Dual Sewer Pumps In Pit

You may have a pump installed in your basement to remove rainwater or you may have a pump that removes sewage. The difference between these two pumps is one is designed to remove clear water and the other is designed to remove effluents or waste water with solids in it.

If your basement has a sewer ejector pump it is important to keep a good eye on it because when it fails it will cause sewer backups and it can and will cause water damage too.

Clear water pumps or sump pumps will fail as well and usually will be located in a crawl space area that is isolated from a living space when they fail however you may experience some moisture problems and water accumulation when a sump pump fails.

One important thing to remember about sump pumps and sewer ejector pumps is the installation methods involved are different and you can cause a big problem if you install the wrong pump for the wrong application.

A sewer ejector pump must have a check valve installed with a swing arm to allow solids through it and a clear water pump needs a spring type check valve. There is a huge difference between these two valves and if you install a spring type valve on a sewer pump you are going to not only ruin your pump but you will also cause the sewer pit to be backed up with solid waste causing you bigger problems on top of your burned out pump motor.

We see a lot of different pump installations here in Atlanta and many are installed improperly not only with the wrong type of check valves but also with the wrong types of pumps for the application.

Always clarify the type of application you need your pump for and never purchase your pump from a big box store unless you plan on replacing it again in the near future.

Pumps are always sized according to the manufacturers specifications and are always application dependent on sizing.

if you have a septic lift station or a sewer lift station depending on the type you have you (clear water or solids) may have a duplex pumping system or two pumps installed with a controller box and a serious of float switches and relays to control the pumps alternating usage to increase the life of your pumps.

Duplex septic pump systems and sewer lift station systems do need maintenance and eventually you will find yourself dealing with this issue if you have one.

Be aware that sometimes you may have a home that has been converted to city sewer and still utilized clear water pumps from an existing septic system that had two tanks installed (one for solids and one for clear water). If you are purchasing a home that has been converted to septic this will fail and it will be a mess when it does and cost you a lot of money if they did not change the check valves or if they only had clear water pumps. This happens a lot. They basically use the same two inch outlet that went to the old field lines and send it to the tap

Where do I start troubleshooting a gas water heater ?

Water heaters are something we all depend when they start causing problems we often frantically start looking for who can help locate the problem or replace the water heater if need be. Most water heater problems are caused from too much pressure in the system or lack of maintenance over time. You can identify your water heater problems by following the simple check list below to find out what is causing your water heater problems.

1. Check the thermocoupling

Thermocoupling- Works in conjunction with the gas valve generating a small current without this current present the gas valve will not stay activated

2. Check the piezo igniter

Piezo Igniter- A quartz crystal contained in a button that produces a spark when the button is depressed lighting the gas

3. Check the energy cut off (ECO)

Energy Cut Off- A device that is used to regulate the pressure and heat inside your water heater if the pressure or heat exceeds the manufacturers rating the gas valve is cut off with a small switch inside the ECO.

4. Check the gas valve

Gas Valve-Regulates the flow the temperature and the pressure on your water heater

5. Check the thermal release device

Thermal Release Device- A small glass bubble or vial that is designed to cut off the fresh air entering the combustion chamber as during an extreme overheat situation

Why so many parts on a gas water heater ?

Safety of course! Every water heater has many different fail safes in place to ensure that an explosion or fire do not occur. All of these devices work in conjunction with the gas valve and are controlled with a small amount of electrical energy to make sure they all perform their job without them you could easily burn your house down or even worse burn yourself or your family.

Are electrical water heaters safer than gas water heaters ?

Electrical water heaters and gas water heaters are both safe provided the safety devices are functioning properly and have not been bypassed or removed in order to make the heater function.

Diagnosing A Broken Toilet Flange

The toilets in your house get used many times throughout the day and evening. With time they can easily become dislodged from the flange. The majority of these flange failures is caused by improper toilet installation in the first place. The flange that your toilet sets on can easily become cracked or broken. We are going to show you how to diagnose a broken flange and repair or replace it for a long term fix to this common plumbing problem.

The first thing you need to determine when performing any flange repair is if your flange is the proper height and that it is secured securely to the sub floor.

Proper height of the flange is sitting directly on top of your finished flooring.

Sometimes they are lower because of a flooring upgrade or from the initial installation

If they are lower and secured properly you can use several methods to raise the flange.

One is the Stacker Method. This works well if you do it properly

If your flange is broken really bad and sets down low you may be better of just cutting it out with an inside pipe cutter and installing a new flange flush with your finished flooring. An inside pipe cutter is fairly inexpensive and is attached to a corded or cordless drill to remove the old flange. Sometimes you may be able to beat out the ring on on a broken flange and clean the pipe really good so you can glue in a new one. If it is too low you are better of just cutting it out and adding a coupling to raise it up to the finished flooring. It is critical that you get a good connection on this fitting and you must secure the flange really good to the flooring. We like to use stainless screws and washers to get a really secure fit.

Do not make the mistake of using small headed screws or drywall screws it will not last. Use long screws and make sure they grab something. If your on a slab use anchors and washers and screws. We also like to use brass tank bolts with washers underneath the flange to prevent the heads from pulling through the flange ring itself. This is very effective and makes for a really strong toilet to flange connection.

After you have repaired your flange and added your flange bolts with washers underneath the flange to keep them from pulling out add your wax ring and secure the toilet making sure it is level. We use nylon shims or stainless washers to achieve this and always use 100% pure clear silicone pulled tightly around the base to finish it off. If you follow these simple steps you will have a long lasting toilet to flange connection that can handle heavy traffic and it will look nice too!

1. Know your incoming pressure.

Every single plumbing component in a home is depending on proper incoming pressure and if you keep a good eye on it you will save tons of money in the long run. Pressure should be no more than 80 PSI.

2. Drain your water heater frequently

A standard 6yr water heater will last a long time if it is properly maintained and draining it every few months is always a good idea. Just leave the water on and hook a garden hose up to the drain on the bottom of the heater and open the valve to remove build up. It’s very easy and highly effective.

3. Pay attention to your toilets

Toilets are only going to last so long and when they start making noises they were not making before, you obviously have a pressure problem and you had better address it quickly or you will be dealing with bigger problems.

4. Learn about thermal expansion

Thermal expansion can and does cause many problems in your plumbing system and understanding thermal expansion will show you how important it is to maintain a functional thermal expansion device in your system. You can learn more about thermal expansion by typing it in the search bar at the top right of this page.

Millions of dollars are spent every year repairing damage caused by plumbing leaks and a large portion of that would never even happen if the appropriate steps where taken to maintain the system. Your plumbing is comprised of more than just toilets and showers and faucets, as a matter of fact it consists of many different components that must all work together to not only last a long time but work properly too.

Everything in your plumbing system is dependent on pressure. Proper regulation of incoming street pressure is crucial for longevity and functionality of the inner parts that make up your water heater and your toilet valves and your faucets and shower valves. A good pressure reducing valve and a properly inflated expansion tank are the foundation for a long lasting system that will not surprise you when you are out of town or in the middle of the night while you are sleeping.

Signs and symptoms that can alert you something is wrong is when you start hearing noises in your toilet valves or when your shower starts to leak when you have the tap off.
Some plumbing problems happen unexpectedly and cannot be avoided and you need systems in place to protect yourself from spikes in pressure or failed tank type water heaters. We have these systems and install them on a regular basis. A water heater is only rated for 150 psi and if your incoming pressure is above over 100 psi and you have it turned up really high you may be asking for trouble.

Never turn your water heater up to compensate for loss of hot water in your system. Water heaters are actually designed to operate at 140 degrees but without a thermostatic mixing valve you cannot keep that temperature stable and your dial on your water heater is not a good indicator of what your actual temperature is because of manufacturing variances in these dial controls. Call us to properly set your pressure reducing valve and thermal expansion tank.

For long term water heater maintenance your best option is to make sure that you have a good anode rod in your water heater and the burner assembly stays clean as well as periodic draining of the tank to reduce buildup in the base of the tank. It’s also a good idea to make sure your dip tube is intact. A failed dip tube may lead you to believe you have to turn your heater up and if your pressure reducing valve is bad it may cause your tank to burst. We sell and install dip tubes that double as anode rods ensuring a longer tank life and extending your water heaters warranty.

A good sign of a failed plastic or glass dip tube is intermittent hot water and also loss of pressure in one of your faucets along with the coming and going of hot water. Dip tubes sometimes break off and get caught up in your supply stops. If a water heater is old just replace it if you haven’t done any maintenance on it because it may not be worth the money you will have to spend to repair something that will not last that much longer anyway.

Another common leak problem other than failed water heaters is PEX supply tubes with copper ferrules instead of the plastic ferrules that come with them. Over time the copper breaks through the PEX and can cause a whole lot of damage real quickly regardless of pressure it just happens. Ice maker lines that are plastic for some reason attract rodents and they will eat right through them to get to water so try to avoid these lines if at all possible if you have a rodent problem in your home.

Old toilets that have calcified can cause sewer backups that can easily be avoided by purchasing a new toilet instead of rebuilding an old six gallon tank. if you live in the Atlanta area and you have an emergency plumbing problem our plumbers can handle your problem with lighting speed and we always answer the phone no matter what and no matter when. If you get our voice mail we are either on the other line or trying to call you back.

For the fastest response to your plumbing emergency in the Atlanta area and an abundance of helpful tips to keep your plumbing working properly contact us and see why we are your best choice for all of your residential and commercial plumbing needs in the Atlanta area.

We have the experience and the know how to solve your most difficult plumbing problems and the tools to get it done fast. Call Davis Plumbing today to see what old fashioned customer service you have been missing with best guarantee on parts and labor in the Atlanta area.

Thermal Expansion

The IPC (International Plumbing Code) requires a means to control thermal expansion. In section 607.3. It states that and for good reason.Now it’s very important to understand why that is and how to go about regulating it.

If hot water was not a requirement in a building then of course thermal expansion would not be a problem, however it is and you must address it and here is why. Water cannot be compressed and as it is heated it expands and must find a way out of a closed loop system. If you can imagine a tea kettle starting to boil it’s the same principle.

What happens in your house is quite simple. While no fixtures are being used or “no flow”  periods depending on the amount of pressure on the system and the temperature of the water being heated, the heated water will expand a given amount thus increasing your entire system pressure despite having a PRV or (pressure reducing valve) in place.

This increase in pressure and expanding water is going to find a way out and it almost always causes toilet fill valves to fail and leaking or dripping shower valves or cartridges too. It can cause extremely high pressure in the water heater tank as well. If the tank exceeds 150 psi the installed t&p relief valve (temperature and pressure) is designed to open and release the excessive pressure and hot water to prevent your water heater from becoming a water laden projectile that could easily go through your roof.

The reason your toilet valves and shower cartridges fail first is because they are not designed to operate under high pressure and extreme hot water conditions. Water heater tanks can take higher temperatures and higher pressures, however they must not be subjected to more than 150psi and they must have a functioning t&p valve in place. You should periodically open the t&p to make sure it is functioning properly and not clogged or blocked with mineral build up or scaling causing it to stay open or just not even work at all because of corrosion.

You can easily control thermal expansion with either a thermal expansion tank or a thermal expansion device such as a governor 80 installed in a toilet. A t&p is not considered an approved way to control thermal expansion because of the mineral build up and scaling they incur.

You can learn more about thermal expansion and pressure problems in our other articles.

The wax ring serves as a way to maintain the integrity and solid seal between your toilet and the flange connection that your toilet sets on top of.  A trap is defined as-”A fitting or device that provides a liquid seal to prevent the emission of sewer gas without materially affecting the flow of sewage or waste-water through the trap” Your toilet has an integrated trap built into it.  If you look at your toilet from the side you can see the trap loop through the porcelain. It’s very important to understand this and how it works.

A toilet is bolted down through the flange connection and the wax ring is installed on top of the flange in between the “horn” of the toilet and the flange. A lot of plumbers do not silicone the base of the toilet to the flooring material and this causes your toilet to move around. The wax ring will last longer when the base is caulked in because it prevents movement at the flange connection and helps disperse the  weight from being only on the T or flange bolts. Make sure this is done if you or someone else does the installation and your wax ring will last longer and it is a code requirement as well.

If your house is on a slab and the toilet base has not been been siliconed you may not even realize your T bolts are loose because the weight of the toilet keeps it in the general area and when it is flushed and it will go down the drain . You may notice an odor every once a while or you may not even get an odor at all. This problem can go on for sometime before you even notice it until you have a backup in your main line. You will see water coming from the base of the toilet if your house becomes backed up and then you have another problem that needs to be addressed after your sewer line has been cleared of the blockage. This is going to be extra work and extra money out of your pocket.

If your house has a basement and your toilet is installed on a second floor the problem will be easier to notice because usually the smell will be frequent and you may have water spots in your basement or on the ceiling below in a living area may have water stains as well.  Always look for water stains. It’s a good sign of either a broken flange or a failed wax ring.

Another common mistake people make is changing floor height in the bathroom by adding tile or hardwoods and the flange gets set too low. A lot of people add extra wax rings instead of bringing the bottom of the flange to the top of the flooring and it will cause a problem down the road especially if the T bolts are not secured and the base of the toilet has not been siliconed down to the finished flooring.

On uneven flooring surfaces toilets must be shimmed to level and sealed properly or you will have the same problem. Grout may be added to help hide any imperfections on a tile floor and will adhere to the base of the toilet.

• Check to make sure all toilets are firmly secured with silicone to the floor
• Check to make sure all flange bolts are tight and not rusted
• Check for water stains on the ceiling below your toilets or your basement
• Check to make sure your toilet is shimmed properly on uneven flooring surfaces

If you follow these simple rules you will save money on your plumbing bill in the long run.

You have probably come home from work before and experienced no hot water because of too many activities the wife may have planned for the kids.  You had to wait until your old fashioned tank type water heater could heat up the cold water inside it so you could take your shower.  One way to avoid this irritating wait is to install a tried and true modern tank-less water heater.

I have heard countless horror stories about tank-less water heaters.  However, invariably these horror stories are the product of improper installations or attempting to get by with one tank-less heater when you really need two or more.   If you are going to use a tank-less water heater, go ahead and do it right.   Make sure you are buying the right size to handle your needs.

One huge mistake I have seen is improper installation of the venting on a tank-less. You cannot use regular gas vent on a condensing water heating unit. This will ruin the heat exchanger because of the acid that is produced from the venting thus causing many different problems.

Your best bet to end all of that frustration is going to be the installation of a new tank-less water heater by a trained professional.    Right now there are huge tax credits available and the manufacturers are giving out pretty good rebates as well. The upfront costs that are associated with the installation are easily offset with these current rebates, and the money you will save from not having to heat that incoming cold water in the old fashioned tank type water heaters makes a tank-less water heater a wise investment.

Tank-less water heaters are a good investment for a large family and they offer a good change of lifestyle that you will welcome with open arms. Your wife can use that garden tub she can’t fill up with the that old tank you have down there and you can take an endless shower.  If you ever worry about your tank water heater bursting while your away or you need some extra space in your basement or garage you will be doing yourself a favor as well. The footprint of a tank-less is extremely small compared to a conventional tank type water heater.

Because the technology has been present for over 40 yrs in Japan you know its rock solid and will last a long time. You should avoid a couple of brands out there though(I will not mention them) and stick to the best systems available on the market. Noritz makes the best on the market by far. Out of 100 units my company installed in five years we never had one call back on a Noritz tank-less water heater. They have the best customer service both for the homeowner and the plumber installing them than any other manufacturer on the market.

When you do have your plumber come out and install one, ask him to install a recirculating pump also because it will make the system operate more efficiently by getting hot water to every fixture faster and save you on your water bill too.

Tank-less water heating is the wave of the future in the United States for heating hot water and it is about time. Your family will enjoy the benefits of an endless flow of hot water.  You will no longer have to worry about that old tank type water heater bursting and flooding your home while you are at work or on vacation.

You are out of town and your neighbor calls you to tell you he cut your water off for you because water was pouring from your front door. Things start racing through your mind.

It happens all of the time and you had better be smart and perform the necessary preventive maintenance so it does not happen to you. The number one plumbing emergency is probably broken ice maker lines and they cause millions of dollars of damage to homes every year.

Excessive water pressure is usually  the underlying cause of that and it can easily be prevented by just keeping a watchful eye on that water heater,or toilet that is not working like it used to.

Common signs of pressure problems include toilets not shutting off or showers leaking after the valves are closed. A pressure reducing valve is a necessary component in a plumbing system and if not properly maintained it will lead to the plumbing emergency I described above.

Call your plumber to check your pressure if you see or hear these signs, and you will save thousands of dollars and many headaches in the long run by being a smart homeowner and doing the maintenance that is necessary to protect your family and your biggest investment,your house.

Believe it or not another common cause of ice maker line floods is rats looking for water. They love plastic ice maker lines and will chew through one in no time flat.

Saddle valves are also a problem when the rubber gasket starts to break down they will leak like a sieve. We prefer to hard pipe ice maker lines and use soft copper to connect to the ice maker or refrigerator. Yes, it may cost a little more but I certainly wouldn’t want it any other way.  I feel that peace of mind is important.

There are several different ways to protect yourself from a mishap related to your plumbing and a good plumber will show you the different products on the market available to do just that.

Anti-flood ice maker lines can be purchased that will shut off the water if the volume is more than is required to make ice. There are several devices on the market that have sensors that can be placed in common areas of the home prone to plumbing leaks that will shut your water off at the source immediately,reducing the amount of damage that can be caused by such an event.

Water heater failure causes many leaks as well,and with a pan in place underneath the heater that drains to the exterior of the house you can add better protection to your home. Most plumbing codes require a pan under water heaters on the second floor of a home,but many homeowners opt out for a cheap plumbing job by a handyman service or an inexperienced relative and pay the price later on.

Keep your plumbing in good working order from a professional plumbing contractor and your wallet will thank you for it in the long run.  You can take that to the bank.

Anybody who has small children running around the house always worries about them either getting burned by a stove or by hot water.Your water heater is the source of the heat and most people assume that turning down the water heater to a tepid temperature will solve that.

Your just adding another risk to your entirely family by doing that. Because of the risk of Legionnaires’ disease (LEE-juh-nares)  caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. This was named back in the 70′s when a group of people  went to a Philadelphia convention meeting for the  American Legion suffered  an outbreak from this bacteria, It’s a form of pneumonia. of course it has been around for who knows how long before then, modern medicine seems to be able to identify it better now though.

Your water heater is actually not even designed to operate below 140°. The main reason is this bacterial danger and the only sure fire way to control your water heaters temperature  is with the use of a thermostatic mixing valve. American water heater manufacturers are allowed a variance of plus or minus 15° on their control valves making it impossible to be used to regulate the water heaters temperature any way.

In Atlanta I have not seen one water heater in a residential house that has a thermostatic valve installed. Commercial buildings require one and residential dwellings should as well. Not only to prevent the bacteria ,but also to prevent the scalding hazard in your home too. You can purchase several retro fit devices for older homes to equip your dated three handle and single handle shower valves and  lavatory and kitchen faucets too. Any new valve you  purchase and have installed in your house will have anti scald built in,however this does not address the water heater bacteria issue. Watts and Honeywell produce reasonably priced thermostatic valves for residential applications at a reasonable price. Ask your plumber to check pricing you cannot purchase this at Home Depot or Lowes.

Because of the seriousness associated with this it is advisable for you to protect your family by having a plumbing service come out and add these components to your plumbing system. Modern plumbing design and the technological advances in tempering control devices provide no excuse for a responsible parent to ensure the health and welfare of their children by being aware of these things. Many people have fell ill from the Legionella and still do to this day from the negligence of slumlords and the ignorance of the average person not to mention the thousands of small children that are burned everyday.

If you live in Atlanta you have no excuse because some of the best trained and experienced service plumbers are right under your nose. So take advantage of the resources you have available and get it fixed before somebody gets sick or burned.