Residential Plumbing Blog

Do I Need a Backflow Prevention Device?

August 14, 2015 By Action Plumbing

backflow prevention device Navigating home plumbing can be challenging for even the most seasoned do-it-yourselfer. With so many intricate parts working together to provide your home with water that is fresh and safe for consumption, understanding what these parts are and what they do is imperative if you plan to do any plumbing work yourself.

One of the most common plumbing occurrences is known as backflow, which is an unwanted reversal of liquid, solid, or gas into a water supply. Understanding backflow and what it means to your home plumbing system is an important foundation for your home’s general water flow operations, and one of the most common methods of handling backflow problems is to employ something called a backflow prevention device.

What Does a Backflow Prevention Device Do?

A Backflow Prevention Device (also called a BPD for short) allow water and materials to escape rather than flowing directly into your home. You can install a BPD yourself, or hire an experienced plumber to install a BPD for you.

Some older bathrooms may not have a backflow device installed, so if you are planning on remodeling a bathroom in your home, make sure you check to see if you currently have a BPD.

How Does a Backflow Prevention Device Work?

Water systems use pressure to make water flow from home taps and showers. If you experience a significant decrease in water pressure often caused by a burst pipe or a sudden increase in water demand, the immediate decrease in water pressure may allow for contaminated water to be drawn into the system. In order to stop this from happening, a specialized backflow preventer valve is often installed in any place where your water system is at risk of contaminated fluids entering your pipes.

To find out more about backflow prevention devices and whether you need to install or replace a backflow prevention device in your home, contact Action Plumbing today.

The Importance of a Mixing Valve

August 13, 2015 By Action Plumbing

mixing valve Slipping into a warm, relaxing bath after a long day of work may be the perfect way to release tension, but have you ever considered what it is that keeps your bath water comfy? Here’s a hint … it also keeps the water in your kitchen faucet at the perfect temperature for washing dishes and your bathroom sink water from scalding you during handwashing.

This often unthought-of device that makes your household water a safe temperature for usage is known as a mixing valve. Not only does it ensure you can easily adjust the water temp, but it’s also what allows you to be the Goldilocks of your homestead so your bath isn’t too hot and isn’t too cold … it’s just right.

The basic function of a mixing valve is to mix the hot water and the cold water so that it comes out of the faucet at a comfortable and safe temperature. However, mixing valves have many applications and there are many types available. This is why it is important to consult a professional, qualified plumber if you need to install or replace a broken mixing valve in your home.

The most common installation arrangement is typically a single central thermostatic mixing valve, however, thermostatic controls are also available on many point-of-use faucets. For example, the main outlet of a water heater usually has a single unit that feeds water to baths and showers, which utilize manual mixing valves. This setup prevents dangerously hot water from scalding you whenever there is a surge of water in your shower.

The manual mixing valves that are commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms are built much like thermostat mixers but offer no protection against sudden drops in the cold water supply. This is why it is very important that they are used in conjunction with a thermostatic mixing valve installed on your hot water system.

If you have any questions about mixing valves, how mixing valves work, and what type of mixing valve you should install in your home or business, contact the experts at Action Plumbing today. We’re available to help you 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week.

How to Prevent Clogged Drains

July 18, 2015 By Action Plumbing

There’s no denying that clogged drains are a complete pain. A clogged drain always seems to occur at the absolute worst time, and it can be really time-consuming to fix. The good news is there’s a lot you can do to prevent clogged drains in your home.

Keeping Drains Clean

The best preventative measure you can take to prevent a clogged drain is to keep it clean. This may sound really obvious, but the reason many drains become clogged is simply that they aren’t at the top of the priority list when it comes to cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. Clean drains are just as important to your family’s health as clean countertops, toilets, and floors.

Keeping Drains Debris Free

Tip One – Pay Attention: The first step to keeping drains debris-free is to be aware of what’s being put into them in the first place. Avoid washing foods, fats, or grease into the drain where they can easily clog up your waterways.

Tip Two – Brush your Hair Before Showering: Before you hop into the shower, make sure you give your hair a thorough brushing to remove loose hair. This will greatly decrease the amount of hair that goes down the drain and help prevent clogs and unpleasant smells.

Tip Three – Use Mesh Screens: Many people use mesh screens in their kitchen drains, but placing mesh screens in all of your home’s drains can really help decrease drain clogging debris. Food particles, hair, and other unpleasant gunk will get caught up in the drain and prevent a major headache.

Tip Four – Wash Pets Outdoors: Pet hair is always a major contributor to clogs, so consider washing your pets outdoors when the weather permits. If you must wash Fido in the tub, lay a washcloth over the drain to minimize fur and dander clogs.

Even after taking all the precautions mentioned above, chances are you will still experience a clog from time to time. Having a quality plunger or auger on hand will help you in a pinch; and if you have a more serious clog you need help with, call Action Plumbing. We’re available to help you with clogs or any plumbing issues you may be facing, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Replacing Orangeburg Pipes

June 16, 2015 By Action Plumbing

replacing orangeburg pipes - action plumbing

Orangeburg Pipes are a fiber conduit pipe that was in use anywhere between the 1870s and 1970s. These fiber conduit pipes have a shelf life of around 50 years. As you can see, with a piping system this old, it’s about time to consider replacing Orangeburg pipes immediately. But first, you may be wondering, “What are Orangeburg pipes, and are they located on my property?”

What Are Orangeburg Pipes?

Before you think about replacing them, we should understand what they are and why you need to replace them. These type of This type of pipe materials are the construct of layers of wood pulp and pitch fibers. As you can see, these pipes were extremely popular back in the day. Firstly, parts of the pipes (even the joints) would seal up quite easily. Above all, this means it would help construction projects tight on a deadline finish up much quicker than previously thought.

The Problem with Orangeburg Pipes

Many people believed they would last up to 50 years. However, there are a significant amount of cases where these pipes took less than 10 years to fail. Although they were relatively stable, they wouldn’t stand more pressure than intended. As you can see, when pipes fail they cause lots of damage. When something causes damage, you need to shell out more money for repairs.

Do I Have Orangeburg Pipes?

If there’s a history of Orangeburg pipe usage in your area, chances are good that you may have Orangeburg pipe on your property as well. Some areas that commonly have Orangeburg pipes are Cherry Hill, NJ and Willingboro, NJ.

There are several signs you should watch that may provide hints that there are Orangeburg pipes on your property including, lines that are clogged frequently, tree root invasion, or total and complete collapse.

What Should I Do About Orangeburg Pipes?

If you suspect that you have Orangeburg pipes on your property, the first thing you should do is contact Action Plumbing immediately. We offer a professional service to inspect and determine if Orangeburg pipes are currently being used on your property, and we have the technology needed to make inspections and replacements without causing further property damage.

For more information about replacing Orangeburg Pipes, contact Action Plumbing today. We’re available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.

When to Replace Your Hot Water Heater

June 9, 2015 By Action Plumbing

when to replace your water heater If you’re wondering when to replace your hot water heater, you’re not alone. Many people who use hot water heaters in their homes are unsure about the proper upkeep, especially when it comes to replacing a unit altogether.

There are, of course, signs that your hot water heater is performing well, including:

water in your home that just isn’t as hot as you’d like it to be
leakage
strange, unexplained hissing sounds

Chances are good that a simple repair may be in order to solve any of the above-mentioned issues. For example, if you have a leaky pressure valve, replacing the valve may be the only solution you need. Another good is example is leaky water supply pipes. This fix may be as easy as tightening the fittings or replacing only the fittings if need be.

On the other hand, some issues you’re experiencing may not be fixed so easily and you may require a new unit to be installed. If you’re thinking of doing your own installation, there are few things you should consider before taking on the job yourself, like:

Are you generally handy around the house, and do you have the knowledge and patience to complete the job correctly?
Do you have the time to install a new water heating unit? Remember that while the removal of the old unit and the addition of the new unit is taking place, there will be no hot water available for anyone in your home.
Are you physically capable of moving both the old and new units? Water heaters can be particularly heavy and you should not attempt to pick one up if you experience any back issues or generally have difficulty lifting.
Do you have the correct tools for installing a water heater? If you’ve done plumbing work in the past, chances are you have many of the tools readily available. Tools for a water heater installation typically include a wrench, a pair of pliers, a hacksaw, some screwdrivers, and possibly a propane torch if you are working with copper pipes.

Another point to consider is that in order to connect the existing pipes to your new water heater, you may need to add threading to their ends. If your pipes are constructed with PVC, you’ll need to do solvent welding in order to connect them, and if they’re made out of copper, you’ll need to solder the fittings to your copper pipes.

If you have any questions about when to replace your hot water heater and would like guidance, contact Action Plumbing today to find out more about our expert plumbing services. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.