During the summer, water bills skyrocket. Refilling the swimming pool, watering the lawn, and having get-togethers can quickly add up over time. It’s no secret that every homeowner wants to save money on their water bills. Yet, in the summer, this can seem close to impossible.
Homeowners can conserve water (and money) this summer by:
Install Eco-Friendly Water Saving-Devices
When it comes down to it, there are two types of plumbing fixtures: normal ones and water-saving ones. WaterSense appliances work below the EPA’s standards and can save homeowners 33 percent on their water bills.
The average showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water a minute. However, WaterSense showerheads use only two gallons of water a minute. This can save homeowners money on their monthly water bills. Furthermore, they can save around 2,700 gallons of water a year.
WaterSense manufactures these water-saving appliances:
Many states also offer tax rebates, which can cut down on the cost of installing these water-saving fixtures.
Plan Accordingly When Watering the Lawn
From noon to three o’clock, the sun will evaporate any standing water before plants have a chance to absorb it. Homeowners should water their plants and lawn early in the morning. This way, plants will be able to absorb the water before it gets evaporated.
Homeowners should also water their gardens based on weather conditions. For instance, if it will rain later, it doesn’t make sense to water the lawn when Mother Nature is doing it for free. This may involve changing the timer on automatic sprinkler systems or refraining from watering the lawn manually during certain periods.
Employ These Water-Saving Techniques
In addition to installing water-saving appliances and watering the lawn in the morning, homeowners can conserve water by:
Promptly fixing leaks: Leaks don’t go away on their own. The longer a leak persists, the more water and money it’ll waste.
Considering “smart” plumbing upgrades: Many appliances save water and come with their smartphone apps in today’s market. That way, homeowners can have even more control over their home’s water consumption habits.
Turning off the tap: Save water and money by turning off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, and washing dishes. Also, taking shorter showers can help to save money over time.
These are just some things that can help homeowners save time and money this summer.
Sewer line leaks are often a homeowner’s worst nightmare. This type of problem is generally messy and challenging to locate, meaning this problem requires outside help. Below is advice from professionals to help homeowners find the right company for the job in their area.
Professional Sewer Line Repair Is Necessary
In addition to convenience, a professional plumber is necessary to repair the structural integrity of a sewer line. DIY repair jobs may seem less expensive, but they can cost much more. Sewer lines are complicated, and if further damage occurs, this can cause issues with the pipes.
A professional plumber has the necessary equipment to handle damage from underground utility lines. While a running toilet can be fixed without a technician, sewer line repair requires specific knowledge. Soil conditions will affect the type of tools needed and protective gear.
An underground pipe can involve extensive digging for those unfamiliar with the process. If the damage is on public property, the government will handle the process, but this is the homeowner’s responsibility on a private lawn. A trained technician can help keep property damage to minimize ground damage.
Without experience, sewer line projects can manifest in very public ways. Even simple issues can be exacerbated with the wrong tools. A leak in one area of the yard can potentially cause sewer backup inside the house.
Code Requirements
Code requirements for sewer lines are designed to maintain drainage sanitary and safe drainage. Depending on the state, these requirements may vary. This code has specific instructions for the location, materials, and disposal involved in plumbing for Irvine, CA.
Drainage materials must be in accordance, meaning that wrought-iron steel pipe is not to be used underground. Clay pipe fittings are not allowed to be used above ground. Certain materials such as cast-iron soil pipes must be marked for identification.
Trying to fix a sewer line without experience can cause legal repercussions. If a Do-it-yourselfer tries to repair a sewer line without a permit, this may result in hefty fines and further damage. Fixing a botched sewer line is more expensive than calling a plumber for repairs in the first place.
The Sewer Line Repair Process
Traditional sewer line repair looks different depending on the location and problem. The conventional method of sewer pipe repair requires digging trenches. Underground tunnels are used to access the sewer line so it can be repaired or replaced. Since this can damage yards, there are other less intrusive ways to get the job done.
Interior access excavation does not involve digging ditches. Using a trenchless method, plumbers must identify the pipe precisely before excavating. If the sewer lines are too damaged, this method may not be an option.
If a trenchless sewer line repair is not a viable option, sewer lines can be reached through an open-top excavation. This is a laborious process that is best left to a group of professionals. This process may be done when a total replacement is necessary.
Sewer repair services are standard for trained plumbers. A reputable company usually has more than one individual informed about a sewer line job and can provide extra help if necessary. Sewer line repairs can be dangerous without the proper training and experience.
Research Sewer Line Repair Services Beforehand
Asking around the community can help homeowners get ideas for companies in their area that can help. Online reviews may also shed light on specific companies that can get the job done well. Most people read these reviews to get an idea of both workmanship and price. When evaluating workmanship, there are a few points to consider.
Reliability is crucial for sewer line leak repair. Showing up on time, answering phone calls, and allowing the customer to know what to expect provides quality service. Plumbers who do not show up with the right equipment or charge extra for their time will usually have lower ratings.
The time in which a job takes can vary. Since not all repairs are equal, some jobs may take hours or days to finish. Before hiring a plumber, many people research timelines for similar plumbing issues. This may be misleading.
Local forums are often beneficial. Not only are the companies familiar, but so is the land. Different soil types can affect how long a repair service takes to complete. It can also impact the type of repair. If digging tunnels is necessary, this may be handy to know before calling a specific company.
Important Questions To Ask
Asking questions before a service repair will help customers understand the scope of a project. This can save homeowners both time and money. Since most homeowners are not familiar with sewer line repair work, knowing what to ask can be difficult.
Plumbers should be licensed and insured to handle sewer pipe repair jobs. Questions about licensure are common and will help weed out unprofessional work. An insured sewer line repair company will know and comply with the California code.
A reputable plumbing company should be able to give a rough estimate of the work necessary to repair a sewer line. If a consultation is needed, this is often a positive sign. Talking face-to-face can also help homeowners understand the process and why specific techniques are used.
Obvious water leaks are easy to identify. For instance, a leak under the kitchen sink will be easily identifiable by the broken pipe and the puddle forming around it.
Hidden leaks are an entirely different matter. Homeowners might notice minor changes to their plumbing systems and not attribute the inconvenience to a hidden leak. Homeowners should immediately address any type of leak, no matter how big or small. Prompt attention saves water, energy, money, and frustration. Below are three ways to spot a hidden leak.
1. Running Water – But No One’s Using a Fixture
Based on a hidden water leak’s severity, one may hear dripping or rushing water behind a wall-–even if no one’s using the shower, dishwasher, or washing machine. Eventually, the sound will be accompanied by puddles, damage to the drywall, and water spots.
If someone believes there’s a burst or leaking pipe inside the home, they should first turn off their home’s water supply. If the sound stops, then this is likely a hidden leak. A homeowner’s next step should be to call a licensed plumber. A professional can assess the severity of the leak and render appropriate repairs. They may even have to cut a piece of wall to access the leaking pipe, valve, or connector.
2. Swampy Puddles in the Yard
A home could have a broken water line, sewer main, or sprinkler system if one notices:
There are soft, muddy spots where one’s foot sinks in.
The sound of rushing water when standing at a certain point in the yard.
One can also check for water leaks in the yard by pushing down on the soil with their hands. If the ground collapses slightly, this could indicate a hidden leak. Outdoor leaks can range in severity. A professional can address the leak by tightening a valve or replacing a pipe in some situations. In other scenarios, the plumbers may need to dig up a section of the yard to locate and address the problem.
3. Lower Water Pressure Combined with Higher Water Bills
If one experiences less-than-ideal water pressure in their sink or shower, this could also indicate a hidden leak. Water could be escaping the system, leading to less output through the faucet or shower head. Sometimes, low water pressure can be attributed to clogs, which a plumber can remove using a drain snake. However, it could also indicate a hidden leak inside the home itself.
Poor water pressure isn’t the only sign of a water leak. One might experience nothing wrong with the plumbing system yet find themselves facing expensive water bills. The water bill could increase because of a leak since water is escaping the system, using (and wasting) more water than usual.
If a homeowner isn’t sure whether their home’s water consumption has increased, they should check their water meter. Any unexpected spikes or dips could indicate a leak within the plumbing system. If a homeowner suspects a water leak, they should immediately call a professional. The water leak repair service can explain their options on how to proceed.
A simple mistake can be costly when it comes to a home’s plumbing system. To avoid a plumbing emergency, homeowners should avoid liquid drain cleaners, schedule water heater maintenance, and call a professional plumber for all plumbing installations or repairs. Get 2022 started right by avoiding the following common plumbing mistakes.
Pour Liquid Drain Cleaner Down a Clogged Drain
Drain cleaning services help prevent clogged drains in the kitchen or bathroom plumbing. When a clog does occur, homeowners should not make the mistake of using liquid drain cleaners to unclog the drain.
Liquid drain cleaner contains a cocktail of extremely harsh chemicals that burn through the clog in the drain. These chemicals come with many side effects, including respiratory symptoms and skin irritation.
Often the liquid drain cleaner is not enough to remove the clog, which leaves the toxic fumes with nowhere to go but up into the house. This only serves to make a bad situation worse. Instead of using a liquid drain cleaner, homeowners should schedule drain maintenance with a professional plumber.
Forget to Service the Water Heater
Water heaters are one of the most important pieces of plumbing hardware in the modern home. They heat the warm water used daily for cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Because they get daily use, water heaters need regular maintenance.
Skipping water heater maintenance could lead to a system malfunction and eventually total system failure. Two of the critical steps that water heater technicians take during maintenance appointments are emptying the water from the tank to clean out the sediment and checking for worn-out valves.
Natural mineral deposits separate into solid sediment when the water is heated inside the tank. When this sediment builds up, it causes problems for the water heater. By cleaning out the deposit around every six months, homeowners can prevent unnecessary repairs in the future.
There is a system of valves within water heaters that regulate the water flow. These valves are notorious for wearing out due to constant use. Replacing worn-out valves during maintenance appointments can help protect the system’s function and increase the water heater’s longevity.
Fix Broken Plumbing Yourself
Plumbing repair and installation can result in property damage or personal injury when not done by a qualified professional. Homeowners looking to tighten their budget may be tempted to attempt repairing broken plumbing fixtures on their own but end up spending more money in the long run when they need to call a plumbing repairer to fix the damage they have done.
When a plumbing installation is done incorrectly, it can cause utility bills to be unusually high due to the system running inefficiently. DIY installation can also void the plumbing hardware’s manufacturer warranty.
Trusting a professional plumber with installations and repairs protects the homeowner. Plumbers are required to undergo extensive training to obtain a license, and they are also required to have business insurance.
There are always going to be occasions to give gifts to people in your household and there’s no reason why at least some of them can’t be practical, helpful items. While not all plumbing issues are ones you should try to take care of DIY style, when something happens, it’s important to have the right tools on hand for the project. Here are a few tools that plumbers recommend you have on hand in case of emergency so you can stop the flow of water until the plumber arrives to make the repair happen.
Pliers
Pliers with slip joints or even water pump pliers have longer handles that can grip things easier. If you’re having trouble getting a fixture to turn on or off or you can’t get your hands behind the fixture to get to the on and off switch, pliers can help you get the job done so you can take your time in calling the plumber for the repair.
Flange Plunger
Every bathroom, or at least every household, should have a flange plunger to clear occasional toilet clogs. These plungers work better than traditional shapes and they can be very helpful in a pinch. If your toilet clogs on a regular basis, even if you aren’t flushing anything but the proper toilet paper, you’ll want to contact a plumber for help.
Sink Auger
There are sink plungers as well, but this rotating drum snake can help you clean out easy clogs from your sink drains. If you aren’t able to clear things out this way, or if the sink just clogs up again a day or two later, it’s best to call a plumber in for the clearing process so you don’t damage the pipes.
O Rings And Rubber Washers
A variety of plumbing items use O rings and rubber washers and you never really know when you might need them. Keeping a variety pack on hand in an easy-to-reach location can help you in a pinch.
Adding To The Tool Chest
When you buy any of these items for someone in your house, you could add them to an already existing tool chest or create a new tool belt to make them stand out that much more. While they might not be the most romantic gifts, pairing them with something more thoughtful, like a dinner on the town or tickets to an upcoming event can make the gift feel practical and exciting all at once. If nothing else, buy them and give them to yourself if you’re the one who will most likely use them anyway.
Get More Plumber/Tool Advice
If you want to know what other tools you should keep in your home, contact your plumber for more advice. You will want to call Pristine Plumbing for any large or even moderate issues you have. But there are a few things you at least attempt on your own (like unclogging the toilet with a plunger) before you make the call.
Many homeowners have water leaks in their home and they simply ignore them, hoping they’ll go away or, at the very least, that they won’t get worse. But that’s about the worst thing you can do as a homeowner. Ignoring repairs that really need attention can end up causing serious damage and costing a lot more money than they would have to repair. Here are a few reasons you want to deal with water leak repair right away instead of putting it off until the inevitable happens.
Reason 1: Avoid Water Damage
Sure, everyone spills a little water on the floor from time to time, but have you ever dumped a whole bucket on the couch and let it just sit there? Water can do serious damage to your home and if it seeps into the walls, gets into the ceilings, permeates the flooring and so on, it can cost a lot to clean up. Sometimes, the water can’t be ‘cleaned up’ and you have some serious repairs and replacement projects on your hands. Instead of waiting for a water leak to get worse and cause major damage, it’s best to take care of it while it’s still small and controllable.
Reason 2: Disturb Mold Growth
When you know you have a leak, that’s the time to call for water leak repair. Any time there’s water present in any capacity, you have the opportunity to start mold growth. Mold loves wet places and if they’re dark and damp most of the time, the mold will thrive. Once mold starts growing, it’s very hard to get rid of it and it can be very dangerous. Instead of letting your leak call mold growth to your home, take care of it fast and avoid those issues.
Reason 3: Pay Less Now
What will cost less: fixing a small leak in your shower fixture or replacing a burst pipe? The first option, of course. Now, not every leak is going to lead to a burst pipe, but leaks don’t generally go away on their own and they often indicate that there’s something else going on. When you get a small leak fixed, you pay a small amount of money to a plumber. If you let it sit for too long, it could cause larger issues or the deeper root of the problem could become an emergency, which will undeniably cost you way more down the road.
Call For Water Leak Repairs
You are going to be much better off getting your plumber to your home to assess and fix your water leak repair needs as soon as you notice you have a leak. Not only will those annoying dripping sounds go away, but you won’t have to worry about water damage, mold growth, and way bigger costs in the future. If you can’t see a leak, but you suspect something is up because your water bill is high or you see stains on the walls or ceilings, it’s just as important to get Pristine Plumbing to your home.
Preventative Maintenance On Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing is a part of several rooms of your house, but it’s never more important than in the bathroom. Bathroom plumbing problems can be inconvenient, annoying, messy, and even downright damaging. Water leaks or other problems can cause rot, mold, and damage to the walls and floor. It’s best to take care of the bathroom plumbing in every way possible to avoid damaging your house or having a major emergency that could have been circumvented. Here are a few things to do to keep up with your bathroom plumbing maintenance needs.
Prevent Clogs
When your bathroom plumbing pipes get clogged up, it’s hard for water to drain away from the bathroom. You might see your drains running more slowly and eventually, water could start to back up into the bathroom. There are things you can do to prevent sink clogs from occurring in the first place. First, put screens over the sink, shower, and tub drains to keep hair and other debris from going down the drain and causing clogs. Use the right plunger on toilets or sinks when you notice a small clog occurring and call for help when the plumbing seems to get worse. And watch for smells from the drain that could indicate things are building up inside.
Watch Leaks
You can tell when you have a leak in a faucet or from the shower head, but it’s not always that simple. Your toilet might be leaking inside and you won’t even know it. If you have a sink that fills up with bubbles while it drains, there could be a leak somewhere. You might notice a musty smell, or you could see water stains on the bathroom wall or ceiling. Know where your shut off valves are to all fixtures and to the house as a whole. When you have a leak, and you can identify which fixture is causing it, shut water off to that fixture until the plumber can take a look and get things fixed. It’s better to be safe than very sorry if something becomes an emergency later.
Conserve Water And The Plumbing
The harder you work your bathroom plumbing, the more repairs it will need. Conserving water can also help you give the plumbing a break. Try to restrict the amount of time you spend in the shower and shut the water off in the sink when you brush your teeth. You’re doing something good for your water bill, the environment, and also your bathroom plumbing.
Have Things Checked Out
Bathrooms are connected to sewer lines and if there’s ever an issue, the last thing you want is a backup into your house. It’s in your best interest to have your sewer system and bathroom plumbing checked over by a professional plumber every year so you can ensure things are running efficiently and effectively. Plumbers like the professionals at Pristine Plumbing will notice small things like leaks and can take care of them before they become much larger headaches.
Emergencies happen. While you can prepare as much as you want, you can’t predict when something is going to happen. A lot of people have an ICE phone number programmed into their phone so if something happens, whoever gets to their phone will know who to call. ICE stands for “in case of emergency.” It makes sense to be prepared. While not every emergency will have you needing someone to make calls for you, there are emergencies within your house that you should prepare for as well. You might, for example, have the number for poison control on your fridge, just in case. You have taught your kids how to dial 911 in case something happens. And so forth. Along those lines, it’s only practical to find and hire a plumbing company and program their number into your phone. Here are a few reasons to move forward with that plan.
Reason 1: Save Time When Emergencies Arise
When a pipe bursts or a toilet is overflowing, time is of the essence. Instead of spending time looking up emergency plumbers and then trying to get one on the phone, you could have the plumber on their way within minutes. When emergencies happen, calling the plumber right away is in your best interest. Even a little time saved can cut back on the amount of damage you accrue.
Reason 2: Check Out Plumbers Beforehand
When you have an emergency happening around you and you need a plumber, you’ll type emergency plumber into your search engine and call the first one that pops up. It’s a dire situation and you need someone right away. But if you think ahead and check out plumbers before an emergency occurs, you can feel good about the choices you are making. You have time on your side and you can look over their website, read reviews, get an understanding of their services, and know what you are getting when you need to work with them.
Reason 3: Form A Relationship
Emergency plumbers are there to help you when something happens and you need someone right away, but if you use a plumber you have a relationship, you can get even better service. Find a plumber that maintains plumbing systems, fixes leaks, and works in emergency plumbing. That way, they know your home well and you have someone to call when something goes wrong. That relationship can take you a long way in emergency situations.
Look For Emergency Plumbers Today
Before your pipe bursts, your toilet overflows, or the sprinkler system explodes, you need to have a plumber in your phone, ready to call at any time. With any luck, you’ll never use the number—or at least not for an emergency. But you’ll sleep better at night knowing you have someone to call and know just what to do if something happens that you don’t expect. If you need to find that emergency plumbing services in Orange County to type into your contact list, look into Pristine Plumbing.
Pipes are pipes, right? They all operate the same way, whether they are in a home or a business. While that is somewhat true, residential plumbers and commercial plumbers serve two different purposes. If you have a commercial operation, you need commercial plumbing and the right plumber to care for it. Here are some of the main differences between residential and commercial plumbing to help you tell them apart.
Structure Size
One of the most obvious differences between a home and a commercial building is the size of the structure. Homes are usually smaller than commercial settings. They also usually have quite a bit less plumbing. Houses will have plumbing in the bathrooms and kitchen, but commercial buildings may have several bathrooms, all with many fixtures, and several kitchens as well. They usually have an increased demand on those fixtures as well based on the number of people who frequent the building on a regular basis rather than just one family.
Multiple Locations On Multiple Floors
While homes sometimes have two levels with bathrooms on each, commercial buildings have the potential to have many levels with plumbing on all of them. Gravity is a huge deal where plumbing is involved, and water pressure is important for buildings with lots of levels. A good commercial plumbing company will understand all of that while a residential plumber may not.
Specific Problems
Residential plumbing has variations of the same issues, for the most part. Those include things like backed up drains, leaking faucets, and toilet troubles. Commercial plumbing, on the other side, faces wider issues that have to have solutions. Plumbers not only need to know the basics, because what happens in a home can happen in a commercial building too, but they also need to be up on current codes and prepare for things that can’t or don’t happen typically in homes.
More Pipes, More Leak Options
Homes have plenty of pipes, but they are rather limited because they only have so much plumbing. Commercial buildings, on the other hand, have a lot more pipes included because there are a lot more fixtures. There may be bathrooms on two different sides of the building and on different floors. When a leak occurs, there are a lot more pipes to check during water leak detection. Those pipes have to be treated in the right manner so as not to cause more damage.
Finding A Commercial Plumbing Company
If you have plumbing issues at home, a residential plumber can take care of it for you, without a problem. But you may have to call a different company when commercial plumbing issues come up in your place of business. Residential plumbers specialize in home issues while commercial plumbers can take care of a larger size and variety of issues that can occur within a commercial system. Luckily, Pristine Plumbing has both residential and commercial plumbers on hand to help you with either issue you might be having with as little inconvenience as possible
When you have a plumbing issue, you want to call a plumbing company and have them come by and fix it as soon as possible. While most plumbers are able to take care of a leaky toilet or a backed-up drain, it’s nice to have a plumbing company on your call list that can do just about anything you need. What are some of the skills you should watch for in a plumbing company? Here are a few to pinpoint:
Emergency Plumbing
You never know what’s going to happen or when, but you can be certain that plumbing issues will only arise at inconvenient times. Because, really, are there convenient times for plumbing issues to occur? If you need a plumbing company when a pipe bursts or in another emergency situation, you need to know you can get ahold of them at all times. Choose a company that has emergency plumbing options available any time of the day and any day of the year.
Outdoor Plumbing
While you think of your plumbing as something that goes on within the walls of your home, you have outdoor plumbing as well. Whether you have an underground sprinkler system or an outdoor kitchen, having a plumber around that knows that area of plumbing can come in very useful if you were to have a problem.
Water Heater Issues
Your water heater is an electrical appliance that also deals with water. It’s not a unit that was meant to last forever, as much as you’d like for that to be the case. When you have something that needs repairs or you need the appliance replaced completely, having a plumber who can do that makes the job really simple.
Bathroom And Kitchen Plumbing
While many plumbers can do both of these things, it’s good to know the plumbing company you work with has experts in both. Bathrooms have showers, sinks, and toilets and their plumbing can be complicated. Kitchens have sinks, dishwashers, and refrigerators that are often hooked up to pipes. Having an expert in the field if you are remodeling can give you peace of mind about the project.
Water Leak Detective
Plumbing companies should think of themselves as detectives when it comes to water leaks. Sure, some leaks are obvious if you have a dripping faucet, but other leaks like to hide and only show water damage on the ceiling or higher water bills as clues. Your plumbing company should be able to find and fix the water leak, wherever it might be located.
Getting A Plumbing Company To Do Anything You Need
Whether you have a blocked drain, a water backflow, or a toilet main line issue, the right plumbing company can deal with it for you. It’s a lot better to have one company in mind so you only have one call to make, no matter what the plumbing problem may be. Put Pristine Plumbing on your call list for any plumbing problemyou have, residential or commercial, large or small.
