May
17
When you walk into your laundry room, the last thing you are thinking about is the plumbing. The only thing on your mind is tackling that mountain of clothes that never stops growing. However, plumbing is essential to the day-to-day use of your laundry room. If the plumbing fails in any way, you cannot do your laundry – and it does not take long for the laundry to start piling up. You can avoid plumbing problems in the laundry room by keeping the following in mind.
Make sure that your washer is level. A washing machine that is not level can bounce and shift around during the spin cycle. Have you ever walked into your laundry room to find your washing machine a few inches farther from the wall? If so, it is likely not level. A creeping washing machine can strain your hoses and eventually lead to leaks. Keeping it level will ensure that it stays in place with little strain placed on the hoses. Read more
May
16
Protecting the environment and conserving natural resources is essential to the wellbeing of our planet. There are numerous ways that you can do your part to help the planet. For instance, you can conserve energy by remembering to shut off lights that you are not using. You can also invest in energy-efficient appliances.
Another way to live the green life is to find ways to conserve water. Water is a precious resource that must be protected. Installing a dual flush toilet is a great way to save water – but before you rush out to buy one, consider the pros and cons.
Pros
The primary pro of a dual flush toilet is water conservation. A dual flush toilet is designed to have two flushing operations – one flush for liquid wastes and one flush for solid wastes. Each flush uses a different amount of water. You can save a considerable amount of water each year by using the appropriate flush every time you use the toilet. Read more
May
10
Home Inspection and Plumbing
Filed Under Colorado Plumbing | Leave a Comment
When a buyer agrees to purchase a home, they usually write up the contract with a home inspection contingency. This means the home buyer has the right to bring in an inspector, and depending on the outcome of the inspection, have the right to request the seller fix items, renegotiate the contract, or cancel the sale altogether.
When most home buyers call in an inspector, they hire a generalist. And a generalist can find many things. While they might not pick up the details, they can tell you if there are any questionable items. And if they find something, its beneficial to further call in a specialist. Types of specialized inspections can include: Read more
May
9
A plumbing emergency can happen to anyone at any time. But do you know if the emergency requires a 24 hour plumber? Should you deal with the problem immediately, or can it wait until the morning?
Picture this. You wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of running water. You follow the noise to the bathroom down the hall. And before you can determine where the noise is coming from, your feet find the water first. Now what?
First, look to see where the water is coming from. Is it coming from the toilet? The sink? The tub? If you can spot the problem immediately, turn off the water to that fixture. If you can’ identify the source or you can’t turn off the individual fixture, you can turn off the water supply to the house. Just keep in mind that now you’ll be without water to any fixture in the home.
Then assess the situation.
If its limited to one individual item – such as the toilet – and you can turn the water off at the source, you can wait until the morning to call in a plumber. Once the fixture is turned off and the water flow stops, clean up the water in the surrounding area so as not to cause any further damage. Then avoid that fixture until you can get a plumber out during normal business hours, and avoid the 24 hour service charge.
If the plumbing emergency cannot wait until morning, be prepared when you do make the call to a 24 hour plumbing company. Try to identify the source as closely as you can. Make a note of where you think the problem started from, what is working, and what is not. The more information you can find before you call, the more you can share when speaking with a plumber.
Have a list ready when you connect: Read more
May
3
Have you ever stopped to wonder where the water comes from when you turn on the faucet? You know that it comes from your local municipality – but have you ever wondered how it got there in the first place? Learning the path that Denver water takes to reach your kitchen sink just might lead you to a greater appreciation for this life-sustaining resource.
Denver water starts with mountain snowmelt. About 2.5 million acres of watersheds provide Denver with its water.
The runoff from the snowmelt is stored in mountain reservoirs.
From the reservoirs, the water travels through very large water tunnels to reach the Front Range.
Denver has two main Front Range reservoirs that gather the water. Read more
May
2
Greywater Rules In Colorado
Filed Under Ask A Plumber | Leave a Comment
We all know that water is a precious commodity in Colorado. The state seems to be in a constant state of drought, and heavy consideration is given to levels of snowfall, reserves, and reservoirs. We have all felt the pinch of living in such a dry area. Depending on your location, you may have experienced water usage limitations such as watering schedules and other restrictions.
As a result of these restrictions, some households have sought to help the environment (and their landscape) by making use of Greywater. Greywater is the wastewater produced by a household from any plumbing system except the toilet. Due to the constant presence of waste in the water, toilet water is considered Blackwater.
Greywater reuse consists of a system whereby households reuse the Greywater waste from their home to irrigate lawns and plants. Greywater reuse faces several potential health issues, water rights issues, and several Colorado regulations. Due to the potential number of contaminants contained within Greywater, experts have raised concerns if this reclaimed water is used to water edible plants. Read more
Apr
26
Septic Tanks and Garbage Grinders
Filed Under Drain Cleaning | Leave a Comment
Garbage grinders, also known as garbage disposals, can be an excellent tool in the kitchen. Gone are the days of using a messy sink trap, and having to get your hands dirty and nasty emptying it. With a garbage grinder, you can safely wash minor food particles down the drain.
But how does this affect everything “downstream”? For homeowners with a municipal water supply, the excess food sludge simply washes along the pipelines with the rest of the wastewater. For homeowners with a septic tank, garbage grinders can cause a bit more concern. After all, you already watch what you flush down drains and now you are suggesting adding more non-water materials to the mix.
The addition of a garbage grinder can affect a septic system, but with proper maintenance, the addition will not cause any harm. While the actual impact varies from home to home, generic impact statements can help the homeowner plan for changes. Experts say the addition of a garbage grinder is the equivalent to adding one bedroom to the home in terms of additional solid waste. As long as homeowners avoid using the system as a means of disposing of household oil and grease, the greatest impact should be the additional waste. Read more
Apr
22
Happy Earth Day.
What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day in 2013 – The Face Of Climate Change?
The very first Earth Day was 43 years ago, April 22, 1970. On that day, a US Senator from Wisconsin decided he had to do something after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. He was inspired by the student anti-war movement, and realized if he could infuse the same energy into public consciousness about air and water pollution, people would begin taking action to help Mother Earth.
On that day, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a health, sustainable environment. This one act led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.
The rest, as they say, is history. And we’ve been celebrating Earth Day ever since.
Here at Quality 1st Plumbing, we take Earth Day seriously. As the premier green plumbing company here in Colorado, we know we have to protect our most valuable resources. Read more
Apr
19
Understanding how your water heater operates is part of being a responsible homeowner. When you have a general understanding of your water heater, if problems arise, you will be prepared.
One of the most important parts of your water heater is the temperature and pressure relief valve, also known as the T&P relief valve. This particular valve plays an essential part in the safe operation of your water heater.
The T&P relief valve works to keep your water heater from developing abnormally high pressure within its walls. When the pressure gets too high, the valve opens and relieves the pressure. Without it, the pressure could continue to increase, leading to a possible explosion – and even serious injuries to those inside your home.
You should test the temperature and pressure relief valve on your water heater at least every six months. To test the valve, place a basin or bucket underneath it and lift the valve up. When the valve is open, hot water should flush out and into the waiting basin or bucket. Gently close the valve after testing, taking care not to be too forceful with it. If the water does not flow freely out of the valve during testing, you should have it replaced by a licensed professional.
The size of the T&P relief valve on your water heater depends on the size of your water heater. If you are not sure if your valve is the right size, have a professional plumber examine your water heater. He or she will ensure that your T&P relief valve is the right size and that it is located in the right area.
If your water heater does not have a T&P relief valve, contact a plumber immediately to have a valve installed. Never operate your water heater without making sure that the temperature and pressure relief valve meets all necessary codes – this will ensure the safe operation of the water heater and the safety of your loved ones.
Apr
18
The Importance Of Controlling Hot Water From Your Water Heater
Filed Under Hot Water Heaters | Leave a Comment
Your water heater is an essential part of your home. Without it, you cannot have the ease and convenience of hot water from the faucet.
You use your water heater more than you realize. Each time you wash the dishes, do the laundry or take a bath, your water heater makes it possible to do so without any hassle. However, while having access to hot water is a huge convenience, you must also take care to ensure that the water does not get too hot.
When the water coming out of your faucet is too hot, it can pose a serious risk to you and other members of your household. Someone could be scalded or even seriously burned if the water is too hot. That is why you must take the necessary measures to control the temperature of the hot water that comes from your water heater.
The use of an anti-scald valve can help regulate the temperature of the water in your water heater. When someone uses a faucet, the valve will mix cold water with the hot water to make sure that the water is not too hot when it reaches the faucet. Read more
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