What Do You Do With a Broken Dip Tube?

Curved Dip Tubes

The curved dip tube was invented to help keep sediment under control. The bottom end of the tube is curved to allow a swirling motion around the bottom of  your  water heater. New sediment cannot form because it is always in motion in swirling water. You may always add a curved dip tube to an existing water heater. Ask a licensed Seattle plumber about this. With straight dip tubes, only the area on the heater directly underneath the tube gets cleaned from sediment. A simple flush may not help remove much hardened sediment. The bottom of a water heater is generally a dome shape and gets sediment stuck in a ring shape around the bottom edge. If you have the curved dip tube installed and open the drain valve at the bottom, sediment may be washed out. Simply open the drain valve and make sure the cold water line is open. Let the water run through and out the drain valve for five minutes at least. This will reduce a good portion of sediment inside your tank. If you would like to install a curved dip tube yourself, here’s how. Unscrew the cold water outlet line. Insert the handle end of a plastic set of pliers in the inlet. Twist and pull up at the same time to get the dip tube exposed. Scrape any rust away if you’re having a hard time removing the dip tube. Pull the dip tube all the way out. Take the new curved dip tube and mark the direction the curve is pointing at the top on the nipple. Wrap the threads of the nipple with teflon tape eight times. Insert the curved dip tube and be sure that you point it in a direction to allow it to swirl the water at the bottom of the tank. Also note that when buying a new water heater, ask if the tank comes with a curved dip tube, because they make some that do. If the tank does not, consider one that does.

Curved dip tubes should be the first thing to ask a Seattle plumber about if you think you have a sediment problem in your water heater.

Damaged Dip Tubes

If your dip tube has broken or fallen off, cold water will enter at the top of the water heater and immediately leave through the hot water outlet. The result is a very short and cold shower. A new dip tube needs to be installed. I suggest a curved one.

Standard Dip Tubes

A dip tube is a piece of plastic pipe that is attached to the cold water inlet of your water heater. It takes the cold water from the top of the tank to the bottom of the tank. Hot water naturally flows on top of cold water and flows to the top of the tank. Therefore, hot water should be the first water that flows out of the hot water outlet on top of the tank. If your dip tube has broken or fallen off, cold water will enter at the top of the water heater and immediately leave through the hot water outlet. The result is a very short and cold shower. Commercial water heaters do not generally have dip tubes but instead have a cold water inlet that allows water to enter the heater near the bottom. Mobile homes and foreign manufacturers also may have the same arrangement as the commercial water heater.

 

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Now HOW Do I Get To My Plumbing?

Designing your Tacoma bathroom can be a fun enterprise. People have so much fun putting the major pieces together that they often forget about the little things. These can fall by the wayside and make a bathroom really difficult to enjoy once it’s done. Whatever you do, you need to make sure that you never make these mistakes in your own bathroom remodel.

When you build your shower stall, you need to make sure that your Tacoma plumbing contractor builds the floor in such a way that it slopes towards the drain, wherever that might be. As difficult as it is to believe, the person who plans for where the drain should be isn’t the same person who plans the floor. When these two don’t talk to each other, the floor in the shower stall can end up sloping away from the drain, and you can end up standing in your own dirty water when you take a shower. You need to make sure that everyone talks to one other so that this doesn’t happen.

It’s easy to plan for where the sink should go, where the toilet should go and where the shower stall should go. Who is it again that’s responsible for where the power outlets go? You’ll need to think carefully about where everyone will want to use appliances in the bathroom – shavers, hair dryers, even bathroom entertainment units and “massage devices” need to be plugged in somewhere. Even if you don’t plan on all of this going on in your bathroom, someone who wants to buy your Tacoma home one day may. It can be a very unpleasant inconvenience to put up all the tiles and the stone on the wall and then to realize that there isn’t a power outlet where you need one. Make sure that no one ever comes to curse your Tacoma bathroom remodel designers for not thinking ahead.

Bathrooms are places with complicated plumbing. One time or another, something or the other is bound to go wrong. When that happens, nothing will seem as important as an easy way to access the plumbing, on demand. Every bathroom remodel should have plumbing access panels to all working parts of the shower, the hot tub or anything else. Anything that needs to be maintained with periodic cleaning, needs to have its access panel within easy reach.

In the end, make sure that your Tacoma bathroom has enough lighting, everywhere that people will stand or sit. Having a single light at one point spreading its light all over the place just won’t do. Not in a bathroom for today.

 

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No Claptrap – Just the Straight Rap on Plumbing Traps

What is a Trap?

Draining sewage and waste out of your Tacoma home or office can get smelly. That’s because fumes from gases like methane, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide are a by-product of wastes. The job of a plumbing trap is to keep these gases (and their odors), and also small vermin, from entering your home or office via the drain pipes. How does a plumbing trap work? It works by creating a water seal by allowing a small amount of water to be retained in the trap and not allowing anything back up through the pipe. All plumbing fixtures, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, utility sinks, washer drains, etc. have a trap of some kind.

Types of Traps

Some traps are integral with appliances and some are separate and located beneath the pipe (so that waste and water drain into it, but not back out.) Often, toilet traps are integral and traps such as those for sinks are a separate also known as an attached trap. Large industrial traps that are found outside of a dwelling and work to keep the main line from being odiferous are called gulley traps. Traps attached to sinks, washing machines, and other draining appliances are called p-traps if they drain through a wall or s-traps if they drain through the floor. In addition there are actual floor traps or Nahini traps that work with a grate system in the floor of your tub, shower, or basement floor for draining. Finally, another common trap is the final trap that separates residential waste from the main sewer and it is called an intercepting trap. Plumbers have a specific set of codes they must adhere to which keeps your Tacoma home safe. These codes designate which type of pipe (PVC, cast iron, etc) can be used for each type of drain system and trap. Also, they regulate the size of trap that must be used (a plumber can’t install a larger trap than the diameter of the drain line), how far down in millimeters the trap must be to ensure proper drainage, that they are self-cleaning, and that they do not depend on moving parts to create the water seal. There are more specialized traps for specific purposes, i.e. an upstairs toilet would require a “q” trap instead of an s or p trap, but the intention of the trap is the same. You should consult your Tacoma plumber, who will know the exact codes and proper application of each drainage system component.

Repairing a Trap

There are many reasons why a plumbing trap’s seal may be in need of repair. These could be trap siphonage, where velocity from some other location has built up so much that it completely drains the water seal from the trap. There could be back pressure in the trap, which is the opposite of siphonage. Instead a large amount of waste is expelled, creating a compression in front of it and it can backfire back into the building. Also a culprit is capillary action, where inappropriate items have been lodged in the drainage system and are blocking the trap seal by sucking up the water. While these issues are sometimes easy enough to fix for an intermediate DIY’er, you should probably call your Tacoma plumber to get a work estimate just in case the problem is more involved or compounds as you begin to resolve the issue.

 

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Disposals: Continuous or Batch-Feed?

While a garbage disposal may not be the star fixture in your Seattle kitchen, such as a large, stainless steel refrigerator, it just might be its unsung hero. Disposals provide a great deal of convenience when cleaning up after a meal, and if you have ever cleaned up in a kitchen that doesn’t have one, you probably noticed its absence. Garbage disposals will also help to keep your kitchen and garbage areas from smelling bad by immediately disposing of food wastes. Putting less garbage into plastic garbage bags can also help reduce the amount of non-biodegradable plastic we are sending to Seattle landfills. Food waste that is run through a garbage disposal and sent to a waste water treatment facility doesn’t necessarily go to waste. Most waste water treatment plants will either convert food waste into energy or fertilizer, which is considerably better than being sent to a landfill.

Types of Garbage Disposals

There are two basic types of disposals to choose from. The most popular type is a continuous-feed garbage disposal. This is the type of disposal that we are all used to, it turns on when you flip a switch and you feed waste into it until you are finished, and then you turn it off.

The second type is called a batch-feed garbage disposal. This type offers an additional level of safety as it will only operate when a cover is placed over the disposal flange and is then turned to activate the garbage disposal. The primary benefit of this disposal type is that it will prevent people from putting their hands into the unit while it is activated, and also keeps small objects such as silverware from falling into the garbage disposal while it is running.

The disadvantages to batch-feed disposals are that only a small amount of waste can be fed into it at a time, so if you have a moderate amount of food waste to dispose of, it may take several batches to get rid of it all. The other issue is that it will only work with the manufacturer-issued cover, so if it becomes lost or damaged you will have to replace it before being able to use your disposal again.

Horsepower

A major consideration when selecting a disposal is how much horsepower to get. To help you make this decision, you will want to consider your expected usage and family size. If you are a single individual and will only be grinding up carrot peels, you can get away with a smaller horsepower disposal. If you have a large family and expect to feed all sorts of food wastes into your disposal, you will want to opt for a higher horsepower rating.

You will typically have 3 choices for a residential garbage disposal: ½ horsepower, ¾ horsepower, and 1 horsepower. One-half horsepower is becoming harder to find and given the reasonable price of a decent ¾ horsepower disposal, is not recommended.

Most people will want to purchase a ¾ horsepower disposal. It provides plenty of power for an average size family, and you can safely put a moderate amount of food waste through it. If you have a large family or expect to use your garbage disposal frequently, you will probably want to get a 1 horsepower disposal.

Additional Considerations

There are a couple of other issues to consider when purchasing a garbage disposal. It is recommended that you purchase a disposal from a manufacturer with a reputation for quality and reliability. Ease of installation is a big consideration if you will be installing your garbage disposal yourself. Most new garbage disposals from reputable manufacturers will be relatively easy to install. If you are not comfortable with doing some basic plumbing and installation work, it is recommended you hire a professional Seattle plumber to perform your installation.

A major consideration will also be noise level. Unless you like yelling while using your garbage disposal you will want to look for a brand of disposal that includes some sort of built-in noise reducing technology. Many newer disposals will also feature vibration-reducing technology as well.

One item people take for granted when purchasing a new garbage disposal is the switch you will use for a continuous-feed garbage disposal. We are all used to the typical light switch on the wall, but now you can purchase an “air switch” which can be installed on the countertop and is safe in a wet environment as it is not electrified.

The last thing to consider will be the color of your disposal flange. The disposal flange is the drain opening in your sink basin that you put your food waste into, or the large hole that everyone is afraid to put their hand into. Most new garbage disposals will come with a chrome colored disposal flange, but if you are outfitting your kitchen with fixtures (such as your kitchen sink faucet) in a different finish, for example oil rubbed bronze or brushed nickel, you may want to consider buying a disposal flange in that particular finish as well.

Making Your Final Decision

While picking out a garbage disposal may seem a bit daunting, given the wide selection of models available, with a little preparation it should be easy to choose the appropriate disposal for your Seattle home.

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Pick the Perfect Plumber in Tacoma

Finding a good plumber to help with your renovations or new construction or to perform plumbing repairs isn’t just about finding the best price available in Tacoma. In fact, there are many different things that one should consider before taking on any plumbing contractor, but by sticking to a few tips and using common sense, you can protect both your property investment and your wallet in the end.

As with any type of contractor that you take on, it’s important to make sure that you do plenty of research on the contractor or company that you’re considering hiring. However, it’s also a good idea to also check out a little information on the task itself that you’re looking to have work done on, so that you know what you can expect in regards to time, effort, and pricing.

If you’re not sure as to what company you’d like to take on, or even to look at, it’s generally a good idea to get referrals. Referrals can be obtained by several methods, but the most successful approach is to get them from the people you know and trust, and who have had positive experiences in the past with certain outfits.

Should you happen to not have any reliable personal resources when it comes down to gaining good plumbing referrals, then you can try to contact your Tacoma plumbing hardware, local hardware, or home improvement stores in order to get them. Often times these places will have a rough idea of what companies or contractors are best to go with and who you should avoid. You can also find listings within the phone book or online, but it’s key to make sure that you research them properly.

When it comes to researching a company, it’s generally wise to make sure that you check with your local licensing board for construction contractors, providing one is within your area. In most places, it’s required by law for a contractor to hold and maintain an up-to-date plumbing license as well as insurance. If you find that this is required by law in Tacoma, it’s best to avoid those who aren’t qualified to do the job, as they may not be knowledgeable enough to handle the task.

While it may be tempting to go with your local handyman or woman, it’s important to make sure that you cover yourself and your investment should anything go wrong. A qualified Tacoma plumbing contractor or service will be aware of any codes for homes or plumbing remodels, and you can often avoid any future problems from a job being done incorrectly.

Although the cost of services is something that many do and should take into consideration, it’s not always in your best interest to compensate quality work in order to save as much money as you can; otherwise, you may find yourself forking out more money in order to fix a bad job done on your property. Therefore, try to compare prices or biddings for the job by various companies in order to get a rough estimate.

A good Tacoma plumber will be able to not only communicate well with you, but they will be upfront in regards to any suggestions or alternatives that they might have in mind, but also in regards to pricing and time frames. Always try to make sure that you get any estimates or payments in writing via invoices or receipts. This will help to ensure that you both are on the same level and will prevent future disputes later on. Above all, don’t hesitate asking plenty of questions as they come up.

 

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A Convincing Case For Copper

If you are like the majority of Seattle homeowners, then you probably do not give a second thought to your plumbing.  At least not until something goes terribly wrong.  Conscientious homeowners should realize that there are warning signs that indicate possible plumbing problems.  If your water tastes strange, does not have enough pressure or the drains consistently clog up then you may be facing costly repairs in the not too distant future.  Your Seattle home has two different types of plumbing lines.  They are the drain lines and the water lines.  The drain lines are generally the troublemakers but water lines can be problematic as well.

Most Seattle homes today are built using copper pipe for the water lines, but older homes often have galvanized steel pipes instead.  If your home is especially old then it probably uses iron or steel pipes that were not galvanized or specially coated.  Galvanized pipes corrode within about 40 years and are prone to mineral build up which can cause funny tasting water.  The best solution is to refit your home with copper pipes.  Copper does not corrode as quickly as steel pipes and does not suffer from the mineral buildup which not only affects the taste of your drinking water, but also causes you to lose pressure.

If you take a preventative approach to your Seattle home’s plumbing maintenance, you can get rid of small or undetected leaks that may be eating away at your monthly water bill.  All of your appliances, like your water heater, ice maker, dishwasher, and washing machine will last longer and work much more efficiently if your home has the proper water lines.  Copper pipes can also benefit your health since they are not as prone to suffer from toxic bacterial buildups within them.

It is not hard to understand why copper pipe is the standard in most new home construction.  If you are looking to increase the efficiency of your home and save money on your monthly water bill, then it is worth taking a look at your water lines.  Your Seattle plumber can help you to determine if your steel pipes have reached the end of their life span.  By retrofitting your home with a copper pipe replacement you cannot only avoid costly repairs in the future, but you can rest assured that your Seattle home’s plumbing will be reliable trouble free for years to come.  Remember, prevention is always better than having to deal with the problems associated with failing pipes.

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Lights! Cameras! Action! in Tacoma

Not all plumbers are old-school. Ask if a plumbing camera can help make your pipes’ problem easier to fix.

Today’s plumbers have a lot more in their arsenal than a standard plumbing snake and a couple of wrenches. Utilizing high-tech tools like plumbing cameras, your Tacoma plumber can turn to cutting-edge technology when they’re working to get your pipes clear and free-flowing once again. So if you’re experiencing what seems to be a major problem with your Tacoma home’s sewer drain, call in the pros with the latest tools to drain your pipes out in the most effective, least disruptive way.

Video pipe inspection utilizes a special waterproof camera connected to a long spool of wire, not all that unlike a plumbing snake. This small camera is specifically designed to be able to pass through drain pipes, withstanding the harsh conditions to provide a clear picture, even through standing water. To locate a problem, your Tacoma plumber will thread the camera into your pipes, usually through a sewer cleanout, uncoiling the wire as the camera passes further down the pipe. As the camera moves thorough your plumbing, the technician will be able to see the interior of your pipes on a small video screen. In this way, a pipe inspection can precisely locate all types of problems, including:

* Blockages and buildup
* Root intrusion
* Pipe damage such as cracks and breaks

In the majority of cases, once your plumber has discovered where the problem lies, he or she will be able to resolve the issue without digging up your yard or tearing up your floor. In cases of root intrusion or blockages, often scouring out the pipes with a hydro jet (pressurized water) technique will eliminate the problem, all from the inside of the pipe.

Using a plumbing camera to locate the problem doesn’t always mean that the issue can be solved without excavation. For example, in the case of a sewer drain pipe that’s actually broken in two, the line will need to be replaced. However, by using a sewer line camera to pinpoint the damaged section of pipe, your Tacoma plumber will be able to dig up this specific spot, rather than excavating the entire line in search of the issue. This helps streamline the whole process and minimizes the damage to your yard that will be required to get your plumbing working again.

So the next time you’re experiencing a plumbing backup or drain problem, ask your Tacoma plumber if a video pipe inspection might be right for your project. You may be surprised at how much faster, easier, and less invasive fixing your pipes’ problem may be when you have a sewer line camera on the job!

 

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Don’t Sweat Sweaty Pipes

Do you have puddles of water on your basement floor due to sweating pipes? If you are inconvenienced (to say the least) by this situation, take heart because you are not alone with this problem. Sweating pipes in the basement is a very common predicament experienced by most Seattle homeowners.

The truth is, pipe sweating is just an indication of extreme dampness or humidity in your basement. Even when there are no leaks in your basement, large amounts of water vapor can enter it, and, eager to become water again, latches on to any cold surface around. You guessed it right…water pipes are the easiest targets. Your cold water pipes need to “sweat out” or condense the moisture out of your damp basement.

But enough of the lecture, and on with the solutions. What steps can you take to stop sweating pipes in the basement? Here are five common solutions to your problem:

1. Use a dehumidifier. Continuously running a dehumidifier in your basement will can help a lot in lowering the humidity of your basement. The less humid your basement, the less likely your pipes will sweat. Removing the excess dampness in your Seattle basement can also get rid of the unhealthy air, allowing you and your family to breathe in better air.

2. Use foam insulation. By wrapping your cold pipes, you get right to heart of the matter by not letting moisture reach them in the first place! Seattle home improvement stores carry foam-pipe insulation that can easily slip right over your pipes. This material is available in various lengths and can be easily cut with a pair of scissors. You don’t even need to wrap all fifty meters or so of pipe in your house. Just do it for those easy-to-reach pipes and you will see a significant improvement.

3. Get rid of all leaks in the basement. Like I previously mentioned, even without leaks, moisture can get in. Just imagine how the situation can worsen if you do have cracks or openings in your basement. For minor leaks, waterproofing compounds will do, while hydraulic cement is best for actively leaking areas. Make sure also that all plumbing problems within the house are taken care of, even if it is necessary to call your Seattle plumber to do so. Dampness can come from both outside and inside the house.

4. Check your house’s foundations and exterior walls. If you have a problem in your house’s foundations on top of having cracks in your basement walls, this will compound your moisture problems. For instance, an ineffective gutter system or the lack of one, can let all the water pool at your Seattlehome’s foundations right outside your basement! Make sure rainwater is directed away from your house, not towards it.

If the ground around is sloped towards the foundations of your house, that could be also another cause of moisture problem in your basement.

5. Apply waterproofing compound on walls and floors. To further prevent any unwanted moisture from coming inside your basement, you can use waterproofing compound on walls and floors even before any leaks are detected. Choose a high quality waterproofing that will effectively stop any water from coming in the basement, and not just one that will protect from surface moisture as a sealer does. Also, use a waterproofer that is suitable for sealing walls under water pressure.

Keep in mind that if you do just any one or two of these steps, the improvements can be felt already. Used together, the effects can be tremendous.

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