• Recently Written

  • Backflow Device Theft: Is Yours At Risk?
  • Plumbing Myths That May Be Costing You Money
  • Water Heater Safety Tips
  • How Much Water Is Your Home Wasting?
  • Preventing the Hot Water Shock
  • Tips That Can Help You Hire The Best Plumber
  • Adding A Steam Shower To Your Bathroom Redesign
  • Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth It?
  • 10 Things That Will Ruin Your Plumbing
  • Should My Hot Water Heater Tank Be Running All The Time?

• Search

• Categories

  • Ask A Plumber
  • Colorado Plumbing
  • Commercial Plumbing
  • DIY Plumbing
  • Drain Cleaning
  • Gas Lines
  • Green Plumbing
  • Hot Water Heaters
  • Plumbing Fixtures
  • Plumbing Help
  • Plumbing Tips
  • Sewers
  • Sump Pump
  • Uncategorized
  • Water Conservation

• Archives

  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008

• Admin

  • Log in
  • Wordpress
  • XHTML

Tough economic times are upon us. And with high unemployment and under-employment means people are turning to a wide array of ways to bring in a fast buck, including criminal activity.

While you often hear about home burglaries and car thefts, there is one stolen item that you may not hear much about – the backflow device. Thieves are turning to these expensive copper devices for some quick cash.

Understanding what a backflow device is and how to protect it can help you prevent your backflow device from disappearing – costing hundreds of dollars to replace, along with the loss of thousands of gallons of water.

The backflow device is usually somewhere along the street front of a commercial property. It is above the ground and is used to prevent contaminated water from reaching the potable water source of a city. When a backflow device is stolen, it can cost several hundred dollars to replace and allow hundreds of gallons of water to disappear every second. To protect your backflow device from theft, take note of the following tips: Read more

The need for water heaters does not lie only with individuals. Everyone needs hot water at some point. Commercial water heaters are used by a variety of businesses. For instance, hospitals make good use of commercial water heaters because residential water heaters will not meet their demands. Factories and large corporations need commercial water heaters, too, to withstand their water needs.

When you are in the market for a commercial water heater, chances are you’ve seen the many options available, including:

• Storage
• Indirect (unfired hot water storage tank)
• Instantaneous
• Tankless coil
• Heat pump

The type of water heater you choose depends on your needs. Of course, you want to choose a water heater that is energy efficient. Even if price is a concern, the energy efficiency of your water heater will pay for itself over time in savings. Pay close attention to the energy labels of commercial water heaters and choose one that costs the least to operate In the long run. Read more

Many people today are trying to go green and save some green all at the same time.  For those considering a commercial plumbing project, there are several ways to cut back and conserve water.

1.    Toilets - Old toilets are a major contributor to water waste in bathrooms.  A toilet made before 1994 typically consumes about 3.5 gallons every time it is flushed.  Newer toilets consume around 1.6 gallons of water per flush while the most water friendly toilet requires only one gallon per flush.  Updating a toilet from before 1994 will cut toilet water consumption by more than half.

2.    Urinals - Urinals installed before 1994 could use up to five gallons of water per flush.  Modern technology has developed a urinal that requires no water at all.  Rather than using water, modern urinals have a filter cartridge at the bottom that catches fluid and traps odor.

Read more

The news is filled with tips to conserve water within our homes. But what about work? On average we spend more of our time at work than any other place. So if conservation begins with one tiny step, maybe that step needs to begin in the workplace.

How do you conserve water in the workplace? How is it different from what we do at home? In many cases its one and the same. As a plumber, I work in many environments, and can just as easily provide tips and strategies for a commercial location as I can for a home.

The best place to start is with conserving tap water. Look around your office, and you’ll likely find many areas where tap water runs freely. You many have a kitchen area, with a sink to share with coworkers. And bathroom areas in commercial buildings don’t have one sink; generally you’ll find a row of sinks. Multiply that by several bathrooms per floor, and multiply several floors per building, and you’ll quickly find the potential for a lot of water waste. Even with a slow drip in one or two areas, its easy to send hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water down the drain. Read more

Open up the newspaper and you’ll read a story or two on the latest technology that will help you “go green”. Solar water heaters. Efficient plumbing fixtures. Water saving technology. When you’re just trying to run a business, how do you know where to turn? Especially if you don’t have a problem with your plumbing – you just want to be as efficient as possible.

Here are 4 ways a commercial plumber can save your business money.

4. Audits and Analysis
Not sure where to begin? Why not hire a commercial plumber for an energy audit and water analysis. As a green plumber, we know where to look to identify leaks and offer assistance in finding ways to prevent water loss and conservation. Find out all of your options upfront, then slowly implement as you have the time, energy and revenue available.

3. Preventative Maintenance
Don’t wait for problems to happen, schedule regular routine checkups to make sure everything is running at its best. From sewer and water line cleaning, to fixing small drips within the bathroom or kitchen area, the easiest way to avoid problems is to prevent them before they happen.

2. Recommendations Before You Invest
Have a new project you are building? Thinking of expanding? Before you start, talk with your commercial plumber. He can offer advice on the best way to install new fixtures in the bathrooms, or create energy efficient water heating for the different needs of your project.

1. An Emergency Connection
While we never plan for an emergency, they happen anyway. You might walk into a burst pipe, a flooded room, or no hot water. In times like this, its nice to know you can pick up the phone and call a friend, instead of taking the time to find someone with the time to come over and help. Plan before the emergency happens, and you’ll be grateful in times like these.

Plumbing is the one industry we think little of, yet use the most throughout our busy days. If its working as it should, the world is good. Yet when it quits working or causes a problem, we quickly are reminded of how well we rely on this modern day convenience.

While plumbing may never be considered sexy or a topic of choice, it is moving up on the list of ways to improve our world. Commercial plumbing, specifically, is rapidly becoming the darling of government projects, business owners, and public facilities such as libraries and airports. Why? The answer lies in its cost savings potential. Savings on energy costs is vital to the future sustainability of business and governmental agencies. Additionally, there are federal government regulations that identify energy saving measures the business community must adhere to.

Commercial plumbers are major players in the green movement and will subsequently save businesses millions of dollars through the installation of energy saving toilets, urinals, and faucets, and other green technology that can help us eliminate waste. Whether you are a large corporation or a small home business, you can make changes today that will help cut costs and save energy. Here are some questions you need to ask a commercial plumber before considering the company for an important project.

1. Do you specialize in commercial projects?
There are big differences between residential and commercial plumbing projects. Make sure the company you are interviewing has the experience.

2. Are you insured and certified?
It’s important to understand what they are capable of and what knowledge base they have coming into your project.

3. Do you have on-going programs or plans?
While most residential plumbing jobs are one time projects, commercial projects require on-going maintenance. Ask about discounts for long term commitments, and work to build a relationship in which you both are concerned with water and energy savings.

4. Ask for references from previous customers.
Nothing speaks louder than a great referral. While you may not be able to get a hold of a large business owner, checking online and through various referral sites can build a pretty good character reference for the company you are considering.

5. Do you have training in green technology?
While everyone speaks of energy and water saving tactics, only select plumbers have certification in green technology. Extensive training is needed to truly understand what is possible, and what will work in certain situations.

6. What’s your guarantee?
Most reputable commercial plumbers want you to be happy with their services. Find out if the company offers a guarantee and what the policy is in case of problems or questions.

7. Understand timing and scheduling.
If you have a large project, it’s important to stay on track. When will the work be completed? What if it goes over the timeframe scheduled or over budget? What checkpoints exist along the way to keep both sides informed?

The more you ask and understand up front, the easier it will be to keep your commercial plumbing project on track.

What do you think of when you hear the word plumber? In today’s world, fixing toilets and repairing frozen pipes barely scratch the surface of the services a plumber can provide.

Today’s plumbing companies have evolved into a high tech industry that can help you prevent problems before they happen.  They can make suggestions to help you save money and energy, and go green in the process. Especially in commercial plumbing where time is money, having a high tech friend can be a big plus for any business model.

Whether you are a property manager for a small apartment complex, own multi-story office buildings in the Tech Center, or operate a large health care facility, a commercial plumber can help you stay on top of your plumbing needs. Want an energy audit to determine where you are using the most water? Your plumber can help. Want continual service to make sure your bathrooms are in top shape? Your plumber can help. Want to begin installing green technology throughout your business? Your plumber has the solutions.

As with any project, the best place to start is at the beginning. When was the last time you updated your most common features, such as toilets and faucets? One leaky faucet can waste several gallons of water per day. Multiply that by several faucets per bathroom, and several bathrooms per building, and it can quickly add up to a big problem with large costs.

The same holds true with a leaky toilet. One leaky toilet can lose hundreds of gallons of water per week. Leave it non-repaired for an extended period of time, and your leak can quickly escalate into a bigger problem that affects your flooring, wallboards, and even potentially other rooms surrounding the bathroom.

And if you haven’t replaced faucets or toilets in a few years, even without a leak you could be wasting thousands of gallons of water per week simply with daily use. Green technology means updating and using the latest equipment designed to work more efficiently at less cost and waste.

Commercial plumbing is different than residential – we all choose to maintain our homes at a higher level because we know and see the benefits. But in a commercial venues, its easy to ignore the benefits of upgrading. Yet that’s where “going green” can do the most good.

Stop wondering how you can do your part, and ask about alternatives. A simple energy audit from your commercial plumber can show you ways to quickly save on money and energy, and go green in the process.

Hiring the right commercial plumbing contractor can be the difference between high-quality work and a disaster waiting to happen. In the struggling economy, people are more cost-conscious than ever, but guaranteeing good work is worth the cost. Before you commit to a commercial plumbing contractor, ask the right questions to guarantee that you are getting your money’s worth.

1. What is your specialty?
Not all plumbers are created equally. Some plumbing contractors specialize in residential or home projects while others are equipped to deal with larger-scale projects like apartment buildings or office spaces. Before you even get into the details, be sure your plumbing contractor is equipped for the work you need.

2. Are you insured?
Accidents happen, but they will be more costly to you and your projects if your commercial plumbing contractor doesn’t have general liability insurance. You have the right to know if a company is insured; if they don’t want to give up the information, assume the worst.

3. Are you licensed?
A commercial plumbing contractor should proudly display its licensing information. States issue licenses based on minimum requirements that are designed to protect consumers and the general public. Ask to see a copy of the license or license number.

4. How long will my project take to complete?
An experienced plumbing contractor will be able to predict the duration of a project. Ask for a specific timeline so that you are able to keep the work on track.

5. Do you offer a written contract?
For a large project, a commercial plumbing contractor should expect to draw up a detailed written contract that outlines the exact work to be done, the timeline for the job and the expected price upon completion. A written contract protects you against shortcuts or delayed progress.

6. Do you offer a guarantee?
All commercial plumbing contractors should provide some degree of guaranteed workmanship. If a mistake or problem arises after the job has been completed, a reputable plumber will return to fix any lingering issues.

7. Do you have any references?
Generally speaking, an experienced commercial plumbing contractor is more reliable than someone new to the field, but either way you should request to see a list of references. Don’t just stop at the list; call them and find out the quality of the work for the cost.

Remember: when you hiring a commercial plumbing contractor, you become the client. A respectable contractor will provide you with clear answers to all of your questions. Don’t commit until you are satisfied or you run the risk of finding yourself in deep water.

If you own a business, you know there is a difference between residential and commercial plumbing fixtures. In addition to different codes and regulations comes the increase in quality. After all, a commercial property will have much more use than a standard residential location.

So what types of things should you look at?

Lavatory sink faucets. Instead of style, think functionality. Your sink faucets will be used continuously all day long. Is it better to have a metered faucet that provides automatic on/off features, or allow your clientele to control the water themselves?

Electronic flush valves. An electronic flush valve can provide you with a cleaner bathroom, and better overall service.

Shower and shower/tub combinations. Whether you are running a small hotel, or a crowded gym, it’s important to have quality fixtures that can stand multiple use – sometimes every day.

Commercial kitchen fixtures. From a restaurant kitchen, to a popular bar, your sink may be filled all the time. Make sure you select the right size, shape and material to fit your everyday needs.

Have even more questions? A commercial plumber has the experience to walk you through your needs, and give you the best advice on what commercial plumbing fixtures will work best for you.

For a commercial plumbing service, no job is too large or too small. Their goal is to keep your business operational at all times, and give your business a good impression for those that matter most – your customers.

1. Commercial plumbing is different than residential plumbing. When you have a problem in your home, you simply turn off the water and wait for the plumbing service to arrive. That’s hard to do when your retail or commercial location is open for business. It’s hard to make customers and employees wait to use the restrooms, or avoid an area because of a broken pipe. While emergencies can and do happen, the right commercial plumbing service will ensure you have access to installation, replacement, repair and maintenance whenever you need it.

2. A commercial plumbing service can also make suggestions along the way. If you are starting up a new construction project, your commercial plumber can work with your contractor to design and build a cost effective plumbing system, including some of the latest green technology. For existing buildings, your plumber can advise you on plumbing upgrades that can help you lower your operating costs, and become more efficient in both energy and water usage.

3. Your commercial plumbing service can also offer inspections and preventive maintenance. Using visual inspection and state of the art detection methods such as video, your plumber will be able to catch potential problems before they turn into full-blown problems, and require major repair. By scheduling regular maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your existing system in top condition for as long as possible.

image source

Next Page →

Blogroll

• Quality 1st Plumbing website - Quality 1st Plumbing website
• Troubleshooter - Tom Martino – The Trouble Shooter
• WaterSense