June 7th, 2011
Renovating your kitchen is a huge undertaking. It requires lots of planning and preparation and can be overwhelming at times. And the last thing you want is to overlook a key aspect of your newly designed kitchen because you are too stressed out.
Do not worry, we are here to help.
Every little detail is important, from the cabinets all the way down to the faucet. That’s right, your faucet. It is the feature of your kitchen that you will undoubtedly use the most, so choosing the right faucet is very important. And it may not be as easy as you had expected. But this article from Kitchen Faucet Review can help.
There are so many different options available that you may find it hard to narrow down your choices. Do you go with stainless steel, chrome, or oil-rubbed bronze? And what about your handle options; do you pick a one-handle faucet or a two-handle? And then there are the add-ons like getting a soap dispenser.
One way to narrow down your options is to examine your kitchen. If you kitchen is smaller, a one-handle faucet may make more sense. If your sink is rather large, you will need a larger kitchen faucet to match. And then there is your budget. Brass looks great and lasts for a very long time, but chrome is a much cheaper choice.
So examine what you need before you even look at a faucet. Because trying to choose a kitchen faucet without a plan can be a very complicated undertaking.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by clicking here today!
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June 1st, 2011
If your toilet has ever caused your shower to flood, you know just how disgusting that experience can be. But why did it happen and what can you do to prevent that revolting sewage from backing up into your tub again?
This article from eHow.com explains this filthy phenomenon.
Flooding occurs when water (and sewage) from your toilet is, for some reason, unable to properly exit through the sewage and drainage system. And since your toilet is designed to prevent backups into the toilet itself, to avoid releasing dangerous gasses into your home, the water that has been flushed finds its way to the open shower drain.
The number one reason for this disgusting backup is a clog in the mainline of the drainage and sewage system. If the flooding drains quickly, the clog is minimal, but if the flooding takes hours to drain, you could have a potentially large clog.
One of the only ways to deal with this problem is to use a pipe snake. But this procedure can often be too much for the do-it-yourselfer. If you find yourself with a fairly severe clog, it may be time to call a professional plumber. If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by clicking here today!
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May 24th, 2011
Thump. Thump. Gurgle.
What is that noise? Oh, it’s the hot water heater.
But did you know that rumbling, thumping or bubbling noise may be an indication there is something wrong with your water heater? It’s true. This article from eHow.com explains several of the most common causes of water heater noise.
Sediment: Sediment enters the storage unit through incoming water lines. Water bubbles forming under the layer of sediment in the tank will cause regular thumping or rumbling noises each time the appliance heats up the water. You can deal with this by draining a gallon of water or so per month to help remove sediment.
Mineral Deposits: Mineral deposits can lead to rumbling or popping noises when water trapped underneath the deposit is heated. This layer of calcium and magnesium can also reduce your heating efficiency. The mineral deposits prevent heat from being transferred into the water. Installing a water softener on the lines entering the water heater will prevent buildup in new tanks. However, removing mineral deposits in old tanks may not be worth your time. If this is the case, your best option may simply be installing a new water heater.
Cold Water: When cold water entering the storage tank mixes with the hot water inside the tank, a loud rumbling noise may occur. Though this is normal, if it happens in excess it may be a sign of a leak in the input valve, which will lower the overall temperature in the tank. Fixing leaking valves should put an end to this energy-wasting process.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by clicking here today!
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May 16th, 2011
If you have ever had to deal with noisy pipes, you know just how irritating that constant knocking can be. But what can you do about it? This article from AllExperts.com explains how to deal with pesky pipes.
In most states, re-piping has to be guaranteed for a year if it was done by a licensed contractor. So if you have just had your pipes recently redone, you may be in luck. Contact the contractor who did the work and get them to come out to your house, inspect the situation and fix the problem.
If you are not one of the lucky few who have just had their piper redone recently, there are a few things you need to know before you take any further steps.
Where does pipe noise come from? Well, most pipe noise comes from loose or improperly trapped pipes (or some combination of the two). It is not uncommon for a re-piping job to be inadequately secured, so if you have a problem alert your contractor to come out and fix the problem. If possible, try to pinpoint the area of concern to make things easier for the contractor.
Where should I look? The first thing you need to do is to make sure all of the pipes are secure. If all of the pipes are secure, it may not be your pipes that are the problem. It is entirely possible that your contractor accidentally loosened some wood or other material in your walls when installing your new piping.
What can I do? You may consider purchasing a device designed to reduce pipe noise. One is a water-hammer arrestor. It is a bulb-like fitting that has a small rubber bag inside and it acts as a shock absorber when the water is turned on or off. Old school plumbers always installed air-chambers near the end of lines or by the water heater. The air-chamber is merely a short length of pipe extending straight up from a fixture branch that will trap air and the air is supposed to act as a cushion and help with pipe rattle.
If none of this works, what can I do? Well, if you have tried everything and nothing seems to work, it may be time to call a professional plumber.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by clicking here today!
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May 10th, 2011
Are you looking for a way to add elegance to your bathroom without breaking the bank? If so, you should consider installing a pedistal sink. Installing one can quickly turn your dull bathroom into the elegant powder room you have always wanted, because a pedistal sink is more like a piece of art than an appliance.
But are they practical?
This article from AskTheBuilder.com outlines the pros and cons of the eye-catching pedistal sink.
Pros:
• Style: these sinks provide a classic look to any bathroom. The colors, styles, and shapes of pedistal sinks are such that you can almost always find one to fit any decorating theme or time period no matter if it’s Victorian, ultra modern or somewhere in between.
• Easy to maintain: periodically washing these sinks with dish soap and water is all you need to do to keep them looking their best.
• Gorgeous faucets: these stylish faucets will take your breath away.
Cons:
• Storage Space: there is none. There are no cabinets beneath the sink and no space to place objects on the sink. Because of this, they are not always the most practical options.
• Planning: since there is no cabinet to hide the drain lines and water supply lines, it takes more work and planning to hide the unattractive piping out of sight.
You have to ask yourself if the added aesthetic value is worth the inconvenience of less storage space. The choice is up to you.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by clicking here today!
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May 3rd, 2011
If you have ever had to deal with sewer gas, you know that odor can be obnoxious and overpowering. But did you also know that breathing in too much of the gas could cause serious health issues? Well, it is true. So if you find yourself with a sewer gas issue, it is important to fix the problem as soon as possible.
This article from Ask the Builder outlines what you need to know to alleviate your stinky situation.
There are several ways sewer gas may be leaking into your house:
• Through plumbing fixtures whose traps have gone dry or have lost enough water that the water seal within the trap has broken.
• Cracks in either plumbing drain lines or vent pipes.
• Plumbing vent pipes that are clogged may cause problems.
But there is hope. A qualified plumber should be able to easily find the source of your sewer gas leak in as little as an hour’s time, using a machine that generates smoke.
The plumber connects the smoke generation machine to the plumbing drain system and then blocks off the drain pipe leading to the sewer and caps off all roof vent pipes. Once the smoke machine starts, it begins to slightly pressurize the plumbing system. If there is a cracked pipe or a fitting joint that is loose, the smoke readily exits at that point before it would bubble up through a fixture trap filled with water. Usually the source of the sewer gas leak can be discovered in less than one hour.
So if you think you have a sewer gas leak in your home, call a professional plumber as soon as you can. The problem can be quickly diagnosed so you can take action.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by clicking here today!
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April 26th, 2011
Tankless Coil and indirect water heaters use your home’s space heating system to heat water, which is why they are known as integrated, or combination water and space heating systems. But before you go jumping at the chance to buy these cool contraptions, you should learn a little more about them. This article from the U.S. Department of Energy explains the ins and outs of tankless coil and indirect water heaters.
A tankless coil water heater uses a heating coil or heat exchanger installed in a main furnace or boiler. When the water is turned on, water flows through the heat exchanger, providing hot water on demand without a tank. But since these water heaters rely on a furnace or boiler, they operate best during the cold months when the system is heating regularly. So these water heaters do not make sense for homes in warmer climates.
For these residences, indirect water heaters may be the way to go. These water heaters DO require a storage tank, but still use the main furnace to heat a fluid that is circulated through the heat exchanger in the storage tank. And since the tank stores energy, it will require your furnace to turn on and off less often, saving energy and money.
Indirect water heaters, when coupled with a high-efficiency furnace, are often the cheapest way to effectively heat your water. But you will need to do your research to determine what type of water heater makes the most fiscal sense for you.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon plumbing by clicking here today!
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April 19th, 2011
Most people know that heat pumps can be used to heat and cool their homes. But did you know that heat pumps can also be used to heat your water? Well, they can as either a stand-alone water heating system or as a combination water heating and space conditioning system.
This article from the U.S. Department of Energy explains everything you need to know about heat pump water heaters.
Heat pump water heaters traditionally have higher initial costs than standard storage water heaters. But their lower operating costs offset their higher purchase and installation prices. So you have to ask yourself what matters more to you – saving a little money now by sticking with your current water heater, or saving money in the long run with a heat pump water heater?
Perhaps you should know how these heat pumps work before you make such a life changing decision.
Instead of generating heat directly, heat pump water heaters move heat from one place to another using electricity. This makes heat pump water heaters two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters. A stand-alone air-source heat pump water heater pulls heat from the surrounding air and dumps it—at a higher temperature—into a tank to heat water.
Heat pump water heaters will not operate efficiently in a cold space and should be kept between 40º–90ºF (4.4º–32.2ºC).
If a heat pump water heater makes sense for you, it may be time to get in touch with a professional plumber to determine your options. If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by calling 410-766-8566 or click here today!
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April 12th, 2011
If you want a more energy efficient option to your traditional water heater, you should consider having a tankless water heater installed in your home. They do not produce the standby energy losses associated with storage (traditional) water heaters and are quickly becoming more affordable than ever.
This article from the U.S. Department of Energy explains the ins and outs of tankless water heaters.
The first thing you need to know is how a tankless water heater works. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels into the unit. A gas or electric burner heats the water, delivering a constant supply of hot water. The only down side to this is that a tankless water heater’s output limits the flow rate (gas burners produce slightly higher flow rates than electric). This means that tankless heaters have trouble handling simultaneous demand – like taking a shower and running the dishwasher at the same time. To overcome this problem, you can install two or more tankless water heaters in your home or install separate tankless heaters for individual appliances.
For households that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, a tankless water heater can be 24-34% more energy efficient than a traditional storage unit. If a household uses double that, installing a tankless water heater can be 8-14% more efficient. These numbers increase if you place a dedicated tankless water heater at each hot water outlet.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by calling 410-766-8566 or click here today!
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April 5th, 2011
Conventional storage water heaters still remain the most popular type of home water heating system. But how do they work? How easy are they to install and maintain? And how do you know which model is right for you?
This article breaks down what you need to know about conventional water heaters.
How They Work
A single-family water heater holds 20-80 gallons of hot water. When you turn on the hot water faucet, the tank releases hot water from the top of the tank. To replace the lost hot water, cold water enters the bottom of the tank – ensuring the unit is always full.
Since water is constantly heated, energy can be wasted even when a hot water faucet is not turned on. This is called standby heat loss. You can find certain insulated water heaters, which significantly reduce standby heat loss. Or if you are really concerned about standby heat loss, you should consider purchasing a tankless water heater.
Installation and Maintenance
In order to ensure that your water heater is running efficiently, you will need to properly install and maintain your unit.
Proper installation requires great attention to detail. Things to consider include fuel type, climate, local building code requirements, and safety issues. Because of the complexity of water heater installation, it is recommended that you hire a professional to handle the job.
Once your water heater is in place, it is time to start thinking about maintenance, which can significantly prolong the life of your unit while minimizing loss of efficiency.
Routine maintenance should include:
• Flushing a quart of water from the storage tank every three months
• Checking the temperature and pressure valve every six months
• Inspecting the anode rod every three to four years.
If you have any questions regarding conventional water heater installation and maintenance, contact Mahon Plumbing by clicking here today!
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