The first thing you will want to do is check for leaks.  One way to locate slow leaks in your home is by taking a reading on your water meter before bedtime, then again the next morning.  If you didn’t use any water overnight and the reading has changed, you have a leak that should be repaired.  Places where you would commonly find leaks include kitchen and bathroom faucets, dishwashers, washing machines, icemakers, pipes under sinks, and outdoor faucets.  You can also find hidden leaks stemming from inside your toilet tank.  To check for this, add six drops of food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, the food coloring will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.

Next, let the spring season be a reminder to you to visually inspect all of your appliances for wear and tear.  Check your toilet tank and bowl for cracks.  Consider replacing your water heater with a newer more energy-friendly model if it is more than 15 years old.  If your home has a sump pump, make sure it operates properly by pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should quickly turn on, discharge the water, and then shut off without any problems.

Finally, plumbing related items in your home may need a good cleaning.  If your shower head has collected mineral deposits, you can soak it in vinegar overnight, then give it a gentle scrub to remove them.  To flush out corrosion-causing sediment in your water heater, carefully drain several gallons from the tank, following manufacturer’s instructions.   If your washing machine has a lint trap, clean it out.  Check for bird nests in your plumbing vent pipes.   Make sure your gutters, downspouts, and yard drains are free of debris.

The above maintenance tips can help you welcome the new season without the added worry of an unexpected plumbing problem.  As always, if you find yourself in need of a repair or you have any questions, Barker & Sons Orange County plumbing is available anytime at 714-466-9565.

Turn of the Century

Nowadays, when you hear the terms water heater, it usually means something that is capable of heating water in a continuous flow from the cold water source to the outlet for hot water. In the beginning of the 20th century, many types of water heaters were on the market. The two major types during this time were automatic instantaneous and automatic storage heaters. However, solar water heating started catching on around the turn of the century and, though they were slightly more expensive, they were very simple, with no moving parts and little risk of freeze damage. However, there was one major disadvantage to the solar water heater: they began to leak.

Newer Developments

As the years have gone by and energy costs have increased, more Americans have looked for ways to save energy, money and water. So, many Americans finally turned to the tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters only heat water when you need it. So, you get a never-ending source of hot water, while also saving money on energy costs, which is a huge benefit! Another advantage to tankless water heaters is the fact that they do not waste water since water is heated almost immediately. Today, many manufacturers make tankless water heaters.

One thing Americans take for granted is having hot water for showering, bathing and cleaning. As you can see, advancements have certainly changed things for the better. Investing in a tankless water heater is a great way to conserve energy, save money and help contribute to a better environment!

If you’re interested in learning more about tankless water heaters, or you are experiencing an issue with your current water heater, don’t hesitate to call Barker and Sons Orange County plumbers! We’re happy to help!

Unfortunately, in many parts of the United States, there is a recent trend in the opposite direction.  For example, as of July 1, 2012, the state of Florida will officially revise the definition of “Plumbing contractor” to include work related to water and sewer plants, substations, drain cleaning and clearing, and installation or repair of rainwater catchment systems, and exempts these services from mandatory licensing.

Currently, in South Whitehall, Pennsylvania, commissioners are considering dropping the town’s mandatory licensing requirement from their building and plumbing codes, which officials thought to be too stringent compared to similar state guidelines.  Local plumbers turned out in force to protest lowering standards, citing public safety concerns if plumbers did not have proper sanitation training.  They also pointed out that without these codes, customers would have no recourse if they had an issue with a plumber’s work.

The popular contractor review site Angie’s List has published an article that underscores the importance of plumber licensing. In the article, plumber Joann Billharz of Billharz Plumbing in Flushing, NY, states, “If you’re having an unlicensed person work on your water-source piping, you have no idea if the water is drinkable or not. Think about your waste lines. Do you want them going to the wrong place? The destiny of our population demands the protection of the license.”

If you would like to get involved in this issue and fight for more stringent plumbing license requirements in the state of California, please visit http://www.legislature.ca.gov/legislators_and_districts/legislators_and_districts.html to contact your state legislator.

The EPA estimates the average American household wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water each year due to leaky pipes, toilets, showerheads, and other related fixtures.  That is the equivalent of the water needed to wash 280 loads of laundry or to take 600 showers!   They want you to know that by fixing leaks around your home, you are not only preventing water waste, but likely shaving nearly 10 percent off your current utility bills.

In a recent press release regarding National Fix a Leak Week, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson stated, “Across the country, household leaks add up to more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually.  The amount we’re losing could supply Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami for a full year.”  Here are some things the EPA suggests you do around your home this week in an effort to start conserving water:

• Check for toilet leaks.  They recommend placing a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank, then checking to see if the color appears in the bowl before you flush.
• Twist and tighten pipe connections.
• Be willing to replace a fixture if necessary, and look for the WaterSense label on future plumbing purchases.

Barker & Sons is proud to be a Certified Green Plumber in Orange County. We are here to answer any questions you may have regarding suspected leaks and water conservation measures.  Call us at 714-312-3813 anytime for assistance.

Preventable diseases related to water and sanitation claim the lives of approximately 3.1 people each year, with 1.6 million of those dying of a diarrheal disease associated with inadequate sanitation of water. The World Plumbing Day Council has a stated goal of providing 138 million people worldwide access to sanitation services by 2015. The Council is also working to educate the world that water is in finite supply.   They hope World Plumbing Day will give publicity to their daily efforts to protect water as a resource:

• Improving upon methods of harvesting rainwater for reuse.
• Limiting water use through products such as low-flow showerheads and waterless urinals.
• Developing more efficient means of converting salt water to fresh drinking water.
• Technologies to harness solar power to produce hot water.
• Heat pumps that use heat from the ground and/or outside air.
• Appliances that need less water and/or power to operate.

World Plumbing Day is a vehicle to bring awareness to the health and environmental issues surrounding one of earth’s most precious resources.  Here at Barker & Sons Orange County plumbing, we are proud to do our part locally by both using and educating our clients on green plumbing practices.

• Higher humidity can cause an increase in condensation in your ductwork.  Untreated, this may produce unwanted mold and even a backup if the drains are not clear.  If your ducts are sagging in some areas or have any cracks, it creates the perfect environment for water to seep into your ceiling.  If you notice these issues, you should contact Barker & Sons for a duct inspection and advice on the need for replacement.

• Due to an increase in rainwater and new tree root growth, sewer line backups are common during the warmer months.  It is a good idea to have a plumber inspect your sewer line pipes to let you know if they are damaged or are in danger of being so.  In either situation, Barker & Sons can assist you in determining the best course of action to fix the problem.

• Be careful what you place in your garbage disposal after you barbecue.  Last week, we discussed how dumping fats and oils down the drain creates the potential for clogged pipes.  In addition to those items, you should avoid disposing of fibrous or stringy foods such as corn husks, banana peels, and celery in your sink.  They can bind the blades of the disposal, causing the motor to be overworked.  If you do experience such an issue, it is crucial to call a professional for help.  You should never take the risk of sticking your hand in the disposal, as even with the motor turned off, the blades can still cut you.

Remember, Barker and Sons plumbers in Orange County are ready to help anytime! Just give us a call at 714-312-3813 to ask a question or schedule an appointment.

In the bathroom, the usual culprit is the toilet. It’s generally known that you should not flush excess toilet paper or any non-biodegradable item down the toilet, as either could clog and cause undue pressure on the pipes.   You should also be careful about the type of cleaner you use in your toilet; products containing chlorine may corrode internal plastic or rubber parts, leading to a leak.

Regardless of its location in your home, your washing machine is an item that needs proper care if you want to avoid major flooding.  It is advisable to check the hoses regularly for bulging, cracking, fraying, and leaks around the ends. You should also make sure to leave at least 4 inches between the water connection and the back of the washing machine to prevent kinks in the hose.

In the kitchen, your primary concern is the sink drain, even if you have a garbage disposal.  It all starts when you pour grease down your kitchen drain.  We’ve mentioned this before, but it’s so important. Grease and other fats can become emulsified by the warm water from the dishwasher, building up a layer of goop on the pipe walls.  Coffee grounds or other smaller bits of food that make their way down the drain will get stuck in the fat, and soon you have an impassable drain, ready to burst.  To prevent this, dispose of your kitchen grease in the trash can rather than the sink.  Also, make sure to let the cold water run while you are using your garbage disposal, as this will help keep your pipe walls clean.

If you think you’ve got a small leak, don’t wait until it gets bigger. Contact Barker and Sons Orange County plumbers right away so that you don’t have an expensive case of water damage later.

• 40 gallons per day by installing a smart sprinkler controller
• 150 gallons each time you use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks
• 500 gallons per month by checking your sprinkler system for leaks, overspray and broken sprinkler heads
• Hundreds of gallons per year by using organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation
• 5 gallons per day by shortening your showers by one or two minutes.
• 20 gallons per day by fixing leaky faucets
• 15 to 50 gallons per load by washing only full loads of laundry
• 10,000 gallons per year by changing your old toilet to a new 1.28 gallon flush toilet

If you were to implement all of these water-saving tips in one day, you could potentially save over 300 gallons of water! Each of these tips takes very little time and effort. Plus, after you’ve been doing them for a while, they’ll become second nature. You’ll be making a big difference for your Orange County community without even thinking about it! For more great tips, check out the slider below.

In addition to these quick daily deeds, there are easy modifications you can make to your home appliances and plumbing to help conserve water and save money. For information on green plumbing installations like water heaters and low flow toilets, give Barker and Sons Plumbing in Orange County a call!

Should a major incident occur, you may be unable to shut off your gas on your own.  With public safety services having so many emergencies to handle, there could be a wait period before they can reach you to assist.  If you are trapped inside your home during this time, your life is in imminent danger due to the possibility of asphyxia, fire, and explosion.

Thankfully, Barker & Sons has a way to help you take control and avoid this situation.  Our licensed professionals can install an earthquake shutoff valve in your home, which will automatically shut down your gas system in the event of an earthquake of 5.4 magnitude or greater.  In the event that you are not at home or otherwise unable to shut off your gas line, you can have peace of mind that it has already been handled.  The valve can be reset by either you or a professional when it is safe to do so.

As an additional method of preparedness, the Southern California Earthquake Center recommends homeowners make sure the gas and water lines attached to their water heaters are made of flexible copper connectors.

To discuss earthquake shutoff valves or any other plumbing and heating issue, please call Barker & Sons Orange County plumbers today for a consultation.