Monthly Archives: September 2019

THINGS TO DO TO PREVENT PIPES FROM BURSTING

Bursting pipes usually happen during wintertime. It can create a lot of damage, expenses, and messes. Why do pipes burst during the winter though? The water that comes inside the house from outside has a lower temperature which means it is much colder than it is during the summer. Contractions happen in weaker parts of the pipes because of the cold water, causing pipes to burst. The contractions are not something that can be controlled due to no practical ways to heat the underground temperature of your home. You might want to do a regular check-up to see if you have any leaks in your plumbing, especially during season changes to prevent plumbing issues to happen. While we are not able to stop the leak caused by low temperature, we are still able to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

Pipe leakages are difficult to detect. It can go for a long period of time until it’s noticed. Leakage of the pipes can cause a dramatic increase in your water usage and bills to become more expensive. Don’t worry, though. Here are some things you can do to keep an eye out for a leak:

  • Visible water damage on your wall, creating bubbles on your painted walls
  • Discolouration, dampness, strange patch
  • Distinct sharp and foul smell
  • Irregular water pressure
  • More expensive water bills
  • Hissing noise possibly behind the wall

What to do to prevent freezing and bursting pipes?

  • To prevent freezing water and pipes, try to always have one or two faucets running slowly, especially when it is incredibly cold outside
  • Warm air can help prevent the pipes from freezing especially ones that are located near an outside wall or a window to keep the temperature normal and not become extremely low and cold
  • Turn off the internal stop or tap valve
  • Allow warm air into cabinets where your sinks are usually in to keep temperature normal and avoid being too cold
  • Installing heat tape that can warm the pipes when needed during winter time and the temperature is very cold
  • Disconnecting hose from the outside faucet so the water is able to drain out of the hose and will not freeze and break the device
  • Locate where the pipes are and check if there is any leak. Air leak, that allows cold air into the home, around electrical wiring, pipes, or dryer vents can be sealed to prevent the cold air from entering. No matter how big or small an air leak is, it is highly possible to let enough cold air in and causing pipes to freeze and burst
  • Do not let the home temperature go down so low or extremely cold, keep the home as warm as possible
  • Do not use an electric or gas heater in the roof space to keep the temperature warm in the house
  • Let warm air flowing in by leaving the trap door to roof space during extreme weather conditions so there will not be any freezing water tanks or pipes
  • Have contact details of a professional plumber just in case you are facing bursting pipes problem

If you are dealing with bursting pipes from freezing pipes and need an emergency repair, Local Plumber Eastern Sydney is the best answer to fix your problem in the Sydney area. We immediately troubleshoot and diagnose the issue you are having before creating solution plans. Do not hesitate to contact us with all the questions you might have so you can make the right decision about your home and our other services. Our professional and experienced plumbers are licensed with well-updated equipment.

Garbage Disposals: What You Should Not Drop Down

The most crucial thing to keep in mind about your garbage disposal is that it really isn’t a garbage can. Although your disposal is extremely ideal for getting rid of food waste, it can’t get rid of everything. No matter what practical or effective your garbage disposal, there are specific things you must not throw into it. In case you want your garbage disposal to endure, you should discover what to not ever make use of it for. The following is a list of frequent household items people like to put down their disposals.  It has failed to work out, and will certainly happen the same way. If perhaps you do not want to crack your garbage disposal, you must not make use of it to get rid of:

  • Actual garbage.

Garbage disposals are not trash cans. The most significant reason behind garbage disposal blockages described by most plumbers is that people placing paper towels, bags, flake off, as well as other trash in their garbage disposal. That garbage will likely not move across the removal and it will probably create a blockage. Toss it out, do not flush it down.

  • Cleaning chemicals.

Chemical drain cleanings nearly constantly trigger more problems than they resolve. Drain cleaning chemicals cannot determine the distinction between a blockage and your pipes. The considerably you make use of them, the more they’ll devour in at your pipes. Apply them enough and they’ll wear out your pipes until they leak out or break.

  • Pasta.

Pasta stretches when it gets soaked. Something that expands when it gets damp should not go down your trash disposal. Once pasta stretches in your disposal, it would likely become too unmanageable for your disposal cutters to function correctly. Rather than milling the pasta up into small pieces, the blades are certain to get stuck on it. At the same time, the pasta will not ensure it is the disposal and into the drain. Not only can pasta obstruct your disposal blades, but it’ll also generate a blockage. Do not risk it; throw your pasta stays out instead.

  • Coffee grounds.

The things on this list will all have some similar things. Amongst the biggest: almost all of them tend to get gluey when they’re soaked. Once you drop coffee grounds down your disposal, they will clump together–just like they do when you pour water on them. Once the coffee grounds bundle together, they stay glued to one another and everything around them… particularly your disposal. Coffee grounds have a tendency to stay glued to disposal cutters, the edges of pipes, and everywhere else. In case you drop them into your drain they’ll create a large, gross blockage instantly. The increased coffee grounds you dump in your disposal, the more serious the blockage are certain to get. Dispose of your coffee grounds in a trash can; never a drain or even disposal

  • Paint.

Particularly, you shouldn’t drain latex or grease paints. Latex and oil paints are not smoothly rinsed off by water. Rather, they stay within your pipes, treat, harden, as well as become dangerous.

The objects that you can actually dispose of include dish soap, non-toxic liquids, ice cubes and the small waste from your dining plates. The majority of fruit and vegetable scraps, apart from discussed above,  are alright, as well

Drooping down forbidden items down your garbage disposal can cause a faulty plumbing issue.  In the event you are dealing with a plumbing issue, make sure to call a pro like Local Eastern Sydney Plumbers that will be there to help in a flash.

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Comparison Pointers for Cast Iron vs PVC Pipe Systems

Cast iron pipes have been manufactured and used in the early 1800s. The first usage was for water distribution but also expanded to waste water disposal. Cast iron water piping was not the only product used over the years, but it did provide a highly reliable and durable pipe that lasted much longer at that period of time. It wasn’t until late 1960 that plastic PVC was introduced. It quickly became the choice because of its benefit. But what about nowadays. Should we use cast iron pipe system for the best benefit? These are things that you can bear in mind as considerations:

  • Cost

PVC made of strong plastic which is much cheaper than the choice of cast iron. However, PVC requires more hangers, screws, fasteners, primer, glue and insulation to muffle the noisy pipes. All these additional prices are frequently ignored when worth manufacturing a task and certainly will charge equally as much or even more than the system of cast iron.

  • Sustainability

Cast iron commonly persists considerably much longer compared to PVC piping. Cast iron piping can possibly endure many several decades if perhaps not for a century. Repairing cast iron sewer pipe is less frequent which means that the money might otherwise be invested in keeping them running can be used for other things. One disadvantage of cast iron is that they can be prone to rush. Meanwhile, the life expectancy of PVC is more challenging to forecast. PVC possess reduced temperature restriction and greater development price make it prone towards breaking.

  • Safety concern

The prospect of a fire in a home with PVC pipe can only result in a full replacement. That’s because plastic can offer little protection when being in the presence of such heat. In contrast, there won’t be any need to repair cast iron pipes because they’re fire-resistant.

Another issue when it comes to fire is that when that plastic burns, it ends up emitting fumes that can be dangerous to breathe for anyone who unfortunately happens to be in a home.

  • Noise aspect

Cast iron is many times known as the calm pipe due to the fact that its excellent sound inhibition as opposed to PVC piping. This is why cast iron perfect for condominiums, hotels, medical services and academic organizations. Whilst in PVC pipe it is possible to frequently notice other people using the shower and flushing toilets.

  • Aesthetics

In reality, this category isn’t the most important for most people. Still, it’s important for anyone considering the installation of PVC pipes because they have different colour varieties being with different issues. For example, white pipes will inevitably collect dirt much more quickly, while other options can either streak a wall or simply deliver an annoying drip.

  • Environmental Concerns

For those who keep a close watch on their environmental footprint, cast iron pipes would be the choice. The reason is that PVC pipes are made with the oil-based product and any PVC sewer pipe repair usually discards the material into the trash. Meanwhile, cast iron pipes can be created from aftermarket scrap iron.

In conclusion, both products have their advantages and disadvantages though cast iron is more environmentally friendly than plastic and plastic pipe is a great choice to cut cost and easier to maintain. You can also try to consider using cast iron for clean water only, as clean water tends to build residue slower and using cast iron for wastewater to prevent that embarrassing flushing sound. When you have a problem with your plumbing system, make sure you call in for a plumbing specialist like Local Eastern Sydney Plumbers to do the job.

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