DIY plumbing Tips and Tricks

Summer-Water-Conservation-Tips-Poole's Plumbing

Summer Water Conservation Tips from the Raleigh Professional Plumbers

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Summer Water Conservation Tips equal savings, both in water usage and in your wallet. As the warmer days of Summer approach, the following pointers from Poole’s Plumbing can help you stay cool, without getting “soaked.”

Outdoor Summer Water Conservation Tips: Nozzles, Cans, Brooms, and Blowers

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Keeping grass cut to about 3 inches helps it to hold moisture better and will lessen the need for watering it as much.

There are many Summer Water Conservation Tips to consider with the outdoor jobs and projects ahead. Conversely, if not watchful, water is wasted without you even realizing it.

Simple Outdoor Summer Water Conservation Tips that you may not even realize can help save because they are so simple, include the following.

  • Use a broom or a blower this summer when you are cleaning your patios and sidewalks over a hose
  • A hose with a nozzle is a great conservation tool. It can be used and allow you to shut the water off when washing your car in between sprays.
  • Keep your grass cut to a length of about 3 inches. Taller grass holds moisture better and thus, saves on having to water it as much.
  • If using an automatic sprinkler system, be sure it is set properly and monitored to not over water.
  • When gardening or watering plants, fill a can or container rather than using a hose. This will cut down on wasting water from a continuous stream from your hose.

Also, a little personal research can also go a long way in creating your own Summer Water Conservation Tips. For example, when you need to replace plants in your yard, go in educated and get more water efficient shrubs, trees, or type of grass.

Regular Checks and Monitoring Can Equal Conservation Indoors this Summer

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A tested and true way to search for a toilet leak. Put a few drops of food coloring in and do not flush. If you see the coloring in the bowl, you have a leak.

Despite spending more time outdoors in the summer, there are also many Summer Water Conservation Tips pertaining to the inside of your home.

Most noteworthy in regards to water usage indoors is probably the bathroom and kitchen areas. There are plenty of Summer Water Conservation Tips that, likewise, are so simple you may not even think of them.

  • Take a shower instead of a bath. This limits the amount of water used.
  • Use a “low-flow” showerhead and giving a concerted effort to limiting shower times are an easy way to conserve.
  • Turning off the faucet when you shave or brush your teeth
  • Checking toilets regularly to ensure they don’t have a leak. (This can be done easily by taking the top off the tank and just watching it flush. If you can’t tell if there is a leak, put a few drops of food coloring in and do not flush. If you see the coloring in the bowl, you have a leak.
  • In the kitchen, run your dishwasher only with a full load to cut down on cycles.
  • Check/monitor all faucets and water lines (i.e. to the ice maker in a refrigerator, etc.) to be sure there are no leaks.
  • Be aware of all hoses and connections to washing machines and water heaters.

During the hot summer months, we want to stay cool and get wet. However. the Raleigh Professional Plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing’s Summer Water Conservation Tips will keep you from getting soaked in more ways than one.

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Poole’s Plumbing’s At-Home Tips for Water Heater Maintenance

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Moving along in our “water heater series,” Poole’s Plumbing has some Water Heater Maintenance tips. Being the Raleigh area, water heater expert, these tips are simple ways at home that you can monitor and avoid issues with your unit.

Help Yourself Avoid a Costly Mess

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If you see brown or rusty water, this is a red flag and you need to contact a professional about.

Performing Water Heater Maintenance is not likely to be on the top of your weekend to-do list. However, proper Water Heater Maintenance at critical times can often save the headache of complete replacement. Consequently, it can also spare you the task of some serious water cleanup.

Simply monitoring the water heater for some telltale signs is a big part of Water Heater Maintenance. Some signs that you need to get the unit looked or serviced by the pros at Poole’s Plumbing are below.

  • Water coming from the heater that appears rusty or brown
  • If the water smells unusual or “metallic”
  • There is sediment in your water heater’s water is another (This often occurs from mineral build up over time on the bottom of the heater’s tank)
  • Loud pops or abnormal noises coming from your water heater (There is a good chance this could be due to said mineral buildup)

Leaking = A Failing Water Heater and How to React

A symptom of internal water heater failures is leaking water. In your Water Heater Maintenance, if you notice water leaking from your heater, disconnect the unit. In this case, you will want to consider replacing your unit entirely. Do not hesitate in making the replacement in the event of leaking water. Any delay at all will likely lead to a cessation in its operation and could be a serious mess that can impact other aspects of your home’s interior. This obviously can lead to costly damage, which means expensive repairs that could be avoided with simple Water Heater Maintenence.

If you do notice any of these items in your Water Heater Maintenance, give a call to Raleigh’s most trusted name in water heaters, and your friends at Poole’s Plumbing will be happy to assist you in your maintenance and any other plumbing needs.

H20 Kinetic line

Water Efficient Delta Showerheads : The H2O Kinetic Experience

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The H2O kinetic line of Water Efficient Delta Showerheads changes the shower experience as a whole. The Raleigh professional plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing will help you to experience this pure indulgence in your showering experience. Yet, they can also help you be conservative by installing these showerheads.

Staying ‘Ahead of the Curve’ with H20 Kinetic

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The Water Efficient Delta Showerheads in the H2O kinetic line is available a variety of slick looks

Known for “staying ahead of the curve,” the Delta H2Okinetic line offers and experience in the shower like no other. Introducing these Water Efficient Delta models shows innovation in these type of products, not before seen. All Water Efficient Delta Showerheads in the line have an internal system. This controls the movement, speed, and size of the droplets spraying out of the H2O Kinetic heads. Thus, the Water Efficient Delta Showerheads create the illusion that more water is coming from the head when in reality it is not.

Controls at Fingertips of the Water Efficient Delta Showerheads

The internal system in all of the Water Efficient Delta Showerheads gives you the control of the following.

  • Shower Head Movement
  • Speed and power of water spray
  • The droplet size of water spraying out

Deltafaucet.com describes the technology used and the operation of these Water Efficient Delta Showerheads. “H2Okinetic Technology is Delta Faucet’s proprietary method of utilizing the science of fluidics to deliver water in motion,” it read. “It works by controlling the movement and droplet size of water, creating the feeling of high-pressure shower experience.”

Design and Control your Flow with “Science of Fluidics”

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The different sizes and shapes of the droplets give the illusion of more water. In reality, it is less water coming out from the H2O kinetic line

Setting the showerheads in the H2Okinetic line apart from a standard shower head is the “science of fluidics.” This allows Delta models to design and control the feeling of the water. This is in contrast to more convention model showerheads delivering a stream of water through the spray holes in the faceplate. The H2Okinetic process is described by Delta’s website, explaining that, “Water comes in the shower head, and H2Okinetic® Technology directs the water out as an oscillating stream to create a fan of water with larger droplets.”

How is the H2Okinetic line of Water Efficient Delta Showerheads so efficient? The simple answer is Delta’s design. Thus, through the size of the droplets, you feel more water being released. In reality, it flows at the same rate. So, you conserve water, while the revolutionary H2Okinetic design creates velocity and a unique water pattern to blanket your body in a luxurious showering experience never seen before.

To read more detail about the Delta H2Okinetic showerheads visit www.deltafaucet.com or contact the best in Raleigh NC plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing at poolesplumbing.com to get the best in Delta products installed at your home or place of business today.

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From Exotic to Energizing : The Kohler Konnect Bathroom Line

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On the heels of our first article in this series, we move along from the kitchen and top the Kohler Konnect Bathroom line of plumbing products. As explained in our previous article on this new, innovative line of products that can be installed by your most trusted Raleigh professional plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing, the Kohler Konnect Bathroom line utilizes the latest in modern technology for the ultimate in comfort and convenience, which is all attained by simply using the app coinciding with the products.

Much like the kitchen products detailed last article, The Kohler Konnect Bathroom plumbing products is like no other you have seen before, and as stated at us.kohler.com , can help you to turn your bathroom experience into an “experience as unique as you.” The website goes on to promote the products saying, “ Kohler Konnect smart products have the ability to transform your bathroom using light, sound, color, and water…with built-in voice control, it all happens seamlessly.” It concludes, “From Exotic and Energizing and every feeling in between, your bathroom can finally do what no other can.”

An App to Control Everything

Just as we explained in the first installment covering the kitchen products in the line,  almost everything else we deal with in today’s technologically advanced world, the app for the Kohler Konnect Bathroom products allows you control of everything right at your fingertips from your phone or device of preference. All of your personal settings can be set by you to your own personal preference, from shower settings, lighting levels, and all points in between.

PureWarmth Heated Toilet Seat

The PureWarmth heated toilet seat is changing your restroom experience with three temperature settings for ultimate comfort and task lighting as well so you can customize the illumination using this Kohler Konnect Bathroom product.

PerfectFill Technology

Much like the kitchen faucet detailed in our first article, the Kohler Konnect Bathroom line uses PerfectFill technology in this bathtub faucet so you can draw a bath, much like you did above with the shower, exactly to your preferences. Set the temperature and depth that you fill your tub too and all that is left to do is sit back, relax, and soak.

No matter what room in your home you utilize the incredible technology that is at the tip of your fingers or sound of your voice the Kohler Konnect Bathroom line and all other plumbing products can indeed help you to “create an experienced as unique as you. To find out more about this incredible line of Kohler products, visit us.kohler.com or contact the Raleigh plumbing professionals at Poole’s Plumbing. 

Kohler-Konnect-Kitchen- Poole's Plumbing

Kohler Konnect Kitchen: Introducing You to ‘Smart’ Plumbing Products

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Always at the forefront of introducing the most innovative ideas in the industry, and now leading the charge by using the latest and most interactive technology available is the Kohler Konnect Kitchen line of plumbing products. The Raleigh plumbing professionals at Poole’s Plumbing are very experienced and knowledgeable about the Kohler Konnect Kitchen line and all other products from the brand and ready to help you take your plumbing experience to the “next level.”

The Kohler Konnect Kitchen line of plumbing products is like no other you have seen before, and as stated at us.kohler.com , can help you to turn your at home plumbing experience into an “experience as unique as you.” The kitchen is not the only room in your house to be “brought into the modern day,” as these life changing products also branch out to your bathroom, as well. Explaining the experiences afforded to you through the Kohler Konnect line, the official Kohler website says, “ Reimagine your personal space… Kohler Konnect smart products have the ability to transform…using light, sound, color, and water.”

In this first of our two installments of introducing you to the Kohler Konnect line, we will focus on the “smartest” kitchen sink/faucet you can find, the Sensate model.

An App to Control Everything

Just like almost everything else we deal with in today’s technologically advanced world, the app for the Kohler Konnect Kitchen (and all other products in the line) products allows you control of everything right at your fingertips from your phone or device of preference. All of your person settings can be set by you to your own personal preference, from shower settings, lighting levels, and all points in between.

Sensate Faucet : Your New Kitchen Assistant

Two different powered spray levels are just the beginning with this Kohler Konnect Kitchen product. This includes your regular powered water stream in addition to the “sweep spray setting,” which steps up the power level to help with stubborn and more “caked on messes” from the helpful, pull down spray head. 

The Sensate faucet features voice activated technology and can dispense measured amounts of water based on the instructions you give. Whether you want the faucet to turn on or off, fill a specific item, or have an exact amount of water dispensed, you can use your voice or the convenient “touchless” feature due to the state-of-the-art sensor featured on this product. The main features of the Sensate Kitchen Faucet are detailed at the official Kohler website as follows:

  • Voice control allows you to operate your faucet and dispense measured amounts of water hands-free. 
  • A two-function pull-down spray head allows you to switch from stream to Sweep® spray.
  • A sensor on the faucet monitors water usage and leaks and displays that information on the KOHLER Konnect app.

The Kohler site goes further in promoting these new “smart” products, reminding you that, “…With built-in voice control, it all happens seamlessly.” To make your kitchen the “smartest” one around or to find out more about the incredible line of Kohler Konnect Kitchen products (or the bathroom line that will be detailed in part two of this post), visit us.kohler.com or contact the Raleigh plumbing professionals at Poole’s Plumbing. 

How to Drain a Water Heater: Proper Maintenance of Your Unit Can Make all the Difference

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One may think that once the number one installer of water heaters in the Triangle area, Poole’s Plumbing, has set you up with a new unit that its all smooth sailing from there on in. However, proper maintenance and knowing How to Drain a Water Heater can significantly extend its life and also help you avoid a damaging water leak that can affect the interior of your home. Additionally, in an emergency knowing How to Drain a Water Heater can help in other ways, as it can offer gallons of fresh water, but such an emergency water supply will only be useful if the water in your tank has been previously attended to.

Several easy steps, pointers, and reminders we can offer up on How to Drain a Water Heater can make all the difference and are as follows:

  1. Consider your type of water heater. Switch the thermostat on a gas heaterto the “pilot” setting to prepare for drainage, or simply turn the heater’s power off at the breaker box if you own an electric unit.  Remember to practice caution when tripping breakers, and bear in mind you may want to allow the water inside the heater to cool before proceeding to the drain valve next. This can take as long as two hours depending on your water heater model.
  2. Find the drain valve on your water heater and connect a hose to it. Switch off the cold water supply to the heater but refrain from opening the valve at this time.
  3. Prevent a vacuum from appearing in your lines by turning on the hot water in a tub or sink somewhere in your house before continuing.
  4. Open the drain valve on your water heater and allow all the water to drain from the tank. This will likely take thirty minutes to an hour.
  5. Turn the water supply to your water tank back on following the draining of its tank.  Wait until the water runs out of the drain valve’s hose that you connected earlier, then close the drain valve back up again. Check the instructions that come with your particular tank before acting further. Some water heaters will only need their tanks partially refilled with water before further troubleshooting, but others may require the tank to be completely full in order to avoid potential device damage.
  6. Turn the hot water faucet in your sink or tub back off, then restore power to your gas or electric water heater via the thermostat or breaker box, respectively.
  7. Test your water heater’s pressure relief valve after water temperature has been restored. This valve prevents overheating. Refer to your specific manufacturer instructions regarding the pressure relief valve in order to complete your repair.

 

As simple of a process as any of these steps are in helping you know How to Drain a Water Heater, as you can see, can make a huge difference, whether it is to avoid a bad situation or to simply extend the life of your unit. With the assistance and reminders here from your friends at the number one installer of water heaters in the Triangle area at Poole’s Plumbing, these are all do-at-home- easy ways to minimize or not run into any issues at all.

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Preventing Sewer Backup Problems

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Coming off our previous post on clearing clogged drains and the importance of doing so, one item discussed that could result in maybe the biggest catastrophe of any if unattended to is a sewer backup. One of the many specialized serviced offered by the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, is drain and sewer clearing. With several options offered in clearing out your sewer, many times one is left wondering how they can help in preventing these situations. Below is a list of pointers that can help you do your part to help in Preventing Sewer Backup Problems.

Proper Disposal of Waste and Garbage Items

Whether it is paper products or grease and oil, proper disposal of waste is one way that you can personally help to avoid Sewer Backup Problems. In the case of paper products, try to stay away from paper towels, disposable diapers, feminine products, or any other paper products that are not easily dissolved from going down your toilet of drain. With grease or cooking oil, be sure that you pour it into an adequate, heat resistant container to be disposed of once it has cooled. Using hot water to wash grease or oil down the drain is not an adequate method of disposal, as once it cools it will simply solidify and eventually lead to a clog.

Have a Backwater Prevention Valve Installed

A backwater prevention valve is installed into an existing sewer line or drain line in your home’s basement to avoid Sewer Backup Problems. When this type fixture is properly maintained after installation, it allows sewage to go out, but not come back into your line.

Replacing Your Line and Tap with Plastic Piping

Replacing your current, aging line and tap with plastic pipe can help avoid the possibility of tree roots entering your line and causing unwanted Sewer Backup Problems.

Rectify any Illegal Plumbing Connections

Not only is this an obvious one for the fact that it is illegal, but it will also certainly  lead to debris clogging your sewer line. Stay away from connecting sump pumps, French drains, and other systems that control flooding to your sewer at all costs. If any of these are connecting it is advised to contact your Raleigh plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing to correct these to help with Preventing Sewer Backup Problems.

Our next article will focus on yet another specific drain  issue and that will be helping you to successfully clear and keep your kitchen sink drain cleaned.

It’s Always “Cool” to Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes

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The second installment of our “winter plumbing tutorial,” will focus on your role in dealing with or avoiding all together the issue of frozen pipes. We all know that as the fall months of October and November turn over into the frosty winter months of December and January here in North Carolina,  there is still a chance of winter plumbing hazards, but thanks to the most trusted name in Raleigh professional plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing, you can follow the easy steps belows listed below, to try and steer clear of a costly catastrophe as you Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes.

Case in point that we are not yet completely “out of the water,” when it comes to needing to know the proper steps to take to Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes is the recent colder weather we have seen in the past two weeks that has dipped at night below 40 degrees and even into the lower 30’s. Your pipes can freeze once the temperature does drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit and those most vulnerable to the possibility of freezing would be any located in a basement area, a crawl space, an unconditioned or unfinished attic, those located on an exterior wall, and even pipes located underground.

When looking at it in those terms, pretty much any homeowner would have some type of piping in one of those location, thus, the Raleigh plumbing experts at Poole’s Plumbing can assist you with a few key pointers to Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes at each location you may have them. If you happen to turn on a faucet and no water pours out, it could be due to a blockage caused by ice and in each given location, these following “do-it-yourself” tips could prove priceless in avoiding disaster.

Exposed Pipes

  • Remember to open up the faucet to relieve pressure
  • When suspecting a possible frozen pipe, always shut off the main water supply in case it has burst
  • Usage of a hair dryer, electric heating pad, or space heater can help in thawing, but NEVER use an open flame to try and thaw an exposed pipe

Pipes Behind a Wall

  • The easiest and safest method with these pipes is to turn your thermostat up and wait for them to thaw.
  • In situations that need to be addressed immediately, carefully cut a whole in the wall and utilize any of the above methods listed for thawing an exposed pipe

Avoiding Frozen Pipes in the Future

  • Before the winter months arrive, be sure that all garden hoses are disconnected from any spigots
  • Keep a faucet that may be connected to a line that would be in danger of freezing open to allow just a small trickle of cold water to run over night
  • Keep cabinets that it below your sinks open to allow the warm air from your home to circulate around them
  • Insulate any exposed, external wall pipes
  • Never leave your thermostat below 55 degrees in any situation, even if going out of town or on vacation for an extended period of time.

By following these easy to do, at home tips from the pros at Poole’s Plumbing, you can not only Thaw and Avoiding Frozen Pipes, but you also can avoid serious water and financial damage with very little preparation or effort.

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Save Money with Simple Water Conservation in the Bathroom

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Everyone would like to save on costly water and utility bills each month, and through several easy and simple checks and steps that can be done and followed for Water Conservation in the Bathroom, the professional Raleigh plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing can help you get on the path to saving.

The first area to touch upon to help with Water Conservation in the Bathroom is your shower and bathtub. To begin here, a simple check of your showerhead would be in order. Aiming the head at a one-gallon bucket and timing to see how long it takes to fill can tell you when it may be time for a replacement. If the bucket is filled in less that 20 seconds you will want to look at replacing it with a more efficient, low-flow showerhead. Not only are the low flow models great for Water Conservation in the Bathroom, they are inexpensive and easy to install, they can cut your usage by more than 500 gallons of water per week. This combined with keeping a close eye on the time you and other family members actually spend taking a shower and limiting it to 5 minutes can save on average another 1,000 gallons of water per month.

In the bathtub there are also some very easily monitored step that can help you with Water Conservation in the Bathroom. For starters, using a plug before turning the water on as you adjust the temperature will help to avoid wasting water, as will having your very young children take a bath together rather than having to fill the tub and go through the entire process multiple times.

The toilet is an obvious spot in the bathroom where by just making sure all pieces and parts are operating correctly can get you on your desired path to Water Conservation in the Bathroom. The tank and flapper are both spots on the toilet that you want to check regularly to be sure they are functioning properly. The “food coloring” test is an easy way to be certain the tank isn’t leaking, as by putting a few drops in, you can tell it is leaking if the color seeps into the bowl. If there is a leak, it is an easy fix for the pros at Poole’s Plumbing and can conserve over 600 gallons per month. As for the flapper, checking on a consistent basis to sure it isn’t sticking will help with your Water Conservation in the Bathroom efforts. Also, if you hear a toilet flushing itself or constantly running, this also is more than likely an easily fixed leak and if not addressed could lead to wasting more than 500 gallons of water weekly. One last tip that may seem obvious, but can really help conserve is to put your tissues into the trash as opposed to flushing them down, as this also can add up with each wasted flush.

Lastly, monitoring your water usage at the sink can be another simple avenue to help with Water Conservation in the Bathroom. Again, these are common sense ways to save, as by just turning the faucet off while you brush your teeth, the average family of four would conserve about 200 gallons per week. Doing the same while shaving would save around 100 gallons a week as well. Much like recommended above with the toilets, when hearing a consistent drip from the faucet, having to problem rectified in a timely manner can also lead to big savings both with water and in your wallet.

Water Conservation in the Bathroom can be easily achieved and lead to you not wasting water or money unnecessarily. The plumbing experts at Poole’s Plumbing recommend these tips to you in beginning your conservation efforts and in Part Two of our water conservation articles will remind you of more simple ways to conserve water and money throughout the rest of the house.

Why it is Important to Keep Your Drains Clean and Clear

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Maintaining a clean sink or bathtub drain is important for many reasons and can be done with minimal effort to help avoid running into costly and possibly dangerous plumbing issues. One obvious reason to clean your drains on a consistent basis is to avoid unpleasant odors. A more serious problem that could result from a neglected drain is the risk of pesky drain gnats. Also, failure to keep your drains clean will lead to buildup that eventually will cause water in your sink or tub to empty at a much slower rate. If you’ve tried your own maintenance and at home remedies and the problem with your drain persist, it may be time to call the most trusted name in Raleigh professional plumbing, Poole’s Plumbing to come and be sure the issue escalates no further.

As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, to Keeping Your Drains Clean is a simple process that can be done at home as long as you are willing to take a few minutes every few days to do so. The simplest way of avoiding unwanted buildup is to run scalding hot water through your tub and sink drains every couple days to make sure that there is no clogging and to keep gunk from building up. There are also many products available for purchase at most stores, that can keep your drains smelling clean and fresh. If you do notice buildup starting or clogging in your pipes it is best to immediately address the issue as early as possible, as neglecting these things could prove an expensive and messy mistake.

You must realize that to Keep Your Drains Clean that are clogged is not necessarily an immediate disaster, as there are many tried and true remedies that can be made to clear them, right in your home. Most of these solutions are made from items that you already have on hand. One of these tried and true methods is to pour one tablespoon of baking soda into the tub or sink drain. Immediately dump ¼ cup of either lemon juice or vinegar down the same drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Finally, run hot water through the drain. Repeating this on a weekly basis will help clear buildup and prevent the clog from recurring. Additionally, this will help eliminate unwanted, foul odors. Another at home method is to pour a strong salt water mixture through your drains. This is a proven way to keep grease from buildup and to reduce bad odors.

If you have tried the at home remedies and found them not working, there are many popular and potent chemical solutions that can be purchased at nearly any store or supermarket. If these chemicals do not work, it is best to call a professional plumber, who will be able to remove any blockage and have your drains flowing freely in short order.

There are many different websites that can offer up tips on keeping your drains clean through these and a variety of other methods in an eco-friendly manner. For further information on this topic, check cleaning or maintaining drains in the home improvement sections of any of the following sites, www.doityourself.com, www.popularmechanics.com, or www.care2.com.

As stated in our first paragraph of this article, there are many reasons why a clogged or dirty drain is something not to be ignored. If this a persistent problem, be sure to contact the most trusted name in Raleigh professional plumbing, Poole’s Plumbing.

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Inside Fall Plumbing Tips: Avoiding a Catastrophe

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Continuing with our helpful and easy pointers to give you a head start on avoiding any potentially costly plumbing disasters that could happen as a result of the changing of the seasons and the inevitable drop in temperature, the Raleigh professional plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing continue where we left off on our last article and head indoors for our Inside Fall Plumbing Tips.

As you already know, Poole’s Plumbing is the number one water heater expert in the Raleigh/Triangle area, and there are several easy procedures to follow in our Inside Fall Plumbing Tips to avoid not only losing hot water when the colder temperatures hit, but also to help avoid a messy situation both in your home and your wallet.

Water Heater Maintenance

  • With colder temperatures, your water heater unit is working harder during the fall and winter months. The first of our Inside Fall Plumbing Tips is to flush the unit out and remove any and all sediment buildup. If not done, corrosion can occur, which leads to reduced efficiency and actually can shorten the lifespan of your water heater.
  • Inside Fall Plumbing Tip number two regarding the water heater is to test the unit’s pressure relief valve. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DOING THIS, AS THE WATER IS HOT. But when you lift the lever and let it snap back, you should see a burst of water into the drainpipe and if you don’t call your helpful friends at Poole’s to come and take a look at it.
  • Be sure to check the thermostat on your unit. It should be set on 120 degrees Fahrenheit for best performance.

 Shut Off Valves

  • An Inside Fall Plumbing Tip that pertains to the outside of your home as well: if you have inside shut-off valves that lead to your outside faucets be sure they are closed and that those outside lines are full drained
  • Know where your home’s main shut off valve is and if you are leaving for a vacation or a long period, shut it off and open all faucets to allow them to drain.

One final Inside Fall Plumbing Tip also pertains to when you will be leaving your home for long periods of time. Always remember to leave your heat turned on at no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, do that no pipes freeze while you are away.

Our Inside Fall Plumbing Tips and the previous blog post covering the outside of your house can help for a worry-free period through the upcoming months as the temperature begins to drop. If you do see some type of issue when following these easy-to-follow pointers, call the professionals at Poole’s at 919-661-6334 or contact us through our website at poolesplumbing.com.

 

Fall Outside Plumbing Tips

Fall Outside Plumbing Tips from Poole’s Plumbing

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With the official first day of the Fall season coming and going on September 22, the leaves start changing colors, the temperature starts to drop, and much like you can count on each of these things happening, there are several preparation that you can take around your home to make sure that you avoid some costly plumbing disasters as the thermometer continues to head south and winter draws near. The friendly Raleigh professional plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing can help you by offering up their Fall Outside Plumbing Tips that are easy to follow and execute.

Disconnect Water Hoses 

To begin with our Fall Outside Plumbing Tips, you want to be certain to disconnect all outside water hoses. Plain and simple, if left connected, the hose can freeze up when the temperature reaches a certain point and this can lead to expansion that could see faucets and connected pipes indoors to freeze and then break.

Check for Leaky Outdoor Faucets

Be sure that no outside faucets are leaking or even dripping. If you notice they are, tend to the repairs if you are able to or call the Raleigh professional at Poole’s before the freezing weather has a chance to arrive. This if not attended to can also cause frozen pipes, which regardless of steel, plastic, or whatever they are made of will crack if frozen and could have damaging results and even cause a flood.

Cover Outside Faucets

It is worth the time to go to some type of hardware store or home center to get some type of insulation kit to make sure the outside faucets around your house are properly insulated to avoid the problems with pipes spoken of in the previous two Fall Outside Plumbing Tips above.

Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts

One of the Fall Outside Plumbing Tips that everyone seems to know of, yet still leads to as many or more issues than any of the others when the colder weather hit. Clear all leaves and any other debris from downspouts and gutters, as once the water starts freezing and thawing it is necessary to have easy drainage.

These easy-to-follow- Fall Outside Plumbing Tips from the experts at Poole’s Plumbing are one’s that you do not want to wait around on as the cool Fall temperature gives way to a brisker, colder winter. In the next blog entry at poolesplumbing.com we will continue our seasonal tips and head indoors for some helpful pointers to avoid potentially costly situations.

Constant or Conventional: What to Know When Selecting a Well Pump

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When calling upon the Raleigh NC plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing for replacement or installation, it is essential to know the facts and both the pros and cons of both Constant Pressure and Conventional models when Selecting a Well Pump.

Constant Pressure Pump Selecting a Well PumpIn Selecting a Well Pump, it is essential to know which model best suits you and your needs as to not waste your money on a pump that may give you either too much or too little. The Constant Pressure Pump operates using a variable speed motor that is built in to the unit that allows the pump to speed up or slow down depending on your level of water usage. Thus, when you need more water, the Constant Pressure Pump runs faster, and when less water is used, it runs at a slower pace. Benefits of this type model include:

  • Better water pressure when taking a shower
  • More “city-like” water pressure coming from all faucets
  • Higher powered lawn irrigation
  • A smaller, low cost tank that takes up less space
  • Several built in features to prevent any damage to your pump
  • Convenient push button pressure selection

Conventional Pump System

The conventional or traditional system is your other option in Selecting a Well Pump. These units operate at only two speeds, on and off. A pressurized switch controls the Conventional Pump System, turning the unit on when a certain pressure level is reached and likewise, shutting it off once the necessary level is reached.  Benefits of the Conventional Pump System include:

  • A larger tank model produces longer cycles
  • Overall length of the pumping cycles being determined by the varying size of tank which you need
  • The pump not running while you are consuming water
  • Due to its “on” or “off” cycles, helps to conserve water and avoid unnecessary or wasteful usage.

How Will I Save with a High Efficiency Washing Machine?

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In the ongoing quest of the most trusted name in Raleigh plumbers, Poole’s Plumbing to help you better learn and in turn save and conserve water, we will answer a few questions that many consumers have, based upon one main uncertainty these same people may have, What exactly is a High Efficiency Washing Machine and what exactly are the savings that I can enjoy in purchasing one?

High Efficiency Washing Machine

Basically, to answer the main question on High Efficiency Washing Machines, they are a washer which uses different technological features to simply help reduce not only the amount of water needed per load of laundry you do, but in addition they also cut down on the amount of energy used as well. Thus, through the Poole’s Plumbing tips and suggestions that we have continued to talk about through our blog posts, a High Efficiency Washing Machine does exactly what we have been trying to help you (the consumer) to do, and that is conserve and save.

Following up the first question with another question, the obvious next thing that a customer would want to know is, how much is conserved or saved through the usage of a High Efficiency Washing Machine? This answer is actually pretty staggering, as on average, a High Efficiency Washing Machine uses up to 80 percent less water than traditional top-loading units. Not only is that a huge figure when you think about how much water would actually be conserved, but in the savings department, a High Efficiency Washing Machine also comes in at about a 65 percent average energy savings.

On top of these two facts, which basically equals less water usage, less energy usage, and as a direct result you saving money, the energy savings allows for you to be able to wash more laundry per load and these type units are about 40 percent larger and old up to 40 percent more clothes than a standard washing machine unit would.

So, basically, to answer the initial question of ,what is a High Efficiency Washing Machine? It is an item that can do the exact two things that the Raleigh plumbing experts at Poole’s Plumbing have been trying to help and educate you to do through their tips and advise, conserve and save.

Water Conservation in the Bathroom

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Everyone would like to save on costly water and utility bills each month, and through several easy and simple checks and steps that can be done and followed for Water Conservation in the Bathroom, the professional Raleigh plumbers at Poole’s Plumbing can help you get on the path to saving.

 

Water Conservation in the BathroomThe first area to touch upon to help with Water Conservation in the Bathroom is your shower and bathtub. To begin here, a simple check of your showerhead would be in order. Aiming the head at a one-gallon bucket and timing to see how long it takes to fill can tell you when it may be time for a replacement. If the bucket is filled in less that 20 seconds you will want to look at replacing it with a more efficient, low-flow showerhead. Not only are the low flow models great for Water Conservation in the Bathroom, they are inexpensive and easy to install, they can cut your usage by more than 500 gallons of water per week. This combined with keeping a close eye on the time you and other family members actually spend taking a shower and limiting it to 5 minutes can save on average another 1,000 gallons of water per month.

In the bathtub there are lso some very easily monitored step that can help you with Water Conservation in the Bathroom. For starters, using a plug before turning the water on as you adjust the temperature will help to avoid wasting water, as will having your very young children take a bath together rather than having to fill the tub and go through the entire process multiple times.

The toilet is an obvious spot in the bathroom where by just making sure all pieces and parts are operating correctly can get you on your desired path to Water Conservation in the Bathroom. The tank and flapper are both spots on the toilet that you want to check regularly to be sure they are functioning properly. The “food coloring” test is an easy way to be certain the tank isn’t leaking, as by putting a few drops in, you can tell it is leaking if the color seeps into the bowl. If there is a leak, it is an easy fix for the pros at Poole’s Plumbing and can conserve over 600 gallons per month. As for the flapper, checking on a consistent basis to sure it isn’t sticking will help with your Water Conservation in the Bathroom efforts. Also, if you hear a toilet flushing itself or constantly running, this also is more than likely an easily fixed leak and if not addressed could lead to wasting more than 500 gallons of water weekly. One last tip that may seem obvious, but can really help conserve is to put your tissues into the trash as opposed to flushing them down, as this also can add up with each wasted flush.

Water Conservation in the Bathroom

Lastly, monitoring your water usage at the sink can be another simple avenue to help with Water Conservation in the Bathroom. Again, these are common sense ways to save, as by just turning the faucet off while you brush your teeth, the average family of four would conserve about 200 gallons per week. Doing the same while shaving would save around 100 gallons a week as well. Much like recommended above with the toilets, when hearing a consistent drip from the faucet, having to problem rectified in a timely manner can also lead to big savings both with water and in your wallet.

Water Conservation in the Bathroom can be easily achieved and lead to you not wasting water or money unnecessarily. The plumbing experts at Poole’s Plumbing recommend these tips to you in beginning your conservation efforts and in Part Two of our water conservation articles will remind you of more simple ways to conserve water and money throughout the rest of the house.

 

 

 

“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.

DIY Drain Cleaning Made Easy

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By Eva Sparks

Dealing with clogged drains isn’t something you can put off for long, but many people don’t even know where to begin. Other are worried that strong chemical cleaners may be harmful for their health. The good news is that, with just a bit of baking soda, vinegar, and some very hot water, you’ll be able to get all of your drains working like new again.

Baking soda and vinegar are the perfect drain cleaning agents for three main reasons. First, they don’t pose any risks to your health or to your drains. Second, when the two are mixed, they create carbon dioxide and sodium acetate, both of which can easily dissolve the grime and gunk that has built up in your plumbing. Third, the foaming bubbles they create further work to give your drains a thorough scrubbing.

Enough with singing the praises of using baking soda and vinegar to clean your drains; let’s go through the steps you need to take to actually do it.

Step 1 – Prepare 2 cups of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar, 4 cups of boiling water, and bring them to your target drain.

Step 2 – Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by about half of your boiling water.

Step 3 – Pour your second cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by your cup of vinegar.

Step 4 – Quickly plug the drain to trap the bubbles in the pipe, allowing them to clean more effectively. You should be able to hear the mixture working.

Step 5 – When the sound of the bubbles begins to quiet down, open the drain again and pour your remaining hot water inside. This should clear away any remaining debris.

Step 6 – If your drain still doesn’t seem to be running as smoothly as it could, you can repeat steps 1-5 as many times as it takes for water to flow through it unimpeded.

Some particularly grimy drains may also call for the use of a sink plunger. If the baking soda and vinegar doesn’t seem to be able to clear away all of the gunk, you can be sure that it has at least loosened it all up. After filling your drain with water you should seal it off with a plunger and quickly plunge up and down a few times. This should be enough to dislodge any remaining grime.

To keep your drains in tip top shape you should try not to let them get so clogged again. Clear them periodically with some baking soda, vinegar, and water, and you’ll save yourself from having to deal with many future drainage problems.

After that if your drain still doesn’t seem to be running as smoothly, you could have a bigger issue. Call your trusted local plumber.

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.

5 Plumbing Tasks You Should Leave to Professionals

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Being able to make repairs around the home is a valuable skill to have, saving both money and time, and also giving a sense of satisfaction. Many domestic plumbing tasks can be carried out by anyone who’s reasonably good with their hands — leaking faucets, malfunctioning toilets, blocked pipes — you feasibly can fix all of these yourself, especially in this age of instant information and tutorials over the internet. However, there are some types of repair that should definitely be left to the plumbing experts, and here are five examples.

Water Heaters
Aside from routine cleaning, anything involving a water heater is probably a job for professionals. When working with a heater, you’ll be dealing with water, electricity, and probably gas or oil. If you make one mistake, the consequences can be severe. Also, an amateur is unlikely to have all the right tools to ensure safety, such as those needed to detect gas leaks or carbon monoxide emissions, and your home insurance may not cover any damage caused by faulty DIY repairs.

Sewer Repair
Not only is this an unpleasant job that you might prefer to give to someone else, but you could easily make things worse by tackling it yourself. What may seem like a simple leak could in fact be caused by a blockage or other problem deeper within the system. Without the right tools, such as cameras and other inspection devices, you might only apply a band aid with your fix. If you don’t address the main problem, you risk a more severe issue at a later stage, possibly involving the expense and disruption of digging up your whole yard.

Pipe Repairs or Replacement
Tightening a loose joint is one thing, but tackling anything more complicated is risky. A pipe system is only as strong as the weakest part. Without the right tools to ensure a proper job is done, you risk failure when the system is brought up to pressure. With water pipes, this can be a damaging leak that’s quickly noticed and fixed. With gas pipes, you might not even realize there’s a problem until disaster strikes.

Major Leaks

If you’re faced with a pipe spraying water across the room, it’s time to turn off the main supply and call in a professional. It might seem a simple matter to fix the obvious fault with a replacement joint or a spot of soldering, but this might only be the tip of the iceberg. If a major leak has occurred, it’s likely that other parts of the system are also in a similar state of wear and tear, and could be close to failure, possibly in a much more damaging and hard-to-fix location. A plumber will not only deal with the immediate problem, but also will check on the health of the rest of your pipework to prevent future failures.

Multi-Occupancy Buildings
In most jurisdictions, amateur plumbing repairs are illegal in buildings where other families also live, and so a certified professional needs to be used. Whether this restriction would ever be enforced over a simple leaking tap is of course your judgement to make, but certainly for any more major work, then it’s a point to be aware of if you want to avoid legal problems down the line.

Many plumbing repairs are fairly simple, and easier and quicker to carry out yourself rather than call in someone else. However, if you’re at all unsure, and when the consequences of a mistake can be serious, it pays to consult a professional. With most good plumbers now offering free call-outs and estimates, you’ve nothing to lose by getting an expert opinion.