Top 7 Benefits For Installing A Water Softening System In Your Home

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. However, data from the Virginia Cooperative Extension shows that approximately 85% of residential properties in the US use hard water. The problem with hard water is it contains high levels of minerals and metals such as magnesium, calcium, manganese, barium, zinc, iron, aluminum, and stromium that can cause a host of problems. With that in mind, here are seven benefits for installing a water-softening unit in your home:

1. Water Softeners Decrease Other Maintenance Issues

Hard water forms scales that gradually build up inside water pipes clogging them. This negatively affects the efficiency of water delivery and heating systems forcing homeowners to hire experts to perform maintenance checks and repairs frequently. Luckily, you can reduce the frequency of maintenance checks and repairs by installing a water softening system.

2. Soap Lathering

Soap does not lather well in hard water due to the presence of minerals. This means you will spend more time on cleaning tasks than you would when using soft water and end up using too much detergent than necessary. In fact, the Water Quality Association reckons that soft water reduces detergent use by 50%. Worse still, using too much soap will produce scum that will eventually clog your waste water pipes and this may force you to hire a plumber to fix the problem.

3. Appliance Lifetime

A study done by the Battelle Memorial Institute found that hard water reduces the lifetime of home appliances substantially. For instance, some electric water heaters tested in this study failed after just 1.6 years of exposure to hard water. Fortunately, you can easily solve this problem by installing a water softener in Emmaus, PA.

4. Efficiency Improvements

The Battelle Memorial Institute also found that hard water reduces the efficiency of appliances such as water heaters by 48%. On the other hand, soft water improves the efficiency of such appliances to the efficiency rating stated by the appliance manufacturer. At the same time, scale build up clogs drains, faucets and shower heads, thereby reducing their operating efficiency.

5. Lower Energy Bills

A water softener lowers the energy bill by improving the efficiency of water systems and appliances. Furthermore, water systems that do not clog regularly do not require frequent repairs, meaning their operational costs are relatively low.

6. Avoid Environmental Pollution

Soft water does not form scum and scales that pollute the environment. Additionally, cutting your energy consumption rate will not only translate to substantial savings over the long term, but also help conserve natural resources.

7. Easier Cleaning

Unlike hard water, soft water does not produce unsightly soap film and scum. This makes soft water ideal for some cleaning tasks such as washing clothes and utensils.

 

Conclusion

If you use hard water at home, consider purchasing and installing a water softening system. Some of the benefits of such a system include better soap lathering, fewer maintenance issues, lower energy bills, avoid environmental pollution, easier cleaning, efficiency improvements, and increase the lifetime of appliances such as electric water heaters. Hard water can majorly damage your home and can lead to costly plumbing repairs. Fortunately, water softeners will help prevent this. Get a  water softener installed in your home by contacting Robinson Plumbing. We can thoroughly address any questions or concerns that you might have prior to installation. Keep your household safe from the problems that hard water causes.  We offer plumbing services in Emmaus, PA and all surrounding towns. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

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Why Do I Need a Backflow Prevention Device

A backflow prevention device is important for the overall sustainability of a plumbing system whether you live in Alburtis, Emmaus or any other area of the Lehigh Valley. The EPA identifies a backflow prevention device as an absolute necessity. The reason that this type of device is essential is because of several things, like debris, contamination, or pressure. But you may be wondering how the aforementioned issues are related to this preventative device.

What Might Happen Without A Backflow Device?

You probably know that waste flows through designated pipes in your home, and clean water flows through designated pipes as well. Both of these systems are separated in different ways. One of the most common ways they are separated is by air gaps. But air gaps are not always reliable, and there are some highly-pressurized areas where an air gap simply cannot be installed. This is where a backflow device becomes a necessity. A lot of problems could arise with the constant flow of water in and out of your home. One incident that might disturb the delicate pressure in your water system is a water main bursting. This can cause a drop in pressure, which could lead to backflow. You might also lose pressure if your water pipes freeze or if several fire hydrants are opened at once. You do not want to lose pressure because this means contaminated water might flow backwards. That means clean water may get contaminated with waste, fecal matter, and other distasteful contaminants. It is this risk that makes installing a good backflow device essential for any homeowner, including yourself.

 

How Does The Backflow Device Actually Work?

The backflow device is complicated to understand, but it is important to know the basics of its operation. For example, under ideal conditions when the water pressure exceeds 2 psi, it is pushed through the upper chamber of the device and passes through easily. The psi should rise to 6, and when this happens, the first valve in the device is released to allow water into the mid-section. The second valve opens up once the mid-section is filled. You have to keep in mind that your device will read the water pressure 3 times because it is a 3-part system. The 3-part system is what makes the backflow device imperative. For example, the pressure between the device will equalize if the first valve detects debris. This means that water that seeps through the mid-section will simply fall through the relieve valve, since the pressure was not strong enough to fill the mid-section. Your device will immediately alarm you of the problem. The third chamber, the one that reads backflow pressure, is the one that might detect debris or waste. This valve will close, just like the first chamber did, should it detect harmful contaminants. The release valve will release any contaminants that flow through the system. This will protect your clean water supply or tank. You will also be alarmed of the problems so that your plumber can take action. Hopefully you can see that there are a few reasons you should have a backflow device installed in your home. It is an essential part of your water system. Get a  backflow prevention device installed in your home by contacting Robinson Plumbing. We can thoroughly address any questions or concerns that you might have prior to installation. Keep your household safe by preventing any potential backflow issues that can unexpectedly occur. We offer plumbing services in Alburtis, PA and all surrounding towns. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

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Tips For Finding A Plumber To Handle Sewer Line Repairs

Sewer line maintenance is important in ensuring proper functioning of the waste waste disposal system. Failure to properly maintain the sewer system can lead to back flow of waste water into the house. This will not only cause water damage, it will also make your home uninhabitable. In such cases, prompt sewer line repairs will be needed to bring the system back to normal operation.

Common Sewer Problems

Blockage: This is the most common type of problem affecting sewer lines. The problem normally occurs gradually as solid waste, such as ear swabs, bones, used condoms, hair follicles and toothpicks among others, accumulate inside the sewer pipes. The end result is blockage of the entire sewer system at home. Leakage: Signs of a leak include; a stinky smell around the affected area and growth of exceptionally green grass and plants due to an ample supply of nutrients. Leaks are usually due to broken joints and collapsed sewer lines. Settling, a frozen ground and shifting soil can also be blamed for the problem. Roots in the Sewer Line: Plants are usually after two things - water and nutrients. Both of these can be found in the sewer line. If there is a leak or the walls of the sewer lines are porous enough, roots from trees and plants around the sewer line will penetrate the walls and grow exponentially inside the pipe. After a couple of weeks, the pipe will be completely clogged by the roots, causing waste water back-flow in the house. Corroded Pipes: If the sewer system was constructed using pipes made from substandard materials, corrosion will soon lead to deterioration of the system. Eventually, the pipes will collapse, thereby preventing the system from carrying waste water away from the house. If your sewer system develops any of these problems, it is important you contact a reputable plumber for urgent sewer line repairs.

Finding A Great Plumber For Sewer Repairs

There are many qualified plumbers in the industry, but there are also quacks and unprofessional plumbers. Since you want to get value for your money on top of having the problem dealt with effectively, it makes sense to take your time to find the right plumber. In that regard, considering the following factors might be able to help you make an informed decision: Make Sure the Plumber is Licensed: Plumbing, like most professions, require practitioners to have a license. For this reason, the first thing to check when looking for a plumber is whether or not they are licensed. By choosing to work with licensed sewer line repair plumbers in Emmaus, PA, you can have peace of mind knowing the technician is professionally trained, has enough experience and has met the minimum requirements as set out in law. Get References and Read Reviews: The easiest way to learn about the quality of service offered by a plumber is to read reviews and testimonials online. You may also want to contact the plumber directly to ask for references. Compare Experience and Pricing: Experienced plumbing professionals are usually more competent than plumbers with less experience. Therefore, it is important you compare the experience of different plumbers before making a decision. Furthermore, you should obtain quotes from them and do a price comparison. Ideally, the most experienced plumber with the most competitive pricing should be hired. The last thing to check before hiring a plumber is whether or not the plumber offers a guarantee, such as a money back guarantee. The best plumbers normally offer guarantees. For any issues that you may be experiencing with your sewer line, contact Robinson Plumbing. We can address any questions or concerns that you might have on your sewer line repairs. What seems like a minor issue can quickly progress into a bigger one so  be sure to call us immediately. We offer plumbing services in Macungie, PA and all surrounding towns. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

Tips For Finding A Plumber To Handle Sewer Line Repairs originated at Robinson Plumbing

Top Tips For Replacing A Sump Pump

As with any other mechanical device, sump pumps are not immortal. They do wear out or malfunction at times. Since their purpose is to remove excess water from the basement or foundation of your house in Macungie or any other part of the Lehigh Valley that may experience water problems, the most likely time for you to discover that yours is not working properly is when you suddenly notice six inches of water in your home. This is another way of saying that most people ignore the recommendations about annual maintenance and test runs for the equipment. They simply assume that it will work when they need it to, and they are occasionally subject to a big surprise.

Things To Consider With Sump Pumps

In any event, let's assume that you need to replace an inoperative sump pump. There are a number of things to keep in mind if you choose to perform this work yourself. The first and most important one is to remember that a sump pump is an electric motor that sits in a pool of water. Before you do anything else, pull the plug, trip the breaker, and make triple sure that there is no power leading to your presumably dead appliance before you do anything else. Need a simple guide on how a sump pump works? Click here. Next, take a lot of pictures of the installation as it currently exists. Make sure you get multiple well-lit angles on everything. Professionals know exactly what part goes where on a sump pump but you might end up with a pile of parts and no memory of how they all went back together. Of course you can figure it out given time, but make it easy on yourself and record what every part of it looks like before you remove it or start unbolting stuff. The only really hard part of removing a sump pump is getting the assembly loose from the pipe that drains the water out of your home. In most cases, there should be a check valve, which is sort of a bronze metal thing screwed into the middle of the outlet pipe. Unscrewing the pipe may be possible at this location, If it is not, it is usually easier to simply saw cleanly across the plastic pipe somewhere just above this valve. Later on, after reassembly, you can install a pipe sleeve, which is simply a plain round collar that slips over the pipe and is glued into place, to put it all back together again. Once you have your old pump out, the easiest thing to do is to take the old one to a plumbing supply house or lumber yard and ask for an exact duplicate of the one you have. This makes it a lot easier to put everything back together again.

When To Call A Professional Plumber

If you find that your current pump may not be the right size for your needs, or that no exact substitute is available, you may be getting into a little more than the average homeowner can easily take care of themselves. At this point, it may be better to consult with a licensed plumber. He can perform the necessary flow and square-footage calculations, check that your sump pit is draining properly, and ensure that it is not a shocking experience when you plug it back in. Sometimes a professional is the best and only person to handle a sump pump replacement in Macungie, PA.  

  For any issues that you may be experiencing with your sump pump replacement, be sure to contact Robinson Plumbing. We can address any questions or concerns that you might have. Sump pumps may seem easy to install but they can be trickier than what you might expect. We offer plumbing services in Macungie, PA and all surrounding towns. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

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