Month: August 2021

Month: August 2021

Types Of Pumps and Potential Issues
August 26, 2021 Plumbing Jeffrey Steeves

The most common way current homeowners in Greenville, SC acquire their portable water supply is by tapping into private wells. One of their top picks for this particular way is to get their water supply from below ground since they are less likely to run dry at any given time compared to other sources like rain or crowded wells. After searching for a viable spot to construct these wells, an artificial source called a pump is then inserted on the top of the well which helps saves consumers money because it draws up mostly free spring water that’s abundant in area with underground reservoirs. All three types of well pumps are important to know about if one plans on installing one without any professional help so be sure you read on below about them!

Centrifugal Pumps

Shallow wells that are no deeper than 25 feet require a different kind of pump to be installed. Centrifugal pumps only work for wells with such depth as it can generate enough suction power to lift the water up the surface under its own steam. These units consist of a pipe which is inserted into the well and lies down next to the water column. The reason centrifugal pumps cost less and are easier to maintain lines in their smaller size and overall ability to be able to fit in tighter spaces.

Submersible Pumps

Submersible pumps are a popular choice of well pump as they can be used in deep and shallow wells. They aren’t affected by water pressure due to their waterproof nature, which makes them a suitable option for shallow wells too. Their powerful suction pumps allow them to transport water for a longer distance without requiring electricity, meaning they’re particularly useful in cases where the surface water level is higher than the underground water level, such as when it’s raining or flooding.

Jet Pumps

This pump comes in 2 different types, the deep well and shallow well jet pump. The shallow well jet pump is most like a submersible pump in that it shares the same properties and has its suction length max out at 25 feet. It has simpler mechanical systems than its counterpart, thus it requires little maintenance. If you’re anti-budget, this is the version for you!

Water Storage

You shouldn’t be dependent on your pump for delivering water pressure to specific fixtures all the time. For instance, it’s not there to power up the toilet every time you flush it. To ensure that toilets operating under pressure, some pumps first transfer water into a commonly-used above ground or below ground tank . Air bladders within the tanks are able to repeatedly compress when water is pumped in. Hence, all of this happens more quickly than it might if this was done manually by another valve pressed by another household member using another fixture somewhere else at home.

Pump Service & Repair

If your pump is constantly running, there may not be a DIY solution. When a well pump is turned on, the pressure switch opens and closes with a clicking sound. If you hear a lot of clicking while there is no water running, you have an issue outside the house and will need to engage a professional and find plumbers in Maine if you are in that region to help.

It could be a damaged water line from the well to the home, a poor check valve right above the submersible pump at the bottom of the well, a bad connection leaving the well casing, or even a broken water line inside the well casing. Each of these issues necessitates the assistance of a professional.

It’s wise to work with an expert when making the decision of which well water pump will best suit your needs. In Greenville county contact One Call Plumbing Greenville Location for repair or replacement of your well pump. You should always gather as much information as possible about equipment before making a purchase to avoid spending money on something that may not be ideal for your system. To visit One Call Plumbing simply visit:

Reasons You Should Find a 24 hour Plumber Ahead of Time
August 24, 2021 Blog Jeffrey Steeves

Accidents occur and when something happens to your plumbing unexpectedly, you’ll want it repaired immediately. Ideally, hiring a plumber is a decision you should weigh carefully. However, most people do this in haste in most cases because they only hire a plumber when an emergency arises. Even then, you shouldn’t hire a plumber simply because the person’s name is the first in the directory.

Remember, your plumbing system is an essential part of your home and you need to know that a qualified person will handle it. When hiring an emergency plumber, you must have sufficient time to research the company otherwise; you’ll end up with more problems instead of the solution you’d expected.

Fortunately, you can count on Plumber Parkland to address your plumbing needs. Here’s why you need to conduct due diligence first.

To establish whether the plumber is Licensed

 

Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t ask this question only to face the repercussions later. Taking your time to research a plumber will help you establish whether the plumber has extensive training. Hiring a licensed plumber will ensure you don’t spend unnecessary money later.

Bear in mind that licensed plumbers are those who are registered with a governing body at the local or state level. A license proves that the person you’re dealing with can actually do what the plumber says he can do.

It’s important to note that numerous plumbers don’t operate with a license and numerous homeowners presume that all plumbers should have one. Therefore, it’s worth asking this question during your research. The problem with working with an excellent plumber who’s unlicensed is that his work might not pass inspection and there’s little recourse since you hired him in the first place

Thankfully, you can count on our licensed plumber Parkland Fl who follows state regulations on how the work is conducted and follows local building and safety codes.

Establish the Level of Experience and Services Offered

One of the challenges with emergency service is that a plumber should think fast and develop rapid solutions to the problem. No institution can teach this repair work properly. Rather, it takes hands-on experience in various situations to train a plumber to tackle the demands of emergency circumstances.

You’re better off looking for contractors and plumbers with an extensive history like 24-hour plumbers in Parkland who can back up their skills.

The type of services offered is associated with experience because it implies that the professional can draw from numerous plumbing jobs to establish the best service to handle your emergency. For instance, our plumbers offer numerous services, so we have a wide range of tools to fit whatever situation.

Pricing

It’s important you establish the pricing of your prospective plumber. Beware that numerous plumbers build contract clauses that state that homeowners will be responsible for any reasonable expenses to accomplish the task.

When obtaining an estimate, ensure you establish whether the total being quoted is a flat rate that won’t change due to labor expenses or whether the plumber is charging an hourly rate plus the material cost. The drawback with the second choice is that while the cost of materials is fixed if the job takes longer, the price will continue increasing while you cover labor costs.

The prospective plumber should provide a reasonable and precise estimate of the work that needs completion. It should also be in wiring before any work takes place. Ensure you understand what you’re obtaining before you sign an agreement.

Payment Policy

Conducting research will allow you to establish whether the payment policy is in line with your expectations. You should always inquire when the plumber expects payment and the proportion of the total amount he wants upfront.

If the prospective plumber demands 100% of the cost before the task begins, walk away. Some plumbers use a milestone system where you’re expected to pay a certain proportion once a particular task is complete.

After a specific number of weeks, you’ll pay a certain segment of the total amount. Milestones are frequently better because you only issue payment upon completing certain tasks. While time payments can work, if the plumber is slow, you might end up paying too much for too little.

While …

How to Fix Water Hammer in Pipes
August 13, 2021 Blog Jeffrey Steeves

Plumbing Repair

Water hammer is a plumbing condition that is all too familiar. It’s an annoying sound like a bang that verges on startling. And while you may want to wish it away as simply one of those harmless everyday sounds, it can eventually damage your plumbing system. Learning the basics of water hammer and fixing it can save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.

How You Know If You Have Water Hammer

Water hammer, or hydraulic shock, is both a sound and a sensation. You’ll be shutting off a faucet when a quite audible bang vibrates up the pipes. Because sound is vibration, it’s often strong enough so that you can feel it under your hand as you hold the faucet or the handle. You may even see the faucet slightly jump.

The shock of water hammer can even cause dishes and glasses in cabinets to vibrate. You may also hear the sound resonate within the house’s inner structure.

What Causes Water Hammer

Water hammer happens because water is shut off quickly. While sink, tub, and shower faucets can cause water hammer, more often clothes washers and dishwashers cause water hammer because they can shut off water faster than by hand. These appliances use solenoid valves, which can close off in as fast as 30 milliseconds.

The alarming sound is caused by the sudden stoppage of water flow. This causes the water supply pipes to bang against studs, joists, beams, or even against other water supply or drain pipes.

Tip

Although you don’t hear it as loudly, water hammer can also be an issue with plastic water supply pipes, such as CPCV and PEX. And the potential danger for pipe damage still exists. If you have open areas where plastic plumbing pipes are exposed, watch the pipes for signs of movement and flexing when someone abruptly turns off faucets. Water hammer in plastic pipes also calls for remedy.

Methods for Fixing Water Hammer

Air Chambers

If you’ve ever seen mysterious lengths of 12-inch capped pipe extending from the supply pipes, these are air chambers meant to quieten water hammer. Filled with air, each pipe acts as a shock absorber for the water that comes to a sudden halt. Air compresses; water does not. This means that the air in the chamber acts as a cushion for the water.

This simple solution requires advanced plumbing skills for installation. Plus, air chambers can fill with water over time, so the pipes may occasionally need to be drained.

Tip

Water supply pipes always must be properly secured. So, it’s always a great idea to replace broken or loose straps as a part of a proper house maintenance schedule. When possible, replace with cushioned pipe clamps made of steel and soft EPDM rubber.

Water Hammer Arrestors

A water hammer arrestor improves on the idea of the air chamber by adding a chamber filled with gas or air that’s sealed with a piston or a diaphragm. The diaphragm separates the water and the gas or air.

What Is a Diaphragm?

In plumbing, a diaphragm is a flexible disc that responds to pressure to form a seal, stopping water flow. Diaphragms are often made of various kinds of rubber, along with other materials.

water hammer arrestor is often spliced into the point where the water supply tube/hose meets up with a shutoff valve. With this method, no pipes need to be cut or sweated back together. Push-fit water arrestors are also available.

Tip

Look for water arrestors that are combined with a valve. Sometimes, space may be an issue, so be sure to purchase a water arrestor that fits the space.

Water-Pressure Regulators

Water hammer can also occur when the overall pressure of the main water pipe entering the building is too high. Normal water pressure runs between 40 and 60 psi (pounds per square inch), and above this, the high pressure could be the source of water hammer. Very high pressure above 100 psi can also damage appliances.

In this case, installing a water-pressure regulator can solve water hammer issues. Where possible, it’s better to install the water-pressure regulator at the location where the main water supply enters the home

3 COMMON REASONS YOUR PIPES ARE LEAKING
August 9, 2021 Blog Jeffrey Steeves

3 COMMON REASONS YOUR PIPES ARE LEAKING

3-Common-Reasons-Your-Pipes-Are-Leaking--A-Plumbing-Service-Can-Help-_-Jacksonville,-FL

If you own a home, you know that plumbing leaks happen, but what you may not understand is why they happen. There are a good handful of reasons why they occur, and understanding them may help you prevent them in the future. While you will still need to call a plumber when you notice a leak in your Jacksonville, FL home, your aim should be to prevent future leaks.

Plumbing leaks are an odd thing because sometimes they are hidden behind walls, under sinks, and in the basement. To the untrained eye and everyone but the plumbing service, it can seem like leaks come out of thin air. One day you may be sitting in a dry home and the next day you are sitting in one with a notable leak. This is what makes them so annoying to deal with.

Depending on where the leak may be coming from, it can even seem like its sole purpose is to annoy you. No one likes a dripping faucet or a leak that appears to stop and then come back like you are playing some obnoxious version of tag with your plumbing system. This is why you should always call a plumbing service if you suspect a leak because it will not fix itself on its own.

While you may not want to hear it, almost all pipes will leak eventually because at the end of the day they are just metals that corrode and deteriorate like anything else. While piping is usually made of every strong piping that is much less likely to break, it still has a lifespan attached to it. One way you can lengthen that lifespan is by keeping good plumbing habits and having a plumbing service out for an annual inspection. That said, there are a few things that can impact how long it takes for that leak to pop up. Here are just a few.

Clogs

Any plumbing service in Jacksonville, FL will tell you that clogs are one of the number one reasons why pipes leak before their lifespan is up. Both partial and full clogs prevent water from flowing the way it is supposed to lead to an increased amount of water pressure inside of the pipes. Pipes are not designed to deal with sustained extra pressure over time, and eventually, that pressure takes its toll on the pipe walls and in areas where seals are used to help create one long piping system.

Eventually, that pressure is too much for a pipe or seal to handle and a small leak pops out to relieve some of the pressure. The leak is not always noticeable, as even a small leak can relieve enough pressure that the pipe is then able to take the sustained pressure. This is one reason it is very important to call a plumbing service when you have a clog in your home because while you may only be concerned about breaking the clog up, the plumber will know to look for any other damage that clog may have caused in your plumbing system.

It is also important to remember that a small leak can cause a large amount of damage over time. While you may not immediately notice that a pipe is leaking, when your paint starts to bubble or mold starts to grow you will wish you paid more attention to the signs of a leaking pipe. If you have any indication that there may be a small leak hiding in your home, it is important to call a plumbing service.

Broken Seals

Almost every major home appliance has a seal at the point that water from your home plumbing system connects to them. If you have a washing machine, a refrigerator with an ice maker or water fixture, or a water heater in your basement then you have an appliance that may eventually need some attention from a plumber. The seals that are placed on the connection points are not meant to last forever, because that is virtually an impossible task.

If you have not looked at the joint in years, now is a good time to go inspect …