Monday, January 28, 2013

Browse Through These Links To Learn How Beacon Plumbing Can Keep Your Family Comfortable Year Round

Explore these links to find out what kind of plumbing emergencies need the immediate attention of a professional and what causes low water pressure in the home. Contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical at (206) 452-4363 for more information on these topics, or head to our website to find out how you can earn 50 Beacon Bucks for your next service.





















This article by The Washington Post and Tim Carter from Ask the Builder can help you learn how to solve low water pressure problems.

Keep your plumbing in top shape with these great maintenance tips from HGTV.com.

Head to AngiesList.com to explore several causes of low water pressure in the average plumbing system.
Save yourself from the costly damage and frustration of plumbing leaks by following the advice presented in this article from HouseLogic.com.

Read this page from DIYNetwork.com to understand what kinds of tools can come in handy in a plumbing emergency.

A Look at What May Be Causing Your Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be a huge nuisance when it affects your showers and faucets. There are a few common causes of low water pressure, depending on where these issues occur. Mineral buildup can interfere with water delivery from faucets or showerheads, while problems affecting water supply lines or the entire plumbing system can cause whole-home low pressure.






                                                                                   


Mineral Deposits

You might only experience low water pressure in one area, such as your bathroom faucet or showerhead. Localized problems can be caused by a few different things. The faucet aerator or showerhead could be clogged with mineral buildup. Such buildup can lower the amount of water coming out of the fixture. Sometimes soaking a showerhead or faucet aerator in an environmentally safe mixture of water and vinegar is enough to eliminate most mineral scale and restore water flow.

Faulty Valves

It’s always a good idea to check localized valves on your water supply lines. Partially closed valves near your toilet or faucet can be causing low pressure. If the valves are open and the aerator or showerhead is not clogged, the problem may be within the wall or a different portion of your plumbing system, and you’ll need to call your plumber.

If you experience low pressure throughout your entire home, the first place to check is the shutoff valve located inside your house. Typically in the basement, this valve should be in the fully open position. You can also check the valve at the water meter outside your house to ensure that it is completely open as well.

Municipal Water Supply Problems

Not all water pressure problems originate in the home. If you live far from the municipal water supply, you will likely have low water pressure simply due to distance. Or, the municipal source may be experiencing such problems as corroded pipes, debris buildup, leaky plumbing, or malfunctioning backflow prevention devices.

Contact Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical at (206) 452-4363 to address your water pressure concerns. We can identify the cause of the issue and provide either the necessary repairs or pressure-boosting solutions to deliver adequate water pressure throughout your house.

Mineral Deposits Beacon Plumbing Low Water Pressure Mineral buildup adequate water pressure

Monday, January 14, 2013

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time if they burst. By simply keeping closet or cabinet doors open in areas where pipes run through the walls, you can help prevent freezing. Open cabinet doors promote air circulation, keeping the pipes warm. You can learn about other preventative measures by watching this video.

 

Pipes in garages or crawlspaces should be insulated. Additional measures like heat tape can warm up the pipes directly when several days of freezing or below-freezing temperatures occur.

Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical of Seattle provides same-day 24-hour emergency service and can rescue your pipes if they freeze. To learn more about how to prevent your pipes from freezing and what we can do to protect your home, visit us online or give us a call at (206) 452-4363 today.


Pipes and Plumbing: Stunning Stats and Fascinating Facts [INFOGRAPHIC]

With the conveniences of modern plumbing, it can be easy to take that water coming out of your faucet for granted. However, plumbing in the U.S. and throughout the world wasn’t always so simple. The profession has a long history of development and innovation that transformed America’s plumbing from odorous outhouses to extraordinarily efficient flushes. Take a look at this interesting infographic from a Seattle plumber to discover some fascinating facts about plumbing, piping, and water usage in the U.S. Feel free to spread the word about sustainability and wow your friends and family with these stunning stats by sharing this infographic with them!




















































































HELP! Plumbing Emergencies That Need to be Addressed Immediately

No homeowner ever wants to encounter a plumbing emergency, but it’s important to know the signs of an urgent situation so you can take action to prevent further damage to your property. Flooding water or sewage can cause a vast amount of damage in a very short time and needs to be addressed immediately by a professional plumber.





















Clogged Drains and Backups

A clogged drain can become a serious problem, especially if water begins backing up into your home. A particularly stubborn clog can progress further into your plumbing system and affect more than one drain in your home. If you have a clogged drain or sewage is backing up into your home, contact an emergency plumber right away. Sewage can not only cause immediate water damage, but also transmit harmful pathogens and encourage mold growth.
 
Burst Pipes

Burst pipes can occur due to age, unseen damage, or freezing. Regular inspections of your plumbing system will allow you to repair or replace pipes that are likely to burst as a result of age or damage, but frozen pipes can be harder to predict. Taking preventative measures, like insulating your pipes, can help you avoid these situations. If a pipe does burst, the first thing to do is shut off the water supply at the main valve. This can save you thousands of dollars in damage.
 
Sewer Line Leaks

Older, clay sewer lines are subject to shifting soils, cracks, and tree root infiltration. A leak in this line can release large amounts of water into the ground and surrounding area, which presents a health hazard and can cause damage to your landscaping.
You don’t have to face these and other plumbing emergencies alone. Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical provides 24/7 emergency services to our residential and commercial customers. No matter the scale of your plumbing emergency, we can handle it. Visit us online for more information or call us at (206) 452-4363.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Visit These Sites For Important Information About Your Plumbing

It is important to take the necessary precautions to ensuring your home is safe from damage. Preventive measures and early detection can save you from devastating damage and costly repairs. Learn more about your plumbing and sewer needs with the following links.























  • Learn how trenchless sewer repair can save your landscape and can cut overall cost with this article by ABC News.
  • This article by The Washington Post explains why March 11 is designated World Plumbing Day.
  • Identifying common signs of water damage is crucial in catching the problem early. Better Homes and Garden provides a list of hidden signs you can look for to know your pipes are damaged.
  • WaterSafety.org offers information about how your plumbing system can use water more efficiently.
  • Every year, World Plumbing Day teaches the importance of plumbing in keeping your family and community safe. Read about the health aspects of plumbing with this article on WorldPlumbingDay.org.
If you are looking for plumbing or sewer repairs, the experienced technicians at Beacon Plumbing can help. To learn about our round-the-clock service, contact us at (206) 452-4363.


Preventative Steps You Can Take To Help Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

The cold temperatures of winter present a wide variety of potential home maintenance issues. Perhaps one of the most serious is frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can cause serious inconvenience, and repairs can be expensive and time-consuming. Fortunately there are steps you can take to help prevent your home’s pipes from freezing this winter.






















Insulate Your Pipes

When your pipes are exposed, they are more likely to freeze as the temperature drops. For this reason, it is important that you insulate your home’s pipes properly. Insulation helps keep the cold out and improves your plumbing system’s heat retention. Generally, the more insulation your pipes have, the less chance they will have of freezing. Furthermore, insulation is cost-effective and reliable, making it a great choice for all homes.

Seal Leaks

Even if your pipes are well insulated, leaks can leave your plumbing system vulnerable to freezing. Leaks around your home allow cold air to enter and potentially affect your pipes. In order to prevent leaks from causing problems for your plumbing system, make sure to check for and seal leaks around dryer vents, electrical wiring, and pipes.

Drain Your Pipes

If your home has pipes leading to outside faucets, special precautions should be taken to prevent freezing. For example, before winter hits, you should make sure to disconnect any hoses and use an indoor valve to drain any water left in the pipes.
While preventative measures can significantly decrease the chance that your home’s pipes will freeze, they are by no means foolproof. If you suspect that your pipes are frozen, it is critical that you contact a plumber as soon as possible. Quickly addressing the issue could prevent a more serious plumbing issue like burst pipes. If you want to learn more about how to prevent your pipes from freezing this winter, call Beacon Plumbing, Heating & Mechanical at (206) 452-4363.