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Because the plumbing is one of the most expensive systems in a home, finding ways to extend it's life is imperative. To ensure that a plumbing system is in top shape, there are several things that need to be monitored, one of which is the age and condition of the entire system.
When plumbing gets some age on it, it can start to decline. The walls inside the pipes will begin to wear due to corrosion. Pipes that have age issue need to be treated differently than those that are brand new. For instance, if there is a clog, the types of tools that are used to work on the system will need to be altered.

Consider The Repair History

Another thing to consider when dealing with a plumbing system is the repair history. This will be a good indicator of maintenance issues to come. Pipes that haven’t been properly maintained could have years of issues building up inside them. Anyone that wants to extend the life of their plumbing needs to do one thing, clean them out often.

Why Drain Cleaning Works!

Drain cleaning is not just for the business that has extra money to spend. Drain cleaning will remove years of build-up which can cause the pipes to erode. Removing the sediment inside the pipes will make water flow freer and will make it have a different appearance and taste.
Ever seen discolored water come from a plumbing system? This is because the pipes are usually old and have a build-up that is leaching into the water.

Drain Cleaning is Not A Luxury

Whether a home has an issue, or there needs to be preventative maintenance doesn’t matter drain cleaning is essential for every plumbing system. Having a periodic inspection, by a qualified plumbing professional, will ensure that the system is functioning properly. They can identify any leaks, pipes that are about to break or other potential problems.
When and if it does become necessary to replace the pipes, having a company that can give advice on what types of pipes to use and ways to save money is advantageous.
Drains and plumbing systems are the heartbeat of the home. Without functioning pipes, a family cannot live in their home and enjoy the luxuries of things like cooking and laundry. From sewer pipes to sink drains and everything in between, ensuring they are cleaned periodically will extend their lifetime.

Keep your Salt Lake City plumbing system in top shape with a little help from Valley Plumbing & Drain Cleaning. Call us at 801-341-4222 today!

The modern toilet is one of the most useful innovations known to man. The history of the toilet is one that dates back to 3,000 B.C. Scotland. During this time period, people lived in stone settlements with drains built into the walls, which historians believe were used for toiletry purposes. In 1,700 B.C. Crete, earthenware pots were used as toilets. These latrines were connected to a plumbing system with water being carried through terra cotta pipes. Toilet technology this impressive wasn't seen again until the 16th century.

Toilets in Ancient Rome

The bathhouses of ancient Rome were spectacular for their time period. Here, 1,600 people could use the facilities at one time. When it came to answering the “call of nature,” Romans were a bit more barbaric. Despite the city's 144 public bathrooms equipped with rudimentary toilet benches, the majority of citizens simply tossed their bodily waste into the street.

The First Flushable Toilet

The world's first flushable toilet was invented in 1596 by John Harrington, the godson of Queen Elizabeth I. Harrington only made two prototypes — one for the queen and one for himself. Unfortunately, Queen Elizabeth believed the sound of the flushing would alert the palace of her toileting habits and was too embarrassed to ever use the invention. Harrington was mocked by his peers for his innovation, and the world didn't see another toilet with flushing capabilities until about 200 years later.

Toilets in the 18th and 19th Century

Many people attribute the modern porcelain toilet to John Crapper, a man whose surname has become synonymous with the lavatory. Although Crapper was a plumbing supply store owner who purchased a patent for a porcelain toilet system, he was not the inventor of this innovation. Watchmaker Alexander Cummings is actually the one to thank for inventing the modern flush toilet in 1775. During the Victorian Era (1837-1901) the working class sat on holes cut into wooden benches and positioned over an ash-filled pit to relieve themselves, with one or two of these benches available per street. The Victorian upper class enjoyed cisterns with siphonic flush pans in their home lavatories.

The Future of the Modern Toilet

What does the future hold when it comes to the humble toilet? Japanese toilet manufacturer Toto hosted a recent exhibition at the London Design Festival showcasing self-cleaning toilets with germ-killing technology that are also designed to conserve water. In California, a movement to recycle once-wasted flushed water into drinking water hopes to provide a solution to the drought problem. While the future of toilets remains to be seen, one thing is certain — the toilets of the future will be more luxurious, yet more efficient, than ever before.

If you're ever having toilet troubles in your Salt Lake City home call Valle Plumbing & Drain Cleaning at 801-341-4222!

When you have a clogged toilet in your home, all activities stop until the problem is resolved. Homeowners must often rely on the services of a reliable plumbing company to take care of the problem. You can avoid these clogging issues if you pay attention to the top five causes of toilet clogs that professional plumbers often find at fault:

1 – Unsuitable Toilet Paper

The supermarket aisles are full of toilet paper choices, but some of these products may contribute to toilet clogs. Professional plumbing contractors recommend the simplest kind of one-ply tissue, which will break down easily in the water. Using “extra-thick,” “quilted,” or other luxury paper products are more like to contribute to clogging problems.

2 – Fallen Objects

Another common cause of toilet clogs is random objects that fall into the toilet bowl. These objects may fall into the bowl unnoticed, and then get flushed into the system.
Some homeowners soon learn that their vanity sinks present a troublesome trajectory that bounces objects directly off the counter and into the toilet. Alerting family members to the problem, and removing all objects from the vanity counter after use can help to eliminate this problem of random objects falling into the toilet. Another problem in households with children is toys that somehow find their way into the toilet. Keeping a basket under the sink specifically for bath toys can help to resolve the problem of toys falling into the toilet.

3 – Toilet Bowl Cleaner Products

Consumers have a number of new toilet cleaning and deodorizing products available in stores. However, these products can be the cause of frequent toilet clogs. Many of these products have a gel consistency that does not dissolve completely as it goes through the drain system. The gel can collect on small turns and irregularities on the lining and can obstruct the normal flow of water and debris. Removing these clogs may require the services of a professional plumber.

4 – Feminine Hygiene Products

The instructions on the packages of feminine hygiene products may say that they are flushable, but in fact, they may not dissolve sufficiently for your drain system. Always provide a separate container for these products and inform household members about proper disposal.

5 – Wiper Sheets

The market also offers a number of wiper sheets for babies, as well as adults, that substitute for ordinary toilet paper. These wiper sheets often do not break down in the water and easily snag on any small irregularity in the toilet drain. Disposing of these sheets in a suitable receptacle, rather than flushing down the toilet, will help to prevent toilet clogs.

Avoid the embarrassment of an untimely toilet clog, call Valley Plumbing at 801-341-4222 to keep your Salt Lake City throne flushing!

The plumbing in your home is an important part of keeping the dishes, clothes washed and showers for everyone in the home. However, there are common myths in the plumbing industry that are simply not true.
Read about the five most common myths to learn more about keeping your home plumbing system running smoothly.

Everything Can Go Down the Drain

This myth is especially not true since grease, eggshells and other food items will damage your garbage disposal.
Most homeowners believe that as long as the water is running, then everything will break up in the garbage disposal. The only food items that are appropriate for the garbage disposal include soft foods. Deposit grease and other food items into the trash.

Lemon Cleans and Disinfects the Kitchen Drain

Lemon can make the drain smell better but it will not make it clean. Disconnect the garbage disposal from its power source before cleaning the drain. Spray a heavy-duty cleaning solution in the disposal and let it sit to make it clean and smell fresh

Maintenance-Free Plumbing Fixtures

Many homeowners simply think there is no maintenance required for plumbing fixtures. However, clogged drains can and will occur if they are not maintained.
You should inspect your plumbing fixtures for signs of damage due to tree roots, sewer problems or other concerns on a regular basis. If your water is not running fast enough, then find out why. Hire a plumbing contractor to inspect your plumbing system to save you from future, costly plumbing bills.

In-Tank Cleaners

This is a myth because most homeowners think that in-tank cleaners is all that is needed to keep the toilet clean. The only thing in-tank cleaners do is keep scum to a minimum.
You should clean the toilet bowl with white vinegar to disinfectant the entire toilet. You can also use heavy-duty toilet bowl cleaners once a week to keep your toilet bowl shining.

Hot Water Dissolves Grease

Many people turn on the hot water before dumping grease down the drain. They believe the hot water breaks up the grease but it does not. If you pour grease down your drain, it will likely stick to the bottom and sides of the drain and eventually back up causing drain problems.
Keep your drains clear by pouring grease into a sealed container before dumping it into the trash. Maintain your drains with regular cleaning and disinfecting products.

Don't be fooled by plumbing myths! Call Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning at 801-341-4222 for great advice and service in the Salt Lake City Utah area.

Do you ever worry that you are using your water foolishly? Have you ever felt like your plumbing system could be much more efficient? If so, you're right. Today, many homeowners use their water completely inefficiently.
Thankfully, though, there are steps you can take to combat this issue. Check out some tips for making your plumbing system much more efficient below:

1. Analyze Your Appliances

What few people realize is that old appliances have a tendency of not working as efficiently as we need them to. They may be causing your water bills to go up high or slowly destroying your plumbing system.
Either way, you need to ditch the appliances in order to make your plumbing system more efficient. While this may sound costly, it will actually save you money in the long run.
Besides this, old appliances also require more water to run than is necessary and they don't even drain effectively. This is a problem that is especially found in dishwasher.
That's because the food that is coming off of your dishes is sliping into the drainage system. This causes a buildup to develop further down the pipeline. New applianes that come with a built-in disposal will really make a big difference.

2. Get Maintenance Performed Annually

Regular maintenance is crucial for your household because it ensures that your plumbing system is working just as it should. This maintenance helps your system run better as a whole. However, maintenance can be complicated which is why you should always leave this tip to a professional plumber.
They'll be able to use items like a drain snake on older systems and stubborn pipes. These individuals know exactly what they're doing. The plumber may also take off the drain cover and look for any clogs. This will help make sure that all the drains are flowing properly which will help keep the whole system more efficient.

3. Keep the Flow of Your Toilet Low

Unfortunately, as toilets start to age, they reduce their efficiency by half. One side effect of this is that your toilet may end up running continuously, which will cause your water bills to go way up. Think about all that water that is now being wasted.
That's why many different plumbers decide to improve the plumbing system by installing a dual-flush or low-flush toilet.
These toilets help fix these plumbing issues because they require less water on every flush. Obviously, if less water is being used, your system is being more efficient.

Interested in going green? Call Valley Plumbing and Drain Cleaning at 801-341-4222 to make your Salt Lake City home more energy efficient.