Plumb Crazy

By Billy Aldridge

There’s an old saying that plumbers spend most of their time in the bathroom. I suppose the humor in that old saying is true, but keep in mind it’s usually someone else’s bathroom that we’re in.  Unclogging sinks, toilets, and tubs or fixing leaks has always been our primary reason for being called out, but not anymore. With today’s cutting edge technology gradually making its way into the bathroom, plumbers have to brush up on their engineering. That’s right folks, technology has found its way into the bathroom and you will be amazed at some of the things that I have found. In today’s blog I will tell you about some of the latest gadgets that can take any bathroom makeover to a whole new level.

GO GO GADGETS

Well for starters let’s start off with a singing showerhead called the Moxie by Kohler. It’s wireless, so this sound system in a showerhead runs off batteries and can be programmed through your Bluetooth. Since water doesn’t mix well with electricity, the unit is both wireless and rechargeable.  This unit has gotten rave reviews for sound quality and durability. What a great birthday present for your teenager or for anyone that loves singing in the shower.

Movie anyone?

Relaxing in the tub takes on a whole new meaning when you can watch a movie while you soak.   Called Mirrorvue Mirror Television, this product can be installed as a vanity mirror or in the shower-bathtub enclosure. Now I know what you’re thinking…”Bathrooms get kind of steamy.”  Well the folks at Mirrorvue have taken this factor into consideration.  Their screen is guaranteed not to fog, so you’ll receive a crystal clear picture no matter how hot you like your water.  Of course, soaking in the tub for a couple of hours while you watch your favorite flick might leave your fingers a bit pruny.  So far there’s still no cure for that.  

Tired of stepping from a warm bed onto a cold tile floor?

You no longer have to with the advent of thermostatic touch button controlled heated flooring. That’s right, you will never have to walk on a cold bathroom floor in the middle of the night. Thanks to the folks at Laticrete, a complete floor warming kit, including LATICRETE® Floor Warming mat, LATICRETE Floor Warming Thermostat and LATICRETE Wire Fault Indicator is not only easy to install, it is virtually undetectable beneath tile and stone floors.  Controlled by a digital, programmable thermostat such as the one used on your home’s heating system, the system is designed for both comfort and energy efficiency. 

Can Commodes Go Tech?

Think toilets can’t go hi-tech?  Think again, because the people at Kohler have come up with the ultimate commode.  Called Nuni, this Cadillac of crappers comes complete with a self-opening and closing lid, a self-cleaning bidet with adjustable controls for temperature and water pressure, a self-heating seat, a built-in speaker system, and a deodorization system that sucks air from the bowl through a charcoal filter. It even has a touch panel remote that you can use to program the system to your requirements.  Of course, Nuni also comes with a Cadillac price tag of $6,653.

PEACE OF MIND

For you and your family’s safety, before you start any major electrical upgrade in your bathroom, be sure to check with your plumber first. Especially if you’re planning a major overhaul, pipes may need to be relocated or walls may need to be torn out to make room for your new tub toys. A professional plumber can tell you what would be involved in order to make any major changes. He may also have suggestions that may make more sense and make it a lot easier on your wallet. Also keep in mind that anytime you run electrical wires near water, you should always seek the advice of a plumber and an electrician just to be on the safe side.

SUMMARY

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s blog. Feel free to post comments or tell me about other hi-tech bathroom gadgets that you have come across. Along with the rest of our world, bathrooms have finally joined the Technology Age.  However, bathroom tech is still in its infancy.   In the next ten years I can only imagine what is to come. The possibilities are endless.  In the meantime, have a seat on your hi-tech toilet and enjoy the ride.  

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctor’s of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  For more helpful hints and how-to videos, go to http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

Opposed to Dispose? That is the Question.

By Billy Aldridge

When it comes to garbage disposals, knowing which one is the right one for your home isn’t all that simple of a decision. First, you need to be aware that some communities prohibit garbage disposals. Some communities actually require a permit in order to have one installed in your home. So before doing anything check with a home inspector to make sure that your community is not opposed to dispose.

Once you are certain that you are permitted to install a disposal, the next step is to find the right garbage disposal for your home.  Going to your nearest Home Depot and grabbing one off the shelf is no simple matter either.  So I hope you find the information below helpful if you’re thinking about buying a new garbage disposal.

HOW COST EFFECTIVE ARE THEY?

Most people are unaware of the costs associated with a disposal.  I’m not just talking about the purchase cost, but rather the cost of operating the unit year in and year out. This is something that a lot of people don’t factor into the equation. On the average a household will use an extra 900 gallons of water per year when operating their garbage disposal.  Now if you take that plus a little over a hundred dollars for the cost of garbage disposal, you need to ask yourself if this is a convenience you don’t want to live without.

TYPES OF GARBAGE DISPOSALS

Choosing the correct type of disposal for your home depends on a couple of things. First you must know the size of your pipes connected to your sink. Most homes and apartments have a standard size but just to be safe you might want measure you’re pipes. If you require an industrial disposal you’ll probably have to change out your pipes so they can handle the waste. There are two types of garbage disposals. The most common is a continuous feed. By flipping your light switch with the water running you can continuously feed the disposal. The other type is a ‘Batch Feed’ that works with a stopper in place where water and waste are added at the same time as in a “batch’.  There is no switch to turn on, so it is easier to install but not nearly as convenient.

POWER

Power is important! If you are someone who uses a garbage disposal on a minimal basis in order to dispose of mostly soft foods,  then a ½ hp or 1/3 hp may be all that you need.  However,  if you plan on using your unit regularly and/or plan on putting more difficult to grind items into the disposal, then I highly suggest a ¾ to 1 hp. These units are equipped to handle a lot more punishment and you will have a lot less risk of clogging.

SUMMARY

So, when it comes to choosing the right disposal for your needs, recognize that this household convenience is going to eat more than just kitchen waste.    For more information and assistance in installing the right disposal for you, feel free to reach out to your plumber, the one person who is never opposed to dispose.

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing, in Jacksonville, Florida.  For more helpful plumbing tips, including a number of how-to videos, go to http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

The Pressure is On

By Guest Blogger Ed Allen

Just the other day as I was in the bathroom, I started to realize as I had been doing subconsciously for the past 2 months, that there wasn’t much pressure when flushing.  My thought was,    “I hope there isn’t a major leak somewhere in the pipes.”  So I did a little research on this matter and found some interesting facts.

Experiencing a slow flushing toilet

Actually this is a very common problem in many households. In general there are a couple of potential solutions you can use to solve this problem.  Typically there are three reasons why this is occurring:

1.      There is a partial obstruction in the line.

2.      There is a leak somewhere in the system. 

3.      Your home or neighborhood has persistently low pressure. 

So let’s begin with what plumbers call the “Bucket Flush”. Self-explanatory, I know, yet surprisingly effective. Taking a full bucket of cold water, pour it rapidly into your toilet bowl while flushing.  Try to avoid overflowing the bowl.  If the water still flushes slowly, then you know you have a more serious clog that needs to be removed.  If the bucket method does the trick, you probably need to raise the water level in the tank. You can do this by adding a brick.  Ideally, the water level should be about an inch below the overflow valve in the tank.

Removing the clog

The first step is to use a funnel cup plunger.  If the clog is near the drain this may be all that’s needed.

Second, if the plunger does not do the trick you may need a plumbers snake or auger. The snake or auger should be able to reach the clog. As the snake breaks up the debris it will then restore your flushing power.

You should also take the time to clean your ports. The ports are located just beneath the rim. To clean out your ports is a simple procedure. You can use a wire hanger to insert into each hole clearing the way for the water to rush out. If none of these methods work, then you might have a clog that is located yet deeper in your plumbing. It is also a possibility that you may have a leak somewhere in your plumbing as well. This would be the time to call the professionals in to tackle a more in-depth problem.

Low water pressure...

Yes Virginia, there is such a thing as low water pressure, either to an individual home or in some cases to an entire neighborhoods.  Particularly in older neighborhoods, where pipes and water mains collect scale, branches and roots intrude and other forms of partial blockages can reduce the overall pressure, there is a solution: pressure booster pumps.  People on well water and other situations that cause low pressure can benefit greatly from these devices.  If your psi is at least 40 psi, a booster pump can increase pressure significantly.

High water pressure...

It’s quite possible that your water pressure has been set to high without knowing it. There are some telltale signs that may indicate that your water pressure may need adjusting.

1.      If have noticed that your pipes are making a banging noise as you turn on your faucet.

2.      When turning on a faucet, if the water comes chugging out before you have a steady stream this may indicate that your water pressure is too high.

Know your water pressure

It is extremely important that you know the water pressure in your home. High pressure can do lot of damage to many things in your home, starting with your water heater. Your home owners insurance will not cover this if they determine high water pressure was the cause. High pressure can also cause your pipes to wear out prematurely and even rupture or start leaking. Your water pressure should be set at 80psi. There are pressure reducing valves you can have installed to regulate the psi.  This kind of preventative maintenance will not only make your appliances and pipes last years longer, it will also provide you with peace of mind.

When it comes to enjoying all the modern comforts that modern plumbing can provide, why put yourself under pressure when problems with water flow rear their ugly heads.  Call a plumbing professional to determine the best way to solve your water pressure issues today.

The professionals at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing can help homeowners and business owners solve all their plumbing issues quickly and efficiently.  For more information, go to http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

Move Over Martha Stewart – Women Now Do DIY

By Billy Aldridge

When it comes to plumbing DIY, this is not the first topic that rolls off the tongues of most women.  Yet in these changing times, more women are just as apt to walk down the aisles of Lowes or Home Depot as they do Bed, Bath & Beyond.  What has caused this sea change in women’s shopping habits is a combination of economic reality combined with a healthy dose of HGTV.  In short, many power women are becoming as skilled at picking up power tools as they are at picking up cookware.  Move over Martha Stewart!

With that in mind, I have pulled together a number of online resources whose aim it is to empower women to take on a number of simple repairs around the kitchen, bathroom and back yard. 

America’sGender Wars Being Waged in the DIY Dept. 

“That women are encroaching on previously male-dominated territory is nothing new. But, until recently, home repair — like automotive mechanics — has seemed inviolable. "Fixing things around the house was the last bastion of manliness," said Hanna Rosin, author of "The End of Men" and co-founder of Slate's Double X blog. "But now, even that is getting taken away. As women become more economically independent, they are starting to fix things around the house for themselves."

"For so long, women have been so afraid to take on home repairs, but our message is: This is not the hardest thing you have done. Women take care of our elderly parents, our neighbors, our spouses, our friends. So is that any easier than repairing a garbage disposal?" asked Glakas-Tenet, who along with Sussman, has had a husband in the CIA and lives in the Washington area.

The article goes onto say that while earlier generations were more concerned about whether their daughters married well, in this day and age parents are more concerned about their independence.  It also points out the fact that there isn’t any reason that there isn’t any reason for handywomen to make a fashion faux pas, since “they can buy pink tool kits, complete with pink pliers, hammers, drills and utility knives.” Add to this the availability of scads of blogs and online videos dedicated to showing everyone how to accomplish simple repairs of all kinds and it isn’t at all surprising that more women are learning the ABC’s of DIY.

Some of the online resources that I suggest you try are as follows:

• http://www.diynetwork.com       
• http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Plumbing  
•  http://www.doityourself.com/scat/plumbing 
•  http://www.diyadvice.com/diy/plumbing/

YouTube is another hotbed for DIY how-to videos.  Since it is a search engine, what I recommend is that you key in the specifications of the project in the query box at the top of the page.  Whether you are looking to fix a dripping faucet, unstick a stopped up drain, or disinfect a stinky garbage disposal, there is a video that will show you how to quickly and safely do the deed. (Below are a couple of my own how-to videos.)

So when it comes to prowess in the DIY game, gender should no longer be a deterrent.  All it takes for women to do DIY is the willingness to try, the ability to learn and the means to acquire a color-coordinated tool kit.  

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing, a residential and commercial plumbing contractor located in Jacksonville, FL.  For even more helpful hints and videos, visit their site at http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

How to Keep Your Holidays from Going Down the Drain.

By Billy Aldridge

Another year has come and gone along with another holiday season.  With the holidays, most any holiday, where you wind up playing host to family and friends, it is not at all unusual for the household plumbing to get overstresses.  Instead of having to put up with yet another unwanted guest, in the guise of a plumber, I have come up with a holiday checklist that is designed to reduce those pesky HPDs (otherwise known as holiday plumbing disasters).

Prep Your Potty: Before the troops hit the beach, if you have a septic system I suggest you prep every toilet in the house with a bacterial/enzyme based product like RidX every couple of months in order to keep the lines clear.   Since you need to let the product remain in the toilet for several hours, this is not something you want to do if the thundering herd is expected to show up at any minute. 

Deep Clean Your Drains:  The best way to think about your pipes is the to view like them to the arteries in your body.  Like arteries, pipes tend to over time as lime scale, hair and all manners of crud gradually reduce their effective diameter until they stop up completely.  The best way to keep blockages from forming both in the body as well as in your home, is to give the system a vigorous workout on a weekly basis.  The best way to do this is to plug the drain and fill the sink with hot water and a few drops of dish detergent.  When the sink is full, pull the plug and allow the drain to empty completely.  If successful you will both see and hear the water swirl rapidly down the drain.  This indicates that the pipes are clear.  If the water drains lethargically, repeat the process.  If that doesn’t work, call in the plumber before the holiday to save the overtime costs. 

Disinfect Your Disposal: Along with the drains, it is also a good idea to disinfect your disposal at least every quarter.  To do this you will need the following 3 items:  Ice, Dish Detergent and either Vinegar or Lemon Juice.  Step number one is to turn on the disposal and run some hot water and then toss in a couple of handfuls of ice.  This both cleans and sharpens the blades at the same time.  Next, pour a couple of drops of dish detergent and a tablespoon of lemon or lime juice while the unit is still running to disinfect and deodorize the unit. (Below is a video that shows you the entire process.)

Disaster Relief Kit: Even if you do all that I have suggested above, this doesn’t necessarily mean that either you or one of your houseguests can’t find a way to gum up the works.  If that should happen, you should put together a disaster relief kit that consists of a plunger, a bucket, a plumbing snake, a bottle of dish detergent, a box of baking soda and a bottle of vinegar. 

Should the unthinkable happen and either a drain or toilet become clogged, do not panic.  If the toilet is clogged, simply turn off the water to the toilet, fill up the bucket with hot water, add a couple drops of dish detergent to the bucket and then pour the bucket as quickly as possible into the toilet while simultaneously having someone else flush the toilet.  Ideally, you want to hold the bucket at waist height in order to increase the pressure of the water against the clog.  Many times this will clear the clog and allow the toilet to flush.  If not, plan B is to start plunging. 

When plunging a toilet, the most important factor is to make sure that the plunger is completely submerged. It’s water pressure, not air pressure that is necessary to clear out a clog.  If there isn’t enough water to ensure that the plunger is completely underwater, then add some.  If the toilet is nearly filled to the brim with water, simply remove some.  The trick is to get the job done without turning the bathroom into a disaster area.

If the clog still won’t come loose, there is one more step you can try, provided that you have at least one additional working bathroom for you and your guests to use.  That is pouring a box of baking soda and a half bottle of vinegar into the toilet and let it stand overnight.  First you need to drain all the standing water out of the bowl.  Then add the baking soda and vinegar.  This mixture will immediately start to foam.  (Using more caustic over the counter products is not recommended, since these can erode the pipes.)  After allowing the baking soda/vinegar mixture to do its think all night long, try pouring a bucket of hot water into the bowl and flushing the next morning, followed by one more round of plunging if necessary.  If this doesn’t get the job done, it’s time to call in the professionals.

Drains are another matter altogether.  The first thing you need to do in order to clear a drain is to determine what caused the clog.  The second is to determine how deep the clog is located in the drain.  Before attempting to clear a drain, you should remove and screen covering the drain and then using a finger feel around for any surface clog.  If that doesn’t do the trick, take your plumbing snake and thread it down the drain.  If you meet resistance, twist the snake around a few times and then pull it out.  Hopefully this will unseat the clog which should attach it self at least partially to the snake.  Repeat as needed.

When it comes to keeping your holidays from going down the drain, remember that HPDs are a lot like unwanted house guests.  With a little preparation and a solid emergency action plan, they can usually be dealt with without resorting to that other handy holiday helper Jack Daniels.

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing, a residential and commercial plumbing service located in Jacksonville, FL.  For even more helpful hints including videos, visit their site at http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com

Tis the Season for a Little Bathroom Tech

By Billy Aldridge

Believe it or not, the average American spends anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour in the bathroom on a daily basis.  As a result, there are a number of companies that are capitalizing on this trend by developing bathroom technology that is designed to make better use of the time spent there.  With the holiday shopping season upon us, this could also be the perfect time to add a touch of tech to your bathroom.

1.      Bath TV – We all knew that sooner or later the TV would find its way into the bathroom.  The only thing stopping it was the fact that electricity and water don’t mix.  But there are now manufacturers offering waterproof flat screens and even mirrors with built-in TV sets.  What will they think of next?  

2.      Shower Power – If you love singing in the shower, Kohler has developed its Moxie Showerhead with you in mind.  Combining a showerhead with a magnetic wireless speaker that is Bluetooth enabled, the system is fully rechargeable and is literally a snap to remove.  

3.      Digital Bathroom Scales – If you think that bathroomscales are only good for bragging or nagging rights, guess again.  Digital scales can now do much more than just weigh an individual.  They can now be programmed to track the vital statistics on multiple members of a household.  Some can also measure everything from weight to body fat to body water.  

4.      Touchless Faucets – If you go gaga over germs you can find a range of touch-free faucets for the home from most manufacturers.  These units are designed to also save water and they stay cleaner than traditional faucets since you won’t ever have to turn off the tap with wet hands.  

5.      Bathroom Cleaning Robots – The bad news is that nobody enjoys cleaning the bathroom.   The good news is that technology makes it possible to turn the chore over to a robot.  Most consumers have heard of the robotic vacuum cleaner named Roomba.  Well the makers of Roomba, iRobot have recently unveiled a line of wetbots designed to clean the bathroom floor.  Called Scooba, this robot is designed to clean hard to reach places, including around the toilet and under the cabinets with a three-stage cleaning process that  neutralizes up to 97% of bacteria. 

6.      On a Budget?  - If you are a little more cost conscious there are also a number bathroom gadgets from waterproof notepads to hands-free soap and toothpaste dispensers that can add a touch of tech without breaking the bank.

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

Don’t Let a Stopped Drain Ruin Your Ho Ho Holiday Cheer

By Billy Aldridge

We all remember the choreographed mayhem that Chevy Chase endured in the motion picture Christmas Vacation.  Most of us can relate to a happy holiday being undermined by wayward relatives, hapless delivery drivers and a culinary catastrophe or two along the way.  So the last thing that you want is for everyone to remember the Christmas when Santa appeared dressed as a plumber.

The Ghost of Christmas Dinner Past

Being home for the holidays usually means preparing Christmas dinner for the family.  The downside to cooking the holiday feast is that the cleanup can easily wind up overwhelming your pipes, resulting in a call to yours truly.  If you don’t want to add yet another mouth to feed during the holidays, here are some things you need to be made aware:

•   Fat is not your friend – While gravy helps make the turkey go down better in people, when it comes to plumbing the opposite is generally the case.  Anything containing fat, such as gravy boats, plates and serving platters need to be wiped clean with a paper towel before being washed in the sink.  Even then you want to use plenty of hot water before, during and after doing the holiday dishes.  That’s because any fat left in the pipes can quickly congeal into a blockage that requires a snake to clear.  One of the remedial steps is to fill your sink with hot water and a few drops of  liquid detergent, then pull the stopper to flush out the pipes after the dishes are done.  
• Don’t give your disposal indigestion – While the modern garbage disposal is a wonderful invention, it was never designed to eat everything.  While most people know to avoid putting bones, gristle or other hard to grind substances into the disposal, they may not be aware that these devices also do not like to be fed a diet of celery, poultry skins, potato and onion peels, all of which can be hard to break down.  Disposals also need an occasional deep cleaning in order to eliminate odor.  (Below is a video that shows you how to eliminate “Stinky Disposal Syndrome” from your home.)

•   Is stuffing going to stuff your pipes? – As a rule anything that is pulpy, such as stuffing, pumpkin flesh and squash can form a paste that can quickly gum up the works.  Just like pancake batter (another substance you should never pour down the drain), once past the disposal, these substances can quickly swell up and clog any drain.  Again, the solution is not to put these substances into the disposal.
• The extended family can also prove to be a strain on your plumbing.  While you can’t exactly read relatives the riot act, you can make sure that in their effort to help you clear the holiday dishes that they don’t inadvertently break any of the rules set above.  (That is if you can get them to help with the dishes.)

The bottom line is that like it or not, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the busiest days of the year for plumbers like me.  If you follow the advice above you should be able to make sure that I stay out of your home for the holidays.

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctor’s of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing, a residential and commercial plumbing contractor located in Jacksonville, Florida.  For more information and helpful how-to videos visit their site at http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com