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Archive for the ‘Plumbing Tips’ Category

Tips to Save Water in Your Shower from Your Lewisville TX Plumber

February 2nd, 2012 Comments off

With so much emphasis on saving money in today’s economy and “going green,” your shower can be the first place in your home to start saving water. The average person in America uses 80-100 gallons of water daily, meaning the average American family uses around 300 gallons of water every day. The biggest water usage comes from flushing the toilet, with the second highest coming from baths and showers. Your Lewisville TX plumber, C&W Plumbing , can offer you solutions to saving water and money today.

The most obvious step to conserving water in your shower is to install a low-flow shower head. By cutting back on your showerhead’s GPM (gallons per minute), your home can decrease its daily water intake while still allowing you to enjoy a shower. Cutting the flow down to somewhere 1-3 GPM can save you 2-4 gallons per minute when you’re in the shower, saving you money off your home’s water bill. Many low-flow shower heads now come with adjustable pressure restrictors, allowing you to adjust the water flow based on personal preferences. So if you like a stronger shower than your spouse, you two can still both get the most out of your shower.

Other simple solutions to saving water would be to limit your shower time. The average American spends 10 minutes in the shower, wasting water in the process. Installing a shower time can make you better aware of your shower duration, cutting down the length to a more reasonable time. Simply set your desired time, and an alarm will sound when you have reached your desired length.

Now more than ever, saving water and money is essential for your home. With these simple water-saving tips, you can do just that. For more information about low-flow showerheads and shower timers, contact our local Lewisville plumbing experts. C&W Plumbing can assist you with all your plumbing needs today. Just give us a call at 972-395-2597 or contact us online.

Is It Time for Hydrojetting?

July 13th, 2011 Comments off

Lewisville TX plumbing companyAs any homeowner knows, clogged drains can be one of the most inconvenient common problems in your kitchen or bathroom. For those drain cleaning dilemmas that simple snaking cannot solve, however, what is a homeowner to do? Luckily, our trained Lewisville TX plumbing technicians at C&W Plumbing offer a service called hydrojetting, essential when other methods have failed.

What hydrojetting does is clean your sewer pipe through powerful blasts of high-pressure water. The most powerful of our drain cleaning services,  these strong streams of water can help clear up any debris or material buildup that may be present in your pipes. With a hose and special high-strength nozzle, the water can take care of the large excess buildup of grease, grime, and mineral deposits that other methods have failed to clear. Even the most stubborn sediment buildup is no match for our hydrojetting service.

Before beginning hydrojetting, our team of trained Lewisville TX plumbers can offer you a camera inspection of your drain lining to determine the exact cause of your problem. We can determine the location, as well as the extent of the problem, deciding if hydrojetting is needed or if there are other viable options. We will develop a game plan for your clogging problems, executing it in a timely and cost-effective manner.

If you are experiencing a clogged drain or think your sewer lines are in need of a scouring, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 972-395-2597 or contact us online today to schedule an appointment.

 

The Top Causes of Backed-Up Bathtubs

June 28th, 2011 Comments off

Bathtub DrainThe clogging of bathtub drains is something almost every homeowner will have to deal with. Unlike many household problems, however, the root of this draining difficulty is not from a one-time occurrence, but the gradual buildup of excess material over time.  Although the experts at C&W Plumbing of Lewisville are always here to assist you with any drain cleaning needs, as a homeowner, it is important to understand what may have caused the problem in the first place.

Clogged bathtubs are most often caused by one of three things. The best bet as to the culprit would be hair, as when you wash your hair and shed some dead pieces, the hair has nowhere to go but down the drain. It can become stuck to the sides of the piping, building up over time and attaching on to other excess material, preventing proper drainage.

Another common cause would be soap scum, which, like hair, builds up in your drain over time. For those unaware, soap scum is what can cause solid white stains on your otherwise clean shower walls, and results when soap is combined with hard water.

Hard water itself is the last likely reason for a backed-up bathtub.  Hard water contains high mineral content, which, although not noticeable to the naked eye, can prove costly when it comes to the life of your drain. A simple solution to alleviate this issue is to install a water softener, which can combat the high levels of calcium and magnesium in your water supply. Our trained Lewisville plumbing technicians can install this device for you.

With this knowledge, a backed-up bathtub should be one less household hazard you have to worry about. If experiencing a clogged drain, as always, please call or contact us online to schedule a service.

 

The Benefits of Choosing a Tankless Water Heater

June 14th, 2011 Comments off

tankless water heaterWith the start of summer, people are looking to do two things; save money and become more environmentally “green”.

Letting C&W Plumbing of Lewisville install a tankless water heater can take care of both of these. Gaining more and more popularity with residential clients, tankless water heaters are becoming the people’s choice for water heater service, compared to the traditional, conventional water heater.

Tankless water heaters are a smaller, more efficient version of the conventional water heater. Tankless heaters are about the size of a small garment bag, compared to the large, clunky conventional heaters. They come in either gas or electric models and can have life spans of more than 20 years. Some conventional water heaters only reach about 10 years.

The biggest advantage of tankless water heaters is their ability to provide hot water instantly. Gone are the days of cold showers, especially when you step in after a long line of other family members. Tankless heaters basically heat water as it passes through the device, and they go into standby mode when water is shut off.

Tankless water heaters are more expensive to purchase than conventional water heaters, but the long-term savings are definitely worth the investment. Our Lewisville, Texas plumbing experts can assist you with your choice of  tankless heater installation or answer further questions about the differences between tankless and conventional heaters.

For all your water heater needs contact C&W Plumbing in Lewisville

972-395-2597

How Fun in the Sun Can Affect Your Plumbing

June 2nd, 2011 Comments off

When summertime hits and Lewisville residents are ready to get outdoors and have a good time, the last thing on their mind is their plumbing system. However, it’s important to note that the pleasantries of heat and sunshine that are so compatible with fun in the sun can also cause destruction and devastation to plumbing fixtures. Taking a few precautions can help you avoid costly repairs from your local Lewisville plumbing company.

When you spend a lot of time outdoors, your clothes are bound to get dirty, especially children who play in the dirt or on playgrounds with dust and dirt and mud. This can lead to excess material in your washing machine hose, including additional lint and large amounts of dirt clogging the hose. By moving the washing machine away from the wall a few inches, you can remove kinks that cause additional blockage, which can lead to bulging, cracks and leaks. Make sure to clean out your machine to keep your washer running.

During a cookout, it is best to have garbage cans for leftovers so you can be more careful what you put down the garbage disposal. Residential garbage disposers are not typically equipped for hefty loads such as cornhusks or other fibrous and stringy foods. You may also want to avoid throwing a great deal of fat that can lead to large clogs in the pipes down your drain. A number of “just-add-water” foods, such as stuffing or mashed potatoes, will also create instant clogs.

Something else to watch for so you don’t end up with a disaster during your party is sewer drain backup. Due to excess rainwater that can seep through cracks in the sewer line, as well as new growth of tree roots that can invade your sewer system at any time, spring and summer are the most common times for a sewer problem. Since you don’t want the mess, smell, or hassle – especially during the neighborhood barbecue – have your Lewisville plumbing technicians inspect your sewer lines prior to risking a backup.

Taking a few simple precautions when it comes to proper plumbing can help you pull off your summer fling without a hitch. And if you find any plumbing repairs that need to be addressed, call our local Lewisville plumbers for fast, efficient plumbing service.

 

Go Green for Clogged Drains

May 24th, 2011 Comments off

There are many methods to cleaning clogged drains. The most popular methods are a plunger and a harsh chemical gel or liquid cleaner. If you want to go green and keep the more toxic chemicals out of your home and pipes, then there are a few things to understand.

Green drain cleaners or “enzymatic” drain cleaners feed on the organic waste in the drain through enzymes. They then digest and reproduce creating “good” bacteria that continues to spread all without the use of harsh or dangerous chemical. Undoubtedly, this is better for your pipes and the rest of your home, yard and family.

If you don’t want to purchase a green drain cleaner, there are plenty of home remedy mixtures for unclogging your drain. Try pouring boiling hot water down the drain. Heat can be a great tool to loosen clumped or crusted waste. Mixtures of baking soda, vinegar, and salt flushed with hot water after sitting for 30 minutes to an hour can also help unclog most drains without the use of harsh or toxic chemicals.

The best way to keep your drain clean is through preventative plumbing maintenance. Clean your sink strainers and stoppers. Don’t pour just anything down your sink or shower drain. Avoid pouring grease and large chunks of food down your drain or disposal. Buy screen covers for your shower drain to avoid hair buildup.

When in doubt, always call the professionals at your local Lewisville TX plumbing serviceC&W Plumbing is here for all your residential plumbing repair and maintenance. Give us a call or go online to schedule an appointment now.

Using a Hot Water Recirculation System

April 4th, 2011 Comments off

Hot Water Recirculation SystemDo you live in a home that has hot water, but it takes seconds – and sometimes minutes – for the water to get hot? If so, you are not alone. This problem affects large numbers of households each year.

One way to avoid this problem is to purchase and install a hot water recirculation system. These devices deliver instant hot water to faucets without having to wait on the water to heat.

These systems can be operated by either the push of a button or using a timer, motion sensor or thermometer. Our experienced plumbers at C&W Plumbing offer Grundfos hot water recirculation pumps. Find out more information about hot water recirculation system installation and maintenance on our plumbing tips section.

With hot water recirculation systems, you always will have hot water available at any time of day. Our Plano TX plumbers, our Frisco TX plumbers and our Flower Mound TX plumbers specialize in hot water recirculation system installation and maintenance. Give our Flower Mound TX instant hot water specialists a call today, or visit us online for more information.

Avoid Accidents in the Bathroom

March 23rd, 2011 Comments off

Bathroom Grab BarAccidents in the bathroom, whether it is slipping in the bathtub or hitting your head on a countertop, are no laughing matter. According to the National Safety Council, roughly 200,000 people are injured each year in the bathroom.

Installing bathroom fixtures such as grab bars or slip-resistant flooring can aid in preventing these unwanted accidents. Our Lewisville TX plumbers have provided three other tips that may save you from serious injury in the bathroom.

View these tips in our Plumbing Tips section. Our plumbers are concerned with each customer, and we are willing to do all we can from a plumbing aspect to assure your safety. We ask that you stay safe and to be careful in the bathroom.

Give our Lewisville plumbing company a call, or contact us online today for additional safety suggestions.

Support World Plumbing Day

March 9th, 2011 Comments off

World Plumbing DayFriday is a big day for plumbers all over the world, as it officially marked the second annual World Plumbing Day. This day serves as one to educate residential and commercial property owners about the important role that plumbers and the plumbing industry have in not only health and safety but also protecting the global environment.

The World Plumbing Council established World Plumbing Day last year. This year’s World Plumbing Day theme is “Plumbing vital to global health.” According to Robert D. Burgon, chairman of the World Plumbing Council, the day was founded because too many individuals tend to take for granted the importance of good plumbing and even better plumbers in everyday situations.

Check out our Plumbing Tips section for more details on World Plumbing Day or for other tips on residential or commercial plumbing. Contact our Lewisville TX plumbing company today, or visit us online for additional information.

Choosing a Shower Valve

February 24th, 2011 Comments off

Shower ValveInstalling a new shower valve shouldn’t be something taken lightly. Learning about the different types of shower valves available should be a high priority, and in making your final decision, you will make your shower much more productive for the future.

Your shower valve is supposed to have a very long life expectancy, so it is very important to choose which shower valve is right for you. They can come as thermostatic valves or manual valves. Make sure you do your own research on shower valves and which one could be best for you.

Check out our Plumbing Tips section for additional information on shower valve installation and maintenance. For additional information, contact our Lewisville TX plumbing company, or visit us online.