Aug
26
It may be 100 degrees right now, but the snow will be flying soon enough here in Colorado.
The winter season is possibly the most stressful time of the year for a home’s plumbing. Between cold temperatures, snow, and ice, and an influx of family and friends during the holiday season, pipes and drains are put to the test for weeks on end. It is important to know a few tricks and tips before the beginning of the season, and to have a trusted plumber to work with.
To avoid clogs, most plumbers will give you easily usable advice for general use and for when company is in town. For one, a water heater should be turned up somewhat, and showers should be taken throughout the day instead of back-to-back to conserve hot water. Never put items down a drain that should not be there. It almost goes without saying, but items like cotton in toilets or skins, peels, or cooking oils in a kitchen disposer lead to clogs more often than not. These tips will save headaches and allow for a peaceful season.
The biggest threat to plumbing in the winter is pipes freezing. To lessen this threat, it is important to insulate water pipes as a cautionary measure. For pipes in areas where they will be at the hands of the weather this is crucial and necessary, and if there are pipes that will sit unused, all water should be drained from them to neutralize any threat. Keeping pipes somewhat exposed inside a house by opening doors or cabinets to allow heat to reach them is also a simple prevention tip.
Local, trustworthy plumbers are now easy to find with the help of the internet, and it is always a good idea to have one do a walk-through before the winter begins to go over precautionary measures and make sure that important steps have been taken to keep pipes flowing through the season.
May
28
You found a great deal on the clearance rack of the big box store – a new bathroom faucet for a very low price. Is it a good deal? Or is it just a problem waiting to happen?
For some products, it just doesn’t pay to skimp and look for big savings. With faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures you’ll be using every day, its important to go for quality. You may save money in the beginning, but when you have to repair and replace on a quicker timetable, your ultimate cost will be much higher over time.
Whether you’re building a new home, remodeling your old one, or simply making a few changes to a room, buy with quality and longevity in mind. The same applies to a good plumber as well. They should always be knowledgeable in products and services, and give you advice on how to get the best quality for your money today, and for the future.
Don’t stop with your faucets and showerheads. Use the same philosophy on all of your appliances and fixtures.
- Toilets
- Washer and dryer
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
- Furnace – air conditioner
- Water heater
Each of these items is put to use daily, and sometimes under the harshest conditions, including extreme cold and heat. Don’t rely on a good price in an ad at the big box store. Instead, check with your local plumber, and do a little research online. If you continue to see problem after problem with a brand or product, choose something else. It’ll save you time and headaches down the road.
Dec
17
Hot Water Boilers
Filed Under Plumbing Tips | 1 Comment
A hot water boiler is an appliance that heats and uses water to provide heat throughout the home. Once the water is hot, it distributes the water throughout the home via pipes, and radiates heat into the rooms with either a steel or cast iron radiator, or baseboard convectors. Hot water boilers can be fueled by natural gas, propane, or oil. Oil burners typically require more attention and maintenance than their gas burning counterparts.
While a hot water boiler system is more
complex than a standard forced air furnace, it typically is more reliable and has fewer problems overall. When problems do arise, they usually relate to the expansion tank or water circulator pump, all which can be easily fixed by your reputable plumber.
The expansion tank must be properly charged with air in order to run properly. If you touch the expansion tank, the bottom should feel hotter than the top. If not, the tank has too much water, and should be drained of excess water. The system will recharge in a few hours after it is refilled to the proper levels.
The water circulator pump will cause leaks around the boiler unit when the pump starts to fail, you have a faulty pressure relief valve, or you have a leaky water pipe connection. In most cases you will need to have your plumber fix the problem. It could be as simple as cleaning out sediment and replacing a valve, to repairing pipes and connectors.
Just like more traditional furnaces, hot water heaters, and other appliances in your home, having regular scheduled preventative maintenance every year can keep your boiler system in top shape, and keep you warm all winter long.
Nov
5
Once again the holidays are upon us. And with the holidays means more time at home, cooking for family and friends, dinner parties and potlucks.
With extra cooking and more time at home means more potential for problems you’re your plumbing.
Here are 7 Plumbing Tips to help you avoid problems this holiday season.
1. With more guests in your home brings more food being cooked and potentially being disposed of. With extra helping of food, throw it directly into the garbage instead of down the garbage disposal. Too much food at one time can clog the disposal and drain pipes, backing up your system at 
inconvenient times.
2. Use plenty of water when using the garbage disposal. Turn the water on a few seconds before using the disposal, and leave it run a few seconds after its clear to ensure food and waste is through the system.
3. Be especially careful about putting certain types of foods down the garbage disposal. Check out our 10 Worst Things To Put In Garbage Disposal for a great list on what to avoid any time of the year, and especially now with more traffic in your home.
4. With overnight guests in your home, and family members home more due to vacations, turn up your water heater slightly to have more hot water available. To have hot water available instantly any time you choose, you may want to invest in a hot water circulation system.
5. Keep a trashcan in plain site in both the bathrooms and kitchen to avoid flushing small items that can be hazardous for the pipes.
6. Use cold water for washing machines to conserve hot water for showers. Run washers, dishwashers and other appliances early morning or late in the evening to avoid competition for the hot water supply.
7. Keep a plunger ready for backups in the kitchen or bathroom. Don’t wait for complete backups – solve the problem quickly to avoid a bigger problem down the road. Even little clogs can become full blown problems quickly without immediate action. Call your plumber immediately if backups don’t seem to disappear, or if you have reoccurring problems within a short amount of time. It’s easier to fix small problems quickly than to deal with larger problems at inopportune times.
Sep
24
With cold mornings upon us and snow on the way, winter will soon be here. Here are 8 plumbing tips for winterizing your home.
1. Clear water from outside pipes. Now is the time to begin draining outside sprinkler systems. Blow out the pipes to your automatic system. Detach garden hoses and store
for the season. Fully insulate any exposed outdoor water fixtures. Fix tiny leaks in the system now so they don’t cause burst pipes and larger problems as the area starts freezing.
2.Check the outside foundation. Rake away leaves and pull up dead plants. Look for signs of accumulating water, which could be leaks in water or sewage piping.
3. Clean and inspect your water heater. Clear out any sediment built up over the summer months.
4. Prevent plumbing freezes before they happen. Insulate any exposed pipes along outside walls. If you leave your home on vacation, keep the heat to at least 55 degrees.
5. Install low flow showerheads. Long, warm showers are more common in the winter months. By replacing showerheads with water saving fixtures, you can enjoy longer showers while saving water too.
6. Install a hot water circulation system. Instead of sending gallons of wasted water down the drain every day, start out hand washings and showers with instant hot water.
7. It’s not too late to take advantage of area rebate programs. Denver, Castle Rock, Aurora and Colorado Springs are still running their rebate programs for installing low flow toilets.
Aug
27
Plumbing Trivia – 7 Fun Facts
Filed Under Plumbing Tips | Leave a Comment
1. Why are manhole covers in the U.S. 
round instead of square?
A round manhole cover cannot fall through its circular opening, whereas a square manhole cover could be turned diagonally and fall through. Circular manhole covers are also easier to place back into original position, and do not need to be rotated for alignment.
2. The word “plumber” is derived from the Latin word for lead – Plumbum. Lead use to be the primary material used in the creation of pipeworks used to carry water into cities and towns, before it was found to be a cumulative poison.
3. Who invented the modern toilet?
The flush toilet we use today came from a variety of inventions throughout history. In 1596, Sir John Harington invented a design that had a flush valve to let water out of the tank and wash-down design to empty out the bowl. In the 1880s, Thomas Crapper’s plumbing company built flush toilets and received a royal warrant. He popularized the siphon system for emptying the tank, and replaced the earlier floating valve system, which was prone to leaks.
4. Who invented the shower?
While rudimentary showers can be found throughout India, Egypt and Mesopotamia, the first real shower was invented by the Greeks around 300 B.C. Ancient Greek athletes would freshen up within the Stadiums using a piped in water supply that would spray down through showerheads shaped like the faces of boars and lions.
5.Hot water can be one of the most dangerous things in your home. At 120°F, 49°C, it would take 10 minutes to burn skin. At 125°F, 52°C, it would take 2 minutes to burn skin. At 140°F, 60°C, it would take 6 seconds to burn skin. At 150°F, 66°C, it would take 2 seconds to burn skin.
6. One of the biggest myths is on the direction the water in the toilet bowl swirls. Contrary to popular belief, the direction of the swirling water doesn’t depend on whether the toilet lies in the northern or southern hemisphere. Instead, the direction the water takes depends on the direction that the bowl’s rim jets are pointed. The water can be made to flush in either direction in either hemisphere.
7. Who’s the most recognizable plumber in the world?
Mario, the Italian-American plumber who lives in the Mushroom Kingdom. He is one of the most famous characters in video game history.
Aug
20
While garbage disposals are one of the most frequently used items in the kitchen, it may be easy to overlook how to keep it in top shape. Here’s a look at 10 things to avoid sending down the drain.
1. Vegetable peelings
If you are peeling a 
bunch of potatoes or carrots, place them in your garbage instead of sending them down the disposal. The peels in excess can gum up on the blades and in the pipes, backing up the system.
2. Fruit pits
Cherry pits, peach pits, nectarine pits – any type of fruit that has a hard, middle seed.
3. Celery stalks
Celery is string-fibrous and can produce the same affect as vegetable peelings. Avoid sending celery down in excess.
4. Fats and grease
Fats and grease will adhere to the pipes over time, creating backups and clogged pipes.
5. Pasta
Starchy substances will stick to both the blades and the pipes. In excess, pasta can quickly cause backups.
6. Rice
Rice is similar to pasta, and will cause backup when put down the disposal in excess.
7. Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds in excess can act in a similar manner to rice and pasta, clogging up both the blades and the pipes.
8. Paper, plastic, glass
Avoid sending down paper such as coffee filters, or bits of packaging as you are taking items out of their wrappers.
9. Egg shells
The pieces of shell can linger in the pipes and eventually cause a clog.
10. Shells from shellfish or bones
Bones from items like chicken, or shells from shellfish can break off and get caught in the blades.
May
7
Even just a few short years ago, plumbing was a lot about 
guess work. If you had a problem with a sewer line, you used a snake to clean out the pipe. Then you took the wait-and-see approach to determine if you fixed the problem, or if it would be a reoccurring issue.
With today’s technology, plumbers now take the guesswork out of the problem.
Instead of relying on a hunch, a plumber can now use a camera to see where the problem lies, how bad it is, and what it will take to fix it. Using a snake like device with an infrared camera on the tip, a plumber feeds the tube down into the interior of the pipe. Through the camera feed, he can determine what the problem is and the best method of fixing it. Best of all, the camera should be able to indicate exactly where the problem is, reducing the time and cost of digging and searching out the infected areas.
While the infrared camera feed is a great tool to help you save time and money, make sure you rely on a professional plumber for a complete analysis. A reputable plumber will be honest with the information he finds, and will provide you with the best ways to correct the situation and improve it from further damage.
[Quality 1st Plumbing stands behind all of its work. They’ll be there on time, or give you an instant $25 discount. And they’ll solve your problem, or there’s no charge (conditions apply).]
Apr
3
Fixing A Leaky Faucet
Filed Under Plumbing Fixtures, Plumbing Tips | 1 Comment
A faucet that drips just once per minute will 
waste over 4 gallons of water every month, and over 52 gallons per year.
While once per minute may not seem like much, its easy to see how it adds up over time.
Faucets come in two different designs, washer-type or compression, and washerless.
To repair a washer-type faucet, first turn off the water supply either through the shutoff valve beneath the fixture, or at the main shutoff valve for the house water supply. Take the faucet apart. Washer type faucets work with a rubber washer that closes onto a metal washer seat. This rubber washer can harden or worn, causing the faucet to leak. Check for signs of damage and replace if necessary. Another common cause of leakage is the stem of the faucet. If the threads are badly corroded or worn, it may be time to replace it.
A leak in a washerless faucet usually means the faucet needs replacing. It is a sign that the parts aren’t working properly, and simply need to be replaced. In some cases, a prepackaged repair kit may be available, depending on the type and style of faucet you have.
If you have noticed a leak, finding the time to fix the problem can also be a chore. A plumber can assist you in finding the problem. Or if you’ve purchased a new faucet, and can’t find the time to install it, a plumber can have it quickly installed for you.
Mar
13
Whether you’ve been following our blog since the beginning, or just recently found us, we’re dedicated to helping you with all your plumbing needs.
Here’s a second look at some of our top blog posts:
New Faucets and a Tankless Hot Water Heater – Bathroom Remodel Can Add To Your Resale
Hot Water Instantly – Two Ways To Save in Your Next Shower
Simple Things To Do At Home To See How Efficient You Are
Drain Cleaning: Knowing when to call a professional
Do It Yourself Plumbing Projects – What To Do When It Goes Wrong
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