Aug
21
What To Know About Gas Leaks
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Natural gas is something that may be in use in a variety of ways throughout your home. You use it to heat your home, you may use it outside for your grill or fire pit, and you may use it indoors for your stove or clothes dryer.
Natural gas is an odorless, shapeless, colorless gas that contains no liquid or mass. Because you can’t detect it until it’s too late, gas companies add a rotten egg odor so that it’s more easily detected.
Natural gas itself is not always the killer; instead, its carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a gas leak. Carbon monoxide kills over 500 people in America every year, and sends over 15,000 people to the emergency room. As we enter the winter months when we close up our homes, its more important than ever to use a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home. And it’s also important to know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, and seek safety and medical advice if you ever suspect a gas leak.
Carbon monoxide poisoning will most likely start out with flu like symptoms. Headaches, dizziness, tiredness and nausea are all common signs. It can quickly progress to impaired judgment, poor memory and loss of coordination. If several people within your home suddenly have the same or similar symptoms, and improve when they leave your home, it may also be a sign your home should be checked for carbon monoxide.
Though carbon monoxide is one of the deadliest components of natural gas, natural gas can also be a hazard if it leaks. A rotten egg smell, puddling or dirt blowing away from your home, or a hissing sound could all be signs of a gas leak. Never turn on lights, or continue to stay in your home; a professional should assess the situation, make corrections, and ensure your safety before you return home.
Apr
16
Spring is back here in Colorado. Warm days. Cool nights. It’s the perfect time for heading outside. And for designing a natural gas outdoor fire pit. What could be better than enjoying the outside with family and friends just a little longer each day?
Fire pits 
are permanent or portable containers designed for containing a fire within one location. As more people are expanding their outdoor living space, more are investing in fire pits to help you make that space usable throughout the year. Fire pits either allow you to burn wood, or use natural gas. Walk into any home improvement store and you are bound to find many different options: from chimeneas, to tables and cast iron pots.
While freestanding units are the easiest to install, nothing looks nicer than a custom designed and built fire pit that blends in with your home and surrounding landscape. Natural gas gives you the added bonus of not having to find wood to burn, and the additional mess of ash and soot when your evening is through.
Ready to install your own natural gas fire pit? First, plan out your outdoor living space. Where is the best place to install it? As a plumber, I can help you determine where your gas line is, and the easiest way to bring the line to where you want your fire pit.
Then work with a designer, handyman, or contractor to help you plan out your space. Will you be adding a garden area? A patio? In order to get the most out of your fire pit, make sure you have an enjoyable area to bring family and friends out to, with ample space for visiting.
Then enjoy. The great thing about Colorado is the cool nights. Even in the heart of the summer, a warm fire at night can bring the chill off a late day rainstorm. And give you a reason to enjoy the gardens you’ve been growing all summer long.
Apr
9
Installing A Gas Line
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Now that the weather is warming up here in Denver, why not think about installing a gas line to make home improvements? You could:
- turn your wood fireplace into a gas fireplace
- exchange your electric range for a gas range
- remodel your kitchen and move the location of your gas range
- add a gas grill on your deck
- install a gas fire pit to your outdoor living area
Once you make the decision, the next step is to follow up on your ideas with a certified plumber with experience in installing a gas line.
The first step is to locate where your existing gas line is, and determine the best way to tap into the line and move it to your new location. Instead of being set on your addition, talk with your plumber first. While you may have little options when converting your wood fireplace to a gas fireplace, be more flexible when adding a fire pit. Your plumber can show you the easiest gas line to tap into, and the best way to move it to the area you are looking to improve.
Any time you work with gas, its important to stay safe and be aware of the safety guidelines. A plumber knows how to properly install a gas line, and will carefully check all connections for safety. Many do-it-yourselfers simply aren’t aware of the dangers – to protect your family, check everything before use. Natural gas does have a distinct odor for a reason; if you smell it, get out and seek safety, and call for help.
Jan
8
Thinking of making some changes to your home this year? How about gas line installation for a fireplace, range, or barbeque grill? 
Once you make the decision to convert from an existing system to gas (such as from electric to gas range) or you decide to add something new to your home like a gas fire pit, we’ll help you put it into place.
As a plumbing service, we are licensed and trained to help both with water and gas piping throughout your home. Running gas lines is not a simple task, and should be handled with the greatest care to avoid potential hazards.
Here in the Denver Metro area, we typically run gas lines from one of two sources: either natural gas through underground pipe lines into your home, or from storage tanks of propane gas located somewhere on your property. Once you decide on your home improvement, we’ll locate the most effective way to connect up a gas line from an existing pipeline, and run it to the new location.
Before and after any installation, keep in mind the general safety rules for gas. Natural gas has a distinct odor; if at anytime you smell gas, it could be a sign of a leak. Locate the main shut off valve and turn off the gas immediately. Than contact us and we’ll plug the leak for you. Never light a stove, candle, fire or use an electrical appliance – any spark can set off an explosion.
image source
May
28
Instead of upgrading your home, and moving into a bigger one, many Denver residents are remodeling their existing homes instead. If you live in a great neighborhood with good school systems and 
supporting community, why not?
As you’re remodeling your home, one way to cut down on costs is to use one company for as many jobs as possible. It will cut down on fee charges for visiting your home, and many jobs can be combined and worked on together, eliminating hours of run around time.
Your local plumber has the ability to work with you on a variety of things.
Remodeling your kitchen? Why not move your kitchen sink from its current location to a sunny window position. You’re local plumber can move the water supply to make room for more space.
How about converting your electric range to gas? Gas gives you finer control over temperature, heats up quicker, and makes the cooking process more efficient. Your local plumber has the skills and knowledge necessary to lay the gas line from the main source, to where you need it in your kitchen design.
Why stop at an electric range? While you’re putting in a gas line for your range, continue the line to an outside kitchen too. Plan for a gas grill, and make cooking in the warm summer months even easier.
Upgrading your master bath, or creating an outdoor living area? A home spa may be the solution. From steam rooms, to shower panels, to hot tubs with jet systems, relaxation is close at hand.
[Have new ideas for you home this summer? Quality 1st Plumbing can help you make your dreams a reality. Call us today for help with all of your plumbing needs.]
May
22
How To Install A Gas Grill
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When the days are long and hot, the last place you want to be is in the kitchen cooking over a hot stove
.
Why not install a gas grill instead?
Not only does it make cooking during the hot summer months more fun, it can also make a great addition to your backyard landscape.
First, make the decision of where to place your gas grill. Keep it close to your home, with easy access to your kitchen. Also locate your gas line connection. Your licensed plumber can help you locate your gas line, and can extend it out to where you’ll ultimately need your connection.
Next, determine the size and style of your grill. Gas grills have gone sophisticated over the past few years. You can now get simple free standing grills, to the ultimate in luxury and outdoor kitchen experience. Choose your look and style to match your outdoor living space.
Finally, check everything is in working order before you finish your landscape design. Tile or stone around your outdoor kitchen for the ultimate in outdoor living.
[Need help with gas pipe installation for your gas grill connection? Quality 1st Plumbing can help you do the job right the first time.]
May
15
How To Install A Gas Fire Pit
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The days are getting longer here in Colorado. Which means most of us we’ll be spending more time outside
.
Even though Colorado days can be downright hot, the evenings can still cool down, and bring a chill to the air. Instead of heading indoors, start up your gas fire pit.
Gas and wood burning fire pits have increased in popularity over the past few years. Though there is a certain ambiance for an old fashioned wood burning fire pit, burning wood does release chemicals into the air, and runs the risk of setting other outdoor items on fire. A better alternative is a gas fire pit.
A gas fire pit can be as simple as a few stones placed in a circle, with the gas line in the middle protruding a few inches out of the ground. Fill in with gravel, and cover the burner with lava rock granules.
Or can be more complex, using concrete, stones, bricks and glass. Use your imagination, and make it an intricate part of your landscape or outdoor living room.
Wherever you decide to locate your fire pit, your main priority is hooking up the fire pit to the gas line. Your licensed plumber can help you make your project a reality. In addition to the pipeline, make sure you install a shut off valve within 3 feet of the fire pit.
Also check with your local ordinances and your homeowners association before building. It’s better to get full approval before you begin building, than have to tear down things after they’ve been built.
Anytime you are dealing with gas, remember safety is the key. Check with your plumber to verify his experience working with gas lines.
[Quality 1st Plumbing is your Colorado source for installing gas fire pits. Warm up your summer nights today.]
Feb
11
Maybe you’re thinking of 
redesigning your kitchen and upgrading your current appliances. Or maybe your range is many years old and is starting to give you trouble. How about converting from electric to gas, and taking advantage of the many things you can do with gas appliances?
About Electric Ranges
Electric ranges are built for convenience. They are a plug and cook appliance that is easy to turn on (no ignition system) and provides no hazard of live flames shooting up from the burner.
About Gas Ranges
For many people, gas is the preferred method for cooking. Gas gives you a much finer control over temperature, and makes it easy to move pots and pans from one burner to the next without waiting for them to heat up. They heat up quicker, cool faster, and allow you to cook even when you incur a power outage.
If you’ve always had electric and are considering a move to gas, it is necessary to make some modifications to your kitchen area. Because your range may not be near the gas line, the first thing you’ll have to do is locate the gas line, and lay pipe to the range area.
Working with your local plumbing contractor can ensure pipes are laid and connected correctly, avoiding serious problems with leaking gas lines in the future. This is not an easy do-it-yourself project. Because of the serious ramifications of working with gas, make sure you rely on an experienced plumber who understands and has worked with laying and working with gas lines in the past.
Feb
5
On the cold days of winter, a fireplace is just the thing to warm up those chilly nights.
Whether you’re converting a traditional fireplace to gas, or remodeling your home to include a gas
fireplace, a licensed plumber can help you make your project a reality.
First, select the model that’s right for you. There are dozens of different choices for gas fireplace
s, many which offer energy efficiency. Options to consider are a model that can be connected up to your ductwork to help heat your home, one with a direct vent for safety and efficiency, or using one with an automatic starter instead of a pilot light.
Then look for the most efficient and direct way of connecting your gas to your new fireplace. Your plumber can make suggestions on methods that will work best for your home layout. He may run a
line directly from the gas meter, or from the main pipe near the furnace.
Safety is key whenever you access a gas line. Check with your plumber to verify he has experience working with gas lines, and understands the complexity of adding new pipes and connecting to new sources.
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- Quality 1st Plumbing website - Quality 1st Plumbing website
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