Water Filter VS. Water Purifier! Which One To Choose?

Many cities around the world are doing a great job as far as water treatment is concerned. However, the water they supply still contains impurities and chemicals that contaminate water, making it unsuitable for drinking, cooking, bathing or even washing clothes. It is advisable that homeowners in Emmaus, PA and surrounding areas install a water conditioning system, such as a water filter, since the water in the area has a hardness level of 14-20 grains per gallon which is considered very hard. Regardless, homeowners in general should install water treatment systems in their homes to help improve the quality of water that they use. The best way to do this is through installation of whole house water filters.

Common Types Of Water Contaminants

Hard water contains toxic metals, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, chromium and barium among others. In some places, water may contain radioactive elements due to radioactive decay of uranium in the soil or rocks. Hard water also contains microbial pathogens, which can cause diseases. They include; parasites, viruses and bacteria among others. Due to environmental pollution, water may also have chemicals, such as Trihalomethanes, which are produced when the chlorine in treated water combines with organic matter. Fungicides, pesticides, herbicides and insecticides are also common water pollutants. The main contaminants in hard water are calcium and magnesium salts, which build up in water supply pipes and can cause lime deposits to form in appliances.

Water Purifiers VS. Water Filters

Many homeowners do not know the difference between a water filter and a water purifier. Most of them think water purifiers are better than water filters. After all, purification sounds like a more thorough process than simple filtration. To make a well-informed decision, homeowners need to know the difference between the two.

Water Filters

Water filters are designed to remove all manner of contaminants, including; hydrogen sulfide, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, mercury, magnesium, chlorine, iron and more. A decent filter can remove all these impurities or at the very least reduce their concentration. Water filters can also prevent microbial pathogens from developing any further. The good news is that viruses and bacteria, among other types of pathogens can easily be dealt with at the municipals water treatment plant, and the chances of further contamination along the water supply pipes is minimal.

Water Purifiers

Water purifiers differ from water filters in that they remove all microbial pathogens from water. After passing through the water purifier, water will be free from biological contaminants and viruses. However, water purifiers cannot remove chemical contaminants, which are the most harmful. Chemical contaminants are the main concern today due to all the water pollution arising from misuse of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides as well as discharge of industrial waste into rivers and lakes.

 

How To Protect Your Family

To ensure your family gets cleaning water to drink, bath, wash dishes, cook and do the laundry, you may want to consider installing a whole house water filter. The filtration system should be installed at the main water entry point to the house. This means all the water that comes out of your faucets, shower heads, toilet flush or gets into the laundry machine will be free of chemical contaminants. As a result, you will have healthier skin, long lasting clothing and extended lifespan of household appliances that use water. If the city's or municipals water treatment system malfunctions, you can be assured of getting clean water in your home. Having a water filter in your home will majorly impact the health of you and your loved ones. Water is used for cooking, bathing, washing clothes, and most importantly, drinking. A whole house water filtration system can give you the peace of mind that your water is clean. For any questions that you may have on water filters or for any plumbing problems, be sure to contact Robinson Plumbing. We can get your water to be clean and healthy. Our plumbing services are offered in Emmaus, Macungie, Alburtis, Pennsylvania and all of the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The article "Water Filter VS. Water Purifier! Which One To Choose?" was originally released on Robinson Plumbing

Does Your Home Waste Too Much Water?

Many homeowners are pleasantly surprised that making their homes a little more earth friendly also translates into savings. One way that homeowners can reduce their household costs is by being aware of the water use and how to reduce wasted water. There are many ways that water is used unnecessarily. The average shower time is 8.2 minutes, which uses approximately 17.2 gallons of water. A long shower may be relaxing, but a long one can use more water than necessary. You can cut your shower time down by turning the water off when you are soaping up. There are other areas in your home that might be wasting water and you might not even notice them. Robinson Plumbing, a local plumbing services company, recently conducted some maintenance work on a home in Whitehall, PA. The homeowner was astounded at how much her water bill had been reduced just by changing out some of her old plumbing fixtures.

Pay Attention Plumbing Leaks

You may have a leaky faucet or toilet that you may not be aware of. These issues are often overlooked because they do not cause a noticeable problem, but they can waste a lot of water. Once you fix any plumbing leaks, you will definitely notice it in your water bill. Research shows that leaks that go unnoticed, or are not repaired by a trusted plumber, can contribute to one trillion gallons of wasted water a year. You can talk to your plumber to find out if you have a leaky faucet or other compartment. You can also look for some of the following signs:

• One of the easiest signs to look out for is water dripping from a faucet.
• There is a chance that the walls in your home might develop signs of mold. These will appear to be dark stains on your walls. Or you may begin to smell mold without seeing a source.
• Water coming from somewhere within your walls could also damage the paint on the walls or the wall paper.
• Check your water bill for an increase of water usage, which could indicate that there is a water leak somewhere in the system.

Talk to your plumber as soon as you notice any of these signs so that he can get to the bottom of the problem.

What Can Be Done About Water Conservation?

Conserving water is an important concern, especially now that many experts say that the ecological state of the world is in jeopardy. One thing you can do is make sure you water your lawn at the right time. You do not want to water your lawn in extreme heat because the water will just evaporate. And you do not want to water the lawn when the air is strong. Evaporation will simply force you to use more water to get the same results. Strong winds will blow the water away before it can effectively provide enough water for your lawn. You can also consider harvesting water. This is a practice that uses rain barrels to collect rain water, which can be later used for whatever needs you may have. You can find these barrels at your local home improvement store or online.

Talk to a plumbing expert about other things you can do to preserve water. Water conservation not only benefits the Earth but it benefits your bank account. When you see water leaks or have any plumbing problems, be sure to contact Robinson Plumbing. We can get your plumbing system to be water efficient. Our plumbing services are offered in Whitehall, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas that are located within the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

Does Your Home Waste Too Much Water? originated at www.RobinsonPlumbing.com

The Risks Of Putting Off Plumbing Repairs

Virtually all homeowners will encounter plumbing issues at some point in time while they own their property. Plumbing problems tend to develop slowly over time. They start out as small leaks and minor clogs. Many homeowners choose to ignore these problems thinking that they will go away on their own. Some comfort themselves with the thought that such trivial inconveniences do not affect their quality of life. Others simply do not wish to spend time, money, and effort fixing things as more pressing matters are on their minds. This mindset can prove to be detrimental in the long run. Robinson Plumbing, a professional plumbing services contractor that works in Alburtis, PA and surrounding areas, has encountered many homes that exemplify this. These homes had, what was once, a simple plumbing issue that became a nightmare by the time that the problem was actually addressed. This article discusses the importance of tackling these issues immediately.

Neglecting Plumbing Repairs Lead To Higher Costs

If neglect continues, then the problem will only get worse with time. Things will be much more expensive to fix after the situation has deteriorated. Leaks that produced drops will someday have holes big enough for water to gush out at an alarming level. This can even lead to indoor flooding especially if the structure has a basement. The plumbing issue will then be compounded with other concerns. It is far better to apply a remedy at the first instance that you have noticed trouble brewing rather than wait for an escalation that will force you to take action.

Water Leaks = Property Damage

Water is a highly persistent substance. Any leakage will mean that moisture will be present in areas that are not designed to cope with it. For instance, the water can make its way into the flooring and cause wood to warp or decay. Carpets may start to give off a foul smell because of mold growth across the fibers. Excess moisture can even make its way down to the foundation where it can wreak havoc on the structure. After a while, the weakened based might not be able to support the weight causing the house to tilt ever so slightly to one side. Cracks on the wall and the floor are major warning signs.

Development Of Serious Health Hazards

Aside from structural and financial concerns, homeowners will have to contend with health hazards if they continue to ignore their faulty plumbing system. Excess moisture created a fertile breeding ground for unwanted microorganisms. Mold growth, for instance, can spread across the walls. Spores released into the air can trigger an allergic reaction and other respiratory difficulties. If some of those in the faily already have pre-existing conditions, then this should not be taken lightly. Be vigilant in checking for leaks, clogs, and other plumbing issues. Take swift action to prevent health hazards from developing. Plumbing repairs are not as expensive now as they will be if you lag. Once the problem becomes a bigger issue (that you will eventually have to deal with), it will be more time consuming and expensive. Always hire a professional to do the job. Unless you are an experienced plumber, what may seem like a simple plumbing repair sometimes end up being more than what you might realize. Experienced plumbers can remedy the situation within hours and ensure that the issue does not recur in a long time. They have the tools and the skills required for a rapid resolution. Don't hesitate to call them right away. When you have plumbing problems, be sure to contact Robinson Plumbing. Keep your household safe from the problems that water damage causes by calling us today.  We offer plumbing services in Alburtis, Pennsylvania and all surrounding areas within the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The post, The Risks Of Putting Off Plumbing Repairs, was first published on http://www.RobinsonPlumbing.com/

How To Maintain Your Sump Pump

One of the most effective tools for preventing water damage in a building is the sump pump. When water from a water heater leaks or drains in the upper levels of the house get clogged, water will find its way into the basement. During the rainy season, floodwater can also find its way into your home and accumulate in the basement before flooding in other parts of the building occurs. In all these cases, you can prevent water damage in your home by turning on the pump and pumping out all freestanding water from the basement. Like all other machines, they should be checked and maintained on a regular basis to ensure they are always operational. When your sump pump fails to work, it is always advisable to have a sump pump repair in Whitehall, PA or similar areas that have lots of precipitation. This guarantees that when the time arrives for it to perform , it will do its job.

How A Sump Pump Works

A sump pump is a submersible pump mounted in a pit on the floor of the basement. The pump is powered by an electric motor which is automatically turned on and off by a float switch. This float switch is pushed up and down by water in the pit. Most units also come with flood alarms, which are usually battery powered. When there is flooding in the basement due to snow melt, flooding rainwater, or backed up drains, the pump is turned on automatically and pumps water from the pit to the outside. It pumps the water far away from the foundation of the building so that it does not reenter your home. Once all the water has been removed from the pit, the pump turns off automatically. Routine maintenance is needed to ensure that both the switching and water removal mechanisms work flawlessly.

Maintaining Your Sump Pump

Although they are usually incredibly reliable,your pump can still fail if they are not properly cared for. If the pump fails to remove water from the basement, the foundation of your home can be severely damaged. Fixing the water damage will be a costly process, which most homeowners' insurance policies may not cover. To prevent your basement from flooding and getting damaged, you may want to consider the following maintenance procedures:

Keep It Clean

Every once in a while, you should remove the pump from the pit and clean the pit. Remove any objects, such as stones and sticks, that may be around the pit or inside it. Be sure to also get rid of any mud which may have accumulated in the pit. This should be done at least twice a year.

 Run Occasional Tests

You do not have to wait until your basement starts flooding to check to see if your pump works. Ideally, you should pour a bucket of clean water into the pit to see if the pump will start automatically. If it doesn't, you should take a closer look at the pump, particularly the float component. If necessary, have the pump serviced by a professional. If the pump turns on automatically, check the outlet/discharge pipe to ensure it is not clogged or frozen. Remember to also check the vent hole in the discharge pipe to ensure it is always clear.

Routine Inspections

If your pump has a back up power supply, turn of the pump's circuit breaker and pour a bucket of water into the pit. If the pump does not turn on, your back up power supply may have a problem. In such cases, be sure to call in a professional to take a look at it. Remember to also replace the batteries in the unit every two to three years. The key to having a properly functioning sump pump lies in routine inspections. If you notice a problem, have it fixed immediately. This will ensure that you do not have any issues with it when the time comes for it to perform.

  Water can majorly damage your home and can lead to costly water damage repairs. A sump pump can prevent this from happening. Like all machines, it does need maintenance and occasionally, you will need a sump pump repair. When you need a sump pump installation, repair, or any other plumbing services, be sure to contact Robinson Plumbing. Keep your household safe from the problems that water damage causes by getting your pump today.  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!

How To Maintain Your Sump Pump originated at Robinson Plumbers

Common Problems With Well Pumps

Robinson Plumbing has seen all types of problems with well pumps in Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown and other areas in the Lehigh Valley. Well pumps provide households with a cheap alternative water source. These enable people in the countryside to get fresh and clean water from the ground. They run on electricity and tend to last for a long time. Of course, this doesn't mean that everything will be trouble-free all the time. There are certain common problems with well pumps that homeowners should watch out for. Learn more about each of these so that you can resolve them immediately if you encounter them in your own setup.  Some of the more common well pump problems that we see are highlighted in this article.

The Submersible Well Pump Is Not Working

You might turn on the faucet and find that nothing comes out at all. Check the pump to see if it is working or not. This should be fairly easy to discern due to the silence of the motor. It is likely to be a power issue. Inspect the switch as well as the connection to ensure that everything is in order. Recall if there has been any power surge or similar incidents that might have caused the circuits to trip. Have it repaired by an electrician or a well pump specialist to turn the situation around.

Very Little Water Is Coming Out Of The Faucet

Sometimes there is water but the quantity is barely able to fill a glass. This might be a symptom of different things such as a leak in the system, a worn out pump, slime build-up, scale formation inside the plumbing fixtures, and collapse of well casing. Whether the problem suddenly arose or slowly crept up provides a clue as to the culprit. Drought must be considered as well during the summer months. Conservation of the precious resources becomes even more important. If the nearby neighbors are also using a well pump, then the problem might be due to well interference.

The Water Quality Has Degraded

There are cases wherein the quantity is not an issue but the quality is. Discoloration is a common concern. So is foul smell and bad taste. People are not keen on drinking liquid with these characteristics for obvious reasons. The cause must be quickly identified and dealt with to return to normalcy. One of the possible causes is over-pumping in which the current flow rate is higher than what is actually recommended. Sediments eventually appear in the water. It could also be due to improper well design, poor construction techniques, holes due to corrosion, and contamination.

The Electric Bills Are Unusually High

Homeowners are sometimes shocked when they open their electric bill statement. Their consumption suddenly shot through the roof and their bills have soared along with it. This can be traced to different devices around the house including faulty thermostats, freezers, and well pumps. The pump may have been working 24/7 in order to keep the pressure at a good level. Even pinhole leaks can trigger this as they will force the pump to cycle on and off with greater frequency than usual. The leak must be plugged to get things back to normal.

  Be sure to get your submersible well pump fixed as soon as you suspect that there is a problem with it.  Robinson Plumbing has had a lot of experience with well pump maintenance and well pump repairs. If you have seen any of the above signs be sure to give us a call so we can thoroughly address any questions or concerns that you might have. Keep your household running as it should.  We offer plumbing services in Easton, PA and all surrounding towns. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

Common Problems With Well Pumps is property of Robinson Plumbing