Ask the Plumber - Handy Tips and FAQ's
Defend Your Home Against a Winter Attack
The cold winter nights are upon us. The fire is crackling and the aroma of holiday cooking surrounds us. Before heading off to bed we double check to make sure the fire is all the way out and the kitchen appliance knobs are turned to the off positions. These are the obvious things we do to protect our homes from a fire hazard.
It is important in the cold months to consider the possibility of a hard freeze. We need to make sure our homes are as protected as possible including the parts that are vulnerable to cold air.
A few things you can do to defend your home against a winter attack include:
- Disconnecting and covering outside faucets.
- Opening the cabinets under fixtures on outside walls.
- Leaving a trickle of water running from fixtures so they do not freeze.
Protecting your home from winter hazards is always a good idea. However, accidents do happen. If you have plumbing related issues this winter give us a call. (972) 424-6479
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/
Why My Water Heater Goes Bump in the Night
Hard water leaves deposits everywhere it travels. It contains mineral deposits such as calcium. These deposits can build up on the walls inside of a water heater. If this happens, a water heater can be very noisy, even scary when you hear a loud “Bang” in the middle of the night and don’t know where it is coming from.
The most common cause of a water heater crackling and popping is from using a lot of hot water in a short time frame. Running a dish washer, doing laundry, and taking a hot shower close together is a combination that will get your water heater fired up. As the fire creates heat, air bubbles inside the mineral deposits pop or burst, creating a variety of strange noises.
If your water heater is going bump in the night call us to come out and look at it. You might need a brand new water heater. However, only an experienced qualified plumber can make that determination with certainty. Gary’s Quality Plumbing will let you know with confidence whether or not you need replacement, or just repair. Keep peace of mind, day and night, and call us at (972) 424-6479.
photo credit: Danny Skinner
Be Kind to Your Faucet Washer
Most faucets work by turning a handle, which compresses a flat rubber washer up against a piece of metal. This closes off the circulation of water. It is a round washer that pushes up against a round seat. Most of the time when washers are damaged, it is not due to age or bad rubber. It’s caused by user mishandling.
Faucets that require washers periodically need them changed for maintenance purposes. In most cases when we see severely damaged washers it’s due to over tightening. When a homeowner sees a drop of water come out of their faucet it’s their natural inclination to crank the faucet harder. This can destroy the washer, rendering it useless. It can even break it into several pieces that end up in the aerator.
Faucet washers can cause leaks from getting old, hard, or destroyed by over tightening. Once this occurs and you get a steady leak it won’t take long before the water erodes a groove in the seat. This keeps the washer from shutting off the flow of water. Once this happens, no amount of washer changing will stop the leak and the seat will need to be replaced.
Seats only need to be replaced after a leak has been going on for a long time. Once the seat and the washer are replaced the faucet should shut off like it’s brand new. The best way to ensure that your washers have a long life is to use your thumb and forefinger to turn off your faucet. If you can’t get the water to stop flowing with a gentle nudge, it is time to call us to have your washers replaced. Don’t wait until you have annihilated your washers and the seats need to be replaced.
If you want your washers to last a long time, be gentle. This will keep you from damaging your washers and will save you money in the long run. If your faucets are currently not shutting off properly, contact Gary’s Quality Plumbing. (972) 424-6479 Catching the problem early will reduce the cost of your plumbing bill!
Almost Holiday Time!
Wow!! This year has really gone fast.
Financially trying and downright devastating for many, it’s also been a very blessed year. I’d like to share just a few of the things I’m most thankful for.
Topping the list again this year is my family. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful, devoted, creative, loving husband – making my days easier just by being there for our kids and me.
I’ve been blessed with four beautiful, smart, healthy and loving children. They’ve worked their little butts off to do the best they can in school and they make us extremely proud of them.
I’ve been blessed with not only the best parents in the world, but also the added bonus of having the best mother in law as well. I’ve been blessed to have five (yes, five!) brothers and sisters, as well as their spouses and all the awesome nieces and nephews that grace this family.
I’m thankful to all of our men and women serving in the armed forces, who – without regard for their own safety – have made their lives about our safety. I’ll never be able to put into words the absolute gratitude I feel for their selflessness. I’m honored that they are willing to make the hard sacrifices for all of us.
I am thankful for my friends who are always available to lend an ear and lift me up.
I could say I am thankful for my home, my job, my car, electricity, cable – an ongoing list of material things I really am grateful for!
As I write this, however, I realize that the truest blessings in my life … breathe.
Let’s take a few moments to focus on our blessings this Thanksgiving.
It Could Be Your Water Heater, But Maybe Something Else
Have you ever just woke up, climbed in the shower and … hey, what happened to the hot water? Me either (and I’m glad of that!), but it’s happened to some of our customers.
Fortunately, that is not always a water heater problem. If the shower is the only fixture without hot water, it is a shower valve problem.
Gary’s Quality Plumbing has the solution. Give us a call and one of our licensed, insured plumbers will have your shower up and running with hot water quick as a wink!
Have you checked out this month’s specials? Go to Dottie’s Deals to find out more.
Better Get Ready, Freddy
You’d better go around the house and check for leaks while the days are still nice! Outside faucets should definitely be addressed before the weather turns on us. If you have any drips, you want to get them repaired before it gets cold.
Outside faucets can freeze up with the cold weather, causing the pipe inside the wall to crack and cause severe damage to the interior of your home. You can go to any home improvement store to purchase hose-bib covers. These are inexpensive and highly recommended as extra insurance against freezing.
Also, make sure that all exposed piping in an attic or a crawl space is insulated. It doesn’t seem necessary in Texas to be this careful, however, last year several of our customers had floods in their homes due to pipes freezing in the attic or crawl space.
I hope this winter isn’t as cold as last year but it pays to be proactive. If you don’t want to crawl around in those cramped areas give us a call. We’ll be happy to check for plumbing leaks, potential problems, and even install pipe insulation. We can also check for, and in some cases repair, any heating and air duct problems.
Other things to put on your checklist:
- Make sure you have clean filters for your furnace and change them often. This will keep your heating unit functioning efficiently and the air you breathe clean and healthy.
- Check to be sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working. These should be located at your furnace as well as water heaters.
- If you live in a pier and beam home, it’s time to put the covers on your exterior crawl space vents. Don’t have any? They can be purchased with some trial and error, or they can be fabricated on site with either thin plywood, sheet metal, etc. As a customer service, our service techs will even do this for you, if you like. (Just let us know beforehand, so our men have the supplies on the trucks.)
Have you checked out our November specials on Dottie’s Deals? When you sign up for our newsletter, you get that information (and so much more!) right in your inbox. Sign up today!
Poor Quality Toilets Leaving You Drained?
The first generation of low-flow flushing commodes had big problems. It wasn’t uncommon to have to flush three times just to empty the bowl. It doesn’t make sense to use half as much water if you still have to flush three times. Complications such as the size of the orifices, lack of flushing jets in the bottom of the bowl, and poor design were the causes behind this dilemma.
Many homes were built with three or more low-flow commodes while they were fresh on the market. A new homeowner would often be led to believe they had a drainage system problem before assuming they have a new home full of poor quality commodes.
If your drains are emptying slower than normal and you are trying to pinpoint the problems, start by checking your commodes. You might have poor quality toilets. If you are unsure and are concerned that you have a whole home drainage problem call us and one of our plumbers will come out and assess your situation.
Regardless of your situation it is a good idea to have your plumber check out your commodes any time you have a service call. It only takes a few minutes for him to do so and wouldn’t be an additional expensive for you since he is already there. (972) 424-6479
Remodeling Your Kitchen or Bathroom on a Budget
If you are considering remodeling your kitchen or bathroom but are concerned with the cost involved we can help. In today’s economy many homeowners are considering remodeling vs. purchasing a new home. Change is good and can be very affordable. Don’t let your budget get in the way. We can work with just about any budget.
We understand the time and effort you spend making your house a home and upgrades can add that extra touch. At Gary’s Quality Plumbing we will walk you through your remodeling project to completion. Our qualified plumbers know how to upgrade the look of your home without making a huge dent in your wall or your wallet.
Kitchen and bathrooms are the most heavily used rooms in a home. Why not have them be as beautiful as they can be? Whether your taste is contemporary or a more traditional style our plumbers will work with you in choosing attractive and affordable materials and fixtures.
We can upgrade all of your fixtures to fit with current trends. Brush nickel and oil rubbed bronze are very popular finishes right now. Many people think updating their kitchen or bathroom is a daunting and expensive task. This is not the case. Existing bathtub and shower faucets in good working condition can be updated with new trim.
When it comes to your kitchen, you can have that brand new kitchen look without a major renovation. Many times you can you can change the entire appearance of your kitchen by replacing faucets, sinks, and/or countertops to fit your individual style.
When it comes to high quality craftsmanship, from simple bathroom repairs to entire kitchen remodels, we are committed to providing you with a cost-effective, efficient process. Call us for your remodeling needs. (972) 424-6479.
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The Foundation of a Serious Problem
It looks like cooler temperatures and some rainfall are in our forecast. This is a huge relief for those of us in the Dallas area. However, many homeowners are discovering the damage that the extreme heat has already done to their foundations.
A shift in foundation can cause serious problems including gas, sewer, and water leaks. If pipes are not properly protected during installation they can be in weakened state from being exposed to the elements. Over time the metal of the pipe will be eaten away by rust and corrosion causing the pipe to snap when the foundation shifts.
Gas leaks can put an entire family in danger. From breathing in harmful fumes to a whole home explosion you could be left with nothing BUT the foundation.
Sewer leaks can also occur with a shifting foundation. Normally, the foundation will shift and the sewer pipe will stay put, causing the pipe to sheer, leaving two disconnected ends underneath the concrete.
Water pipes beneath the slab can be affected by a shift in foundation. Decades of the slightest movement of your home can break the pipe. As the rough concrete rubs against the pipe it can create a hole in the pipe causing a slab leak.
How can you tell if you have a shift in your foundation? Some of the obvious signs include:
- Doors that have become more difficult to open and close.
- Cracks along the ceilings.
- Cracks where walls meet.
- Spaces developing between bricks on the exterior of your home.
- Stress fractures in piping.
Despite the measures we take by watering with soaker hoses and sprinklers, foundations will still shift. These watering methods are proven to be helpful but just don’t solve foundation problems. If you have damage caused by a shift in foundation or want to discuss your specific safeguarding needs call us. (972) 424-6479
photo credit: Danny Skinner
Is Your Water Heater up to Code?
Plumbing codes exist for a reason. Most codes are in place to protect homeowners from dangerous situations such as fire, explosions, and catastrophic leaks. Water heater installations must follow guidelines and be permitted and inspected.
In order for a water heater to be up to code there are a few rules that MUST be followed:
- All water heaters must have a safety pan underneath them which will be piped to the exterior of the home. The ONLY exception to this is if the water heater is in a land locked closet in the middle of the home. In this case a boiler drain would be attached to the pan and a hose connected for drainage.
- Water heaters located in garages or in an area exposing them to combustible gases must be elevated 18″ off of the ground. This can be done by a built up floor or a pre-made stand. We use our construction skills to hand craft these out of lumber.
- All gas water heaters shall have a minimum of one inch clearance between the vent pipe and combustible materials. (i.e. dry wall or insulation) The vent pipe must be double walled from the ceiling to the point where the pipe goes through the roof.
- Adequate combustion air shall be in place. This means a vent in the ceiling and a vent near the bottom of the closet must be in place to allow air circulation.
- Gas valves shall be located where they can be easily accessed and must be quarter turned ball valves.
- Gas water heaters must have coated stainless steel flex lines between the shut off valves and the regulators. The coating is to prevent damage to the flex line.
- All water heaters must be equipped with a temperature/pressure relief valve (T&P). This is a safety measure that will activate if the temperature in the water heater gets too hot. If the T&P gets too high the valve will open allowing it to be relieved.
- The T&P valve must be piped out of the home where it will be visible. This will cause the homeowner to notice water coming from the line alerting them of a problem.
- The T&P relief line must be pitched downward and fitted with a union so that it can be easily disassembled and repaired.
- Flex lines shall not be permitted on T&P lines. The pipe for the T&P must be a full ¾” in diameter and corrugated flex lines reduce the inside diameter.
- The top of the vent pipe must have a cap to keep rain out and reduce the effect of wind blowing over and causing the pilot light to go out.
Water heater safety can be a life and death situation not to be taken lightly. As homeowners it is our responsibility to take care of our homes and our families.
Is your water heater up to code? If you are not sure or just need peace of mind give us a call (972) 424-6479 and one of our licensed, qualified plumbers will be happy to inspect it for you.
Photo Credit: Danny Skinner
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