One of the best ways to comply with this program and save water is to install low-flow plumbing fixtures like showerheads, faucets, and toilets.

The program calls for conservative methods to reduce water usage, by encouraging the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures in both our homes and businesses.  Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures in your home offers several benefits, which are outlined below.

For more information on the program and saving more water, check out Start Saving at EPA.gov.

Shower Heads

A great place to start saving inside your home is with a low-flow showerhead.

They reduce water consumption by more than 40%, and help you significantly lower your monthly bill.

Showers also use energy to heat up water, and cutting down on water usage saves energy. This can save you up to $50 on heating costs every year.

Another great attribute of low-flow shower heads is carbon dioxide emissions reduce as a result of the lower amount of energy being used.

Faucets

Another plumbing fixture that can greatly reduce water consumption is the low-flow faucet.

Water flow can be reduced by up to 75%, by upgrading regular 2.0 gallons per minute (GPM) faucets to 0.5gpm for wash hand basins. Using low-flow faucets reduces water usage, energy, and sewers costs because of the lowered water usage and reduced cause to heat up the water.

Also, the amount of water removed from water bodies is decreased thereby protecting the water cycle and alleviating the stress on the water supply for public consumption. In addition to this, low flow faucets decrease energy use emissions linked with treating, distributing, and heating clear water.

Infections can also be prevented because the risk of splashing associated with hand washing is removed.

Toilets

It is estimated that by replacing old toilets with low flow toilets, you can save as much as $100 on general utility bills.

A low flow toilet will use an average of 1.6 gallons of water per flush when compared with standard toilets that use as much as 3.5 gallons.

They are designed to drain more effectively, thereby improving its flushing capabilities.

In a typical home, conventional toilets make up as much as 30% of the water usage monthly. With the use of low flow toilets, however, they use 60-80% less water than conventional toilets.

Toilets are usually the largest water drain in most households, so saving this much water will definitely have a huge impact on your finances.

Also, low flow toilets come in dual flush systems, saving you even more water. The dual flush system is designed in such a way that there are two flush buttons; one for liquid wastes, which dispenses a little quantity of water, and the other for solids, which dispenses just enough to flush wastes down the drain.

Summary

Installing these devices in your home is a great start to protecting the water reservoirs in your area. We can’t live without water, and it’s our job to protect it for our children.

For more information on how you can protect your family from overusing water, contact us today.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Plumber

Fix It All Plumber, Kevin Sipes

The post Benefits of Installing Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures in your Home first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

All of us have one main line that comes into the house with fresh water, Then we have another one that takes our used water to the sewer. A clog in your supply line means you will have low water pressure. A clog in the sewer line causes backups in all of your sinks and toilets.

If your shower and bathroom sink are backed up, but your toilet flushes just fine, the clog will be in one of the smaller lines that branch off from the main line. Before you call us, check out all of your drains to see if you can locate the part that is clogged.

The number one cause of sewer line drains is tree roots – particularly in older houses. Sometimes we will have to dig up the sewer line and saw off the tree root, or replace the sewer line around the major roots. Not taking care of this right away can lead to some major damage to your house and your landscaping.

If you suspect you have a major clog, give us a call. We will dispatch one of our expert technicians to diagnose your problem and get your drains running free again.

The post Gurgling Pipes first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Don’t let this happen to you. With freezing weather in the forecast, take steps now to prevent frozen pipes. Preventative measures now can head off a multitude of problems.

Preventing Frozen Pipes Plumbers’ Checklist:

1. Examine all pipes supplying water to your home.

a. Wherever water is found, look for the piping that supplies it. This includes sinks, toilets, and any built-in water supply like ice makers or fish tanks.
b. Note any pipes in the attic, basement, garage, or crawl space. Pipes in the basement will probably be fine, as most basements retain an even temperature year round. However, pipes in unheated areas are very vulnerable to freezing.
c. Also note any piping that is located in an exterior wall. Make sure the wall is well insulated.

2. Insulate any exposed pipe that is in danger of freezing.

a. This could include a foam sleeve, “heat tape” or “heat cable”, all available from your home improvement or hardware store.
b. Even wrapping pipes with ¼” of newspaper, sealed with duct tape will help keep exposed pipes safe.
c. If pipes are located inside a wall, check for water damage, mold, or dampness. This could indicate that a pipe has burst in the past, and that the wall is inadequately insulated.
3. Make sure you and every member of your family knows where your water shutoff valve for the whole house is located. If a pipe bursts, quickly shutting off the water supply will cause the damage to be minimal.
4. Drain the water from swimming pools, hot tubs, water sprinkler systems, or outdoor kitchens. Freezing water exerts an enormous amount of pressure on reservoirs, causing them to crack. Do not use antifreeze in outdoor tanks and pipes. This is harmful to the environment, and is dangerous for pets, wild animals, and even humans if it leaks into the yard.
5. Drain and store yard hoses. Undrained hoses will crack when frozen, and having an attached hose allows freezing water to enter your interior pipes.
6. Cover all outside faucets with insulating products specifically designed for their protection. Even wrapping them with an old towel and duct tape is better than leaving them exposed.
7. For extra protection, close off the water supply to the outside faucets using an interior valve. Leave the faucet open to allow any water left in the pipe to expand as it freezes.
8. Keep garage doors closed in the winter to protect pipes located inside them.
9. On very cold nights, or if you plan to be away from home for an extended period, leave cabinet doors open under all sinks to allow the warmer air to reach the pipes inside.
10. Leave your heating on, even if you plan to be away for a long trip. Do not let the room temperature get below 50 degrees – knowing that it can get even colder in closets, cabinets, and rooms that do not have heating vents.

Taking steps now, can help to keep your home safe in the coldest weather. If you need a local plumber or simply have a question, please call Fix It All Plumbing, LLC 615-568-5051.

Blog by Kevin Sipes,
Master Plumber
Nashville, TN

The post Preventing Frozen Pipes: How to Keep your Home’s Pipes from Freezing first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

If you are not happy with your water pressure, would a new shower head help?

Would a new shower head improve the water pressure? Certainly, there are many models of new shower heads available for purchase at your local home improvement store that would change the pressure in your shower for the better. The shower head does get clogged with hard water and putting in a new head will release the flow of water, giving you a stronger shower.

What is psi and what number should it be in my home?

PSI stands for pounds per square inch and water pressure is directly dependent upon the weight of water.  Basically, the greater the weight of the water, the faster the water will flow.  The water in your home should be at least 50 psi. to a maximum of 80 psi.

Every plumbing fixture in your house is manufactured for maximum of 80 psi.

What happens if the pressure is too high?

Pressure that is too high it could cause your faucet to drip, make your pipes rattle, or even break a water pipe.  Some areas around Nashville and Mt. Juliet have very high water pressure, as high as 125 to 155 psi. While it is the homeowners’ responsibility to regulate each individual home’s water pressure, the city has to provide water pressure strong enough to provide adequate pressure to service that last house up on top of the hill that has a bathroom on the third floor.

Extreme high water pressure could cause the T and P (temperature and Pressure valve) on the water heater to leak or open.

Is my water pressure always going to be the same?

If your house’s water pressure is 50 psi. at 6:00 p.m., hours later,  at 2:00 a.m. it could be as high as 80 psi. If no one in town is using water the city pressure will go up.

What can I do?

This problem could be taken care of with a simple valve (P.R.V.) installed on your water line. This will regulate your house water pressure all the time. If you have a P.R.V. and it is six years old or more you should check the pressure. The P.R.V.  will not last forever and should be checked every year after six years.

If you are concerned about the water pressure in your home, give us a call.  We can answer your questions and we would be happy to help you out with that or any other plumbing problems you might have.

Call with any plumbing questions 615-568-5051

Blog by Kevin Sipes,
Master Plumber
Nashville , TN

The post The Water Pressure in Your Home first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Question, does my water heater have sediment in the tank? If the tank is four years old or older than the answer is yes. In Tennessee we have hard water from the limestone we have underground. With water staying in the tank at all times, this sediment will settle to the bottom and causes a few different problems. I will start from worst to least.

Loss in Efficiency

Sediment in the bottom of the tank will result in your water heater being less efficient, causing your electric or gas bill to rise. This is one of the worst problems caused by sediment because your water heater is taking a little more of your money each month.

Heater Element Damage/ Heater Tank Cracks

The next problem would be if the sediment gets too high in the bottom of the tank. This could cause the bottom element in an electric water heater to break or, in a gas water heater, the bottom of the tank to crack. This due to the heater taking so much longer to get the water hot. A water heater is designed to have water at every heating source.

Heater Won’t Drain

If the sediment gets above the boiler drain on the tank it can make it very hard to drain. This makes it just about impossible to drain the water during an emergency. If the tank starts to leak, all most home owners can do is turn off the water, but you still have fifty gallons of water that has to go somewhere.

To get the sediment out of a heater, just give Fix It All-Plumbing a call to get your water heater clean. We will blow the sediment out, not just drain the tank, and change the T and P. This needs to be done about every two years. A different way to beat this problem is to go tank-less water heater. A tank-less does not get sediment build up but will not work in every home.

You can give Fix It All-Plumbing a call any time and we will be happy to help you with any water heater question or problem you might have.

The post Have Sediment in Your Water Heater? first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Solutions to drain problems often vary; a bathroom sink or tub is normally an easy fix. Some old tubs will have to be re-piped. You will have to remove the old lead drum trap and replace with a p-trap, but a house built after 1974 should have a PVC p-trap. Most bathroom sinks the clog will come out pretty quick.

Drainage Slows Throughout the Day

If your drains work well when you get up, and get slower during the day, you have a partial clog in you main. The clog could be far from the house and drains during the night, when you are not using any water. This could be a root, belly, or break in your sewer main. I would highly recommend a licensed plumbing company for this repair. If you don’t know one, Fix It All-Plumbing would love to help you with this repair.

Snaking Your Drains

As a licensed plumber I would never use over the counter drain cleaners. Most are just an acid. This can ruin the finish on your sink or tub drain, and will not work on a toilet stoppage. You do not want to get this on your skin as it will burn you. If you have metal pipes it can cause corrosion with extended use. It will not harm your pipes if you use it once, but it will not fix your problem 100%. The best way to break a clog is with a cable (snake). You could do it yourself but be careful, you can hurt yourself or your pipes if done incorrectly. I’ve been to many homes where people have attempted to fix their drains with a $20 snake from Home Depot only to give up and call me. The cheapest snake on my truck is about $450.00 and I only mention this to show that it takes the right tool to get the job done right (and that $20 snake isn’t it). Beyond the tool, there are skills to snaking a drain properly and ensuring you remove the entire clog. If you leave part of the clog behind you are ultimately setting yourself up for future blockages.

Proper Snaking of your drainage pipes can save your pipes from clogging again and catch potential hazards such as tree roots or collapses

I left the hardest for last. Kitchen sinks and washing machines can be the hardest drains in the house to get open. Every drain in your house goes to your toilet, the biggest drain. In most homes these two things are on the opposite end of the house. If it is not done with perfect fall, or hung properly it can give you problems later. If you have cast iron drains sludge will start to build up. If you think about it, the average drain has had at least 30 years of stuff going down it and eventually they will fail.

If a kitchen sink on the disposal side only backs up it’s usually an
easy fix. I don’t want you to think if your kitchen or washer is stopped up, it takes a total repipe. It could be a fairly easy fix though experience tells me that there could be multiple issues with these drain types.

Here at Fix It All-Plumbing we would be happy to help you if you’re ever in need of a drain or plumbing repair.

The post Fixing Slow Drains first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

We hope this will help some of the readers of this page.

Where is that smell coming from in our bathroom?

Water is held in place by gravity to act as a barrier, preventing the escape of sewer gases. If a plumbing fixture is not used over a month or so, the water in the trap will evaporate, allowing odors to enter the living space from the sewer or septic system.

Most of the time a sewer smell coming from a bathroom is in that big jet tub that is never used. Most houses that we are building today will have a big drop in tub (whirlpool) and most people will use it once or twice and never again. When a tub is never used the trap under the tub will go dry and this will allow sewer gas to come back up the line. If you will run the faucet for just a minuet once a month it will stop this from ever happening.

This can also come from the toilet. This problem is a little more trouble to repair. The wax ring could have gone bad or most of the time it comes from a remodel.

To save time and money a “plumber” will not rise the flange when a bathroom floor is tiled. This will prevent a good seal between the toilet and floor. The trap for your toilet is in the toilet and not in the plumbing system like every other plumbing fixture. The plumbers at Fix It All-Plumbing would be happy to repair this problem for you.

I have put in new washers but my faucet keeps leaking, why?

This could have a couple of answers:

First would be your seats. This is normally on older faucets. You have a seat and a washer if the washer is only changed and the seat is cracked the faucet will start to leak again really quickly.

The most common problem is your water pressure. Water Pressure is measured in PSI (Pounds per Square Inch), your household PSI should be at a max of #80. The city pressure could be as high as #150, this is because the city has to be high enough for the last house on the big hill to have good water pressure. This is why it is the home owner’s responsibility. If your pressure is high only one thing can be done to repair this problem. A P.R.V. (pressure reducing valve) will have to be installed. This is not very hard or costly but should usually be done by a licensed plumber. It should also be changed out every six to eight years. I always say “the first day you put in a P.R.V. is the best day for a P.R.V.”  The plumbers at Fix It All-Plumber can make this repair for you and your home. This will help your faucets and plumbing system.

Our toilet will only flush part of the time…why?

Most of the time this is a blockage that will float it the toilet. Sometime it is out of the way, and other times it will float in the way. Sometimes the toilet will have to be pulled to remove the blockage, other times a plumber can get it out with an auger. Most of the time this will take a professional plumber, because it’s a matter of feel, doing it many times you will know how to move the auger to remove the blockage. Fix It All-Plumbing would always be happy to help you with this or any of your plumbing problems.

This is a page that I will always add too so come back often to see if your plumbing problem is listed or give us a call at 615-568-5051 to see if we can help you in any way.

Blog by Kevin Sipes (Master Plumber)

Nashville, TN

The post Common Questions a Plumber is Asked first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.