Commercial Plumbing Blog

Our Favorite Plumbing Facts for Business Owners

March 24, 2018 By Action Plumbing

As you walk around your office, chances are good that you’re busy thinking about things that need to get done or planning out your day. One thing you’re probably not thinking about is your plumbing (at least not most of the time).

To help put the historical significance and importance of plumbing into perspective, here’s a list of our favorite plumbing facts for business owners that you’re sure to enjoy.

It’s common knowledge that we spend an average of 33% of our lives sleeping, but have you ever wondered how much of your time is spent on the toilet? It’s a little known fact that we spend nearly 3 years on the toilet in one lifetime!
We take indoor plumbing for granted now since its successful resurgence in 1829 when Boston’s Tremont Hotel was the first hotel in the U.S. to offer this amenity. However, evidence of indoor plumbing can be dated back to 2500 B.C. in the palaces of ancient Egypt, according to archeologists.
The Egyptians also used one of the most popular materials we use today for their plumbing — copper piping.
Bathrooms have had many different names spanning over a wide variety of cultures throughout history. It was known as the “house of horror” by the Egyptians, the “necessarium” by the Romans, the “smelly house” by the French, and the “necessarium” by the Romans.
Albert Einstein reportedly said that he would have been a plumber if he could do it all over again. (Lucky for us he never figured how to turn back time.) In honor of his plumbing aspirations, the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in Washington, DC gave him a set of gold-plated plumbers’ tools after making him an honorary union member.
In 1775, the first patent for a flushing toilet was issued to Alexander Cummings.
Sir John Harrington built a flushing toilet for his godmother, Queen Elizabeth in 1596, which made “John” a popular nickname for it in the U.S.
Enough copper piping has been installed in the U.S. since 1963 to circle the globe 200 times. It comes out to be about 5.3 million miles long, which is more than 28 billion feet!
Americans use nearly 40% of their household water each year by simply flushing the toilet.
You can save nearly 18,000 gallons of water each year by installing a low-flush toilet.
More than 9,000 gallons of water is wasted in an average U.S. home just running the faucet the faucet while waiting for the water to heat up.
While you’re wasting that 9,000 gallons you’re also wasting up to 15% of your annual heating costs!

Why Are My Pipes Making Noise?

February 28, 2018 By Action Plumbing

If you can hear the clanking of creaking pipes why you lie awake at night, you’re likely willing to do anything possible to get that noise to stop. However, like many things in life, your question can be answered by figuring this out. So, why are my pipes making noise?

As you can see, if you learn to live with the noise, eventually it becomes tolerable. After that, you’d be able to drown out the noise. Even though you’re able to deal with it, ignoring these sounds could be costly in the long run. Often enough, these could be warning signs of underlying plumbing issues.

Banging or Clanking

This noise seems like lots of racket, but often it indicates that your pipes are loose. As you can see, this is quite common in buildings (especially older ones).

These pipes flex when the flow of water comes to a halt. After that, it causes some rattling. Fortunately, are relatively easy to fix with the help of an experienced plumber.

Tick-Tock

If you’ve got a tick-tock and it’s not from a clock, trying to track down where that noise is coming from can often be infuriating. Luckily, the ticking sound is usually just your water meter reverberating through your building’s pipes. This happens often if it’s located near your foundation. Additionally, you’re more likely to hear this noise when the water is on. However, if you don’t hear it, there’s not much you can do to avoid it.

Drip-Drop

Dripping can be a clue to more serious concerns that may have otherwise alluded you. Although many times a drip is coming from something as simple to fix as a leaky faucet, other areas that should be inspected very closely include your water heaters, refrigerator, and especially the inside of your walls. It is imperative that you locate the cause of your leak and have it addressed by someone who knows how to fix it correctly so you can avoid any future damage.

Whether your pipes are dripping, ticking, or banging, it’s important to remember that these little annoyances can sometimes be warning signs which should not be ignored. If you’re asking yourself “why are my pipes making noise” or are unsure about whether or not your noisy pipes are the sign of something more serious, contact one of our Action Plumbing experts today.

5 Weird Plumbing Myths

January 27, 2018 By Action Plumbing

weird plumbing myths There are typically two kinds of people in this world … the kind who have zero interest in the inner workings of their business’ plumbing systems and the kind who need to know every intricacy imaginable. For those of you who have little interest, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing in common myths perpetuated online about how your plumbing really works. Here are a few of the most common weird plumbing myths clarified to help you demystify the plumbing in your business.

Myth #1 Plungers Fix Everything

Sure, plungers can certainly come in handy, especially for everyday issues. However, using a plunger for a serious clog can actually make it worse! Know when it’s time to put down the plunger and call a professional.

Myth #2 Leaky Faucets Are Okay

Remember … leaky faucets = wasted water, and wasted water is bad. Period. Even the slightest drip can lead to a huge amount of water lost each year. So do your part, save some water (and some money) and get those leaky faucets fixed asap.

Myth #3 In the Southern Hemisphere Water Drains Clockwise

Sorry to say, but this all too common myth is completely false. The direction water circulates has nothing to do with where you live and everything to do with something called the Coriolis force and the actual structure of your plumbing.

Myth #4 Animals Can’t Swim Into Your Toilet

It’s actually not that uncommon for a creepy critter to navigate through your pipes and pop up in your toilet bowl. Some of the more adventurous are snakes and rats, so it’s always a good idea to keep your eyes open just in case.

Myth #5 It’s Okay to Flush Your Goldfish

So this is a tough one because you can flush a dead fish down the toilet, but a fish that’s alive is definitely a no-no. Why? Believe it or not, these fish can actually reproduce and grow to become oversized, freaky giants, causing havoc on the eco-system.

Ice Dam Prevention Tips for Gutters

November 27, 2017 By Action Plumbing

Although it’s extremely important to keep your gutters clear of debris throughout the entire year, it can be especially challenging during the winter months when Mother Nature strikes the hardest. Clogged gutters can easily trap water that will inevitably freeze, leaving you with a potential hazard sometimes referred to as an ice dam.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam often occurs along the edge of your roofline or in your gutters depending on the orientation, style, and pitch of your roof. The culprit is often melting snow that refreezes, clogging your gutters and preventing water from draining properly. When this happens, water can easily get backed up, causing havoc with your shingles and eventually leaking into your business.

How to Recognize an Ice Dam

One of the best ways to check for an ice dam is to take a close look at the ceilings of your exterior walls and attic. If you notice moisture or water stains, there’s a good possibility you may have an ice dam.

Inspect any icicle formations you may have around your business’s exterior to discover whether they are trapping any water. Icicles can often lead to additional problems blockage problems and potential dangers for those walking below.

Prevention Tips

Be sure to clean your gutters regularly, even during the winter months whenever it’s possible.
On mild winter days, inspect your gutters and the areas around your business for any signs that an ice dam may be forming.
Safely remove icicle formations and remember … never stand directly underneath an icicle when inspecting your gutters, cleaning, or performing icicle removal.

Lastly, one of the best ice dam prevention strategies is to hire a professional to handle your routine gutter cleanings to ensure you always have a clean gutter system. For more information on our professional gutter cleaning services, contact an Action Plumbing representative.

Avoid Frozen Pipes by Planning Ahead

November 2, 2017 By Action Plumbing

Bitter cold temperatures may already be here, but it’s not too late to take the necessary steps to avoid frozen pipes and other costly plumbing issues. Whether you rent or own your own business, there are a few things to consider in order to protect your property from unnecessary damage.

Of course, not all frozen pipes result in catastrophe, but it is common for expanding ice to break pipes that are vulnerable, and this often results in damaging leaks or flooding. So, how do you these kinds of problems? The answer is simple … you can avoid frozen pipes by planning ahead using a few of the following tips:

Locate Your Pipes

In order to ensure your pipes are protected you need to know exactly where they’re located. While a pipe may be well insulated in one area of your business, there’s a good possibility that it’s exposed to freezing temperatures in another. If you’re unsure about how your plumbing system is laid out, Action Plumbing can work with you to complete an audit of your plumbing system.

Insulate

Once you have a better idea of where your at-risk pipes can be found, you need to make sure they are protected with insulation. While a newspaper can sometimes be adequate for pipes found in a cold basement, others at greater risk should be insulated with foam tube or heated tape.

Let It Run

If the temperatures have already plummeted and you’re concerned, allowing the water to run even slightly can prevent pipes from freezing. Although it’s true you’ll be wasting water, it’s better than facing the alternative.

Let in the Heat

On particularly cold nights it’s a good idea to open the cabinets or drawers under your sink. This will allow the heat from your business to enter in order to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Find the Main Shut-Off

If you are faced with damaged or leaking pipes, it’s important that you know how to shut off the main water supply in order to prevent serious flooding. And remember, Action Plumbing is available 24 hrs a day 7 days a week in the event you have an emergency and need assistance.