Sump Pumps

Lets talk a little bit about sump pumps. A sump pump, is a pump that removes excess water that may potentially flood your home. It is an electric pump that is usually located in a crock inside your basement.

During storms, sometimes areas will experience power loss. This can be bad during heavy rainfall because when there is no power, your sump pump will not kick on. There are a few different options to help prevent excess water to filling up your home in the event that your power fails.

1. Battery Power Back-Up Sump Pump: These pumps work on a battery that is similar to a car battery. They will kick on as soon as power is lost. These back up systems work fine for short term use. The battery can last any where from 6-10 hours depending on the circumstances. However, during extensive loss of power, these pumps will not last very long.

1. Water Powered Back Up Sump Pumps. These pumps work great if your house runs on city water. The pump acts like a suction to pump the water out of your basement. The great thing about these pumps is that it uses the water to operate and will last as long as necessary. The concern that most people have is that it uses a lot of water to operate.

New Virginia Law On Expansion Tanks!

We have been getting a lot of questions about expansion tanks recently. What is an expansion tank? Why do I need them? Are the required? New Virginia Plumbing code states that all gas water heaters installed in a closed system (there is a back flow device near) are required to be accompanied by an expansion tank. Here are some helpful tips and information on water heater expansion tanks.

An expansion tank is a device that is installed near a boiler or water heater system. It is designed to relieve pressure caused from the thermal expansion of hot water. It works by using an expanding diaphragm that is activated during thermal expansion. The top part of the tank is hot water, and the bottom part is air. If an expansion tank goes bad - or the diaphragm fails, you can tell because the whole tank will be filled with hot water. Just tap on the top and bottom of the tank. It should make a hollow sound on the bottom (which indicates that it is empty) and a thud like sound at the top.

The reason expansion tanks are being required is because of new requirements on regulator valves and backflow devices as well as the certain counties increasing water pressure. Before backflow devices were required, the expansion caused from the hot water could easily flow back through the pipes. Now, because of the backflow prevention devices that are necessary, the water has no where to go and could potentially ruin household plumbing fixtures as well as the water heater itself. An expansion tank relieves the pressure from the expanding hot water which will prevent a lot of damage.

A good thing to note as a home owner is that some water heater manufacturers will actually void the warranty on their product if no expansion tank is installed with their water heaters. It is always best to read the manufacturer's manual as well as check with your county's officials regarding any requirements for the safety of your home.

Do-it-Yourself! Preventing & Clearing Stoppages

Stoppages in your bathtub sink or toilet can be a real inconvenience. Prevention is always key to avoiding these kinds of problems but just because you follow the rules doesn’t mean other people do!

Most of the calls we get here at HMS Plumbing is for simple stoppages. Often times I will try to help someone walk through getting the job done themselves so they won’t have to spend time or money on having a plumber come to their home. Here are some of the tips that have successfully helped clear a few minor stoppages over the years and left some people feeling pretty good about themselves!

Minor Bathtub Stoppage:

Take a coat hanger and unwind it leaving a small hook at the end. Shove the hooked part down the drain and move it around a bit – A lot of time what is clogging up a bathtub drains is hair and when you remove the coat hanger it will look like you could make a wig out of all the hair you pull out! Repeat the process until all the hair or debris is clear. Run a lot of hot water down the drain and you should be good to go!

Sometimes the coat hanger works fine – but sometimes you need to get out the big guns. You can buy a small hand snake from any home improvement store. They are relatively cheap and can really come in handy for minor stoppages. I would recommend having one of these around!

Another really cool idea is to use a zip-it. These are available at most hardware and home improvement stores. Check out the videos on their website! http://zipitclean.com/

Toilet Stoppages:

A lot of times people don’t realize that they are not suppose to flush things like feminine products, paper towels, or baby wipes. When these are flushed they can cause stoppages ranging from all types from minor ones (surface and only affect that line) or major ones (lodged in the main sewer). If it is a minor stoppage, a lot of times this can be easily dealt with even if you don’t fancy yourself to the do-it-yourself type.

For a minor stoppage, the coat hanger trick works well for this too – the only problem with that is that you might scrape up the inside of your toilet with a sharp wire. I recommend trying the good old fashion plunger for this (a lot of times this is actually what the plumbers use to clear it!). You could also use an auger or small hand snake as well for those deeper stoppages.

Sink Stoppages:

A lot of time with sink stoppages, running some hot soapy water down the drain can help break up the debris. The small hand snake or coat hanger trick can definitely be used to pull up or break up anything that may be clogging your drain. If you do use chemical liquid plumber, make sure that it is environmentally friendly – it will not only be good for the environment but it is much better on your pipes. A lot of times with the liquid drain cleaners they use harsh chemicals that can eat away at the PVC glue in your pipes and cause leaks in the futures.

Another great trick for clearing a sink stoppage is actually using a plunger (preferably not one that has been in your toilet). If you have a double sink – cover one of the sink drains with a stopper and use the plunger on the uncovered one, this will often time really do the trick to clearing a minor stoppage in your sink.

I hope these hints have been helpful. If you can save money on a plumber by using one of my tips, then take yourself out to dinner because you deserve it!

Water Saving Tips!

Spring and summer is the biggest season for water usage. But there are simple ways to stop the waste of this precious resource and halt high water bills.

1.) Locate and mark your main shut off valve. The main shut off valve is the valve that controls the flow of water into your entire house. If something were to burst this could not only cause serious damage, but a lot of wasted water. Marking this valve and making it easily findable in emergency situations can save you a lot of grief!

2.) Repair leaking pipes, valves and equipment. During the winter season, you may have had your house winterized. Once you switch over to spring/summer time use, turn on your faucets and fixtures that were winterized and check to make sure the valves, pipes, and fixtures don’t have any leaks that may have occurred from the freezing weather of winter.

3.) Make sure you completely turn off your hose bibs when you are done watering your garden. Although hoses that come with shut off nozzles work great in conserving water, turning off the hose bib when you are done will ensure that not a drop of water goes to waste.

4.) I know it may sound simple, but water can flow between 2-3 gallons per minute out of a faucet. When brushing your teeth or washing dishes, turn off the water if you are not using the water to rinse. It may not seem like much, but over time it can really add up!

5.) Did you know that your grass and plantings only need at most 1 inch of water per week? Keep tabs on the forecast and only supplement the watering when the precipitation is less than one inch per week. In fact, a good sized downpour can eliminate the need to water for weeks! I couldn’t believe this when I read it, but this actually got backed up by our shop neighbors who own a landscaping company.

6.) The best time of day to water your garden is actually in the morning. The reason they say it is better to water in the morning than at night is because the sun will have a chance to dry some of the excess water. If you water at night, the sun can’t dry off your plants and it may become the perfect breeding ground for all types of molds and fungi which can infect your yard.

If you know any other water saving tips, please feel free to add to the conversation!

Assistance with Your Plumbing Predicaments

Throughout the years, there will be many issues that arise in your home that require some fixing and maintenance. Usually, depending on how handy you are to begin with, you could fix these problems on your own. However, there are certain problems that require you to seek out additional help. Plumbing is a common issue that many people do not know much about and therefore need assistance. One of the biggest jobs that plumbers should be called for is work on gas lines. Before you call a plumbing company, make sure that they are a licensed plumber and gasfitter in your area. It could be the difference between life and death. Small leaks may not be detected by odor alone. Licensed plumbers will have all the necessary equipment on hand such as gas sniffers and electronic testers to make sure there are no leaks in these lines.

Still on the subject of gas lines, the threading of pipes and the fitting of joints is always a concern as well. A pipe that is threaded incorrectly could cause leaks that would be too small to notice for the average person. Also, both over-tightening and under-tightening fittings can cause problems with your gas line. Working with mainlines, such as water and sewer, are also issues that a professional plumber should be called for. For main sewer lines, snaking the line can indeed be done by a homeowner. However, it doesn’t guarantee that everything will be found. If the line continues to back up, there is many a plumber in Fairfax, Virginia capable of handling any issues.

No matter what type of repair you are looking to do around your house, if you are not 100% sure on how to fix it, a professional should be called. Skilled professionals will also be able to tell if another problem is arising and be able to fix it before it gets out of hand. It doesn’t matter if you need a plumber in McLean, Virginia or a well pump repair in Gainesville, VA; plenty of professionals are hand to keep a problem from becoming a catastrophe.

Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

Garbage disposals are generally considered self-cleaning, low-maintenance appliances. However, if your garbage disposal is acting up it can be a frustrating and messy problem. With the holidays here, your garbage disposal will be working overtime, so here are a few tips to follow for better garbage disposal care and maintenance.

Tips:

- When you’re using your garbage disposal, run cold water instead of hot water while grinding. Running cold water will harden any fats and grease lingering in your drain pipes and will help flush them out. Running hot water, however, will dissolve the grease and result in a blockage in the pipes.

- If there is an odor coming from your garbage disposal, try pouring a few tablespoons of multipurpose cleaner down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. After you have let it sit, wash the cleaner away by running hot water. Repeat this process until the odor is gone.

- Never put non-food items down the garbage disposal. Such items include plastic, metal, tin, glass, etc. Other items that could ruin your disposal if put down the drain are corn husks, and clam shells.

- Some items, when ground, can actually help clean your disposal by scraping away accumulated food particles. For example, egg shells, ice cubes, and small bones, like the ones found in fish, can help keep your disposal in clean, working order..

Call a Plumber if….

If your garbage disposal is clogged, leaking or won’t turn on. These are signs that you need to consult a plumber. By attempting to fix the problem yourself, you could potentially make it worse or injure yourself. Repairing a garbage disposal is a task best left to the professionals.

Prevent your Basement from Flooding with these Tips

Not only is basement flooding a hassle but it could also ruin whatever items you choose to store down there. Don’t set yourself up for flooding and follow the tips provided to help ensure your basement stays dry. Even if your basement isn’t prone to flooding it would be wise to take the extra precaution because it only takes one bad storm to turn your basement into your own indoor lake.

There could be many reasons why your basement is flooding or could flood. Some of those reasons include, outside or inside draining problems, blocked gutters, foundation leaks, and problems with or the lack of a sump pump. Making sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and unclogged of any leaves, dirt, or other debris is and easy way to prevent from any flooding in your basement to occur. If they are clogged it will force the water to go somewhere else and by somewhere else I mean your basement.

If you are experience draining issues with either your inside pipes such as a slow draining shower or sinks you have a problem with your main connection to the main sewer line. You can try unblocking the drain yourself with either a product to pour down the drain or using a plunger however if it persists or gets worse you should call a professional.

Poorly draining outside pipes causing water to seep into your basement through the ground is a little trickier. The best way to solve this issue is to look into installing what is called French drains. They are made of broken tile or ceramic and sit around the outside foundation of your house helping water drain away from it. If these don’t help then you most likely have a problem with the entire lot your house sits on and should consult a professional on the steps you need to take.
Sump pumps can help anyone who has recurring flooding in their basement. If you have a sump pump and your basement is still flooding than you should look into replacing it.

Checking your home’s foundation for any cracks that could because leakage will not only prevent flooding but will also save you money if you catch any problems that could cause you more trouble in the future if not taken care of. Small cracks can be easily fixed be using caulk however any other noticeable fissures in your home’s foundation should be look at by a professional. Remember if it is a pricey job now it will only get more expensive the longer you wait to fix it. There is no room to be cheap when it comes to the upkeep of you and your family’s home.