A typical building consists of many interrelated functional components, which work together to form one complex ecosystem. And like in any other complex ecosystem, all parts of a house are useful; but some are more essential than others. Some of the critical parts or areas of a house are the electrical system, including the wiring and all installed electrical appliances, the plumbing system with all its installations and fixtures, the floors, roofs & walls, and the most functional rooms in the house like the kitchen, bathroom, main bedroom etc. In addition to inspecting all these integral facilities on your own, you should also commission routine professional audits or evaluations. Professional plumbing audits are important because of the following reasons.

To Identify And Fix Looming And Existing System Faults

Professional plumbers are equipped with all the necessary expertise and equipment for a thorough system assessment. They use their technical expertise to inspect and evaluate the physical and functional standing of each and every part or section of a plumbing system. They use their findings to report on the current working condition and even to project the future performance of every component in the plumbing system. By using their vast plumbing skills, these professionals are able to formulate an extensive inspection report detailing all the relevant system properties and details. A professional plumbing inspection or audit report identifies and highlights all existing and looming faults or defects based on the current state of the system. The report also recommends viable solutions to fix all the indentified system flaws and problems.

To Identify And Replace Old And Worn-Out Parts/Installations

Professional plumbing inspections should be conducted on a regular and frequent basis in order to avoid unnecessary system breakdowns. Negligence is one of the main causes of system failures. By adhering to a diligent system inspection and maintenance routine, you will be able to identify any malfunctioning plumbing components that need replacement as soon as possible. Professional plumbers are highly trained technicians capable of discovering and solving current and future system issues. For example, a professional plumbing inspection report will highlight all old and worn-out system features and recommend new high quality replacements. In order to get a thorough professional plumbing report covering all the critical system areas, you should hire a certified firm offering a myriad of plumbing specialty services including but not limited to DC water heater repair and installation, drain cleaning, sewer line inspections, water line repair & replacement, and gas line repair & installation.

To Create An Eco-Friendly Home

One of the most important reasons for hiring a professional to audit any system in your home is to enhance your environmental conservation/preservation efforts. When conducting a home system audit, professional plumbers usually consider various eco-oriented factors like efficiency, wastage, pollution, etc. They then recommend all possible green improvements or solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of that home. One such viable green recommendation to make your plumbing system eco-friendly includes effective water and energy saving strategies to prevent natural resource depletion. You will also be furnished with many eco-friendly ideas regarding proper waste disposal and recycling habits/practices, which are all easy to implement and nonpolluting, to promote environmental conservation/preservation.

When buying a new house, you can either request for an inspection report from the homeowner or house seller, or you can hire your own professionals for another home system inspection and evaluation. But before you buy a new home, there are several DIY tasks that you should fulfill. You should first familiarize yourself with all the vital components or parts of the house that you intend to buy. If you discover any alarming details regarding any part of the house, you should not hesitate to present them to the house seller, and to make sure that they are all addressed satisfactorily before you close the deal. After settling in your new house, you should hire a professional plumbing company for routine and regular plumbing inspections and maintenance. As the new owner of the house, use the following tips to enhance the health, functionality, and efficiency of your home plumbing system.

Pay Special Attention To Critical Plumbing Areas

As mentioned above, the first and most fundamental step towards owning and maintaining a good home is getting acquainted with all its critical systems and components. A home plumbing system is a key concern and hence you should go a step further to acquaint yourself with all its critical components. Some of the vital sections of a plumbing system include the water supply controls, the sewerage and piping system, and the home water heating system. You should always pay special attention to the condition and functionality of these critical plumbing sections. The water supply controls consist of the water meter and the main shutoff valve. The sewer system starts with the drainage pipes and continues to your private septic tank and then to the municipal sewer system. The home water heater system includes the in-flowing and out-flowing pipes and the heating element, and in some cases the storage tank.

Care And Maintenance Tips

You should always embrace best practice care and maintenance measures for your plumbing system. The most effective way of administering first-rate care and maintenance to your home plumbing system is through the commissioning of regular and thorough inspection exercises by professional plumbers. You should also inspect the system on your own; routinely and regularly. These inspection runs — DIY and professional — should be focused on the critical plumbing areas discussed above. Following an inspection, several maintenance measures should be instituted. Regular inspections and maintenance will help identify and fix all plumbing faults as soon as or even before they occur, thereby preventing any minor faults from deteriorating into catastrophic system breakdowns.

Dealing With Plumbing Professionals

As a homeowner, you will have to deal with professional plumbers from time to time. Professional plumbers are usually hired to fix serious plumbing faults, to offer routine inspection and maintenance services, and to handle major system changes. Before hiring any professional plumber, you should first vet him to confirm and verify his contractual suitability in relation to the plumbing task at hand. Major areas of concern include the plumber’s academic qualifications & technical credentials, competence & experience, licensing, bonding, & insurance, industry reputation, billing policy etc. If you are looking for professional DC sewer services, you should vet prospective plumbing contractors regarding their service specialties, industry reviews, client testimonials & customer referrals, project charges & projected time of completion, and any other relevant details. You can easily get all the formal and legal background information on any licensed plumber from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

The success of any plumbing system is the product of the success of all its individual components. To put it in an illustrative way, the system only works well if its constituent parts or sections are in tiptop condition. It’s referred to as a system because it’s a coherent entity made up of several independent but interrelated elements or components all working together to ensure your plumbing wellbeing. But just like in any other complex ecosystem, some of these elements are more important than others. The following plumbing areas are of particular importance and should hence be afforded extra care.

The System Control Section

One of the most important functions of a plumbing system is the supply of clean water to the home or business premises. Your home plumbing system is connected to the utility mains by an inlet/supply pipe. In order to control, monitor, and bill the amount of water consumed in your home, the utility company installs a monitoring gauge called a water meter, which continuously records the amount of water flowing into your homestead. The utility company also installs a shutoff valve for opening and closing your entire water supply. As you can see, these two gadgets serve a very critical role in the management of your plumbing system. As such, you should always ensure that they are in perfect condition. Ensure that the meter is billing well by shutting off all water supply for a few hours with the main valve and then check for any changes in its original reading. You can also use the meter to evaluate your plumbing system for water leaks by shutting off all consumption for some time and then comparing readings.

The Sewerage & Drainage Section

Sewerage systems are elaborate plumbing installations, which are mainly used for the disposal of soluble waste in the home. Sewage systems consist of drainage pipes and various waste disposal installations like the septic tank. Drainage pipes are basically used to dispose of waste water in a home plumbing system. You are supposed to inspect the sewer system before you even buy a house in order to note its size/volume, age, maintenance record, and feed piping (sewer lines) system. This should be followed by regular system inspection and maintenance routines by qualified plumbers. Sewer systems are usually installed underground; hence you need to hire specialists to do the inspections. And anytime you notice any anomaly in your sewer system, do not hesitate to call a licensed DC emergency plumber for a professional fix. You should pay special attention to the physical layout of the sewer lines so that you can monitor their underground network from the surface.

The Water Heating Section

The home water heating system is one of the most integral areas in a plumbing system. The water heater provides warm water to the entire household and it is especially critical during cold weather conditions. It is also a major consumer of energy and water and should hence be kept under close watch to ensure optimal efficiency. The water heating section includes various inflow and outflow pipes, an electrical heater, and some models come with a water storage unit. You should be conversant with all its design specifications and functional elements, such as its construction type, age, size, and energy source (electricity, gas or solar). All faults should be reported to professional plumbers specializing in this field as soon as possible.

Pipes are used as the main transportation medium in plumbing systems. They are used to link and connect all the different sections of a plumbing system and hence to move water and dissolvable wastes around the system. Compared to a human body, pipes act like blood circulation vessels — veins and arteries. Water supply pipes can be considered as the arteries of plumbing system whereas drainage and sewerage pipes act like the veins, except that in this case they take the waste water away from the system for physical disposal. Plumbing pipes are mainly classified according to their construction material. They can all be broadly classified into the 3 main categories; metal, plastic and concrete.

Metal Pipes

There are three common types of metal pipes according to their construction material: copper, galvanized steel, and cast iron pipes. Copper and iron do not corrode easily corroded and galvanized steel pipes are coated with zinc to prevent them from corroding. Some of the distinct differences between these metallic pipes include the fact that cast iron is chemical resistant and has very high tensile strength. These pipes are made by spinning or sand casting and they are either cast horizontally, vertically or centrifugally. Galvanized steel pipes are not easy to install because they need cutting and threading and are hence becoming unpopular. Otherwise, all these pipes share a few metallic properties in that they are all very strong, versatile, durable and very reliable. This means that they can all be used to transport or distribute hot and/or cold water, plus refrigerated distribution in HVAC systems. They can all be installed both underground and above the surface for a myriad of plumbing applications from DC commercial sewer repair to water supply and distribution to ground water drainage.

Plastic Pipes

This category contains all pipes that are made from plastic and plastic polymers. They include PVC pipes and PEX pipes. PVC pipes are split into several types, including unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), plasticized polyvinyl chloride, and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), according to the chemical composition of their plastic construction material, which dictates their ability to withstand high temperatures. PVC pipes are used in all kinds of plumbing systems for all kinds of applications including fresh water supply, distribution, waste water drainage, sewage drainage, irrigation etc. Their material strengths include chemical resistance, eco-friendliness, ease of use for plumbing installation, cost-effective, and extended longevity.

PEX pipes are among the newest plastic pipes. These are cross-linked polyethylene pipes or tubing made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). They are produced by the extrusion process and they are very flexible and string. They can withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures and are hence used from hot and cold water transmission in all plumbing systems and also in HVAC systems. They are very cheap, easy to install, flexible, and very durable, which makes them more popular than copper and PVC. They have only one weakness, they are damaged by UV rays and hence cannot be exposed to direct sunlight outdoors.

Concrete Pipes

Depending on their manufacturing process, concrete pipes are usually classified as either Reinforced or precast. They are all made from concrete, which is basically a mixture of cement, water and aggregates. The cement paste is used to bind the fine and coarse aggregate and also to coat the surface of the pipe. Concrete pipes are incredibly strong, abrasion resistant, environmentally friendly, very durable, and resistant to most chemicals. They are mostly used to drain flood/ground water in culverts and storm drains and also in sewerage systems.

The first step towards sustainable living is the creation of an eco-friendly plumbing system in your own home. Such a system ensures minimal loss of energy or power by implementing various energy saving solutions. It also translates into responsible water usage by curbing all water wastage practices. You can even go a step further and create a sustainable home water system by installing a home water recycling or purification system. By combining all these green strategies and implementing them in your home, you will be playing a very significant role in environmental conservation and honoring our home planet in the process. Consider the following easy-to-implement green ideas and try to adopt as many as you can.

Energy Conservation

Energy consumption at Home produces one of the highest utility bills at the domestic level. The plumbing system constitutes a significant share of energy expenses in a typical residential electrical system. We use all kinds of electrically powered appliances and installations in our plumbing systems. One of the most notorious energy consumers in a home plumbing system is the water heater system. In order to minimize energy loss in your home water heating system, you should start by installing an efficient model. Although I will not go into detail about the various types of water heaters here due to space limitations, I have to mention that solar models are often the most efficient water heaters as compared to all the rest. An efficient water heating system saves both water and electrical energy. You can even take the whole energy conservation thing a notch higher by insulating the heater and all its pipes to reduce heat loss during and after heating. You should also install energy efficient appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines. If you would like some professional opinions regarding these hacks, you can always reach out to any qualified residential and commercial DC gas plumber who specializes in water heaters.

Water Conservation

Water is the essence of life. This means that we should be extra careful about water wastage, especially nowadays, when there is a looming global warming catastrophe that threatens to dry all our natural water sources. As a responsible homeowner and business owner, you should embrace eco-friendly residential and commercial plumbing innovations and water saving tactics. Start by replacing all your water appliances and fixtures with low-flow eco-friendly models, which are certified and approved as water-efficient by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You should also install low-flush toilets and then reduce the flow rate of your faucets using flow reducers. Low-flow faucets and showers will minimize the amount of water lost in splashes and sprays. And last but not least, inspect and repair leaking pipes immediately and keep water taps off when not in use.

Install A Home Water Recycling System

This is one of the most innovative and effective green ideas for creating an eco-friendly plumbing system. It involves the installation of an efficient water purification system to create purified home drinking water from your waste water. Modern technological advancements have led to the creation of innovative water recycling solutions like the reverse osmosis water purification system, which purifies waste water to create a sustainable plumbing system. And to ensure that your home is as healthy as the environment you are trying to protect, you should install activated carbon filters on your taps and showerheads to absorb all water pollutants before consumption.

Getting your home renovated is as exciting as buying a new house. And although a remodel sounds like a modest undertaking, it can end up costing just as much or even more than a new home. It all depends on what you want and how you plan for it. The good thing with home remodeling projects is that they can be done partially or in full. A partial renovation focuses on a specific section(s) of the building whereas a full makeover overhauls everything. Partial remodels can be done on certain rooms in the house, such as a kitchen remodel or a bathroom renovation. They can also be about changing a certain feature(s) in the house, such as a floor or wall makeover. Regardless of the size or scope of a remodeling project, its overall success always depends on proper planning on your end and skilled implementation on the contractor’s end. The following guide summarizes some of the most crucial success tips for any home renovation project.

In-depth Research & Proper Planning

The first and most critical step towards a successful home remodel is project research. You have to hit the market, visit the relevant websites, and talk to friends and colleagues regarding your upcoming project. You need to learn as much as you can about all the design and implementation aspects of your renovation project. Take for example the issue of replacing plumbing pipes. You have to decide the best pipes for various applications by considering their cost relative to their functional suitability based on their physical and functional attributes. And just so you know, Metallic pipes include copper, galvanized steel, and cast iron pipes whereas plastic pipes are either PVC or PEX pipes. Luckily for you, the internet is filled with lots of building and construction resources. You will use all this knowledge to plan and budget for your project.

Professional Consultation & Informed decisions

In order to get some real life insight regarding your project, you will have to consult some professionals in this field. This means contacting practicing plumbers for some professional input on all the project details. Let us use pipes as an example again. Again you have to decide. So which pipes do you install where? Metallic pipes can be used anywhere, they are strong, durable, but they are also a bit costly and not very easy to install.

Plastic or PVC pipes are of many different material characteristics including unplasticized PVC (UPVC) rigid pipes, which are used for cold water supply and distribution. Plasticized PVC pipes, which are plasticized with rubber, are used to transport moderately hot water while chlorinated PVC (CPVC) pipes are used to carry very hot water. PEX is cross-linked polyethylene tubing and it’s currently more popular than copper and PVC pipes. This is because it is flexible, cheap, strong, and can transport very hot and or very cold water. You need this kind of information to make an informed choice.

Good Contracting & Project Implementation

And last but not last, you need to hire a pro for your remodel. I am talking about contracting a high trained, experienced, insured, bonded and licensed plumber for your project. Before you contract a plumber for kitchen remodeling or water heater replacement or sewer services in DC, you will need to vet all potential candidates according to your project needs. This includes verifying their credential s and qualifications, confirming their competence and experience, and checking on their reputation, cost, and project timeline.

Regardless of its size or nature, any plumbing project is a serious undertaking that requires careful planning and execution to ensure its successful completion. Among other factors, the plumber plays a very crucial role in the successful implementation of any project. That is why you have to be extra careful when contracting a plumber for such an endeavor. In order to hire the best plumber for the job, you should subject all prospective plumbers to a rigorous vetting process. This is to ensure that your choice plumber is armed with all the right qualifications and skills, and also to make sure that you are offered the best contracting deal. The most effective vetting approach is the 3-step verification process. This is a simple but very thorough vetting exercise that involves 3 separate assessments for every potential contractor. The 3 steps are discussed below.

Step 1: Social Vetting

Social vetting refers to all your independent informal assessments of prospective plumbers. This kind of vetting occurs indirectly, that is without the direct confrontation or involvement with the plumber. Social vetting involves conducting an independent background research on plumbing companies. You can use a variety of social channels to research and access information regarding the subject. The only condition is that all your research should be informal, meaning that all your sources should be nonofficial. One of the most resourceful social channels that you can use in this step is the World Wide Web. You can start by Googling for plumbing companies in your region offering the kind of service that you need. Most professional plumbing companies offer a wide range of residential and commercial services and you have to specify whether you are looking for a professional plumber for a home renovation project or for a water heater repair in DC so that you can get various regional options to choose from. The internet also features various industry review sites and consumer advisory platforms like Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor, which can assist in identifying the highest rated plumbers in your region, and last but not least, you can consult your friends, colleagues, and relatives regarding this issue for some referrals and general insight regarding your plumbing needs.

Step 2: Official Vetting

The second stage involves the use of official channels to vet your subject. The most useful source of official information in this instance is the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) of your home state. You can either visits the official premises of this regulatory body or you can just access their database on the internet. The CSLB is mandated with the certification and licensing of plumbers and other building contractors in their respective states. Before issuing a practicing license, the CSLB subjects a plumber to a rigorous vetting process that involves the verification of academic, technical, and regulatory credentials and qualifications, and a criminal background check to ensure legal conformity. Other official assessments focus on whether the plumber is insured and bonded and on any filed client complaints.

Step 3: Personal/Direct Vetting

The third and final vetting step is a direct assessment of the prospective plumbers. This happens in the form of in-depth consultation interviews with plumbers in their offices or at the project site. You will then query him accordingly to learn all the relevant aspects and traits of his practice in relation to your project. This includes details about his billing policy, project schedule, work history, operating policy, scope & performance capacity, client referrals, competence and experience, communication policy, emergency services, special offers and discounts, warranties and guarantees, and any other relevant details.

A literal interpretation of its name tells you that a sump pump is simply a pump in a sump pit, which is quite accurate. A sump pit is a drainage excavation for collecting floodwater and it is usually located in the basement of a house. The sump pit accommodates the mechanical device that is used to pump out or remove excess groundwater after a heavy storm. Flooding occurs when ground water rises past the surface due to excess precipitation. For areas with a high water table, heavy storms usually cause groundwater to seep or rise past the foundation thereby flooding the basement. In such areas, sum pumps are critical installations because they remove the water automatically after sensing the increased pressure. And it’s also important to note that one sump pump is not enough for your home. Read on to learn why.

Main And Backup Sump Pumps

Most houses have a main sump pump buried away in the depths of the basement. Some people do not even know that they have one. Main sump pumps are usually installed during construction as part of the storm drainage system in the plumbing system. Although they are quite functional in nature, main sump pumps have one major downside. They are powered by electricity from the main house. The problem is that heavy storms go hand in hand with power blackouts or outages. The intensive precipitation showers coupled with violent lightning flashes usually result in total electrical failure. This means that while the thunderstorm continues ranging, there is no pump to remove the accumulating flood water in the basement. That is why you need a backup battery powered sump pump to replace the main pump in case of a power outage.

Flooding Hazards

You might not be aware of this but flooding is very hazardous and destructive to a building. After the basement floods, the whole house becomes damp and very cold because the excess water absorbs all the heat from the interior environment. But the coldness is just but a minor concern. The real problem lies in the foundation. The seeping water permeates and weakens the house foundation and this can result in severe damage to the structural integrity of the building. As the flood level rises, the water eats away at the floor and wall paint and any other coatings or coverings causing the paint to peel off and other items to corrode and decay.

Choosing A Sump Pump

There are two main types of sump pumps: submersible and pedestal. Submersible models are installed underground inside the sump pit. Submersible sump pumps are mainly used as the main pumps and they usually have more horsepower. They are also relatively quiet because they are usually buried and covered, hence less noise pollution. Pedestal sump pumps on the other hand are usually placed on the surface. They are especially appropriate for narrow sump pits. But although they are easy to install, pedestal sump pumps are not as powerful or as long-lasting as submersible models. They are also very noisy due to their exposed deployment.

Maintenance

Submersible sump pumps are quite hardy and durable unlike the pedestal models. The only problem with submersible models is that they are not as easy to install, repair, and/or maintain as the pedestal pumps. Buried beneath the ground and sometimes covered with concrete, these devices demand a lot of work before being accessed. For professional drain services in DC, you should always hire a certified plumber to fix your sump pump issues.

Many folks are wary of calling plumbers. They find them expensive, and don’t want to spend their day waiting for someone else to come to their home, only so they are left holding a bill. However, there are so many things a quality plumber can do in order to help your home run smoothly. Here are a few ways plumbers can ensure you get the most out of your kitchen and bathroom.

Cleaning Out Drains

Drains are an important part of any household. If you run into issues, such as hair being plugged down the drain, causing water to back up, or a weird smell coming from the drain, call a plumber right away. Even if the issue starts out small, it will continue to grow over time. A DC drain plumber can fix the problem for you, before it gets worse, enabling you to take baths and showers without further issues.

Changing Water Heaters

Water heaters come with a lot of responsibility. They have to be installed correctly, some locations require permits, and there are even inspections, to make sure everything is up to code. Installing a water heater is not necessarily difficult, but you don’t want to deal with endless inspections or other issues that may arise from one that was not put in properly. Instead of dealing with the frustration on your own, let a qualified professional help you.

Dealing With Leaks

Leaks happen to just about anyone. While they sometimes cause major problems, and often start out as a mere annoyance, plumbers are skilled in finding the leak, determining the problem, and getting it fixed before it gets out of hand. When left unattended, leaks can rot a floor, cause problems with pipes, and even create further damage for a home. Experienced plumbers will work with you to find solutions, so you don’t need to worry about how to fix it, or what can be done to prevent further problems.

Installing New Items

Putting in a jacuzzi tub or a dishwasher is exciting for any homeowner. But do you feel skilled enough to handle the installation yourself? Rather than feeling forced into putting in your own equipment, get help from a plumber who has done multiple installations several times over. You’ll be able to rest comfortably, knowing your appliances were installed correctly, and won’t have to worry about having a plumber back out again, to fix an issue you didn’t know you had, thanks to faulty installation.

There are many ways a qualified drain plumber can help you keep your home running properly. From ensuring drains remain clean, to changing water heaters correctly the first time, using a plumber saves you a lot of time and headache. They can fix problems related to leaks within your plumbing, so further damage doesn’t occur to your house. If you ever need new appliances installed, such as a hot tub or dishwasher, have a plumber come out, so you can remain confident things were put in correctly.

DIY, also commonly known as do-it-yourself, is something many people try to do in an effort to save money. While DIY is fun when it comes to crafting or making something yourself, you shouldn’t take your chances on your plumbing fixtures, while trying to follow along from a book. Regardless of what room you are working in, or how easy the problem appears on the surface, you’ll save time, money, and a headache when you hire a plumber. Here are a few benefits of why you should leave plumbing to the professionals.

You Can Create Problems Without Realizing It

It doesn’t matter what you are trying to do. From installing a dishwasher to fixing a leak, there are several problems that can occur when you work on an issue yourself. You might fix something, and not realize a deeper, underlying problem. Or, your untrained eye is capable of catching a problem, but you don’t think to investigate the source, and see what is happening. Rather than relying on a book or video to help you understand what is happening, get help from someone such as a DC kitchen plumber. Their trained eye can assess what is wrong, and give you a correct estimate of what the problem is, and how long it will take to fix it.

It Takes Time Away From Your Day

If you’re a busy person, it’s hard to carve out extra time in your schedule to work on a plumbing problem. Your time is likely already stretched thin between work, family, and cleaning. Taking time to understand what the problem is, and what you need to do to fix it take away from the little free time you have. Instead, hire a professional who knows what to look for, and can get it done in half the time.

Plumbers Can Offer Advice

By having a professional come out and evaluate your problem, you’ll be able to find out what the underlying cause is. In some cases, a DC plumber skilled in kitchen repairs can offer advice on what changes you could make to your plumbing, in an effort to prevent further problems. Although you can make a diagnosis on your own, if you aren’t skilled, you don’t know what to look for. A plumber can offer plumbing advice on how to fix the issues surrounding your plumbing, or if it is related to your water supply.

If you are experiencing issues with your plumbing, always seek the help of a skilled plumber, rather than attempting to do it on your own. The plumber can offer advice on how to handle the problem. You won’t have to take time out of your day to fix the plumbing issues, freeing up your schedule. You also won’t create bigger problems because you don’t know what to look for. Although the thought of saving money sounds tempting, you are better off having someone experience help you with your plumbing, rather than run into more issues later.