The Denver Plumbers Network

Dealing With a Frozen Pipe

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:58:34 +0000

The last thing any of us would want to deal with during the winter is a frozen pipe. Unfortunately, as the harsh winter weather approaches Denver in the coming months, a frozen pipe is a very real possibility. When freezing water expands in a pipe, it tends to burst them pipe and ruin fixtures with in the pipe. If not properly serviced, this can be very expensive to fix. There are a few things you can try to unfreeze the pipe and few things you need to know to prevent a frozen pipe.

The freezing of pipes occurs for a number of reasons that should all be investigated. A frozen pipe is likely due to a pipe that has been frozen before and not properly fixed; exposed pipes in crawl spaces, attics or rooms without heat; and pipes that run on the exterior of your house. If you have had a pipe freeze or burst in the past, you should have had it fixed properly. If it was left unattended to or if a “quick” fix was performed on it, it is likely that it will burst again and you will be faced with considerable damage. If you have exposed pipes in your craw space, attic or any room without heat, the pipe is exposed to extremely cold temperatures that could lead it to burst. Likewise, when a pipe runs on the exterior of your home, it is exposed to weather conditions such as snow, sleet and wind that could all lead to burst pipe.

If you find that a pipe is already frozen, you are somewhat limited in what you can do. You can try increasing temperatures in the home to help warm pipes, especially those in outside walls. For individual rooms that are not heated very well, you should place space heaters close to the frozen pipe. You can also try placing hot rags on the pipe itself. Warm rags may help to thaw the pipe, but may not fix the problem entirely.

Denver plumbers are constantly being asked what people can do to reduce the likelihood of a frozen pipe. To reduce the chances of a frozen pipe in your home, the strongest recommendation is that you let water trickle from any fixture connected to the pipe and be certain the drain is open and clear. If it is determined that a pipe needs to be relocated to avoid it freezing, you will need to contact a Denver plumbing service.

Stay tuned for more helpful plumbing information!

Upgrading Your Water Heater

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 23:27:37 +0000

Traditionally, water heaters have come in the form of hot water tanks. These outdated devices work by heating a limited amount of water and storing it in a heated tank for future use. Although this works fine for individuals and small families who don’t use that much hot water, many homeowners and residents who have hot water tanks will find that they are running out of hot water quickly, resulting in a significant waiting period for more water to be heated.

This kind of inconvenience can be especially apparent for families or groups of people living together who share one tank and tend to use large amounts of hot water around the same time each day. Perhaps the most common time of day when this happens is in the morning when everybody is getting ready for their days and taking (hopefully) hot showers. In addition, residents might experience issues with hot water tanks if washing machines or dish washers are in use, as these appliances tend to use a lot of hot water and empty the tank quickly.

A modern solution to this issue is the tankless water heater, which utilizes a system that functions on demand. This means that the tankless water heater, also known as an instantaneous or on-demand water heater, will heat as little or as much hot water as you need at any given time. Most newer buildings today will have on-demand water heaters installed, due to the many benefits they provide.

Probably the best improvement you will notice with an on-demand water heater as opposed to a hot water tank style heater is a reduction in energy consumption and costs. Because hot water tank heaters have to keep the water in the tank hot at all times, they continually use energy from either a gas or electric source. With on-demand water heaters, energy is only used when it is needed to heat the water being used. There are estimates that on-demand water heaters use anywhere from 25% to 50% less energy than hot water tank heaters, which will eventually reduce your utility bill drastically.

On one final note, From a business standpoint, on-demand water heaters are also a very good water heating solution for commercial buildings. Any type of building (including metal buildings, brick building, etc.) can benefit from the installation of an on-demand water heater. If you are a commercial building owner looking to decrease your energy costs, you should be able to give any local hot water heater company a call to set up an appointment.

As always, we here at The Denver Plumbers Network like to leave you with relevant links to some of our favorite local contractors. So, while you’re looking into upgrading your hot water heater, check out these other home improvement contractors to keep all of the parts of your home in good shape and up to date on maintenance.

Recommended Local Contractors:

Save Energy and Water with These Great Tips!, Part II

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 21:29:21 +0000

Hello Everyone,
In our last post, we started to discuss smart ways to save water around your house. We discussed energy-star rated Denver air conditioning units, as well as a few tips on how to save water by changing your behavior. That post can be found here. Here are a few more tips and tricks for helping you to become less wasteful in your own home:
1) Flush less. Do you remember the old summer camp mantra of “it it’s brown…”? The same can be said of your home. Don’t use your toilet as a trashcan for throwing away Kleenex, dental floss, or other bathroom items. If you flush two times less every day, you will be saving a little more than 3 gallons of water every day. In a whole year, this is 1,168 gallons of water!
2) When you are washing the dishes, fill one sink with hot, soapy water and the other with clear water for rinsing. Letting the water run is wasteful.
3) Dishwashers and clothing washers waste tons of energy. Only run the dishwasher when it is totally full, and look into buying one that is Energy Star Certified. Any Denver plumbing company can help you with finding Energy Star appliances that fit your home and budget.
4) Garbage disposals may be very convenient, but composting is better for the environment. Using your garbage disposal only when you need to will save a ton of water.
5) We already discussed how to water your lawn effectively. A better way to save water and money on your lawn is to replace your Kentucky Blue Grass lawn with species native to Colorado that are more drought resistant and need less water to flourish.

Thanks for reading! Stay posted for more great stuff from our local Denver plumbing blog.

Save Energy and Water with These Great Tips!

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 21:17:49 +0000

In the eco-conscious world that we live in today, it is important that we sometimes cover how to save water and other precious resources. We strive to use Energy Star-certified appliances in every part of our homes, and the technology behind more efficient Denver air conditioning units gets better with each passing summer. Even with excellent, efficient appliances, there are several ways that we can change our behavior to keep our planet greener. Here’s a quick list!
1) Running the tap wastes up to two gallons of clean water every minute. We’ve all heard that we should turn the tap off while we brush our teeth, but what about being smarter about the way we get our drinking water? Most Americans will run the tap for a bit to allow the water to get cold. If you keep a pitcher of water in the fridge, it will always be cold and you will never have to waste water on getting the tap to be the right temperature.
2) Water your lawn only as much as it needs it. Colorado has several laws on the books about how much and when each person can water their lawn. It might not look like it, but we do live in a desert here in Colorado, and we need to save as much water as possible. Don’t water your lawn in the middle of the day. Not only is it illegal, but most of the moisture will evaporate before it can be absorbed by your thirsty lawn. Ask your Colorado plumbing company to fix your sprinklers so that you are not watering your driveway or sidewalk, and just your lawn.
3) Keep up maintenance on your home, especially on leaking faucets. You can save hundreds of gallons of water every year by fixing a dripping tap. If you aren’t a terribly handy person yourself, call a Denver plumber to help you with those leaks.

Plumbline Services: Special Offer on A.C. for Summer!

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 23:34:54 +0000

Hello Everyone,
We typically do not formally spotlight certain Denver plumbing companies on this site, but rather give out useful information on HVAC and plumbing. As an exception to that rule, today we are going to say a bit about one of our favorite Denver plumbers, Plumbline Services. The reason for their current mention on this site is an amazing special they are currently running on air conditioning units. Since the beginning of May in Colorado usually marks the first few days that the temperature hits over eighty degrees, this is the time of year when most people run out and buy a Denver air conditioning system. While most plumbing and HVAC companies here in town typically mark up the prices of their air conditioning systems right around this time of year (they know they can ask for more), Plumbline has marked their prices way down. For a limited time, anyone who buys an air conditioning system from Plumbline Services will get either $1,000 dollars in cash or three years of no interest financing on the system. The cash can either go toward the air conditioning system, or you can take it as yours! This extra money could go toward adding extra amenities to your Denver HVAC system that will add comfort and luxury to your home. When we spoke to Plumbline about this special, they noted that many people use this special to add a Trane Cleanaffects Whole House filter system onto their cooling system. These systems are wonderful for people with severe allergies because they ensure that your home will be clean of pollen, dander and other allergens. It includes a climate and comfort control system which acts to regulate temperature and humidity inside your home.
This offer is only good until the end of May, so please call Plumbline Services at (303) 766-7500. They will be delighted to give you a free estimate on your air conditioning needs.

Don’t Clog the Kitchen Sink!

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 19:20:50 +0000

The best step to saving money on Denver plumbing repair is to prevent having to make any repairs in the first place. This might seem obvious, but it’s oftentimes harder to do than you might think. It’s especially important to stay on top of plumbing maintenance in the kitchen where any number of things might fall into the drain and cause any number of plumbing headaches.

The primary plumbing issue when it comes to the kitchen sink is that grease buildup from food tends to trap food and other particles, causing a buildup that eventually becomes the dreaded sink clog. If you catch a clog when it’s beginning to happen, you can usually use conventional drain cleaners to eliminate the problem before it becomes too unruly. However, the best solution to a clogged kitchen sink is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Some of the plumber Denver experts we were able to talk to gave us a few tips that can help keep your kitchen sink clog free and working smoothly. Since I’ve already mentioned that grease buildup is a major catalyst for kitchen sink clogs, you might have already guessed that NOT pouring grease down the sink is probably the main thing you can do to prevent clogs before they even occur. You should also avoid throwing other foods that contain a decent amount of grease down the drain, like meat scraps and coffee grounds.

If you do accidentally pour grease or throw other greasy foods down your drain from time to time, using conventional cleaners on your pipes once every few months can help ensure that you won’t need to call up a plumber Denver has too often. However, it is advised that you use these types of cleaners sparingly, as they can potentially cause pipe corrosion. Using drain strainers can also be helpful in preventing unwanted matter from falling into your kitchen pipes.

Check back soon for more tips on Denver plumbing problem prevention, and start saving the money that you would be spending on a plumber!

Staying Cool Without Going Broke

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:25:58 +0000

The summer months in Denver and throughout Colorado are often harsher than one would expect. Though many Coloradans choose to live through the summer months with nothing but a couple fans and gallons upon gallons of water, others choose to utilize their air conditioners for at least the hottest part of the summer. An air conditioner can be quite an expensive appliance to run, however, if you’re not knowledgeable on what you can do to get the most out of your air conditioner and when it might be time to schedule an appointment for an air conditioning repair Denver service.

First and foremost, it is recommended that you do not set your thermostat lower than 78 degrees, as your energy consumption will begin to increase exponentially with each degree below this relatively comfortable temperature. Also, make sure you know who has access to the thermostat controls so that they are not being changed without your knowledge. Putting a lockbox over the controls is a good idea if you have an office with many employees or family members who like to turn the air up when you’re not looking.

As for maintenance, the best way to prevent having to call up an air conditioning repair Denver company is to routinely change the air filters in your system. We can’t stress this enough, as this is one of the main reasons that many people end up spending so much money on air conditioning repairs is that they do not take the time to change their filters. Filters need to be changed every 2 to 3 months and can be purchased at most any local grocery store for a reasonable price.

Taking the middle ground when it comes to keeping cool during the summer is probably the best option for you and your business and/or family. Instead of sweating out the heat or spending an exorbitant amount of money on your electric bill, you should educate yourself on how to be energy smart during the upcoming summer months here in Colorado.

Tools of the Trade

admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:08:39 +0000

Plumbing disasters can strike at anytime. Although there’s always a professional plumbing Denver company just a call away, it helps if you have some plumbing tools on hand to take care of any unexpected leaks or mishaps until your Denver plumbers arrive.

First, you should keep a set of plumber’s pliers around, which are good for more than just plumbing projects. Plumbers pliers are usually 10 to 12 inches long, have rubber gripped handles, and have heavy serrated metal teeth. The serration on the pliers’s teeth helps to hold onto pipings when it needs to be slipped back into place or tightened with a bolt.

A high quality adjustable open-end wrench is another tool that most Denver plumbing experts suggest that you keep around. It needs to be adjustable, since pipes and bolts come in all different sizes. Even then, you should keep around a few different sizes of adjustable wrenches, since they can only increase and decrease in size to a certain extent. Adjustable wrenches are very versatile and helpful, and they might be all you need when a small leak occurs.

Lastly, we recommend that you keep a pipe wrench handy in case you need to take care of a more than minor leak. A pipe wrench is also known as a monkey wrench, and its advantage is that it can tighten and loosen pipes without bending or denting them. A normal wrench might be able to do the same job of tightening and loosening, but you risk damaging the pipe even more if you don’t specifically use a pipe wrench.

If you keep these few tools around, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble while waiting for your Denver pluming expert to get to your home, and who knows, maybe you’ll even be able to fix the problem by yourself!

Installing Pedestal Sinks: Too Difficult for the Average Homeowner?

admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:01:40 +0000

Hello Everyone & Welcome Back,
Today we are going to do a quick ‘how-to’ and history on installing a pedestal sink in your Rocky Mountain home. Remember, if you get stuck, a great Denver plumber is only a quick phone call away. This project may take between six and eight hours and will cost you between two hundred and a thousand dollars. Since some all of the plumbing components in a pedestal sink are exposed, they have to be clean and without scratches. This means that this project may be fairly difficult for amateur plumbers. We think that the how-to should be left to the professionals, so we will give a bit of a history and then leave you to your work.
Denver plumbing experts agree that pedestal sinks instill a sense of elegance and simplicity; especially in small spaces. Since in most half baths or small bathrooms a vanity or larger counter would take up too much space, using a pedestal sink is the perfect choice.
Pedestal sinks used to be made exclusively of enameled cast iron, but in 1915, manufacturers started making them out of materials such as vitreous china. They remain one of the more difficult projects to install correctly and gracefully. The most important element of the difficultly is making sure that the finished project looks neat and clean. Since it cannot be covered by a cabinet or wall, the pipes are clearly on display, and have to be even and new-looking.
This plumbing Denver expert says she gets calls all the time from customers who have attempted to put together a pedestal sink on their own and need some help about half way through. The secret? She says that you shouldn’t trust the manual that came with the sink. Do your own measurements.
Good Luck everyone! And remember that if you get stuck, a plumber is just a call away.

If you have experience with installing a

Not All Piping is Created Equal

admin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:39:54 +0000

No matter what anyone tells you, not all plumbing piping is created equal. Knowing what sort of piping your home has can help when you need to call up an expert plumbing Denver company to service your home. Also, knowing about the different types of plumbing piping available can help if you ever find yourself in a situation in which you must replace part or all of your plumbing. This would be especially true if you’re looking at buying a new house and would like to ensure that the builders use a piping material that is affordable and long lasting.

First of all, piping materials can generally be split up into two categories: metals and plastics. Metals are typically found on older homes and are not used as often these days. The two types of metal piping that you’ll see in homes today are galvanized steel and copper. Galvanized steel has a typical lifespan of forty years, but it has a tendency to corrode from the inside and / or rust through and leak. Copper, on the other hand, does not suffer from this type of corrosion; however, it does have a tendency to burst when frozen.

Modern plastic piping typically comes in three varieties. First, polybutylene is a gray plastic that was in style from around 1970 to 1990, but is not as prevalent today. White PVC is more prevalent today than polybutylene, but, like copper, it suffers from cracking and bursting when frozen. The most innovative plastic piping on the market today is called cross linked polyethylene, and it is just now being used more widely across the U.S. It is less expensive than most other piping materials and relatively easy to install.

Whenever replacing some or all of your piping, it is smart to look over your options as a homeowner. Especially with the weather here in Colorado, it is extremely important that you pick the right Denver plumbing piping to get you through the winter carefree.