Sunday, January 31, 2016

Emmaus Plumbing Contractor Talks About Plumbing Problems Homeowners Should Know About

A modern home is not complete without a working plumbing system. When the system is working properly, you may not think much about the system. When the plumbing breaks down, however, you cannot think about anything else other than how frustrating the faulty plumbing has made your life. Since plumbing is something homeowners and renters will have for eternity, it is important for everyone to learn how plumbing systems work, the main components and common plumbing problems to expect.

Emmaus Plumbers See Backed Up Kitchen Sinks Often

image of homeowner in Emmaus who needs a plumbing contractorThis is perhaps the most common plumbing problem in any home. When your kitchen sink drain pipe gets clogged, dirty water will not drain away. Instead, the sink will be filled up if you keep the water running. In many cases, this problem is caused by poor disposal of solid waste. If you allow small food particles, such as rice grains and shredded vegetables, to run down your kitchen sink drain, you can expect your drain to get clogged. The most important tool for solving this problem is a plunger, so every homeowner should have one. Since oils and greases which may have solidified can also be blamed for the clogging, pouring hot water into the drain and plunging can free up the clog.

A Continuously Running Toilet

If your toilet keeps running even after the tank is full, you may be losing a lot of water, which will also lead to a significant increase in your water bills. This may be due to a damaged flapper. The water level setting might also be higher than the overflow. All you need to do is check the water level setting and adjust it accordingly. Be sure to also inspect the condition of the flapper and the seals to decide whether a replacement is needed.

Lehigh Valley Common Plumbing Problems: Leaking Pipes

Poor installation, wear and tear due to old age as well as physical damage due to impact are common causes of water leaks. Some leaking pipes may be visible while others may be hidden within the wall or floor. The latter can only be fixed by a professional plumber. If you can see the leaking section of a pipe, all you need to plug the leak is a sheet or rubber and a sleeve clamp. wrap the rubber sheet over the leaking section and tightening it in place with a sleeve clamp. You can use the same technique to fix a leaking dishwasher drain pipe.

Clogged Shower Head

If your shower head does not produce a great spray because some holes are clogged, this may be a sign that your water supply may contain a lot of minerals. To fix the problem, use an old toothbrush and warm vinegar to remove the mineral deposits clogging the tiny holes and install a water softener to remove excess minerals from your water supply. It is important to note that there are many plumbing problems the average homeowner can deal with effectively, but there are also others which can only be dealt with by an experienced and well-equipped plumber. If you think you cannot deal with a problem effectively, do not hesitate to call a plumber.
  If you have any questions on a plumbing issues that you might be experiencing, be sure to give us a call.  Robinson Plumbing can assist you with any plumbing questions that you might have as well as address any of your plumbing needs. Robinson Plumbing services Emmaus, PA and all surrounding areas. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The following blog post Emmaus Plumbing Contractor Talks About Plumbing Problems Homeowners Should Know About was first published to http://www.RobinsonPlumbing.com/

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Emmaus Plumbers : 4 Reasons That You Should Not Use Liquid Drain Cleaners

clogged toiletMost homeowners don't think about their plumbing very often. As long as the water is flowing freely down the drain, it is not a concern. When the drains become clogged, however, problems can arise. When the kitchen drain is clogged, it can make washing dishes and doing regular household chores difficult. When the drain in the bathtub is clogged, it can make showering difficult, and in some cases, impossible. Finally, if the toilet is clogged, it can make life at home very inconvenient.

They Can Damage The Pipes

When many homeowners have clogged drains, before they contact a plumber, they will use a liquid drain cleaner. These products claim to clear the drains safely and quickly, with no need to call a plumber. What many homeowners don't know, is that liquid drain cleaners can be very harmful. Liquid drain cleaners use highly corrosive, caustic chemicals to dissolve whatever is causing the clog. For smaller clogs, these products can work fairly well. For larger clogs, the liquid can sit in the pipe and eat eat away at them. The main problem is that you don't know how large or small the clog actually is. Even if the liquid drain cleaner is not left sitting in the pipes, it can still do damage.

Cracked Toilets

The chemicals used in liquid drain cleaners are meant to heat up when the in use. This is what helps to dissolve whatever is causing the clog. If a toilet is clogged and it cannot be flushed, the chemicals will sit at the bottom of the toilet bowl, causing the heated liquid to crack the porcelain. This can make what would have been an inexpensive plumbing job into an expensive toilet replacement.

They Contain Dangerous Chemicals

Today, more and more families are trying to be more health conscious. They are eating organic and using homemade house cleaners rather than man made chemicals. Liquid drain cleaners contain many dangerous chemicals. If a family is trying to avoid exposure to chemicals, they should avoid liquid drain cleaners altogether. Also, these products can pose a serious poison threat to children when left in the house.

They Aren't Guaranteed To Work

When a homeowner has a clogged drain or clogged toilet, and they contact a plumber, they can be sure that the clog will be removed. Most plumbers will use a snake to push the clog through the drain to allow the water to flow freely. Some plumbers will use a camera to get a good look at the clog before they snake it through the drain. Most plumbers can guarantee results when unclogging a drain. Unfortunately, liquid drain cleaners cannot be guaranteed to work. Many of the name brand drain cleaners on the market are very expensive. If a homeowner purchases a drain cleaner and it doesn't work, it is the same thing as throwing the money out the window. If a homeowner has a clogged drain, they should avoid using dangerous, damaging liquid drain cleaners. When they hire a plumber, they can be sure that the clog will be cleared, and the toilet and pipes will not be damaged.
  If you have any questions on clogged drains, be sure to give us a call.  Robinson Plumbing can assist you with any plumbing questions that you might have as well as address any of your plumbing needs. Robinson Plumbing servicing Emmaus PA and all surrounding areas. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

Similar news items can be viewed at: www.RobinsonPlumbing.com/

Friday, January 22, 2016

Emmaus Plumbing Tip: How To Maintain Your Water Heater To Prolong Replacement

Your water heater does a lot of work for you. It provides warm baths, clean clothes and sparkling silverware. You cannot enjoy all these things without paying some attention to your heater. If you want to get the best out of your water heater, you have to give it the special treatment it deserves. Below are some things you can do to prolong replacement and make your water heater work effectively.

 

Keep An Eye On The Valve

The temperature-pressure relief valve is vital to the health of your water heater. Test this valve annually and while you are doing this, look out for small leaks from the valve. Check this valve by quickly discharging it two or three times. This helps you spot potential problems and take action before a serious problem occurs.

Examine The Sacrificial Anode Rod

Loosen the hex head screw of your sacrificial anode rod and remove it. Take a close look at the rod and replace it f you notice any of the following things.
  • The rod is less than half an inch thick
  • 5-7 inches of core steel wire is exposed
  • The rod has a coat of calcium

Why The Sacrificial Anode Rod Matters

This rod protects your water heater and makes it function effectively. Remember that without this rod, hot water can shorten the life of the tank by corroding it. Examine the anode rod at least once a year and you will save a lot of money. Remember, it is easier and cheaper to replace a used up rod than to have a water heater replacement in Emmaus, PA.

Flush The Tank

Flushing sediment and debris from your tank a few times a year improves heater function and longevity. Just turn off the cold water supply and use a garden hose to drain the valve. Observe the water as it runs into a bucket. If the water is not clear, drain the tank repeatedly until the water is clear.

Adjust The Thermostat

Adjust your thermostat to 120 degrees and you will enjoy two great advantages. First, you reduce the risk of scalding and you lower energy costs. In fact, every 10 degrees reduction in temperature saves you as much as 5% in energy costs.

Insulation Keeps You Safe

If you are using older units, you need to insulate some components with fiberglass because this improves efficiency. Insulation also keeps the system safe so make sure the cold and hot water pipes are properly insulated.

Adjust Settings

Protecting your water heater is not all about things you can do while you are in the house. You can also take measures to protect your heater even when you are out of town. Simply adjust the thermostat on your heater to vacation "settings" when you are out of town. This ensures the water is not heated in your absence. This simple move saves you money and makes your heater last longer.

Final Word

image of Emmaus, PA plumber replacing water heater Water heater protection and maintenance is not rocket science. Take the steps discussed above and your heater will last long and work perfectly. If you have any questions or need a water heater replacement, be sure to give us a call.  Robinson Plumbing can assist you with any plumbing questions that you might have as well as address any of your plumbing needs. Robinson Plumbing is a local, family owned company that is known for trusted, quality service. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

Emmaus Plumbing Tip: How To Maintain Your Water Heater To Prolong Replacement originated at Robinson Plumbing Articles

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Plumbing Myths You Won’t Believe

We are all familiar with the laughable childhood game "telephone" in which one person starts out whispering a funny sentence or limerick to the person adjacent to them. As the sentence is retold again and again, it tends to take on a new, distorted meaning, ending up far from its original format. Even in adulthood, this is how rumors tend to develop and spread. The same is true of for plumbing myths. There is truly no telling where some of the misinformation out there comes from, but we are here to set the record straight.

Thomas Crapper

To kick us off, no, plumber Thomas Crapper is not responsible for the invention of the modern toilet. He did, however, improve upon it functionality. Additionally, the company he created, Thomas Crapper & Co, owned the world's first toilet, bath and sink showroom. Now that we have a bit of trivia out of the way, let's move on.

Garbage Disposals

cleaning your garbage disposalYou've probably heard that the best thing for a foul smelling garbage disposal is a healthy dose of fresh lemon, lime or other citrus fruit. This couldn't be farther from the truth. You may enjoy a pleasant scent momentarily---but it could cost you the functionality of your garbage disposal in the long run. While a garbage disposal is able to completely obliterate citrus fruit, it certainly does not mean these are good for the unit. In fact, the strong acidity in these fruits are capable of rusting the drain mechanism and, in time, corroding the entire unit. Furthermore, citrus fruit is a food---and foods rot. What may smell appetizing for a few short minutes will end up further perpetuating the aroma problem. So what is the solution? Easy! Mix up some inexpensive white vinegar and hot water. This should kill anything in the disposal giving off an unpleasant odor. It's also worth mentioning here that ice cubes in no way sharpen garbage disposal blades. (Where do these things come from?!)

Flushable Wipes

flushable wipesYou may also have heard that flushable wipes are perfectly safe for toilets. Think again! These "disposable" wipes are the culprit behind a myriad of toilet backups each and every year. The wipes aren't truly paper, so they are unable to fully biodegrade like toilet paper.

Water Heater

Another crazy rumor out there is that your water heater has the ability to spontaneously explode. Sure, sometimes you may hear a low grumbling or slight banging noise coming from it, but the truth is that's just sediment collected in the tank working its way through the mechanism to the heating element. Rest assured that noise is not an indication of impending doom. That said, if your water heater is more than 15 years old it may be time for a new one. In newer models you can flush out those sediments.

Leaky Faucets

One final thought. Perhaps you may be one of many out there who believe a leaky faucet is nothing to worry about. Wait! Stop for a moment and think about this---you're paying for water you are not using. Even if your faucet is only wasting a few drops each minute, you are quite literally throwing money down the drain. Get this issue taken care of right away! If you have any questions or have any plumbing problems, be sure to give us a call.  Robinson Plumbing can assist you with any plumbing questions that you might have as well as address any of your plumbing needs. Robinson Plumbing is a local, family owned company that is known for trusted, quality service. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

Similar posts can be read at: RobinsonPlumbing.com

Monday, January 4, 2016

Best Ways To Insulate Your Pipes For Winter

insulating your pipesThe winter of 2014-2015 was so cold that meteorologists frequently used the term "polar vortex" to describe it. At the same time, weather forecasters, residential property owners and business owners often talked about the potential damage that the unprecedented winter chill could cause. Luckily, weather experts do not project the winter of 2015-2016 to be as harsh. Nevertheless, you should prepare for the winter by insulating all accessible pipes in your home. Here are some of the best ways to insulate your pipes for winter to get you started:

Outdoor Pipes

Disconnect all outdoor pipes, including garden hoses, from their outdoor water valves and shut off the water supply valves. Then, drain the pipes and store them properly. While at it, drain the water spigots accessible outdoors and plug them with faucet insulators. You can buy faucet insulators at home improvement, garden equipment, and hardware stores for a few dollars each. If you have installed frost-proof spigots, there is no need to cover them with faucet insulators.

Wall Insulation

In many residential and commercial properties, water pipes run in crawl spaces, in-between-wall spaces and attics that are prone to freezing if not properly insulated. With this in mind, carry out a thorough check to determine if the spaces where pipes run through are properly insulated. If not, you should beef up the wall insulation. According to the US Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, suitable wall insulation materials include cellulose, fiberglass, mineral wool (rock and slag wool), plastic fiber, natural fiber (straw, cotton, sheep's wool, and hemp), polystyrene and polyurethane. However, the efficiency of any wall insulation material depends on its R-value. As such, this value should determine the type of insulation material you use.

Heating Cable

You can insulate your water pipes using heat trace cables. To do this, you can either wrap heating cables around your water pipes or attach them along the length of your pipes. Since the specific insulating technique depends on the manufacturer, you should read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. In addition, make sure you terminate and insulate all power connections to avoid electric shocks that could cause injuries or fatalities.

Space Heating

Space heating, especially indoors, could prevent pipes from freezing during the winter. In other words turning your thermostat a few notches up could prevent your pipes from freezing. Alternatively, you can place electric heaters near pipes that are likely to freeze during the cold season. However, since the latter solution could drive up your heating costs considerably, you should weigh the cost benefits of opting for space heating versus other available options such as beefing up insulation.

Pipe Insulation

This basically entails covering pipes with a relatively inexpensive insulation material such as foam-rubber pipe insulation. Nevertheless, pipe insulation alone may not be enough, particularly if your pipes are outdoors.
 

Conclusion

During the winter, water freezes and expands, subjecting plumbing systems to extreme pressure, which can cause water pipes to burst. The good news is you can prevent this from happening by disconnecting, draining and properly storing outdoor water pipes. Other good options include covering pipes with foam-rubber insulation, installing heating cables, beefing up wall insulation throughout your home and using space heaters. If you have any questions on insulating your pipes, be sure to give us a call.  Robinson Plumbing can assist you with any plumbing questions that you might have as well as address any of your plumbing needs. Robinson Plumbing is a local, family owned company that is known for trusted, quality service. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The following blog post, Best Ways To Insulate Your Pipes For Winter, was first published on Robinson Plumbing News