Plumbing Help: How to Avoid Burns at Home When Setting The Water Temperature

Sometimes it seems like your shower or sinks are too hot, or not hot enough.

But raising the temperature valve on your water heater can be dangerous or a waste of energy. If there are children, elderly, or disabled persons in your household, for example, you might not want to set the thermostat above 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid contact with "hot" water.

The following chart may help you determine the right temperature for your water heater. According to Shriners Burn Institute:

- Water set to 125 degrees generally takes about 1.5 to 2 minutes to scald.

- Water set to 130 degrees generally takes about 30 seconds to scald.

- Water set to 135 degrees generally takes about 10 seconds to scald.

- Water set to 140 degrees generally takes about 5 seconds to scald.

- Water set to 145 degrees generally takes about 3 seconds to scald.

- Water set to 150 degrees generally takes about 1.5 seconds to scald.

- Water set to 155 degrees generally takes about 1 second to scald.

So you can see how small increases in temperature can have a large effect on scald times.

People are often concerned about raising the temperature on their water valves due to a bacteria known as Legionella (and the disease known as Legionella's disease) that thrives in water at a temperature of 105 to 115 degrees.

Since this bacteria cannot survive above a temperature of 131 degrees people often look to exceed that temperature despite the risk of scalds.

Fortunately, the solution is a simple one. A device known as a water mixer allows your water to be heated to a point that will kill off all harmful bacteria, but sets a different max temperature to water being distributed to your tap water in sinks and showers.

A plumber can install this device for you quickly and without great expense!

What to Look For When Choosing a Plumbing Contractor

Choosing a plumbing contractor to service your home's needs is one of the most important house-related decisions a homeowner will ever make. After all, you depend on healthy pipes each and every day to bring you water for showers, baths, laundry, dishwashing, drinking, keeping your yard green, washing the dog, and a host of other jobs we take for granted! Like any service industry, there are fantastic professionals and some not-so-fantastic contractors. Here's what to look for when choosing a plumbing contractor you can trust.

Licensed and Insured

The last thing you want to have happen is waste your money on a fly-by-night plumbing service that does terrible work, doesn't finish the job, or worse: disappears altogether. Request proof of licensing with the state from any plumber before you sign any sort of agreement. In addition, you want to be sure that all technicians who work in your home carry their own liability insurance policies, for your own protection.

Years of Experience

The longer a plumbing contractor has been serving a community, the better. Plumbing is a very competitive field, and those who don't make the grade simply will not be in business very long. Only highly-trained and certified technicians should be allowed to set foot in your home: your plumbing is simply too important to leave to chance.

Ready When You Need Them Most

Your plumbing contractor should respect your time by offering flexible scheduling options and then coming when promised. Look for a plumbing contractor that offers 24/7/365 service, who will be able to serve you both in emergency and non-emergency situations.

There are some real differences between plumbing professionals: take the time to choose wisely.

Avoiding Mistakes For Do-It-Yourselfers - Drain Clearing

The other day I was in a popular home improvement center picking up some irrigation parts for our house, when I was ease dropping on a conversation between an older man and one of the stores representatives. The man explained to the so-called in house plumbing expert that he had a clogged drain and was looking for a product that could be poured into the drain and solve his problems.

They were both standing in front of the liquid plumber selection of fine products(that was a joke). What product do you recommend the older man asked. The do-it-yourselfer plumbing expert answered by pointing to a product that he recommended, this seems to do a pretty good job at clearing drains. The older man, having been around the block before, a little more educated than he was a few years ago, from his previous purchases of a product that claimed to perform a task, but didn't.

If this was a young man or woman, I would have waited until the home improvement specialist left the area and then, I would've explained who I was, and my experience with a few of these products. However, I felt that this man, who looked like he was in his late 60s or early 70s, should've known better. I chose the let him help the economy with his purchase. I guess in a sense, I was doing my good deed for the day.

Their conversation soon ended as the in-house plumbing expert left to advise another customer, hopefully on something that he actually knew something about. The older gentleman selected a different product and quickly scaned the area to make sure that the person who had assisted him wasn't around as he scampered off in a hurry.

Here's a quick tip on how to avoid mistakes as a do-it-yourselfer. Don't assume that liquid drain cleaning products will solve your problem. Try not to get caught up in your home improvement advisers solution to your problem. I have watched them sell products to unsuspecting customers and even had them try to sell me something that didn't work.

I personally, have never had any luck unclogging any drain pipes with any liquid drain cleaner. I don't know if my message is loud and clear here and hope that anyone who has gotten this far, reading the article will not believe everything that they read, because the book or product says professional plumbing expert or listen to someone because they're wearing a shirt that says ask me, I'm a home improvement expert.

If you choose to ignore my advice, know this, you will be forever doomed to repeat the mistakes that others have made before you.

Four Important Things to Know About Sink Repair That Could Save You Time, Money and Trouble

It can be a very big deal if something happens to your sink; it could become cracked, spring a leak, a pipe could burst, any number of things could go wrong. Often when this does happen it can be a major procedure to fix it, and can also be very pricey. This is why many people fear breakages and damage to their sinks, and it can be an uncomfortable source of anxiety. But before you think too much about it, or get on the phone to a plumber straight away, here are some things you should know about sink repair that could take a load off your mind.

What type of problem is it?

Some sink breakages are quite common and can be caused by something as simple as a clogged drain or a blockage. Other problems are more serious, such as a broken pipe or an actual break in the sink making it practically unusable. It is important to identify this problem before you do anything, as you may end up overreacting and making a bad decision.

Can it be fixed easily?

There are many problems that can occur with sinks which can actually be fixed quite easily, without having to call a plumber. This can be quite expensive, so it is best to identify the possibility of fixing it before committing to spending a lot of money needlessly.

How can I fix it?

Problems such as a leaky faucet or pipe can actually be fixed quite easily without the assistance of a plumber. There are many online sink repair guides which walk you through it step by step. Though corner pedestal sinks can be quite difficult to repair; if this does not work...

The last resort

Calling in a plumber or buying an entirely new sink in the instance of a serious breakage may be your only recourse. However, identifying the problem and trying your hand at sink repair could potentially save you a lot of money!

Plumbing Problems And Solutions

Plumbing system is to a building, what circulatory system is to the human body. Any fault in the system is sure to throw your life helter-skelter and make your life awful. While putting in place a good well-conceived and well-done plumbing system is important, maintenance and preventive measures taken to keep the system in good shape is even more important.

Clogged Drains

Case one

Your sinks tubs connected to particular branch line drains slowly than normal.

Reasons

Dumping food solid materials into your kitchen Bathroom drains.

Pouring greasy Sticky materials into your kitchen sink.

Pouring chemicals paints into the drains.

Improper Inadequate venting.

Solution

Use a plunger to de clog your drain. This will work for clogs of smaller size. If it still persists, call an expert. Home made solutions do not work for bigger clogs.

Clogs can be removed using various techniques. While a cable can be used to remove solid clogs and break through roots, High pressure water jetting is more effective for clogs due to sticky greasy materials.

Before using water jetting as option, It is important to determine the quality of the plumbing materials used, for, the high pressure used in the process will rip your pipes apart if they are of a inferior quality.

Check the vents provided for any visible blocks. Find out whether the venting is adequate for the fixture it serves. An expert could help you out in this area. If the venting is absent or inadequate, provide upgrade to surmount the problem.

Preventive Measures

Respect your toilet and kitchen sinks. Use them only for the purpose intended. Avoid unmindful dumping of solid wastes, Food materials, Greasy substances and paints chemicals into the sinks.

Use filters over the drains in your toilet and kitchen to trap hair and solid objects.

Ensure that air vents are provided in adequate numbers and sizes for all fixtures.

Case two

All the drainage lines of the building drain slowly and there is a backing of the drain water from the main drainage line.

Reasons

A block in the main drainage line. or

A block in the inlet outlet of the septic tank. or

A block in the distribution box. or

A block in the percolation pipes. or

The septic tank has frozen due to an abnormal low weather.

Solution

Use a snake or water jetting to de clog the main drain line. This is the work of an expert. He could, through his expertise, say whether the clog is due to solid waste or greasy substances or roots and use a suitable technique to de clog the same.

Check the inlet and the outlet of the septic tank for any blockage due to solid wastes, scum and so on. Remove the block and check for easy flow.

Check the distribution box located between the septic tank and the percolators. Remove blocks, if any.

Check the area around the percolators. See whether it is moist, swampy and stinky. It means that the percolation is not proper. In other works the soil is not absorbing the drain water at the rate of discharge. It could be either because you usage of water has increased of late due to more guests or the soil has become saturated due to moisture from other sources such as rainfall more than normal etc. Immediately enlist an expert, the problem requires instant care.

If the septic tank has frozen due to bad weather seek the help of an expert immediately. If an expert and the equipment needed are hard to find, use the septic tank as a storage tank till such time the tank haws by itself. Judicious use of water will help you hold on for some time. To avoid freezing of the septic tank in the future, winterize before the next winter.

Preventive Measures

Respect your Septic tank. It is designed for the disposal of organic wastes only. Avoid dumping inorganic and non bio degradable wastes. They are sure to block the normal functioning of the septic tank and spoil it beyond redemption.

Use filters over the drains in your toilet and kitchen to trap hair and solid objects.

Winterize the septic tank to prevent it from freezing in winter. Do the following

Insulate the Septic tank, distribution tank, percolators and all out door lines by spreading a layer f hay, grass, dry leaves etc.

During winter, resort to more than normal usage of water. Warmer the water, the better.

Empty the tank, if you are planning for a long outing.

Get expert help. Winterization is location, weather specific. A small investment here will save you from all hardships during the winter.

Leaks

Symptoms

Leaks in your plumbing system are not just unsanitary but is a tremendous loss of a scarce resource. More often than not leaks are detected much later than they had started and after much damage had already been done.

Try this test out to determine whether there is a leak in your plumbing system. Before you go to bed in the night, close the Main valve at the primary inlet of your plumbing system. Note the water meter reading. In the dawn, before you start using water, note the reading. If the reading has changed then, there is a leak in the system.

To locate the leak, repeat the procedure by keeping the main valve open and all but one of your ancillary line valves closed. If the reading shows a change, then the leak is in that particular branch line. Inspect the faucets for visible leaks and path of the lines for subtle hints of invisible leaks behind the plastered walls. If you still can not detect the leak. Contact us for expert care.

Reasons

While visible are due to faulty faucets fixtures, Invisible leaks can be due to cracks in your plumbing lines. The cracks happen due to a. Ageing lines giving off or b. Faulty winterization of you plumbing system.

Solution

Replace the faulty fixtures faucets.

If the leak is due to faulty line, replace the line. If your plumbing system is considerably old, you can think of replacing the lines in stages without waiting for the system to call for your attention and doing much damage to your cherished home.

Preventive Measures

Make proper use and take proper care of your faucets and other movable water outlets. Install only good quality faucets that will stand the wear and tear. Do not compromise on quality for price. Remember, a compromise on quality is a compromise on peace of mind.

Properly winterize your plumbing system.

Winterization.

What

Acclimatizing your plumbing system to withstand the test of hard winter is winterization.

Why

Plumbing systems are primarily intended to transport water to the locations of need from a centralized water storage facility. In the winter, as the temperature dips to appreciable lows, water freezes. The density of ice is more than that of water. Hence to accommodate water turned into ice, your plumbing system expands. When this expansion is beyond its elastic limit, it cracks wreaking havoc on your entire plumbing system.

Solution

Prepare for the winter ahead by properly acclimatizing your plumbing system. Do the following.

Insulate the drains outside your home.

Open the cabinets under sinks to facilitate circulation of warm air to avoid freezing.

In the temperature is harsh, allow water to flow through the lines in a trickle, when not in use, to avoid freezing.

If you are going out and if the plumbing system will not be in use for a long time close the main valve and drain all water form the system, to ensure that there is no water to be frozen.

Remember, winter is a testing time for your plumbing system. Take preventive measures or you may have to spend a fortune to restore the system back to normalcy. If you need more information, feel free to avail our expert care.

What You Can Do About Clogged Drains

A clogged drain can be a problem, and if it is really bad, you may even need to call a plumber. If you absolutely need to use the sink while waiting for the plumber to arrive, there are several things you can do. A drain is a very simple device, using gravity to draw liquids through the pipes from the drain to its ultimate destination. As long as where it starts is higher than where it ends, and the pipes are all fine, the only problem the drain runs into is something stopping it up.

All types of pipe have the same basic parts, a trap, a cleanout, and a stack. Traps are curved sections of a pipe that go down then up, to let solids settle so the liquid can pass. A cleanout is the section of the trap at its lowest, helping to simplify the search for a clog. Finally, there is the stack, the section of the pipe that rises after the trap. The stack allows gasses from decaying solids in the trap to escape, preventing pressure from building up in the pipes.

The most common way to clean a drain is through some type of liquid drain cleaner. Depending on the type of pipe and specific drain cleaner, the drain cleaner may damage your pipes. Before using a liquid drain cleaner, ensure that it is safe for your pipes. Also, while a drain cleaner may get rid of the clog, it won't scour buildup on the pipes, and the pipes could clog again even faster. So while it could be a good quick solution while waiting for a plumber, it is not a good permanent solution. After using drain cleaner, run hot water for five to ten minutes to flush the chemicals out of the pipes.

If you have recently poured fat or grease down a drain, that could be contributing to the clog. If your sink is clogged up, but still drains a little, you can try running hot water slowly down the drain. While this won't remove the rest of the buildup or clog, it may help water flow a little faster, letting you complete everyday tasks while waiting for a plumber to arrive. Even if grease and fat aren't the problem, this could help clear up a clog slightly.

Finally, you can try using a standard suction plunger and a long, flexible wire to temporarily clear out some of the clog. Remove any strainer from the drain and fill the sink one to two inches deep with water. Position the plunger directly over the drain and pump up and down a few times. Remove the plunger, take the wire, and push it down into the pipe a few times. Repeat those two steps a couple times, waiting a moment between attempts to see if the water in the sink starts draining.

Reasons Plumbing Supplies Are Necessary to Have in Your Home

Do you have all the necessary plumbing supplies in your home that are needed? Many people don't know what the necessary supplies are or why they are important to have. It is always a good idea to understand these two things because you never know when or if a plumbing emergency will happen.

You want to be as prepared for it as you can be and if the problem is too big for you to handle then call in a professional plumber immediately whether you live in San Francisco or somewhere else before the problem gets too big.

First you need to know what the necessary plumbing supplies are. Here are the most important ones to have.

- Toilet bowl plunger
- Drain cleaners for kitchen and bathroom
- Right tools such as a snake and pliers among others; have a well stocked toolbox
- Plumbers putty
- Pipe wrench
- Washers and nuts and bolts

These are just the basic supplies that you need to have in your home in case of a plumbing problem. You will want to do some research on this to be sure you have everything on hand when needed.

Now that you know about the supplies that will be needed you need to understand why they are necessary to have. Here are some of the more important reasons why supplies for plumbing problems are a necessity.

1. You never know when plumbing problems will happen. They can happen at any time of the day or night. By having the right supplies you will be able to get it fixed right away if it is not a big plumbing problem that requires a professional.

2. When there is a plumbing problem that you can fix by having the right supplies on hand you will be able to prevent it from costing you more money to fix it. You will also be able to prevent it from getting worse which would cost more money.

3. Not having the right supplies in your home means that every time there is a plumbing problem you will have to call a professional. Even for the little things like a clogged drain that most people can fix themselves with the right supplies.

Calling a plumber every time could get very expensive so take time to be sure the supplies you need are in your home and if they are not then get them so you can be prepared.

Now that you can see what supplies are necessary and the most important reasons why they are necessary; all that is left is for you to get started making sure you have all of these supplies in your home. Plumbing supplies are definitely a necessity if you don't want to have to call a plumber for every little problem you have.