Springtime Means Time for Spring Cleaning

By Billy Aldridge

They say that April showers bring May flowers.  But what they don’t tell you is that they also bring with them clogged drains, corroded hose bibs and backed up toilets that if left unchecked can cause a lot of damage to your home.  So springtime is a good time to do some preventive maintenance on your plumbing, before the summer heat takes its toll.  Below are five items that you should attend to in May.

   1.      Is Your Toilet a Water Hog? – Utility bills being what they are, the last thing you want to do is pay for wasted water.  The toilet uses a significant amount of water when it is working properly.  When it leaks it can be a real water hog.  There are two ways to check for leaks in the toiled: by sight and sound.  The first is to add six drops of food coloring to the tank.  Don’t flush, just walk away for five or ten minutes and then return to see if the water in the bowl is clear or colored.  If it is tinted, then you have a leak.  The other way is to flush the toilet, let it fill and then listen for a minute or two to hear if the water continues to run intermittently, which happens if the flapper valve is not working properly. (Check out the video below to see how to correct this issue.)

   2.     The Heat is On – Due to minerals in the water, the water heater has a tendency to lose efficiency over time.  To help alleviate this problem, it’s a good idea to drain your water heater once a year.  To do this all you need is to connect your garden hose to the drain knob (which acts like a spigot).  Next, turn the power to the heater off.  (If you have a gas heater you may need to seek professional assistance, unless you are completely comfortable reigniting the pilot light.) Once you have led the opposite end of the hose outside, turn off the water inlet to the tank so that it won’t fill and then open the knob that drains the tank. (If the water refuses to drain, turn the water back on in order to blow the sediment out.) Once the tank drains completely, turn the water back on for thirty seconds or so to allow the flow of water the opportunity to knock off some of the deposits that have built up inside the tank.  Then close the drain, disconnect the hose and turn the water on to let the tank fill back up. (Note: if an air lock should occur during the process, simply open the hot side of the faucet to allow the system to breath.)

   3.      Don’t Get Hosed  – Even though we don’t have much in the way of winter frost in North Florida, that   

IMG_2525 (Photo credit: UGA College of Ag)

doesn’t mean that your outdoor spigots don’t take a beating from the elements.  Before you waste any water during the long hot summer, you need to check the hose bibs for cracks, corrosion and leaks.  If you find that the tap is difficult to turn or that you detect a leak at the hose bib when you attach a hose, this is the time to perform maintenance, as opposed to  the middle of July when the thermometer hovers at ninety five degrees.

   4.      Down the Drain – Springtime is also quick time for root growth.  Roots have a tendency to make a beeline for water and as a result can clog drains and sewer lines.  Any crack or crevice that provides ingress will allow roots to grow inside your sewer lines.  This will slow and can eventually stop the flow of water to the sewer.  If you notice standing water near sewer drains, call your local plumber to inspect the line before the flow stops and water manages to backup into your home.

   5.      Keep Your Mind Out of the Gutter – Gutters and downspouts also need to be checked and if necessary flushed out to prevent water from backing up.  This can result in everything from ceiling leaks to mold. 

By performing periodic preventative maintenance on your plumbing system you will mitigate more serious problems, prevent damage to your home and save yourself time and money.  Ignore these items and the first gulley washer of the summer might leave you hot and bothered as you reach for the phone to call your local plumber. 

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  For more helpful hints and how-to videos, visit their website at http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

Does Your Home Have a Belly Ache?

By Billy Aldridge

If your home is likened to the human body, then its plumbing would be something akin to the digestive tract.  Just like the human gut, from time to time your house’s pipes will start exhibiting symptoms that something is amiss.  What I mean by this is if you start hearing strange sounds from behind the walls whenever you run the sink or do a load of laundry, or you flush the toilet in the bathroom only to have water back up into your tub, then these are signs that something more serious and potentially more costly to repair is at work deep in the bowels of your home.  The important thing is not to ignore these cries for help, but to take corrective action while the solution is still a quick fix.

Things that Go Bang in the Night

If you hear a banging noise every time the washer shuts off or the dishwasher cycle ends, this may be due to a phenomenon known as “Water Hammer.”  This occurs whenever the flow of water stops and the sheer momentum of water rattles the pipes.  To prevent this from happening, a hammer arrestor is installed, that is designed to absorb the last gasp of water that would otherwise cause the pipe to bang regularly.  It is essentially a capped off pipe that stays full of air.  If the air bleeds out of the arrestor, this can cause water hammer.  To rectify this problem, turn off the water main (see video below) and then open all your faucets in the house.  When the water stops running, turn off all the taps and then turn the water to the house back on.  This should stop the banging.  If this doesn’t do the trick, then the culprit is most likely the pressure regulator, which we will cover next.

Wild Kingdom Revisited

Do you hear a loud humming sound or a noise like a seal barking after you flush the toilet?  This could be an indication that the pressure regulator needs to be replaced.  Most commonly located where the 

Pressure regulator (Photo credit: Jacob Davies)

water line enters the home, the pressure regulator is the valve that reduces the water pressure coming from the main line to the home.  To determine if the regulator is faulty you will need to test the water pressure. You can purchase a pressure gauge at any hardware store or home supply big box store.  Once attached to any hose or washing machine bib, the pressure should read between 40 to 60 PSI.  Any higher and you risk damaging fixtures, pipes and appliances.  If the pressure is higher than 80, this is a ticking time bomb that could blow at any moment.  If this is the case, you need to replace the pressure regulator right away before you wind up with a flood.

San Francisco Foghorn

If your pipes moan, groan or otherwise sound like a rendition of a San Francisco foghorn, then the problem could lie with your vent system.  Everything from your  sinks and  toilets, to your tubs, washing machine and dishwasher are designed to drain into either a sewer or septic system.  To facilitate the smooth outflow of water requires air, which is supplied by plumbing vents.  Should these vents become partially obstructed, they will start to let you know by groaning.  This is kind of like what happens when you are sucking a strawberry milkshake through a straw and a piece of strawberry clogs the straw.  When your plumbing vents get clogged, a vacuum is produced that can slow or even stop the ouflow of water from your home.  If left unchecked this can even cause the water to drain out of p-traps and toilet bowls, or allow sewer gas into your home. 

To check the vents you will need to climb onto the roof of your home, since that is where they are located.  Bring with you a garden hose equipped with a nozzle and a screwdriver. You should also bring a plumbing auger with you, as you may need to snake the vent.  The vent is a pipe sticking up from the roof.  It may have a cap, which you will need a screwdriver to remove.  Once you can see down the pipe, look to see if there are any obstructions that you can see.  If there are, fish them out.  Then taking the hose, open the nozzle to full and spray directly down the vent.  This flow might clear the clog all by itself.  If not you will need to run the snake down the pipe until you reach the blockage. Then crank the handle to run it through the clog and retrieve the snake.  Use the hose again to make sure the vent is clear and you should be good to go.

Whistle While You Work

If you detect whistling or wailing from your pipes every time you turn on the tap, this could be your inlet valve talking to you.  Located underneath toilets and sinks, as well as behind washing machines 

city water inlet and pressure regulator (Photo credit: Jacob Davies)

and refrigerators, these valves regulate the flow of water.  Whistling sounds could also be caused by a loose or broken washer in a faucet or toilet, or it could also be an indication of excess water pressure. To eradicate the whistle, you need to determine its source.  To do that, turn on the offending source and listen carefully to determine whether the noise is coming from the source itself, or behind or below it.  Once you have located the source, the best course of action is to replace the offending washer, valve and/or valve seat, as well as any worn or corroded components.

Determining the cause and cure for every noise that can be caused by cranky plumbing could fill a book.  While the home remedies for the symptoms listed above can be handled by most homeowners, these noises could also be signs of more serious trouble behind walls or beneath your home that could require a licensed plumber to repair.  The one thing you do not want to do is ignore these warning signs until you wake up one fine morning to find your home flooded or water shooting ten feet high from the front yard. Then you’ll be the one who moans and groans.

Billy Aldridge is one of the doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  For more helpful hints and how-to videos, visit their site at http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

It Isn't Easy Going Green

By Billy Aldridge

Some people call them tree huggers.  Others use far more descriptive language to describe those people who are conservation minded.  Now I don’t want to sound like a zealot.  I do not want to receive a lot of hate mail when I say, “What’s wrong with going green, especially when it comes to plumbing?  While things like low flow showerheads and toilets, tankless water heaters and energy efficient dishwashers and washing machines can cost a bit more to purchase, when you factor in the savings in water and electricity over the life of the units, they more than pay for themselves. 

Water Sense Faucets and Aerators

While many of us know that we can save water by turning off the tap while we brush our teeth, most people don’t realize that water-efficient fixtures and aerators can save them money on every water bill they pay.  Called WaterSense, fixtures and accessories labeled as such are designed to reduce a sink’s flow by as much as 30%.  Studies have shown that families that replace old faucets and aerators with WaterSense models save an average of 700 gallons per year.  While this may not sound like a lot, bear in mind that this is equivalent to 40 free showers per year.  Also keep in mind that you will also save money on your electrical bill, due to the fact that your water heater will not need to heat water that your family doesn’t use.

Speaking of Water Heaters

Did you know that replacing your traditional water heater with either a tankless or hybrid water heater can cut your electric bill by as much as 30%.  When you consider that the water heater accounts for upwards of 25% of your electric bill month in and month out, this could be a significant saving.  Add to this saving the space saving that a tankless water heater represents and this could be doubly useful to you and your family.

The Star of the Show

 Energy Star rated appliances provides a way for businesses and consumers to save money while at the same time protecting the environment.  Established by the EPA in 1992, the agency estimates that Energy Star rated appliances saved $14 billion in energy costs in 2006 alone.  Since the average family in the US averages 300 loads of laundry per year, switching to an Energy Star model will save up to 20% of electricity and 35% of water used on every load.  Energy Star rated dishwashers are designed to save you more than 1,300 of water during the lifetime of the appliance.

Speaking of Water Savings

When it comes to needlessly wasting water, the toilet and the shower both take the prize.  Just like the energy gobbling water heater found in most homes that uses up to 25% of the electricity used in the average home, traditional toilets chug-a-lug water like there’s no tomorrow, averaging 3.5 gallons per flush.  Low-flow toilets on the other hand use an average of 1.6 gallons per flush, which in essence means that you will save more than 50% of the water used with every flush.

Another water waster is the typical showerhead.  If your showerhead was made before 1992, it will use an average of 5.5 gallons per minute.  Low-flow showerheads on the other hand use between 2.2 and 2.5 gallons per minute.  Can you say cha-ching?  Best of all, you can purchase a number of low-flow showerheads for as little as $9.50.  Added to the savings on your monthly water bill, and this could be one of the best investments you make all year long.

I hope that this blog gives you some food for thought when it comes to going green.  So call me crazy, but I think that anything that can save the environment while saving you money at the same time is something most people would want to embrace.  And while I may not hug many trees, the one thing that I always try to hold onto is my cold, hard cash.

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  Visit their website for more helpful how-to blogs and videos as well as 24/7 service for all your commercial and residential plumbing needs.  

http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

When Was the Last Time You Exercised Your Cutoff Valves?

by Billy Aldridge

We all know that everything needs a little exercise from time to time.  This can include your children, your pets, your significant other and yourself.  Without exercise, the joints tend to stiffen and the blood flowing through your veins and arteries slows down.  Well your plumbing, as you have discovered from my past couple of blogs, is a lot like that too.  If you don't do everything in your power to keep pipes clean, well maintained and able to handle the flow of water, you could be headed for trouble.  While not as problematic as undergoing coronary bypass, the surgery necessary to repair neglected pipes and valves in your home is going to be a costly affair. Take it from a plumber.  So today I am going to tell you how to exercise the water cutoff valves around your home to keep them in proper working order.

29.Naivasha Water meter chamber (Photo credit: Sustainable sanitation)

First of all, there are two types of cutoff valves: the cutoff for the entire house and the cutoff valves under every sink, atop the water heater and behind the washing machine.  The main cutoff valve for your home is actually outside, either in your yard or on the sidewalk.    It is located in the same box that contains the water meter.  To access it you will need what's known as a meter key, which a t-handled contraption with a slotted end that is designed to turn the valve on and off.  You can purchase a meter key at most any hardware store. (See video below for step-by-step instructions.)  The only downside to shutting off the flow of water from this juncture is the fact that once it has been turned off, ALL of the water going to your home is suspended.

n8842958_35218222_6231 (Photo credit: bbickerton)

Fortunately, there is another way to shutoff the flow of water to individual locations in your home without leaving everyone high and dry.  Attached to every sink, water heater and washing machine are the other kind of water cutoff valves.  Even better still is the fact that these valves are designed to isolate hot or cold water. This means that if something breaks or leaks and you have to use the cutoff, you can shut down either the hot water or the cold water.  Unlike the main cutoff outside, closing these valves still leaves you with running water.

However, that doesn't mean much if the valves become frozen shut, which can happen if you don't  exercise them on a regular basis.  Over time, mineral deposits can build up and freeze these valves in place.  This doesn't sound like much of a problem now, but when a pipe bursts and water is shooting across the kitchen or bathroom, this is not the time you want to discover that the cutoff valve will not shut off.  Trying to employ a  brute force on a stuck valve of this type is more likely to cause yet more damage, since it is all too easy to sheer the pipe to which the cutoff valve is attached.

Therefore if you don't want to add insult to injury, not to mention a large plumbing repair bill, here is all you have to do to exercise your cutoff valves so that they work when you need them.

1. Every couple of months simply go from room to room where these valves are located and open and close them gently.
2. Make sure you support the valve with one hand while turning them on and off a couple of times with the other hand. (See video below)
3. If the valve won't budge, do not force it.
4. Instead, grab a can of WD-40 or some other lubricant and give the valve a spritz.  Then let the oil soak in for at least 30-minutes.
5. Try turning the valve by hand a second time.  If it is still stuck, have someone hold the base of the valve while you gently apply a wrench to try and loosen the valve. (And I mean gently.)
6. If the valve still won't budge you will in all likelihood need to have the valve replaced by a plumber.

To avoid costly repairs or even water damage to your home, take the time to exercise your water cutoff valves every few months.  This will keep them in top shape and able to do the job that they were designed to do.  Isn't it a shame it's not that simple to get everyone in your household on an exercise regimen that works?

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  For all your Jacksonville FL plumbing needs, go to 
http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com