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Hot Water System ins and outs

Posted by on January 12, 2014

Considerations

When buying a hot water system, it is important that you choose one that fits your needs.  Do not focus solely on the purchase price – also consider how much it will cost to run over its total lifetime.  If possible, look for an energy efficient system.  Also look at things such as how easy the system will be to install, how easy it is to run and maintain, and what kind of warranty is offered.

It is a good idea to ensure that the system is located as close as possible to all of the major areas in the home to use hot water – the bathroom, the kitchen and the laundry.  If you cannot find a suitable central location, then install as closely to the kitchen as possible.  This will help to minimize the lengths of pipe, keeping the cost of installation lower and preventing heat loss from the pipes.  It will also help to reduce the amount of time that you have to wait for hot water to come through from the taps, minimizing water wastage.  Finally, make sure that the hot water system is sheltered in order to prevent heat loss from the tank itself.

Types of Hot Water Systems

The two main types of hot water systems that are available are storage water heaters and continuous flow (or instantaneous) water heaters.  Both of these systems are suitable for the average household.  Storage water heaters heat the water, which is then stored in an insulated tank for use throughout the day.  They are most economical when run on solar energy, natural gas, or off-peak electricity.  However, you can also run them on LPG, peak electricity and solid fuels.  If you have a mains pressure system, the hot water will come through at the same pressure as the cold water does, meaning that more than one hot water tap can be turned on at the same time without any loss of pressure.  Constant pressure systems deliver the hot water at a lower pressure than mains pressure systems and are normally located in the roof space of a home.  The amount of pressure depends on the vertical height between the tank and the point of use.

Continuous flow or instantaneous water heaters heat the water, as it required, removing the necessity for a storage tank.  This also means that it is impossible to run out of hot water.  Because they are significantly smaller than storage water heaters, they can be installed internally or externally on a wall or in a cupboard.  These heaters are connected to the mains water supply and deliver heated water at a slightly reduced pressure than cold water.  Adequate amounts of hot water can be delivered to one or two points within the home at one time and some units have electronic controls to deliver precise temperature control.  However, it is vital that these hot water systems are correctly sized according to how they will be used.  Continuous flow heaters operate the most economically on natural gas but they can also use LPG or general tariff electricity. 

 

 

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Use a Professional Plumber At All Times

Posted by on January 9, 2014

When it comes to your plumbing needs, you may be tempted to go with someone based on the lowest price. Sure you may have a small budget, everyone does, but this is not always the best way to go. I’m sure you have heard the old saying, you get what you pay for? Well this is often true when it comes to a quality plumber. Let’s start with the importance workmanship. Hiring just some random guy may not be the right idea, especially if it’s a big job, like clearing out a drain. Sure he may be able to get a pipe snake down there and get it cleared, temporarily, but what if you have large roots in your pipes? They probably won’t have the tools or equipment to inspect the pipes properly, such as a drain camera that travels down the drain pipes, identifying problems along the way. Will they have the tools to completely clear the pipes and correct the underlying problem permanently? Probably not. In fact, many of these low budget plumbers will more than likely refer you to a professional like Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing  Mr Plumber Sydney Manly Emergency Plumber or Mr Plumber Perth

Another reason to choose a professional company is that you will get faster and better service. A professional company is going to have the tools and equipment to get the job done right the first time, and within a less amount of time. If there are problems that take longer to fix, they are going to tell you before they start, so you know there is going to be a delay.

It is important that you have someone on hand to help you out in an emergency situation. Problems don’t always happen during the day during regular business hours. Usually these emergencies happen in the night or early morning, on a weekend, even on a holiday. Sure a regular plumber may be able to help you in an emergency in most cases, but now you are at their mercy, they can charge you just about anything and you are going to pay it, because you no choice. A professional plumbing company is going to be on call, keeping the same emergency hours, but a good company isn’t going to rake you over the coals to come out in an emergency. If you have used them before, in many cases you may even get a discount. Additionally, a professional company may even offer a maintenance program, where they come out and maintain your plumbing, preventing problems from happening in the first place.

So now you know some of the reasons to hire a professional service when it comes to plumbing and drains.

So the next time you need plumbing or drain work done, turn to the people who know what they are doing. Whether it’s a small job, or a big one, make sure you use a plumbing expert.

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Burst Pipes – Finding the Source of the Leak

Posted by on January 6, 2014

When copper pipes are run in concrete without lagging or covering over them properly, the pipes can sometimes split. Copper is a material that expands and contracts when heated. Pipes that are run in concrete can split, as the pipe cannot move when the copper naturally tries to expand.

There are companies that specialise in locating the pipe work and leaks, but they should be used in conjunction with a plumber who is experienced in burst pipes. The pipe locators are not always licensed plumbers and will not repair any leaks. It is important that the plumber who is going to repair the leak is present when the pipe locating company is performing their work. Finding the leak is part of the first part of the job and repairing or re-running the pipe is the second part. If a thorough tracing of the pipes is not completed and a re-run is required, this could result in water being shut off to parts of the house or building for a longer period of time than is required.

Some plumbers may have the equipment to trace copper pipes but unless they are using the equipment on a regular basis, it is better to use a company that specialises in this type of work as they can solve the issues much faster and will save you money in the process.

If you have a leaking pipe, ask these questions when calling a plumber:

1. Have you had any experience in tracing leaks?

2. Do you have the correct pressure testing equipment?

3. Do you have the required pipe-locating equipment or use a specialised leak detection company?

Many homes and units that have been built in the last 15 years do not have copper pipes for hot and cold water supply. This makes the pipe locating process much more difficult. These pipes are a plastic poly butaleen and cannot be traced as easily as copper pipes. The plastic hot pipe can be traced using an infrared tool. When the pipe becomes hot by running hot water through it the infrared will show up on the pipe monitor. To find a leak in plastic cold water pipes, you need to connect it to the hot water system. Once hot water is running through the pipe, the leak will show up on the infrared monitor.

 

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Blocked Drain – DIY Advice

Posted by on January 3, 2014

More often than not, if the blocked drain is located in the bathroom, laundry or kitchen, it is more than likely a build up over time of hair and other gunk becoming trapped in the drain. The good news is this is usually a quick and easy fix!

Try removing the drain cover and removing the blockage by hand, of you can locate it. If the blockage is located further down the drain, using a piece of wire or a bent coat hanger with a curved tip usually fixes the problem. Slide the wire down right through the blockage, hook it into the build-up and pull it out. Often times the whole mess comes out in one heap, if not repeat the process until the drain is cleared and unblocked.

If the drain is located elsewhere in the home, it could be a similar build-up. It could mean that food and other items are lodged somewhere down the drain. If the wire/coat hanger trick does not do the job, it’s time to call in the plunger!

Plungers are a great way of releasing free any blockages, and can be effective for use on kitchen sinks, toilets, and other drains. Firstly, make sure there’s enough water covering the drain as you want to be forcing water not air through the drain. Also, if the blockage is on one side of a double sink or has an over flow, be sure to cover the other sink or outlet with a wet towel or cloth to prevent water flowing out and causing damage. Cover the drain with the plunger ensuring a tight seal, then pump up and down vigorously for 25-35 seconds. Generally, this is enough time to clear the blockage, if not you will need to repeat the process.

The third way to fix a blocked drain is to pour drain cleaner down the drain and leave it there for the specified time. These chemicals eat their way through most substances, and followed by a hot water flush will usually  have your drain clear in a matter of hours. For those people after a more environmentally friendly solution, try pouring a cup of baking soda down the blocked drain followed by a cup of vinegar or vinegar/hot water mixture. These two chemicals have a reaction, which can be quite violent, so be sure to cover the drain, and flush once again with hot water afterwards

Regular flushing of your drains will save you a lot og trouble in the future. Every month, make a  habit of flushing your drains with boiling water, or use the baking soda/vinegar combo on a regular basis to maintain clear drains. Also, ensure you prevent as much hair and rubbish as possible from entering sinks and drains. Prevention is better and cheaper than a cure!

 

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How To Do Plumbing Right The First Time

Posted by on December 30, 2013

If you possess pipes that are alive with the sound of squeaking or hammering, you have an issue that can easily be corrected. This is a common problem that occurs in many homes and businesses. You must anchor all exposed pipes as soon as practically possible. Pipes that are contained within the floors, walls and ceilings may need to be attended to by a professional plumber to limit the amount of damage.

Inspect around the toilets for softness in the floors or wall to see if any damage has occurred. There is an easy test to perform to check for this: sit reversed on the toilet (facing the tank) with your feet on the floor. Rock your weight onto each foot in turn and see if you can feel any weakness or “give” in the floor. Early detection of the plumbing problem may save you a great deal of money over time.

A very common mistake that people make is pouring grease or oil down the sink. DO NOT pour grease or other oils in your sink or down your drain. These substances will clog the drain over time as they cool and harden. This is important because the blades will stop working in your insinkerator or garbage disposal if they have fat on them. Dump your oil outside or in a container that you throw out with the regular garbage on collection day.

Whenever you have plumbing work that needs to be done by a professional and licensed plumber, you should schedule all problems to be worked one at one time (if possible and this wont cause further damage). You might be tempted to contact a plumber every time you face a small problem, but if you have problems repaired all at once, you will have time to save money for the fixes as you should be charged one call out fee. Also, combining smaller jobs into one larger job lets the plumber finish his work faster and therefore saves you money.

It is very important to use lots of cold water when running your garbage disposal or insinkerator. The cold water helps the blades that are inside stay sharp, and will keep your disposal running smoothly for a long time. Avoid using hot water, as this will liquefy grease, causing it to build up in the drain and obstruct your pipes, which may result in a plumber attending your house.

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Draining & Plumbing Services For the Home

Posted by on December 27, 2013

When it comes to your plumbing needs, you may be tempted to go with someone based on price. Sure you may have a tight budget, everyone does, but this is not always the best way to go. You know the old saying, you get what you pay for? Well this holds true when it comes to a quality plumber. Let’s start with workmanship. Hiring just some guy may not be the right idea, especially if it’s a big job, like clearing out a drain. Sure he may be able to get a pipe snake down there and get it cleared, temporarily, but what if you have roots in your pipes? They probably won’t have the tools or equipment to inspect the pipes properly, such as a remote camera that travels down the drain pipes, identifying problems along the way. Will they have the tools to completely clear the pipes and correct the underlying problem permanently? Probably not. In fact, many of these low budget plumbers will more than likely refer you to a professional like A Plumber.

Another reason to choose a professional company is that you will get faster, better service. A professional company is going to have the tools and equipment to get the job done right the first time, and within a short amount of time. If there are problems that take longer, they are going to tell you before they start, so you know there is going to be a delay.

It is important that you have someone on hand to help you out in an emergency. Problems don’t always happen during the day, at regular business hours. Usually these emergencies happen at 2 in the morning, on a weekend, even on a holiday. Sure a regular plumber may be able to help you in an emergency in most cases, but now you are at their mercy, they can charge you just about anything and you are going to pay it, because you have to. A professional company is going to be on call, keeping the same emergency hours, but a good company isn’t going to rake you over the coals to come out in an emergency. If you have used them before, in many cases you may even get a discount. In addition, a professional company may even offer a maintenance program, where they come out and maintain your plumbing, preventing problems from happening in the first place.

So now you know some of the reasons to hire a professional when it comes to plumbing and drains, but who should you call? Well if you live in Melbourne, the first company you should call is A Plumber.

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Plumbing Tips For Your Water System

Posted by on December 23, 2013

Anchoring your pipes can eliminate the hammering and squeaking noises caused by loose pipes and fitting in your home. Any exposed pipes will need to be secured. You might want to contact a professional plumber when the pipes are hard to access.

If you don’t want plumbing in your house frozen, then don’t let the inside temperature go under the freezing mark, and make sure any pipes that have no protection from the elements are thoroughly insulated. But, be advised that your pipes in your home may freeze if the surrounding temperature near those pipes is less than freezing. It may take time to thaw properly so that you can have running water. Frozen pipes can also burst without notice, which can be very messy and expensive to repair.

If your home has a frozen pipe, turn on the nearest faucet so the water has an escape route when the pipe starts to thaw. This assists you in relieving pressure within the pipe, and could stop any bursting from occurring, which should prevent additional damage to your home.

From time to time, inspect the floor around your toilet and see if it has gone soft. Stand above the toilet with a foot positioned on each side up close to the toilet base. Shift your weight back and forth to detect any weakness or sponginess in the floor. This will save you a lot of trouble and money if you find the issue prior to something horrible happening.

Keep grease, fat, dirt and oil out of your kitchen drain. When oil cools off, it becomes hard and will clog your pipes. This is primarily true if you are someone who has a garbage disposal or insinkerator; the fats will make the blades go slower and less freely. Dispose of oils and fatty liquids in the garbage.

If you have multiple plumbing problems, schedule all of them to be fixed in one go. While you may be tempted to call the plumber whenever you have a slight problem, scheduling it all at once gives you the opportunity to save money to pay for the repairs thus saving on call out fees. Most plumbers charge a call out fee and an hourly fee that can be minimized if there is only one visit to your home.

If you notice water draining into your dishwater, check your kitchen sink and it’s piping. The hose might be incorrectly installed. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink must go downhill, and then uphill, to stop water mixing from the two devices.

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