by Bruccola | Feb 5, 2015 | Plumbing and Drain Cleaning in San Antonio
BATHTUB OR SHOWER
Homeowners may be planning big things this new year. Some things I’ve seen in my neighborhood are homeowners repainting, some neighbors are installing new sprinkler systems, new grass, installing swimming pools and even remodeling the bathrooms. Who doesn’t want a luxury bathroom?
I have seen some extravagant showers with no bathtubs. Would you be willing to give up your bathtub for a luxurious walk-in master shower? The shower gets the most use on a daily basis than the bathtub that’s why some homeowners are leaning towards bigger showers rather than a tub/shower combo.
Although, I have talked to some of my neighbors that have children and they say as long as they have one bathtub in the house then they will opts for a walk-in master shower vs. a bathtub.
Some master bathrooms that have walk-in showers have these fabulous Rain Shower Faucets and body sprays. The body sprays come out from the side of the walls and feel like you are at a spa. If you are ready to change your master bathroom and update the faucets in your shower, give us a call. We carry Moen products as well as other top of the line products. Call Immediate Response Plumbing for your master bathroom updates!
Immediate response plumbing, Inc.
13106 Lookout Ridge, San Antonio, Texas 78233
210-599-3500 | https://immediateresponseplumbing.com
by Bruccola | Dec 27, 2014 | Plumbing and Drain Cleaning in San Antonio
A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.
Don’t use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket.
Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash, five to seven gallons of water is wasted.
Check your toilets for leaks.
Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.
Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks.
Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators.
Inexpensive low-flow / water-saving shower heads or restrictors are easy for the homeowner to install. Also, long, hot showers can use five to ten gallons every minute. Limit your showers to the time it takes to soap up, wash down and rinse off. “Low-flow” means it uses less than 2.5 gallons per minute. You can easily install a shower-start showerhead, or add a shower-start converter to existing showerheads, which automatically pauses a running shower once it gets warm. Also, all household faucets should be fit with aerators. This single best home water conservation method is also the cheapest!
Put plastic bottles or float booster in your toilet tank.
To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms. Or, buy an inexpensive tank-bank or float booster. This may save ten or more gallons of water per day. Be sure at least 3 gallons of water remain in the tank so it will flush properly. If there is not enough water to get a proper flush, users will hold the lever down too long or do multiple flushes to get rid of waste. Two flushing’s at 1.4 gallons is worse than a single 2.0 gallon flush. A better suggestion would be to buy an adjustable toilet flapper that allow for adjustment. Then the user can adjust the flush rate to the minimum per flush setting that achieves a single good flush each time. For new installations, consider buying “low flush” toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per flush instead of the usual 3 to 5 gallons.
Replacing an 18 liter per flush toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 6 liter flush model represents a 70% savings in water flushed and will cut indoor water use by about 30%.
Insulate your water pipes.
It’s easy and inexpensive to insulate your water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. You’ll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
Take shorter showers.
One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up then turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water.
Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush.
There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth. Just wet your brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.
Rinse your razor in the sink.
Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste of water.
Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads.
Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation. Most makers of dishwashing soap recommend not pre-rinsing dishes which is a big water savings. With washing machines for clothes, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 20 liters (5 gallons) for the extra rinse. For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load. Replace washing machines that are old. New Energy Star rated washers use 35 – 50% less water and 50% less energy per load. If you’re in the market for a new washer, consider buying a water-saving frontload washer.
Minimize the use of garbage disposals.
Garbage disposals require lots of water to operate properly, and also add considerably to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to maintenance problems. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste.
When washing dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing.
If you have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water. If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or a pan full of hot water. Dual-swivel aerators are available to make this easier. If using a dishwasher, there is usually no need to pre-rinse the dishes.
Don’t let the faucet run while you clean vegetables.
Just rinse them in a stopped sink or a pan of clean water. Use a dual-setting aerator.
Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge.
Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful. Store drinking water in the fridge in a safe drinking bottle. If you are filling water bottles to bring along on outdoor hikes, consider buying a Life Straw personal water filter which enables users to drink water safely from rivers or lakes or any available body of water.
For any help replacing faucets or toilets give Immediate Response Plumbing a call. If you have a question about anything feel free to give us a call and we will gladly help you.
by Bruccola | Dec 15, 2014 | Plumbing and Drain Cleaning in San Antonio
Plumbing Myths That We Decided Would Help You Out!
Immediate Response Plumbing has prepared this list of the most popular and dangerous plumbing myths out there today. Whether you own your own home or you’re renting a property if you follow these tips, you will save both in the long and short term.
Myth #1: Every Plumber is the Same
Just because someone says they offer a plumbing service doesn’t mean they’re qualified, experienced, or even licensed. When you make the mistake of choosing the wrong plumber, you’ll end up having to spend even more money when you find out that the job’s been done poorly. Look carefully for customer testimonials, and consider contacting the Better Business Bureau to make sure you’re not hiring someone you’ll regret.
Myth #2: Tank Cleaners Keep a Toilet Healthy
When someone invests in colored bleach tablets for their toilet, they believe they’re investing in a convenience. They want to spend less time cleaning their toilet, and think a bleach tablet will live up to the promises offered in advertising and do the trick. In truth, these products can actually create a slow build-up that can eventually ruin your plumbing system. Simply placing one in your tank, you run the risk of a clog.
Furthermore, the bleach is also damaging for many modern toilets that are designed with antibacterial properties. If you’re really looking to clean your tank, using vinegar in the overflow tube is always your best choice. It’ll remove some of buildup in your plumbing system that can ultimately hurt your toilet’s flow, with only a tiny fraction of the cost of a bleach tablets.
Myth #3 Plumbing Fixtures Need Very Little Maintenance
Ignoring a problem is one of the best ways to ensure that problem only gets worse. Like developing a cavity in your mouth, failing to maintain your plumbing system like your sinks, tubs, and faucets, may lead to an expensive repair if a relatively small issue is allowed to fester and grow. A little routine maintenance can help prevent serious clogs and even pipe replacements. A little plumbing service from Immediate Response Plumbing is always your best choice when it comes to maintaining your pipes.
Myth #4: You Can Clean Plumbing System Fixtures with Hand Soap and Water
You’re washing your hands at the sink, and when you reach to turn off the faucet, you leave a little bit of soapy water residue on them. You wouldn’t think that would create an issue, but you’d be wrong. Leaving everyday household soaps on your plumbing fixtures can cause them to corrode, resulting in peeling and bubbling that looks as unsightly as it sounds.
Fortunately, protecting your plumbing service won’t take much work; just remember to wipe off your fixtures after you’ve used them. It only takes a second and it will prevent them from corroding. Brass fixtures in particular are vulnerable to hand soap, and gentler cleaning with lemons or baking soda is more suitable. These softer cleaners are always your best choice when it comes to cleaning fixtures.
Call Immediate Response Plumbing for your routine maintenance.
by Bruccola | Dec 6, 2014 | Plumbing and Drain Cleaning in San Antonio
Home maintenance comes along with many factors. You must be able to properly maintain each and every part or section of your home. This goes for all rooms and floors. Proper home plumbing installation and repair maintenance saves you from spending extra money on repair costs for plumbing in the kitchen or bathrooms. A good homeowner knows how to properly care for and take care of all aspects in the home. There are ways to receive assistance when help is needed by calling Immediate Response Plumbing.
Bathroom and kitchen complications are very common in the home. There are a lot of problems that actually can occur in these rooms. The water line, faucet and drain each play a pivotal role with the water flow of the home. Another factor is the sewer; a sewage backup would call for plumbing services. The water line is one of the main factors in the plumbing process as well, along with water flow. You must take into consideration the demand and need for properly working pipes and water lines. If a sudden break down should occur, our plumbing repairs are always at your service. We are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week and during holidays.
Immediate Response Plumbing offers you a variety of services. If you need plumbers in San Antonio we can definitely assist you at all times. Plumbers near the home is very important, when the unthinkable occurs and you need immediate plumbing services, we are there for you. We aim to please our clients and leave them 100% satisfied with our work. We will not leave you stranded or make you pay a lot of money for ‘half done work’ either.
When you hire Immediate Response Plumbing Services, you get guaranteed repairs so you will not have to call us back anytime soon and for some reason you do call us back…we will make it a priority to get gain your satisfaction and happiness. After all repairs, we will help you go through proper maintenance protocol to ensure the long life of your drains, pipes and faucets. Once again, it is very important to properly maintain any parts of the home. As far as maintenance goes, we can assist with those procedures, not just the repairs. You can depend on Immediate Response Plumbing; we will definitely be here to assist you with any plumbing issues you encounter.
Immediate Response Plumbing, Inc.
by Bruccola | Nov 17, 2014 | Plumbing and Drain Cleaning in San Antonio
Pipes Bursting
When water freezes, it expands. That’s why a can of soda explodes if it’s put into a freezer and forgotten. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands the same way. If it expands enough, the pipe bursts, water escapes and serious damage results…pipes freezing.
Our pipes here in San Antonio are more vulnerable to winter cold spells because one day it is hot and the next it is freezing cold. The pipes built in San Antonio Homes are more likely to be located in unprotected areas outside of the building insulation, and homeowners tend to be less aware of freezing problems, which may occur only once or twice a season.
Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are all vulnerable to freezing as well, especially if there are cracks or openings that allow cold, outside air to flow across the pipes.
Holes in an outside wall where television, cable or telephone lines enter can provide access for cold air to reach pipes. The size of pipes and their composition have some bearing on how fast ice forms, but they are relatively minor factors in pipe bursting compared with the absence of heat, pipe insulation and exposure to a flow of subfreezing air.
When is it Cold Enough to Freeze?
When should homeowners be alert to the danger of freezing pipes? That depends, but here in San Antonio, where freezing weather is the exception rather than the rule; listen to your local weather station for warnings of a freeze coming.
Cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes should be sealed with caulking to keep cold wind away from the pipes. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets can keep warm inside air from reaching pipes under sinks and in adjacent outside walls. It’s a good idea to keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to let the warm air circulate around the pipes.
Letting the Water Run
Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. It’s not that a small flow of water prevents freezing; this helps, but water can freeze even with a slow flow.
Rather, opening a faucet will provide relief from the excessive pressure that builds between the faucet and the ice blockage when freezing occurs. If there is no excessive water pressure, there is no burst pipe, even if the water inside the pipe freezes.
A dripping faucet wastes some water, so only pipes vulnerable to pipe freezing (ones that run through an unheated or unprotected space) should be left with the water flowing. The drip can be very slight. Even the slowest drip at normal pressure will provide pressure relief when needed. If the dripping stops, leave the faucet(s) open, since a pipe may have frozen and will still need pressure relief.
If You Suspect a Frozen Pipe
If you open a faucet and no water comes out, don’t take any chances. Call Immediate Response Plumbing your licensed plumber of choice.
If a water pipe bursts, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve (usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house); leave the faucet(s) open until repairs are completed.
Going on a Trip
When away from the house for an extended period during the winter, be careful how much you lower the heat. A lower temperature may save on the heating bill, but there could be a disaster if a cold spell strikes and pipes that normally would be safe, freeze and burst.
A solution is to drain the water system. This is the best safeguard. With no water in the pipes, there is no freezing. This remedy should be considered even when the homeowner is not leaving but is concerned about a serious overnight freeze.
To drain the system, shut off the main valve and turn on every water fixture (both hot and cold lines) until water stops running. It’s not necessary to leave the fixtures open, since the system is filled mostly with air at that point and not subject to freezing. When returning to the house, turn on the main valve and let each fixture run until the pipes are full again.
by Bruccola | Nov 4, 2014 | Plumbing and Drain Cleaning in San Antonio
Free Estimates are Available!
Worried you might have a slab leak in your home? Slab leaks can be a difficult plumbing problem to diagnose because they aren’t out in the open. It’s important to contact a plumbing professional right away if you suspect a slab leak may be causing damage. Immediate Response Plumbing has been a local San Antonio plumber for over 15 years! When you need an expert plumbing service, count on us 24/7 for your slab leak repair!
Slab Leak Detection
Immediate Response Plumbing works efficiently, using time-tested procedures to handle any type of plumbing problem. Our goal is to restore your plumbing as soon as possible, while delivering high-quality results. To detect leaks, we’ll sound the slab system. Slab leaks create excess water waste. To find the area with the largest amount of water, we’ll pierce the slab with a 3/8″ hole. After the damaged area is located, it will also be excavated. Then, the leak will be fixed and the floor will be repaired.
Signs of a Slab Leak
There are certain indicators that may point to a slab leak right away—like a usually high water bill.
Other signs of a slab leak can include:
- Cracks along floors or in walls
- Unusual hotspot on the floor
- Sound of running water when water isn’t running
- Excess water around foundation
- Excess moisture or mildew under carpets
Don’t overpay on your water bill! Call Immediate Response Plumbing for expert service today. We proudly serve the San Antonio and surrounding areas.
