Power Plumbing Tips Archive

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  Avoiding Floods

  Spring time will soon be here and with the warm weather just around the corner, the ground will thaw and the rains will be here. Don't wait until the last minute; have your sump pumps and ejector pumps checked.

  If you have an older pump, we recommend that you replace it. We also recommend that a battery back up system should be installed. Think of the money spent remodeling your lower level and think of the damage and lost money that could happen due to a water backup. If you already have a backup system, make sure that it is inspected and operational. Make sure you check the battery on your system. If you have a marine battery, make sure the proper amount of water is in the battery and it is at its proper level. So many systems fail because there is no water in the battery. You can also change your existing batter and install a gel battery which requires no maintenance.

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  Avoiding Frozen Pipes

  We, Power Plumbing are continuing to try and help future customers as well as existing customers. In cold weather, many homes of new construction as well as bad plumbing on install of water supplies hot and cold in exterior walls rather then up through floor for toilets on outside wall and lavatory sink.

  Turn the heat to 65 degrees and leave cabinet doors open where water lines, (pipes), are present. Run a very light stream of water through pipes, this makes it very hard for water to freeze due to movement. Make sure your drain can handle the water flow before leaving fixtures run. Toilets are harder to keep water running through them, we recommend on lifting the tank flapper up slightly for water to run through toilet, this can be done by removing tank lid and flushing toilet then keep tank flapper from sealing the tank so water will continue to flow on toilets, make sure your fixture can handle the water flow. In certain conditions it is wise to call a licensed plumber for problems with freezing lines.

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  Save water by fixing a leaky toilet.

  Leaks inside your toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day and can be difficult to detect with the naked eye. To find a leak, add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank and wait a few minutes, don't flush. If color appears in the bowl then you have a leak and repairs should be made.

  Normally, leaks are caused by a bad flapper valve, flapper valve seat, ballcock valve, improperly positioned float arm or a defective overflow tube.