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Leaky pipes cause more problems than just high water bills |
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Written by Isaiah Brewer
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Tuesday, 21 April 2009 21:11 |
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Ever hear a slow dripping sound in your home? Have your water bills been more expensive lately? Leaking pipes can cause more problems than just higher water bills…they can cause possible mold problems. Mold, with the right moisture and food conditions, can grow rapidly within 24-48 hours. Mold often grows unexpectedly in residential and commercial buildings due to leaky pipes and toilets that are not properly maintained. Hidden inside bathroom or kitchen walls, or underneath sub-floor, mold often lurks unbeknownst to building owners. So how can we find the hidden mold? Just to dispel some common rumors…there are not “mold machines” that can sniff out mold and instantly tell you if there is mold or not. Certified mold inspectors, such as A & I Health Solutions, use the following methods to discover mold: - Visual evidence of water damage
- Moisture meters to detect moisture content above normal ranges
- Fiber optics to analyze wall cavity spaces and ducts for hidden mold
- Air sampling equipment to collect small amounts of air to submit for lab analyzing.
But what about the expense for the inspector? Are there things home owners can look out for to discover mold? Are there home improvements that can hinder the growth of mold? Here are the top ten things homeowners should know about when looking for mold: 1. Possible health symptoms commonly associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory ailments.
2. It is not practical to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture levels and humidity.
3. If mold is a concern in your home or school, you must properly perform mold removal in Cleveland and eliminate all possible sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water occurrence or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (30-60 percent ) to eliminate excessive mold growth by: properly venting bathrooms (home depot kit…$20), dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers to maintain proper humidity levels; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
6. Completely clean and dry any damp or wet building products and furniture with wash towels and detergent within 24-48 hours to prevent mold contamination.
7. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry out completely. Permeable …materials such as ceiling tiles or drywall, that are moldy, may need to be removed and replaced.
8. Put a stop to condensation: Decrease the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., …windows, piping, brick, paint, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a continual moisture problem, do not mount carpeting (i.e., by …water faucents, by classroom basins, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent …condensation).
10. Mold can be found almost anyplace; they can grow and multiply on nearly any substance, provided dampness is present. There are molds that can develop on paper, drywall, carpet, wood….food. A & I Health Solutions1412 Elmwood aveLakewood, OH 44107 |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 May 2009 16:06 )
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The Solution for Water Hammer (Noisy Pipes) |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 30 January 2009 04:39 |
One of the most well known plumbing noises is water hammer. It sounds like a hammer hitting pipes because water going through the pipe hits a bend in the pipe causing a shockwave. Water hammer is often caused by quick-closing valves, like those on washing machines and dishwashers, but the sudden shutting-off of water flow to toilets or by faucets can cause it as well. Whatever the culprit, the result is the same -a loud bang or banging sound. This impact can create pressure, and over time these repeated impacts and the pressure they cause can damage pipes and valves, weakening them and pipe joints.
A solution to the water hammer problem, in more modern homes, is to install devices called air chambers. The chambers or cushions are filled with air, they absorb the shockwaves. The problem is that over time these devices often become partly or completely filled with water. This happens because the air, over time, is absorbed by the water, and water takes the lost air’s place.
The sudden onset of water hammer in a home is generally a sign that its plumbing’s air chambers have filled with so much water that they aren’t working anymore. It’s possible to fix the problem if the affected chamber(s) can be located. First, the water needs to be turned off at a point before it reaches the affected chamber(s), then the problem valve or faucet needs to be opened to allow all the water in it to be drained. Air will replace it and restore the cushion.
An air chamber that’s under the level of the valve or faucet may present more work. The home’s main water supply lines may need to be drained so that the chamber(s) can fill with air. An air chamber that won’t drain properly may be clogged with scale, tuberculation, or minerals and chemicals in the water. Sometimes it’s not possible to clean out the chamber(s), and replacement is left as the likely option.
If a home doesn’t have air chambers built into its plumbing system, reducing the overall water pressure might be a solution. This can be done by installing pressure-reducing valves in the water supply lines. But this might not work because the water pressure might be too low for second and third floor faucets and toilets to work properly. Another solution is to install air chambers, may current models have built-in valves for letting their air refill.
Other than damage caused by the affected pipe’s breaking, water hammer isn’t usually dangerous. It is important though to have a professional evaluate your problem and to help determine what will be needed to fix it.
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what are the signs of a slab leak and what are your options |
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Written by Brain Lemair
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Monday, 19 January 2009 05:38 |
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Pipe leaks that occur within walls are bad enough "you have to cut open walls or ceilings to repair the pipe(s) and the water damage theyve caused. But when your leaking pipe is inside or underneath the concrete of your floor or foundation, you face a much more time-consuming and expensive repair. While one solution is to re-route water around the affected area with new above-ground pipes, epoxy pipe lining often eliminates the need to tear or dig up your concrete floor or foundation by restoring your pipes while they are still inside or below the concrete.
The obvious signs of a slab leak are damp, moist or wet spots on the carpeting or floor. Another sign is low water pressure or an increase in your water bill. Maybe youve noticed low water pressure, or it may be a noticeable (even dramatic) increase in your water bill.
Slab leaks can occur in your homes potable water line or in your outgoing sanitary sewer line; both of which may be embedded in or under the foundation of the building. Leaks in either set of lines can cause large amounts of damage to the foundation and each has its own list of causes, some are shared. Slab leaks in the potable water line can potentially be more destructive because the supply water is under pressure. It runs through or under the concrete slab, then to the water heater where copper pipes split off and carry water to all the hot and cold water fixtures in your house.
There are four main causes of slab leaks in a houses incoming water lines. Chemistry is the first, either the chemical interaction between copper water pipes or the water running though them (copper pipe is very susceptible to pinhole leaks caused by the chemical composition of your water), or electrolysis from the copper pipe coming into contact with soil. The second is that due to the foundation shifting (because of poor design or installation, or a change in the moisture of the ground) and pull your pipes apart. The third is water pressure that is too high (the diameter of the pipes installed may be too small) will corrode copper pipe. Leaks will also form at points where the pipes bend or change direction. The fourth cause may just be poor craftsmanship or workmanship: inferior plumbing supplies or materials (e.g. pipes, soldering) or a plumber that rushes or isnt experienced. It could also be a kinked line (a piece of pipe with an imperfection) or nicked by another (non-plumbing) workman, such as those that pour the concrete.
Unlike those in incoming water lines which will continuously leak because of the continuous flow and pressure, slab leaks in sanitary sewer lines only leak when a toilet is flushed, someone takes a shower or bath, or faucet is turned on. There are four main causes of slab leaks in sanitary sewer lines. The first is a crack or break in the cast iron, galvanized steel, or PVC sewer pipes, caused by shifting of the foundation. The second is, in the case of cast iron or galvanized steel pipes, parts of the pipe may be exposed to soil, sand, or gravel which are porous to water -this can lead to rusting. The third cause is the chemicals, solvents, and cleaning solutions that are poured down the drain which interact and corrode the metal pipes. The fourth cause is poor craftsmanship or workmanship, inferior plumbing supplies or materials, or a plumber that rushes or isnt experienced.
If you think have a slab leak, you should get a free estimate from a qualified epoxy pipe lining company. Rather than go through the time-consuming (days or even weeks) and expensive process of either re-routing the affected plumbing altogether, or digging/breaking up your concrete floor or foundation, destroying the flooring you may have covered it with, and buying new replacement pipes, you may be able to save time and money by restoring the pipes you have, right where they are (by connecting epoxy lining equipment to your existing fixtures and valves). A conventional repair will solve your problem right now, but epoxy pipe lining can protect your plumbing system from future slab leaks.
Mr. LeMaire has served as President of Curaflo since September 2006. CuraFlo is a leader in solving low water flow. Brain is an industry leader in solving problems created by pinhole leaks Tuberculation with are both of concern when dealing with slab leaks.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 19 January 2009 05:46 )
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Berkey's Says Google Data Points to Trend Toward Tankless Water Heaters |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 17 November 2008 14:25 |
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Berkey's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning says a clear trend is developing, as North Texas homeowners turn increasingly to tankless water heaters to save on utility bills and comply with tougher local energy standards. Data from Google Trends correlates; Dallas and Richardson rack up the most searches for tankless water heater information. Southlake, Tex. (PRWEB) May 21, 2008 -- North Texas homeowners are installing tankless water heaters at a much faster pace than ever this year, says master plumber Bill Stevens. Saving on energy bills is a factor, aided by more stringent energy standards being developed by municipal governments. Stevens, president of Berkey's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, a leading Dallas-area service company, says Dallas' neighboring city Richardson has adopted tougher energy standards, prompting consumer interest in compliance measures. Richardson tops the list for cities where people originate Google searches for tankless water heaters. Stevens says tankless water heaters have become a top seller at his company, and will surpass sales of conventional tank-type water heaters for the first time this year. "We expect this trend to accelerate as more municipalities evolve their energy policies," Stevens said. Top 10 results for the term "tankless" include: 1. Richardson, Tex.
2. Dallas, Tex.
3. Atlanta, Ga.
4. Austin, Tex.
5. Tampa, Fla.
6. Miami, Fla.
7. San Diego, Calif.
8. Seattle, Wash.
9. Pleasanton, Calif.
10. Los Angeles, Calif. Eight of the top 10 are southern cities, and the remaining two, Seattle, Wash., and Pleasanton, Calif., are in temperate coastal regions. Northern homes that use baseboard radiant heat typically don't have separate water heaters, but draw hot water from the central boiler system. Also, colder average incoming water temperatures in northern locations may account for fewer searches coming from northern cities, although tankless heater manufacturers say their products work fine in those areas, too. "As gas and electric prices keep going up people are looking for smart alternatives to help hold utility costs in line," Stevens said. "The logic is obvious: you heat water only when you need it, instead of storing it in a big tank and paying to heat it over and over again." Tank-type heaters cycle several times each night as water in the tanks cools, thus running up utility bills. Stevens thinks this is illogical: "You wouldn't leave your car running all night simply because you need to drive to work the next day, so why keep heating water again and again all night so you can shower in the morning?" Stevens says heating water with conventional tank-type heaters accounts for 20 - 30 percent of the total utility costs in the average American home. Tankless water heaters can chop that by up to 50 percent, which means a homeowner could trim 10-to-15 percent off total home energy costs. The importance of energy conservation becomes more apparent when looking at aggregate numbers. One tankless water heater manufacturer features a calculator on its Website that shows in real time the amount Americans are over-paying by using tank-type water heaters instead of tankless. As of the third week of May 2008, the total added consumption for Texas alone was a whopping $798 million for the period that began July 1, 2006 - less than two years. The national total for the same period stood at $8.01 billion. About Berkey's:
Berkey's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning has specialized in the needs of homeowners in Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville and Flower Mound for more than 32 years. Berkey's reputation for prompt, honest service from licensed and factory trained technicians assures customers the best in professional service and equipment. To learn more, call Berkey's at 1-877-BERKEYS, or visit our Website at http://www.berkeys.com. |
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