brwm0728-k43ekqga711wvt9l

5 Common Threats to Water Efficiency

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 17:45:15 GMT

When the term "efficiency" comes up, most people first think of energy efficiency. However, while it is important to conserve energy, it's also important to save water. Freshwater is a limited resource, and water efficiency is essential to reduce strain on public sewer systems and water treatment centers. How water efficient is your home?This post lists some common threats to water efficiency in the home, and what you can do about them.

1. Leaky Toilets

Toilet leaks often go overlooked if they don't result in puddles of water on the floor. However, leaks between the tank and the bowl can waste a lot of water without making a mess. If you haven't flushed your toilet recently but the tank begins to fill, then there is probably water leaking from the tank to the bowl. A leaky toilet can waste 6,000 gallons per month, making it a huge threat to water efficiency.

Plumbers can usually fix a leaky toilet with a new part or two. You'll only need to replace the entire toilet if there is a crack, which is not common.

2. Old, Inefficient Toilets

Even if your old toilet seems to be working just fine, it is probably wasting water. Old toilets were designed in such a way that a lot more water was needed for an effective flush. Many old toilets use 3.5, 5, or even up to 7 gallons per flush - whereas newer models use only 1.6 gallons per flush.

The EPA has a new program called WaterSense that promotes water-efficient products and these toilets only use 1.28 gallons per flush.

If you flush just five times per day, switching from a 7-gallon to a 1.28-gallon toilet will save you more than 10,000 gallons of water per year. The new toilet will pay for itself within a few years.

3. Dripping Faucets

Drippy faucets are easy to get used to and overlook. While it may seem like those little drips are insignificant, when a single faucet drips just three times a minute, 34 gallons of water are wasted per year. Every little bit adds up, so have your drippy faucets repaired. Chances are, your plumber will only have to replace a few parts.

4. Wasteful Showerheads

Everyone loves a powerful shower, but you don't have to waste water to enjoy a powerful stream. Older showerheads typically use about 4 gallons of water per minute. New, low-flow showerheads use about 2 gallons per minute, so you save about 50 percent of your water use. These showerheads are specially designed to aerate the water so the stream feels just as forceful, even though less water is coming through the showerhead.

You should be able to replace your showerhead yourself; just unscrew the old one, and screw the new one into place.

5. Inefficient Irrigation Methods

Water efficiency is important outside in your yard, too. If you are not focusing on efficiency when watering your plants, chances are you're wasting a lot of water. Some ways to make outdoor water use more efficient include:

Switch to more efficient sprinklers.
Water your plants early in the morning or late at night when less water will evaporate.
Test the soil for moisture before watering; only water if the soil is dry.

Conserving water is good for the planet, and it saves you money on water bills, too. If you have a leaky toilet, an older toilet, a drippy faucet, or other inefficient plumbing that you'd like to improve, contact the friendly team of professionals at Cox Plumbing. Our dependable technicians will make the updates you need to boost your water-efficiency.

What to do when you have a Frozen Pipe?

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 17:53:14 GMT

Just a few helpful hints to remember during this arctic blast from your friends at Cox Plumbing . Call us @ 7708301663 if we can assist you, we will try to get to you as fast as we can. Thawing a frozen water pipe quickly is important. However, it is just as important to thaw the frozen pipe correctly. Here are seven tips to follow to help you get the water flowing and to help you avoid a burst pipe and potentially damaging flood at your property.

Tip 1: Locate the Frozen Pipe

In order to thaw a frozen pipe, you must first determine which pipe or pipes are frozen. Turn on the faucets in your property.

If no water comes out, or only a slight trickle escapes, then a pipe leading to the faucet is likely frozen. If one pipe is frozen, there is a chance others have frozen also.

If the pipes are exposed, such as pipes under sinks, in basements or along the exterior of the house, you may be able to see the frozen portion of the pipe. Frozen pipes often have frost on them or may have a slight bulge. If the blockage is located in part of the pipe that you have access to, you will have more options for easily thawing the pipe than if the frozen portion is enclosed behind a wall.

Tip 2: Open the Faucet

Before you begin attempting to thaw a frozen pipe, you will want to open the faucet that the pipe feeds water into. Make sure to open both the hot and cold handles. This will help to relieve pressure in the system and will allow the water to escape once you begin to thaw the pipe.

Tip 3: Where to Begin the Thawing Process

You should always begin the thawing process near the faucet then work your way down to the blockage.

This will help ensure that the melting ice and steam is able to escape through the open faucet. If you start the thawing process closer to the blockage, the melting ice could get stuck behind the blockage, creating more pressure in the pipe and increasing the chances the pipe will burst.

Tip 4: Thawing Exposed Pipes

If the frozen pipe is located in an area you can easily access, you have several options for attempting to thaw the pipe.

You should continue to apply the heat until the water escaping from the faucet returns to full strength. Here are four options for thawing an exposed pipe.

Hair Dryer- One of the easiest ways to thaw a pipe is by using a hair dryer. Simply turn the dryer on and point the heat at the pipe, beginning with the portion closest to the faucet. As with any electrical product, take the proper precautions and avoid coming into contact with water when operating the device.

Heat Lamp or Portable Space Heater- Another method to thaw the pipe is to use a heat lamp or portable space heater. Position the device so that the heat is able to reach the frozen pipe. This indirect heat can help to quickly thaw a pipe. Again, make sure to comply with the safety measures and precautions on the device you are using and keep the device away from water..

Hot Towels- Another way to thaw a frozen pipe is to wrap towels that have been dipped in hot water around the pipe. This can help to slowly thaw the blockage.

Electrical Heating Tape- A final option is to apply electrical heating tape directly to the pipe. This tape distributes heat throughout the pipe. You can purchase electrical heating tape that you plug in and unplug as needed or you can purchase heating tape that shuts off on its own.

Tip 5: Thawing Enclosed Pipes

If the frozen pipe is located in an area that you cannot easily access, you have three options for thawing the pipe.

Turn the Heat Up in the Property- You can attempt to thaw the frozen pipe by increasing the temperature in the property. Turning the thermostat up may be all that is needed to allow the ice blockage to melt.

Infrared Lamp- If you know where in the wall the frozen pipe is located, you can attempt to thaw the blockage by placing an infrared lamp in front of the portion of the wall where the pipe is located. The heat from the lamp may be able to penetrate the wall and allow the pipe to defrost.

Cut Out a Section of the Wall- If you are comfortable doing so, you can cut out the section of the drywall in front of the frozen pipe so that you can easily access the pipe. You can then use one of the methods for thawing out an enclosed pipe listed above.

Tip 6: Things to Avoid

Never attempt to thaw a pipe using an open flame, such as a propane torch. This can not only damage the pipe, it can also start a fire in your property.

Tip 7: If the Pipe Bursts

If a frozen water pipe does burst, the first thing you should do is shut off the main water line into your property. This will prevent additional water from flowing and damaging your property. You should know where the shut-off valves are for each of your properties and for each unit. There are usually smaller shut-off valves located near sinks and toilets, but the main shut-off valve is often located near the water meter.

Risks of Thawing a Frozen Pipe

There are two main risks you should be aware of when attempting to thaw a frozen water pipe. Fire- When using any heat source to thaw the frozen pipe, you can run the risk of starting a fire. Make sure to follow all safety instructions and never leave the product unattended. Burst Pipe- If you do not begin the thawing process correctly, you could cause the pipe to burst. Always start thawing closest to the faucet.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

There are steps you can take to help prevent your pipes from freezing in the future. This includes:

Keeping the Heat On

Allowing Faucets to Drip Slightly

Keeping All Interior Doors Open

Sealing Up Holes and Cracks

Adding Extra Insulation

Removing Exterior Hoses and Shutting Off Interior Valves Feeding Those Hoses

How High-Pressure Water Jetting Can Keep Your Pipes Clean

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 17:59:33 GMT

If you ever tried washing your driveway with a regular garden hose, you probably did not have a lot of luck getting it clean. On the other hand, if you attach the hose to a pressure washer, the water that comes out has a great deal of pressure, making it ideal for removing built-up dirt on a driveway.

The same principle is true for high-pressure water jetting , which is a method plumbers use to clean drain pipes. If your pipes run slowly or have clogs in them, a plumber could use water jetting to cut through the debris. Here are several important things to understand about high-pressure water jetting for plumbing.

What a High-Pressure Water Jet Does

Plumbers use water jets to clean out plumbing pipes with highly pressurized water. These machines can create pressure with water that is strong enough to cut through the toughest types of clogs. This includes grease, gravel, minerals, and even tree roots caught in the sewer lines.

To use a water jet, a plumber must insert it into the pipe. Once the water jet is inserted, the plumber turns it on and the water begins coming out. The water shoots directly into the pipe, forcing all the debris out of the way. The debris then washes down the pipes and into the sewer system.

When You Should Hire a Plumber to Use This Equipment

You can hire a plumber to use high-pressure water jetting for two reasons. The first reason is to clear a clogged line. If you have a drain in your home that will not work due to a clog, a plumber can use this equipment to clean out the line. Plumbers do not always use water jets to clear lines, but they do for stubborn clogs.

If your plumber does not use water jetting, he or she will most likely use a snake to clear the line or a plumbing auger. Plumbers commonly use snakes and augers to clear lines in homes; however, water jets work better for tough, stubborn clogs.

Secondly, you can hire a plumber to clean out all your lines with a water jet if you have slow-moving drains. Slow-moving drains tend to develop over time as debris builds up in pipes. This debris can include hair, grease, food, and hard water minerals. Little by little, debris accumulates from use, and this begins to cause slow-moving drains.

When you have slow-moving drains, your lines are prone to clogs. Clogs develop when the debris traps an entire line, preventing water from getting through. Have a plumber clean all your lines before you experience a major clog in one of them.

Why You Should Keep Your Pipes Clean

You need to keep your pipes clean if you want to prevent plumbing problems. While some clogs develop instantaneously, most develop slowly over time. A habit of getting your lines cleaned every year or two will prevent most clogs from forming. If you can prevent clogs, you can avoid the inconvenience clogs cause when they develop.

You can also keep your pipes clean by limiting what you place in them. A great way to do this is by placing screens over all your drains. In addition, you can pour baking soda, vinegar, and hot water in your drains to clean them on a monthly basis.

Plumbing problems are common with homes, yet they are inconvenient and messy. If you currently have any problems with your drain pipes, contact Cox Plumbing for help. We offer high-pressure water jetting services as well as many other services designed to fix and maintain plumbing systems in homes.

What You Should Do When a Plumbing Emergency Occurs at Your Home

Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:05:48 GMT

Plumbing emergencies can result in serious damage to your home, so they may naturally create a panic situation that could result in even more extensive problems. However, knowledge is power, and your entire family should be aware of the proper procedures to follow before a plumber can arrive to save the day.

SHUTTING OFF THE MAIN WATER SUPPLY VALVE TO YOUR HOME

Every member of your household should be made aware of the location of the main shut-off valve for your home's water supply. This valve will cease the flow of water to every part of your home.

Of course, this leaves your home completely without water for drinking, cleaning and toilets. However, turning off the water can stop a major flood from occurring from a burst supply pipe or another serious breach in your plumbing system.

Turning off the main valve can also be a stopgap measure to use until you can locate a local valve to a specific section of your plumbing that is causing a problem.

Once the local valve is located, it can then be shut off and the main valve reopened to allow water use before a plumber can arrive to perform necessary repairs.

The main valve will be located at the location that is nearest to the water meter for your home and will be installed on a wall on the lowest floor. If your water meter is outside the home, the main valve will probably be located on a wall on the lowest level in the front section of the home.

The main valve must be turned clockwise fully to turn-off the water supply. If the valve is difficult to turn because of its age, keep a large screwdriver nearby. You can use the screwdriver by placing it through the openings in the valve handle, as this will provide greater leverage for family members with less hand strength in a time of emergency.

TURNING OFF LOCAL VALVES WHEN PLUMBING EMERGENCIES ARISE

If you are aware of the location of single-use valves, you will not need to plunge your family into water deprivation mode by shutting off the main valve.

For example, if your toilet is leaking or overflowing, you can shut off the flow of water to the tank by turning off the small valve that is directly below the supply line to the toilet. Turn it fully in a clockwise direction to shut off the water. However, the tank will likely be filled, so don't allow anyone to flush the toilet if it is clogged, or you'll still have a messy overflow.

Turn off the cold water valve (cold to the touch) atop your water heater tank to stop a leaking tank from filling with additional water.

If a faucet won't stop running, you will need to find two small valves under your sink. Turn both clockwise to shut off both the hot and cold water supply lines.

Outdoor hose bibs will often fail when the supply valves that feed them are left on during the freeze of winter. If your hose bib leaks, look for the valve that is nearest to the bib. It's always a good idea to shut off the supply valve to your outdoor water supply before temperatures dip below freezing.

After you turn off the water, remove any hoses, and then open the bib fully to release any water inside that may freeze and cause a leak.

While your local plumber will try their best to get to your home as quickly as possible when a plumbing emergency occurs, you can save yourself a lot of trouble and expense if you shut off the water.

If you're in the Carrollton, Georgia, area, contact Cox Plumbing to come to your rescue.

The Most Common Types of Plumbing Problems Homeowners Experience

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 18:07:42 GMT

If you are a first-time homeowner, there is one thing you should expect to have problems with in your home—your plumbing system. Plumbing problems occur in all homes, and they typically happen at the most inopportune moments. Here are the most common types of plumbing problems you may experience with your home, why they happen and how to prevent them from occurring.

WATER-HEATER FAILURE

While all plumbing problems are bad, waking up to find that you have no hot water is always a huge inconvenience, yet it happens. A water heater can stop working for a number of reasons, but a common reason is from sediment in the water.

If you have hard water in your home, the sediment from it can start accumulating on the bottom of the tank. Eventually, this build-up of sediment can interfere with the system's ability to make hot water. To fix this problem, a plumber will flush the system out.

To prevent this issue from occurring again, you should consider putting in a water-treatment system, such as a water softener. You could also try turning the temperature down on the system. Hot water causes more sediment to remain in the tank, which increase the chances of water-heater failure in a house.

LEAKS IN PIPES

Finding a leak in a pipe is another common plumbing emergency, which you should address immediately. If you see a plumbing leak, make sure you take every measure you can to stop the water from getting inside your home. Try shutting off the main water valve to your house or placing a bucket under the leak.

Water damage can easily occur in a home when pipes leak, and pipes typically leak from holes that develop in them or from loose joints. Fixing a plumbing leak requires gaining access to the pipe and replacing it. This repair often requires cutting holes in walls or ceilings in a home, which can create a mess but is often the only way to gain access to the plumbing pipes.

Preventing plumbing leaks is not a simple task, especially in an older home. If you develop a lot of plumbing leaks, you might benefit from having a plumber repipe your entire home. Replacing old pipes with new ones is a sure way to stop leaks from occurring.

CLOGGED DRAIN LINES

A lot of homeowners also experience clogs in their drain pipes, and this too is a bad problem to encounter. A clogged line can occur with any drain pipe, but it is more likely to occur with old pipes or when homeowners place the wrong things in pipes.

A clogged drain pipe occurs when debris gets trapped inside a pipe and prevents water from passing through. This plumbing problem can leave you unable to use a certain sink or fixture in your home.

Plumbers fix clogged drain pipes in several ways. The first method involves using a snake. A snake is a device a plumber puts inside a pipe to force debris out of the way. A second method involves the use of highly pressurized water the plumber forces into the drain. Your plumber may use additional methods too.

The best way to prevent clogged drains is by using your drains in the right ways. Drain pipes can only handle water and human waste, which means you should avoid placing other things down the drains. For instance, never put grease, hair, sanitary products or food down the drain.

Cox Plumbing in Carrollton, GA, can help you fix any type of plumbing problem you have, and you can call anytime. We offer emergency services, general repair services and preventative maintenance services.

Easy Ways to Prevent Plumbing Problems

Tue, 16 May 2017 18:09:45 GMT

Plumbing problems can be inconvenient and messy, but you can take a number of steps to ensure your plumbing stays in the best condition for as long as possible. Not everything can be avoided, but by keeping an eye on how you treat your plumbing system, you are more likely to have a working system when you need it most.

Pay Attention to Your Drains

It is easy to forget that not everything can or should go down the drain. Whether in your kitchen or bathroom, take care to avoid putting hair, grease, trash or anything else down the drain or in the toilet. This applies even if you have a garbage disposal.

Anything that will not dissolve or deteriorate is a problem, and even some things that will eventually break down can still cause issues because of how long it takes for breakdown to occur.

Look Out for Pests

Did you know that rodents and insects could infiltrate your home through the sewer lines and pipes? It may seem odd, but these animals can fit through tiny cracks and holes and make their way into your home by following the pipes.

If you notice an increase in any sort of infestation, you should take the time to call in a pest control expert and a professional plumber. Together they should be able to determine where pests are getting in, how to eliminate the pests and how to repair any damage. If you already know you have damaged sewer lines, don’t wait until pests arrive before you have the problems repaired.

Don’t Assume You Can DIY Everything

A clogged drain or toilet is often a problem a homeowner can handle, but if your plunging efforts don’t seem to be going anywhere, don’t automatically start taking apart the pipes leading to the sink or toilet. The issue could actually be with pipes inside the walls of your home or with the sewer lines buried in the ground.

Not only do you risk damaging pipes that aren’t the problem, but you also make more work for yourself when you realize the leak or crack is in a pipe you can’t readily access.

Call for Plumbing Help Right Away

Our trained technicians know how to handle plumbing issues of all kinds. Cox Plumbing is dedicated to “protecting our environment for future generations,” and this means making sure everyone has plumbing they can rely on. Call us to discuss your plumbing needs today.