Tag Archive for: Raleigh NC plumbers

high-efficiency-electric-water-heater

High Efficiency Electric Water Heaters: Are They For You?

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Just as the Poole’s Plumbing name has become the most respected and trusted name in Raleigh NC plumbing, they have also earned the reputation as the “go-to” for installation, servicing and repair of any type of water heater. Whether tankless or your conventional model, the experts at Poole’s have a “best price guarantee” on all of their water heater services, striving to save you more while providing the most efficiency possible.

Many folks have tried in the more “modern age” of water heater technology to steer clear from the pricier and less efficient electric models that have historically been known to make one’s electric meter readings skyrocket. The term High Efficiency Electric Water Heaters may almost seem an oxymoron to some, however for those who aren’t aware, several years ago, there was a hybrid heat pump water heater introduced that has made the term High Efficiency Electric Waters Heaters no longer a fantasy.

Given the long standing tradition of your electric bill going through the roof due to having an electric unit, the first thing one may ask is, “How exactly do these High Efficiency Electric Water Heaters work?” At an average operating price of only about 60 cents per day, the once unthinkable High Efficiency Electric Water Heaters are at least worth consideration.

In actuality, most major water heater manufacturers do now make some type of High Efficiency Electric Water Heaters. How these hybrid heat pump type water heaters work is as follows: they pull hot air in, intensifying the heat and trnsfering to the water. In a nutshell, the heat pump does the work and helps heat the water before the electrical element even has to do any of the work. In many of the newer model High Efficiency Water Heaters, there is also smart controls that allow for you to create a schedule or the unit will actually do this on their own based upon the patterns of your usage.

While the initial cost of these High Efficiency Electric Water heaters can be a bit higher than other units, over a longer period of time, they can save you do to said efficiency. Whether this is the water heater option you wish to explore or whether you would like to look at the popular tankless models, Poole’s Plumbing is the number one water heater specialists

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.
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.

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.

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.

 

 

Selecting a Well Pump

Constant vs. Conventional : 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 Selecting a Well PumpThe 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.
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.