Natural Disasters & Plumbing

There are a few things to consider in preparing for natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, freezing temperatures, etc.

~Where is the gas shut-off?

The first thing to do after a natural disaster is to SHUT OFF THE GAS! This is something you and all members of the residence need to learn how to do before it's too late. Disasters, such as earthquakes, can cause gas lines to break and leak. This poses a fire threat if it isn't shut off quickly. Contact a local professional to check your system before turning it back on.

To shut off the gas: Turn the valve clockwise until the holes line up.

~Where is the water main shut-off?

If you are facing a water emergency (i.e. leaking pipes, frozen water lines, water heater failure, etc.) You'll need to know where and how to shut off the water main. Most homes have a shut-off inside of the home but some older homes only have a water meter, near the street, to shut off the water supply. Make sure you and your family know how to turn off the water supply in any emergency. This will help prevent a flooded home while you wait for the plumber to arrive.

Turn the valve clockwise to shut the water off.

~Is the water heater strapped properly?

Code requires a water heater to be strapped with approved straps on the top and bottom thirds of the water heater. This is to help prevent the water heater from tipping or breaking away during an earthquake which could cause the water and gas lines to break leading to extensive property damage or loss of life.

PREVENTION IS KEY!

It is easy to feel like there isn't money to take certain precautions but it is certainly cheaper to prevent damage than it is to repair it. Take some time and spend a little money to be prepared. It'll give you peace of mind and it may pay off someday.

For more information and helpful plumbing tips visit our website

www.SpeirsPlumbing.com

Kitchen Sink Mistakes

Most homes have plastic drainage systems and most people don't realize the damage they can do to those pipes. Kitchen drains are especially vulnerable to wearing out because of what we put down them. When you dump hot water down your kitchen sink it causes the drain pipe to expand. When it cools down it contracts. The more this is done it causes the drainage pipe to wear out and start leaking.

Since the kitchen is the most common area for this type of damage, keep in mind what you are putting down the sink. If you are draining boiling water then turn on the faucet to cold and let the water run down the drain at the same time. If you are putting food down the disposal then be sure to run plenty of water down behind it. This will also help your drains to stay clog-free and keep all components working properly.

If you find that you are having issues with your plumbing,

give us a call at 801-546-0522.

We'll come right out and fix it right.

Visit our website at

www.SpeirsPlumbing.com

Freeze Protection

Before the cold winter months it is important to do preventive maintenance to keep your plumbing working properly and also to avoid costly repairs.

Remove all attached hoses from any hose bibs on your home. Your hose bib is probably freezeless but it can, and probably will, freeze if a hose is left attached during freezing temperatures. You most likely will not find out that it froze until you go to use it in the Spring.

Many homes are built with water lines in the outside walls of the home. Those water lines are the most susceptible to freezing, especially if they don't have adequate insulation. Add extra insulation in these areas. It will probably be cheaper to open up a wall or cabinet to add insulation than it would be to pay professionals to clean up and repair a flood in your home. It is also a good idea to leave a faucet dripping slowly, keeping the water flowing to help

prevent a freeze in the water lines.

Taking a few small preventive steps can really save you a lot of money in future repairs.

For more information and tips please visit our website.

www.SpeirsPlumbing.com

Expansion Tank

What's an expansion tank? Why do I need one? How can I tell if it needs to be replaced?
These are just a few of the questions you might have about expansion tanks. They serve a great purpose. They are installed at your water heater location to allow for expansion of the heated water. Most homes have a dual check valve at the meter shut-off that will not allow water to re-enter the city's water supply once it has passed by your water meter. So if there is a pressure spike or thermal expansion, the expansion tank is able to absorb the expansion. If not, the Temperature and Pressure relief valve (T&P) located on the water heater will open up and relieve the excess pressure.
If the expansion tank is leaking, it needs to be replaced. It should be replaced by a professional plumber to ensure that it is pumped up to the proper pressure. Otherwise, it will not be able to perform properly. Be sure to inspect it periodically. Check for rust and leaks. If it is full of water, it needs to be replaced. Knock on the tank and if it sounds hollow, it is still functional.

Visit our website

www.SpeirsPlumbing.com