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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

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.