What You Should Do About Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is an irritating but common issue with residential plumbing systems, but it's not something you simply have to live with. Here's what you can do solve different types of water pressure problems in your home.

Low Pressure Throughout the House

If low pressure is affecting all your plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances, find your main water valve and make sure it's fully open. Next, check for obvious signs of a leak — like wet ground — where your water line meets the main supply. Then, ask your neighbors if they have a low pressure issue. If not, have a licensed plumber check whether you have a pressure reducing valve that needs adjustment or there are leaks in the piping.A plumber can also look for other causes of pressure problems, like corrosion inside your galvanized pipes or sediment/limescale buildup in the lines. If your neighbors have low pressure too, talk to your plumber about installing a pressure booster on your home's main water line.

Low Pressure at Individual Fixtures

If the water flow arriving at a single fixture has slowed down, you may be able to correct the problem yourself. With a faucet, unscrew the aerator and rinse the mesh screen to remove any tiny sediment particles. If there's a limescale buildup, soak the aerator in a 50-50 water and vinegar solution. Aerators aren't expensive, so if the buildup doesn't dissolve, simply replace the part. You can use the same process with a clogged showerhead nozzle. If the pressure doesn't improve, have a plumber check for a partial blockage in the fixture's supply lines.

Hot Water Pressure Problems

A lack of pressure with just the hot water supply is often a sign that sediment is clogging the water heater tank and lines. If you haven't had the tank drained and flushed on a regular basis, it's wise to have a plumbing professional assess the condition of the appliance and perform any needed maintenance.

If you're dealing with a low water pressure problem in your Broken Arrow home and need expert help, contact the plumbing pros at Air Assurance today.

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Things You Shouldn't Put Down the Drain

It's dangerous to adopt an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude towards your household drains. Some things that go down your drain can come back to haunt you in the form of clogs, flooding and other costly plumbing problems. To help you maintain a healthy plumbing system, here's a list of items that shouldn't go down your drains.

• Grease – Kitchen grease solidifies when it cools. It coats the inner walls of sewer pipes. With time, it can build up and even block an entire pipe. To get rid of it in an environmentally-friendly way, pour it into an old can or sealed container and put it in the trash.

• Eggshells – Although they seem fragile, they don't break down easily once they're inside your drains. They can mix with other items and form clogs.

• Stringy or starchy vegetables – Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, celery, kale, rhubarb, lettuce and potato peels are too starchy, stringy or fibrous to be put in your garbage disposal. They can easily get tangled around the blade and clog drains.

• Coffee grounds – To you they may be fine and harmless but to your drains, they are a recipe for disaster. When they mix with water, they get heavier. They can compact in the disposal trap and cause a blockage. Why not put them to work by using them in your garden as fertilizer or a deterrent to ants, snails and slugs?

• Large wipes – Paper towels, baby wipes and other large wipes may be biodegradable, but can cause problems for your septic system. Their absorbent nature can make them clog up drain lines.

• Pasta and rice – Pasta and rice expand when they mix with water. They'll expand every time water goes down your drains. Eventually, they'll fill up the trap and clog your drains.

When you avoid putting the wrong things down the drain, you also save the environment by creating a healthier habitat for marine life. For more information on how to take care of your drain, contact us at Air Assurance. We serve the Broken Arrow area.

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Keep Your Basement from Flooding with These Tips

Cleaning up a flooded basement after rain seeps through your foundation walls can be your worst nightmare. It involves great work and can cost a significant amount of money to fix the damages and replace the items lost. Save yourself from this mess by taking these steps to prevent basement flooding.

• Clean your roof's gutters. Ensure your gutters are free of leaves and debris. When they get blocked, they'll dump rain water against your foundation and increase the probability of your basement flooding.

• Extend your downspouts. Protecting your basement from flooding entails making rain water drain as far away from your house as possible. One way of achieving this is by extending your downspouts at least 10 feet from your home. You can get plastic or metal downspout extensions at home improvement stores.

• Re-grade around your house. Make sure the grade around your home slopes away from your house at a rate of at least one inch per foot. This will help drain water away from your house and prevent it from flowing back into your foundation and basement.

• Check exterior foundation and basement for cracks. Fill all cracks in your foundation with epoxy. Apply masonry sealer to indoor cracks. If you come across serious damages, let a professional take care of them.

• Ensure your sump pump is working. It's important to include a sump pump in your arsenal of flooding protection tools. Open its cover and pull up on the float to ensure it's in good working condition. You should hear the pump motor running. It's a good idea to have a backup power source for your sump pump.

• Install window well covers. If your basement windows are at or below grade, you should install window well covers. They'll help in diverting water away from the framing and windows.

You can give yourself a greater peace of mind by purchasing flood insurance for your property. For more useful tips on preventing basement flooding, please contact us at Air Assurance. We've proudly served the Broken Arrow area since 1985.

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Helpful New Homeowner Plumbing Tips

When moving into a new home, most people don’t give a lot of thought to what’s going on inside the drains or the pipes hidden inside walls or the crawl space — until something goes wrong, that is. Plumbing issues can make an otherwise trouble-free home a headache. Here are a few plumbing tips to help you be prepared for any unpleasant surprises in the future.

• Know the location of the main water shutoff valve and how to operate it. Every adult in the house should be able to turn off the water supply to the house in the event of a serious indoor plumbing emergency. Test the main valve annually to make sure it turns freely. Also test shutoff valves to individual toilets in the house in case a toilet overflows. Consult a plumber if any valves won’t turn or function properly.

• Clear clogged drains with hot water and a common plunger. Avoid using caustic drain openers that contain corrosive chemicals that may deteriorate plumbing pipes and seals. Powered drain snakes from rental outlets may be improperly sized for your plumbing and may damage delicate pipes. If simple plunging fails to open a clogged drain, contact a qualified plumber.

• If the house came with a washer connected to rubber hot and cold water supply hoses, these hoses typically have a short service life and may fail unexpectedly. Ruptured washer supply hoses are a frequent source of major indoor water damage. Put rubber washer supply hoses on your list to be replaced with braided stainless steel lines that have an unlimited service life.

• There’s no such thing as a minor leak in a water supply line. Small pinhole leaks may be external evidence of serious corrosion inside the pipe. A pipe rupture and expensive water damage may happen at any time. Get advice from a qualified plumber about any pipe leaks.

For more plumbing tips, or professional service to resolve any plumbing issues that may come up, contact Air Assurance.

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What are the Warning Signs of Poorly-Vented Drain Lines?

Many homeowners think of their plumbing systems as only consisting of the water supply pipes and drainpipes. Vent pipes are also an important part of your plumbing system. They are the pipes that run vertically from your drain plumbing and terminate at your roof. You can easily mistake venting problems for other plumbing malfunctions. Here are the signs of poorly-vented drain lines.

Poor Flushing Action

If your toilet requires repeated flushes to clear the bowl and the water level is slow to return to the pre-flush level, a clogged vent may be the culprit. The blockage creates excess pressure in your sewer line that restricts the free flow of water.

Bubbles in Toilet Bowl

If you see bubbles in your toilet bowl even when it's not in use, you may be having a blocked vent. The positive pressure that develops inside your pipes causes air to rise through your toilet bowl.

Strange Sounds

There shouldn't be much noise coming from your drains after your sinks, showers or bathtubs have been emptied or after you've flushed the toilet. If you hear bubbling and gurgling noises coming from them, that could be a sign of a vent problem. The sounds are produced by the excess air pressure inside the poorly-vented drain lines.

Sluggish Drains

A slow drain can result from a clog inside your drainpipe. If plunger or a drain cleaning product can't solve the problem, an obstruction in a vent pipe may be the cause.

Bad Odor

If there's a pungent smell in your home, especially near your sink and drains, you probably have a venting problem. Your plumbing system features drain traps that hold some water to act as a barrier against seepage of sewer gas. Poor venting creates negative pressure in your drains that siphons water from the traps, allowing sewer gas to enter your home. Fixing a vent stack requires expertise and use of specialized tools. It's best to leave the problem to a professional plumber.

For more information on poorly-vented drain lines, contact us at Air Assurance. We serve the Broken Arrow area.

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How to Know When to Replace a Toilet

Toilets are essential fixtures that generally last years and need little more attention than a plunger or wiggle of the handle when the chain gets stuck in the flapper. Though, there are times when toilets should be replaced, which may be by design or through necessity. Following are five good ways to know when to replace your toilet.

Water Leaks

Toilets may leak water from the tank gasket, the gasket beneath the bowl, or from cracks in the porcelain. Water leaks may result in substantial damage to your flooring, subflooring, utilities, and possibly to any rooms located below.If the leak is from the floor gasket beneath the bowl, it should be inspected by a professional plumber to determine the extent of damage. Replace the toilet if the water leak is due to a crack or other damage.

Damaged Tank or Bowl

Hairline cracks are eventually going to leak water. Further, cracks and damage in the tank or bowl compromise safety. If it chips or breaks completely, you are going to have pieces as sharp as broken glass.

Water Efficiency

Toilets manufactured after 1993 must have a maximum flush of 1.6 gallons. If you have a very old toilet, it's possible that it uses as much as 7 gallons of water every time you flush it. Older toilets should definitely be replaced to conserve water and to conserve your energy budget!

Bathroom Remodel

If it's time to remodel your bathroom, then it is time to replace your old commode. This is also true if you are only tearing up flooring for a new floor since the toilet will need to be pulled up, anyhow.

Comfort and Appearance

Toilets that are too short, too tall, too round, or too narrow are just too uncomfortable! You have many options for upgrading yours at your disposal, including heated seats, various color designs, different flushing mechanisms, and more.

If you have questions about toilet replacement or other plumbing concerns, please contact us at Air Assurance today. We have served residents of the Broken Arrow area for more than 30 years.

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Take these Precautions to Avoid Frozen Pipes

Cold weather months in the Broken Arrow area pose a serious risk of frozen pipes. With just a few extra precautions, though, you can protect your pipes and prevent damage to your home.

Why Frozen Pipes are a Problem

Any time the outdoor temperature falls below freezing, the water in your pipes is at risk for freezing, too. When water freezes, it expands. Pressure from expanding ice inside the pipes can cause frozen pipes to crack or even burst. When the damaged pipes finally thaw, they'll leak water until you turn off the water supply. If you're asleep or away from home when the pipes freeze and leak, you could end up with extensive flooding and water damage.

How to Protect Your Pipes

Keep your thermostat set no lower than 60 degrees, even when you're not home. Insulate pipes in unconditioned spaces, such as the basement, with foam pipe insulation or fiberglass batts.

To keep cold drafts off the pipes, seal air leaks in these spaces with caulk and weatherstripping as appropriate. Insulate your basement rim joists and your crawl space walls with rigid foam insulation. You'll protect your pipes, keep your floors warmer, and improve your home's energy efficiency.

Disconnect your garden hoses and put them in storage for the winter. If your outdoor faucets aren't frost proof, shut off the water supply to them and open the faucets to drain the remaining water.

When the temperatures fall below freezing, open the doors to your sink cabinets to let warm air reach the pipes. Open your taps to let a thin stream of water flow. Flowing water is less likely to freeze.

Learn the location of the shutoff valve for your home's water supply. If your pipes do freeze and crack, shutting off the water will prevent leaks until the pipe can be repaired. For pipes that have frozen solid, contact a plumber. Incorrectly thawing frozen pipes can damage them.

For more pro tips on preventing winter damage to your home, contact us at Air Assurance in the Broken Arrow area.

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Clogged Drain? Find Out What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives

Sooner or later, all homeowners will encounter a clogged drain. Depending on the cause of the clog and where it's located, you may experience anything from an annoying slow drain to a serious overflow and even flooding. Some clogs you'll be able to fix yourself; others will require professional attention. Here are some tips for either case.

Minor Drain Clog

Most minor drain clogs are caused by congealed food, soap and hair. More than likely you can fix a minor drain clog with some do-it-yourself remedies. Here are some of the most effective:

• Pour a half cup of baking soda in the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Cap it off and let it foam for 10 minutes. Follow up by pouring boiling water down the drain.

• Sometimes, simply pouring a pan of boiling water down the drain will loosen the clog. You may have to pour several pans to effectively loosen and move the clog.

• Use a drain snake or hanger to reach into the pipe. Try to loosen or snag the clog.

• Remove the P-trap underneath the sink. Clean it out and replace the trap, making sure that water flows freely through it.

Major Clogged Drain

You'll know when you have a major drain clog. The water won't drain from the sink, tub or appliance (dishwasher or washing machine) or else it may overflow, resulting in flooding. If the clog is in the sewer line, and is a result of grease, tree roots or collapsed pipes, you will need a plumber. If water is overflowing somewhere in your home, find the valve to the sink or appliance and turn it off. It's a good idea to also turn off the water at the main valve, probably located in the yard, near the street. Do not turn the faucets on until the plumber arrives.

For more information on clearing a clogged drain, contact Air Assurance. We provide quality service to residents of the Broken Arrow area.

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How to Lower Your Water Bill with Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

Ready to lower your water bill? If you switch to water-efficient plumbing, it’s not as impossible as it sounds, regardless of how many people are in your family or how many showers they take daily. It is possible to save money on your water bill by following these tips about installing water-efficient plumbing.

Tip #1: Switch to WaterSense

WaterSense is a partnership program of The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to decrease water usage in the U.S. by promoting water efficiency. All brands of plumbing fixtures are eligible to qualify for this label but they must meet certain standards. Any time you see the WaterSense label on products you can be sure that the product:

• Performs as well or better than current models

• Is 20 percent more efficient

• Saves water

Tip #2: Use Water-Efficient Toilets

What uses the most water in your home? Your toilet. You can save almost 13,000 gallons of water by installing a new toilet that has the WaterSense label. If every home in the U.S. used these water-efficient toilets, water usage in the U.S. would decrease greatly.

Tip #3: Use Water-Efficient Bathroom Faucets

In 1992, bathroom faucets used three to seven gallons per minute (gpm). Now, new WaterSense faucets use an average of 2.2 gpm. Combine that average amount with an estimated 17 million bathroom faucets sold, and that’s a lot of water being saved. This is not only good for your budget, but good for the environment too.

Tip #4: Use Water-Efficient Showerheads

You want to save on your water bill, but nobody wants to take a shower with just a trickle of water. That won't happen with water-efficient showerheads. You're guaranteed to have an equal or better shower experience with a WaterSense labeled product. So, you can save gallons of water each year and still have a great shower.

Get Started Lowering Your Water Bill

If you would like to get started lowering your water bill, call Air Assurance. We’ll show you the best water efficient plumbing products that can save you the most money.

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