Carlsbad's Best Plumber!
#1. SOME DRAIN CLEANERS have caustic elements that can deteriorate drain pipes. If your drains are slow, the safest solution is to have them snaked. Then, use an enzyme treatment periodically to help prevent a recurrence of problems.
#2. IS YOUR SHOWER HEAD LEAKING? Try checking to see if the shower head is loose. And check the washer to see if it is worn. If the problem is not a loose head or a worn washer, you may be dealing with a problem with the valve rather than the shower head, which might be an O-ring, seal, or even a stem which is worn or broken. Or, you may have a build up of sediment in the valve inlet. Most homeowners can make simple repairs, like tightening the shower head or replacing a worn washer. If the problem is more complicated, just give us a call!
#3. IS YOUR HOT WATER HEATER making gurgling, banging or popping noises? Are you noticing your water is not as hot as it used to be, or there doesn't seem to be enough hot water? You may have a problem with mineral build-up in the heater. MOST WATER HEATER MANUFACTURERS recommend that you FLUSH YOUR WATER HEATER at least once a year to reduce the build up of minerals in the heater. Minerals and hard water scale accumulations inside the tank or on an electric water heater’s heating elements can decrease the efficiency of your hot water heater and may even make it fail prematurely. If this build-up has already occurred, flushing may not completely solve the problem; you may need to replace the water heater elements. To avoid scale build-up in the first place, every few months open the drain valve at the base of the tank and flush about a gallon of water through it. If you're not sure how to flush your water heater, feel free to call our office and ask one of our plumbing experts for advice.
TO CONSERVE ENERGY COSTS, consider insulating the water pipes from your water heater to faucets located at a distance from your heater. Also consider installing a POINT OF USE WATER HEATER. A point-of-use water heater is a small heating appliance installed directly under, or near, a fixture such as a bathroom sink (or sinks, in some bathrooms) and which provides hot water directly to that fixture. A point-of-use water heater eliminates the need for hot water pipes between your main water heater and the fixture. The point-of-use water heater is connected to a cold water pipe right under the sink. This means you have hot water at the faucet almost immediately. In addition to saving energy costs, you will conserve water because you won’t have to let the hot water run while you wait for it to warm up. Ask one of our plumbing experts for more information about a POINT-OF-USE-WATER-HEATER for your home.
#4. IF YOUR WASHING MACHINE has the old-style (black rubber) hot and cold water hoses, they really should be replaced with new, no-burst braided stainless steel hoses, especially if you’re in an area with high water pressure. If an older hose should burst, your home can flood in a matter of minutes. You run the same risk with older supply lines to toilets and faucets. REPLACE OLD SUPPLY LINES AND HOSES BEFORE YOU'RE FACED WITH A FLOOD!
#5. HAVE YOUR WATER PRESSURE CHECKED TODAY! Even if you’ve had the pressure to your home tested in the past, it may have changed. Water pressure is not a static figure. As municipalities grow and expand, they often increase water pressure as a way of generating adequate flow to new developments. Water pressure also fluctuates at different times of the day or night in response to changing demand.
If your water pressure is over 80psi, you’re at risk of leaks developing, which over time can lead to wall mold, and/or supply lines splitting or bursting, flooding your home. Excessive water pressure can also increase wear and tear on appliances as well as plumbing fixtures and shorten their useful life. In fact, high water pressure is a major factor in many plumbing repairs. Most manufacturers’ and installation warrantees are void if the water pressure to the home exceeds 80psi, and most cities require a home to have a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure to below 80psi. Also, many homeowner's insurance policies will not pay for damages due to wear and tear and avoidable or foreseeable problems. The cost of installing a pressure regulating valve is likely to be less than the deductible on many insurance policies, and a worthwhile investment to help you avoid expensive repairs to your home. Call today to set up an appointment to have your water pressure checked.
#6. KEEP YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL CLEAN by running a tray of ice cubes through it periodically will help keep the blades and grinder in good operating condition and keeps the chamber clean. And, remember, don't put coffee grinds, potato peelings or eggshells down the disposal as they may cause it to jam.
#7. IN-HOUSE WATER LEAKS can turn into major problems if you’re not able to stop the flow of water quickly. Know where the main water shut-off valve for your home is (usually at the front of the house) and be sure it’s in good working order. AC Plumbing Also check's that individual's shut-off valves at toilets, faucets, washing machines and water heaters are operational. Older shut-off valves which have corroded over time frequently fail in the open position, leaving you unable to shut the water off in the event of a leak, or they may fail in the closed position, stopping you from turning the water to the house back on. HAVE OLDER SHUT-OFF VALVES REPLACED BEFORE YOU'RE FACED WITH A FLOOD!
#8. "THERE ARE 270 MILLION TOILETS IN THE U.S. and 20 percent of them are leaking at any one time," said Susan Springsteen, an investor in Nth Solutions, a company that has researched the subject at some length. "The number one customer service complaint (to water companies) is an unexpectedly high bill, and nine out of 10 times the reason is a leaky toilet." IS A LEAKING TOILET RAISING YOUR WATER BILLS? Toilets can be a mysterious source of wasted water if you have a tank to bowl leak and don't know it. Fortunately, there's an easy TEST you can do. To FIND OUT IF YOUR TOILET IS LEAKING, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If the water in the bowl becomes discolored, then you have a leak. Or, ask our plumbing technician to do this for you the next time you have us out for a service. We offer this service at no charge to you, and our technicians carry die tabs on their trucks for this purpose. If you do have a leak, be sure to have it repaired quickly to conserve water and
save $$.
Problem: Toilet Runs Constantly
Possible Solutions:
Lift chain is disconnected from handle lever or is kinked preventing the flush ball or flap from properly seating
Lift wire is kinked or binding. Make sure tank ball lift wire is straight and that tank ball is dropping onto the center of the flush valve opening.
Float ball is rubbing on side of tank
Plunger or diaphragm type ballcock is not shutting off completely. Bend float arm to push float ball more into water.
Water level in tank is too high and water is running into overflow pipe. Adjust water level in tank.
Flush valve not sealing. Inspect tank ball or flapper ball and replace if worn or soft.
Replace leaky float ball.
Replace faulty ballcock
Problem: If I turn on my tub faucet, I hear a loud noise, (like air in the line?).
Possible Solution: This is unusual, but it does happen. Try removing the handles and stems. If the washer is floating or the seat is loose, tighten everything back up. If this doesn't solve the problem it may be that your water pressure is too high. If this is the case, you'll need to have a Pressure Regulating Valve (PRV) installed to adjust the water pressure. Most people aren't aware that the UPC (Uniform Building Code) requires a PRV when water pressure exceeds 80 psi, and that many plumbing repairs can be avoided by the simple addition of a PRV. High water pressure can cause problems like premature wear of fixtures, leaks and even flooding which MAY NOT BE COVERED BY INSURANCE.
CONDUCTING A HOUSEHOLD WATER AUDIT ,WHAT IS A HOUSEHOLD WATER AUDIT?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CONDUCTING A WATER AUDIT? Conducting a water audit can help you save money by reducing your home water bill (and sewer bill if you are connected to a public sewer system). Conducting a water audit will make you aware of how you use your water and help to identify ways you can minimize water use by implementing certain conservation measures. It is possible to cut your water usage by as much as 30 percent by implementing simple conservation measures and without drastically modifying your, lifestyle.
HOW DO I CALCULATE WATER USAGE IN MY HOME?It is important to realize that water use throughout the year often varies with the season. Most people use more water in the warmer months for gardening, washing cars, and other outdoor uses.
If you conduct your water audit in the winter or fall, you should still consider the additional water you use in the summer months. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) estimates that the average indoor water use per person is 94 gallons of water per day; this does not take into account outdoor water use (watering lawns, washing cars).
CALCULATING WATER USE FROM YOUR WATER BILLIf you obtain water from a community water system, you probably receive a water bill that tells you how much water you use. Many water utilities provide customers with bills that contain information regarding the amount of water consumed and average daily consumption during the billing period.
If the average daily consumption is not provided, you can calculate it by dividing the total amount of water used by the number of days in the billing period. Determine whether your water is measured in cubic meters (m3), cubic feet (ft3), gallons (gal), or liters (L) and convert to gallons.
For converting into gallons, use the following conversion factors:
m3 x 264 = gal
ft3 x 7.48 = gal
L x 0.264 = gal
CALCULATING WATER USE WITH A METER If your water bill does not provide water consumption data, then you can read your water meter to obtain this information. Water meters measure the total amount of water used in your home and are usually located at the property line or on the house. The meter may measure in cubic meters, cubic feet, gallons, or liters. To obtain your water use over the course of a 24-hour day, read your meter at the same time on two consecutive days. You may want to measure water use for several days and then calculate a daily average.
ESTIMATING WATER USE WITHOUT A METER If you do not have a water meter you can estimate your water use. It will be important to measure all water use, indoor and outdoor, to accurately estimate the quantity of water used. To determine how much you consume water in your home it is necessary to measure water flow from each fixture in your house:
Dishwashing machine. 9 gal per use Next, measure how many times per day or how many minutes each day you use each fixture or appliance. Multiply the water flow per fixture by the minutes per day the fixture is used.
Multiply the flow average for each appliance by the number of times the appliance is used each week.
Don’t forget to include the amount of time you use outdoor faucets each day. The water audit spreadsheet is a useful tool to evaluate water use in the home.
HOW DOES MY WATER USAGE RANK?The average Illinois citizen uses about 100 gallons of water per day. This includes indoor as well as outdoor water usage. To calculate the per person daily water usage rate, divide your daily water usage by the number of people in your home, and then look at the following chart to rate your water usage:
Gallons Per Person
Per Day Rank Comments
PIPESA leaky pipe is usually pretty obvious. Visually inspect all pipes in your home and look for telltale watermarks on walls or ceilings. In the yard, the ground above the water line may stay wet continuously or water may actually flow on the surface. If a pipe is leaking, repair or replace it.
TOILETSLeaking toilets are common and can be large sources of water loss. A leaking toilet can waste anywhere from several gallons to more than 100 gallons per day (that’s over a quarter million gallons per year!). Leaking toilets are not as easily identifiable as leaking faucets.
The following are clues that you may have a leak:
To check your toilet for silent leaks, do the following:
Turn the water supply for the toilet off (located behind the toilet) and wait for 20 to 30 minutes. If the water level remains the same, it means the leak is occurring at the refill valve (unit in the left side of the tank). If the water level falls below the pencil mark, the flush valve (unit located in the center of the tank) is leaking.
Most homeowners are capable of making their own toilet repairs. Visit your local home improvement or hardware store, purchase the parts, turn off the water supply to the toilet, and follow the directions. With a little effort, you can conserve many gallons of water and reduce your water bill at the same time.
FaucetsA leaking faucet is easily identified, but do you know how much water can be wasted from what seems like an insignificant drip?
To find out, count the number of drips per minute. You can use the following chart to estimate the amount of water waste, or you can use WaterWiser’s drip calculator.
ESTIMATED WATER LOSS THROUGH LEAKS
Drips per minute103060120Water Wasted per Month (Gallons)43130259518Water Wasted per Year (Gallons)526157731536307
Drips can usually be eliminated by replacing worn washers, or by tightening or repacking the faucet. Replacement washers or repair kits for washer-less faucets are available at hardware or home improvement stores.
Retrofit / Replace Fixtures and AppliancesOnce you have repaired any leaks in your home, the next step is to evaluate the efficiency of your current fixtures and appliances. Often simple retrofits can conserve a lot of water. The following table provides average water use for conventional and low-flow appliances.
Fixture/Fitting/Appliance Water Use In Gallon PerVintage Toilet* 4-6 flush (* Manufactured before 1978)
Conventional Toilet** 3.5 flush (** Manufactured from 1978 to 1993)
Low Consumption Toilet*** 1.6 flush (*** Manufactured since January 1, 1994)
Conventional Showerhead* 3-10 min
Low-Flow Showerhead 2-2.5 min.
Faucet Aerator* 3-6 min.
Flow Regulating Aerator 0.5-2.5 min.
Top-Loading Washer 40-55 load
Front-Loading Washer 22-25 load
Dishwasher 8-12 load
FaucetRetrofitting your faucet with an aerator will help save water in your home. A faucet aerator is a small circular screen that is screwed into the faucet. It reduces flow by adding air to the water, giving the sensation of more water with less volume. An aerator can reduce the flow to about 1 to 2 gpm, reducing your water use by half. Aerators are inexpensive and easy to install.
Check to see if aerators are installed on any faucets. Even if aerators have been installed, they may be older and less efficient. If the flow from your faucet exceeds 2.5 gpm, you should install a new aerator. Some older faucets may not be able to accommodate an aerator. If this is the case or if for any other reason you need to install a new faucet, you should purchase and have a plumber install a faucet that uses less than 2.5 gpm
ToiletsThe best way to improve toilet efficiency is to replace an old inefficient toilet with a new toilet.
Toilets made before 1993 use between 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) and 8 gpf. New high efficiency toilets use 1.6 gpf or less. Depending on how inefficient your old toilet is, you could reduce your water use by up to 75 percent by installing a new efficient toilet.
There are other alternative toilets available, including waterless
toilets and composting toilets. Fixtures must comply with State, County and City Codes (your certified plumber is aware of these regulations).
ShowerheadsLow-volume showerheads use 2.5 gpm or less (older ones use as much as 5 gpm or more), resulting in a water savings as great as 50 percent (on average, about 38 gallons per day per household saved). Low-volume showerheads conserve water through mixing air and water and using different spray patterns to give the sensation of a higher-volume shower.
Some showerheads also feature temporary shut-off valves that allow the user to turn off the water while shampooing or washing while maintaining the desired temperature the same. Conserving water in the shower will also lead to substantial energy savings, since showers use hot as well as cold water.
AppliancesOn average about 22 percent of indoor residential water is used to wash clothes. The best way to improve clothes washer efficiency is to replace an old inefficient machine with a new high efficiency washer. Traditional clothes washers use approximately 41 gallons per
load (gpl) and high efficiency models use a little more than half that, about 23 gpl.
Dishwashers account for only about 1.5 percent of indoor residential water use; however, more efficient models will reduce water use by about 50 percent. It is usually more efficient to wash a full load of dishes in the dishwasher rather than hand washing the same dishes in the sink.
EXAMINE AND MODIFY YOUR HABITSSome of the simplest and least expensive ways to conserve water involve making small changes in how you use water. A complete water audit should involve a close look at your family’s water use habits.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CONDUCTING A WATER AUDIT? Conducting a water audit can help you save money by reducing your home water bill (and sewer bill if you are connected to a public sewer system). Conducting a water audit will make you aware of how you use your water and help to identify ways you can minimize water use by implementing certain conservation measures. It is possible to cut your water usage by as much as 30 percent by implementing simple conservation measures and without drastically modifying your, lifestyle.
HOW DO I CALCULATE WATER USAGE IN MY HOME?It is important to realize that water use throughout the year often varies with the season. Most people use more water in the warmer months for gardening, washing cars, and other outdoor uses.
If you conduct your water audit in the winter or fall, you should still consider the additional water you use in the summer months. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) estimates that the average indoor water use per person is 94 gallons of water per day; this does not take into account outdoor water use (watering lawns, washing cars).
CALCULATING WATER USE FROM YOUR WATER BILLIf you obtain water from a community water system, you probably receive a water bill that tells you how much water you use. Many water utilities provide customers with bills that contain information regarding the amount of water consumed and average daily consumption during the billing period.
If the average daily consumption is not provided, you can calculate it by dividing the total amount of water used by the number of days in the billing period. Determine whether your water is measured in cubic meters (m3), cubic feet (ft3), gallons (gal), or liters (L) and convert to gallons.
For converting into gallons, use the following conversion factors:
m3 x 264 = gal
ft3 x 7.48 = gal
L x 0.264 = gal
CALCULATING WATER USE WITH A METER If your water bill does not provide water consumption data, then you can read your water meter to obtain this information. Water meters measure the total amount of water used in your home and are usually located at the property line or on the house. The meter may measure in cubic meters, cubic feet, gallons, or liters. To obtain your water use over the course of a 24-hour day, read your meter at the same time on two consecutive days. You may want to measure water use for several days and then calculate a daily average.
ESTIMATING WATER USE WITHOUT A METER If you do not have a water meter you can estimate your water use. It will be important to measure all water use, indoor and outdoor, to accurately estimate the quantity of water used. To determine how much you consume water in your home it is necessary to measure water flow from each fixture in your house:
- To calculate flow for faucets (indoor and outdoor) and showerheads, turn faucet to the normal flow rate that you use, and hold a container under the tap for 10 seconds and
measure the quantity of water in the container. Multiply the measured quantity of water
by 6 to calculate the gallons per minutes (gpm). - To calculate flow for toilets, turn off the water supply to the toilet, mark the water line on the inside of the tank, flush, and then fill tank with water from tap. Measure the volume of water that is required to fill water back up to the water line mark on the tank andrecord this number. Turn water on to the toilet to resume normal use. If your appliances or fixtures are relatively new, you may be able to obtain the flow rat from the manufacturer’s specifications. Otherwise, use the following averages:
Dishwashing machine. 9 gal per use Next, measure how many times per day or how many minutes each day you use each fixture or appliance. Multiply the water flow per fixture by the minutes per day the fixture is used.
Multiply the flow average for each appliance by the number of times the appliance is used each week.
Don’t forget to include the amount of time you use outdoor faucets each day. The water audit spreadsheet is a useful tool to evaluate water use in the home.
HOW DOES MY WATER USAGE RANK?The average Illinois citizen uses about 100 gallons of water per day. This includes indoor as well as outdoor water usage. To calculate the per person daily water usage rate, divide your daily water usage by the number of people in your home, and then look at the following chart to rate your water usage:
Gallons Per Person
Per Day Rank Comments
- <80 gal/day Excellent. Wow! You use water wisely. Please share your conservation techniques with friends and neighbors.
- 80 – 100 gal/day Good. Good Job! You use less water than the average Ilinois citizen. Look at the conservation tips below to learn how you can conserve even more water.
- 101 – 120 gal/day Fair. You use more water than the average Illinois citizen. Read the conservation tips below to learn how you can conserve water.
- >120 gal/day Poor. You use a lot of water. Read the conservation tips below to learn how to conserve water in the home.
PIPESA leaky pipe is usually pretty obvious. Visually inspect all pipes in your home and look for telltale watermarks on walls or ceilings. In the yard, the ground above the water line may stay wet continuously or water may actually flow on the surface. If a pipe is leaking, repair or replace it.
TOILETSLeaking toilets are common and can be large sources of water loss. A leaking toilet can waste anywhere from several gallons to more than 100 gallons per day (that’s over a quarter million gallons per year!). Leaking toilets are not as easily identifiable as leaking faucets.
The following are clues that you may have a leak:
- If you have to jiggle the handle to make a toilet stop running;
- If you regularly hear sounds from a toilet that is not being used; or
- If a toilet periodically turns the water on (.runs.) for 15 seconds or so without anyone touching the handle.
To check your toilet for silent leaks, do the following:
- Remove the cover on the toilet tank and set it aside;
- Remove any .in-tank. bowl cleaners and flush so that water in the bowl and tank is clear;
- Add dye to the tank (You can use dye capsules or tablets from the hardware store, but food coloring or powdered fruit drink mixes work well). Use enough dye so that the water has a deep hue;
- Wait for 30 minutes (Do not use toilet during this time period);
- If after 30 minutes the water in the bowl contains dye, then the toilet is leaking. (A properly operating toilet will store water in the tank indefinitely without any water running into the bowl).
Turn the water supply for the toilet off (located behind the toilet) and wait for 20 to 30 minutes. If the water level remains the same, it means the leak is occurring at the refill valve (unit in the left side of the tank). If the water level falls below the pencil mark, the flush valve (unit located in the center of the tank) is leaking.
Most homeowners are capable of making their own toilet repairs. Visit your local home improvement or hardware store, purchase the parts, turn off the water supply to the toilet, and follow the directions. With a little effort, you can conserve many gallons of water and reduce your water bill at the same time.
FaucetsA leaking faucet is easily identified, but do you know how much water can be wasted from what seems like an insignificant drip?
To find out, count the number of drips per minute. You can use the following chart to estimate the amount of water waste, or you can use WaterWiser’s drip calculator.
ESTIMATED WATER LOSS THROUGH LEAKS
Drips per minute103060120Water Wasted per Month (Gallons)43130259518Water Wasted per Year (Gallons)526157731536307
Drips can usually be eliminated by replacing worn washers, or by tightening or repacking the faucet. Replacement washers or repair kits for washer-less faucets are available at hardware or home improvement stores.
Retrofit / Replace Fixtures and AppliancesOnce you have repaired any leaks in your home, the next step is to evaluate the efficiency of your current fixtures and appliances. Often simple retrofits can conserve a lot of water. The following table provides average water use for conventional and low-flow appliances.
Fixture/Fitting/Appliance Water Use In Gallon PerVintage Toilet* 4-6 flush (* Manufactured before 1978)
Conventional Toilet** 3.5 flush (** Manufactured from 1978 to 1993)
Low Consumption Toilet*** 1.6 flush (*** Manufactured since January 1, 1994)
Conventional Showerhead* 3-10 min
Low-Flow Showerhead 2-2.5 min.
Faucet Aerator* 3-6 min.
Flow Regulating Aerator 0.5-2.5 min.
Top-Loading Washer 40-55 load
Front-Loading Washer 22-25 load
Dishwasher 8-12 load
FaucetRetrofitting your faucet with an aerator will help save water in your home. A faucet aerator is a small circular screen that is screwed into the faucet. It reduces flow by adding air to the water, giving the sensation of more water with less volume. An aerator can reduce the flow to about 1 to 2 gpm, reducing your water use by half. Aerators are inexpensive and easy to install.
Check to see if aerators are installed on any faucets. Even if aerators have been installed, they may be older and less efficient. If the flow from your faucet exceeds 2.5 gpm, you should install a new aerator. Some older faucets may not be able to accommodate an aerator. If this is the case or if for any other reason you need to install a new faucet, you should purchase and have a plumber install a faucet that uses less than 2.5 gpm
ToiletsThe best way to improve toilet efficiency is to replace an old inefficient toilet with a new toilet.
Toilets made before 1993 use between 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) and 8 gpf. New high efficiency toilets use 1.6 gpf or less. Depending on how inefficient your old toilet is, you could reduce your water use by up to 75 percent by installing a new efficient toilet.
There are other alternative toilets available, including waterless
toilets and composting toilets. Fixtures must comply with State, County and City Codes (your certified plumber is aware of these regulations).
ShowerheadsLow-volume showerheads use 2.5 gpm or less (older ones use as much as 5 gpm or more), resulting in a water savings as great as 50 percent (on average, about 38 gallons per day per household saved). Low-volume showerheads conserve water through mixing air and water and using different spray patterns to give the sensation of a higher-volume shower.
Some showerheads also feature temporary shut-off valves that allow the user to turn off the water while shampooing or washing while maintaining the desired temperature the same. Conserving water in the shower will also lead to substantial energy savings, since showers use hot as well as cold water.
AppliancesOn average about 22 percent of indoor residential water is used to wash clothes. The best way to improve clothes washer efficiency is to replace an old inefficient machine with a new high efficiency washer. Traditional clothes washers use approximately 41 gallons per
load (gpl) and high efficiency models use a little more than half that, about 23 gpl.
Dishwashers account for only about 1.5 percent of indoor residential water use; however, more efficient models will reduce water use by about 50 percent. It is usually more efficient to wash a full load of dishes in the dishwasher rather than hand washing the same dishes in the sink.
EXAMINE AND MODIFY YOUR HABITSSome of the simplest and least expensive ways to conserve water involve making small changes in how you use water. A complete water audit should involve a close look at your family’s water use habits.
- Do you let the water run while you brush your teeth or shave?
- Do you run your clothes washer or dishwasher before it is fully loaded?
- Do you take long showers or baths?
- Do you use a dishpan or plug the sink when washing and rinsing dishes by hand?
- Do you pre-rinse your dishes prior to loading them in the dishwasher?
- Do you have an automatic shut-off nozzle on your outdoor hose?
- Do you water your plants during the coolest part of the day?
