Sinks

Cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks are a good place to start. Look for signs of water damage or build up. Mold and mildew are telltale signs of water leaks. Touch the pipes, particularly the areas where they enter the faucet. Run the hot and cold water faucets for a few minutes and repeat the inspection. Finally, fill the sink with water, let it stand a few minutes and open the drain. Now check the drain pipe and the joints that connect it to the sink for leaks.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers can’t easily be checked for leaks without pulling them out from beneath the counter. But you can inspect the water lines that connect the dishwasher to the kitchen sink. For some units, you may be able to shine a flashlight beneath the dishwasher to look for puddles.

Refrigerators

If the refrigerator has an ice making unit in the freezer, locate the water line that feeds the unit. The lines tend to be fragile and can come loose over time. Trace the line back to the source, which is usually the kitchen sink. Inspect the floor around the refrigerator for condensation leaks. Old refrigerators that don’t evaporate condensation can be a major source of water damage.

Toilets

Toilets can leak from the water supply pipes filling the tank and from the seal between the toilet and the waste pipe in the floor. Flush the toilet several times and carefully look for any signs of leaks in the  joints of the water supply pipe and the floor around the base of the toilet. Lift the lid off the tank and flush the toilet. When the tank refills, the water should completely shut off. If the flush valve or water control unit is old, corroded, or loose, the water will continue to run. Running water cools the water delivery pipe to the toilet and the tank, which will cause them to collect condensation in humid weather. The condensation will drip and eventually cause water damage to the floor behind the toilet. Bottom line – don’t ignore a running toilet. Have the water control and flush valve fixed or replaced.

Tubs and Showers

Inspect the caulking around the tub or shower. Old, cracked, or missing caulking can allow water to leak into the wall. Water dripping from a leaky faucet or shower head will go down the drain and not cause any damage, but the faucet may also be leaking water behind the tub or shower.

Washing Machines

For washing machines, make sure the hot and cold water hose connections are open and check for leaks. Inspect the floor around the washer for signs of puddles or water damage.

Hot Water Heaters

Finally, inspect the hot water heater for leaks, and the boiler if the house has hot water heating. The first place to look is the floor around the appliance, but also look at the joints where the water pipes connect.

Don’t wait, call Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing today to schedule your leak detection visit.

Water Treatment Technologies

Drinking water treatment systems utilize a number of technologies which are available, each technology focusing on producing a particular result by running water through it.

• Filtration:  Separates undesirable elements from water by use of a layered absorbent medium such as carbon which keeps larger particles in the water from flowing through the membranes while still letting the water through.
• Softeners:  Reduces the amount of hardness—calcium and magnesium—in the water, and replaces those ions with sodium or potassium.
• Ultraviolet Treatment:  The use of ultraviolet light to disinfect water and reduce the amount of microorganisms present in water.
• Reverse Osmosis:  Removal of large molecules and ions from water by applying higher pressure to one side of the membrane, then pushing the water through the selective membrane, leaving contaminants behind.
• Distilment:  Boils water and collect the vapor as it condenses, leaving behind heavy metals but allowing some contaminants to remain which easily change to gasses.

Water Treatment Devices

In order to choose a water treatment system which is appropriate for your particular needs, have a look at the water treatment devices which are currently available on the market.

• Point-of-Entry System:  The purpose of this whole-house system is to treat a majority of the water which passes into a residence.  Some water softeners are POE systems.
• Point-Of-Use System:  Water is treated in batches and delivered to a single tap such as an auxiliary faucet mounted next to the kitchen sink.  Within the POU system are a number of options such as the personal water bottle, pour through pitchers, faucet mounts, counter-top manual fills, counter-top connected to sink faucet, plumbed-in to an existing faucet, or plumed-in to a separate tap.

Once you decide what your water treatment requirements are, how extensively you want your water treated, and what contaminants you want to focus on eliminating, it will become quite easy to choose a water treatment system which is right for you, but call the pros at Yes Air Conditioning and Plumbing is you have any questions.

Cheese-Stuffed Jalapenos Recipe:

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 2-inch x 1/2-inch x 1/4-inch strips
• 15 jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
• 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup real bacon bits

Directions

• Place a cheese strip in each pepper half; sprinkle with bread crumbs and bacon.
• Grill peppers, covered, over medium-hot heat for 4-6 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is melted. Serve warm. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

Utilizing faucet aerators can be one of the most inexpensive ways to save money on water consumption and save energy.

There are two main types of faucet aerators, some which use metal or plastic screens to separate the water, and some which do not use screens. One advantage to those without screens is that they eliminate problematic clogging which occurs on screen aerators due to sediment buildup.  There are also aerators with off-valves and swivel aerators which allow users to direct flow to wherever the water spray is needed.

There are three main flow-types seen today. The needle method creates a circular pattern of small, single streams of water with no water-flow in the very center.  The aerated method created a tubular flow with air mixed into the water, creating a single stream of bubbly water.  The laminar method has no air mixed in which makes for a single stream of water with no bubbles.

Many aerators are designed as more economical low-flow aerators which optimize the water flow while still providing optimal water-flow performance.  In kitchens these low-flow options decrease flow from 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5 gpm or 1.0 gpm, saving anywhere from 32% to 54% of water-usage.  For Faucets found in bathroom plumbing, the water-flow is decreased from 2.2 gpm to 1.0 gpm or even 0.5 gpm saving from 77% to 84% of water usage.  When engineered properly, low-flow or economic aerators can provide increased perceived water pressure while in actuality helping to save water.

When purchasing new faucet aerators, ensure that you find the proper type (male or female) and the proper size (regular or small).  There are dual-thread options for those who do not know whether a male or female aerator is necessary.  Also, look at the tap aerator’s price in conjunction with how much savings it can provide in water usage annually and see how little must be spent on each faucet in order to save hundreds of dollars.

For more assistance with choosing the correct faucet Aerator please call Yes! Plumbing.

“I felt compelled to let you know of my experience with your company. Last Tuesday I had a sewer pipe that was badly corroded, cracked and started leaking into my laundry room and into my bathroom. I called a plumbing company that I have used in the past and one and a half days later (the soonest they said they could get there, Thursday) they came out and assessed the problem, gave me a quote (which I thought was very high) and said that the soonest they could do the work was on Saturday. The one plumber was very nice and did explain that this is a big job but I was very upset because this was a lot of money to me. I went ahead and booked the work to be done for Saturday. Meanwhile..while driving in my car that day, I heard a commercial on the radio for Yes! Plumbing. I pulled over (about 3 p.m. on Thursday) and called your number, spoke to the gal that answered and while on hold, she arranged for someone to come right out for a quote for $49.oo. Well, in less than 2 hours, Chris Schmitt showed up, assessed the situation and then sat down with me an d explained all of the work an time involved. He was very specific and in no rush to just throw me a dollar figure and leave. He said that we needed (in order to give me a firm price) to have his associate come out with the camera at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning and if I didn’t feel comfortable with what they found and the cost it would be, to go ahead with the company on Saturday.

Friday at 8:00 a.m., Chris and Mark Reilly showed up and absolutely dazzled me with their findings on the camera, their expertise, courtesy and professionalism. Mark reiterated what Chris had told me and did some figures for me. Mark was very sympathetic about my financial situation and worked with me to find a solution for a dollar amount that I could afford. Your “Senior Phone-line” that you have, is an excellent idea! They recorded my call and offered me the opportunity to call a friend or family member before committing to have the work done. A great idea to protect yourselves and the consumer! Actually, with what you company charged me in total, it came out to $361 more than the other companies bid but, my lady tenant and I felt so much ore comfortable with them (as opposed to the other companies workers ) being at the house all day. They started the work immediately. Chris did an excellent job on the repair and put everything back just perfectly and helped me out with a couple of other minor issues. Mark, what can I say? What a sweetheart he is! He really calmed me down and just sealed the deal. These two are like a tag team! Hope that you pay them well because they are a great asset to your company.

You are now on my speed dial. I will always call Yes!”

-Janet P.

If you have never had encountered a sewer line block, count yourself lucky.

Whichever category you fall into, it is important to know about causes of sewer blocks lie, so that you have an idea what you are up against should you ever encounter (another) one, as well as being able to take some reasonable prevention measures. Read on to learn about some of the common culprits that block up sewer lines.

Flushed Objects

The most preventable common cause of a blocked sewer line is the flushing of objects that should not be flushed. Sewer lines are not meant to handle solid objects like diapers, sanitary napkins or other garbage, so if these get flushed down the toilet — either intentionally or by accident — it can cause an ugly block.

Even smaller objects or bits of debris that seem to move fine through the sewer line can build up over time to cause a block. Paper towels, hair, grease or dirt can collect on the walls of the line and cause a block as well.

Tree Roots

It may seem like nothing happens beneath the ground of our lawns, where the sewer line runs. In fact, there is quite a bit of life going about its business under there, including the root systems of the trees in your yard. These roots can grow right into your sewer line, infiltrating it and causing a blockage.

Defect

The last main cause of a sewer link blockage is shoddy materials. Although sewer lines are meant to be made of high quality material because of the stress they perform under, it is still possible for one to collapse or bulge with use.

When repairing a blocked sewer linecall Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing. To avoid having to make that call, the best thing you can do as a homeowner is keep solid objects from being flushed down into the sewer line. It can save you a huge headache later on.

“I wanted to commend you for your wonderful service and your employee plumber Brian. He was both informative & had the best customer service!!! We are currently renting a condo, and when we move into our home, we will call Yes and request Brian to be our service plumber… he was so helpful & solution oriented! My husband and I are in the IT customer service industry and we always aim to make sure our customers are in good shape with their computers, I take pride in rewarding others who have the same belief and ethics that we do. Good job Brian and Yes!”

- S.L.

You can maintain your pump by having it inspected by a professional plumber, and keeping the pump clean and the well free of debris. Feel free to call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing if you have questions about how to maintain a sump pump, or to make an appointment for an annual inspection and professional cleaning.

Most issues can be repaired easily and without much plumbing maintenance from a professional. Here’s a troubleshooting guide to help you solve minor issues with your pump.

Check for Electrical Problems

Always check to make sure the sump pump is fully plugged in and that there aren’t any fuses that have burned out. If there is standing water in the basement, you should take extra precautions when handling any electrical equipment, even a plug. Call a plumber or electrician for advice if you have any safety concerns.

Check the Float Switch

Just like the float in a toilet tank, the float attached to the side of your sump pump acts as a guide for turning the pump on and off. This is called the float switch, and it usually has a large bulb or other floatation device attached to a metal arm. This float detects the water level inside the well, and it turns the pump on when the water reaches a certain height in the well.

If the pump is plugged in and there are no blown circuits, move the float switch up and down to see if it will turn the pump on. Debris can get trapped underneath the float causing it to stick. If the motor is constantly running, this switch may be stuck in the “on” position if debris is lodged underneath it, or if there’s substantial corrosion.

You can actually move the entire pump around to change the position if there’s no apparent debris causing the issue. Sometimes the pump gets shifted around slightly, and the float switch cannot work properly if the pump isn’t plumb or level. Be careful not to move it too much, since it could damage the drain line attached to the pump motor.

If your motor is constantly running, and none of these steps work, the motor could overheat and stop working. Unplug the pump while you’re investigating the problem, and if none of these steps work, call a professional plumber.

Check for Clogged Filters

In addition to causing issues with the float switch, debris trapped in the screen can also cause the motor to overheat or shut down. If your filter is dirty, try to get out as much of the debris as possible, but if this doesn’t solve the issue, you could have a clogged drain line. In this case, you will need to call a professional plumber to snake out the line.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

You can prevent issues with the sump pump in your Southern Highlands home with a few preventative maintenance tasks. Keep debris from falling into the well as much as possible, and clean out any particles that could clog the screen or affect the operation of the float switch. Occasionally inspect the pump and well for any corrosion or other concerns. If you are comfortable with the operation of your pump, drain and clean the entire well and pump at least once a year.

Lastly, call a qualified technician at Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing for a yearly sump pump maintenance visit.