Dallas Residents: Contact Your Plumber And Save Money Now

Sunday, June 21st, 2009 · Comments (0)

New incentives have gone into effect for residents in the Dallas Water Utility District (DWU). In an effort to encourage water conservation, DWU customers are now being offered a voucher worth up to $90 per toilet replacement to replace their existing high-flush toilets with new low-flow and high-efficiency models.

You may not realize how much water is being used by older, pre-1985 toilets, but the difference between the older and newer toilets is substantial. Older toilets used between 5-7 gallons per flush, and before 1991 were still using 3.5 gallons per flush. New low-flush toilets are only using 1.6 gallons per flush, saving homeowners and renters alike hard earned money while helping conservation efforts. The savings are even better when using the high-efficiency toilets at 1.3 gallons per flush, saving 60% of the previous amount of water.

The nice thing about the way this toilet replacement voucher plan is set up, is that you can use the voucher at the time of purchase. If you’d rather be reimbursed for your purchase, it will show up as a credit on your water bill. No cash rebates.

To qualify for the New Throne For Your Home toilet replacement voucher program, your home must have been built before 1992. For additional requirements, terms, and applications visit the links available on their website and don’t forget to schedule an appointment with Gary’s Quality Plumbing as soon as possible!

http://savedallaswater.com/qualify_voucher.htm

How Efficient Are Garbage Disposals?

Saturday, March 21st, 2009 · Comments (3)

Are Garbage Disposals Efficiently Disposing Your Food Waste?

We take it for granted that when we scrape our food into the sink drain that holds the garbage disposal, our food waste is being disposed of ‘somewhere’ down the line in some kind of regurgitated manageable substance. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Lately we’re becoming more informed about what really happens to the food waste we dispose of.

Truth be known, our urban sewer system was never designed to handle the resulting residue from food disposals. What is happening is disturbing at best. Once food has made its course through your garbage disposal, it doesn’t just float away into our sewer systems as we have previously thought. No, it sits in every curve and dip in the line from your home, through the neighborhood, and further into urban systems until it collects much like plaque on an artery. You might call it arteriosclerosis of the urban sewer.

With this information we have a greater understanding of how to make our systems more efficient. Follow these tips to insure you don’t experience problems relating to the food waste leaving your home through a garbage disposer.

  • Always scrape food from plates into the garbage
  • If it doesn’t float, don’t put it down the disposer. Coffee grounds, rice, potato and citrus peels are among the foods that accumulate in your pipe system, even after being ground up.
  • Use plenty of water to rinse dishes when using your disposer. Most do not, and if that is not an option for your household’s green living campaign you should,
  • Purchase a composting garbage disposal if necessary. This will be discussed more in upcoming posts.
  • If odor is coming out of your disposal drain, baking soda and ice will clean the blades and deodorize safely. Make sure you run hot water while doing so.

Proper maintenance is important to the homeowner and the city water treatment plant. If the ‘gunk’ does make it out of your home, it ends up in the bottom of your city’s systems, and takes tax dollars to clean out. Its a good idea to make sure you’re aware of what you’re putting into your disposal.

What have you learned to do differently with your food waste?

What Should I Look For in a Quality Faucet Fixture?

Saturday, March 21st, 2009 · Comments (0)

Many times we’re called out to a job because of this very problem. With the emergence of home improvement stores and warehouses, people can pick out their own faucet fixture, many times at what they believe is a value price. Over time, the faucet fixture leaks and the plumber is called out to repair. Many times, that “value” faucet has internal plastic parts that can’t be fixed. Then a new purchase must be made.

Save time and money by asking your trusted plumber for advice and recommendations about quality faucet fixtures. Let his experience and knowledge of the many brands and models available, guide you to a purchase that’s a real value.

How Do Below Freezing Temperatures Affect My Plumbing?

Saturday, March 21st, 2009 · Comments (0)

Anytime the air gets below the freezing point, water has a chance to freeze. That’s especially true for outside faucets exposed to the elements. As water drops below the freezing point, it expands. When water freezes within your pipes, it’s never a good thing.

When water expands, it can burst the pipe or faucet fixture it was in. It may not happen the first time, but it can. Texas winters can be hard on our pipes and fixtures. Water freezes and thaws, exposing them to significant pressure. In time this may undermine the strength of the pipe or fixture.

You can protect your exterior faucets with the installation of a freeze-proof tap. This preventative measure will save you trouble and money in the long run.

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