Friday, April 30, 2010

Boiler Problem Troubleshooting 101

The boiler is an essential part of any home, especially in this country. And a much-used devices such as the boiler are prone to the usual wear-and-tear. Hence, it is not uncommon to experience a boiler problem every now and then. Usual problems with such devices happen after a few years of use, as this is common with any other mechanical device.

A number of people instantly call for help once their boilers stop working. While this is not wrong or unadvisable, you should first take a look at your boiler to see what type of boiler problem it is experiencing. Only simple troubleshooting skills are needed; you don't need to have intensive knowledge of heating engineering. Here are some of the things you can do if you encounter this particular boiler problem.

Noisy boiler: Noise usually signifies that there is a more severe boiler problem afoot. However, a noisy problem can only mean a few things, besides more serious trouble. First, it could mean that the circulator is faulty. This boiler problem could be remedied by checking the circulator to see if the spring load coupling does not break, specifically after or when the pump jams. Noise could also mean that water is trapped in the boiler's return lines; a simple problem which could be fixed by adjusting the pitch of the radiator so it can slope back towards the boiler's return pipe.

Inadequate heating: This is another common boiler problem experienced by many. When your boiler's performance suddenly becomes poor or below the usual standard, this might mean that its' expansion tank has inadequate air and excess water. This could be repaired by letting the tank cool down by turning the boiler off and closing the water supply, draining the excess water, and letting the expansion tank's purge valve let air in and release water. After the water supply's back on, you should the turn the boiler on and let it recharge for an hour or two to see if the process worked.

No Heat: Yet another common boiler problem, this could be caused by low water levels, malfunction in the electronic burner ignition or the thermostat. This could also happen if the circuit breaker is blown. First, you should replace the circuit breaker and maintain the boiler's water level at half. Check other parts of the boiler as well.

Of course, it is not always possible to fix the boiler by yourself. If you encounter a boiler problem that is too difficult or complicated for you to fix, call a heating engineer right away. A number of problems require adequate professional attention, such as when the boiler has water leaks. Many refuse to get the service of professionals because they think their cost is exorbitant and prohibitive. However, when help is already necessary, it is best to call the experts. Remember, while there is a number of boiler problems you can remedy, trying to fix a complex boiler problem may cost you more than calling the ones who should be fixing your boiler.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

How Does Reverse Osmosis Work? Five Methods of Reverse Osmosis From Water Purification to Dialysis

Here we have some frequently asked questions about how does reverse osmosis work. In my experience the answer depends on the application, so let's have a little Q&A.

How does reverse osmosis work in dialysis machines?

They mimic the function of the kidneys by removing waste products, such as urea, from blood. The blood passes from a patient's body through a catheter and is run across an osmotic filter and then returned to the body.

How does it work in the food industry?

The systems are used to "concentrate" liquids. By removing water from fruit juices, for example, the food distributor can package and sell a concentrated juice. When the consumer purchases such a product, he adds a specific amount of water to reconstitute the beverage and make it drinkable. It is also used to create powdered foods, such as milk and dehydrated products used in cooking.

How does reverse osmosis work for car washes?

Because of its lower mineral content, the water is used during the "final rinse" phase at car washes. This reduces spotting and cars dry more quickly and easily. So, the demands on vehicle drying equipment, such as air blowers, are lower.

How does reverse osmosis work in maple syrup production?

Since the 1970s, maple syrup producers have been using RO to remove water from sap, before it is boiled down to syrup. Before the use of RO, the sap had to be boiled at very high temperatures to accomplish the same task. Often the boiling could cause the sap to burn and ruin the batch. So, while normally RO is too expensive and requires too much energy for most industries and home applications, for syrup producers, it allows them to use less energy for boiling and they avoid losing money due to a ruined batch. The only drawback is that the membranes must be monitored carefully for bacterial contamination and degradation.

How does reverse osmosis work in terms of water purification?

As you can see, by reading about the many applications of the systems, they are most effective at separating one liquid from another. In the case of water purification, they are used by public treatment facilities, desalination plants and private homeowners as one step in a complete purification process.

It works by forcing water under high pressure through a porous membrane or a series of membranes. The size of the pores determines what contaminants will be removed. The smaller pored membranes remove many of the common pollutants, but only things heavier than a water molecule will be removed. Others will pass threw, thus it is only one step in a complete process.

Some of the necessary additional steps include disinfection to remove bacteria, parasites and other microbes that cause waterborne illnesses. If chemical disinfection is performed, carbon filtration must be used to remove the chemicals. This is typically accomplished at the home or point-of-use. Although some facilities do use carbon blocks to remove some other chemical contaminants, they typically add chlorine at the end of treatment to prevent bacterial contamination and algae growth in the pipes.

Hopefully this answers most of your questions about how does reverse osmosis work. It's a bit of a long story and I may have only covered some points for consideration. If you are considering the purchase of a home unit, you should read more about the disadvantages.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Plumbers And House Plumbing

Even if you love your home and think you know it like the back of your hand, you cannot know every nook and cranny. Especially when it comes to your home's plumbing system. Because they are trained to work on home water systems, it only makes sense that plumbers know your home's plumbing system best. To better understand what is required of the plumber you hire, you should familiarize yourself with the basic water system layout of your house. This will also help you manage any minor plumbing problems in the event that your plumber is delayed when you call with an emergency water system problem.

Becoming Familiar With Your Home's Water System

Your home's water system is much more complicated than you probably think, involving several separate plumbing systems all working together to provide you with functional service and comfort. Any qualified plumber is thoroughly familiar with all these separate systems and how they interact. He also should know what each problem means and how to go about solving it. The following paragraph will help you get a grasp of the various water systems that are at work within your home.

All home plumbing begins with a fresh water supply system. This system takes care of the distribution of fresh water to all parts of your home that require fresh water. This includes the water you drink, wash your dishes in and bathe in. The outdoor lawn sprinklers and the irrigation of your garden are also served by this part of the system. The plumbing for this part of the system is probably the most extensive in your home, as it needs to serve all areas of your house.

The drain and waste water system is another important part of your water supply. As important as the pipes that bring water into your home are the pipes that carry the used water away. These pipes take the water to the wastewater site in your community for proper and environmental treatment.

Another important aspect of your home's plumbing system involves properly venting the sewer gases that naturally build up in waste water pipes. This venting is generally accomplished via a small pipe that vents the air outside to the roof of the home. This venting also allows proper pressure to be maintained allowing the drainpipes to work, as they should. It should be noted that some homes have more elaborate and specialized piping systems in place that allows for the use of more varied water systems for a pool or hot tub.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Prevent Pipes Bursting in Extreme Cold

We have it better than we will ever know in Washington State and Oregon. Sure we have to deal with a little rain but overall the temperature never gets bellow 40 degrees. Its usually always moderate compared with the rest of the nation.

But when the temperature drops significantly we, in this area area, are never prepared for it and a lot of damage is caused because of it. Many residents were blindsided this past December when we had this extreme uncharacteristic cold snap. Frozen pipes and meters are really no fun to deal with and expensive to fix. Here are some tips to prevent water damage for all homeowners in the Portland area and any other residents of the pacific northwest.

1) Try to make certain your pipes are insulated and warm. Do not shut off the heat in the middle of day like many people normally do. You can lower the thermostat but do not shut it off. You want to keep your basement and walls toasty because that's where all the pipes are. If you know that you have bad insulation where you live then you need to turn up the temperature well above what you normally have it. Trying to save a little on heat can end up costing your hundreds or thousands of dollars calling a plumbing company.

2) Make certain you turn off ALL the faucets that are on the outside of your home. Take off the water hose. There were a lot of people that did not do this and the water in the pipes outside froze and burst. If you are able it is a good idea to drain all the pipes outside.

3) Heat can creep out of small cracks in the wall, holes, doors, and windows. On a cold and windy day those small opening let a lot of heat out and let really cold air in. Try to patch them up as much as you can.

4) Take insulating material, which you can get at your local plumbing supply store, and put them on your faucets, pipes, and meters.

When a cold snap suddenly hits in the area the people the most prepared suffer the least amount of damage. Know the weaknesses of the plumbing in your home and act accordingly. Many homes in the greater Portland metropolitan area are not made to handle weather under 32 degrees for long periods of time.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Plumbers Can Get Expensive! So Do it Yourself!

Plumbing to most people seems like a complete foreign language and most of the time a call to the local plumber can run up a big bill when the job could in fact be done by yourself. Here are a few DIY tips for smaller plumbing jobs that you could try out yourself next time you have a problem rather then call the plumber.

Split Pipes!

There are many reasons that pipes can split, from old worn down pipework through to changes of temperature suddenly! These occurrences can cause a pipe to split. Now a plumber would be able to fix this with ease but of course with a little DIY you could do it yourself. Instead of draining down the whole system there is actually a system you can buy known as "Pipe Freeze" and by wrapping a towel around the pipe and spraying "Pipe Freeze" onto the area it will freeze the pipe and allow you 30-40mins to change the pipe or call a local plumber meaning you save time and of course money!

Blocked Taps & Sinks!

Blockages In both taps and sinks can occur quite regularly and again calling a plumber out can get costly but if you do get the time then there are steps you can take to do it yourself. A few tips when doing this are to make sure before taking apart a tap to clean and unblock it make sure the water is turned off before hand or you will end up with a very wet bathroom or kitchen! With blocked sinks another tip is to make sure you block up the overflow holes with a damp cloth as this builds up pressure and makes the job a little easier.

Toilet Blockages & Leaks!

Toilet blockages are sometimes quite frequent and can be caused quite simply if a bulkier toilet roll is used or something is put down the toilet that gets caught and forces the water in the bowl to build up. A simple plunge is generally most of the time all that is needed unless of course the blockage is well down the pipe which in this case a plumber is the best person to call. Also if you have a feeling that your toilet may be leaking, in some cases the water droplets around the pipes and the toilet can come simply from condensation. So the problem isn't your toilet but in fact the ventilation within the room!

These small tips can in most cases help you and keep you from having to call for a plumber which saves you money and time but of course if any DIY you do doesn't seem to fix the problem then of course get in contact with a reliable local plumber to help out and make sure the job is done right.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Are Your Plumbing Pipes Okay? - Home Improvement Facts

If you live in a home that was built before the 1970s, your plumbing might be out of date. I'm not writing this article to scare anyone, so don't panic. If your home was built before the 1970s, your plumbing could easily last for another 40 years. Listen as I explained more about my home improvement facts for the future.

I said not to panic, but this doesn't mean that we bury our heads in the sand either. If you have galvanized water supply pipes or cast iron waste pipes, there's a good chance that these pipes are slowly deteriorating. This doesn't mean that they're going to fall apart tomorrow, I'm just trying to inform you about potential problems you're going to have to deal with in the future.

Your water supply pipes can break and you need to know that. These are the home-improvement facts that most people don't ever think about, until it actually happens. There are ways that you can prevent these types of things from ever happening, but you're going to need to understand the facts first.

Metal deteriorates over time and if you have metal plumbing pipes, there's a good chance that they are deteriorating or have been deteriorating for quite some time. They will continue to deteriorate into the future until they no longer function properly.

These are the home-improvement facts I'm talking about. I've talked to a lot of homeowners about potential problems in the future from deteriorating metal plumbing pipes, but they don't want to hear it. Believe it or not, if you have metal pipes and you live in an old home, you're going to have problems with these pipes in the future.

There is no need to panic, you don't need to put your home on the market, but you do need to understand the facts about your plumbing pipes.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Whole House Water Purifier and Filter Systems

In a reality where greater numbers of people are becoming increasingly conscious of what they physically consume, there has been considerable alarm in regard to the purity of water we drink and use for cooking. Even in so-called developed countries, residential tap water carries various contaminants and may pose worrisome health risks to you and your family. The chemicals that are added during the purification process at the municipal level kill many biological contaminants but come at a possible price to public health in their own right. Much of this serves to fuel the bottled water craze of the past decade, but whole house water purifiers and filters present a much more economical and environmentally friendly alternative to regular tap water and store bought bottled water.

In contrast to faucet attached water filters or pitcher and individual container water filters, a whole house filtering system deals with all the water that enters your home. Whole house filtering systems reduce undissolved sediment and purify your water of contaminants that typically cause foul odor. All of this results in cleaner, better tasting water from your tap. If you're looking to reduce fluoride or dissolved sediments, a reverse osmosis system is generally what you will need to purify your residential water system. There are also ultra violet (UV) water purifying whole house systems that work in conjunction with carbon based filtering systems. This way not only do you kill any bacteria or microbes that may be present in your tap water, but you also benefit from filtering these contaminants from your residential water supply.

The contaminants you wish to eliminate play a deciding factor in determining what whole house water purifier is the best selection for your home. For instance, removing chlorine is relatively straightforward, and a carbon filter of the appropriate size will take care of this issue for your household. Eliminating more elusive contaminants such as fluoride is a completely different animal and can really only be removed effectively and efficiently with a reverse osmosis system. Whole house reverse osmosis systems require a holding tank sized appropriately for your household demand combined with a calcite neutralizing filter to deal with the acidity and corrosion that comes from the reverse osmosis process.

Many individuals install a sediment filter in-line before their carbon filter. Sediment filters are less expensive than carbon filters, and using a sediment filter will lengthen the life of the more costly carbon filters. The most popular sediment filters cleanse water of sediment all the way down to 5 microns, but if this is overkill, there are also very efficient sediment filters that will purify your tap water down to 25 microns of sediment. A good sediment water filtering system will also clear out the presence of rust in your residential water supply.

Many of the water filters on the market are manufactured by only a handful of companies. Second tier companies purchase these water filters in bulk and put their own "brand names" on the filters, even though the water filtration technology may be identical. Consequently, many water filter products are interchangeable, so keep this in mind when shopping for the type of water filter you home requires.

An extremely efficient means of supplementing your regular tap water system is to invest in a whole house system that draws on rainwater runoff as an added residential water supply. Situations and the location of your home will play a significant factor in any decision in going this route, but whole house water purifiers exist on the market that utilize stored rain water for year round water supply. Think of it as your own personal reservoir, where water is stored in a contaminant tank then filtered and purified as needed. After all, this is what municipalities do on a much more massive scale.

Whole house water purifying and filtering systems generally reduce your water pressure and the flow through your plumbing system, but most quality filtering systems allow you to adjust for this type of thing. Once you get to know how whole house water filters work, the health benefits they offer and the cost offset of not purchasing bottled water will make this an easy decision to make for your household.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

What Are the Different Types of Basin Sinks?

Upgrading the basin sinks of your home can be a pain because of the thousands of different choices available. This post will show you the different types and what their installation is like so you can make the best decision for your home. Improving your sinks shouldn't be a tough job, and after you read this article you'll have a much clearer understanding of where to turn next.

Bathroom and kitchen sinks are similar in function, but different in design. I want to go over the basics of each type and will specify whether one is best for kitchen or bathroom.

The traditional top mounted ceramic basin sink is what most bathrooms and kitchens have. These are both affordable and easy to install. The key to making them easier to install is to replace your current one with a new sink that is the same size. This will eliminate the need for any major renovation on the counter top.

A similar, but more elegant design is the under mounted sink which works in the kitchen and bathroom. These have the same shape as the ones discussed above, but are mounted beneath the counter top for a clean look. Installation of these will usually require some work to get the original counter top looking good enough for it to be displayed.

If you are remodeling your bathroom and its cabinets, consider a vessel sink. These are bowls that rest on the top of the counter and drain through a small hole. Usually they are made from glass, but can also be made from stone, copper, iron, and ceramic. It's very difficult to install these sinks without a full makeover of the counter since the counter has to be smooth all the way across it.

A popular type of high end kitchen sink is the farm style. The front of these sinks extends to the edge of the cabinet and is visible. Custom cabinets are needed for these because they are supported by the lower half of the cabinet, rather than mounted into the counter. Farm sinks are huge and heavy, so special care has to be taken to make sure that the cabinet can support it.

Knowing your options when it's time to upgrade your sinks is key to helping you make a final decision. These are the most common types out there, and once you pick a style you can start narrowing down the colors and brands.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Planning Your Plumbing Projects Carefully Before Starting

If you are planning to take on a home improvement project, the plumbing involved is probably something that is causing you to worry. Whenever you make major alterations to a property plumbing is usually involved and needs to be done properly. It is easy to gloss over the importance of plumbing in your home improvement projects, making sure it is done well can save you time, money and stress in the long run.

You should consider where plumbing will be involved in your project before you start and make sure you plan for it in advance. Usually home improvements that involve a kitchen or bathroom will involve a degree of plumbing work. Depending on the scope you may feel capable of tackling the project yourself, or you may want to play it safe and employ a professional. You should get a quote and ensure your plumber is available before you begin your project.

Plumbing is an area that most homeowners are not shy about admitting they don't have a clue about. Many avoid the issue, being happy to pay someone else to tackle the problem for them, but there is actually a surprising amount the homeowner can do for themselves. There are whole range of books and websites available with diagrams and detailed instructions to guide you through simple or even fairly complicated plumbing tasks. The types of tasks that can easily be undertaken using an online plumbing guide or handbook include installing a new faucet or drain tap. If you want to replace long lengths of pipe, on the other hand, you may be best to find someone with plumbing experience. Perhaps you have a friend who would be willing to help out which will reduce the overall cost of your home improvement project.

Producing a detailed plan with timelines for your project and the plumbing activities involved, will help you to identify what you can do yourself and what you need to involve a professional to help out with. Your time line will be a good way to keep track of what needs to be done, how it will be done, and by whom.

Plumbing activities can involve anything from replacing a faucet to installing new pipes and most tasks are not as tricky as you may have been led to believe, as long as you have the correct information coupled with the confidence to do them properly. Thorough research on the tasks required will let you make an informed decision whether you can tackle the job yourself. Although not always difficult, plumbing does take a great deal of time so if feel you wouldn't have the patience then your best option is to call in a professional.

Some people may find little reward in plumbing as no one can see the results of your efforts, but good quality plumbing will allow your home to function well without leaks or endless repairs. For those that feel comfortable trying their hand at plumbing, they may find it easier than they expect. For those that don't there is no shame in calling the plumber!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Pure Water Solution to The Distilled Water Problem

How pure is distilled water depends on why you are asking. For industrial applications, it's perfect. For drinking, a distilled pure water solution is not the right choice.

Distillation is the oldest purification technology around. It has been in use for thousands of years, although the original application was for increasing the alcohol content of beverages.

It became popular with apothecaries, because they realized that particles in groundwater could affect the performance of their herbal remedies. It is still used by pharmaceutical companies for the same reason.

In case you are wondering; how pure is distilled water and you are shopping for a home purification device, let me explain the drawbacks.

Drawbacks of Distilled Water - What Are They?

First of all, the systems are expensive to purchase. If they were highly effective, that wouldn't be a problem, but this cannot be considered a pure water solution for drinking purposes.

Anything gaseous, or with a boiling point lower than water, would remain in the final cooling chamber. You would have to fill the pot from your tap, which is tap consuming and exposure to things like THMs (a water hazard) could occur while you are filling the pot.

After every use, the boiling pot must be cleaned, as a residue remains that contains all of the contaminants that were removed. So, while you are cleaning, you may be exposed to more health hazards.

The compounds used to clean the pot must be carefully selected or you won't have any pure water solution, at all. How pure is distilled water, anyway? If either pot is not properly cleaned, there will be no purity, at all.

More Distilled Water Problems - How Are You Affected?

Another problem with this kind of pure water solution is this; minerals and electrolyte ions are removed. Electrolytes are needed to maintain proper homeostasis or hydration. A lack of minerals can increase your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and other chronic and life threatening health conditions.

The answer to how pure is distilled water for an industrial application was "perfect". That's because they need waters that are more resistant to electrical charges. Minerals present in the waters increase its ability to "conduct" or carry an electrical charge.

An ultra pure water solution is even available for industries that need it. This ultra pure water solution may be run through two distillers or it may be deionized. By removing metallic and mineral ions, they have something that is "perfect" for their needs.

Distilled Water - Is It for Drinking?

It is not, however perfect for drinking. It doesn't taste good. It's not good for your health and the primary contaminants that you want to remove may still be present. If purchasing bottled, the compounds used to create the bottle are a source of contamination.

Even if you were looking for something for the fish tank, you would need to "re-mineralize" these waters, because fish and aquatic life need minerals to survive. But, they can be killed by chlorine and chemical contaminants in tap-water.

Those same contaminants decrease our chances of having a long healthy life. So, how pure is distilled water, again? For biological life forms like people and fish, it's simply not pure enough. My research revealed that a multi-block water filter system is a better and healthier pure water solution.

Monday, April 19, 2010

European Plumbing Secret

Need to do a bit of plumbing around your house? If you called a plumber or two you have probably heard the same things, basically that it is very expensive and it could be several days before he can show up. This is not ideal if water is pouring out of a broken pipe. What the homeowner should know is that basic plumbing repairs are quite simple for even the first time amateur plumber. Best of all, the cost to acquire all the tools and supplies will be cheaper than what you would pay a licensed plumber for just a single hour of work. Keep reading to learn how to make perfect connections every time.

Tools For The Job

For copper pipe repair you need 5 tools:

Pipe Cutter - a small tool that clamps around pipe. You tighten the screw as you turn the clamp around the pipe, this cleanly cuts the pipe
Sand Paper - any grit is fine, it is used to clean the areas two pipes meet.
Flux - an acidic paste that allows the connection to seal together.
Solder - get lead free, flux core. When melted bonds two pipes together.
Propane Torch - used to heat up the connection and melt the solder.

You will also of course need copper pipe and fittings to make your repairs.

Directions To Repair Copper Pipe

Turn off the main water line coming into your house. This is probably in the basement attached to your water meter.
Open every single tap in the house and lets the water drain out. Do not forget bathtubs. This will depressurize the water pipes.
Use the pipe cutter to cut all the pipe and mock up the repair. Put all the pieces in place but DO NOT solder them yet. You are just making sure that all the pieces fit.
Lightly sand the ends of the pipes until they are shiny. Do the same for inside the fittings.
Put a thin coating of flux on the pipe ends and inside the fittings. Do this for all fittings.
Push all your pipes together and solder it up.

How To Solder.

The key to soldering is to heat the pipe and NOT the solder directly. Hold your torch on the bottom of the pipe and press your solder on the top of the pipe. When the pipe heats up the solder will melt and be sucked into the space where the two pipes meet.

The Secret

Now for the 'secret'. There are new fittings on the market in North America that have been used in Europe for years that make this very easy. They have solder embedded at the contact point. You can identify them by the raised ring at both ends of the fitting. Simply follow steps 1-5 above then hold the flame directly on the fitting and in about 20 seconds you will see a bit of solder ooze out of the joint. You are done. A perfect, water tight connection every time. Wait 20 minutes for all the joints to cool down, close all your taps, and turn your water back on.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Why Plumbing Jobs Can Require Excavating Equipment

The vast majority of plumbing problems experienced by the average home or business owner involve fixtures, pipes and drains that can be easily fixed by professionals without the use of excavating or other invasive tools. Ask your average plumber, and he'll tell you that most calls are received for clogged toilets, leaky faucets and drains that need to be snaked to remove a blockage. Plumbing is a very common trade, and for smaller, less expensive jobs such as these, there are numerous options in the phone book or on the Internet for competent professionals who will do a good and fair job for you. In fact, if you've been a homeowner for a while, you may know how to fix most plumbing problems yourself without having to call in professional help.

There are some plumbing jobs, however, that require professionals to excavate deep into the ground in your basement or yard in order to unclog, repair or replace a malfunctioning sewer drain, gas line or water line. Excavating equipment is, frankly, essential for the most serious plumbing problems, and without excavating these plumbing repairs would take ten times as long and cost much more money for homeowners. Luckily, with today's technology, the exact location of most sewer drain clogs and breaks can be pinpointed using drain cameras and locating devices. And compact excavation equipment is becoming more and more common at even smaller plumbing a drain cleaning businesses as it becomes more affordable and easier to operate.

Most excavating work in plumbing jobs will be needed when dealing with sewer mains, gas and water lines that run through your yard and require some serious digging to get to. The reason these pipes and drains are placed beneath the ground is because they are easily damaged and are afforded a certain degree of protection from being buried under a layer of dirt. Unfortunately, the same protection provided by layers of soil also make these drains and pipes harder to get to when it comes time to repair or replace them. Additionally, it also makes it much easier for these lines to be broken accidentally if your excavator is not a trained professional who knows how to dig with extra care and precautions.

Many sewer main lines in older homes were constructed with clay tiles, which has a tendency to become infiltrated by tree roots that snake in through cracks in the pipe as they look for moisture and nutrients. These clay tile sewer drains are often plagued with breakages and blocks as a home ages, and many plumbing excavation jobs involve replacing these clay pipes with a plastic PVC material that is more durable and easily cleaned. Even if your clay sewer drain does not need to be completely replaced, your plumber may suggest that you have some excavating done in order to install a plastic cleanout that will make drain cleaning easier in the future.

Above all else, remember that if any excavating work is being done by plumbers or drain cleaning professionals in your yard, you need to ensure that they have properly identified where all existing electrical, gas and water lines are located before digging. Doing so can help prevent a dangerous and costly mistake if any of these pipes are accidentally broken during the excavation process.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Trenchless Sewer Repairs - Plumbers Use Video Inspection to Pinpoint Problems With Sewer Line Repair

If your residence or commercial building needs sewer repairs, the plumbers in Los Angeles are ready to help. Using state-of-the-art technology and video inspections, they can pinpoint your sewer problems quickly and efficiently. In Los Angeles and the surrounding area, people do not like the destruction that comes with traditional sewer line repairs. The video inspection also reveals whether you have cracks in your sewer lines, root intrusion, or a complete collapse of your sewer line. The video inspection is achieved by connecting a tiny camera to the end of an auger line.

Trenchless technology, available in most cases, allows the plumbers to make repairs from just two small access points, one on either end of the line. This means faster repairs and minimal disruption to your landscaping, yard, or driveway because the entire sewer line does not need to be uncovered. For many years, getting to sewer lines to replace and repair meant large scale excavation. This was both a costly and a lengthy process, leaving you with a yard and driveway to repair once the sewer was repaired. Many times the cost to replace trees, sidewalks, driveways, and landscaping exceeded the cost of the sewer repair.
 
Advances in technology now allow for trenchless sewer line repair, and plumbers in Los Angeles have been leaders in the industry in this specialized area. There are two different options for trenchless sewer repair. One is pipe relining and the other is pipe bursting. Pipe bursting involves bursting the old pipe apart as a new pipe is pulled through. The old, original pipe acts as a guide as the new pipe is pulled through. It is then ripped apart by the equipment pulling in this new pipe. You are left with a strong new pipe exactly in the same place as where the old pipe was.
 
Pipe relining has some similarities, but instead of splitting the old pipe apart to replace it, a fiberglass liner is places inside of the damaged pipes. The pipes are sealed, and your pipes will now last for many years to come. Relining may last as long as several decades, depending on how the work is completed and other details.
 
Trenchless sewer repair is the way to go to avoid costly damage to trees, sidewalks, driveways, and landscaping. If you are given the choice, and it is completely up to you, opt for a trenchless sewer line repair in order to maintain the plumbing and sewer system in your residential or commercial building.

Friday, April 16, 2010

It is Important to Have the Plumber Number on Your Phone List, and Some Tips on Hiring a Plumber

Finding a good plumber in Singapore can be hard. If you have ever had a burst in your pipe at home or at work, you know the pain and trouble it can cause you. In such emergency cases, it will be beneficial to have a number whom you can rely on to solve all problems.

To find a plumber, all one has to do is flip and run through the Yellow Pages or do a search on the Internet. From there you will see loads of plumber whom are advertising to get your job. The next thing you should do as a consumer is to take remember that there some plumbers whom advertise 2 different ads in the same place. Thus it is important to not make a rush decision. Look through the list of plumbers available and call a few (minimum of 3).

A few pointers you may want to establish over the phone is the trust you can place in the plumber. In Singapore, you should not expect the plumber to arrive at your house to be a local. This is because not many Singaporeans are willing to undertake such job. However, over the phone, the person answering would most likely be a local. This is especially so if the one answering is the owner of the plumbing service firm. The next question you might want to ask is the price and time it will take for the plumber to reach. Thou the cost of plumbing job can differ, the least the plumber can do is to offer a free assessment of the situation. If this is so, you should ensure that the price is given before the work commence. If the plumber insists on starting work before giving you a breakdown of the price, it is best not engage the service of the plumber. Last but not least, do remember to check for warranty.

Most plumbers in Singapore do give warranty of at least 1 month. However, you should note that the warranty only applies if the fixed part breaks down again. As such, do remember to get a receipt which clearly states the part fixed.

For more information on finding a plumbing works in Singapore, you could visit http://www.pub.gov.sg. Pub is the governing body for all water work in Singapore.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Drainage Terminology and Maintenance

Drainage and vent pipes have specific names. Knowing them will make it easier for you to discuss your discharge program.

Black vent.
A vent pipe that connects the venting program to the discharge program. These are found near the grease trap, allowing air to enter the trap and preventing contaminated water from flowing out of the trap.

Constructing drain.
This is the "main" drain, which receives drainage from all pipes and carries it to the sewer for that particular building.

Constructing sewer.
This pipe carries the drainage beyond the constructing and to the public sewer.

Drain pipe.
Any pipe that carries away discharge from plumbing fixtures. Generally drain pipes are horizontal; if they're vertical, they are called stacks. Sometimes drain pipes are referred to as soil pipes.

Vent.
A pipe that allows air flow to and from the drainage pipes. The Uniform Plumbing Code contains specifics about choosing sizes of pipes and vents. The general rule is that smaller-size pipes flow into larger pipes-never the reverse. The flooded kitchen floor is every restaurant manager's nightmare.

Typically, the floor floods because the drains are clogged; and they're clogged because everybody thought it was somebody else's job to take care of. Drainage systems require periodic maintenance to keep them open and working efficiently.

Simply simply because they depend on gravity to work, they occasionally become clogged when debris blocks the natural flow of the program. You can use flexible metal rods, called augurs or snakes, inserted into pipes to break up the debris; or you can pour in chemicals, which are formulated to dissolve grease and soap buildup.

Either way, the clogged material should be removed and not flushed back into the program. There are all kinds of augurs, including heavy-duty ones with gas-operated motors and 300 feet of line.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Plumber and His Tools of the Trade

A plumber is a professional who manually labors to design, put up, maintain and repair pipes usually pertaining to water and sometimes gas aspects of a building or structure. Drainage and sewer systems are usually included in the job description. In this field, these experts are usually self employed individuals but may also be employed by a company or building to perform maintenance on their field of expertise. There are building code standards when it comes to most structures, which means that there is a large degree of education and learning when it comes to this profession. This is especially apparent in commercial buildings and other public use structures.

Tools and Other Useful Things

The more common tool associated with a plumber is the wrench. This instrument is used to loosen and tighten pipes and their corresponding ends to fit one another. It is also used to bang screws or washers which are stuck, albeit soft banging is recommended to avoided dents. In connection, pipes are actually among the most used materials for this field of construction.

These are where the water, fluids and, sometimes, gas passes. There are many different kinds of pipes ranging from the more traditional metal ones to rubber or PVC to suit the needs of each structure. Clamps and screws of different variations and purposes are also important for a plumber. In many ways, some fields intersect with the plumbing field and many require knowledge in electrical and gas aspects of construction.

Cement and other forms of sealants are also important to this profession. These serve as tools to keep leaks from happening as well as to keep moisture out of walls and other areas. They are especially useful in the construction and maintenance of plumbing.

Solvents are also necessary for maintenance work on sinks, pipelines and other bathroom fixtures. These have the capacity to unclog or clean any obstruction.

There are also some decloggers that are used to manually resolve the problem. These are wires or spring type instruments that can reach up to several feet and are used inside the pipes themselves to dislodge any obstruction. There is some degree of grime and dirt to be expected from plumbing.

The more an expert in this field knows, the more he or she can expect to be hired and compensated properly. A plumber can expect to be well compensated especially if he or she has done a good job. Recommendations are a big part of this expert's success.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Understanding Condensate Drain Lines

The primary condensate drain lines normally drains into the household sewer system through an open connection to an active p-trap. In some cases, these active p-traps are the bath tub or bathroom sink p-trap; should this be your case, be sure to read the special instructions in maintenance, below. Should the evaporator coil's primary drain line become clogged or should the primary drain develop a leak, condensate should overflow or leak into the emergency drain pan thence into the emergency drain line. The emergency condensate drain line, drain line, drains to a conspicuous place outside the home. Water dripping from the emergency drain line is a warning indicator that something is drastically wrong with primary condensate drain system. You should not delay in calling a service technician.

Problems- With primary condensate drain lines stem form plant pollen, fungus spores and other particulate matter entrained in the air stream passing over the wet evaporator coil. They are captured by the condensate draining off the coil and are carried into the drain system. There they produce algae, mildew, and fungus growths which can clog the primary drain system. While the emergency drain lines are normally dry and clear, they are open to the atmosphere. Wasps, called "mud-daubers", are known to nest in these open drain lines, there by rendering them useless; always at the wrong time.

The larger diameter pipe of the household sewer system yields two results. First, it usually precludes problems with condensate. Second, the maintenance and repair beyond the open connection to the p-trap is outside the scope of the air conditioning technician. Some older systems drain into an inactive p-trap; this can lead to the long term build up of sediment, dried algae, etc... in the trap and result in an overflow of the plumbing drain system. If the active p-trap also services a bath tub or bathroom sink, clogs can be caused by hair, soap scum or other material draining from the tub or sink. Clogs in the household sewer system require the services of a licensed plumber.

Maintenance- Test both the primary and emergency drains with water. If a restriction is detected, he or she clears the obstruction with compressed air. Blowing out a drain line will usually open a clogged drain line, but it cannot remove growing algae or other deposits from the pipe wall. Our technician will place algicide tablets in the primary drain pan. While algicide is used prevent algae buildup, algicide kills any existing algae. The dead algae may slough off the pipe wall and pass into the sewer system or drift down stream to a restriction and accumulate there resulting in a clogged drain.

Special Instructions- Bathtub or bathroom sink p-traps. If the active p-trap in your system is the trap for a bath tub or bathroom sink, there is the possibility that material flushed from the condensate drain system may combine with bathroom debris already in the trap, to begin formation of a clog. Should one of these plumbing drains clog, condensate will fill the sink or tub and overflow without any warning such as water dripping form the emergency drain line. After any work on your condensate drain system, the drainage of the sink and tub should be observed. If either drains slowly or backs up, plumbing maintenance is needed.

Other measures our technician my recommend are the installation of a float switch in the emergency condensate drain pan and an Easy Klear clean out valve. Should both the primary and emergency drain systems fail, the float switch functions to turn off the air conditioning system, stopping the production of condensate until the clog is cleared and the drain pan emptied. The Easy Klear helps improve drain line maintenance.

Despite all of these precautions, there can be no guarantee that your condensate drain system will remain clear. Your condensate drain system can become clogged at anytime and should be watched closely after it has been serviced, especially when algicide has been applied. Older systems with accumulations of algae can become clogged anytime algae breaks loose from the pipe wall and drifts downstream to a restricted point. At a restriction, algae will accumulate and grow unit it blocks the drain pipe. These restrictions can grow into a fully clogged drain line in less than one month.

Should a problem occur or our technician detect a problem with the p-trap or plumbing drain line (household sewer system), he or she will recommend the services of a licensed plumber. In our opinion, blowing out a large diameter plumbing drain line is not and effective repair. The household sewer system, beginning at the open connection to the condensate system, is the domain of the licensed plumber.

Liabilities- Whenever the air handling unit of an air conditioning system is located in an attic or the upper stories of a building, the risk of water damage due to drain stoppage and condensate overflow is inherent and unavoidable. Proper design and installation coupled with timely and consistent maintenance can minimize the probability of an overflow, but cannot absolutely prevent it. Therefore, our warranties specifically exclude liability for water damage due to condensate overflow, and special, consequential or incidental damage caused by stoppage of a condensate drain system.

Your homeowner's insurance should include coverage for water damage resulting from condensate overflow or other water leaks. We suggest you confirm your coverage.

Monday, April 12, 2010

How PEX Plumbing Can Reduce Your Bills

When it comes to plumbing, you not only need to ensure proper fittings and proper arrangement but also proper savings. Investing for plumbing can go high for the quality, but if the plumbing system can save your bills to some extent and yet come with quality, isn't it a good way to go? The PEX tubing, PEX plumbing and the PEX fittings are gaining more and more popularity among the homebuilders for being of high quality and also cost effective.

The PEX plumbing (cross linked polyethylene) is actually a flexible plastic piping system which is composed of different individual molecules permanently linked together. The cross linking of the molecules creates a very durable and stable plastic which doesn't melt or get reshaped. With the possibility of configuring the PEX as per the requirements, the performance and water savings can be increased with the PEX plumbing.

The short term and long term savings with the PEX fittings and PEX tubing are major and hence the qualities along with the savings attract many homebuilders towards this choice. The advantages of
the PEX tubing and PEX plumbing are many.

PEX system requires much fewer connections as compared to the other systems. The PEX tubing is available usually in long coils and is very flexible so that they bend around the obstructions and hence do not require connections is such areas. The fewer the connections, the fewer are the chances of leaking and water damages and hence the maintenance. The fewer the maintenance requirements, more you save money.

PEX fittings come with the feature of easy installation. With fewer fittings the labor charges decrease, saving you more money. Along with easy installation, the maintenance and repair costs are low. The PEX tubing being resistant to corrosion, the chances of requirements of services become lesser. The energy efficiency of the PEX systems is higher than the usual with the low heat loss from water. Hence the hot water remains hot while flowing through the PEX tubing and one will not require reheating the water and waste energy.

With so many different plumbing and tubing options in the market, the ultimate choice of the plumbing system demands a well thought plan. Along with the lookout about the quality of the tubing system, one will also need to consider the durability and cost effectiveness. These are all available with the PEX plumbing system as the plastic body becomes extremely durable and helps in saving post installation maintenance charges a lot.

So when you are thinking about arranging the plumbing system for your home, you can consider the popular PEX plumbing system as they are not only long lasting but are money savers too.

Correct Plumbing Installation of Drains and Water Lines

Within the last decade, do-it-yourself home improvement projects have become more and more popular, as people have realized they do not always need professionals to complete a job for them. One area where this is especially true is with plumbing installation of drains in your home, particularly with sinks.

Most sinks in your home can be found in either your bathroom or your kitchen, thus you will most likely be installing sink drains in one of these two areas. If you are doing drain plumbing installation in the kitchen you will use a 1-1/2" drain, while in a bathroom you will most likely use 1-1/4". Usually the drain will be made from PVC plastic, but some older drains are brass and chrome.

Besides determining what size of drain you need, you will also need to determine what type of pipe you need. Sinks in homes can either drain vertically or horizontally, with most horizontal drains being found in homes built in the last ten years. For a horizontal drain you should purchase a P-trap, while vertical drains should use an S-trap. You probably also will have to purchase additional straight pipe if the sink is far from the floor or wall. In addition, if your kitchen or bathroom has two sinks that need to drain, you will need to purchase a T-junction to allow both sinks to empty water into the same drain.

Once you have the pieces of pipes you need for your specific drain, the plumbing installation is a breeze. You simply need to connect your pipes together, and then utilize washers and bolts to connect the pipes between the sink and the floor or wall drain. You can also utilize pipe thread compound when putting PVC drain pipes together. It acts as a lubricant initially and helps you to fit the pipes together. It then turns into a seal and prevent erosion of the pipe from all the water.

Of course when buying your pipe and doing the plumbing installation, it is important that you invest in good pipe and quality workmanship. The pipe should be strong enough to withstand pressure from water and not burst, and it should be strong enough to not break when getting bumped or kicked due to its location under the sink. In addition, you should take the time to ensure that you have properly and securely connected all pieces to prevent any water leaks.

While plumbing used to be something you called a professional for, more and more individuals are finding they can do it themselves, and you can too by learning a little bit about it. One of the best places to start learning is through plumbing installation of drains or water lines in your home. These are relatively easy to complete, especially if you know what type and size of pipe to purchase. Once you've mastered a project like this, you can move on to bigger and better things such as installing a new bathtub or shower.