Friday 23 September 2016

How to Tell if You Have a Slab Leak

Sometimes, determining if you have a leak underneath your slab can be difficult, especially if you don’t quite know what signs to look for. While it’s always best to trust the professionals with repairs of these natures, there are a few key signals you can look for to determine whether calling in the cavalry is a necessary step. Some of these include:

•    A water heater that’s running more often than normal or a water meter that’s spinning faster than you’re accustomed to. These can be great indicators that your water’s escaping the pipes somewhere.

•    Warm or wet spots present on the floor. These can be due to the pooling of water beneath the slab below and resulting condensation.

•    Soft spots in the floor that might be a result of the wood rotting away due to the leak.

•    The sound of water running through pipes when no faucets or other water-using appliances are turned on.

•    New cracks located in your home’s walls or floors, which could indicate that there’s been a leak present for a long while and it’s beginning to compromise the integrity of your home’s structure.

These are just some of the most common symptoms that you may have a leak beneath your slab. To learn more about slab leak detection in San Marcos, visit this website.

When to Replace Your Water Heater

While there are many individuals who believe in the value of repairs over replacements, the fact still remains that sometimes it will become necessary to replace appliances like your water heater. There are many issues that simply hiring a professional for repairs can remedy, but there are a handful that necessitate a complete replacement to keep things running smoothly in your home. If you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms, it may be time to look for a new water heater:

•    Pooling water around the tank itself is never a good sign. This could indicate a fracture or leak in the tank itself. These leaks can be difficult to locate, as they sometimes open and close with the heating and cooling of the tank itself, and is therefore difficult to repair or patch. Replacement is usually the correct course of action.

•    If you experience rusty water whenever you’re using warmer settings on your appliances, it could indicate that your water heater’s insides are rusting away. This issue cannot be reversed, necessitating replacement.

•    An outdated water heater might still work, but has a higher potential for problems. If your heater’s life expectancy is long past, it may be time to consider upgrading to a newer, more efficient model.

These are some of the most common reasons why you may want to consider replacing this important appliance. To learn more about water heater installation in Poway, visit this website.

A plumber’s life in the South Pole

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a plumber at South Pole, Antarctica? Now you can find out! Below is a story about plumbing... Read more

Thursday 22 September 2016

Why a Grease Interceptor Needs Regular Cleaning

Your grease interceptor, or “grease trap” as it’s commonly called, is one of the key pieces of equipment in your food service establishment. Although you’re careful to ensure that you don’t deliberately pour grease, cooking oils or food wastes down your drains, some lipids will inevitably enter your waste water. The grease trap is what catches them before they exit your facilities and go into your sewage system.

How It Works

A grease interceptor works by separating the water from the fats, oils and grease (collectively known as FOGs). Water comes into the unit via a flow regulator, which is intended to keep it from flooding the trap. As it cools, the FOG content solidifies and floats to the surface while other debris sinks to the bottom of the interceptor. This cleaned water enters another compartment through a crossover pipe, where further solids are removed before discharging it into the sewer system.

Common Problems

However, grease traps need routine cleaning and maintenance to stay operational. Once the unit full, the equipment will be unable to separate the water from the lipids. If this happens, grease will eventually back up the unit and build up within its pipelines, rendering it nonfunctional. Other problems, such as clogs in the incoming, outgoing and crossover lines, are a possibility.

Regular cleaning is the key to prevent these and other problems with your grease trap. Your septic and grease trap technician should be able to prescribe a cleaning schedule. Visit this website for more information about grease interceptor cleaning in Soquel.

3 Reasons to Have Septic Tank Inspections


You might not think much about your septic tank. It runs silently in the background — or rather, underground — to take care of your family’s waste water. Without regular inspections, however, you won’t know about any major problems building up inside your system until it’s too late. If you’ve accidentally allowed grease, food solids or other materials into your drains or exiting water, this is especially true. So, consider these three major reasons you need to maintain a routine inspection regimen.

•    Solids buildup: Even if you’re very careful about what you allow down your drains or in your waste water, some solids will still exit your home and end up in your septic tank. These form a sludge layer at the bottom that must be periodically removed.

•    Prevent costly repairs: An inspection permits you to detect potential problems sooner rather than later, and correct them before they get worse.

•    Determine a pumping schedule: Depending on your household’s volume, septic tanks should be pumped every three to five years. An inspection helps determine when this needs to be done for your system.

In most cases, your septic tank should be inspected once per year. However, your septic maintenance professionals can recommend the most optimal schedule for you. Visit this website to learn more about septic inspections in Santa Cruz.

Installing a Grease Trap Helps Your Sewage Lines

If allowed to flow with your water, excess cooking oil enters sewage lines, building up solids that cause flow problems and unpleasant odors. A grease trap catches it before exiting your pipes.


Saturday 17 September 2016

3 Steps To Take When You Have A Plumbing Emergency

A plumbing emergency may make you panic, but fear not. Here are the 3 steps you should take immediately if you have a plumbing emergency.

Shut Off Your Water

Shutting off your water can help reduce the risk of further damage to your home. Even a small leak can cause plenty of damage so as soon as you notice leaking water, take action. If you know where the water is leaking from, then shut off the water for that specific fixture. If you don’t know exactly where the water is coming from, shut off the main water valve to your home.

Clean Up Immediately

Standing water can mean disaster for your floors and the internal structure of your home. As soon as you’ve stopped the water from coming in, start getting as much of the water out of your home as you can before it can cause even more damage.

Call For Help

Call in a professional plumber as soon as you can! They can find the problem and fix it, so that it doesn’t happen again and you can move on with the cleanup.

A little thinking ahead now can help in the case of a disaster in the future. Learn where your shut off valves are located, know what steps to take and learn more about emergency plumbing in Encinitas by visiting this website.

Friday 16 September 2016

Product Engineering Helps Overcome Labor Shortage

Houston, the heart of the oil and gas industry, has seen rapid growth in recent years fuelled by tax incentives for companies setting up headquarters in the area... Read more

3 Signs You Need To Replace Your Water Heater

Many homeowners may not know when they need to replace their water heater. They may wonder if those noises it makes are normal, or how old is too old for a water heater? If you want to know what is going on with your water heater, here are three signs that you need to replace your unit straightaway.

Age

One of the biggest indicators that you may need to replace you water heater is simply the age of the unit. It is recommended that units older than 10 be replaced as soon as possible in order to prevent possible damage from a failing water heater.

Standing Water

If you observe water around the base of your water heater, especially after showering or doing laundry, there may be a leak in your tank. This means you need to replace your water heater immediately, as a leak in the tank cannot be fixed.

Noises in the Night

Having a noisy water heater is not a good sign. Failing heating elements may be misfiring, and sediment buildup that is disturbed when heated can cause thuds and thumps as well. These noises could be a sign of internal damage as well as aged materials that need to be replaced.

Ignoring these problems could mean a loss of hot water or even damage to floors and surrounding areas from a leaking tank. To learn more about water heater replacement in Carlsbad and to understand your options when it comes to replacing your water heater, please visit this website.

3 Reasons You Should Hire A Commercial Plumber


Plumbing issues can cause real headaches for homeowners, and many individuals believe that they can save money and time by trying to solve the problem themselves. But before you start messing around with your pipes and drains, here are three reasons you should skip the DIY and hire a commercial plumber.

Blocked Sewer Line

A blocked sewer line is one problem that your handy plunger just isn’t going to fix. There may be a blockage in the main line from tree branches or a major clog that requires a professional to remove. Attempting to fix this on your own could damage your pipes or sewer line.

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can make doing dishes, laundry or showering an experiment in patience. But before you fiddle with anything, call a commercial plumber. They know what to look for when it comes to low water pressure.

No Hot Water

Taking a cold shower is no walk in the park, and even though you want it fixed right away, this is something that you should leave to the professionals. While having no hot water is likely due to your water heater, a professional plumber can determine just what exactly is the problem and how to fix it.

There are times when it is better to trust a professional than to attempt a DIY—and saving your plumbing is one of those times. To learn more about commercial plumbing in San Marcos, please visit this website.

WaterFurnace Announces Geothermal Upgrade Event

WaterFurnace International, Inc., has started a Geothermal Upgrade Event that offers up to $2,000 to homeowners switching to geothermal from traditional heating... Read more

3 Smart Reasons to Install a Water Softener

Have you given much thought to the quality of your water? Hard water has a higher concentration of minerals, which can affect the taste as well as the condition of your skin, clothes, plumbing, and even some of your appliances. A water softener can remove those impurities for better household water. If you are thinking about having a water softener installed in your home, here are three smart reasons why you should.

1.    Better Taste

Hard water can have a mineral taste which some people may find unpleasant. Water that has gone through a softener tastes better, which is good news for anyone who is concerned with hydration.

2.    Safer for Your Household

Hard water can increase the need for maintenance for your plumbing system, washing machine, and dishwasher. When minerals found in hard water build up in your appliances and pipes, you may need more frequent repairs.

3.    Gentle for Skin and Clothing

Water that is tough on your plumbing can be even tougher on your clothes and skin. With a water softener, your skin may be softer and have fewer problems due to dryness. Your clothing may also last longer because the fibers have less damage from your water supply.

Is it time for you to break the hard water cycle? If you want more information about the benefits of water softener installation in Monterey, please visit this website.

A Professional Knows

A professional plumber has the expertise and equipment to find and resolve issues anywhere on your property. You may want to have your pipes inspected to find small problems before they get worse. 


How to Tell if You Have a Leak

How can a small drip turn into a big problem for homeowners? Leaks in your home can require major repairs if you are unable to find them. Here are a few ways to know if you have a leak in your plumbing system.

Changes in Pressure

Have you noticed that your water pressure seems weaker? One of the main causes of changes in water pressure can be a leak in your plumbing system.

New Sounds

Drips from faucets or under sinks are a clear indication you need repairs, but other odd noises can also mean you have a leak. If you hear water running but are not using water in your house, do not ignore it.

High Water Bills

Pay attention to your monthly water bills to see if your usage has increased. If your bill is going up but you are not doing anything differently, you may have a leak somewhere in your home.

Take a Look Outside

Leaks can even occur from your house to your water supply. Check your yard for standing water or wet patches that are unrelated to recent rain.

You may want to monitor your water meter periodically to see if your usage is higher than it should be. If you need more information about leak detection in Pacific Grove, please visit this website.

Wednesday 14 September 2016

Bosch Hydronic Air Handlers for Tankless Water Heaters

Bosch Thermotechnology Corp. has launched its new Bosch Hydronic Air Handlers, offering a more efficient, compact and advanced home heating system... Read more

5 Signs Your Garbage Disposal Need Repair

Your garbage disposal conveniently lets you dispose of peels and other food waste. Unfortunately, if it experiences certain problems, your garbage disposal may need to be repaired.

1.    Water Draining Slowly

If you are noticing the water in the sink is draining slowly, this may be due to food particles being stuck in the disposal, thereby impeding the movement of the water. Standing water can be inconvenient and dangerous.

2.    Bad Odor

Instead of breaking apart the food, so it can be disposed down the drain, a broken garbage disposal may leave the food stuck in it. Over time, that food can rot, producing a stench in your kitchen.

3.    Leaks

A puddle of water found underneath your sink may be due to your garbage disposal leaking. Since this water is often dirty, it can be dangerous, damaging various items and even attracting unwanted pests and bacteria.

4.    Strange Noises


While it is common for your garbage disposal to make a loud noise as it breaks down the food, it shouldn’t be making grinding noises that sounds like metal is clashing against metal. This might mean that the part that cuts the food into little pieces is not working properly.

5.    It Doesn’t Turn On


There might be a problem with your garbage disposal wiring, preventing it from even turning on. In this case, your garbage disposal may have burned out.

Your garbage disposal can experience problems and may need to be replaced. Please visit this website for more information on garbage disposal repair in Castroville.

When to Replace Your Water Heater

Your water heater often makes aspects of modern living like taking hot showers or conveniently washing your dishes and clothes possible. Therefore, if your water heater is experiencing problems, it may be time to replace it.

Leaks

If your water heater starts to leak, it may be difficult to repair the problem. Instead, having it replaced may be the best solution. This way, the likelihood that an abundance of water may pour out of the heater and onto your basement, potentially causing serious damage, may be significantly reduced.

Age

Sometimes, it may be cheaper or more convenient to have your water heater repaired. Unfortunately, if it is more than ten or fifteen years old, the required parts may be not be available, or it may be too much of a hassle to repair an old water heater. In this case, it may be better to just get a new one.

Energy Efficiency

Maybe your water heater is working just fine or only experiencing minor problems. However, you may still want the benefit of a new, modern heater. Water heaters are often being designed and manufactured to use less energy than old heaters. As a result, you can save money on your energy bills. Furthermore, using less energy can also benefit the environment.

Your water heater is usually very useful, but it may need to be replaced at some point. Please visit this website for more information on getting a water heater replacement in Monterey.