The holidays are fast approaching and that's usually the time when we ask a lot of our kitchens. On Thanksgiving alone we probably give our kitchen a workout equivalent to a months worth of cooking.
When cooking a meal for one or many, we leave behind grease and debris that can lodge itself into hard to see places. After time, grease, food particles, and grime can cling to the walls of your pipes, carrying harmful bacteria and inhibiting water flow.
To best prepare for the holiday season and make sure you don't run into a kitchen plumbing disaster, consider having your lines "mini-jetted" or "hydro-jetted" before you begin your Thanksgiving cooking. Mini/Hydro Jetting is a technique that employs the use of water at a high pressure up to 3800 psi at 15-18 gallons per minute to blast away fats, oils, and blockages.
Whether your needs are commercial or residential, we will send our experts out to de-grime and unclog every last particle that hides in your drains. Contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072 or online at www.morningnoonandnightplumbing.com for assistance in getting your kitchen back in tip-top shape for the holidays.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
When Should I Replace My Plumbing?
As the saying goes, "nothing lasts forever." This includes the pipes inside your house. Over the decades, the tubing gradually corrodes, rusts, and decays. Unless you replace plumbing, you're eventually going to get leaks and possibly a flood of water or sewage into your home. This can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your property and belongings. To help prevent that type of plumbing disaster, below are a few tips on when to replace your home's plumbing and fittings.
If your house is more than 60 years old, make it an annual ritual to look at any exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, and utility rooms for telltale signs of trouble. Check the tubing for discoloration, stains, dimpling, bumps, or flaking, which are all indications of corrosion. If you find irregularities, call us to do an inspection.
Watch For Signs Of Trouble
If your house is more than 60 years old, make it an annual ritual to look at any exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, and utility rooms for telltale signs of trouble. Check the tubing for discoloration, stains, dimpling, bumps, or flaking, which are all indications of corrosion. If you find irregularities, call us to do an inspection.
You'll want to keep a watch for leaks too, of course. Even small ones that are easily repaired may be indicators that the time for whole-house replacement is approaching. After all, the rest of the pipes in your home are the same vintage, they're made of the same material, and they've been subjected to the same water supply and usage patterns.
Fixture Updates
Fixture Updates
It is recommended that faucets should be replaced at least every 30 years, as a majority of the time, the finish will have worn off and the interior ring that allows the water to be forced up will have worn. Replacing the faucet handles is an easy and relatively inexpensive project that can completely change the look of the entire room. Consider switching from brass to pewter or brushed nickel, or changing from clear, round handles to sleek, modern styles. Our plumbers can recommend brands that will save you money while still achieving the style you want.
Contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072 for assistance in deciding when to update your home's pipes and fixtures.
Contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072 for assistance in deciding when to update your home's pipes and fixtures.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Plumbing Tips For Fall
Chilly fall temperatures serve as a polite reminder that winter is on its way. There are steps homeowners can take to prepare for the plumbing troubles associated with Illinois' coldest months.
- Make sure outside faucets aren't dripping or leaking. If you do have a leak, call us before temperatures teeter around freezing. Be aware that when pipes freeze, water pressure builds, resulting in cracks - no matter if the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even a tiny crack can unleash more than 250 gallons of water in a single day.
- Disconnect outside water hoses. If left connected, water in the hoses can freeze and expand causing faucets and connecting pipes inside your home to freeze and break.
- If your home is equipped with an interior shut-off valve leading to outside faucets, close them and drain water from lines.
- Cover outside faucets using a faucet insulation kit.
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as garages or crawl spaces. Apply heat tape or thermostat controlled heat cables around pipes that are exposed and prone to freezing.
- Your water heater works harder during winter months. Flush it out and remove sediment buildup which causes corrosion, shortens its life span, and reduces heating efficiency. Drain several gallons from the faucet near the bottom of the tank. Connect a hose to the faucet and direct water into a nearby drain.
- Carefully test the water heater's pressure relief valve (Danger: water is very hot) by lifting up on the lever and letting it snap back. The valve should allow a burst of hot water into the drainpipe. If not, call us to have a new valve installed.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Are Wet Wipes Safe For My Plumbing?
There is a common misunderstanding today surrounding "flushable" wipes. The fact that these wipes are even called "flushable" is misleading. More than ever, these products have become a major headache for wastewater collection systems, home owners, plumbers, and entire cities.
You may be thinking, "If the product is labeled "flushable" that means it's safe for my plumbing, right?" Not so. The word "flushable" is only in regards to its ability to travel through pipes, not what happens after it's in your plumbing system.
When toilet paper enters our plumbing system, it's designed to dissolve when mixed with water. "Flushable" wipes happen to stay in one piece, getting lodged in pipes and sticking to equipment.
Wipes can eventually cause obstructions which results in them having to be cut away BY HAND to prevent further damage. These blockages can also result in backups that flood buildings and sends sewage into the environment.
There are two ways to extend the life of your wastewater collection system: stop using wipes or if you must use them, throw them in the trash.
Contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072 for assistance with your plumbing needs.
You may be thinking, "If the product is labeled "flushable" that means it's safe for my plumbing, right?" Not so. The word "flushable" is only in regards to its ability to travel through pipes, not what happens after it's in your plumbing system.
When toilet paper enters our plumbing system, it's designed to dissolve when mixed with water. "Flushable" wipes happen to stay in one piece, getting lodged in pipes and sticking to equipment.
Wipes can eventually cause obstructions which results in them having to be cut away BY HAND to prevent further damage. These blockages can also result in backups that flood buildings and sends sewage into the environment.
There are two ways to extend the life of your wastewater collection system: stop using wipes or if you must use them, throw them in the trash.
Contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072 for assistance with your plumbing needs.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Replacing Galvanized Piping With Copper Piping
Most older homes were built with galvanized piping, which rusts and deteriorates over time. As this problem gets worse, it builds up inside the pipes. It is this accumulation of corroded material throughout the water lines that restricts the flow of water.
The main lines from the street may be unimpeded, but as water moves through lines in the house, the clogged pipes reduce the volume of water that can get through to the fixtures. It's this blockage that causes the low water pressure in the shower, the washer, and sinks. This also is the reason that you're being scalded or frozen in the shower when someone flushes the toilet or uses the water in another part of the house.
As the situation worsens, the water can become dirty and unfit to drink. Rust spots may even turn up on freshly washed clothes and linens. There is also the risk of leaks developing inside the walls, in the attic, and under the house, which can cause major damage to the home.
COPPER REPIPING:
Your old, galvanized pipes need to be replaced with copper piping, installed by one of our specialists who regularly does this type of work. Unlike galvanized piping, copper piping will not rust. It will be the end of this type of problem and the value of your home will be greatly enhanced.
Don't wait until you're stuck suffering from any of these problems. Contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072 for more information on upgrading your home's piping.
As the situation worsens, the water can become dirty and unfit to drink. Rust spots may even turn up on freshly washed clothes and linens. There is also the risk of leaks developing inside the walls, in the attic, and under the house, which can cause major damage to the home.
COPPER REPIPING:
Your old, galvanized pipes need to be replaced with copper piping, installed by one of our specialists who regularly does this type of work. Unlike galvanized piping, copper piping will not rust. It will be the end of this type of problem and the value of your home will be greatly enhanced.
Don't wait until you're stuck suffering from any of these problems. Contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072 for more information on upgrading your home's piping.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Toddlers And Toilets Don't Mix
Plumbers have an endless array of war stories concerning foreign objects they've retrieved from pipes. Here are a few tips to help ensure that your children don't cause a plumbing disaster...
Toilet Seat Lock
There are child safety locks available which can be purchased and installed on any toilet seat. This prevents small children from lifting the lid and falling in. It also prevents kids from throwing items into the toilet that don't belong there.
The child can still flush the toilet, which will waste water, but they won't be able to throw anything in the bowl. Without the excitement of watching the toilet flush, they are much less likely to pull the lever. Another option instead of installing a safety lock on the toilet lid, you could choose to install one on the bathroom door, but you will need to make sure you keep the bathroom door closed at all times.
Turning Off the Valve
There is a valve behind the toilet, which can be closed to prevent water from running to the toilet. You may choose to keep this valve off except when you actually need to use the toilet. This way, as many times as the child may flush the toilet, the water will only exit the bowl once, and the tank won't refill until the valve is switched back on.
Teaching Rules
Once the child is getting old enough to be potty trained, you should be able to teach them to operate the toilet correctly. Teach them when it is appropriate to flush the toilet, and when it is not. Walk the child through the entire process of a regular bathroom visit. Once the child understands the purpose of the toilet and begins to use it as intended, their interest in it will decrease. Eventually, a child will naturally exit this phase of mischief, but by using one or more of these prevention tips, you can make sure you can get safely through the phase without having to call a plumber once a week for costly repairs.
However, if you are in need of G.I. Joe, Barbie, cellphone, remote, or car key retrieval, contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072.
There are child safety locks available which can be purchased and installed on any toilet seat. This prevents small children from lifting the lid and falling in. It also prevents kids from throwing items into the toilet that don't belong there.
The child can still flush the toilet, which will waste water, but they won't be able to throw anything in the bowl. Without the excitement of watching the toilet flush, they are much less likely to pull the lever. Another option instead of installing a safety lock on the toilet lid, you could choose to install one on the bathroom door, but you will need to make sure you keep the bathroom door closed at all times.
Turning Off the Valve
There is a valve behind the toilet, which can be closed to prevent water from running to the toilet. You may choose to keep this valve off except when you actually need to use the toilet. This way, as many times as the child may flush the toilet, the water will only exit the bowl once, and the tank won't refill until the valve is switched back on.
Teaching Rules
Once the child is getting old enough to be potty trained, you should be able to teach them to operate the toilet correctly. Teach them when it is appropriate to flush the toilet, and when it is not. Walk the child through the entire process of a regular bathroom visit. Once the child understands the purpose of the toilet and begins to use it as intended, their interest in it will decrease. Eventually, a child will naturally exit this phase of mischief, but by using one or more of these prevention tips, you can make sure you can get safely through the phase without having to call a plumber once a week for costly repairs.
However, if you are in need of G.I. Joe, Barbie, cellphone, remote, or car key retrieval, contact Chicago area Morning Noon and Night Plumbing at 773-880-0072.
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