Plumbing Innovations and Products

faucets-with-smart-technology-pooles-plumbing

Faucets with Smart Technology are Washing us Into the Future

/in , , /by

Smart. Something we all aspire to be. This  one word can cover a lot of area, but when it comes to the particular subject for Faucets with Smart Technology, smart takes on dual meanings.

Technology. One word that any person reading this can read and think of countless ways our lives are different because of it. The ways that our cars operate. How we protect our homes. What we are watching and how we are watching television. Obviously, the evolution of the wall phone to the smartphone.

The inside of our homes is no different in that the more advances we see in technology, the more convenient or “smart” our homes get. The bathroom is no exception, as one can attest by looking at the innovations to toilets and showers. Likewise, and where will be discussing in this post, Faucets with Smart Technology are the “next wave” to be looking for.

Bathrooms have been “growing up” in regard to technology for quite some time now. Everything from lighting to the temperature setting on all appliances and areas. But, in this piece on Faucets with Smart Technology, we are not going to focus so much on the “pampering” aspects of the innovations. Instead, we will look at exactly how you can use Faucets with Smart Technology to be …well, smarter.

Being “Smart” and Connecting to Your Faucets with Smart Technology

There have been many Faucets with Smart Technology whose features evolved greatly. Most of us have seen how water temperature can be preset through the usage of apps. Likewise, the “touch-free,” motion sensor faucets have continued to see improvements over the years. However, this latest innovation to Faucets with Smart Technology we will discuss can not only aid convenience, but help you conserve and consume with no worries, and very little effort.

The product we speak of was first developed by a North-Eastern United States startup company and is a combination a water filter and meter. Thus, it allows you to connect any of your own smart devices to these Faucets with Smart Technology. Once you connect, the technology not only filters and informs you of the water quality levels but also monitors exactly how much is used.

So, whereas most filters would run on a time-based module, this type is based on the amount of water you consume. So, it can actually produce real-time data and information for you. This innovation basically tells you how good your water filter is working, the level of the water quality you are consuming is, and how much water you actually consume.

Monitoring, Filtering and Helping You Save Money

There are multiple ways for Faucets with Smart Technology to save you from wasting water. Likewise, they can save you  from wasting money. How exactly you ask? Well, let us explain.

Having  Faucets with Smart Technology helps you be able to plan ahead. As a result, you can accordingly adjust your usage. This is not the only way your Faucets with Smart Technology help you save though.

This new module can help you save on your water bill in a variety of ways. For example, it could be set to remind you when brushing your teeth to turn off the faucet. Likewise, it can recognize a leak, which we all know can be costly. So, you are both avoiding wasting water. Likewise, you will save on your monthly bills as a result of this.

Faucets with Smart Technology, With No Need for a New Faucet?!?!

Let’s say this company is able to secure the funding and release this product. As a result, consumers will have more accurate water consumption information than ever previously thought possible. In addition to this item in regard to Faucets with Smart Technology, you don’t even need a new faucet, as it will attach directly to your existing plumbing feature.

Your friends at Poole’s Plumbing are not only the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers for the past two decades. They also are always staying on top of the latest innovations in all plumbing technology. As the innovations in Faucets with Smart Technology progress, we at Poole’s will keep you posted.  To contact us here at Poole’s for any and all of your plumbing needs, visit poolesplumbing.com.

 

 

 

Water-Bill-Savings-Water-Meter

Water Bill Savings Await with A Few Easy Checkpoints

/in , , , /by

During these times of having to spend a lot more time in our homes, many are thinking of ways or projects to upgrade. While on quarantine and thinking of this, you can certainly achieve Water Bill Savings if you keep better tabs on your plumbing system. In this article, your friends here at Poole’s Plumbing will offer up eight reminders/tips that if you stay on top of will keep your household budget lower. So, in addition to being the “upgrade” you were hoping for, you will also save yourself money.

1.) Inspecting and Pumping Your Septic System

On average, it is recommended to have a household’s septic system inspected every three years by a professional. Similarly, a home’s septic tank should be pumped every three to five years.

2.) Water Bill Savings From Replacing Out-Dated Faucets

Water-Bill-Savings-Old-Faucet

Replacing older faucets with a newer, more efficient model can help conserve.

Getting back to the “upgrades” you are hoping to make while quarantined. Maybe your kitchen or bathroom faucets have become outdated? Well, the upgrade, in this case, could not only be more attractive in appearance. It more than likely will prove more attractive financially in the big picture too.

To explain, as faucets get older, they don’t just look as they’ve gotten older. Your faucet adjusts the amount of water passing through and in time can see your bill increase as they become less efficient. With more current designs always aiming to conserve and reduce flow, replacing old faucets is a sure way to help you save.

3.) Keep a Closer Eye on Your Water Meter

This should seem obvious once you read it. Water Bill Savings can stem from directly keeping a better eye on your water meter. By doing this, you can avoid or detect a possible leak, which will for sure lead to a higher bill.

The water meter in one’s home goes from the water mainline (outdoors) to a metered box also on the outside of your house.

4.) Recognizing Drips can Be Key in Water Bill Savings

Again, at the risk of pointing out the obvious comes the fourth entry on this list. That being said, when you notice puddles or standing water in your basement, this means you have a plumbing leak. 

A loose valve could be the cause of a leak. Likewise, it could be a cracked pipe, and either of these can cause mold and bacteria to form. If you see what you believe to be a leak, even if you can’t exactly identify where call the pros at Poole’s before things get out of hand.

5.) Water Heater Update = Water Bill Savings

Water-Bill-Savings-Laundry-Machine

By monitoring load size and avoiding unnecessary small loads, you can conserve and save when doing laundry.

When it comes to giving plumbing tips from Poole’s Plumbing, there is a reason why they are called the “water heater experts.” Thus, any questions or tips involving your water heater is in the best hands when being addressed by Poole’s. 

For the purpose of our article, Water Bill Savings, it would serve you best to replace your water heater every ten years. The innovations and technological advances in these units are so significant even annually to make a huge difference.

In a case that you don’t want to replace, have your water heater drained every six months. This flushes out any sediment and impurities. Likewise, it will improve the heater’s overall performance and as a result, keep bills lower. 

6) Washing Machines: Watch Your Usage and Load Sizes

These once again may seem like an obvious or common sense type thing when it comes to Water Bill Savings. However, a reminder is well worth mentioning if it leads to water conservation and Water Bill Savings.

To conserve and save in the “laundry room,” start by only running your machine when you have a full load. Likewise, making sure that you are keeping the load cycle on its appropriate setting helps save water and energy. It is also recommended to spread out your laundry throughout the week. While it may seem you are conserving time by getting all laundry done at once, this can actually cause septic tank issues.

7.) Water Bill Savings from Inspecting your Toilet

Water-Bill-Savings-Pooles-Plumbing

Poole’s Plumbing can help you save by conducting a thorough inspection of your plumbing system.

Another place that many may not think of that can lead to water conservation and savings is your toilet. By simply monitoring and being sure your toilet is running properly, can be quite a difference-maker actually.

Consequently, the toilet on average accounts for 25-30 percent of household water usage. Points to check and keep your eye on include the flapper valve in addition to just being sure of no leakage. An upgrade to a newer model toilet is another sure way to save. This especially can factor in if your current model is over ten years old. With the innovations and “eco-friendly” technological advances with newer toilets, the amount of water used by your toilet is reduced significantly through an upgrade.

8.) A Professional Inspection Now Leads to Important Savings Later

Calling a professional plumber from Raleigh’s most trusted name in plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, can also lead to savings in the long run. 

Having a professional inspection of all of your home’s plumbing systems can improve performance and greatly reduce the risk of future plumbing disasters. This simple step can save you money on utilities and emergency plumbing calls in the long run.

 If you’re thinking about making some upgrades to your house this year, it’s important to put your home’s plumbing system on your list. Small leaks or malfunctioning appliances can quickly add to your monthly utility bills. Here are just a few simple plumbing tips that can help keep your household budget in check and help save you money.

To see all the services offered by the most trusted plumbers in the Raleigh area, Poole’s Plumbing, visit poolesplumbing.com.

Draining-a-Water-Heater

Draining a Water Heater

/in , , /by

It seems like an easy enough task. Draining a Water Heater. However, being the number one name in Raleigh water heater experts, Poole’s Plumbing would like to help make sure that the process is a safe and easy one for you. Thus, in this article, we will walk you through the entire process, which depending on what type of unit you have, is suggested to be drained every 6-12 months.  

Draining-a-Water-Heater-Valve

You will be opening the valve up before draining the heater and always be sure to check it as your last step.

Why and When Should You be Draining a Water Heater?

To begin in our guiding you to safely begin Draining a Water Heater, we first start off by explaining why you even do this, to begin with. Experts, like the number one Raleigh plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing, recommend that you drain your water heater every 6-12 months. 

This is so any buildup or sediment that may gather is cleared out. If this is not done, the buildup can cause your water heater to have to work harder to heat the water. Thus, the water heater is forced to unnecessarily use more energy. Consequently, this leads to higher energy bills, as well as shortening the life span of your unit.

Preparation and What to Expect When Upon Draining

Draining-a-Water-Heater-Pressure

Open the faucets relieves pressure before you drain the water heater.

One thing that you should be prepared for when Draining a Water Heater is to have/create a leak. This is because there is a good chance that once you open up the drain valve to empty the contents, it will not close again.

This is common when draining a water heater. In actuality, the 6-12 month recommended period is also a good time frame to replace the drain valve. These parts are usually cheap plastic. Regardless, as the valves get older it becomes less likely to completely close anyhow. If the time has come and the valve will no longer shut, then put a cap over it and  replace it completely.

A Seven-Step Plan for Draining a Water Heater

  1. Start with a Quick Flush- It would seem the first thing to do before Draining a Water Heater would be to shut off the water. However, before doing that, try flushing the unit a bit while the water pressure is still on. To do this, simply connect a garden hose to the drain for flushing. The pressure will blow out sediment that has built up in the valve. Doing this will help your tank drain faster. It is worth noting that if a large amount of sediment comes out, you can repeat this method of flushing a few times.
  2. Turn the Water Heater Off – Our next step in Draining a Water Heater starts by shutting off the gas. In the case that you have an electric water heater, shut off the power instead. Then, you will want to shut the water off entirely. You can do this by either using the valve in the cold water pipe above the water heater or the houses’ main water supply valve. Before moving along to our next step, test the water faucets to make sure the pressure is off, by simply turning them all on and checking for hot water.
  3. Open the Drain Valve- With a hose attached, next, we open up the drain valve. You will not see much drain out until you release the vacuum in the tank. To do this you must allow air into the tank. Do this by removing one end of the hot water pipe above the water heater. Once removing that end, pull the pipe to the side just a bit and the water will begin to pour fastly from the drain.
  4. Use Water to Flush the Tank- Once you have fully drained the tank, you can flush it out using a few gallons of water at a time. To do this, turn the water on for a few seconds at a time and let the water drain out. During this process, leave the hot water side pipe disconnected until flushing is complete. Reconnect the “hot side” pipe before refilling.
  5. Refill the Water Heater- The obvious next step after Draining a Water Heater is to refill it. Before you begin doing this though, you must disconnect the drain hose and shut off the drain valve. Also, don’t forget to reconnect that hot water pipe and tighten it well. At this point, you can turn the water heater’s water back on. Be sure to open up the “hot side” of a fixture in your house. Then, just leave the fixture running until all of the air is out of the lines. At this point nothing but water should be coming through. Then, you can turn back off the water.
  6. Relight the Water Heater- The next step in Draining a Water Heater is to relight the pilot light. Again, if you have electric as opposed to gas, this is when its safe to turn the power back on. You should have hot water back with in an hour or so.
  7. Check the Drain Valve- The final step in our “Draining a Water Heater” tale. Check to see if your water heater drain closed correctly by looking for leaks at the spout.  If the valve does not close completely, you can put a cap on it or replace the valve entirely.
Draining-a-Water-Heater-Poole's Plumbing

After refilling the unit, you will then relight the pilot light.

The pros at Poole’s Plumbing became the most trusted name in Raleigh water heater installation through keeping ahead of the curve and staying on top of all the latest innovations. In their two decades of unmatched service to the Raleigh and Triangle area, they have earned the trust of the customer through offering advise such as this quick tutorial on Draining a Water Heater. Poole’s Plumbing work with the top names in water heaters and can installer service your unit, as needed. For more information on the Poole’s “Water Heater” guarantee, visit poolesplumbing.com.