Posts Tagged ‘Green Valley’

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Yes! Plumbing Offers $500 Off Premium Whole House Filtration System With Installation

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Starting this month and going until the end of April, Yes Plumbing will be offering $500 off premium whole house filtration system with installation.  Installing a whole house filtration system allows residents to stop being concerned about the quality of the water they clean, prepare food with, and drink.  These filtration systems will purify water of metals, debris and sediment.  By clearing your water of these pollutants you will not only improve the quality of your water, but you will also save your plumbing from the harmful effects of metals and sediment.

Call today to get your water tested by our trained technicians at Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing.

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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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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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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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Sun City Anthem Plumbing Repair Tip: Warning Signs of Leaking or Broken Pipes

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

The plumbing system in your Sun City Anthem home consists of an extensive network of pipes and fixtures that can wear down over time, even if they are well-maintained. Your pipes should be inspected at least once a year, particularly in older homes.

Some broken or leaky pipes can be repaired easily, but you may need to replace your pipes. If you have any questions or concerns about your plumbing system, call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing to speak with one of our certified plumbers.

Here are some warning signs of hidden leaks and broken pipes:

Abnormally High Water Bills

Unusual hikes in your water bill could indicate a leak, from broken or corroded pipes.  You should monitor your water bills to help you keep track of abnormal price increases.

Water Pressure

If you notice any sudden drops in water pressure, or if your washing machine or dishwasher takes longer to run through cycles, you could have a large leak in your pipe system. Call a plumber if it continues to be a problem.

Water Discoloration

While it could be sediment or mineral buildup getting through the municipal filtration system, water that contains red flakes or has a bitter taste could potentially indicate corrosion. You should call a professional plumber if this happens. Not only is it a health hazard, but you may need a pipe replacement.

Cast Iron Pipes in Older Homes

If you buy an older home with iron pipes, you should have them inspected by a certified plumber. Home inspectors can give a preliminary inspection, but they are not equipped or trained to provide a comprehensive inspection. Because cast iron pipes are made of rougher material than PVC piping, cast iron pipes tend to get clogged more easily, so you could have a potential disaster on your hands.

A professional plumber can provide a video camera inspection of your pipes to make sure there are no major clogs, root penetration, or corrosion on the inside of the pipe. This is why a professional plumber should handle any of the plumbing repairs in your Sun City Anthem home.

Call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing to handle all of your plumbing installation, repair, or maintenance needs.

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Spring Valley Plumbing Tip: Parts of a Toilet

Friday, January 13th, 2012

The majority of Spring Valley homeowners are not aware that they can repair most minor toilet problems on their own. Whether it’s overflowing or running more than it should, toilets can be repaired often without calling a plumber; however, it is important to know the basic parts of a toilet before trying to troubleshoot toilet issues.

Here’s a guide to learning the parts of a toilet:



Tank: Pictured above (inspectapedia.com) is the tank on the back of the toilet, which holds the water supply for the bowl and the components that you need to know to fix most problems.

Bowl: Holds wastewater and uses the water from the tank to flush the waste.

Flush Handle:  The flush handle is the part that everyone knows, but it’s important to know what happens when you flush: the flush handle is connected to the trip lever, which lifts the flapper and allows the water for the tank to enter the bowl.

Trip Lever: The trip lever is the part that you need to know for a running toilet. It attaches the flush handle to the flapper, and when you flush the toilet, this lever lifts the flapper (sometimes called a flapper valve) and releases the water from the tank into the bowl to force the wastewater in the bowl down the sewer drain. When a toilet is running, you can simply lift the trip lever to lower the water level in the tank.

Float Ball: The float ball basically measures the water in the tank. After you flush, the ball will fall as the water level lowers, and the ball will rise again as the tank fills from the toilet main water supply. When the tank has enough water, the toilet will stop running.

Overflow Tube: This is the tube that will stop the tank from overflowing if the toilet is running. It leads into the drain and pushes out all the excess water. Sometimes you can remove the rubber water supply tube from the overflow tube to keep a toilet from overflowing if you are not able to shut off the main water valve behind the toilet.

Flapper Valve: This is the part to know whenever you have an overflowing toilet or a backup. The flapper is attached to the flush handle by a chain and the trip lever. Whenever the flapper is pushed down, the water cannot leave the tank, so when you flush, it creates a suction to pressurize the water entering the bowl so that it has enough force to flush the waste. If your toilet is overflowing, push the flapper down with your hand so that it stops the water from entering the bowl. Most people are afraid to put their hands in the tank because they associate the tank water with the water in the bowl. The water in the toilet tank is clean because it comes from the main water supply line, which is attached to the stop valve.

Stop Valve: This is also called the toilet supply valve because it controls the fresh water supply going into the tank. It is usually located behind the toilet near the floor, and turning it off is another way to stop an overflowing toilet because the tank cannot fill once it is turned off.  It is attached to the supply tube, which attaches to the refill tube.

Supply Tube: Although the supply tube and refill tube are connected, they are two different parts. People often use their names interchangeable, but what’s most important to know is that the supply tube supplies the water from the main line and into the refill tube, which refills the bowl.

Refill Tube: When the float ball is down, the refill tube fills the bowl with the water from the supply tube. After a flush, the ball rises, and when it reaches a certain level, the refill tube stops the flow of water into the bowl.

Trap: The trap is a seal that prevents backflow and strong odors from the main sewage line. If you smell sewage in your bathroom, particularly near the toilet, you could have a bad seal or faulty trap. Troubleshooting a trap usually requires a plumber, unless you are familiar with toilet installation.

Wax Ring: Another cause for bad odors is the wax ring, which is a seal between the toilet and the sewage line. A faulty wax ring could also cause leaking at the bottom of the toilet. Call a plumber whenever you aren’t sure about leaking toilets or strong sewer odors; there could be a problem in the main sewer line.

Call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing if you have any questions about these components, or if you want to trouble shoot with one of our qualified Spring Valley plumbers.

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Ways You Can Help Maintain the Sewer Lines for Your Spring Valley Home

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Maintaining your sewer lines is an important part of being a Spring Valley homeowner. Even the simplest preventative maintenance tasks could save you a lot of money and hassle. It’s also important to schedule routine check-ups with Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing for complete preventative maintenance.

Clogged Toilets

A consistently clogged toilet could indicate a larger plumbing issue, such as a blockage in the main line, but you can usually prevent these clogs with a little extra effort. Never flush anything that could get trapped in your sewer lines, such as feminine products, paper towels, or cat litter. This is especially important for Spring Valley homes with older plumbing systems. You can usually take care of most clogs with a plunger, but you should call a professional plumber if you continue to experience problems.

Kitchen and Bathroom Drains

Kitchen sinks without garbage disposals are much more susceptible to clogs since food waste can easily get washed down the drain. Mesh drain covers are the most effective at making sure food particles do not get trapped in the pipes. Coffee grounds are another common cause for clogged drains, so try to compost them instead of washing them down the drain.

If you have a disposal, make sure you don’t put pieces of food too large for the grinder or anything with a tough skin, such as carrots or potatoes. When food isn’t processed completely through the disposer, they get trapped in the pipes and can cause slower drains. Eggshells can help clean out any food waste that gets stuck on the interior walls, so don’t be afraid to put them in your garbage disposer.

Avoid washing grease down any kitchen drain, and try to use more natural cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals. The same applies to bathroom drains, since some cleaners can actually cause corrosion on soft metal pipes. For that same reason, avoid using drain cleaning products, such as Drain-O, for clogged drains. Use a plunger instead, and clean out your sink drains regularly to prevent further clogs.

Place hair catchers in your bathroom drains, especially in the shower. Loose hair is one of the most common causes of slow or clogged bathroom drains. Baking soda and vinegar will also help break down blockages and reduce bad odors. Make sure you let it sit for at least an hour and then pour boiling water down the drain to help clean it out.

Professional Sewer Maintenance

No matter how well you maintain your toilets and drains, you should have a professional plumber check your pipes at least once a year. Plumbers have equipment specially designed to inspect and clean your sewer lines, as well as assess any damage to your sewer lines and recommend a course of action. If you experience frequent clogs, or notice your water draining more slowly than usual, call a licensed plumbing contractor as soon as possible.

No matter what kind of plumbing issue you may have with your Spring Valley home, call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing for any plumbing repairs and yearly inspections.

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Spring Valley Plumber’s Tip: How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Whether your old faucet is broken or you just want to spruce up the bathroom a bit, installing a new faucet in your Spring Valley home is a relatively cheap and easy solution. It is one plumbing project that can be done via the DIY route, it takes only a few hours to do and it does not cost much.

Before you get started, make sure you have chosen the right type of faucet as a replacement. There are a few different kinds and you will want to replace the old sink with a similar kind in order to prevent problems and headaches during and after installation. If you’re unsure what kind you need, either consult the manual, take a picture to bring with you to the store or have a plumber take a look at it.

Once you have the right faucet picked out, it’s time to get to work:

  1. As always, turn off the water supply. There should be shutoff valves for the hot and cold water supplies right underneath the sink to make it easy on you.
  2. Unscrew the drain collar from the drain rim. Making sure everything is clean, place the house in the center of the middle hole. Screw it in place with the mounting nut. Tighten it up with a basin wrench, but take care not to over tighten. This can crack the porcelain.
  3. To install the hot and cold valves, begin by loosening the mounting nut on one and removing it. Replace it with the corresponding new valve. Repeat on the other side.
  4. Screw the braided lines to the valves you just installed, as well as to the spout. Tighten with a wrench, but again take care not to over tighten.
  5. Secure the faucet handles onto the valves that you installed in step #3. Make sure to put each handle on the correct valve.
  6. Fit the supply lines. You may have to do some cutting if you are using rigid supply lines rather than braided ones.
  7. Assemble and connect the pop-up drain assembly. You may have to test and adjust it a few times in order to get the right fit when open and closed. Secure the rods in place.
  8. Turn the water back on and check for leaks. Turn on the faucet for a bit to flush out the system before using.

Your sparkling new faucet is all set! If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to call your local plumber.

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What Size Water Heater Do I Need for My Green Valley Home?

Friday, December 16th, 2011

When installing a new water heater in your Green Valley home, it is important to get one that is the appropriate size. Of course, one that is too small will not handle the capacity you need, so you will be stuck with water that is not quite hot enough.

You may think to just buy one that you are sure can more than handle the capacity you need, but there are drawbacks to this strategy. A water heater that is “too big” will also draw more power, resulting in waste and unnecessarily high bills. Plus, it will cost more up front than you really need to spend.

The trick is to get a water heater that is the correct size for your needs. For a conventional water heater with a tank, the metric you will need to refer to is the unit’s first hour rating, or FHR. To determine the necessary FHR, you first need to determine during which hour of the day your home uses the most water. Typically, this is either first thing in the morning or later in the evening, when most people are bathing. Once you know this, determine what the water usage is during that hour based on average usage for each task. For example, let’s say a typical morning in your home consists of:

  • 3 showers (average of 12 gallons each)
  • 1 food preparation (5 gallons)
  • 1 hand dishwashing (4 gallons)

That’s about 45 gallons of hot water needed during that hour, so you need a unit with an FHR somewhere in that ballpark. The U.S. Department of Energy has a good worksheet to use for these measurements, which includes average usage rates for common household hot water tasks.

If you are looking at getting a tankless water heater system, the process is a little more complicated. The important figure to know in that situation is the maximum temperature increase possible for a particular flow rate. That means adding up the flow rates for all the various appliances you may use at once, then figuring out how much you need to increase the temperature.

If you find any of this confusing, consider a professional consultation during the selection process. That will ensure you get the water heater that is right for you.

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What to Look For When You Have Water Damage: A Guide From Green Valley

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

Water can be a beautiful thing. But it can be a very nasty thing, too. While water is an essential for life, it brings a high price tag when gone unchecked and allowed to seep, leak, and drain into your Green Valley home. Damage caused by water can cause structural damage to a building and destruction of its contents. When left unchecked – over time – water damage can lead to mold growth and have a serious affect on building occupants’ health.

The destructive forces of water leave telltale signs throughout a building. Let’s look at some.

  • Wood damage – water can saturate wood, causing it to rot and decay. Check for discolored wood around plumbing fixtures, a sure sign of an ongoing or older leak that has since been repaired. Just because a leak has been fixed, the after-effects can linger. Soft or uneven surfaces around a plumbing fixture are a sure indication of water damage. Pull back carpeting, pads, tiling, or flooring to get to the root of the problem.
  • Drywall damage – porous material like drywall can leave many signs of water damage and, like wood, can be seriously degraded by water damage. Check for discoloration around plumbing fixtures and soft spots. Don’t assume that a dry surface that is stained is not a structural problem. You may have to cut out the drywall to reach the true source of the water damage.
  • Ceiling tile stains – a sure sign that water is coming in from a source above a roof or ceiling. Ceiling tiles are a porous material that are great for showing every little bit of moisture or water that comes in contact with them. The same is true with plaster or drywall ceilings. Stains indicate a more serious problem and should be investigated right away.
  • Damp, musty smells – water can leave some unpleasant odors, especially untreated water. If you are standing in an area where water has soaked into floors or walls, there is often a damp, humid smell. The smell can come from hidden sources like a leaking pipe joint or broken valve behind an access door.
  • Mold build-up – wood and drywall surfaces provide great food for mold growth when saturated with water. The mold can be of a harmless nature but often can become dangerous black mold. When black mold spores are airborne they can cause respiratory problems and even worse, medial problems down the road. Look for unusual clusters of mold in damp areas and if you find some, immediately call a professional plumber to suggest clean-up and to repair the source of the water leak.

There are many signs of water leakage in the home, caused by leaking or broken pipes, dripping faucets from worn-out washers, cracks in the walls and foundations etc. Find and fix the source immediately or pay even higher costs in repair later on.

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