4 Ways to Stop Mold and Mildew Damage

No property owner is a fan of a flooded basement or growth of mold and mildew. This is because aside from being unsightly, these are conditions that can endanger your health and cause countless damage to your property. How can you prevent costly damage from happening?

5 Suggestions to Stop Mold and Mildew Damage

1. Controlling Moisture

Mold and mildew feeds on moisture and uses it to grow and expand. Therefore, one of the keys to stopping any potential damage is at its source. How can you control the dampness inside your home to prevent mold and mildew growth? The key is knowing where the growth usually lies.

In majority of homes the worst hit part would be the crawlspaces, walls, basements, and attics. Making sure that these portions of your home are kept dry always keeps you a step ahead of the mold and mildew growth.

Furthermore, these areas are not supposed to be damp, so, if they are, this can be a sign of a possible leak in your plumbing system. Another thing that you must ensure is to have adequate ventilation in these areas to keep the foundation of your home strong and stop mold and mildew growth in its tracks.

2. Immediate Cleaning

Do you often give in to procrastination? Do you usually stall when it comes to cleaning small amounts of mold growth? What you need to realize is that even the smallest sign of growth in the damp locations of your home can lead to something critical without you knowing it.

Do you see molds on the grout lines in your shower? Scrub it off immediately with a water and detergent solution. Make sure to completely dry it off to get rid of the mold. If you see that the growth is in its advance stage, use a 90-10 water and bleach solution. Brush or spray the solution on the affected area and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing and drying it off.

Keep this up on a regular basis to ensure that things to not get worse and you are suddenly faced with uncontrollable mold and mildew growth. Keep in mind that the longer surfaces remain wet, the likelihood of damage becomes more pronounced and permanent. The more you delay, the more difficult and costly the removal process begins.

3. Stop Leaks Fast

One of the biggest contributors to mold and mildew growth would have to be plumbing leaks. This is especially true for pinhole leaks behind walls or the foundation of your home. The biggest threat with these types of leaks is that they can go unnoticed for long periods until the damage has already been done. Make it a habit to look at your monthly water bills to see any unexplainable spike in your consumption. This can be a sign of undetected leaks.

For leaks, the best way to deal with them and ensure that you get to the source and not just the symptoms is to call in highly trained and skilled plumbing experts. Schedule a periodic checkup of your plumbing system to ensure that you do not get caught unaware of impending problems that can cause damage to your property.

4. Other Remedies

There are other preventive measures that you can do that do not require much plumbing skill or knowledge. For example, you can go to your local hardware and ask the paint dealer for paints that contain mildewcide. This material helps to control surface mold and should be used in areas that are prone to mold and mildew growth like shady areas and bathrooms for example. Use generous coatings to protect your property.

Since moisture is the primary enemy, getting into the habit of squeegeeing your shower after each use will go a long way in controlling unwanted growth. Use the squeegee on the walls to remove excess water, which will effectively remove about three-fourths of the moisture that can contribute to the growth.

Excessive moisture can also be a sign of potential plumbing problems. To make sure that you do not become a victim of one, call Scott English Plumbing today and arrange for an inspection of your plumbing system.

4 Ways to Fight Mold and Mildew in the Bathroom

It is almost a certainty that there is no homeowner out there who would appreciate mold and mildew growth in their property, right? Aside from the potential health dangers, it is never fun dealing with the growth especially in your bathroom. Mold and mildew is associated with dampness, which means the most common areas of concerns aside from your bathroom plumbing is the attic, crawlspaces, and basements especially those that have poor drainage. How can you win the fight against mold and mildew? Here are 4 tips how.

Controlling Moisture

In a room where heat and water are common elements, controlling moisture can be extremely challenging to say the least. However, one of the best ways to control moisture in the bathroom is to make sure that there is ample air movement. How can you do this? Have a fan installed. Make sure that that fan is large enough for the size of your bathroom; meaning that it should be able to clear out the moisture in about 5 to 10 minutes after use.

Take note of the air exhausted by the fan, which is measured by cubic feet per minute. To ensure that you are getting the right fan capacity, measure the square footage of your bathroom and multiply it by 1.1. Match this value with the cfm volume of the fan that is normally found under the grille. Never get a fan with a lower capacity than what you need.

To increase the efficiency of this method, you can also install timers or humidity sensors to combat excess humidity that can lead to condensation and eventually mildew and rotting of inside walls. There are also humidity sensing fans that are designed to automatically activate once the moisture is detected to reach a certain level.

Respond Quickly

When it comes to fighting off mold and mildew, the ability to react quickly can be the difference between minor leak repairs or major bathroom renovations. A simple leak can allow several gallons of water to flood your home if left unattended. The easiest way to stop a leak is to turn off the associated shutoff valve; if you do not have one, it is time to call on a professional plumbing service to have one installed for all your plumbing fixtures.

For the meantime, you would have to turn off the main water supply valve, which means it cuts off the supply to your entire home. Turn on the faucet at the lowest portion of your home to allow the water to harmlessly flow down the drain instead of leaking through the pipes. Call a professional plumber immediately to repair the leak.

Delaying your actions like drying wet surfaces or drywalls can allow mold problems to develop. The longer the surfaces remain wet, the more costly the damage can become. Dry off everything immediately, especially while waiting for the plumber to come.

Surface Protection

Another thing to consider in the fight against mold and mildew in your bathroom is to protect surfaces, especially those that periodically become damp. These damp areas become the breeding ground; thus, when protected, you minimize the chance for mold and mildew to grow. In order to do this, look for paints that contain mildewcide; an ingredient reportedly effective in controlling molds on damp surfaces. There are already many paint brands that have this so head on out to your nearest home center.

Best Practices

Lastly, subscribing to the best or sensible practices at the very least will help you stop mold and mildew growth. For example, if you are going away for a long time, make sure that the main water valve is completely shut off. There are very few things that can be as frustrating and expensive as coming home to a flooded home. Investing in stainless steel hoses and frost-proof faucets for example would go a long way in protecting your home from mold and mildew.

At the end of the day, a successful campaign against mold and mildew in your bathroom would never be complete without the services of a professional plumbing service that can ensure the soundness of your home plumbing system. Call Scott English Plumbing today and start protecting your home!

Protect Your Backflow from Theft

As more and more people learn about the value of scrap metal, backflow preventers have become hot items for thieves all around the United States. Thieves will remove the backflow preventers when no one is around so they can bring in the devices to scrap metal shops for the brass in the preventers. Unfortunately, this problem can cause a significant amount of monetary and plumbing damage to the victims. Fortunately, there are ways to keep thieves away from your important plumbing fixtures.

Valuable Backflow Preventers

Since backflow preventers are made of brass and copper, they are valuable for the metal they offer. In some communities, it is common to see thefts in businesses that are undergoing renovations or in homes that may be abandoned. Along with backflow preventers, metal scrappers are also looking for bypass meter assemblies and irrigation valves, too. The increasing prices of both copper and brass make the risk worthwhile for the thieves who target those devices.

Education Creates Prevention

It is important that business owners and property management companies are aware of this type of theft so they can protect themselves and their properties from the thieves. Local police departments also need to be aware of this problem so they can add patrol routes to areas that are susceptible to theft. When these important exterior plumbing devices are removed from properties, it can cost thousands of dollars in repairs for insurance companies and property owners. This occurs because people can earn between $100 and $250 for a scrap backflow preventer. When backflow preventers and other exterior plumbing devices are stolen, businesses usually need to close down to have the repairs made. This costs businesses even more money on top of the expenses to repair the damage.

Recyclers Need to Know

Recyclers also need to be aware of the fact that many backflow preventers are often stolen. If recyclers stop accepting these, then thieves will no longer try to steal them and turn them in for cash. Recyclers need to learn to recognize what a backflow preventer looks like. They are U-shaped pipes that are designed to prevent water that is used for sprinkling and yard work from going back into the water that is meant for drinking. Unfortunately, these backflow preventers are usually placed along the frontage of the building, so they are easy to find and rather easy to steal. Commercial building codes all over the United States have mandated that these be installed, so the preventers are everywhere.

Typical Theft Situations

When a thief targets a backflow preventer or other plumbing, they will usually try to look like they are local government employees. They will look like they are checking out the plumbing, but in reality they use a saw and remove the valve at the pipes. It usually takes about two minutes to complete the theft. If your valve is stolen, your water service will be interrupted until the valve is replaced. Water will also run through the connection and make a mess in the yard. Unfortunately, the general public has no idea about this common theft.

Preventing Theft with Cages

There are ways to prevent this theft from occurring at your property. The prevention ideas have been created by plumbers, local police departments, and landscapers. One of the best ways to prevent theft is to put your backflow preventer in a protective cage. There are several companies that sell these. The cage should have a strong lock that cannot be broken off the cage, but let your maintenance department have a key to the lock. The cage needs to be secured to the ground and spot-welding should be used to secure the bolts on the cage. You can ask your plumber to put the name of your business on the backflow preventer. It is important to mark the cage with a warning about prosecuting thieves. Many businesses have decided to use landscaping to cover the backflow cage, so make it more difficult to find. It is also helpful to let your employees, tenants, and maintenance department to let you know if they see anything suspicious. When it comes to preventing theft, knowledge is power.

If you have any questions about preventing backflow theft, call Scott English Plumbing and we will help.

What is Backflow Testing

What is Backflow?

Backflow in a home

Backflow means that the direction that the water is supposed to flow (into or out of your home) gets reversed. When the direction of water flow is unintentionally reversed, the water supply can be contaminated by gases, liquids, or solids entering the water supply. Basically, it means that dirty water mixes with clean water.

The water that comes into your home from the local municipal water supply is being pumped into the home at a certain level of pressure. This pressure is what makes it possible for water to flow from your faucets. In certain circumstances, that level of pressure can be reduced. This happen when pipes freeze or a water main breaks. When that pressure is reduced, contaminated water from other sources can enter your home water supply.

Backflow testing is a process that is used to test your plumbing system to make sure that drinking water is not being contaminated by dirty water infiltrating the water supply.

The water in your home is usually kept at a standard pressure in order to allow the movement of water through your home from one area to another — for example, from shower, to toilet, to sink. If the pipes are subjected to an unexpected drop in pressure due to freezing, bursting, or an unusually high demand on the water supply, contaminated water from the ground or storage can enter the system.

Backflow Prevention

Backflow can be prevented through the use of an air gap. Using an air gap means leaving an empty space between any place where water might collect and the implements that connect to your plumbing system, like valves and faucets.

Another way to prevent backflow is to use a backflow prevention device, such as a backflow preventer valve. If there is the possibility that the water supply could be contaminated at specific locations in the home, a backflow preventer valve can be installed at each of those locations.

What Causes Backflow Prevention Devices to Fail?

Like any mechanical device, a backflow prevention device won’t last forever. The length of time that a backflow prevention device lasts depends on several factors. These factors include the quality of your water, the pressure of your water, how often the device is used, and the environment where the device is installed. About 5% of the devices that are tested fail. Typically, the failure is caused by a simple problem, like an O-ring that needs to be replaced or a broken spring.

Why You Need Backflow Testing

Backflow prevention devices are a big help, but they can fail. This is why it is important to have your backflow tested yearly. Backflow testing is an important part of your home’s maintenance routine, because it makes sure that the water that you and your family are drinking is safe and clean. Additionally, a backflow preventer valve can break, so regular backflow testing is performed to ensure that all backflow preventer valves are working properly.

Backflow prevention devices have built-in ports so that the device can be tested easily. The device is tested by a plumber using a test kit. In order to perform the test, all water downstream of the device must be turned off. When you need backflow testing, contact Scott English Plumbing. They will come out to your home and perform an inspection and backflow testing to make sure that all the water in your home is running in the right direction. They want your drinking water to be safe and sanitary.

Scott English Plumbing is available for many other plumbing services that you might need, as well. Their services include the following:

  • Leak detection: If you have a water leak in your home and you can’t find the source, Scott English Plumbing will locate the problem and fix it for you.
  • Slab leak repair: If your home’s slab is leaking, they will find and fix it before the problem spreads.
  • Sewer and drain cleaning: If you have a clogged drain or your sewer is backing up, Scott English Plumbing trucks will come to your home with their specialized equipment and get your drains flowing again.
  • Plumbing inspections: Before you purchase a home or commercial property, call for a professional plumbing inspection.
  • Video inspection: Our video inspection service can show you exactly where the problem in your plumbing system is coming from.
  • Water heaters: We can remove your old water heater and replace it with a new one, even a tankless water heater.
  • Kitchen and bathroom remodeling: Scott English Plumbing can install your toilets, faucets, tubs, and showers.
  • Garbage disposals: Clogged garbage disposals will be returned to working order.
  • Water softeners and filters: We can install your water softener or filter so that your water smells, tastes, and feels great.

Best of all, Scott English Plumbing provides round the clock emergency service. If your pipe bursts in the middle of the night, call Scott English Plumbing and they will be out to your home right away to repair it. They have been in business for more than 19 years, and they are proud to offer high quality service for reasonable prices. Whatever your plumbing issue may be, Scott English Plumbing will be glad to resolve the issue for you.

5 Plumbing Tips for the Summer Season

Are you prepared to say goodbye to spring and welcome summer? Well, before you say yes, you have to know that there are certain plumbing issues that could be waiting for you as the season ushers in. You are well aware that summer brings with it humidity and heat, although perfect for vacations, it may not be so great for your home plumbing system. So what are the things you can do to prepare your home plumbing system for the summer season? Here are some helpful tips.

Sprinkler Leaks

Your lawn and garden would be needing extra doses of water to keep it looking good and beautiful during the summer heat. This means more use of your sprinkler system. However, you need to be on the lookout for leaks that can go undetected. This is especially true if you have a timer that allows the sprinkler system to operate unsupervised.

Check all connections and fixtures connected to the sprinkler system to make sure that there are no leaks along the line. Once you suspect that there is a leak, call a professional plumbing service immediately to have it repaired. This will help save you from costly repairs and prevent unnecessary consumption of water.

Washing Machine Hoses

For washing machine hoses, a thorough inspection is in order. Keep in mind that during the summer season, you and your family will be engaged mostly in outdoor activities. This means a mountain of dirty clothes and a lot of washing to be done. Make sure that your washing machine hoses do not have bulges, cracks, or leaks. If you have a rubber hose, this is more prone to bursting and cracking. Replace it with a stainless steel hose if necessary.

Make it a habit to remove dryer lint regularly. The washing machine itself should be positioned about 4 inches away from the wall to prevent possible damage to the hose. If your washing machine hose is at least 3 years old, replace it!

Garbage Disposal and Dishwasher

Are you one of those who enjoy eating outdoors? If yes, then you are definitely looking forward to those barbecues with family and friends. Although this may be a time for enjoyment, you have to be aware that the extra food that is pushed into the garbage disposal can cause problems. This is especially true if these are fibrous or stingy and have bones or grease. This can throw your garbage disposal into a fit pretty quick.

To make sure that your garbage disposal is not overworked, run cold water at full pressure for about 15 to 20 seconds before and after you use the garbage disposal. This will help ease the workload and allow the garbage to be disposed of properly.

As for your dishwasher, just like your garbage disposal, never overstuff it by just jamming in whatever dishes that need to be cleaned. Observe proper usage of the dishwasher based on the recommendations of its manufacturer. Make sure that the connections are tight and leak-free as well.

Clogged Toilets

Expecting many visitors? Then this means that your toilets are going to work harder than usual. This also means that children will be around more than they usually are. As the usage of your toilets increases, so does the danger of clogging.

How do you avoid clogging? The first rule is to teach children (even adults for that matter) to use only the right amount of toilet paper. Second, make it clear what cannot go down the bowl; which means ensuring that there is a trash can in your bathroom all the time for personal hygiene materials like tampons, cotton, diapers, and other materials that can cause clogging.

It would not hurt to have a flange plunger on standby just in case you have to deal with a clogged toilet emergency.

Sewer Backups

The summer season is notorious for sewer line backups. This is primarily because the summer rainwater enters the sewer line through cracks and other similar vulnerabilities. This gets worse when coupled with tree roots intrusion. To make sure that you are not faced with this tremendous problem, make sure that you schedule a sewer video inspection to know the actual state of your sewer line.

By following these tips, you can be sure that summer will bring tremendous memories of joy rather than headaches and costly plumbing repairs. Call Scott English Plumbing at (714) 987-9801 or 714-987-9801.

Plumbing for the Holidays

It is no secret that holidays are busy times for families, especially when they invite friends and family members to their homes for celebrations. The holidays are not only busy for people, but for the systems in their homes, especially their plumbing systems. You might not think about your home’s plumbing when you are prepping for a party, but the extra work that your garbage disposal, toilets, and sinks do, can exacerbate problems that you may not know exist.

Know Your Garbage Disposal

Preparing food for a large group can tax the garbage disposal. Instead of shoving every scrap of food into the garbage disposal, you can put the drain strainer into use. This way, you can catch bits of food before they hit the disposal to throw them into the garbage instead. If you do decide to allow scraps to go into the disposal, run the disposal along with cold water. Some plumbers advise letting the cold water run before turning on the disposal.

If you must put food scraps into the disposal, you should be aware of what should not go into the appliance. Avoid putting potato peels, chicken or turkey skin, artichokes, corn husks and cobs, and celery into the disposal. It is also important to avoid putting grease in the drain and disposal because it will stick to the sides of the pipes and clog the drain. Instead of dumping grease into the disposal, you can pour it into empty food containers or wipe it out of pans with paper towels. Used plastic, metal, paper, and glass belong in the trash, not in the disposal.

Clean Your Sink Properly

When it comes to cleaning the disposal and sink before and during holiday events, use a gentle cleaner, like Borax. Bleach and drain cleaners are too harsh for disposal parts and for the pipes. Since unpleasant odors from a heavily used disposal can crop up at anytime, you should keep a few lemons or oranges on hand. The peels of those citrus fruits can quickly calm the odors and give your kitchen a festive aroma.

What Not to Do in the Bathroom

Bathrooms also are overused when guests are visiting for the holidays. If you have overnight guests, you can offer friendly reminders in your guest bathroom by printing them on pretty cards and framing them near the sink, toilet, and tub or shower. Drains need a few minutes to finish their work, so showers should be taken with at least 10 minutes in between them. Toilets get a workout along with showers, so guests should be reminded not to flush diapers, wet wipes, cotton balls and swabs, cigarette butts, and feminine hygiene products. When you clean your toilet for your guests, you should avoid using bleach because it will damage the parts and seals in the toilet and it will damage the bacteria in your septic or mound system, too. Like the kitchen sink, toilets benefit from Borax, too.

Be Prepared for Small Emergencies

Since plumbing issues can happen at any time, it can be helpful to have useful plumbing tools on hand. The Zip-It is a useful and inexpensive plumbing device that will clean out clogged drains and sink traps. Hair is one of the most common reasons why drains become slow, so you can use the Zip-It to remove hair and get the drain flowing smoothly again. The Zip-It is a long, skinny plastic strip (like a long straw) with barbs on it. When you put the Zip-It down the drain, it will grab whatever is clogging the drain. A plunger is another useful tool to have around when guests are in the house. Many homeowners will leave a plunger in the guest bathroom for the moments when accidents and clogs occur. If you have to use a plunger to free a clog from a drain, it is useful to run the water first to get strong suction. Once you have freed the clog, the best preventative medicine is to run the hot water, then pour baking soda in the drain.

If you need any help with your plumbing over the holidays, contact Scott English Plumbing at (714) 987-9801 or 714-987-9801 to schedule an appointment before the guests arrive.

Plumbing Tips for the Holidays in Anaheim

The holiday season is a busy season for many of us in the Anaheim area. You may be hosting friends and family for parties or extended visits. During this time, you are probably doing a lot more baking and cooking than usual. As a result, you are probably operating your garbage disposal and dishwasher more than usual. You might also being putting things down the garbage disposal that don’t really belong there.

Having more guests puts more stress on all of your plumbing. The toilet is getting flushed more often, the faucets are being used to wash hands more often. If you host overnight guests, the shower is probably being used more often.

There is never a convenient time for your plumbing to fail, but the holidays are a particularly bad time for it. Check out these plumbing tips for the holidays in Anaheim.

  1. 1. Don’t pour cooking fat down the sink. This includes grease, oil, and any other types of fat. Fats are in a liquid state when they are hot off the stove, but they will congeal and solidify as they cool off in your kitchen drain. As a result, you will end up with a clogged kitchen sink drain. Rather than pouring fat down the drain, let it sit in the pan until it cools. Then you can empty it into the trash can. You can also keep a metal can handy, such as an empty coffee can, and use this to store grease drippings. Keep the can in the freezer so that it doesn’t turn rancid or smell.
  2. 2. Watch what you put into the garbage disposal. Any types of food that are stringy or fibrous should go into the trash can, not the garbage disposal. This includes corn husks, pumpkin guts, banana peels, and celery, among other things. These items are too tough for the garbage disposal and will cause it to jam.
  3. 3. Turn the garbage disposal on before you place food into it. After you use the garbage disposal, flush the drain with cold water for 15 seconds.
  4. 4. If you are having overnight guests, it can be tricky to get all the dishes, clothes, and people clean without running out of hot water. You can make this a bit easier by turning on the dishwasher and clothes washer just before you go to bed for the night.
  5. 5. Stagger shower times throughout the day so that there is enough hot water for everyone to bathe. Rather than rushing everyone through the shower consecutively, wait a minimum of ten minutes between each shower so that the water heater tank can replenish.
  6. 6. Turn up the temperature setting on the water heater just a little bit. This higher setting will provide a bit more hot water for you and your visitors. Don’t set it too high, though; it should never be above 125 degrees. A higher setting than that can cause scalding.
  7. 7. Improve your water pressure by cleaning the shower head. The easiest way to do this is to use a plastic bag full of white vinegar. Just take a sandwich bag, and pour plain, white vinegar into it. Place the bag over the shower head, with the shower head inside the bag of vinegar. To keep the bag in place, secure it with a rubber band or twist tie. Leave it this way to soak overnight. In the morning, remove the bag of vinegar, and wipe down the shower head. This will get rid of mineral deposits that can hamper the water pressure.

If you have a plumbing problem this holiday season, call Scott English Plumbing.

How to Avoid Home Plumbing Problems While You Are on Vacation

Many Americans are leaving town for spring break. Kids and adults alike work hard throughout the year, and when spring break rolls around in March or April, we are all ready for a break. Maybe you will be driving or flying to a beach destination to relax and enjoy some warm sunshine. Or perhaps you are taking this opportunity to visit family members who you don’t get to see as often as you would like. Lots of families plan to spend spring break relaxing at home and avoiding the crowds, and wait until school is out of session for the summer to take their vacation.

Wherever you go, there is a lot to do to get ready for vacation. You have to pack all your clothes and necessities for yourself and the kids. You have to put the mail on hold and cancel the newspaper delivery. You have to board the dog. We know you are busy, but you really should consider adding one more small item to your to-do list. Spending just a few minutes getting the house ready before you leave can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. When you get home from vacation, you are likely to be exhausted from the trip. There is nothing worse than arriving home to find out that a major home plumbing crisis occurred while you were gone. We just never know anymore when we might have a sudden cold snap, and that wildly fluctuating weather can damage your plumbing. Just follow these easy tips to avoid home plumbing problems while you are on vacation.

1. Turn the furnace down to save on utility costs while the house is empty. Don’t get carried away, though. Keep the furnace set at 55 degrees or above in order to keep your pipes from freezing while you are gone.

2. Turn your water heater up just a bit. This will help it to retain hot water and be ready for use when you get home. Keep it at a maximum of 120 degrees so that no one gets burned.

3. If there are portions of your home that are uninsulated and contain pipes, like your basement or crawl space, you should add insulation to those pipes. You can do this by wrapping the pipes with heat tape or heat cables that are controlled by your thermostat. This helps to prevent your pipes from freezing.

4. Turn off the water supply valves to your washing machine. If you don’t turn them off, a hose could burst while you are gone and flood your home.

5. Check for leaks around the house. If you know of a running toilet or leaky appliance, make sure to repair it before you leave. Otherwise, it could start leaking more heavily and cause major water damage when you are not around to take care of it.

6. Consider installing a flood detection device. This device works much like a smoke detector. If the home begins to flood, an audible alarm will sound. This will notify your neighbors or house sitter so that the situation can be addressed before major damage is done.

Use these tips to protect your home from plumbing problems while you are vacationing. If you need some help with your plumbing, contact Scott English Plumbing. We are available to handle routine repairs as well as emergencies that come up anytime. Call Scott English Plumbing for service today.

Go Green for Earth Day

April 22 is Earth Day. Earth Day is an annual reminder for everyone to stop and think about what we can do to conserve resources and protect the planet. You probably already recycle and try to cut down on how much gasoline you are using. There are lots of other small, simple things that you can do that add up to make a big difference. There’s an added bonus, too; most everything that you do to be a bit greener also saves you some green in the form of the dollars in your pocket. Check out these 10 ways that you can go green for Earth Day while saving a few bucks.


1.
Go around the house and look for any faucets that are dripping or leaking. If you find any, fix them right away. You’ll save many gallons of water every month.

2.
Use this simple test to find hidden leaks in your toilets. Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Wait a few minutes, and then check the toilet bowl. If you see any color in the bowl, it means that the toilet is leaking. Get it fixed ASAP to cut down on wasted water.

3.
Look for any cracks in the toilet tank or bowl. If you find any, the toilet should be replaced. You can recycle the individual parts of the old toilet.

4.
Flush the toilet, and listen to whether it is running. If it is running, you can replace the parts in the tank quite inexpensively, and you’ll save a lot of water by doing so.

5.
Clean your showerhead with vinegar. Just fill a plastic sandwich bag with vinegar and hold it around the showerhead with the showerhead immersed in the vinegar. Tie it in place with a rubber band. Leave it this way overnight, and remove it in the morning. This will remove any mineral deposits and other build up.

6.
Consider adding a retrofit accessory to your showerhead to limit the maximum water pressure and make it function more efficiently.

7.
Take a look at your water heater and see what temperature it is set on. It should never be higher than 120 degrees so that no one gets scalded by the hot water. A lower setting will also reduce the amount of energy that is used.

8.
Check the age of your water heater. If you don’t know when it was installed, look at the serial number. The first four numbers of the serial number indicate the month and year that it was manufactured. You can expect the average water heater to last for about 11 years. If yours is older than that, consider upgrading to a new, energy efficient model. It requires a bit of an investment up front, but you’ll save throughout the year on energy costs.

9.
Inspect the supply hoses to your dishwasher, ice maker, and clothes washer. Look for any bulges or cracks. If you see any bulges or leaks, or if the hoses are more than 10 years old, they should be replaced. New supply hoses will be more efficient.

10.
Add aerators to all the faucets in your home. This will cut down on how much water is used every time you turn the water on.

These 10 easy tips will help you cut down on how much water and energy you are using each day. If you need some help, call Scott English Plumbing. We provide routine plumbing maintenance services as well as emergency repairs. Contact Scott English Plumbing for an appointment today.

Bringing Green Plumbing into Your Home

Green plumbing orange county ca

Many homeowners are trying to make their habits greener these days as the world becomes more environmentally conscious. But did you know that you could green your plumbing as well? Plumbers are educating homeowners about green plumbing possibilities right now. There are several things you can do to make your plumbing more environmentally friendly. Here are just a few of them.

  • Have a plumber install low flow shower heads. This will help reduce the amount of water you use while showering. These shower heads are also known as energy efficient shower heads. They actually lower your electric bill as well as your water bill because they reduce the amount of energy that is required to heat the water. If you are using less water, then your home doesn’t need to heat as much water. Thus, you’re saving energy as well as water.
  • Ask your plumber to install low flow toilets. This type of toilet uses less water on each flush compared to traditional toilets. They use about 1.6 gallons of water to flush waste down, while old toilets can use more than twice that amount. On average, toilets use up about 26 percent of all the water that is used throughout your home, so you will save thousands of gallons every single year just by replacing your old toilets with new low flow toilets.
  • Have faucet aerators installed. Many homeowners don’t know what an aerator is, but it is designed to take the flow of water and break it down into smaller drops. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of water you are using while still effectively cleaning your hands, dishes, or anything else you wash in the sink.
  • When replacing your washer, look for a high energy efficient model. On average, laundry actually uses up about 22 percent of the water you use in your home. So by opting for a front loading washing machine, you can drastically reduce the amount of water you use.
  • Have regular plumbing checkups to ensure that your home’s plumbing is in good working order. Leaks can use up a lot more water than you are even aware of, so even if a leaking faucet doesn’t seem like a big deal, it really is. In some cases, leaks can use up about 14 percent of the water your home uses. Just think about that for a minute. You have the potential to immediately reduce the amount of water you use simply by having those basic leaks repaired right away.

Greening your plumbing has many benefits. You’ll not only use less water in your home, but you’ll also see your water bill drop. So every homeowner can benefit greatly from taking steps to green their home’s plumbing. And as you can see, it’s easy to make your plumbing greener. These non-invasive items are something any homeowner can have done easily, and when you hire a plumber to take care of them, it’s easy to get it done.

Let the experts at Scott English Plumbing help you incorporate green plumbing into your home. We offer 24 hour emergency service, water heater installation, maintenance, and repair, sewer and drain cleaning, slab leak detection and repair, kitchen and bathroom plumbing renovations, video inspections, backflow testing, and more. Our plumbers work on low, flat rates, so you don’t have to worry about being overcharged for the work on your home. We go above and beyond the industry standards when we handle plumbing repairs. Call Scott English Plumbing today to find out what excellent plumbing service is all about.

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