Month: December 2020

Okay, so you’ve made the call for a professional ever since your heater broke down. Great job! That’s the most important thing you can do, and we’re proud of you that you’ve managed to get that far. Many homeowners take their toolbox and end up doing more harm than good when these things come up.

Now you’re cold, upset, and scouring the internet for things to do while you wait for a professional HVAC technician. Heating repair in Livingston, NJ isn’t instant, and every minute probably feels like a lifetime while you’re waiting for service. So, what do you do?

Never fear, MarGo is here! We’ve got your back if you’re looking for ways to stay sane, warm, and happy while you wait for our professional service. Keep reading as we show you what most of our customers do while waiting.

Move Around!

If the weather isn’t terrible, why not go for a little walk? Or perhaps do some stretches and dance around to your favorite holiday tunes! The more you move around, the more heat your body will produce. It’s healthy and also a great way to produce heat and keep yourself occupied. You get bonus points if your family is around to dance with you, since more bodies produce more heat that can keep you warm and comfortable while you wait!

Bake Something!

While you’re shivering under the blankets, wouldn’t a warm slice of carrot cake, or some hot apple pie taste wonderful? How about baking a family recipe that’s sure to keep you full and warm?

Baking in the oven can be a great way to create residual heat that will help keep your home warm while you wait for help. Don’t take this the wrong way, ovens—especially gas ovens—aren’t a good way to heat your home. But they can raise the temperatures a few degrees while providing you with something yummy in the meantime!

Clean!

Sometimes dust can settle in places that are less traveled in our day to day schedules. Now that you’re waiting for heating help, this could be a great time to get rid of that dust and anything else that needs to be cleaned up. Your ducts, your HVAC system, and the rest of your home will thank you in the long run. Plus—that moving around will create heat and keep you warm while you wait!

Watch Something!

What could be better than some blankets, hot cocoa, and the warmth of your pets and your family while you watch a movie together? This can be a great way to pass the time while you wait for a technician to come and give your heating system repairs. We get that it might feel a little chilly, but that body heat and the heat from the cocoa should be enough to keep you warm and happy for that small amount of time before a pro arrives.

This might be a great time to remind everyone out there that you should always work with a team that doesn’t keep you waiting for very long. If things are looking bleak, call our team today!

Call MarGo Plmbing Heating Cooling Inc. today for fast and effective heating service.

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

Your bathroom should feel like an oasis in your home. You should be able to come back after a long day of work and have a place to get away and relax. While a hot bath and fragrant candles may help, you may need to take it a step further to get your oasis.

To really transform your bathroom into a personal oasis, you might need a bathroom to remodel. Especially if your space is outdated or losing its function.

But most people tremble at the thought of a renovation. From gutting the space to hiring plumbing services to pick out materials, this is a huge undertaking. But you shouldn’t feel daunted by a bathroom remodel.

You deserve a bathroom that reflects your design sense and aids in your relaxation. With these tips, you can plan your renovation, so it doesn’t feel like an overwhelming task to take on.

Assess What Your Bathroom Needs

Before you start pulling fixtures out or removing tile, it’s a good idea to see look around at your bathroom now and see what areas it is lacking. Taking a moment to reflect before you start doing work will help you save money in the long run.

Reflecting will also save you some time on useless renovations. Instead of focusing on how your bathroom currently functions, experts suggest thinking about how you want your bathroom to function after the renovation.

This can help you decide everything from the fixtures, color schemes, and scope of the renovation.

How Much Renovation

Now that you have an idea about what you want out of your bathroom, you can decide the scope of your renovation. This is a big picture decision that will trickle down to the smallest details. Here are some basic levels of bathroom remodels to consider.

Surface Alterations

This is the least involved of the renovation types. A surface alteration will be great if you already like the layout but want to give the fixtures and details a refresh.

A surface alteration would include painting, swapping out some small details, and updating decor like towel racks or storage.

Replace Remodel

The next level of remodels would be a gut and replace. This is where you would keep the same layout but replace or upgrade your fixtures.

Here is where you’d install a new vanity, overhaul the shower, or replace the flooring. You may also update the systems inside the walls like plumbing and wiring.

Layout Changes

If you’re going for a complete overhaul of your bathroom, your renovation will probably have some layout changes. This can help your bathroom run more efficiently.

These types of renovations include moving some combination of the tub, shower, toilet, or sink. A layout change will require more extensive plumbing and writing work and typically include replacing all the fixtures.

Total Room Renovation

The most complete bathroom remodels is a total room renovation. These types of renovations would include pieces of all the other renovations like layout changes and replacing fixtures.

A total room renovation would also include large-scale structural changes like removing walls, add an extension to the room, or altering the ceiling. The goal of this type of renovation typically is to increase the size, not just the functionality or aesthetics.

Consider Who’s Using the Space

With the scale of your renovation decided, it’s also a good idea to consider who’s using the space. This is a major factor for your bathroom remodel because it will help inform your other remodeling decisions.

A bathroom for a family of five will function much differently than a master bathroom for a couple. You should keep the bathroom users in mind throughout the planning and designing process as well.

Decide Your Budget

Setting your budget is one of the most important steps when planning your bathroom renovation. No matter what the scale is or whether you’re planning a DIY bathroom remodel or hiring professionals, you need to set much money you have to spend.

It’s also a good idea to allocate how much of your budget will go to certain projects. You may want to spend more on a shower and save on the flooring. The good news is that it doesn’t always take a huge budget to create a spa-like feel.

Plan The Layout

If your remodel includes layout changes, this is where you make those decisions. If you’re trying to save money, you want to do as few layout changes as possible. Moving fixtures usually means moving the plumbing, which can add up over time.

But moving around fixtures to create a new layout can help increase the functionality of your room by making the flow better and increasing storage.

Find Inspiration

With the logistical aspect out of the way, you can start thinking of the aesthetics of the space. You can read design magazines and look at home improvement websites to get inspiration for your own bathroom.

You can also draw creative ideas from professional spas, nature, and your own personal style.

Consult Professionals Like Plumbing Services

It’s always a good idea to get a professional’s opinion before you start a major renovation. Smaller projects, like surface alterations, can be done on your own. But major renovations that include layout changes should have a pro on board.

Consult a general contractor, plumbing services, and electrician to start your renovation. They can often help you stay under your budget and provide advice to best complete your renovation.

Don’t Forget Ventilation

Ventilation is often overlooked when planning a renovation. It’s easy to focus on the aesthetics like tiles and flooring and big fixtures like the vanity and shower. But with all the focus on these large-scale changes, small details like ventilations are forgotten.

But ventilation is an extremely important part of your bathroom. It prevents moisture buildup that can create mold and ruin all the work you put into the design. Be sure to plan for proper ventilation either through a vent fan or a window vent.

Add in Storage

A renovation should always add an upgrade to your space, leaving your bathroom better than it was before. One way to make your bathroom better is to add in storage. This is another feature that often gets overlooked in the renovation process.

It’s a good rule of thumb to add more storage than you had before, so you gain rather than lose. Be sure to consider different styles of storage, from furniture pieces to built-in units.

When it comes to storage, it’s often better to have excess rather than be lacking.

Lighting Is Important

A stylish bathroom should have stylish lighting, as well. But you should also consider the lighting in practical terms as well. Experts recommend having different levels of lighting to give your bathroom a true spa experience.

Think of lighting in layers with ambient lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting. These can manifest as overhead ceiling lights, under-vanity lighting, and lights around the mirror, respectively.

Lighting the room in layers will create a customized, spa-like look.

Add Style with Tiles

One easy way of adding style and trend to your bathroom is with tiles. Tiles can elevate your bathroom to an oasis no matter what the scale of your renovation is. With a large variety in style, shape, color, and texture, you’re bound to find tiles that you love.

You can achieve a design with maximum impact, visual interest, and warmth by using inexpensive tiles bought at your local hardware store. A floor-to-ceiling shower design and colorful accent wall can both be achieved with decorative tile.

Consider Adding In Technology

In this digital age, technology is everywhere, and that includes the bathroom. This tech can help turn your bathroom into a modern spa. From fixtures that help boost efficiency to add-ons that boost the experience, there’s a device for that.

If you really want to make your bathroom feel like a spa, consider adding a towel warming drawer, a Bluetooth ceiling speaker, and digital shower controls. You don’t have to pack tech into the bathroom to get that oasis-like feeling.

Transform Your Bathroom Into an Oasis

There’s so much noise happening in daily life. Work stress, news updates, and keeping up with friends and family are all fighting for your attention each and every day. With all this going on, you deserve a place to take time for yourself and decompress.

That’s easier said than done in most cases. Taking on a bathroom remodeling project may seem counterproductive to lowering your stress levels. You’ll have to deal with the mess, with plumbing services, with choosing materials, but it’s really only temporary.

Transforming your bathroom into an oasis will be worth it in the long run. Not only will you add value to your home, but you’ll have a place where you can escape daily life.

When you’re soaking in your tub or taking a luxury shower after a long day, you’ll be happy you started that renovation months ago.

Ready to start your bathroom remodel? Allow the best Toronto plumber to take a look at your space to get started.

The post How to Plan My Bathroom Remodeling Project? first appeared on Anta Plumbing Blog.

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

Garbage disposals are installed in half of American homes today. They are often marked as a must-have option on apartment and home seekers lists when they search for places to live.

Although garbage disposals have been used widely for over 20 years, there are still a lot of myths surrounding the usage and maintenance of them. While some of these misconceptions are harmless, others have the potential to cause serious damage to your disposal unit or your pipes.

Read More

Do you hear loud banging sounds coming from your plumbing pipes behind the wall when you turn the water faucet off – or when the water cycle ends in your washing machine or dishwasher? Or at random times? If you’ve been living with this situation for a while, you may be wondering if you need to do anything about it, or call a plumber.

This annoying phenomenon has a name: water hammer. Cut to the chase, it does need attention. The good news is that repairing the cause(s) of water hammer is relatively easy in most cases. The bad news: Allowing water hammer to continue can eventually result in leaks and even a burst pipe – necessitating a more extensive repair and possible damage to your home.

As we covered in our blog post – “What Should Homeowners Know About Plumbing?” – knowing about water hammer can help you maintain your home’s plumbing in top condition and prevent serious problems.

More Than an Annoying Noise

While many plumbing problems occur unseen until it’s too late – such as behind-the-wall or underground leaks – water hammer at least has the decency to announce that you have an issue. Our colleagues at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing describe it as follows:

“When you hear water hammer sounds in the home, this means the water in your plumbing pipes is under pressure. When it’s rushing through an open faucet and you turn it off suddenly, the flow of water slams into the closed valve, creating a hydraulic shock. The impact can cause all sorts of problems, including broken pipes, loose fittings, and damage to water-connected appliances.

“The shockwaves from water hammer can also cause your pipes to physically move from the jolt. If they’re not adequately secured to the joists in your home with suitable pipe straps, the moving pipes may bang against your walls, making even more noise and increasing the odds of damage.”

Older homes are more likely to experience water hammer. As an article in PlumbingToday notes, “Homes built before the 1960s usually have air chambers. Air chambers are basically T-sections of pipe that contain air and act as shock absorbers. However, over time the air in the chamber can become displaced by water.

“Homes built since the 1960s should have water hammer arrestors installed. Water hammer arrestors are the modern replacement for air chambers. They are spring-loaded and rarely fail.”

Also, says Tom Bigley, United Association (UA) Director of Plumbing, older homes that have pipes with 90-degree angles are more prone to water hammer.

Water hammer locations and causes

Water hammering can be caused by waterlogged air chambers, clogged chambers or excess pressure in the plumbing system. It can also be the result of a valve or pipe clog, which may produce a staccato banging sound.

However, the location of the noise or when it occurs can indicate the cause. Here are the most common, according to PlumbingToday:

Running hot water – A clicking or knocking sound starts soon after turning on a hot water tap, which may continue up to several minutes after turning it off. This could be caused by poor installation of your home’s CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl-chloride) water lines. Because they expand with heat, CPVC lines that have been run through holes or areas that don’t leave enough room for expansion will make the telltale noise.

Solution – Find the affected pipes and give them adequate “breathing” space. We recommend hiring a professional plumber as opposed to taking the DIY approach, as this repair will most likely involve cutting into walls and/or relocating the piping.

Shutting off a water supply, either cold or hot water – This produces the true water hammer sound. It occurs when a water valve is suddenly shut off. All the water that was running crashes into the valve, shaking your pipes and creating the knocking noise. This may occur when you flush the toilet, your washing machine finishes filling with water or when your yard irrigation system shuts off. Over time, this violent motion shakes the pipes loose from their joints, causing leaks.

Solution – There is a five-step DIY fix for homes built before the 1960s, as follows:

1. Shut off the water to your home at the main.
2. Open the highest faucet in your home.
3. Open the lowest faucet (it’s usually outside) and let all the water drain out. At this point the air will be “refilled” in the air chambers.
4. Turn the lowest faucet off and turn the water main back on.
5. Let the top faucet run until it stops sputtering, then turn it off.

As stated previously, homes built since the ‘60s probably have water hammer arrestors installed. Piston-style arrestors have moving parts, and need to be replaced. Stainless steel constructed water hammer arrestors seldom, if ever, need replacing.

Running cold water – A knocking sound that occurs after turning on the cold water tap may be caused by high water pressure. When water flows through a pipe too fast, it bounces off the sides and into itself, which shakes the pipe. The shaking pipes can rattle against walls and other pipes. To learn if this is the issue, check your home’s incoming water pressure with a water pressure test gauge. Attach the gauge to the hose bib that is closest to your water main. Make sure no other water is being used in your house, then turn on the hose bib completely. Your water pressure should read 40-80 PSI. If the reading is higher, you’ll need to call a plumber to add, replace or adjust your home’s pressure reducing valve (PRV).

No water is running – Hearing sounds from the pipes even when no water is running indicates sediment buildup in your water heater. In this situation, the noise is steam bubbles escaping the sediment that has built up at the bottom of the water heater tank – similar to how boiling water in a covered pot on the stove starts pushing up the pot’s top.

The unit’s heating element is at the bottom of the tank, where the sediment has settled and mixed with water. The sound can be loud enough that the reverberations carry and make it seem like the knocking is coming from the pipes in the wall, even though it isn’t.

Solution – If you have the right hands-on know-how (as opposed to watching YouTube videos), you can flush your water heater yourself. PlumbingToday provides step-by-step instructions, but we strongly recommend you hire a professional plumber if this is not in your wheelhouse.

DIY or call a pro?

While the above list gives the recommended course of action for each situation, we want to emphasize that your level of confidence in your ability to correctly identify the cause of your home’s water hammer – and remedy it – needs to be considered. For example, in the case of troubleshooting the “shutting off the cold or hot water” scenario, you can’t be expected to know whether your older home definitely has pipes with air chambers – or if your newer home’s pipes have piston-style or stainless steel water hammer arrestors. Only a professional plumber can make an accurate diagnosis and repair.

Our team of master plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing recommends taking the cautious approach. If you are not mechanically inclined, or don’t feel that you have the physical capability to do the job, you should not go out of your comfort zone – even if you may be willing to risk it to save money. A botched plumbing project will ultimately cost more – not only in fixing the original problem, but in repairing the additional damage that occurred during the process.

When in doubt, contact us! We are a family-owned business with over 60 years of providing residential and commercial service throughout Central Florida. A state-certified plumbing contractor, we have over three generations of master plumbing experience. Call today to learn more and schedule a service appointment to keep your home’s plumbing in top condition. We welcome the opportunity to become your dependable family plumber!

The post What Causes Water Hammer? appeared first on Adams and Son Plumbing Services.

The name water hammer sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? If you’ve ever experienced it, you’ll know there’s a reason for the drama. At the least, water hammer is an effectively descriptive name, because it sounds like a hammer striking against the pipes of your house. 

Unless you have actual gremlins living in your walls who are smashing at your plumbing with miniature hammers, water hammer isn’t literal. The noise you hear is something that’s occurring inside the pipes. But it’s still not something you want to happen, and not just because it will make you jump around your own house at the abrupt noise. Water hammer can be damaging to the plumbing and to water-using appliances in the house. 

The Source of Water Hammer

Water hammer is caused by a shockwave inside a pipe. Imagine you have turned on a faucet tap and water is rushing through a freshwater pipe to the outlet. You shut off the tap, and what happens? The water stops, of course. But when it stops abruptly like this, it sends off a shockwave through the pipe. If there is nothing to absorb the shockwave, it will cause the pipe to vibrate and make the sound of water hammer.

The reason you don’t normally hear water hammer whenever you turn off a tap or an appliance cuts off water flow is because plumbing is constructed to have air chambers in it that cushion the shockwave. If the air chambers become water-logged or there are worn stop valves in the pipes, it will start to create water hammer. High water pressure can also lead to water hammer. 

The Problems of Water Hammer

In general, you don’t want your plumbing in Sun City, AZ to shake around every time you turn off a tap. The vibrations from water hammer will cause pipes to start to come loose or to abrade against surrounding material. As pipes loosen, the sound and the effects of water hammer will only worsen. The shockwave of water hammer is also bad for water-using appliances connected to the plumbing. 

If high water pressure is causing water hammer, that is a problem all on its own—water hammer is only a symptom of numerous other troubles high water pressure can inflict on household plumbing.  

Solving Water Hammer

When water hammer starts up, call our plumbers to inspect the situation and find out what’s wrong. We can then determine the best way to remedy it. 

For example, if the problem is high water pressure, we can place a water pressure arrestor onto your water main. This lowers the pressure of the water entering the home and alleviates the problem throughout the plumbing. We’ll replace worn valves and restore water-logged air chambers where we find them. We can also add new air chambers by attaching a piece of vertical pipe onto the affected pipeline, adding an air buffer that will absorb the water hammer shockwave. Our plumbers will search for loose pipes that may have suffered damage and have them secured.

The Trusted Plumber serves Glendale, AZ and the surrounding areas. Call us for help with water hammer or any other plumbing repairs you need.

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

This post first appeared on http://www.atozstatewideplumbing.com