Plumbing

What Plumbing Is and What Isn’t

Plumbing Express, Inc. is a system of pipes that conveys water, waste products, and gas throughout a building. Plumbers install, repair, and maintain these systems to ensure safe, clean water supply and effective drainage.

Plumbing

A water heater is an appliance that keeps hot water ready at all times. It is located in your basement, garage or utility closet and stores a large tank of between 20 and 80 gallons of hot water that is heated by gas or an electric heating element. These units provide hot water for sinks, showers, washing machines and dishwashers throughout your home.

During heavy use, your water heater is constantly working to keep the water in your storage tank at optimum temperature. This can wear on the unit and, in some cases, cause it to run out of hot water too quickly.

To prevent this from happening, we recommend that you choose a unit with a 12-year warranty that is rated for heavy use. It also helps to look for a model with brass drain valves, which are more durable than plastic, and glass-lined tanks that reduce corrosion.

If you are having trouble with your hot water heater, there are several things that can happen, but the most common is sediment buildup, a faulty thermostat or a broken dip tube. If you’re experiencing any of these problems, contact us to have one of our professional plumbers come out and take a look.

Our licensed professional plumbers have the expertise and training to diagnose your problem and repair it right away, saving you time and money. They are fully insured, bonded and certified to perform work on all your plumbing needs.

Besides being an essential part of your home, your water heater is also a major safety concern because it contains hot and dangerous water. The best way to avoid a disaster is to install a sturdy heat-resistant drain pan underneath your water heater in indoor environments. This will help to protect your floor and any nearby individuals from the consequences of a water heater leak or pressure valve runoff. For outdoor environments, a rainwater catchment system is recommended to divert the excess hot water from your tank. This system can help to lower your energy costs and conserve water. Our trained professionals can handle both indoor and outdoor installations.

Tank-Type Heater

If you live in a typical American home, your water heater is likely a conventional tank-type model. These conventional units feature a large, insulated tank that is designed to hold 30 to 80 gallons of hot water until you need it.

A dip tube is located near the bottom of the tank and helps to send cold water to the burner that heats it inside the tank. Once the hot water reaches the dip tube, it is sent back to you from a hot water outlet located at the top of the tank.

Gas water heaters utilize a gas burner to heat the water, and they can be equipped with an electric heating element for added energy efficiency. A flue is positioned at the center of the unit to vent combustion gases out of the tank.

These tanks are a great option for homes with limited space, but they require regular maintenance to ensure the unit works properly. Minerals and sediment build up on the heating elements, which can decrease thermal transfer and lead to poor performance. Over time, these sediments can also cause the heater to rust and leak.

Another concern with traditional tanks is the fact that they continuously heat and store hot water, even when you are not using it. This process results in significant amounts of wasted water and energy. In addition, even today’s highly-insulated tank models are susceptible to heat loss via radiation and a process known as standby loss.

The average lifespan of a traditional tank is less than 12 years, which is an unnecessarily short amount of time to wait for hot water. While you may think that investing in a new unit is expensive, it’s actually much more cost-effective to choose a high-efficiency model that can help to cut your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Another excellent option is a tankless water heater, which is ideal for homes with no need to keep a large supply of hot water on hand. These units work on demand, meaning that they only heat water when you need it. They do so by funneling cold water to a gas burner or heating element that quickly and efficiently delivers it to you for your use.

Water Filter

Water filters remove impurities that may affect the taste or appearance of the water, or that may pose health risks. They range from simple mechanical filters to complex filtration systems. The most common types of filters include pitchers, end-of-tap or faucet-mounted filters and plumbed-in or under-sink filtration systems. It is important to know what contaminants you want to remove from your water before purchasing a filter or treatment system. The best way to do this is by checking if the product is certified by NSF International, an independent public health organization that sets standards for filtration products.

When shopping for a water filter, look for one with a micron rating that indicates the size of the pores that allow the water to pass through. This helps you find a filter that can effectively remove certain contaminants like Cryptosporidium and Giardia. A 5-micron filter or lower is adequate for removing most of these contaminants.

The first step in a filtration system is often a sediment prefilter, which acts like a sieve to remove larger particles of sand, silt, clay and debris from the water. This helps reduce turbidity, which is the cloudiness caused by these particles in the water. It also extends the life of the more expensive, finishing filters by preventing premature clogging.

Some filters use carbon adsorption, which binds to contaminants and removes them from the water. These are usually available in the form of granulated or powdered carbon. They are effective in reducing chlorine, chlorine byproducts and dissolved volatile organic compounds that can cause unpleasant tastes and odors.

Many filtration systems also incorporate reverse osmosis, which uses pressure and a series of membranes to separate water molecules. This can reduce or eliminate a wide range of contaminants, including bacteria, cysts and parasites such as protozoa, which are responsible for diseases such as malaria and dysentery. Many manufacturers offer complete whole-house filtration systems that combine these different technologies into a single unit. These are ideal for removing chlorine, rust and other contaminates from water that comes into the home, as well as for reducing chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.

Water Softener

Water softeners use basic chemistry to remove the minerals that make up hard water, typically calcium and magnesium. Those minerals cause spots on glassware, build up in hot-water-using appliances like coffee and washing machines and can even clog pipes over time. Softened water reduces these issues and improves the overall quality of your home’s water supply.

Water passes over the negatively charged resin beads in the softener, which are filled with sodium ions. The ions replace the positive calcium and magnesium ions in the water, making the water soft. The water-softening process is called ion exchange, and it’s the most common method of household water treatment.

When the resin bed becomes coated with hardness minerals, it must be regenerated to continue producing soft water. During regeneration, the softener flushes a solution of salt and water through the resin tank. The high levels of salt force the calcium and magnesium ions off the resin, replacing them with sodium ions. The resulting softened water is then released into the house.

While using a water softener will add some sodium to your household’s drinking water, it’s not considered a health risk by the FDA and is safe for consumption in moderation. Those who wish to avoid this added sodium can install a bypass valve and connect their water softener to a separate water dispenser or opt for a salt-free system, which uses potassium chloride instead of sodium.

While the benefits of a water softener are obvious, its operating costs can add up. Fortunately, this cost is offset by the money and energy saved over time. For example, softened water requires less energy to heat, and soaps and other cleaning products produce a larger lather with less soap than their hard-water counterparts. It also helps protect your plumbing from mineral buildup, prolonging their lifespan. Compared to the daily expenses and frustrations of dealing with hard water, the installation of a water softener is well worth the investment.

Insulations

How Ceiling Insulation Can Slash Your Energy Bills and Improve Home Comfort

insulation

Ceiling Insulation Perth helps to reduce energy costs and improve the environmental sustainability of buildings. It promotes uniform air conditioning by preventing heat conduction and keeping the warmth inside during winter and the cool air outside in summer.

Insulation also prevents external pollutants from penetrating easily accessible areas and diminishing indoor air quality. It also cuts down on energy usage and reduces ecological grievances.

Reduces Energy Bills

The best way to cut your energy bills and improve the comfort of your home is to add insulation to it. It will stop heat from escaping in the summer and cold air from leaking into your home in the winter. Insulation can be added to existing homes, or it can be installed during the construction of new houses to achieve an energy-efficient and comfortable living space.

If your home is not properly insulated, it will waste large amounts of energy on heating and cooling. Having good quality insulation in your attic is the best way to keep your house at an ideal temperature and save money on energy bills.

In many homes, heat tends to rise and escape through the roof. Without adequate ceiling insulation, this can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder than it should. In addition, the hot air escaping from your attic can increase humidity levels and damage your ceiling and walls. By adding ceiling insulation, you can ensure that the hot air stays in your rooms and the colder air stays out of your attic.

You should also consider insulating your attic if your HVAC ducts run through it. This will help to protect the ducts from extreme temperatures and prevent them from being damaged. In the long run, this will reduce the amount of money you have to spend on repairs and replacements of your heating and cooling system.

The amount of money that you can save by installing ceiling insulation will vary depending on your climate and the type of insulation you choose. For example, homeowners in Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota can expect to save 16% to 19% on energy bills after insulating their homes with shredded cellulose, which is made from recycled paper products.

Adding or topping up your ceiling insulation can dramatically lower your energy bills and help to reduce your environmental impact. If you are interested in reducing your energy bills and protecting your home against extreme weather, contact us to discuss your options for ceiling insulation. You may be eligible for subsidised insulation under the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme and YESS.

Increases Home Comfort

Ceiling insulation helps to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home, improving your comfort year-round. It is a great way to reduce energy costs, improve your home’s appearance and help to keep outside temperatures from impacting the inside of your home.

Many homes do not have enough ceiling insulation to keep them comfortable and energy efficient. Without insulation, heat rises and escapes from the heated areas of your house, forcing your heating system to work harder to compensate for the heat loss. In addition, heat from the sun also comes into your house through the ceiling space, forcing your air conditioning to work hard in order to cool your home.

Insulating your home’s ceiling with fiberglass or cellulose insulation will prevent these losses and save you money on energy bills. It also allows your cooling and heating systems to work more efficiently, reducing wear and tear on your system and prolonging its life.

There are several different types of insulation, including fiberglass, cellulose and rock wool. They are typically installed in batts or rolls that fit between the attic joists. Blown-in insulation is also available and is the best option for older homes that may have gaps or cracks in their attic joists.

Adding the right type of ceiling insulation will depend on your climate zone, the size and shape of your home, and the amount of attic penetrations into the living space. It is important to consult an expert to determine the type of insulation that is best for your home.

The ideal time to add insulation to your home’s ceiling is during the building or renovation process. This allows for easier access and ensures that it is properly installed without disturbing the existing structure. It is also a good idea to insulate before the winter season, as Massachusetts experiences cold weather and harsh conditions that can cause damage to your home’s interior.

Adding insulation to your attic will increase the value of your home and is an excellent way to make it more energy efficient. By lowering your heating and cooling bills, it will give you the financial freedom to enjoy your home the way that you want.

Reduces Noise

Insulation is the best way to limit noise from the outdoors, traffic and other sources from travelling between different rooms. It also helps to keep music, voices and other sounds contained within a room. The right insulation will absorb sound waves rather than reflecting them. This will reduce the noise levels in your home and improve your quality of life.

There are different types of insulation, each with varying R-Values and thickness. You will need to choose an R-Value that is appropriate for your climate and home, and consider the installation method as well. For example, blanket-style insulation is easy to install and comes in batts or rolls that are simply laid between ceiling joists. However, it may not be suitable for a confined space as it will compress over time and lose its effectiveness.

Blown-in insulation is more expensive but requires professional installation. This is a great option if you have access to your attic and are prepared to pay the cost of having it installed professionally.

Investing in ceiling insulation is a good way to improve the comfort of your home, reduce energy bills and minimise noise pollution. It is an affordable solution that can make a big difference in your energy savings and improve the health of your family. Contact Home Mechanics to learn more about the benefits of insulating your ceiling today.

We provide energy efficient insulation to homes and businesses in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra and surrounding areas. Our insulation can significantly reduce your energy bills and help you stay comfortable year-round. Call us on 1300 009 059 or fill in our online contact form to get started with your energy efficiency upgrade today! Our installers are accredited and experienced, so you can be sure that the job will be completed to the highest standards. Don’t forget, you could be eligible for subsidies through YESS or the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme! So, what are you waiting for? Get your free quote today!

Improves Indoor Air Quality

Aside from reducing energy bills, insulation also contributes to improving indoor air quality (IAQ). Poor IAQ is linked with respiratory problems like asthma and exacerbates existing conditions such as allergies. It can also lead to headaches, fatigue, and reduced mental cognition. Poor IAQ is caused by a range of pollutants, including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter such as dust, mould spores and other allergens.

Insulation prevents these pollutants from entering the home by sealing gaps and cracks that could allow them in. It also reduces the movement of air between the inside and outside of the home, keeping it at a constant temperature and eliminating drafts. This helps reduce the amount of outdoor air pollution that enters the house, particularly in urban areas where air pollution is high.

Another way that ceiling insulation improves IAQ is by preventing moisture from entering the house. This is important because moisture can lead to the growth of toxic microorganisms such as mildew and mold, which can cause a wide range of health issues. It can also cause the deterioration of metals and timber in your home. Insulation can stop moisture from building up in the house by controlling heat loss and ensuring that it isn’t lost through the roof.

Most insulation products offer a level of sound reduction as well, which can be a useful feature for homeowners in busy areas or those living close to neighbours. Heavier insulation, such as rock wool or foilboard green rigid panels, generally has the best acoustic performance for a given width. Before deciding on an insulation product, consult your electrician to ensure that electrical wiring will be suitable for covering with it.

Professional installation of insulation can significantly improve the quality of your home and increase its value. However, it is essential that the right type of insulation is chosen and that the correct techniques are used to avoid any unforeseen consequences. Contact your local TruTeam branch for assistance in choosing the right insulation and ensuring it is installed correctly. All TruTeam branches have a team of experts with extensive knowledge of local building science and how it applies to different climates, and they can help you make the most of your home’s insulation investment.