Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing Repair’

Denver Water Heater Tip: How Can I Improve the Efficiency of My Water Heater?

Friday, February 8th, 2013 by Gary Bell

When you start to think about it, your water heater is one of the most-used appliances in your home. You use it from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. From laundry and dishes to brushing your teeth and showers, your water heater can account for a large portion of your energy bill. With energy prices on the rise, many homeowners are looking to reduce energy consumption wherever they can. At Bell Plumbing & Heating, we want our customers’ homes to work as efficiently as possible. We provide complete plumbing installation and plumbing repairs in Denver and thought it would be helpful to put together some tips for water heater efficiency.

Insulate Your Tank

Tank water heaters have an obvious weakness in their efficiency—heat loss from the tank. Your water heater’s tank sits down in your basement where it’s usually cool and loses heat every hour. Your water heater burner has to make up that heat so that it can continue to provide hot water to your home. By insulating your tank you can potentially reduce the amount of heat loss and keep more of the heat in your tank.

Insulate Your Pipes

Another area that your water heater loses energy is in the pipes that lead from the water heater to your fixtures. By wrapping those pipes with insulation you might be able to reduce the amount of heat loss as the water is in transit.

Regular Maintenance

One of the best ways to make sure that your water heater works as efficiently as possible is to get it regularly maintained by a professional Denver plumber. With all the use it gets, your water heater can start to develop small inconsistencies that can cause it to work harder than it needs to. During regular maintenance visits your plumber will be able to find those problems and fix them before they cause serious damage. Removing those issues also could increase the efficiency of your system.

If you need plumbing repairs or if you need plumbing maintenance, call an expert Denver plumber at Bell Plumbing & Heating. Contact Bell Plumbing & Heating today!

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Denver Plumbing Tip: Why Is My Water Pressure Low?

Monday, December 17th, 2012 by Gary Bell

Of all the modern conveniences we enjoy in our homes, running water is one of the most vital. It is so commonplace that it is easy to forget just how much we depend on running water in our Denver homes. When there is a problem with your access to dependable water indoors, though, your plumbing system suddenly becomes much harder to ignore. If you have a low water pressure problem in your home washing laundry, doing dishes and even taking a shower can go from being convenient to a nuisance in no time. Contact Bell Plumbing today to learn why your water pressure is low and to have the problem quickly and efficiently resolved.

One possible cause of your water pressure problem is corroded piping. This is most often a problem with steel or galvanized water piping. After years of service corrosion and mineral buildup can reduce the navigable portion of a pipe. This means that even if there is adequate water pressure the flow will be reduced. The result of low flow and low pressure here is the same. You will not have enough water coming out of the pipe for convenient usage.

Before jumping to any worst case scenario conclusions such as extensive pipe replacements, though, remember that there are many other possible causes. It is possible that for some reason the shut-off valve on your main water supply is just not open all the way. They may have been shifted or gotten stuck at some point, and are just waiting to be opened all the way to solve your water pressure conundrum.

The only way to know for sure what is causing low water pressure in your home is to contact a professional Denver plumber. Contact Bell Plumbing to schedule the services you need to keep your plumbing in good condition and to resolve any problems such as low water pressure or flow. We can help you live more comfortably.

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Denver Plumber’s Tip: How to Diagnose Bad Water Pressure

Monday, September 17th, 2012 by Gary Bell

Decreased water pressure is a problem in many homes and buildings in Denver , but often it is only the most recent symptom of a long standing problem – one that can be fixed, but that should ultimately be avoided if at all possible. What normally happens in these situations is that rust or mineral build up occurs in your pipes. Over time, this will slowly clog the pipe and cause water flow to decrease, lowering water pressure. Regular inspections of your Denver plumbing system will often catch such issues before they get too bad, as will replacement and cleaning of aged pipes.

How to Be Sure

To be sure of what is causing the low water pressure in your home and where in the pipeline the problem has occurred, there are a few things you can do. First, you should rule out any potential issues like clogged water filters, water valve problems, water supply issues (ask your neighbors if their water pressure is also affected) and clogged faucet strainers. Any of these issues can also reduce water pressure.

The most common sign that a clog is causing the problem is that water pressure changes depending on the duration with which you use your water. So, if it works fine when you first turn it on but then starts to lose pressure over time, it is probably a clog.

If water pressure is not consistent between fixtures, it may also be a leak in an individual pipe feeding that particular fixture. The same can be true with a problem on one floor of your home versus another. Such problems can manifest in a number of ways, but they most often result in an issue that can be fixed with a little bit of inspection.

If such a problem occurs, sometimes the pipe can be cleared. But it is important that you never try to do such a thing on your own as water supply lines are carefully measured and placed in your home. Call Bell Plumbing & Heating Company to inspect and provide a solution for your water pressure issues.

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Aurora Plumbing Tip: Troubleshoot Drain Problems

Monday, September 10th, 2012 by Gary Bell

There are many minor but rather annoying plumbing problems that can bring your life to a halt. These usually develop because of a lack of maintenance but it’s nothing to worry about. One of the most common reasons for drain problems is hair and other greasy materials that solidify causing blockages and lots of inconvenience.

The following are some of the most common signs to look out for when troubleshooting drain problems.

  • The sink or tub tends to drain at a rate much slower than normal.
  • Water starts collecting and backing up in your sink, shower or bathtub.
  • The areas adjacent to the walls which have the drain pipes running inside them get damp and visibly wet.
  • Areas where the drain piping ends starts getting wet.
  • Bubbling or gurgling sounds can be heard when the water begins to drain out.

These are all common signs pointing towards drain problems. Once you notice any of these signs, make sure you track down the entire pipe to the main drain. This way you will know which route is blocked.

Then you can try a variety of solutions. The first one is blocking the sink or region which isn’t draining properly and filling it with hot water. Once it is completely filled, open the blockage and allow the hot water to open up the clog. If done sufficiently, the hot water will loosen all the solidified grime and ensure better flow.

On the other hand, if you are forced to resort to a plumber’s snake to clear these clogs, make sure you do it with great care because it can get messy. In fact, if the proper technique isn’t used, it can complicate the situation further. So make sure you use the right method to take care of your drain problems or call an Aurora plumber to take care of it for you.

Professional plumbers are an excellent option if you can’t manage to clear your drain on your own. They have the expertise to locate the source of a clog and the proper tools to remove it efficiently. Call Bell Plumbing & Heating today for any plumbing repairs in the Aurora area!

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Denver Plumbing Guide: Signs of a Broken Garbage Disposal

Monday, August 20th, 2012 by Gary Bell

Your garbage disposal may be broken or working improperly while still running. The experts at Bell Plumbing & Heating want to help you recognize the signs of a broken garbage disposal so that you know when to call our experienced Denver plumbers for repair.

  • Garbage Disposal Won’t Turn On:  When the disposal switch is turned on but your garbage disposal won’t start there is most likely an electrical problem.  Either the garbage disposal overloaded and shorted out the circuits, resulting in the need for the reset button to be pressed back in, or a circuit breaker has been tripped.  If during testing neither of these fixes the problem, it is most likely that your garbage disposal itself is broken.
  • Garbage Disposal Comes On But Does Not Grind Food:  When the disposal starts up but does not cut food, it indicates that either the flywheel is stuck on something or that the motor has locked up.  Normally this will cause the circuit to overload and the disposal to turn off.  If the disposal is left on in this condition it can seriously damage the appliance.
  • Liquid/Chemical Drain Cleaners:  It is important never to use liquid chemical drain cleaners on a garbage disposal, as it can damage the disposal itself.  If you already have used such a product and are now having disposal problems, it may be time for a garbage disposal replacement.

Any of these situations can mean you have a broken garbage disposal that needs to be replaced.  The blades on a garbage disposal can wear out and parts of a disposal can even become rusted over, both of which will result in a broken garbage disposal.  The Denver plumbing specialists at Bell Plumbing & Heating can help you recognize the signs of a broken garbage disposal and will provide quick and efficient garbage disposal repair and replacement.  Contact Bell Plumbing today!

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Denver Plumbing Question: What Causes a Pipe to Burst?

Monday, August 6th, 2012 by Gary Bell

If you’re a Denver homeowner hopefully you’ve never had to deal with a burst water pipe. If you have you know how much of a headache it can be. In addition to the inconvenience of having it replaced a burst pipe can do a lot of damage to your home. At Bell Plumbing we hope you never experience this problem, but if you do we want you to know we’re here to help. Our expert technicians can handle your burst pipe problem and have you set up with a replacement quickly and reliably.

If you have had a pipe burst it’s more than likely that the cause was freezing water. When water freezes it expands, and when this happens in a pipe the pressure can build to a point that the pipe simply cannot handle, causing it to burst. Chances are it won’t happen the first time water freezes in your pipe, but after enough occurrences of freezing the integrity of your pipes may be compromised, making a burst pipe more likely. This is why it is advisable to leave a trickle of water running through your pipes in extreme cold: the constant flow will keep water from freezing. If your pipe does burst it is important that the water in your home is shut off right away to avoid further damage.

While freezing water is certainly the cause of burst pipes that people first think of, it is not the only cause. It may surprise you to learn that a clog, left unattended, can also cause a pipe to burst. A clog can cause pressure to build within pipes and eventually that increase in pressure can be enough to cause them to crack or burst. The result is the same as any other burst pipe: damage to your Denver home and plumbing system. If you have slow draining problem it is important that the clog is cleared as soon as possible. Don’t risk the safety of your pipes by leaving clogs where they are. Clear out your pipes to keep everything working properly.

Whatever causes your pipes to burst, we know the aftermath is stressful. While you’re dealing with any damage to your Denver home let Bell Plumbing deal with the damage to your pipes. We’ll get everything put back together correctly and professionally, leaving you one less thing to worry about. Call us to learn more about pipe repair and replacement.

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Denver Plumbing Tip: Water and Energy Saving Tips

Monday, July 16th, 2012 by Gary Bell

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 Tip: Common Types of Building Supply & Drain Piping Materials

Monday, June 18th, 2012 by Gary Bell

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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