Posts Tagged ‘Upland’

Pasadena Plumber’s Guide: How to Diagnose Bad Water Pressure Due to Clogged Water Pipes

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Poor water pressure is an annoying problem to have. It makes showering unpleasant, it’s difficult to water your lawn and your washer can’t get your clothes clean. These kinds of water pressure problems can stem from any one of a variety of causes, but one possible cause is a clogged pipe somewhere in your Pasadena plumbing system.

One clogged, partially blocked or otherwise constricted pipe somewhere in your plumbing system can have effects on the water pressure at other points, or even throughout the entire system. To diagnose whether your water pressure problem is due to a clog, first turn on the water at a faucet or other fixture. Then, follow this brief guide.

 Is the water pressure at the fixture you just turned on fine, but problematic elsewhere?

If this – or the reverse scenario – describes your problem, then there is probably a localized clog somewhere in the piping that feeds the fixtures with poor pressure. It could be that a secondary supply line of the main supply is clogged or constricted and is affecting the supply to several fixtures.

If you notice poor pressure at just one fixture, there may be a clog specific to that fixture, such as a clogged faucet strainer.

 Is the water pressure fine at first, but drops to a trickle right away?

This usually means there is some sort of constriction in the piping. The initial burst indicates that the overall system pressure is fine, but something is constricting water flow, although the pipe is not fully blocked. If this happens all over the house, the constriction may be in the main supply line.

 Is the water pressure fine in all the fixtures in one part of the house, but too low at all the fixtures in other area?

If this sounds like your water pressure problem, then there may be a clog within a single pipe or connection. For example, one elbow may be clogged up, which is reducing the water pressure in one area.

These simple diagnostic steps can help you determine if your low water pressure is due to a clog rather than another problem, such as a leaky pipe. Unless the clog is in come obvious place, however, like the clogged strainer at the faucet mentioned above, your best choice to repair the clog is to call your local Pasadena plumber, Ace Pelizon Plumbing. Otherwise, that clog can turn into a much larger problem.

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How do I Decide What Size Generator to Buy for an Orange County Home?

Monday, February 13th, 2012

No one likes to be without power in Orange County. A storm or disruption to local electrical repair can have a major impact on people’s lives and well-being. Fortunately, there are safeguards in place to prevent loss of electric power in the event of an emergency. There are no better examples than hospitals that utilize back-up generators to run their electrical systems in the event of a power failure. Electricity is a necessity for these emergency facilities.

Electricity is also a necessity for you in your homes. Many of you can “wait out” a power failure because experience shows that power failures can be as short as a few seconds or minutes. Even ones lasting several hours are tolerable, albeit disruptive and uncomfortable.

If you’d prefer to have back-up power there are some things to consider when shopping around for a gas generator. Many people would like to have this important appliance but simply cannot afford to make the expenditure. The question then is: Can you afford not to have electricity? Will you have to replace a refrigerator or freezer full of food? Are you entertaining guests and can’t reschedule the event? Does someone in your home require electrical medical equipment? If you answer yes to any of these you are an ideal candidate for a gas generator.

But what size and type?

First of all, how much energy does you home consume? Do you run your air conditioner and furnace a lot? Are your refrigerator and/or freezer set on very cold temperatures? Do you run a lot of computers and televisions?

Typically, the right size generator for a 2,000 square foot home is around 7,000 watts. This generator will power up most appliances and cost in the $900-$1,000 range. If you are on a budget and don’t need to constantly run every appliance, you might consider a 1,400 watt gas generator which retails for around $200. Other gas generators with various wattage ratings run the gamut of pricing between these two examples.

When buying a generator, also determine if you want major appliances plugged directly into the generator or to simply run the main power circuit from your home into the generator. If you choose the later, it is advisable to hire a qualified electrician to tie in the generator to your home.

If you really want instant piece of mind and don’t mind paying for the expense, you can buy a generator that activates immediately after a power failure and runs on natural gas. But now we are talking about big dollars.

If you decide to go the gas generator route, keep one more thing in mind. They don’t run forever. Keep an ample supply of gas on hand to feed the generator, based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

A power supply loss doesn’t mean the end of the world – if you plan ahead.  If you need any help planning please contact Ace Pelizon

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Glendora Drain and Sewer Tip: Advantages of Using Video Pipe Inspection

Monday, January 9th, 2012

If you have any problems with the drains, sewer lines, or plumbing fixtures in your Glendora home, it’s important to locate the source of the problem as quickly as possible to prevent further damage to the plumbing system.

Video pipe inspection enables professional plumbers to locate blockages, check for cracks or leaks, and determine the best approach for making any needed repairs as efficiently as possible without damage to your property.

If you have any problems with your plumbing, call one of the qualified plumbers at COMPANY NAME today and set up an appointment.

Here are some reasons plumbers use video pipe inspections and the advantages to this technique.

Less Invasive Investigation of Plumbing Problems

Instead of hours of costly digging to locate and repair pipes, a video pipe inspection makes it possible to insert a small, fiber optic video line into a drain pipe and check for issues without tearing up large chunks of your property.  A video inspection line is fed inside your drains to look for leaks, blockages, or other problems that can only be detected with a camera. Once our qualified plumbers find the cause of the problem, we can use the camera to determine the best repair methods.

Detecting Root Penetration and Overall Plumbing Inspections

Video pipe inspection is typically used to check for small leaks and blockages in residential plumbing systems, but it can be used to look for any roots penetrating the sewer and drainage lines. If you own an older home, video camera inspections are ideal for inspecting the overall integrity of your plumbing system. Additionally, video inspections can locate issues when other techniques, such as water jetting, have not been successful at cleaning debris from a pipe or sewer line.

Leak Detection and Lowering Water Bills

Older pipes, or pipes that are exposed to extreme weather conditions, can have leaks that you could be unaware of. Even a minor leak adds up over time, and detecting and repairing leaks will lower your water bills and overall energy costs. Monitoring the water bills for your home can help with leak detection. If there’s been an unexplained rise in your bills recently, there could be a hidden leak inside your pipe system.

The advances of video inspection technology have made it easier for plumbers to inspect the plumbing system in your Glendora home and determine the best solutions to any issues. Call Ace Pelizon Plumbing if you have questions or would like to set up an appointment with one of our qualified Glendora plumbers.

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Is There REALLY Such a Thing as Plumbing Maintenance? A Question from La Puente

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Because it is so specialized and can lead to big messes if handled improperly, home plumbing is sometimes neglected among routine areas of maintenance in La Puente. This is a mistake, however, as there are some routine tasks that should be performed on plumbing systems, such as:

  • Remove rust, calcium and lime deposits from the water heater
  • Cleaning the aerators
  • Clearing drain lines
  • Sharpening disposal blades

Some of these are simpler than others, but for the most part, unless you are a very savvy homeowner, they should be done by a licensed plumber. Even if you are not up to doing your own plumbing work, there are still plenty of routine things you can do in order to detect potential problems and see if further work is needed.

In the Bathroom

  • Unscrew the showerhead and look for deposits of lime, calcium, rust and other minerals.
  • Run water down shower and tub drains for signs of slow drainage.
  • Inspect the shower/tub for cracked tiles, which can be signs of leakage beneath the surface.
  • Flush each toilet with the tank lid off to make sure they are flushing properly and all parts are working.
  • Examine all caulking for cracks, gaps or peeling.

In the Kitchen

  • Turn on the faucets. See if water leaks out of the knobs, handles or elsewhere.
  • Have leaky faucets fixed right away.
  • Look beneath the sink for signs of leakage from the exposed drain pipes.

Elsewhere around the House

  • Take a look at the flame and burner chamber of your water heater. A yellowed flame may mean the fuel jets need to be cleaned. Make sure the chamber is free of rust and other small debris.
  • Inspect the washing machines hoses for loose joints, cracking or holes.
  • Look for mold and mildew throughout.

Next Steps

If you find any troublesome issues during this inspection, it is time to call in a professional to get them fixed right away. Doing this simple walkthrough once to twice a year can help prevent plumbing disasters before they happen.

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Recycled/Reclaimed Water Systems: Some Info from Bel Aire

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Let’s face it, sewage is not a fun topic to talk about, even if it is classified as “former” sewage. But there is something to talk about that makes this a thought-provoking topic in Bel Aire. That topic is recycled (or reclaimed) water.

By definition, recycled water is former sewage water (often referred to as black or grey water) that has been treated to “remove solids and certain impurities.” While treated water is not recommended for any type of human consumption, it has been used for landscape irrigation, dust control, and fire suppression. Reclaimed water contains valuable nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous.

The idea of reusing a natural resource has been around for decades – and so has the debate. While treated recycled water eliminates the discharge of sewage water to lakes, rivers, and oceans, there is still the argument that recycled water still poses health and environmental risks. In 1997, the U.S. EPA stated that “bacteria from reclaimed water in sprinklers can travel more than 1000 feet in the air.”

Setting fears aside, the idea of using recycled water in the home has been supported by “dual pipe” installations. Basically, this is when a home is outfitted with two incoming water supplies: potable (drinking) and non-potable (for use in irrigation). The idea behind reusing water is that it reduces the demand for freshwater and thus the need for expensive filtration – saving earth’s most precious natural resource.

Not only can recycled water be used for irrigation, it can also be used for flushing toilets. The 2006 North Carolina Plumbing Code, “…allows for recycled gray water to be used for flushing of toilets that are located in the same building as the gray water recycling systems.”

Recycled water is an important part of the “greening of America” – even if it is gray.

For more information about green plumbing, contact your local contractor.

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How to Shut Off Your Water Supply: A Tip from San Gabriel

Monday, October 24th, 2011

In the case of a plumbing emergency, the last thing you want to do is watch as more water continues to pour into your San Gabriel home through a burst pipe, broken appliance or busted water valve. So, the first step should always be to turn off your main water supply valve. Here are some tips for finding that valve and getting the water supply off as soon as possible.

Finding Your Main Water Supply Valve

The valve is almost always located in one of two places. It will either be outside at the entry point for the water supply to your house or it will be located in your basement or garage between the inlet and the main water line. In some cases, it may be even be under an access panel in basement. However, this is less common than the first two options.

Once you find the main water supply valve, turn it off to immediately stop more water from entering your home. If you notice that water is continuing to enter your home, you have a problem before the entry valve and should call the city immediately because one of their pipes might have burst.

Shutting Off Individual Appliances

In many cases, the problem is related to a single appliance. If this is the case, you don’t necessarily need to turn off the entire water supply – just the supply valve for the specific appliance or fixture. Every major water fixture and appliance in your home should have its own shutoff valve in an easy to reach place. This goes for every sink, toilet, shower, dishwasher, and washing machine in your home – not having those valves can be dangerous.

Once you have turned off your water supply, it’s time to call a plumber. Make sure to keep track of everything you do (take notes if you can) and supply that information to the plumber both on the phone and when they arrive. It will help them diagnose and solve the problem much faster.

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Water and Energy Saving Tips from Beverly Hills

Monday, October 17th, 2011

The cost of the heat, air conditioning and water supply to your Beverly Hills home continues to rise – it’s no wonder you want to cut your bills so much. But, how can you do that without cutting into the creature comforts and conveniences you’ve gotten used to over the course of the last few decades? Here are a few simple energy and water saving tips to make your life easier.

  • Patching Leaks – Two of the biggest wasters of water are dripping faucets and leaky pipes. The amount of water wasted by a single drip every second could provide for multiple baths per year – it adds up fast. Not only are leaky faucets and pipes easy to fix; they tend to develop into bigger problems as time passes.
  • Drains and Flushing – If you put a piece of toilet paper in the toilet used to clean an eye or wipe the counter, don’t flush. It’s a waste of water. If you notice some extra toothpaste in the sink, don’t rinse yet. You can always use the water from brushing your teeth or washing your face to clean it out. Multi-task and minimize how much water goes down the drain to save water.
  • Fully Loaded – A partially filled washing machine or dish washer is a huge waster of water. Fill it up and wait to run the device until it’s at the brim – the same amount of water is used no matter how much is in the device.
  • Insulate Pipes – Hot water pipes without insulation waste a tremendous volume of energy every year. The cost of running a hot water tank continuously every day can be anywhere from $200 to $300 per year, and that’s with insulation. Consider the cost without it to keep the water warm as it passes to your fixtures.
  • Lower Water Flow – Don’t crank your faucets up to the max just to get a glass of water or to check for hot water. It’s a waste of energy and it’s often unnecessary, especially when waiting for water to hit the right temperature.

If you’re interested in getting the most out of your home’s water supply, there are hundreds of little ways to save water that will add up over time. These are just some of the easiest ways to get started. For more suggestions, contact your local plumber.

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How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink: a Tip from Rancho Cucamonga

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

There are lots of reasons why your Rancho Cucamonga home’s kitchen sink is clogged. And in order to unclog the sink, it is important to know why it clogged up in the first place. It is easy to suggest a simple solution but the “one size fits all” philosophy doesn’t always work.

As simple as it sounds, you don’t want to use a grease dissolving agent on a clog caused by a fork that is stuck sideways in a pipe. You also don’t want to mess around with the plumbing if the solution is as simple as using a snake or pouring some dissolver down the drain. If the clog is obvious you can save yourself a lot of time and effort.

If the drain is clogged, the easiest thing to do is to operate the garbage disposal, provided it is tied into the drain. But you don’t want to turn on the disposal until you have checked for obstructions in the drain, namely utensils. Remove any utensils before turning on the garbage disposal. Sometimes even the smallest amount of debris can stop up a drain and a simple flip of the disposal switch clears it away.

If that solution doesn’t work you may want to do the following procedures – in order – to unclog the drain.

  • Run extremely hot water in the sink. This can sometimes dissolve whatever is clogging the drain by breaking down the debris.
  • Use a plunger. A blast of forced air from a plunger can often do the trick. If the clogged drain is connected by pipe to another drain (a sink with two basins), you would need to plug the other drain when plunging. Forced air will find the least path of resistance and may bypass the clog and exit out another opening.
  • Use a liquid or granulated dissolver, poured directly into the clogged drain. There are many products on the market for this task. Make sure you read the instructions carefully before dumping chemicals into your drain.
  • Snake out the pipes. Stubborn clogs that are resistant to the above solutions may require that you use a hand-held or portable snake in the pipes leading to the drain. Again, read the instructions on how to operate the snake in order to avoid damage to the pipes, drain, or yourself!
  • If the clog persists, there may be a bigger problem going on. At this point you have to ask yourself if you feel comfortable taking the plumbing apart to find the cause of the clog. There could be other more serious problems going on further down the plumbing circuit, i.e. roots in the pipes.

The last resort may require the help of a plumbing professional. You have to ask yourself if you have the time and the knowledge to disassemble your drain and pipes. It may cost you more in the long run if you damage any parts during the procedure or create other “add-on” problems.

Remember to try the easiest solutions first and if you are still unable to unclog your drain, call a qualified plumber who will safe you time and peace of mind.

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