Archive for February, 2012

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What Spring Valley Residents Need to Know About Point of Use Water Heaters

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

For years, most Spring Valley residents have used the same system to heat their water. A single tank that heats and stores water at a set temperature for whenever it is needed. That system, as well as it works, is not very efficient, and with costs for gas and oil rising so much in recent years, many people are looking for better ways to heat their water.

That’s where point of use water heating comes in. These tankless water heaters are designed to heat your water when you need it heated instead of filling a tank of 50 or 60 gallons and heating it continuously even when you don’t.

How Point of Use Water Heaters Work

A point of use water heater works by directly heating the water supply to a single fixture. So, you would install a point of use water heater on your kitchen sink and only one water supply pipe would go to that heater. When you turn on the hot water faucet, the point of use heater would turn on (using electricity) and heat your water to 170 degrees F.

These devices only work on a single fixture at a time but they are much less expensive to purchase than a whole house tankless hot water system. Additionally, you can control where hot water is available.

The Advantages of Point of Use Hot Water

A tank hot water system can cost hundreds of dollars of year extra to run, especially if your family doesn’t use much hot water. Imagine what happens if you have four children that go off to college. Your “just big enough” tank suddenly becomes way too big and your bill stays unnecessarily high.

Point of use heaters allow you to decide where hot water is available and have instantly available hot water as you need it. The cost of the units and installation is affordable for most homeowners and you don’t have to commit to a whole house system if you are not ready.  If you have any questions about this topic please call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing

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Troubleshooting Plumbing Problems in Mountains Edge

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

Plumbing may seem like a complex mystery for most Mountains Edge residents, but some common plumbing problems you can investigate yourself before calling in a plumber. Read on to see how.

Drainage Difficulties

Drains that don’t work right are a drag. Whether it’s a slow drain, a backed up drain, strange gurgling sounds emanating from a drain or unexplained wet spots on the lawn along the path of a drainage pipe, no one wants to deal with a messy drainage debacle.

However, if you are experiencing one of those problems, here are some steps to try in order to get to the bottom of it:

  1. Explore the extent of the problem. If it is just your kitchen sink that runs slowly or backs up, then you know it is localized, but if all your toilets are backing up, then that is probably a different kind of problem.
  2. If there is just one offending drain — as in the kitchen sink example — flush it with boiling water and/or white vinegar should be all the kitchen plumbing you will need. If necessary, you can also try a commercial drain clearing product.
  3. With a more general plumbing problem, it helps to determine the route along which the water is draining. See if you can figure out where the drain pipes run through your home, which can help you determine if the problem is somewhere along the drainage line.

Wasted Water

Has your water bill gone through the roof lately? This could be due to wasted water that you don’t even know about. Below are some  causes of wasted water and how to determine them.

  1. Dripping faucet or running toilet. This can be pretty obvious because they make noise, so listen up! Especially pay attention if the toilet runs sporadically at unexpected times.
  2. A leaky pipe. This culprit is trickier, so look for signs of water along your base boards, on the floor near plumbing fixtures and underneath sinks.
  3. If you still can’t find the culprit, check your water meter and note the reading. Then check it again in an hour to see how much was used. This piece of information can at lease clue you in to the extent of the problem.

These techniques aren’t foolproof and won’t help you determine 100% of problems, so don’t be afraid to call Yes! Plumbing if need be.

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What Causes Discolored Water for North Las Vegas Residents?

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Water discoloration can be troubling, because it makes it seem like your water is unclean. While sometimes discolored water can be cause for concern, other times it has pretty mundane origins, and will only require minor plumbing maintenance.

Check out these common causes of discolored water:

  • Yellow/brown/reddish water is usually caused by rust, either in the water mains that run from the waiter supply or the pipes in your home. If the water is only discolored momentarily when you first turn the water on, it is probably rust in your pipes that gets flushed out quickly. If it persists longer, it may be rust that was stirred up in the water mains. Turn a few of your cold taps on for several minutes, or just turn the tap off and wait about thirty minutes.
  • Water that appears white or cloudy often does so because of trapped air bubbles. Air that is under pressure in your pipes gets released when you turn the tap on, which causes tiny bubbles, just like in a bottle of soda. This has no effect on your water’s quality. The discoloration should dissipate after standing for a few minutes.
  • Sometimes water appears to have a greenish hue, especially when standing under fluorescent light. This is sometimes due to tiny copper traces from the piping in your home, or — depending on the climate — seasonal algae blooms in the local water supply. Either way, this green color is usually harmless.
  • Blue water can occur for a few reasons. One is severe copper corrosion in the plumbing system, which leeches into the pipes. A second cause can be toilet cleaner. If you use a cleaning product in your toilet tank, sometimes that can cause your tap water to turn blue. If you suspect this is the case, do not drink that water and immediately call a local professional to administer a water test. The chemicals in such cleaners can be toxic and hazardous to your health.

Keep in mind that those are some of the most common causes of discolored water. There can be others, and if you are unsure, you should call Yes! Plumbing for assistance.

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Unclog a Floor Drain: Complicating Factors in North Las Vegas

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Wandering down into the basement only to realize that your floor drain has backed up is never a fun event. This is not a problem that will solve itself and you want to get it under control as promptly as possible. While there are definitely an abundance of solutions you can try to unclog a floor drain on your own, and there are quite a few potentially complicating factors to contemplate.

First point of action, you should confirm that no one in the house turns on any running water for anything until the drain has been cleared. The floor drain in your basement is almost always the final stop in the plumbing for all of the drainage used in your house, and so any running water anywhere above will ultimately cause more water to back up in the basement. Of course, if you cannot use any running water anywhere else in your house, it is even more essential that you are able to unclog the floor drain swiftly.

If you happen to own a snake for plumbing uses, this may be the best option to try first. However, it can be a bit difficult to get the snake to make the sharp turn prevalent in these types of drains not long after the pipe descends below the floor. That is not to say that it cannot be done, but be aware that you will need to make sure the snake turns the corner before it will be useful to you at all.

People who do not own a snake may still be able to take care of the blockage without hiring a professional plumber like Dial 1 Plumbing. But first you have to locate the issue. Depending on the layout of your drainage system, this may be easier said than done. You can also make a pretty big mess if you open up various sections of pipe looking for the blockage, so be attentive and make sure you have something in place to catch the runoff and debris that may come out of the pipes when you open them.

You may also run into trouble if the blockage is really outside of your house in the larger sewer line that runs to the street. Unclogging a drain with this type of problem is commonly a job for a licensed specialist and there is very little you will be able to complete on your own.  If you run into issues please call Yes! Plumbing.

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Happy Valentine’s Day From Your Las Vegas Plumbing Experts at Yes! Plumbing

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Everyone at Yes! Plumbing wishes you a very happy Valentine’s Day! We hope you have a day filled with lots of candy, flowers, and Valentines! Today is all about showing your appreciation for those you love, including your friends, your family, or your significant other. Take a moment today to think about everyone who makes a difference in your life and how you can let them know how special they are to you.

While traditional gifts like candy and flowers are wonderful idea, why not think a little out of the box this year? Upgrading your bathroom plumbing can make your whole house more livable, which is something that your entire family will appreciate! A new water heaeter can increase the quality of everyone’s showers, or a new garbage disposal can make doing the dishes much easier. While not the most romantic of gifts, it certainly will let your family know that you care.

For more information about how a few plumbing upgrades that can make your home more comfortable, give Yes! Plumbing a call. In addition to making your home cozier, you can also make your friends and family happy by making this delicious recipe for Chocolate Bar Fondue

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces milk chocolate, grated
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1/3 cup hot water

Directions

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the chocolate with the heavy cream. Mix in the instant coffee, vanilla extract, sugar, and hot water. Continue to heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth.

For more details, visit allrecipes.com.

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Henderson Plumbing Tips: How and Why to Recaulk Plumbing Fixtures

Monday, February 13th, 2012

In Henderson you probably don’t pay much attention to the caulking, or plumbing maintenance around your tub and sinks. It is one of those things that is always there, working kind of behind the scenes, that you never seem to notice until something goes wrong.

The thing about caulking, though, is that something can go wrong with it rather quickly. Because of the high frequency of use of tubs and sinks, the caulk that seals the space between the fixture and the wall can deteriorate and crack over time. This can cause gaps in the caulk or cause the fixture to come loose from the wall, which would necessitate more bathroom plumbing.

When this cracking and erosion happens, water from your bath, shower head or faucet can seep in between the fixture and the wall, potentially causing water damage and fostering colonies of mildew and mold.

Cracked caulk is inevitable with daily use, so you don’t need to worry about preventing it. Instead, learn how to properly fix the situation with a fresh caulk job:

  1. Scrape away all the old caulk from around the fixture using a utility knife or putty knife. Take care to remove all the old caulk while also avoiding scratching porcelain fixtures.
  1. With all the caulk gone, clean out the joint thoroughly. This will remove any last traces of caulk, as well as any other dirt or buildup. If you notice mildew or mold, use a chlorine bleach solution to clean the joint before recaulking.
  1. Once the joint is dry, recaulk it using a bead of caulk that is just slightly wider than the joint. This ensures an adequate seal. Wipe any excess away with a rag.
  1. Allow the caulk to dry thoroughly before using the sink or tub. Read the instructions on the caulk for an estimated drying time.

Take note that it is very important to thoroughly remove all the old caulk and clean everywhere along the fixture joint before applying the new caulk. Otherwise, the new caulk will not adhere properly and potentially damaging dirt may get sealed into the joint.

If you followed all the steps carefully, you should have a fresh seal of caulk that will last you another several years!  If you would rather have a professional handle this delicate situation please call Yes! Plumbing.

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What to Do if a Pipe Bursts in Mountains Edge

Friday, February 10th, 2012

If you live in a cold climate, like Mountains Edge, there is a chance that you will experience the disaster of a frozen pipe bursting, which will require plumbing repairs. There are other causes of burst pipes, so rest assured you are not alone; plenty of homeowners have had to face a burst pipe as well.

When this happens, there are three fronts on which to attack the problem: stopping the flooding, repairing the pipes and preventing future bursts.

Before doing anything else, you need to stop the flooding in your house. Start by turning off the main water line, either to that pipe or to the whole house. It doesn’t matter which, as long as it’s shut off. Turn on cold water taps around the house to drain remaining water from the pipes. Turn off the water heater. This will at least prevent the flood damage from being too extensive.

Get a sump pump and or some absorbent material to start sopping up the water that leaked into your home, then call a plumber. The pipe and fitting will need to be replaced, and some adjacent ones may need to be as well, so the best solution here is just to call in a professional rather than try to do it yourself. The last thing you need is another burst pipe.

Finally, prevent future breaks in pipes by implementing some of these strategies:

• Insulate your pipes

• On cold days, keep your pipes warmer by opening up doors to the attic or basement

• When going away in the winter, shut off the water supply and drain the plumbing system

By keeping your pipes as warm and insulated as possible, you decrease the likelihood that the water within will freeze, potentially causing a leak or break in the pipe. Burst pipes are not necessarily completely preventable, so it is important that you now know what to do if and when a pipe bursts in your home.

Water damage, especially flooding, can cause serious trouble in your home, so everything you can do to prevent and mitigate the risk is a good step.  If you have any additional questions on this topic please call Yes! Plumbing.

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Things You CAN do Yourself Around Your MacDonald Ranch Home

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

If you own a home, there are a lot of fun ways you can stay on top of regular maintenance without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to hire a contractor. Sure, there are some tasks only a contractor should perform, but there are plenty of others you can take care of with a little spare time on the weekend.

  • Fixing Leaks – Unless it’s in a main water line or in your sewer, you can usually fix a leak or clog in your pipes by yourself. Replacing a faucet, snaking a line, or taking apart a fixture should still be done with the help of manufacturer’s guidelines, but as long as you turn the water supply off correctly, you should be okay taking things apart and making quick repairs.
  • Yard Installations – Short of digging it up (always have it checked for gas and electricity lines), you can do pretty much anything on your own in the yard. This includes composting, landscaping, adding a barbeque pit or upgrading your back porch.
  • Painting – Feel free to paint anything in or around your home without the help of a pro. Just make sure to use proper ventilation and to ensure that you remove any old paint carefully. If you’re not sure about the age of your paint, it should be tested for lead before you chip it clean, especially if you have children.
  • Replace Appliances – Old appliances can be removed and replaced relatively easily as long as you have someone to help you get rid of the old ones. Also, if you have a gas stove or other appliances that run on gas, always have them checked by a professional. Never unplug gas lines without someone there to ensure the gas supply to your home is off.
  • Tiling – Tiling is something anyone can do, but make sure you’re ready for the time commitment. Especially if you plan on putting tiles on a wall, it’s easy to make a mistake and ruin good tiles or good walls. Also, proper sealing around water fixtures like a bathtub or sink is vital. If you’re not sure, call a plumber to help.

There are a lot of ways you can have fun and fix up your house without paying for a professional’s help. But, remember not to take on jobs that are too much for you. If you aren’t sure how to complete a task or you want a second opinion, never be afraid to call Yes! Plumbing for some help. Even if they just check your work, it will save you money and you get the satisfaction of having done the work yourself.

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Blue Diamond Plumber’s Tip: Common Toilet Problems

Monday, February 6th, 2012

The toilet is one of our most important parts of your Blue Diamond home’s plumbing. But it also prone to its fair share of problems. Let’s take a look at some common toilet problems and how to fix them.

  1. Running
    Perhaps the most common of toilet annoyances is the constantly running toilet. Not only is the sound irritating, but it can result in high water bills.  Fortunately, it is simple to diagnose and fix. Just look into the tank at the flapper. If it is not seated properly, adjust the chain to give more slack. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the flapper may be worn and need to be replaced.
  1. Slow draining bowl
    Also known as a weak flush, this one is also fairly easy to fix. A weak flush is usually caused by clogged flush holes, which are underneath the rim of the bowl. Clearing the clogs should fix the problem.
  1. Phantom flush
    Although it won’t actually flush, sometimes you may hear the tank spontaneously start to refill as though someone has just flushed. This just means the water is leaking out of the tank, which can usually be fixed with a new flapper, as with problem #1.
  1. Suction sounds
    If you flush the toilet and hear sucking or gurgling sounds emanating from the tub or sink, that usually indicates a clogged vent pipe. Such clogs usually originate in the roof, such as a dead bird falling into vent pipe up there. You may be best served by calling a plumber to fix this one, in order to avoid making the problem larger.
  1. Clogged or overflowing
    Lastly, of course, is the clogged or overflowing toilet. While wearing gloves and holding your nose, use a plunger or pipe snake to clear the drain. If that doesn’t get it done, the clog may be too large to handle without professional equipment, so you had better call a plumber.

If you have a problem with your Blue Diamond home’s plumbing, remember that Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency service!

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Signs that You Have a Sewer or Water Line Issue at Your Spring Valley Home or Business

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The last thing anyone wants to deal with in Spring Valley is a water line or sewer issue. But, it happens. Pipes freeze, crack, and get old and eventually they fail. But, if you recognize the signs of a problem before it gets really bad you can take care of it quickly. So, to help stay in front of the problem, here are some signs you should watch for.

  • Increased Water Use – Are you suddenly using way more water than you ever did before? Whether you first notice an uptick in your water consumption or your most recent water bill just gave you a small coronary, this is a sure sign that a leak has sprung somewhere in your plumbing.
  • Odd Smells in Your Drains – Your plumbing system is designed so you never have to smell anything. If there is a smell coming from your drains it can be due to anything from a dried out drain trap to a backup in the sewer line. If pouring a fresh gallon of water down the drain doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to call for help.
  • Slow Flushing or Draining – When clogs start to form in your drains and sewer line, one of the first symptoms is a universal slowing of the drains in your house or business. It could be something minor like a clog in a single pipe but if you notice every drain suddenly moving much slower, possibly combined with odd smells in the drains, you may have a much larger clog in the main sewer line.
  • Consistently Wet Lawn – If you spring a leak in a water line or sewer line under your lawn, the only way you’ll notice (short of watching your water meter like a hawk) is when the water pools up above your lawn. But, usually before that happens, dampness will form. If it hasn’t rained in a week and the ground is still wet to the touch, combined with any of the other symptoms on this list, it may be a water or sewer line issue.

When you have a problem in your sewer line or water line, it can grow slowly over time, so if you pay close attention and catch one of these issues early enough, it will be much easier to fix the problem right away.  Call Yes! Plumbing with any questions or signs of the issues above.

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