Inspect Your Septic System to Save Money

A good septic system is necessary for any place or any home. Similarly, repairs and maintenance of septic systems are important too. Scott English Plumbing does the task of septic system construction, repairs and septic systems maintenance too. They are experts in this field with professional experience for quite a considerable timeframe. Their team takes time to plan and find affordable and appropriate septic tanks to install in your premises.

There is always the question you will ask yourself; How exactly can you ensure that your septic system runs smoothly between pumping? Here is an outline of the simple steps you can take to ensure that you are not making midnight calls to the local residential electric and plumbing company.

Proper septic maintenance will help prolong the lifetime of your system which will have your hundreds of dollars in replacement costs. An annual inspection is recommended to make sure that it is working properly and to determine when your septic tank should be pumped. A thorough inspection will include the following:

Location of the System

You and even professionals may have a difficult time locating the septic system if access to it is buried. You can begin the search by going into the basement and figuring out which way the sewer line is traveling through the wall. Outside the inspector will use a probe to locate the buried piping below the soil. Once the system has been identified, you and the inspector can sketch a map to keep on hand for future inspections or pumping. This will help save you and the professionals’ time.

Uncover Manholes

This step-like the previous one can involve some hunting and digging, especially if they are buried. In the future, it will help the process if manholes and inspection ports are elevated. This will make it easier to spot them and also provide easier access.

Check Connections

Run some appliances that use water such as toilets, sinks, or washing machines to determine if the household plumbing is running smoothly. This will help pinpoint any issues with connections between your house plumbing and the septic tank.

Measure the Scum and Sludge Layers

Next, the inspector will check the scum and sludge layers with tools that are inserted through inspection ports. Thorough and trustworthy inspectors will also include a visual observation of the grime. Sludge is made up of heavier solids and settles at the bottom of the tank. Scum, on the other hand, is composed of grease and lighter solids that float at the top of the tank. Inspectors suggest that if sludge depth is equal to 1/3 of the liquid depth, then you should have your tank pumped. Tanks should also be pumped when it is 1/3 full. Remember that dangerous chemicals in septic tanks can harm you and you should leave inspections to the trained professionals.

Check the Tank and Drain field

The inspector will check the various hook-ups and the walls of the tank for cracks and the drain field for any signs of failure. How often you need to pump your tank will depend on a variety of factors on tank size to the number of people in your household. Make sure that when it comes time to pump that you hire a licensed contractor.

Contact Scott English Plumbing experts, for a hands on information about all your septic system’s installation, maintenance and repairs. Call us at (714) 987-9801 or 714-987-9801.

How Winter Curtains can Insulate your Home

What do you think when we talk about windows? The beautiful view, natural lighting, improving the ambience of the room, and others. However, have you often considered that during winter, windows are potential weak spots in our homes that can neutralize the warm and comfortable atmosphere inside? How do you address this problem?

The Window Pane

Before we address the problem, it is important to understand the anatomy of our window. Regardless of what type of window you have in your home, the common problem with them is the thermal envelope. Did you know that windows are such a weak spot that even uninsulated walls have higher insulating capacity than your double-glazed windows?

Surprised? The reality is that windows provide a natural exit for heat allowing it to escape every time. The best solution to prevent this from happening is to have properly fitted curtains fixed on your windows. Does this solve the problem? Partly, because many curtains are not properly fitted to maximize the insulation capacity. Did you know this?

The Curtain Problem

Have you noticed how curtain tracks are usually about 1 to 2 inches away from the wall of your window? This is an open-top style that is often used in many homes. What many people do not know is that no matter how small the gap is, it will still diminish the thermal performance of the entire window area.

If the window is cold, the heat will radiate out of the window through the glass. This means that the cold air will fall to the floor and result in a negative pressure. The warm air will then be pulled down from your ceiling and through the gap of the open-top style curtain track. This cycle creates a situation wherein heat is lost in the room.

The heat loss cycle will continue for as long as the temperature in the room is different from the temperature outside. During winter, the nights can be so long that significant amounts of heat will be lost despite what you think is an adequately insulated home.

Solving the Problem

With a better understanding of the problem, the best way to stop or at least reduce heat loss is to install a pelmet. This will cover the top portion of the curtain track to prevent the warm air from coming down and out the window.

The pelmet can come down from the ceiling or be attached to the wall above the window. The sides of the pelmet should be closed as well. The covering of the top of the curtain should not be smaller than 2 inches.

Movement of air can also be slowed down by replacing a free-hanging curtain with a floor-length one. The effect would be similar to the pelmet that blocks airflow from the top of the curtain. The floor-length fabric will also prevent free air movement of the bottom. This breaks the air movement cycle.

Increasing Insulation

What happens now after you have installed a pelmet box or replaced your free-hanging curtains with floor-length curtains? You have now created a room where the curtains are essentially draft-proof. But you are not done yet.

The next step is to increase the insulation capacity of your curtains. How do you do this? Make sure that you are using at least two layers of curtains. Keep in mind that insulation is simply creating dead air spare; the more layers you have, the more dead air is produced. With the addition of fabric layers between the curtain and its lining, you now have a high-performance insulation system for your windows.

Would you believe that using this method to increase insulation is far cheaper than having a double-glazed window installed?

Simple yet effective solutions do not have to be expensive all the time. Following these suggestions will help generate savings during winter and prevent your home heating system from getting overworked.

For more information, contact Scott English Plumbing.

3 Easy to Do Home Repairs

Why should you be able to do home repairs? For one, it can serve you well during an emergency. Another reason is that it can help you save hundreds of dollars in repair service costs. The great thing about these home repairs is that they can be done easily without relatively no chance of damaging your home appliances. Let’s take a look at what types of home repairs you can do.

Clothes Washer

Do you have a front-loading clothes washer that does not properly drain? Well, don’t be alarmed because this is not out of the ordinary. In fact, in many instances, the front-loading washer may be working perfectly then it just fails to spin water from the clothes.

It would be easy to assume that the problem can be with a relay or switch that needs to be repaired or replaced. If this was the case, you would need to call a professional to do the servicing, right? Luckily, before you pick up the phone, you can do a bit of repair work yourself to see if it solves the problem.

Front-loading washers are fitted with a pump that is designed with a filter. Did you know that you have to clean out this filter every once in a while? Didn’t you? Well, that may be the cause of your problem. The filter may already be clogged because of the numerous types you have been using the clothes washer.

All you have to do is to unscrew the front panel to remove it. Normally you would need a hex driver, depending on the type of screws used by the manufacturer. Once the front panel is removed, you will easily find the pump with the filter fitted just behind it. Try to check if you can twist off the filter to clean it. If the filter is built into the pump, then you need to remove the hose to clean the pump. The washer should work fine after doing this.

Dishwasher

Are your dishes still dirty after going through the dishwasher’s cycle? One of the most common reasons why this happens is that there you put in too many dishes in the washer. After reducing the load and the problem still persists, then you are looking at the possibility of a clogged filter.

Just like any plumbing appliance, the dishwasher and its components have to be cleaned regularly. So how do you clean the filter? The first step is to remove the bottom rack. You then need to remove the spray arm to gain access to the filter. Remove the filter cover if possible; otherwise, you would need a wet and dry vacuum to clean out the filter. Once this is done, simply put everything back in place and load the dishwasher. The problem should be solved by now.

Electrical Outlets

What does an electrical outlet have to do with home plumbing appliances? A lot, if you consider that appliances like dishwashers, clothes washers, sump pumps, heaters, and other similar plumbing appliances run on electricity. If there is no electricity running through the outlets, the appliances would not function, right?

Before doing anything with the electrical outlet, make sure that the problem is not with the circuit breaker. To do this, all you need to do is to turn the circuit breaker off and then on again to reset it. Before declaring the problem solved, you have to understand that circuit breakers cut off power to outlets when the electricity trips, which means you have to check the outlets as well, especially if you have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installed. This type of device will shut off the electric current when it detects electricity flowing through an unidentified path like water for example.

Making sure that the circuit breaker and the GFCI outlets are no longer tripping will ensure good electricity flow in your home. This also saves you about $100 in professional service fees.

Call Scott English Plumbing at (714) 987-9801 or 714-987-9801 for plumbing services.

How to Flood-Proof your Laundry Room

Do you have a laundry room on the second floor? Are you constantly scared of the possibility of flooding your home? Everything should not be as hopeless as it seems, there are steps you can take to prevent possible water catastrophe from striking your second-floor laundry room. The great thing with these preventive measures is that they do not cost a lot of money or require too much time to do. Take a look at these tips.

Required Materials

Before doing any work, make sure that you have all the materials that you need. Preparing all the materials before starting the work will make things easier and go smoothly. Here are the things to prepare:

• Solder;
• Washer box;
• PVC solvent cement;
• Water line shutoffs;
• Copper pipe;
• Drain assembly;
• 1-inch or 2-inch PVC pipe;
• Discharge hose; and
• Supply hose.

Work Tools

Aside from the required materials to flood-proof your second-floor laundry, you also need the right set of tools to get the job done. Your plumbing work will be a lot easier if the right tools are used. Having the right tools also helps prevent further “accidents” from happening.

• Tape measure;
• Hammer;
• Corded drill;
• Hacksaw;
• Soldering torch;
• Drywall saw;
• 1-inch, or 2-inch spade bit; and
• Circular or reciprocating saw.

Installation of a Washer Box

The important thing to preventing second-floor laundry room flooding is having quick access to the water shutoffs. The best way to do this is to install not just any type of washer box, but a recessed washer box.

The recessed washer box goes directly into the wall just behind your washing machine. This washer box is available at most home centers and allows for connections using shutoff valves for the discharge hose of the washer and the supply hose of the water. The bottom of the washer box should be mounted about the same height as the top of the control panel of the washing machine. This gives you easy access and allows for proper servicing when needed. When buying a recessed washer box, make sure that the shutoff valves are included.

Drains

Ensure all drains are kept clear through regular proactive maintenance and cleaning

Washer Tray

Another way to prevent flooding in your second-floor laundry room is to have a washer tray installed under the washing machine. What does this do? The drain of the tray is not directly connected to the waste line of your home. Therefore, it creates a new and indirect line where the water can be dumped into a laundry tub, outside the wall, or to a floor drain.

The tray should be set tightly against the framing of the back wall and must run down the drywall. This is necessary so that when the washing machine leaks, the water will go to the tray and drained safely away from your home. These washer trays are also available in most home centers.

Hose Health

One of the most common source of leaks that can cause flooding are the supply hoses. This means that taking care of the hoses should be high on your priority list. Older hoses tend to crack, which means they have to be replaced immediately. Keeping those hoses in good shape will prevent unnecessary flooding and taper your water bills.

When in the market for new hoses try to look for no-burst models, which are enclosed in braided stainless steel making them more durable. When using new hose washers, make sure that they are properly connected and hand-tightened to that supply valves and the inlet of the washing machine. After doing a new connection always check for leaks before resuming normal operation of your washer. Be careful when tightening the connections to make sure that they do not crack or the thread gets worn out.

These are good tips to follow to help prevent flooding from your second-floor laundry room. As an extra precaution, always make sure that the water for the supply hoses is turned off. When faced with plumbing problems, call for professional help at (714) 987-9801 or (949) 293-2037.

How to Fix a Damp Basement

A damp basement is no laughing matter. In fact, it can be a very dangerous condition regardless of whether you have an old or new home. The dampness in the basement can cause a number of problems that will eventually ruin not only your home plumbing system, but may also degrade the foundation of your home. What can you do to fix a damp basement? Here are some things that you can try.

Damp-Proofing

Is your home sitting on poor-draining soil? This type of soil is usually clay, which means that it will remain damp most of the time. Since the problem exists with the soil, no number of downspouts can prevent the potential accumulation of water in your basement resulting in a damp interior.

For this kind of problem, damp-proofing is normally the most effective solution for this kind of dampness. This is done on the exterior of the foundation with the installation of basement slabs that will prevent this condition. Older homes usually do not have this type of damp-proofing. Until you have your basement damp-proofing installed, you can buy a humidifier for roughly about $220 to $450 to allow you to control basement dampness.

Under the Slab Drainage System

Is your home encountering episodic dampness? Meaning dampness usually occurs when there is moderate to heavy downpour. When this happens the walls and floors would usually become damp with water seeping through cracks. One of the most effective ways to deal with this type of dampness is to have a drainage system installed under the concrete slab. This helps to alleviate the significant pressure exerted by the water against the basement walls.

This long-term solution makes use of corrugated pipes made from plastic to relieve the water pressure. The drain tile collects the water entering the basement before channeling it to the sump pit and discharging it away from your home. Installation must be done by a professional and would normally set you back around $25 to $35 per foot of tile. This by far is one of the most effective ways to combat basement dampness regardless the cause.

Drain Tile

Do you have a new home? If so, then by all probability, your contractor may have already installed a drain tile around the exterior foundation of your home. This may have even be augmented with damp-proofing to ensure that your basement or the exterior wall of your crawlspaces remain dry. The area should have been backfilled for good measure and to preserve the damp-proofing.

However, if you have an older home, the possibility of having a drain tile would be small to none. The good news is that you can still have this put in to ensure that dampness in your basement does not become a problem. But, at this point, a lot of work has to be done because of the existing foundation work and whatever things you have around like flowers or shrubs for example. This means that this preventive measure can be quite expensive for existing homes, but ideal for homes to be built.

Drainage Channel

Does water enter the basement through cracks in the masonry or concrete walls? Is the dampness isolated to the walls and does not affect the floor? If this is the condition of your basement, then the solution for you is to have a drainage channel installed.

The drainage channel runs along the wall above the basement floor or just on top of the footing if you have masonry walls. This solutions collect water and drains it into the sump pit where it is discharged properly. This comparatively cheap method is a bit less effective because it allows water to enter the basement before it is drained rather than preventing it from entering.

These are just a few of the ways how you can fix a damp basement problem. To explore more options available for your property, consult a professional like Scott English Plumbing immediately and have your plumbing system checked regularly.

How to Replace a Sink Sprayer Head

Sink sprayers can be very convenient to use and can give your sink some degree of flexibility. But, like most plumbing fixtures, sink sprayers will break over time and can become clogged from the mineral deposits found in water. It is not only the sprayer head that can become hardened and cracked, often, the sprayer hose as well will become damaged due to the constant rubbing that happens underneath the sink. So how can you replace the sink sprayer head?

Preparing the Materials

In most instances, replacement of the sink sprayer head can be a do-it-yourself project unless something else needs to be replaced or you are not completely confident on what to do. So what do you need to do this project?

For the tools, you will only need an open end Basin wrench that costs anywhere from $15 to $25 at your local hardware. This will allow you to deal with the various connections for the sink sprayer as well as its hose if it needs to be replaced. To make sure that you are ready to do the replacement, you must have the sink sprayer head handy. This usually costs around $5 from your local hardware store or home center.

Another option is to buy the hose kit, which is roughly about $10. If you do not have the open end Basin wrench you may choose to buy a wrench set as well from the home center. Having these tools and materials handy before starting the project will make things a lot easier and faster. Take note of the brand of your sink sprayer unit to ensure that the replacement would fit.

Replacement Procedure

Now that you have your tools and materials ready, you can begin with the replacement of the sink sprayer.

The first step in doing any replacement or repair of plumbing fixtures is to turn off the water supply.

Normally you can find a control valve underneath the sink. If there is none, you would need to turn off the water supply from the main valve, which means leaving your entire home waterless until your finish with the replacement. Open the faucet to make sure that water has been completely drained from the system.

The next step is to unscrew the hose.

To accomplish this you need to use the open-end wrench to separate the sink sprayer hose and the hose nipple. Gently pull the old sprayer and hose from the sink grommet. If there is not much space to maneuver or turn the wrench, you would need to use a basin wrench to disconnect the hose from the nipple.

Slide the replacement hose into place by putting it through the grommet on the top portion of the sink. Reconnect it to the faucet unit. Replace the head by holding the base of the sprayer in your hand and twisting off the old sink sprayer head.

Screw on the replacement sink sprayer head. If the old sprayer hose does not need replacement, just keep the new sprayer hose in a safe place in case you need it in the near future.

The last step is to test the replacement you made to make sure everything is properly sealed and there are no leaks in the connections. Turn on the control valve and allow the water to fill up your pipes for a minute or two before using the new sink sprayer.

Everything can sound so easy, but a word of caution though, if you are not confident with any part of this procedure, do not hesitate to call for professional help. Regardless of the degree of difficulty of the plumbing problem, Scott English Plumbing will always be your best choice. Make the call now!

Plumbing Can Be Accessible for All

Plumbing needs to be accessible to everyone, no matter their age, impairments, or other conditions. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that requires buildings to be accessible for people with physical disabilities.

When it comes to plumbing fixtures, the challenge comes with choosing fixtures that everyone can use. Fortunately, manufacturers are working on creating products that do just that.

What the community is working on

One thing that the community that works with accessibility is doing is called mainstreaming.

The mainstreaming community is striving to ensure that everything in public facilities is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

Their ultimate goal is not single out people with disabilities so that everyone is treated exactly the same.

The accessibility advocates are also working with universal design.

This idea encourages designers to create products that can be used universally without needing to use other objects to make them accessible. These two terms, universal design and mainstreaming, are used in product design as well as education and healthcare to remove barriers that prevent everyone from functioning with equality in the world today.

When it comes to plumbing, mainstreaming and universal design is done with the design of fixtures used in the kitchen and bath.

Designers need to figure out how to work with people who stand as well as people who use wheelchairs. This means that manufacturers need to work with clearances for knees and toes under different types of fixtures. They also need to figure out how to make the faucet handles accessible for people who might not be able to reach a typical faucet. They also need to figure out how to make faucets work with a small amount of force or with no force at all.

Showers and countertop sinks need to be accessible to people in wheelchairs that have a large turning radius. Grab bars also need to be placed in positions that make them useful instead of just randomly placing them to meet code requirements.

Some of the results of universal design and mainstreaming have come in toilet options for homeowners and business owners. Instead of one standard height, toilets can now be purchased in varying heights for comfort and ease of use. The typical toilet is about 15 inches high from the floor to the bowl; the seat adds another two inches in height.

For people who have difficulty transitioning to that toilet height can now buy one at 16 to 17 inches at the rim. This removes the need for a tall toilet seat that shows at homeowner has a disability. Toilets are also available in the same size that is used in elementary schools so children can have an appropriately sized plumbing fixture.

Bathrooms and kitchen can also create slip-and-fall problems for the elderly and for people with disabilities. One of the most dangerous products in the home is the shower. Instead of having slippery floors or forcing the consumer to buy slip resistant add-ons, manufacturers are producing shower stalls and tubs with finishes that are not slippery.

The best part of this innovation is that no one can tell the shower stall or tub has a slip-resistant finish because the fixtures look just like any other.

Obesity is another issue that plumbers and designers need to accommodate.

Whether plumbers are installing fixtures in homes or businesses, it is important that those fixtures can accommodate the weight of heavier people. Wall mounted toilets must withstand 500 pounds of weight and so much the grab bars that are installed next to them.

These fixtures need to not only withstand the heavier weight, but the heavyweight landing quickly on the fixture. In order to keep people safe, toilets are being mounted to the floor to remove the risk of wall-mounted ones falling to the ground and injuring users.

If you have questions about accessible plumbing fixtures, please contact Scott English Plumbing at (714) 987-9801 or 714-987-9801.

6 Tips to Improve Home Plumbing Systems

When it comes to home improvement, did you know that plumbing work is one of the most challenging and can be utterly frustrating? Many do-it-yourself homeowners can attest to this fact and sometimes, even professionals that lack the training and proper equipment can fall prey to the same pitfalls. To make things a bit easier, here are some tips that you can follow the next time you face plumbing challenges at home.

1. Plastic for Metal

Normally, metal drain lines are used especially under the sink. Although it looks more reliable, plastic lines are considered a better choice because it is easier to install, repair, and even more affordable. More importantly, plastic is not prone to corrosion. The next time you need to replace your metal drains, think of using plastic for metal instead.

2. Piggybacking Shutoff Valves

Among the different plumbing fixtures in your home, shutoff valves can be considered as the least reliable. Have you ever had the problem of valves not closing and you are just forced to completely replace it? The next time you go to the home center to buy a replacement shutoff valve, try looking for piggyback shutoff valves that you can easily connect to the existing one. This not only allows you to gain more control over your water supply, but also allows you to install a new supply line. Make sure that you completely turn off the water supply before installing your piggyback valve to save water and prevent damage.

3. Tightening Supply Lines

If you have done a bit of plumbing work then you know how tempting it is to just keep on turning that nut or valve until you cannot turn it any further. The reality though is that there is a real danger in overtightening connections, especially when it comes to supply lines. Loose connections are easy to tighten, but overtightened connections can pose real damage to the seals and may even crack the thread. The proper thing to do is to hand-tighten both ends and give it about another quarter turn with your wrench to prevent any leaks.

4. Reusing Supply Lines

Are you in the habit of reusing old supply lines to save some money? That is not a very good practice. Old lines degrade over time and reusing them will not only result in small (sometimes undetectable) leaks, but also potentially dangerous water damage. Buying new braided, stainless steel lines is a better alternative than taking the risk for a few bucks saved. Braided lines are less susceptible to bursting, but must be replaced as well after a few years.

5. Use Thread Tape

There are certain advantages to using thread tape aside from avoiding getting your hands smeared or leaving tools sprawled on the floor. Do you know that pink tape should be used for water and yellow is for gas? Using the right one will dictate how effective the tape can be. It is important to point out that tape should be used for pipe threads only and not for compression and other types of connections. Although there is no general rule on how many times the pipe should be wrapped, about three full rotations should be good enough. Remember to always wrap the pipe with thread tape in a clockwise direction to prevent it from unwrapping as you screw the joints together.

6. Caulk not Putty

Are you aware that even if it’s called plumber’s putty some plumbers prefer to use caulk instead? This is because the putty may stain surfaces and can damage certain types of plastic. Putty also has a tendency to crack resulting in leaks over time. Using silicone caulk will give you a lasting seal that is safer.

The best way though to ensure that your home plumbing system is always in the best shape possible is to have a professional plumbing expert come in and regularly check it. Call Scott English Plumbing today for your plumbing inspection schedule!

Water Pressure and the PRV

Most plumbers rarely ever hear that water pressure is too high. Complaints about water pressure usually involve water pressure that is way too low. Despite the common issues with water pressure, there are several great reasons to install a pressure reducing valve in your home or business.

What is a Pressure Reducing Valve?

These small devices are designed to offer some resistance to water coming into a home or office. These have diaphragms that are spring loaded to help with the resistance. These are usually installed near the point of entry. Most plumbers will set them to 45 pounds per square inch, but adjustable pressure reducing valves can be set anywhere between 30 and 80 pounds per square inch (psi). They are extremely affordable to install, so with the savings on your water bill, you will quickly recoup any installation expenses.

Installing a pressure reducing valve can save a serious amount of water. Families can save thousands of gallons of water each year by turning down their water pressure by 10 psi. Some communities will actually reward customers who use pressure reducing valves with rebates on water usage.

Test Your Own Water Pressure

If you are unsure of your water pressure, it is quite easy to measure it in your home. You simply need a water pressure gauge on an exterior faucet. You can check out the numbers throughout the day and week to see how consistent the pressure is. If you find that your pressure is around 100 psi, then one pressure reducing valve is needed. However, if you have extremely high water pressure, that reads around 200, then you might need two pressure reducing valves.

Care for Your Appliances

Water is expensive and is often wasted. When water pressure is too high for appliances, the lifespan of appliances can be greatly reduced. Instead of buying new appliances every few years due to high water pressure, a pressure reducing valve can help you save money on your water bills and on appliance repair or replacement expenses. Now that kitchen appliances can cost thousands of dollars, adding a pressure reducing valve can protect that investment.

Protect Your Fixtures

Not only does high water pressure affect the life of expensive kitchen appliances, but it can also wreak havoc on fixtures, too. Whether you are taking a shower or washing your hands, it is true that you need water pressure to get the soap off of your body and hands, but water pressure that is too high can also damage those fixtures. You do not need to take a trickle shower, but paying attention to the performance of your fixture is wise, especially now that fixtures cost hundreds of dollars. Now that water is in shorter supply than it has ever been before, using a little less in your shower and in your sinks does your community some good.

Install at Your Supply Lines

Since most homeowners and business owners have no idea what their supply line water pressure is, it can be useful to have it evaluated. Water that comes in from city lines can have different pressure depending on the age of the water mains, the size of the mains, and the amount of water that is pumped through them. Installing a pressure reducing valve on your supply lines is another way to reduce the water you use. Supply line pressure reducing valves tend to help families avoid the number one home water disaster: the burst washing machine hose! When water pressure is too high, these are generally the first accidents that happen and they tend to be some of the messiest, too.

Call Scott English Plumbing for more information.

Things Homeowners Do to Wreck Plumbing Systems

There are several things that can destroy a plumbing system. Many of those things are out of the control of homeowners. Unfortunately, there are also many things homeowners do all by themselves to wreak havoc on their expensive plumbing systems. These things are quite simple to avoid.

Take our advice and do not do these things to your plumbing system, especially if you want to save money and make your plumbing system last:

Only use vents for venting

Plumbing vents are designed for venting smells from gases that no one wants to smell. They should not be used for cables or anything other than air. They may not look attractive popping out of the roof, but they are better than smells that can come if you damage the vent.

Disconnect your hoses in the winter

In areas of the country where ice can form in cold weather, it is vital for homeowners to disconnect their outdoor houses from exterior faucets. Once the faucet freezes, the ice can expand farther up into the pipe and cause more trouble inside the house. Along with the faucet and interior pipes, hoses can also be damaged beyond repair.

Follow instructions when using drain cleaner

Drain cleaner is corrosive – this is how it cleans out clogs in the drain. When homeowners follow instructions, drain cleaner works and it is safe. However, if homeowners just pour it down the drain without measuring the correct amount, it can corrode pipes, garbage disposals, and other materials in the drain. The cleaner can also worsen the clog so a plumber has to be called.

Do not pour harmful chemicals in a septic system

Even if your septic system is just yours, it is good advice to avoid pouring anything with harmful chemicals into it. Paint, bleach, drain cleaner, and other commonly used substances can actually harm a septic tank. Since a septic tank actually relies on bacteria to destroy the natural human waste that flows into it, chemicals can damage the hard-working bacteria and create bad issues in the tank.

Avoid mixing metals with plumbing pipes

If you decide to do some of your own plumbing work, you might not even realize the problems that can happen when you join pipes that are made of different metals. Different metals can cause a reaction known as galvanic corrosion, which can create leaks. There are special fittings that need to happen when combining metals, and if you do not know how to do it, then do not mix metals.

Pour grease in the trash

There are two substances that clog drains faster than any other substances. The first is grease, the second is bath soap. Do not pour either of them in the drain.

Put trash in the garbage, not the sink

Even though garbage disposals seem like they can slice and dice, they cannot chop up everything. There are only two teeth on the disposal, so they cannot chop up little things, like rice or potato peels. Use the garbage can for garbage, not the drain and disposal.

Let water flow through the entire drain

Recycled water has become a popular choice for homeowners who want to use less water to take care of their grass and outdoor plants. Some have taken matters into their own hands by collecting grey water from their indoor pipes so they can bring it outside. This is not advised by any plumber. If you remove any of the drain to collect water, you will cause more than one problem. Of course, you will have a serious mess on your hands as water will go everywhere. What you might not expect is that along with the mess, you could also have a seriously bad smell that will come UP from the drain that no longer has water going down it. Leave the drains alone and collect rainwater instead.

Use the bathroom trash can for trash

All too often, people try to flush their trash down the toilet. This is bad. Bad. Bad. The only thing that should get flushed is your waste and toilet paper. Otherwise, the trash you flush could clog up your entire plumbing system and could result in slicing through your yard to get to the source of the problem.

If you have any questions about what to do and what not do with your plumbing, feel free to contact us as Scott English Plumbing at (714) 987-9801 or 714-987-9801.