Archive for June, 2012

Denver Plumbing Question: Why Buy WaterSense Labeled Fixtures?

Monday, June 25th, 2012

If you have been shopping for new plumbing fixtures in Denver lately, or even just wandered through that section of the home improvement store, you have probably noticed that some of them bear a familiar label.

“Just what is this ‘WaterSense’ company and why have I never heard of them before?” you may ask yourself. “Are they a new manufacturer?”

No, it’s not a new fixture company. WaterSense is a program in partnership with the Environment Protection Agency designed to make it easier for consumers to find, identify and choose products that use water more efficiently. You can find it on a number of faucets, shower heads and toilets. Even some newly built homes that exclusively have WaterSense fixtures installed bear the certification.

In order to wear the WaterSense label, a product has to meet strict criteria, such as using water at least 20% more efficiently than its average competitor, while also performing at least we well, and obtaining certification from an independent third party.

That’s all well and good, buy why should anyone buy a WaterSense labeled fixture? What are the benefits? In contrast to older or less efficient products, fixtures with the WaterSense label:

  • Are kinder to the environment
  • Reduce water consumption
  • Operate more efficiently
  • Employ more advanced technology
  • Perform as well as or better then competing products
  • Save you money on utility bills

As with the EnergyStar label that graces so many appliances and electronic devices these days, in this case what is good for the environment is also good for your wallet. The added efficiency of WaterSense products reduces water consumption, which not only conserves water for everyone, but conserves money for you.

So, for Denver homeowners who are in the market for new plumbing fixtures and like to save the planet as well as some money, WaterSense labeled products are the way to go. For more information about the best plumbing fixtures for your home, give Bell Plumbing & Heating Company a call today!

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Denver Plumber’s Tip: Common Types of Building Supply & Drain Piping Materials

Monday, June 18th, 2012

Have you ever wondered what the various pipes in your home and other buildings are made of? How come some Denver plumbing systems use different materials than others? What are the differences between common types of pipe materials? This brief guide covers all those questions.

Plastic

The newest piping material is plastic. Usually made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastic piping has been in use in some form or another for about 50 years. Although many purists tend to shy away from plastic piping, it is popular as a material for both water supply and drain piping because it is cheaper and easier to cut than copper, and doesn’t present the corrosion problems of other metal piping materials.

Sometimes, plastic piping can crack or break because it was installed improperly, especially when done by an installer who is not used to working with ABS or PVC materials. These pipes have to be installed differently than copper would be, so it is important to use a contractor with expertise.

 Copper

Despite the relatively recent popularity of PVC and ABS, copper has been and remains the industry standard for most piping jobs, especially building water supply lines. Copper has advantages over other metals in that it is softer and easier to manipulate, doesn’t corrode easily and isn’t toxic to humans and animals.

There are three kinds of copper piping used in plumbing, which are assigned letter types depending on the thickness of the pipe walls. Type M is the thinnest and is used for above ground plumbing, while Type L and Type K copper piping have thicker walls. Occasionally, flexible copper tubing is used for plumbing, but because of the high cost, use is usually limited to spaces where the extra flexibility is essential.

 Steel

Galvanized steel piping is not commonly used for drain piping or building water supplies any more, with both copper and plastics being far more common choices for new construction. The zinc coating on galvanized pipes stalls rust, but doesn’t prevent it completely, which can shorten the life of the pipe and cause flaking on the interior pipe walls.

 Cast Iron

Although not often used in new construction, cast iron can still be found in a lot of buildings because it has been used as a plumbing material for more than a hundred years.

 Lead

Lead has been found to be toxic to water supplies and should never be used in new construction. Nearly all buildings with lead piping have had the water supply and drain piping replaced with newer, safer materials.

To have the pipes in your Denver home replaced or for any plumbing repair, give Bell Plumbing & Heating Company a call!

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Arvada Water Line Tips: Why Water Line Replacement and Repair is Not a Do-it-Yourself Job

Monday, June 11th, 2012

Even if you are comfortable doing some of the minor plumbing repairs in your Arvada home, you should never attempt to replace a main water line on your own. You could potentially hit an underground utility line and do major damage, not only to your home, but the homes around you as well.

Only a qualified plumber has the experience and required tools to perform pipe replacements. Additionally, the sooner you call a qualified plumber to repair or replace your main water line, the less potential there will be for further damage to your home. If you aren’t sure whether or not you need repair work on your water line, there are some definite signs to look out for.

Water backing up in your yard is one of the most obvious indications of a main water line break or leak, but you could also notice drops in water pressure or high water bills before this happens. If you notice any of these issues, it’s best to call a plumber before it turns into a major hassle and expense.

While extreme weather can cause a water line to break, it’s typically caused by corrosion or root penetration. This is another important reason to have your pipes and plumbing system inspected once a year by a qualified plumber. Video scans of your pipes can detect any issues before they get worse.

Plumbers are also able to repair and replace the water line in your Arvada home with advanced technology that does not require digging up your yard. Call Bell Plumbing and Heating if you notice any obvious problems or suspect a leak in your main water line. Replacing a water line should be handled by a professional, and we have the experience, skills, and proper equipment required to get the job done safely and efficiently.

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Common Water Line Problems for Commerce City

Monday, June 4th, 2012

Everyone needs water. It keeps us clean, provides us with a clean drinking source and helps us cook food and wash clothes. So, when a problem occurs with the water line in a Commerce City home, it can be disruptive to every aspect of everyday life. Here are some common water line problems and solutions you can implement to solve them as fast as possible:

  • Burst Pipe — The biggest problem you can have is a burst pipe. This is a major problem and one that needs to be solved immediately. If your pipe bursts or starts to leak, turn off the main water supply immediately and call an emergency plumber. You’ll want to have it patched as soon as possible, and consider a pipe replacement to return normal water service to your home.
  • Noisy Pipes – Noise in the pipes is a slightly less disastrous problem but it can lead to bigger problems down the road if not dealt with. Usually, it is due to air in the pipes which can create a loud banging sound. If your pipes are vibrating or banging, the easiest solution is to turn off the water supply and drain your pipes completely, then fill them back up to remove the air build up.
  • Water Pressure – Low water pressure can be due to a number of problems, from a small leak somewhere to an issue in the incoming water supply. If you notice water pressure dropping in your home, call a professional to inspect the problem and offer potential solutions.
  • Sediment in the Pipes – If suddenly you are seeing excess sediment, rust, or other debris in your water it is probably from an aging pipe. While this doesn’t necessarily signal that your pipe is about to burst, it can be a sign of potential problems in the future. Build up from hard water or erosion can both be major problems if not fixed right away.

Water line problems can range from small nuisances to major disasters that threaten your entire home, but they should all be treated with equal import. If something happens to your water line, don’t waste time trying to track down a solution. Turn off the water supply and call Bell Plumbing & Heating right away.

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