How to Avoid Clogged Drains in Your Home

The drains you have in your home are something that you most likely never think of until they happen to become slow or completely stopped up; then they can become a big problem and a huge inconvenience. Bathtub and shower drains keep your family from being able to get ready for work or school when they are clogged, clogged drains in kitchen sinks keep you from preparing food and washing dishes and clogged washing machine drain obviously will keep you from washing clothes. Here are some tips on how to keep the drains working in the different areas of your home.

KITCHEN

1. Never pour grease down the drain – this cannot be emphasized enough and it is the number one reason why kitchen sinks get clogged. Sure that grease pours nice and easy when it’s hot but before it gets far it turns into a solid that collects on your pipes. Hot water may flush the grease out of the system and open the drain.

2. Never prep food over the sink – when you are preparing your vegetables and spices for cooking don’t peel and cut directly over the sink; when you do this you will inevitably get some small solid pieces down the drain and these types of things often cause clogged drains over time.

BATHROOM

1. Remove hair – after showering, bathing or combing your hair over the sink it is important to take the time to grab a tissue and remove any loose hair that has collected on the drain grate. Hair is the number one cause for sink and bath clogged drains and if you do not remove it from the drain grate it will find its way further down the drain and then it will become a big problem.

2. Tissues and Solids – there is no easier drain to stop up in your house then the one on your toilets. They are very sensitive to having too much solid waste go down them because of the way their traps are designed. Be careful to avoid putting excessive amounts of toilet paper, sanitary napkins, kid’s toys and other large bulky items in them that may cause clogged drains.

The Wash Room

1. Excessive Lint Items and Stringy Items – these types of fabrics or clothes will more than likely leave some lint or strings building up in your washing machine drain over time and eventually they will cause clogged drains. When washing these types of items use a lint roller to get that off before washing and on items that have fringes or other stringy patterns make sure any of these that are loose are removed before washing.

IN GENERAL

1. In general never use a drain for any reason if the grate is not fixed in position to the opening of it; this is just asking for clogged drains to happen.

2. Make it a point to go around your house and clean your drain grates as part of any household cleaning schedule.

If you do have a problem with a clogged drain then there are many ways to get the clogged drains unplugged yourself and if not there are many plumbing companies that are available 24 hours a day for emergency service.

Other Resources:

Buy or Rent Hot Water Tank?

Best Plumbing Practices for Your Edmonton Home

Don’t Make These 3 Common Household Plumbing Mistakes

Read More Here: How to Avoid Clogged Drains in Your Home

Home Air Conditioning – Size Matters

As temperature rises, so does our want and need for a cooling system. Our thoughts go directly to cooling down and beat the heat that’s trying to beat you. Central air conditioners, despite being one of the best options to achieve the kind of coolness we aim, are quite expensive. Room air conditioners, however can be an energy-efficient, accessible and inexpensive alternative for relatively small spaces.

Roughly around eight to nine million air conditioning units have been shipped for sale in 2017 and the sales continue to increase every year. According to Energy Star, around 13 percent of the annual utility bill of a household is spent on cooling systems. It is for this reason that we need to know the basics in choosing the best option and choice that suits our liking, budget, and area. In order to make sure that the unit you are choosing is the right one for you, you have to take note and be mindful of its features as they will determine the performance of the unit not only a few months after installation but also in the long run. In choosing air conditioning units, size matters.

Sizing Up Your Options

Before you consider price and features, start by determining the size of unit you need for the space you want to cool, as well as where you’ll place the unit. The window air conditioners in our tests have cooling capacities ranging from 5,000 to 12,500 British thermal units (Btu).

To measure your room, multiply the length of the room by the width. But don’t buy by Btu alone. Energy Star recommends that you make allowances for other considerations—such as the height of your ceiling, where the unit will be placed, and the size of your windows and doorways. 

Read the full article at Consumer Reports.

As the scrutinizing summer heat sets in, we’d want to provide our family a comfortable home and our employees and customers a healthy working environment. Aside from the size, there are other factors we need to consider such as the location, filters, installation process, and most especially its efficiency and energy consumption.

The air conditioner’s efficiency will be of big help to users especially with the rise of electricity bills and other everyday needs. It is for this reason that when choosing an AC unit, you have to take a look at its efficiency.  For people who wish to save, it is but important to choose the best option.

Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency. This rating is known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment.

Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder’s model. However, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient system.

The Ruud Ultra Series™ High Efficiency model, for example, has a SEER of 18.00, among the highest available. It’s significantly higher than today’s standard models, many of which carry SEER’s of at least 13.

High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run.

Read the full article at Ruud.com.

Air conditioners do not only provide us with cool air, they also filter and circulate air, removing pollutants and mold from the air, thus, giving us a cleaner air to breathe. This is only applicable, however, if your AC units are regularly checked, optimized and the filters are kept clean. Otherwise, this can contribute to indoor air pollution, disrupting the good indoor air quality of your homes. People with allergies, asthma and other respiratory and nasal problems can greatly benefit from the good air quality a maintained AC unit can offer.

Energy efficiency is one the things that HVAC System companies are focusing on today. They aim to innovate their products and produce high-quality AC units whose efficiency will attract consumers. The use of AC units, however, has an environmental impact, such as the release of greenhouse gases. On the good side of things, this problem is already being addressed by some companies.

This video can guide you in buying your very own AC unit, check it out:

If you’re looking for a local HVAC professional, contact Plumbers Edmonton today! We can help you find the best cooling system for your home or fix your existing system that is no longer giving you the cooling comfort that you and your family desperately need. We can work with your budget and find the right solution that matches the needs of your home and family at a price you can afford.

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See More Here: Home Air Conditioning – Size Matters

Buy or Rent Hot Water Tank?

Does it make sense to rent a hot water tank?  Nadia Mendola (Waterdown, Ontario) doesn't think so.  She got stuck with a hot water tank contract when she purchased her home in 2016.  Here are her options:

She can continue paying $56.43 per month for the next 14 years, which works out to $9,480.  Or she get out of the contract by buying the hot water tank for $3,600.  The problem is that the same tank costs $1,000 at Home Depot.

"If you can buy it from Home Depot for $1,000, I just don't understand why you would go renting it." As a first-time homebuyer, she admits she didn't know how much a water heater should cost. "I was paying it for six months and my dad saw one of my bills and thought it was high."

So she called Enercare in August 2017, and was told that her expensive bills were due to having a high-end, energy-efficient tank. That's also when she learned she's locked in for 14 or possibly 18 years.

Enercare also indicates that the higher cost of renting instead of buying includes repairs and maintenance. Mendola feels she had no choice. "It's just an appliance … Your washer and dryer are expensive items but you don't rent them. It just seems like a big scam to me."

Read the full story at cbc.ca

Watch this short video on the benefits of owning a tankless water heater vs. renting:

If you are considering buying a home tied to a similar rental contract, this is what we suggest you do.

Sit down with the company selling the house. Give them your deposit but tell them that you will not sign the rental contract with the hot water heater company.

Then call the hot water rental company and ask them to pick up their hot water heater. When they tell you that you signed a contract, tell them that you haven't, and again ask them to pick up their heater. If they still refuse, tell them that you are putting it by the curb.

Then call your local plumbing company and ask them to install a new hot water tank.

See More Here: Buy or Rent Hot Water Tank?

Tiny House, Big Plumbing

This Tiny House on wheels may be small, but it is big on features. At a cozy 150 square feet, the home is nothing short of luxurious, with high-tech building systems combined with high-end appliances and furnishings. Designed in collaboration with 30 architects, engineers, and materials specialists, this safe and sustainable home has helped educate and inspire over 50,000 people who have toured it since 2015.  Read the full story at Tiny House, Big Plumbing

Photo Credit

Published First Here: Tiny House, Big Plumbing

Low Pressure Water Quick Fixes and Water Pressure Pump

From time to time, you might be experiencing a low water pressure on your plumbing system. It is a big issue for homeowners to have a low water pressure. It's an inconvenience to not be able to water the garden while washing the dishes. If this is the case, it's best to take necessary action by locating the source of the problem and finding solution on how to fix it.

According to Don Vandervort, there are couple reasons for having a low water pressure.

Water pressure may be low for a couple of reasons. If all of your neighbors have low water pressure, there may not be much you can do except to contact your water supplier and complain about the problem.

If your home is the only one with low pressure—or if only parts of your house have low pressure—then there is probably a constriction in your pipes or valves. The most common cause of low water pressure in a home that’s more than 20 years old is older steel pipes that have become clogged with lime deposits that strangle the flow of water. Unfortunately, to solve this problem, you usually need to have a plumber re-pipe your home. But before you go down this road, do the following. read more...

Don Vandervort of Hometips also suggested these quick tips on how to locate and fix low water pressure.

How to Solve Low Water Pressure Problems

If low water pressure is at a single fixture:

If the problem seems to be at a single faucet or shower head, check for a flow restriction, clogged aerator, dislodged washer, or partially closed supply stop valve. If a faucet has an aerator, check that first; remove it and clean it out, then replace it.

If low water pressure is throughout your house:

Go out to the street and locate your water meter. There should be a shutoff valve next to the meter—in fact, there may be one on each side of the meter as shown in the illustration at right. Be sure the valves are entirely open—turned counterclockwise as far as they will go. If you discover that a supply valve is partially closed, opening it should solve the problem.

If and when these quick low water pressure fixes does not work, it is best to find another option to fix the problem, which is to have your plumbing contractor install a water pressure pump.

What Is a Water Pressure Pump?

Also known as a water pressure booster, water pressure pumps to increase the pressure of incoming water from your well or city water supply. As water flows into the tank, compressed air pressurizes the output, giving it the boost needed to flow throughout your house.

While shopping for a water pressure pump, there are a few key features you should consider. You will want to make sure the tank and the motor are large enough to make an impact on your home’s water pressure. Consider how the water pressure pump operates, such as manual and automatic shut-offs. Some water pressure pumps come equipped with different modes, allowing you to choose how much water and energy you conserve. Finally, you may want to consider a water pressure pump with quiet noise ratings, depending on where your water main is located. Read full article here.

The best option to fix low water pressure is to call your plumbing contractor and have them check the real source of the problem.

Read Full Article Here: Low Pressure Water Quick Fixes and Water Pressure Pump

Introduction to Geothermal Heating

Geothermal heating also known as geothermal heat pump or geo-exchange heat pump is what most household are going into when they wanted a more reliable, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective heating system.

What is Geothermal Heating? According to Karin Beuerlein of HGTV:

The Value of Geothermal Heating

A geothermal (ground-source) heat pump converts the heat of the earth into heat for your home. Consisting of a series of looped pipes drilled deep into the ground, a geothermal system works the same way a regular air-source heat pump does: by harvesting existing heat rather than creating it through combustion, as a gas furnace would. It also works in reverse to remove heat from the air and cool your home in summer.

Max Alexander of This Old House magazine give a quick yet precise explanation on how geothermal heating works.

How It Works

Given all the attention being paid to solar power these days, you might be surprised to learn that one of the most promising solutions to high energy costs isn't up in the sky but buried deep under your lawn. Superefficient geothermal heat pumps provide clean, quiet heating and cooling while cutting utility bills by up to 70 percent. "With this technology, everybody could be sitting on top of their lifetime energy supply," says TOH plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey.

In principle, a geothermal heat pump functions like a conventional heat pump, by using high-pressure refrigerant to capture and move heat between indoors and out. The difference is that conventional systems gather their heat—and get rid of it—through the outside air. Geothermal systems, in contrast, transfer heat through long loops of liquid-filled pipe buried in the ground.

The big question is - Is Geothermal heating right for you?

The geothermal heat pump, also known as the geo-exchange heat pump, is among the most reliable, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective home-comfort technologies available. It’s also easily dismissed because of its steep up-front price tag. But with energy costs likely to rise and government incentives now widely available, today’s savvy homeowners are giving this incredibly efficient heating and cooling technology a closer look. Read more...

Read More Here: Introduction to Geothermal Heating

Choosing the Right Water Filter

At some point, we become paranoid into thinking if our tap water is safe to drink. In this case, we prefer to be sure and install a water filter. But how do we choose the right water filter for our household?

Choosing a water filter

Residential water filters are primarily designed to back up the water treatment facility in your community. They’re good for reducing unpleasant odors and tastes, discoloration and other annoying features that the water utility doesn’t remove.

The key to choosing a filtration device is knowing which contaminants you want to remove. Your first step should always be a call to your local water utility. A water engineer can almost always tell you what’s in your water and what’s causing the problem you’re dealing with. If you have health concerns, follow up with a call to your local department of public health. You’ll get more information about the issues involved and how to test for and solve problems. Although some filter systems go a long way toward purifying water, don’t rely on them alone to solve potential health problems. Read more...

As stated above, it is best to now first what kind of water issues you are having. Once you and your plumber are able to figure that out, you can choose the right water filter for your household.

Here are the most common types of water filter to choose from:

Types of Water Filters

If the only problem with your water is grit, dirt, sediment, rust, or other such particles, a screening filter may be sufficient. Made of fiber, fabric, ceramic, or another screening medium, these simply catch particles—including, in some cases, small organisms like cysts and some bacteria. But don’t rely on them to handle disease-causing organisms, VOCs, metals, or the like.

Carbon Water Filters
If your water tastes, smells, or looks bad, a filter containing activated carbon (AC) may solve the problem. If you want to remove chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, radon, trihalomethanes (THMs), and some inorganic chemicals, carbon may do the trick.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filters
If you must remove inorganic chemicals such as salts, metals (including lead), minerals, nitrates, asbestos, and some organic chemicals, consider a reverse-osmosis (RO) water filter.

Water Distillers
If you just want a portable, sink-top appliance that will rid water of most dissolved solids, such as salts, asbestos fibers, metals, minerals, particles, and some organic chemicals, an inexpensive water distiller may be just the thing.

UV Water Purifiers
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection water filters, which typically cost $150 or more, may kill bacteria and viruses, and clear the taste and odor of water, but they are not effective against chemical pollutants and may not work against cysts and spores.

Buying a Water Filtering Faucet
With the popularity of water-treatment devices, a number of manufacturers have introduced products that integrate water systems seamlessly into the kitchen. For example, American Standard makes the Streaming filtering faucet that works with an under-sink filter to deliver filtered water through the main kitchen faucet. read full article...

Choosing the right water filter for your household is a big task. The first thing to consider is what kind of water contaminants you want to eliminate, then your budget. If you are hesitant to do all the decision, make sure to ask help from a plumbing professional.

Published First Here: Choosing the Right Water Filter