Residential Plumbing Blog

Water Backflow: What It Is and How to Prevent It

December 29, 2022 By Action Plumbing

If you own a property, it’s essential to be aware of the potential dangers of water backflow. It can cause severe damage to your home or business and even be a health hazard. Luckily, there are ways you can protect yourself and your property from backflow.

What is Backflow?

Water backflow is caused when the pressure in the water supply lines drops, causing contaminated water to flow back into clean lines. Long-term exposure to contaminated water can cause health issues like gastrointestinal illness, fever, and skin rashes. The problem can occur in residential or commercial properties and has a few causes we’ll review below.

Causes of Backflow in Plumbing Systems

There are a few common causes of backflow in plumbing systems. These include:
• poor installation of pipes or valves
• damage to pipes or valves due to age
• high water pressure in the system
• poorly maintained plumbing systems

These can lead to water flowing back into clean lines, potentially introducing contaminants, risking your health, and creating an awful mess. With this knowledge, let’s explore some ways to reduce the risk.

Backflow Prevention Devices

A backflow prevention device stops contaminated water from entering your clean water supply. It creates a one-way seal on pipes connected to the main water line leading into your home or business, blocking any backward flow of contaminated water while still allowing clean water through when needed. To prevent this, install a backflow preventer on all parts of your plumbing system that backflow might affect. The best device for your particular needs will depend on the size and type of plumbing system you have.

Backflow Preventer Installation

Action Plumbing, Inc. has over 50 years of experience serving New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Installing a backflow prevention device requires specialized knowledge and experience with plumbing systems and local regulations regarding their installation and use. Contact a professional commercial backflow service provider to install your backflow preventer correctly.

Our licensed, insured, and bonded plumbers will assess your needs and provide expert advice on what type of device you need for maximum protection against potential contamination of your drinking supply and other health hazards like Legionella bacteria growth.

Water backflow can have dangerous consequences for public health and property owners’ budgets if not properly prevented. Installing a high-quality backflow prevention device is necessary for keeping contaminants out of your plumbing system.

Why Choose Qualified Commercial Backflow Services?

Your system complies with local regulations by hiring a qualified commercial backflow service provider. They can provide maintenance services and ensure your device works properly. The right team can detect potential issues before they become more significant.

At Action Plumbing, Inc., we take pride in providing complete backflow prevention services tailored to your needs. Our experienced and licensed plumbers have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to help you protect your home or business from water backflow. Contact us at 1-800-ACTION-24 today for more information!

Emergency Plumbing: Actions to Take During Emergency Times

October 28, 2022 By Action Plumbing

Almost everyone will have a plumbing emergency at some point. When you know how to act in a plumbing emergency, you can safeguard your home, save on costs, and get plumbing repair service to your house much faster. An emergency plumbing services team is the best way to protect your home from damage.

Many people who like to work around the house enjoy taking on plumbing projects as a hobby. But if you have a big problem and water is hurting your home, it’s best to hire an emergency plumber.

Do not lose your cool during a plumbing emergency: we have provided handy tips for you. Bear in mind that the safest thing for your home is to have an emergency plumbing service that you can trust and call at any time!

Plumbing Emergency Tips

1. Turn the Water off

Turn off the nearest water supply immediately in an emergency. Turning the valve beneath, beside, or behind your toilet does this. Turn off your home’s control valve for major events like flooding. Most water valves shut off clockwise.

2. Water heater check

To prevent water heater damage in an emergency, switch it off. After turning off the main valve, turn off the heater to avoid overheating or bursting.

3. Fix tiny leaks

Tackle small leaks. If you find a small, easy-to-fix leak, fix it. If you keep industrial sealant tape (also known as plumbers tape) in your toolbox, the job will be much easier. You can also prevent leak damage by wrapping rags and towels around pipes or putting buckets under leaks. Make a note of these leaks.

4. Open drainage and water lines

There will still be water in your pipes even after you turn off the main water valve. If you turn on any spigots outside your home, you can move this water away from your house and places where it could cause damage. Give the garden pipe a few squirts to make sure any water is gone.

If you get a small clog during this process, use a plunger or other gentle method to open the drain. In an emergency, don’t use chemical cleaners on your pipes because they could do more damage before your plumber gets there.

5. Call Emergency Plumbing Services

Calling your crack plumber team immediately minimizes harm. The earlier the call the better. The plumber who answers your phone can provide guidance remotely. Be sure to follow emergency evacuation orders from professionals and government officials.

Final Thoughts from Action Plumbing

When you discover water damage with an unidentified source or a plumbing issue you’re unsure of, call your plumber. These strategies above can save your home and prepare you for emergencies.

Plumbing Installation and Techniques – Action Plumbing

October 7, 2022 By Action Plumbing

We used to use streams or holes in the ground as toilets before modern plumbing. “Toilets” were placed beside walls or ledges of castles throughout the medieval era. However, we no longer require canals, pits, or moats to dispose of our waste due to clean and dependable plumbing technology.

Maintaining a sturdy and well-functioning home requires efficient plumbing inside your walls and beneath your foundation. In this article, we will discuss plumbing installation and techniques. Action Plumbing is excited to provide this information because it is what we do.

Always consider talking to an expert before taking on any serious plumbing projects. This consultation could save you a lot of time and money.

How to Install A Plumbing System

Plumbing installation is an exciting challenge. If you do it correctly, you will have worry-free drainage for a long time. Here are the steps to take:

1. Learn About Your Local Plumbing Codes

Different laws control how homeowners install new construction plumbing in different states. These codes ensure your building plumbing gets installed safely. While some codes differ from state to state, many remain the same.

2. Make Space for Plumbing

If you’re constructing new plumbing in an old home, you most likely need to create space and determine if any walls need to be shifted. Remove any drywall or plaster from where the plumbing will be installed. Also, ensure there is enough room for your tub or shower.

If there is any wiring in the way, turn off the power, examine the wires to ensure they are safe, and then create space wherever necessary. Use a tape measure for accurate measurements.

3. Drain and Vent Lines

Place your drain and vent lines carefully. Install your drain and vent lines before the supply lines. If you don’t place everything correctly, you’ll have to start over when it is time to install your sink, shower, tub, or toilet. You may wish to slant the vent pipes when installing the vents. Always remember that plans can change.

4. Maintain Your Copper Supply Lines

Measure where to place your copper supply lines after you’ve run your drains and vents. Before you start your project, practice cutting copper piping and sweating the joints if you’ve never done so. When installing horizontal pipe, it’s easier to do so from the crawl area or basement. Do not cross drainpipes and vents with supply lines.

5. Connect Your Tub, Shower, or Sink

If you’re installing a tub or shower faucet, use properly sized supply pipes to ensure adequate water pressure. Tap into the cold/hot water pipes as close to the water heater as possible to ensure that the water is warm.

If you haven’t previously, install shutdown valves in the lines. When installing a faucet, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Each faucet is unique.

Check the dimensions of your tub and shower. You should place the faucet about ten inches above the tub’s lip. If you’re installing a shower, make sure it’s at least 30 inches above the tub lip.

6. Putting Up a Wet Wall or Tiles

Wipe all surfaces before installing your wet wall. Make sure to seal the plaster before putting up the wet wall. When installing your wet wall, leave a few millimeters between the tub and the panel. Fill gaps with grout or a sealant.

Contact Action Plumbing Today

Hiring a professional to install your plumbing system can save you time and stress. Our team is well-versed in local codes and we know how to save you money on materials. Contact Action Plumbing now for flawless plumbing services.

Common Plumbing Problems in High-Rise Buildings

August 18, 2022 By Action Plumbing

Having issues with plumbing in high rise buildings can actually be more common than you realize. High rise buildings are very appealing for a lot of people, since they are often in the middle of the city and they have amazing views. But the plumbing design high rise buildings have isn’t always the best, and that’s exactly why there can be challenges. Here are some of the common plumbing problems in high-rise that you can encounter today.

Drainage ventilation is not good

Sometimes the plumbing in high rise buildings tends to have a bad water trap seal. That’s why better drainage ventilation is important, as the water trap seals won’t always have the best drainage solution since they are under constant stress. Newer plumbing systems are adding atmospheric air, yet it’s better to work with a professional plumbing business that can help solve these issues properly.

Ceiling and flooding damage

Due to the nature of plumbing design high rise buildings have, whenever flooding happens this will damage the floors below. Clogged drains tend to be the reason for this type of issue, among many others. Having a backup system can be important, and the plumbing design can be customized depending on the situation. Other times, ceiling damage comes from leaking water heaters. An annual inspection can help identify and solve any issues.

Clogged drains

NJ commercial plumbing — Commercial Property – Gloucester City, NJ

This is one of the most common problems in high-rise, and it’s easy to see why. It can be very hard to know exactly how much pressure goes through the drain system. And sometimes people can throw stuff that clogs the drains. These backups happen, it can be anything from grease or hair buildup to many other compounds. A professional team of plumbers can use hydro jetting and other modern technologies to help solve the problem.

Shut-off valves are not properly maintained

Shut-off valves are important because they can easily stop the water when needed. The problem is that many high rise buildings don’t perform adequate maintenance for these valves. Because of that, it can be common for them to leak water, which brings in potential damage to the building. Frequent maintenance and care is required here as well.

These are only a few of the common plumbing problems in high-rise. Most of these designs were made decades ago, and now they are placed under the pressure of modern day life, which they were not designed for. That’s why it’s imperative to work with a team of plumbers who know how to solve these problems. It will help save time and money, while also preventing severe damage to high rise buildings.

Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Dangerous?

August 2, 2022 By Action Plumbing

are chemical draining cleaners dangerous action plumbing

The short answer is yes, chemical drain cleaners are dangerous to use in your plumbing system. Chemical drain cleaner is poison to the human body and doesn’t always work.

Here Is Why Chemical Drain Cleaners Are Dangerous:

Chemical Drain Cleaning Liquid Is Poison To The Human Body

Using pipe cleaning chemicals can mess up your human. When you use a liquid pipe cleaner, these chemicals go through and interline all the pipes that carry your shower and sink water.

The smell of these “cleaning” chemicals alone causes nausea, coughing, and light-headedness. Some of these cleaning liquids have caused rashes and other skin conditions. You don’t want your kids or pets messing around with this stuff.

Chemical Drain Cleaning Liquid Often Does Not Work

Not only are these synthetic cleaning chemicals poison, but they don’t always de-clog the drain. There are many reasons why your pipes might not be working correctly. Dumping posions down and around your sink and shower is not the answer. Don’t assume it’s just a drain clog. Get advice from a professional.

If you have a clogging or plumbing issue, then call a local plumber with quick service that you can trust. If you’re in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware areas, call Action Plumbing.