Fix A Leak Week EPA WaterSense Video

The EPA's Fix a Leak Week is the perfect time to remind us all to be conscious of our water usage.  Small changes to our water usage habits can make a big difference.  Inspect your home for any leaks, or call a plumber!

In Celebration of World Plumbing Day 2015: Why plumbing matters to health, safety, water sustainability and more | The Wholesaler

March 11th is internationally recognized as World Plumbing Day, it was created to bring awareness to the importance of plumbing.  Proper sanitation and running water are things that most of us take for granted, but more than 750 million people in the world do not have access to clean water according to water.org, that's more than twice the current population of the United States.  Check out the article below to learn more about why plumbing matters.

In Celebration of World Plumbing Day 2015: Why plumbing matters to health, safety, water sustainability and more | The Wholesaler

Happy World Plumbing Day!  

What To Do If You Suspect You Have a Frozen Pipe

If you turn on a fixture and very little or no water comes out, you may have a frozen pipe.  We highly recommend calling a licensed plumber right away to get on their schedule as soon as possible.  Next, shut your water off at the main shut-off valve.  Click here to learn more about where your shut off valves are located.  If there is a visible leak and you do NOT know where your shut off valve is, then call your local water utility company so they can come and shut the water off for you underground at the street. 

Here are a few tips on thawing frozen pipes for the 'do-it-yourselfers': 

• Make sure the water is off at the main!
• Try to locate the frozen pipe.  If you had no water at any fixtures in the home, then the frozen pipe is probably near your main.  If only one fixture was affected, then one of the pipes feeding that fixture may be frozen.  Open the faucet that the suspected frozen pipes are feeding and try to follow the pipes from that fixture. 
• With the faucet remaining open, try to use a heat lamp or a hair dryer to thaw the frozen area. 
• Visually inspect the pipe for any cracks or breaks – if the pipe appears damaged then you will want to stop here, leave thewater off and wait for a plumber to make the repair.
• If the pipe does not appear to be broken, you can turn the water back on once the frozen area has started to melt.
•  Leave the water running at this fixture until the pipe is completely thawed, you may want to leave it trickling to help prevent it from refreezing.
•  If the pipe froze once, it could freeze again – it’s important to have a plumber or contractor come out to identify any problem areas.  The piping may need to be rerouted, insulated, or your crawlspace may need to be insulated more.
• If you followed the above steps and were able to successfully thaw the frozen pipe, you should still have a plumber come out and inspect the piping to ensure there are no additional issues or leaks. 

AirPNP - Need to find a toilet?

There's a new app Airpnp (inspired by Airbnb) that helps people find toilets nearby.  The site started in New Orleans, but is now gaining popularity in other big cities, users can find nearby toilets, see their cost and even rate them once they've finished their business.  

Does my plumbing system really require maintenance?

This is a common question that many homeowners have, and the answer is most definitely YES!  Maintaining your home’s plumbing system is a must to keep everything in working condition and prevent larger issues down the road.  We have the luxury of clean, drinkable water at our fingertips, along with proper waste disposal.  (Almost half of the world’s population does not have these luxuries that have become so second nature to us, we can sometimes take them for granted.)  But, when there is a problem we are very quickly reminded of how important indoor plumbing is!

Water heaters – Arguably one of the most important appliances in your home (especially on these cold winter days!)  Without regular flushes and maintenance, the internal components of your water heater can start to malfunction, or the bottom of the tank can begin to rust out.  This can shorten the life of your water heater, leave you without hot water, or even flood your home.  Regular maintenance can keep your unit operating properly, prolong its life and also ensure that your manufacturer’s warranty stays valid (they can void it if you haven’t kept up with their recommended maintenance). 

Leaks – Unattended leaks can damage your home and in extreme cases cause mold issues.  They can also waste water, leading to higher water bills (in addition to depleting a precious resource!).  As a homeowner, there is a lot you can do to prevent leaks:

• Make sure any drafty or exposed areas are insulated to prevent freezing pipes
• Do a periodic visual inspection of your piping in the crawlspace and your fixtures
• If you call a plumber for any other reason – ask if they can also do a quick once over, or complete a maintenance checklist to alert you to any issues. They look at pipes ALL day so they can certainly identify any areas of concern. (Just be sure to let the plumber know ahead of time, when you call to schedule service.  Most plumbers are on a tight schedule so if you wait until they show up, they may not have time to complete additional items without being late for their next call – this is one of your plumber's top pet peeves!)

Keeping an eye out for these smaller issues, can prevent them from turning into emergencies.  In an emergency situation, not only will most plumbers will charge you higher rates, but availability could be limited (particularly during cold snaps), and damage could occur to your home. 

And lastly, the #1 item you should take from this blog post, know where your shut off valves are located!  Click here for help in identifying them, or call your favorite plumber.

Contractors for a Cause Scholarship

Seaside Plumbing Inc is a proud member of Contractors for a Cause.  One of their many community based programs is the Legacy Scholarship Program, in which $1,500 is awarded to a Stephen Decatur High School graduate that is looking to pursue a career in the construction industry, or a related field.  This year's deadline is Friday April 24th, 2015.  Click here or contact us for more information. 

Important Changes to Water Heaters Coming Soon!

Beginning in April 2015, new government mandated regulations will take effect on virtually ALL residential water heaters, requiring them to have higher energy efficiency ratings. 

What does this mean?

Any new water heaters manufactured after April 16, 2015 must meet the new regulations.  Some models will no longer be manufactured, and existing models will need to be altered to meet the minimum energy efficiency

requirements.  Many units will increase in size because they will require more insulation, and other units will have new technology.  Basically, water heaters as we know them will be entirely different.  Costs are expected to increase for both material and installation of these new water heaters.  Installations will most likely require additional training for plumbers, thus making it more difficult for the do-it-yourself homeowners.  This law affects only the manufacturing of new water heaters, any remaining inventory is still allowed to be sold and installed, so there may be a lag in time on when this actually starts affecting consumers. 

What does this mean for you?

These new regulations mean increased costs, completely different water heater options than in the past, and units that are 2” larger (or more) in height and/or diameter.  With the increase in size, this is particularly an issue for condo buildings and apartments that frequently have water heaters installed in tight spaces under the counter, or in a closet.  In addition to issues with doorway access – homes with water heaters in tight places may need to relocate the water heater, or downgrade to a smaller size.  For individuals with gas water heaters (which are also expected to increase in size), tank-less water heaters may become a more viable option due to space constraints.  If you are considering replacing your water heater in the near future, it’s important to take these changes into consideration now, before the new changes take effect.