. Call us when you need a plumber you can trust.

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

At the end of 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) started to declare that there would be an incoming medical emergency in the form of a novel coronavirus. Soon, the threat of COVID-19 had spread throughout the world, halting multiple industries, unsettling the stock market, and putting millions of people out of work. As of April 2020, the number of people affected continues to skyrocket.

 

In Canada, the spread of the novel coronavirus has upset immigration, the food supply, healthcare, and much more. Although the number of cases in Canada is much less than those in America and other countries around the world, global issues affect every country some way. This is true for businesses, namely small businesses, as well.

 

Since most plumbing contractors are considered independent contractors or small business owners, the impact on the economy and stay at home ordinances are going to be tremendous blow to the industry. Furthermore, are plumbers to be considered essential workers and businesses? How do these individuals stay safe when visiting the homes of clients who could potentially be infected with a highly contagious virus?

 

While there are still numerous questions about the transmissibility of COVID-19, there are a couple things we know for sure:

 

• COVID-19 is more dangerous than the common flu
• Everyone is in danger of getting the virus, not just those with compromised immune systems
• COVID-19 can be spread through sanitary drainage (plumbing) systems, as noted with a case in Hong Kong, where several individuals in the same apartment complex came down with the virus
• The virus, similar to SARS, may be transmitted through air particles and can survive on untreated sewage for up to 2 weeks
• Fecal transmission is not yet known, but the virus has been detected in fecal matter of coronavirus patients
• The main form of transmission is through droplets from coughing and sneezing, which is why personal protective gear (face mask, safety glasses, and gloves) is highly recommended for all essential workers

 

With all this in mind, it is obvious that plumbing professionals, who deal with sewage and other forms of waste on a daily basis, are putting themselves at risk of contracting COVID-19 every time they answer a call.

 

How COVID-19 Is Impacting Plumbing Businesses and Contractors

Now, let’s look at some concerns and changes that are happening within the plumbing industry as a result of the coronavirus pandemic:

 

COVID-19 is challenging numerous small businesses to rethink how they handle day-to-day operations. The plumbing industry is seeing a rapid increase in home calls, because more and more people are being forced to stay indoors during social distancing practices. However, depending on the situation, it may mean that the plumber cannot immediately be dispatched to a residence. Sometimes, they may even have to alter the way they provide assistance.

 

For instance, some plumbers are turning to voice and video chat applications, such as Skype and FaceTime, to meet with customers and help them navigate their plumbing problems. These virtual diagnostics help keep the plumbers safer, because they can enter less homes.

 

When customers truly need a plumber at their home, more preparation is required. For areas where the COVID-19 outbreak is high, professionals are wearing more protective equipment. Gloves, shoe covers, and masks have been refitted to ensure complete protection so that the professionals and clients are both confident about their safety.

 

More businesses are adopting distancing practices as well. While the plumbers are doing everything in their power to solve problems, provide plumbing maintenance and inspections, or doing emergency repairs and replacements, they are also using all recommended personal protective equipment, keeping distance from customers, avoiding unnecessary contact, and washing their hands regularly.

 

But are there any areas where plumbers have seen a decrease in business? Of course. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly decreased the call volume in some regions. Customers have canceled or postponed previously scheduled maintenance work. For some, this spells trouble, especially for residences that have older plumbing systems that need routine maintenance. In the end, postponing such vital work to the plumbing system might cause a larger, more expensive problem for the homeowner.

 

Reactions From The Plumbing Industry

The plumbing industry as a whole, ranging from the educational providers, insurance companies, suppliers, and beyond, are feeling the effects of COVID-19. The executive vice president of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Pete DeMarco, stated this:

 

“The IAPMO Group sends its best wishes to plumbers everywhere as we work in concert with the global efforts to defeat COVID-19. We urge all plumbers to take extreme precautions while providing essential services. Remember to wear all PPE properly and to keep tools and PPE clean, and avoid sharing of tools with coworkers. By carefully following excellent workplace and personal hygiene practices, we can help contain the spread of the virus. Remember, plumbers protect the health of the planet!”

 

Additionally, for those who worried about remaining certified or getting a thorough education during this time, the CEO of the IAPMO Group, Russ Chaney, said that rescheduling, extended deadlines, and online courses are being added for professional certification and testing.

 

Other groups, like Armstrong and Aquatherm, are stepping up measures to keep their employees safe while maintaining reliable business operations. For example, Armstrong has any person entering the company grounds undergo a body scan for their temperature. Any employees with elevated body temperature or symptoms are sent home and asked to self-isolate as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Aquatherm is limiting travel and has established a protocol for those visiting the place of business.

 

President of Uponor North America, Billy Gray, said, “All Uponor employees who can work from home are doing so… New policies are in place to restrict in-person meetings, non-employee visits to our campuses and travel… While taking special precautions to keep employees safe through social distancing, deep cleaning and more, we are building up inventory of primary products to meet customers’ demand today and into the future.”

 

Final Thoughts On Changes to the Plumbing Industry Amid COVID-19

By the time the novel coronavirus is under our control, the way people conduct business is bound to have changed, including the plumbing industry. These days, plumbers, manufacturers, and educational institutions are being forced to think of new ways to maintain relationships with customers while serving them the best and safest way possible. Surely, this will open new avenues for how certain plumbing issues are solved in the future, as well as the future plumbing professionals receive education and interact with one another and customers.

The post How COVID-19 Affects The Plumbing Industry. appeared first on The Irish Plumber.

Wash your hands. Practice social distancing. Wear a face mask when you’re out doing errands and sanitize your hands frequently. Although most of us have heard similar precautions for the coronavirus pandemic, we are learning every single day that there is another part of transmission. Research continues to help us learn more about how the novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19, is transmitted from person to person.

 

Now, you have to wonder, “Can COVID-19 be transmitted through a plumbing system?”

 

According to research agencies like the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is not present in drinking water. This is good news. It means that disinfection and filtration can remove the virus from water.

 

Now, let’s discuss the not-so good and bad news.

 

How Plumbing Can Transmit COVID-19

Similar to other highly contagious viruses, like SARS, COVID-19 has been detected in fecal matter and sewage. In 2003 during the SARS outbreak, transmission through sewage aerosols was detected. Furthermore, SARS was found to remain in untreated sewage for “up to 14 days.” That said, transmission of coronavirus through sewage has not been recorded and it thought to be low risk.

 

This doesn’t mean that you can be lax when dealing with plumbing problems during this coronavirus pandemic, however. If you live in a multi-tenant building, such as an apartment or assisted living, you are going to want to take extra precautions.

 

Aside from observing current guidelines for limiting transmission, such as washing your hands frequently and practicing excellent hygiene, here are some other tips:

 

• Dry piping can be a source of contamination, like any other dry surface. Keep plumbing systems from drying out by pouring water into drains regularly.
• Avoid odors coming from dry pipes.
• Do not leave septic tanks broken or uncovered.
• Continue routine plumbing inspections to catch any problems that could potentially spread COVID-19.

• The U-trap in toilets needs about 0.2-0.4 gallons of water to function properly and avoid dryness. Showers, bathtubs, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures or appliances may need between 1-2 gallons.
• Regularly clean kitchen and bathroom fixtures with non-toxic antiviral solutions.
• When dealing with clogged or overflowing toilets, sinks, or showers and tubs, avoid contact with fecal matter. Get rid of standing water quickly.

 

If you are concerned about COVID-19 transmission after swimming in a community pool or water parks, don’t worry. Aside from regular person to person transmission, there has been no evidence of coronavirus being transmitted through pool water or any similar places. It is thought that proper sterilization and disinfection with bromine or chlorine inactivates COVID-19.

 

Dangers of COVID-19 For Multi-Tenant Buildings

Even after over a million confirmed cases of coronavirus throughout the world, there is no evidence of the virus spreading via plumbing. However, there have been suspicions surrounding an apartment complex in Hong Kong. In February 2020, two tenants caught coronavirus, and the complex with partially evacuated. However, three more cases were soon reported. Interestingly, the original COVID-19 patients lived in apartments that were vertically aligned but 10 stories apart. The toilet discharge pipes were also linked.

 

Experts pondered the connection. Pathogens can definitely be transmitted, particularly in old buildings that have self-refitted exhaust fans and pipes, old water traps (U-traps), faulty plumbing systems, and so on.

 

After an investigation of the building in Hong Kong, it was said that the U-trap might have contributed to the spread of COVID-19. The U-trap should always have a small amount of water, because it acts as a plug that stops contaminants from rising back through the pipes and into the air.

 

The transmission of coronavirus through air particles is still being studied, but most scientists believe there is some risk. If COVID-19 acts like SARS, which can be carried on air particles, then it is certainly possible that coronavirus, when present in fecal matter, could contaminate the air should the U-trap in the plumbing system be defunct.

 

Fecal Matter and COVID-19

With all this talk of excrement, we need to get to the bottom of it all—pun intended. Plumbers handle all kinds of unsanitary conditions, so this is important to know. If coronavirus can be washed off with water or inactivated by disinfectants like chlorine and the chance of it being present in air particles is relatively low, then how much of a risk is feces?

 

The CDC and research published in Popular Science both stated that COVID-19 “can be transmitted through contact with infected feces,” but there is also some skepticism. The CDC states that “the amount of virus released from the body in stool, how long the virus is shed, and whether the virus in stool is infectious” is not yet known.

 

What we do know is that droplets of the virus are spread through coughing and sneezing. Fecal-oral transmission could then be possible. While the notion is certainly gross, this takes us back to the reason washing your hands is so important to limiting contamination. Whenever you touch a doorknob, toilet seat, lavatory door, or somewhere that could potentially have fecal matter, you could be at risk.

 

Bottom Line

In short, while COVID-19 is highly contagious, there is still a lot of things we do not know about the virus. Preliminary research has found that water transmission of the novel coronavirus isn’t possible, but fecal and fecal-oral transmission is certainly possible. That is why it is important to keep maintaining your plumbing system to stop clogs and overflows before they start. Avoid any contact with untreated sewage, wear protective gear (mask and gloves) when necessary, and keep washing your hands.

 

In the event you run into a plumbing problem during social distancing, find a professional who is trained to handle these kinds of emergencies. Stay safe. Stay healthy!

The post Can You Get COVID-19 Through Your Plumbing? appeared first on The Irish Plumber.

Running an air conditioner can dramatically increase your electric bill but, for many people, it’s a necessary cost for escaping the Texas heat. While you may not have much of a choice if you want to stay comfortable, you can lower your electric bill using these methods to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency.

Make Sure Your Home Is Properly Sealed and Insulated

If your house isn’t properly sealed or insulated, your air conditioner will have to work overtime to make up for the constant loss of cold air. Air conditioners work best in well-sealed and well-insulated homes since they don’t have to work as hard to produce cold air.

Poor sealing and insulation are most common in older homes (at least 10-20 years old). If you live an older home, check both your insulation and the seals around your windows and doors. In some cases, replacing old seals pays for itself after a short amount of time.

Only Run the AC While You’re at Home

There’s little use in running your air conditioner if nobody’s home to enjoy it!

Turning off your air conditioner before leaving the house can dramatically reduce your electricity bills, especially if you would normally run the AC during the day. If you’re worried about coming home to a hothouse, consider air conditioners with timers or keep your house well-shaded while you’re away.

Also, consider turning off your air conditioner at night. You likely won’t notice the difference while sleeping, and you may be able to enjoy the same cool air through open windows and cross-breezes.

Keep the Sun Off by Increasing Shade

Before modern air conditioning, people kept their houses cool by using curtains to block the daytime sun. The resulting shade would help trap cold air from the night prior, keeping the home’s interior cool and comfortable.

Today, shading remains an effective tool for not only fighting the daytime heat but also for lowering your electricity bill. By keeping your home interior naturally cool, your air conditioner won’t need as much electricity to maintain comfortable temperatures.

Shading is especially useful if you turn off your air conditioner during the day, as you won’t need to wait as long to enjoy a comfortable temperature after returning home.

Check Your Vents

Blocked air conditioner vents can not only prevent conditioned air from entering the room but may also be a sign of underlying problems. Air conditioner vents often become blocked through debris or, more commonly, frozen evaporator coils.

As air conditioners only measure the temperature inside the room, those with blocked air vents will keep trying to produce cold air with no results. As a result, the air conditioner will continuously work overtime in a desperate attempt to cool the room, consuming massive amounts of electricity in the process. Imagine if you left your air conditioner operating this way throughout the day!

Repair or Replace Old AC Units

Air conditioners can only last so long before they break down or need repairs. With regular air conditioning repair and maintenance, however, your air conditioner can cool your home efficiently for years to come.

Even so, efficiency often declines over time, raising your electric bill in the process. For a complete evaluation and to find out if it’s time for air conditioning replacement or repairs, call our air conditioning contractor team at 281-994-6698.

The post Improving Comfort While Lowering Energy Costs for Your AC System appeared first on Met Plumbing.

Clogs or drainage blockage are common occurrences in homes.

You may have noticed signs of the restricted flow of drains in your bathroom or kitchen sink but took them with a pinch of salt.

Poor drainage can cause more harm in the home and environment than you can imagine.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “poor drainage can lead to flooding, resulting in property loss, and people may even be forced to move to escape floodwaters. Flooding may also damage water supply infrastructure and contaminate domestic water sources.”

Your kitchen sink drains slowly, of course, it may not appear to you as a thing of concern, but one thing is sure, you never can tell the level of plumbing emergency it could grow into, without professional drain cleaning service.

With the current state of the world’s economy, everyone is looking to spend as little as possible. With professional drain cleaning, you have a chance at avoiding plumbing emergencies that can cost you a lot.

In addition to saving you money in the long run, professional drain cleaning has a lot of key benefits.

From safety to eliminating malicious odors. Please note that there is, of course, an endless list of ways in which professional drain cleaning can benefit you and your family.

This article features 10 key benefits of professional drain cleaning. Let’s get started.

 

1). Professional Drain Cleaning Eliminates Nasty Odors

Most of what goes down your drains are not fit for housekeeping. A lot of waste products are flushed down your drains.

From hair, soap scum, to the organic matter in your bathtub. All the dirt you wash away each day, not to mention what goes down the toilet.

When there is a clog in your drains, regardless of how small the clog is, these waste products get stuck in the pipe. Bacteria act on the stuck materials in the pipe, causing the materials to degrade.

This bacteria action will, no doubt produce disturbing and foul-smelling odors, that can find its way up and into your home. I don’t think anyone would enjoy using a foul-smelling bathroom.

Professional drain cleaning ensures that this problem is quickly spotted and eliminated, even before it produces bad odors.

This way, you can conveniently use your bathroom or kitchen sink, without having to wear a nose mask.

 

2). Reduces the Chances of a Clog

In addition to stuck waste in pipes, clogs can cause the wastewater you flush down your toilet to stay afloat, spreading throughout your bathroom.

Clogs start with warning signs like slow drains. If these signs are ignored, it turns into a clog and this becomes a major problem.

Without flowing drainage, house activities like washing dishes and taking your bath are affected.

Before you put on the feeling of self-sufficiency, with the attitude of “I will plunge the clog away”. Let me inform you that plunging is limited and only a temporary fix. Stubborn clogs do not respond to plunging at all.

Of course, there are over the counter drain cleaners, but most of these products are made of chemicals that can be harmful to your health and that of the environment.

Would you rather take your chances with harsh chemicals, or go for the proven and safe professional drain cleaning.

 

3). Protects Floors and Walls from Damage

 

Clogged drainage means that wastewater overflows and runs onto your floors and walls. Aside from the nasty odor that this comes with, it can also damage your walls and floors.

Your walls and floors were designed to take the weight of its occupant, along with, other external loads.

But when these walls and floors are continuously exposed to water, whether flowing or stagnant, the walls grow weak and can suffer water damage.

Water can seep through the walls and floors, creating a habitat for mold and causing the walls to lose its stiffness.

Fixing walls and floors is an expensive venture. If you don’t take care of the clogs, you’ll have to settle for fixing your walls and floors over and over again.

With professional drainage cleaning, you can avoid all this problem, eliminating the clog before it exists.

 

4). Improve the Health of Your Family

As earlier stated, clogged drains mean bad odors, as well as habitats for bacteria and mold. Without taking care of the clogs, the bacteria and mold will continue to grow.

The presence of bacteria and mold in the bathroom or kitchen sink can affect your family’s health.

Some illnesses and diseases that can arise from bacterial infections. Molds are not at all friendly. There are reports of it causing breathing problems.

However, professional drain cleaning will ensure a clog-free drain. This way you can keep bacteria and molds away from your family. Hence ensuring your family’s health.

 

5). It Saves You Money Over Time

One of the main reasons people run away from getting professional draining services is the fear of cost. Nothing is quite free on this earth.

And what people fail to understand is the fact that getting a regular draining cleaning service saves you more than half of the plumbing cost you might incur in trying to fix bad drainage.

Of course, there is a cost, but it’s a small price to pay, considering the problems a clog would cause. Because you may need an earthmover if the clog is located further down an underground pipe.

Leaks accompany clogs, and an underground pipe can only be replaced by having to dig it up. This incurs a cost, not to mention the inconvenience. Drain cleaning will help you eliminate the need for all this.

6). Keeps Your Pipes Healthy

When chemicals and organic material get stuck in your pipes, it most times results in corrosion and pipe leakage.

A small leak must be attended to, and sometimes it is difficult to spot. Not to mention the consequences of a large leak.

These chemicals need time in the pipes to break down the pipes, getting professional drain cleaning will mean that the chemicals are stopped in their tracks. And it doesn’t get the chance to corrode the pipes.

Everything requires maintenance, and pipes are no exception. If pipe maintenance is on point, it can last a long as possible with no issues. However, a corroded pipe will have to be replaced.

 

7). Speeds up Drainage

Clogs give warning signs and one of these signs is slow drainage. Slow drainage is also a problem. You might be washing dishes, and you need to cut off the tap to allow wastewater to drain since the drain can’t keep up with the water flow.

You then resolve to consistently plunge multiple times a day, or week. This is inconvenient.

With professional drain cleaning, you need not worry about this at all. This way, the speed of the drain is maintained. Eliminating overflowing sinks and showers.

The drain speed no longer controls your shower time or the pace of your dishwashing.

 

8). Long-term Effectiveness

Your plumbing at home will only stand the test of time with routine maintenance. This is exactly what professional drain cleaning offers.

Getting a team of professionals to regularly maintain your drainage system will afford you the luxury of long-lasting pipes.

Additionally, trusted professionals can understand your plumbing system, and help draw out a plan for regular visits, with the needed time interval.

The combination of trusted service and routine maintenance ensures that your home plumbing stands the test of time.

 

9). Professional-Only Solutions

The use of technologies by professional drain cleaners offers the kind of solution you can get from them. Most companies employ the use of hydro-jet cleaner for drains and sewer cleaning. The hydro-jet is a technology that utilizes high-pressure water to clear drains.

With the right service team, you can save money and time on the right equipment and efficiency.

 

10). Improved Drainage Systems

Of course, the overall aim of the professional drain cleaning is to improve your overall draining systems.

Poor draining systems is a troubling issue for most homes. With the professional drain cleaner, your draining system can only improve.

By quickly removing blockages with efficient technologies, that provide very close to a hundred percent work done.

The ability of a professional to weigh the intent or degree of issues your draining system is facing is another reason you should join this train.

Without these professionals, it is nearly impossible to measure the severity of the drainage problems.

 

Conclusion

You want all these benefits right? Do you want to avoid spending much on repairing plumbing? Then contact a professional drain cleaning service.

The importance of regularly maintaining your drainage system cannot be overemphasized.

Remember the saying, a healthy drainage system, is a healthy family. Therefore, keep your drainage clean and healthy with professional drain cleaners. This way, you can keep your house healthy for as long as possible.

This post first appeared on https://blog.antaplumbing.com

Old houses are vulnerable to an array of problems, including ungrounded outlets, outdated cooling and heating systems, and, one of the most insidious problems, plumbing issues.

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It’s nearly the end of August, the kids are about to head back to school, and you’ve started to think about cool fall days ahead. Almost as if on cue, you’ve started to notice something strange about your air conditioner. Maybe it’s making a whirring, buzzing, or banging noise. It could be that it’s working harder to cool your rooms. Some rooms in your home might feel warmer than others, and other rooms might be too chilly. Since summer’s drawing to a close, you might figure that you can hold off on scheduling air conditioning service in Pittsburgh, PA, until next year.

Not so fast — if you think there’s something up with your air conditioner, the time to do something about it is sooner, rather than later. Letting your air conditioner continue working with any issues or problems it’s having now can make those issues worse over time. Even if you plan on switching off your AC for the season tomorrow, it’s a smart move to schedule one last AC repair in Pittsburgh, PA, before summer comes to an end. Here are three reasons why.

An Inefficient Air Conditioner Costs More to Operate

It might be that the thing that lets you know something is up with your air conditioner isn’t the unit itself or a notable change in your home’s comfort level. Instead, it could be your home’s energy bill. The average home in Pittsburgh spends about 5% of the energy it uses on cooling the home.

If you’ve seen a sudden uptick in your electricity bill, and you haven’t made any other dramatic changes to your lifestyle, such as buying an electric car or installing new appliances, your air conditioner could be the culprit. When an AC is wearing out, has dirty, clogged filters, or has other problems, it needs to use more energy. Your home’s not any cooler, but your energy bill sure is higher. 

Scheduling an appointment with a technician for air conditioning repair in Pittsburgh, PA, can mean that you see a notable drop in your home energy costs during the remaining months of summer.

Summer’s Not Over Yet

Although people often think of August as the last month of summer and Labor Day weekend is considered summer’s last hurrah, the season actually continues until nearly the end of September. As summer goes on, so do its warm temperatures and muggy conditions. It’s not unheard for Pittsburgh to see 80-degree or hotter days even as the calendar gets closer to October.

It’s also not unheard of for the area to experience a snap warm spell in the middle of fall. There have been days when it’s felt like summer, even when it’s been close to Halloween. That can mean that you might end up needing to use your air conditioner unexpectedly in the autumn. You want it to be there for you, in good working order, and without any issues.

Small Problems Can Snowball into Big Problems

Left alone, small issues with your air conditioner have a tendency to balloon into major ones. That faint buzzing you hear now could be a full-on roar by next spring due to loose fan blades that became looser over the winter or debris that was allowed to build up in the condenser. A dirty air filter not only means your air conditioner needs to work harder, but it can also reduce the overall indoor air quality of your home, contributing to asthma and allergy problems.

Major problems with your air conditioning in Pittsburgh, PA, typically cost more to fix than small issues. If you let your AC sit over the winter without giving it the attention it needs today, you might find that you’re facing a significant repair bill when late spring comes around again.

Late-Season Preventative Care for Your Air Conditioner

What should you do if you notice any problems with your AC in August or September? Your best option is to have a technician come out to inspect your system. After working hard to keep your home cool and your family comfortable during the summer, your air conditioner might have a clogged filter, dirty coils, or low refrigerant level.

During their visit, the technician will take a look at your air conditioner and diagnose the issue. It might be a quick fix, such as replacing the air filter or cleaning the coils. The issue might also be easily amended by replacing the fan motor belts or fixing bent fins.

If the problem is more serious, the technician will let you know and will review your options with you. You might choose to have the issue repaired, or it might make more economic sense to replace your air conditioner with a new model. Depending on the age of your system and the overall condition of it, a replacement can be more cost-effective in the long run.

It might also be that the problem with your air conditioner has little to do with the unit or system itself and more to do with its surroundings. If the compressor is located in a sunny spot, it can easily overheat, causing it to work harder to keep your home cool. Planting a tree or shrub nearby (but not too close) can give the unit shade, lowering its overall temperature.

Another factor that can make your air conditioner act up is the thermostat. It’s possible for a thermostat to be miscalibrated, meaning it doesn’t accurately read the temperature in the room. A miscalibrated thermostat can cause your AC to run when it doesn’t need to or can prevent it from running when it should. The fix is often to readjust the thermostat or replace it.

It’s never too late in the season to schedule an inspection or tune-up of your home’s air conditioning. Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning offers AC service in Pittsburgh, PA. If your air conditioner is making strange noises, not cooling effectively or if you’ve noticed an unexplained increase in your home energy bills, give us a call, and one of our technicians will come out to inspect your system and recommend what to do next.

The post Why You Shouldn’t Avoid Late Summer Air Conditioner Issues appeared first on Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

If installing a toilet brings you dread, breathe a sigh of relief – DIY toilet replacement is surprisingly easy! If you have the right tools and a few hours to spare, toilet installation is not as difficult as it sounds. 

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Working from home and maintaining social distancing efforts means a house full of people, putting added strain on your plumbing system. You may be wondering if you can still call your local plumber and schedule services while adhering to the safety guidelines of social distancing. The answer is yes!

Len The Plumber understands that the current disruption to daily life shouldn’t be compounded by plumbing issues in your home. Our essential plumbing services remain fully operational during this time, and we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of both our team and the community we serve.

Safely Performing Essential Plumbing Services in MD, DC, VA, PA & DE

When our expert technicians visit your home, you can rest assured that they will adhere to the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene – before, during, and after their visit. We are strictly following the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19, including the following precautions:

• Wearing additional protective equipment
• Maintaining social distancing
• Thorough & frequent hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds
• Utilizing hand sanitizer
• Using disinfectants to ensure all touchpoints are clean (workspace, equipment, vehicles)
• Frequently sanitizing devices used, such as tablets and clipboards

In order to perform our essential services as quickly and effectively as possible, we will contact customers prior to their appointment to assess whether there are any risks of exposure in their household. We will ask if there is any reason we should not enter the home, especially in relation to COVID-19, or if anyone in the house exhibits symptoms such as fever or shortness of breath. If the answer is yes, our team will work diligently with you to decide the safest course of action to resolve your plumbing issue, while protecting everyone involved.

If you have urgent plumbing needs or would like to schedule maintenance for your home, give the experts at Len The Plumber a call at 800-950-4619, or contact us online today! Whatever your problem may be, we can fix it quickly and safely.

Important Plumbing Reminders While You Shelter in Place

While Len The Plumber is fully staffed and operational should you need maintenance or emergency plumbing services, here are a few tips for keeping your plumbing system in good shape while you are sheltering in place with your loved ones:

1. Never flush anything besides toilet paper down your toilet. Only toilet paper will properly break down in your plumbing system, so avoid flushing things like wipes, napkins, or paper towels.
2. Stagger your showers throughout the day. If you have a house full of people and are trying to figure out a showering schedule that works for everyone, consider staggering your showers throughout the day. Alternate the schedule from day to day if there is one particular time that is more desirable amongst the group.
3. Get familiar with your plumbing system. If you’re a complete novice when it comes to your home’s plumbing system, take the opportunity to get to know how things work. Watch our video on common household plumbing problems, and if you want to know more, contact Len The Plumber with your questions!
   

Providing Essential Plumbing Services While Social Distancing

While these are unprecedented times, Len The Plumber understands the ongoing need for professional and local plumbing services. We are proud to be fully open and operational to offer our customers high-quality service that they can trust.

If you need plumbing services, contact us online or give us a call at 800-950-4619 today, and rest assured that safety and excellent service are our guarantee!

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