Posts Tagged ‘Sun City Summerlin’

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Las Vegas Plumbing Repair Question: Why Does My Tub Faucet Leak when the Shower Is On?

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

Here is a common and yet seemingly complex Las Vegas plumbing problem for you. You turn on your shower, flip the switch to go from tub faucet to shower head and the tub faucet continues to leak. Not only is it rather irritating, but it draws from the water pressure in the shower head. Let’s take a look at why this happens and how to quickly fix it.

Why the Leak?

There is a valve in your tub’s faucet that diverts water from the tub to the shower head when the switch or lever is pulled to turn on your shower. Because the valve is not a perfect seal, the tub faucet will drip a small amount during a shower. However, if a large amount of water is coming out of the tub faucet and very little is coming from your shower head, it is likely a problem with that valve.

In some cases, the only way to know the root of the problem is to take apart the assembly and check all of the valve parts individually for damage. The specifics of the plumbing repair process will depend largely on the type of shower and diverter valve you have.

 Fixing the Problem

To fix this problem, you can either replace part of or the entire shower diverter valve. Start by removing the faucet and pulling the screw that holds the shower diverter valve in place. Once the screw is removed, take out the rubber washer and replace it. Many times, this is enough to fix the problem.

If it is not, however, you may need to replace the entire shower diverter valve. There are some situations that make it hard to reach the shower diverter valve, such as when you have a shower handle instead of a faucet knob. If this is the case, you may need special tools or professional assistance in removing the knob to access the valve.

If you find that this does not fix the problem or that you are uncomfortable attempting this repair, contact a Las Vegas plumber who is experienced all bathroom plumbing, such as Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing!

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Types of Water Filters for Sun City Summerlin Residents

Monday, January 30th, 2012

Water filtration is an important issue for many Sun City Summerlin homeowners. We all use water every day to bathe, cook, drink and clean. No one wants to worry about whether that water might be unhealthy for their family.

For those who aren’t fortunate enough to live in areas where the water supply is naturally clean or properly filtered before reaching their faucets, a water filter is an important and valued investment. It can mean water that not only tastes better, but is also free of potentially harmful contaminants.

But with so many kinds of water treatment systems on the market, how are you to know which one is right? Let’s take a look at a few of the different types available.

One of the simplest solutions is a faucet-mounted water filter. The installation is simple, and most models allow for easy switching between filtered and unfiltered water. They are quite effective at removing most large contaminants. However, there are some drawbacks. These filters don’t work with some faucets and the cartridges need to be replaced, meaning an ongoing expense.

A countertop model sits alongside the existing tap and has its own tube for dispensing water. These are also fairly simple to install since they require no modification to any existing plumbing, and they work better for large quantities of water than faucet-mounted types do. Like faucet mounts, however, they also don’t work with all faucets.

Moving from the top of the sink to below it, you have under sink options. These also work well for filtering large volumes of water and have the added advantage of hiding out of sight. As a downside, they are more difficult to install than the previous two options, since the plumbing must be modified.

All three of these options are good solutions for a single sink, or you could get a few of them if you only need to filter water in some parts of the house. For a more extensive solution, consider a whole house filter. These attach to the main water line and filter all water that comes into the home. The cartridges last a long time and they remove dust and sediment well. However, installation needs to be done by a professional and these filters usually can’t handle other contaminants, like metals.

Depending on your filtration needs, one of these filters should work great for you and your family.

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Kitchen Plumbing Advice from Top Sun City Summerlin Plumbers

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Considering how often we use our kitchen sink – i.e., many times per day, every day – and all the grimy business that it usually has to put up with, it’s kind of amazing that we don’t all experience headaches with our kitchen plumbing once a week. Chalk that up to the marvels of modern engineering and design.

That does not mean that kitchen plumbing is perfect, though, and all Sun City Summerlin homeowners face problems with their kitchen plumbing from time to time. Fortunately, many such problems are fairly common and routine and therefore are easily remedied.

Below are 3 common kitchen plumbing problems and some possible solutions for each:

  1. Clogged drain
    Probably the most commonly aggravating of all kitchen sink problems is the clogged drain. If you have never had to deal with one, first thank your lucky stars and then brace for impact, because you’ll probably have to soon. This is usually caused by some piece of food or other deposit obstructing the sink. Try plunging it out, or breaking it up by pouring boiling water or white vinegar down the drain. This may take several attempts. If none of that works, you can resort to a commercial drain opening product.
  2. Leaky faucet
    Got a dripping sound keeping you up at night? Often, leaky faucets are caused by an obstructed aerator, which is that little screen thing on the end of your faucet. Unscrew that, clean it with water and put it back on. If the faucet still leaks, there may be a loose fitting somewhere further down the line, in which case you may need to call in a plumber. (Bonus tip: To quiet the dripping noise until the leak is fixed, tie a length of string to the end of the faucet. The water will run down the string silently instead of clanging into the basin all night.)
  3. Garbage disposal won’t run
    The quickest and most common solution to this problem is the reset the garbage disposal by pressing the button on the unit under the sink.

If these tips don’t work to solve your kitchen plumbing conundrum, then it is probably best to call in a professional. Plumbing is a tricky thing – and garbage disposals can be dangerous – so sometimes it is best to leave it to the pros.

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North Las Vegas Plumbing Maintenance: Sump Pumps

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Keeping the sump pump clean in your North Las Vegas home has many benefits. Not only does a clean sump pump run more efficiently, which lowers your energy bills, but it also helps prevent malfunctions. The sump pump in your home pumps out excess groundwater that could potentially flood your basement and cause major water damage and mold growth.

To prevent flood damage in your home, make sure your sump pump well is free of debris and that the pump it is maintained regularly. Call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing any time if you have questions about how to maintain sump pump or to have it professionally cleaned and inspected. Here are some specific reasons why a clean sump pump is important.

Float Switch Malfunctions

Most submerged sump pump models have a floater or similar device that detects the water level inside the well. Once the water table reaches a certain point, the float switch turns the pump on. If debris or dirt gets trapped underneath the switch, it can get stuck in the “on” position, which causes the motor to run constantly and potentially overheat.

Clogged Filters

Most filters in sump pumps are designed to allow smaller particles through, but larger pieces of debris can clog the system and cause it to shut down. An overheated motor or tripped circuit could result from a clogged filter because the motor has to work harder to pump out the water. If you aren’t sure how to check the filter for debris, call a professional plumber for advice.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

Try to keep debris from falling into the well, and clean out any large particles that you can see in the water. Occasionally fill the well all the way with a hose and test the floater switch to make sure it’s working properly. At least once a year, hire a professional plumber to drain your well and clean the inside of the well and the pump. Your North Las Vegas plumber will also inspect the pump to make sure it is in good working condition.

You can help maintain the sump pump in your North Las Vegas home simply by keeping it clean!

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Spanish Trails Plumbing Installation Guide: How to Replace the Kitchen Sink Spray Nozzle

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Replacing an old or broken spray nozzle in the kitchen sink in your Spanish Trails home is relatively easy and shouldn’t require many tools. Depending on the style of your old nozzle, you may need to replace the hose, but most models are universal and will work with your current hose. If the package tells you that you need to upgrade your hose, try installing the new nozzle before you buy a hose.

Some brands will also include the tools you will need to complete the project. Don’t buy pipe thread if you are not replacing the hose. All you will need is a pair of needle nose pliers and maybe a screwdriver.

1. Remove the Old Nozzle Head

You don’t necessarily have to turn off the water if you are just replacing the nozzle on your sprayer hose, but it would be a good idea to avoid accidentally turning on the faucet, which will cause the water to shoot out of the hose while the nozzle is off. Simply unscrew the old nozzle and look for a small metal clip that holds the rest of the housing in place (your new nozzle should have the same part and where to locate it in the instructions).

You will probably need needle nose pliers to pull this clip off. It looks like a horseshoe and will be located below the washers. Once you remove the clip, you can take off the base of the old nozzle. Look at how it is assembled as you remove it; your new one will have basically the same construction, so seeing how it is attached will help you install the new nozzle.

2. Unscrew the Mounting Nut and Replace Nozzle Base

The mounting nut is the large nut located under the sink just below the nozzle. It keeps the base of the nozzle in place. Hold down the base of the nozzle as you unscrew the mounting nut. This may be tricky depending on the design of your sink. You might want to get someone to hold the base in place so that you have better access to the mounting nut.

Once you unscrew the nut from the base, you can guide the hose through the opening in the sink to take slide off the old nut and replace it with the new mounting nut. Next, put the hose back through the hole and install the new base by screwing it into the new mounting nut.

3. Install New Nozzle

If you unscrew the top part of the nozzle from the bottom where the metal clip is attached (your instructions should label them with letters), you may find the washers inside or packaged separately with the clip. Slide the bottom part of the nozzle onto the hose and install the metal clip on the bottom ridge of the plastic part of the hose with the pliers. Next put the plastic washer around the tube, and then the rubber one. Then, simply screw on the top part of the nozzle and test it for leaks.

Don’t tighten the nozzle too much, because the parts are delicate and could break with too much pressure. If you can’t fit the nozzle on without leaks, you may need a different style hose.

When you are making any home improvements for your Spanish Trails home, feel free to call the experts Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing for assistance.

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Sizing a Tankless Water Heater for Your Sun City Summerlin Home

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

Tankless water heaters are gaining popularity among Sun City Summerlin homeowners because of their on demand hot water supply and space-saving design. Although they are more expensive than traditional tank water heaters, on demand water heaters are more efficient, reliable, and easier to install and maintain. Before choosing to install a tankless water heater, however, you will have to decide which size will meet your hot water needs.

Rather than storing hot water in a tank, the tankless models heat the water with individual units located near the application where hot water is needed, such as a shower or washing machine. For larger homes, some of these smaller units cannot heat enough water for several applications running at the same time. You can also install a single tankless water heater for the entire house, or separate ones for appliances that use more hot water.

Finding the proper size and type will depend on the flow rate—measured  by a GPM (gallons per minute) number—that each fixture needs. Every application has a standard flow rate that must be added up in order to calculate the hot water demands for your entire home. For instance, if someone is using a sink with a 1.5 GPM at the same time another person is running a shower with a 2.0 GPM, the flow rate for the tankless unit would need to be at least 3.5 gallons per minute. You will have to add up the flow rate for all the applications in the house to get the minimum GPM figure for your tankless water heater.

In addition to flow rates, tankless hot water heaters are also measured by how much the water temperature needs to rise as it moves through the heating unit. You can determine the temperature rise for each application by subtracting the temperature of water coming in from the desired temperature going out. Once you add those together with the overall flow rates, you will know which tankless water heater can handle your overall hot water needs.

Before you buy an on demand hot water heater, it is best to talk to a professional plumber. While the flow rates and temperature rise for most household appliances are fairly standard, these numbers can vary because of several factors that plumbers are trained to calculate. Size is not the only factor to consider when shopping for a tankless water heater. Fuel type and efficiency should also be factored in to your purchase, which is another reason to talk to a licensed plumber.

If you aren’t sure what type or size of tankless water heater is right for your Sun City Summerlin home, call Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing to speak with one of our professional plumbers. We are always glad to offer our expert advice so that you can meet all of your hot water needs in the most efficient way possible.

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Boulder City Plumber’s Tip: Common Plumbing Tools and Their Uses

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Every Boulder City contractor has his tool chest, and a plumber is no different. To the novice eye, some of these tools may seem alien and complicated, but in fact the most common tools are quite simple to use. They are specialized to the job they perform, but they are all in all pretty simple.

Below are some descriptions of the most common plumbing tools and their uses, so you can build your own DIY plumbing toolkit.

When many people think of plumbing tools, they think of that big orange iron wrench that plumbers on TV and in cartoons always carry around. That is a pipe wrench, which is a powerful adjustable wrench specifically designed to loosen and tighten plumbing fixtures like pipes. (Hence the name.)

Perhaps the most common plumber tool that people already have on hand is the versatile plunger, which is a lifesaver for clearing up most simple clogs. For stubborn clogs, a pipe snake can come in handy. Essentially a snake is just a length of sturdy but flexible metal or plastic with a spring on the end for snaring clogs, like bundles of hair or debris.

For tighter spaces, there is a basin wrench, which is specially designed to loosen and tighten connections under sinks and basins. A pipe wrench usually cannot reach these spots, so a basin wrench is called for in these situations.

For the tricky nuts, or spots where neither a pipe wrench nor basin wrench will do, a pair of slip-joint pliers is a necessity for plumbers. These pliers are adjustable and have sturdy teeth for gripping hexagonal nuts, such as those attaching a toilet to the flange in your bathroom.

While a professional plumber will have a much more comprehensive selection available to him, these pieces make a good starting toolkit for tackling most common DIY plumbing repairs and other jobs around the house.

Generally speaking, if you have a plumbing need that can’t be met with these tools and your know-how, it’s probably time to call a real plumber and avoid any mounting headaches or damage.

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Why You Might Need Video Inspection for Your Water or Sewer Line? A Guide from Mountains Edge

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

When you suspect a problem in your pipes, the first thing you should do is call a Mountains Edge plumber for an inspection. It could be as simple as a small crack that can be sealed easily or a clog from excess food and grease being put down the drain.

In the past, inspection was a hit or miss process. Using trial and error a plumber would attempt to determine the source of the problem. However, with modern trenchless technology and the low cost of video equipment, it is now possible to look inside the pipe and see what the problem is directly.

How Video Inspection Works

The process varies depending on the length of pipe that needs to be inspected. For instance, for a sewer line or water line, a small hole is dug to access the pipe. However, inside this may not be necessary depending on where your plumber suspects the problem originates.

That said, pipe inspection is most commonly needed for underground lines that cannot be accessed without some digging. Instead of digging up the pipe completely, a video line can be used to check for specific problems.

Once your plumber has access to the pipe line, they will insert the video inspection unit and check for things like roots, clogs, leaks, and cracks. This is such a powerful tool because instead of guessing where the problem is located and repairing based on those assumptions, your plumber can now be 100% sure of the problem and solve it accordingly.

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How to Remove Non-Slip Bathtub Appliqués: Some Tips from Sun City Summerlin

Friday, November 18th, 2011

It probably happened something like this:

Your tub was slippery, so you got a non-slip appliqué to prevent yourself or one of your beloved family members from falling and getting hurt. After a while, though, the appliqué became dirty or worn out and now it’s time for a new one. So, you decide to remove it. Easier said than done, right?

Those appliqués may seem like they’re sealed to the tub with some kind of space age adhesive, but rest assured there are ways to get it free. Here are some tips to help you reclaim your tub:

  1. Start by gently peeling up the corners of the appliqué. Get as much of each corner up as you can.
  2. Spray a cleaning product on the bottom of the tub, paying particular attention to the corners you just pulled up. This will help dislodge the adhesive from the tub. Let the whole thing soak for an hour or so.
  3. The appliqué should come up fairly easily after that, so start peeling it. Take care to keep the two layers together.
  4. If you still have trouble lifting the appliqué, use a wood or plastic scraper to get underneath and pry it free. Take care not to scratch the tub finish.
  5. Once the whole thing is up, there may still be stray bits of adhesive stuck to the tub. You can use a scouring powder or a 1:1 mixture of salt and baking soda to scrub those off. Again, take care not to damage the finish.

That should do it. If you are going to replace that appliqué with another, be sure to rinse the area thoroughly and allow it to dry before doing so. Otherwise, you may find the new appliqué peeling up before you’re ready.

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How to Shut Off Your Water Supply: A Guide from Mountains Edge

Monday, November 14th, 2011

In the case of a plumbing emergency, the last thing you want to do is watch as more water continues to pour into your Mountains Edge home through a burst pipe, broken appliance or busted water valve. So, the first step should always be to turn off your main water supply valve. Here are some tips for finding that valve and getting the water supply off as soon as possible.

Finding Your Main Water Supply Valve

The valve is almost always located the same place. It is usually in your garage between the inlet and the main water line. Once you find the main water supply valve, turn it off to immediately stop more water from entering your home. If you notice that water is continuing to enter your home, you have a problem before the entry valve and should call the city immediately because one of their pipes might have burst.

Shutting Off Individual Appliances

In many cases, the problem is related to a single appliance. If this is the case, you don’t necessarily need to turn off the entire water supply – just the supply valve for the specific appliance or fixture. Every major water fixture and appliance in your home should have its own shutoff valve in an easy to reach place. This goes for every sink, toilet, shower, dishwasher, and washing machine in your home – not having those valves can be dangerous.

Once you have turned off your water supply, it’s time to call a plumber. Make sure to keep track of everything you do (take notes if you can) and supply that information to the plumber both on the phone and when they arrive. It will help them diagnose and solve the problem much faster.

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