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How Denver Plumbers Can Help Prepare Your Basement for a Tornado

10/31/2014

by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Image by State Farm via Flickr.com

Denver often has severe weather, including tornadoes, which means Denver residents should have a safe location for when a storm hits. Statistics show that the basement is the safest place to be during a tornado. If there is no basement, the next safest place is the bathroom. Better still is a bathroom in a basement. Plumbers in Denver can help you get that unfinished (or never started) basement bathroom up to code, especially in homes with older plumbing. Many newer homes are being built with unfinished basements. Both scenarios call for the work of licensed plumbers.

Basements and Plumbers

Licensed Denver plumbers will have the know-how to install the proper plumbing in your basement bathroom. Your family can enjoy a basement bathroom on a regular basis, and the basement bathroom will also offer a safe haven during a tornado. A basement is the safest place to be during a tornado due to the fact that a heavy object (the house) can help shield people from strong winds. Plumbing fixtures, such as the bathtub and toilet, often are the sturdiest features of a house. Depending on the severity of the tornado, plumbing may even hold the walls together. Hiring licensed plumbers in Denver will ensure that all bathroom plumbing is sturdy and up to code.

Requirements of Denver Plumbers

Because plumbing codes are occasionally amended, it is important to work only with Denver licensed plumbers. All licensed plumbers in Denver must stay up to date with current Denver and international plumbing codes and are required to prove this knowledge. This is done through training and certification in International Plumbing Code (IPC). Training and licensing for Denver plumbers involves a combination of hands-on work, plumbers' continuing education courses and plumbers' exams. No plumbers can be issued a license without going through the proper procedures and keeping up with the required plumbers' continuing education courses. This process ensures that all Denver plumbers are doing work that is up to code.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Plumbers in Boulder

10/30/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Image by Sergio Fabara via Flickr.com

Plumbers in Boulder may find themselves installing plenty of eco-friendly low-flow plumbing fixtures. Why? Boulder is known for being environmentally conscious in as many life aspects as possible. Why not plumbing as well? In fact, eco-friendly plumbing fixtures are becoming popular in Boulder.

Low-flow plumbing fixtures, such as faucets and toilets, use less water. That reduced usage could save quite a bit of water. It can also save a ton on that water bill, which is a plus for homeowners in Boulder. Any savings is a plus in most households and households with college students might appreciate that savings even more.

Energy Star-rated options have many benefits for homeowners as well. In plumbing, there are a variety of products that have the Energy Star rating, such as water heaters and faucets. Due to the widespread popularity of green living in Boulder, plumbers in Boulder may find themselves installing more Energy Star-certified fixtures than ever before.

Apparently, the EPA states that each person uses at least 50 gallons of water per day. For a family of four, that's 200 gallons per day! By choosing more eco-friendly options, that number can be reduced. Plumbers in Boulder may choose to benefit their clients by mentioning this factor.

Before installing these eco-friendly options, plumbers in Boulder may first want to check the plumbing code and be sure they are compliant. This is routine practice that a plumber goes through before making any installs or replacements.

Also to factor in is the building permit required to do the job. Plumbers in Boulder will need a permit in order to do any installs. Putting in new plumbing fixtures is considered to be an install. Plumbers in Boulder should also have the necessary plumbing license.

A master plumber must apply for the building permit, as well as supervise the work. However, any licensed plumbers in Boulder can perform the job. Rest assured, plumbers in Boulder are required to pass written and mechanical tests on their skills before the license is issued. This is to ensure that plumbers in Boulder perform all duties according to the plumbing code set forth.

Plumbers in Boulder follow the Colorado Plumbing Code under the International Plumbing Code. There also are revisions to that code specific to plumbers in Boulder. To ensure quality plumbing, these procedures are made known to plumbers in Boulder.

Plumbers in Boulder must renew their licenses at frequent intervals so that they may stay up to date with any revisions in the plumbing code, as well as continue to be tested on plumbing knowledge.

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How to Go Green With Plumbing

10/28/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Image by plumberx1@gmail.com via Flickr.com

Whether you wish to go green to lighten your budget or your environmental impact, eco-friendly plumbing practices can help. Plumbing is an area of the home that can always be redone. Older plumbing also can use up a considerable amount of water. As the former wife of a plumber, I have learned a great deal about conserving water and green plumbing. Here are some of the many ways to go green with plumbing.

Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures

Replacing faucets and other plumbing fixtures with low flow or eco-friendly ones will significantly reduce water usage. Shower heads, faucet aerators, and toilets are some examples. This green plumbing practice is good for the earth as well as saving money on the water bill. Some eco-friendly plumbing fixtures can be found at a local home improvement or plumbing supply store. Others may need to be ordered.

Energy-Star Certified Plumbing Appliances

Is your water heater energy-star certified? What about the dishwasher and washing machine? These plumbing appliances use up a great deal of water. By using these greener versions, you are helping preserve more water and are once again saving on that water bill.

Solar Powered Appliances and Outdoor Plumbing

Did you know that you can buy a solar powered water heater. What about that pool pump or bird bath fountain? These are just some examples of solar-powered plumbing appliances and outdoor plumbing. These help conserve energy, which is easier on the environment.

Recycle Unused Plumbing Materials

When you finish installing certain plumbing appliances, pipes, and fixtures, you may have some scrap material. This could be pieces of copper piping, broken appliances, old fixtures, and more. There are lots of metal and appliance recycle centers that would be happy to take those off your hands. Most will even pay you for it. Recycling your old plumbing materials, versus just hauling them to the dump is a much more green plumbing practice.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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Easy, Necessary Fall Home Repairs

10/28/2014

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by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & Brand Shamans Content Community

Image by Kevin Cortopassi via Flickr.com

When the fall season hits, it is time to start preparing your home for the winter and checking for simple repairs that you can do yourself. Doing this will help maintain your home for the coming months, making it a more comfortable and safe environment for you and your family. Here are 10 easy DIY repairs you should do on your home in the fall.

Leaking Kitchen Sinks

If the pipes under your sink are leaking, simply purchase a new PVC p trap and a roll of teflon tape. Removing the old one is as simple as unscrewing the fastened areas and just pulling it off. When installing the new one, place teflon tape at all the joints and screw together the joints. To get the tightest fit, use a plumbing wrench to finish off the screwing. Test your job by running the water for a few minutes. If any water leaks out, either you did not use enough teflon tape or you did not screw the parts together tight enough.

If your sink is leaking around the faucet area, rather than the pipes, you can solve this by replacing the faucet. Simply purchase a new faucet. The instructions for installing your faucet will come in the package. Each can be slightly different. You may also need caulking materials or teflon tape. Check the instructions that come with your faucet.

Bathroom Leaks

Much lie in the kitchen, leaks need to also be addressed in the bathroom. Repairing a leak in a bathroom sin is fairly similar to replacing one in a kitchen. Toilets can also leak. Usually it is due to the ball valve kit located under the back cover. These are about 10 bucks each at a home improvement store. All you need is the kit. It is easy to install and comes with instructions.

Dishwasher

To clean the dishwasher, first start by pulling out all the racks and attachments. Now check all the drains and soap containers for debris. Pull any of that out. Sometimes little pieces of food or glass can get stuck in those, so watch for the glass. Once that is done, check all the rubber sealing and be sure it is all secured properly. If not, adhesive rubber strips can be purchased at home improvement stores. Application is as simple as sticking the strips in the proper spot. The adhesive on these can be strong, so be sure you have it in the proper place before pressing it to the surface.

Part of maintenance also includes cleaning. For this, you'll need vinegar, concentrated lemon juice, baking soda, and a sponge or dishcloth. Sprinkle baking soda along the bottom of the dishwasher. Fill a spray bottle halfway with vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and the rest with water. Spray down the inside of the dishwasher, including the bottom, where the baking soda is. The baking soda will bubble. This is fine. That pulls up dirt and grease. Now starting at the bottom, scrub the entire inside of the dishwasher,m including the door. Do not rinse away the solution. Replace the racks and fill all soap and other liquid dispensers with the lemon juice and vinegar mixture. Close them and run a normal cycle with a hot rinse and heated drying cycle.

Weather Stripping

Check the weather stripping on the interior, as well as the exterior of your home. Replace any worn or peeling areas. Damaged or improperly placed weather stripping can cause cool air to come inside the home, as well as let heat escape. Weather stripping can be purchased at hardware and home improvement stores. There is stripping with adhesive or that which has to be nailed down. Apply according to which type you choose. Be sure the stripping is applied securely to the surface so that it does its job effectively.

Sealing Cracks

Check interior and exterior doors and windows for cracks. Use caulking to seal any detected problem areas. To caulk a crack around a door or window, simply squeeze a line of caulking along the exposed area and swipe it with a caulking sponge to press the sealant in further, as well as to create a smooth finish. Don't forget to also purchase a caulking gun when you buy the caulk. Without one, the caulking is not as easy to apply. A caulking gun can be as low as a few dollars.

Exterior Basement Drains

Some homes can have exterior drains leading to the basement. Be sure to clear away any brush, leaves, dirt, or other debris from the drain openings. Vinegar is a great natural substance that cuts through tough-to-remove dirt and other substances. Simply spray it on from a water bottle, let it sit for a moments, clear away the debris, and wipe the surface clean with a cloth. As for the inside of the drain, run a plumbing snake or auger through the drain. If it is a short drain, a wire coat hanger can sometimes be substituted for the snake or auger if you don't have access to either. Just pull the coat hanger in and out of the drain.

Shut Off Outside Water

The fall season is a great time to shut off the access to any outside water. Doing so can prevent the freezing of the outdoor pipes around hoses and other outdoor water valves. Also, when you do this, unfasten any hoses or other devices attached to outside water valves. These should be stored away until spring.

Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors

This is a good step for more than just the fall season, but be sure you check to see that all of your detection devices are working properly. Most some detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have a test button. Press that button on each to see if they work properly. With increased usage of space heaters, fireplaces, and other heating devices during the fall season, it is important that your family will have working alert devices, should a fire or natural gas problem occur.

Gutters

During the fall, leaves, pine-cones, and other falling debris can get clogged in your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to poor drainage. To clean out your gutters, simply scoop out the debris that has collected. A garden trowel works well for this. Once that is done, spray the gutters out with a garden hose or pressure washer. If you are using a garden hose, attaching a high pressure spray nozzle will make this easier. If any of the tubular gutters are clogged, use a plumbing snake or auger to unclog them.

Thermostat & Heaters

It is important to be sure your thermostat and heaters are working before he weather starts to get cooler. First, test them by simply turning them on and being sure that the heat is coming out at the right temperature. If there is no heat coming from portable heaters, they should be replaced. If there is no heat coming from the furnace, you will need to test the thermostat.

To do this, first turn off your furnace. Then, return to your thermostat box and remove the cover. Remove the wires from the panel by unscrewing them from it. Take the red and white wire and wrap them together. Tape the wires you won't use to something, such as the wall, while you are working. You don't want to lose them inside the wall. Turn the the furnace back on. If the furnace blows and its burner ignites, then your thermostat is bad. If this doesn't happen, you may actually have a problem with the wires, not the thermostat. Check to make sure the wires run all the way to the furnace.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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How Denver Plumbers Can Help Prepare Your Basement for a Tornado

Plumbers in Boulder

How to Go Green With Plumbing

Easy, Necessary Fall Home Repairs

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