Plumbing News and Tips for Homeowners in the Raleigh NC Area, New Product Reviews, Water Heaters and Tankless water heater advice from local certified plumbers.

“Rinse” Away Wasteful Water Usage with Laundry Room Water Conservation Tips

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In the final article of our three part series aimed at helping you cut back both on costly water bills and on being wasteful around the house, the Raleigh NC professional plumbers at Poole's Plumbing will take you straight to the washing machine and give you a few pointers as a part of our Laundry Room Water Conservation Tips.

Much as with the initial two articles in this series which covered conserving in both the kitchen and the bathroom, our Laundry Room Water Conservation Tips more than anything are simply a matter of staying on top of how your appliances work and operate as well as being conscious of the amount of water being used in your household and limiting that amount to what is needed.

To begin with, running your washing machine only when it is full rather than washing smaller loads can save the average family from wasting about 1,000 gallons of water per month. Likewise, being aware and keeping an eye on the size of load that you are washing and matching your water level to that load is another way that you can save.

In actuality, you can start acting on these Laundry Room Water Conservation Tips before you even set foot back in your home when buying your washing machine. By thinking of the best ways to save and conserve water when shopping for a new appliance, checking for a model that has a variety of load size and water cycle adjustments will allow you to better monitor your water usage when doing a wash. Also, with the innovative new technology always being applied to make products more green compliant, purchasing a water saving washing mating for example one with the Water Sense label to be sure your new appliance is high efficiency.

These easy-to-do Laundry Room Water Conservation Tips provided by the most trusted name in Raleigh NC plumbers, Poole's Plumbing are simple ways to be mindful of the amount of water usage going on under your roof on a daily basis. Keeping a watchful eye out when doing your laundry in addition to utilizing the tips provided in part one and two of our water conservation three-part series, both in the kitchen and bathroom, can have you on the fast track to saving and conserving in no time.

Hiring a Plumbing Company – 6 Essential Points to Consider Before an Emergency Strikes

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Plumbing is one of those unglamorous but essential services that everyone needs to call on from time to time. With luck, most your dealings with a plumber will be planned in advance, but it's almost certain you'll face an emergency at some point.

When you've got water gushing down your walls, you don't want to be scrabbling for a good plumbing company to come to your rescue. It pays to do your research first, so that you have a number to call without delay. Here's what to look for when finding a good plumbing company.

 

Availability

Does the company offer a 24-hour call-out service? Are there any charges for attending your home at unsocial hours? Will they guarantee to fix the problem on their first visit, or at least to make it safe and prevent further damage? In an emergency, you need help straight away, so make sure you know the answer to these questions in advance.

Experience and Qualifications

It's vital to ask how long the plumbing company has been providing their services, and which qualifications the individual plumbers possess. Is the company as a whole regulated by any trade association or official body? These questions are particularly important if the work involves gas or electrical components, when safety is absolutely crucial.

Who's Actually Doing the Work?

Is the person you speak to the one who will be carrying out the work, or will it be an employee or even a subcontractor? Any of these options can be perfectly acceptable. For your own peace of mind, however, you may want to first meet the person carrying out the work, especially if the job is inside your home.

Liability Cover

Is the company properly insured? If something goes wrong, you need to know that you won't lose out financially, and so it's essential they have a comprehensive liability insurance policy in place.

Warranty and Guarantees

It's also a good idea to ask what will happen if you're unhappy with the work for any other reason. What's the procedure if you're not satisfied with the job that's been done? For how long will the parts they've used be under warranty, and will they replace them without a call-out charge if needed?

Prices and Payment

Although the exact prices will vary depending on the details of the work, you should ask the typical costs for a range of common jobs so you can get a rough idea of the expense involved. Also, is payment required upon completion or partly or fully in advance? Are installment terms available?

Plumbing work is often needed in an emergency situation when you have no time to waste. Asking these questions of a company in advance will ensure you can get quick and efficient assistance when you need it most.

Benefits of Home Water Softeners  

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Water softeners are used to remove minerals that make water hard. Hard water has high levels of two soluble minerals: calcium and magnesium. If your water is hard, it can cause problems in your home that may go unnoticed.

 

Problems Caused by Hard Water   

Soap is less effective in hard water. This is because soap is made with sodium and potassium compounds like sodium stearate. Calcium compounds in the water react with sodium stearate to make calcium stearate. While sodium stearate dissolves in water, calcium stearate does not. As a result, soaps produce less lather and leave behind more soap curd.

Soap curd can leave a film on your skin that clogs the pores and causes your skin to feel dry and rough. The film can also make your hair brittle and dull-looking.

The soap curd can clog pipes and make it difficult for soaps and detergents to dissolve, resulting in water spots being left behind after cleaning. As scale accumulates within the pipes, your water heater will work less efficiently, needing more energy to heat your water and causing your utility costs to go up. Overall, the buildup will shorten the life of any appliance that uses water.

In addition, the minerals in hard water can become attached to the fibers of your clothing, covering them with residue and causing them to feel stiff. To properly clean your clothes in hard water, you will need to use more detergent and wash at higher temperatures. Both of these measures can significantly increase the cost of doing laundry.

By softening your water, you can prevent damage to your home and to your appliances. The benefits of softer water include:

Healthier Skin and Hair

Your skin is likely to become smoother after you start to soften your water, and your hair may become softer and shinier as well. Not only will you need to use less soap when showering and less shampoo for your hair, but you also may find that you do not need conditioners at all.

Easier, More Thorough Cleaning

One of the most visible benefits of water softening includes the reduction of scale on cookware, silverware, and plumbing fixtures, which means fewer water spots. The chalky accumulation of soap curds in your shower and bathtub will be reduced or eliminated, so your bathrooms will be easier to clean. Furthermore, because minerals won't attach to fabrics, your laundry will need less detergent, get cleaner and cost less to wash.

Longer-Lasting Appliances

Not only will soft water save you money, but it will reduce your carbon footprint by as well. Because you won't have to replace your appliances as often, you will be reducing waste and helping to conserve the energy used in the manufacturing process.

If you are dealing with the effects of minerals in your water, the right water softening and filtration system can help. The technology has been around for decades and is considered reliable. You have several options, so when choosing a water softener for your home, consider such factors as the size of the unit, the amount of time it takes to soften your water, and the volume of salt the system adds to the water coming into your home. You may want to look at a salt-free unit, which would be a better choice for homeowners who want to avoid excessive sodium intake.

The right water softening system can mitigate the problems that hard water causes, while also making your home more energy-efficient. Contat Poole's Plumbing today to learn more.

Try These Plumbing Repair Projects Even If You’ve Never Picked Up a Wrench

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If you had to call a plumber in every time something dripped or clogged up, you might wait too long. Having the right plumbing tools on hand is an excellent way to get to a problem as soon as it occurs, and to make sure that it doesn't get out of control.

Certainly, some kinds of DIY plumbing repair projects aren't for beginners (you should probably look up a professional plumber before you do extensive damage to your drainpipes trying fish out a lost wedding ring with a straightened-out wire hanger, for example). Many smaller problems are perfect for the DIY beginner, however. This simple home servicing guide should help you with the right ideas.

A non-working flush lever

If you have an old flush tank sitting on your toilet (rather than a wall-mounted flush lever), you should be able to handle the common loose handle problem. All you need to do is to take the lid off the tank and look inside. Often, the lever will have worked itself loose from the flapper, or from its metal chain. You may be able to simply screw any loose parts together, or visit a hardware store for broken parts.

Unclog the toilet

Some toilet clogs can be complicated and need a plumber. Before you look on Ask Doss for a professional, however, it would make sense to see what you can do with a plunger and an auger. You should first visit a home improvement store for the right tools. It takes a toilet plunger, rather than a sink plunger. A dozen strong thrusts should clear up any minor clogs. If this doesn't do the trick, you need to send in an auger and crank away. It should attach to whatever foreign object is clogging up the works, and help you pull it out.

Correct a leaky sink drain

Leaky pipes are one of the simpler DIY plumbing projects. When you look under the sink, you should find some attachment that delivers waste water to the drain in the wall -- a P-trap or bottle trap. You need to put a large basin under the drain to catch any splashes and use a large wrench to undo the nut that holds the trap in place. You can rinse the trap out, and replace the washer. Not only will the drain flow more freely now, but the new washer should also keep the water in, where it belongs.

Stop that drip

If you have a dripping faucet, you don't have to keep using more force each passing day, to tighten it. Instead, you only need to replace the washer. Whether you have an old faucet that takes many turns to open and close or one of the newer ones that take a simple quarter-turn, it's easy to do the work yourself. It does take patience, however. You need a small plumber's wrench and to find an assistant to help you. While they hold the faucet from above, you go below and carefully unscrew the nut that holds it in place.

Once you have the faucet out, you can take it to a home improvement store and have them give you a replacement washer or cartridge. You want to take a video of yourself taking the faucet apart, however. Faucets contain many washers and other small components, and you want to make sure that you know how to put them back in the order that you find them.

One of the most important skills that the DIY plumber possesses is knowing when a project is too complicated. Venturing forth with a job that requires a greater level of skill and you possess a recipe for flooded floors and big bills. When you take baby steps, however, DIY can be nothing but rewarding.

Raleigh's-Most-Trusted-Plumbers

Hydro-jet, Pipe Cleaning

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The Difference Between Snaking and Hydro Jetting

 At some point in time, most homeowners will experience a clogged sewer line. This issue can be quite a nuisance, so it is essential to prevent it before it happens. Regular cleaning is an excellent preventative measure, and it is effective when it comes to eliminating soap residue, tree roots and hair, the biggest culprits of serious clogs. The two most common cleaning methods are snaking and hydro-jet pipe cleaning. If you want to choose the best option for your home, it is important to learn about each. Poole’s Plumbing can help you decide which method will be most beneficial for you.

How Hydro Jetting Works

What exactly is hydro jetting? Basically, this method utilizes a powerful water stream to get rid of any debris stuck in the sewer line. The primary tool is a hose equipped with a specialized nozzle that releases water pressurized anywhere from 3,000 to 8,000 PSI. This level of water pressure is typically sufficient to blast out debris lodged in the line. Hydro jetting has several benefits, including:

  • Versatility: This method is useful for cleaning both commercial and residential sewer lines.
  • Effectiveness: Hydro jetting is highly effective at doing its job. It ensures the pipes remain clean as well.
  • Water Only: There are no chemicals involved with hydro jetting, meaning your pipes will not have to be subject to harsh chemicals just to get rid of clogs.

It is important that hydro jetting should be left to the pros, as older and more fragile pipes can be damaged by the powerful method.

Snaking

Snaking is different than hydro jetting in that is uses a steel cable called an auger with a special tip designed to penetrate tough clogs. While this method may not be as effective as hydro jetting, it is beneficial in that it does not cause damage to pipes.

If you need your sewer line cleaned and want plumbing done right the first time, contact us at Poole’s Plumbing today. We are experienced professionals who know how to get the job done. If you are a restaurant owner or have commercial needs, see our Commercial Services. One call does it all.

Brains and Beauty: the Zurn Sundara™ Solid Surface Handwashing System

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prlog.orgZurn Unveils the Sundara™ Solid Surface Bathroom Handwashing System, in both style and function for commercial applications.

POWERFUL PERFORMANCE, HIGH-MINDED DESIGN

Influenced by architects and crafted by audacious industrial designers, Sundara – a Sanskrit term meaning “beautiful” – is a bold approach to the handwashing system. We've unified seamless countertops, basins, faucets and soap dispensers for a modern concept that elevates the restroom experience through a combination of style and substance.

"Sundara systems are different because they bring a harmonized, clean look to the commercial restroom. These unique lavatory platforms will open architects’ minds to new design possibilities."

— David Rotman, Rotman Architecture
sundara
Learn more at the Zurn Website or Call Poole's Plumbing for Availability.

prlog.org

 

MILWAUKEE - April 25, 2017 - PRLog-- Architects have a reason to take a new look at Zurn Industries ... combining a seamless countertop and basin design with curated faucets and soap dispensers to match. Brawn, Brains and Beauty: Zurn Unveils the Sundara™ Solid Surface Handwashing System

thumbnail courtesy of prlog.org

 

 

Souther Ideal Home Show

Visit the Triangle’s Most Trusted Professional Plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, at The Southern Ideal Home Show Raleigh

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Souther Ideal Home ShowWith hundreds of experts representing the most trusted names in landscaping, decorating, remodeling, and home building, the Southern Ideal Home Show Raleigh is the Triangle’s Largest Home and Garden Event of the Fall Season. Stop by the “Kitchens and Bath” section at Exhibit #2310 and visit the Raleigh plumbing experts from Poole’s Plumbing for some helpful tips and ideas as well as some fantastic deals.

Southern Ideal Home Show Raleigh

Poole’s Plumbing

Exhibit #2310 in the “Kitchens and Bath” Section

Friday, September 23th — Sunday, September 25th

North Carolina State Fairgrounds

1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC, 27607

raleigh-plumber-interview

tank-water-heaters-pooles plumbing

Poole’s Plumbing Guarantees the Best Water Heater Prices in Raleigh

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Best Water Heater Prices in RaleighIn addition to being the most trusted name in Raleigh NC  plumbers, and the definitive water heater experts across the Triangle area, with Poole’s Plumbing you not only get the best service, but they also guarantee they have the Best Water Heater Prices in Raleigh.

As more Raleigh area plumbers moved into the “digital age,” developing websites and later on utilizing social media platforms such as Facebook, and Twitter among others, keeping up with the Best Water Heater Prices in Raleigh has become increasingly more difficult to do. Staying honest and true to their loyal customers, while still delivering the highest quality work in the Triangle area, Poole’s Plumbing instituted their “Best Price in Town” guarantee.

Basically, the guarantee states that Poole’s will match the price of any competing plumbing company and deliver to their customers the Best Water Heater Prices in Raleigh, whether you are having a new unit installed or having your old one replaced.

Best Water Heater Prices in Raleigh

Poole’s Plumbing only asks that the following criteria is followed in their Best Water Heater Prices in Raleigh guarantee:

  • The competitor whose price is being matched must be licensed and insured
  • The work that is being completed must be done in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s Plumbing Code
  • A written estimate from the competitor whose price is being matched must be provided.
  • The guarantee will apply only to the same water heater on the competitor’s estimate provided or one equivalent to that unit
  • If applicable, the permit fee must be included

The reputation earned by the Raleigh professionals at Poole’s Plumbing over the past seven-plus years is one that the company has prided themselves on being built on forging strong relationships with the customer through honesty and the quality of their work. There “no gimmicks” approach is one you can always rely on and as always, the Best Water Heater Prices in Raleigh guarantee is also “gimmick free.” To read more about the “Best Price in Town Guarantee,” visit poolesplumbing.com.

 

High Efficiency Toilets

Water Innovations from Toto Give You Power and Cleanliness in High Efficiency Toilets

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With the always evolving technology in bathroom appliances giving you many selections to choose from, no companies innovative designs and features may be a more sound choice than Toto High Efficiency Toilets, of which the Raleigh professional plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing are an authorized and licensed dealer of.

Toto offers three different choices in their “water innovations” line of High Efficiency Toilets, with all options focus on conveinience and conservation as well. All three of these advanced flushing systems also specializes in keeping your High Efficiency Toilets bowl clean with efficient usage of water. The “Water Innovations” from Toto are:

The Tornado Flush

Using two powerful nozzles to siphon water and by harnessing both the energy of gravity and water, this method efiiciently maximizes cleaning with remarkably efficient water usage. The perks of the Tornado Flush include:

  • Dual-nozzle water propulsion system
  • More Powerful flush
  • 1 gallon or 1.28 gallon per flush
  • Cleaner bowl and less cleaning

High Efficiency Toilets

The E-Max System

Usage of an extra-large siphoning jet combined with a wider three inch valve, this system gives you a consistently powerful flush. Not only does the usage of only 1.28 gallons per flush give you great water savings, but the “E-max” is also a very quiet flush. Special features include:

  • Large siphon jet
  • Powerful, quiet flush
  • Pilot-operated fill valve
  • Clean shutoff at any water pressure

High Efficiency Toilets

 The 3-D Tornado Flush

The newest innovation that Toto has added to its High Efficiency Toilets, this is described at totousa.com as “ a flushing system not only featuring three powerful nozzles that create a centrifugal, cyclonic rinsing action but also the option of choosing between 0.9 or 1.28 gallons per flush. This technologically-advanced high-efficiency system is remarkably effective, saving you up to 35% more water than the standard 1.6 GPF. The modern hole-free rim design also means that it performs more consistently and is easy to clean.

High Efficiency Toilets

For more information on the “Water Innovations” and specific models of Toto High Efficiency Toilets featuring each of the options detailed above, visit the “People Planet Water” section at totousa.com.

Unclog a Shower Drain

Simple Household Spring Plumbing Tips Can Help to Save

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As the changing of the season from Winter to Spring is even more apparent with the recent change in temperature, the second part of our Spring Plumbing Tips from the most trusted name in Raleigh NC plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, has several more simple things that you can do around the house to help prepare and avoid major issues as the heavy rains of the season approach.

These basic check up and repair techniques are Spring Plumbing Tips that any home owner can follow and they not only get you ready for the changing of the season, but also is a safe way to avoid more significant damage in the case that you have actually developed some type of plumbing issue during the cold winter months.

To begin with these Spring Plumbing Tips, thoroughly check all faucets in both the kitchen and bathroom of your home. This can help you to conserve water and money, as can checking your toilets to be sure there aren’t any leaks. An easy way to do this would be to place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and if a leak has developed you will see the coloring in the bowl with in 30 minutes time. Checking for leaks or cracks in the toilet bowl also is a good idea when doing this.

Before moving along from checking your toilet, another of our suggested Spring Plumbing Tips is to be sure the units are flushing correctly. If by chance you need to shake or wiggle the handle, certain parts will need to be replaced. This can be done inexpensively and can not only fix the toilet but also save you money on water costs.

Spring Plumbing TipsChecking for clogs is next on the list of Spring Plumbing Tips. Beng certain that you have a filter on all of the drains in the house will prevent buildup such as soap, hair, or a variety of other substances from creating some type of blockage. Shower heads are another area that can easily become clogged due to mineral deposits. A simple solution to this is to fill a zip-lock bag with white vinegar and using are rubber band to secure it, wrap the full baggie around the head. Leaving this on the shower head for 24 hours will break the deposits down and have it completely clog-free and clean.

Lastly, you should check your water supply valve on occasion and turn them on and off. By doing this regularly, you can prevent the valve from sticking, which can lead to much more serious issues down the road.

By following these simple Spring Plumbing Tips and staying on top of these items around the house, in addition to checking each of the items detailed in Part One of our tips that can be seen here, you can with little effort have the plumbing in your home ready for the Spring and free and clear of any minor damage caused through the winter before it becomes more costly and a much bigger problem.

Energy Efficiency Improvement Federal Tax Credits

Residential Energy Efficiency Improvement Federal Tax Credits Extended Through 2016

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The Consolidated Appropriations Act was jut signed in December, extending the Residential Energy Efficiency Improvements Federal Tax Credits for that had expired at the end of 2014.

For those owning qualifying Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters installed between January 1, 2015 and the end of 2016 this makes for a maximum credit of $300.

Energy Efficiency Improvement Federal Tax Credits

These credits, for residential energy efficiency improvements, include a maximum of $300. Those having a Rinnai Condensing Boiler installed during this same period time can qualify for a $150 credit.

The Raleigh plumbing professionals at Poole’s Plumbing offer all the quality Rinnai plumbing products, from tankless water heaters and condensing boilers to so much more.

For more information on how the extension of Energy Efficiency Improvement Federal Tax Credits applies to Rinnai products and/or how to apply for your rebate visit rinnai.us.

Spring Plumbing Tips

Following Spring Plumbing Tips Can Help Avoid a Costly Fix

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As the colder weather here in the Triangle area starts to secede and give way to the warmer temperatures of a new season, the trusted Raleigh NC plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing want to remind you that there are many things to remember as you check around the house and look for possible repairs that may need to be done as part of our Spring Plumbing Tips.

By simply going through your bathroom, kitchen, appliances, and plumbing equipment in your home’s common areas and following these Spring Plumbing Tips early on in the season, you can avoid or at least lessen the likelihood of major and potentially costly repairs.

With the increase in rainfall that we are already experiencing one thing you for sure want to check up on is that all drains, gutters and downspouts are clear of any debris. Likewise, on top of the list of Spring Plumbing Tips and check points should be to make sure all vents and plumbing pipes are clear as they could be hindered or clogged from leaves, sticks, bird nests, or a host of other items after the winter “thaw out.”

Spring Plumbing Tips

Another very important item on your Spring Plumbing Tips checklist should be checking your hose bib. First look at the faucet to be sure there are no leaks. This is a somewhat common problem after the colder months when a hose has been attached to the hose bib for the entire winter. If it was hooked up for the winter, it could have lead to the water supply pipe freezing at some point and this in turn may have seen the pipe expand and crack. If you do discover this is the case, call your trusted Raleigh NC plumbers at Poole’s and have the pipe replaced before major water damage can occur.

Keeping your plubming system safe should be a top priority during any of the four seasons, but the most important Spring Plumbing Tip you can follow as the winter cold turns to the warmer months is to make sure your sump pump is ready to endure some hard work in the upcoming season. Checking this is as simple as pouring a few buckets of water into the sump pit for starters. It should then start up with in a few seconds and then after the water flows, it should turn itself off automatically. If this does not occur once again, you should contact the professionals at Poole’s Plumbing to come and see your sump pump first hand before it burns out completely and once again requires a much more costly remedy.

Taking just a little time to go through and around the house to check on these items and follow up on each of these Spring Plumbing Tips as the cold air begins to warm with the change of the season could be the difference between major plumbing issues and water damage at your home, not to mention some unnecessary damage to your wallet. In part two of our Spring Plumbing Tips, we will discuss some other simple ways around the house to conserve heading into the Spring.

High Efficiency Toilets

Conservation is Just a Flush Away with Sterling’s High Efficiency Toilets

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With several models of High Efficiency Toilets to choose from, the most trusted name in Raleigh NC plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing can deliver exactly the water conservation that you have been looking for with the installation of a Sterling “Dual Force” toilet.

High Efficiency Toilets

Providing an unparalleled combination of water conservation and exceptional performance, the “Dual Force” technology of Sterling’s High Efficiency Toilets is exactly what you may be looking for in trying to keep the water usage down in your bathroom, while still getting the quality, look, and comfort you’ve come to know from any Kohler brand bathroom appliances.

Offering two separate models with its revolutionary “Dual Force” features, the Karsten and the Rockton, Sterling gives you the option on both of either having a round front or elongated bowl.

The Karsten model, is described at sterlingplumbing.com, saying that this model “excels at saving water without compromising tremendous bulk flushing capabilities.” Continuing on to speak of its stylish design, it explains, “The contemporary style of Karsten makes this toilet a perfect choice for baths inspired by sleek, streamlined decorating schemes.”

The website likewise speaks the praises of the Rockton model High Efficiency Toilets, complimenting this model for its “unprecedented water conservation and reliable performance” as well. As with the aforementioned model the Rockton also offers consumers a great design that “with a clean and understated aesthetic…compliments any bathroom décor.”

Both of these “Dual Force” High Efficiency Toilets are very user friendly and simple to operate. Utilizing a two-button actuator that is integrated into the id of the tank these High Efficiency Toilets flush either 1.6 gallons or .8 gallon. The .8 gallon “Dual Flush” option is for light waste or liquid is estimated to save the average household up to 25,000 gallons of water per year, while in being assisted by a flapperless valve and a large trapway for the removal of bulk waste in a single flush, the 1.6 gallon setting completely eliminates water being wasted by needing to repeatedly flush.

The most trusted name in Raleigh NC plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, can offer you tips on water conservation in addition to installing your new High Efficiency Toilets like the Sterling models detailed above. For more details on “Dual Force Technology” and all the other great Sterling products, visit www.sterlingplumbing.com.

Tankless Water Heater

Improvements and Innovations Making Choice to go with a Tankless Water Heater an Easy One

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With the Raleigh plumbing experts at Poole’s Plumbing specializing in installation, and manufacturers using the technology they are afforded for continuous innovations to the always economically sound Tankless Water Heater models, many of the question marks that consumers have had when deciding upon a new unit are slowly being erased.Tankless Water Heater

 

As discussed in a recent article published by Consumer Reports, despite the obvious upside in switching to a Tankless Water Heater, when the units were first introduced, did give customers a few reasons to debate whether or not to stick wit their conventional model water heater. However, as time has passed, many of the major producers of the Tankless Water Heater have worked to consistently improve the technology in the units, addressing the three main issues below over the course of the past seven years that make the switch to a Tankless Water Heater in many cases today a much less uncertain move.

Issue 1: Expensive and Complicated Installation Process

How it’s improved: Manufacturers have addressed the installation process issues by improving upon the design of the Tankless Water Heater and making the switch from tanked to tankless an easier process. For example, in the Noritz tankless models the input and output waterlines have been moved to the top of the unit, much like the tanked units, to make a much smoother transition on a change out. The addition of a flexible exhaust pipe and a proprietary adaptor also make connecting to ductwork far easier than the standard PVC piping.

Issue 2: Inconsistency in Temperature

How it’s improved: One of the initial worries with a Tankless Water Heater was what many refer to as the “Cold Water Sandwich,” or inconsistency in temperature. Manufacturers have for the most part completely rectified this issue, as in the case with Rinnai models, where a circulation pump has been added to guarantee that water comes out hot and stays that way for the duration of its usage. Some units have even evolved to include a buffer tank that stores a backup supply of hot water.

Issue 3: Need for Constant Maintenance

How it’s improved: A major issue many that chose the Tankless Water Heater seemed to run into initially was a need for constant maintenance to their model due to scale buildup. This could restrict water flow, decrease efficiency, and eventually damage the units. With major companies adding isolation valves to their models, the descaling process and routine maintenance has been made far easier.

Whether you need a new unit, or are just interested in the possibility of exploring whether a Tankless Water Heater is the right fit for you, the specialists at Poole’s Plumbing can bring you the knowledge and know how to help you make this decision.

Tips from the most trusted Raleigh NC Plumbers to Avoid Winter Plumbing Issues

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Raleigh NC PlumbersWith the temperature in the area beginning to drop as the fall months wind down and the cold of winter approaches, the most trusted Raleigh NC Plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing have some tips that can help you to not only conserve but also to be sure to avoid issues that are somewhat common in the colder weather.

Some of the more frequent plumbing issues that come about in the winter months are running out of or having no hot water for showers, flooding, leaks, broken radiators, and frozen or cracked pipes. In this first of two parts on avoiding winter plumbing issues, you can follow the easy tips listed below by the Raleigh NC Plumbers at Poole’s, to help avoid and at minimum make these problems less likely to occur as the temperature outside drops.

Clogged Drain Prevention

There are a few ways to help avoid your drains getting clogged and thus avoid extra strain on them as the winter months bring about the possibility of freezing. The first way is to treat your tub and sink drains using a mixture that can easily be made at home on a regular basis. Use 1 cup of baking soda, mixed with 1 cup of salt, and a ¼ cup of cream of tartar. Follow this mixture by pouring two cups of boiling water in each drain. Another thing to remember in keeping drains unclogged, especially around the holidays with all the extra cooking around the house is to avoid the dumping of any oils and grease or stringy object down your drain or into the garbage disposal. Likewise, run cold water through the disposal for 15-20 second both before and after using it and always turn it on before putting any food or debris in.

Insulate your Pipes

Using foam padding sleeves or insulation tape, this is a simple way to help avoid both your hot and cold water pipes from freezing up. Using a space heater that is set at a safe distance from any exposed fixtures or pipes to keep them warm is another way to avoid them from freezing up. Also, check basement and not often used pipes throughout your home regularly for ice or frost accumulation once the temperature has hit freezing to be sure they have not started cracking.

Running Water

This one is very simple. Be sure to run water from all valves and spigots in your home regularly throughout the winter. Especially in the case of those not used so often, this can avoid the issue of them freezing up.

Unattach Outdoor Hoses

Remember to unattach garden hoses that are outdoors before the temperature drops to freezing levels. Also, be certain to drain any residual water from the outside spigots and hoses and close the shut-off valve on any pipes leading to these.

Spreading out Showers

This is somewhat self explanatory, but having at least 10-15 minutes between showers helps to maintain proper pressure and consistent hot water levels. When the temperature outside drops, you may want to increase the temperature level on your water heater as well, but never put it higher than 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

These simple tips from the Raleigh NC Plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing are ones that you can do personally in your own home to help stay away from plumbing issues and possible disaster this upcoming winter. In the follow up to this post, we will continue to discuss how to protect your pipes as the cold weather hits, in addition to the steps to take in the case that your pipes do freeze, burst, or crack this winter. To view that post, check back here to the blog section at www.poolesplumbing.com.

 

 

Visit Poole’s Plumbing at the 2015 Fall Downtown Raleigh Home Show

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Gain a Fresh Perspective— Friday, September 11-Sunday, September 13, 2015 at Booth 519

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Stop by and visit the Raleigh Plumbing professionals at Poole’s Plumbing and get some helpful tips and ideas, see all the newest products, and get some fantastic deals at the “Fall Downtown Raleigh Home Show.” Find Poole’s at Booth 519, right in the center of the main showroom at Raleigh’s Biggest Home Show Event of the season.

Fall Downtown Raleigh Home Show
Friday, September 11th-Sunday, September 13th
Raleigh Convention Center
500 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh
Visit Poole’s Plumbing at Booth 519

Join the Raleigh plumbing experts from Poole’s Plumbing alongside top professionals from all fields representing local, regional, and national companies in all areas of remodeling, home improvement, outdoor, and design. For three days, come experience, compare, and purchase the latest and most innovative products and services offered for the home and garden. With professionals and experts in a variety of fields representing the top local, regional, and national companies, you won’t want to miss the Triangle area’s Biggest Home and Garden Event of the season.

Celebrity appearances will be made throughout the weekend at the Home Show, as the host of the popular PBS series, “This Old House," Kevin O’Connor will be at the show on Friday and Saturday, and the 2015 Home and Garden Trendsetter of the year, “the Diva of DIY,” Leanne Lee, of the DIY Network, appears on all three days.
In addition to over 200 exhibitors to be on hand at this year’s Fall Home Show, there are several demonstrations and special attractions you won’t want to miss, including:

THE ULTIMATE TREE HOUSE
Certainly not the treehouse you remember from your childhood, you don’t even have to be outside to take a walk through this impressive feature designed by RB Landscaping.

DRAB TO FAB
The Go Girl Shoppe will be showing you how to turn “flea market finds” or old items found in your home from “Drab to Fab” as they are showcased both before and after the transformation.

OUTDOOR OASIS
Giving you a glimpse of the creative design that has made them one of Raleigh’s premier landscapers for over a decade, Luxury Living Scapes Inc. the “Outdoor Oasis” will be built inside the convention center in aisle 100 of the show.
GARDEN MARKET
Flowers, plants, and another unique home décor will be available in the Garden Market. You can’t miss the spectacular presentation of The Flower Pot, which will be located in the lobby of the convention center.

HERO DAY
A special thanks to “the troops,” as on Friday, September 11, all active and retired military personnel get into the show for FREE.

Website: www.raleighfallshow.com

Raleigh Emergency Plumbers

Get to Know your Main Water Shut Off Valve even before Calling Your Raleigh Emergency Plumbers

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Before picking up the phone to call your Raleigh Emergency Plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing, it is a wise decision to become more familiar with your homes’ main water shut off valve, where it may be located and how to turn it off.

If a plumbing emergency occurs, such as a broken water pipe or even an overflowing toilet that is sending water rushing across your floor, it is best to know where your main water shut off valve is, rather than figure it out as the water continues to flow freely across the floors of your home. While sinks and toilets do have their own valves, they can stick and in that case you still would need to locate the main to stop the flooding.

Raleigh Emergency Plumbers

The location of your main water valve can depend on where you live, actually.  Usually, in southern locations like this area, the valve is located outside of the home. In most cases, it will be toward the front of the house and near an outdoor hose faucet. However, it should be noted that in some cases the valve is located inside the homes’ meter box. If this is the case, making sure to have the key to that box in an emergency situation is a must.

Equally as important as finding where in your house the main water shut off valve is, is knowing how to actually shut it off. Most off these can simply be turned off by hand, while other could require a wrench, but either way always remember to turn the valve to the right to turn them off.

Making sure that everyone in the family, including the little ones, know where the valve is and how to turn it off correctly is a good way to avoid an unexpected plumbing catastrophe. Keeping the number or even a business card from your Raleigh Emergency Plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing near the valve so once it is shut off in case assistance or repairs are needed is also a good idea for the times when you may not be home and there is an emergency situation.

Germ Free and Flushing Clean: American Standard’s New Toilet Innovations from the professional Raleigh Plumbers at Poole’s

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professional Raleigh PlumbersWhen most people think of their toilet, the words “germ free” and “clean” may not be exactly the first terms that come to mind. However, with the latest toilet innovations in American Standard's products available through the trusted professional Raleigh Plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, that is exactly what you can get.

Possibly the most innovative of the features that the professional Raleigh Plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing can bring to your bathroom in a new American Standard toilet are the models featuring their “ActiVate Touchless Flush Technology.” Advertised as a “germ free, no- touch flush,” the toilets featuring this technology have a system powered by 4 AA batteries that are warrantied for up to two years based on an average of 12 flushes or less per day. With a sensor located on the upper right side of the toilet, there is literally no contact needed to be made in order to flush your unit. For convenience and as a backup, there is also a button that would allow you to manually flush the toilet as well. Another great feature to the “ActiVate” models is a power-off mode, that allows you to turn the sensor completely off for easy cleaning without having to worry about unwanted flushes .

professional Raleigh PlumbersAmerican Standard has also raised the bar in keeping your toilet bowl clean with the introduction of its “VorMax” Flush technology. Basically, the “VorMax” technology has reinvented the way that your toilet is cleaned, by taking away the rim holes around the inside of the bowl that conventionally have produced the water during a flush. In its place is just one high powered stream of water that self scrubs your entire bowl from top to bottom, without you even having to raise a finger or a brush. The “VorMax” jet stream even cleans the difficult to reach spots in your bowl that has given people fits in cleaning for years upon years.

These are just a few of the cutting edge technological advances in the latest products from American Standard that can be installed to your bathroom by the professional Raleigh Plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing. To see more on the full line of their newest products, go to www.americanstandard-us.com.

Raleigh plumbers will help you “Lower the Flow”

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One of the many energy conserving methods that the Raleigh plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing can help you to achieve is through their installation of low flow shower heads, which can help to cut your costs, while still giving you the comfort in a shower head and pressure levels you desire on any of these fixtures you may choose.

With the low flow showerheads, for the maximum in water efficiency, it is recommended to choose a fixture with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm. Many older showerheads, whether they are aerating, which mixes air with water or laminar-flow, which form individual streams of water had flow rates more than twice that recommended figure. With the low flow heads being able to be had at $10-20 for some of the units, it is worth looking into, as they can save you on your water costs by an estimated 25-60 percent.

Raleigh professional plumbers

Energy.gov offers several tips on how to decide if your shower head is costing you too much, suggesting a quick and simple, three step test to determine if a switch to low flow would be worth your while. First, they suggest you simply place a bucket, which is marked in gallon increments under the shower head. Next, simply turn on the shower at the normal water pressure you use. Lastly, time how many seconds it takes to reach that one gallon mark. The site goes on to explain that if it takes less than 20 seconds to reach the one gallon mark that you could stand to save money on water costs with the switch to a low flow shower head.

If conserving water, cutting costs and saving energy is something you are looking to do, this is just one of the many ways that the Raleigh plumbers at Poole’s can start you on your way to lowering those water bills.

Water Heater technology : The future has arrived with iCOMM Elite

Water Heater technology : The future has arrived with iCOMM Elite

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The expert Raleigh NC plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing specialize in water heater installation, offering you the latest technology in the field from the best names in the industry, including State Water Heaters, who with their iCOMM Elite models give you the latest in innovative Water Heater technology. Water Heater technology : The future has arrived with iCOMM Elite The iCOM Elite featurs an interactive remote monitoring system unique to the State brand units. According to their website, “It’s the latest technology in commercial water heating that allows you to interact with, privately manage, and monitor your State water heaters or boilers from anywhere in the world via the internet.”OMM Elite features an interactive remote monitoring system unique to the State brand units.

According to their website, “It’s the latest technology in commercial water heating that allows you to interact with, privately manage, and monitor your State water heaters or boilers from anywhere in the world via the internet.”

A few of the innovations the iCOMM Elite afford to you as a customer are the ability to access current and historical water heater data, monitor “live” water heater status using a web browser, respond instantly to leak detection notifications, manage fault alerts sent by text or email, and monitor your fleet of water heaters from anywhere you night be.

For more information on the iComm Elite and all the latest products available through the Raleigh NC plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing you can check out the State website at www.stateconnect.com.