Category: Uncategorized

When the wind starts howling and the frost starts appearing on the trees, it's time to winterize your home. The good news is that it's easier than you think! Here are just five ways to prepare your home for everything from snow to sub-zero temperatures.

1. Perform Draft Tests

First things first: Where are your drafts coming from? The source of the problem could be as small as a crack in your window frame or a weather strip that's eroded away from the floor over the years. Go around your home with a bottle of caulk to plug up the leaks and stop exterior winds from bringing down the entire temperature of your home.

2. Insulate

Your attic should be your first stop. Then your basement. You might also want to insulate any sunrooms or attached kitchens that share doors, windows or other openings with the outside world. The goal is to pad all access points into your home so winter won't be able to reach you indoors. Its bite will be stopped by all of your insulation efforts.

3. Clean Your Gutters

This is something many homeowners don't even think about until it's too late. When your rain gutters are full of leaves, branches and debris, they freeze and turn into projectiles just waiting to drop and hurt someone. They can also cause irreparable damage to the gutters themselves through their constant freeze-and-thaw cycle.

4. Protect Your Pipes

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can raise the temperature of your home by 2-5 degrees when you insulate your pipes. You'll also ensure that you get hot water without any sputters or delays, something critically needed when you've just stumbled out of bed on a cold morning and are desperate for a hot shower. Take the time this year to insulate your pipes: It's worth it.

5. Check Your HVAC System

When's the last time you changed your furnace filters? How long ago was your hot water heater professionally inspected? You should have HVAC units looked at every few years or so. Not only will this ensure that you're getting the best performance out of your system, but it'll also inform you of any problems just waiting to happen.
These are just five ways to prepare your home for the upcoming winter. A little caution now can save you a lot of time, energy and frozen toes in the future!

Winter is nearly here! To get the best advice on winterizing your Salt Lake City, UT home, call Valley Plumbing at 801-341-4222 today.

Hard water is a term used to describe water that has high levels of minerals, sediment and other particulates that can cause a variety of problems. Filtration equipment and treatment options may be needed in order to ensure homes have access to soft water that may be more suitable for bathing, cooking and even cleaning.
Scheduling a service appointment with a professional in order to have your water tested can provide valuable insight regarding the quality of your water and the options and solutions that can be made available in order to address any issues you may be experiencing.

What Causes Hard Water?

Hard water is created when water percolates through chalk, limestone and other sedimentary mineral deposits that may leave trace elements and particles within a water supply. Older plumbing and fixtures that may be improperly maintained could also be responsible for decreased water quality.
Hard water can leave stains and mineral deposits on surfaces that it has come into contact with which can make cleaning more difficult or create excessive and premature wear on pipes, fixtures and appliances.

How is Hard Water Treated?

Treating water in order to improve its quality can be done through a variety of methods. High-end filtration devices can be very effective at removing minerals from within a water source and even water treatment products can provide an effective solution in circumstances where overall quality remains relatively fair.
Speaking with an experienced professional regarding your options and needs can ensure that finding the right resources and solutions may be done with greater ease. Home and property owners who are interested in improving the quality of their water would be wise to seek the advice and service that only a professional may be able to offer.

Signs You May Have Hard Water

While professional testing of your water is the only way to be sure about water quality and purity, there are several common signs that might indicate a problem. Noticing a film or residue on sinks, tubs and even glassware and dishes is a common indication of hard water.
Water that has an unpleasant taste, a cloudy appearance or a strange smell are other signs that it may be time to call in the professionals. Filtration equipment and water treatment services can be very effective in softening water and ensuring that your plumbing and fixtures can be kept in good working condition.

Knowing about the water in your Salt Lake City home is important. Call Valley Plumbing at 801-341-4222 to learn more about treatment options!

A slow flushing toilet can be a major inconvenience in your home. Many people struggle with their slow flushing toilets everyday, and they are probably wondering what might be causing your toilet to flush slowly.
There are three major causes of slow flushing toilets, the water level in the toilet, the toilet sediment level, and toilet blockages.

Water Levels in Your Toilet

The water level in your toilets tank can have a major impact on the way that your toilet flushes. Every toilet has a tank that is meant to refill your toilet.
When your toilet's tank is full the toilet will refill extremely quickly, but if your toilet tank is close to empty it can lead to delays in refilling your tank. If your tank is close to empty, you may want to contact a plumber to diagnose the problems with your tank.

A Problem With the Inlet Valve

When your toilet refills it has to run through an inlet valve in your bowl. Any disruption in this valve will cause your toilet to refill slowly.
Over time the inlet valve will fill with sediments. This can be impacted by the quality of the water in your area, especially if you live in an area with a large number of calcium deposits. If your inlet valve fills up with sediments, then you may need to clean out your inlet valve in order to restore the flow of water to your toilet.

A Blockage in Your Toilet

One final thing that could have an impact on your toilet is a blockage in your toilet. Over time your toilet will build up blockages just because paper and other materials can build up in your pipes.
Toilet blockages are common, and if your plunger is not helping with the issue, then you may want to contact a plumber to help you with your issues. A toilet blockage can have a major impact on your toilet flow, and it is extremely important for people to check their toilet for blockages regularly.
A low flowing toilet can be a major inconvenience, and there are several reasons why your toilet could be flowing at a low rate. These reasons include a build up of sediments in your system, blockages in your toilet, and a low water tank in your toilet.
If you notice that you have a low flowing toilet, and you are having trouble diagnosing the issue, then you definitely need to call a plumber. He or she will help you get your toilet back to normal.

Your Salt Lake City, UT toilet issues can be a nuisance. Call Valley Plumbing at 801-341-4222  today, and let's get your toilet back to its flushing state!

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the average individual uses from eighty to one hundred gallons of water every day. Identifying the top three water-wasting appliances can help you join the movement to reduce water waste in Salt Lake City. If your city or town meters the water, you will save money and the environment by reducing wasted water. In drought areas, it’s especially important to consider your water use.
To reduce residential indoor water use, consider the top three water wasters:
--Toilets, representing about thirty-two percent;
--Showers, accounting for about twenty percent; and
--Washing machines, using about eighteen percent
In comparison, drinking water and using water for cleaning represent just two percent of the average person’s daily water use!

Outdated Toilets Are a Leader in Water Waste

The average person today isn’t flushing a toilet designed to save water. USGS estimates that an older toilet may use at least four gallons per flush. American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwARF) estimates that the average individual flushes five times each day. That’s twenty gallons for most people or eighty gallons for a family of four.
Checking each toilet for leaks is critical. For those with older toilets, it’s possible to adjust the tank water level to avoid refilling at default levels, but why not install new toilets? A water-efficient toilets uses less than two gallons per flush, an automatic water savings of fifty percent.

Your Shower or Bathtub Could Be More Efficient

For some, taking a bath instead of a shower can save quite a lot of water. An average bath uses about thirty-six gallons. In comparison, an older shower delivers about five gallons of water a minute. A longer shower, about eight minutes, will use forty gallons. If you take more than one shower a day, keep it short!
A newer shower appliance will reduce water use to about two gallon a minute. If you love taking a shower, consider taking a shorter shower, installing a newer low flow shower head, or both. It's also kind to the environment to take a sponge bath every so often instead of a bath or shower.

Your Washing Machine is Another Water Guzzler

Despite the belief that many washing machines never wear out, it's important to consider replacing yours before it reaches the end of an average fourteen year life. Older models may use forty gallons a load. A newer EnergyStar model saves both water--using about twenty-five gallons per load--and electricity. When possible, select the shortest cycle to save water and money.

Now more than ever, conservation doesn’t require a lifestyle change! Call the professionals of Valley Plumbing & Drain Cleaning at 801-341-4222 to see how easy it is to conserve water in your Salt Lake City, UT home.

Leaks aren't always the dramatic burst pipe of sitcom fame. Sometimes they can creep up on you until you don't realize how much water you're losing -- or how much damage has been done.
Some figures show the average family wastes 11,000 gallons of water each year through leaks alone. That's roughly 270 loads of laundry, and those lost water costs add up.
Keep ahead of any possible leaks by following these five tips.

1. Your monthly water bills jump

Always compare your month-to-month use of water. You may not notice water loss from a small leak for a while, but water bills that increase steadily are one sure clue. If you suspect you have a leak:

• find your water meter
• stop all water use
• mark the meter
• wait an hour without using water
• check the meter again

If the meter indicator has moved, chances are good you have a leak somewhere. If you don't know where the leak might be, call a professional plumber to determine the problem.

2. Mold where there shouldn't be mold

Mold in a shower is a given -- it's hard to clean it all. But if you notice mold on non-shower walls, you may have trouble that needs a professional's touch.

3. Phantom running water

Hearing running water when nothing is turned on is another sign something may be leaking somewhere. Check all the usual suspects first -- garden taps, shower nozzles, and taps.

4. Stains

Discolorations on walls or ceilings often signal the presence of a leak. On floors, look for discolorations where nothing has been spilled and for areas that feel spongy or moist underfoot. Blistering paint and peeling wallpaper may also indicate leaks inside walls or ceilings.

5. Smells

Standing water often gets a musty or foul smell. If you notice odd smells in your home or bathroom even after you've completely cleaned, especially if the smell is near a floor or drain, check for a leaking pipe under the floor.
Leaks can cause extensive damage to a room or home. Be sure to catch them before they become a problem, and don't hesitate to ask a professional for help.

Don't be submerged by the water in your Salt Lake City home. Call Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning at 801-341-4222 today, and get that water leak repaired now!