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.

Today, there are many products you can use to make your child safer when it’s bathroom time.

This article is dedicated to reminding you of some of the dangers your children face in the bathroom and the measures you can take to ensure their safety. We also know how hard it is to get your kids to take a bath sometimes, so there will also be some fun ideas to make the bathroom a fun place for even the fussiest toddler.

Toilet Safety Tips Accessories

Hide the Toilet Paper and Lock the Cabinet Doors

I think every kid decides one day to take a roll of toilet paper and have a ball. Even teenagers think toilet paper is fun.

Obviously, you can’t hide all the toilet paper in your home.  I do recommend keeping an eye on it during potty time. Consider a paper holder or dispenser that only lets you roll a sheet or two at a time.

Secure Your Toilet Brush

You should secure the toilet brush and obviously the cleaners out of plain sight. The last thing you want is your 3-year-old play fighting with the toilet brush, just like Thor swinging his hammer.

Toilet brushes are full of bacteria and need to be kept away. Consider purchasing cheap ones at the Dollar Store or Walmart and change them frequently.

Non-Slip Mats

Water can get everywhere after a bath with a toddler, making the bathroom potentially dangerous for your toddler and yourself.

Slip and fall in the bathroom and you could easily wind up in the hospital with a concussion or worse.

Bath mats also create an opportunity to add some color to your child’s bathroom. Get a bath mat for inside the tub and make sure the floor mats absorb moisture and don’t slide.

Toilet Shut Lock

Now don’t get the wrong idea here, I’m not saying your child will take a dip in the toilet, but I am thinking about them putting their toys or your valuables in the toilet. Why risk it when you can lock it down?

This is also a great way to keep your pets out of the toilet.

Don’t go overboard with these. You can easily find one under $20 online or the next time you’re in Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Summary

These tips and products are the bare minimum you need to make your bathroom kid-safe. We aren’t recommending any brand because the market changes so much. Amazon is a great place to find exactly what you’re looking for. Make sure you read the reviews on each product and consult your local plumber or home improvement guru for tips on the best products for kids.

As always check out our blog and we’ll see you next month.

Your Friendly Neighborhood,

Fix It All Plumber, Kevin Sipes

The post Kid-Proofing Safety Tips for Toilet Time first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Rule #1: Don’t Panic!

This can be pretty tough, right? Well, I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to worry anymore because this article has a tip you can take with you to every party you attend.

A Close Call At A Graduation Party

Everything was going fine, except when my wife came up to me after returning from the bathroom. She said she clogged the toilet and it’s going to overflow. Me being a plumber, I ran to that bathroom to save my wife from the embarrassment. I ran as fast as I could to see if I could stop the overflow.

When I got there I could see it was luckily not overflowed but at the brim. Thank you, Lord!

I found a plunger, carefully fixed the clog and went back to the party. I assured my wife there was nothing to clean up and everything was fine.

When we got home I told her there was something I wanted to show her. She gave a cheesy look and I said “in the bathroom.” Not knowing what to expect, she slowly inched into the bathroom.

That’s when I showed her there wasn’t much she could do about not clogging the toilet. At parties, it’s obviously more likely to happen. However, I showed her a trick to stop the overflow.

“I wish I would have known this…”

If you run into this situation again, look behind the toilet for the main shut off valve.

Sometimes these are hidden behind a wall, but in many cases, they are not. Simply close the valve (righty tighty, lefty loosey) to stop the flow of water into the bowl.

My wife was astonished at how and said, “I wish I would have known this. Thank you!”

“But wait! There’s more,” I said.

If you can’t move the valve by hand, because it’s stuck, you can remove the toilet tank lid and see if the flapper is open. If it is, close the flapper. If it’s not or won’t stay closed when you close it, grab the float ball and lift it to the surface of the water.

“You now have the tools to go to a party. Haha,” I said. LOL.

Don’t forget about Rule #1: Don’t panic. Then use this trick to save your bathroom or someone else’s.

Just Your Friendly Neighborhood

Fix It All Plumber, Kevin Sipes

The post “Please Stop!” Toilet Overflow Quick Fix first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

If this is the first time you have ventured into the world of porcelain throne options, you could quickly be overwhelmed by the types, features, and brands of hoppers “flooding” the market.

Over the course of your toilet-shopping experience (the “game of thrones,” if you will), what started as a simple plan to swing by the home improvement store to purchase a commode becomes a harrowing trial of pitting different models against each other to compare their numerous features. If you pay attention to advertisements for the many fancy flushers available, you may find yourself asking questions like:

Will I ever need to flush 40 golf balls into my septic system?

If I get a self-cleaning toilet, have I actually found a life hack for household chores?

Should I get an eco-friendly toilet that saves water, or opt for a model with the flushing power of a small tornado?

Is it necessary to conduct in-depth research about the health benefits of certain toilet seat styles – or should I just pick one that seems the most comfortable?

To help you get familiar with the options you may encounter, we’ve composed this basic guide to toilet styles so you can decide what type is best for you.

Tank or Tankless

One of the first options to consider is whether you want a toilet with a tank (the most common style in the home) or a tankless model (seen most often in public restrooms). A loo with a tank uses gravity to function; the tank fills up with several gallons of water, which it releases into the bowl when you press the lever. A toilet with a tank is generally more affordable, is quieter on the flush, and uses the same amount of water as a tankless. A tankless john, also called a flushometer, does have one big advantage, though: power. These toilets use pressure from your water supply system to create a much stronger flush, so you may never need to use a plunger again.

 One-Piece or Two-Piece Toilet Tanks

If you’ve settled on a toilet with a tank, you now need to decide whether you want a two-piece toilet, which has the tank separate from the bowl, or a one-piece, which is a single sleek unit. Both styles are equally functional, but a one-piece is usually simpler to install and easier to keep clean. Two-piece toilets, however, are generally less expensive.

Dual Flushing

Whichever style lavvy you plan to install, a feature you should consider is a dual-flush option. This flushing system is quickly growing in popularity because it can save on water, thus lowering your water bill. The concept is simple – instead of a single lever, you have two buttons. One delivers the usual powerful flush, but the second is for a lower pressure flush that uses less water.

Compact vs. Elongated Toilets

The shape of the toilet bowl is an important factor in your bathroom design. Elongated bowls, which are oval, are considered more comfortable by most adults, but a compact bowl with a round shape may be the best option if space is limited in the restroom. In addition, small children generally prefer the smaller size of compact bowl toilets.

Extra Toilet Accessory Options

Additional features and details may be available from various toilet brands, but most of these are simply a matter of aesthetics and personal preference.

Now that you have a “handle” on the basic toilet style options on the market, your potty-shopping experience should be a breeze!

The post Best Toilets to Buy: Find the Best Commode for Your Abode first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

6 Most Likely Things to Cause Plumbing Damage

1. Frozen Pipes. It’s getting cold outside, and so naturally your thoughts are going to frozen pipes, right? OK, so maybe not, but having frozen pipes is probably the number one cause of plumbing problems during the winter. If you have pipes located in an outside wall, or uninsulated garage or basement, make sure you are taking proper precautions to prevent them from getting frozen – especially letting faucets drip slowly and opening cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around pipes under your sink. For more information, check out my blog from December 2014 on Preventing Frozen Pipes.
2. Grease. During the holidays, we tend to cook more often. And too many times, we pour grease directly into our plumbing system. Most of the time, grease will get flushed out with the hot water. But grease poured into cold pipes (like in winter) can build up into a nasty clog. A better idea is to pour excess grease into a tin can, or plastic bowl until you get about a quart. Then mix it with birdseed, spread it in a baking sheet, and put it out to feed the birds. Those birds need all the grease they can get!
3. Trash. The only thing to put through your pipes is liquid. And the only thing to put into a garbage disposal is soft food. Put vegetable scraps into a compost bin, and leftover meat scraps in the garbage (making sure it is well-wrapped to keep down the smells). Also, check out Compost Nashville. They will provide you with a five gallon bucket for all your food scrap, and replace it weekly with a clean bucket.  Make sure you know what can be safely flushed down the toilet (only poop and toilet paper), and have covers over any drains that might get paper, plastic, or other trash down in them.
4. Hair. If you have hair, then there is hair in your drains. Many hard-to-remove clogs consist of mostly hair. To get rid of it, see my blog on Hair in the Drain.
5. Liquid Drain Cleaners. You might think you are saving yourself a plumbing bill by using a liquid drain cleaner, but truth be told, these chemicals do way more harm than good. Yes, they will eat up the clog and get your drain flowing freely again, but repeated use corrodes your pipes and will cause even more expensive plumbing calls. See #2, 3, and 4 above to prevent the clog in the first place for the best results.
6. Tree Roots. The most expensive plumbing repairs come about when tree roots looking for water come upon old clay pipes underground. Avoid planting trees or bushes close to your plumbing line, and replace your landscaping every few years to keep your pipes clear.

Of course, even though we love to see you, we hope that you have a stress-free holiday with no emergency calls. From our house to yours: Happy Holidays and Happy 2017!

The post Top 6 Things Cause Plumbing Damage first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Fall Gutter Cleaning Advice

When the last leaf has been disposed of on the ground, know that you are not finished. It’s time to clean the gutters on your roof. Clogged gutters can lead to roof damage, and to the gutter dislodging itself from the roof. This is a fairly simple task, for those who are able-bodied and not afraid of heights. Or, hire a handyman to come and do it for you.

7 DIY Gutter Cleaning Tips

1. You will need: a ladder that reaches to the roof, gloves, a bucket to put waste in, a hand trowel, and a hose to use to do a final clearing of residue.
2. Use ladder safety tips: Always have a second person to hold the ladder steady – especially if you are reaching to a second story, or the ground underneath the ladder is soft (like in a flower bed). Use a ladder that is long enough so that when you reach the top, the top rung is no lower than your chest.
3. Remove the screens or gutter guards from the top of your gutter. No matter what the ads say, no gutter guard will keep ALL of the debris out of your gutter.
4. Hook the bucket at the top of the ladder to put debris. Wear gloves and manually scoop the debris out of the gutter. If necessary, use a trowel to clear stubborn dirt.
5. Once the debris is out of the gutter, run water from your hose into the gutter to get rid of the last of the dirt, and check to see if the downspouts run clear.
6. If the downspout is clogged, run water at full blast up the spout to dislodge the clog. For stubborn clogs, you may need to use a plumbing snake.
7. Finally install screens or gutter guards to keep the bulk of debris from clogging the gutters.

For most homes, cleaning the gutters in the fall and spring will keep expensive roof damage at bay. If you have a lot of trees overhanging your home, or if you do not use gutter guards, you may need to do it more often. This is one of those jobs that will really pay you in the end in keeping your home leak-free.

The post 7 Do It Yourself DIY Gutter Cleaning Tips first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

About Fire Sprinkler Systems

Some home owners opt to have sprinkler systems installed. Others buy homes with sprinklers in them already. If certain homeowners have ever faced a fire in the past, they are highly likely to look into sprinkler systems. There is quite a bit of apprehension among homeowners to take the plunge and get a sprinkler system installed. Homeowners have often heard that a sprinkler system can cause more harm than good. What if I burn my popcorn in the microwave? Will all the sprinklers start going off? The answer is no for two reasons. 1) Sprinklers in homes are heat activated rather than smoke activated. 2) The sprinklers are set to go off one at a time rather than all at once.

Fire Hazards Related To Sprinkler Systems

The most obvious fire hazard related to these sprinklers is that the system simply does not function. Alternatively, it may not have water hooked up to it. The first step to ensure the sprinkler system works is to have it inspected and repaired if needed. If the water supply is not connected to the sprinkler system,  licensed experienced plumbers can help. The same holds true if the water reaching the sprinklers is not adequate. Call a plumber who knows the local fire safety regulations.  Low water pressure may be the issue.

Tennessee Sprinkler System Regulations

Some states require residences to have sprinkler systems. Washington DC has required it since the beginning of 2011.  Tennessee does not require residences to have such systems. According to the International Residential Code (IRC), Tennessee allows much of the sprinkler requirements to be left up to the jurisdictions. The state of Tennessee will not enforce the requirement of fire sprinklers in one or two family homes.

The post Maintaining Fire Sprinkler Systems first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Normal water pressure should be about 80 psi (pounds per square inch). This insures that your shower head puts out adequate water to rinse all that soap out of your hair, and that your sink or washing machine will fill in a reasonable amount of time. However, depending on usage at a given time, your psi could be 100 or more.

Why High Water Pressure is Problematic

So why would this be a problem? Surely having the tub fill quickly would be a plus, wouldn’t it? Sounds reasonable, but the truth is that high water pressure could lead to leaks around your faucet, or even pipe breakage. If you notice that more than once of your faucets has a drip you can’t control, or your toilet begins running even when no one has used it, you might have high water pressure.

How to Check Your Water Pressure Level

You can check the water pressure with an inexpensive gauge from a hardware store. The higher end gauges will test pressure over a period of time – like overnight – giving you an accurate picture about what is going on.

Your home may have a water pressure regulator to keep the pressure at the proper level. However, the average pressure regulator does not last forever. Most of them last about six years, so if you have been in your home longer than that, you are probably due for a change.

If you have any concerns about your water pressure, whether high or low, give us a call to check it out. We can make sure that you have the water that you need to keep your plumbing running effectively for years to come.

Fix It All Plumbing provides you with premium plumbing services at fair rates. We are glad to help you with any plumbing questions or issues.

Call or text us at (615) 568-5051

Your Nashville Plumber,

Kevin Sipes

The post Is Your Water Pressure Too High? first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

What Does Hard Water Contain?

Hard water contains lots of minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium carbonates. It obtains these minerals as it percolates through rock such as limestone or chalk. Because we have lots of limestone in our local area of Middle Tennessee (this applies to any areas with lots of limestone), and most of our domestic water comes from the rivers that run between limestone cliffs, we generally have moderately hard water. Soft water does not collect these minerals as it goes through the cycle of water treatment to come into our homes. People who are using well water, rather than domestic water, may have hard to very hard water.

Hard Water Test: Does it Make Soap Suds

You can tell you have hard water if a normal amount of detergent does not create suds when agitated. Home owners with hard water tend to use more detergent, because they think the amount of suds indicates the proper amount of soap to use. Not necessarily so. You should always use the recommended amount, or you may be paying more for your soaps and detergents than you need to.

Hard water tends to leave more soap scum residue in your tub or sink. Most detergents contain softeners to help with this problem. It can also leave deposits, called scale, that will clog your pipes. You may find some of these deposits in older plumbing, but our domestic water should not cause major problems. Very hard water will also leave deposits on your dishes, but most dish detergents contain softeners to take care of these.

Does Metro Nashville have hard or soft water

Benefits of Hard Water Versus Filtered Water: Drinking

Drinking hard water sometimes has health benefits, particularly if your body is in need of the calcium and magnesium. Dentists and pediatricians often recommend children and adults drink tap water for its fluoride benefits for teeth. However, many people prefer the taste of filtered, or bottled water, which removes most of these minerals. There are no known health risks in using moderately hard water, but if you are interested in getting a whole house water softening system, let our plumbers know and we can advise you.

Fix It All Plumbing is committed to providing you with premium plumbing services at fair rates. Our plumbers are glad to help you with any questions or issues.

Call or text us at (615) 568-5051

Your Nashville Plumber,

Kevin Sipes

The post Benefits of Hard Water vs Soft Water first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.

Lowering the Risk of Appliance Related Flooding

One of the main culprits of water damage within the home involves your appliances. This includes everything from your washing machine to your dishwasher. It is possible for a pipe to leak and cause substantial water damage. By having a Floodstop product installed on the appliance, you can ensure that you are alerted the moment that a leak is present. Better yet, these devices turn off the water supply to the appliance if a leak is detected. This means that you can finally have peace of mind knowing that your appliances are constantly being monitored for any damage to the pipes. These devices are designed to be innovative and rely on state of the art technology to be accurate. All potential leak sites can be protected. This means that potential flooding is no match.

Leak Detection: Ice Makers- Dishwasher – Water Heaters

One of the most likely appliance to leak in your home is the dishwasher. Many homeowners leave this appliance running when they leave the house. A leak not only would potentially damage the sub flooring, but also the flooring in your kitchen, especially hardwood floors. The second most common leak source in the home is your hot water heater. Many water heaters reside in places a homeowner does not frequent, such as a bonus room closet or storage area. The water heater drip pan can often catch excess water or a small leak; yet this pan can overflow quickly and is almost never monitored by the homeowner. Floodstop protects your home from leaks related to these appliances with water sources and others.

Appliance Leaks Protected by Floodstop

Floodstop protects appliances with water sources such as the following:

• Dishwasher
• Hot Water Heater
• Ice Makers
• Sinks
• Washing Machines
• Entire House

The product detects the leak,  sounds an alert alarm, and cuts off the water source to the appliance or pipe to prevent damage. These devices are carried and installed by your plumber. In the Nashville area, call or text Fix It All Plumbing at 615-568-5051.

The post Benefits of Leak Detection Devices: FloodStop Products first appeared on Fix It All Plumbing.