Pipe Gripes - By Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling

What Causes Noisy Pipes?

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:41:52 -0600

Do you sometimes hear a “banging” sound coming from your home’s pipes and wonder what the heck is causing it? Well, wonder no more because we have the answer.

As you may have noticed, you usually hear the banging or knocking sounds coming from pipes right after you or someone else in the house turns off the water (e.g, you turn off the kitchen sink faucet after washing dishes, or you turn off the shower faucet when you’re done bathing). Also called a “water hammer,” this banging sound often occurs in older homes, although it may also sometimes happen in newer homes.

Here’s why it happens:

Energy is created when water flows through your pipes, and when the water flow stops abruptly, the energy produces a loud noise. Plumbing systems in many houses have short sections of pipe that fill with air and behave as “cushions” which absorb the energy and the sound it produces when water flow stops suddenly. However, as time passes, the air is more likely to leak out, leaving no cushion to absorb the water’s energy.

Most new homes have a water hammer arrester installed to prevent pipe banging; therefore, noisy pipes are a more common occurrence in older homes with older pipe systems.

Besides being annoying, noisy pipes can also damage your pipes over time. If noisy pipes are a regular occurrence in your household, it’s a good idea to have the pipes checked out by a plumber.

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Pipe Gripes is written and published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling. Visit our website at http://www.333Help.com

Maintaining a Clean Bathroom

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:37:00 -0600

Setting aside time to clean a bathroom that hasn’t been tended to can be anyone’s worst nightmare. However, if you do small things everyday to maintain a clean bathroom, the less time you will have to spend on a major cleaning session down the road.

Start by keeping a daily shower cleanser in your shower. This can be a liquid in a spray bottle, or even an automatic dispenser that will spray the shower for you. These cleansers are gentle enough to use daily, just after you shower.

Spray down the tiles, around the faucet and drain, and the shower curtain to prevent grime and soap scum buildup. If your shower has a glass door or glass walls, you can also keep a squeegee in your shower to wipes down the glass when you are done showering.

When it comes to your bathroom counters, closet, vanity, or the medicine closet, make an effort to organize these areas if you haven’t already. Use small bins or Tupperware containers to sort items in a way that works for you, so you’ll actually keep these areas clean. Having a place to store everyday items like cosmetics, toothbrushes, razors, will help eliminate daily bathroom clutter.

If possible, keep your bathroom cleaning supplies in the bathroom, under the sink or in the closet. Store all of the items you use to clean the bathroom in a large bucket, such as rubber gloves, clean sponges, toilet brush, glass cleaner, disinfectant, and paper towels. Store a broom, or a small hand broom and a dustpan, in the bathroom also. This will make it handy if you need to sweep something.

If you keep all of these items together, the quicker it will be to access them when you need to clean the bathroom. Taking preventative steps will also make a cleaning day significantly shorter and easier.

(Flickr Photo By Melissa Ann Barrett)

DIY: Insulating Your Water Pipes

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:48:00 -0600

If you live in a place with cold winters, insulating the water pipes in your house can help prevent pipes from freezing and save you money by cutting down your water heater usage during the cold months. Moreover, it’s something you can do yourself. Consider the following when insulating your water pipes.

Make sure you measure your pipes before you get the insulation material so you know how much to purchase. Note the size of each individual pipe (if not all pipes are the same length) and also add up the total length. You’ll want to measure both hot and cold water lines. While many people only worry about covering their hot water lines, cold water lines can also freeze, and they can cause condensation issues if they’re not insulated.

You should be able to find most of the materials you need in the plumbing section of the hardware store. However, if you’re insulating pipes for the first time, it’s a good idea to get assistance from a sales person to make sure you’re getting the right stuff. To ensure that you have enough insulation, you may want to purchasea few extra feet of material, and later return whatever you don’t use.

Although the project isn’t a particularly dangerous one, for safety’s sake, graba friend to help you with the insulation part. Take the material – an insultube, which is usually split sideways and has a protective plastic cover protecting the adhesive side – and spread it over the pipe, then cutting the length to fit. Once the wrap is on the pipe, pull off the plastic strips from the adhesive and push the wrap together to make a bond.

Use foam insulation tape wherever the pipe curves or turns. Also tape wherevertwo pieces of the wrap meet up. This helps keep it sealed and from coming apart. As you cover the pipes, check for any signs of leaks at the pipe connections and also check the water lines for any unsealed holes through your home’s floors or walls.

Tada! Now you’re ready to take on the upcoming winter without having to worry about frozen pipes or sky-high water heater costs.

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Pipe Gripes is written by published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling. Visit our website at http://www.333Help.com.

(Flickr Photo by iyoupapa)

Do I Have to Insulate the Pipes in My Crawl Space?

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:39:48 -0600

The simple answer to this question is: yes, you do. But we’ll also give you a more detailed explanation and some advice on how to do it.

The pipes in your crawl space are in an unheated portion of your home and, therefore, they could freeze without proper insulation (provided, of course, that you live in a climate with cold winters and that your pipes are not buried far below the frost line). Fortunately, crawl space pipes can be insulated relatively cheaply and easily, just like the pipes in your basement or attic.

Begin by using an insulating material, such as an electrical wire heating wrap

, to wrap the exposed pipes. Alternatively, there are also spray foams that can be used to surround and insulate your pipes. However, these are usually used in basements or in walls where there is already some form of insulation from the cold. Because a

crawl space is essentially outdoors, the foam may not work as well for this applicatio

n if you live in a brutally cold climate.

Regardless of what type of insulating material you use, be sure to insulate all

of the cold and hot water pipes in your crawlspace. It is a myth that cold water pipes don’t freeze as much as hot water pipes do – insulate everything.

Depending on your climate, you may also want to insulate your entire crawlspace as well as the individual pipes.

In addition to insulation, you can also prevent pipes from freezing during the coldest months by keeping the water running at a constant trickle. For best results, run both cold and hot water taps. This might result in slightly higher water and electricity bills, but overall, it will be cheaper than the cost to fix a burst pipe.

(Flickr Photo by numberstumper)

Why Drains Are Only For Water

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:27:58 -0600

Often, people rinse more than water down their drains, not thinking about where the chemicals or other liquids could lead. However, rinsing things down the sink aren’t good for the environment or your pipes.

For starters, it’s never a good idea to rinse household or automotive chemicals down any drain in your home. These cleaning products and chemicals will make their way into lakes and oceans, causing serious damage.

Do not put any pesticides down the drain, along with any cleaning products, germicides, or antiseptics that contain mercury.

Several common items people rinse down the sink are from the kitchen, but they still don’t belong in the drain. Throw away items including sauces, dairy products, meat fats, lard, cooking oil, butter, margarine, shortening, baking goods, and food scraps, coffee grinds, egg shells, and produce stickers. Grease, in all of its forms, will harden along the sides of the pipes and eventually block them after a period of time.

Many of the other items, such as food scraps and egg shells, just don’t dissolve over time, so eventually they will clog the pipe, or need a professional cleaning.

Check the labels on the cleaning products in your home. Any product containing quaternary ammonia sanitizers (often found in fabric softeners, commercial cleaners, and pine oil cleaners) should be avoided.

Other items that you should not rinse down the drain include grease from cars and lawnmowers, motor oil, transmission fluids, anti-freeze, pieces of garbage, flushable cat litter, paper towels, solvents, nail polish and nail polish remover, or medication of any kind. Products of this sort can corrode the entire plumbing system, which means you’d need an entire plumbing remodel to fix it.

If the pipes in your home do become clogged, only use drain cleaners as a last resort.

Pipe Gripes is written and published by Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling .

(Flickr Photo by vanz)

What To Do About A Stinky Garbage Disposal

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:45:31 -0600

Even after you rinse everything down the garbage disposal, you might still detect a funky smell emanating from the drain. Over time, small food particles build up in and around your garbage disposal, stinking up an otherwise fresh-smelling kitchen. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to clean out your garbage disposal and eliminate that unpleasant odor.

First, try flushing out the disposal with some soap and hot water. The best way to do this is by putting a stopper over the drain, then filling the sink with several inches of hot water and a squeeze of dish detergent. Then, remove the plug and turn on the disposal, letting the sudsy water flush through.

You can also try turning on the disposal and keeping it running while you toss in several ice cubes and a handful of kosher rock salt. The friction provided by these items will help scrub away rotting food particles clinging to the disposal and the sides around it. This will also help keep your disposal’s blades sharp. To add a pleasant scent, throw some lemon peels into the running disposal after the salt and ice have gone through.

If the smell persists after trying the above methods, pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Wait about ten minutes for the fizzy mixture to do its work and then flush with boiling water.

Want to prevent future stink-ups? Make sure you always run your garbage disposal long enough so that all the larger chunks are washed completely down the drain. You can also make a habit of running ice cubes, rock salt and lemon peels through the disposal from time to time so that particles don’t get a chance to build up in the first place and your sink stays smelling fresh year-round.

(Flickr Photo by Chris Winters)

Prevent Sweating Pipes

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:21:05 -0500

This summer, we’ve all been sweating enough in the heat. The last things we want to deal with are sweating pipes, too. Although sweating pipes aren’t the biggest deal in the world, they are a nuisance and can signify larger problems at work. Do you notice condensation forming on your pipes? At times, condensation can accrue to the point that your pipes drip. If you use your basement for storage, a laundry room or for a place to hang out, dripping pipes are not only annoying, but they can provoke mold and mildew growth – and that’s a real problem.

Eliminate nasty, sweating pipes with these tips:

Run a dehumidifier. Yes, this is treating the symptoms before treating the problem, but a dehumidifier can make a big difference.
Check your basement’s foundation for cracks. If water is getting in through your walls, you should address it immediately before things really get out of hand. (See this week’s “Unclog Blog” for flooded basements.)
How does your gutter system work? Are your gutters clean? Does rainwater go down the downspout and away from the foundation of your house? If not, this could be the problem.
Insulate your cold water pipes with foam pipe wrap, which you should be able to procure easily at any do-it-yourself store or hardware store.
If you have a sump pump, make sure it works properly.
Avoid hanging wet clothes in the basement to dry. Naturally, this adds unneeded moisture to the air.

As always, never hesitate to contact us at Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling for questions about your plumbing or HVAC systems.

Getting Your New Plumbing Inspected

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:01:56 -0500

Homeowners and business owners probably look forward to inspections as much as you look forward to your next root canal. We often associate inspections with headaches and nitpicking over codes that can wind up costing a lot of money and seemingly wasting a lot of time. The fact is, though, a thorough inspection can save more headaches that it creates (if it creates any).

If you recently bought a new or existing home, make sure you have these key areas looked at by a certified inspector:

Plumbing fixtures: There’s a lot more to your fixtures than meets the eye. Your plumbing fixtures are responsible for turning your water on and off, controlling the flow and temperature. Some of the things inspectors will look for are sufficient water pressure, flow rate, functionality and scalding water.
Shut off valves: It’s always good to know where your shut off valves are in case of an emergency, and that they’re in proper working order.
Water supply lines: Whether you have plastic, galvanized steel, copper or brass, getting your supply lines looked at by a professional ensures potential problems can be accurately spotted, diagnosed and corrected.
Drain lines: The most common problem with drain lines is leakage and this is an area in which you definitely do not want leaks. Drain lines are responsible for carrying waste to the septic tank and sewer. Your inspector will make sure this is happening the way it should.

For more information on plumbing in your home, contact Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling today.

How Do You Know There’s a Problem?

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:24:01 -0500

Some problems are easy to diagnose and others aren’t, but one thing you can be sure of is this: if you have regularly clogged drains, dripping faucets or pipes that make noise, drip or worse, spray water, you’ve probably got a problem on your hands. When it comes to plumbing, time is of the essence, so get moving once you’ve noticed a problem exists to mitigate further damage.

Dripping faucets and clogged drains are usually easy enough to fix. Depending on the severity, you may be able to correct them yourself without the aid of a professional plumber. In fact, many episodes of Pipe Gripes and the Unclog Blog have been devoted to home remedies for clogged drains, including easily accessible items like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and boiling water. As for leaky faucets, you’ll need the proper tools. If you have a suitable pipe wrench, fixing a leaky faucet can be a snap.

Beyond leaks, drips or the occasional water hammer (knocking in pipes caused by an abrupt pressure change), homeowners need to be especially cautious to keep their pipes from freezing and possibly bursting during the cold seasons. When the weather dips, check your pipes to make sure they’re not too cold. If you think portions of your piping are potentially subject to freezing, run hot water frequently and consider investing in pipe insulation or a space heater to keep sections of the pipe warm. If a pipe bursts, the fallout is costly and a giant headache.

For more tips to keep your plumbing in good working order, contact an expert at Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling today.

Benefits of PVC Vs. Copper

Thompson Plumbing Heating Cooling — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:51:00 -0500

Are you installing new piping or building a new home and feeling unsure of whether to go with PVC or copper? Never fear, Pipe Gripes is here!

Here’s the rundown of each so you can be the judge:

PVC Benefits

PVC doesn’t conduct electricity and is immune to electrochemical reactions caused by acids, bases and salts that corrode metal piping.
PVC piping has an excellent strength to weight ratio that makes it particularly easy to transport and install.
PVC is flexible, meaning it can yield under loading without breaking. This benefit helps reduce the magnitude of pressure surges (water hammer) that creates a knocking sound in metal pipes.
Water quality is high due to the non-corrosive nature of the piping and resistance to chemical attack.
PVC piping is generally available in longer than traditional lengths, meaning fewer joints.

Copper Benefits

Copper is easy to work with and has excellent thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and durability.
Copper is a versatile material that’s proven useful for a variety of applications including underground water and gas services, water distribution systems, chilled water mains, drainage and vent systems, heating systems, fuel-oil systems, oxygen systems and non-flammable medical-gas systems.
Copper is remarkably durable to stand the test of time. It is now light, strong and maintenance free. It also is flame resistant.
Copper conducts heat up to eight times better than other metals, including aluminum and steel.
Copper is easy to join and install. It’s ductile, meaning it can be soldered on site and formed any way homeowners see fit.
Copper is an abundant resource that can be scrapped and recycled over and over again.

Need more questions answered about your plumbing, heating or cooling system? Call Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling today.