Arizona’s notorious summer heat will have everyone in search of shade and water, but there are some things homeowners might not think of when it comes to drinking and preserving water in their own home.

1. Drinking water.

Is your tap water ready to drink?

• The number one summer rule is to have a glass of water nearby at all times. What homeowners may not know is they should be checking and changing water filters to make sure that water is clean on a regular basis. Make sure to check not only your kitchen sink water filter, but also the refrigerator water and ice filters. The most common water systems are reverse osmosis systems, but there are others.
• Along with water filters make sure to check and test the house water treatment systems. Test the water to be sure the hardness or chlorine levels are still correct, even though the system is on, does not mean it is getting your water to the levels you want.

2. Checking for leaks saves you money.

• Homeowners can save money by doing easy appliance checks for leaks.

• Checking Toilet Flappers, the moving part of the flush valve, can be an easy measure to prevent wasting water. Flappers deteriorate over time and should be checked every year. Make sure the flap fits tightly over the flush tube. If it’s not properly secured over 200 gallons of water a day can be wasted and hundreds of dollars a year. If the flap isn’t sealing water into the tanks and allowing water to exit the tank when you flush, call 602-485-1111 for quick service.

• Check Yard Hoses.
  

  Check the Waterhose!

  Hosepipes should be tight, not dripping, if there is dripping, you’re losing money. The dripping water can also attract bugs you don’t want around the home.

3. Avoid Corrosion, the process metal, stone, steal etc. being damaged.

• Check the washing machine connections;
  

  Check your Washing Machine!

  be sure they are not leaking or corroded; otherwise they could burst with no notice.

• Take out the refrigerator and review the ice maker line connection,
  

  Ice Machine Line Connector

  be sure no small dripping is going on. Dripping could cause corrosion at the connection; this is a sign of possible future water damage.

4. Take the money saved from these easy fixes and install a low-flow shower head. By installing a low-flow shower head, homeowners can cut their water use by more than 30 percent.  Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual  Plumber has plenty of shower service options.

5. Although many basic fixes can happen inside the home, don’t forget about the outside. Now is also a good time to check sprinkler systems, including the back-flow device, this will make sure unsafe water is not coming back into your home, to be sure all your water in your home is safe to use. Many times sprinklers are on when no one is watching and drip systems can waste a lot of water when not spraying in the right place or leaking badly while turned on, take time now to watch them and be sure your not wasting money or water.

All Phoenix area Benjamin Franklin Plumbers have been professional trained and certified on water treatment and drinking water needs and systems. We only offer the best options for your water treatment needs, not everyone has the same water or the same need. Mention this blog for a free evaluation of your water treatment and drinking water at your home, this $69.00 value that will expire May 28, 2011 don’t wait contact us today by our real time online booking service or call us at 602-485-1111 24/7.

World Plumbing day is March 11th. As a longtime Phoenix Plumber, this day is very important to us and we want to share it with you!  Plumbers are known to install and repair plumbing systems or find things lost in drains like the earring we saved yesterday for a homeowner.

Plumber Saved Earring From Going Down The Drain

What is World Plumbing Day all about?  I may be crazy, I know, but this is really important for all of us, let me share with you why.  It’s a day we remember why plumbers are so important to our health and safety.  Did you know without plumbers or plumbing systems our health would be much different today?  Countries that don’t practice basic plumbing principles have many more illnesses and deaths then we do here in America. For more information review www.worldplumbingday.org 

Here are top 5 tips to help your plumbing work better.

1)      Have an annual water heater checkup, just because it feels hot, does not mean it is safe or working properly. Water heater’s not heating at the right temperature can cause Legionnaires’ disease bacteria. (As was the case at the Playboy Mansion causing hundreds to become ill) 

2)      Test your tap water annually, showering in high chlorine count can cause serious problems with your health.  It’s important to remember your skin is your largest organ and needs to be protected. 

Chlorine Water Test

3)  If you notice water at the base of the toilet, be aware- it may be leaking. If it is leaking under the toilet, it will rot your floor causing your home damage and costing you money. Sewage, even clear water, can be very dangerous when not disposed of properly.

 4)  Know where your home’s main shut off is and how to use it. Make sure a quick closing valve is installed, it can help you and your family in a panic. 

5)  Everyone likes a powerful shower, but too much pressure will wear on your fixtures and plumbing system. It is like our body’s blood pressure, but for your home. Test your water pressure, 60 psi to 80 psi is the recommended pressure, anything more will cost you stress and money!

***We are donating $10.00 from every appointment booked on March 11, 2011 to Wounded Warriors Project.

Want to win $100.00 Cash? Have we serviced you before? Vote for your favorite Benjamin Franklin Plumber before March 31st and be entered into a drawing for $100 cash. Vote through the contact us area on our website, let us know your vote on our Facebook page or feel free to call us with it.

We honor all plumbers worldwide that have dedicated their lives to making our health better, Thank you!!

Plumbing is often overlooked in preparing your home before heading out on vacation.  Plumbing should be a priority, just as you prepare your ac unit or your pool before leaving. 

Don CeSar Beach Resort, St. Petes Beach, FL

I’m sure you know someone who has shared a painful water leak disaster story occuring while they were away. Having a mess on your hands and missing work is no fun. We want to help you avoid an unhappy ending to a great vacation and coming home to water damage or mold surprises. 

Most insurance companies will tell you that their number one homeowner’s claim is water damage and the top 3 items that cause these claims are:

• Washing Machine Valves or hose failure
• Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System that gets older and the lines break
• Sink or toilet valves breaking off and leaking

All of these plumbing problems can incur a high amount of damage when no one catches the leak quickly.  Don’t become part of these statistics.

Here are a few helpful plumbing tips for your home located in Gilbert, Scottsdale, Glendale, or any other town in the Phoenix metro area. 

Top 10 Plumbing Tips Before You Leave on Vacation: 

1. Turn off your plumbing main shut off  valve to your plumbing system.  There will still be water in the water system, but no more will enter into the system while your gone.  Please be sure the plumbing main shut off valve is working properly. Only turn it off  if nothing needs water around the home while your gone. Don’t forget your pool fill or any pumps you may have that need water while your away.
2. If you can’t turn off your main plumbing shut off valve. You can shut off individual valves under your sinks, behind your toilets, at the Reverse Osmosis unit, behind the refrigerator and behind the washing machine.  But only turn off the valves that are in good working order. 
3. If you turned off your plumbing main shut off valve, this is still a good time to look at all your shut off valves and supply lines under your sinks and toilets to be sure none are wet or leaking before leaving.
4. If you have plumbing behind your refrigerator, pull the refrigerator out and check to be sure nothing is wet or corroded.
5. Look all around your water heater and water softener, to be sure  you see no wetness or water leaking. These also have their own shut off valves, that can be turned off to lessen the chance of water damage.  
6. If the water heater is in good condition, turn the thermostat to vacation on a gas water heater. On an electric water heater turn the  breaker off at your main electrical breaker box, to avoid wasting energy for heating water while your gone.
7. Add water to all drains, and BioBen, if you have it, before leaving to keep them wet and avoid odors when you return.
8. Walk around the outside of the home, make sure nothing is leaking before you leave the house.
9. If you have a drinking water system, make sure your drinking water system is newer, as older lines on these units  crack and break and are often the culprit causing water damage in many homes. Some of these systems can be turned off indivdually at the valve under the sink to lessen the possibility water damage. 
10. Have someone come in and walk around the home to check that nothing has broken or continues to run while your gone.

During the visual review of your plumbing system before you leave, none of your plumbing system should be corroded or wet, some plumbing parts will appear ok until you touch or shut them off.  All  parts of your plumbing system should be in good working order, able to be turned on and off without breaking, and problem parts should be replaced.

Older plumbing system can fail anytime.  But when you’re gone for consecutive days and something does break it will cause far more damage than when you’re home, able to spot and stop the break quickly. 

When you return home, remember what areas of your plumbing system you turned off and turn them all back on.  Please know that once water is turned back on you will get some bursts of air… that is normal.  Don’t get too scared from the blasts. It startles me every time even though I know it is coming. Leave the water run until the air blasts stop. 

We want you to enjoy your vacation and come home with great memories to share with your family and friends (not the story of how you found water damage and broken plumbing upon your return). 

If you feel uncomfortable reviewing your plumbing system, mention this blog, and we’ll provide you a free home inspection.  To help prevent broken plumbing and water damage while your away,  just call us at 602-485 -1111. And if you need a good plumber you can count on while you’re away please keep our number handy, we are here 24/7 to help in any plumbing emergency. 

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