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This is the Chicago Plumbing Blog from Morning Noon and Night Plumbing! Here we talk about all things plumbing: repairs, leaks, water pipes, sump pumps, sewer and drain cleaning, water heaters, Hydro-rooting, and more. We are a local Chicago plumbing service, so we also discuss things we love in the area! Thanks for stopping by, and please give us a call for all your plumbing maintenance needs or your next plumbing emergency! www.morningnoonandnightplumbing.com

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Hydro Jet Plumbing To the Rescue!

For residential and industrial needs, hydro jet plumbing cannot be beat. Years of grease and sediment become attached to our pipes, Eventually, they begin to narrow and eventually clog. In order to keep your pipes free of debris, grease, sediment, and waste-- hydro jet plumbing is the way to go.

Unlike snaking, or harsh chemicals, hydro jetting thoroughly flushes out all of the gunk that clings to our plumbing-- without compromising our pipes.

The hydro jet uses high pressure water up to 4000 psi at 15-18 gallons per minute... leaving your pipes looking and functioning like new.

The way it work is, a hose is guided through the sewer line by a high pressure water stream.As the hose recoils, it is cleaned by powerful forward and back jets of water. Different heads are used for various needs. In industrial situations a heavier duty attachment may be required.

Hydro jetting will destroy anything in it’s path, giving you the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to your home or business. Simple maintenance and annual jetting will assure long lasting and free flowing pipes.

Prevent clogs and build ups, call us now so you don’t have to later!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Welcome Our Newest Addition! Pumper Truck

Isn't she a beauty!?
You may wonder, what is a pumper truck?

A pumper truck is a vehicle with many capabilities. The most obvious of course; pumping. Pumper trucks are used in many different industries. For instance, a fire truck is a pumper truck. Whenever liquid, gas, oil, etc. need to be pumped in or out, a pumper truck is needed.

In our industry, pumper trucks are incredibly useful and convenient. With 24 hour a day, 7 day a week availability we are able to...

  • Pump flooded basements 
  • Trench drains 
  • Clean storm lines 
  • Septic tanks 
  • Sump crocks 
  • Clean grease traps 

Who Has A Pumper Truck?

We do!!! Our pumper truck is a mobile 24 hour service for both residential and industrial needs. In the war on flooding, this vehicle is a proven war machine. In the war on cleaning, it makes Mr. Clean look like a slob. And it is now a permanent member of our fleet.

Who Needs A Pumper Truck?

Everyone! Got a parking lot? Need it cleaned?-- Pumper truck! Got grease, sediment, shmootz and shmink? --Pumper truck!

It’s not just for emergency needs, but should you have an emergency, we’re are ready!

Monday, April 30, 2012

When is it Time to Replace Those Pipes?

It can be difficult to tell when the pipes in your home need to be replaced but there are some tell tale signs. In time your pipes will corrode, rust and decay. Unless you eventually replace the plumbing, you could be facing a flood of water or raw sewage in your home that can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your property and belongings.

Old pipes do not have to become a plumbing disaster. Here are a few ways to assess your plumbing needs and when it’s time for a replacement.

Be conscientious of the types of pipes you have. The type of plumbing in your home determines how long you can hope for them to last. Reviewing the home inspection report you received when you purchased the house will help reveal your type of plumbing --or you can have one of our trusted plumbers inspect your home for you.

Brass and galvanized steel pipes that are used as supply pipes can have a typical lifespan of 80 to 100 years. Copper slightly less time at just 70 to 80 years. A cast iron drain line could be expected to last anywhere between 80 and 100 years where has a PVC drain line has the estimated lifespan of 25-40 years.

Even if your pipes are older than these estimated lifespans, it doesn’t necessarily mean they need to be replaced. A well maintained pipe could last longer and a poorly maintained ones or homes in areas with hard water could have to replace their plumbing sooner. No matter what types of plumbing you have, you need to keep an eye on it.

If you have either of these types of pipes in your home, they need to be removed right away --no matter how old they are. Used in the early 1900’s, lead pipes have an life expectancy of 100 years but the lead can seep into your drinking water causing serious health risks. The other type of plumbing that should be removed promptly are polybutylene pipes. Used from the 1970’s to the 1990’s these pipes are extremely prone to breakage.

If your house is 60 years old or older make sure you do an annual inspection of your plumbing. Look at any exposed pipe for telltale signs of trouble. Any discoloration, stains, dimpling, or flaking are all signs of corrosion. If you find any of these abnormalities contact a plumber to do an inspection because it may be time to replace those pipes soon.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Have You Rodded Your Line Today?

Many of us enjoy cooking at home. And when we begin the frenzied whirlwind of cooking for our families and guests; we ask a lot of our kitchens. We regard the hole in the sink as sort of an abyss that carries our rotted, spoiled, wilted waste to another realm where we don’t have to see it anymore... Or smell it for that matter.

But, beneath that sink lies an intricately woven series of pipes that carrie that unwanted waste to our sewers. And; should that network become impeded by that “forgotten” waste? Then you will experience a back up, and that unwanted waste just made you remember.

In this instance you will want to call a professional. “Rodding” is when a plumber uses a heavy duty cable line that has teeth on the end of it to break through any clog within the deepest reaches of your home. This can save you a fortune. Especially when performed annually. Much like the veins in the human body, a constant unimpeded flow must be allowed in order for the body, or in this case the house, to live.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Low Flow/High Efficiency

It seems every day when we wake up, more and more technological advances have been made. Even in our bathrooms! The future is here and evidence of that is in the toilet... Literally!

Since the mid nineteenth century until relatively recently; technological advances regarding the throne have been virtually inert-- until 1994 when water conservation laws came to pass. After that manufacturers scrambled to make a Low Flow toilet to suit the needs of the consumer as well as meet the demands of regulation. Subsequently, it was the consumer that saw the short end of the stick as quality was lost in an effort to make a low flowing device.

The reason toilet bowl technology remained unchanged for so long is quite simple... It works. The use of gravity and air have created any easy to maintain system with toilets manufactured before 1994. A toilet bowl can house 7-8 gallons of water in it’s reservoir and use gravity to flush out waste in the bowl. After water conservation became a paramount issue it was recognized how wasteful 7-8 gallons of gallons per flush (GPF) really is. The new mandate only allowed for 1.6 GPF. This makes it much harder for gravity to do it’s job with such a light load. As a result, many sought out toilets from garage sales and second hand stores to avoid the seemingly Low Flow/ Low Quality of the new design.

In the last decade however, many manufacturers have released some very sleek, high-performance commodes. Many addressing the issue of gravity. Before WWII, most toilets kept the water tank high above the toilet to ensure a proper cleansing from the height and weight of the water. Now; that same idea has been employed with the newest models. Pressure assistance. Be it from a pump, motor, air, etc. There are many new break throughs that can not only conserve water, but conserve money! In the end, nobody likes to flush money down the toilet.

Visit your local Home Improvement Store for more information on how you can make your home and wallet greener. Find out what is best for you, in the long run you’ll be glad you did.

What A Sump Pumps Does For Your Home

Sump Pumps are pumps used to pump only water. Specifically made for removing the collection of unwanted water in and around the home and basement. As spring nears and snow begins to melt, that water has to go somewhere. All too many times it creates an abundance of water damage to homes and businesses alike.

A sump pump requires annual maintenance and care of a professional. Your sump pump generally has a life-span of 5-7 years. With proper care, it will prevent flood damage and even save lives. Like your faucet; check for leaks near the valve. If you do spot any, call a professional.

In the event that your sump pump malfunctions, be sure to unplug it to avoid shock. A clog in the pump can become a lot more costly if proper steps aren’t taken.

When the time does come to replace your sump pump, be sure to consult Morning Noon & Night Plumbing and we will assist you with any specific needs that you may have be it basements, crawl spaces, etc. With maintenance you can enjoy five plus years of peace of mind. Don’t let spring dampen your property. When the snow melts, the water runs. If you are well equipped and well prepared, transition from season to season should be as comfortable and painless as possible.

WHEN TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL...

Some of the seemingly easiest repair jobs concerning plumbing can become a nightmare. In the Do It Yourself age, many have taken on projects that in the past were unheard of doing yourself. Reality TV would have us all believe that we can do ANYTHING ourselves. But the reality is they have edited those programs to make the job look virtually effortless.

In your home, if you are thinking about taking on a project by renting the equipment and doing it yourself; think again. Replacing a shower valve seems like child’s play when a CHILD shows you how on YouTube. Make no mistake-- that CHILD is a prodigy if he can change a shower valve. Which is why he has a million views! Do you know how to cut through dry wall? Tile? Do you know if your pipes are copper?-- You’re basically about to perform surgery on your house. These aren’t things to take likely. A professional will be equipped with state of the art tools that can render little to no damage to your walls... As would a Doctor if you needed a valve replaced.

There are many things you CAN do to prevent the need of professional help such as check for moisture or leaks. Leaky faucets are generally caused by old/dirty seals. Be sure to clean and or replace them before changing fixtures. A leaky faucet can lose 20-30 gallons of water per day and do thousands of dollars of damage in the process. So check them regularly, and if it’s beyond your means of expertise... Call a professional!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

BASIC TIPS WHEN SERVICING YOUR WATER HEATER

Yearly water heater maintenance is very important and one of the most often maintenances over looked by home owners. There are many different types of water heaters on the market but there are a few basic steps that everyone should follow to avoid injury to yourself and your water heater. 
Always disconnect the power to your water heater from the circuit breaker to assure that no power is going to it. Aside from risk of injury from electric shock, if the tank turns on when it is dry you can damage the element. Also make sure the gas is turned off. 
Hot water heaters are HOT! It’s best to check any part of it with a thermometer before touching it. It’s not worth skipping a few second step and burning yourself for it. 
One way that people could prevent an accident while doing hot water maintenance is making sure that they can see what they are doing. Make sure the area that you are working in is well lit.
Make sure the area around your water heater is clean. Make sure any flammable objects are far away from the unit. Also, be sure to sweep and mop regularly to prevent any dust build up. 
Servicing your water heater can be a dangerous thing if not done properly. Call one of our professionals if you have the slightest doubt in your capabilities. 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Winterizing: Outdoor Faucets and Lawn Sprinklers

As we discussed in our previous post, winterizing your home is extremely important, and taking some simple steps can help protect your home from the expensive mess caused by burst pipes. One thing not to forget is to prepare your yard for freezing temps. Winterizing both your outdoor faucets and your lawn watering systems are steps you don't want to overlook.

Steps to winterize an outdoor faucet:
1.     Turn off the valve for every outdoor faucet from the inside of the house.
2.     Go outside, open the faucet and let it drain completely. Leave the faucet open.
3.     Purchase or construct a dome of Styrofoam and place it over the open faucet. Seal it to the side of the house. This will help keep any cold wind from blowing inside the pipes and freezing them. It will also help keep the faucet warmer from the heat of the house. 
4.     Don’t forget to drain and store your garden hoses as well!

A more complicated process is preparing a lawn sprinkler system for winter. We do suggest you call a winterizing professional, who for a reasonable price can usually used compressed air to blow the water out of the system and prepare the pipes for winter.  Winterizing an underground sprinkler system is easy if you have the proper equipment. The most important piece is an air compressor. The water source is turned off and the system is drained of as much water as possible. An air compressor is connected to the piping and forces air and the remaining water out of the sprinkler. 

If you are interested in a DIY method, this Home Tips by Don Vandervort article is a good resource: http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/sprinkler-system-winterize.html.


Give us a call at Morning, Noon & Night Plumbing if you have any questions or concerns (773) 880-0072 or visit our website at www.morningnoonandnightplumbing.com

For 30 years, we've taken pride in providing you with nothing short of honest and to the point plumbing services. If you're looking for a team of plumbers that you can trust, put your faith in Morning Noon & Night Plumbing.

Morning Noon & Night Plumbing and Sewer offers both commercial and residential plumbing services in the greater Chicago area. Service area includes: Burridge, IL, Chicago, IL, Cook County, IL, Darien, IL, Hinsdale, IL, Lagrange, IL, Oak Brook, IL, Orland Park, IL, Riverside, IL.

Are you on Twitter? Follow us @773plumber for updates and info!

Winterizing: Pipes

Well, winter has officially set in here in the Chicagoland area, and one question we get a lot is how to prepare your pipes for freezing weather.

What is the importance of preparing your home for winter? In a climate like ours- where temperatures are sustained freezing and below- it is very important. Pipes are especially susceptible to freezing in cold weather- and burst pipes can cause some of the most expensive repairs in the home. Winterizing your home will help prevent the expensive mess of burst pipes! 

Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent plumbing freezes:
1.     Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
2.     un-insulated spaces such as in a crawlspace, attic, outside walls, etc., make sure to insulate them with foam insulation at a minimum. Ideally you should wrap them with electrical heating tape first, then insulate them.
3.     Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
4.     If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.
5.     Don’t forget to winterize your lawn sprinklers- check out our blog post on winterizing your sprinklers 

Give us a call at Morning, Noon & Night Plumbing if you have any questions or concerns (773) 880-0072 or visit our website at www.morningnoonandnightplumbing.com.

For 30 years, we've taken pride in providing you with nothing short of honest and to the point plumbing services. If you're looking for a team of plumbers that you can trust, put your faith in Morning Noon & Night Plumbing.

Morning Noon & Night Plumbing and Sewer offers both commercial and residential plumbing services in the greater Chicago area. Service area includes: Burridge, IL, Chicago, IL, Cook County, IL, Darien, IL, Hinsdale, IL, Lagrange, IL, Oak Brook, IL, Orland Park, IL, Riverside, IL.

Are you on Twitter? Follow us @773plumber for updates and info!