Archive for July, 2012

Reasons You Need Pipe Replacement in Denver

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Pipe replacement is something that does happen on occasion, and when it does come up it is something that should be completed quickly and efficiently.  The Denver plumbers at Bell Plumbing can help you decide if you need a pipe replacement, as well as performing complete repiping projects, or replace pipes and joints in specific areas of a building.

The buildings that we live and work in are filled with various hidden pipes that are located behind walls, under floors, and underground outside the property. These all make up a very functional and essential plumbing system.  It is inevitable that at some point either some or all of these pipes will need attention.  But what are the reasons for pipe replacement or a complete repiping service?

Pipe replacement could be in order when you need to fix a leaking pipe or prevent inevitable breaks on older pipes.  It could be used to fix unsanitary conditions caused by old pipes and thus alleviate water quality problems, or to fix low water pressure problems.

Complete repiping is quite common when there are corroded pipes.  This happens frequently in older buildings that used galvanized pipes or zinc-coated pipes during construction.  As time progresses these pipes age and the zinc lining begins to erode which can cause rust to form.  Once they have begun rusting, it is only a matter of time before leaks spring up here and there.  Complete repiping of these plumbing systems with either plastic pipes or copper pipes is one of the best long-term solutions.

No matter what the reasons for pipe replacement or repiping are, it is important to work with professional plumbers who have the knowledge-base and experience necessary to do the job right the first time.

Bell Plumbing has a team of licensed plumbers in Denver who supply quality plumbing services to the area. We can provide a pipe replacement for a portion of you plumbing system, or we can take care of a complete repiping service.  Contact Bell Plumbing any time, and let us take care of your next pipe placement job.

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Lonetree Plumbing Tip: What Is a Whole House Water Filter System?

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

When you think of water filters, you may imagine a faucet attachment or a pitcher with a filter installed. But there is an easier and more convenient way to provide filtered water to all areas of your Lonetree house, and that is a whole house water filter system. These units are becoming more and more popular as people begin to realize that it is not just the water you drink that needs to be filtered. In fact, there are many reasons that you may want to filter the water you shower and wash your clothes in as well.

Impurities in your water can affect you and your family even if you do not drink it. And that is why whole house water filtration systems remove contaminants from your water before it even comes near any of the faucets in your home. These types of systems are attached to the main water source for your home and can treat the water as it comes in and before it is distributed elsewhere.

These are generally simple systems, which makes them relatively inexpensive to install and maintain. Of course, your filter will need to be changed on a regular basis and that is an ongoing expense. But most of these filters are designed to filter between 10,000 and 100,000 gallons of water. While each filter will come with a recommendation for how often it needs to be replaced, it is important to remember that you may need to replace yours sooner rather than later depending on the amount of contaminants in your water supply.

You can also get different types of filters depending on the kinds of contaminants you are most concerned with removing from your indoor water. For instance, some water filters are better for removing bacteria and viruses, while others will do a better job of eliminating things like iron or other specific types of minerals and chemicals.

There are many good whole house water filtration systems out there, but finding the right one for your home can be tricky. For that reason, it is a good idea to consult with a professional Lonetree plumber like Bell Plumbing & Heating Company who can help you determine which product is right for your home.

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Denver Plumbing Tip: Water and Energy Saving Tips

Monday, July 16th, 2012

The cost of the heat, air conditioning and water supply to your Denver home continues to rise – it’s no wonder you want to cut your bills so much. Here are a few simple energy and water saving tips to make your life easier.

  • Patching Leaks – Two of the biggest wasters of water are dripping faucets and leaky pipes. The amount of water wasted by a single drip every second could provide for multiple baths per year – it adds up fast. Not only are leaky faucets and pipes easy to fix; they tend to develop into bigger problems as time passes.
  • Drains and Flushing – If you put a piece of toilet paper in the toilet used to clean an eye or wipe the counter, don’t flush. It’s a waste of water. If you notice some extra toothpaste in the sink, don’t rinse yet. You can always use the water from brushing your teeth or washing your face to clean it out. Multi-task and minimize how much water goes down the drain to save water.
  • Fully Loaded – A partially filled washing machine or dish washer is a huge waster of water. Fill it up and wait to run the device until it’s at the brim – the same amount of water is used no matter how much is in the device.
  • Insulate Pipes – Hot water pipes without insulation waste a tremendous volume of energy every year. The cost of running a hot water tank continuously every day can be quite expensive,
  • even with insulation. Consider the cost without it to keep the water warm as it passes to your fixtures.
  • Lower Water Flow – Don’t crank your faucets up to the max just to get a glass of water or to check for hot water. It’s a waste of energy and it’s often unnecessary, especially when waiting for water to hit the right temperature.

If you’re interested in getting the most out of your home’s water supply, there are hundreds of little ways to save water that will add up over time. These are just some of the easiest ways to get started. For more tips on how to upgrade your Denver plumbing, give Bell Plumbing & Heating Company a call today!

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Denver Plumber’s Guide: Water Tank Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Having trouble with your water heater tank? Try this brief guide, which may shed some light on the difficulties you are having.

 Problem #1: Not enough hot water

This problem could be the result of decreased supply or output, caused by leaking or sediment. The problem may be with the dip tube. This tube is meant to deliver cold water to the bottom of the tank for heating, but when it breaks, it spills water into the top of the tank. Since the water supply draws from the top of the water heater tank, it may seem like you’re not getting enough hot water as a result.

Problem #2: Water is too hot

First, check the temperature setting on your heater to make sure it is set at the right temperature. If it is normal, then the problem could be that the water heater is not turning off when it hits that set temperature. The temperature-pressure relief valve may be faulty, or there may be a bad sensor. If you hear sounds like water boiling from inside the heater, or your faucets are shooting out steam, call a Denver plumbing professional right away.

 Problem #3: Hot water is discolored or smells bad

Water that is discolored or has a foul odor has usually been contaminated by either sediment, bacteria or both. To correct the problem, call a professional to flush all the water out of the tank and thoroughly clean the inside with a bleach solution or a commercial cleaner.

 Problem #4: Not enough hot water pressure

Low water pressure could be caused by a number of things. One likely culprit is sediment that has built up somewhere in the system. It could be in the faucet supply line, the dip tube in the water tank or even in the main supply line. This is one complaint that can be hard to pinpoint, and is therefore difficult for most homeowners to diagnose and repair.

If you tried the tips above and you are still having water tank troubles, or if your problem isn’t listed in this guide, call Bell Plumbing & Heating Company to repair the water heater tank.

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Free Guide to Kitchen & Bath Design in Denver: Best Practices Home Page

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

When designing a new kitchen or bathroom in Denver, or remodeling an existing one, it is important to consider not only form, but function. These rooms are characterized by particular appliances and fixtures that serve important roles within the space. Following best practices about how and where to lay these major pieces of the room out will help turn a plan into a dazzling and functional space.

Kitchen Best Practices

The design of a kitchen traditionally revolves around three main appliances: the range, the refrigerator and the sink. These are the basic, standard pieces of equipment you will find in every kitchen. Your vision may involve more fixtures, appliances and work areas, and that’s fine. What’s important is to establish space for work and traffic flow when laying these things out.

For example, during the design phase, consider the aisles and walkways in your kitchen. If you have an island, there should be at least 42 inches of space between it and the closest counter or appliance on all sides. This is to allow for enough space to, say turn around while carrying a roast from the oven, or be able to slip past someone who is getting a glass of water at the sink. Carefully consider how many people will be using the kitchen at one time and where the high traffic walkways are.

Bathroom Best Practices

You may not realize it until giving it some thought, but the considerations for bathroom design are very similar to those of kitchen design. That is, you want to have a space that gives enough room around all the major fixtures to move naturally and comfortably, while also using materials that will be durable and easy to clean.

The number one consideration here is safety, and it should guide all the questions you ask yourself and your contractor during the design process. Is the shower big enough for each person to turn around without banging into the wall or door? Is there enough space between the tub and sink to maneuver safely and comfortably? Are the floor and tub made from materials that provide enough traction to be able to stand safely, even when wet? Consider all these variables when consulting with your contractor on what materials to use and where each fixture or appliance should go.

By all means, have fun with your design project. It’s fun and exciting to design a new room the way you have always pictured it. Just be sure to also consider some best practices while you do it, so that you wind up with a room that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also safe and functional. For any help remodeling your Denver home’s kitchen or bathroom, give Bell Plumbing & Heating Company a call!

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