Month: November 2021

Plumbing Services

What’s the Lifespan of My Home’s Plumbing?

Calvin Barr

Your home’s plumbing works hard every day and while some of your products and fixtures may need to be replaced sooner than others, it’s no pipe dream to have your home’s pipes and fixtures perform well for decades. Caring for your home’s plumbing can keep yours running past the average life span. Here’s an idea of how long your home’s plumbing should last.

Pipes: Know What You Have

Knowing the type of plumbing in your home makes a difference in knowing how long you can expect it to last without starting to be compromised. Your home inspection report or your new home’s documents and warranties will give you a good idea about the type of plumbing system you have and when it was installed. You can also pay for a thorough inspection of your plumbing system to get a true status of its viability.

On average supply pipes that are brass, iron or steel can have a viable lifespan of 50-70 years; copper is 70-80 or more years. PVC piping has a shorter lifespan of fewer than 50 years.

Some homes in the Mid-Atlantic build in the 1970s-90s used a briefly popular product called polybutylene piping which was thought to be easier to plumb because it was made from pliable plastic. The product became susceptible to breaking and is often removed from a home as a preventative measure. An inspection can determine if your polybutylene piping is failing.

Hot Water Heaters

Your water heater cranks every day to make sure you get that hot shower in the morning. While the number of people in the home makes a difference in your hot water heater’s workday, here’s a look at how long you can expect before replacing your hot water heater.

Tankless hot water heater: 20 yearsTraditional hot water heater: 12 yearsHeat pump water heaters: 10 years

Toilets

A malfunctioning toilet can be a major home meltdown. Toilets can last nearly 50 years but that doesn’t mean all its internal components. A toilet operation is fairly simple, but it does contain about a dozen moving parts. It isn’t unusual to have to replace some of the components during the lifespan of the toilet but cracked bowls or issues with successful flushing may mean it’s time for a new toilet.

If your toilet is manufactured before 1994, it might be a good idea to proactively swap it out. Older toilets use more gallons of water than necessary causing your water bill to inflate. A new toilet may offset the cost of that high water bill.

Faucets

Kitchen faucets have evolved with smart technology and touchless technology, but we can all agree a functioning faucet is a major necessity in the kitchen. Over time faucets can create a build-up of mineral deposits from the hard water we use in our homes. A simple cartridge repair can do the trick. But, if you find rust coming from your faucet or consistent leaking, it might be time for a new faucet. A faucet’s useful lifespan can vary depending on manufacturer, but the average is about 12 years.

Sump Pumps

One of your home’s plumbing MVPs is the sump pump. Designed to keep your basement dry in the event of heavy rains, your sump pump’s average lifespan is about 10 years. If you suspect yours is approaching that age, it is best to get it inspected. A non-operating sump pump can put you in a lot of hot water, fast.

Well Pumps

If your home is on a well, your well pump is the most important component to keep your water running. A well pump can last 8-15 years, depending on your water usage, number of people living in the house, sediment levels, and your area water levels.

Putting off plumbing repairs or replacement is never a good idea. Failed plumbing can lead to major home damage meaning that small replacement job just turned into a major insurance nightmare. At Len The Plumber, our expertise helps you know whether your plumbing issue is one that can be repaired or if replacement is the best solution.

Plumbing Maintenance

How Safe is Your Home’s Water?

Calvin Barr

infant drinking glass of water

We all have enough to worry about when it comes to our health and well-being. Worrying about how clean and safe our home’s water is, shouldn’t be one of them.  Here are some reasons you may need a water filtration system and if you notice any of the following, you should have your water tested.

Your water supply is near a septic systemYour home’s plumbing system is agedYour notice staining when you do laundryYour water tastes “funny”You live near an area of intensive farmingYour water has a salty tasteYou had a chemical or fuel spill near your water supplyYou got a notice from your water supplier of a boil-water alert

You can have your water tested by contacting your local health department or you can contact a state-certified laboratory. You can find the laboratory serving you by contacting the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or on the EPA website.  Also, the experts at Len The Plumber can also provide you water analysis testing for things such as pH, Iron and other mineral contents that can be unsafe and undesired in your water.

Determining what is in your water will help when choosing the right water filtration system for your home. Water filtration systems can remove contaminants such as:

LeadMicrobesRadonArsenicPesticides

6 Popular Water Filtration Options

A water filtration system can be installed at an individual faucet which will only affect the water quality at that particular point-of-use or it can be installed at the juncture where the water enters the home.

The most basic water filtration option is a carafe system that uses a manual-filled pitcher with a filter cartridge. It’s inexpensive but also labor intensive for homes that go through a lot of drinking water daily.A simple option is attached to a faucet for an easy and quick filtration The downside is not every faucet works with faucet-mounted filters.One of the most commonly used filtration systems is one that is installed under the sink and uses cartridges which trap chemicals, metals and other contaminants.Another popular system is an ion exchange filter system. This system uses positively charged ions to collect ions that are harmful such as magnesium, barium and other harmful chemicals.Reverse osmosis units, which filters water through a membrane, is often used as an effective system to remove nearly all contaminants from the water. The filter does its job, but does require upkeep to make sure it is running smoothly and efficiently.Whole house water treatment systems treat all the water entering the home not just the water used for drinking. These systems are convenient and effective, and the most comprehensive. A professional plumber can evaluate your home’s plumbing and how it would integrate with a filtration system. If your home is on a well water system, a whole home water filtration system might be the best option for you.

Which Water Filtration System Should I Choose?

Before selecting a water filtration system, consider how you expect to use the filter and determine your budget. High-demand homes might be best with a system the provides ample filtered water daily.

Give yourself peace of mind knowing that your water is the safest it can be for you and your family. If you are considering a water filtration system, our experts at Len The Plumber can help. Call us today for a free analysis of your plumbing system. Len The Plumber is your Mid-Atlantic professional plumbing company.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.davieplumbingandsupplyfl.com/?p=198

Plumbing Services

Debunking Garbage Disposal Cleaning Trends

Calvin Barr

Finding a fast, easy way to clean your garbage disposal might seem like a dream come true, but viral video hacks claiming to leave your system cleaner can end up doing more harm than good. Before you head to TikTok for a crash course in cleaning your garbage disposal, you might want to read up on why plumbing professionals advise against using these methods and what you can do instead to get your system squeaky clean!

Why These Garbage Disposal Cleaning Hacks Don’t Work the Way You Think

The Ice Method

Search for a garbage disposal cleaning hack online, and you’ll likely be led to a series of viral TikTok videos of various DIYers shoving as many ice cubes as possible into their systems. After running the disposal, they turn on the hot water, causing a nasty, brown liquid to bubble up from the disposal. According to the videos, this liquid is evidence that the hack is doing its job and pulling the gunk from your drain. However, that’s not exactly the truth.

Stuffing ice cubes down the disposal to full capacity can actually clog your drain line. When this happens, and the hot water is turned on while your disposal is in use, the dark water that bubbles to the surface is actually wastewater backing up into your sink — gross.

The Bleach Method

Some homeowners may think that sending bleach, ammonia, or other abrasive liquids down their garbage disposal systems might be the most effective way to clean them. However, these cleaning agents can do more damage to your septic tank, pipes, and disposal impellers due to their increased corrosiveness compared to other cleaning methods. Over time, using these substances repeatedly to clean your system can eat away at the garbage disposal and your pipes, leading them to break down prematurely.

The Hand Method

While it’s rare that homeowners attempt to dislodge whatever blockage is affecting their garbage disposal by inserting their hands into their systems, it has happened. Contrary to popular belief, garbage disposals do not have blades. Instead, they have impellers that use centrifugal force to spin food against a stationary grind ring. You might not amputate a finger by sticking your hand down the disposal as you might think, but you still could end up with a nasty injury.

How To Clean Your Garbage Disposal the Right Way

If you’re looking for a fast, easy way to clean your garbage disposal, plumbers recommend following the steps below:

  • Step one: Add a few ice cubes to your disposal.
  • Step two: Sprinkle in some coarse rock or sea salt and a few lemon wedges.
  • Step three: Turn on the cold water and run the disposal until the ice is cleared.

By adding the salt, you’ll be able to clean the disposal blades more effectively. The lemon wedges work to neutralize odors so that your sink smells citrusy fresh. Making this a part of your kitchen cleaning routine is a great way to keep strong odors from stinking up your culinary space. By incorporating this cleaning routine and keeping certain materials from entering your disposal in the first place, you’ll be able to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly for years to come.

When To Contact a Plumber for Garbage Disposal Service

Sometimes, the only way to remove a clog from your garbage disposal is through professional assistance. If your garbage disposal needs repair or maintenance, Len The Plumber has the plumbing experts you need to get the job done right.

Call us at (800) 950-4619 to schedule garbage disposal services in your home today!

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.davieplumbingandsupplyfl.com/?p=195

Plumbing Tips

Top 5 Benefits of Water Heater Maintenance

Calvin Barr

Scheduling water heater maintenance for your system might not be at the top of your to-do list, but there are many reasons why it should be. Professional water heater maintenance provides homeowners with numerous system benefits that they wouldn’t experience otherwise. Read on to discover the benefits you’re missing out on if you don’t schedule routine water heater maintenance with a plumbing professional!

1. Keep the Manufacturer’s Warranty Active

Did you know that annual system maintenance is required to keep your manufacturer warranty active? It’s true — unless you adhere to the professional maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual, you could be sacrificing your warranty. That means if your system ever malfunctions within the warranty period, you won’t be able to take advantage of any repair services that might be covered unless you can prove your unit was maintained annually.

2. Improve System Energy Efficiency

With time, minerals will settle at the bottom of your water heater, making it increasingly difficult for your unit to produce hot water. Inevitably, this will reduce the amount of water available to heat, lowering your hot water supply — especially if you have a traditional storage tank system rather than a tankless water heater. During water heater maintenance, your plumbing professional will remove any mineral buildup within your system. By removing sediment from your water heater, your system will be able to operate much more efficiently.

3. Identify Repair Needs Early

In addition to removing excess sediment from your system, your plumbing maintenance professional will also help identify repair needs early. This will help you better anticipate what water heater repair requests you may need in the near future and can also help you prevent a full system breakdown. And by better understanding your water heater’s current health, you’ll be able to plan financially for your system’s needs rather than facing an unexpected expense down the road.

4. Reduce Water Expenses

One of the greatest benefits to professional water heater maintenance is the reduced water expenses you’ll incur as a result. As your plumber eliminates excess buildup within your system to improve efficiency, this will translate into lower operational costs throughout the year as your unit doesn’t have to work as hard to produce hot water. You’ll also enjoy reduced water heater ownership costs as well since your plumber will be able to identify and repair small problems before they escalate into a professional repair request.

5. Increase System Longevity

With proper system maintenance, your water heater unit can last up to 20 years or longer, depending on the type of system you have installed. However, an annual maintenance schedule is the only way to achieve this type of longevity. Systems that do not undergo annual maintenance are much more likely to break down and require replacement prematurely.

Schedule Water Heater Maintenance With Len The Plumber!

If it’s been more than a year since your last water heater flush, Len The Plumber has the plumbing professionals you need to maintain your system. Our water heater maintenance services will leave you with improved system efficiency, performance, and longevity so you can enjoy stress-free hot water access in your home.

Schedule water heater maintenance with Len The Plumber by calling (800) 950-4619 today!

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.davieplumbingandsupplyfl.com/?p=192

Plumbing Maintenance

How To Check Your Outdoor Hose Bibb For Leaks

Calvin Barr

We’re happy to report that warm weather is ahead, and we can (hopefully) put this past winter behind us. If you’re planning on doing some spring cleaning outside this month, you’ll more than likely need to turn your outdoor faucet (commonly known as a hose bibb) back on.

The winter weather temperatures may have caused some models of hose bibbs to crack. If the problem isn’t caught early enough, all that water leaking from your outdoor faucet can result in water damage and allow for mold to potentially grow inside your home – not to mention all the wasted water and energy!

Follow These Steps Before Turning On Your Water

Steps To Check Your Hose Bibb

Follow these simple steps to see if your hose bibb was damaged this past winter:

Place your thumb over the spigot. If you have small thumbs, you may want to use your whole hand to cover the opening.Turn the water on.If you can hold the water in, with your hand or thumb, that means there is a crack somewhere in the piping and water is leaking out.However, if you feel a lot of pressure and you can’t hold back the water, you should be fine!

Hose Bibb Repair & Replacement

If your hose bibb is leaking, either visibly or based on our thumb test, you’ll likely need a professional to locate the source of the problem and resolve it. This can mean repair of specific components of your hose bibb or the pipes leading to it, or it could mean needing to replace the entire structure. You may have to choose between repairing and replacing your hose bibb, depending on the severity of the damage. Repairing costs less, but may leave worn components in place where they will fail in subsequent winters.

To learn more or schedule a visit, contact Len The Plumber at (800) 950-4619(800) 950-4619 or schedule online

What to Do If Your Hose Bibb Is Still Leaking

At Len The Plumber, we’ve seen all too often what can happen to outdoor faucets affected by cold winters, and the problem doesn’t always reveal itself until spring. A leaky hose bibb or cracked supply line can result in damage to your home and also an increase in your water bill.

If you suspect that you have a water leak, give us a call today to diagnose the problem. We can even install a frost-proof outdoor hose faucet and our technician will teach you how to properly winterize your new fixture.

We’re here to provide you with same day service, seven days a week – and remember, there’s never an extra charge for evening or weekend service.