Tag Archive for: Tankless Water Heater

10 Things You Should Never Rinse Down Your Sink

10 Things You Should Never Rinse Down Your Sink

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  1. Fats, oils, and greases
  2. Coffee grounds
  3. Eggshells
  4. Fruit pits and seeds
  5. Meat scraps
  6. Dairy products
  7. Disposable diapers
  8. Cigarette butts
  9. Medications
  10. Petroleum products

So, when it comes to your kitchen sink, there are a few things you should never put down the drain. Grease, coffee grounds, and eggshells can all cause serious problems for your plumbing.

Grease may seem like it will wash down the drain, but it can solidify once it hits any cold water in your pipes. This can create a clog that will be very difficult to remove. Coffee grounds can also clog your drains, and eggshells can break up and cause blockages.

So what should you do with all of this waste instead? Grease can be thrown in the trash, coffee grounds can be composted, and eggshells can be added to your compost pile. Following these simple and careful tips, you can keep your drains clear and your plumbing in good working order.

Most people know that certain items, such as grease or food scraps, should not be put down the drain. However, there are other items that many people don’t realize can cause problems when disposed of in this way.

Meat Scraps

When cooking meat, it’s essential to dispose of the scraps properly. Putting them down the sink drain can cause problems in two ways. First, the fat from the meat can solidify and clog your pipes. Second, as the meat decomposes, it can attract pests like flies and rats.

Medication

10 Things You Should Never Rinse Down Your Sink

Never flush medication down the sink or toilet. This can contaminate the water supply and make it difficult for sewage treatment plants to do their job. Instead, dispose of medications safely, such as taking them to a drug take-back program.

Petroleum

Products like gasoline, kerosene and motor oil should never be put down the drain. They can contaminate the water supply and cause fires or explosions. Instead, dispose of them at a hazardous waste facility.

Cigarette Butts

Cigarette butts may seem small, but they can clog up your pipes. Additionally, the chemicals in cigarettes can pollute the water supply. If you’re a smoker, dispose of your cigarette butts in the trash, not the sink.

Following these simple tips can help keep your pipes clean and your water supply safe.

Four Red Flags for Plumbing Problems When Buying a Home

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Prospective home buyers have a lot of factors to consider before making the final decision to purchase a house. Ideally, the building offers move-in condition, allowing the new owner to take up residence a soon as possible. One important step to take before purchasing a home is to check the plumbing system to make sure that everything is in order. Four situations provide red flags that something is amiss and a professional inspection is needed.

Faulty Water Flow
If you turn on one of the faucets and the water flow is minimal, it is an indication that the plumbing system needs maintenance or repair. If the problem exists in more than one area of the home, it might be a serious issue that you should avoid by looking at different properties and giving up on the one that you are looking at currently.

Faulty Black Water Lines
One of the best ways to evaluate the plumbing system’s ability to remove black/grey water is to flush the toilet. Observe how easily the water goes down and take note of any seepage around the base of the toilet. You should also fill up one of the sinks and watch it drain. Be sure to walk around the perimeter of the basement as well as the outside of the home in search of wet spots.

No Hot Water
If you turn on the faucet that is supposed to deliver hot water and you don’t get any, it’s time to check all of the sinks, showers, and bathtubs in the house. If you can’t get any hot water at any of these locations, it is possible that the hot water heater is broken. You should request that repairs or replacement be handled and are made a contingency of any offer that you provide.

Leaks
Minor leaks can usually be repaired with the simple replacement of a washer. However, multiple leaks are indicative of a more serious issue, particularly if they create puddles or wet spots on the walls, floors, or ceilings.

If you are buying a home, it is important to check out the plumbing system to see if it is in good working order. Whether you try out the faucets and flush the toilet on your own or you bring in a professional plumber for a thorough inspection, an evaluation of the plumbing equipment should be a part of your decision-making process. If you aren’t in love with the property, continuing your search might be the wiser choice to make.

 

Hiring a Plumbing Company – 6 Essential Points to Consider Before an Emergency Strikes

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Plumbing is one of those unglamorous but essential services that everyone needs to call on from time to time. With luck, most your dealings with a plumber will be planned in advance, but it’s almost certain you’ll face an emergency at some point.

When you’ve got water gushing down your walls, you don’t want to be scrabbling for a good plumbing company to come to your rescue. It pays to do your research first, so that you have a number to call without delay. Here’s what to look for when finding a good plumbing company.

 

Availability

Does the company offer a 24-hour call-out service? Are there any charges for attending your home at unsocial hours? Will they guarantee to fix the problem on their first visit, or at least to make it safe and prevent further damage? In an emergency, you need help straight away, so make sure you know the answer to these questions in advance.

Experience and Qualifications

It’s vital to ask how long the plumbing company has been providing their services, and which qualifications the individual plumbers possess. Is the company as a whole regulated by any trade association or official body? These questions are particularly important if the work involves gas or electrical components, when safety is absolutely crucial.

Who’s Actually Doing the Work?

Is the person you speak to the one who will be carrying out the work, or will it be an employee or even a subcontractor? Any of these options can be perfectly acceptable. For your own peace of mind, however, you may want to first meet the person carrying out the work, especially if the job is inside your home.

Liability Cover

Is the company properly insured? If something goes wrong, you need to know that you won’t lose out financially, and so it’s essential they have a comprehensive liability insurance policy in place.

Warranty and Guarantees

It’s also a good idea to ask what will happen if you’re unhappy with the work for any other reason. What’s the procedure if you’re not satisfied with the job that’s been done? For how long will the parts they’ve used be under warranty, and will they replace them without a call-out charge if needed?

Prices and Payment

Although the exact prices will vary depending on the details of the work, you should ask the typical costs for a range of common jobs so you can get a rough idea of the expense involved. Also, is payment required upon completion or partly or fully in advance? Are installment terms available?

Plumbing work is often needed in an emergency situation when you have no time to waste. Asking these questions of a company in advance will ensure you can get quick and efficient assistance when you need it most.