One of the most crucial aspects to remember and do correctly is winterizing your pipes when necessary.  If you live in a region that experiences different seasons and temperatures that dip down below freezing, chances are you will need to winterize certain aspects of your plumbing at some point.  Failing to prepare your pipes for frozen temperatures can lead to a host of small and large-scale problems.  Frozen pipes can end up cracking or busting, leaving you with a costly but necessary plumbing repair to regain full functionally of your plumbing.  Be sure to always be aware of expected temperature and weather patterns as sometimes frozen temperatures can arrive sooner than normal and catch people by surprise; leaving them urgent and costly issues.  Below are three essential tips for properly winterizing your plumbing and always staying one step ahead so you can avoid catastrophic problems.

Remove Any Water

The first step in preparing your pipes for any freezing weather is shutting off the main valve that allows water into that pipe or pipes.  Next, you will want to open all of the drain valves and taps to ensure that no water is stuck, which is caused by a vacuum effect.  After you have ensured that water is no longer being supplied and the valves and taps are open to remove any remaining water, you can start to use air to your advantage.  Using some type of appropriate air compressor or blower, hooked up to the pipe, will allow you to push out the last bits of remaining water so that nothing can freeze inside.

Winterizing Appliances

If you wish to winterize other aspects inside your home, such as toilets or sinks, other precautionary measures will be necessary.  If you are preparing your toilet, you will want to flush it several times, getting rid of as much water from the tank and bowl as possible.  After you have removed as much water as you can, you can add some antifreeze liquid which will prevent any remaining water from freezing and breaking through a pipe. To prepare a kitchen sink for example, just add antifreeze to the drain trap so any remaining water down inside can’t freeze.

Inspect And Insulate

Once you have accomplished all of the necessary measures to remove water from pipes/appliances along with adding antifreeze where necessary, you can proceed to the final steps for good measure. Taking a good look outside of your home in edges and corners will allow you to see any cracks or areas where cold air could come in and harm parts of your home.  If you find any exposed areas, be sure to get them closed up and properly insulated as soon as possible.  You can also further protect exposed pipes that might experience colder air than usual like in garages, barns, or basements with insulation.  If you have any other preparation or general plumbing questions don’t hesitate to ask for help from an expert plumber.  If you do have any frozen pipes, contact a plumbing service that offers professional DC pipe thawing services immediately.

Above all, avoiding frozen pipes is always the main goal for any plumbing/winterization situation if at all possible.  Many easy to follow steps can be taken early on to avoid the chance of having any pipes become frozen and eventually cracked.  If winterization is done early enough and correctly, you should be in the clear for the entirety of any winter or freezing temperature period.  Unfortunately, accidents and improper winterizations can happen, which lead to a pipe becoming partially or completely frozen before you can reverse the situation.  There are many different possibilities and specific circumstance involving pipes that have ultimately succumbed to the freezing temperatures.  Knowledge and caution must be applied whenever dealing with this type of situation.  Let’s examine three important aspects when approaching any kind of frozen pipe.

Safety First

First off and always the most important aspect is understanding the severity and potential risks of attempting to solve the problem without a professional.  When the water inside of a pipe becomes frozen and solid, the pressure is vastly increased since water expands and pushes outward when it freezes.  This buildup of pressure can lead to explosions and pipes breaking violently if thawed incorrectly.  If you are in anyway unsure as to which pipe is frozen, how badly it is frozen, or how to approach the situation, call a professional that specializes in DC commercial pipe thawing services.  This may seem like a more expensive route, but it will not only ensure your safety, it will also prevent further accidental damage to your problem area and plumbing in general.

Locating And Opening A Frozen Pipe

With most homes having multiple pipes leading in different directions and some being exposed while others are not visible, locating a frozen pipe may seem like an overwhelming near impossible task.  However, this is far from the truth and can be scoped out rather quickly if the right measures are taken.  Try each faucet, appliance, and any unit that receives and expels water in your home to see which ones are working and which ones are not.  If you stumble across something that is not releasing any water or just a small drip, you can bet that the pipe leading to it is indeed frozen.  Once you locate the fixture that the frozen pipe sits behind to be sure to open the faucet/handle.  If there are hot and cold handles be sure to turn both of them to open so pressure can more easily be released.

How To Approach The Thawing Process   

Exposed pipes can be thawed with a hair dryer, space heater, hot towels, or heating tape.  Be sure to always start the thawing process at the end of the open faucet so pressure and melted water have a place to continuously escape.  You will also need to perform this action consciously of any electrical outlets or wires.  Melting water in plumbing and electrical areas could trigger a very dangerous electric shock.  If you experience any situation that appears potentially dangerous in any way to you or your plumbing, seek professional plumbing help before progressing.

Natural gas is a commonly used source of fuel for many of the appliances and units that power our homes, day and night, year after year.  It’s also a relatively inexpensive route to take for the cost per month, while being a very efficient source of fuel. With that being said, there are some very important aspects to always be aware of regarding things like safety, proper use, and the many options that it offers.  The best mindset to have when regarding the use of natural gas is that safety always comes first and hooking up/installing appliances and units must be done properly.  In order to become more familiar with certain specific uses, safety precautions, and valuable information let’s take a look below at three key aspects of natural gas and its use by plumbing professionals in the plumbing world.

What Is Natural Gas And How Can It Be Dangerous

Natural gas is a naturally occurring element found underground that is highly flammable, consisting largely of methane and other types of hydrocarbons.  A sulfur smell known as mercaptan is added to natural gas before it commercial and residentially used so we can always identify it by smell.  A small amount of this odor may be present when attaching or unstitching new appliances and pipes even when the valves are closed and turned off since a small amount remains in the pipes that have been used.  The time to be alarmed is when you smell the gas inside your home during normal operation This can be a sign of a gas leak which can become very dangerous if too much is breathed in.  It is ideal to have a gas, smoke, and carbon monoxide detector installed in your home so you are alerted long before it could become harmful to you and your family.  Always be sure you have the proper up to date safety detectors installed in your home.

Installing And Connecting Gas Appliances   

Whatever gas-powered appliance you are trying to install, there will be several necessary steps to take to ensure it is done safely and properly.  The first thing to always do is turn off the valve allowing natural gas to the pipe or appliance before dethatching any pipe or old appliance in preparing for something new.  Next, be sure to read all the directions very carefully on whatever appliance you are installing.  You will then want to assemble any parts that need to be added to the appliance so it’s complete and ready for hookup.  Once you have read and assembled everything correctly, you can focus on the gas connection and line to make sure it there are no leaks and the threaded connection will be a very snug fit.  When you’re sure that your gas line, connection, and the appliance is ready to be safely hooked up, use the necessary tools to properly make the connection.  When everything is tight, in place, and complete, you can turn the gas on and try out your new appliance.  Always read all instructions and use proper safety equipment whenever dealing with gas appliances.  If you have any concerns or problems, you can always call a professional who specializes in DC gas plumber services to help get your issue resolved.

One of the basic considerations when buying a water heater is its functional and operational nature based on its basic design. You can either choose a model with an inbuilt storage tank or on without. Each of these designs offers a number of benefits and limitations. While still focusing on their functional and operational nature, you can further classify or categorize water heaters according to the kind of energy they use. Commonly referred to as the fuel type subcategories, most water heaters are either electric, gas, solar, or hybrid. Again the different fuel types come with different advantages and disadvantages. Due to space limitations, we won’t be able to cover all these design and functional variations here. We will only look at the two main water heater designs — storage and tankless — in this article. But you can always visit our blog for a full coverage of this topic.

Conventional Storage Water Heaters

As the name implies, conventional storage water heaters have a storage tank or reservoir for holding water before and after heating. Water flows in and out of the pipe via connecting pipes and heating is facilitated by either electricity, gas, or even solar.

Advantages

According to industry reports, conventional storage water heaters are the most popular models in the United States. Their popularity emanates from the following financial, functional, and operational benefits:

• They are the cheapest or the most affordable water heaters.
• They are very easy to install especially with the help of a professional DC commercial plumber.
• They are functionally reliable and dependable even for multiple/simultaneous hot water needs.
• With proper maintenance, conventional storage water heaters are very durable.

Disadvantages

As mentioned above, all water heater models and designs offer the consumer various advantages and disadvantages. The major limitations of conventional storage water heaters are:

• They are highly inefficient, due to standby heat loss in their reservoirs.
• They require regular inspection and maintenance.
• Compared to tankless models, conventional storage water heaters are very expensive to operate and maintain.

Tankless Water Heaters

Unlike the conventional storage models, these water heaters lack a water storage tank or reservoir. They use gas or electrical power to heat water instantaneously or on demand without storing any.

Advantages

The functional suitability of tankless water heaters depends on a number of factors, including the size of the heater, energy efficiency, operating & maintenance costs, fuel type & availability, and so on. Some of the benefits of acquiring, installing, and using tankless water heaters are:

• They are more energy efficient than conventional storage models.
• They have lower operating costs and their replacement parts are tough and long-lasting.
• Due to their simple design, tankless water heaters are quite small and hence require less installation space than conventional storage models.
• They maintain constant hot water flow without getting exhausted.
• Their cumulative energy savings are huge making them the cheaper model in the long-term.

Disadvantages

Tankless water heaters are not as popular as conventional storage models. The following limitations undermine their adoption.

• They are more expensive to purchase and install than conventional storage models.
• More than one tankless water heater is needed to fully furnish simultaneous/multiple hot water consumption especially in large residential or commercial settings.
• Their instantaneous water heating process requires a brief lag time to heat the water to the required temperature.
• To enhance their functionality and energy efficiency, tankless water heaters need special and expensive maintenance.

The plumbing industry is one of the most competitive technical fields in the business world. Like any other service industry, all plumbing professionals are defined by the special skills they possess following rigorous industry defined academic and hands-on training and exams. In competitive service industries like this one, business success does not come easy. As any successful professional DC plumber will tell you, it takes more than the ordinary business approach to earn a seat at the high table. In addition to the usual service delivery merits, you also have to adopt a dynamic marketing strategy/plan to propel yourself to the top. A plumber’s success is mainly determined by his market/industry reputation, which is a matrix of various operational and contractual considerations including the quality of his services, customer satisfaction, performance reviews by industry analysts & reviewers, marketing strategy, billing policy, and any other character defining-business attributes. The following innovative marketing hacks will boost your reputation immensely paving way for your plumbing success.

Extensive Industry Skills

The moment you decide to pursue a professional career in the plumbing industry, you should develop and adopt a value-driven professional development strategy. In service industries, one of the most effective ways of enhancing your professional appeal is by arming yourself with the highest and most diverse academic credentials and technical skills. Simply put, you should train and earn certifications in as many plumbing specialties as possible. Your comprehensive service catalog should span all residential, commercial, and gas plumbing markets and cover all plumbing installation, repair, replacement, and maintenance services. You can even take it a notch higher by offering innovative customer-oriented complementary treats like 24/7 DC emergency plumbing services at no extra cost, free planning consultation, eco-friendly plumbing solutions like solar water heaters, and so on.

Your Interactive And User-Friendly Website

Now that you are capable of performing all the services mentioned above, the next step is to tell the whole world about it. It’s totally wrong to have all these skills and then keep quiet about it. You need a dynamic marketing or advertisement platform to inform everyone about your impeccable and wide-ranging academic and technical credentials and qualifications. And here’s where the World Wide Web comes to your rescue. Start by creating and launching a nice website where you can share all your career capabilities and competencies with a global audience. The site should be designed professionally with an excellent user interface to ensure easy navigation, user engagement, and universal appeal. The user-friendly site should be easy on the eye, highly functional, and interactive. You should post your extensive service catalog here for everyone to see, along with other important business details like your contacts, physical address/location, business bio etc. You can spice up your online portal with an informative blog featuring a variety of factual plumbing articles; to lure more online users.

Enhancing Brand Awareness And Reputation

In addition to using your own website to enhance your professional image, you should also try to influence other key stakeholders in the same direction. There are many useful marketing tools and solutions for ranking plumbing firms including customer/client ratings, reviews, feedback, testimonials, referrals etc. Other important character references are featured as reviews in trusted industry sites and publications like HomeAdvisor and Angie’s List. When dealing with independent opinion-makers, you should always emphasize your commitment to customer satisfaction through exemplary service delivery.

To enhance your customer appeal further, you should consider offering some promotional freebies to your clients. These could be presented as periodical coupons and discounts on regular service charges — all heavily advertised on your website and on third-party media platforms.

In addition to their academic and technical qualifications and credentials, career plumbers are also rated according to their legal and regulatory standing, compliance, certification & licensing, professional competence & experience, range of service specialties, regional reach, and their overall industry reputation. Although we have already covered most of these professional attributes in previous articles, we still need to revisit the issue of project financing before we conclude our insightful take on plumbing projects. All professional plumbing projects cost money, and depending on the size, nature, and complexity of the project, the financial expenses can be quite tremendous. When a plumbing project is described as being “large,” the basic insinuation is that it requires significant financial resources. In order to ensure that all project development funds are used properly and accountably towards the successful completion of a plumbing project, the project owner or sponsor should plan his finances according to the following guidelines.

Create A Realistic Budget Estimate

The very first step in financial planning is budgeting. There are two fundamental rules for creating project budgets; the budget should be realistic and also flexible/adjustable. In order to create a realistic budget for your large residential or commercial plumbing project, you will need relevant and up-to-date market and industry information and data. This means that you have to do some in-depth market research regarding various project-related financing issues. But doing the research, you should first define the project scope and nature, plus all other key determinants of initial project cost like inflation, taxes, procurement processes etc. You will now be able to specify various project financing details like the quantity, type, and cost of required materials. You will get all the information and data you need from the internet. You will also have to consult a professional plumbing company for a real world opinion on the subject. For insightful financial advice on DC kitchen renovations, you will need to talk to a licensed plumbing contractor specializing in home and office renovation and remodeling.

Risk And Contingency Planning

As much as he would like to assure you that your project will run smoothly and conclude successfully, any experienced plumber will have to warn and advise you about unprecedented risks during project development. You should plan for these risks and allocate a reasonable fraction of the project budget for contingencies. Project risks cause unexpected changes to the estimated project cost and timeline. Some common project financing risks/issues include exchange rate fluctuations, poor project management, design alterations, inflation, unexpected worksite problems, incompetent contractors, resource constraints (materials, equipment, workforce & financial shortages), and various natural factors. You should have an ample financial nest for special risks, design, and construction contingencies.

Project Financing

Before launching the project, the owner should have an appropriately defined source of money to cover all project development expenditure, including the aforementioned risks and contingencies. You can finance your project with funds from various sources including personal savings, home equity loans, refinancing arrangements, personal loans, retirement/pension plan loans etc. It is advisable that you choose the most cost-effective and convenient financing option in terms of low interest rates, availability/qualification, processing charges and period/duration. Home equity loans are a popular choice because they are exempted from tax and they have relatively low interest rates. Based on your contractual agreement, you can remit project development funds to the contractor as the project proceeds, after a major milestone, or upon the full completion of the project. Project owners should avoid pang their project costs in cash or settling the full bill before the project is completed.

A sump pump is a specialized mechanical device that is used for pumping flood water from the lower levels of a building. Usually installed in a sump pit in the basement, this pump plays a critical role in the prevention and mitigation of flood-related hazards and damages to the foundation and lower floors and walls of a house. This plumbing installation comes with water pressure sensors, which trigger or turn on the sump pump automatically when the flood water reaches a certain level. There are many different types and models of sump pumps with different installation, application, and functional designs. There are several factors that you should consider before buying a new sump pump. These considerations will help you choose the most suitable sump pump in the market in line with your functional needs. One key consideration is the type or place of installation: underground or above the ground. The other important factor is the intended functionality or purpose of the pump: main or backup. Other concerns are mainly about the overall/total cost, including the initial/purchase cost, installation, and maintenance fee, a certain type of sump pump. All these important considerations are discussed below. It is also a good idea to talk to your DC plumbing services company for advice specific to your situation.

Nature Of Installation/Application

The nature of application or installation defines the type of sump pump needed. There are two main types of sump pumps, namely submersible and pedestal pumps. And as their names suggest, submersible sump pumps are installed below the ground whereas pedestal models are placed above the ground. Submersible types require a fitting underground excavation to house or accommodate the device and they are usually burrowed and covered up in a deep sump pit. Pedestal sump pumps are installed on the surface of the basement, especially when there is no sump pit or if it is too narrow. Due to their underground location, submersible sump pumps are usually quieter than the pedestal models.

Intended Functionality

The second crucial factor to consider when sourcing for a new sump pump is your functional requirements/needs. As you already know, sump pumps are used to drain away flood water from the basement. Most houses are equipped with two sump pumps; a main pump and a backup. The main pump is mostly installed under the foundation slab during the construction of the house. Main sump pumps are usually connected to the main electrical system in the house and are hence susceptible to functional failure during a power outage. That is why you need an additional battery powered backup sump pump to pump out flood water during a blackout. Submersible sump pumps are more powerful, in terms of horsepower and more durable, than pedestal models. The former is usually installed as the main pump while the latter usually serves as a complementary backup.

Initial Costs, Repair And Maintenance

Submersible sump pumps are usually more expensive or costly to acquire and install than pedestal models. This is due to the fact that submersible models are more powerful, more long-lasting, and they are installed underground. And when it comes to paying for DC plumbing repairs and maintenance services for these underground pumps, the cost is far much higher than for the pedestal types. The hired professional endures a hard long dig before reaching the pump, which is burrowed beneath a taxing layer of foundation stone and concrete. And although they are more hardy and durable than pedestal models, submersible pumps can require expensive replacement parts.

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.